The West Dorset Magazine Edition 25, February 2023

The West Dorset Magazine

HARRROLD!

Footwear seller marking 40 years in business, from selling espadrilles on the pavement to being the only shoe shop in town

P32-33

SEA CHANGE:

£23m to transform Weymouth’s waterside areas

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Plus, NINE pages of Whasson, SIX pages of sport plus puzzles, recipes & more...

We’re the most popular publication in the area with a readership of 60-70,000!

Miranda Robertson Editor miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Karen Bate News Editor karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Nick Horton Chief Sub nickH@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Stuart Wickham Sports editor stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk Lyndon Wall Cartoonist justsocaricatures.co.uk

Holman

Charminster has a rather unusual celebrity – a jackdaw called Ed. Clare Raines’ daughter rescued him as a chick and ever since, he has been visiting people begging for love.

Clare, pictured right, said: “It now looks like he’s the village celebrity bird. He means no harm.” Another village mum Joanna Handley says Ed taps at the window with his

wonky beak until one of his humans can come out and give him attention. The crow follows Joanna’s daughter around and other villagers report him trying to get in their cars with them.

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

The regeneration game: £23m set to

Dorset Council will plough £23million into regenerating Weymouth’s waterside after being awarded £19.5million by the government.

The council’s successful funding bid focuses on funding repairs and infrastructure upgrades to harbour walls at the Peninsula and North Quay to ‘allow proposals from private investors for new residential, commercial and leisure to be invited’. The funding may also allow the council to speed up its plans to demolish the former borough council offices at North Quay, freeing up a prime piece of waterside real estate for development.

In its funding bid, Dorset Council said the ‘business case’ for harbour wall repairs is based on ‘bringing work forward by 10 years, so redevelopment

can happen sooner’. The council also plans to purchase ‘long leasehold interests’ in the town, as it previously has with the Weymouth Bowl, to ‘help generate fresh development opportunities and regain management of the land the council already owns’.

Dorset Council submitted its funding bid in the second round of the government’s Levelling Up Fund last summer with the aim of ‘regenerating Weymouth’s waterfront economy’. The authority says it will support the government’s investment of £19.5million by contributing £3.5million

towards the overall project costs, bringing the total investment package up to £23million.

A council spokesperson added: “Dorset Council officers have met with civil servants from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss the next steps and agree a rough timescale.

“Projections suggest the council and government will be in a position to agree a contract for delivery of the projects in the spring.”

Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Property, Assets and Regeneration, Cllr Tony Ferrari, said: “To be successful in this

DEMOLITION: The former borough council offices on North Quay

PRIME SITE: Weymouth has been ‘a forgotten town’

boost redevelopment across resort

second round of funding is great news for Weymouth and shows that it is not ‘a forgotten town’. Our bid was ambitious and robust and our continuous lobbying to government has paid off. This fabulous sum of money will significantly help towards regenerating Weymouth.

“In anticipation of this funding announcement, officers have been working on a revised planning application to demolish North Quay. Today’s announcement will allow us to quickly present this application and to do the required enabling works to bring this site forward as a prime waterfront location, should we get the necessary planning consent.

“The £19.5million allows us to put the essential infrastructure in place to attract private sector investment which in turn will lead to new homes being built, increased employment and a more prosperous town.

“We’ll now also be able to accelerate the programmed harbour wall maintenance work which will allow regeneration to happen by making Weymouth a sustainable seaside town with robust flood defences, which in turn will attract private investment.

“Levelling Up funding is just one of several big sums of money we are lobbying government for. This funding will help us tackle deprivation and regenerate the town’s economy. We can now deliver transformational change by repurposing the high street and expanding leisure and recreational facilities in the town, which we know is important to local people.

“We are committed to working with partners and stakeholders to deliver our aspirations, and make Weymouth a great place to live, work and visit.”

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “I am delighted at this news.

“Weymouth has long languished at the bottom of the list for funding.

The town has so much to offer and £19m in levelling up funds will go a long way towards the waterfront regeneration plans.”

REPAIRS AND RENEWAL: The harbour wall and Pavilion peninsula

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Thursday, Feb 9 A roarsome time awaits in dinosaur trail

Compton Valence snowdrops and refreshments in the village hall, 11am – 3.30pm until February 12. Walk or drive through the beautiful village and see the stunning white drifts of snowdrops.

To book call Tessa Russell on 01308 482227 or tessa@cvfarms.co.uk

Booked guests will take priority as the hall is small.

The Emperor’s New Clothes will be staged at The Royal Manor in Portland at 7.30pm (& on Friday and Saturday).

Emperor Richard is very vain, spending all the kingdom’s wealth on the most fabulous clothing, much to the consternation of the royal accountant. To afford a new outfit for his jubilee, a competition is announced to find the very best designer to create a masterpiece. A quest to find competitors takes the royal footman Pierre across the land, encountering a collection of strange townsfolk and sad tales. Who will create the best outfit? How amazing will the Emperor look at his jubilee?

For tickets visit ticketsource.co.uk/royalmanor theatre

Sherborne and District Gardeners’ Association meeting is at 2.30pm at the Digby Hall in Sherborne David Ennals will give a talk on bonsai for beginners. All welcome. Non-members £2.

Bridport History Society will meet at 2.30pm at United

Dinosaurs are back! We Are Weymouth (BID) is launching its dinosaur trail on Sunday, February 12 – the trail is on until March 26. This year the trail features five life-size dinosaurs installed throughout the town, as well as a Dino PAW trail, all kicked off with a dino-tastic launch event, with baby dinosaurs and their handlers, a giant dinosaur egg and visits from walking and growling dinosaurs; the spinosaurus and raptor. Everything is free to attend. Head to Bowleaze Cove and

Church Hall, East St at 2.15pm to hear a talk entitled ‘Distressed’ in Dorset: A Tale of Debt, Bankruptcy and Flight in the 1820s by Dr Robert Nantes. Visitors welcome £4. For more info and Zoom link please contact Jane: tel: 01308 425710 or email: jferentzi@aol.com

A talk by Professor Ronald Hutton – Witchcraft and Magic – will be held at 6pm at Dorchester’s Shire Hall Museum.

This talk will examine the beliefs in witchcraft and magic held by ordinary British people between 1740 and 1940, a neglected period between the end of the witch trials and the appearance of modern New Age witches.

The talk looks at who became

The Lookout Cafe, The Palm house at Swannery Walk, The Nothe Tavern, Nautico Lounge as well as the Royal hotel to discover all the dinosaur installations. With QR codes at each point, visitors can learn

folk magicians and why, what techniques they used, whether they worked in groups, how much they were persecuted, and what became of their traditions. It also considers who was suspected of evil witchcraft and what happened to them. Tickets at shire-hall-historic-courthousemuseum.myshopify.com

Friday, Feb 10

An Open Mic Night will be held from 8pm at Tippling Philosopher Milborne Port Go along to listen and/or take part. This isn’t a show, it isn’t a competition, it’s just fun!

Sherborne Library is holding a talk with Sarah Acton entitled Seining Along Chesil between 2.30pm and 3.45pm Hear about Sarah’s new book

all about each dinosaur and the Jurassic Coast. The launch event will be held in the town centre, with the giant egg at Cineworld. Visitors are encouraged to share pictures on Facebook and Instagram and tag @WeAreWeymouthUK #WeAreJurassic

For full information on where to stay and what to do, head to weareweymouth.co.uk

which remembers and celebrates the Seine fishing communities.

Free, booking advised on 01935 812683.

Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows is holding a Friday Coffee Morning at Crossways Village Hall, DT2 8JA between 10.30am and noon.

All welcome. For more details contact Mary 01305 853125 or marybrewer44@icloud.com

BSO Trio of Flute, Harp & Cello – Spring Serenade will be at Portesham Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Box office: 01305 873891. £12, £6 u18s, £25 fam. Artsreach and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra present a magical programme, with Dvorak and Debussy, Bach and

Brahms, Grieg and Grainger.

Swanage singer Alexis is performing her solo Motown act at Wellworthy Sports and Social Club in Wyke Regis, Weymouth.

Alexis is joining Crystal Ship, the former Weymouth-based band from the sixties and early seventies who reformed in 2017 and have continued to play since for a set.

Tickets £10 on the door or info@classicmedia.co.uk

Saturday, Feb 11

Prize bingo at Maiden Newton Village Hall at 2pm – eyes down 2.30pm. Raffle, children’s game, tea and cake.

A Repair Cafe will be held 10.30am-12.30pm at Top Club

Littlemoor

Volunteers fix your broken items while you watch. No charge – donate as much or as little as you like. Free parking. Tea, coffee and homemade cake

Bridport Record and Music

Fair will be held at 10am at Bridport United Church. Music and Record Fair with knowledgeable, impartial dealers.

Swanage Railway is holding an Open Weekend 10am-5pm today and Sunday, February 12.

Tickets: swanagerailway.co.uk

Fancy a look behind the scenes at Swanage Railway? Well, this is your chance! See the inner workings of the railway including visits to the signal box

and signalling museum at Corfe Castle as well as the carriage restoration shed at Swanage. Visit the footplate of one of the steam locomotives at Swanage as well as the opportunity to drive one of the Class 08 Diesel shunters in Swanage in their Driver for a fiver sessions.

Quinn’s Quinney will be playing at Bridport’s The Ropemakers from 9.15pm.

Circus of Horrors will be at Weymouth Pavilion at 7.30pm with their sensational new show The Haunted Fairground, set in a decrepit fairground on the edge of nowhere. Haunted by creatures of the unknown who had been plastinated as exhibits in The House of Wax & brought back to life by a Tesla Coil machine to run havoc. Amazing set, stellar lights, special effects and beautifully bizarre circus acts.

Tickets £26 - £28.25 via Ticketmaster.

Bournemouth Model Railway Exhibition 2023 will be held from 10am-4pm at Hamworthy Club, Magna Rd, Wimborne, BH21 3AP, hosted by The East Dorset N Gauge Group. Tickets bmre.org.uk

Adults £8, accompanied children free. Free parking. Hot and cold food and drink available from 10am, bar.

St Nicholas Church in Broadwey (DT3 5DN) is hosting a Valentine’s Concert at 7.30pm.

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Off you trot! Spring show set to be amazing

Macsetal & Friends will be performing songs and music of love to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day. There will be a cash bar.

The event is to raise funds for Wessex Heartbeat and St Nicholas Church repair fund. Tickets are available at £8 from susanamalik@yahoo.com or 07944 617553

A whist drive is held every Saturday, 7.30pm, at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Lysander Road, Yeovil, BA20 2BU. Just turn up, or call Nigel on 01935 862325 for more details.

Sunday, Feb 12

Armed forces veterans’ breakfast club 9am-11am at The Greyhound Hotel in Bridport

Serving armed forces personnel, veterans, partners and relatives are all welcome. No subs or joining fees, just breakfast and banter.

Weymouth Comic Con and Gaming Festival will be held 10am-4.30pm at Weymouth College Sports Centre. Tickets: tickettailor.com/ events/ukcgf/803425

A Choral Eucharist Service will be held at St Peter’s Church in Dorchester at 10.30am for the first in a new series of monthly services.

The music includes: Haydn: Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo (Little Organ Mass), Stopford: God be in my head, Tallis: If ye love me and Mozart: Ave verum corpus. All welcome.

Monday, Feb 13

A Fun Quiz will be held at The Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild at the Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury at 2pm.

Ian Campbell will host the quiz,

Shake off those postChristmas blues at Dorset’s first country show of the year. The Spring Countryside Show, organised by the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, is returning for its second year on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday 23 at the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe. A showcase of rural crafts including wood carving, farriering, heavy-horse logging, gun dog handling and terrier racing plus a dedicated farm yard area full of animals to meet is on offer. There will be a Strictly Come Dancing style sheep contest at The Sheep Show and, in the rural ring, prepare to be stunned by the star attraction - the famous Lloyds Bank black horse, Amadeus, will

which will not be mastermind standard!

Non-members are invited and tea and coffee will be served. Enquiries. 01305 832857

MS Society Dorset meets for its Bridport Social Evening at 7pm-9pm at The Bull Hotel. If you have MS, care for someone with MS or would like to volunteer for us then go along on the second Monday of each month. Chat, advice and hot beverages.

Natural Art is a half term activity at The Kingcombe Centre at 1pm.

Do something creative guided by the team, while exploring the wildlife living in Kingcombe Meadows. Tickets are charged per child, and accompanying adults go free.

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Book at eventbrite.

be part of a horseback falconry display. There will be show gardens, a ‘cookery theatre’ with demonstrations from local chefs, a funfair with bouncy castles, working steam engines and a classic car display plus stalls selling clothes, homeware and produce.

Snowdrop walks are held every Monday and Wednesday in February at Kingston Lacy NT. Spot different varieties and see the carpets of naturalised bulbs, and meet the gardener in the Fernery, who will discuss the different varieties of snowdrops. Walks cost £2. Admission applies (free to National Trust members). nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/dorset/kingston-lacy

Tuesday, Feb 14

This Is Me Dorset runs LGBTQ+ meets in Weymouth and Bridport, open to all LGBTQ+, their allies and friends every Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm at the Royal Oak, Dorchester Road, Weymouth. More information from anabellebayne@gmail.com or 07411 465007.

Ann & Neil’s Acoustic Night will be held at The Woodman,

There’s also a festival area with live music, food and a bar with local ales, gin and cider open until 10pm on Saturday.

Tickets for the two-day event are on sale now, with early bird prices of £10 per ticket for adults, children go free. gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk

South St, Bridport at 8pm. Solos & duos play and sing folk, blues, country and all things rootsy in the round. Expect some love themed songs this Valentine’s Night. Every 2nd Tuesday. New performers and singers welcome or just listen and enjoy.

A Warm Space with a Hot Meal is promised every Tuesday at The Veterans Hub, 114A Portland Rd, Weymouth (DT4 9AD) from 8pm. The team will be opening the café doors from 1800-2000hrs for anyone in the community that would like to warm-up, recharge, and have a free homemade hot meal – open to the entire community.

World of Water will run from 10.30am at The Kingcombe Centre.

Tickets: Free - £3.60 from Eventbrite.

Explore Kingcombe Meadows which is teeming with wildlife. The nature reserve is managed as a working farm, grazed by cows, sheep and Exmoor ponies, without the use of modern agricultural practices. The result is a patchwork of fields of unimproved flowerrich grassland, broken up by thick hedges, streams, ponds, ancient green lanes and wooded areas spreading up the valley either side of the River Hooke. This river supports a wide range of wildlife – explore the minibeasts that live in the river! Tickets are charged per child, accompanying adults go free.

A free after hours relaxed opening will be held at Dorset Museum from 4.30pm. The event is designed to support autistic and neurodiverse children and families. Families can explore the galleries with adjustments and lowered volume levels and take part in arts and crafts activities. They have a quiet space to take time out should anyone need it and sensory resources and ear defenders are available to support your visit.

Best for children aged five to 15. Siblings are welcome.

Wednesday, Feb 15

The 2nd Dorchester Company Boys Brigade and Girls Association is a uniformed youth organisation that meets every Wednesday 6pm-7pm at Boys Brigade Hall, Sawmills Ln, Dorchester and welcomes boys and girls ages 5-11. Lots of fun activities and new things to learn. For more info go to boys-brigade.org.uk.

If you would like your child to join or any other information, email Phil at boysbrigade2nd dorchester@gmail.com

Jack and the Beanstalk will be performed at Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis, until February 18. Tickets available now at lymepanto.co.uk/tickets

Starring a talented local cast with enough razzle dazzle to light up Lyme Regis, the most talked about beanstalk comes to town during February half term.

A Dinosaur Sleepover is being held at Dorset Museum from 5.45pm until 8am.

The Jurassic Coast Trust’s event features an evening of fun and varied activities led by experts, plus a film and breakfast, and the chance to spend the night in this beautiful and historic museum in the heart of Dorchester.

Tickets are £25 for adults and children. Suitable for children aged 6-12 years.

Your ticket includes hot chocolate and biscuits in the evening, breakfast in the morning, and tea and coffee for the grown-ups. shop.jurassiccoast.org

ROH Live: The Barber of Seville comes to Dorchester’s Plaza Cinema at 7pm. Expect heart-melting serenades, ridiculous disguises and a fairytale ending waiting just out of reach. From the barber’s opening number ‘Largo al factotum,’ with its cry of ‘Figaro!,’ to Rosina’s feisty aria ‘Una voce poco fa,’ Gioachino Rossini’s comic opera is a riotously entertaining affair. pddorch.admit-one.eu

Thursday, Feb 16

Dr Marc Morris will talk about The Anglo-Saxons at Sherborne Historical Society at 8pm in Digby Hall. Members free, visitors £5 sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

West Dorset Ramblers tackle Ringstead to Durdle Door and back at 10.15am - 8 miles Philip and Michelle 01460 62060. ramblers.org.uk

Sandra Brown will present a talk on ‘Banking in the 1950s,

Continued next page

Thatched, Grade II-listed 16th century freehouse at the heart of the historic village of Yetminster. Acclaimed Sunday roasts.

Classics fun run. Classic car and motorcycle-friendly.

Large, floodlit asphalt surfaced rear car park with CCTV. Car wash facilities.

Feb 16 continued

when the Customer Was Always Right’ at 2.30pm, Bridport WI Hall, North Street, in support of Bridport Millennium Green. Nonmembers £5, members £4 to include tea and biscuits. Details 01308 423078.

Artsreach theatre production: Georgia And The Iceberg will be at Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor at 3.30pm. Can you imagine spending your holiday in Antarctica? Or becoming best friends with a penguin? When Georgia goes to visit her big sister Helena, all she wants is to explore the big frozen continent outside her bedroom window. While Helena is focused on completing her chores, Georgia discovers a giant iceberg on a collision course with the nearby penguin colony. If she can’t get across the ice in time to warn them, everyone’s in danger. She might need some help …. A brrr-illiant adventure filled with puppetry, jokes and a heartwarming original story.

Tickets: £6 adult - £5 under 18from artsreach.co.uk/ event/georgia-dorsetborn or margaretmwing@gmail.com or 07796 454203.

Refreshments available – cash only. Recommended 7+ and their families. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the whole performance.

Bridport & District Gardening Club meets at 7.30pm in the WI Hall, North Street. Colin Varndell will talk about garden birds. Colin has been photographing the landscape and wildlife for over 42 years. His evocative photographs of animals, birds, insects, wild flowers and the landscape are reproduced in books, magazines, newspapers, greetings cards, calendars and in advertising worldwide. He has won awards four times in the prestigious International Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. His pictures

were used to promote the BBC millennium programme Living Britain

Thorncombe Environment Group meets 9.30am to 2pm at Thorncombe Sports and Social Club, Horseshoe Road, Thorncombe, TA20 4PS. There will be a mix of stalls from local community groups and businesses to wildlife and conservation organisations plus craft activities for children. Come and learn about protecting our environment and living in a more eco-friendly and sustainable way. All welcome. Entry free. Tea, coffee and cakes available, bar open. For more information or to book a stand please email ThorncombeEnvironmentGroup @outlook.com

Sherborne Library host Jungle Crafts for children, 3-4pm. Free and suitable for children aged 3 and older. Booking is advised – visit Eventbrite or call 01935 812683.

Friday, Feb 17

Make a willow deer sculpture in a beginners class with Studi0ne in Bridport from 10am-4pm. All materials & metal stand included. Call or text 07486 062343.

The RSPCA’s annual quiz will be held at Kingston Maurwood at 7pm.

Teams of four people at £10 per team. This can be paid on the

night but teams will need to email their team numbers and names beforehand. Raffle, refreshments. Email office@rspcataylorsrehoming. co.uk to register your team.

Saturday, Feb 18

Join the Bridport Folk Dancers for their barn dance/ceilidh in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport from 7.30pm10.30pm. Come along for a swing and a stomp ...with or without a partner. No experience necessary as a caller and musicians will lead the dances. Soft drinks available or BYO. Adults £5, children free. Proceeds to Julia’s House.

Make your own pottery beer tankard from 4pm-6.30pm at Tom Brown’s Pub, Dorchester

This beginner-friendly pottery workshop will be held as part of BREW DORCH beer festival 2023. Complimentary pint of beer. Once complete, your tankards will be taken to be dried, fired and glazed - ready to be collected in four to six weeks. NHS/Student/Blue Badge 15% discount. Limited spaces available. Adult only: 18+. potsnpints.co.uk

Meet the Author at Dorchester Library between 11am-noon, when poet and storywriter Jim Potts will talk about his books and ‘facing off the Thought Police’. Jim has written about Dorset and many countries (both friendly and hostile) where he has lived and

OPENING

IN GILLINGHAM

SOON

Book an appointment in March for 5% off bridesofdorset.co.uk

FB: @bridesofdorset

tracey@bridesofdorset.co.uk

07506 627630

Unit 4, SP8 5FB

worked overseas. You can turn up or book at Eventbrite 01305 224440.

Dorchester/Weymouth

All breeds walk will meet at 11am at Wareham Forest, with a short drive to a nearby pub. Meeting at Lawsons Clump Car Park, Morden Rd, Sandford, Wareham, BH20 7AA, which has lots of parking off road, walking on main gravelled tracks around the forest. To book your spot go to dorsetdogs.com/book

You must have your own pet insurance to attend.

If your dog gets overwhelmed there’s a stress-free walking group too: dorsetdogs.com/ stress-free-walks

Jumble sale, Maiden Newton Village Hall, 2pm.

Shire Hall Museum in Dorchester will host a Comedy in the Courtroom night with Heckle & Squelch.

Headlining is Ignacio Lopez, a Spanish and Welsh comedian who has headlined top comedy clubs all over the UK and Europe.

Supported by three great acts and hosted by Heckle and Squelch’s James. First drink free, book at shirehalldorset.org/events/ comedy-in-the-courtroom/

Sunday, Feb 19

Sherborne Folk Band Workshop, 1.30pm – 4.30pm

at Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, DT9 3NL.

Workshops are led by Julia Catovsky or a guest musician, who will teach tunes and harmonies by ear. The workshops are suitable for all levels and acoustic instruments. Sheet music and audio supplied in advance.

Admission: £15 on the door or cheaper when paid in advance via the website. sherbornefolkband.org

info@sherbornefolkband.org

Julia: 07527 508 277 .

Osmington Tea Dance will be held at the Village Hall from 3.15pm-6pm. Complimentary tea and cakes await you at the dance. Please bring your own teacup or mug to reduce waste. theswingdancecompany.co.uk

A Dorchester Pub Race will be held from 5pm as part of Brew Dorch, hosted by Blast Off P.T Fitness and Mindset Coaching. This is a fancy dress beer race to raise money for Dorchester Foodbank. Teams of up to 6 will race to various pub and locations for stamps. Your team will be given a list of 10 pubs at the start and you will have to work out the fastest route to visit each pub to collect a stamp . The finish line is Tom Brown’s, where the team with the best fancy dress and the fastest team will win amazing Dorchester Drinks Hampers stashed full of beers, spirits and wines. There will then be a live band playing at Tom Brown’s to keep the party going.

The Fancy Dress theme is ‘something beginning with B’. All money raised will be donated to Dorchester Food Bank. There must be at least two people in the team that are over 18. Tickets £18 from eventbrite.co.uk

Monday, Feb 20

Bridport Literary Festival is holding two special talks at the town’s Bull Hotel Ballroom, aimed at all those interested in

gardening and horticulture. Jim Bartos will be giving an illustrated talk at 2.30pm on his book, The Ornamental Wilderness in the English Garden, and Anna Pavord will be talking about The Seasonal Gardener at 4pm.

Sandwiched in between will be tea and cakes with the authors. Tickets are £25 for Friends of Bridport Literary Festival and £30 for non-Friends, which includes the two talks and tea and cakes. Book at the Bridport Tourist Information Centre either in person or by calling 01308 424901.

Becoming a Friend of Bridport Literary Festival entitles you to an advance copy of the Festival Brochure and priority booking of tickets, along with other benefits.

Subscription costs £15 a year or £25 for couples. Visit bridlit.com/support-us

Tuesday, Feb 21

A Folk Night & Fish and Chips will be held from 6pm at the White Lion in Broadwindsor. You can get fish and chips from the van in the Square and bring them into the pub. Free admission.

A Turn Lyme Green Talk: The Common Ground will be held at 7pm at Driftwood Cafe, Lyme Regis Baptist Church (top of Broad Street, DT7 3NY). The Common Ground Project creates community land trusts that take land out of private ownership and drive its use towards diversity, regenerative practice and common good. The project works in all areas of human wellness in relation to the land, including food, ecology, affordable housing and energy. It is creating two land trusts in East Devon, near to Lyme Regis (Harcombe & Gore Lane), and will be sharing how the model works and welcoming proposals about the use of the land.

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Are you looking for companionship or just friendships?

Just Dorset Introductions offers a personal, discreet friendship, introduction and dating service for people of all ages.

You will be guided through photo profiles by your area manager in the comfort of your home with ongoing support all the way.

l All members are personally vetted and interviewed

l Enjoy one to ones and group social events

l Affordable memberships and unlimited access to profiles

07593 542952

emma@justintroductionsgroup.co.uk Justintroductionsgroup.co.uk

Chance to join writing shed

The Chesil Bank Writing Shed meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7pm-9pm at Portesham Village Hall. Do you write, would you like to write?

From poetry to prose, fan fiction to literary fiction, and biography to travel guides.

Whatever your writing style and genre come and share it with us for feedback; challenge yourself with fun writing prompts and learn more about the business of being a writer. New writers welcome. Find out more:

writingshed.co.uk

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Thursday, Feb 23

The Gods Are All Here at Sherborne Library between 7pm and 9pm.

This storytelling performance weaves myth, song, folktales and legends of the African diaspora, and uncovers Phil Okwedy’s experiences of growing up as a child of dual heritage in 1960 & 70s Wales Tickets £10 from Eventbrite online or 01935 812683 .

Slinky Machine & King Heron

LIVE Jazz Fusion at Clocktower Music Bridport at 7pm. Tickets from Bridport’s Tourist Information Centre: 01308 424901.

Slinky Machine is a four-piece modern jazz fusion band who are equally at home in a jazz bar as they are playing to a festival crowd, with a typical Slinky Machine set ranging from exciting original material, through Jazz Fusion classics, to classy re-workings of contemporary tunes.

There’s a chance to get in on a bulk buy deal for solar panels in Bridport and around at Bridport WI hall, North Street, at 6.30pm. Email bridportsolar panels@gmail.com for details

Dorchester Branch of the Children’s Society will host Gardeners’ Questions in St George’s Church Hall, Fordington at 7.30pm. Guest speakers will be Simon Goldsack from Holme Gardens in Wareham, Nigel Hewish from Kingston Maurward and Bob Hollister from Country Garden Plant Sales.

Homemade cake will be served. Tickets are £8 in advance from Nicoll World Travel, 23 High Street, Dorchester or from Jane Culliford on 01305 264360 or Dorothy Maggs on 01305 262436 or on the door.

There’s a new monthly Paint Night starting at Dorchester’s Trumpet Major at 7pm.

Cost: £15 includes all materials No experience needed. Booking essential: creativeimagestudio

Writer in library talk

Dorset poet, songwriter and author Jim Potts will share stories from his life at Dorchester Library and Learning Centre on Saturday, February 18 from 11am to midday. Booking for the event called “Facing off the Thought Police!” is available via Eventbrite. For information call 01305 224440.

NT Live: Othello will be shown at Dorchester’s Plaza Cinema at 7pm.

An extraordinary new production of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer with a cast that includes Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rosy McEwan (The Alienist) and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance). pddorch.admit-one.eu

The February Pub Quiz is at The Kings Arms Portesham at 8.30pm. £1 per person to enter, teams of up to 4 people.

Friday, Feb 24

Sherborne Library host a storytelling workshop with Phil Okwedy from 11am-1pm. Join Phil for an interactive storytelling workshop designed to help you find and develop your skills. For adults, tickets cost £2. Booking is essential –visit Eventbrite online or call 01935 812683 for more info.

West Dorset Ramblers tackle

The Fleet in Winter at 10am –7.5 miles. Heather 07798 732252. ramblers.org.uk

Saturday, Feb 25

Dorchester Repair Café will be held at Shire Hall Museum, High West St, 10am-noon.

Charlton Horethorne Village

Hall will host a Take Art event Nu-Jazz quintet, RWKUS comes to Somerset to excite audiences with virtuousic, fastpaced jazz, guaranteed to get feet tapping. RWKUS are a contemporary jazz band born in Bristol, influenced by various forms of jazz, hip hop, afrobeat, latin and electronic music. Tickets £12 from takeart.org or Jenny Biggs (01935 814199) jb@classicmedia.co.uk

Dorchester Trinity Club will host Bootleg Beegees Tribute. dorchtrinityclub@gmail.com or call 01305 262671 for details.

National Tell a Fairy Tale day story time will be held at Weymouth Library 10am11am amd 11.30am-12.30pm. Come and join us for fairy tale story time with some of your favourite characters! Book free tickets on Eventbrite.

An acoustic concert will be held at Uploders Methodist Chapel (DT6 4NS) from 7.30pm. Free, donations welcome. Lovely intimate venue. Three performers (vocals, guitars, mandolin, steel guitar, harmonicas, kazoo). Songs loosely “Americana” genre, from the 1920s to the 90s, including pieces from jugbands, blues artists, rock performers and an Irish trad. song.

Swish – a free clothes

swapping event will be held 1pm-4pm at Upton Community Centre (BH16 5JA). Bring clothes and accessories cluttering your wardrobe that you love but don’t wear. Take home some new items for free, just bring a max of 10 items of men’s, women’s or children’s clothes/accessories in good, repairable condition. No need to bring clothes if you don’t have any to donate. Just come along anyway! Please ensure items are clean and in good condition. Email wasteteam@dorsetcouncil.gov. uk for more information.

There’s a Jukebox Workshop from 4pm-6pm at Dorset Museum in collaboration with Vinyl Van as part of its I Grew Up 80s exhibition. Tickets dorsetmuseum.org/ event/jukebox-workshop Housework’s CIC will be providing collage record crafts with records and record covers. Vinyl Van is a funky, independent record shop in Brewery Square Dorchester with a selection of new and preloved vinyl. You’ll find an eclectic mix of Reggae, Hip Hop, Soul, Funk, World, Electronic, Jazz, Blues, Ska, Rock, Pop, and more. They also sell books, prints, record crates, clothing, and jewellery. Entry included with day tickets, annual passes and membership. Booking advised.

There’s a Mind, Body and Spirit Fayre at the New Digby Hall, Sherborne 11am-5pm. Qualified therapists and healers, reiki, massage, indian head massage, reflexology, mediums and tarot readers and so much more! £1 entry. Refreshments and drinks available. For more information contact Sue on 07818 531877 or Evie 07855 175357.

A Ghostly Supper will be held at The 1635 Old Tea House, Dorchester from 6pm-11pm, hosted by ParaSpirit Events. Tickets: book.events/paraspiritevents/2023-02-25/42016

Join Dale & Paul at Dorchester’s oldest freestanding house in town. Built in 1635, this amazing house has many hidden secrets and is known to be extremely haunted. Expect seances, experiments plus a delicious home cooked chilli and curry buffet, served with a glass of wine or soft drink. Tickets: £45.

Sunday, Feb 26

Maiden Newton village hall will be filled with local clubs and groups from 10am-noon. Go along to find out what’s available.

A day of activities on The Birch Tree will be held 10am4pm at Hardy’s Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods. Tickets fazeywoodcraft.uk/workshops

Birch, Betula, Beithe, Bereza, Berke, Beth, Bouleau, The Goddess Tree, Lady of the Woods...

This one day course is all about the humble birch tree.

It is a tree steeped in myth, in folklore and more recently in science. From North America to Asia, across the whole of Europe & the British Isles, this tree has been used since prehistory for innumerable things. Discover the ancient practice of creating Birch Tar, along with its incredible properties and uses. Learn to tap the tree and drink its sap. Discover and use the many objects which can be made from the tree, as well as learn about its medicinal properties and how the chemicals within it, as well as fungi which grow on it, are currently being studied by science to potentially prove many of the old myths and tale..

Tuesday, Feb 28

Bridport & District u3a will host a talk on Wild Gardening by Mitch Perkins of Dorset Wildlife Trust at 2pm at Bridport United Church Hall in East Street. The talk will be about wildlife gardening and why wildlife

needs our help, what we can do to support nature in our gardens and local green spaces. Free to members, £2 for nonmembers. bridportu3a.org.uk

Weds, March 1

West Dorset Ramblers are in Winterborne Stickland from 10am - 10 miles. Chris 01308 281110 ramblers.org.uk

Weymouth Lunchtime Chamber Concerts continue with Margaret Fingerhut, piano at St Mary’s Church at 1pm. Tickets ticketsource.co.uk/ weymouth-lunchtime-concerts Around the World in 88 Piano Keys, featuring music by Grieg, Liszt, Albeniz, Bortkiewicz, Bartok, Panufnik, Sculthorpe, Ponce etc. Tickets £5 online or on the door. Pre-concert refreshments served in the church cafe from midday

Thurs, March 2

will meet at 8pm at the Digby Hall, Hound Street, to hear Julian Halsby – The Making of the Riviera: People and Places. Members free, visitors £5. sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

West Dorset Ramblers tackle Powerstock and Eggardon Hill at 10am - 7 miles. Bridget 01308 459875 ramblers.org.uk

Swanage Blues Festival will be held until March 5. This independent festival depends on the sale of support wristbands to keep it going. More at swanage-blues.org

Friday, March 3

The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows is holding a Friday Coffee Morning at Crossways Village Hall between 10.30am and noon. All welcome.

Continued next page

Sherborne Historical Society

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) to?)

Coast to lensman’s talk

The Loyal Hand in Hand Lodge of Oddfellows is hosting a Quiz Challenge with Rod Brewer at Crossways Village Hall, at 7.30pm. Teams of four. £20 per team including a ploughman’s style supper.

A Drop in Cafe for people with dementia and their carers is held at Weymouth Bay Methodist Church on the first Friday of every month 2pm-4pm. Enjoy tea, cakes and music for £2 per person. For details ring Esme on 01305 812637.

Latchepen: Live music “Jazz on strings” is a Dorset Artsreach show at Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor

Latchepen are born out of a collective admiration of Django Reinhardt and anything that swings. Acoustic by nature, Latchepen perform jazz on strings, with influences ranging from Romani music to bebop. lejazzetal.com/latchepen

Tickets £10, under 18s £5 from artsreach.co.uk/event/latchepen or Margaret Wing 07796 454203/margaretmwing@gmail .com. Bar available (cash only).

Saturday, March 4

Memphis Jazzmen will be at Weymouth Bay Methodist Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 in advance from Pete 01305 812637 or on the door £12.

A Multicultural Meetup will be held 1pm-3pm at Bridport Children’s Centre.

Join Jurassic Multicultural Network, a group where individuals and families of people from different cultures, ethnicities and faiths can find friendship, support and help promote their culture in this rural area, to get together, play, chat, share stories and make friends. Hot drinks, biscuits and friendly faces.

A Spring Quiz will be held at

Marine photographer and sailor Steve Belasco will be taking a photographic cruise along the Jurassic Coast in an illustrated talk at the Salthouse West Bay on Thursday, February 23 at 2.30pm.

Steve has photographed along the entire 95-mile length of England’s only natural World Heritage Site, from Poole in Dorset to Exmouth in Devon. His recently published book The Jurassic Coast From The Sea will also be available for sale at the event. Advance booking is essential

Moreton Village Hall at 7pm. Tickets £5 on the door and include a light supper and prizes. Teams of four or six persons, please bring your own tipple. moretonvillagehalldorset.uk

Glastonbury Fairy Weekend Spring 2023 is held today and tomorrow, 10.30am-6pm. The daytime fayre is free entry for the public, at Glastonbury Town Hall, Magdalene Street, Somerset BA6 9EL. The Fairy Ball takes place on Saturday night with music to be announced. There will be a selection of workshops and talks. More at faeryevents.com

Sunday, March 5

Bridport Chamber Orchestra’s Spring Concert and teas will be held at 3pm at St Swithun’s Church, Bridport. Music to include the Concertino for Clarinet by Tartini and An Englishman in New Orleans by Paul Coles: clarinet soloist Guillermo Ramasasa. Also pieces by Hubert Parry, Samuel Barber, Hugo Wolf and Gordon Langford.

to avoid disappointment. Tickets are £5 from Bridport Tourist Information Centre 01308 424901 (online and in person).

Tickets £12 from the Music Centre and The Book Shop, Bridport and on the door. Children free.

Tuesday, March 7

Blackmore Vale u3a’s next open meeting will hear from stunt artist Denise Edwards at 2.15pm at Henstridge Village Hall, refreshments available.

Weds, March 8

West Dorset Ramblers meet at Hawkchurch/Holditch, at 10.15am - 8.5 miles

Philip and Michelle 01460 62060 ramblers.org.uk

Thursday, March 9

West Dorset Ramblers will enjoy a pub walk from The Wise Man, West Stafford at 10am – 5.5 miles. Cynthia 01300 320346 ramblers.org.uk

Comediennes Janey Godley and Helen Lederer will make guest appearances at Dorset’s first women’s health symposium at Lighthouse Poole. Helen Lederer, who has long had a keen interest in promoting

and supporting women in the health arena will be launching the day’s event asking: “Why do we need to talk about women’s health?”

“With the publication of the Women’s Health Strategy last year, there has never been a more pertinent time to hear women’s voices or to share and learn about where Dorset is at in supporting women with their health”, said Marianne Storey, Chair of Women’s Action Network Dorset.

The strategy sets out a 10-year plan to improve health outcomes for women, looking specifically at how women’s voices are heard.

The Symposium will follow a life course approach – from menstruation to menopause. Janey Godley herself has been undergoing her own treatment for ovarian cancer and she knows first-hand the importance of speaking up about women’s health. “Ovarian cancer has been a rollercoaster of emotions; I’m more determined than ever to live life to the full and to stick two fingers up to the stigma of cancer and everything that goes with it… I’m delighted to be sharing my story at this event in the middle of my ‘I’m Not Dead Yet’ tour. We need to talk about this kind of stuff. Cancer can ‘jog on’ as far as I’m concerned.”

Book at eventbrite.co.uk

Friday, March 10

The Friends of Greenhill Gardens (greenhillgardens.co.uk, 01305 768446) are holding a Teddy Bears Picnic Quiz at 7.30pm at Preston Village Hall.

Tickets £12 including Picnic Box Supper.

Bring your own Teddies or dress as a Teddy!

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Cancer Research UK had a welcome cash boost thanks to the Wessex Morris Men, who danced their way in Dorchester to raise £226.75 for the charity.

The Dance Out was just one of hundreds of events the Morris men attend each year, delighting audiences with their rebel spirit across the county.

The team is a sociable one, holding their Christmas Party in the Halsey Arms where much merriment was made before presenting the St George’s Mumming Play at the pub and again on Boxing Day, where some 200 people watched the spectacle at Cerne Abbas. Wessex Morris Men was formed as a Revival Side in 1957 and is still going strong. Based in Pulham,

Get out dancing ... with bells on!

the team practice in the village hall on Monday evenings from 8pm and then make more music over a pint or two at the Helsey Arms. And new members are always welcome. David Chiplen, Hon Treasurer of Wessex Morris Men, is a fan of The West

Dorset Magazine, and used every category in our mag to sum up the joys of Morris.

He said: “You do need a reasonable level of fitness and dancing aids Health & Wellbeing, many people Puzzle over what Morris is. “We don’t usually discuss

Politics but we are happy to Recruit new members to the side. We certainly dance at Homes and Gardens outside many village Churches and we strongly believe that we are very much part of this fine county Culture.

“We are very Down to Earth and like our Vittles! “We have appeared in the Local News and Whasson.” David added: “Morris dancing is a healthy and beautiful art and our dance and songs celebrate births, deaths and the cycles of life itself.”

n The Wessex Morris Men will be holding their next formal dance out on St George’s Day, April 23, time and place yet to be decided. Look out for details in our Whasson section in March.

MONDAY: 7pm

CROSSWAYS

Crossways Youth & Community Centre, Old Farm Way DT2

8TU

Julie 07871 821928

TUESDAY: 5.30pm & 7.30pm

BRIDPORT

St Mary's Church Hall, South Street DT6 3NW.

Sue 07542 649812

TUESDAY: 7pm

DORCHESTER

The Old Salvation Army Hall, Durngate Street DT1 1NA

(google The Pointe)

Tracie 07827 710552

TUESDAY: 5.30pm & 7pm

WEDNESDAY: 9am &10.30am

WAREHAM

Masonic Hall, Howards Lane

BH20 4HU

Jackie 07715 438810

WEDNESDAY: 5.30pm & 7.30pm

FRIDAY: 9.30am & 11.30am

WOOL

The D'Urbeville Centre, Col-

liers Lane BH20 6DL

Jane 07887 866730

WEDNESDAY: 9.30 & 11.30am

St Mary’s Church Hall South St

Natalie 01308 426521

THURSDAY: 9.30am

LYME REGIS

Woodmead Halls, Hill Road

DT7 3PG.

Sue 07542 649812

THURSDAY: 7pm

PUDDLETOWN

Puddletown Village Hall, High Street DT2 8FZ

Call/text Julie 07871 821928

THURSDAY: 9.30 & 11.30am

BRIDPORT

Bridport Christian Fellowship

Hall (East st car park, Long stay)

Natalie 01308 426521

THURSDAY: 5.30 & 7.30pm

BRIDPORT United Church Hall in East St (side entrance)

Natalie 01308 426521

FRIDAY 9.30am & 11.30am

SATURDAY: 9.30am

NEW CONSULTANT DORCHESTER

The Old Salvation Army Hall, Durngate Street DT1 1NA

(google The Pointe)

Sam 07814 619200

HANKIES OUT: Wessex Morris Men in action

Fears for future of popular Fancy’s Farm

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The cost of living is having a devastating effect on some Portland businesses –with one announcing its closure and another appealing for help to keep going.

Fancy’s Family Farm has long appealed for donations to keep open –there’s no entry fee, but there’s a large tin pig for donations and they make a little money from the café and selling meat. Winters are always hand to mouth. But 2023 prices could spell the end for the lovely little attraction.

The community farm is the home to the only flock of rare breed Portland Sheep on the island. They also have wallabies, goats, ducks, chickens, geese, pigs, donkeys, rare breed horses, goats, Archie and Mavis the goats and many more cuddly animals. The community interest company (CIC) also has a large soft play room, and a cafe serving hot and cold refreshments.

But director Su Illsley says this year may be its last. She said: “We have enough in the bank to pay our latest feed bill and February’s utilities but

beyond that, who knows!”

The site is mostly SSSI land with many rare plants and animals including peregrine falcons, ravens, lizards, slow worms and adders. From May to July the farm is carpeted with beautiful pyramidal orchids and early gentian flowers. Su said: “All of our input prices have almost doubled, and whilst people are still visiting they’re being really careful with money due to cost of living.

“Every winter is difficult but this year is just something else! I can’t see a good ending as it’s only going to get worse and we can’t keep begging Facebook followers for money every month. And we cannot afford to keep

... and café set to close

Sue Illsley’s feelings were amplified by Sammie May, who is having to close her Vintage 7 café at Reforne after five years.

She said: “We have put everything to creating our beautiful cafe..

“We are absolutely gutted to be closing Vintage 7.”

The café offers lovely vintage items for sale alongside its coffee and cake and although popular, rising bills have rendered it impossible for Sammie to continue. Fans of all things vintage have until March to pick up a bargain in their closing down sale.

putting our own monies in knowing that we’ll never get it back.

“Sad to say but we are one of thousands of small enterprises that’ll eventually succumb to the current financial hell that we’re all experiencing.”

To donate to the farm go to fancysfarm.co.uk or pop up and put some pounds in the pig.

Donations can also be posted to Fancy’s Farm, Glacis, Portland DT5 1EQ. The farm is open 10.30am4pm seven days a week.

DOING IT FOR THE KIDS: Goats at Fancy’s Farm Picture: SHEANEEN MURPHY

Striking gold at tourism awards

Coppet Hill Partners, a regenerative farming family business just outside Bridport, has won Gold in the New Tourism Business category of the Dorset Tourism Awards. Coppet Hill was founded in 2021 from the dairy and award-winning bacon business, Denhay Farms Ltd.

The new partnership has taken a new more environmental approach to managing the land and the farm now hosts naturefriendly camping and secluded glamping. Just three miles from the Jurassic Coast, and surrounded by some of Dorset’s most spectacular hills, their 600-acre family farm is now a peaceful haven for walkers, campers and wildlife lovers. The on-site shop and tearoom feature local suppliers such as Firepot, Baboo Gelato and Palmers Brewery. Summer sees their sunflower walks open to the public and they run seasonal events such as nest box building, Open Farm Sunday and weekly events for guests such as moth club and owl prowl.

Dorset Museum is also celebrating, after winning four awards – Gold for Accessible tourism,

Silver for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, Bronze for Business Events Venue of the Year and Silver for its Taste eatery in Café/Tearoom of the Year.

Since reopening in May 2021 after a £16.4m National Lottery Heritage Fund-funded redevelopment, the museum has gone from strength to strength. Its

current special exhibition I Grew Up in the 80s, running until February 26, has attracted record visitor numbers and amazing feedback from a wide range of age groups. Increasing access was a crucial part of the redevelopment. Step-free access was created at the front entrance as well as lift access to all the public spaces. New facilities include a Changing Places toilet and Calm Space, and visitors can pick up resources to support their visits such as braille guides and sensory backpacks. The galleries include tactile objects, braille captions and British Sign Language on film displays.

Head of learning Emma Talbot said: “We’re thrilled to have won Gold for the prestigious Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award. During our redevelopment, we worked with disabled members of the local community to ensure that the Museum was accessible as possible. We received wonderful feedback from visitors since opening.”

You could be eligible for an attendance allowance

Citizens Advice is reminding people who take care of others they may be eligible for an attendance allowance. A spokesperson for Citizens’ Advice in Dorchester and Sherborne said: “With the present cost of living crisis and pressures on the NHS and social care, do you live with someone, or

know someone perhaps living on their own, who needs daily help or supervision to look after themselves? “If so, you could be eligible for attendance allowance if you have reached state pension age and have a disability or health condition that makes it hard to look after yourself.

“It is currently worth between £61.85 or £92.40 per week dependent on how much help you need. It doesn’t affect your pension and can be claimed if you are still working.” To apply for attendance allowance call 0800 731 0122 to request an application form.

WHAT A HOOT: An owl at Coppet Hill and, below, staff at Dorchester Museum

By Diana Holman

A party is planned in August to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Bere Regis Floral Group. Flower arranging societies have a long history in Dorset thanks to Mary Pope, a member of the Eldridge Pope Brewery family.

Impressed by the garden clubs of America where she spent time during the Second World War, she came home fired with enthusiasm to form the Dorchester Floral Decoration Society in 1950. Picture Post Magazine of March 1952 carried the lavishly illustrated feature written by London florist and teacher Constance Spry about a competition held in the Dorchester Corn Exchange. In 1959, with guidance from the Royal Horticultural Society, Mary Pope went on to start the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, NAFAS, and became its founder president. Flower arranging societies were forming all over Dorset throughout the 50s, and in 1958 a Bere Regis lady called Maureen Anderson formed Bere Regis Floral Group, drawing an enthusiastic membership of around 50 from the surrounding rural area. The club has flourished through the years and is a member of the Dorset and Guernsey Area of NAFAS, currently one of 17 clubs in the area.

Our present-day club retains the same love of flowers, plants, nature and art that Constance Spry identified in those ladies in the Dorchester corn exchange all those years ago, but how things have moved on with members who compete at national shows like the National Flower Arranging Competitions, Chelsea Flower Show and Malvern Spring

Floral group marks sapphire anniversary

Show! The club is not exclusively ladies either – at present two members are men, including the chairman.

The club has an overwhelming atmosphere of friendship and fun. Some members have belonged to the club for over 40 years. There are members who like to compete, some who just like to do flowers for fun, and some who simply like to come

along to sit and relax and watch the entertaining and artistic demonstrations done each month by area and national demonstrators. Workshops are also available which are greatly enjoyed and invariably finish with tea and homemade cake.

The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm in Winterborne Kingston village hall. If you would like

to come along to any meeting, we would love to welcome you. Your first visit is free of charge.

The demonstrator for the meeting on Tuesday, February 14 is Denise Jones from Weymouth, and her title is Spring Has Sprung.

For all information contact chairman Bob Holman on 01305 848262, email bobdiholman@btinternet.com

MAKING ARRANGEMENTS: Famed arranger Constance Spry visits the group in the 50s and below, modern day members enjoy workshops

BLOOMING LOVELY: Above, cuttings from old newspaper articles about the group and left, the group’s room-size entry at the RHS Malvern Show

Council apologises for error

By Miranda Robertson

Dorset Council says it has apologised ‘fully’ for misleading readers of the West Dorset Magazine over plans for a ‘garden community’ of 4,000 houses for Dorchester. Planning portfolio holder Cllr

David Walsh told this magazine, via the authority’s communications team, that ‘Norchester’ – thousands of homes planned for north of the town – was part of an already adopted local plan. In fact it is one proposal within a future plan yet to be decided – one which has been delayed until at least 2024.

Cllr Walsh’s statement was sent to him, council leader Spencer Flower and the council’s executive director of place John Sellgren for approval. None of the three are said to have spotted the error, which was later blamed on an internal communications issue.

The council said: “Dorset Council apologises for this error and any subsequent confusion caused.”

But campaigner Alastair

Nisbet rejects this statement. He posed a question to full council about the matter, which was rejected on the basis it was ‘frivolous’ (see story below).

Mr Nisbet told The West Dorset Magazine: “I am certainly not frivolous about the largest development ever proposed for the Dorset Council area – they are the ones who need to take this seriously.

“It cannot be passed off as a simple mistake when a false statement is written and the three most senior people in planning then approve it.

“What we need is a full explanation of what happened.

“Who originated the statement and why Cllrs Walsh and Flower and Director of Place

John Sellgren approved it for publication. The rules are clear. They have shown clear bias in favour of this huge proposed development – that amounts to predetermination and they must play no further role in the Local Plan.”

After the plans were publicised two years ago, thousands of

Village gardens open to public

people expressed their concerns over Norchester, unhappy with hundreds of acres of water meadows and countryside north of the town being developed. STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester, the CPRE and DDB (Dorset Deserves Better) are working together to challenge the proposals, but say they are frustrated by the lack of a report, or any formal response to their concerns, including a lack of supporting infrastructure and a potentially catastrophic effect on the water supply network. Furthermore, plans to create two garden villages in Kent have recently been judged ‘unsound’ by a government inspector, who has called for a new railway station and better links to the M20 and M2. Maidstone council's Local Plan Review, which includes developments at Lenham Heath and Lidsing, is the subject of a public inquiry. The planning inspector has called for evidence to show how the council will deal with water treatment and quality.

Campaigner says he’s been ‘gagged’

A local campaigner says he’s been gagged by Dorset Council after raising concerns about controversial plans to ‘dump’ 4,000 houses on the outskirts of Dorchester.

Alastair Nisbet says the authority has refused to allow him to question senior councillors at this month’s council meeting. He’s been told that his planned question is ‘frivolous’.

Mr Nisbet, who’s a member of STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester) said: “County Hall is rattled. They don’t like members of the public asking questions about planning policy. Their only response is to ban me.”

Mr Nisbet’s dispute with the

council relates to a statement published in a recent edition of the West Dorset Magazine In a lengthy article about the proposal, Councillor David Walsh said: “The North Dorchester Garden Community development is already part of the adopted West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland local plan and is part of the future of Dorset.”

Councillor Walsh, who oversees planning, later retracted the statement acknowledging that it was incorrect. The council blamed internal communications issues for the mistake.

Mr Nisbet and members of STAND allege that the erroneous statement was not a mistake. Their spokesperson said: “It was a clumsy attempt to make the public think that the debate about the North Dorchester proposal had been resolved and that the council was moving ahead with detailed plans.

“Councillor Walsh is seriously mistaken if he thinks we can be silenced.”

Green-fingered villagers will open their picturesque gardens to the public in support of good causes this summer.

This year’s Cerne Abbas Open Gardens event takes place on June 17 and 18 and will be supporting The Charles North Charity and Dorchester Food Bank. Tickets are £8, accompanied under 16s free. For more information visit cerneabbasopen gardens.org.uk

Patients boost

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has welcomed a £2.8million fund to improve patients’ postdischarge care and safety as well as the patient’s experience.

The county is also set to benefit from reduced waiting times and improved patient experience and emergency care funded from the government’s £200million Patient Discharge fund.

Pottery exhibition

A pottery exhibition curated by Bridport’s Andy Violet will be held at Newton Abbot Museum to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. Andy says the Fired for Royalty exhibition, beginning in mid-June, will feature 120 commemorative pieces produced by potters in Torquay and South Devon. The exhibition will also feature Honiton Pottery and Crown Dorset Art Pottery, from Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 to the Silver Jubilee of 1977.

Changes on the buses for timetables

Bus users in South and West Dorset will see changes to their services. Dorset Council said passengers will see service numbers and timetables change under the management of new operators.

An authority spokesperson said bus operators will continue to go through a tender process to run a particular bus route for a contracted price paid to the council.

The spokesperson added: “The difference will be that Dorset Council will receive

Parking permit process ‘simpler’

Changes are being made to car parking permission and charges.

Dorset Council members have agreed the authority needs to ‘simplify’ how drivers apply for parking permits and offer a new physical permit to motorists without smartphones.

A new ‘multiday’ ticket will be introduced after the authority received feedback from tourists, and dedicated areas for motorhomes will be created at Portland and West Bay. The maximum stay limits in all Dorset Council car parks will be increased to three or four hours.

Shire Hall for free

Children can visit Shire Hall Museum, Dorchester for free this half-term from Saturday 11-18.

Up to three children per paying adult can visit the museum to enjoy interactive learning.

the income from passengers and the value of the contract will reflect this change, whereas previously the operator collected this money. The council will analyse passenger numbers and adjust services accordingly. The timetables are agreed by the council and the operator as part of the contract. There is also a possibility that cross operator pricing can be introduced to make it easier for people to move around.”

There are four services already running under this

new arrangement: Service 2 (previously X2), Service 3 (previously X4) and Service 5 (previously X11) now run by South West Coaches as well as Service 6 (previously 6, 6A, 6B) now run by First Wessex, with another two services launched last month. These new services replace the X3/Service 7 run by Go South Coast/Damory between Blandford and Shaftesbury plus the X10/Service 4 run by First Wessex between Blandford and Yeovil.

Dorset Council’s lead

member for environment, travel and harbours, Nocturin Lacey-Clarke, said: “This change in the way the services are managed means that we have more control on what is being offered to Dorset residents.”

Single fares on all buses in Dorset are currently capped at £2 as part of the government’s help for households scheme and will continue until the end of March.

n Information about timetables can be found traveline.info

THANKS SO MUCH: Handing over the cheque at Dorchester Community Church

Artists’ £1,500 food share boost

Art In Poundbury has donated £1,500 to the local food share project in Dorchester Community Church after a successful third exhibition in the Jubilee Hall. Artists from the Casterbridge Art Society and the Weymouth group Artwey along with other artists showcased their work to 2,500 visitors. The exhibition involved many groups from Poundbury and Dorchester communities. Children from Damers First School and The Prince of Wales School together with residents of Melrose Court Retired Living got involved in the art installation by

conceptual artist Linda Ashe. Linda continued the theme of the exhibition Making Our Mark to create the eye-catching installation which took everyone by surprise as they entered the hall, with amazing sculpted hangings high above them.

The exhibition was curated by professional artist Teresa Lawton, who is based in Upwey, and the whole project was led by renowned pastel artist Judy Tate, who works from her studio in Poundbury. The team are already planning their fourth exhibition, which will take place in May 2023.

Let Syabira be the judge of your cake

The winner of last year’s Great British Bake-Off will be at Bovington Tank Museum on February 26. Syabira Yusoff scooped the hotly-contested prize with amazing and unusual taste combinations.

Now she will be judging your bakes – but there’s no need to carry teetering cakes cross country, as the museum are asking for photos of you with your creations. Entrants will get free entry and the chance to win a Chewton Glen cooking experience.

The museum turns 100 this year and it’s celebrating with a baking fair.

Submit a photo of your tankshaped or novelty cake, meet Syabira 10am-12pm, with the winner being announced at 1pm. Enter at tankmuseum.org/events

Associate role for solictor Rachel

Bridport-based solicitor

Rachel Oaten has been promoted to associate at Kitson and Trotman Solicitors.

Rachel, pictured, has been with the firm since 2015 and is a member of the Private Client Team. Rachel’s work includes wills, estate planning and administration, intestacy, succession and deeds of variation. She lives in West Dorset with her husband.

Dorset-based astronomer Kevin Quinn hopes his new book will help introduce people to the wonders of stargazing.

Demystifying Visual Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to Telescopes, Eyepieces and Accessories for Visual Astronomy is the result of more than five years’ hard work by Kevin.

NEW BOOK: Astronomer

Kevin Quinn

Kevin’s star turn

needs a lists of things to observe.

“

He told the West Dorset Magazine: “I actually began writing my first book Demystifying Visual Astronomy about five years ago to address what I saw as a gap in the market, in that most astronomy books seemed to take it for granted that the reader already has a telescope, understands the basic terminology and concepts, and merely

Demystifying Visual Astronomy starts right at the very basics and is written in an easy-tofollow style. The book works its way through common types of telescopes and other equipment, so the reader can make informed choices about which to buy - all the while learning from my many mistakes.”

Kevin added: “While I

was deciding on the best way to get my first book published, I began writing my second book, A Decade in Stargazing, and ultimately released both books at the same time.

“This second book - part memoir, part night sky guide - is based on the meticulous observing notes I’ve been making since 2013. It focusses on my personal connection to twelve constellations, along with anecdotes, observations and flights of the imagination, to tell an informative, entertaining and humorous story of a decade in stargazing.”

Kevin’s new book is available on Amazon in hardback, paperback and Kindle editions as well as at good book stores.

n Stargazing: See page 63

Free revision books campaign

A pioneering publisher based in West Dorset has launched a campaign to give away 1,000 books to students revising for exams this winter.

PG Online, an independent publisher based in Tolpuddle, launched its 1000 Lucky Learners campaign on BBC radio and will be giving away 1,000 free copies of its ClearRevise book series for GCSE and A-level students. The company has won two consecutive education resource awards and is the first publisher in the UK to incorporate augmented reality into its books, allowing readers to view pages through

smartphone and tablet apps to show extra information. The company’s chief operations director Leonora Sheppard said: “We hope that we can help make a difference to learning, and ultimately grades, at a time when life is challenging for many families.

“We are thrilled to have been recently nominated in two categories at the prestigious Bett Awards, but in particular for Innovator of the Year.”

She added: “In the last couple of years, we have been focusing on the development of a new range of revision guides which have already

won two consecutive Education Resource Awards. More significantly we have become the first publisher in the UK to incorporate augmented reality into our books, starting with science and geography. ”

Former teacher and director of PG Online, Rob Heathcote, said: “The addition of AR functionality offers a modern, alternative tool to enrich the printed books in a way that increases students’ engagement in learning. We are delighted to be the first UK publisher of revision guides to offer this new and exciting functionality.”

Do we want an incinerator here?

Near the top of Verne Common on the Isle of Portland, after you clear the topmost houses, there’s a lane down to the left, half in shadow, half in sunlight, leading towards the military cemetery that few know of.

Here are stunning glimpses through the trees down to the port below, Weymouth Bay and the Isle of Purbeck, just a short distance across the water.

The area surrounding is naturally generated scrub woodland, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to birds, bats, butterflies and moths, lichens and fungi, for the air here is just about as clean as it gets. In fact, the immediate area supports several SSSIs, two marine conservation zones and an internationally important RAMSAR wetland site, not to mention important cultural heritage sites. But unfortunately, there is an application, shortly coming before Dorset County Council’s planning committee, to build a waste incinerator in the middle of this view, 600 metres from the cemetery.

Not surprisingly, there has been a huge amount of opposition to this proposal. Aside from the proximity to people’s homes, this incinerator would be in the setting of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast.

The builders and operators will try to greenwash these incinerators but this is not clean fuel. Unrecycled plastics will make up a significant amount of the fuel and plastics are derived from oil - it is burning fossil fuel. It will release 533 tonnes of CO2 a day, every day, into the atmosphere for 30 years. Despite filtering, the smoke plume contains microparticles, heavy metals, nitrogenous, sulphurous and ammoniac gaseous waste. It’s not even a good use for the waste, as current academic advice is that it is better to store it and learn to unlock and reuse it. We made it – we should be able to unmake it. Burning it makes it unrecoverable and leaves a pile of highly toxic ashes. Furthermore, Dorset’s unrecyclable waste production is relatively small and is already dealt with through existing facilities. This proposal is for a merchant

waste facility to import and burn waste from elsewhere, quite possibly brought in by sea, hence its situation in a port. To damage a place such as this would be bad enough, but when you add into the equation that there are people’s homes, at Amelia Close, right next to the cemetery, that takes it to a whole new level.

Level is the operative word here. Commonly these Energy Recovery Facilities – incinerators –are built on plains so that the chimney stack, usually around 80 to 90 metres tall, discharges its smoke well above ground level. But this proposal is quite literally within metres of a hill that is far higher than the chimney itself, a hill with a housing estate on it. Worse, the houses in Amelia Close are at the same height as the top of the proposed chimney. Worse still, they will only be 600 metres from it. That’s just under four tenths of a mile.

To give that a visual

perspective, that’s slightly less distance from Portland’s Lidl supermarket to the new Shell garage, or a Bridport comparison, The Town Hall to the Esso filling station at East Road.

Dorchester: Top O’ Town to the junction with High Street, Fordington.

Sherborne: The top of Cheap Street to Pageant Gardens.

Lyme Regis: Cobb Gate car park to Ozone Terrace. Weymouth: Jubilee Clock Tower to Alexandra Gardens.

There are also private homes on top of the Verne Hill that are even closer, and the Verne prison and we do have a duty of care to the staff and inmates there. So, think about that for a moment – your home at the same height as the discharge of a huge industrial waste burner that will be burning 24/7 for the next 30 years, 600 metres away. Is this ‘NIMBYism’? If being a nimby means standing against things that are going to damage the place you live in and the lives of the people you share it with then yes, it’s a charge I’ll happily accept.

The planning arguments are in already. They are nuanced and complex but behind it all there is a very real issue of human health and quality of life, so I’ll ask you again, would you want it?

n Down to Earth: See page 58

Ian Baird is a Kimberlin – an incomer to Portland from West Dorset. Here’s his personal view on the proposal to build a waste incinerator on the island

STUNNING VIEW: Verne Common Road looking out across Portland Port and Weymouth Bay towards the Purbecks

Car and bike enthusiasts are getting revved up for a special motor show being hosted by Dorset Blind Association at Lulworth Castle.

After a successful return in 2022, following three years of covid delays, the association’s seventh motor show will take place on Sunday, May 21.

Described by organisers as ‘the South’s most picturesque automotive event’ it will begin with a 20-mile Dorset tour, sponsored by Summit Land and Development. The tour will set out from the estate at 10.30am, wending through the beautiful local countryside before returning to the estate for a display at the Castle showground.

The display is free to attend from 11am and will include live entertainment, a kids’ fun area and stalls selling food, local crafts and handmade products.

Fred Potter, who drives a Porsche R26, said: “We have attended the Dorset Blind Association Motor Show at Lulworth Castle for many years and is no doubt our favourite event in our calendar.

“Displaying our car in front of the castle is a unique opportunity and we love the atmosphere, plus it’s all for a great cause.”

Organisers hope this year’s event, which is being sponsored by Blue Sky Financial

ON PARADE: Classic vehicles on show at Lulworth Castle

Classic vehicles rev up for fundraising show

Planning, will surpass last year, when more than 3,000 visitors saw more than 200 vehicles, helping to raise over £15,000 for the association.

Classic, sport and supercar and bike owners are invited to join the event. Entry is £12 per person, including tour entry and route information, showground display, a breakfast roll and hot drink at registration and exclusive entry to Lulworth Castle.

For more information about the Dorset Blind Association Motor Show, please call 01202 712865, email fundraising@ dorsetblind.org.uk or go to dbamotorshow23.eventbrite.co.uk

If you would like to support Dorset Blind Association by volunteering either at the event or in support of the charities services, then please contact Sam at fundraising@dorsetblind.org.uk or call 01202 712865.

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Homeowner’s frustration over drainage saga

By Miranda Robertson

A village homeowner says he has been left angry and frustrated after Dorset Council refused to fix a highways drainage problem he claims has caused his home to flood twice.

Oliver Chisholm, a former councillor who lives in Oborne, near Sherborne, and who runs a vintage toy business in the town, first complained to the council in 2017.

He says gravel and mud is frequently washed into a grid at a junction, which then clogs an exit pipe near his home, causing his home to flood.

At first when he complained officers told him something would be done to stop the problem. Nothing was done and two years later the council offered him £1,500 towards the £3,000 cost of the work, which he refused, saying the problem was caused by an issue outside his property, on council land and was therefore the full responsibility of the council.

Subsequent appeals have led to the council banning Mr Chisholm from contacting officers and councillors directly about the issue. Mr Chisholm went to the

Ombudsman, however they ruled against him, believing the problem was within his private drainage system, as the council insisted. But Mr Chisholm has reports from three independent drainage companies which tell a different story. He said: “The council’s response to my complaint is they will only respond to legal proceedings now, which I have been warned could be around £50,000.

“I am 80 years old and cannot afford to take that route.”

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: “No comment.”

Bowls club’s £2,480 for C’Siders

Cancer support group

C’Siders was bowled over to receive a cheque for £2,480 from the Moonfleet 2000 Bowls Club.

At the cheque presentation, C’Siders chairman Peter Meacham thanked bowling club members for their generosity, explaining that the donation will help fund weekly exercise classes on Portland and monthly social events. The exercise classes, called C’Fit, are specially designed for cancer patients and are run by Dawn Hague, a cancer rehabilitation exercise specialist, at Osprey Leisure Centre every Wednesday.

The support group hosts a tea and coffee afternoon on the first Thursday of each month at Anning House Care Home in Cross Road, Weymouth. The next meeting is on March 2 at 3.45pm. An evening with a guest speaker takes place on the third Monday of each

month at The Moonfleet 2000 Bowls Club in Knightsdale Road, Weymouth. The next meeting is on March 20 from 7pm to 9pm.

There are table tennis sessions on Mondays from 2pm to 4pm at Wyke Regis Community and Sports Club in Ryemead Lane Weymouth. Sessions are open to anyone for £2 a head.

A spokesperson for C’Siders, which has been running for six years, said: “We are appealing to any

sports groups, companies or organisations who may be able to help us to please get in touch.

“We are always happy to come and talk to you about what it is we do and to see if there is any help you can give us.

“As a small local charity, the only sources of funding we have are from the sales of merchandise and the generosity of local businesses, clubs and societies.

“This has become much more important since covid has reduced our

face-to-face fundraising activities so much.”

n For more information on C’Siders visit www.csiders.org or email info@csiders.org

Encore Singers will host a concert in aid of C’Siders at Dorchester’s United Church in South Street on March 25 at 7.30pm. Entry is free and no tickets are required. Light refreshments will be served in the interval and a retiring collection will be held for C’Siders at the end of the show.

THANKS VERY MUCH: C’Siders receive the cheque from Moonfleet 2000 Bowls Club

Whole new world for super slim Sam

As many of us look to shed a few pounds in the new year, Dorchester slimmer Sam Roach got a head start on everyone by losing four stone with the help of a support group in 2022.

Sam Roach, 44, says going to weekly Slimming World meetings in the county town has helped her rediscover the joy of cooking and achieve her ideal weight.

Sam said she has ‘always struggled’ with her weight since childhood and spent years in a ‘vicious cycle of traditional dieting’ which she said led to ‘feelings of guilt and deprivation’.

Sam said: “I feel amazing. “With my Slimming World group and my fabulous consultant Tracie, I have found my tribe – they are like a second family.

“You set your own weight loss goals and there is never any judgement – just lots of understanding, encouragement, and advice. ”I couldn’t believe how much food I could eat and still lose weight! Nothing is off-limits and there is never a reason to feel hungry. As a self-confessed carb lover, I can still enjoy all my favourite Italian meals, including risotto, lasagne and carbonara. I’m also still able to satisfy my sweet tooth as

well as eat out – meaning I never feel like I’m missing out.”

After joining the Dorchester Slimming World group last year Sam lost 9lbs in her first two weeks and is still attending meetings despite meeting her weight loss goal. Sam said: “As a target

GOALS: Slimming World consultant Sam Roach as she is today and, inset, before losing four stone

member, I’ll continue to have the invaluable support of my group, with all the membership benefits free of charge.

“And with Slimming World’s unique tailored maintenance plan for target members, I know I will stay at a healthy weight forever.”

Sam says her weight loss has resulted in a newfound confidence to try new hobbies such as dancing, adding: “I even managed to persuade my husband to join me at Swing Jive lessons and am looking forward to starting weekly Charleston classes very soon.” Sam now wants to help others achieve their own weight loss goals and has trained to become a Slimming World consultant herself. She said “I’m so excited to start running my own Slimming World groups. I really want to give something back – sharing my own experience and helping others in the way that Slimming World and my consultant have helped me.”

Sam runs the Slimming World groups at The Old Salvation Army Hall in Durngate Street, Dorchester on Friday and Saturday mornings. Groups run on Fridays at 9.30am and 11.30am and Saturdays at 9.30am.

For more information or an informal chat, please contact Sam on 07814 619200.

Library volunteer Joan honoured after 20 years’ service

A Littlemoor library volunteer has been honoured for 20 years of service.

Joan Chalker was given a badge marking two decades of volunteering for the home library service and the Royal Voluntary Service at a special meeting in Weymouth.

Joan said: “I have enjoyed

my time with the home library service. I have met many interesting and

fascinating people over the years, and I hope to continue for some time to come.”

RVS service manager for Dorset’s home library service Maria Jacobson presented Joan the badge with a bouquet of flowers. Maria said: “The home library service means so much to the people who

receive it. Anyone who struggles to get to the library to get their books can apply to join for free. Books and talking books are chosen carefully for each person and delivered by an RVS volunteer every three or four weeks.”

n Call the RVS office on 01305 236666.

AWARD: Joan, right, with Maria

Citizens Advice is offering free, confidential guidance for individuals and families at Pound Piece surgery in Maiden Newton from 9am to noon on Mondays. Staff will offer advice on benefits, housing, debt, employment and consumer rights.

For an appointment call 01308 861800.

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Disabled group is making friends & still going strong

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Mid-winter break, midweek from November-February. £165

Two-course dinner, B&B for two Sunday roasts 12pm-3pm. Fresh seasonal veg. Quote ‘pudding’ for a free dessert. £14.95

Phone to book: 01308 485328

A group set up 27 years ago to bring disabled people and their carers and friends together is still going strong – despite the collapse of many other groups due to covid. Bridport Disabled Carers and Friends started up after another group in Weymouth folded. There used to be buses bringing disabled people together from all over the area to The Acorns in Weymouth once a week. But the company running the home stopped laying on the bus and Paul Bowditch, Anthony Ashwell and Dave Hurdin decided to start their own. The group has since expanded to allow in anyone who would like to attend – hence the ‘friends’ bit of their title.

Every Thursday they meet for three hours 9am-noon in Vernon Court, off Bridport’s South Street. It’s a very informal drop-in with tea, coffee and

biscuits – a chance to chat. Paul’s brother Peter Bowditch said: “Before covid there were 76 groups in Bridport. Now there are about 40. It’s affected us as well – there are still people who used to come along who now don’t go anywhere for fear of catching something.

“But we still meet up every Thursday morning.”

“There are no fees and no membership – it’s all very relaxed.”

Peter said: “We used to have outings until transport became so expensive. But we still have a Christmas meal out and a meal in the summer.

“You don’t have to join up, or anything – just turn up for however long you like on a Thursday morning.”

It’s all about companionship.”

n Go along to Vernons Court, DT6 3QF (look for the group’s sign at the end of the cul-de-sac) or contact pete.bowditch @hotmail.com, 01308 423620 or 07805 622201.

POP ON DOWN: The Bridport Disabled Carers and Friends group

Here’s good advice and it’s totally free

DCH development plans are backed

Outline plans to develop Dorset County Hospital, including the construction of a new emergency department and critical care unit, have been approved by Dorset Council.

The hospital trust’s Your Future Hospital programme sets out plans to expand on-site facilities at the Dorchester hospital in a bid to ‘help meet increasing demand’. The early stage plans approved by the council include building a new emergency department and critical care unit on the site of the former Damers First School. They also account for the trust’s ‘longer-term aim’ to improve the hospital’s main entrance, provide integrated care and offer key worker housing for staff.

The county hospital’s plans are part of the government’s ‘new hospital programme’ that aims to see 40 new hospitals built throughout the country by 2030. Dorset County Hospital’s interim chief executive Nick Johnson said: “This is

an exciting milestone for DCH and brings us a step closer to expanding our site, including building a brand-new emergency department and critical care unit. Our hospital is busier than ever, so investment is vital to allow us to provide the highest standards of care for many years to come.

“The new emergency department and critical care unit will have a dedicated children’s area, an enhanced recovery service and a mental health suite. We will have more beds and the facilities we need to care for our sickest patients. It will also allow us to repurpose the existing

It’s your ’hood, it’s your say

Villagers in Portesham, Abbotsbury, Langton

Herring and Fleet can have their say on future development plans by contributing to the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan. The plan has been drawn up by locals and agreed by the group parish council who ‘feel confident’ it reflects the ‘hopes and views of the local community’. People who live, work in or run a

business in the Chesil Bank neighbourhood have until Friday, March 3 to comment on the plan, which can be viewed online at dorsetcouncil. gov.uk/chesil-bankneighbourhood-plan and on the Vision4Chesil website. A hard copy of the Neighbourhood Plan can also be viewed at Chickerell Library and the council offices in Dorchester.

spaces to help meet the rising demand for other inpatient services.”

The hospital trust will now prepare detailed designs and submit them to Dorset Council for approval. The new emergency department and critical care unit will be the first major scheme to go before county

planners, subject to a ‘full business case’ being approved by the Government. If full planning permission is granted, the former Damers School building will be demolished next spring, allowing groundworks to be completed before construction begins.

EXPANSION PLANS: Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester

Steptoes walking tall after decades of

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Bridport’s Lyndon ‘Riff’

Tilbury of Steptoes has had quite the journey –showing patience and agility still pays off in retail, despite massive changes in the high street over the past few decades. And the 72-year-old shoe seller shows no sign of slowing down. Though he’d quite like to go back to his real name.

“I used to play in a band years ago – I still play in a band – and they called me Riff. Now I think I quite like my real name, but I don’t know how to get people to start calling me that…”

Riff, whose full name is Lyndon Edgar Flawn Tilbury, started selling footwear from a market stall 40 years ago – till he discovered that the rent on a shop worked out about the same price and saved him erecting a 50ft market stand every day.

There were many difficult patches along the way, with Riff robbing Peter to pay Paul, using post-dated cheques to stay afloat and occasionally buying ‘absolutely useless’ stock as he tried to smell what sells.

Now he is celebrating 30 years in his hugely popular shop near the traffic lights in East Street, having seen other shoe shops come and go and reaching the stage where he has a full stock room and no debts. He is chipper.

He said: “I didn’t start the business to make a fortune. “I just wanted us to have

enough, to be secure. “We put all our money back into the business. We don’t owe anybody anything.”

Riff ‘dropped out’ aged 19 and went to India. When he returned to the UK his mother had remarried and moved to Weymouth with her new husband. As he was unemployed, he was forced to move back in with mum.

He said: “I stayed here after she moved back to

Aylesbury. I worked at Henry Ling’s printers in Dorchester for five years and they gave me a room. “Then I worked on a market stall selling espadrilles imported from Spain. I had a hamper full of espadrilles and a Ford Escort estate and would sell outside Wimpy.

“At first I wasn’t very good at buying stock. I did 18 festivals with the espadrilles for the first year, but of course they

don’t really sell in winter. The second year I went to Bristol and started looking at slippers and stuff I hated. But I bought a few boxes and put them on the pavement, and all these old ladies came and bought them. I also spent £10,000 on absolutely useless stock…”

He met wife Julie and her little brother Jason Thorne and they started working together, doing all the markets and festivals. He said: “We formed a working combination where we all brought different stuff to the company. I was the one with the big mouth who made all the mistakes, Julie was the one with the attention to detail and Jason followed everything his sister did.

“This was 38 years ago. We worked really hard, attending most of the fairs, working straight through from 6am on the Friday to 6pm on the Sunday.

“We had no money – we used a lot of trade credit and post-dated cheques. “But eventually we started doing a bit better. We became huge Oakley sunglasses dealers. We moved from Dorchester to Bridport as I know so many people here.”

In Bridport, Riff found his spiritual home, among leftleaning, socially-minded folk. “We are socially motivated,” he said. “The customer comes first.

“We’ve still got plenty of independent retailers here.

“People come on holiday and always buy their shoes here. And people come

SOLE TRADERS: Riff Tilbury and Jason Thorne at Steptoes in Bridport

uppers and downs in the shoe trade

however – and says Bridport’s is still one of the best.

“Bridport has kept the market on the pavement, which is important,” he said. “Elsewhere, where they’ve moved their markets into a car park it hasn’t worked.”

from major towns, knowing we have plenty of independent retailers.”

Riff started making deals with some of the big names in footwear. When Douglas Read closed down Steptoes became the only shoe shop in Bridport, and they started selling men’s shoes too. One of the first to come on board was Dr Marten.

“We’ve sold Dr Martens for 40 years. The original 1961 classic boots were awful quality – but they were such a classic people actually wanted the original plastic, which would crack, rather than the decent leather version.

“Over the years we have won contracts with major manufacturers. We do Toffeln, which supplies clogs to the NHS, vets and places like that.”

Riff has now added a plethora of big names and also popular cheaper brands to his stock, with Fly London and Birkenstock beside Heavenly Feet, Blundstone and Grisport in his large stockroom.

At the time he opened the Bridport shop, Riff, Julie and Jason still had a shop in Dorchester, as they had signed a 25-year tenancy. They also opened a shop in Wimborne, which never thrived.

They closed the Dorchester store, in South Street, as soon as the agreement came to an end, having made no money there.

“It wasn’t brilliant,” Riff said. “The rents in Dorchester are so high we could never make it pay.

“We had a 50ft stall at Bridport Market which cost £50 a day and when I added it up, if we had our stall there six days a week it would cost the same as a shop here, without all the hard work of putting the stall up each day. Though putting up that stall gave Julie lovely muscles!

“When we moved in here we also had a year’s free rent, which really got us going.”

The trio got out of the markets during the recession as trade was dwindling. Most of the

surviving stalls were smaller ones – the appetite for the bigger traders was on the wane.

Riff still loves the markets,

Riff added: “Between us three we have 100 years of experience. We have made some mistakes over that time, but we are now where we want to be. “We are in the lucky position of being able to support as many charities as we can and help the community. I do feel lucky.”

GAP IN THE MARKET: Riff Tilbury and Jason Thorne set up their market stall in Bridport back in the 1980s

Freezing weather delays repair work on beach footbridge

Freezing weather has delayed repair work to Charmouth Beach footbridge.

Dorset Council said the recent cold snap meant workers had to be diverted from bridge repairs onto road gritting operations. Work to replace the bridge’s boardwalk, handrails and posts is

now due to be completed in late February. The bridge and footpath will be open to the public for the half-term week starting February 13. A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “While the bridge is closed, anyone wishing to visit the beach should plan ahead accordingly. Please always take care when visiting any of

Dorset’s beaches. The Jurassic Coast is a wonderful place to visit, but it is important to use common sense and caution – and always pay attention to warning signs. The official notice for the closure has been extended to March 3, 2023, but the work should complete before this so the bridge can reopen earlier.”

Pipers oot for Burns Night

The Dorset air was filled with bagpipes as folk tucked into neeps and tatties to honour Scotland’s famed poet for Burns Night. At the Fox & Hounds in Cattistock, diners were treated to the haggis being piped in by none other than The West

Dorset Magazine’s awardwinning cartoonist and multi-talented music man

Lyndon Wall, right. Over in Briantspuddle, above, tartan-clad attendees enjoyed the superlative tunes of villager Campbell de Burgh, left, before dancing a cèilidh.

Fly-tipper caught after public tip-off

A fly-tipper from Weymouth was caught and prosecuted following a Dorset Council investigation prompted by a witness tip-off.

Daniel James Ellis, 39, formerly of Weymouth but now of Stone Close, Leicester, pleaded guilty to dumping waste at Gould’s Hill on or about February 27 last year.

Ellis admitted illegally dumping black bin bags of household waste, cardboard packaging and a helium gas cannister which were later found by a member of the public, who

photographed the waste and reported the offence to the council.

Enforcement Team officers investigated and found evidence linking the waste to a local resident who had paid Ellis £20 to dispose of it at a household recycling centre.

A council spokesperson said when Ellis was tracked down by officers, he admitted dumping the waste and took full responsibility.

A fixed penalty notice was issued to Ellis for the offence on March 21 last year but no payment was

received despite a reminder letter also being sent. A council spokesperson said this left the authority with ‘little option’ but to prosecute Ellis, who initially failed to attend court leading to a warrant for his arrest being issued. Officers later learned Ellis had moved to Leicester where he was arrested and admitted the offence. He was convicted at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on one count of depositing household waste on land at Gould’s Hill, Weymouth without an environmental permit.

Ellis, who spent 24 hours in custody before the hearing, was punished by way of time already served behind bars and was ordered to pay £520 costs and £29 compensation. Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services, said: “If you see a fly-tip, please make a note of where it is, take a picture if you can, and note down any other details. Never touch the waste or confront fly-tippers. You can report it to us via the website, or by giving us a call. ”

Modellers on the right track for exhibition

Visitors from throughout the South West were all aboard for Bridport and District Model Railway Club’s annual New Year exhibition at Beaminster’s public hall.

Model rail enthusiasts exhibited layouts including Longmoor, based on the military railway in Hampshire, Limington End, based on a terminus station during the steam era, and Slade’s Green, a street scene with

an underground station below. Another display called Minton was made

SUPER MODELS: Limington

End

from Lego and featured a railway around a busy street scene.

Club members also showcased layouts of West Bay, Thomas the Tank, Axe Valley Mill and Dyserth.

The club meets every Tuesday at Askerswell Village Hall from 7pm until 9pm. The club’s next exhibition will be in Bridport on Saturday, July 29 at Colfox School.

Restaurateurs win home plan battle

The owners of a muchloved Dorset restaurant have won their battle with planning officers and will be allowed to convert the building into their home.

Gerry and Cathy Craig, owners of Le Petit Canard in Maiden Newton, were forced to close the 22-yearold eatery during the covid pandemic.

But after the couple submitted plans to Dorset Council to convert the premises into their home, planning officers argued it should remain a commercial building and recommended refusing their change of use

application.

Cllr Bill Pipe joked the French style, fine-dining restaurant in Dorchester Road became a ‘dead duck’ during the pandemic.

Restaurateur Cathy Craig asked councillors to take a “real world” decision without forcing the couple to prove the premises would no longer be viable for a commercial operation.

She told councillors no one had objected to the change of use application she and her husband submitted and that an estate agent had told her it would be unlikely the building would

be bought for another commercial use.

Weymouth councillor Louie O’Leary told fellow councillors the council should not be ‘micromanaging’ restaurants and that the council had no business asking the couple to prove the premises were no longer viable as a restaurant. Planning committee member Tony Alford described the planning officers’ recommendations to keep the premises commercial as ‘somewhat curious’.

Councillors were told that more than a dozen people had written to the council

in support of the Craigs’ application and that the couple will continue to run an outside catering business, cooking in people’s homes and offering a food collection service, cooked to order, on Fridays and Saturdays –which they first started doing during the covid lockdown.The planning application was agreed by nine votes to one to allow the building to be converted into a fourbedroom home, with a flat and office already in place. The application will allow for only minor changes to the building’s exterior.

Report into second homes council tax move is deferred

Dorset Council’s cabinet has taken the decision to defer the report on council tax premiums on second homes and empty properties to allow more councillors to be involved before a decision is made.

The report recommends that the council should take advantage of flexibilities in the Levelling Up and

Regeneration Bill which, if it becomes law, will enable the introduction of a 100% council tax premium on second homes. The earliest the change could be introduced is April 2024.

A 100% premium could bring in an extra £9.5 million. Another change proposed in the Bill would enable the

council to introduce a premium where a dwelling has been empty for a year. The report was due to be presented to the Place and Resources Overview Committee on February 9 before providing recommendations to Cabinet on Tuesday, February 28. If agreed, it will then go to Full Council meeting at the end of March.

by Chris Blundon from Yeovil, Slade’s Green by Maurice Still from Bridport, Minton by Henry Baker from Shepton Mallet and Axe Valley Mill by Ken Banks from Drimpton

Village hall volunteers are crying out for new blood to come in and help make the most of the community asset.

Jim and Sheila Tones say Moreton Village Hall has been ‘very successful’ as a village hub over the years but now it needs younger people to join its managing committee.

Jim, who has been volunteering at the hall for several years, told the West Dorset Magazine: “Until last month we were running a lunch club for the elderly. If you can imagine, four 70-year-old people trying to get everything organised for 20 to 30 seemingly younger people to provide lunch, it was getting to be a bit of a mammoth task and we had to stop doing it.

“We don’t really need anything other than some new volunteers to join our committee and carry on the work we’re already doing.”

Built to replace a crumbling 1920s building, the new Moreton Village Hall is now marking seven years of hosting events, including 56 weddings, 2,000 lunches for the elderly, 150 children’s parties and 84 book and coffee mornings, plus clubs, bands, dances, sports, films, music, choirs WIs, meetings,

Village people in plea for helping hands at new hall

loo was a hut with a pit in the woodland outside! Lighting was provided by oil lamps hung from the ceiling. A row of black Valor paraffin oil stoves down the centre of the hall provided the heating –with the addition of a wood burning stove on the stage area. By 2013 the building was cold, damp and dark and surveyors all but condemned it. A small band of villagers set to work and after two years of hard work, car boot sales, cake stalls, fundraising events, grant applications, endless meetings and planning, the new hall opened in 2015.

Villager Jim Jones said: “If you want a better world you have to make one.

“The new hall was built because a few people cared.

training, endless private parties, wakes, reunions, carer’s days, seminars, conferences, keep fit, yoga and meditation. The existing hall was donated by the army shortly after the First World War.

It was originally two army huts that were transported to the site from Bovington

by horse and cart and joined together to form the hall. At first it didn’t have electricity or a water supply. One resident recalls that her uncle was tasked with bringing a churn of water down on a cart, before any event in the hall. There were no inside toilet facilities – the

“If you care about the world, if you could do something to improve people’s lives, Join village hall trustees, join in with youth work, join a charity, join in your local community group and make a difference. Please give the children a sense of community.”

n Anyone interested in supporting the village hall’s work should email moretonvillagehall bookings@gmail.com

Ethical group donates share of members’ fees to DWT

Bournemouth-based ethical consumer brand Gaia will donate a portion of its members’ fees to Dorset Wildlife Trust this year.

The donations will go to the trust’s nature reserves fund, which it uses to maintain 40 nature reserves throughout the county.

As part of the charitable partnership, DWT members will also gain access to a ‘digital Gaia card’ which offers discounts and deals with local and online companies who meet Gaia’s ‘sustainability criteria’.

DWT conservation director Andrew Pollard said: “The costs of managing

our nature reserves rises every year and all the work that is required to ensure visitors are kept safe and able to enjoy these amazing wild places.

n To find out more about joining Dorset Wildlife Trust visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

LOOKING GOOD: The new Moreton Village Hall

WORK IN PROGRESS: The old village hall and the new one under construction

Head to the boozer for some top live lit

Artsreach is bringing the vibrant INN Crowd to rural pubs to give punters a measure of top live literature performances by acclaimed artists.

On Sunday, March 5, Callum Patrick Hughes heads to The Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton with ‘Thirst’, his hit show about love – love of pubs, love of community, love of family, and a reminder that not everything you love is necessarily good for you. Everyone has heard of the 27 club. In July 2018, two months before his 28th birthday, Callum nearly joined that list and was forced to discover who he is without looking through the bottom of a bottle. Join the acclaimed writer and performer for a riotous, warm and musical journey from a small Oxfordshire town,

through Beijing’s Hutongs and the Scottish Highlands, to the bright lights of the ‘Big Smoke’.

Intertwining storytelling and song, Thirst is both a love letter to sobriety and a celebration of all things alcoholic; exploring life, family, theatre, religion and most importantly the positivity of the pub and how creating a community under the roof of your nearest watering hole doesn’t have to involve alcohol.

In her fantasies, poet Brenda Read-Brown is an imprisoned pensioner who rescues fellow passengers from crashed aeroplanes. In reality she is a bit of a hoarder who likes Greek islands. Join the prize-winning playwright at The Royal Oak in Drimpton on Sunday, March 12 for ‘But I Haven’t Finished Yet’, a riotous celebration of growing older in a brand-new show to delight and entertain audiences, however advanced in life they

may be!

And finally, on Sunday, March 26, acclaimed stand-up poet and storyteller Jonny Fluffypunk heads to The Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton with his new show about searching for the hero inside yourself, without involving M-People. The world’s gone nuts. You’ll have had your problems; Jonny’s had his. He also built himself a shed in lockdown, in which to work out how to get through it. This is the result. Inspired equally by idleness, ancient myths, and Grayson Perry’s Art Club, ‘If We Just Keep Going, We Will Get There in the End’ is part story, part poetic digression and part community support group. Full details, booking and pub kitchen opening hours is at artsreach.co.uk

Callum Patrick Hughes

Brenda Read-Brown

Photo ID reminder for next polling station trip

Voters will need to show an accepted form of photographic identification next time they go to the polling station.

Whilst there are no planned elections in Dorset Council area until May 2024, if you apply now you will have it ready should there be a snap election or by-election before then.

The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station was introduced by UK Government’s Elections Act, which comes into effect for the first time this May.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence;

and some concessionary travel passes. The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID once it has launched: electoralcommission.org. uk/voterID

Farm lights net £10k for air ambulance

A woman who suffered major head injuries after being thrown from a ponydrawn carriage and dragged underneath it has helped raise more than £10,000 for the county’s air ambulance.

Anne Roots and her son Julian Hubbuck raised £10,467 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance at the 2022 Nutley Farm Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience. Anne said it was her way of repaying the emergency service for airlifting her to hospital following her carriage crash in 2015. Speaking about the incident, Anne said: “I had harnessed one of our ponies to go for a carriage drive with a friend. As I prepared to dismount, the pony bolted and overturned the carriage, throwing my friend clear and trapping me

underneath in a heap of muck. As the pony panicked, I found myself being dragged underneath the carriage, before both the pony and carriage galloped over the top of me. It was terrifying and my life flashed before my eyes. One moment I was having a nice time and the next I was being airlifted to hospital with major injuries to my head and across my middle from the

carriage. The work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was exceptional and without them, I might not have survived to tell the tale.

“We continue to support them as a way of saying thank you and try to raise as much as possible.

“We thank all our customers for attending our Christmas Lights and Reindeer Experience and helping us raise a

significant amount once again. I feel proud of the team at Nutley Farm, who are all helping to make a difference for patients, like me, who one day might need such an important service.”

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance chief executive Charles Hackett said: “Anne and Julian’s Christmas gift to the people of Dorset and Somerset is such an amazing thing to do.

“While giving pleasure to the many families that enjoy the lights, they have raised money that far exceeds the cost of Anne’s individual care by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.”

Last year was the third Nutley Farm Christmas fundraiser, bringing the total raised for the air ambulance over the years to £26,013.

New rules at tips for disposing of upholstered furniture

New rules are being introduced about the disposal of upholstered furniture at household recycling centres across Dorset.

Environment Agency regulations mean that all upholstered domestic seating – such as sofas, armchairs, futons and bean bags – will be

separated from other waste types at Dorset’s recycling centres. The change has been made because furniture with cushions and fabrics are often treated with fire-retardant chemicals known as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These chemicals have not been used

since 2019 but can remain intact in the environment for a long time if not dealt with properly and need to be incinerated safely.

A Dorset Council spokesperson said upholstered furniture can still be dropped off at any of the county’s ten recycling centres free of charge.

THANKS SO MUCH: Anne and her son Julian present the cheque to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Solar panels for council’s buildings

Weymouth Town Council is making efforts to be greener by installing solar panels on three of its buildings in the town. The authority has installed 54 solar photovoltaic panels at the Lodmoor toilet building, the Beach Office building and toilets and at the Swannery toilet building.

Working with Wessex EcoEnergy to install the panels, the council is using computer software to remotely monitor energy consumption and production at the buildings. In their first three months of use, the panels at the Swannery have produced 780Kwh of electricity, meaning it has prevented the production 150.3kg of

carbon dioxide through burning fossil fuels. The carbon dioxide offset is the equivalent of planting nine trees,

according to the council’s software.

Cllr David Harris, the authority’s spokesperson on the climate emergency,

said: “After completing the installation of solar panels on the Swannery toilets three months ago, and despite the inclement winter weather, they have proved to be a great success.

“It’s generated 780Kwh of electricity and saved 150.3kg CO2, compared to grid electricity. So far this has saved £312 in energy costs in their first few months. We look forward to seeing how much more can be saved next season once the days start getting longer.”

Weymouth Town Council has set itself a target of being a ‘net zero carbon’ organisation by 2030.

POWER SURGE: Solar panels at the Beach Office

You’ve got a friend indeed: Meet up

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A thriving social group for gay men is reaching out the hand of friendship during LGBT+ History Month.

The Weymouth Gay Group has been meeting up for meals and drinks for 15 years. They currently meet twice a week – on Thursdays from 7.30pm at The Swan pub in St Thomas Street and on Mondays for a meal at varied eateries. It’s not a campaign group – it’s more to gather gay men together for support, companionship and a pint. Attendees range in age from 18 to 80, and everyone is made welcome.

The group was launched after founder member Colin moved back to Weymouth and found a dire lack of social events for gay men. At first the group would meet up at The Boot, having

discovered a mutual liking for real ale.

Numbers fluctuate between about 15 in winter and 30-40 in summer, when holidaymakers swell the ranks. The group has 2,400 Twitter followers and takes an active part in the various Pride events in

the county. These days there are a lot more older members, thanks to a growing acceptance of differing sexuality and genders in the older generations.

It has been a tough road for some.

Colin said: “When they were younger there was

Section 28. The struggles older people have been through…”

Even among younger people there have been battles. Adam is 27 and had to give up a place on a football team on Portland because of outdated attitudes to his sexuality.

Church takes action on mental health issues

A church in Dorchester is introducing new safeguarding measures specifically to address issues faced by the LGBT+ community.

It is recognised that a higher percentage of LGBT+ people experience mental health issues and United Church Dorchester, in South Street, wanted to make sure they had procedures in place to make them feel welcome and supported.

Senior church steward Brian pictured left, who has

been married to Jonai, 60, for nearly 20 years, has been working with Minister Rev John Yarrien and church secretary Mary Martin on the issue, and they ran a safeguarding course, which is available to listen to online.

Brian said: “While we have safeguarding procedures in place which apply to all attendees and users of our premises, we have not hitherto looked at the extra special needs we may need to consider for members of the LGBT communities.

“There are some very specific issues outside the normal safeguarding ideas, that we have to consider. For example, the Weymouth Methodist

Church, which is known as WeyBay, has voted 100% to allow same sex marriages. Each Methodist and United Reformed church can take a vote. There’s a warm welcome there and at our church in Dorchester, where we offer gay blessings within a service of worship.

“Jonai and I are renewing our vows in May. We had a civil partnership in 2005 at Dorchester Town Hall and when in 2014 the law changed to allow gay couples to be married we arranged to go to the register office and much to our surprise, they backdated our marriage certificate to the day of our civil partnership.”

n Go to unitedchurchdorchester.org.uk

TABLE FOR FOUR: WDM editor Miranda meets some of the Weymouth Gay Group

with social group for a pint

people to achieve things for themselves.”

Jonai has been instrumental in organising events to highlight the gay community, including an art exhibition at the Shire Hall.

Keep warm here

Queen Charlotte Nursing Home in Chickerell has issued an invitation to older people struggling to heat their home.

Now a football coach, he accepts that in football attitudes are in general, light years behind the times.

Jonai Da Silva, 60, from Dorchester, is Dorset

Healthcare’s LGBT+ Lead, who has worked for the NHS since 2006 and now works in mental health support in the community. He said: “I empower

He is also, with the help of his husband Brian Savage, promoting the safeguarding of LGBT+ people in the church – see our story below. Just go along to The Swan (table 26, by the fire escape) on a Thursday between 7.30pm and 11pm or go to weymouthgay group.weebly.com or email Weymouthgay group@gmail.com Twitter: @Weymouth gaygroup

If you need some warmth and company, simply call The Queen Charlotte and let them know you are coming any time between 10.30am and 4pm until the end of February. You will be offered unlimited hot drinks and soup and a roll if you come at lunchtime, free of charge. Call 01305 773128.

Church meeting

The Friends of Holnest Church invite you to its AGM on Wednesday, March 8 at 7.30pm at Glanvilles Wootton Village Hall (DT9 5QF).

EMPOWERING: Jonai Da Silva of Dorchester

Martyrs’ chapel renovation is almost

By Dan Goater dan@westdorsetmag.co.uk

After almost a decade of planning and fundraising, including 15 months of painstaking renovation works, Tolpuddle Old Chapel – where the famous martyr George Loveless was a lay preacher – will reopen next month.

Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust, chaired by Andrew McCarthy, has spearheaded the project to renovate the Grade II* listed chapel, which was once officially described as being an ‘at risk’ building. The renovation works were carried out by a specialist firm of conservation builders, Sally Strachey Historic Conservation.

Mr McCarthy said the complex nature of the 200year-old cob walls necessitated a thorough and complex 14 months of conservation work by stonemasons with Greendale Construction building a small extension that was required to welcome visitors. He added: “Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust was formed in February 2014 as a building preservation trust and now, after nine years of consultation, planning and fundraising, we have achieved our aim of saving this Grade II* listed chapel from being an ‘at risk’ building. The trustees have never asked any Tolpuddle resident for donations, ensuring that funding for the nearby St John’s Church and the village hall was in no way affected. “Our funding was raised

Architectural Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England plus 11 major heritage charitable

trusts and numerous individual donors from outside the village.”

He added: “The trust aims to tell the story of The Tolpuddle

Labourers – who are known by many as

The Tolpuddle Martyrs –and how they constructed this now rare example of a purpose-built rural independent Wesleyan chapel, which is simple in design and reflects the

agricultural skills of those who built it.”

The renovated chapel was first used for ‘nonConformist’ worship from 1818 until 1834.

Under the guidance of founding trustee and lay preacher George Loveless, the Tolpuddle Labourers and their families grew in their understanding of the social injustice of their harsh living and working conditions.

In 1833 George Loveless and others of the group

CHAPEAU TO THE CHAPEL: The renovated south facia of Tolpuddle Old Chapel and, below, the interior renovation and, right, the lime-washed exterior. Inset: George Loveless Pictures: JOHN MULLINS/JASON WILSHER-MILLS/IAN CRAY

finished after 10-year labour of love

Circuit records show there was still ‘a Methodist class’ of at least 13 members in Tolpuddle in 1850, contributing cash, although not necessarily meeting in the former chapel. By June 1862 a new Methodist chapel was open in Tolpuddle and ownership of Tolpuddle Old Chapel reverted back to the ground’s landlord –the Squire of the day. The building was then used as a single-storey animal house with an enclosed yard to the east. Later it was adapted to become a two-storey building with a hay loft, a cobbled floor and a new wider door to the east. It was subsequently used for storage. The chapel was listed by English Heritage in 1989 as a Grade II* building but its condition gradually deteriorated and it was put on Historic England’s ‘At Risk Register’ in 2008.

Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust purchased the building in 2015, beginning the process of restoring it to its former glory.

met with delegates from the Grand Consolidated Trades Union from London and lawfully decided to set up an agricultural trade union –The Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers - to campaign for better pay and conditions.

This early form of unionisation deeply disturbed local landowners and other authorities, who launched a prosecution against the labourers on the dubious grounds of

their swearing an illegal oath as part of members’ initiations. In 1834 six of the labourers were unlawfully arrested and tried in Dorchester’s Shire Hall courthouse before being illegally transported to Australia and Tasmania. The enormous public outcry at this injustice resulted in a pardon being granted to the six ‘martyrs’ in 1837, after which they returned to England. In 1844, five of the six labourers emigrated to

London Ontario in Canada to start a new life and were then known as the ‘Dorchester Labourers’. It is thought the chapel continued to be used for its original purpose after the departure of its congregation leaders. The building is listed on an 1843 Tithe Map as belonging to ‘The Wesleyan Soc’.

The building ceased to be used as a chapel between 1843 and 1851.

Dorchester Methodist

Mr McCarthy said: “This spring Tolpuddle Old Chapel will open to visitors interested in its history, and as a local amenity for quiet contemplation, education, and events to serve the well-being of the community.

“The new extension situated adjacent to the east wall of the chapel will help to support events and activities, including a pilot schools programme in British values.”

MEN AT WORK: Jason Ive and Andrew McCarthy, chairman of TOCT, view a repositioned and repaired roof truss. Below: The new oak window frame for north arched window made by by master carpenter Jason Ive and, right, looking towards the new front door and, below, the original exterior opening north arched window reveal 1818 cob and brick from 1818 built by Tolpuddle Labourers

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has welcomed work to demolish the disused Red Star Parcel building at Dorchester South railway station.

He is lobbying for refurbishments to Dorchester South station’s buildings to improve passenger facilities and accessibility.

Mr Loder said: “I have championed Dorchester South many times in Parliament. This is also why I have been fully making the case for this station to properly reflect its status as a gateway to Dorchester and West Dorset more widely.

“I am hoping to see progress shortly to finally overhaul the station building with the interests of our many disabled passengers at heart and have been looking forward to the day that the eyesore

MP urges trains firm to improve station facilities

parcel building would be demolished.”

The MP said he recently “put these challenges” to

SWR’s regional development manager Andrew Ardley during a meeting at the station.

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PLATFORM REBOOT: MP Chirs Loder, right, is calling for improved passenger facilities at Dorchester South

£20k prize to tackle climate change

Young people in West Dorset can apply for their share of a £20,000 fund to support projects that tackle climate change.

The Woodland Trust’s youth innovation competition offers young people the chance to secure funding for their own environmental projects. A trust spokesperson said the competition comes in the wake of an ‘alarming’ Met Office announcement that 2022 was the warmest year in the UK on record, highlighting the ‘desperate need’ for climate change action.

Nine individuals or small groups, aged between 16 and 25, will win up to £5,000 in project funding plus mentorship from ‘leading industry experts’ to deliver projects which directly combat climate crises.

To be eligible for funding the projects must either ‘inspire, protect or create’. This could include anything from tree planting projects and championing ancient trees to innovative ideas that aid farming and the protection of UK rivers and wildlife.

Woodland Trust chief executive Dr Darren Moorcroft said: “Young

TRUST IN TREES: The Woodland Trust is offering funding for climate change projects

people can often feel very anxious and helpless about climate change but want the opportunity to make a difference. We know trees are one of our best defences against the climate crisis – and getting more trees in the ground is vital if we are to see a positive future for people and wildlife.”

The top 18 applications will be invited to take part in workshops that will teach them how to professionally pitch their project idea and the finalist will go on to present their environmental innovations to a panel of celebrity judges and experts.

Grace Howourth, head of youth re-imagined at the

Get onboard for capped bus fares

West Dorset residents are being urged to get out on the buses following the introduction of a new £2 maximum fare running until March 31.

West Dorset Chris Loder said: “I have worked hard since my election to safeguard our vital bus service network here in West Dorset and I am

pleased that the new £2 bus fare cap is including West Dorset service providers like First.

“This will mean those who use services like the X53 or Number 6 will benefit from a considerable reduction in their fares – and I encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this offer.”

Woodland Trust, said: “We need more young people to become advocates for woods and trees and we are excited to be able to open this opportunity to help fund important projects which will directly address

the climate and nature crisis.”

n For more information on how to apply, please visit woodlandtrust. org.uk or email youth

@woodlandtrust.org.uk

THE CROWN INN, PUNCKNOWLE

Church St, Puncknowle, Dorchester DT2 9BN 01308 897711 crowninndorset.co.uk | info@crowninndorset.co.uk

Thatched pub, log burners, dart board, pub games, Palmers ales.

SAT, FEB 18 & MARCH 18: Bingo

THURS, MARCH 9: Quiz night

Lyn, Paul and the team welcome you to this traditional thatched village pub in the heart of Puncknowle. Open 7 days a week from 12noon, food served daily. Sunday roasts 125pm, bookings advised. Dogs are welcome.

Walking group

A new wellbeing group for men has been launched by The Burrough Harmony Centre. At 2pm every Tuesday a Men’s Walking Group meets at the shelter on St Mary’s Playing field, just over the river from Bridport’s Bowling Club. Bridport Mayor Cllr Ian Bark donned his walking boots and joined the first walk, a stroll across the fields to West Bay and back.

The weekly walks are run by Harmony facilitator Rob

who encourages all men, their partners, supporters and dogs to join in too. Call him on 07597 379290 for more information.

Pub of the year

The White Lion has been crowned West Dorset CAMRA Pub of the Year at Dorchester Beerex. Camra described the pub, which was reopened following a huge campaign by the community as: “A thriving example of a community-run pub.”

Solar panel consortium

Transition Town Bridport (TTB), along with Dorset Greener Homes, have negotiated a discount price for solar panels, based on 20-30 homes around Bridport installing PVs. Anyone interested is invited to a meeting at Bridport WI hall at 6.30pm on February 23.

Sam Wilberforce of TTB said: “We have chosen an installer who has an established reputation for reliability and after-sales service, and good quality

panels which should last 2025 years. These are not the cheapest but cutting costs for inferior materials can be a false economy.”

If you cannot make the meeting but are interested in getting a no- obligation quote you should email bridportsolarpanels@gmail. com. A similar scheme is operating in Corscombe and Halstock ( contact henrylovegrove@btinternet. com) and in Martinstown (contact colintracy66@gmail.com).

community orchard to ensure a good crop of apples later in the year Pictures: TIM RUSS

Wassailers ensure a top crop of apples

Bridport folk went a-wassailing at the town’s community orchard to help ensure bumper crops later in the year. Around 200 locals gathered for the centuries-old tradition that is thought to drive out evil spirits and ensure the apple trees stay healthy.

The Wyld Morris dancing group began proceedings with a medley of traditional tunes and wassailing songs, featuring enthusiastic audience participation, followed by dancing.

Local cider producers helped keep people’s spirits high and volunteers

served hot apple juice made from the orchard’s last crop. Bridport’s town crier attended in his full regalia to announce the start of the wassail, followed by Martin Maudesley telling the story of The Apple Tree Man, the name given to the spirit of the oldest tree in the orchard

which exists all the fertility of the whole orchard.

After the story, Martin led the wassail ceremony, which saw the King and Queen of the wassail crowned before picking a tree to receive a gift of cider poured onto its roots and cider-soaked bread placed in its branches. Martin then introduced another folklore character, the Dorset Ooser, inset left, represented by his distinctive horn faced mask, before the ceremony ended with crowds making a great hullabaloo with drums, whistles, pans and spoons and rattles to drive out evil spirits.

A-WASSAILING WE WILL GO: Driving out evil spirits at the Bridport

DCH maternity unit really delivers

Dorset County Hospital has the best maternity service in the country, according to government inspectors.

The Dorchester hospital’s maternity unit received the best results in the country following a 2022 survey by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

A hospital spokesperson said: “The national 2022 maternity survey, published by the CQC, summarises the experiences of women who gave birth during January and February 2022.

“The survey asked them about their experiences of care across the entire pregnancy pathway, from antenatal care, labour and birth, and postnatal care. Over 100 responses were received for Dorset County

Hospital. As well as delivering individual hospital reports, the CQC publishes a report which focuses on variation in results for care during labour and birth.

“DCH received high scores in all areas, including treating people with respect and dignity, trust and confidence levels in staff

and involving patients about their care decisions.” The spokesperson added: “DCH officially received the best results in the whole country for the CQC maternity survey.”

Jo Hartley, the hospital’s director of midwifery and neonatal services, said: “It’s a privilege to support families during pregnancy,

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birth and once they are at home with their baby. I am immensely proud of all my colleagues who continue to provide high standards of care to women and their families. Feedback is so important and helps us develop our services, focusing on what matters most to women and their families.”

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SIMPLY THE BEST: Some of the team at Dorset County Hospital’s maternity unit

Initiative to deal with post-pandemic

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A ‘fourth emergency service’ is being formed in Dorset – an army of people trained in first aid mental health ready to stem a predicted tidal wave of problems post-pandemic. Problems with mental health have mushroomed since the lockdowns, and the double whammy of the cost of living increases has compounded the feelings of fear and helplessness felt by many people. But Marcus Fritch and Pastor Mark Topp of Dorchester’s Storehouse Church have launched a series of (non-religious) courses to train people to help others – and they are calling on individuals, companies and groups to take up their offer. The pair’s work helping the community began in earnest in week one of lockdown.

Pastor Mark said: “By the end of the first week of lockdown we had started delivering food parcels.

“People were losing their jobs, not able to go out and get food. We delivered 150 food parcels a week across Dorset, going as far as Gillingham and Lyme Regis, before other agencies took over.

“The number of people suffering mental health conditions rose to one in four during the pandemic. “To then to go into a costof-living crisis and a heating crisis… The figures, once they truly come out, are going to be mind-blowing.”

Food poverty is a major

concern, and the pair felt strongly that the stigma felt by some people using a foodbank, to which you must be referred by a GP, social worker or similar, must not be an issue for people in need.

They launched ‘Community Share’ and four community larders to help.

Marcus said: “Community Share focuses on putting people back at the centre of the community and supporting their wellness. “Post-pandemic, we

support to the community without referral. There’s a significant group of people who are not on benefits but in food poverty.

“From very early on in the pandemic we realised people’s mental wellness would be challenged and in the years that followed we trained as first aid mental health instructors. We are hoping to build a group of people who can signpost people to professional help.

“The health service is

under pressure and it can take a long time for people to access professional help.

“Mental health first aiders act as a friendly face for however long it takes before people can access professional help.

“It will be the fourth emergency service – it’s going to be increasingly important to have those skills.”

The pair say employers in particular can benefit from investing in training members of staff, with better staff retention and productivity. The courses are RQF and Ofqual accredited and not only include mental health first aid, but traditional first aid and safeguarding too.

Marcus said: “Our courses are good value for employers as they can help with staff retention and productivity. Level 1 is £150 and level 2 is £250. Level 2 takes a day and level 3 two days. They give you confidence to

IT’S FOR YOU: Chris Loder opens the new community larder

health problems

deliver that support. They reinforce what you already know, your common sense.

“The cost of the course is low weighed against training someone new if you lose a member of staff through mental health issues, whether they leave because they don’t feel supported or whether they go off sick. If you have a mental health first aider in the workplace they can identify problems before they result in sickness. As it’s far better to have a valued member of staff working three days a week, say, than them going off sick and then losing the confidence to return.”

Pastor Mark said: “At the moment there’s this environment of challenge, where people don’t know what’s happening next –people don’t know what the next hurdle is.

“People fear mental health will affect their job and how people see them, so we train people to spot the signs. We also run a mental health for young people programme – half of all mental health conditions are established by the age of 14.

“We can also help with companies’ mental health policies and strategies. And the beneficiaries of this approach go far beyond the workplace, helping the friends and family of that person, and the community around them.”

Mark added: “After we advertised the courses online we were asked to train some people from Brentford Football Club,

as there were no similar courses in London.”

After an incident last year, where a 15-year-old Thomas Hardye pupil took their own life, several funeral directors have got behind the pair’s mission, including the Weymouth and Dorchester branches of Co-Op Funeralcare. The course trains people to recognise critical situations and be able to signpost others to the help they need.

The pair also need people to volunteer – to do admin, social media and video production as well as picking up donated food and manning the larders. There’s a chance of free office space for anyone who can offer them their skills in social media and/or graphic design, at their Herringston Barn HQ. The four community larders – two in Dorchester, at the church in Cambridge Road (DT1 2LR) open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-noon and St George’s Church in Fordington, which is open seven days a week.

There’s one in Winterborne Abbas Church and another in Crossways, at Manna Kitchen, 1f Hybris Business Park, Crossways, Dorchester DT2 8BF. People can just go in and help themselves.

On May 1 there’s a 40k cycle ride to raise funds for Community Share. Register at the website below.

n Community-share.org

01305 300637

hello@communityshare.org

Volunteers wanted to support young families

A charity that supports young families is seeking help after seeing a rise in referrals.

Home-Start West Dorset trains volunteers who spend up to three hours per week with families with children under five. Volunteers are there to give help and parenting advice and to assist with household tasks like cooking. A Home-Start spokesperson said: “We have found that our volunteers become an absolute lifeline for these families, so much so that often someone from the family will return as a volunteer in later years. “Our work is becoming increasingly necessary and

n Car audio

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we are seeing a rise in the families being referred to us. To continue to support families we need to recruit volunteers, not only in these family-visiting roles, but also as trustees and other support work. We are actively recruiting new volunteers in our family visiting roles at the moment. This is a great opportunity for retirees or those currently re-training who might have two to three hours spare per week to support a local family.” For more information visit Home-Start West Dorset at Dorchester Youth and Community Centre in Kings Road, Dorchester. 01305 265072, email office@homestartwest dorset.co.uk

n Vehicle security

n Reversing

Damers Blinds’ history all over resort

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Damers Blinds has been making quality, made-tomeasure blinds, awnings, canopies and materials in Weymouth since 1884. Potter along the Weymouth seafront and the traces of this small family business with a big history can be seen with many old traditional awnings still protecting the little independent shops from the elements.

Years ago, Damers were also responsible for making beach huts during the Victorian heyday of seaside trips, when bathing in salty water and taking lungfuls of sea air started being renowned as the antidotes to city stress. The company were also known to make the odd sailcloth or two. In fact, Damers originally were responsible for all the shop awnings and beachside material paraphernalia.

Damers Blinds has seen many changes over its almost 140year history, but its commitment to producing the finest quality window treatments and exceptional customer service has never changed.

Leanne and Dominic Cale took over Damers Blinds 17 years ago. With a background

in renovations and interiors, the business seemed the next logical step, combining their skills with a passion for detail and a flair for style.

Leanne said: “It’s really nice to think we have a big history but are quite small. We make it simple to add style to your home. Whether your tastes are traditional, vintage or modern,

our expansive assortment of blinds and materials provides endless possibilities for selfexpression. Our unique products are of exceptional quality and value.

“We have a long and loyal following and get lots of repeat business and recommendations. And we pride ourselves on customer

service.

“We give our customer’s peace of mind. While online products might cost less, we offer high quality products with a warranty and of course, we have good aftercare and are here if any issues should arise.”

She added: “We know everything there is to know about window areas.

“With the cost of living, we have plenty of advice on the best window treatments to keep warm.”

All home visits are free of charge.

Visit the showroom at Unit 4 Avon Court, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, DT4 9UX, call 01305 784601 or see the website damersblindsltd.com

BLIND AMBITION: With the Victorian beach huts, top, and with their sailcloths, above

AIN’T NOTHIN LIKE A DAMERS: A bathing station sits atop a Damers Blinds van

A trade stand from a few decades ago

Dorset’s one of the UK’s sunniest places

By WDM Reporter newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

With energy prices

skyrocketing we’re all looking for ways to stay warm for less this winter and My Home Solar of Dorchester has the solution.

Based at the Warmer Home Improvements showroom at 31b Great Western Road, My Home Solar offers costcutting solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage solutions for homeowners throughout the UK.

“Solar energy is the most abundant source of energy on the planet,” says company director Andrew Summerfield.

“To make the most of it, you need technology that can capture, create, and store energy.

“My Home Solar offers a specialised solar PV installation service over the whole of the UK, from the north coast to the south coast.

“We cover all areas of solar, battery storage.

Solar panels let you use the sun’s energy to

generate your own free electricity. We have successfully completed multiple installations, so you can rely on us to provide the best service. Our goal is to give the best end-to-end solar PV installation service available.”

The benefits of installing solar panels are abundantnot only will your home be less dependent on the National Grid, you’ll be

helping the environment by reducing the need to burn fossil fuels at polluting power plants.

High performance solar panels make use of energy that would otherwise go to waste while helping you save money on your monthly fuel bills.

Andrew added: “We pride ourselves on the high quality of work we provide to our valued clients and believe that our technical

expertise mixed with sound business procedures has made us a force to be reckoned with.

“Renewable energy is the future and we are at the forefront of changing the UK’s energy market landscape for eternity. By offering cost-effective, ecofriendly solar energy solutions, we aim to revolutionise how energy is produced and utilised.

“We only work with the

Tweaks to fans, pumps and motors can halve energy cost

Substantial savings can be made – even when running legacy equipment

Renewable energy is crucial for a sustainable future, and modern technologies such as solar, wind & ground source are great.

But according to RPEME, it’s also possible to optimise your existing energy set-up. Implementing power factor correction or voltage

optimisation could significantly reduce energy costs. Further savings are possible by installing variable speed drives (VSDs). The primary benefit of VSDs is improved energy efficiency in motors and they are particularly effective in applications such as fans, pumps, compressors, and machinery.

For example, reducing the

speed of a motor by just 20% can cut power consumption by an impressive 50%.

RPEME will assess your current system and advise.

Russ Prevett of RPEME said: “We can install solutions to save your business money on energy costs.

“It’s also possible to optimise your existing electrical power supply with significant cost savings being achieved,

especially for industrial or 3 phase installations. Old, electrically-inefficient equipment can make the power supply equally inefficient – without replacing the machinery, this can be corrected.

“The voltage could be optimised – Motors can be tuned.”

rpeme.co.uk

so why not join the generation game?

best major solar panel manufacturers in the business, including SolarEdge, JA Solar, Growatt, Solis and Longi. We believe in providing value upfront by installing systems that are energy efficient and reliable.”

My Home Solar is approved by Trading Standards and is a member of Checkatrade, where it

holds a rating of 9.77 out of ten.

It is also MCS registered and a member of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). My Home Solar offers fast installation with friendly, efficient customer service at competitive prices. For more information and to book a consultation visit myhomesolar.uk

New showroom to open

Inafix was founded in 2019 by Rob, and has since grown enormously.

Rob, and his senior plumbing engineer Adam have become the dream team! And they now have five permanent members of staff. Their new office in Shaftesbury will be opening in spring 2023 to will showcase their works. Inafix are OFTEC, REFCOM, LG, DAIKIN & MCS approved.

Inafix Renewables are experts in renewable heating systems. They install reliable, efficient air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and can provide fully bespoke solutions. The benefits, in terms of financial returns while supporting environmentally responsible technologies, can be extremely attractive. 01747 685705 inafix.co.uk

Helping patients to find their voice

What is a Patient Participation Group?

I have been involved in social work in various guises for many years, but this is different. This is about empowering patients to find their voice; a voice about the future of ‘their’ healthcare. It’s about involvement and about being heard, but it’s a bit ‘top-secret’ and few people know of its existence or its purpose, so I am hoping to dispel a few myths and encourage others to join. Anyone can join a Patient Participation Group; the only requirement is that members of a PPG should be ‘reflective of the patients using the service’.

Its purpose is to equally support the surgery and its patients with impartiality and objectivity. A PPG is made up of volunteers and, when possible, a GP or practice manager will attend the group, which meet on a regular basis. This may involve discussing new initiatives at the surgery. The patient group may recommend how things might be improved for the benefit of the patients from their perspective however, we all have the same commitment: to work in collaboration with the surgery to improve healthcare for patients.

n Did you know that the NHS requires every GP practice to have a Patient Participation group plus it’s an expectation of the CQC (Care Quality Commission) that require all Surgeries have patient representation. Does your surgery? The CCG (Clinical Commissioning

Group) recognises patient/surgery engagement as a vital part of the future of healthcare. So how do we get this to work?

Every PPG aims to ensure that patients, their families, and carers are represented. Nothing is set in stone and patient groups develop differently, but it does depend on how ‘enthusiastic’ GPs are. Some practices are more proactive than others and recognise the benefits of having an active patient group, in return they get a dependable team of volunteers committed to improve things for staff and patients alike. However, the patient group need to be taken seriously. Do all GP practices engage? Do GPs even know who the group representatives are?

Some GP practices can be resistant to change, insisting on ‘going it alone’, but with no patient influence, is this a true indication of the patient viewpoints?

As surgeries merge into larger practices, a patient group could play an active part in the merger’s delivery. We rely on our GPs and Practice Managers to do right by us, and we trust them, but if they are not always listening to their patients, how do they know?

Here in West Dorset, we differ hugely from inner city practices, but our needs are similar, our concerns the same.

Some recommendations from across the UK from patient groups have gone on to influence and shape the NHS, championing the patient’s

voice.

A patient group must react to patient’s views objectively and with understanding, using it proactively to feed back to the practice.

Although patient groups are affiliated to a practice, it works independently on behalf of all patients. It acts as liaison between the practice and patients, opening the opportunity for discussion and debate, offering feedback, sometimes at national level. What qualities should someone bring to a PPG?

It’s a sensitive area; listening skills are important as often comments can be construed as criticism, passing on complaints and comments need to be carried out objectively and with confidentiality.

An attention to detail and being precise and accurate in delivery is critical as is a desire to be an advocate for the vulnerable and those wishing to be heard and understood.

Your PPG

Your views matter, you have a voice, and you have that right to be heard about things that affect you or your family’s healthcare. Your opinion matters.

As I see it, patient groups can bring huge benefits to any GP practice in supporting a profession that we are constantly being told is under huge pressure.

There is no doubt that covid had a huge detrimental effect on the moral of both GP practices and patients alike. Covid was an anomaly, an unknown force threatening an unprepared world, vaccines have allowed an element of

normality, but it’s left a legacy, could anyone anticipate the impact covid is having on our lives.

What are the benefits to the surgery?

GPs have been vocal in citing difficulties after Covid and the subsequent inevitable backlog of patients has caused tension, this tension has been exacerbated by delays and difficulties getting appointments. Referrals to hospitals have increased and people are increasingly ‘demanding’ rather than ‘requesting’.

Members of a patient group are not clinicians, some have skills and experience in a healthcare environment, (although this is not a prerequisite) some have experience dealing with the public or it may be just someone who simply cares and wants to get involved. No qualifications are needed.

Any knowledge and experience can bring huge benefits to GP practices and patients alike, it is getting GPs to recognise this that ‘can’ be the uphill struggle and as the current system grapples with the weight of winter pressures and a covid legacy there is some ‘resistance’ from some practices despite the obvious benefits and contractual requirements.

n Anyone who feels strongly enough about healthcare in their area, should join their own surgery’s Patient Participation Group. A collaborative, influential and powerful voice across a nation making a difference to people’s lives.

KAREN BROAD, a group member of a local Patient Participation Group (PPG), highlights the importance of giving patients a voice about their future healthcare in West Dorset and how we all should be futureproofing our health care

Make a note to spread a little love around

By Canon Deb Smith, Team Rector of Bridport

While I was walking the dog the other day, coming back past church, I saw a piece of card sticking out of the gap in the old west doors.

Being a nosy person, I went over to see what it was, expecting that perhaps someone had stuffed their rubbish in the crevice. But instead, I found it was a hand-written note on red card which said: ‘If you find this, then receive this gift given with love’. Pinned onto the card was a handmade woollen brooch, heart-shaped, made to give away to a stranger. Finding this random gift was a lovely surprise on a gloomy January day. But, although it lifted my spirits, I replaced it, thinking it should have been found by someone else. After all, I’m

Services

Sherborne Abbey

Weekday Services

Monday to Saturday at 8.30am, Morning Prayer - The Sepulchre Chapel

Every Monday at 9am, Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel

Every Tuesday at 12noon, Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel

Every Wednesday at 10.30am, Holy Communion with Homily – The Lady Chapel

Every Thursday at 12noon, BCP Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel

Every Friday at 9am, Ecumenical Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel The first Friday of the month at 9am, Requiem Holy

Communion - The Sepulchre Chapel -

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

Saturday, February 11

always walking past the church. A couple of hours later I was still thinking of the gift, and so wandered back to church, hoping it was still there. But it had gone.

I wonder if I will see someone walking around Bridport wearing the heart, having received the gift I didn’t. It brightened up my day, nonetheless, and it makes me smile to think of the joy it gave the giver and the receiver of that little woollen heart, a token of random generosity. We are coming up to that time when many give tokens, often in the shape of a love-heart, to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The day gets its name from St Valentine, a priest who lived under the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II. When the emperor passed a law that all young men must remain single, in order to

Sherborne Abbey 5pm Choral Evensong

Sunday, February 12

Sherborne Abbey 8am Holy Communion

9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm

Choral Evensong

St Paul’s at The Gryphon 10.30am Holy Communion

St John the Baptist, Symondsbury

9.30am Celtic Worship

St Mary Magdalene, North Poorton

9.30am Eucharist

St Saviour’s, Dottery 11am Morning Prayer

St Michael & All Angels, Askerswell

11am Benefice Eucharist

St Swithun’s, Allington 9.30am Holy Trinity

Bradpole 9.30am alternating Holy Communion and Morning Praise

St Mary’s Bridport 11am Holy Communion alternating Morning Praise

Sunday, February 19

Sherborne Abbey 8am Holy Communion

9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm

make them better soldiers, Valentine supposedly broke the emperor’s order by secretly performing marriages. The legend also says that while he was imprisoned for this crime, people would slip him notes written on folded pieces of paper that they would hide in the cracks of the rocks around his cell.

These days cynics (like me...) might say that Valentine’s Day has become a commercial conspiracy by those selling chocolate, greeting cards and flowers. But seeing that gift, given freely and left for anyone to find in the door of a church, has set me thinking. It’s not the lavish gesture that really means the most, even on Valentine’s Day, but the open-hearted manner in which we give and receive. Valentine’s Day is associated with romantic

Choral Evensong

St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am

All Age Worship

St Mary Magdalene, Loders 9.30am Celtic Worship

St Mary the Virgin, Powerstock

11am Benefice Eucharist Baptism

St Paul’s Broadoak 6.30pm Evening Prayer

St Swithun’s, Allington 9.30am Holy Trinity

Bradpole 9.30am alternating Holy Communion and Morning Praise

St Mary’s Bridport 11am Holy Communion alternating Morning Praise

Wednesday, February 22 Sherborne Abbey 7pm Holy Communion with Ashing

Sunday, February 26

8am Holy Communion 9.30am

Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong

St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am Morning Worship

St Saviour’s Dottery 9.30am Holy Communion,

love, a time for lovers, a time of hearts and flowers. But love, freely given, is much more everyday than that, and even more remarkable too.

So as one who never receives a Valentine card (being married to one who resists the commercial conspiracy) and who never gives a card either (what can I say?) – I want to thank that secret gift giver, who brightened up my day, and surely the day of the person wearing the heart brooch. And thank you too, to all who today show love by being a good neighbour, by caring, by being generous, by seeing the good and by being open-hearted.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

St John the Baptist, Symondsbury

11am Benefice Eucharist

St Mary Magdalene, North Poorton

6.30pm Evensong

St Michael & All Angels, Askerswell

6.30pm Evensong

St Swithun’s, Allington 9.30am Holy Trinity Bradpole 9.30am alternating Holy Communion and Morning Praise

St Mary’s Bridport 11am Holy Communion alternating Morning Praise

Sunday March 5

St Mary the Virgin, Powerstock

9.30am Morning Prayer

St Mary Magdalene, Loders 11am Benefice Eucharist

St Mary’s, Bridport 8am Book of Common Prayer and Holy Communion

St Swithun’s, Allington 9.30am Holy Trinity Bradpole 9.30am alternating Holy Communion and Morning Praise

St Mary’s Bridport 11am Holy Communion alternating Morning Praise

Down to earth

NEW COLUMN: KIM BERLIN – A newcomer to the Rock

We’re busy making sure the coast is clear

Weymouth and Portland

The sea has a very neat trick of throwing back at us those things that we carelessly allow to pollute her benevolent depths. Perhaps one can imagine Mother Carey, the witch of the sea, scolding Davey Jones, 'I've told you before, clean that locker up NOW!', or maybe Manannan MacLir is out there beneath the waters of Lyme Bay pitching out plastic bottles on his trident, yelling: “Oí, réíteach é, a bhastardaí salach!” (Oy, sort it out, you dirty b.......!).

Whatever the means of disposal, and it could just be the currents tides and waves that bring it in, this is truly a harvest of man's profligate waste of valuable resources, some of which we can recycle and reuse. It should all be recyclable – if we made it, we should be able to unmake it.

Nonetheless, we have these landfalls of marine detritus, particularly in the winter storms and it's up

to us to remove it and deal with it properly.

Enter onto the stage, Chesil Cove, on a bright and breezy morning of Monday January 16, a bunch of very willing and able volunteers from all over south and west Dorset led by the Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project, Project Planet and Clean Jurassic Coast.

It’s quite a well-practised routine now and it works very smoothly - everyone grabs a litter picker and a bag or two and we all hit the beach, hauling in everything from huge buoys to large pieces of tangled fishing net right down to tiny fragments of plastic and pieces of rope twine.

Of course, there is much that is buried underneath

the shingle, but we retrieved what we could find, and the volunteers will be back again and again and again, knowing that this is a never ending task but also a critically important one. Does it make a difference? Well, an hour and a half later we had retrieved 300 kilos of bagged debris and a huge quantity of larger plastics and rope, estimated at about two tonnes in total, from Chesil Cove. Officers from Dorset Waste Services were on hand to take it all away and in a couple of hours, except for the driftwood, which is always keenly sought by local collectors, Chesil Cove looked as clean as a whistle again. That IS making a difference!

Jane Fuhrmann of

Marine Litter Project said: “What a morning! The amazing communities from Portland and Weymouth really did come together for the sake of our seas and marine life. It was exciting and touching to see so many like-minded people working so hard for something we all believe in. I was so proud to be part of the fantastic task force. 300kg of bagged plastic waste plus a large selection of hard plastics, rope, crates and some unidentified objects were collected.

“Whilst our friends at Dorset Waste took away a huge amount, we were able to save a substantial collection of hard plastics and rope for recycling. It just goes to prove that together, we really can make a difference.”

n Volunteers are always welcome, so please check social media for the organisations mentioned above or go to the Weymouth and Portland

Marine Litter Project website at

n weymouthportland

marinelitterproject.org

n cleanjurassiccoast.uk

n projectplanet.earth

Ian Baird is a Kimberlin –an incomer to Portland from West Dorset. Here he writes for Down To Earth about happenings on the Isle.

IT’S IN THE BAG: The Litter Project team at Chesil Cove and, inset, just some of the bags of rubbish cleared

Down to earth

By NICK GORE

There are many species of wildlife one hopes to see in their natural habitat in a lifetime – dolphins, whales, Golden Eagles – I could name quite a few, but one for me is the otter. I saw one once on the River Dart in Devon at some distance. I was living and working by the Piddle and had always held a hope that I might see one on my home patch, at least definitive evidence that they are here.

Well, after 39 years in Affpuddle I finally got the evidence.

Every year at West Farm we always seem to end up with a calf from our suckler herd that requires feeding with milk replacer and this year is no exception. The calf is called Bambi and is one of several motherless calves that live in a pen with access to the field behind the calf house. Bambi is a little over four months old and is still being fed milk.

To Roger Prideaux’s surprise, as he entered the pen to feed Bambi at first light on January 4, he discovered an otter curled

Can’t be hotter to spot a little otter...

up in the pen with the calf. Naturally this caused some excitement on the

farm, particularly what course of action, if any at all, should be taken. An otter rescue centre was

contacted and as the otter appeared uninjured and in good condition it was thought that it would eventually leave of its own accord.

We kept out of the way apart from the opportunity to take a few photographs and place a plate full of dog food nearby, which it thoroughly demolished. It did not take any notice of Bambi moving in and out of the pen and seemed quite happy to stay as I took my photos.

By the end of the day, it moved out of the calf pen and set up home in one of the old chicken houses. The following morning was nowhere to be seen. With the Piddle in full flood, I would imagine that the otter’s holts and couches (an area above ground where they lie up) would be all underwater and a nice warm calf house nearby would seem an ideal place to stay for a while.

When we came face to face with an ambling lump

Travelling home from Dorchester on January 3, Christine and I decided to have a look around Southover and come back through Affpuddle. It had been raining all morning and the road at Southover end was well flooded for about 300 metres. It was a bit of a job to see where the road was.

We were just about halfway to Affpuddle when I spotted a dark lump on the roadside up ahead. The ‘lump’ moved, and we could see it was an otter at the edge of the road.

We stopped the car and the otter walked towards us and ambled alongside the car. Christine opened the door and

was eye to eye with the otter. For a brief second, she thought it was going to jump into the car, but it walked on past the car and disappeared behind us. What an experience, and what a time to have no camera with us. Still, we will not forget that one.

Roger and Christine Hewitt

LOVELY SIGHT: The Otter at West Farm, Affpuddle Picture: Nick Gore

Six years ago I found what I am told archaeologists call a midden along the West Dorset coast. I had suspected for a while that more than mud and sand lurked below the surface as there was so much broken glass and pottery along the shore. Never has the saying been more true that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

I am sure some steer clear because of the health and safety dangers. The bottles and crockery are in layers with a big storm or a little landslide revealing more. A midden is an old rubbish tip but depending on how old and where they are can be a find of great historical importance.

I contacted the people who owned the land. My correspondence told of Victorian ink wells, Edwardian hair oil bottles and ribbed poison bottles. From the number of ink

Midden unhidden

wells I have found I suspected there had once been a 19th century school there.

Possibly an old hamlet or village and this was the chosen place to leave all their junk prior to the advent of bin men.

I’m not sure what I expected to hear back from the owners of such a find. Would they call in Time Team? Dedicate a room of their house to become a museum? Would it provide a new revenue stream for any

nearby businesses in the form of guided archaeology, sea glass and crockery tours?

Sea glass and beach combing are international businesses these days. Granted, most of the tours are not mainstream, but surely that just makes starting one more attractive?

There is great interest from countries abroad such as America and Australia, where there is not such a long history of making glass and pottery. But I had no reply from my excited email to the owner of the land. Each time I returned I half expected to see a swarm of activity but nothing. Truth be told if I had seen a group of mud larkers digging away I would have felt a bit peeved to be kept out of the loop. But it’s going to take more than one middle-aged woman with a sharp stone to dig out all the booty. Just to be clear I am not talking about East Beach at Lyme, which is a wellknown beachcombing favourite…

The trouble with lichen is that there are so many

I first took an interest in lichens circa 1966 when I bought my five-shilling copy of The Observer’s Book of Lichens. The poor colour printing of the time and preponderous of black and white images made the book impossible to use and I simply gave up. Half a century later my interest was rekindled by a friend who is highly knowledgeable on the subject. Even with the essential loupe (a small, highpowered magnifying glass), my nice microscope, a better book (Lichens. An

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.

Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species by Frank S. Dobson) and the excellent and encouraging website provided by the British Lichen Society, it is still not easy, but I can now name a dozen or so species with some confidence. Unfortunately, with 1,800 lichens in Britain, there is some way to

go. Despite my talking about ‘species’, a lichen is not a single species. It is a minimum of two that live in mutually advantageous symbiosis: a fungus that forms the structure, while a ‘photobiont’ in the form of a green alga or, more rarely, a cyanobacterium, provides the food by photosynthesis.

ART OF GLASS: Ink wells, ink pots and hair lacquer bottles and, right, some of things I dug out at the midden

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

Down to earth

Keeping your eye on the Hunting Dogs

Kevin Quinn is a Dark Sky Custodian for the Cranborne Chase Dark Sky Reserve who lives in Piddletrenthide. Read his blog at theastroguy.wordpress.com

Amongst all the well known constellations in the night sky, many of which, like Leo or Orion, resemble their mythical counterparts, there’s an innocuous little stellar group of stars (only two of which are bright enough to see with the naked eye) called Canes Venatici – the Hunting Dogs. Located below and to the right of the handle of the Big Dipper, the brightest of the two stars is called Cor Caroli, and is a stunning yellow/white double star system. The other visible star is called Chara, and its most interesting aspect is that it’s very similar to the Sun. Despite its rather uninspiring appearance, Canes Venatici is one of my favourite constellations, and contains within its borders some of the most amazing sights in

astronomy. For example, there’s the deep red ‘carbon’ star known as La Superba (what a great name!) You’ll probably need binoculars to see it (I know I do these days), but it’s a great sight. Then there’s Messier 3, a globular cluster containing around 500,000 stars. It’ll appear as a soft and fuzzy ball when viewed with binoculars, but even a small telescope will resolve stars to the core.

The main attractions amongst the hunting dogs are galactic, however. There’s the Sunflower galaxy, the Whirlpool, Cocoon and Hockey Stick galaxies, and the stunning Silver Needle and (my favourite) the Whale galaxies. The stars of the constellation may not resemble a pair of hunting dogs, ferociously hounding the Great Bear, but the latter galaxy definitely resembles a

Anyway, Canes

Venatici is just rising high enough now to allow for decent views of the objects within.

There are a couple of spectacular planetary conjunctions coming up. On the evening of February 15, just after sunset, look to the western horizon for a very close conjunction between Neptune and Venus. The latter will probably be too bright to allow for seeing Neptune, but you never know… Then, on March 2, just after sunset, look again to the western horizon for a very close conjunction between Jupiter and Venus, with only around half a degree separation. Should be quite a sight. There are also a couple of close passes of the moon during February: the very slim waxing crescent lines up with Jupiter and Venus on the 22nd, very low in the west; the waxing crescent and the Pleiades on the 26th; and the very next evening the moon lines up very close to Mars. Happy hunting!

different species but they’re all quite fascinating

Both component species will have a Latin name, though it is that of the more visible fungus by which the lichen as a whole is semi-informally known.

Few have common names, and no one serious about lichens would be seen dead using one. The algae are often visible in the green coloration one sees in some lichens, but many, such as the ubiquitous Xanthoria parietina, sport bright yellows and oranges, the colours provided by carotenoid pigments that

protect the delicate algae from ultraviolet light. Incidentally, you can easily tick Xanthoria parietina off you list by looking at your (or anybody else’s) roof, where it forms irregular discs.

The fascinating cyanobacteria lichens I must leave for another day.

We are extremely fortunate in West Dorset in having relatively clean air. In London they were once down to a single species in the 1950s before legislation reduced pollution. There has

been a recovery to the low hundreds, but lichens are famously sensitive to air quality and London will never support more that a fraction of British lichens. By comparison, my knowledgeable friend showed me a gnarled beech tree that had once been part of an old hedge near our village. He named twenty-six species of lichens on this single tree, two of them rare, and now doubt a ladder would have found more.

BRIGHT ENOUGH: The Canes Venatici group of stars

Down to earth

by JO BELASCO

I am old and it is winter. If I were young and it were spring, Kingston Russell stone circle would be a grand destination for a chariot race.

The stone circle was built some 4,000 years ago, according to English Heritage, and that would encompass the time the Celtic Durotriges tribe lived in Dorset.

After much research I conclude that the name Durotriges is best understood to mean two rigs – ie: a two-horse chariot – of course that got my mind racing.

As I trudge along in the mud and ice in this lonely, desolate place I reimagine it some 3,000 years ago. The main focus on this walk is of course the stone circle at the end of the lane – it is easy to do and I have been guilty of missing the huge crossroads there. But one winter I got lost in the fog at St Luke’s chapel near Ashley Chase Dairy and, maybe led by a pixie, found my way home to Portesham via Kingston Russell stone circle.

I was amazed to see it loom out of the mist and I realised it was central to many paths – an ancient crossroads.

Along the way to the stone circle and the adjacent crossroads are even more

A day at the chariot races around ancient stone circle

ancient stones – the Grey Mare and her colt’s burial monument.

This was built about 1,000 years before the stone circle. We know the Celts venerated their horses used in battle and travel and merging into the realm of religion in the form of the Goddess Epona. Over the millennia the stone circle was possibly used for many functions. These include a pagan temple, a

ceremonial burial ground and an astronomer’s solar calendar.

When there is such a cultural centre, trade is attracted.

It seems like a great flat plateau to hold some sort of Iron Age fete, with all the fun of the fair – like shows of strength and speed.

In later days it was probably a fair for cattle to be sold, but way before

that was it a central meeting spot for rig races for the Celts?

As you walk you see so many tracks all winding to the stone circle it’s not hard to imagine chariots all setting off from various outlying sites, all hell bent on getting there first! I like to think just my simple footsteps churn up a memory or two for the ancient tracks now so quiet.

STONE ME: The Grey Mare and her colts plus lambs and, below, a sign indicating many bridleways at the crossroads

PAGAN VIEWS

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 or contact her with your wildlife observations at sally@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Valentine’s Day is a time for courtship.

What season would you say Valentine’s Day falls in? Some years February 14 can be warm enough for a picnic on the beach, other years frost and snow get in the way of any romantic plans. Although it’s only recently become associated with imported red roses and chocolates, the day for lovers has been observed on February 14 in some form for hundreds of years.

Spring however, is a much more moveable feast. Although not officially starting until March, crocuses, daffodils and primroses are blooming, mild days bring welcome bumblebees buzzing round the garden and song thrushes and blackbirds are starting to sing from the trees and hedgerows. ‘Dating’ has now replaced the term ‘courting’ when it comes to human lovers, with tales of courtship bringing to mind Jane Austen characters taking a walk together in the gardens.

But for much of the wildlife in my garden this Valentine’s Day, courtship is definitely in full swing. Although it may just be courtship, it’s hard not to think of the word love when watching some of my garden birds.

Woodpigeons stay together for life and my garden pair can often be seen, ‘billing and cooing’

Get to know the love lives of birds this Valentine’s Day

and preening with what seems like real affection. The characterful jackdaws, the smallest of the crow family, are common among the chimney pots

their necks in their courtship rituals, bonding them together for life. Mallard duck courtship isn’t as beautiful with lots of vigorous head bobbing occurring before mating. There’s not much romance here either as once the female has laid her eggs the male just leaves her to it.

of Tolpuddle. They also make life-long bonds, in fact even pairing up for a whole year before they breed, and I often see the couples companionably preening each other on the rooftops.

Out on the lakes and rivers of Dorset, there’s a lot more courting going on. Swans famously even make a heart shape with

One of the most special courtship rituals you might see, and Radipole Lake in Weymouth is a good place to go and try, is that of the great crested grebe. They have an elaborate face-to-face dance full of head tossing and bob preening – where they turn their heads to flick their back feathers with their bills. After much dancing and their bond strengthening, the grebes move on to the finale of the dance, the ‘weed ceremony’, where they come right out vertically,

treading water on the surface, each with a mouthful of weeds. There are plenty of signs of love and courtship around this Valentine’s Day, perhaps you could change from the red roses and spread the love by getting your partner some pollen- and nectar-rich flowers for the waking bees or perhaps a nest box for those courting birds.

Great crested grebes dancing and below inset, a pair of jackdaws, left and woodpigeon love, right

I’m not knocking you, but getting the

My Name is Andy Violet, my wife is Tracey Dunford-Violet. We would like to thank you for giving us a mention in Edition 24, page 47 for winning the Christmas Cheer competition

‘Most Festive Front Door’ and for including a photograph of the ‘Violets’ front door’. However, it is indeed the ‘Violets’ front door’ but the photograph is of my twin brother’s front door: He lives at the Cemetery Lodge and works for Bridport Town Council – the photograph was used by Bridport Town Council to advertise the Most Festive Front Door competition! I enclose a photograph of OUR front door, (pictured right) located at Gundry Road, which WAS the winning front door!

Your feature has given us a laugh, as my brother’s front door is lovely, traditional and quite befitting the cemetery – however – working for the Town Council, he was unable to enter, but is now chuffed that he appears to have won!

Tracey and I, however, are pleased to have won the front door competition, particularly as, during the same week, we also won the best festive window for the Howard Road / Gundry Road estate – with our window ‘Christmas in Hollywood’ , judged by our Mayor Ian Bark. Moreover, with Tracey and I being members of the Bridport Heritage Forum, our small group of six also won the Best Dressed Table at the Mayor’s Christmas Quiz, and we also won the actual quiz, from 19 teams.

All in all, Tracey and I had a rather good festive season!

Andy Violet and Tracey

Dunford-Violet

n Your January magazine described the wrongful uprooting of hedges and mature trees by the developer of the proposed Vearse Farm housing estate in Bridport. You described it as ‘controversial’ – well, that’s an accurate assessment and deserves a bit of detail.

The proposition is to build 760 homes on farmland adjoining Bridport, with a further 170 under consideration. It’s in the Dorset AONB, where only special circumstances (there are none) should justify development, and it is the biggest incursion ever attempted into any AONB in England. It represents around a ten per cent step change in the size of the town, which has grown only sporadically for generations, and would overload already stretched local services of all sorts. That’s just for starters.

Why is it even being considered? Because our local authority want it. Not Bridport residents, but the guardians of our local environment. It was not necessarily their idea, but central government demanded that every local authority provide a certain number of new homes according to an inflexible formula, and the council were pleased to oblige. The Vearse Farm site having just (conveniently) been put forward by developers, they then set about justifying the massive expansion on various tenuous grounds.

They said Bridport has an ageing population and needs to attract young families to work in its businesses. In fact, many of the houses will probably go to wealthy retirees or become second homes, as actually we’re a place of small, mainly locallyowned businesses.

They said if Bridport wants affordable homes – which it desperately does – twice as many open-market homes must be built to subsidise them. That is not so, there are other ways to finance affordable housing. To make matters worse, 40% of the homes are to be four or more bedrooms, whereas the need –defined in detail in our local Neighbourhood Plan – makes it clear what we need for our future is almost exclusively 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes. Controversial? Yes, you could say so. We have been stitched up by the very people who should be assuring the wellbeing of our community.

P.S.: I notice the campaigning organisation Advearse lists on its website 13 reasons this development should not be permitted! Take a look.

Glenn Crawford, Bridport n My husband and I visit Dorset (Wyke Regis) once a month to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and do some walking etc. I picked up a free copy of your magazine today in Sainsburys and was very impressed. It was full of proper interesting articles and lots of details of future events which we hope to attend. Thank you to you and your team for your hard work.

Ann Ball n Goodness your magazine HAS got bigger! It took me quite a while to read. Congratulations! There is one suggestion I have for you to consider... I always go First to the Whasson pages to see what is happening in my Broadwindsor/Bridport area, as I can get to fairly local events easily without a car! Might it be possible to put the AREA first in bold, so I can see the places I can get to? Instead of having to plough through to find out where they are.... It took me an AGE to go through and see what was on around here!

Christine Corson, Beaminster No problem, Christine!

We will now highlight the area, the date and the type of event. Ed

Many people in our area are members of the National Trust and enjoy days out at the wonderful properties and gardens we are so lucky to have on our doorstep, but did you know that there are National Trust Associations around the country whose aim is to support the work of the trust in their area?

Our local association is the Blackmore Vale and Yeovil National Trust Association, run entirely by enthusiastic volunteers, is not-for-profit and all moneys raised go to help the properties we support, Stourhead, Montacute House, Barrington Court, Lytes Cary Manor and Tintinhull Gardens. We aim to provide little extra comforts for visitors or enhance their enjoyment of the properties. Recently, our local association provided garden equipment and plants, a wheelchair ramp for Barrington Court, a new bench for Montacute House and tablets for Lytes Cary Manor loaded with a virtual tour of the upper floor, not easily accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. These are the type of benefits the association aims to provide for the properties it supports which have been greatly appreciated by the management and visitors. We obviously need to raise some money to provide these extras for the properties and there is a lively social side as well. The association holds lunches in local venues, meetings in the Digby Hall, Sherborne for a varied series of talks in autumn and winter and day trips out in spring and summer to local and not so local places of interest. As well as all that there are members’ newsletters in spring and autumn.

Recent talks have covered historical crossings on the River Severn, changes in the Dorset landscape over the last 75 years from aerial photographs, and

right winning festive front door is key

what went on at Dunster Castle in 1263! A coach trip took our members to Winchester for the Christmas Market and there are talks on the history of Sherborne Castle Gardens and life on a Fairground still to come

Last summer, our outings with coach pick-ups and drop-offs in various places went off to Dunster Castle, Croome Court, The Vyne and the Sandham Memorial Chapel, Castle Drogo and a guided tour of some ancient and interesting churches in east Dorset and for the more sprightly there was an annual walk, this year a gentle stroll up to Alfred’s Tower at Stourhead. These activities are greatly enjoyed by our members and provide an opportunity to meet friends and visit places which wouldn’t normally be on the agenda, and of course raise a little money to help our National Trust properties.

Why not come and join the association? Our membership secretary would love to hear from you: BVYNTmembership @outlook.com

Geoff Goater, committee member

n You are probably right to double the rates on my second home in West Dorset, but don’t kid yourself it’ll sort everything for Dorset’s young people. It costs relatively little to build a house, and Dorset has the second lowest population density in England. We have nearly (6/7) of an acre each.

I’ve noticed the opposition in this second-emptiest English county. After my mum and dad retired here in 1985 they didn’t like new building blocking ‘their’ view. They didn’t appreciate my saying anyone who complained and had more than two kids or four grandchildren was being a hypocrite, so maybe also anyone who uses services substantially staffed by immigrants. (NHS anyone?)

Try living where l usually do in West London and watch the

multi-storey rabbit hutches around you rising and blocking the sky – you guys even have stars, and air that doesn’t shorten your life.

Retirees do appreciate the famous West Country welcome to grockles, but they are freeing up more expensive space in the cities for younger workers. I reckon mum and dad spent half a million in the local economy in Dorset and another quarter of a million for mum’s last five years in a care home.

My friend, a former government chief architect (now living in a boat in Cornwall) vehemently argues that there are massive opportunities for sensitively siting new-build in the countryside. Before the enclosures plenty of Dorset was more densely populated than it is now.

Last Saturday I walked on

Dartmoor with, I guess, two thousand mostly Devonians protesting landowners’ criminalising the local population with a mob-handed legal team. It’s not original for the richest to divert the rest from their depredations by blaming outsiders, but the people I spoke to weren’t falling for it. Yet the land price inflation created by landed estates’ nearly 70-year exemption from inheritance tax will only get worse as billionaires, like Dyson, even if their first billion was socially useful, scurry into the market –not that that makes the hereditary owners of the large estates, for which Dorset is famous, necessarily better.

The longstanding aristocratic strategy of dribbling as little land for homes on to the market as will keep prices as high as possible is not new. But the

Financial Times will tell you that 80% of the finance (debt) sector rests on (inflated) security on land and homes. The more they can inflate that (your rents and mortgages) the higher UK asset values. Most of the money created in my working life has been through land price inflation. (Subtract your home new-build insurance estimate from the estimate on Zoopla. Coincidentally 80% for the land is normal.)

The are other complications to inflated land values but the ownership and financing oligopoly is the elephant in the room. There are 30 million empty bedrooms in the UK, mostly not in second homes and the necessary procedures to encourage owners to share could be eased while sustaining lodgers’ wellbeing.

Good luck in doubling the council tax take from us. If I commercially let my parents’ bungalow for more than 105 days a year, I can officially become a business and exempt. The likes of AirBnB would push me into unecological ‘added value’ redecoration, whereas now friends and family occupy in my absence, clean up and ideally donate for fuel usage (and spend more money with local businesses). My alternative is to bring forward my retirement here and declare my London house the second (or rented) home, although my son, who can no more afford to buy than most millennials, may have mixed feelings about seeing less of me. The silver lining of current economic turmoil is that the paper asset value of people like me will drop by six figures in around a year and, a few more millennials with wage rises above inflation should own not rent.

Land law, I was told by a law professor at Bristol, is a total mess. Good luck catching the mice but for real change face up to the elephants too. David Dewhurst, London

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

Vittles (food & drink)

Keeping things simple is often the best.

I have cooked more meals than the average person. When you have a restaurant it’s a bit like ‘entertaining’ 100 guests every day; the only bonus is that, unlike a dinner party, they pay as they leave.

I have also eaten in some of the finest eating establishments, both here in the UK and abroad. Undoubtably though, my best meal was experienced at a delightful Ferme Auberge, sitting under a veranda, naturally made by an ancient gnarled and twisted wisteria, its heady scent blessed by the day’s heat.

It was simplicity to an extreme, no pretentious affectations, just a cherished, well-used wooden table with bench seats, radiant sunflowers reverently placed in an old copper kettle gilded centre stage. Everything we ate had been grown on the farm and prepared with love. Food

Keep it simple for a really lovely meal

grown under a Mediterranean sun seems to take on a different appearance and flavour. We enjoyed succulent whole chickens roasted over vine roots. This was served with what seemed a simple tomato salad, but the flavours were beyond ‘simple’ – rich, sweet tomatoes enhanced by the purity of salt, pepper and sugar, fresh basil, chives,

and thyme and with a scattering of goats’ cheese and olive oil croutons! It was food made with love. Good food never needs to be overworked or over glamourised. Keep it simple.

So as Valentine Day approaches, my advice for those cooking for loved ones, is keep it simple. Hours spent slaving away over a hot stove is a

prehistoric expectation, don’t do complicated, be ‘in love’ with the food you prepare.

Food is love made visible. One impressive simple thing you can do is make your own butter. It’s easy to make and is delicious on fresh bread.

Whisk 600ml of double cream in a mixer; the cream will thicken and soon afterwards it will begin to separate into butter fat and buttermilk. At this stage, drain off the buttermilk and put to one side, use this to make scones or sodabread. Then in a clean bowl of cold water, squeeze any remaining milk from the fat, and keep renewing the water until the water runs clear.

Massage in some salt (optional) I use sea salt crystals.

Form into bricks using batter paddles or place the fresh butter into a butter bell to keep it spreadable. It’s not labour intensive and makes the creamiest butter with no additives.

Mum’s Kitchen... with Diana Holman

Shepherd’s Cottage Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is traditionally made with lamb, and Cottage Pie with beef. This recipe combines both to make a rich and delicious dish. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons rapeseed oil

300g lean beef mince

300g lean lamb mince

2 medium onions. Peeled and chopped

150g mushrooms, peeled and sliced (optional)

1 or 2 carrots, depending on size, peeled and finely chopped

1 tablespoon tomato puree

150ml red wine

200g tinned chopped tomatoes

1 tablespoon cornflour or plain flour

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

350ml chicken stock

3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the topping:

800g floury potatoes such as King Edward or Maris Piper, peeled and chopped into even pieces

Milk and butter to taste to mash in, plus 2 or 3 tablespoons of double cream if you like.

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.

GIVE US THIS DAY: Our daily bread with home-made butter

Vittles (food & drink)

Bird – is a self taught baker, who 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.

Lizzie Crow – AKA Lizzie

A raspberry treat for your loved one

Make this raspberry chocolate number to keep ‘dreamboat’ happy on Valentine’s Day, or serve it as an inexpensive dinner party dessert. Each component can be prepared a couple of days in advance then stuck together in true Blue Peter style on the day you want to serve it. The posset can be made using just raspberries or add some lime zest for extra zing. Begin whisking the egg whites slowly, until they form firm peaks – this will ensure the meringues successfully hold their shape. Note: Save the egg yolks in the freezer for use another time.

Raspberry posset with pink meringue and a chocolate biscuit

This recipe is based on an idea for posset from Illie, who is the Romanian chef at the Old Ship Inn in Upwey.

Serves 4

Posset (makes 4)

Method:

1 lime, zest finely grated and 20ml juice

160g frozen raspberries, defrosted

200ml double cream

100g caster sugar

Biscuit (makes 8)

2 egg whites

70g caster sugar

75g butter, melted

70g plain flour

15g cocoa powder

Meringue (makes 8)

2 egg whites

100g caster sugar

100g icing sugar

Pink food colouring (powdered is best)

A few raspberries to decorate (frozen are fine)

Push the raspberries and lime juice through a sieve to remove the seeds. Gently boil the cream and sugar for

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a good sized frying pan until smoking hot then add beef and lamb mince and fry for about 5 minutes, stirring, until browned. Pour off and discard any excess liquid, and transfer meat to a bowl and set aside. Gently cook the chopped onions, mushrooms (if using) and carrot in the remaining tablespoon of oil until tender but not coloured. Return the meat to the pan, stir in the tomato puree and cook for about 5 minutes before

approx 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir well. Mix in the raspberries (and zest if using). Leave to cool and pop in the fridge to set. Put the oven on at Gas 3/ 175C.

Whisk the egg whites and sugar together until foamy. Stir in the melted butter followed by the flour and

spoonfuls of the mixture on a parchmentlined baking tray, keeping them well spaced. You should have 8 or so. Bake for 10-11 minutes until just firm. Take out and leave to cool. Turn the oven down to Gas 2/150C.

In a scrupulously clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until firm peaks form when the whisk is lifted. Add the

caster sugar, a spoonful at time, and whisk well after each addition. With a large metal spoon fold in the icing sugar and food colouring . Do not Beat! You do not want the meringue to lose its shape!

Using a dessertspoon, place 8 rounds of meringue on a lined baking tray. Pop the tray in the oven at Gas 2/ 150C. Leave for 15 minutes then turn the oven down to Gas 1/135C for a further 45 minutes. Turn off the oven and, leaving the door ajar, let the meringues cool. The biscuits and meringues can be stored in separate airtight containers for several days. To dish up the dessert, spoon the posset into glasses, add a meringue and stick a biscuit (or two) in the top.

n Lizzie is at the Old Ship Inn, Upwey on Saturdays 9.30 - 12 or follow her on instagram lizzbakingbird or check out her website

adding the red wine and chopped tomatoes. Cook for a further 10 minutes, then stir in cornflour and mix thoroughly. Add the Worcestershire sauce and stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the

heat and simmer for 45 minutes until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened. Add the chopped thyme and season with salt and black pepper. Cook potatoes until tender, drain thoroughly and mash them with milk, butter and cream if liked. Spoon the meat mixture into an ovenproof dish and spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over the top. Cook in a preheated oven at 180C/160C fan for about 30 minutes until the potatoes are golden and the filling is piping hot.

Baking

Property

Village homes for 80% of market price

Over the past decade, ‘affordable homes’ is a word bandied around developer circles and councils big and small, but the reality is often met with disappointment from prospective house buyers everywhere. But imagine if you will if you could own 100 per cent of your very own home, which stands in a small development in one of the most beautiful villages in Dorset and is priced at 20 per cent lower than the market value? Sounds unlikely, right? Perhaps not.

Pennyfarthing Homes has built a stunning collection of shiny, new two, three and four bedroom semi-detached and detached homes at Spring Meadows in the stunning

village of Fontmell Magna, with two styles carrying a Discount Market Unit for people already living in Dorset.

The Setwood and The Stockwood start with a price tag of £252,000 and £280,000 respectively.

The buyer will own 100 per cent of the property with no further rent to pay.

There are just 30 homes, all traditionally constructed, including timber windows and solar panels. Most homes boast farmland views and with pedestrian access directly to the primary school, they are perfect for young families. The village itself is simply beautiful. Without sounding like a cliché, it is a genuine hidden gem with around 700

or so residents, nestled between Cranborne Chase and the Blackmore Vale. The Sales Suite is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am5pm, at the Symonds & Sampson estate agent office on 7 Market Place, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7AH. The Show Home is ready to view by appointment only. Get in touch today on 01747 859903.

THE PROPERTY COLUMN

with Mark Meyer

Mark Meyer is CEO of Meyers Estate Agents, which has its headquarters in Poundbury, as well as branches all over Dorset meyersestates.com

This week we are breaking down the DT1 and DT2 property markets and analysing how the market is performing in this local area.

Using Rightmove statistics as a data source, we judge the direction of the current market by looking at sold property compared to for sale property in this area. For example, last year and

A basic guide to property values

the preceding 18 months, most of the time, there was upwards of 80% of property sold on Rightmove, thus creating a strong demand for the few available properties, which meant that prices surged incredibly, in fact, in the DT1 and DT2 regions throughout 2021 and 2022 prices have probably risen around 35- 40% Let’s look at DT1. Rightmove is showing (6/2/2023) 280 properties in total, with 166 of those for sale and 114 sold. We can see that around 41% of the market is sold or under offer. A stable market is between 40% and 60% of property sold or under

offer. Less than 40% sold shows our market is level, or dropping slightly. More than 60% sold or under offer shows the market is increasing and depending on percentage how strongly. In DT1 The over £700,000 price range and £250,000 to £500,000 are performing the best, with around 46% sold or under offer. The weakest price range showing falling property prices is the £300,000 to £500,000 market, with only 37% sold property. DT2 has similar trends, with 295 properties in total on the market, of which 118 are presently sold and 177 for sale. This is exactly

Vinyl revival is good news

By Rose Thomas of Clocktower Records

At the end of January I visited the Entertainment Retailers Association conference in London. ERA supports independent record shops such as Clocktower Records and Clocktower Too in Bridport. ERA also runs National Album Day and Record Store Day, this year on April 22.

Clocktower Records will host well-loved author Tom Cox performing Wallflower with RJ McKendree on Record Store Day this year. Wallflower is a concept album created around Cox’s

novel Villager. The resurgence of vinyl has led to higher demand but with limited record pressing plants and materials it has resulted in higher prices. While statistics show that the sales of new vinyl may have started to plateau, the pre-owned market remains popular, with increasing sales year on year. This is good news for the vinyl record shops of West Dorset, where the majority of their stock is preowned records, which still offer a fantastic listening experience and are mostly less expensive than buying new records.

Among many extremely

rare pieces of memorabilia we have in stock, are photos by Adrian Boot. All proceeds of these photographs go to Bridport Cupboard Love Food Bank. Around £400 from photograph sales has already been raised since November for Bridport’s 2020 Skate and Ride indoor skateboard park.

n Vinyl shops in your area.

Bridport: Clocktower Records (DT6 3RR) & Clocktower Too (DT6 3NY). Weymouth: Phil’s Vinyl Vault (DT4 8HE). Dorchester: Vinyl Van (DT1 1GW), Sherbourne: The Beat & Track (DT9 3LU).

40% of property sold, a fairly weak pricing outlook would be realistic but we are hoping that a surge of out-of-area buyers to Dorset will drive more buyers to us through the spring. If you would like an accurate appraisal of your home – just call 01305 259436 and we can visit you free of charge at a convenient time.

CLOCKTOWER TOP TEN FOR FEBRUARY

1. The Clash

2. Taylor Swift

3. Kate Bush

4. David Bowie

5. The Ramones

6. Pink Floyd

7. King Gizzard

8. Prince

9. Motorhead

10. 10cc

Culture

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

An Israeli graffiti artist who has gone from unpaid street art as a hobby to selling his works for up to £65,000 will be meeting his fans at Dorchester’s Halo Fine Art this month. Yuvi, 43, who lives just outside Tel Aviv, has practised his art for decades. But until seven years ago he earned his living through graphic design.

People started to get to know his work and seven years ago he turned professional, gathering fans all over the world. Among his top influences is British pop culture, with the Queen and Winston Churchill being among icons he regularly paints –along with the Union Jack. He said: “Especially England is one of the countries I like the best. “Since a child I loved the culture, the buildings and the iconic people. “One of my favourite people is the Queen of course – I used to paint her all the time and put her in all my pieces. I love Winston Churchill and I love the stories about the kingdom. “I tour in England all the time – it’s a big privilege and I am very grateful as it’s the place I love to visit.”

Yuvi tours the world, exhibiting his works in the USA, Milan, Hong Kong and Dubai, Singapore,

The writing is on the wall for graffiti artist Yuvi

Bristol and Cheshire. Yuvi is married with two children – daughter Agam, 11, (Agam means lake in Hebrew) and son Reef, eight – and a shih tzu called Maple. The kids love time with dad, drawing and painting. Yuvi said: “I am connected to every piece that I do. If I sign it, I love it.

On Sunday, February 26 he will be at Halo in Brewery Square from 1pm-3pm to meet collectors and fans before heading to Cardiff,

“People meet me and say they are excited – I am excited to meet them. I never forget where I came from and I really appreciate people coming

to meet me and showing me love. I never thought people would appreciate my art like this. I am a very lucky man.

“Life is not living in a bubble – you have to make a living and if God gives me this gift and people give me money for this and give me love I don’t need any more – I am very grateful and thankful for this.

“Not everything is pink but I know how to appreciate this, and that’s why my messages are all positive.”

VISIONS OF ENGLAND: Yuvi cites British pop culture as one his biggest influences

Georgia picks up a penguin

Join a little girl on her mission to save penguins at Dorchester Corn Exchange this half-term.

Dorsetborn presents Georgia and the Iceberg, a new show for ages seven and up filled with puppetry and jokes, on Tuesday, February 14 at 11am and 2pm.

When Georgia goes to visit her big sister Helena, all she wants is to explore the big frozen continent outside her bedroom window.

While Helena is focused on completing her chores, Georgia discovers a giant iceberg on a collision course with the nearby

penguin colony. If she can’t journey across the ice in time to warn them, then everyone’s in danger. She might need your help… and you may even learn some penguinese.

Exhibitions of artists to be on screen

Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for under 18s with a £24 family ticket also available.

n For details visit dorchesterarts.org.uk/ whats-on

Gypsy jazzers unchain Django

London-based gypsy-jazz band Latchepen, pictured, are heading to Dorset for three gigs next month. Born out of a collective admiration of Django Reinhardt and anything that swings, the quartet consists of Matt Holborn on violin, Kourosh Kanani and Dave Kelbie on guitar, and Simon

Read on bass. The quartet, who are coming to Dorset with the support of Artsreach, have previously performed at the Django Reinhardt festival, Turin Jazz Festival and March Manouche UK.

Latchepen will play at Broadwindsor Comrades Hall (07796 454203) on

Friday, March 3 at 7.30pm, at Langton Matravers Village Hall (01929 423834) on Saturday, March 4 at 7.30pm, and St John’s Church Hinton Martell (01258 840066) on Sunday, March 5 at 7.30pm.

n For more information visit artsreach.co.uk

Dorchester Arts will be screening three unique cinematic experiences for showcasing the work of artists Cezanne, Cassatt and Vermeer.

The films are the brainchild of the company Exhibition on Screen who works with top international museums and galleries to provide a way to visit major art exhibitions taking place all over the world, on the big screen and from the comfort of Dorchester Corn Exchange.

n On Tuesday, February 28 Cezanne, Portraits of a Life, filmed at the National Portrait Gallery in London

nTuesday, March 21: Mary Cassatt, Painting the Modern Woman. Released to coincide with International Women’s Day, this is an in-depth examination of an artist who made a career painting the lives of the women around her.

n Tuesday, April 18: Vermeer, The Greatest Exhibition. In the spring of 2023, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will open its doors to the largest Vermeer exhibition in history

n dorchesterarts.org.uk

PUPPET FUN: Georgia and the Iceberg in Dorchester

Imagine how cool it would be to have a demo disc you recorded as a teenage wannabe popstar back in the 1960s rediscovered and included on a compilation album of classic rock featuring such bands as Status Quo, The Kinks, The Who and the Moody Blues. That’s what happened to legendary Weymouth band Crystal Ship when their track was included in Cherry Red Records’ Think I’m Going Weird CD of Sixties psychedelia, which was released in 2021.

The band, who were hugely popular around these parts in the 1960s and 1970s, also have support slots with Tyrannosaurus Rex, Soft Machine and Fairport Convention on their CV. After many dormant years, they reformed in 2017 for the series of fundraising reunion gigs held at the Centenary Club in Weymouth. Such was the response, they decided to

Crystal Ship hoisting sails for evening of classic rock

keep going with two of the original members, frontman Alan Hodder and drummer Phil Biggs, still involved.

nd the Crystal Ship will be

setting sail again on Saturday, February 11 with a gig at Wellworthy Sports and Social Club in Wyke Regis, Weymouth, with support from singer

Wellies on for a literary stream stroll

Weymouth-based writer Angus Waycott takes readers for a stroll along the South Winterborne chalk stream in his new book.

The Winterborne Journey explores the history of this ‘strange little river’ which rises near Winterbourne Abbas and flows through a valley just south of Dorchester before it ‘runs

out of water and stops’. Angus told The West Dorset Magazine: “The book describes startling encounters with nature and history, sacred stones, vanished villages, water spirits, mansions and murals that take turns in the spotlight before, like the river, disappearing from sight.

“Highlights include the

ancient Nine Stones circle, the Flying Angel of Steepleton, the lost village of Rew, the Martinstown sheep fair, the last international fight on Maiden Castle, the medical monks and wine makers of Monkton, music and dancing with William Barnes, the forgotten Farringdon windmill, homes more stately and less, the recentlyvandalised Whitcombe church, now repaired, and the long wild meadow

Alexis and 11th Hour, another bunch of local rock’n’roll legends. Tickets are £10 and available from the venue or on the door.

leading east to West Stafford, where the river spills into the sea-headed Frome.”

The Winterborne Journey is available as an eBook on Amazon and Smashwords for £4 or as a paperback at Waterstones and elsewhere for £7.95.

SETTING SAIL: Crystal Ship are at Wellworthy’s in Wyke Regis on February 11

Spice up your life with Balbir Singh’s dance show

Following sell-out performances across the UK, Leeds-based Balbir Singh Dance Company head to Dorset this spring with their exciting show Love & Spice, touring as part of the Artsreach spring programme.

An elderly couple, still very much in love, look back on their lives together, reliving key moments through memories of the meals they shared.

As the couple reminisce, their younger selves appear and enact the memories of

times past. The atmosphere is infused with the aromas of a richly spiced life. With the couple’s advancing age, each has lost one of their senses: he the sense of smell and she the sense of taste. Can the

king and queen of spices, Black Pepper and Cardamom, help them recapture what has been lost? The goddess of food and nourishment summons the butter-thief Krishna and the sweet-toothed elephantheaded god Ganesh to help her cook a special meal in the kitchen. Together they will try to revive the couple’s lost senses, but what else will be rekindled along the way?

Love and Spice combines different art forms and cultural traditions in surprisingly delicious

ways. Blending Kathak dance and live music with a chef cooking live on stage, expect a truly magical, multicultural feast for all the senses.

n See Love & Spice at Blandford Corn Exchange (01258 480698) at 7.30pm on Friday, February 24, and at Litton Cheney Village Hall (01308 482514) at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 25. Touring as part of the Artsreach spring season, further information and tickets are available online at artsreach.co.uk

William Barnes is just your cup of tea

Enjoy a virtual cuppa with Dorset dialectical poet William Barnes and the Ridgeway Singers and Band.

Described by Thomas Hardy as ‘probably the most interesting link between present and past forms of rural life that England possessed’, William Barnes was undoubtedly the country’s greatest dialect poet. This spring the Ridgeway Singers and Band, led by Tim Laycock and Phil Humphries and supported by Artsreach, invite you to Tea with William Barnes to celebrate Dorset’s traditional music, song and poetry.

Born in Bagber in the Blackmore Vale in 1801, William Barnes attended school in Sturminster Newton. In later life he was an innovative schoolmaster, with a knowledge of over 70 languages, the author of

over 30 prose books, an artist, engraver, musician, folklorist, inventor and parish priest.

Many of Barnes’ contemporaries regarded him as hopelessly oldfashioned, with his love of old ways, old words, and old customs; but now we have cause to be thankful that he captured the sound of the Dorset speech in such an artistic and imaginative way.

Barnes relished the country-dances, folksongs and carols of Dorset, and

often wrote about community celebrations, where music was a key part of the proceedings. The forthcoming ‘tea’ with Barnes will feature the Ridgeway Singers and Band who will be joined by guests from The William Barnes Society. They will be celebrating the sounds and stories of old Dorset, performing traditional songs collected across the county, playing dance tunes from the repertoire of Blackmore Vale fiddler Benjamin Rose, and

reciting some of the poems that keep alive the rich dialect of Dorset. This year’s Barnes celebration takes place at Cerne Abbas Village Hall at 3pm on Sunday, February 19. Tickets include a Dorset Cream tea and are available from Artsreach by calling 01305 269512.

Artsreach is also partnering with local film company Pageant Productions to live stream the event online. For more information visit artsreach.co.uk

SPICEY: Balbir Singh Dance Company on the road

ALL TOGETHER NOW: The Ridgeway Singers feature in Tea with William Barnes

Show your bloomers to the one you love

Andy Cole is a reiki healer based in Middlemarsh. He specialises in planting for healing.

The snow has all but gone and the weather is at least for a while beginning to warm up, well at least above freezing. The activity at The Potting Shed, Wellbeing Nursery, Therapy Garden, has slowed down a bit due to the weather but we have still managed to fence the community garden and the side of the potting shed area.

We have today been fencing the top of the nursery area using the timber from recycled pallets, and we have started to put gravel down where the metal work like arches, plant supports, seats, and obelisks are going to be sited for sale.

We have been unable to do any planting or work on the potting of plants due to the weather, but as things thaw out, we will start to plant in earnest.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching our thoughts are drawn to those we love and either share or would like to share our lives with. There are many types of flowers that mean love, but the most common is the red rose. The red rose symbolises deep emotions and desires.

However, don’t write off the yellow rose, although In Victorian times a yellow

rose was a symbol of jealousy and would be sent to people accusing them of betrayal of infidelity. Luckily, this symbolism has changed over time and now, yellow roses are associated with happiness and everlasting friendship. So, a mixture of red and yellow roses would symbolise love and everlasting friendship, ideal ingredients for a lasting relationship. Other plants that have a

special meaning and are ideal for valentine’s day are the orchid and peony –both represent love, fertility, luck and success. Peonies specifically symbolise new love and relationships: ideal for the new love in your life. Although the rose has now taken over the mantle for the flower of love by connecting all the dots from history, it is safe to conclude that orchids are the ultimate flower that

represents love.

The popular orchid has been the gift to represent refinement, luxury and mystery for years. The exotic blooms also symbolise love, beauty and strength and make the perfect gift to express how lucky you are to love your special person.

Meanwhile, here’s a few things to do in the garden during February..

Cut down deciduous ornamental grasses which have been left standing over winter for the picturesque scene when covered with frost. This needs to be done before fresh shoots appear.

Prune late-summer

flowering clematis, cutting stems back to about 30cm from the base, just above a healthy bud.

Divide large clumps of herbaceous perennials as this will give you new plants for free.

Prune winter-blooming shrubs such as mahonia, and winter jasmine once they’ve finished flowering.

Cut back wisteria side shoots to three buds.

Prune buddleia and elder to the base to keep these vigorous shrubs to a reasonable size.

Finally, don’t forget to clean and sharpen your tools, service your mower and strimmer ready for the work to come. Clean out and disinfect your green house, pots, and seed trays.

So, don’t forget those flowers for your loved one, and enjoy the preparation ready for the coming season.

REPRESENTING LOVE: The peony and, below, the orchid

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A house of love, and not just for Valentine’s

Valentine’s Day is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating love and affection between romantic partners. However, it is not just limited to romantic love, as it is a great opportunity to show love and appreciation for all important people in our lives, including our family members.

Family and friends are a crucial aspect of our lives, and the love and support they provide us can have a profound impact on our happiness and well-being. The love and support of family and friends can act as a safe haven in the face of the challenges and pressures of everyday life. It provides a sense of comfort and security, and allows us to

recharge and find strength to tackle life’s difficulties. In today’s fast-paced and stressful world, having a supportive family or network of close friends is more important than ever.

On Valentine’s Day, we can take the time to express our love and gratitude towards our family members or close friends and show them how much they mean to us. This can be done through simple gestures, such as cooking them a special meal, giving them a thoughtful gift, or just spending quality time with them. Small acts of kindness and love can go a long way in strengthening the bonds and creating a positive and loving atmosphere in your home.

Creating a loving and supportive home environment is essential for the well-being and happiness of all family members. For example, family meals and game nights can provide an opportunity for everyone to connect and bond. It is also important to prioritise self-care and healthy relationships. This means making time for personal growth and learning to communicate openly and effectively. When conflicts arise, it is essential to address them in a constructive manner, focusing on finding solutions rather than blaming each other. In light of this, it is crucial to make your home a

welcoming place.

In conclusion, Valentine’s Day is not just about celebrating romantic love but also the love we have for our family members and friends.

It is a day to reflect on their importance in our lives and to show them how much we appreciate and care for them. By fostering a loving and supportive environment in the home, making it welcoming for all, we can create a safe haven from the pressures of everyday life and promote the happiness and well-being of all.

Lisa Lewis Interior Design 07989 418 329 www.lisalewis.co.uk

Backing Bills which will make a big difference

I have been supporting two major Bills in Parliament this week which both have the potential to make great changes for the better. I spoke in the House of Commons in support of the Minimum Service Levels Bill.

In a nutshell, this Bill will crack down on the sort of scenes we have been seeing of young people being unable to get to school or college, or workers unable to get to work and earn a day’s pay. Another major step forward comes in the Online Safety Bill which is also being debated this week. In particular, I was one of 37 MPs to sign and support an amendment to

Politics

this Bill. This amendment proposes to give Ofcom the power to prosecute individual executives from tech companies if they were proven to have ‘connived or consented to breaking the elements of the Bill designed to protect children’s’ safety’. It would also give power to judges to send such individuals to prison for up to two years.

I was very pleased to welcome Sherborne School for Girls to visit Westminster. It was great to meet the students and to discuss the issues that matter most.

Back in West Dorset, I also met with South Western Railway

at Dorchester South Station to urge them to go even further with their plans to refurbish the station by demolishing the derelict parcel building and finally resolving properly the disabled access issues which I have at every opportunity outlined in the House of Commons. I wrote to the Transport Minister shortly after this to urge him to support a vital ‘Access for All’ bid to install a new lift at the station It was great to speak to so many from in and around Thorncombe at a Parish surgery at the village hall, and on the following morning, warming up with

tea and coffee at Bradford Abbas to discuss another wide range of issues with local people there. I would finally like to express my thanks to all those who have been supporting my campaign to finally crack down on the unsustainable consumption of single use plastics. In January 2021, I went so far as to propose new legislation to mandate clear targets on cutting this sort of waste which blights our beautiful Jurassic Coast and countryside. I was therefore delighted to hear on the that there will now be a ‘far reaching ban’ on most single use plastics from October this year.

Don’t hope for common sense when they spend funding

Where to start locally?

‘We’ as in Weymouth have supposedly received £19.5 million in levelling up funding. I say supposedly, as it was Dorset Council which bid for and gets the money in their coffers with the intention to spend it on Weymouth.

Where will it be spent?

Well, I understand some of it is to go towards ‘leisure’ facilities – with possibly the peninsular site being the best option for such facilities. Those of us in Weymouth will remember the disastrous plans that a previous elected member was keen to punch through. Thankfully, they failed. Seeing what was proposed,

By CHRISTINE JAMES Independent, Weymouth Town Council

I for one am sure we have residents with plenty more imagination – not to mention skills and expertise, to actually come up with plans that truly reflect what the residents want – not what an elected member or three from over the Ridgeway and far away think is best.

All I can say is, don’t hold your breath or hope for common sense.

Shall we see how much is spent on consultants who will sit around a large table and discuss some really daft schemes? (I’m being

polite in my wording).

Some of this money is, so we are told, earmarked for new housing. The old bowling alley site being an option.

Great, we need homes. But we need homes for young, local people who work, for veterans who have fallen by the wayside and a pet desire of mine is two-bed homes for single dads who share custody of children. Single mums will get appropriate housing, but alas a single dad is not entitled.

And the cherry on the icing of this fund is, I hear, to be used to sort out the eyesore that is the old council offices. A building that

should have either been demolished years ago when it was vacated, and a chance for locals to have a go with the wrecking ball (as I’m sure many would have loved to do), or renovation where possible. If the building is riddled with asbestos as we are told, then demolition is surely the answer. If not, then refurbishment should happen ASAP. But who am I to have such opinions?

I’d just like to see common sense and fairness applied. Not everything is about climate change, you know...

with West Dorset MP Chris Loder

Solution to housing crisis is in council’s hands

I’m becoming increasingly aware that the lack of affordable rental property in West Dorset is fast approaching a critical level. The problem seems to be particularly acute for young people. However, as most of my information is anecdotal I would really welcome people who are directly affected by this shortage, or for any agency working to support people who are struggling to find somewhere to live in the area, to contact me. You can do this either by emailing me at cllrkelvin.clayton @dorsetcouncil.gov.uk, or by calling in to see me at my weekly surgery in Bridport (9.30-10.30am on a Wednesday at Soulshine in South Street).

One initiative that could

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

potentially ease the situation, by freeing up unused accommodation, is the proposed 200% increase in Council Tax on second homes and empty homes. The last meeting of Dorset Council’s Cabinet decided to defer a decision on this to allow for a wider debate amongst councillors. However, even if Dorset Council approves the idea it would still be dependent on the Government’s ‘levelling up’ legislation receiving Royal Assent. These changes would not affect holiday homes which are let out on a commercial basis and, therefore, pay business rates rather than council tax. They

Privatisation of water

According to Ofwat, the water services regulator for England and Wales, in 2021-22 one trillion litres of drinking water were lost due to leaks – that’s the equivalent of three and half Lake Windermeres.

At the other end of the process, the group Surfers Against Sewage claims that in the same year water companies discharged untreated sewage into seas and rivers around the UK on 770,000 occasions, with potentially devastating effects on the natural environment and on people’s health.

It’s worth bearing in mind that when the thenConservative government privatised the ten regional water authorities in 1989, a

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

large part of the rationale for the sale was that private investors would be able to solve the twin problems of leaky supply pipes and inadequate sewerage infrastructure, which the public sector could not afford to do.

Let us just say that they have been slow to make progress on either issue, and successive governments have not been very effective in pushing them to do more.

The government is now finally forcing water companies to take action: they are being required to spend £56bn over 25 years

would nonetheless contribute to the solution and I would welcome them. However, the real solution to our housing crisis does lie within the power of Dorset Council. This is for the Council to start building its own homes for rent by a Council owned company. They could start by doing a survey of all the brownfield sites they own, and then design their own high density, energy efficient accommodation for rental to people on low incomes. As the company would be a ‘not for profit’ organisation any surplus money from the rents received, after paying for staff and maintenance, would be used for future builds.

Not only is such an initiative legally possible, there is

funding available. I know of many Dorset councillors who have been calling for this to happen for some time. And not just opposition councillors. At a recent meeting of Dorset Council’s People and Health Scrutiny Committee an otherwise ‘right of centre’ Conservative councillor called for the Council to own and manage its own accommodation for local people. The private rental system is broken, and many local people, especially young people, do not earn enough to even consider buying their own property. Dorset Council needs to help meet this basic human need and enable our young people to have the option to remain within the communities they have grown up in.

authorities a disaster

to reduce raw sewage discharges from storm overflows. Improvement will not be rapid; the government’s plan is to eliminate 75% of storm overflows by 2035, and 80% by 2050. Moreover, it is not the companies’ profits that will take the hit – it is consumers who will foot the bill. Across England the plan will add on average £42 a year to water bills by 2050 compared with now, but customers who live in areas served by companies with the biggest investment programmes will pay up to three times as much. That includes Wessex Water, which serves all of West Dorset. Like most of the water industry, it is in

foreign ownership. An inquiry last year by a national newspaper found that only 10% of the industry is owned by UK firms. Wessex Water is wholly owned by YTL Corporation, a Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate which is publicly traded on the Malaysian and Tokyo stock exchanges. It is perhaps not surprising that these investors have not cared very much about sewage on our coasts and in our rivers.

There will be no quick fix for years of economic mismanagement, but only when we have a Labour Government will we have a chance of restoring reliable and affordable public services that work for all.

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Jumbo 3D Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword

Across

1 WordyworkoverBSE (7)

Killer Sudoku

Pro:

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

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.

5 Secondinstantforcriticism (5)

9 Oneadvocatingcompleteoverhaulina roundaboutway? (13)

10 Likeastandardbookaboutexpertindrink (8)

11 Alargelyauthenticregion (4)

12 Policemanlosingtimeforfellowthat’snot working (9)

16 Loathenewfencesatthattime (4)

17 Criminaldeclinestobeofficiallyapproved (8)

19 BugonCubaIspreadaroundplacecloseto shore?Amajorcontagion (7,6)

21 Thickpieceinfrontofcafeteriatakenby attractiveman (5)

22 Youngharealwaysinrentalproperty (7)

Brain chain (Hard version)

129

RESULT ×2/3-50%-6+159-87

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

2 LevelwiththeSpanishfootballside (6)

3 WomaninUSgone,it’ssaid,for vegetable (5,4)

4 QuestionIfoundinsmallbookshowingwitty journalisticpiece (5)

6 Largeweightfromthesouthpresumably? (3)

7 Predicamentinsecretplace (6)

8 Unambiguousorder (6)

11 Sayingaboutleadinggroupwithtimebrings benefit (9)

13 Englishcomedienneincityhaunt (6)

14 Finishedignoringrulehowever (6)

15 Edibleseedpodleftsaybyposhwriter (6)

18 Managetotakeinsuninsmallwood (5)

20 Possesssomematerialingowns (3)

Freelance copywriter ANDREW KNOWLES wants to see Dorset’s smaller businesses grow and thrive. His own business grew out of his career as an accountant, consultant and trainer. Now based in Wyke Regis, he’s been freelance for nearly 15 years, including work with Dorset Growth Hub, helping to support and train hundreds of small business owners.

Do what you love, love what you do

The most successful small business owners enjoy a close relationship with marketing.

Your business is driven by love. Whatever you do, be it bookkeeping, beekeeping or beer brewing, it’s powered by your passion for that thing. Or, like the exstockbroker I recently spoke with, you’re driven by a love for helping others.

He’s just become selfemployed as a finance coach. Not because of his lust for cash, but because he’s inspired by helping people make the most of their money.

Unfortunately, in business, ‘all you need is love’ doesn’t cut it. Your devotion to your thing (books, bees, beer

or whatever) won’t automatically attract customers.

Successful businesses marry their product with marketing. They form a partnership. Let’s be clear what marketing is. Marketing is everything to do with the relationship between your business and your customers.

Marketing means understanding what customers actually want. It means getting your prices right.

And it means providing the level of service they

expect. Marketing also means letting potential customers know your product or service exists and explaining how it can help them. There are so many ways to do this: paid advertising, business networking, social media, flyers through front doors and many more. Business owners often tell me: “But I hate selling.”

Marketing isn’t selling. It’s about making sure your product or service is something that people want or need, and letting them know.

Marketing done well

brings in people who are looking for what you have to offer. This takes pressure off needing to sell, because they’re already interested.

If you’re new to running a business, I recommend you spend time getting to know about marketing. Then marry what you learn with what you sell. Do this and you’ll have the best chance of

enjoying a happily ever after.

Where to learn about marketing

There’s a massive amount of information about marketing available online, for free.

Websites like smallbusiness.co.uk, simplybusiness.co.uk and enterprise nation.com are good places to start. Or simply Google ‘marketing for small businesses’ and spend time reading what comes up. YouTube is also packed with marketing advice videos, as are Instagram and TikTok.

Copywriting tips for your business

Tips for your website, your flyers and your ads: Use the word ‘you’ much more than ‘we’, because it helps make the reader feel you’re talking to them. Describe the problems that you help to fix, before talking about the products or services you provide. Have a clear call to action. What do you want the reader to do next?

Ask someone you trust to read your words. Someone not afraid to tell you if it’s boring, irrelevant or unclear. Cut out unnecessary words. Shorter is almost always better.

Bluebird still going places

Bluebird Coaches in Weymouth will turn 100 years old next year, celebrating a century of taking freedom loving travellers on tours and trips across the country and Europe.

Frederick Cecil Hoare founded Bluebird Coaches in 1924 when the charabanc outing was becoming more and more popular. After finding a four-penny tin of Blue Bird Toffees, Bluebird Coaches was born and soon his company became synonymous with Portland and Weymouth as a wellrespected tour operator. Starting with a small Fiat charabanc, business was

brisk and soon demanded that a Crossley and later a Ford were added to the fleet. Compared to the hitech, luxury coaches of today the vehicles of that period were very basic, but tours to such exotic destinations as Cheddar Caves and the New Forest were readily undertaken with a spirit of adventure. Over the decades, the coach holiday programme has grown, featuring holidays in the UK and abroad – all individually tailored rather than ‘massproduced’ packages and giving travellers a feeling of luxury in its high-end fleet.

Bluebirdcoaches.com

01305 782353

Bridal boutique set to open

Tracey Goodall’s luxury bridal boutique Brides of Dorset will be opening in Gillingham at the end of February.

“This has been my dream for 18 years,” she said who was putting the finishing touches on her new shop at Kingsmead Business Park, near to Orchards Garden Centre.

“Ever since I walked into a bridal shop with my sister Cheryl in Cardiff all those years ago, I have wanted to own my own bridal shop to give a relaxed, personal and luxurious experience to brides-to-be.”

With off-the-peg designer bridal gowns and dresses

ranging in sizes from 8-30 and the made-to-measure collection from up-andcoming British designer, Louisa Jackson, it is little wonder Tracey is thrilled.

“I cater for brides of all sizes and with budgets ranging from £200 to £2,000. The stunning Louisa Jackson collection is made-to-measure, so every bride can look and feel gorgeous.”

Brides of Dorset

Kingsmead Business Park

Gillingham

SP8 5FB

bridesofdorset.co.uk

Facebook and Instagram:

@bridesofdorset

Mediation is an effective way of resolving many different types of dispute without any need to go to court. It takes less time, costs less and is usually much less stressful than court proceedings. The Civil Mediation Council is a charity which aims to promote the resolution of conflicts and disputes by encouraging the use of mediation and other dispute resolution techniques and methods and to advance the education of the public in matters related to this. Mediation can take place on-site, in the participant’s homes (usually for boundary disputes and neighbour disputes), at Pharaoh Law’s offices in Dorchester or indeed anywhere that is appropriate depending on the nature of the dispute to be mediated. Once both participants consent to mediation, they will be asked to sign a Mediation Agreement before the mediation commences to ensure that all participants understand the process. Participants must confirm that the mediation discussions are to remain confidential. The participants will prepare and send to the mediator a note of their position together with relevant documents. The mediator will prepare by

reading the papers carefully to understand the positions of the participants and the case before the mediation hearing begins. A legal representative, such as a solicitor, may attend the hearing with the participants.

Participants are given their own private ‘space’ to preserve confidentiality and so they can talk in private.

The mediator then shuttles between the parties during the mediation, asking questions of the participants about the dispute and exploring whether an agreement can be achieved. It may be that the participants will wish to discuss their issues altogether on a face-to-face basis but the consent of all participants concerned must be obtained and discussions will only take place in the presence of the mediator. The costs of the mediation are usually shared between the participants. Mediation is an empowering experience for those involved and allows the participants to craft their own resolution to their dispute without court intervention.

n Contact Lisa at Pharaoh Law, Solicitors, Dorchester Office.

01305 819696

lisa@pharaohlaw.co.uk mediation@ pharaohlaw.co.uk

Lisa Pharaoh is the West of Dorset’s only qualified and registered Mediator with the Civil Mediation Council

Health & Wellbeing

By CARMEN NEWTON Reflexologist at Aquae Sulis Damers Road, Dorchester

A new year has just started and for many the first couple of months of the year can be hard, the celebrations are over and now what?

Reflexology is a therapy that will help you get over that doom and gloom of the first few weeks of the year as it is relaxing, invigorating and energising. It is believed to have been used as far back as the times of the ancient Egyptians as depicted on some tomb paintings. Foot reflexology is wonderfully relaxing and non-invasive.

The feeling of relaxation and at the same time the energising power of this wonderful therapy will leave you amazed.

The feet are like a map of the body, working on specific points of the feet, using a pressure like action with the fingers and thumbs we aim to work on specific or nonspecific complaints and ailments. It is a fantastic way

SOMETHING’S AFOOT: Foot reflxology is wonderfully relaxing.

Below: Carmen Newton

Hands down, here’s a great way to invigorate yourself

to stimulate all the systems of the body and get rid of any stagnation that we might have picked up over the last few weeks of indulging in wonderful food and treats. Facial reflexology…what can I say! is the most wonderful, calming experience. Not only do we work on the same principle as foot reflexology but we are left with a wonderful feeling of calmness. Furthermore, the stimulation applied to the

face acts as a face lift as we work on areas that otherwise we might not even think needed any attention. It is not a facial though, we work on reflex points to stimulate body systems and organs, and at the same time, we work on the head which promotes circulation. Reflexology can help with so many ailments, both physically and mentally, from helping reduce the intensity of menopausal symptoms

such as tiredness, hot flushes and headaches, to helping alleviate skin conditions, migraines, anxiety, and stress related issues, amongst many others.

It was reflexology, alongside Reiki that helped me overcome long periods of mood swings and hormonal imbalance and the reason why I became a reflexologist and holistic therapist, as I wanted to assist others on their healing journey.

Something’s afoot as podiatry clinic has rebrand

A podiatry clinic in Dorchester is having a rebrand – changing its name from The Chiropody Clinic to Dorchester Foot Clinic.

James and podiatrist Gillian May, pictured right, took over the business in Princes Street eight months ago and demand for their services has grown and grown.

Now they have taken on an apprentice, Samantha Mclaren, who will be taught by Gillian over three years, to offer all the many treatments the clinic offers while

studying for her podiatry degree. Initially, foot health practitioner (FHP) Samantha will be carrying out toenail cuts one day a week. The clinic has also started to offer a new treatment, Omega laser, which helps with the pain of plantar fasciitis, injuries and arthritis and general pain. Gillian’s own foot pain as a youngster prompted her move into podiatry and it’s this that motivates her to find new ways to

ease other people’s foot pain. James said: “It’s a brilliant treatment. It really does help.”

There has been a chiropodists in the building, opposite the old Argos, for years. The pair spotted it up for sale last year and moved from Essex within a month to take it over. Now, after settling in, they’ve instigated a change of name, a change of logo and carried out internal works to make the treatment rooms larger and brighter.

n Call 01305 259909 or go to dorchester-chiropody.co.uk

Walking West Dorset

WHITCOMBE

Park in the lay-by on the A352 opposite the church. First visit the church, which is usually open. Look at the ancient wall paintings and bat droppings. Go back to the road, turn right and walk up the hill for 100 yards then join a footpath on the right leading through a fairly new plantation of several species of trees. Exiting the wood, turn right and head south-east past the farm and tiny village after which the path turns left and heads east for a furlong where it meets an Tarmac-free road which takes you left, northeast for a furlong to the boundary with West Stafford.

Health & Wellbeing

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

parish boundary back into Whitcombe.

Turn right and follow the boundary bridleway which soon enters West Knighton parish at a large field. Continue diagonally across the field to the corner at the bottom. The bridleway then takes you east for a furlong

until you join a footpath on your right that takes you south to the road near St Peter’s Church. Keep going south for a few yards and join a path on your right that heads west to a field boundary, then southwest to cross the A352 and

Weymouth & Portland walks

WYKE REGIS CAPTAIN BIRDSEYE: The view from the bell tower and right, the Wordsworth memorial

Wyke Regis is nowadays not a civil parish, having been absorbed by an expanding Waymuff about 90 years ago, however you can still find the parish boundary on old maps. Start at the ancient and historic church, which was built in 1450, probably on the footprint of something much older. If you arrive on a Thursday morning you might be greeted by some friendly and chatty ladies who will invite you to stay for lunch!

The massive tower has 99 steps up and just as many down, with wide views from the top.

When you manage to leave the Church, head south down the hill until you come to a roundabout where you turn left and follow the A354 for about a quarter of a mile north

eastwards past some allotments until you reach Rylands Lane. This takes you along the parish boundary south eastwards down to the Coast Path, the popular Trodwell Trail that takes you south west along the old railway line to Portland. There are good views over Portland Harbour.

When you get to a road junction, cross over and follow

the Coast Path alongside the Fleet for about a mile. You’ll see the oyster farm in the Fleet. This is when you’ll wish you’d remembered to bring binoculars and bird book with you! One section of the route goes along a beach and may get a bit soggy at high tide. Eventually you reach the Royal Engineers’ Bridging Hard, a massive wired off enclosure with dilapidated

Go south-west along a bridleway for a quarter of a mile then join another heading north-west around field edges. It takes you across The Gallop, a mile-long soft-surfaced straight track for training racehorses. Continue northeast down to the road where you turn right and head half a mile back to the A352, passing the stables and stud. At the A352 you can either risk the traffic and turn left for a quarter or a mile back to your car or, more safely, cross the road to join the lane that meets the path back to the village that you’ve walked already.

wriggly tin buildings inside. Turn right and follow the bridleway, which soon becomes a road, Camp Road which takes you up and down in a fairly straight line back to the church and your car. You’ll have walked a little over three miles.

Health & Wellbeing

A gut feeling for a go-to superfood

Lucinda Ackland runs classes from her home in Burton Bradstock and in local venues teaching people about finding joy in nature and self-healing, starting often with the gut or our thoughts. She teaches people a Lensomy (sanskrit unconditional love) lifestyle and making it simple and affordable. She will be providing recipes for our readers every month. n lensomylifestyle.com

Made of cooked green or yellow mung Dal lentils, white rice and a variety of spices, kitchari is one of Ayurveda’s super foods known as a healing food. Kitchari is such a go-to food I widely recommend to clients struggling with a variety of health issues as it can be made with a number of seasonal spices, vegetables, so easily tweaked to suit everyone.

Adaptable and never boring as you can experience different flavours by flavouring your tarka with different spices and blends. So versatile and interesting we can use the tarka to bring up the heat with mustard seeds, chilli, ginger or garlic. Then, when we need to simplify to rest our digestion, we can just add cumin which will help reset us when we are feeling poorly, for those that have a bad, slow digestion or recovering from an illness.

Perfect for rebalancing after over indulgence or when we feel fatigue. Have on its own and with only cumin in your tarka when feeling poorly. If eating as a main meal at lunchtime, add a side of seasonal vegetables cooked in ghee and asafoetida, if you want to add a bit of heat throw in a pinch of dried chili flakes.

Kitchari is filling yet light, it’s wonderful for grounding and calming your mental state with texture like a mashed

for those who want comfort food in a bowl. Cleansing and satisfying, the perfect bowl of goodness with iron, a variety of vitamins, and good fats. Add fresh herbs like coriander to help digestion and a teaspoon of chutney to add sweetness when serving. Try three days of just kichari to help balance and bring your digestion back to healthy and happy (also good for burning unwanted body weight and helping sleep) by eating three times a day if digestion is good – but not before 10am if digestion is compromised. Have as main meal (with veg if desired) and water down and have as a soup in the evening.

Kitchari: 2/3

servings

½ cup white aged basmati or masoori rice. 1 cup green or yellow mung dal. ¼

teaspoon pink rock salt. ¼ teaspoon

turmeric powder. Tarka

2 teaspoons ghee. ¼ teaspoon black mustard seeds. ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds.

Combinations

Garlic/ginger or chilli/garlic Dosha churna just before you pour/do not burn Rinse the rice and dal, then add to a medium saucepan Add enough water to cover the rice and dal by one inch and soak for three to four hours if possible or for at least 30 mins, preferably overnight. Place the pot on the stove over high heat. Heat until it boils, then reduce heat to low. Add salt and turmeric and cook, stirring occasionally, until it has a mushy consistency, 20 to 25 minutes. Add additional filtered water if preferred, or cook until it becomes as dry as you like.

Place the ghee in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and cook until the seeds start to pop, about 10 to 15 seconds or less do not allow to burn...burnt seeds are toxins and need to be thrown away! Pour the warm ghee mixture into the pot with the rice and dal, stir in the Lensomy and serve with fresh coriander for added prana, flavour and digestive power.

Seasonal vegetables sauté or steam in ghee and a pinch of asafoetida. You can add

DORSET

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levels of experience. Six sessions £65/75 Fridays=NM~ãJNNKPM~ãI=oÉëíçê~íáîÉ=óçÖ~ Restorative yoga is a nurturing class using props to improve movement and momentum. Fortnightly on Saturdays=NMKPM~ãJ åççåI=í~ëíÉê=ëÉëëáçåë=Ñçê=~ää=¡NR

Neighbourly clubs’ boundary blues

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

West Dorset cricket clubs have been closely following developments across the county at Colehill, where a community has come together to raise £35,000 to install safety netting after it was threatened with closure due to neighbours’ complaints.

Some people living near Colehill Cricket Club in Wimborne were becoming increasingly frustrated with sixes landing in their gardens and causing damage, particularly during midweek T20 fixtures.

Faced with rising insurance premiums and potentially being sued by neighbours, the management committee of the site, on which cricket has been played for 118 years, temporarily stopped adult cricket matches from taking place.

The story and campaign attracted plenty of media interest and garnered highprofile support, with England captain Ben Stokes among those voicing his concern over the threat to the game.

Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League Secretary, Andy Kent, gave us an official perspective: “The

situation at Colehill could certainly have set a worrying precedent and I am aware of clubs in West Dorset who have voiced concern. Just before last season the ground management committee wanted to introduce a ‘local rule’ which would have seen a batter given out for hitting over the fence in a particular part of the ground, but as a league we couldn't accept what was effectively a change to the laws of the game. The compromise, which allowed league matches to go ahead there last season, was to award no runs, rather than the normal six, when the ball was hit over the fence in that area, something that can be introduced as a ‘local rule’ and within the laws of the game. That got us through last season and

thankfully a more permanent resolution has now been reached and we are pleased that adult cricket can now continue to be played at Colehill.”

Martinstown club president John O’Brien said: “To the untrained eye, you could be forgiven for thinking that our neighbours are livestock and the odd dog-walker but there are two or three houses within striking distance, although you would probably have to be Sir Ian Botham in his prime or an in-form Ben Stokes to trouble the windows.

“We did have a few caravans in the firing line of a straight six for a couple of summers and we quickly got hold of a couple of telegraph poles and erected a safety net just in case. It was a low-cost solution but did the job for us.

“We have always been careful to foster great

relationships with the neighbours and if there is any issue, we look to have a constructive dialogue.

“If people move next to a cricket club, then they must know what to expect. They often walk their dogs around the perimeter so we have a good symbiotic relationship to an extent. Situations like the one at Colehill could certainly be a threat to clubs.”

Beaminster First XI captain Chris ‘Jim’ Park lives just beyond the boundary rope his team’s ground in the heart of the village, so is ideally placed to see both sides of the argument. Jim said: “I can’t really understand why you would move close to a cricket pitch and then complain about the odd ball landing in your garden.

“I remember playing at Colehill when I had only just started playing. I recall hitting a couple of sixes onto the pavilion roof and am pretty sure I damaged a couple of slates. Luckily I managed to avoid the houses.”

n Beaminster Cricket Club is open to new members with indoor net sessions starting at the Sir John Colfox Academy. Sessions start at 7pm on Thursdays from Thursday, February 23, at a cost of just £3 per person.

Internet provider in three-year sponsorship deal

Dorset-based internet provider

Wessex Internet have announced a three-year partnership with the Dorset Cricket League.

The sponsorship deal, the highest in the league’s history, will benefit clubs across West Dorset and will help to subsidise the cost of equipment to players and umpires.

A total of 76 teams from 40 clubs will compete in the Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League and the deal also includes sponsorship of the T20 Cup Competitions, the League Representative XI, and the Women’s Leagues within the county. League chairman Peter Constable said: “We are delighted to be

forging this partnership, particularly at a time when more and more digital technology is coming into the game at grassroots level.”

Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said: “We recognise the vital role that local sports clubs play and are delighted to support clubs across the county.”

GROUNDS FOR CONCERN: Martinstown’s pitch and, left, Beaminster skipper Jim Park

The only way is Wessex, one of the

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The Director of Golf at Wessex Golf Centre has been talking of his delight this week at the club’s success in gaining affiliation to England Golf and obtaining its World Handicap System certificate, set to become the shortest rated course in Dorset. Luke Shaw, a PGA coach who has worked at the centre in Weymouth for five years, has said that the elevation to rated course status will enable members to readily access golf courses across the world.

Luke said: “We are absolutely thrilled to gain this accreditation and it will mean so much to many of the golfers who come and play with us. It means they can have an official handicap, which is universally recognised, and will open the door to them playing at courses wherever they want. “We extended one hole and were aiming to increase our yardage to 1,500 yards or more, and the official length

is 1,519 yards due the natural undulations of the course. It means we are one of the ten shortest out of 2,000 courses in the country, and it’s great to be the shortest one in Dorset.

“We are proud of the achievement and what we do here at Wessex Golf.” For a small course, Wessex

Golf boast some impressive coaching credentials. Ladies’ PGA golfer Fern Grimshaw is the Head Professional, bringing a wealth of knowledge and many years’ coaching experience. Luke works alongside Fern in coaching the club’s academy youngsters, Wessex Aces. Paul D’Arcy is the latest

addition to the coaching set up, delivering high quality golf tuition as well as mental coaching sessions. Mike Watson is the club’s Touring Golf professional, currently playing on the PGA and national senior events. The centre boasts an impressive array of facilities and has enjoyed a boost in line with other courses postpandemic.

Luke said: “We are keen to work with what we have here at Wessex, and will continue to improve our facilities for the hundreds of visitors we get each day. We have a very relaxed approach to the game. “We know that the formality and etiquette of the game can be quite intimidating for new golfers, particularly younger ones. It’s easy to imagine experienced golfers getting frustrated playing behind novices who are always looking for their balls in the rough.

“Although we are a small course, there is still plenty of challenge out there, but we don’t think that having to hit the ball 300 yards, while

County golf union commemorates its centenary

Dorset County Golf Union

President John Gordon was joined by England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson, to welcome honoured guests and representatives to Came Down Golf Club to celebrate the union’s 100th anniversary. The golf union was formed at Came Down in February 1923, and guests from clubs across the county enjoyed a packed day to celebrate the anniversary.

President of Came Down

Brian Hansford unveiled a

commemorative stone gifted to the club from the DCGU to mark this special event, while Peter Fry delighted listeners with his

entertaining retelling of Dorset golfing history. Another highlight of the day was a Q&A session with Dorset golfing legend

Lee James who reminisced about his Amateur Championship and Walker Cup wins, and playing at the Masters in 1995.

CEREMONY: The commemorative stone is unveiled at Came Down Golf Club

PUTT IT THERE: Luke Shaw takes a group of youngsters through the art of putting at Wessex Golf

shortest but friendliest courses around

watching over their shoulder for better players snapping at their heels.”

Luke is passionate about seeing youngsters get involved in the sport.

He said: “We love seeing children getting involved and try to make our sessions engaging, relaxed and fun.

“It’s not unusual to see some Happy Gilmore shots going on at the end of a session.

“We have players aged five and many older golfers too, including a 94-year old gentleman who plays with us regularly. Older players might find that it becomes too tiring to go around a full course, so we can accommodate those coming towards the end of their love affair with the game.

“We hope that some of our youngsters will go on and join other clubs if they outgrow us, but we often see players who play at other clubs but still come along to use our driving range or improve their short games out on the course.”

Sean Whelan, secretary of the Dorset County Golf Union, has supported Wessex Golf throughout the long accreditation process and welcomed the news that the

club’s application had been accepted.

Sean said: “We are delighted that Wessex Golf has gained this accreditation. I know they were perhaps looking to become the shortest rated course in Europe, which hasn’t happened, but they are

certainly the shortest of our 34 affiliated clubs in Dorset!

“We are always happy to support clubs who want to be affiliated to Dorset and to England Golf.

“Getting people involved in the sport is a core part of what we do, and courses like

Wessex are ideal for getting young and inexperienced golfers involved. 9-hole courses are great for building skills and as a pathway to bigger 18-hole courses, and I’ve noticed that lots of people will remain loyal to the clubs where their golfing journey begins. I think that Luke and Fern have created a fantastic atmosphere at Wessex. They’re a real community-based club who always give everybody a warm welcome. Some clubs can be a little daunting for beginners and they are doing really well to get people involved which is great to see.

“Golf has been able to buck the trend as it was one of the first sports to return after the pandemic, but people had to be members, so we saw a massive spike in golf club membership. We may see that the numbers come under some pressure now as people become worried about the economy, and it’s vital that clubs look after their members well. Finding the right marriage between the individual and what the club offer is so important, and clubs like Wessex have a real role to play.”

Ladies brave weather to take on three competitions

Lyme Regis Golf Club

By Marina Cave

Lyme Regis Ladies Golf members competed in three non-qualifying competitions in January, with 18 holes open at the club throughout much of January, despite some bitterly cold weather conditions. The competitions were each played in different formats and much enjoyed by those taking part.

A modified Texas Scramble was played on January 5 and resulted in a

close finish. The winning team of Jean Jolley, Marina Cave and Jane Broom scoring a steady 38 Stableford points, just edging out the second placed team by a single point.

The following weeks Stableford was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

On January 19, players were restricted to four golf clubs and a putter.

This proved a test for our ladies with Jackie Ireland winning with 33

points, with Jane Broom close behind on 32 points.

The first and second placed teams were a clear nine and seven points ahead of the rest of the field in the Shambles competition played on January 26. Marie Long, Jane Broom and Kathy Briggs came out on top with 68 points with the team of Carol Watson, Ros Clemmans and Judith Williams in second place.

Congratulations to Jane Broom who has played in the top two teams in all three of these competitions.

ABOVE PAR: The coaching team at Wessex Golf with young golfers and, left, on the driving range under lights

Magpies still in play-off contention

The Magpies remain in contention for the play-offs, but back-to-back defeats following their win against Winchester have seen them slip to seventh place, two points behind Metropolitan Police who occupy the final play-off spot.

A high-scoring defeat at the Avenue saw Swindon Supermarine come from behind to win by the odd goal in seven. The Magpies led at the break courtesy of Keith Emmerson’s goal, but Supermarine scored twice

in quick succession early in the second half. Although Shaq Gwengwe swiftly found an equaliser, the visitors restored their lead within three minutes and opened up a two goal cushion with four minutes remaining. Although Kieran Douglas set up a grandstand finale with a goal at the death, Dorchester could not find an equaliser and fell to their fifth home defeat of the campaign. This was followed by a 3-0 defeat at Tiverton, where two first-half

penalties put the hosts firmly in control at the break. Alfie Stanley saw his spot kick saved on 56 minutes, with Tiv increasing their advantage just two minutes later to effectively seal the points, despite the Magpies continuing to find a route back into the game as the home side were reduced to ten men with a quarter of an hour remaining. Glenn Howes’ men return to the Avenue to face mid-table Hanwell Town on Saturday, February 11.

Harvey maintains goal form to seal comeback

By HARRY ADAMS

Harvey Bradbury was the hero as the Magpies maintained their play-off push with a hard-fought comeback win over Winchester City at The Avenue.

It was a lively start to proceedings in Dorset, as in-form Bradbury saw an early header well saved by Citizens’ ‘keeper Charlie Philpott while at the other end, Warren Bentley’s long range effort forced Ryan Hall into a fine stop. The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark, and it was the visitors who deservedly took the lead. Danny King took the ball to the byline, before laying it on a plate for Mlambo, who neatly poked the ball past Hall.

The goal seemed to awaken the Magpies and they were level within six minutes.

Midfielder Keith Emmerson picked up the ball in the centre of the park and threaded a superb pass through to Charlie Gunson, who held off the Winchester defender before slotting home.

The visitors came mightily close to retaking the lead shortly after half-time, with Ollie Grigg’s acrobatic effort tipped over brilliantly by a backtracking Hall. The hosts did gain control

of the game as the momentum shifted in their favour, and this paid off 15 minutes from time as Harvey Bradbury made it three goals in his last three games, finishing at the second attempt after his first shot was saved by Philpott.

There was no real threat of a comeback from Winchester, as the hosts continued to dominate proceedings in the closing stages to seal a valuable win.

STUCK IN: Harvey Bradbury maintained his goal-scoring form to seal a win over Wincheser and, left, Charlie Gunson

PICS BY PHIL STANDFIELD

despite setbacks

After a fine recent run of goal scoring form, West Dorset Magazine football correspondent HARRY ADAMS caught up with Dorchester Town striker Harvey Bradbury to discuss his time at Dorchester and his thoughts on his current hot streak.

HA: So Harvey, just wanted to start with how you’ve settled into the club since coming in in October, how have the lads and Glenn been and how are you enjoying the atmosphere at The Avenue?

HB: Yeah I’ve really enjoyed it so far, the fans, players and staff have all been great to me, it’s always tough joining a new side mid season but I feel like I’ve settled in really well.

HA: And obviously you’ve hit form lately netting in the last two games, you must be very pleased with that and with the teams overall form since you arrived?

HB: It took me a while to get the first one but feel like that’s a big weight lifted off of me now, I feel like I can score a load more before the end of the season and hopefully keep us in the play-off spots! Our form has been incredible.

I think we’ve lost only twice since I’ve been here! Long may it continue.

HA: How was the Hartley Wintney game overall for the lads? The conditions looked terrible and obviously the manager saw red at the end. An entertaining afternoon?

HB: Yeah I think it was a real test of character for the boys , not the best place to play football on a good day let alone in those conditions, we dealt with it very well and it shows our grit and determination as a team. I think the red card on the gaffer was very harsh.

HA: To finish off, are you hopeful the team can keep the form up and end up in play off contention come the end of the season? And is that the overall ambition?

HB: I believe we’ve got a good enough squad to be able to make the play offs, as a team we haven’t spoke about that being our ambition , we just take it game by game and hopefully we’ll be in or around it by the end of the season, fingers crossed!

Richardson at the double to aid Bees

Bridport Town 1

Newton Abbot Spurs 1

The Bees got off to a positive start in 2023, following up their impressive win against Torridgeside with a draw against high-flying Newton Abbot Spurs, who had run out 6-0 winners in the reverse fixture. Having endured a series of postponements, Chris Herbst’s teams have resumed their strong form and the results have seen them rise to 16th in the league table with games in hand on those around them. Tom Richardson scored his second in two games after just six minutes to give the Bees the lead against the Devon team who started the game in fifth place. Spurs equalised five minutes before the break during a period of sustained pressure, although there was a large slice of luck about the Spurs’ goal, with an intended cross taking a huge deflection off a Bees’ defender, wrong-footing keeper Jordan Scadding. Scadding was called upon

to make a series of smart saves in a closely-contested second half to preserve Bridport’s impressive recent run.

Bridport Town 1

Torridgeside 0

Tom Richardson pounced on a goalkeeping blunder to score the games’ only goal on the half-hour mark, as Bridport picked up where they left off after losing many scheduled fixtures to the elements.

Richardson looked to be chasing a lost cause as he ran on to a bouncing through ball, but

Torridgeside goalkeeper

Elijah Clarke was caught in no man’s land, allowing the Bees’ striker to nudge the ball past him, and run through unopposed to score.

Torridgeside continued to carry a constant threat, even when they were reduced to ten men with 25 minutes remaining, and despite Richardson seeing his late penalty saved, Chris Herbst’s side held on well to secure the points.

GOAL-BOUND: Tom Richardson on his way to scoring the winner against Torridgeside Picture: STEVE BARRETT

Pellow’s fight extends Dagger’s run

By Stuart Briggs

Bridport First XV 29

Oakmedians 19

Two Jack Pellow tries helped The Daggers stretch their unbeaten run to six games as they overturned a half-time deficit to beat second-placed Oakmedians in a hard-fought display.

The first half was a close-run contest with returning stalwart Mitch Waters uncharacteristically off target with three kicks, including an attempt to convert his own try, leaving the Daggers trailing 11-12 at the break.

The Daggers started on the front foot and Waters had missed two penalties, before slotting home from his third attempt to open the scoring, after Samways had drawn an infringement following

Puzzle solutions

a break into the Oaks’ 22. The home side were straight back in the Oaks’ half with a good break by Jude Appleton. The Daggers’ scrum, which has been superb this season, forced the Oaks to knock on and clean ball from Lewis to Samways enabled a quick offload to Waters who drove over from the 22 to extend the Daggers’ lead, but was unable to add the extra two points. The home defence was half asleep, when Oaks turned over the kick off and broke the defence for an immediate response, scoring in the corner, although Bridport soon regained the advantage when Mcloughlin broke over half-way before forcing a penalty, which Waters duly converted. For the second time though, the Daggers were

caught napping when Oaks took a quick penalty and scored under the posts, which was converted to give the visitors a narrow advantage at half-time.

A superb long-range penalty from Waters restored the Daggers’ advantage early in the second period, but the away side responded with a breakaway try in the corner, after Jed Gravelle was unlucky not to score at the other end. The Oaks try was converted to leave them 19-14 ahead.

The Daggers’ response was immediate, with Lewis making a clean break into the 22, quick ball out to Pellow resulting in a five-metre penalty. From the tap and go, Waters sucked in the defence and quick ball and a long pass out to Pellow enabled him to

just squeeze in the corner to tie the scores.

From the kick off, Mcloughlin and Pellow combined well taking the Daggers into the Oaks’ half and when Lewis made a clean break, Samways could not hold his offload. Oaks cleared their lines and when they tried to clear the ball from a scrum on halfway Pellow, intercepted to run clear and score under the posts. Waters soon made it a two-score game with another successful penalty, and the Daggers played out the remainder of the match with controlled forward play and possession rugby.

n The Daggers travel to Puddletown on Saturday, February 11, with a trip to face Swanage and Wareham Second XV a week later.

From pages 80-81

Brain chain (Hard)

It’s snow joke looking after our flock

spots remaining frozen solid, making moving around tricky at times. Just as the flock overcame their hay phobia the thaw came, and they were able to graze again.

With the West Dorset Magazine being a monthly publication now, there is so much to catch up on. We took a road trip to Chard to pick up a new piece of kit to treat the sheep’s feet. The idea being that we build a race (an enclosed line of fencing) and run them from one end to the other.

As they run through their feet soak in foot treatment on the special spongy mat, getting into all the nooks and crannies, and we do this as often as we can.

Hopefully this will stop my Disney princess from hobbling around on three legs, causing much concern to everyone that sees her, different story when she

sees a bucket of cake, mind. The weather has certainly played a huge part in our smallholding jobs over the last month, we have gone from mud similar to a bad year at Glastonbury, to Baltic conditions which saw everything freeze for over a week, and back to warm winter sun.

The big freeze hit us suddenly, one minute the sheep were grazing happily, the next the paddock was covered in the white stuff, and they had nothing to eat, or drink, as the water froze too.

A game-changer for us, we had been supplementing with a bit of sheep cake as we still had a fair bit of grass, but then it was gone. The irony was not wasted

on me that the bales that we cut in the summer, the ones that nearly caused my collapse due to heat and exhaustion, I was now lugging back up the paddock to where they had come from, slipping on the icy snow and still muttering about the blasted things. I smugly convinced myself that the zero-carbon footprint was the way to go, cut it, bale it, store it, then take it back and feed it. The sheep did a double take at the newly arrived bales and promptly turned up their noses at which point I turned away and left them to it.

The icy conditions continued in our village for over a week, it has its own micro-climate, the shady

We are still lugging up bales as the goodness has well and truly left the grazing now and it is almost time to move them off and back onto spring grazing, resting the paddocks that they have over wintered on. Humphrey has clearly done the deed and the ewes are looking for a bit on the chubby side, and not through eating hay. We will be scanning mid-February and hope to bring you the photos and exciting news in the next edition. We took the decision to lamb late again, which paid off last year and provided us with some very strong lambs. Today has been sunny with watery winter sun, and those strong lambs from last year have been skipping about their paddock as though it was mid spring, I really hope they are right… no more snow please!

Mobility matters to our cattle and our academy

By DAVE PHILLIPS CLA and Synergy Farm Health Lead Vet Tech

For those not familiar with our Cattle Lameness Academy (CLA), this is the name we use for everything cattle lameness and mobility related –research, consultancy, foot trimming training and education. It is a nationwide initiative run and coordinated by a team here at Synergy

consisting of a mixture of vets, vet techs and support staff. The events and resources produced are available to everyone. Pre-covid the CLA was running a number of lameness events, on farm farmer training workshops, producing training videos (Mobility Matters), getting involved in and supporting some of the latest cattle lameness research projects. The CLA ran a bi-annual Lameness Seminar which were very popular.

For 2023 the Cattle Lameness Academy is being re-invigorated to all that it was before and more. The leadership team has changed slightly. I have stepped into the lead role for the CLA with the support of the Synergy Mobility Team. We have already been delivering some farmer training in recent months with digital dermatitis workshops and discussion group meetings.

To register your interest please email marketing@synergyfarmhealth.com

Mud-phobic Tria Stebbing lives on the outskirts of Sherborne. She keeps sheep, is working on her first book, and works in a village school.

BIG FREEZE: Our sheep out in the snow

New wilding charity to restore county landscapes

A new charity that will ‘stand up for nature in West Dorset’ has been launched.

West Dorset Wilding held its official launch event at Bridport’s Tiger Inn on Thursday, February 9.

A charity spokesperson said: “West Dorset Wilding has been set up by local landowners who are keen to work at a landscape scale to bring about the widespread restoration of nature in the area. It is seeking other farmers, landowners and land managers who want to champion nature, and for anyone, with or without land, to support our vision and get involved. Although people often think of West Dorset as a countryside idyll, it has suffered the same environmental problems over the past 70 years as much of the UK, including a massive drop in the numbers and variety of animals and plantsthe biodiversity. Just as natural habitats have become fragmented, people have also lost their connection to the natural world, something the charity is also looking to address.The charity aims to restore nature in West Dorset by collaborating with farmers, landowners, land-managers, regional partners and the local

community on a variety of projects.”

The charity has two ‘streams’ of work – rewilding and regenerative agriculture. Rewilding includes very low intensity ‘wildland’ farming, natural colonisation of marginal farmland, wood pasture development, wetland creation and the reintroductions of native species.

Regenerative farming aims to improve the soil on which crops grow and livestock graze, reducing

mechanisation, cultivation and chemicals and giving more space to nature. The charity also intends to deliver education and public awareness projects, anchored in the science.

The charity’s founding chair of trustees, Luke Montagu of Mapperton Estate, said: “Inspired and advised by the Knepp Estate, Mapperton is handing over 500 acres of marginal farmland back to nature, while promoting regenerative agriculture on our other farms.

“Through West Dorset Wilding we hope to encourage other farmers and landowners to consider a similar approach and believe that, in time, West Dorset can become a beacon of biodiversity for the rest of the country.”

Charity co-founder Philip Colfox of Symondsbury Estate said: “This autumn was

the first time that we used regenerative techniques for our winter sown arable crops and the reduction in erosion over the winter, alongside an increase in wildlife, has substantially exceeded our expectations.”

Dr Sam Rose, a part-time executive director for the charity, added: “This is a fabulous opportunity to bring interested and inspiring people together to make a long-term difference for nature and the climate in our corner of the UK. All are welcome – sign up and get involved.”

n Find out more at westdorsetwilding.org

FEELING RESTORED: White Park cattle at Mapperton Wildlands and below, an oak tree at Mapperton. Bottom left, a beaver Pictures: SAM ROSE