The West Dorset Magazine, Edition 2

Edition Edition 22

Friday, February 25, 2022

The West Dorset Magazine Fortnightly

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The love your local edition We all used to head to the village boozer to socialise. Now we sit at home, having a chinwag on Facebook while pouring another supermarket pinot. But there’s a growing unease about our detatchment from our friendly local, and several communities are hard at work trying to rescue them. We speak to two committees trying to revive their pub, and to two landlords doing their utmost to provide a warm welcome. Pages 9, 12 & 13, 16 &17, 48 & 49 Pictured: Danny Adams, Sara Caton, Terry, Rob and Tina Dixon at The Three Compasses in Charminster

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Miranda Robertson Karen Bate Editor News Editor

Nick Horton Chief Sub

Claire Moore Advertising

Alana Robertson Classifieds

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

Contents: News & features Whasson? (events) Memory Corner Trades & Services Down to earth Constituency issues Letters Politics Vittles (food & drink) Gardening

3-31 10-11 18-20 32-33 34-37 30 42 38-39 43-49 50

Culture Church Business Just the job Motoring Sport Health Puzzles Agriculture Property

51-53 54 55-56 57 58 59-63 66 64-65, 67 68-71 67

Got a story? Email newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Plant of the week...

Lesser celandine

By botanist Dr Dave Aplin Despite being a largely rural area, people are becoming increasingly disconnected with the countryside. In this new series, one native plant each fortnight is highlighted. Try and find one the next time you are out and about and why not challenge the children to spot one first.

Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) The lesser celandine is one of the first woodland flowers to bloom, its bright buttercup-yellow petals unfurling above glossy, marbled, heart-shaped leaves from mid-February.

Their blooms are a good source of early pollen and nectar for pollinating insects. Not confined to woodlands, this plant carpets shady spots in gardens and along roadsides. Their reign however is short, within a few months it retreats below ground to dormant club-shaped tubers. In gardens these are easily disturbed while digging, helping to distribute this plant. For those who are wondering, there is also a greater celandine, but this plant is an unrelated summer-flowerer. n soilvalues.com

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Ruby and Rocket snuggling together

ERS! N N U T S PAGE 3

We all know that we are animal lovers here in West Dorset, so we think Page 3 is the rightful place to showcase your favourites.

Jacqui Sewell from Broadwindsor took this gorgeous photograph of Ruby and Rocket, the Cinnamon Orientals, who much preferred staying at home warm and toasty than venturing out into Storm Eunice!

We just want to give Ruby and Rocket a tickle behind those extremely long ears...

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Hospital Friends go for gold in palliative care The Friends of Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne is funding the process to re-apply for the Gold Standards Framework Award for palliative care for patients in The Willows inpatient unit.

Matron Ali Low said: “Maintaining standards is central to the delivery of clinical excellence at any hospital.

Re-accreditation is important to me as matron as it validates our

commitment to end of life care and recognises the whole team’s achievements. The team always strive to deliver exceptional care, which I have been very proud to witness, and this is confirmed and validated by the feedback I receive from patients and their next of kin.”

David Hayes, chairman of the Friends, said: “The trustees agree that such accreditation is of high value in

the maintenance of standards. And in view of our investment in palliative care, with our provision and maintenance of both the Jean King and Ada Kearvell suites, plus the legacies we receive from those families whose past members have benefited by our past investment in palliative care, we clearly have an interest in the highest standards being maintained.”

Family fundraiser to help brave Stan

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The grandparents of a little boy with an aggressive and rare brain tumour are holding a series of events to try to support him as he undergoes weeks of draining treatment.

Little Stanley, six, was diagnosed with ependymoma just before Christmas, after suffering migraines. A 13hour operation to remove the tumour didn’t quite get all of it and medics said he might only live another five or six years. The news devastated his grandparents John and Wendy Bramble, from Chickerell.

Wendy, 57, who works in health and social care, said: “It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, but we have to keep going, keep busy and

HE’S A FIGHTER: Stanley with dad Gary, who shaved his head in support and right, John and Wendy Bramble

try to raise some money to help them with the loss of earnings, so they don’t have to worry.”

John, 61, who is a production engineer at ASM on the Granby Industrial Estate, said: “He’s currently having

chemotherapy before he starts seven weeks of proton therapy, five days a week.

“It’s been traumatic. But one positive thing is they are now talking about what might happen in the future as Stanley grows up.

“The treatment is very aggressive and he is taking part in clinical trials so we don’t know what the results might be.”

The proton therapy may be carried out in Manchester or Germany, putting further financial strain on the family.

“And Stanley’s home needs some adaptations to make it safe and comfortable for him.

But John and Wendy are determined to help as much

as they can, and are holding a fundraising event at Weymouth’s Centenary Club this Sunday, February 27, from 12-2pm. Anyone who would like to can go along, buy raffle tickets and have a drink. Anyone who cannot attend can donate at gofundme.com (search for Let’s Help Little Stanley on His Cancer Journey).

Then on April 3 John is riding his motorbike in a 55mile loop, starting at Top of Town Car Park Dorchester at 10.30am.

The ride will be 125cc learner friendly and he is asking for £5 per bike.

The ride has a lime green theme – Stanley’s favourite colour.

Just turn up.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Where there’s a Will, there’s a way Seven-year-old in the running to help the homeless

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Seeing the stark reality of homelessness on a recent trip to London prompted a big-hearted seven-yearold from Godmanstone to raise money for Shelter.

Will Hunns was deeply affected by seeing this level of poverty first-hand and together with his family, decided he would run 40 miles throughout February.

Mum Jo said: “For Christmas, Will got a trip to a show in London.

While there, Will noticed how many homeless people were there. It played heavily on his mind, and he asked me lots of questions about who can be homeless and why would they be homeless, and he was shocked that it could happen to anybody, no matter their age or gender.”

Following a lesson on kindness at St Mary’s Catholic School, Will came home and told his family he would be giving all the money in his moneybox to the next homeless person he saw.

Jo said: “We discussed this and I suggested that he could raise money for a homeless charity. He was keen to do this and said he wanted to help everyone in the country, so we decided on the charity Shelter. We then discussed what would be a challenge to him and he thought of

GREAT EFFORT: Will Hunns and, inset, with his family in London

the 40 miles in February.”

And since the start of the month, there has been no stopping Will on his mission. He has been clocking up three miles every other day and is well on his way to smashing his target of 40.

Jo said: “This is a massive

challenge for Will, but he does it without fuss and an air of optimism. He runs anywhere between Cerne Abbas to Dorchester (an encouraging honk is always appreciated).

“This is a new challenge for all of us, Will has

taken part in fundraising events but has never taken on an individual challenge like this before with such a strong focus. I am incredibly proud of him, he’s shown such maturity in his empathy for others.

“He has always shown great care for others, but this has amazed us all.”

Will said: “I was sad to see so many people were homeless. I couldn’t stop thinking about those people and wanted to help. While at school, we had a lesson on kindness and talked about homelessness and I’ve decided, I am going to help.”

Will wanted to raise £100, but so far has achieved £430.

Jo added: “We are blown away by everyone’s generosity. Will is so thrilled about the amount of generous donations he’s received. He said it is spurring him on to finish his run.” n To donate, please visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/Will-Hunns

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Grieving family’s shocked. The image of him lying there will be my lasting one.”

The family of a Bridport The South West man who died on his Ambulance Service is kitchen floor had to sit investigating, and the with his body for more incident has been raised than 10 hours after

by West Dorset MP Chris repeated calls to emergency services failed Loder in a Westminster debate on long ambulance to get a response. delays.

Herbert Reeve, 81, was The family are also found by his wife Valerie demanding answers. at 8.15am. After attempts Ian, a sales manager in to rouse him failed, she Bridport, said: “I was at called 999, was told to work and my wife rang to attempt CPR and that an say my father had ambulance collapsed in his would be sent kitchen. as soon as “I got to his possible. house at 9am and But despite it was obvious he numerous had passed follow-up calls away.” to the Ian said the ambulance ambulance service and service told the police, it was DEEPLY UPSET: family not to several hours Ian Reeve and wife Nicola cover the body as before the death was unexplained paramedics finally and police would attend. attended – and 6.45pm Expecting an ambulance before the body was any moment, they removed by undertakers. complied.

The delays deeply upset Ian said: “Following no the family, said Herbert’s response from either the son Ian Reeve. “There paramedics or police, at was no dignity for him. It 12.45pm we made another was so inhuman, and the experience has left me and 999 call to try and speed things up.” my family deeply

By Steve Keenan

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

SWEPT AWAY: Damage caused by Storm Eunice at Bradford Hollow Picture: Sherborne Police

Eunice and Franklin do their worst with a series of power cuts Candles and board games were the order of the day as power cuts hit thousands of homes in rural villages across West Dorset as Storm Eunice rolled in, swiftly followed by Storm Franklin.

Additional workers were drafted in by Scottish and Southern Electricity to help secure power to homes, although 188 households in Dorchester and Weymouth were still without power on Monday morning, many of which had been without power for 72 hours.

Welfare vans were deployed by Dorset Council, offering free hot drinks and breakfasts, and mobile phone charging facilities on Monday morning at Charlton Down Village Hall, Charminster Village Hall and Portesham Village Hall.

A council spokesman said: “Thank you to

customers for your patience and understand while we work as safely and quickly as possible to repair damage and reconnect supplies.”

The emergency services were out in force as gusts of up to 90mph ravaged the countryside, with fallen trees crushing cars, blocking roads and bringing power lines down.

Richard Gough, Director of Distribution System Operations, said: “The hurricaneforce winds of Storm Eunice have resulted in some of the most extreme and challenging conditions experienced in the south of England for decades, with significant impact on our overhead line network. I would like to apologise to our customers for the continued disruption as our teams work around the clock to restore power.”

Campaigners welcome Campaigners have given a cautious welcome to news that Dorset Council could rethink its plans for 4,000 new houses on the fringes of Dorchester.

Campaign group STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester) has written to the council leader Spencer Flower applauding his

request for a new approach to the government’s housing targets.

In her letter, STAND chair Jane Ashdown said: “We support you in your lobbying for a better deal for Dorset communities in a council area that is primarily rural in

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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anguish at 10-hour ambulance delay

FAMILY TRAGEDY: The late Herbert Reeve with wife Valerie

But the 999 operator asked Valerie the same questions she had been asked previously, and the family says they added: “How do you know he is dead?”

Ian said: “This was so insensitive. At this point we had been sitting for more than four hours with my father dead on the kitchen floor. It was devastating to see and deal with, especially for Valerie, who was on endof-life care with terminal cancer.”

After more chase-up calls, a relative contacted Weldmar, who were caring for Valerie. The charity in turn contacted Bridport

Medical Centre. A practioner nurse attended at 4pm and certified the death, the police were informed and the body released.

An ambulance finally turned up minutes after the nurse. But, said Ian: “It became clear through conversation with the paramedics that they were led to believe the death was ‘expected.’ We have no idea where this information came from, there was obviously a huge breakdown of communication. The paramedics left without seeing him.

“We feel completely let

down and failed by the system. If he had collapsed in the street, I am sure the response time would have been instant.

“At no point during the day did we have communication from anyone to update us on what was going on.”

In a government debate led

by Mr Loder, he said several constituents had been let down by the ambulance service, including Mr Reeve’s family. “I cannot imagine having to sit beside a loved one deceased for hours waiting for help that doesn’t turn up.”

Mr Loder said he wasn’t

attacking the NHS but was more interested in establishing a system that could provide additional help from the Armed Forces or St John Ambulance when needed in future.

He said: “My intention with this debate is not to pile criticism on the South West Ambulance Service but I know that in West Dorset our ambulance service has been worked to absolute capacity until they simply cannot do any more.

“The failures we are seeing are not coming from incompetence or inefficiency but from a greater demand on the health systems.

“Capacity, pressure, absenteeism and drivers waiting to deliver patients at hospital result in a lack of ambulances available and people waiting for hours.”

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) told The West Dorset Magazine: “We are currently still investigating this complaint. Once its complete, the findings will be shared with the family.”

council’s possible rethink on 4,000 homes plan character. STAND has always argued that the government’s housing target for the Dorset Council area is excessive and is designed to favour new incomers, but is not addressing local need.”

Councillor Flower opened dialogue with Housing Secretary Michael Gove

last month, ‘offering a constructive, bold and ambitious alternative for the way we develop our new Local Plan – one that is right for Dorset’.

The draft Local Plan, proposed 39,000 new houses across the county, which attracted 60,000 mostly negative comments

when the public were consulted last year.

A further 5,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans to site 4,000 of the new houses on green fields north of the town centre.

Ms Ashdown said: “STAND believes this proposed development is

an example of chasing housing numbers at all costs – cost to the environment, to biodiversity, to sustainable food production, to the site’s archaeological and cultural significance and fails to meet the needs of local people for affordable housing.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Spring springs to life Our photographer Neil Barnes has been capturing the first signs of spring on his travels, with blooming daffodils in Poundbury and this quintessentially English scene of sheep in a meadow, close to Broadoak Road in Symondsbury, also caught his eye.

We think your pictures are fantastic Neil, thank you! n neilbarnes.com

Author Jim is doing the write thing

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dorchester author Jim Potts OBE has received high praise from Michael Rosen for his latest book.

Jim has been keeping busy over the last three years, having written and published This Spinning World (2019), Reading the Signs (2020) and Words on the Table (2021) by Colenso Books.

Having lived a varied and much-travelled life, Jim’s writing encompasses family and numerous friends, places, politics, literature and art, and music – especially jazz.

Writing poems like diary entries, Jim embraces his cultural experiences in countries across the world, most notably in Europe and Africa.

Jim was privileged through his work as a cultural diplomat to meet and befriend many scholars, artists and poets and his work chronicles the ups and downs in his emotional life, his political convictions and his

WRITER: Jim Potts OBE

encounters with an astonishingly rich variety of people and places, not least his joy and relief in returning to the freedom and security of home.

In his latest book, Words on the Table, poet Michael Rosen wrote: “Jim looks wryly and ironically at people and histories. This matches the refreshing restlessness with which he writes. The result is a book of many contrasts. It’s a rich ride.”

And Julian Nangle, a fellow poet and rare-book dealer from Dorchester, wrote: “I feel this collection is truly

important and reflects our relatively recent international and national history in a way few books can. It will reverberate on chords others are aware of within themselves.”

All three books contain much of relevance to West Dorset, and Jim’s poems reveal a love of the countryside and coasts, and a deep commitment to environmental conservation.

Another dominant strand is the emphasis on freedom of expression.

Above all, Jim cares about his readers.

He works hard to keep them

close through his informative and enjoyable notes which provide background to his travels, explain references he thinks might be unfamiliar, and introduce you to the array of fascinating individuals he writes about.

Jim and his wife Maria, who is also an author, have lived in Dorchester for 12 years.

His mother lived in West Bay for 25 years, and West Dorset has a special place in Jim’s heart, inspiring his poetry and stories.

Jim has also been a community writer for the Dorset Echo, Poet-At-Large for Keep 106’s Ridgeway Magazine programme, a writer for the William Barnes Society website and newsletter.

He has his own blog, YouTube channel and tweets regularly as Jim Potts @DorsetWriter.

All three books are available on Amazon.co.uk or can be ordered through most major bookshops. n amazon.co.uk/Jim-Potts

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Villagers have set themselves an ambitious target to try to buy their local pub and save it for the community.

The friends of the Piddle Inn need to raise at least £250,000, which will be match-funded, to buy the much-loved pub in Piddletrenthide.

A committee formed to drive the fundraising held a public event in the village hall recently, to rustle up pledges for the fund. No money has yet been paid by the pledgers – rather, they are asking for promises at this stage so they know they will have enough in the kitty.

The pub, which used to be the Green Dragon, was sold in November 2020, bringing to an end more than 150 years of village activities there. It’s always been the hub of the community, more so than the village hall, so this left a gaping hole in village life, says Friends chairman Lynn Mailer.

Villagers were dealt a huge blow in January 2021, when the owner announced he would not be reopening the venue as a pub and wished to let the rooms instead as holiday accommodation.

Though Piddletrenthide only has about 650 people, says Lynn, the pub would often be full, with people coming from nearby Alton Pancras and other villages in the Piddle Valley, and holidaymakers too. There are about 700 houses in the area.

They fear the loss of the pub will lead to social isolation for many, and there’s a great deal of

THE INN CROWD: The Friends of the Piddle Inn committe and, below, the pub back at the end of the 19th century

Friends set £250k target to save their village pub

upset that it has been shut and repurposed.

Lynn said: “There are other pubs in the valley, but this was where we all went for occasions and events. There’s no transport here, no services – nothing, so the Piddle Inn was vital to many people.”

To try to protect the pub from being converted and lost, they have registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, sent out pledge forms and are looking at issuing shares in the pub, if they can get enough money promised.

Funds will be bolstered by money from the

Community Ownership Fund and the Lottery, if all goes to plan.

They have already commissioned a business buyer’s report, using funds raised though various events.

But the campaign has got off to a bit of a slow start, what with lockdowns and winter getting in the way.

The committee hopes to stage another pop-up pub and pizza night in March – their last event raised £1,300.

The funds are needed simply to buy the building – all the fixtures and fittings are still there, though a little

refurbishment will be needed.

Lynn said: “The Piddle Inn has always been the centre of village life. We all had jobs there growing up – pot washing etc, and meetings would be held there rather than at the hall. We also had live music, quizzes and other events.

“There’s a snug and a massive bar area where you could hold wedding receptions – the hall is too small.

“We just feel that the village needs the pub – it’s a proper pub rather than a restaurant and gave people a place to meet others.

“There’s nowhere to do that now.”

Anyone who would like to make a pledge or donate towards the campaign can go to friendsofthepiddle inn.co.uk or post to; Friends of the Piddle Inn, 3 Northover Close, Piddletrenthide, DT2 7TX.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) n A talk by Jeremy Barker on ‘Sir James Thornhill, Sherborne House and the Folke Altarpiece’ is being held on Friday, March 11 at 7.30pm in the Digby Memorial Church Hall to raise money for Folke Church.

Tickets are £10, including a glass of wine and light refreshments, from Winstone’s Bookshop, or on the door. n The Wessex Strings will be performing a concert on Sunday, March 13 at 3pm at Cheap Street Church in Sherborne. Tickets are £10 from Winstone Books. n Sherborne Chamber Choir Concert will perform the Spring Baroque on Saturday, March 19 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from the choir’s website sherbornechamberchoir.org.uk n Music lovers are being urged to listen to the choral music from St Paul’s Girls School at St Mary’s Church in Beaminster at 4pm on Saturday April 30.

The String Ensemble will be playing the St Paul’s Suite, originally written for pupils at the school in 1913 by their director of music Gustav Holst.

The musicians will be visiting Beaminster as part of their tour of Dorset.

Tickets available from Eventbrite/st-pauls-girlsschool-choir or on the door n Beaminster Museum is holding its final Winter Talk of the season on Tuesday, March 1 at 2.30pm when its chairman Matthew Kirkman will be talking about the Durotrigian to Roman transition in West Dorset.

Matthew will be focussing on the recent changes in interpretation and understanding of Roman

I’m lookin for some hot stuff The Great Dorset Chilli Festival will be held on August 6 and 7 at Stock Gaylard Estate for a weekend filled with fun, food and music with a large helping of spice!

Festival organisers are holding their annual Chilli Plant Growing Competition, so those seeds need to be planted now if you want to enter… armies besieging Dorset hillforts.

Current perceptions of a violent transition with besieged hillforts are being challenged, based on a more impartial review of the evidence, and modern science not previously available.

Mortimer Wheeler’s view, written in London during the Blitz, and presumably influenced by his experiences at Paschaendale in the First World War, heavily influenced the field until challenged by more recent excavations, starting with the 1995 excavations at Maiden Castle.

Entry £3 n Dorchester Repair café is coming to Poundbury this Monday, February 28.

Repairers will be at The Duchess of Cornwall pub in Queen Mother Square from 5pm-7pm.

If you need something repaired, just head on over.

From clocks to cushions, lamps to laptops, come along and give new life to old things, save a bit of money and stop stuff ending up in landfill.

Everyone’s a winner! n Dorchester Science Festival returns with an exciting ten-day programme of events from March 6-15 to celebrate British Science Week. Activities will be hosted by a range of partner organisations, and will include a Family Science Fair at the Dorset Museum on Sun 13 March, and an awesome installation of Luke Jerram’s Mars coming to Dorchester Arts (dorchesterarts.org.uk/mars).

Events will be held by Waterstones, the Dorchester Library and Learning Centre, Brewery Square, Cape Farewell and the Thomas Hardye School.

Sunday, March 13 from 11am4pm sees the welcome return of Dorchester’s popular Family Science Fair at Dorset Museum in High West Street, Dorchester.

The fair is a free event aimed at children aged four-plus, but with something for people of all ages to enjoy.

Come and meet a real scientist!

Get involved with some fascinating hands-on learning and experiments. Lots of experts on hand to ask those tricky science questions and test your own knowledge! dorsetmuseum.org/event/famil y-science-fair In addition, Dorchester Arts are putting on a brilliant family show, called Top Secret: The Magic of Science.

And they will also be one of the first venues in the UK to showcase Luke Jerram’s incredible installation of Mars – a seven-metre diameter artwork, which will be on display at the Corn Exchange

WRITERS IN DORSET: An Indie Writers Fest is being organised for various regions of Dorset.

Details dorsetindiewriters@gmail.com

from Tuesday, March 8 – Tuesday, March 15.

Entry to Mars is free, though public access times will vary – and there will be additional Mars related shows and events that people can book tickets for.

For full details visit the Dorchester Arts Facebook page or website.

Some of the Dorchester Science Festival activities are ticketed – for information about everything taking place, check out the festival’s Facebook page. n Slimy Science at Brewery Square is part of the festival and is being held at Brewery Square on Saturday, March 12 from 11am-noon.

The free event gives you the chance to learn about reptiles with the extraordinary Ranch Wild Side.

The Wild side experience incorporates a range of exotic animals such as snakes, insects, lizards and amphibians.

Then from midday, join Betty Boffin and her Science Show!

Betty Boffin offers a silly science show, incorporating slime, tornado races, rockets and more!

Following on from Betty Boffin’s amazing science show, children will have the chance to make their own slime from 1pm until 2pm. n Also part of the science week, on Thursday, March 10 from 1pm-5pm Luke Jerram’s Mars will be at The Corn Exchange.

Travel 226 million miles in a

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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Whasson? (and where’s it to?) day as a stunningly accurate recreation of the planet Mars comes to Dorchester.

Dorchester will be one of the first venues in the country to display Luke Jerram’s sevenmetre diameter artwork Mars when it opens to the public.

Luke Jerram last brought an artwork to Dorchester in July 2019 when over 9,000 Dorchester residents marvelled at the Museum of the Moon and took part in a spectacular weekend of celebrations led by Dorchester Arts and Dorchester Town Council to mark 50 years since the first man walked on the moon.

Come and view our nearest planetary neighbour up close and in perfect detail.

The installation is accompanied by a surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones.

March 10: 1pm-5pm, March 12, 10am-7pm, March 13, 10am-7pm (Family Science Fair 11-4). March 14, 1pm9pm, March 15, 1pm-5pm. n A Jam Session with Guitarmadillo will be held at Tom Brown’s in High East Stret, Dorchester on Sunday, March 6 at 4pm. All welcome n A 36-hour DJthon will be held at Chickerell’s Lugger Inn from 9pm on March 5.

Ben Hadwin, in conjunction with MKM Weymouth, will be spinning the decks for an incredible 36 hours to raise money for the Veterans’ Hub. This mammoth challenge will see Ben banging out the sounds non-stop for the entire period. Put on your dancing shoes, get the glow sticks ready, and come along to show your support. n On Thursday, March 10 from 10.15-11am there will be

discover the stories that took place in one of Dorchester’s most historic buildings.

Francophiles will love FiFi Francophiles will adore two performances by FiFi La Mer in Ibberton and Martinstown on March 18 and 19. FiFi on accordion and vocals with Oliver Wilby on clarinet, saxophone and accordion,

a Wellbeing Walk at Hardy’s Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods.

Join this Ranger led wander, via surfaced paths, to explore the seasonal changes taking place across the reserve.

Booking is essential on 01305251228 These monthly walks are gentle and open to all. You will be encouraged to use your senses as you wander, such as to hear the crisp autumn leaves under foot, the taste of a blackberry, listen to the song of a wren or the feel of warm winter sun.

Each walk unique as nature leads us through its continuing transformation with the sun.

All Terrain Mobility Scooters can be hired for these walks at the time of booking. Dementia friendly walk.

Suggested donation £3 per person Please the pay and display car park at £1 per hour. The centre facilities and café open at 10am. n On Sunday, February 27 from 4.30-6.30pm a Social

will take their audience on an uplifting journey, giving them an insightful look into 100 years of French Music.

The pair are making their debut appearance together on the Artsreach rural touring circuit.

Dance will be held at The Trinity Club Dorchester.

The two-hour event is being held by Eileen Spracklen School of Dancing and will include ballroom, Latin & some popular sequence dancing, Doors open no earlier than 4.15pm. £8 per person.

Booking is essential, limited spaces available. dancedorchester@outlook.com 01929 471188 n Half-term activities will be held at Shire Hall until Saturday, February 26 at the Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum in Dorchester.

Seaside Adventures includes a super seaside spotting trial and interactive craft activities, families are shore to have a fantastic time at Shire Hall this half-term.

Plus, Kids for a Quid! This half-term, children can visit the museum for only £1.

Alongside the seaside activities, families can also explore Shire Hall Museum using interactive iPads and

n On Thursday, March 17 at 7pm there’s a St Patrick’s night treat at the White Horse Inn Litton Cheney.

“Travellin’ Moon” Irish Folk duo will help Come and celebrate St Patrick’s day with Travellin’ Moon at The White Horse from 7pm 17th March.

Travellin’ Moon are a very popular Irish Folk duo that have played Glastonbury a few years ago.

White Horse, Travellin’ Moon, lots of Guinness, Jameson and Baileys, now that’s a combination for a great night! n On Saturday, March 12 at 8.30pm there’s a free entry event at Folke Golf Club.

Bad Uncle will be playing your favourite 80s and 90s rock – air guitars welcome. n On Tuesday, March 15 from 9.30am-noon a silver jewellery workshop will be held at Chideock Village Hall, DT66JW. A 2.5-hour silver jewellery taster session is £70 and includes all materials.

Open to complete beginners!

Make your own piece of beautiful silver jewellery using traditional silversmithing techniques and hand tools.

Learn how to cut, bend, hammer, shape, stamp patterns, solder, file and polish. You can choose from a wide range of ideas including earrings, pendants, rings or bangles.

Spaces will be limited so bookings only.

Book at mobilejewelleryschool.co.uk.

Ages 16 and over. Wheelchair accessible.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

White Lion pub to roar again after A village community has pulled off an astonishing fundraising drive – with nearly £50,000 raised in just six months to save its last pub.

There were once several pubs in Broadwindsor, but the White Lion was the last to close its doors, after its previous tenants left in June last year.

Villagers gathered in July and set

Broadwindsor, in the far corner of West Dorset, is a village well known for its community spirit.

We already have a successful community shop, sports field and multi-use games area. Add to that a popular primary school, a busy village hall, ancient church, active cricket club and the restaurant and craft units at Redlands Yard, well, the community has so much going for it.

So when the pub closed in June 2021 and the tenants moved to pastures new, we all felt certain it wouldn’t be long before someone came forward to take it over, pandemic or no pandemic.

But they didn’t.

In July, Palmers Brewery approached Broadwindsor Group Parish Council to see if the community might be interested in running The White Lion.

Council vice-chairman David Leader pulled a group of local people together to see what could be done.

The pub sits in Broadwindsor Square. It’s integral to community life.

None of us wants to one of those villages that loses its

a target of £30,000 – the minimum needed to get the popular pub reopened. But donations continued to pour in, and added to funding from the parish council, Palmers and takings from The Comrades Arms (a pop-up bar open three nights a week in the village hall), the village smashed through their target and kept on going.

They have just signed the tenancy agreement and now work is about to start on refurbishing the inside of the pub and kitting out the kitchen. Journalist MARGERY HOOKINGS and her husband Andrew have been involved in the fundraising campaign. Here she tells the story of their hugely successful campaign.

BACK IN TIME: The White Lion in the early 1900s and, right, horses being commandeered for the First World War

pub forever because we don’t kick up a fight to save it. In recent memory, two other hostelries in the village – The Cross Keys and The George – closed and converted into private homes. There were also at

least two other pubs in the village, back in the day when pubs were ten a penny.

So many of us here in the village have enjoyed great nights of fun and friendship in The White

Lion. We can’t imagine life without it. The pub is our hub. It’s something very special. And we need to do all we can to save it.

Last July, David Leader set up a steering group comprising local residents

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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community’s fundraising hits £50k

FLOCKING IN: Sheep being rounded up in front of the White Lion (Pic by John Heys) and, below, banners outside the pub and the fundraising board. Below: Broadwindsor from Lewesdon Hill, (pic by Margery Hookings)

with the skills and experience to take on the challenge.

The first thing we needed to understand was whether the community wanted a pub in the village.

The team hand-delivered

and collected surveys to the entire village and surrounding communities.

The answer was very clear: 95% of respondents said, yes, they wanted a pub in Broadwindsor.

The survey provided

several other useful insights into what type of pub people wanted, how often they felt they’d use the pub and when they’d like it to be open.

Armed with this insight, we held a village meeting.

This gave us a mandate from the community to move forward.

We began working on the plan in more detail.

We negotiated the best deal possible with the brewery, set up a not-forprofit company, investigated funding sources, started a recruitment drive for a manager and chef, drew up plans with the brewery to make the pub light and welcoming inside, and, more recently, organised another a leaflet drop to every household in the village updating everyone on our progress and inviting them to a public meeting.

On January 11, some 80 people attended the village hall meeting in person, with almost another 50 on Zoom. It was a resounding success. People wanted their pub back.

We had support from the parish council and around £3,500 from the Comrades Arms, a pop-up bar at our village hall which is run by volunteers led by my husband, Andrew Hookings.

But we clearly needed to raise a lot more to get this project across the finishing line.

A community-run pub is the best chance The White Lion has of ever opening again. People are being invited to take out membership at £5, which allows them to attend an annual general meeting and gives them voting rights. n savethewhitelion.org facebook.com/WhiteLion Broadwindsor

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

One big happy family is how the stallholders describe it.

It’s why they all keep coming back to Dorchester Market, despite the ups and downs of fortune, fate and covid.

Dorchester’s weekly market is described as one of the best, with coachloads of tourists and guests bussed in to pick up their fruit and veg and other produce.

But the market, along with other local markets which have sadly fallen by the wayside, isn’t as lively as it used to be. Shopping habits have changed. And the winter, along with covid restrictions, has made it a tough gig recently.

I went along to talk to some of the traders.

Sean Pilsbro, 46, has been selling mobile phone accessories and electricals here for five years. He said: “We all look after each other. We’re like a little family.”

Nigel James sold his cakes as Shirley’s Bakery here for decades and when he retired he took on a little coffee van to ‘keep out of mischief’.

He said: “I didn’t want to sit at home doing nothing.”

For Mike Legg and Karl Evans it’s their second week at the market, having enjoyed it the week before, chatting to people about making wills.

“Dorchester market is the best market in this part of the world,” says Karl. “Bournemouth and Poole markets are tiny.”

Simon Gerring of Hillside

n Dennis and Moyra Nelson of Xquisite and, right, Bob Henderson of Woodlands Preserves

n Mike Legg and Karl Evans, Daniel Peck of DCP Fabrics and, right, Simon Gerring of Hillside Farm. Inset below: Claire West of Leakers Bakery

County town’s market still setting out its stall and is going strong in tough times Farm in Crewkerne is here with an impressive array of cheeses, meats and other produce.

He said: “We do very well here,

especially when the coaches come in. There’s a queue a mile long when the coaches arrive.”

Daniel Peck from DCP Fabrics said: “It has its ups and downs. Winter is slow going.

Paul Hedger of All About Brooches has been coming here for eight years. He said: “It’s a cracking market.

You get a lot of holidaymakers.

Pre-covid there could be 15 to 20 coaches arriving, now it’s about three or four, but I think that

will increase again.”

Claire West of Leakers Bakery in Bridport is here with a fine selection of bakes. She said: “I love seeing the regular faces.

The traders are all really friendly. It’s nice to see people so passionate about supporting local businesses.”

Williwan Saenphron and Grenville Legg met when she worked at a restaurant in Sherborne and now, once a week they bring Williwan’s delicious smelling Thai food to Dorchester market. “I just give her a hand,” says

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

n Paul Hedges of All About Brooches

n Rob Bail of Charlton Orchards and, right, Sean Pilsbro n Williwan Saenphron and Grenville Legg and, right, Nigel James of Coastal Coffee

Grenville. “She spends a day preparing all the food and then we come here.”

Dorchester-based Dennis and Moyra Nelson are enjoying a different way of life now, with their Xquisite jewellery business. Dennis is a retired teacher, but he has also been a mountain rescue guy, mountaineer, ski instructor – all sorts.

He studied gemology when he was younger and grabbed the chance to set up his own studio in Weymouth when he retired, offering not only jewellery making but

valuations, cleaning and more.

“No one does everything in jewellery making, but I do” he said. Dennis takes on commissions nationally, including a recent job for a Formula 1 driver. “I make personal pieces – this is our passion.”

Peter, who runs the market’s café, is looking to sell up after 14 years of schlepping from Bournemouth before dawn.

He said: “The café’s been going about 35 years, but covid has done some damage and now we are

coming out of it the costs are going up. I’m 67 now and I want to retire.

“It’s predominantly older people who come here, the younger ones are all having home deliveries. If I had the energy I’d refurbish it, but it’s time to sell.”

Rob Bail of Charlton Orchards has been coming here for 20 years, firstly with his apples but now offers a whole range of fruit and veg and plants.

“Plants go well here,” he said. “Because there are a lot of plant sellers and people come for the plants

15

because it’s a really good market for that.”

Bob Henderson of Woodlands Preserves has also been coming to Dorchester Market for 20 years. He said: “We offer preserves you won’t get anywhere else. I source some of them and others I make myself. The small pots go well, for people who live on their own or holidaymakers, people with caravans.

As the dawn breaks, with the stallholders having been about since 5am setting up, a steady stream of customers start coming in. In winter, the market is confined to one area of the car park but in summer stalls flood out of the gates, filling the upper car park too.

On Sundays, market operators Ensors also run a very successful car boot sale on the site, with many thousands of pounds raised for local charities.

Despite the downturn in market fortunes generally, it appears Dorchester Market is still holding its own. But it seems clear their main customer base for the Wednesday market is the older generation and younger people could do well to head there for their fresh produce – after all, it ticks all the environmental boxes, with fewer food miles and local provenance.

It also offers the chance to do as Kirstie Allsopp preaches and make your own smoothies for a fraction of the price. You’ll have a house deposit saved in no time…* *Financial advice is not our forte. Giving up Netflix may also be required.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

It’s an incredible 275 years old and The man at the helm for 29 years, Terry Dixon, is now enjoying a purely advisory, beer-supping and fatAnybody remember chewing role. I remember pushing into a heaving him in this role decades Three Compasses in the ago – such was his warm 80s, 90s and noughties? welcome you never felt he Where the live music did anything else, though blared, beguiling, pulling the success of the pub over us in, making us dance, that time shows you he had making us happy, joyful one or two other tasks. and contented.

These days his son Rob, It was one of a handful of 56, and Rob’s wife Tina, venues in this area which always delivered top nights 59, are in the driving seat.

They stepped in when – entertainment, a great Terry’s wife Margaret had atmosphere and more. dementia and needed Chicken in a basket. looking after and then took Sausages in a basket. I over fully when Terry blooming love food in a retired in basket.

2017. “We I have long don’t want to loved the let the family red-brick pub down,” said in Tina. “We’re Charminster lucky it’s a – the very free house, epitome of a because it’s cosy, friendly n The mighty Freezer in action at a packed Three harder if local boozer.

Compasses last Sunday you’re tied.

I saw “But we will amazing local bands there do anything to ensure the as a teenager and young pub keeps going and it’s a adult which formed great pub, a proper pub.” thrilling and incomparable That commitment has been memories of all genres of sorely tested in recent music, delivered by a huge times. Covid decimated variety of local bands. I their business, which had even sang there myself a already been dealt a blow few times in the early by the digital generation. noughties, with a band Popping to the pub on a called Speed Handbag. nightly basis had been The Three Compasses is a replaced by people at home ‘proper’ pub. And it’s 275 in their pyjamas, arguing years old this year. Guess about cat memes on what? You can still get Facebook while eating fried food in a basket. The chicken is in goujon format houmous. People didn’t pack the bar like they used these days, but the baskets to. are still Margaret’s But Terry’s solid originals – none of your namby pamby willow stuff. victualler’s pedigree (six If you want to go retro, and generations of his family have been in the licensed good God we all do these trade) and his dedication to days, head on over.

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

n Jimmy and Nell Traves

Travel back in time gentlemen, please Many of the Compasses’ landlords have been recorded, with the first, Mary Ebber, starting in 1747.

James Brookes was to be found behind the bar in 1818, with his son James Brookes Jr taking over in 1844.

George Newton, who ran the bar from 1852, was famed for his Georgie’s Stingo ale.

In 1869 Samuel Warren took over, but went into liquidation after nine years.

In 1896 the Groves took over, and in 1900 the pub was rebuilt in a slightly different position before Thomas

n Thomas Crofts Neal

n George Newton

Neal took over in 1901.

Jimmy and Nell Traves took over in 1915 and Nell was left to run it as the country went to war.

John and Joan Rogers ran the pub from 1955 before Terry and Margaret took over in 1988.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

17

the Three Compasses is still rocking

YOU’RE WELCOME: The Three Compasses at Charminster today and, below, the vintage tearoom, the Wall of Shame featuring many of the bands and musicians who have performed at the pub over the years, Terry and the late Margaret behind the bar and, below right, the ladies loos

live music saw the Compasses through the worst of the downturn.

Live music continued to draw people in, until lockdown forced everything to stop.

Even then the family adapted, running a takeaway service and accessing grants, but it was very, very tough. They started offering takeaways, with Rob swiftly learning to turn out a decent fish and chips. He even mastered a lasagne, though

that dish is rubbish in a basket…

Lockdown eased and they staged live music in the garden – even in pouring rain. They also established a vintage tearoom, where you can drink gin cocktails poured from bone china teapots. “I hate those teapots,” says Rob, grinning.

It was lucky both of them are collectors. Rob started digging up old glass bottles in the mudflats of Essex as a child and the

results – transported from home to home by his dad over the years – line the vintage tearoom, hundreds of them. Tina’s business selling vintage china came into its own when she didn’t have time for eBay selling any more, what with running a pub – her teapots line the room and her plates and knickknacks help present the food. It’s a lovely setting.

The whole family is infected with Terry’s love for live music, though not

one of them played a note till Rob, feeling he should rectify this, took up guitar lessons recently.

Over 34 years the family have welcomed musicians to the pub, pulling in all the names we remember from the 80s, 90s and noughties.

They have had to adapt to current trends and now, instead of late-night Sunday gigs they offer an afternoon gig. Saturdays are nearly always gig nights.

And last Sunday witnessed the triumphant return of pub favourites Freezer, who had the venue choc-abloc full and dancing.

There’s a monthly jazz jam too – with well known local musicians Julie Lewis and Rodney Teague welcoming the hoi polloi to accompany them on the last Wednesday of the month at 8pm. Look out for local youngster Amy Williams, 14, who plays sax – she’s something else.

The skittle alley has been given a revamp, as has the whole premises, and Rob and Tina, together with ace bar manager Sara Caton, are gearing themselves up for a great summer now we’re all fully unleashed.

They offer tasty pub grub buffet catering for functions, a monthly cribbage league, a successful skittles team (The Barmy Army) and of course, fantastic live music. n Go to thethree compassescharminster. co.uk for upcoming events, or to book at the vintage tearoom call 01305 263618.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Memory Corner

Sugar soldiers, making dens, shorts Memories of a 75-year growing-up in Bridport in the 1950s & 1960s: an era of innocence

By STEVE POOLE

I was born in my grandmother’s house in St Andrew’s Road in March 1946 but lived in a two-up, two-down terraced house in South Street, sharing a bedroom with my sister!

Earliest memory is seeing snow falling off the house roof into the back yard, which must have been the winter of 1947, but was I too young to have remembered that? When else did we have bad snow in my formative years? n Travelling by Royal Blue coach from Bridport to Exeter, in the 1950s, to have my scalp zapped with low doses of X-rays, after catching ringworm.

I remember seeing the bomb damage in Exeter.

Having ‘sugar soldiers’ as a reward for not crying whist sticky plaster was used to remove new growth of hair, before treatment was finished. n Visiting the Chantry, South Street, and being told, and if my memory serves me right, also shown the entry to the ‘tunnel’ to St Mary’s Church – the existence of a tunnel has been debunked over the years, but I still wonder.

MATCH OF HIS DAY: Steve aged 11, second from left front row, with Bridport General School football team and, below, Steve aged 10, third from left back row. Inset below: Steve Poole today

Sore legs in the winter – no long trousers!!

Walking to the General School in King Street. n Mid-morning sleep, at the Primary School, on wartime camp beds with rough grey army blankets,

overseen by a ‘large’ lady in a white coat. n Learning the Sword Dance and the Morris Dance at the General School. n Walking the back lane from South Street to the doctors’ surgery in East Street, with my mother, after scalding myself by

pulling a boiling saucepan of water over me.

Luckily there was no scarring! n Moving to St Andrew’s Road, and having my own bedroom when I was eight! n Train journeys to Cattistock from Bridport station to pick cowslips.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

19

Memory Corner

in winter and jumpers for goalposts even mowing a wicket. n Working at Samson’s fishmongers, West Street at the weekends: cleaning the fish/chicken guts from the troughs and drains, with my bare hands! n Plucking chicken and turkeys at Christmas, sampling rough cider… not drunk it since! n Delivering customer orders, all around Bridport, on a tradesman’s bike (no gears). n Working at Hangers Dairy delivering milk and helping to ‘pat’ butter in the dairy. n Cycling to West Bay to go swimming: Jumping off the West pier and between the piers! Helping to retrieve fishing lines and prawn nets that were snagged on rocks off the west pier.

DAYS OF INNOCENCE: Steve aged 10, and a member of St Andrew’s Choir, pictured

by Herbert Pinn of Bridport and, right, Steve aged about three with his dad on a bike at West Bay

n Magnet ‘fishing’ from the bridge at Happy Island – it’s not something invented in the 21st century!

fields in St Andrews Road.

n Ad hoc football matches at St Mary’s playing field on a Saturday morning, with my mates.

n The smell of the fish railway vans in the siding at Bridport Station and the petrol smells from the oil depot nearby, with its black corrugated steel sheet fence.

n Making dens in the hedges around the school

n Exploring Watton Hill but known to us as ‘Coneygar Hill’

n In the choir at St Andrews – hiding notes under the loose tiles, tolling the bell for the 11am service, pumping the air for the organ, singing a solo at a Christmas service – also being a server at St Mary’s Church. n Playing cricket on the ‘green’ in front of our house, in the Crescent,

n Playing water polo in the river for the Swimming Club boys’ team.

Changing in the black and white striped changing hut (which was near the toilets at the west pier) Freezing when coming back from the river after playing, with only a towel to keep warm! Attempting the ‘Black Buoy’ race once, but failing to finish! n Swimming in the harbour from the small beach, gone now. Rock n MORE MEMORIES ON NEXT PAGE

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Memory Corner

HAPPY DAYS: Steve aged 10 at West Bay. Left: Steve starting school aged about five and, right, aged six with sister Julia in Bournemouth Gardens

n CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

pooling near ‘Table Rock’, where have the rock pools gone? n Joining 1st West Bay Sea Scouts, with the club house in Rax Lane.

Camping at Seatown every year, no camp beds or foam mattress just a mallet to level out the lumps! No sleeping bags a blanket with safety pins. n Fossil hunting on

Seatown Beach. I can’t remember ever going out in a boat. n Sitting my eleven plus – found myself in the ‘C’ stream.

I hated exams all through my schooling! n Attending youth club at St Mary’s church hall and in Rax Lane. n Attending Colfox School – having to wear a cap, whilst riding my bike

to school, or else get a detention. The day someone leaving Colfox turned the swimming pool red, “he” spent a long time cleaning up the mess!

I am sure a group of other leavers put the headmaster’s car on the roof of the school, but this maybe a memory failure – comments please! It was an Austin 7 I believe. n Visiting the Concord Club at the Lyric Cinema

in Barrack Street.

Underage drinking closed it, rumour was a policemen attended the club and reported it. n Getting an engineering apprenticeship at Westland Aircraft in 1962. n Trying to get to Yeovil for work in the winter of 1962, but unable to get up Beaminster tunnel hill by car, so caught the train!

Well, working memories are another story!

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022 The village of Broadwindsor in Dorset well and truly put itself on the map with the culmination of a community project led by Windrose Rural Media Trust.

Artist Megan Edwards created an interpretive map as part of The Place I Love, which celebrates the local landscape and rural heritage.

The project included field names research, local folk songs, poetry and an art exhibition.

Margery Hookings, who managed the project for Windrose, said: ‘The idea for The Place I Love came during the first lockdown when I was walking to Lewesdon Hill and wondered what the fields were called.

‘As a farmer’s daughter, I’m aware that all fields have names but I didn’t know the ones in Broadwindsor, which has been my home for the past 21 years.’

So, as a member of the Windrose team, she set about finding out.

The Place I Love was launched on October 16 2021 with a village art exhibition and display of the 1840 parish tithe map.

The project grew into something bigger than just field names, with the lynchpin being the creation of a village map by local artist Megan Edwards.

The map was unveiled at the Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor, by Barry and Denise Dennett.

Margery said: ‘I was so pleased when they agreed to do the honours.

They’ve lived in the area all their lives and walk

21

HOME SWEET HOME: Megan Edwards and her map of Broadwindsor

Y

Feel the for the place I live

everywhere. They probably know the fields, paths and lanes around Broadwindsor better than anyone.’

The map will be encased in a protective frame and installed in a central location in the village later in the year.

Saturday’s event included a poetry recital by professional poet Peter Roe, who is working with the village primary school as part of the project, and local folk songs collected and performed by Amanda Boyd, a member of the Windrose team.

Maps showing field

names around the village, collated by volunteer Kenzie Bicher, were the subject of much interest, as were photos by 1st Broadwindsor Guides and bloodthirsty limericks by pupils from the local primary school.

Margery said: ‘The project was not just about heritage and the past but also the present and future and how we connect with and protect our local landscape. So I was pleased that the village’s eco group had a stand at the event.

“They’ve recently planted trees in the village as part

of the “Gurt Darzet Hedge” project and are keen to work with people of all ages to look after the place we love.’

The project was funded through Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s Sustainable Development and Stepping Into Nature funds, Dorset Council’s Community and Culture Project Fund and Broadwindsor Group Parish Council.

A video of the project made by Windrose cameraman James Harrison looks set to be released in March and form part of a village film show.

Windrose specialises in saving old films from Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire and creating new film to add to the archive.

The charity uses the media to carry out educational, archival and creative work in rural communities. n For more information, visit windrose ruralmedia.org

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Help needed with linens The vergers at Sherborne Abbey are looking for a kind-hearted volunteer to help with washing and ironing The Abbey’s linens, including the purificators, corporals, hand towels and tea towels.

If you can help, please ring the Parish Office 01935 713777.

Train service is reinstated South Western Railway has re-introduced some services after omicronrelated staff shortages reduced.

The new timetable includes through trains to and from Exeter St David’s and Weymouth.

Fairtrade sale with free cake A sale of Fairtrade goods will be held on Saturday, February 26 from 10am to noon at the Strode Room, Beaminster (adjoining St Mary’s Church). Free coffee and cakes Gill Perrott, leader of the ECO Church Group, writes: “The climate crisis is the biggest threat to the livelihood of millions of small-scale farmers and farm workers in lowincome countries worldwide. These farmers need financial help to adapt techniques to protect the environment and their businesses. Buying Fairtrade items helps to support the farmers.

“Climate justice remains a top priority.”

We’re all winners as county

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A fantastic effort by hospitality businesses in West Dorset, despite the hardships inflicted by the pandemic, has seen awards handed out across the area.

The Dorset Tourism Awards recognised businesses across the industry.

Tangerine Cafe & Gallery in North Street, Beaminster won silver in the Café and Tearoom of the Year category, despite only launching three years ago, with no experience and being forced to shut in lockdown.

The venue opened in 2019 and has rapidly become known for its homemade cakes, brunches and lunches, and quality tea and coffee.

Owners Chris and Sue Sims have been determined to see Tangerine develop despite closures forced upon them by covid.

Chris said: “We were just becoming established when the first lockdown occurred and after several more temporary closure resulting from the pandemic, it seemed like we were starting again.”

The cafe quickly recovered, reinforced with new initiatives such as themed evenings, art and jewellery workshops and hosting knitting and book clubs.

Sue said: “We aim to be a community hub as well as a destination for visitors to the town. Our customers appreciate that our food is homemade on the

DETERMINED: Chris and Sue Simms at the Tangerine Cafe and Gallery in Beaminster

Other West Dorset business winners are: GOLD Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster: Glamping Business (NFU Mutual Wessex) The Acorn Inn, Evershot: Pub of the Year Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Charmouth: Camping and Caravanning Park (Anytime Booking) The Station Kitchen, Bridport: Casual Dining and Restaurant (Furleigh Estate) Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster: Glamping Business of the year Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport: Holiday Park (Tozers) SILVER Golden Cap Holiday Park, Chideock: Holiday Park The Yurt at Hollands Farmhouse, Dorchester: Glamping Business

premises, and that we have four distinct spaces that offer a variety of experience. I think the judges could see that we have been innovative in our menu and use of space, and that everyone receives a warm welcome and lovely food and drink.”

The cafe also received a TripAdvisor Award in

2021 as one of their top 10 per cent of restaurants worldwide. We are proud of what we have achieved so far,” said Chris.

“And we hope to establish ourselves even more as a destination of choice.”

Tangerine Cafe is included in an episode of BBC’s Escape to the Country to be shown soon.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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tourism emerges from the pandemic

DISCOVER US: Volunteers at the awardwinning Discovery Centre in West Bay

The King’s Arms, Dorchester: New Tourism Business Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster: Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism (Bournemouth Water) The Yurt at Hollands Farmhouse, Dorchester: Glamping Business Jurassic Coast Guides, Milborne St Andrew: Experience of the Year Dorset Museum, Dorchester: Large Visitor Attraction (Love To Visit) Greenwood Grange Holidays, Dorchester: Self-catering Accommodation The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne: Small Hotel (Clockwork Marketing) Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington: Small Visitor Attraction (Resort Dorset) BRONZE Frog by the Sea, Chideock: Self-catering Accommodation

West Bay Discovery Centre collected no fewer than three awards, including two golds, for Visitor Information Service of the Year and Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Business and bronze for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.

The centre is also a newish business.

Trustee John West said: “We are absolutely delighted with this achievement.

“Having won the New Business Award only two years ago and since then having to face the challenges of covid, just to have reached the finals this time was amazing and a great accolade for all the

Goathill Farm, Sherborne: Glamping Business and New Tourism Business The Cross Keys, Sherborne: Pub of the Year At Goathill Farm, Sherborne: New Tourism Business Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington: Resilience and Innovation COMMENDED Apex Expeditions, Poundbury: New Tourism Business Bridport Museum Trust: Small Visitor Attraction Tourism Event/Festival (Dorset Magazine): Finalists, FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition: Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington.

The winners of the Apprenticeship Special Award (sponsored by NFU Mutual Bournemouth), Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism (sponsored by Darren Northeast PR) and Winner of Winners (Dorset LEP) will be announced in May when winners and sponsors gather at Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorchester.

team at the centre.

“We are only a small centre, with a part-time manager and a fantastic group of volunteers so it is great honour to be amongst some of Dorset’s best known tourist attractions.

“Care for the environment and promoting sustainability has always been central to what we do,

so winning gold in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism category means a lot to us.

Being so close to the sea we daily see the impacts of human life on the natural environment.”

The Discovery Centre has reopened for half term and will return to six-day opening from March 22.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

By Karen Bate

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A devastating loss has prompted a couple of friends from Beaminster to embrace a life-changing challenge to trek 40km across the Sahara Desert for a cause close to their hearts.

Emily Roy and Lisa Davies will be swapping rainy, verdant West Dorset next month for the hard, flat, sundried plains, dried up ancient riverbeds, wide sandy dune fields and hard rocky outcrops of the Moroccan Sahara to raise £3,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare.

Emily and Lisa have been friends for 32 years, and when Emily’s mum Andrea passed away in November last year, Lisa was there for her friend.

“I was so happy that mum was moving back from North Wales to Beaminster,” said Emily.

“I was just so happy to have her back in Beaminster. Some of mum’s happiest memories are here, especially as my father Robert Ingham was principal at Parnham College and we moved there when I was eight years old.

“It was so lovely to have her back to the place which she called home.”

But joy turned to sorrow when, just three months later, Andrea was diagnosed with cancer. In September Andrea was given just a few weeks to live.

Emily’s sorrow turned to heartbreak when Andrea died on November 6, a day after her 79th birthday.

Friends ready to take on

40km hike across desert to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare

GOOD FRIENDS: Emily and Lisa will be taking part in the Sahara Trek to raise money for Weldmar

Emily said: “Mum was a very young 79 and it was horrendous. I was, and still am, devastated. I was at an absolute loss.

“Mum was being treated at Dorset County Hospital

and because of the covid restrictions, I was unable to visit her.

“Mum then was moved to Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester and spent her final week there. It was wonderful because I was able to visit whenever I wanted and was even able to bring in my Labrador and German Shepherd puppy, whom mum adored.

“I spent every moment I

could to be with her and spend as much time as I possibly could with her.”

Lisa said: “The support and outreach work Weldmar do is immense.

Almost everyone in West Dorset would probably know someone who has been cared for by this amazing organisation.

Weldmar is at the heart of West Dorset, and because they are self-funding, it is vital we all do what we can to support them.”

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

25

the Sahara Trek to say ‘thank you’

Emily added: “When we looked into taking on this challenge, it made sense to do it to raise money for this amazing charity. They care for so many people here in West Dorset.

“Lisa and I turn 50 within a month of each other next year, and when we looked into the challenge we did think how better to mark it with an epic challenge and trip of a lifetime where we will make some lifelong memories. Out of something so devastating

this challenge is giving me focus and bringing us something positive.”

Emily and Lisa will fly to Marrakech before crossing the Atlas Mountains and following the ancient caravan routes into the Sahara. The group will be met by camels and their guides, and then on foot will complete their journey through lunar landscapes and searing heat.

Emily and Lisa will be helped by the local Berber team, each day absorbing

the varied Saharan landscape and learning how to comply with the forces of nature in the desert.

Lisa added: “On average we will cover 15-20km per day but this will vary.

“It is expected that the daytime temperature will reach about 35c and then the temperature drops to around 0c at night.

“I have done a little bit of research and there seems to be a fair few critters we could encounter, spiders,

scorpions and snakes!”

Emily added: “I think we will make some lifelong memories and I really just want to do this in memory of mum and to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare.” n If you would like donate money to Lisa and Emily, please go to justgiving. com/fundraising/lisadavies98 or email lisadvs99@gmail.com or emilysantosshaw@ me.com

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Horse sales, pub brawls and rough

By Steve Keenan newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The 1930s were the peak of the Sherborne Pack Fair, the highlight of the year when half the town took part, riding in on their bikes while several hundred Gypsies brought their horses in for sale.

“It was a good time for settling old grudges: dozens of windows would be smashed and not many dustbin lids left,” remembers a Sherborne resident.

“A high spot was the fighting outside the pubs afterwards. I can remember seeing two women going at it outside The New Inn – me and all my mates thought that was bloody marvellous. The police cells would be filled for days afterwards.”

The riotous days of the Pack Fair may have passed but the memories are gloriously recalled in a new exhibition at Sherborne Museum: Fairs, Festivals and Markets.

The exhibition touches on other events hosted by Sherborne over the centuries, including the six-day St Thomas Fair (1240-1888) which used to be followed in July by the five-day Gooseberry Fair, which lasted until 1939.

But it is the Pack Fair which has outlasted all.

Curator Elisabeth Bletsoe said: “Since the mid1800s, headlines in local papers have crowed ‘Worst Fair Ever’ either in terms of the bad weather, the quality of livestock or the tawdriness of the pedlars’ goods. But the people still

HAPPY MEMORIES: Sherborne Museum curator Elisabeth Bletsoe and, below, Sherborne Pack Fair back in 1954

loved it. Another resident recently described the day as one of ‘reunion and gathering’ with friends and relatives coming from across the country and meeting up in one of the

local pubs. It was, and still remains, full of life and colour, heralded by ‘rough music.’”

The fair was associated with Abbot Ramsam (1475-1504) and was

originally a Michaelmas Fair for the hiring of farm hands at the start of the agricultural calendar and, like its counterparts, the sale of livestock.

The word ‘Pack’ from the Middle English literally means a wrapped bundle of goods for travelling; a number of similar items of produce being sold together; a group of people gathered in one place or a person of dubious character.

Pedlars were considered to be the original distributors of the produce of the country, the first free traders.

The 1841 census listed 97 pedlars operating in Dorset: they travelled the county selling small household goods, brought news and gossip and were as likely to tell your fortune or offer herbal remedies.

Her difference from

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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music: Glory days of the Pack Fair THE SHERBORNE MARKET

MUSEUM’S TOP CURIOS

It started with a bang as a monthly market in 2019, got walloped by covid but is back for the first time this year on April 17. It was modelled on Frome Independent and started really well: stalls spread from Cheap Street down past the Abbey to Half Moon Street, Digby Road and Pageant Gardens (live music and food).

There are 170 traders on the books and it’s a good day out.

Runs monthly through the year. n thesherbornemarket.com THE PANNIER MARKET EXHIBITS: The notorious dried dead cat and, right, the Pedlar Dolls Pictures: Josie Sturgess-Mills/Sherborne Museum

1: Dolls’ House, c. 1870, originally made for Miss Rawson of Brecon House, Long Street, and reputedly modelled on Sherborne House.

This enormous three-level dolls’ house was later owned by Mrs. Clarke of Bradford Road. The interior reflects the style of 1830-40s and the dolls are probably German from the 1820s.

2: A dried cat found within the fabric of a building in Longburton. These were ritually placed at vulnerable points (hearth, threshold, roof space)

n Sherborne Museum was effectively closed from early 2020 until November 2021, when it opened briefly before Christmas.

Apart from losing out on an estimated 20,000 visitors and their donations, the enforced break also left volunteers bereft of the ability to help and meet mainstream society was marked by a red cloak – as seen in a pair of outstanding pedlar dolls in the museum made by C&H White of Portsmouth and dating from 1820.

Elisabeth said: “They are documents of social

to ward off evil. The custom is an ancient one and similar to that of placing shoes and pieces of clothing within buildings. Kids love this and will drag their parents along to see.

3: A stained linen wall hanging from the early 1700s was found in Long Street under 14 layers of wallpaper.

It features a man on horseback and a lodge in a woodland setting and is a rare find as few have survived.

Equally of interest are the 14 differing styles of wallpaper which were also preserved and framed.

friends. The museum re-opened in January, a month earlier than usual – and the volunteers were the reason.

“We needed to provide them with something to do,” says curator Elisabeth Bletsoe.

Interestingly, the lockdown has encouraged 22 new volunteers to

history as they reveal all the household items and “fairings” that people would buy at the time.

“The heady excitement created by the anarchic arrival of pedlars and travellers was a feature of Pack Monday.”

Held on Thursday and Saturday, the market dates back to 1280 and the charter is held by the Sherborne Castle estate. It’s a general market, with food, flowers and furniture regular stalls: fish, candles and fudge recently, among a couple of dozen traders – there are more on Saturday than Thursday. Held on The Parade at the bottom of Cheap St. nNew stalls are invited, contact emma@sherbornecastle.com DORSET FARMERS’ MARKET Held on Cheap Street on the third Friday of each month – next one due on February 18. n dorsetfarmersmarket.co.uk

come forward since last summer.

And there has been a positive start to the year in terms of visitors.

“It is going pretty well,” said Elisabeth.

“We have had quite a lot of locals who have made some very generous donations.”

The museum on Church Lane is currently open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 10.30am – 4.30pm. Admission is free and donations welcomed. Opening days will extend at Easter. More at: sherbornemuseum.

co.uk, 01935 812252.

Families with children on the autism spectrum can arrange to visit between 8.30-10.30am on their own terms. Schools can also arrange visits on Mondays. n Contact: info@ sherbornemuseum.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

NHS text service to help teenagers with sexual health

Young people aged 13-19 in Dorset can access sexual health support through a confidential text messaging service from the NHS. Let’s Chat Sexual Health offers advice and information about emergency contraception, unplanned pregnancies, contraception, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases

(STIs). The service can also answer questions, pinpoint the locations of clinics around and the wide range of support available through Dorset Sexual Health.

Joanne Goodman, Advanced Clinical Nurse Lead for Dorset Sexual Health, said: “It’s fantastic news that we can now offer this additional service for

young people across the county. We want to encourage those that need support to text us so we can help them.”

Let’s Chat Sexual Health is available from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday.

To speak to a sexual health advisor text 07312 263101 or visit sexualhealthdorset.org

Glory on high as church is restored The prayers of parishioners have been answered as the doors of the historic Holnest Church in Sherborne have been thrown open after restoration works were completed.

The Mend and Make Good project secured £130,000 from organisations, charities, and the Sherborne Community over the last 18 months for the vital conservation work and repairs to the chancel roof, church windows, the tower stonework and to repoint the masonry.

The scaffolding is off, with the repairs and restoration completed to an exceptionally high standard. The church is open daily, and the community have been celebrating with a lovethemed Candlelit Songs of Praise and regular services.

Holnest Church, as it is more widely known these days, was described as the Chapelry of Holnest for many centuries with parts of the church dating back to the 13th century.

Holnest Church is Grade 1 Listed and boasts many unique features including boxed pews, a Jacobean pulpit, a 13th century font, and rare candle sconces.

PRAISE BE: Restoration work on Holnest Church is now complete. Above: Working on the roof and, below, the finished work

The friendly church is open daily for friends old and new and church volunteers organise many

social events in the Sherborne community both for fundraising purposes and more

importantly to eliminate social isolation and find out what people really want from their church.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The ‘larger than life’ landlord of the Hunter’s Moon pub in Middlemarsh near Sherborne is gearing up for a series of tough challenges to raise money for Parkinson’s UK in honour of a close friend who has been diagnosed with this cruel disease.

Seeing the effects of the disease and the heartbreaking deterioration of his friend, Dean Mortimer will be raising as much money as he possibly can for the charity while bringing awareness of this debilitating disease.

And with a little help from friends Gary Scolding, Matt Goss-Custard, Jim Brooks, Simon Pearson and Mike Wilcox, they have organised various challenges throughout the year including running the Bath Half Marathon on March 13 and a 24-hour Cyclethon in May. Dean not only gave up the booze for Dry January but has organised bingo, a darts match, a midsummer market in the pub and monthly quiz nights.

On Dry January, Dean said: “It’s like a labour of love. But mischievous patrons do like to try and tempt me, but I am determined to see the month out, plus abstaining from alcohol has helped me with the training.”

Dean is no stranger to taking up the challenge for worthy causes and has supported many charities over the years. In 2018 he and Gary cycled from Middlemarsh to Paris to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. Dean said: “As everyone knows I do what I can to

ON OUR BIKES; Dean Mortimer and Gary Scolding during their 2018 cycle ride from Middlemarsh to Paris. Below: By the Eiffel Tower

Dean and friends ready to take on tough challenges

help out and support our community in the best way I can. Having a supportive family and friends who are willing to join in with my challenge ideas, gives me the encouragement and focus to work towards achieving my goals, whilst raising money for good

causes at the same time, makes it all the better.

“I would like to thank everyone that has already donated or going to on the JustGiving page. I am amazed at their generosity.”

Friend Sarah Chant said: “Dean (who won’t thank

me for saying this) is a loud and proud Yorkshireman with a heart of gold. He tends to keep a low profile about his fundraising efforts, focusing more on the task and preparing for it than the promoting.

“He is spending his free time fitness training, so it only seems fitting if we (his friends and neighbours) could help raise awareness of his efforts, and the physical demands Dean and co, who are all hard-working chaps are putting themselves through to honour their friend and increase funds for Parkinson’s UK. “Good luck to Dean and Co from the villagers of Middlemarsh.” n If you would like to donate to the team, visit JustGiving and search for deanmortimer1

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

DCH Maternity Unit really delivers Dorset County Hospital’s Maternity Unit has been recognised as one of the best in the country in the 2021 Maternity Survey, published by the Care Quality Commission.

The survey was completed by 23,000 women who gave birth during the third national lockdown.

Associate Director of Midwifery and Neonatal Services at Dorset County Hospital Jo Hartley said: “I am so proud of all my colleagues who have continued to provide the highest standards of care in the most challenging conditions during the pandemic.

“It was a pleasure to share these results with them and we continue to look at

HIGHLY RATED: The team at Dorset County Hospital’s Maternity Unit

ways to improve our service, based on feedback from women and their families.”

Chief Nursing Officer Nicky Lucey added: “I

am so proud of our maternity teams for receiving such positive feedback, especially as the survey was carried out during an especially

challenging time.

“Everyone choosing to have their babies at Dorset County Hospital can be assured of the highest standards of care.”

Constituency issues

Further covid restrictions are now unlikely

By Chris Loder, MP It is clear that we are coming to the end of a chapter of coronavirus restrictions, and that we will be transitioning back to life as normal. The Coronavirus Act – the laws that give the government considerable powers comes to an end on March 23 and I think it will be unlikely that any further restrictions are mandated in law at this time. It will mean more local policies to manage risk rather than legal requirement.

One of the things that have not worked so well for some is the waiting times for ambulances. Two weeks ago in Parliament, I

brought up the unacceptably long waiting times for ambulances in West Dorset. It is not a criticism of the ambulance service, but that proper and organised arrangements must be put in place where demand outstrips capacity.

Whether that is support from the Armed Forces or St John Ambulance. We have had some examples of residents having to wait up to eight hours, and sometimes in a lot of pain.

Our council tax here is also some of the highest rates in the country. When young people living here are spending so much more per year on top of already high costs of living, compared

to a far lower cost within cities, over years this adds up to a hugely unfair deal for the West Dorset taxpayer. So I am challenging the mechanisms for Dorset to have a fairer share so support so that our council tax is fairer too – especially as we have a much higher average age with its high social care needs too. I spoke about this in the House of Commons two weeks ago and you can see it on my YouTube channel.

I was at Barnes Cross near Holwell last Friday, giving the oldest working Post Box in the UK a clean and tidy-up. As the local councillor for the Cam Vale

ward back in 2014, I decided to act over the poor state of what is an iconic local landmark, and succeeded in getting the box, (installed in 1853, in the earlier years of Queen Victoria’s reign!) restored to its former glory. 8 years on, the box had started once again to look in need of some TLC, so I was only too pleased to don a sponge and dishcloth and give it a good clean-up.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A group formed 28 years ago to trade services and goods without money is still going strong – and they are inviting the public along to their AGM and social event in a couple of weeks.

Dorchester and District LETS is now open to the whole of West Dorset after two other similar groups decided to close.

Members offer up a range DAY OUT: LETS members on a trip to Little Bredy of services, such as babysitting, gardening, decorating and even kayak hire in return for Marts – the group’s own currency.

They are called Marts as the group was originally formed in Martinstown in 1994.

Members meet once a month, usually at a member’s home, where a bunch of interesting exchange is goods. LETS they enjoy a delicious people, some of whom has been a really good shared supper and trade have become firm friends. way to get my unwanted items for Marts. “LETS activities are made unwanted items to The way it works is that up of two types – someone who would like one member will pay exchange and social. I them, as well as receiving another Marts for an item have offered a variety of things for myself. I have or a service, which then services, including traded books, electrical goes into that member’s transport to the tip, tool items, tools, ornaments, account to spend on other hire, basic gardening, quilts and games. things. writing, organising dances “The Core Group has A huge directory of and being a general organised regular social services on offer includes assistant. In return I have events, now just getting things like tuition, enjoyed DIY, assistance going again after the therapies, and even with publishing a book, covid years. holiday accommodation.

“Members have also and allotment advice.

Dave Milner, from organised their own social “It has been a real Martinstown, has been a events. LETS offers pleasure to meet up with member since 1996. friendship and a way to some experts, learn from He said: “LETS has been exchange goods and them and feel I have a part of my life since I services that does not contributed to enhancing involve the often stopped full time work. other members’ lives. impersonal or one-sided “It has enabled me to meet “The other aspect of

LETS get together and we can get a lot of things sorted

actions inherent in the usual money economy.

Though I don’t think it can replace pounds and pence it enables a different way of dealing with obtaining goods and services as well as the opportunity for real friendships.

“When I first joined in 1996 we used cheque books but nowadays it’s all done electronically with team members keeping accounts. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in credit or (within reason) in debt as you don’t earn or pay any interest.”

Chris Slade from Maiden Newton also joined in 1996. He said: “You can earn Marts by, for example, baby sitting, dog walking, painting and decorating and spend them on gardening, massage, clothing, cakes, transport. I hope to find a member who can turn a shirt collar for me. We don’t currently have any shops that accept Marts, however I have seen a shop in Ireland with a notice in the window that they accept LETS. “I’m currently well in credit, mainly through gardening and selling my honey for 50:50 £ and Marts and must remember to take lots to our next social and trading event at West Stafford.” n Membership is £3-£5 a year. Join at dorchesterlets.co.uk

Arts group premiers new film The Wind Blows at church Chasing Cow Productions, a Bridport-based arts group, will be premiering their latest short film The Wind Blows, based on the

story by Katherine Mansfield, at Bridport United Church in East Street on March 3 between 7pm and 9pm.

Beci Carver, author and academic from Exeter University, will hold a short talk while a new short sketch by the Chasing

31

Cow team, The Modernists Apply for Arts Funding, will be performed.

Tickets on the door are £7.

Under-30s go free

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Trades & Services

See your listings here for just £20 a fortnight!

This is the section for you if you own a business offering trades and services in this area.

For just £20 a fortnight, you can be included in our directory of local trades and services.

Two weeks’ advertising for just a score? Bargain!

We aim to make this section a bible for people seeking trades and services in the West Dorset area.

You can either take advantage of our special offer of five lines of text for £20, or there are options to have larger display ads in this section.

If you would like a box around your text advertisement, this is an extra £3. The rates for display advertisements are on page 28.

In addition, each edition we will be featuring one of our advertisers with a fun Q&A – see our second one

below.

You can head over to westdorsetmag.co.uk or email advertising@ westdorsetmag.co.uk to book, and if you fancy answering the questions yourself, email newsdesk@ westdorsetmag.co.uk

Advertise at westdorsetmag.co.uk or call 01305 300830

Ask a tradesperson...

with Barney Stevens

Each edition, we will be asking a local tradesperson for the low-down on their day to day.

This week, Barney Stevens of The Landscaping Team answers our questions.

Name: Barney Stevens Where do you live?

Powerstock Where is your business based? Bridport What area do you cover?

Dorset Contact details: 07989300346 info@thelan dscapingteam.co.uk What do you do? Patios, fencing, driveways, stone walling Why did you decide to become a …? I like being outdoors (luckily) and it’s a really creative job that challenges you daily.

What does a typical day look like? Working with clients/co workers, obtaining materials, working on projects.

What do you love about your job? Meeting new people and helping them bring their ideas to life.

What do you like least about your job?

Weather interruptions.

Good earning potential?

Reflective of the work you put in.

Do you have any advice to youngsters who want to enter your trade?

Be aware that it’s a very physically demanding job which is only heightened when the weather is against you.

You get used to it but it is very rewarding when you see the end results come together.

Be confident with your

own abilities.

If you had your time again, would you do anything differently? I would’ve entered into the trade sooner than I did.

What do you offer customers? A personal

approach involving them in every step of the process from design to completion.

A hardworking approachable team with a high level varied skillset.

Is there anything you would like our readers to know about your business? With over 15 years’ experience in the trade working for various Dorset-based companies, we are a newly formed small family run business dedicated to providing an excellent service to our customers whatever the size of the project.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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Trades & Services

n Rajiv Vij of Burton Bradstock Cars Vehicle Sales and Services, Wendy Firrell from LATCH (Litton and Thorners Community Hall) and, right, Mike Sitch at Thorners Primary School

n Vernon Franklin of Frosts Toymaster and, right, Paul Male at The Loders Arms

n Bella Spurrier of the Bride Valley Vineyard

n Natalie Frampton of Dorset Valley Glamping, Mike Harris of Hilfield Herefords and, right, Pete Dennis from the Litton Cheney Phone Box Exchange

Read all about you reading all about you

Our advertising sales division has been on manoeuvres!

Claire Moore took these wonderful photos of some of our readers, who

have businesses in the area, reading our very first edition.

Have you got a photo of yourself reading our magazine?

Perhaps in an unexpected location?

(Keep it clean please, folks…)

Email them to newsdesk@ westdorsetmag.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Down to earth

Is astro-tourism the next big thing?

Kevin Quinn is a Dark Sky Custodian for the Cranborne Chase Dark Sky Reserve who lives in Piddletrenthide. Read his blog at theastroguy. wordpress.comCan astrotourism offer a whole new source of income for Dorset?

Usually, when one sees a headline that asks a question, the answer will invariably be ‘no’.

Sensational headlines, at least on the internet, are often little more than clickbait, designed to draw in readers and deliver them to advertisers. In this case, though, the answer is a resounding ‘YES’.

So what is astro-tourism?

Well, before anyone gets too excited, I should point out that it’s not about offering trips to space, or weekend breaks on the moon. It's not that exciting. All astrotourism need offer is access to a dark, quiet spot, away from artificial lighting, where visitors can take in and appreciate the splendour of the dark night skies that large parts of Dorset are blessed with. I know it doesn’t seem much, but bear in mind that it’s estimated that around 60-70 percent of UK residents have never seen the Milky Way! It’s not hard to see why. The proliferation of street lights, domestic and business security lights, and tall buildings all around means that, for city dwellers, even seeing the moon, let alone a handful of stars, is a

VIEW FROM ABOVE: A screenshot from the light.pollutionmap.info website picture showing a large area of Dorset, between Dorchester and Yeovil, Blandford and Beaminster, under Bortle 4 skies STARSTRUCK: Orion and Taurus over Piddletrenthide, taken recently with just my mobile phone. Sadly, most people in the country don’t have access to views like this

lucky occurrence.

People travel from all over the county to see Durdle Door, the Cerne Abbas giant, Maiden Castle, or just to spend a week by the seaside. It’s not a huge leap of the imagination to envisage visitors coming to Dorset to view the beautiful natural wonders over our heads. Of course, many people already come with this in mind, camping or staying in small village inns/AirBnBs, but much more could be made of this amazing natural resource.

Many other parts of the country are already making the most of their dark skies in pursuit of ‘astro £s’.

According to the Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve, which includes part of Dorset: ‘It’s [astrotourism] a globally growing phenomenon, which can bring substantial economic

benefits to businesses.’ A report for the Galloway Forest Park in Scotland, the UK’s first dark sky reserve, found that for every £1 spent on installing dark sky friendly lighting in the area, there was a return on investment of £1.93, due to an increase in tourism.

Another thing to bear in mind is that AT is an all year round phenomenon. In fact, it's more likely that visitors will come during the darker evenings from autumn through spring, considerably extending the holiday season!

Many parts of West Dorset/the Dorset AONB have the same Bortle 4 dark skies as those found in the Cranborne Chase reserve.

There has been a massive increase in interest in amateur astronomy recently, all things ‘space’ have never been so popular, I know that

if I had a rural business reliant on tourism, I’d definitely be looking into how I could benefit from this. Currently the Cranborne Chase IDA offers ‘dark sky accreditation’ to businesses within the reserve. Maybe this is something that the Dorset AONB could adopt …

There has been a massive increase in interest in amateur astronomy recently, all things ‘space’ have never been so popular, I know that if I had a rural business reliant on tourism, I’d definitely be looking into how I could benefit from this. Currently the Cranborne Chase IDA offers ‘dark sky accreditation’ to businesses within the reserve. Maybe this is something that the Dorset AONB could adopt So, what can you do to take advantage of the boom in interest in astronomy? Well, visit the Cranborne Chase website for inspiration.

Discuss the issue with your village, parish, town and even county council if local lighting is an issue. If your business is within the Dorset AONB, ask them for advice.

You could even get advice from your local amateur astronomy club, I’m sure they’d be very happy to help (start with Wessex Astronomy). If you run a hospitality business, and have access to somewhere people could set up scopes, register it with the GoStargazing. co.uk website/app's Stay & Gaze directory … Alternatively, the editor will forward any questions/enquiries to me.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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Down to earth

By NICK COLE

A little over two years ago, wildlife charity The Roy Dennis Foundation, in partnership with Forestry England, began a Whitetailed Eagle reintroduction project on the Isle of Wight. A total of 25 young eagles, all translocated from nests in Western

Scotland, have now been released including 12 in 2021.

Although the 2021 birds have yet to move away from the release site the 2019 and 2020 cohorts have spread their wings and had their movements monitored via satellite tracking and field observations. Dorset, its neighbouring counties and particularly Poole Harbour have been blessed with regular sightings of these magnificent birds and contributed to the information flow back to the Foundation.

White-tailed eagles had previously been absent from England through illegal killing and habitat change, last breeding here in the 1830s and extinct since the early 20th century.

With a wingspan of over two metres, they’re hard to miss and to see one is both a privilege and a reminder of the majesty of wildlife.

I’ve been fortunate to see them in Scotland where, on the Isle of Mull alone, they’re credited with generating £5 million per annum in tourist revenue.

White-tailed eagles are

BEAUTIFUL SIGHT: A Whitetailed eagle in full flight

Stop the killing of our amazing birds of prey versatile and opportunistic hunters and carrion feeders. They eat largely fish, making the Isle of Wight perfect for their reintroduction, but also take various birds, rabbits and hares. Carrion is an important part of their diet, especially in winter months. It can include dead lambs although it’s extremely rare for a live lamb to be taken. Despite being our largest bird of prey, males weigh between 3.5kg and 5 kgs and females between 4kg and 7kg.

The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Natural England, the Government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, support their reintroduction

wholeheartedly.

Devastatingly, one of the Isle of Wight birds, a male eagle known as ‘G461’ and a regular visitor to the county, was found dead last month on a shooting estate in Dorset.

Dorset Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the bird’s death which appear to be suspicious although post-mortem results, along with toxicology reports, are still awaited. Another of the Isle of Wight eagles was found dead on a shooting estate in Sussex last October. Its death is also subject to a police investigation.

Across the UK all birds of prey are legally protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Nonetheless, illegal killings continue indiscriminately.

The latest RSPB Birdcrime report reveals 137 confirmed incidents of raptor persecution in 2020; the highest since recording began in 1990. Almost two thirds were on or near land managed for or connected to gamebird shooting and the causes of death ranged from shooting to trapping and poisoning.

The victims included 58 buzzards, 20 red kites, 16 peregrine falcons, six sparrowhawks, three goshawks as well as hen harriers and golden eagles.

From population studies it’s believed the true number killed is far greater with many crimes going undetected or unreported.

For the rare hen harrier illegal killing, particularly on land managed for driven grouse shooting, is a major threat to the survival of the species in England. Sixty hen harriers have been confirmed killed or ‘missing’ since 2018 alone, most of them on or close to gamebird shooting estates. Raptor persecution has to be stopped and you can help. n If you have any information regarding actual or suspected wildlife crime, please contact the police on 999 (if the incident is in progress) or 101. You can support the work of the Roy Dennis Foundation, including the Poole Harbour Osprey project, here: roydennis.org/ support-us/

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Down to earth

By JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

Most people have done a little beachcombing during their childhood holidays. Like rock pooling and paddling, it is part of the magic of the seaside.

Us folk in West Dorset are lucky enough to live near enough to the coast for beachcombing to become quite addictive.

One of the best things about beachcombing in this neck of the woods is that for most of the area around Weymouth and Portland there are double low tides.

This means you get longer on the beach when the tide is out and have to wait only a short time before the sea recedes again. It’s the holy grail for beachcombers.

At one end of our area is Lyme Regis which is a Mecca for beachcombers due to the fame of the 18th century fossil hunter Mary Anning.

A draw to beachcombers worldwide is the sea glass and crockery pieces softened by the pounding of the waves after a Victorian tip spilt over into the sea in 2008.

Charmouth, next door to Lyme is also known for fossils – especially after a good storm.

The next main beachcombing spot is along the Chesil – 18

SEA CHANGE: Ancient fossils and relatively modern ‘sea glass’ transformed by the tides

Hidden treasures just a low tide from discovery

miles of mostly barrier beach. This shingle bank structure starts at West Bay and ends at Portland.

Here I have found wonderful driftwood, gorgeous shells as well as the occasional fossil.

Online there is a massive sub-culture in the international beachcombing world.

There are many beachcombing social media groups, some selling and some just sharing. Britain is viewed as a hotspot for beachcombing. Why? Combine the fact that we are an island with an industrial history and seaside culture and you get, well, seaglass on

most beaches. Towns which had glass industries in the past “seeded” their waste into becoming sea softened jewels of the future. So we get the best of both worlds in West Dorset, the Jurassic Coast and its ancient booty plus what is sometimes called “the archaeology of industry” – in other words sea-glass and pottery pieces.

Over the coming editions I will be going into greater detail about certain areas.

Please write in and tell me which you would like to hear about and as long as it is in the West Dorset area I will do my best to investigate.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

37

Down to earth

Hanky-panky and hokey-croaky in our pond Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown up sons and her spotty rescue dog. Sally will be writing seasonal pieces for The West Dorset Magazine and you can see her work, Sparrows in a Puddle at Instagram.com/ sparrows.puddle.photos It’s frogspawn time in my garden pond!

It was an exciting day for me almost ten years ago when we dug out the soil for our new wildlife pond. We gave it gently sloping sides, made it deeper in the middle, lined it with heavy duty material, filled it with water and waited to see what happened. Within a week, water boatmen had started swimming lengths across it and birds had come

LET’S GET IT ON: Frogs ‘at it’ in the garden

down for a drink. Gradually, as the pondweeds established and the vegetation grew around it, more and more wildlife arrived and by its second spring the frogs had found it. From then onwards, the first mild wet night in February has found me creeping about in the garden with a torch looking for frogs. Sometimes the frogs arrive already paired up, the

male holding the larger female in a mating embrace called ‘amplexus’. The single males coming to the pond will sing to attract the females and compete with the other males. The wonderful sound of their croaking carries up to the house, sounding to me like the low growling of a motorbike. Most years, the action happens over a few nights, in the mornings the adult frogs have left but clumps of frogspawn are floating on the pond surface.

Frogs can lay up to 2000 eggs in one clump, the eggs being the small black dots encased in clear jelly. Of course, the weather doesn’t always stay mild into March. In 2018, when the Beast from the East did its

worst, the spawn clumps were covered in snow and the surface of the pond froze. Amazingly, when the snow melted, although there was damage to the edges of the clumps, most of the spawn survived and hatched into tadpoles a few weeks later!

Our garden pond has given me so much pleasure and attracted not only frogs but also newts, dragonflies and damselflies, as well as being a place for birds to drink and bathe. If you’ve got space for a pond, perhaps you could dig one too.

Visit dorset wildlifetrust. org.uk/actions/ how-build-pond for details.

An ancient man-made solution to land famine

By JOHN WRIGHT

It is unlikely that anyone in West Dorset has never seen a strip lynchet; they are everywhere. Most are on ‘the chalk’, with a few on the sandy soils around Bridport, and are seen on every drive through the countryside. Strip lynchets are the impressive terraces we see on hillsides; giant steps perhaps fifteen metres wide and four high.

They will be of indefinite length, with those in my own parish of Maiden Newton stretching for an exceptional six-hundred metres along the Frome Valley.

But what are they? Some thought them to be natural features such as ancient beaches or fault-line

slippage. But they are not, they were made by man. An Iron Age vintage was once considered likely, but it is now thought that most were constructed in the 14th century as a response to land famine. The weather deteriorated dramatically circa 1300AD, causing actual famine in the large population that came with the preceding medieval warm period. More land was needed for grain production, so hillside pasture was converted to arable. In a tragic trick of fate, by the end of the century the population had dropped by at least a third courtesy of the Black Death, and there was land to spare.

How they were built has seen much speculation and

investigation. The dominant theory is that they were not built at all, they just happened due to the cultivation methods of the time, though there was clearly some intentionality evidenced in how the lynchets were ploughed.

Here is how it is thought to have been achieved, though you will need to pay close attention. A hillside would be marked-out into long, narrow fields, following the horizontal contours. The very first cut of the plough would have the slope to the right of the team, two sodwidths from the lower edge of the field. Medieval ploughs always turned the sod to the right, so by the end of a plough-run, a long, raised ridge of turned earth would have formed. There

was a dry run back, and the process repeated for the next run. The last cut, at the upper edge of the field, would leave a long ditch.

Repeat for a hundred years and you have a terrace.

This is almost certainly the way in which most were ‘constructed’. However, ploughing along a slope is always difficult and becomes increasingly so with the gradient. Around 20 degrees is considered to be the maximum, and none too easy at that. With this in mind, I believe that the steeper strip lynchets were purposely constructed before a plough was allowed near them.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Politics

Urgent action is needed on our energy bills Dorset families are facing an energy bill nightmare, while this government is asleep at the wheel.

Bills are expected to rise by an average of £598 this year.

Rural areas will be hit hardest by the expected rise in energy bills in April with increases of £700 or more.

It is hardly surprising that it is people in rural areas who are facing the biggest rises in bills this year, where the Conservatives are turning a blind eye to families in their own backyard.

Of the 20 local authorities with the highest increase in bills, 16 are represented by only Conservative MPs. This is yet more evidence

By ANDY CANNING West Dorset LibDems

that the Conservatives are taking our rural communities for granted.

They’ve consistently failed to do anything to protect vulnerable people from this cost of living crisis.

Millions of people will be struggling with energy bills over the coming months. For years the Conservatives have ignored this problem and failed to take the bold

action we need to reduce fuel poverty.

Boris Johnson cannot look the other way any longer while families face an impossible choice between heating and eating.

There must be urgent support right now. Liberal Democrats would: n Double and extend the Warm Homes Discount: Taking £300 a year off the heating bills of 7.5 million vulnerable and low income households; n Double the Winter Fuel Allowance: Giving up to £600 a year to 11.3

million pensioners to help with heating bills. n Provide a new ten-year home insulation scheme: Helping to reduce people’s energy bills in the longterm through an emergency home insulation programme to upgrade poorly insulated UK homes. n Support businesses and protect jobs: By helping firms reduce their energy costs in the long-term.

This would be funded by a one-off ‘Robin Hood Tax’ on the super-profits being made by gas and oil companies and traders.

Liberal Democrats would target those making a huge profit from rising gas prices and directly help struggling families.

Question of trust over lifting of restrictions I want to ask readers how safe do you feel about the ending of all Covid-19 restrictions in England on February 24?

How happy will you be working alongside, or sitting next to someone on the bus, who has an active case of the virus but is no longer required to isolate or wear a mask?

Up to now, we have been steered through the pandemic by expert analysis from the Government Scientific and Medical officers.

Indeed, ‘Next Slide Please’ has become a popular catch phrase.

And I do believe the great majority of us have come to trust the scientists to give us a true account.

Suddenly though, perhaps

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

just when needed most, SAGE, Patrick Vallance, Chris Whitty, and Professor Van-Tam are nowhere to be seen - airbrushed out of the picture as ruthlessly as anything Joseph Stalin ever achieved.

The ending of all restrictions, something no other country is doing, comes at a moment when our Prime Minister, fighting for his survival from Partygate, needs the support of his libertarian right wing MPs. Their price is to end restrictions and let the pandemic rip.

So it’s very hard not to draw the conclusion that internal Conservative Party politics, and especially Boris Johnson’s future as Prime Minister, are being placed before the NHS, and before saving lives.

To put it bluntly, the same callous boosterism that allegedly led Johnson to say ‘let the bodies pile high’ at the beginning of the pandemic has now led him to propose ending coronavirus restrictions prematurely, as far as we can see entirely without scientific advice, to save his own skin.

It’s a gamble on his part, another roll of the dice.

Maybe, by the time you read this, the familiar faces of Whitty and Vallance will again be on our television

screens reinforcing the government’s position and setting our minds at rest.

Let’s hope so.

Otherwise, I’m afraid this does become an issue about the veracity and trustworthiness of the Prime Minister personally.

That’s not usual in our democracy, and it’s hugely regrettable where so many lives, now upwards of 160,000, have already been lost.

The great risk the Conservatives are taking for themselves is that the breakdown of trust between the public and this government becomes so fundamental that it is hard to see how it can be mended.

I hardly need to spell out the risks to the rest of us.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

39

Politics

Freedom for some isn’t freedom for all As I write, the Prime Minister has just announced the end to all covid restrictions in England. I don’t know enough about epidemiology to say whether this is a wise move or not, though I am aware that many scientists and health experts have severe concerns at such a relaxing of restrictions. My suspicion is that this announcement, heralded as the returning of people’s freedoms, is more a political move designed to win the support of the libertarian right wing of his party than it is a public health move based on the evidence.

And as a politician I have concerns at the very simplistic way many ‘libertarians’

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

understand ‘freedom’.

Isaiah Berlin wrote about two types of freedom. One is the ‘freedom to’; the freedom to go about you daily business free of restrictions; the freedom to use your discretion as to when you enter a public space even if you have tested positive for covid. This seems to be the freedom that most concerns libertarians – the type of freedom that in the USA gives you the right to own a firearm. It is the only aspect of freedom that was acknowledged by the Prime

Minister’s announcement.

The other type of freedom is the ‘freedom from’. In terms of covid, this is the freedom to go about your daily business free from the threat of being infected. For infections like the common cold, this is a freedom that is unrealistic to expect. But when you consider the effect of covid on certain vulnerable people such a freedom should carry far greater weight. I suspect that there will be a significant number of people who will feel that their freedom to enter public spaces has been greatly curtailed.

My main problem with the way many ‘libertarians’ understand freedom, however,

is the way they privilege the individual over the social.

Human beings are, at their very core, social beings. We have evolved to be so. Every evolutionary advantage that we have over other animals is derived from our ability to cooperate – even our rationality. Humans struggle to think for themselves. We think in groups. It takes a community to invent a tool, to solve a conflict or to cure a disease. Individual human beings, acting on their own, are vulnerable, weak, and fairly clueless. We need, therefore, to give far greater weight to community and social relations than to individual freedoms.

Holidays & Travel

Coach trips not just for older folk!

A coach company says their trips are not just for older people – they run lots of fun excursions for families too.

South West Coaches are inviting people to climb on board one of their luxury vehicles and let their drivers take the strain out of a day out to such places as Marwell Zoo, Crealy and more.

The firm is looking forward to laying on a full range of excursions after a difficult couple of years for the industry.

Jeremy Edwards, Tours & Excursions Administrator for South West Coaches, says the firm, which was founded in 2000, has a tempting array of trips coming up, from day excursions to top theatre

One of the firm’s coaches in Anglesey

shows, shopping centres and National Trust properties to breaks away in Llandudno, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Ireland and Scotland.

The longer breaks all include half board and daily trips to local attractions.

Coach tours have seen a bit of a revival of late, with TV shows such as Celebrity Coach Trip whetting the appetite of viewers and showing it’s not all turkey and tinsel (though the Christmas minibreaks are still

hugely popular).

Jeremy said: “We’re a family firm and we are at the heart of the community, with welcoming drivers and a modern fleet of well maintained vehicles.”

Upcoming family trips include Marwell Zoo on April 11, Noah’s Ark Zoo on April 15 and there are amazing shows to see, such as Anything Goes and School of Rock in Bristol and South Pacific in Cardiff. You can also travel with South West Coaches to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June.

Coaches are also available for private hire for clubs and societies and school runs. n southwestcoaches.co.uk 01935 475872

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Eighth of a page (business card size 91mm x 66mm) £100 a fortnight (£80 per edition for four or more)

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Full page (184mm x 271mm) £500. Discounts for series bookings The small ads Free ads: Private sellers can advertise items for sale up to the value of £100 Email miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

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41

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Letters

We already love our new magazine!

Dear WDM I’ve just read your first issue – cover to cover! A ‘chock full of news’ addition to the local printed media covering West Dorset. Keep it up, I’ll be a regular reader.

Richard Lewington Mosterton Just reading your first issue.

Absolutely brilliant. Plenty of reading matter. Real variety of subjects. Non-political.

Please keep going. Really looking forward to next issue.

Very best wishes from an ancient (almost) lady.

Theodora Cochrane

Other similar publications are either too vague or spread over too wide an area but this publication really hits the mark. Just one thing, I managed to get a copy in Tesco’s but there were hardly any left – maybe include a list of where we can pick up a copy in future issues to encourage others to find you?

Keep up the good work and good luck!

JL Dorchester Thank you! We have topped up Tesco’s deliveries, and a list of places you can find the magazine is at westdorsetmag.co.uk Ed

Rushing out of Tesco’s in Dorchester on a wet afternoon a free local magazine caught my eye.

Grabbing a copy to read later with a hot cuppa at home little did I know that what I held in my hand would be so good!

Really good and interesting content with a strong emphasis on local people, businesses and news – it’s just what we need!

John Seymour from Dewlish, took this fetching photograph of the legendary Moggins, black cat extraordinaire, in his garden during the initial phase of building an outDavid FitzJohn took this photo of a goldfinch in his back building. garden in Bothenhampton We love Moggins!

Well done with edition one of your new magazine.

It is really good to have coverage of

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall

justsocaricatures.co.uk

happenings in West Dorset.

I wish you every success.

Terry Terleske

sent over there in 1851 to study ways of improving the postal system.

In December 1853 Trollope proposed the erection of roadside pillar boxes in Gloucester. It is therefore unlikely that the Barnes Cross box was erected before 1854.

This card was issued by the Post Office on May 17th.

1978 and shows the local postman Stephen Whittle locking the box.

Arthur Davies, Beaminster

I was interested to read your article about the Holwell Letter Box but sorry to see that, from the photograph you show, it has been neglected and now looks as if it is on the edge of a jungle.

This is surprising when the Chair of the council says ‘we are very proud of it’. Why neglect it then? It is not very difficult to keep it clean and tidy as shown in the picture below.

The first pillar box to be erected on the mainland of the UK was in Carlisle in around September 1853. This was based on those already in use in the Channel Islands after the Surveyor’s Clerk, Anthony Trollope, had been

My compliments on the magazine. It is much more informative than most of the other local publications.

Good luck for your future success.

David Schofield Charlton Down

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

43

Vittles (food & drink)

Cheers and great beers all round as Ropemakers smiles for the Camra The Ropemakers in Bridport has been named Camra’s Pub of the Year.

John and Geraldine Baker scooped The West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) gong for their friendly welcome and community feel.

The pair have been running the West Street pub for 14 years and are listed in the Good Beer Guide.

The pub is now vying for an award in the CAMRA Wessex regional finals.

CAMRA said: “The pub is a superb example of a friendly all-ages pub, all are

made welcome and there is a real community feel to the pub. Various groups, clubs and activities take place in the Ropemakers from dog walking clubs, cheese nights, quiz nights and live music from a broad range of musicians and groups on the circuit.

“The layout of the pub’s interior is very deceptive as it is divided into numerous themed areas and stretches quite a distance out from the high street to Rope Walks with a rear partially covered courtyard entrance.”

WELL DONE: Rich Gabe of West Dorset Camra presents Geraldine and John Baker with their West Dorset Pub of the year award

Mum’s Kitchen... with Diana Holman Rich Daube of Beef The editor’s mum lives in Affpuddle with husband Bob and two freezers full of baking.

Rich Daube of Beef This warming winter dish has a wonderful depth of flavour. It serves 6.

Ingredients 20g pack dried wild mushrooms 6 tablespoons olive oil or rapeseed oil 900g/2lb lean stewing steak, diced 225g/8oz shallots, peeled 3 tablespoons plain flour or cornflour 3 large garlic cloves, crushed 2.5cm/1 inch fresh root ginger, peeled and grated 125g/4oz sundried tomatoes 2 teaspoons dried mixed herbs 300ml/1/2 pint red wine 2 tablespoons orange marmalade 225g/8oz mushrooms, sliced Small handful of parsley, chopped Method Preheat the oven to 170C, 150C fan

oven.

Rinse the dried mushrooms. Then soak in a bowl with 150ml/1/4 pint cold water for an hour.

Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large flameproof casserole. Brown the steak in batches over a fairly high heat.

Remove from the casserole and set aside.

Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and fry the onions until golden. Return all the meat to the casserole and stir in the flour, crushed garlic, ginger, sundried tomatoes and herbs. Cook, stirring, for a minute to combine flavours. Add the wild mushrooms and their soaking liquid along with the wine, 300ml/1/2 pint boiling water and the marmalade.

Cover and bring to the boil, then put into the oven for around 2 hours or until the meat is tender.

Just before the end of the cooking time, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a frying pan and cook the sliced mushrooms for 3-4 minutes, then add to the casserole. Return to the oven for a further 30 minutes.

Adjust the seasoning and sprinkle the daube with parsley just before serving.

Advertise here: 01305 300830 / westdorsetmag.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

Beaminster’s Trading Post Café is Diversity is one of the secrets behind the success of the oldest family business in Beaminster, who are celebrating 45 years of baking this week.

And as we follow the footsteps of Shirley and Rob Samways from their time at the Evershot Bakery to opening the highly acclaimed, vegetarian Trading Post and Café, it is clear this family know how to keep things fresh, and delicious.

Rob has been baking since 1963, when at the tender age of 15 he began an apprenticeship at Evershot Bakery, soon becoming a Master Baker and taking over the bakery, alongside his wife Shirley in 1977.

Shirley and Rob opened a The Art Deco tea shop in Beaminster in 1980, where along with serving heavenly cakes and tasty teas, the ever-creative Shirley sold eye-catching art deco jewellery.

“I have always painted and at one time I used the café as a gallery for my watercolour paintings, of which I sold thousands all over the world,” said Shirley. “And of course, we were famous for our fish pies. When we opened the tea shop all those years ago, we had a special offer, our lovely homemade

TASTY TREATS: Rob and Shirley Samways at the Trading Post café in Beaminster and, below, some of their lovely food

soup and as much Evershot bread as you could eat.”

At one time, the family owned three shops in a row on Hogshill.

Shirley’s daughter Mel King bought the hairdresser’s, The Mop Shop two doors

down while her father Sydney Day started selling his bric-a-brac and car boot finds in the shop in between.

“My father was a Cockney, and when my mum passed away he began to feel quite low. He loved car boot sales and I suggested he sell his finds in the shop. My youngest daughter wrote a book about him, called London Born, which publishers

Harper & Collins picked up and sold. We had thousands of people in the shop and his garden wanting to interview him.

He loved it.”

Since opening the tea shop, in 1980, the family have diversified in many ways. Shirley said: “About four years ago we renamed the café at The Trading Post and Café. I have been a vegetarian for most of my life, and always

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

45

Vittles (food & drink)

celebrating 45 years of deliciousness

IN IT TOGETHER: Rob, Shirley and Steffi.

Rob on the egg run and, right, their cafe in Beaminster and, below, Evershot Bakery

wanted to open a vegetarian café but there wasn’t the call for it, vegetarianism was considered a bit brown sandal. However, a couple of years ago, we decided it was the right time to make the café vegan and vegetarian.

“I have been wanting to retire for 20 years,” said Shirley, who is in her 80s, “And then at the time when

we were going to retire, our café became busier and busier. Now vegan and vegetarianism is right on trend and very popular, in fact trade has doubled! We have become victims of our own success.”

Shirley has wanted to retire for many years, but the time has never seemed right, that is until now, their daughter Steffi has returned home from Thailand.

“Steffi has taken over buying the quirky brocante we sell, and I have reached a grand old age, so it seems a perfect time to take a step back and let Rob and Steffi carry on.”

“Mind you,” said Shirley, “I shall still be keeping an eye on things!”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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

I am sure I am not alone in the feeling of elation when I see buds and snowdrops.

As winter makes a slow exit, we begin to see the birth of a new season. But these months can be quite a barren time for new fruit and vegetable produce. Be patient...

We have all started to notice the rise in our average weekly food costs.

So, let’s think cheap and impressive.

Time can sometimes be limited, here are a few helpful hacks to have in the fridge.

Sauté three packets of ready chopped onions and leave in lidded container, onions are then instantly

The future is orange and that’s why it’s so appealing prepped to add to any dish.

Brown off some onions with, chillies, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and sherry vinegar, put into a jar and add this as base to pasta, noodles or meats.

This will keep for ages.

Spread this mixture over ready-made sheet of puff pastry, top with tomatoes, cheese of your choice and bake.

Ham Hocks are available at most butchers, these are cheap and delicious, place into your slow cooker and

Loders Arms ‘Great village pub’ ‘A real gem in a picture perfect village’ ‘Excellent Sunday roast’

l Beautiful garden & stunning views l Dog-friendly l Great food using local suppliers l Function room available

Quiz night first Wednesday of the month Loders Arms, Loders, Bridport, DT6 3SA. 01308 422431 lodersarmsdorset.co.uk l info@lodersarmsdorset.co.uk

cook for four hours. De-fat, and the meat will fall off the bone, add chunky veg and borlotti beans for a wonderful wholesome casserole.

Oranges, plentiful and

bursting with vitamin C and a super fruit.

Making marmalade is always a great food cupboard standby; plus, it makes the best marmalade pudding!

Quick Marmalade Pudding

together.

Spoon batter on top of the marmalade, place lid firmly on Place in saucepan and fill to halfway with water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, allow to simmer for 1.5 hrs (Don’t let it boil dry) Serve with custard/cream and wedges of oranges to squeeze

Jar of Orange marmalade 200g Caster sugar, 200g SR flour, 200g Softened butter, 3 eggs Grease a lidded pudding bowl, put a few tablespoons of marmalade at the bottom.

Mix all other ingredients Orange Cordial 6 large oranges 500gm sugar 500ml water Wash the Oranges thoroughly in warm water, halve the oranges and place in a food processor.

Blitz until pulped.

In a saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the water.

Add fruit pulp and slowly

bring to the boil for 10 mins.

When cool, pour through a sieve, leave to stand.

Pour into sterilised bottles. Serve with sparkling water for a refreshing drink For Shrove Tuesday drizzle over pancakes transforming them into stunning Crepe Suzette.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

47

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

Light, fluffy and full of cheesiness, these soufflés can be made with any cheese. Tangy Coastal Cheddar from fordfarm.com or openairdairy.co.uk are great choices but you can use anything – even a blue like Dorset Blue Vinny.

Sprinkle parmesan on top when cooking the soufflés for the second time, or just use more tasty cheddar.

With parmesan, I like to buy a block, grate it all and keep it in the freezer, then just pull out what I need each time. This way I avoid finding a slightly sad looking lump at the bottom of the fridge several weeks later.

You can make these soufflés the day before serving, then simply whip them out of the fridge, turn them out of the ramekins and pop in the oven.

6 x 150ml ramekins 425ml milk 1 medium onion, sliced 1 bay leaf 2 black peppercorns 100g butter, plus extra for greasing 100g plain flour 1 teaspoon English mustard powder 4 eggs, separated 125g cheddar cheese, grated 30g parmesan, grated 150ml double cream Put the milk, onion, bay and peppercorns in a small pan and pop over a low heat.

Bring gently to the boil then take the pan off the

Super fluffy soufflés, and filled with cheesy goodness heat and leave for 20 minutes.

Melt the butter in another small pan and add the flour. Mix well and cook for a minute or two.

Strain the flavoured milk through a sieve into the pan. Warm the mixture through and allow it to gently cook for a couple of minutes or until the sauce has thickened - if you end up with lumps, don’t panic: pass it back through the sieve and strain again.

Off the heat, mix in the

mustard, egg yolks and cheddar cheese and check the seasoning.

In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff then gently fold them into the cheese sauce.

Fill the ramekins by dividing the mixture evenly between them.

Meanwhile, boil a kettle.

Pop the ramekins in a strong roasting tray and add boiling water to approx halfway up the sides of the dishes. Bake for 15-20 minutes at gas mark

4/180C or until the soufflés are set but have a little wobble.

Leave to cool, then put them in the fridge for up to two days.

To reheat, turn the soufflés out onto an oven-proof tray. Sprinkle them with parmesan and spoon the cream over.

Bake at gas mark 7/ 220C for 10 minutes or until golden brown and puffy. Serve immediately with a crisp green salad.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

It’s a new era ahead for the historic

By Toby Hartwell newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The village of Yetminster has recently welcomed new owners to the historic White Hart pub.

David Morgan and Ellis, his stepson, bought the pub in October last year and I had the opportunity to catch up with them as they drew breath during some interior refurbishments.

David has enjoyed a long career as a chartered surveyor specialising in hospitality venues and has years of experience operating some classic village pubs in the Cotswolds.

Ellis, who will be running The White Hart day to day has managed a number of successful bars and restaurants, primarily in the Bristol area.

They are both very enthusiastic about the future at the pub; though keen to stress that it is early days for their plans but have been delighted by the warm reception and support they have received form Yetminster villagers.

They hatched a plan over three years ago to find a ‘perfect’ country village pub to buy and run.

Having sold up in the Cotswolds they are very much here to stay as they will both be living on the premises.

The White Hart is the only surviving pub of the eight in existence in 1753 according to local records.

An attractive Grade II thatched building in the

CHEERS ALL ROUND: Ellis Morgan behind the bar at the White Hart in Yetminster

high street of Yetminster it stands opposite where there used to be a public well and the village stocks, as the local Court House is only a few buildings up.

The village of Yetminster itself is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and was owned by The Bishop of Salisbury until about 1560.

In more recent times The White Hart was very much associated with the renowned folk group The Yetties and the film Tamara Drewe. TE Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia is rumoured to have stopped off for a drink on his

motorbike travels.

I asked David and Ellis what they thought was key to running a successful pub such as The White Hart. They were both very clear that it’s all about a warm friendly welcome, creating a sociable relaxing place that anyone in the village will want to visit, feel at home and enjoy a well-served drink.

For them, a good pub is at the heart of the community and is all about meeting the needs of their customers.

In the case of the White Hart they feel strongly that such an traditional pub deserves “to be returned to

its former historic glory”, to quote David. Given its age and rich history dating back to the 17th century and undeniable character it’s not surprising that they both fell for its character and future potential.

This is a handsome thatched Dorset pub, spacious inside with outside seating areas front and rear, both being excellent sun traps. There is also ample parking at the back of the pub. It now boasts a handsome new oak bar and the walls feature an eclectic mix of posters, pictures and memorabilia.

It is certainly a brave time

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

49

Vittles (food & drink)

White Hart pub and its new owners

SENSE OF HISTORY: The thatched roof of the White Hart in Yetminster

to take on any pub with the challenges of Covid restrictions, which thankfully seem to be easing, but they are both very optimistic and had been looking forward to welcoming a crowd for Christmas carols with The Sherborne Town band in December but understandably this had to be cancelled Ellis and David have firm views about a traditional pub and how it must appeal to a cross section of the local community. It’s a place for friends and family to meet and enjoy a chat over a relaxing drink.

Dogs and well-behaved

children are very much welcome and they are keen to attract walkers and cyclists passing through the village. They have no immediate plans for food but will be serving nibbles.

In the meantime, they have arranged for local takeaway pizza and curry vans to visit, and customers are very welcome to bring their food inside.

Having the right range of drinks for all tastes on offer is very important to Ellis, as he explained that in his view, this is the basis of long-term success for a pub such as The White Hart. With three

draft beer pumps they have Copper Ale from Palmer’s as the regular ale alongside Proper Job and a Bath Ale. There is a wide range of ciders, lagers and bottled beer and a broad selection of wines and spirits. David also added that there is a choice of good nonalcoholic beers for driving visitors.

They have a long list of plans for the future but stress that they also have a lot of basic updating to address first and as Ellis explained: “This is very much about evolution, learning what works best for customers and taking time to get it right”.

However, we can expect a range of events and activities which will include the introduction of a boules court at the back of the pub. Quiz nights will return and for skittle fans the good news is that the refurbished skittle alley will be very much back in action later in the year. We can look forward to barbecues and music and, as David is something of a classic car enthusiast, he will be inviting classic car clubs to make The White Hart a regular venue for their meets. A Formula One predictions competition will run for all 22 races during the year, on a free to enter basis and there’s a magnum of Fizz for the winner at the end of the season. Ellis is very keen to support local activities and groups and is already sponsoring the Scouts to design and install some new garden planters for the large rear patio.

They will shortly be introducing David’s idea for a ‘Birthday Board’ where customers can enjoy a free drink as a Birthday treat on their birthday.

The future of Yetminster’s pub looks bright and it is clearly in the good hands of caring owners who understand how important it is to the village. I would plan a trip and add your name to the birthday treat board! n For more information about the pub, their website is whitehartyetminster.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Gardening

xxxxx

Horticulture...

...with botanist Dr Dave Aplin

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

I say hey honey, take a walk on the wild side...

Lawn trends have evolved greatly since I was an apprentice gardener. Then the fashion was to strive towards an idealistic green baize to show off beds and borders. Applications of fertilizer, broadleaf weedkiller, and lawn sand to kill moss was common practice. As we been enlightened to the harmful effects these chemicals have on us and the environment, a relaxation of the ‘ideal’ has become the norm. If you’re like me why not turn your lawn into a wildflower meadow? They don’t need to

look shabby, neatly trimmed meandering paths give sufficient order and manicure to prevent an unkempt look and allows you to lose yourself in a wildlife haven.

The good news is that now (and in autumn) is a good time

to prepare. You will need to select sowing seeds or laying turf. Whichever you choose soil preparation is similar.

Firstly, dig over the area and remove perennial weeds. Then when the surface has dried a little it’s time for the gardeners’ shuffle. This is not a celebratory game of cards, but a bizarre way of walking that gently firms the soil you have just dug. It involves placing your weight on your heels, keeping your feet together and shuffling up and down the garden in straight lines, allowing onlookers to wonder whether you have lost the plot. Next, leave the ground to settle for a few weeks. This will reveal any small humps and hollows that can be levelled. The next task, on a day when the surface is dry, is to rake the soil level leaving a fine tilth (soil texture). This can be a bit of an art, but the idea is to remove large stones on the surface and level the soil. This allows a suitable surface to scatter seeds or lay turf.

If you are on a budget, not in a hurry or want to select your own grass mix then seeds are the way to go. Turf will make an instant lawn, but you will need to keep clear for a few

weeks until the turves have rooted into the soil. Ensure the turves do not dry out, or each will shrink and require considerably more work.

If planning a large wildflower meadow, it is worth getting a soil test to make sure you select the right seeds for your soil type and to check if the soil fertility is low. Native wildflowers prefer soils low in nutrients because it prevents the area becoming dominated by nutrient-loving, vigorous grasses and broadleaf plants that threaten to turn your precious front garden into something resembling a derelict allotment. Hence, wildflower meadows do not need fertilizer before sowing.

Lawn seed and turf benefit from a light sprinkling of fertilizer to the site, but don’t go too heavy handed where seeds are sown, because high levels of nutrients can actually reduce germination. The sowing rate differs between seed mixes. After sowing lightly rake the seeds in.

Finally, when germination starts (normally within 7 to 14 days) don’t be disheartened if your lawn initially comes up patchy. This is normal; more seeds will germinate and those that have will grow quickly to fill any gaps. The first cut should be done when the grass is taller than 5cm, using a mower with sharp blades, a blunt machine tends to pull young grass plants from the ground. Whichever method and selection of seed you use to green your garden, it is a very rewarding activity. n soilvalues.com

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

51

Culture -

Bagel on the menu with cutting-edge klezmer Expect thrillingly original cutting-edge klezmer and world folk music from some of Scotland’s finest musicians as Moishe’s Bagel bring their performance to Cerne Abbas Village Hall on Sunday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

Formed in Edinburgh in 2003, Moishe’s Bagel combines the energy and passion of Eastern

European folk music with the excitement and soul of improvisation. Moishe’s Bagel have notched up sellout gigs at venues across the country and have recordedfour albums, earning them a Songlines Top of the World and Sunday Telegraph top 10 world albums accolade.

For tickets ring 07823 778758 or online at artsreach.co.uk CERNE ABBAS DATE: Moishe’s Bagel

Is Harry’s Kane able to survive plague?

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dorchester Football Club, the Army Camp and Royal Signals Museum at Blandford and Launceston in Cornwall are featured in The Rusting Shires, the debut novel set in Weymouth by Dorset author Harry Walton.

The former Dorset Echo journalist, who lives in Weymouth with his wife Hazel, has wanted to write a novel for years. His retirement coupled with covid restrictions gave him the time to achieve his dream.

The novel is set in 2048 as the world attempts to recover from a The Red Plague, which takes the planet to the brink of extinction.

Using the vast storehouse of abandoned food and goods, mechanic John Kane attempts to rebuild his life in Cornwall.

Two women cross his path, 73-year-old Maisie, who might save him from

fraught with danger.

The book follows Kane’s survival efforts and find a way of making contact with any viable society left in the world.

Harry said: “This novel has been something I’ve wanted to write for a long time. It took retirement and covid restrictions to give it life. I began just after Harry with The Rusting Shires Christmas 2019 and finished in loneliness if he can keep May 2020 after which my her alive and Army fantastic illustrator Kevin communications corporal Frost, a talented painter, Dawn, who might become the love of his life if he can took over and designed the cover while I began to edit find her. the manuscript.

But to do either, John must “Various interruptions face lawless gangs, tackle along the way included a journeys through major operation for me and overgrown towns and numerous work trips to villages which have South Korea for Kevin, but become silent graves for we came through and the the dead and survive book was published just escaped big game animals before Christmas 2021.” in a wild countryside

And now Harry, who worked in the Dorset Echo newsroom for almost 30 years, has already completed the draft for a sequel and has the plot outlined for a third book to complete the trilogy.

Harry added: “Readers really seem to like it and want more. Fortunately I’ve already written a sequel which I hope will be published later this year.

“I’ve also got the plot sorted out for the final part of the trilogy, but at the moment I’m writing a completely different book about a spaceship appearing over Weymouth.

The story twist is that the plot doesn’t involve an alien invasion but a test of whether Earth should be allowed space travel.

“Finally, I have ideas for a fifth book completely unconnected with the other novels. It will be a love story with a difference.” n The Rusting Shires is available from Amazon or as an eBook from Kindle.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Culture

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dance lovers will be able to chasse down to Chideock Village Hall on Monday, February 28, as Dee Lanning and her team at Dynamic Dance return to teach Modern Jive after a two-year hiatus due to covid restrictions.

Prior to lockdown, the popular Chideock-based class was well-attended by social dance enthusiasts from all over Dorset and now restrictions have been eased, dance lovers can burn up the dancefloor once again.

Dee said: “After almost two years away from the dancefloor and then restricted classes, I am beyond excited to be able to return to social dancing

LET’S DANCE: Dynamic Dance returns to Chideock after a two-year covid haitus

We’re talking jive as Dee’s dance classes make return again. Dancing is not only something I do for my own mental health, but I take enormous pleasure in coaching new dancers, especially adults who have

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regretted not learning before now.

“Sharing that ‘eureka’ moment with a new dancer is something very special.

Dynamic Dance is more than just a dance class - we are a community, and we are looking forward to meeting and welcoming new dancers, too.”

Dee is a qualified dance instructor with 15 years’ experience teaching Modern Jive. She has taught all over the UK and Europe, and has hosted a range of events including Dance for MS Society, a year-long campaign of fundraising and events in West Dorset to support people living with MS .

Dynamic Dance will be offering six-week beginner courses from the end of this month. During the course, teaching dancers the entire Beginners Syllabus, which includes six complete

partner routines.

Classes run from 7.30pm 10.15pm, and include more than 90 minutes of tuition and an hour of freestyle, which is broken down into manageable chunks throughout the evening.

Freestyle not only gives dancers plenty of opportunities to practise their moves to a range of music, but is a great way to keep fit, meet new people and have fun.

Dee added: “The social nature of Modern Jive means dancers attending these classes do not require a fixed partner and are very welcome to attend alone or with friends.”

In addition to teaching Modern Jive, Dee also offers Solo Charleston classes, and workshops in Vintage Burlesque, Blues, Smooth Jive, Ladies Styling and Doubles.

For more information, ring Dee on 07740 349 393

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

53

Culture Dorchester’s recordbreaking run of community plays is back on after a two-year covid hiatus, with the relaunch of their seventh production Spinning the Moon which is taking place next year.

For the play to be a success a substantial sum of money needs to be raised to pay for the venue, professional director and playwright, costumes and staging.

The play’s trustees are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic person to join the board and take on the role of fundraising lead with immediate effect.

The role will include formulating a plan for a successful fundraising drive and devising ideas that members of the Dorchester Community Plays Association, cast and crew can adopt and use to collect funds.

Major fundraising targets will need to be identified including those in the private sector.

DCPA chair Rowan Seymour said: “Fundraising is vital to the success of Spinning the Moon and we are looking for someone with enthusiasm and ideas who can not only reach out to the wider community but

MOONSTRUCK: The cast of Dorchester Community Play’s production of Spinning the Moon

Community play reaches for the Moon after break also inspire and encourage the play’s community, cast, crew and their families, to help raise the money we need.”

Spinning the Moon is written by well-known writer Stephanie Dale and was only weeks away from being performed in spring 2020 when it was halted by the covid

pandemic.

Set in the years following the Wars of the Roses and with a cast of more than 120 amateur performers of all ages and abilities, plus local musicians, it is hoped that the play will finally be performed in spring 2023.

If you are interested in being a key part of this

wonderful community project and would like to have a chat please contact any of the following: n Rowan Seymour dcpachair@gmail.com n Business manager David McGarel at dfmcg58@gmail.com n Treasurer Laurie Scott at DCPA Treasurer2@gmail.com

Raising a laugh and a glass or three at comedy night A one off comedy special is being held at Milborne Port Village Hall on Saturday, March 26.

Headliner Michael Hackett is a Manchester born comedian who tours the UK, Europe and Australasia. He’s a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe, hosted Oktoberfest to 2,500 people

and released a bestseller book Gobsmacked!

Johnny Wardlow is a quirky comic who has won the BBC Comedy Award for three years running.

The night is being supported by Brewed Boy, the west of England’s award-winning craft beer makers,

and there will also be delicious craft beers and ciders, top wines and Proseccos.

There are also two mystery guests.

Doors open at 7.30pm and show starts at 8pm.

Tickets on sale via MilbornePort Comedy.Eventbrite.co.uk. 18+ only.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Church

Finding meaning in familiar worship

By The Rev DEB SMITH Team Rector of Bridport

It’s been said that if you repeat something over and over again it loses its meaning.

For instance, the meaning of the word is lost when repeated over and over, and you become aware of the sound of the word, the pattern of a phrase, it becomes like music.

A man spoke of suffering with asthma from being a small boy of five.

Whenever he was having an attack and had no medication to hand, he was taught a phrase which he was to repeat over and over again.

“It is passing, it is passing, it is passing…”

Simply saying the words was supposed to force the event into reality.

Services Sunday, February 27 Burstock St Andrew Church 11am Matins Salway Ash Church 9.30am Eucharist Netherbury St Mary’s Church 6pm Evening Prayer Beaminster St Mary’s Church 8am Eucharist 9.30am Eucharist South Perrott St Mary’s Church 11am Eucharist Hooke St Giles Church 11am Eucharist The Bride Valley Burton Bradstock St Mary’s Church 11am Holy Communion Shipton Gorge St Martin’s Church 11am Holy

FAMILIAR ROUTINE: But the journey to worship can be revealing

During one attack when he was about 13 in the middle of a forest, he had left his medication at home.

His friend cycled back to town to get help while the boy lay on the ground repeating those words over and over.

Once inside the rhythm of the mantra the words began to disappear, passing over from the conscious world into the unconscious.

Slowly he began to feel the muscles in his chest relaxing, buying him time

until the moment his friend would return with help.

The words themselves may have lost their meaning in one respect, but in another they became more powerful, affecting not simply his mind, his mood and his outlook, but bringing physical relaxation which allowed him to keep breathing until help came.

When we repeat an action over and over it could be said to become habit, not simply the action itself, but

Communion Swyre Holy Trinity Church 9.30am Holy Communion Puncknowle St Mary the Blessed Virgin Church 9.30am Family Service Litton Cheney St Mary’s Church 9.30am Holy Communion Little Bredy St Michael and All Angels Church 11am Holy Communion

6pm Choral Evensong

Castleton Church 11am Mattins Lillington Church 10am Morning Service Longburton Church 10am Family Communion St Pauls at The Gryphon 10.30am Morning Worship Sherborne Abbey 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist

Sherborne area Cheap Street Church at 10.30am. All welcome Dorchester area parishes St Peter’s Church, High West Street, Dorchester The church is open daily 10am-4pm.

Sundays: BCP Eucharist at 9am & Common Worship Eucharist 10.30am.

Mid-week Morning Prayer at 9.15am on Monday and Thursday. Thursday Eucharist at 10am. Choral Evensong 4.30pm fourth Saturday of the month.

St Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester Sundays: Holy Eucharist 9.45am.

a way of being, a way of life.

You could say that about worship. In one sense, yes it’s the same old routine, the well-walked path we’ve trod over and over. And yet the journey itself is forming us, making us different, making us new, showing us something about what it is to live, to follow along the path of the one who gives life, the one who is life.

You could say the same about choosing to be generous or kind in how we treat others, do it often – even through gritted teeth at times – and perhaps our outward demeanour becomes who we really are.

Morning Prayer on Tuesdays at 9am followed by the Eucharist at 9.30am.

Taize services first Sunday of the month at 6pm.

Contemplative Prayer Group in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 5pm Wednesdays.

St George’s Church, High Street, Dorchester Open daily 9am-4pm for private prayer.

Wednesday, 9.30am, Morning Prayer Thursday, 11am, Midweek Holy Communion for tea and coffee afterwards.

Sunday, 9.45am Holy Communion. 8am BCP Holy Communion on 1st and 3rd Sunday Email newsdesk@ westdorsetmag.co.uk to add your church services to the list.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

55

Business Dorchester Post Office on Trinity Street has now opened the first Super Tourist Information Point (TIP) in Dorchester.

Dorchester BID set up the TIP initiative initially and there are lots of locations across town where you can pick up leaflets and information about visiting Dorchester.

David Prince and the team at Dorchester Post Office have dedicated a substantial area of the shop to leaflets, What’s On information and Dorchester related gifts… and even your favourite news magazine.

The Post Office is receiving no financial incentive to carry out the role but Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester BID have been supporting the team in collating materials and providing information.

The Super TIP was officially opened by the Mayor Gareth Jones.

The new Discover Dorchester App and website www. discoverdorchester.co.uk created by the town’s

Want a hot TIP? For your information, it’s right here

Tourism Partnership has also just published and printed a new leaflet for Dorchester highlighting attractions, free places to visits, local amenities and facilities.

In another BID initiative, across the road from Dorchester Post Office, the Better Hearing shop has been given a facelift using

funding from the Welcome Back Fund (money from the European Regional Development Fund). The windows and fascia have been cleaned and replaced with smart new signage with useful tourist information, perfect for those visitors who have just arrived in the town on the bus.

First apprenticeship awards celebrating excellence The inaugural Dorset Apprenticeship Awards have been launched to celebrate excellence among apprentices and trainees.

Dorset Chamber has joined forces with the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network to showcase apprenticeship talent with honours to be presented in five categories at a ceremony with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset,

Angus Campbell in May. The categories are: n Trainee of the year (Traineeship) n Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprentice of the Year n Level 3 (Advanced) Apprentice of the Year n Level 4 or 5 Higher Apprentice of the Year n Degree Apprentice of the Year Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber, said:

“These new awards will celebrate the hugely important contribution that apprentices make to business in Dorset.”

Entrants must be undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship programme or have completed a programme within the last 12 months.

Each finalist, along with two guests and their employer, will be invited to

an awards celebration lunch on May 18.

Winners will be presented with their trophy by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset in front of dignitaries. Each winner will be profiled in the Dorset Business Focus magazine. n Visit dorsetchamber. co.uk/dorsetapprenticeship-awards for more information and to enter.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Business

with dorsetbiznews.co.uk

A London double decker bus will be bringing much-needed support to boost young people’s mental health thanks to charity #Willdoes, which was set up by Lesley Paddy in 2019 to serve as a long-lasting legacy to her 14-year-old son William.

Since then #Willdoes has raised more than £100,000 for good causes in Dorset and the surrounding area, supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of young people.

In December 2020, the charity decided to launch ALL ABOARD: Lesley Paddy with the #Willdoes bus and, inset below, inside a project for a youth bus, and now the dream has turned into a reality now the converted double decker bus is ready to offer a range of services Will’s mother, Les, set up for young people. the charity to help young The #Willdoes youth bus people who may be will be based in the Main finding life tough, Beach car park in struggling to cope with Swanage but will visit daily life. areas in need of youth service provision Ambassadors supporting including Dorchester and #Willdoes are: the rural villages. n William Fox-Pitt On board, the bus MBE (World and Olympic provides a safe space to equestrian eventing chat, with a room for champion) confidential discussions as n Sandra Redknapp well as a bean bag area to n Holly Woodhead relax in and a small (international equestrian kitchen to provide drinks eventer) and snacks. With LED n Jason Fox (ex-UK coloured lighting and Special Forces, better brightly furnished seating known as Foxy, instructor it’s intended to be a on the TV show SAS: welcoming place where Who Dares Wins) young people can meet up n Jamie Nicholls (Team as well as get to speak to charismatic child with a animals and being GB Olympic youth workers, cheeky smile who grew surrounded by them. snowboarder) counsellors and medical up near Swanage and Sadly his life ended early n Victoria Pendleton professionals. enjoyed horse riding, at the age of 14, but his CBE (Olympic, European The #Willdoes charity is snowboarding, rugby and energy lives on through and Commonwealth dedicated to the memory tennis. A sensitive and those who knew him and cyclist champion) of William, a sporty, empathetic kid, Will loved in his charity, #Willdoes.

Double decker hits the road to boost youth mental health

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

57

Just the job (recruitment)

Village firefighters welcome new recruit The team of firefighters at Maiden Newton have welcomed their newest recruit – but say they need many more to cover shifts.

Jake Chislett successfully passed his Basic Recruits course last week, which allows him to join the team as an operational firefighter. He had his first ‘shout’ on Sunday.

The station now has five firefighters, but should have 11.

Watch Manager Andy Elliott said: “Are you basically in good health and up for a challenging

new career as a firefighter?

“We are actively recruiting and need to double in number, so if you are interested get in touch or visit our website.”

Applicants should be at least 17-and-a-half years old and live or work near the fire station so you can respond quickly.

You need a good standard of physical fitness.

Apply at dwfire.org.uk/oncall/apply-now

COMPANY SECRETARY REQUIRED for the management of a small limited company in Beaminster.

Approximately 18 – 20 hours per month.

Starting salary £370 per month. Past experience preferred. To apply send covering letter, references and CV to stokewaterhouse@yahoo.com

Quitting your job? Here’s how to do it

The Dorset Employment Unit, run by Citizens Advice, which has offices in Bridport, Sherborne and Dorchester, has specialist advisers to support residents with a wide range of employment issues.

In the last two years, statistics reveal a high number of people leaving their jobs to take new roles.

Here Citizens Advice answers a frequent question about resigning.

I’ve just been offered a new job and now I need to tell my current employer. The new company want me to start as soon as possible.

The problem is, we’re already a bit short-staffed where I am now and I don’t know how soon I’ll be allowed to leave. How should I bring all this up with my boss?

It can feel awkward telling your current employer you’re moving on. The time between telling your employer you’ve found a new position and you

leaving is known as your notice period.

If you’ve been in your current job for less than a month, you won’t have to give any notice period (unless your contract says otherwise). If it’s more than a month, you’ll have to give at least one week’s notice. Your contract should make it clear exactly how long is expected.

If you don’t have a contract, and your employer has no written record of you agreeing to a notice period, you should give at least one week’s notice.

It’s worth waiting until your new employer has confirmed your employment, for example

by giving you a start date before handing in your resignation. It’s then best to resign in writing (email is fine), so that you have a record of the date you told your employer. The Citizens Advice website has a page on handing in your notice with tips on how to write this letter.

You can work a longer notice than the one in your contract if you agree it with your employer. If you’re keen to move on sooner rather than later, it may also be possible to negotiate a shorter notice period than your contract says. If you want to go down this route, it can be useful to reassure your current employer that you will tackle any urgent work

before finishing.

Fixed-term contracts are a bit different, as you won’t need to give notice if you intend to leave on the last day of contract. Leaving early would usually mean giving at least one week’s notice, unless your contract says otherwise.

Don’t forget about your holiday days during your notice period. If you have unused paid holiday you should speak to your employer about either taking these during the notice period or being paid for them.

Finally, sometimes people can change their mind about moving jobs or find their circumstances alter. If this happens to you, you should speak to your current employer to see what the options are and if you can stay in your current role.

Everyone’s situation is different, but if you face any challenges with an existing or potential employer, contact Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848 citizensadvicedorset.org.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Motoring

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

When Colin and Stella Powell packed up their most precious possessions, with their two children, two dogs, six vintage cars and mum Edna in tow and left Australia for England in 1978, they faced life living in a campervan, with nowhere to go during the winter of discontent.

But while things were bleak, and certainly cold, the Powell family were on a mission: to find a garage and set up home down south.

Stella said: “When I look back it seems quite mad.

“We emigrated to Australia with my parents in 1968.

“Colin and I decided to move back to England and when my dad died, my mum Edna came back with us. She had cataracts so I needed to take care of her and help put her eye drops in.

“We arrived during the worst winter on record with nowhere to go, so we hired a campervan, near Hull where I was born. The weather was so terrible down south that my mum and daughter Christine, who was about five years old, went back to Hull to stay with relations for a while.

“The rest of us lived in the campervan and looked for a garage for sale in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset or Dorset. We drove around and parked wherever we could, in lorry parks, at the side of roads and campsites, when we could find them. It was so cold and there was so much snow.”

The family persevered, and

The end of an era as garage couple take a back seat BACK IN TIME: Thornford Garage in Sherborne through the years

with sheer determination and a twist of fate, the Powells stumbled upon Thornford Garage in Sherborne, where they have been ever since.

“When I look back it is strange,” said Stella. “We were due to see a garage in Poole, so we stopped somewhere close to Yeovil.

“When we woke the following day, Colin realised we were not allowed to park there overnight, so he took a look around and called into an estate agent who told us about a garage at Thornford which was for sale with a bungalow attached.

“We thought it would be worth a look, so after we had looked around, we sat in the local pub for an hour before agreeing to buy it.

“Within three weeks we had moved in, and Christine came home along with a 1923 Wolsley, a 1928 Chevrolet, a 1927 Black Nose Morris, a 1925 Bull Nose Morris and a 1924 Standard, which sat in the garden.

“The strange thing is I grew up in a village called Sherburn and here we were in Sherborne.”

That was 44 years ago now, and although the pair have wanted to retire for the last 20 years, they are finally taking a back seat and will be closing the garage at the end of March.

“I was supposed to stop when I was 55 and Colin was meant to stop at 65 but we carried on. We enjoyed it”, said Stella.

“At one time we had petrol, shop, taxi service and of

course the garage for MOT and servicing. But when the supermarkets started selling petrol, we stopped, eventually giving up the taxi service and shop to concentrate on the garage.

“Then we were asked to run a village bus service between Yeovil and Sherborne through Bradford Abbas and Thornford three times a week, then we were asked to run the school bus, then people asked us to do days out, then people asked us to run trips for long weekends, and then we were asked to do weeklong holidays. Our coach service really took off and we only stopped running them seven years ago.”

“When I first moved to Thornford, the lady opposite us asked me if I would sell the poppies for Remembrance. I did them for 35 years and became the poppy organiser. And many years ago, I was asked to help with Sherborne Village Hall, when it was an old Nissen hut. At one point I was chairman, secretary, treasurer and cleaner. My friend Heather and I kept it running for a long time.

“We did lots of things for the community, including holding a surprise party for a 90-year-old lady who had never had a birthday party and planting thousands of daffodil bulbs in the village. My back wouldn’t stand it now.

“Colin and I have had an interesting life. Now we are in our eighties I think the time has come to stop.

“As for the garage, that is where Colin will be sent when he is in the doghouse!”

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

59

Sport Sherborne Oxford Harlequins

3 10

The First XV manager hailed the showing against Oxford Harlequins as ‘one of the best defensive performances in Sherborne’s history’ as they pushed the promotion-chasing visitors all the way at The Terraces. Jim Gower was full of praise for his team, and proud of their ‘unbelievable commitment’ in this gripping encounter.

Sherborne’s heroic rearguard was particularly impressive as they played for 40 minutes with a man down due to separate yellow card offences, and ultimately, only a disputed penalty try proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Quins came to The Terraces having lost just once this season and showed their quality from the first whistle. With the strong wind at their backs and keeping the ball well in hand, they enjoyed the majority of possession and spent long periods camped

RUCK AND ROLL: Action from Sherborne v Oxford Harlequins and, right, Sherborne v Witney

Sherborne battle in vain to contain mighty Quins in Sherborne’s twentytwo. The home defence, with Ben Austin outstanding throughout, repelled wave upon wave of Quins’ attacks with a fine display of committed defending and last-ditch tackling, and despite their dominance, Ewan Fox’s 12th minute penalty was the visitors’ only reward at half time.

The hosts remained under pressure after the break, although with the advantage of the wind, they were now able to clear their lines and provide more of an attacking threat.

The decisive moment came just after the hour mark when referee Stew Kilby awarded the visitors a penalty try, following

the collapse of a maul after a lineout.

Although Rhodri Hopkins kicked a penalty to get the home side back to within a score of the visitors, they could not find a way through Quins’ defence to salvage anything more than a losing bonus point, leaving the high-flying visitors to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Red-hot Cole stars to seal double over Witney Sherborne 10 Witney 5 Having edged Witney 17-14 earlier in the season, Sherborne completed the double against their midtable rivals in a hardfought encounter, with the busy, tough-tackling Aaron Cole the hosts’ star man.

The home side failed to make early possession and territorial advantage count until Max Harvey crossed

in the corner on 30 minutes after a spell of sustained pressure. AJ King added a superb conversion, and then stroked home a penalty from in front of the posts to make it 10-0 at half time. In an evenly contested second half, the visitors fought back, and reduced the arrears on 55 minutes, scoring a try in the corner after a fluid

move by their back line, although they failed to add the conversion from the angle.

Sherborne defended well as both teams tired and had few major alarms to hold on for the win, their fifth from seven games in 2022. n Sherborne have accepted a league decision to deduct them 25 points for fielding an unregistered player due to an

administrative error.

A club spokesperson said: “Whilst we feel the scale of the points deduction is incredibly harsh, we accept it, and our focus is solely on enjoying the remaining games of the season and making everyone at SRFC proud.”

The next home match for Sherborne Firsts is on Saturday, March 12 when they entertain Windsor.

60

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Sport

Getting in the swim with World Book Day Children will be diving into book-themed swimming lessons next week when Dorchester Sports Centre introduce special sessions as part of World Book Day. Budding swimmers on its Learn2Swim programmes will take part in the fun, activity-based sessions tailored around featured books, such as Mrs Pepperpot Learns to Swim, Stickman and The Deep End. The centre ran a similar programme in March 2020, with the aim of improving reading and

swimming through cross curricular activities.

Ricky Hayes, head of sports, activities and aquatics at 1610, said: “We know that children learn best when they are

having fun and enjoying themselves, by combining each lesson with a story we can do just that and still ensure that all the activities have clear learning outcomes, so the

children in the lessons will be learning about books and swimming without even realising it.”

For more information visit dorchester@1610.org.uk or call 01305 858400

Ten wins on the spin for super Zebras

By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Sherborne Town enjoyed a brilliant week, deservingly picking up the Toolstation Team of the Month award for January, and making it ten league wins on the trot with back to back home victories against local rivals, Gillingham Town, and Bristol Telephones.

With the match between their two closest challengers falling victim to Storm Eunice, the Zebras increased their lead at the top of Division One to seven points, and although Warminster Town and Welton Rovers have games

ON TARGET: Alex Murphy

in hand, points in the bag could prove crucial as the fixtures mount up during the title run-in.

A brace from defender Henry Lawrence-Napier

helped the free-scoring Zebras win comfortably against Telephones, although the visitors had taken a surprise first-half lead as Town lacked their usual fluency in a game played in very breezy conditions. Dec Cornish’s equaliser before the break seemed to take the wind out of Telephone’s sails, and the Zebras produced a dominant second-half performance.

Midfielder Ben Hughes bagged his first for Town on 50 minutes, before man of the match Lawrence-Napier took centre stage with his two goals.

The Zebras’ fifth came

courtesy of Australian super sub Jack Cutmore, who scored his 4th goal in just six substitute appearances to make the final score 5-1.

A week earlier, Gillingham made the short trip to Raleigh Grove and put up a resolute derby performance against the table-toppers, however could not prevent the Zebras from running out eventual winners, with goals from Josh Williams, Alex Murphy and Cutmore securing the three points in a 3-1 win.

Next up for the Zebras are trips to Wells City and Bishops Lydeard, before hosting Portishead Town on Saturday, March 12.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

61

Sport

By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Bridport, Dorchester and the villages in between buzzed as Olympic diving gold-medalist Tom Daley biked his way across the county as part of his epic Homecoming Challenge for Comic Relief.

Well-wishers in their droves defied the inclement weather to shout words of encouragement and cheer on the Olympian, who bravely battled a strong headwind and driving rain on the third day of his Hell of a Homecoming Red Nose Day Challenge to reach his hometown Plymouth.

The epic journey saw the popular diving superstar row, cycle, swim and run his way from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to Devon.

Day three of Tom’s 290mile journey was arguably the longest as he took to the saddle for the 130mile leg, cycling for more than 12 hours and climbing 3,000ft as he made his way from Southampton to Bovey Castle in Dartmoor, through the grueling West Dorset stretch.

Unfazed, having already cycled 70 or so miles by lunchtime, Tom was smiling and looking remarkably fresh-faced as he cycled through Bridport, supported by a large and enthusiastic crowd. And with the beautiful West Dorset scenery as a backdrop, Tom pedaled his way through Puddletown,

ON HIS BIKE: Olympic diving star Tom Daley cycles across Dorset as part of his epic trek to raise money for Comic Relief Pictures: NEIL BARNES

The Daley express powers across the county to raise money for Red Nose Day Lower Waterston, Winterbourne Abbas and Chideock en route.

Tom said: “I said yes to the opportunity as it’s one hell of a challenge and most importantly, it will be raising money for Comic Relief and for people who really need it.

I really hope my journey

inspires people to donate.

The thought that this challenge might actually make a difference to someone’s life, someone who is struggling, is what will help me push through every step.

“The turnout of people coming out to say hello and show their support is

really special, it’s quite surreal. It’s really keeping me going when I need it most.”

His journey is being documented for a BBC One and iPlayer special airing in March, ahead of the return of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day on March 18.

62

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Sport

The only way is up: Bees chairman

By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Long-serving chairman of Bridport FC Adrian Scadding has genuine reasons for optimism despite the disastrous current season being comfortably the worst that he can recall in his 28years with the club.

Although the Bees are languishing at the foot of the Toolstation Premier League having earned just three points, Adrian hopes a new management team will allow the Bees to ‘bounce back’.

He said: “Preparations for next season are well under way. We have a new management team lined up and I am confident we will be able to bounce back quickly. The focus for next season must be to consolidate, and I hope we can compete for promotion the

LOYAL: Support for the team remains strong despite results. Inset: Adrian Scadding

following season. The incoming manager is confident he will

be able to bring in some experienced guys to play alongside our emerging young players.”

There are other positives too, the club’s strategy to look for young local talent has certainly paid some dividends. The Bees have links with Bridport’s youth teams and are

looking to enlist promising players aged over 16.

“Three or four of our young players from the reserves have really stepped up which has been a real plus for us, although we acknowledge that we need to add some experience to the squad,” said Adrian.

The club’s core support

Tough at the bottom for struggling team The Bees’ woeful record this season speaks for itself – played 29, won one, drawn none, lost 28 with just three points to their names and a goal difference standing at a staggering minus 137, and counting.

The abysmal sequence of results include a 12-1 home drubbing at the hands of Millbrook and a 9-0 reverse against

Saltash, also at St Mary’s Field.

The Bees’ solitary win, a narrow victory against lowly Ashton and Backwell United, came in August, and since then they have scarcely looked like earning another point, failing to register a single goal in the three months prior to the Millbrook massacre.

The season has been

challenging. Incoming manager John Godbold left unexpectedly early into his appointment and the club struggled to bring in enough experienced new players,

leaving the squad wafer thin.

Godbold’s assistant, Rob Marquis, took over the reins only to leave in December as results continued to disappoint.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

63

Sport

optimistic despite season of misery The association with the Bridport business community is a long one.

Adrian, who is a director of Motorcare, recalls: “I was approached by the former chairman about being on the football club committee. He was honest with me and said it was so I could look after the club minibus. Since then, I’ve done lots of roles. I’m the current licensee of the bar, I was secretary for five years, vice-chairman for a while, and even ran the tea GOAL! Bridport players celebrate a rare goal this season Pictures: STEPHEN BARRETT bar for a year early on.”

Adrian’s 17 years as got to see a lot of goals this chance to be profiled on has remained strong, and chairman makes him one Adrian has paid tribute to season!” our shirts. We had 72 of the longest serving in the Bees’ loyal but longOff the pitch, the club is on businesses who got non-league football. With suffering fans. sound financial footing, involved last time, somebody as passionate “We regularly get 140 to having fostered strong although we didn’t ask for and dedicated at the helm, 160 supporters to our home links with the business this support last year the optimism at the club matches which is always community which remain because of covid. Luckily seems well-founded. among the top three or four undented by its run of poor we’ve been okay The Bees are next in action attendances in the league,” form. financially as we run a at home against he said’ “We are really Adrian said: “We have a tight ship. If we can’t Brislington on Saturday, grateful for their continued sponsorship draw which afford it, we don’t have it March 5. support and at least they’ve gives local businesses the – it’s as simple as that.”

ANOTHER COUPLE: Bridport have a remarkable goal difference of -137 this season

Although not a mathematical certainty, chairman Adrian Scadding accepts that relegation to Division One of the Toolstation League, has long been a formality.

“There is no way we can compete at the moment,” said Adrian.

“Our squad is threadbare, and we are calling on reserve and third team players.

“Rather than developing

players or trying to improve tactically, the biggest challenge for Shaun Annetts (caretaker manager) is simply to field a team. In our game at Helston last week, we only had 12 players, and

Helston brought on three subs with 20 minutes to go. We are holding our own for a while in these matches but it’s so hard for our players to compete for 90 minutes against good teams who have proper resources and can bring on fresh legs. I’m proud of our players who aren’t leaving anything out on the pitch. It’s been easily the worst season I can remember in all my time, and we all just really want it to be over so we can begin rebuilding for next year.”

64

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Brain ticklers Arrow words The United States

Crossword

Poor excuse (3-3)

Psychic powers

Cow’s low

Actor, Connery

Eager interest

1

Whacks

2

4

3

5

6

7

8 Transitory employee

9

Twelfths of a foot (abbr)

Space

Sheep

10

11

12

Not just any

13 Credit note (inits)

Beverley, to her friends

17

Digital letter code (inits)

Blind __ _ bat (2,1)

Tiny circus performer?

Approves (abbr)

21

Team

Maybes

1 4 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 19 21 22 23 24

Touched with the lips

Former US actress, West

Wordsearch Prehistoric Animals

I N A N I M O T O S A I J M M

H O C O N O U E R R V A A H E

N D D Y R U P N N A E U A L R

Y O E C O I Y L T K Q L A M I

ADOCUS AMERICAN LION AMPHICYON ARGENTAVIS AURORNIS DIMORPHODON ELASMOSAUR HALLUCIGENIA

C H H I R R M N E S L S I K C

T P T H U T E L I U M C Y A A

O R O P A G O G C O R H D E N

S O O M R P N I S O A O C N L

A M T A T O G A R O C T D R I

20

U I E E L E U A C U C A E O O

R D R A N R P I S L V S E A N

22

23

Boxer, Muhammad

Iranian language

19

18

Purpose

Some email symbols

N C T L S X O Y O S I L S L A

16

Masticate

Bag

Mayhem

15

14

U U B I U T R I J L A N N N S

S H A R O V I P T E R Y X E E

HELICOPRION JAEKELOPTERUS LIOPLEURODON LONGISQUAMA MICRORAPTOR NYCTOSAURUS SABRE-TOOTHED CAT SHAROVIPTERYXE

D L S R N O I R P O C I L E H

24

Across Piece of cake? (5) Economizes (7) Arrays (8) Jump (4) Car repair shop (6) Cowboy display (5) Maned cat (4) Breakfast item (3) Predatory freshwater fish (4) TV, radio, print and so on (5) Harsh (6) Elemental particle (4) Frozen dessert (3,5) Extremely stupid (7) Common false beliefs (5)

2 3 5 6 7 8 14 16 18 20

Down Andean transport animal (5) Positive (7) Till (4,8) Avoided work (5) Show-off (7) Increase in velocity (12) Convicts (7) Destitution (7) Horror-film baddie? (5) Arrive at (5)

Sudoku

7 4

5 9 5

1

6

4 7 3

3 8 6 4 9

5

4 8 7

For the solutions turn to page 67

7 3

2

8

Brain chain 47

-31

×1/2

÷4

+16

-50%

RESULT

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

65

Super tricky puzzles Jumbo 3D Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword 1

6 1 8 5 4

7

2 3

3

2

3

9

1

2 6 3

7

5

5

2

8 1 3

2

3

8

45×

6÷

0

3

10

540×

288×

48×

14×

27+

1

15+

12×

3×

4÷

15+

23+

3

120×

16+

24+

7÷

0

126×

1

10+

Brain chain (Hard version) 39

×2/3

×2

+29

-10

×3

7

11

12

16

14

13

18

17

21

22

Place 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3×3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dashed-line cage, and each dashed-line cage must result in the given value when the stated operation is applied between all of the digits in that cage.

For subtraction and division operations, start with the highest number in the cage and then subtract or divide by the other numbers in that cage.

RESULT

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

15

19

20

Killer Sudoku Pro:

17+

45×

6

9

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

4

5

9

8 6 8 9 8 2 5 5 9 6 4 3 4 6 7 1 3 5 8 6 2 5 3 2 9 8 5 3 7 4 7 1 4 5 4 6 4 2 8 8 9 6 5 4 9 8 7 3 1 3 1 8

42×

4

23

1 5 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 18 20 21 22 23

Across Pay for bad bribe (3,3) Fellow I grade mostly regarding taxes (6) Thread in knitting is terrific (4) Descents in eagles when flying (8) Restrain husband with grey hair (4,4) Gently touch first of hedges in country walkway (4) Force in New Jersey after start of insurrection etc possibly (6) ‘Decreased’ Irish department containing individual (6) Catch sight of European intelligence operative (4) Function, we hear, finished for deferred payment (8) Height or breadth with a switch at the front (8) Recall distinction in school (4) Kindheartedness? It’s found in the Mediterranean (6) University academic, one scanning manuscripts (6)

Down 2 College with material that’s worn out fabulous creature (7) 3 Group of eight upset firm a little (5) 4 Conclude matters with dog over? (6,7) 5 Lay in a fine car to be reviewed in period for accounting (9,4) 6 Source of clean locks? (7) 7 French city with time for commercial representative (5) 13 See Greek character is raised in heavenly place (7) 15 In audience, detective noticed ugly object (7) 17 Son alas misjudged Latin dance (5) 19 Old piano found over a long period in musical work (5)

66

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Health

Walking West Dorset

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

STINSFORD Park in Church Lane and make your way down to the church, where the cemetery contains the grave of the part of Hardy’s heart not eaten by his cat! After visiting the church make your way down the bridleway to meet Bockhampton Path where you turn right and head west for a mile through the water meadows. When you get to the road, turn left and walk as far as Grey’s Bridge with its warning notice that if you damage it you’ll be transported for life!

Cross the road and join the footpath alongside the river, which used to be

The Hatches were once Dorchester’s swimming pool

Dorchester’s swimming pool. You’ll come to some hatches which used to regulate the flow through the water meadows. Cross the bridge and carry on and soon you’ll get to the Dorchester showground.

Now is the time, for posterity, to start taking photos of the next couple of miles of the route as it is

proposed to build a massive housing estate on what is now beautiful farmland.

Turn left and follow the footpath past Coker’s Frome farm, cross over a farm road and continue westwards until you meet the footpath that leads northwards from Bluebridge over the Frome.

Head north until you get to the road. Cross it and walk a

mile up a bridleway until it descends to a coombe where you turn right and head south east, then south across pleasant pasture until you meet the road again.

Turn left and head east, crossing the B3143 Piddle Valley road and continue until you meet the A35 Dorchester by pass at Stinsford roundabout. Have fun crossing the road!

There are dropped kerbs for pedestrians. Continue eastwards for a short distance then turn right along Church Lane and soon you’ll be back at your car.

Using NLP to deal with your issues Hilary Charman is a hypnotherapist based at Partners in Wellbeing, Poundbury.

This week I wanted to share with you a useful NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) technique I often teach clients. I particularly like it because it’s so versatile. I’ve used when working with anxiety, fear, pain and healing.

So, whatever the unwanted state is (for this example, let’s use anxiety) I want you to consider whereabouts in your body you feel it.

If that feeling had a shape what shape would it be?

If it had a colour what colour would it be?

If it had a texture what would the texture be like?

And now I want you to think about your desired state.

So what is the opposite of anxiety? It’s important you use your own words.

For this example I will use calm and relaxed.

If that calm and relaxed feeling had a shape what would it be?

What colour?

What texture?

Now I want you to imagine taking your hands and pulling all that ( shape, texture, colour of anxiety) out of your body. Make sure you get every little bit. And as you’re looking at it notice that it is spinning. Which way is it spinning? Clockwise or anticlockwise?

I want you to stop it spinning and start spinning it in the opposite direction. Keep

spinning it as fast as you can.

As it’s spinning notice the shape, colour, texture is beginning to change. Take your time but notice that as you spin it the shape, colour, texture is beginning to change into the shape, colour, texture of your desired state.

Take as much time as you need over this.

As the old shape, colour, texture fades/melts completely away leaving the lovely calm and relaxed shape, colour, texture, I want you to stop spinning it and push it back into your body.

Filling your body with that colour from the top of your head to the very tips of your toes.

How does that feel?

And you can use that calm, relaxed colour to fill you up

any time you need to. From the top of your head to the very tips of your toes.

If you have any issues you’d like me to address in this column please send them to me at info@ HilarysHypnotherapy.com and I will do my best to answer them.

Hilary Charman DHHP AMACCPH n HilarysHypnotherapy.com 07900 652755

67

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Property

House prices fueled by race for space House prices in Dorset increased by 1.6% in November 2021, contributing to the exponential market growth with property prices rising by 11.6%.

The race for space and house buyers reassessing their priorities as a result of the pandemic has fuelled ever-increasing house prices in the southwest.

The average house price in November was £338,068,

according to figures from Land Registry.

Last year the average sale price of property in Dorset rose by £35,000.

Owners of detached houses in Dorset have seen the largest uptick in property prices, pushing prices to £505,525 on average.

Semi-detached are selling for £329,743 average, terraced homes are fetching £261,757 and flats reaching £182,456.

Has your property got a fascinating history?

Email newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk From pages 64

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

9 6 3 2 5 4 8 7 1

4 5 1 7 9 8 6 2 3

2 8 7 1 3 6 4 9 5

6 1 2 4 7 5 3 8 9

8 3 5 9 6 1 7 4 2

7 4 9 8 2 3 1 5 6

Crossword

1 2 4 3 8 9 5 6 7

5 9 8 6 1 7 2 3 4

3 7 6 5 4 2 9 1 8

Brain chain 47

16

8

2

9

18

Killer Sudoku Pro 42×

2

4

4

7

3

6

5

540×

5 9

12×

1 4

2

15+

8 7

24+

9

3

6

8

1

8

45×

1

45×

9

0

7

5

4

8

3

4

6

1

3

4

6

3

9 1

15+

7 3

2 5

48×

2

7÷

6÷

1

9

2

1

27+

8 7

2

9

23+

6

1

8

7

9

6

6

14×

5

16+

3

5 1

4 3

7

4÷

17+

5 2 7

3×

3

3

288×

8 4 9

120×

2

1

8

4

5

8

1

9

7

6

2

0

3 5

10+

4

126×

6

Arrow words

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

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

S C A E S H R E G G I S T C E R E

R I M P S D E L E A P E C O D E O C P I K E O E V E R E E E C R E A M T C M Y T H S

1 9 8 5 4 2 3 2 6 4 9 7 3 7 1 1 6 3 2 4 8 8 5 2 9 6 3 5 4 8 9 8 5 9 5 5 7 7 2 7 2 7 7 8 1 1 4 9 1 3 8 1 5 4 2 6 6 3 3 9 3 5 7 6 1 1 4 9 3 6 7 4 4 2 5 6 1 8 5 2 2 8 9 9 8 4 6 8 3 1 9 3 7 8 2 5 6 5 3 5 1 2 7 9 2 3 4 9 7 1 6 7 4 7 4 6 2 6 8 4 6 3 1 7 4 8 9 4 9 3 8 7 7 1 5 8 2 1 5 4 3 3 8 6 2 4 9 6 8 9 1 6 5 1 9 5 2 3 5 7 2 9 8 2 3 5 3 8 9 5 1 6 7 3 7 4 6 4 1 7 2 1 7 5 9 6 8 6 2 4 1 5 6 5 2 3 5 1 4 8 9 4 4 7 2 9 3 8 95 8 1 1 8 79 6 2 3 6 2 2 4 9 3 8 7 7 6 4 4 5 3 2 7 1 5 3 6 1 8 9 6

A M T E R I C N A

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

B A S H E S

N E W E

F S L I E D A E

Brain chain (Hard) 39

26

52

81

71

213

I S H E A M P O R O

C A L G G E S N A T H

L O P E R E A

R

Cryptic Crossword B U N G I C H O R I N E S A A L S W A

Y O F F F C O I S T L I N A L A L D D O W N W C J E C T I L H A P Y R O L S O Y T I T U D E U G A R M T H R

N E Y V E S T O R D E

D

N R

68

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

Agriculture

Tragedy of Gladis and her unborn

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Every morning at 11am, farmer Cameron Farquharson can be found atop Eggardon Hill, tending his herd of Highland cattle. Checking them over, feeding them and spending time with them, Cameron loves them.

Cameron had a particular soft spot for Gladis, who was due to give birth on May 29 last year. And she loved this Scottish farmer and would trundle after him, nudging his hand for a digestive biscuit and a cuddle at this National Trust beauty spot.

So, on May 27, when Cameron found his beloved girl lying face down a 30ft embankment with a broken neck, and her unborn calf ready to be born, both dead, he was distraught. Heartbroken.

His wife Miranda said: “Cam is a big, burly Scotsman and when Gladis died, he was reduced to tears. He cried. As did my daughter, Charlotte, who was planning to take Gladis calf to the Melplash Show.”

And when he learned that Gladis had been killed having been chased by two dogs, he was enraged.

Posting on Facebook at the time, a post which his team carefully edited to remove the expletives, and quickly became viral, Cameron wrote: “Our beautiful highland cow called Gladys was killed when some people

recklessly allowed their dogs, reportedly Labradors, to chase her to death, killing both her and her full-term unborn calf.

Gladis was an amazing cow. She was beautiful, friendly, kind-hearted and was adored. She was like a member of our family. We all loved Gladis.”

There is signage around this rugged but popular hilltop, urging walkers and visitors who may spot a problem with one of the livestock, to ring Cameron or the National Trust.

“Had I the farmer or the National Trust been informed at the time, Gladis would not have

possibly languished all night in serious injury, pain and distress and we might have been able to save her and her unborn calf.”

Cameron’s Facebook post opened a tsunami of messages and support from 21.7million people.

His phone rang and rang.

One of those phone calls was from Stan Sadler, a generous farmer who farms in Scotland, and was devastated having read about Gladis. Stan gifted eight Highland cows and one bull to Cameron.

Cameron said: “At first I didn’t believe it, but I when I spoke to Stan, he

was serious. I was hammered emotionally that weekend and started to cry.”

There are now 29 Highlands on Eggardon Hill. While Gladis found a special place in the hearts of all who knew her, most of Cameron’s cows are friendly, to the point that during lockdown, visitors would come far and wide to give them a stroke, a cuddle or just simply spend time in their company.

“These cows are friendly despite having long horns, but they have no spatial awareness, it isn’t malice.

“You might have to ballet

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

69

Agriculture

calf inspires bid for a change in law

HIGHLAND FLING: Cameron and Miranda with their herd of Highland cattle at Eggardon Hill Pictures: NEIL BARNES

dance around them as they whip round. These native breeds are imperative for grazing Eggardon, they encourage nesting birds and rare flowering plants to thrive.”

Cameron said: “Since Gladis died, I have had messages from farmers talking about their experiences of their livestock being chased by dogs, many with tragic endings. It made me realise we need a change in the law.”

Cameron launched a campaign to introduce the change in law, which secured the backing of West Dorset MP Chris Loder and Farming Minister Victoria Prentis. The Gladis’ Law Campaign has driven livestock worrying to the forefront of upcoming legislation and seen

extra protections for livestock included within the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.

The Bill passed its first reading in the House of Commons last summer and the campaign group hope the law will be passed in May. If passed, the law will mean dog walkers facing criminal prosecution if their dog chases any livestock to the point of causing harm or abortion, if their dogs is off their lead or out of control in a field of sheep, poultry, or enclosed game birds.

Cameron added: “Livestock call their field their home and they should feel safe in their home. Gladis was chased to her death. I just pray it was quick.” n gladis-law.com

FARM FOCUSED VET PRACTICE with Industry Leading Livestock Services

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

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

Some of you might have wondered about the little black lambs in my photograph last time.

My partner and I have a small flock of rare breed Zwartbles sheep, Zwart-black, BlesBlaze. Zwartbles are Dutch pedigree sheep that have gained popularity in the UK in recent years and we pride ourselves on keeping the flock as true to breed standard as we can.

Originating in the Friesland region of North Netherlands, it was traditionally used for both meat and milk production. A major from Cornwall was one of the first people to import them back in 1986, and in 1995 the Zwartbles Sheep Association was formed to promote the breed and

DUTCH TREAT: Some of Tria’s Zwartbles sheep

I’m not losing my Zwartbles maintain its purity.

Fleeces should be thick with a good crimp with a black base colour, which turn chocolate brown in the sun.

Blazes should be straight, of any width and run from the crown to the muzzle.

Tails have a white tip that goes no more than halfway up and the white on the legs should not go above the knee.

All of which is great if your stock is good.

When we started the flock, we

had little knowledge about what was right or wrong and where the white bits should be, consequently we have one Z that is so mis-marked she could pass as a Dutch Spotted.

I have noticed that she can photobomb most of my pictures, usually standing pride of place at the front a fine example of what we are not supposed to be breeding.

Yes, I succumbed, she is a pet, not a pedigree, but I feel that she to has a purpose and she is

also the most affectionate of the bunch and loves her Ginger Nut biscuits.

We have just scanned the flock and are expecting a lot of lambs in Easter week.

Last year the mis-marked ewe had triplets, two were well marked and one was a bit random, like her.

She made a great mum, and we sold the lambs to other breeders with no problem at all, so it is not always about the markings.

Eight weeks to go until lambing and with multiple sets of triplets due it will be a very full on few weeks.

We can only hope that this dreadful grey weather shifts to make way for warm sunshine.

The Poll Dorsets, who lambed in November are about to be weaned from their mothers, they are huge for their age and are making good use of the grazing that is still available, now so big that they are hardly able to get down low enough to get to the milk.

Now that’s what you call a successful lambing.

Lots to think about if you’re lambing: Here’s your

By Emily Gascoigne of Synergy Farm Health RCVS and European recognised specialist in small ruminant health management With many flocks lambing, it’s a good opportunity to reflect.

Assisting ewes in difficulty can be both stressful and rewarding. Getting involved

unnecessarily can potentially lead to its own issue. Many shepherds will have assistance during lambing. Having clear standard operating procedures, clearly communicated to the whole team can help ensure a consistent approach.

A normal lambing, from water bag first appearing to lambing completion, can be two hours.

When observing, the key thing we should observe for is progress. Unrewarding heaving, a gap of more than 30 minutes between scanned lambs or signs of “apparently finished lambing” without delivery such as eating whilst lambing, lack of heaving

should be warning signs for examination.

Examination of ewes should be done with gloved hands – evidence has identified the bacteria which cause Joint Ill in lambs in the vaginal discharges of ewes and potentially highlight risks of lambing ewes ungloved i.e. moving the bacteria across the flock.

Most malpresentations should be able to be corrected relatively quickly – and as a guide- progress should have been made within 10 minutes.

Clean lambing ropes, lubricants (especially powdered) and head snares are

essential tools in my lambing box tool kit.

For the less experienced, or if you are any doubt at any stage of lambing, please do call your vet.

Top tips for correcting common malpresentations: You can never have enough lubricant – powdered lubricants are especially useful for outside lambing.

Legs back – remember your anatomy and work with what you have. Legs are attached to shoulders. Shoulders are attached to the neck. The neck is attached to the other shoulder and so forth. Don’t lose your first leg – a well

The West Dorset Magazine, February 25, 2022

71

Agriculture Farming

You herd it here first...

with Rachel Hayball

Wobbly calfs turn into Usain Bolt... it keeps us fit!

Rachel Hayball is a married mum of six from Beaminster.

She is a herdsperson and has a small flock of sheep It’s calving time. We are a spring calving herd which means that all of our cows have their calves in the spring.

Calving times brings all sorts of challenges, the biggest is that the staff have to suddenly looe their Christmas-induced weight and become fit enough to become Olympic sprinters to be able to keep up with the calves.

No, those cute little mooing creatures do not initially see the appeal in interacting with us human beings. I do understand. I feel the same about humans some days.

Why do we need to be able to keep up with the calves? Well the main purpose is to keep them alive and out of trouble.

You will often find Mum down one end of the field or yard happily eating and the calf nowhere to be seen.

Sometimes we will find that calf tucked safely under a feeder or a hedge with a full belly, but at other times we will find the calf walking around shouting for its mum, or find it several fields away looking a bit confused and hungry.

We need to get close to them to make sure they get that key first colostrum and dip their navels to prevent infection and make sure they get the

absolute best start in life.

You would think that the calf would see us and be pleased to be looked after, but no. They see us and think that we are something along the lines of the giant that persecuted Jack, and they run, and run. It’s amazing that a little newborn wobbly thing turns into an athlete in the space of a minute.

They are also rather good at forgetting who their mum is.

They will try to suckle anything. Another cow, a bull, a gate post, anything. If another cow comes along claiming to be their mother they will accept her without question. Even if she doesn’t have any milk. Some cows will take great offence at this, but others will be happy to be relieved of their parenting duties and will head off to get more food.

Sadly yet again this year I

haven’t reached Olympic sprinter standard and I certainly haven’t shifted multiple years of Christmas weight, so I am incredibly grateful that I work with someone who plays football and is more than happy to go for a run in wellies at various times of the day.

Thankfully the calves soon realise that we are providers of warmth and food and once they are a few days old we look like the Pied Piper with calves following behind. Once all the calves have got to that point we can start eating cake again.

WANTED: SHEEP GRAZING Any size area considered, long or short term 07548 171553

essential guide to the dos and don’ts of the process placed fine lambing rope can help!

Head backs – using the above principle – it is in there! The use of snares can be helpful to ensure ease of guiding into the pelvis once identified.

Backwards lambs – if back legs are accessed – a nice downward slope towards the ewe’s hindfeet maximises ease of delivery. Lamb resuscitators may be especially helpful in these cases where risk of inhalation of birth fluids is high.

Tangled twins- pick the most “head forward” lamb and work with what you have. You may need to push the second

lamb back slightly to access the first fully. Where lambing assistance is required, it is prudent to check for additional lambs either via examination with a gloved hand or through ballotment. Whilst restraining a ewe it is also an excellent time to check for milk in both halves of the udder.

It is important to recognise any lambing intervention places newborn lambs at a disadvantage – lambs requiring lambing assistance have been shown to be slower to stand and suck colostrum, therefore should be a priority for colostrum feeding (whether inside or outside

born) – lambs with swollen heads after a head only lambing correction are perhaps a clear example of why this may be the case, but this extends to other corrections also. Remember colostrum is gold, aim for 100ml per kg of lamb in the first six hours i.e. typically 400ml over multiple feeds. It is prudent to reflect on the ewes wellbeing at the timeimmediately after delivery she needs to “get back to work”, to mother and feed one lamb or more. A pre-lambing health visit with your vet is an opportunity to review your pain management protocol for

your Health Plan.

Lambing is the “best and worst of times”. Clear protocols for the team, investing time in training prior to the onset of lambing, having a clear intervention policy are prudent prior to the onset of lambing. Remember #everylambcounts Synergy Farm Health regularly runs a variety of livestock management courses, for farmers and smallholders. Our next inhouse Practical Lambing course in on March 8. Call the practice on 01935 83682. n 01935 83682 SynergyFarmHealth.com

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