The West Dorset Magazine Edition 37, February 2024

Edition 37

of

February 2024

Monthly, PRICELESS

The West Dorset Magazine

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

ADVERTISE IN WEST DORSET’S WIDEST READ NEWS MAGAZINE: 01305 566336 | advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Miranda Robertson Editor

Karen Bate News Editor

miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Stuart Wickham Sports editor

Laura McManus Advertising sales director

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

laura@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Contact us: ( 01305 566336 News, letters to the editor and general feedback: newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk Display advertising: advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk Classified advertising (text ads): classifieds@westdorsetmag.co.uk Sport: sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk Post: 15 Stanstead Rd, Maiden Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0BL

Nick Horton Chief Sub

Dan Goater Reporter

nickH@westdorsetmag.co.uk

dan@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Bob Holman Advertising sales

Lyndon Wall Cartoonist

bob@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Contents:

News & features Whasson? (events) Culture Home & Garden Church Letters Sport Vittles Puzzles Down to Earth Health & Wellbeing Business Politics Agriculture

justsocaricatures.co.uk

3-56 6-15 57-62 63-65 66 67 68-70 71-73 74-75, 79 76-79 80-81 82-83 84-85 86

When you respond to advertisers, please tell them you saw their advert in this magazine: It helps them monitor the effectiveness of their advert and helps us cover our costs

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

ERS! N N U T S 3 PAGE A star has been born in Dorchester – in the shape of Susie the Cat. The roving moggy wanders about town, visiting all the shops and making herself at home – however her favourite spot is in the window of Oxfam.

Susie is now so well known she has been on the TV news, and artist Catherine Owen, AKA the Raggy Rat, has come up with a postcard of her to raise funds for Feral Cat Care.

To buy some, contact The Raggy Rat via Facebook or go to the Susie’sTravels in Dorchester page.

Or visit Oxfam, the Potting Shed, Potters Café or the Walnut Grove café.

It’s Runaround Sue!

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Social care in funding boost

In with a shout to be new

Dorset Council will receive a share of a £500million government grant for rural authorities delivering social care.

The council’s share – which is yet to be announced - will be distributed through the Social Care Grant.

The government will also give Dorset Council an extra £15million towards its rural services delivery grant.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder said: “The extra £15million represents an increase of over 15% and is the largest increase since 2018-19.

“I’m pleased to have been directly involved in securing and ensuring the voices of West Dorset’s constituents are heard in Westminster.”

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

It’s a crying shame!

Champion town crier Alistair Chisholm, who has been proclaiming and pontificating his way rather noisily around Dorchester for the past 27 years, is hanging up his bell and his tricorn hat.

Now the hunt is on for his successor – but you’ll have to get in quick, as entries close on February 12.

Alistair, who is now 78, cried his last on New Year’s Eve, when a crowd of hundreds gathered to hear him ring in 2024.

Now the town is on the hunt for a special individual to fill his buckled shoes.

Eight would-be town criers have already thrown their

hats in the ring – but no women, which Alistair says is a shame, as so many successful criers are ladies. Weymouth still feels the loss of Doris Eastwood, who for many years brightened the resort with her cries. She was crowned national champion, ladies’ world champion and guild champion in her time.

Alistair, who has been crowned national champion an amazing 11 times, said: “We are a special breed. A bit eccentric, perhaps, oddball extroverts. In these days of increasingly fast communications it is lovely to have this link with the past. Dorchester has a long and fascinating story to tell. Town criers

add a bit of colour and a bit of flair.”

He added: “The best thing about the role is most children see your tricorn hat and believe you to be a pirate. So I’ve been looting ships of their gold for 27 years…”

Anyone who would like a bash at being town crier should apply to the town council, which will select a number of candidates to audition live in the town centre. n To apply, submit a letter to Dorchester Town Council by February 12.

Write to: Assistant Town Clerk at Dorchester Town Council, 19 North Square, Dorchester DT1 1JF or email: tonyhurley @dorchester-tc.gov.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

town crier

NOW HEAR THIS: Town crier Alistair Chisholm is stepping down

Seafood fest U-turn Weymouth Seafood Festival will go ahead this summer after organisers made a U-turn over plans to scrap it.

Organisers had announced on January 5 they made the “difficult” decision to axe the festival amid rising costs and a fall in sponsorship revenue.

But they have since announced on social media they have made a U-turn over that decision and will put the festival back on.

The two-day festival, taking place on Weymouth peninsula on September 7 and 8, is expected to draw up to 10,000 visitors.

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County’s 111 team the fastest NHS 111 call handlers in Dorset have the fastest response times in the country.

New figures from NHS Dorset show that on average, Dorset HealthCare staff took less than 18 seconds to answer 111 calls in 2023.

Almost all calls were picked up in under one minute. Data provided by NHS Dorset has revealed that since April last year more than 92% of 111 calls have been answered in under 60 seconds.

The average speed to answer was just over 17 seconds – currently the

best performance of any 111 service in England.

Dan McKie, Dorset HealthCare’s integrated urgent care operational lead, said: “Our 111 staff can support you to access the right care in the right place at the right time. “This will help reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and avoid people attending there when they don’t need to. If you do call at a busy time, please be patient – we will get to your call as quickly as possible.”

For more information on local services, visit staywelldorset.nhs.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Email your events to

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Cerne AbbAs VillAge HAll: Flexible, modern, green FACilities in A beAutiFul rurAl setting l Weddings l evening hire l Full fibre l Conferences l meeting broadband l daytime hire rooms and wi-fi cerneabbasvillagehall.org.uk | 07508 039 280 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Dorchester and District Gardening Club are welcoming Dave Aplin to their monthly meeting to give a talk on ‘My journey from the (former) Dorchester Horticultural Society to

Middle East Botanist’.

Dave first exhibited at the Dorchester Horticultural Society at the age of ten. He was a member of the committee at 14, leaving school before his 16th birthday. Initially an

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apprentice gardener at Herrison Hospital and Dorchester Town Council, he went on the gain several horticultural qualifications and was selected as Harry Dodson’s assistant in the televised Victorian Flower Garden series.

He later achieved a first class degree in botany at the University of London, followed by a PhD. As a botanist Dave has worked in Belgium, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Belize and Zanzibar.

This talk is a motivational

journey full of anecdotes from Guatemalan bandits to falling off a tropical island – all for the love of plants!

The club meets at St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester DT1 1LB, doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

Free entry for members, visitors £4 on the door. There is also a bring and buy stall and a draw, with tea/coffee and biscuits available afterwards. Everyone welcome. Contact Jane, secretary on 01305 268523 or

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Join the journey to

brilliant broadband dorchestergardening@gmail.com

Festus Derriman Morris Side hold their winter pratices each Wednesday, September to May at Upwey Village Old School Hall DT3 5QE at 7.30pm. May to August they dance out at a variety of locations.

They are always open to new members. No previous experience necessary.

Email Ian or Sue at fd.upwey.morris@hotmail.com

for further info.

Wyke Regis Horticultural Society will be hosting an evening talk by Andrew Cowling, herbalist, at 7pm in the Club House, Rylands Lane, DT4 9PY. Ticket £7.50 includes soup and dessert. Non-members welcome.

Dorchester Film Society is celebrating its 65th year this year and to mark the occasion award-winning director Margy Kinmonth will be at a screening of her documentary Eric Ravilious – Drawn to War with an introduction and Q&A in the Corn Exchange at 7.30pm. The film is the true story of the under-valued British artist who acted as an official war artist in WWII. Full details of the programme and how to join the society are at dorchesterfilmsociety.org.uk Admissions are for members and guests only – tickets cannot be bought at the door.

Cllr Dr Kelvin Clayton of the West Dorset Green Party will speak at the first of a series of Leigh Talks! events.

Do you have concerns about

climate change, water pollution, plastic waste, biodiversity? What actions are proposed by the different political parties and what are the implications?

Who would you vote for, to make sure the of best progress on these issues?

Leigh Climate Group have invited the Green, Lib Dem, Labour and Conservative parties to a new series of talks at 7.45pm at Leigh Village Hall DT9 6HL (doors open 7.30pm). The second event is on Wednesday, February 21 at 7.45pm when Edward Morello of the West Dorset Liberal Democrat Party will speak. Entrance £2. Bar. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Dorchester’s Bayeux Society will enjoy an illustrated talk

by Nick Lugg entitled Working in France at Bayeux Court DT1 1AS, 7.30pm.

Members £4 cash, Nonmembers £5 cash on the door Please see dorchesterayeuxsociety.yolasite.com for full programme and information about joining.

West Dorset Ramblers Group are doing an 8.5-mile circular walk via Sydling Farm and Bushes barn. For more information and booking call 07826 150114.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Sherborne Library is hosting a Chinese New Year Library Gets Lively session from 2pm-2.30pm, with stories and crafts for ages 2-5.

Wyke Regis Horticultural Society is holding a seed

Register your interest at

wessexinternet.com swap at the Trading Post, Rylands Lane, DT4 9PY from 9.30am-12.30pm. All welcome.

Enquires@wrhs.org.uk

Choral Eucharist at 10.30am, with music by Tallis, Michael Haydn and Durufle. Free admission.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club host an eight mile walk from Beaminster.

For further information call 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. New members and visitors are welcome.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Ros Dean and Judy Luffman will be talking to the members of Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild after a short business meeting at 2pm in Dorchester Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury, DT1 3DF.

St Peter’s Church in Dorchester will hold a

Continued page 8

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Ros founded the Repair Café in Weymouth in 2019. It is run by 50 volunteers with 30 present at each event, of which 15 of these are repairers who fix items as the visitor watches, saving them from the tip. Ros was an engineer/ programmer and has worked on satellites for the European Space Agency.

Visitors very welcome (£3).

Enquiries 01305 832857.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Southill Gardening Club (formerly Radipole and Southill Horticultural Society) meet at Southill Community Centre at 7.30pm.

The chairman of the Friends of Weymouth Museum Graham Perry will speak on The Parks and Gardens of Melcome Regis, and will cover the history of the development of the parks and gardens from

about 1800, covering the area from Alexandra Gardens to Lodmoor. The event is open to members and non-members (£4), and refreshments are included. Information from Nigel Smith on 01305 788939.

If you love Weymouth, then a brand-new event called Love Your Weymouth Festival is for you!

Weymouth Town Council is holding this new event to bring people together to look at what can be done to tackle the effects of climate change in the town.

From 10am-2pm in the Council Chambers, The New Town Hall, Commercial Road people can go along and enjoy creating your own smoothie on the smoothie bike, face painting, and making pledges on the pledge tree to help the local environment.

TICKETS at your

local m

There will also be tips and talks from Repair Café, Biodiversity, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Greenpeace and Ants On A Rock who will be talking about invertebrates and how to look after them in our gardens and open spaces.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14

West Dorset Ramblers Group will do a six-mile circular walk discovering Bridport’s river banks. For info and booking call 07798 732252.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Bridport and District Gardening Club will hear from Brian Pettit at 7.30pm at the WI Building on North St. He lives in Dorset and works closely with wildlife reservations and zoos in the UK and globally. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise about wildlife large and small and how best to

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WEST_DORSET_MAG_APRIL.indd 1

29/03/2023 12:44

Email your events to newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

photograph them. Brian will be providing a talk on the wildlife of Dorset.

Non members welcome at £2.

Get ready to raise a glass and a smile at a four-day festival celebrating craft beers, good food and Dorchester’s folksy heritage. Discover Dorchester has announced the full line-up for the Brew Dorch 2024 – Festival of Drinks, running from February 15 to 18, mainly in Brewery Square.

The festival begins with Tarquins’ gin tasting masterclass at Hub Box at 6pm. Tickets £20. This will be followed by Furleigh’s wine tasting dinner at The King’s Arms at 7pm. Tickets £60.

DiscoverDorchester.co.uk Mythical, Magical Crafts for children aged 3+ will be laid on at Sherborne Library from 10.30-11.30am.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

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Volunteers gather for networking event Volunteers and community workers from a range of organisations came together for a networking conference.

Hosted by Weymouth Town Council at Castle Cove Sailing Club, around 50 people attended including representatives from NHS, Age UK and Samaritans.

The theme for the event was social media and marketing, with the communications team from Weymouth Town Council delivering a presentation on the topic.

The next community networking event is on Tuesday, April 23 in the council chamber at The New Town Hall, Commercial Road.

Sherborne Historical Society presents Barry Brock – Prison for the Poor. Gainsborough House, Dorset’s old bridewell at Digby Hall, Hound Street at 8pm. The fascinating history of the building in South Street, which was part of a monastery before becoming a bridewell, then a brewery, a newspaper office, a school boarding house and others. Members free, visitors £5. Visit sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

will be playing at The Centenary Club Jubilee Road, Weymouth. Live music, cheap bar and plenty of (free) parking – what more could you want? Phil: 01935 814199 pb@classicmedia.co.uk

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Preparations for D Day: Decimalisation is a talk

by Sandra Brown at Bridport WI Hall at 2.30pm, in support of Bridport Millennium Green. £5/£4 members inc tea and biscuits. Raffle. Details from Sandra, 01308 423078.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16

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Join in Tots Time at St Mary’s Church in Burton Bradstock every Friday during term time from 2pm to 3pm.

For toddlers up to school age children, the sessions include singing and dancing, fun activities and Bible stories, with drinks and snacks available for children and adults.

Brew Dorch continues, with wild cocktails with John Wright at Tom Brown’s from 6pm. At 6.30pm there will be a DJ and cocktails at The King’s Arms. Top the evening off

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Email your events to

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

with a beer and the band Masau’u at Tom Brown’s at 9pm. Entry is free for all February 16 events.

DiscoverDorchester.co.uk SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17

St Peter’s Church, Dorchester is holding a lunchtime concert of music for organ performed

by Sam Hanson from12.301pm. Admission free.

There’s a coffee morning at All Saints church, Wyke Regis. 10am to midday. All are welcome to join us for coffee, tea, cakes, Fairtrade, books, music and, of course, chat.

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

New members/visitors welcome.

Swanage Railway is holding a community weekend today and tomorrow, with discounts for DT and BH postcode residents. There will be an 08 driver experience, footplate visits, signalbox visits and tours, guard’s experience, crane demos and more. Swanagerailway.co.uk Sherborne Book Fair will be held 9.30am-4pm at Digby Memorial Hall (DT9 3NL).

Secondhand books, maps and printed ephemera.

Brew Dorch continues, with a chance to explore the history of Brewery Square on a free tour of the brewhouse and kitchen with Jeremy Pope beginning at 11am. Join in a pots ‘n pints workshop and make your own drinking tankard at Tom Browns at noon. £37.54 per person.

There will be a beer-themed ‘Olympics’ at Brewery Square at 2pm. £8 per person.

At 3pm you can knit a cosy for your new tankard at a crafting session at The King’s Arms. £15 per person.

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Join a brew walk with Joy Wallis at the Town Pump at 6pm. £10 per person.

At 9pm Masau’u will perform again at Tom Brown’s at 9pm.

Entry is free.

DiscoverDorchester.co.uk SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18

The final day of the Brew Dorch festival will begin with a guided walk exploring the town’s folk routes with Alastair Simpson, beginning at the Town Pump at 2pm on February 18. Tickets £10.

Enjoy a folk show at Tom Brown’s at 4pm followed by a traditional Mummers play at Brewery Square at 5pm.

There will be an Eldridge Pope workers’ reunion at Hub Box from 6pm. Rounding out the festival will be a beer themed folk night at the Convivial Rabbit from 7.30pm.

DiscoverDorchester.co.uk St Martin’s Church in Shipton Gorge is holding a pet service at 3pm. Bring along your pets, or a toy pet friend!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

West Dorset Ramblers Group will do a seven-mile walk around Weymouth in winter.

For more information and booking call 07974 756107.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

A talk plus discussion by Giles Bristow, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage called Motion For The Ocean will be held in the Pine Hall, Baptist Church, top of Broad Street, Lyme Regis, DT7 2NY at 7pm. Free event. Refreshments available.

All welcome.

Giles will discuss what we can do to ensure the coming General Election creates a seachange in how we treat our rivers and seas.

Giles has also been an environmental lawyer and activist and is passionate about

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Email your events to

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) the oceans and very worried about Plastic & Sewage Pollution in our rivers and seas. Water quality is likely to be a top three election issue he feels. Giles will give a talk on ocean restoration, plastic pollution and climate change followed by a discussion on the state of our rivers and coastal waters and what can be done about it. enquiries@turnlymegreen.co.uk Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7 mile walk from Cerne Abbas. Call 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. New members/visitors welcome.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Famous Sites in World Archaeology is a six-week course starting in Bridport in February.

Archaeologist Chris Tripp will take you on a journey around

the world investigating some of the most astounding archaeological sites ever discovered, covering all the periods of human pre-history and into the early modern era.

What was The Man in the Ice doing walking in the Alps over 5,000 years ago? What was the Amesbury Archer from Switzerland doing in Britain at the time of Stonehenge? What are the stories of the ordinary sailors who died on the Mary Rose?

The course will be held on Wednesdays from February 21, 2pm-3.45pm at The United Church, Bridport DT6 3LT. £48 for all six lectures. tripp.chris60@gmail.com or call 07513 006432.

Edward Morello of the West Dorset Liberal Democrat Party will speak at the second of a series of Leigh Talks! events.

Do you have concerns about

Dorchester

TRINITY

EVE N

Club

climate change, water pollution, plastic waste, biodiversity? What actions are proposed by the different political parties and what are the implications?

Who would you vote for, to make sure the of best progress on these issues?

Leigh Climate Group have invited the Green, Lib Dem, Labour and Conservative parties to a new series of talks at 7.45pm at Leigh Village Hall DT9 6HL (doors open 7.30pm).

Entrance £2. Bar available.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22

The South Dorset RSPB Group are giving a talk in the Quiet Space, Poundbury DT1 3SE at 7.30pm. Doors open 715 . The speaker is Peter Holden and his talk is Birds without Borders. Admission members £3, visitors £4, to include coffee and biscuits.

TS

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newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

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

Fabric range, advent calendar and stocking kits now in stock.

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West Dorset Ramblers Group will do a seven-mile walk around Abbotsbury and surrounding area. For more information and booking call 07952 517764.

A Murder Mystery Dinner: Death by Chocolate presented

by The Acting Caledonians will be held at All Saints Church, Wyke Regis. Can you identify the murderer, their motive and how they did it? Entrance £10, by prebooked ticket only. Buffet meal provided (bring your own soft / alcoholic drinks).

Team/table size 6 people.

Individual ticket holders welcome – teams will be finalised on the night. Contact Jeff Thomas on 07710 096174 to reserve.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24

The Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society is holding a coffee morning 10am to noon. Membership renewals and sale of tuber and bucket for the summer show potato competition (£3). All welcome. Free entry. Uplyme Village Hall DT7 3UY. St Nicholas Church in Broadwey (DT3 5DN) is holding another of its everpopular charity quiz nights at 6.30pm in aid of the church and the National Coastwatch Institution, Portland Bill. It’s £15 to include a ploughman’s.

Prizes, raffle, cash bar. No mobiles allowed! If you can’t make a ‘team’ in numbers, but would still like to take part, email sisanamalik@yahoo.com A Choral Evensong for Lent, with music by Purcell, Seal, Buxtehude, Amy Beach and Howells will be held at 4.30pm at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. Admission free.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 6.5 mile walk from Broadwindsor. Call 01308 898484 or 01308

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

13

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Sherborne Book Fair

Secondhand book, map & printed ephemera fair

Saturday, February 17, 9.30am-4pm at the Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, DT9 3NL 863340. New members/ visitors welcome.

Beaminster Museum is holding a paperback book sale from 9.30am-12.30pm (DT8 3NB). You can donate books to the sale on Friday mornings or call 01308 863912 to arrange collection.

The RAFA is holding a quiz night at 7pm at Bridport & District Social Club in North Street.

Teams of four, great prizes, cash bar and raffle. Book now with Knocker (Mike) White on 07821 167278.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Blair Dunlop, celebrated award-winning folk singersongwriter and guitarist, will perform at Charlton Horethorne Village Hall (DT9 4FY) at 7.30pm.

Blair has toured extensively both in Australia and Europe and has also appeared at many large festivals including Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, Port Fairy and Woodford. Tickets £12 from Jenny 01935 814199 jb@classicmedia.co.uk TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Bridport U3A’s February talk will be the talented marine photographer and Jurassic Coast Trust Ambassador Steve Belasco.

His talk, A Cruise Along the Jurassic Coast will start at 2pm at Bridport United Church Hall, East Street, DT6 3LJ. He combines his two interests by documenting the World Heritage Site from wave level.

He will sail us from Poole to Exmouth with photos of our stunning 95-mile Jurassic coast. The talk will last for about an hour, followed by a Q&A then refreshments.

Members free, visitors £3.

West Dorset Ramblers Group will do an eight-mile walk around Beaminster and Stoke Abbott. For more information and booking call 07587 098079.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

The Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society hosts a talk on The Hedgehog Predicament by Colin Varndell at Uplyme Village Hall DT7 3UY. Members free, nonmembers £3. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments, talk starts 7.30pm. ulrhs.wordpress.com Sherborne Science Café presents acclaimed explorer John Blashford-Snell on The Quest For The Pandora at 7.30pm at Digby Memorial Hall (DT9 3NL). £3 entry on the door, no membership required.

Sherbornesciencecafe.com FRIDAY, MARCH 1

West Dorset Ramblers Group will do an eight-mile circular hilly walk via Symondsbury, Colmer Hill, Chideok & Thorncombe Beacon. For more information and booking call 07902 988549.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

Do you already love singing?

Would you like to experience

singing with a big choir? Do you wonder if you’re a singer but you’re not sure?

Bridport’s West Dorset Singers invite you to Come-&Sing selections from Mozart’s Requiem with them in St Swithun’s Church, Bridport.

Scores for those who don’t have their own and training aids for anyone who wants help. Registration starts at 1pm and practice starts at 1.30pm under Matt Kingston, the WDS Music Director.

Established singers will enjoy his encouragement and insights while beginners will appreciate the support of their experienced companions.

Entry £10.

An informal performance, also in the church starts at 5.30pm and everyone is welcome.

Entry is free, with a voluntary retiring collection.

For more information, visit

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14

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Whasson? (and where’s it to?

Email your events to newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

When the Yanks came to Lyme STAINED GLASS WORKSHOPS March 16/17 Dorchester April 13/14 Beaminster Small groups expert tui琀on no experience needed Details: www.jackiehunt.co.uk jackie@jackiehunt.co.uk

westdorsetsingers.org or email secretary@westdorsetsingers.org Celebrate St David’s Day with a traditional Welsh dinner, music by Ed Hintze and his singers at 6pm at the Memorial Hall, Victoria Avenue, Upwey DT3 5NG. There will be prizes, a raffle and folk tales, plus friendship

The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum will host an illustrated talk ‘When the Yanks Came to Lyme’ in March.

In recognition of the 80th anniversary of the arrival of American troops in Lyme Regis, speaker Ken Gollop will deliver the talk at 2.30pm on Sunday, March 3 at Woodmead Hall.

The American troops

were secretly stationed across the South West before the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Ken Gollop is a historian, born and educated here. He has worked as a fisherman and has always had a keen interest in the museum. Admission £4.

All profits to the museum.

Details from David Cox on 01297 443156.

and entertainment all round.

Tickets are £12.50 from Maureen Carter, 01305 812723. Bring your drinks.

A Community Café and Table Top Sale will be held at Crossways Youth and Community Centre, Old Farm Way, Crossways, Dorchester, DT2 8TU 9am to noon– Free

pitches but please book: cycc@mail.com

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in Woodmead Hall at 2.30pm.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

Friends of Lyme Regis Museum are holding a talk: When the Yanks came to Lyme by Ken Gollop, who will tell the story of the US troops in Lyme training for DDay. The event is taking place

Airports

Tours

American soldiers at Spittles Camp

Dorchester Civic Society talk: The Dorford Centre, Top o’ Town, 7.30pm.

Ben Murphy, estates director at the Duchy of Cornwall, will speak about Building a Sustainable New Community at Nansledan (Cornwall).

Ports

Trips & Events Tel: 01305 767 788

Weddings enquiries@extramileuk.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

15

Whasson? (and where’s it to?

GARDEN EDGING Give your lawn edge definition and improve ease of maintenance 5-6MM THICK STEEL, RADIUSED EDGE, 80MM DEPTH 6 METRE LENGTHS, WITH FIXINGS Other metalwork by design Free for DCS members. Nonmembers are encouraged to make a donation of £3. info@dorchestercivicsociety.org.uk

Dorchester’s Bayeux Society will enjoy a French film night with Monsieur Lazhar, in French with English subtitles at Dorchester Corn Exchange. Doors/bar open 6.45pm for 7.30 screening £6 cash on the door. Open to non-members.

Blackmore Vale U3A will be at Henstridge Village Hall (BA8 0QB) to hear a fascinating talk by a criminal lawyer. Julia Holman, who spent several years working on the parole board, will give some insight in how the parole board works, the volume of paperwork required and an understanding as to how difficult decisions about whether to allow parole are made. The talk includes some real examples of cases Julia was involved with and she will involve us in the difficult decision-making process.

Doors open for refreshments 2.15pm arrive before the AGM 2.45pm, Speaker 3pm.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

The March meeting of the Dorchester and District Gardening Club features a slideshow with commentary by local photographer Steve Belasco: A cruise along the Jurassic Coast.

The club meets at St George’s Church Hall, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester DT1 1LB, doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Free entry for

members, visitors £4 on the door (no need to book). There is also a bring and buy stall and a draw. Everyone welcome. Contact: Jane, Secretary 01305 268523 or dorchestergardening@gmail.c om THURSDAY MARCH 7

West Dorset Ramblers Group will do an eight-mile circular walk via Briantspuddle War Memorial, Pallington Clump, and Athelhampton. For more information and booking call 07826 150114.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

Vox Serenata vocal quartet will be performing at St Nicholas’ Church, Broadwey, 3pm-5pm (doors 2.30pm).

Funds to go to the church repair fund and Myeloma UK. Adults £10, children £4, under-fives free. Refreshments and cakes. susanamalik@yahoo.com 07944 617553.

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

New members/ visitors welcome.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

2024 is the 200th anniversary of the RNLI and Sherborne Branch will be organising a Service of Thanksgiving in Sherborne Abbey at 6pm. All welcome.

ROBERT HEDDITCH: 01308 867601 07727 168188 robhedditch@gmail.com www.gardenedging.uk

Pop over for bash at barn The fabulous Jess Upton & The Guilty Pleasures will be playing at Symondbury Tithe Barn on Friday, March 9 in aid of St Catherine’s Pre-School.

Early bird tickets are £13 at preschool. sumupstore.com, or £15 on the night.

Fully licensed bar and pizza from Chariots Of Fire available from 7pm.

Come and brighten up March!

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16

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Social care charity in bench appeal

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A charity which has provided social care and support to adults and young people with learning disabilities and mental health needs for more than 32 years across Dorset has launched an appeal to provide wheelchairaccessible picnic benches for public areas.

Encompass Care, based in Poundbury, was initially being established to support people out of large, long-stay hospitals such as Coldharbour and Herrison.

But these days it supports people with day-to-day living in their own homes.

The charity also has a residential home in Sherborne and a respite

TAKE A SEAT: Hannah Harrison and Encompass Care MD Tracey Dennis-Andrews

service, Encombe, in Dorchester, which supports more than 50 people and will celebrate its 20-year

anniversary this year. They also have a residential, supported living, outreach and respite mental health service in Weymouth.

They help nearly 90 people in Dorset, with support staff going into people’s homes and ensuring they have all they need to live their life, their way. Going out is also important– whether that’s to attractions, or events, or just to the pub or café.

The charity is funded by councils, the NHS and privately for this, however there’s a project they would love to see make a difference across the area – picnic benches which accommodate wheelchair users, so they are included and not just stuck at the end.

The benches are made of recycled plastic, but look like wood, so they are attractive and hard-wearing and easy to clean. They only cost between £400 and £600, including the fixings for a range of

surfaces. But they would last for years, giving the community a valuable amenity for a long time to come.

The project is led by the charity’s public relations officer Hannah Harrison, who loves the adaptability of the benches – it’s her mission to be able to provide one of the benches in every area they could be needed.

She said: “We are working with the Dorchester Access Team, and the National Trust and Dorset Council are also interested.

“We’ve had an amazing response from people to this project, and we’ve identified a few sites that would benefit, including Sandringham Park and Kings Road in Dorchester, and we’re speaking to the Friends of Radipole Park Gardens in Weymouth too.

“We would love to see these benches everywhere they could be used, and so we’ve dedicated our fundraising to this – all money donated on our website encompasscare. org.uk (there’s a ‘donate’ button on the top right) will go towards the benches.”

Companies can sponsor a bench, which will be printed with their logo.

And communities can fundraise for a bench for their area. Local pubs and restaurants can commission a bench, too. n You can also post donations to: Hannah Harrison, bench appeal, Encompass Care, 200 Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3BN.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

17

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

It’s our birthday! And we’re still going...

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

It’s our second anniversary! The West Dorset Magazine’s first edition went out on February 11, 2022. We’d love to say the last two years have been plain sailing…

Quite what possessed us to launch a newspaper in such tough economic times, when print publications appear to be closing left, right and centre, we don’t know.

What we do know is, you’ve all taken the

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We are growing our advertising, with an exceptional team coming up with new ideas to make advertising work – do look out for our new voucher page next month, where you can get money off a whole range of items. This is particularly suitable for food venues, tourist attractions and shops, and to have a voucher on our back page only costs £75! Bargain!

We know readers will love this new feature. And we are always open to suggestions for features that readers would enjoy and advertisers will benefit from – just pick your favourite team member on page 2 and email us!

As we enter our third year, we would like to take this moment to thank all of our readers and advertisers for all your support so far. It means the absolute world.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

19

Shield your home from care costs & inheritance tax with a living trust

THANKS SO MUCH: Back, from left; Martinstown Circle Supper Team Lilly Evans, Roelie Newman, Stuart Nuttall, Cathie Seigal, Marian Palmer and Trudy Braithwaite with Rosalind Miller, CEO Family Counselling Trust

£7.5k donation for counselling trust

A counselling service for Dorset families has received a £7,550 boost.

The Family Counselling Trust Dorset got the cash thanks to the efforts of the Martinstown Circle Suppers fundraising team.

Trust chair Catherine Boyd said: “The Family Counselling Trust Dorset is hugely grateful for the support of the Martinstown Circle Suppers Team, whose events in 2023 have raised a whopping £7,550 for our work with children and young people in Dorset who are facing challenging mental health issues.

“Well done to all involved.”

Cathie Seigal, chair of the Martinstown Circle Suppers, expressed her gratitude to Martinstown villagers for their generosity. She said: “It has been enormous fun raising the money for this important charity.

“We have been delighted with the support from our neighbours and friends in Winterbourne Valley.

“We will be continuing our fundraising efforts for our 2024 nominated charity, Dorchester Poverty Action.”

Get active and get in shape A new guide aims to get Dorset people active – with information on volunteerled activities such as health walks and cycle rides to instructor-led sessions like Nordic walking, tai chi and fresh air fitness.

Dorset Council’s Health and Activity team has released the new 2024 Get

Active Outdoors Programme, which is now available at Dorset libraries, and selected community venues and hubs. You can also access the information at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/health -and-activity or emaail healthandactivity@dorset council.gov.uk

How a Living Trust protects your estate: 1. Care Costs: Placing your main home into a living trust can ring fence the property from any potential future care costs. Thus, protecting your inheritance.

2. Asset Protection: By transferring ownership of your home and other assets to a living trust, can help protect them from creditors, divorce & remarriage, and other potential claims, including care costs.

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By placing assets into a trust, they can be excluded from your taxable estate upon your passing, potentially reducing the amount of inheritance tax your beneficiaries would owe.

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5. Trust Administration: When you establish a living trust, you typically designate yourself as the trustee, thus maintaining control over the assets and allowing you to continue using and managing them as you did before. Should you move home the trust stays in place and protects your new residence.

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20

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Flooded villagers keep up pressure

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Villagers cut off by flooding three times in January are keeping up the pressure against thousands of homes they say will make the problem infinitely worse.

George Armstrong, chairman of Stinsford Parish Council, says a change of political direction at Dorset Council after May’s elections may well see the North Dorchester garden community plan shelved.

But he fears developers won’t give up on such a ‘peach of a site’ easily.

The plan, for up to 4,000 homes between Kingston Maurward and the A37, sparked hundreds of

BRIDGE OF SIGHS: George Armstrong with, on his left, the river that burst its banks and, on his right, the road that was flooded

comments when it was included in the draft Local Plan. However the plan won’t be decided on until

later this year, when there might be a whole new political landscape.

Mr Armstrong says recent

flooding proves the land is unsuitable.

He said: “In the past we’ve been flooded maybe once a year. But last month the road between Lower Bockhampton and West Stafford has been closed by flooding on at least three occasions and was cut off for at least a week on one occasion.

“The Dorchester/Lower Bockhampton bridleway (Hardy’s ‘embowered path’) was flooded repeatedly and the bridge at Stinsford has been severely damaged by the floods. If the water meadows are over capacity now, what will they be like with 3,500 houses, roads, parking areas etc draining into them?

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

21

to thwart plans for 4,000 new homes “You cannot go by historical data. Now, even a much smaller development would affect things. Water meadows have done brilliant work in the past, when they were worked, but it’s getting rainier and rainier.

“Replacing a functioning natural landscape with its complex hydrology with 3,500 new houses and a seven-hectare industrial estate, with associated extensive hard landscaping, will throw that functioning seriously out of kilter.”

Mr Armstrong says a survey being undertaken by the North Dorchester Consortium is “a piece of public relations work by a PR company”.

Call

01308 720 106 to arrange an appointment

FLOODING RISKS: Alistair Chisholm at the Norchester site

He said: “Anyone can complete the survey from anywhere in the country.

“The results could be based on information from Dundee rather than Dorset.

“The survey asks questions

such as whether people want schools and GP practices in the new development. These are “apple pie and motherhood” questions.

Everyone will answer yes,

even though the developers will have little or no ability to deliver them.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Developers’ survey ‘is just an exercise in PR’ CONT FROM PAGE 21

people in Dorset think of the proposed North of Dorchester development, they should read the hundreds of submissions to the last Local Plan including the collective responses of town and parish councils and of voluntary organisations such as the Civic Society and the CPRE. These carefully considered and well-researched submissions show that the development will not address the real need for properly affordable housing; will blight the historic landscape and embedded literary

heritage; will bring traffic chaos to Dorchester and surrounding parishes and will even have problems bringing water to the taps of the proposed new houses (according to Wessex Water).”

And he said: “When the survey results come out, no member of the public, no local politician, no local planner should see them as a valid reflection of local public opinion.

They are part of a longterm campaign to produce a PR gloss on an unnecessary and unwanted development.”

Proposal ‘should be

Opponents of the plan to build up to 4,000 homes on land north of Dorchester say the proposal should be consigned to a “watery grave.”

“This winter’s repeated floods are a powerful indication of why this plan

should be thrown out now,” said Jane Ashdown, chair of campaign group STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester).

The floods have led to wide-spread travel disruption, school closures and reports of raw sewage

Mature student Sean sets sights on being ranger Raised on a farm with a love for the outdoors, Kington Maurward College student Sean Davies says a lifetime of office and retail work is certainly not for him.

Mature student Sean has just started the second year of a foundational degree in animal behaviour, welfare and conservation.

He hopes one day to work as a ranger.

Sean, 30, said he chose Kingston Maurward because of the recommendation of friends who had studied there, praising its lecturers and facilities, including a farm.

“When I left school, I went to work in retail for a few years,” Sean told The West Dorset Magazine.

“A while later my family was planning to move up north to open a kennel, but that eventually fell through.

“I had already given up my

In this new series, the WDM talks to students at Kingston Maurward College to find out what they hope to do with their studies. The college is now offering degree courses.

Find out more at kmc.ac.uk

job, so it was time to look for the next new thing to do.

“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and I consulted friends about it.

“They said to me, ‘you like being outdoors and working in nature’ and they recommended looking at Kingston Maurward College’s prospectus.”

Sean was drawn to his current course, which offers an optional third year to convert it to an honours degree, because of how hands on he can be.

“Kingston Maurward is amazing,” Sean said. “It is very well-equipped.

“I’m studying in a new building and our lecturers are working directly with National Trust employees on site.”

He added: “Lecturers here are like friends and they break things down very well for us.

“There’s lots of one to one time with lecturers and class rooms are big.

“The syllabus feels very welltailored for us and we have lots support as we progress.

“I have friends on similar courses in Bournemouth and Southampton who say we have better facilities here.”

Recently Sean has been studying modules on animal behaviour and psychology, nutrition, genetics, conservation and species identification.

Sean said: “Kingston Maurward has a good reputation for its animal department, having a farm on site.

“Friends have done courses here, so I chose a place here based on their reviews. It’s amazing here, it’s the perfect place to learn about animals.”

He added: “I’ve worked in offices and retail for years, but I want to work outside most of the time.

“I grew up in Wales on a farm before my family moved here, so I’m used to being outside a lot. I long for that.

“There are jobs in the field I want to work in here and in Wales and Scotland. I would happily work anywhere in the UK or overseas or right here.

“Ideally I would like to go into ranger work, active conservation in the field.”

When Sean is not studying he works part time in a bar and volunteers for the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, East Dorset Bat Rescue and on bird count surveys in Poole harbour.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

23

sent to a watery grave’ say opponents

ARTIST’S IMPRESSION: How the consortium sees the new development and, left, a map of the proposed new housing north of Dorchester

flowing from manhole covers.

And experts predict climate change will only make the problem worse.

The North Dorchester

Consortium has said it will elevate paths and roads somehow, so flooding would run underneath.

However it’s not clear how this would be done.

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Ms Ashdown said: “The real threat posed by this huge development is the raised level of run-off caused by rain landing on hard asphalt and concrete

surfaces rather than the trees, fields and hedgerows that currently soak up and absorb the rainfall.”

Dorchester Mayor Alistair Chisholm has also dismissed the developers’ assurances about flooding.

He said: “While they claim they won’t be building houses on our water meadows the developers Persimmon do intend to drive a new link road across the flood plain, linking the A35 with the A37.

“They have conceded that in order to avoid the new road flooding it will have to be elevated. Now that really would constitute a blot on this treasured Hardy landscape!”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

25

Glam gran Charlie is in the running

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Maiden Newton’s most glamorous gran is limbering up for her sixth London Marathon – having raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity along the way.

Charlie Spencer has run 17 marathons in all – her first was in 2010 and her latest marathon, the Giant’s Head Marathon, was completed on her 60th birthday last June.

Every year she selects a different charity, based on the plight of someone she knows, and this year she will be raising funds for the Brain Tumour Charity, in solidary with a local man aged in his 30s with the condition.

Last year she raised more

GRAN-TASTIC: Charlie with her daughter Olivia and, inset, some of her medals

than £7,000 for Huntington’s, and she’s raised more than £24,000 over four London Marathons.

Charlie, who has a daughter, Olivia, a stepson, Lance and a granddaughter, has been a hairdresser for

46 years. She is well known in the area, zipping about tending to tresses and scampering nimbly through the streets with the Maiden Newton Runners.

“I’ve run for many years,” she said. “I ran at school and always wanted to do the London Marathon.

“It’s that feeling of freedom after work, just getting out and running, getting the stresses out of my head. Running a marathon is exhilarating – an incredible feeling – and

raising money for charity is so rewarding.”

Charlie is running the Portland Marathon on Sunday, February 11 and has been back and forth to the island, practising the hilly route.

“Portland is a magical place,” she said.

Then she’ll be girding her loins for the London event in April.

“I’m never stopping,” she said. “I’ll do it every year till I can’t walk.” n To donate to Charlie’s Brain Tumour Charity fundraiser, go to justgiving.com/page/charli e-spencer, or post to us at the WDM, 15 Stanstead Road, Maiden Newton, DT2 0BL and we will pass them on.

26

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Have a say on masterplan for seafront People are being urged to have their say over a proposed seafront masterplan for Weymouth that could lead to more live entertainment, pop-up markets and events.

The draft 10-year plan covers the management of three kilometres of promenade from Weymouth Pavilion north to Overcombe Beach.

Town council officers say they have set out a strategy that aims to make the ‘best use’ of the seafront’s assets, businesses and leisure facilities to promote tourism and trade.

The council’s proposal was developed after previous plans, drawn up by consultancy firm Hemingway Design at a cost of £25,000, were rejected by members last year.

The key objectives of the new plan – which includes feedback from more than 2,200 people in an online survey – includes

WE DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE: Weymouth’s bucket and spade image could be about to change

consolidating beach front attractions and enhancing the promenade, including its catering facilities.

There are also proposals to improve Greenhill and Preston Beach and facilities and activities for young people.

The plan recommends removing some elements of the beach’s funfair, to maintain a focus on ‘vintage’ elements like the helter skelter and creating more space on the beach.

There is a proposal to add

New chairman for DHCT Dorset Historic Churches Trust has named its new chairman, retired specialist judge of the Technology and Construction Court David Grant, pictured.

Mr Grant assumed the top job this month after the retirement of John Stokoe, CB, CBE, at the end of 2023.

He brings a wealth of experience in the legal aspects of construction and conservation work, alongside a personal interest in the maintenance

of listed church buildings.

“I have been a trustee of the trust for a couple of years,” Mr Grant said, “so I know what I am getting into. I am lucky to be taking over from John Stokoe, who has led the organisation brilliantly through the covid years and thereafter.

“The strength of the trust is shown by the way that hundreds of volunteers turn out for the ride and stride sponsored event each September.”

more seating around the Jubilee Clock plus a street performers’ area and a programme of pop-up themed market events.

Report authors said survey respondents expressed “overwhelming” support for a greater variety of food to be sold on the promenade, such as paella,

Turkish and Caribbean.

At Greenhill, the plan notes there is an opportunity to support more open-air sporting activities for young people.

The masterplan for Greenhill Gardens includes creating a programme of bandstand music in the area, plus pop-up theme markets, more streetside cafes and food offerings and a street entertainers’ area. Free-to-use barbecues, children’s play areas, open air fitness equipment and showers, lockers and training facilities are proposed for the Preston Beach area of the seafront, as is a big screen for major events.

The draft Seafront Masterplan will be discussed by the full town council in February.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

SUM ACHIEVEMENT: A thousand people have signed up

Maths classes for parents’ division

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Mums and dads in Weymouth have signed up for a free adult maths course so they can help their children with homework.

A group of parents from Conifers Primary School are the latest learners to benefit from the free nationwide Multiply maths programme being delivered by Dorset Council’s Skills and Learning Adult Education.

Multiply is delivered by a range of providers across the county and offers short numeracy-based courses based around everything from supporting children with schoolwork, to help with managing bills, budgeting, and cooking.

Since September 2022, some 1,000 Dorset people have signed up for the free sessions.

Conifers pupil parent Beccy Hughes said: “I signed up because I wanted to be able to help my son.

“When I’ve tried to help him with his maths in the past he’s said: “Mum! that’s not right! Maths homework could be very frustrating for us all. But this is really helping.”

She added: “I found maths at school difficult and was nervous this would be like school. But it isn’t at all.

James is a great teacher, very patient and calm and if we don’t get something we just try something else until we do.”

We’re pretty safe down here Dorset is the safest area of the country to live in, according to new figures.

The research, conducted by ADT, analysed the crime rate per 1,000 people in UK areas to determine those with the lowest crime rates.

The research also looked at the quality of local schools, the general safety of the area and the number of

parks, to determine which UK area is the most family-friendly.

Dorset topped the list with a crime rate of 49 per 1,000 people in the year ending March 2023.

In second place was Harrow with a crime rate of 62 per 1,000 people and Bexley in third place with 65 crimes per 1,000 people.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Clean-up work to continue at river WORK IN PROGRESS: Chris Loder MP with Susan Davy, CEO of SWW

Work to clean up the River Lim in Lyme Regis is continuing, and West Dorset MP Chris Loder has met South West Water’s CEO Susan Davy to check progress.

The river had been declared ‘ecologically dead’, which sparked huge concerns.

But now all six storm overflows along the river are fitted with event duration monitors, which measure the operations of a storm overflow and monitor illegal sewage spills.

Mr Loder said: “Progress is being made: Additional infrastructure investment is also planned. I’ll continue to work with South West Water to ensure that the River Lim is cleaned up.”

Mr Loder has also welcomed investments for a significant number of water treatment and sewage outflow sites in West Dorset to tackle the

dumping of raw sewage following votes for action on the issue with the Environment Bill votes in late 2021. There are now legal powers to slash the number of sewage discharges, forcing water companies to invest in the area to futureproof the local sewage network and stop dividends being paid out to water companies that pollute the environment.

Among the areas where outflows are set to be revamped are Charmouth, Martinstown, Chideock, Dorchester and Sydling St Nicholas.

Mr Loder said: “Many of these areas have been hit by flooding or sewage discharges before, so I am very pleased to see action being taken.”

One of the first priorities of the Bill was 100% electronic monitoring of every outflow in England, which was achieved in December.

Book up for Any Questions?

BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? is coming to Swanage on Friday, March 8 at 6.30pm. The Mowlem is hosting the event, which is free to book at themowlem.com Any Questions? was first

broadcast in 1948.

One of the stringent and unchanging rules is that the panel never sees the questions in advance; the panellists hear them for the first time at the same moment the audience does.

29

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Email the page numbers, plus your name, address and number to classifieds@westdorsetmag.co.uk or post to The West Dorset Magazine, 15 Stanstead Rd, Maiden Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0BL by February 28 for your chance to win. * By entering this competition you agree to your data being stored for the purpose of the competition

30

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Your chance to play vital role in local services Dorset residents are being invited to stand for election this May for all of the council’s 82 seats.

The authority says standing is an opportunity to play a “vital role” in shaping local services and making a

difference to the quality of people’s lives. A council spokesperson said: “Many candidates stand as a member of a political party, but you do not need to be a member of a political party and you do not need to be

aligned to one of the existing political groups on the council in order to stand for election.”

Contact the elections team at elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305 838299.

Café concentrates on themed events A popular café and gallery in Beaminster is pivoting the business to be able to do more of what they love.

After a few years of successfully running their Tangerine Café for three days a week, owners Chris and Sue Sims have decided to concentrate instead on their highly successful themed evenings, brunches, activity mornings and private functions.

They won’t open Sundays to Tuesdays as before, but TANGERINE DREAM: The Beaminster cafe is concentrating on its themed events events, and workshops, the themed nights will be with a wide range of more frequent. A Turkish gluten free, vegetarian, Night is planned for and vegan options. Food March. is homemade on the There will be an American premises. Artwork, cards, brunch on February 7, and toys, books, and gifts activity mornings for premainly from local people school children, plus more are for sale. private functions such as parties, family gatherings, n Tangerine Cafe and special occasions and Gallery LLP, 2 North wakes. several awards along the and guests can hardly Sue said: “Opening for way, and now wish to believe how Tangerine can Street, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3DZ. specific events means we build on that.” offer such varied spaces.

Tel: 01308 281110 have more time for family Chris added: “We have “We continue to offer and other pursuits yet can ideal spaces for private overnight accommodation Email: hello@ tangerinecafe.co.uk offer some exciting and functions: an intimate as well.” tangerinecafe.co.uk different meals and snug area, our amazing Tangerine Café and Tangerine Cafe and activities. We have built a orangery and our beautiful Gallery is open for Gallery | Facebook good reputation, winning garden. Our customers evening meals, special

Packaging collections in village green initiative Green Martinstown is an initiative from residents for residents to help the village become more sustainable.

As part of the drive towards a carbon neutral village, there are two silver

dustbins outside the village shop, one for Tetra Pac cartons and the other for aluminium foil and containers.

Residents just need to ‘wash and squash’ before placing in the bins

before Green Martinstown members empty them.

Blister packs for medication are being collected for recycling inside the shop.

Family set in stone? Abbey wants to hear from you...

Descendants of people commemorated on monuments and memorials at Sherborne Abbey are being sought for consultation on their future.

The Abbey is developing a project to provide toilets and a new vestry in its historic church building – the first major building project there for centuries.

The project will involve adjustments to a number of monuments and memorials.

Abbey staff would be

pleased to hear from anyone who may have an interest, particularly descendants of those commemorated, including: Abbot Clement: c1155, Sir Thomas Wyatt: 1542, Sir John Horsey: c1560, George Brown: 1709, Elizabeth, wife of James Piddle: 1710, Pemberton Methuen: 1835, Richard and Francis Hodgson: 1918. n Write to the office at 3 Abbey Close, Sherborne DT9 3LQ, email joanna. sams@sherborneabbey. com or call 01935 713777.

Voice your views on county’s plan for getting places Residents, businesses and visitors are invited to share their views on the county’s biggest transport opportunities and problems.

Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council are running a survey until March 3 to gather feedback.

People are being asked what they think are the key opportunities and issues to help the councils develop a new joint Local Transport Plan to travel easily around the county, while protecting its landscape.

The survey covers a range of topics, including improving rural transport and reducing congestion, ensuring travel

accessibility for all ages and abilities, helping people be more active, and improving public transport and digital and real-time travel information.

There will be roadshowstyle events discussing transport plans for the county at Bridport Library from 10am to 2pm on February 17, at Dorchester Library from 10am to 2pm on February 24 and at Sherborne Library from 2pm to 6pm on February 26. The analysis of all the feedback received will take place during the spring, and reporting will follow in the summer.

Find out more and take part in the survey at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/localtransport-plan-4

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

31

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Mayor goes on the march to protest

By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The imminent closure of Boots the Chemist in one of the most deprived areas of Dorset, which could leave the most vulnerable at risk of losing basic healthcare, sparked a protest march with Portland Mayor Carralyn Parkes leading the way.

Boots in Fortuneswell is set to close on February 17, the latest nail in the community coffin.

The move has been described by Cllr Parkes as ‘devastating’ for the community, of which recent statistics reveal 41% of children fall under the poverty line and includes a large ageing population with many residents not having access to a vehicle.

A bus journey would cost £4 return, which would be a large proportion of a low income.

The nearest chemist is in Easton, almost two miles away, and the walk from Fortuneswell is mainly up a steep hill. For wheelchair users the route would be impassable in places.

ON THE MARCH: Portland Mayor Carralyn Parkes leads the march from Fortuneswell to Easton on Portland

Cllr Parkes invited the CEO of Boots the Chemist, Sebastian James along with residents on a walk from the Gatehouse Surgery to the Easton Boots branch to reenact the journey people will be forced to take to get a

prescription filled if they do not have access to a car or money for a bus.

Cllr Parkes said: “Although Sebastian James, the CEO of Boots had been asked to join us, he declined the invitation.

“However, approximately

30 people joined me, with those not fit enough to walk up Portland’s steep hills waving us off at the Gatehouse surgery car park.

“We stopped at Boots Fortuneswell and gave the staff our thanks and a round of applause in appreciation of the fantastic work that they have done for our community.

“It took over an hour of strenuous walking to reach Boots Easton and this is going to be really hard, especially if you are ill. I ask Mr James respectfully to think of the people in Underhill who do not have a car or the money to pay for bus fares on top of the already eyewatering cost of prescriptions.”

Carralyn added: “Please reconsider this closure or extend the notice period so that we can find alternative provision. I think it is the very least that is owed to our community.”

People are fearing that the closure of this vital resource will put pressure on Boots at Easton, the

Eight closing every week says owner Pharmacist Mike Hewitson, owner of the oldest pharmacy in the country, Beaminster Pharmacy on Hogshill told The West Dorset Magazine that some eight pharmacies are closing every week at a time when GP surgeries are ‘on their knees’.

He said while there was no imminent danger of his pharmacy closing, despite making a loss, it was vital his and other local pharmacies are fully supported by the community.

Beaminster Pharmacy has been

serving the 3,000-strong community for 234 years since it first opened in 1790.

And over the past two years, has administered 35,000 covid vaccinations.

Mr Hewitson, who also owns Abbey Pharmacy in Sherborne and employs 25 staff members across the two businesses, said: “The pharmacy is a resource most people want in our community and if we continue to lose them, our communities will be

poorer as a result.”

Mr Hewitson explained that his experience is universal and that 85% of pharmacies are making a loss.

He said: “Pharmacies are being underfunded by £1billion and between 85 and 99% of our funding comes from NHS services, prescriptions. We have seen a decade of flat funding and have had to absorb the national living wage rise and the money which the NHS provides is less than the costs to run

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

33

‘devastating’ island pharmacy closure only remaining chemist on Portland, which will be serving a population of nearly 14,000.

Carralyn said: “Losing Boots is an enormous problem. People have been collecting their pills, potions at that location for more than 100 years.

“There has always been a chemist on that site and people are not just losing basic provision but all that history.

“Just one example of this local service is when I booked my flu jab at Boots in Underhill. I was quite expecting to pay and had my bank card, but the pharmacist who recognised me, told me that because I have a steroid inhaler, I qualified for a free vaccination.

“This is just one small example of the importance of a community pharmacy, the importance of relationships.

“Pharmacies have become the first line of health defence and take pressure off GP surgeries. This Boots is a much-loved local resource and its

closure is devastating to our community.”

According to Community Pharmacy England (CPE) pharmacies are being ‘chronically underfunded’ with funds dropping by 30% over the past seven

closed, and 138 new pharmacies opened.

A Boots spokesperson told The West Dorset Magazine that the closure of Boots in Underhill part of its process to consolidate a number of stores within close proximity of each other.

Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, said: “The moment I heard about the closure of the pharmacy in Fortuneswell, I contacted Boots and asked them to rethink. Regrettably, the reply I received some time later was emphatic; the pharmacy would close and that was that. I was extremely disappointed as ON THE MAP: I am more than aware that The distance the island now only has between the two chemists one. and, left, Boots “I have passed two in Fortuneswell requests from Portland Town Council to the minister and written to the ICS to see what more they years in real terms, can do. The situation is combined with escalating deeply unsatisfactory, but costs.

Boots was clearly not for The Company Chemists turning. The solution, if Association in 2022 possible, is to find another analysed NHS data and provider and I hope the found between 2015 and ICS will help me with 2022, 808 pharmacies this.”

of a 234-year-old pharmacy business the service.

“We are the front door of the NHS and the big challenge is we need to absorb the demand from the public who cannot see a GP. We are a valuable resource and NHS England needs to look how it can support the pharmacy service.

“Pharmacies must diversify to reduce our reliance on the NHS, no business can continue to lose money, so we need to be offering other services.”

Mr Hewitson said: “To lose eight pharmacies a week at a time when GP surgeries are on their knees makes no sense.”

West Dorset MP Chris Loder said: “I was sorry to learn of the funding difficulties that he publicises. I know how valued Beaminster Pharmacy is in the local community, and I have written to Mr Hewitson to better understand his situation.

“The Government announced yesterday a £645 million investment

scheme for community pharmacies across the country, called Pharmacy First. For the first time ever, community pharmacies in England will be able to offer NHS consultations and supply prescription-only medicines without a prescription from a GP for seven common conditions, The Pharmacy Minister outlined that 95% of pharmacies have signed up, which will provide financial benefits to community pharmacies in England.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Final hearing for barge

What a great line-up!

Weldmar Hospicecare’s Music By The Lake fundraiser returns in the summer of 2024, and it’ll be bigger than ever.

Now featuring three live acts per show, visitors will now be able to book luxury picnic boxes, rent chairs, and even book a pitch for their motorhome or campervan during the event, which runs from July 5-7 at Dorchester Showground.

Nine of the UK’s leading tribute acts will be taking to the stage, with the Spice Girls, Pink, and Robbie Williams on the opening Friday night. The iconic girl band will mark their 30th anniversary in 2024,

as will Weldmar Hospicecare, the organisers of Music By The Lake.

Once again, children under the age of 14 can attend for free, and discounts are available for those who work for the NHS, emergency services, and the military in Dorset.

Find out more about the event and make your booking at musicbythelake.net This year’s Music By The Lake raised an incredible £45,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare, which all goes towards specialist end of life care for people in Dorset with a life limiting illness, and support for their loved ones.

A legal case to declare the Bibby Stockholm barge is unlawful will be heard at the High Court in London this month.

A final hearing will be held from February 27 to 29, in which lawyers for Portland Mayor Carralyn Parkes, pictured, will argue Dorset Council does have the power to stop the barge being used to house asylum seekers in Portland Harbour – and that the authority should exercise that power.

The council insists it does not, and while it shares ‘many of’ Mrs Parkes’ concerns it is unable to stop the barge.

Mrs Parkes said: “The Bibby Stockholm is wholly unsuitable as housing for asylum seekers. It was designed to accommodate up to 220 people for short periods whilst working, yet the Government intends to accommodate 506 asylum-seekers and 40 staff on board.

“I firmly believe that locating the Bibby Stockholm in Portland Port breaches planning

regulations. I am more determined than ever, with the help of my legal team, to pursue Dorset Council to enforce planning law so that the Bibby Stockholm can be consigned to the dustbin of history.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “Mrs Parkes’s decision to pursue materially the same arguments against the council as the earlier hearing and name us as a defendant will simply force the council to incur further costs to local taxpayers – funds which, in a challenging budget situation, should be used to deliver services for the people of Dorset.”

They added: “Dorset Council does not doubt that Mrs Parkes is acting with good intentions and out of concern for those accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm. As publicly stated, the council shares many of those concerns. Mrs Parkes’s cause is not served, however, by pursuing points against the council which the court has already found to be unarguable.”

We’re so cultured in Bridport! Civic society going with Bridport is to be Dorset’s first Town of Culture, in a project involving a host of cultural stakeholders. The project is being part-funded by the Arts Development Company, and the town council is hoping to win further funding from a wide range of sources to be able to include people of all ages and economic backgrounds.

In its submission, Bridport Town Council says: “Bridport has a deserved reputation as a small town with a big arts and culture sector. Ever since the 1960s Bridport has attracted

artists and craftspeople, both to learn skills and to perform and practice. With three recognised arts venues; Electric Palace, Arts Centre and Lyric theatre supported by numerous festivals and events.

There is no wonder Bridport is recognised as Dorset’s Eventful Town.”

The Working Group will be chaired and managed by BTC and includes senior staff from: Arts Centre, Electric Palace, Lyric Theatre, Bridport Museum and BYCC future.

To learn more, go to bridporttc.gov.uk

the flow on town pump Dorchester Civic Society wants to restore the town’s iconic pump to once again flow with water as the group celebrates its 50th birthday.

Now known primarily as the town’s gathering point on New Year’s Eve, restoring the pump is one of several projects the society is looking to complete as it marks its anniversary.

Society chair Ian Gosling has been at the forefront of

a campaign to have the stone monument restored as a functional water pump, with a notice explaining its history.

The pump was erected in the late 1700s on the site of the town’s former Market House.

Homes in the town did not have piped water at the time, although some bigger houses had their own wells.

It is believed the water supply to the pump was cut off in the 1930s.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

35

Explorer Blashers kicks off science café talks Sherborne Science Café will be serving up a smorgasbord of talks from guest speakers throughout the year.

All the talks will begin at 7.30pm and take place at Digby Memorial Hall.

On February 28, explorer John Blashford-Snell will deliver a talk entitled The Quest for the Pandora.

Another speaker is yet to be

announced for March 27.

On April 24 Wolfgang Grulke will deliver a talk called Beyond Extinction. On May 22, Daisy Meadowcroft will deliver a talk on the rewilding project at Wild Woodbury. On June 26, professor David Read from Southampton University will deliver a talk called How Chemistry Can Solve the

Problems of the World. On September 25, Portsmouth University professor Mike Tipton will talk about cold water immersion in humans. On October 23, professor Andrea Russell of Southampton University will talk about batteries and fuel cells.

Another speaker has yet to be announced for November 27. £3 entry on the door.

New boat company is all ship-shape Three graduates of Lyme Regis’s Boat Building Academy (BBA) have set up their own ‘sustainable’ timber boat company a stone’s throw from where they trained.

Former British Army Captain Luke O’Connell, ad agency director Otto Marples and ex-Ikea designer Dr Obioma ‘Obi’ Oji met while on BBA’s 40-week boat building course in 2022.

Their new company, BlueTree, based near the academy is already building a 5m (16.4ft) river launch, designed exclusively by the firm.

Obi, 44, was working as an interior designer at Ikea when the pandemic prompted her to take a career break and start the BBA course, seeing it as an opportunity to learn more practical skills.

“I wanted to get to grips with materials, to build something beautiful, functional, something which would be a challenge – definitely not another building,” she explained.

“Being on the BBA course every day brought new challenges and at times I doubted myself. But I fell

OAR-SOME FOURSOME: Will Reed, director of the BBA, Luke O’Connell, Obi Obiama and Otto Marples

in love with working with wood.”

Hailing from Cornwall, Luke, 33, served in the British Army for six years and left in 2021.

He said he joined the BBA course to gain a “solid foundation” in woodworking and boat building, before being commissioned to build a 5.5m (18ft) gaff rigging sloop using a strip plank hull construction. He was

later named the academy’s student of the year 2022.

Otto, 51, was one of three co-owners of creative agency fst, which they sold in 2020.

He said: “I had been with the agency for 28 years and during the sale process my wife Louise asked me what I was going to do next. I’d often say, ‘I’m going to go and build a boat’.

“It was a bit of a throw-

away comment, although having worked in the service industry for nearly three decades I’ve always had an urge to create ‘something’ just a bit more tangible.

“Without me knowing, Louise went online and found the BBA, and as they say, the rest is history.”

The new business owners said during their tea breaks at the BBA they realised they wanted to design and build boats with an emphasis on sustainability, leading to the founding of their new company.

Otto said: “We all have very different characters and skill sets – Obi creates things in her head in ways we can only dream of, Luke is quite simply an amazingly talented boat builder and my role is to drive the business forward.”

“Our common goal is to build exceptionally crafted boats in a way that leaves as little mark on the planet as possible. So, our hulls use both traditional and modern techniques, with cold moulded being our preferred construction method.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

My home became my living coffin

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

“My mum worked every day of her life till she was 75, and when she died she had £6,000 in the bank.”

Sue Beacock, 60, could be thought of as one of the lucky ones in the Post Office Horizon scandal.

She received £117,000 compensation in December, after 14 years of torment and humiliation.

But the money is little compensation when you consider that if the Horizon software had not been faulty, Sue and her mum Kathleen Schofield would have been able to continue running the two shops at Fortuneswell and Easton on Portland, building a pension pot and crucially, retain ownership of the Fortuneswell building as property prices rocketed.

As it was, they were forced to sell up after Sue was dismissed for false accounting and couldn’t take over the Fortuneswell shop as planned.

Two years after she was dismissed, she and her mother were no longer running successful businesses. They were in

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE; Sue Beacock is rebuilding her life after the Post Office scandal

debt, after desperately trying to cover the losses caused by the software.

Sue had retreated into her home, depression and anxiety causing suffocating agoraphobia, which she was to suffer for nine years.

The sale of the shop left Kathleen with just £37,000 to retire on, despite having worked for the Post Office all her life.

They are a Dorset family – Kathleen was raised in Bridport and Sue in Weymouth. But they had run Post Offices all around the West Country before moving to Portland in 2002 and buying

Fortuneswell Post Office.

In 2008 Sue took over Easton. “We had brilliant staff,” she said. “It was a really good business. And I loved it.”

But she said: “Mum was forever putting money into the till. She was old school – she would just moan at us lot. She was a brilliant postmistress on the books – if there was a mistake she could find it, like a detective. But with Horizon she would say, give me the old ways any day.

“We thought it was her not understanding the software because she was old – she took over Fortuneswell on

her 65th birthday because she wanted to give me a career and a home.

“The plan was eventually she would retire and I would oversee both shops.

“But by September 2011 I was false accounting because this money was going missing. I had already maxed out a credit card paying it back. I didn’t tell mum – I didn’t know what was happening, and the helpline said you’re responsible for that, you have to put it right.

“My assistant Julie and I would spend hours recounting the money and re-counting the stamps.

Award-winning author’s tour stops off in county The award-winning writer and journalist who followed the Post Office Horizon Scandal and wrote a bestselling book about it will be appearing at Lyme Regis’s Marine Theatre – with special guest, former Yetminster postmistress Tracey Merritt.

Nick Wallis’s Post Office Scandal –

the Inside Story is touring the country, with just two dates for Dorset – Lyme on March 23 and Wimborne on May 14.

The talk features a full history of the scandal – how it happened, who was responsible and provides some insight into the personal stories of those directly affected.

Nick will also bring you up to speed on the latest developments and offer some pointers as to where things might end up. Nick has also recorded a series about the scandal on Radio 4, which you can catch on iPlayer. n Buy tickets at marinetheatre.com/ the-post-office-scandal or call 01308 424901.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

37

because of the shame Horizon caused “But every week we were out – sometimes by as little as £30, others by £300, £400.

“The Post Office used to send auditors out to do spot checks. I was coming up the road and saw them outside and I said to them, before you go in I have to tell you there’s money missing, we reckon about £5,000. They found £5,400 missing and I was suspended on the spot.”

Sue went to work as a cleaner in the Olympic Village, but a lump in her neck, which she thought might have been caused by a previous thyroid op, turned out to be cancer.

She said: “After weeks of intensive chemo and radiotherapy I survived, but the next ten years of my life were a complete no-no. I would let people in, but I couldn’t go out. I described my home as a living coffin.”

Sue wasn’t able to work after cancer left her with numerous health issues and she has struggled ever since. She had a debt relief order, which wrote off her debts. But this meant when her landlord sold up last year she had nowhere to go and couldn’t pass the credit checks required for a new rental.

“I was blacklisted,” she said.

Fortunately the Post Office compensation came at just the right time, and she could afford a year’s rent upfront – otherwise she would have been homeless. And for the first time in her life, she’s been able to have new furniture

HAPPIER TIMES: Sue Beacock opens Easton Post Office on Portland back in 2008 FIGHTING: Sue and Kathleen on Kathleen's last birthday and, right, Sue recovering from cancer

CLOSING: Kathleen shuts Fortuneswell Post Office in 2014

and a decent car.

“I might be able to get my teeth done too,” she said.

“The cancer treatment left them crumbling and I’ve only got six teeth left.”

The worst aspect of all of this was her mum’s disappointment.

Sue said: “When mum found out she was devastated – and she went

to her grave disappointed in me. But she had also taken on debt, and when she sold the Post Office in 2014, for £218,500 she was left with just £37,000.

She bought a caravan, but lost that too and ended up renting a one-bedroom flat in Easton Square. She died four years later in 2018, with just £6,000 left.

“I was meant to take over at Fortuneswell once she retired and that building must be worth £1million now, as it’s been converted into flats. I would have had a home, and a career managing two post offices.

“My life would have been totally different.

“I think the Horizon system killed my mum.

She was never the same again.”

Now though, mum of two Sue has a new lease of life, after discovering the Islanders Youth and Community Centre in 2021. It had taken some coaxing, to bring her out of her home where she had taken refuge for so long, but once she went, she was hooked.

“The centre is on the East Weare Estate – the second poorest housing estate in the UK. There’s a lot of deprivation there, a lot of social issues,” she said.

“The centre used to be a boys’ club, a wooden shack.

“In July 2021 I went down there and absolutely loved it. I’m now the chairman.

“It’s all run by volunteers, and we run toddler and baby groups, gaming nights, after school groups.

“People go there to play five-a-side football – we have a lot of space, with pitches, a garden and a main hall.

“Now we may become one of Dorset Council’s new family hubs, offering midwife services, drug and alcohol services. We might be able to put another floor in, which will give us more space.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

LETS TALK: Beaminster School’s three teams and, right, two teams from Colfox Academy

Everybody’s talking about debating Young orators demonstrated their debating skills in a public speaking competition at Bridport Town Hall, organised by the Rotary Club of Bridport.

Three teams from Beaminster School and two from Colfox Academy

competed in two age groups in front of about 80 people.

Each team delivered a 15minute debate on a topic of their choice. The proposer put forward arguments for the motion which were countered by the opposer.

The team then responded to

a question from the audience after which the chair closed the debate with a summing up.

No winners were announced, but the teams’ marks will be carried forward to the next round of the ‘youth speaks’

competitionat Beaminster School on Wednesday, February 21, organised by the Rotary Club of Brit Valley. District level finals for the competition will take place at the Kings of Wessex academy in Cheddar on March 2.

Ensure you and your loved ones are protected against measles Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can lead to serious illness and complications, especially for babies, young children and pregnant women.

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers the best protection against catching these illnesses and becoming seriously unwell. As part of the NHS vaccination schedule, children are given the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 1 year and the second dose at 3 years and 4 months.

There is no specific medical treatment for measles, so vaccination is the best protection. The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective. Around 99% of people who have two doses will be protected against measles.

You can catch up on the MMR vaccination at any age It’s important to catch up on any missed vaccines. If your child has missed one or both MMR doses, you should check their personal child health record (red book) and speak to your GP practice to book your free appointment. If you are unsure whether you have had the MMR vaccination, you can check with your GP practice and catch up at any age.

What to do if you think you or your child has measles Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. If you or your child has had two doses of the MMR vaccine, it’s very unlikely to be measles. Find out more at nhs.uk/conditions/measles If you think you or child may have measles, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from 111.

For more advice on measles, visit publichealthdorset.org.uk/news/advice-on-measles

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Do Your Best and be a volunteer to

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

For more than a century Weymouth East (Preston) Scouts, formerly Weymouth 5th Scouts, have been instilling derring-do into their young charges, aged six to 15.

They have dibbed and dobbed through the decades, providing fun, friendships and practical knowhow to thousands of youngsters.

But unless a few more volunteers come forward to help, the group will have to close in September – and a desperate appeal has gone out to anyone who is able to help.

Phil Redford, group scout lead volunteer, said: “After 10 years of volunteering, our brilliant Beaver lead volunteer and assistant are both standing down at the end of the summer this year.

“This leaves us seeking volunteers who would be interested in taking on the running of the section. Support along with access to online training from scouting itself is all provided.”

The Scouts’ hall is in Sutton Poyntz – an ideal location for access to the woods and hills a short walk away. They have three sections that meet every week – Beaver Scouts aged six to eight, Cub Scouts aged eight to ten and Scouts aged ten to 14.

Phil said: “A small group of volunteers support the running of the section, along with a volunteer committee overseeing the governance of the group. “We have rebuilt the sections over the past two years since covid and have good numbers of children in each.” n Contact Phil at weymoutheastscouts@ gmail.com

THE STAGE IS SET: One of the cub plays at the Weymouth Pavilion featured in the Dorset Evening Echo in 1984

CREST OF A WAVE: Enjoying the raft races at Bowleaze Cove in 1984, as featured in the Dorset Evening Echo

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

help scouts group keep on running

ON PARADE: A St George's Day parade on the Esplanade in Weymouth in the early 50s with cub Bob at the front

MEMORIES: Stan and Violet Smith with a young Bob, cubs in Reverend Tanner's garden in the early 1950s, the Gilwell scarf team of Scout leaders in the 1950s and, main picture, Bob Smith as a cub and, inset, how he is today

Happy days: Bob’s family memories Weymouth-born Bob Smith, 81, well remembers the 5th Weymouth Scouts – his parents Stan and Violet ran the group from 1948 until the late 50s, despite living in Jesty’s Avenue in Broadwey and having to take two buses to get to Preston.

“They were very dedicated,” he said. “My father was so proud when he received his Gilwell Scarf from the Scouts.

“My father ran the Scouts and my

mother ran the Cubs. We used to have events in Rev Tanner’s garden, near the Bowleaze Cove turn-off on Preston Road.

“At that time the headquarters of all the Weymouth Scout groups was in Maiden Street, and it ran all five groups, which radiated out from the centre with Preston being the furthest away. The HQ became the Steering Wheel club after that.”

Bob at one time attended both the

2nd and the 5th groups. There were other groups for Portland.

Now there are north, south, east and west groups, incorporating Portland too.

Bob’s time as a Scout came to an end when the family moved to Wyke Regis and he began an apprenticeship at Whiteheads Torpedo Factory. He later worked at Westlands in Yeovil and now lives in Crewkerne with wife Mandy.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Bowls offer Leisure parks boss new president for groups The Melplash Agricultural Plans are in motion to create a community facility at Melplash church after the village hall closed last year.

Community leaders said the facility will host some of the activities that used to take place in the hall, which was closed after surveyors advised it was structurally unsafe.

Some of the hall’s contents, including two full sets of indoor bowls equipment and 30 plastic stacking chairs, were moved to the church.

These items are available to local organisations to borrow – call Alan on 01308 488789. A donation to the charity would be appreciated.

Society’s 2024 president will be Martin Cox. Martin is MD, with his wife Vanessa, of West Dorset Leisure Holidays (WDLH).

He was born and bred in Bridport. His father and brother ran the coal business in the centre of the town. He went to St Mary’s Primary and Colfox Secondary Schools. He started his career in local government before joining Vanessa in her family’s holiday park business at Highlands End Farm, Eype in 1984, a business her father and mother had started in 1971.

Now they have award winning parks in Eype, Seatown, Burton Bradstock and Owermoigne. Both their sons James and Robert are now working in the business.

TAKING THE LEAD: Martin Cox with outgoing president Michael Fooks

Martin has long been involved with the society and takes a keen interest in agricultural matters.

Martin said: “We now have our own smallholding at Highlands. We have gradually purchased adjacent

farmland and now have a flock of 280 Suffolk ewes, eight rare breed Blue Texels, eight alpacas and some chickens! We are developing nature walks and are about to embark on a forestry planting scheme and wetland area.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Valentine’s Day dinner for two for our winners Love is in the air for our Valentine’s Day competition winner Graham Booth, who will be taking his foodie wife Anna Vines to The Greyhound in Sydling St Nicholas for a romantic dinner à deux on February 14.

Graham not only spotted the eight obligatory hearts nestled among our pages in The West Dorset Magazine to win the prize – but he uncovered an extra three!

Graham, Basher to his friends, said he was super-

surprised after we told him he had won and said: “Counting the hearts was a really fun idea and then, when I realised I had spotted more than the competition stated you had to find, I thought I might actually be in with a chance.

“At long last, my powers of observation have paid off, and I am chuffed to bits. I hadn’t told Anna I had entered, so she was super-surprised when I told her we’d won. We usually avoid going out on Valentine’s night to eat

WINNERS: Graham and Anna will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a meal at The Greyhound

over-priced, disappointing food, particularly when Anna sets such a high standard at home, but this year will be different.

“We’re looking forward to enjoying Valentine’s with a

lovely meal together in a cosy, welcoming place.”

The Greyhound, which sits in the heart of this village idyll, is owned by Chris and Kimberley Maingard, who fell in love with this

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

VENUE: The Greyhound at Sydling St Nicholas

rural building when they walked through the doors for the first time in 2022.

This unspoilt 18th century inn is heavy in character with roaring fires, fresh flowers and deep, thick stone walls is the perfect venue for a cosy, candlelit supper.

Kimberley said: “Congratulations to Graham and Anna for winning the Valentine’s meal at The Greyhound Inn. We have a lovely

evening planned with a Pan Asian menu, glass of bubbles on arrival and live music by Sideways Band playing laid-back jazz and blues – it’s sure to create a romantic atmosphere. We really look forward to welcoming the couple for a memorable and enjoyable Valentine’s celebration!”

Graham and Anna have been together for 36 years and married for 20. The couple have four children,

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who were schooled at The Gryphon in Sherborne.

The family moved from London to West Dorset in 2008 to renovate a Grade 1 listed rectory before finally moving into their own new-build, lowenergy house in Hermitage.

Anna, a garden designer, has created a beautiful garden that she showcases on NGS Open Days.

Graham added: “We adore the peace and beauty of the Dorset countryside and the wonderful Jurassic Coast. Anna is an amazing cook, so we are very selective about where to eat out, meaning we really value the few places we have found in Dorset that serve good food.”

W: dorsetgreyhound.co.uk T: 01300 341303

Apprentice awards open for entries Entries have opened for the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards.

Dorset Chamber has joined forces with the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network for the third annual initiative with sponsorship from manufacturing firm Superior.

Awards will be presented in five categories at an awards ceremony with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset on May 17.

They are free to enter with entries invited from apprentices and their employers across the private, public and charitable sectors.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Patients losing patience with their

By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A packed meeting for patients of the surgery in Maiden Newton heard of a crippled NHS, medicine shortages and an uphill battle to recruit GPs. And they were told surgery staff are being “abused daily – they are in tears every day”.

But while the 110-plus attendees grasped the difficulties faced at the surgery and while they heaped praise on the nurses and receptionists there, their fear and frustration over the practice’s shortcomings – with reduced opening hours, errors and shortages at the dispensary and a lack of face-to-face appointments – were laid bare.

They were further frustrated that no one from Ammonite Healthcare, which runs the surgery, turned up to address their concerns, despite having weeks of warning.

“We just want a partnership,” said one. “We want to know what we can do as a community to support the surgery.”

Patients told their stories and outlined the difficulties they have faced trying to access healthcare and prescriptions. They complained of a lack of confidentiality – being forced to explain their health issues with

SHOW OF STRENGTH: Patients pack the village hall for the Maiden Newton surgery meeting

receptionists with other people behind them.

And they said mistakes and shortages in the dispensary were far too frequent – wasting thousands of pounds and putting people in danger.

Sarah Baker has worked at another GP surgery for 12 years and has been a patient at Maiden Newton surgery for 50 years.

She said: “We are still lucky to have a surgery, because it could have gone under. We all remember the old days when you could just knock on the doctor’s door and he would see you. It’s unfortunate, but those times

have changed.

“I’ve been told by three doctors they’ve stopped being partners because they

“I think eConsult was designed by Fujitsu” get more as a locum. And locums cost £750-plus a day.

“Dispensaries everywhere are suffering shortages of stock – there are medicines we can’t get anywhere and this is due to many different

factors, from shortages of ingredients to the makers having an incident and having to close for weeks to clean all the machinery. One factor is that Americans are prepared to pay more for their medicines, so they take priority.”

Another woman said: “I’ve been in healthcare for 35 years, so I am able to pick up mistakes in dispensing others wouldn’t.

“I’ve seen the wrong drugs handed out, the wrong doses of drugs, critical medicines not there.”

The online eConsult system introduced by Ammonite was equally loved and

Health group’s non-attendance ‘disrespectful’ Paul Williams told the meeting: “The fact that no one from the surgery is here today is totally disrespectful.

“I’ve lived in this village for 12 years. My wife suffers from

trigeminal neuralgia. I’ve seen her crying in pain and it is awful. I contacted the surgery to find it was the receptionist who was the doctor that day and we were advised to go to a dentist.

“We ended up having to go private, which cost £1,000, but ended up in A&E, where she was diagnosed in five minutes. So that £1,000 was wasted, just because we weren’t allowed to see a doctor.”

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

47

village health centre’s shortcomings

WAITING ROOM: Maiden Newton surgery

loathed. One man quipped: “I think it was designed by Fujitsu – it sends you round and round in circles…”

Many complained about the lack of continuity, with one saying: “I don’t want to have to explain the same thing to three different doctors.

“But unless you agree to see a different doctor there can be a three-week wait for an appointment.”

One woman told the meeting: “The main issue I’ve got is with them not seeing people face to face when it’s necessary.

“My mum has asthma – how can you do an effective consultation over the phone? It’s the same with my dad, who has diabetes.

“You do an eConsult, which then tells you to phone the surgery.

“They can’t see you and tell you to phone 111 then you end up in A&E. Then people wonder why they

The meeting heard that after months of recruiting two new GPs are due to start soon, to help treat the 3,000 or so patients on the books.

But the damage to the surgery’s reputation could take a while to repair.

One of the organisers of the meeting, Bekkie Webb said: “On New Year’s Eve a friend of mine was in A&E with chest pains.

“They asked what surgery they were with and when they heard they were with Ammonite they fasttracked them.

“That’s seriously worrying, when A&E recognise people from our surgery might not have had the appropriate care before presenting as an emergency.”

Another organiser, Marc Pritchard, said: “We were promised when Ammonite took over that we wouldn’t see any changes to opening hours or services but they have failed to live up to that promise.

“If we are silent the surgery will close.”

have to wait so long in of support for staff at the A&E.” surgery, with one man She added: “I wanted my saying: “I want to speak up mum to have an for the treatment me and echocardiogram, which the my wife have had at the surgery said would take until surgery. The receptionists the new year. So I took her are great, really helpful. private and they told us if we “The dispensary does very had waited my mum would well indeed, in my opinion. have died.”

“But as others have said the Many of the attendees were continuity needs to frustrated that no one from improve – it’s a roundabout the surgery attended the meeting. The CQC and other of doctors.” health bodies were also FINE CLOTHING invited, but no one came.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Citizens Advice need trustees to come on board New trustees are needed to join Citizens Advice Central Dorset’s board.

The current vacancies are chair, treasurer, information technology development lead and a marketing and communications lead.

People from all backgrounds with a range of skills and experience are invited to apply and training will be provided.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “We’re focussed on providing information and advice to people in local communities to help solve the problems they face in these challenging times. We are in the frontline of supporting people with the cost of living crisis and more people than ever need our support.

“We work across the central Dorset area covering Gillingham, Sherborne,

Blandford, Dorchester and Weymouth and Portland. We are a local charity but with the benefit of being part of the influential national organisation.”

Trustee roles are voluntary, unpaid appointments, although reasonable travel expenses will be paid. n For more information visit centraldorsetca.org.uk/become-atrustee

Food for thought from young writers

Primary school pupils were awarded book shop vouchers after writing about farming for a new Melplash Agricultural Society competition.

The Discover Farming competition asked pupils to produce an original piece of non-fiction writing, to be judged by society president Michael Fooks and his wife Pam, and Gemma Harvey from the National Farmers Union (NFU).

The Year 5 winner was Franklin Laszlo-Bushrod of Symondsbury, with runner-up Edward Keen of Salway Ash. The Year 3 & 4 winner was Joe Cox of St Mary’s School, Bridport, and runner-up was Harry Rhodes of St Mary’s School, Bridport. The Year 1 & 2 winner was Theo Cox of St Mary’s School, Bridport and runner-up was Max Benyon of Greenford School, Maiden Newton.

Finally, the Reception

WE’RE ALL WRITE: St Mary’s School at Bridport and, below, Symondsbury School

winner was Joseph Dare of Symondsbury.

The school with the best entries were St Mary’s, Bridport, which received

£500, and runner-up was Symondsbury Primary School, awarded £250.

The winners of each category were awarded

with a certificate and book voucher from Bridport Book Shop for £30 and the runners-up a certificate and a book voucher for £20.

Discover Farming education co-ordinator Katie Vining said: “The aim of the competition was to produce a piece of nonfiction writing that would get children thinking about the importance of food and farming, it has certainly succeeded in doing that. We had some excellent entries.”

Discover Farming is the education programme set up and operated by the Melplash Agricultural Society to help educate and inform children about food, farming and the environment Find out more at discoverfarming.co.uk

Don’t go missing out on fuel grant if you’re not connected Financial help is available for Dorset Council residents who aren’t connected to mains gas and use coal, oil, wood or gas bottles to heat their home.

The Alternative Fuel Grant is a £200 supermarket voucher and is only

available to residents who live in the Dorset Council area.

To qualify, your home must not be connected to mains gas and not have electric storage heaters.

People may also be eligible if they live in a park home or a house of

multiple occupation (HMO), or if they are from the traveller community. Contact Citizens Advice office to apply – go to citizensadvice dorset.org.uk to find your local office or call 0800 144 8848, open 10am4pm weekdays.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Charter set fair after sponsors found A fair celebrating the granting of Bridport’s Market Charter over 700 years ago is back for 2024, after sponsors came forward.

Bridport Community Charter Fair will be held on May 18, with stalls and entertainment around the town.

The fair not only celebrates the market charter, it will also celebrate Bridport’s Citizens’ Charter, reflecting the principles of 1998 Human Rights Act, and mark Bridport becoming the UK’s first Rights Respecting Town in 2018.

Bridport Town Council and the Charter Fair Committee are now working hard on the free family event, which will be based on the Millennium Green at Mountfield and in Bucky

THE PARTNERSHIP: From left, Sandra Brown, Teresa Grinter, Linda Larcombe, Margaret Foster, Arthur Woodgate (Charter Fair Committee) and, for Bridport Town Council, Claire PetersWay, Terri Foxwell, Daryl Chambers. Not in the photo: Margaret Trevett, and the sadly-missed Dave Swaffield

Doo Square.

Stand bookings will open very soon and groups are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

A lot of work is currently

going on behind the scenes to produce a full and exciting line-up of musical talent and event organisers are doing their best to fit everyone in.

Sponsorship of £1,200 has now been received from Countryside Partnerships and Barratt David Wilson Homes.

Ben Winchester, regional director for Countryside Partnerships South West said: “We are always committed to support the communities in which we operate and the people who live in those communities.”

Further details relating to the programme, a planned extension of the children’s area and the recipients of the Charter Fair Trophy and “Above and Beyond” annual awards will be published at a later date. n More information from claire.peters-way@ bridport-tc.gov.uk or a.c.woodgate@btinternet. com

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

My 18,000-mile trek across Africa A Parkinson’s sufferer’s epic 18,000-mile road trip across Africa is the subject of a new book and TV documentary airing later this year.

Setting out from his Chetnole home in 2019, retired army colonel and 60-year-old father of two Guy Deacon CBE sought to prove what was possible for a person with Stage 3 Parkinson’s to accomplish.

Driving solo through 25 African countries, Guy had to deal with five breakdowns and an emergency evacuation from Sierra Leone during the covid pandemic – all while taking some 3,650 prescription pills to manage his illness.

Guy drove, lived and slept in his VW Transporter, often in remote spots, hundreds of miles from the nearest village or town.

Using patchy GPS he often got lost and relied on the kindness of strangers for help.

He began the journey in 2019 before covid and got stuck in Sierra Leone for several months during the pandemic, before the UK Government evacuated him on an emergency flight out of the country.

He was only able to continue his journey two years later, by which time his condition had deteriorated significantly, making him unable to do up buttons or tie shoelaces, and finding even the simplest of tasks such shaving or handling coins impossible.

Nevertheless, Guy persevered with his

OUT OF AFRICA: Former army colonel Guy Deacon trekked 18,000 miles across Africa in his VW Transporter. Inset below: Guy Deacon on his epic journey and, right, his book Running On Empty

journey, eventually arriving at Cape Town three years after he first left Dorset.

Guy faced numerous challenges on his epic journey – with his van’s rear differential breaking in Andorra, followed by his clutch burning out in Cote d’Ivoire, the

suspension collapsing in Gabon and the prop shaft breaking in Angola.

He also contracted malaria in Zambia and his phone – a lifeline back to friends and family – was stolen in Cote d’Ivoire. He admits there were also times when he forgot to take his medication, leading to a

dramatic worsening of his symptoms.

Guy said he feared each setback could be the end of the journey, but he found that there was always “someone who would step in to help, a stranger in the hour of need”.

Not only would the journey fulfil a childhood dream of Guy’s to drive across Africa, it would also raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease, which can often be heavily stigmatised in Africa, where some people link it to witchcraft and black magic.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

with Parkinson’s

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Long and short term care for the elderly HIRING LOVELY CARERS FOR OUR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME: Come and join our friendly team l Full / part-time hours, nights and days l Free uniform, PPE and DBS check Contact Lisa to have a chat on 01305 786568 or email lisa@primroselodge-weymouth.co.uk Primrose Lodge – Dorchester Road, Weymouth primroselodge-weymouth.co.uk

ON A MISSION: Guy travelled across the continent while dealing with his Parkinson’s disease

It is estimated that by 2040, more than 13 million people will be living with Parkinson’s – a quarter of them in Africa.

On his journey Guy met with Parkinson’s sufferers in almost all the countries he travelled through and learnt what daily life was like for them.

Throughout the 18,000mile journey Guy kept a video diary and was joined on four occasions by a documentary maker.

The 85 hours of footage and thousands of photographs he captured are being condensed into a one-hour documentary airing later this year.

Guy was supported throughout his journey by The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, a charity set up to find a cure for Parkinson’s as well as Parkinson’s Africa, whose mission is to raise awareness and empower those with Parkinson’s to make informed decisions about their own health. He is an ambassador for both causes.

Guy was no

stranger to Africa before his epic journey, having travelled there extensively with the British Army. He served for 18 months in The Congo with the UN, after which he was awarded an OBE for his services in disarming and demobilising rebel forces.

He would later earn a CBE for his strategic work as a colonel of The Royal Armoured Corps.

Guy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010 on his return from The Congo, but carried on working until the age of 57.

A Channel 4 documentary on Guy’s journey and his book Running on Empty are being released simultaneously on World Parkinson’s Day, April 11.

Long and short term care for the elderly Primrose Lodge Weymouth is a cheerful residential home popular for its proximity to the seaside.

We have a team of highly-trained, friendly and dedicated carers, delivering the highest standard of care and professional support, 24 hours a day.

Come and see for yourself what Primrose Lodge has to offer Call Lisa Summers on 01305 786568 or email lisa@primroselodge-weymouth. co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Telegraph poles plan for unspoilt land scrapped Telecoms giant Openreach has scrapped plans to erect around 20 telegraph poles on unspoilt land around Eggardon Hill.

The poles were expected to be put up in November despite serious concerns raised by the community.

Permitted development

rights meant Openreach had no legal barriers to move ahead with the project.

Despite having this

permission, Openreach has now announced it will instead look at options like laying underground cabling.

Rare treasure of international significance found by detectorists in Dorset could go on show in Dorchester if Dorset Museum & Art Gallery can raise more than £30,000 to buy them.

The first is a group of 40 gold stater Iron Age coins, found at Charlton Marshall. Dating to the 2nd century BCE, the hoard is incredibly unusual, as the coins were imported from France. They were made by a Gaulish tribe called the Baiocasses and very few similar finds are known from Dorset and the south coast.

A museum spokesman said: “Finds like this hoard tell us about how people were travelling, meeting and exchanging ideas with others on the continent in the centuries before the Roman invasion. The coins have considerable potential for future research into their origins, manufacture and use.”

The Charlton Marshall Gaulish Staters have been valued at £15,300 and the museum has already raised £8,682 through a grant and

similarities with the solid-cast hilts of Nordic rapiers from Scandinavia. This hoard has huge potential for display, but also future research which will enable the Museum & Art Gallery to continue to flesh out the story of our Dorset forebears.”

The Stalbridge rapier hoard has been valued at £17,000 and £9,075 has so far been raised towards it.

Elizabeth Selby, director of collections and public engagement, said: “These are important and unusual hoards, and if the museum is PRECIOUS: The group of Iron Age gold coins and, below, not able to acquire them, it is some of the hoard from the Middle Bronze Age likely that the groups will be broken up and sold outside of the county. This will mean that all possibility of further research on the hoards, or opportunities for them to be displayed together, will be lost.” private donations. The second Not only was it apparently To make a donation go to hoard is a Middle Bronze deliberately broken in three dorsetmuseum.org or call Age hoard found in pieces and buried, but the hilt 01305 262735. You can also Stalbridge – a palstave axe was shaped to mimic a send a cheque made payable head, a bangle with incised wooden handle. Only two to Dorset Natural History and decoration and a rapier remotely similar (and Archaeological Society, sword. incomplete) examples could citing ‘Charlton Marshall A museum spokesman said: be identified in Britain. It appeal’ or ‘Stalbridge appeal’ “The rapier is very unusual. does however have some in your note.

Museum appeals for rare treasure

Help support the air ambulance at gala dinner Tickets are on sale for the inaugural Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) Gala Dinner at The Crown Hotel in Blandford Forum on March 24.

The special evening, sponsored by Leonardo Helicopters and Lottery Fundraising Services, will be a celebration of the air ambulance’s life-saving work and aims to raise vital funds for the charity.

Last year was DSAA’s busiest on record, with the air ambulance crew being tasked to 2,224 incidents. Each year it costs £10M to keep the charity’s helicopter, cars and specialist crew operational for 19 hours every day, 365 days a year.

With the number of missions increasing every year and operational costs rising, support from the public has never been so important.

Alana Sproston, DSAA Fundraising Events Officer said: “We wanted to celebrate our 24th year in style and what better way to do this, than with a gala dinner. We are looking forward to a fantastic evening full of fun, whilst celebrating the incredible work of DSAA.” Tickets are available at £75 per person from dsairambulance.org. uk/Event/gala-dinner-2024

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Remembering Martyr’s anniversary Before sunrise on February 24, 1834, farm worker George Loveless left for work – it would be three years before he would be back with his wife and children again.

George, and five fellow workers – James Brine, James Hammett, James Loveless, John Standfield and Thomas Standfield – were arrested, charged with making an illegal oath and transported to Australia.

They only returned following a public outcry over their treatment.

Though the real reason for their treatment was that they had made a stand against poor pay and wage cuts by forming a trade union.

To commemorate the 190th anniversary of the arrest of

UNITED FRONT: Remembering the 190th anniversary of the arrest of Tolpuddle Martyr George Loveless

George Loveless and the Tolpuddle Martyrs the Unite Tolpuddle Branch, which represents food, drink, agricultural and transport workers across Dorset, will be holding a free event in the village hall.

The Martyrs’ Arrest 190 event will be a chance to hear speakers highlight the links between the Martyrs’

story and the experience of workers today and listen to music from local socialist choir Dorset Red, and singer songwriter Neil Duncan-Jordan.

Unite event organisers are also in touch with a project in Canada, where most of the arrested Martyrs settled after gaining their freedom.

The project is in the process of restoring George

Loveless’s grave in London, Ontario. It is hoped that this group will talk about the project via Zoom.

Former farmworker and Unite branch chairman John Burbidge said: “The arrests were calculated to create fear and isolation after pay cuts that left workers unable to feed and house their families. Today the government is using the law again to stop workers resisting the massive hit to our living standards for the sake of the same unbridled greed of the same class.”

The event will be held in Tolpuddle Village Hall on Saturday, February 24 from 12.30pm-3pm. n For more information email alan.daniels @unitetheunion.org

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Topical island making the headlines

By Viv Horne Portland was in the news in 2023 probably more than ever before.

During the first week of February, the intrepid coastal charity walker Christian Lewis – subject of two TV documentaries – arrived in the area with his partner Kate Baron, baby Magnus and dog Jet. For several days Portlanders scoured the isle for them, clutching copies of Chris’s bestselling book Finding Hildasay – his story of the first half of the six-year walk, which ended in July.

He began alone, adopted a dog, met Kate and then had Magnus in Owermoigne, so Dorset holds a special place in their hearts. Fans were unable to track them down so the walking family arranged to meet at the Weymouth Veterans’ Hub, where books were finally signed. Chris and Kate then walked the 18 miles of Chesil beach, which will surely feature in the follow-up book Hildasay to Home, as they found the stones quite a challenge to walk on. They raised over £500,000 for the charity SSAFA, which supports veterans.

In March, Dorset Council refused permission for a waste incinerator to be built at Portland Port, much to the relief of residents and campaigners.

Unfortunately the company Powerfuel appealed and an inquiry was held last month lasting two weeks. Locals were given the opportunity to

LET’S ROCK: Protestors opposing development of France Quarry outside Portland Town Council’s October meeting Picture: VIV HORNE

GOOD WORK: Christian Lewis, partner Kate Baron and Magnus at Weymouth Veterans’ Hub for a book signing and, right, Island Community Action’s Advent Angels and the Sugar Loaf Café team at Easton Picture: ISLAND COMMUNITY ACTION

speak to the assembled parties and a memorable speech was given by 10year-old Finn Caldecoat, son of Olympian resident Laura Baldwin, which he wrote himself and was much praised by those listening in the hall.

The three barristers summarised their cases to the inspector in December so now we wait with bated breath…. it is thought a waste incinerator could actually lose the Dorset Jurassic Coast its international World Heritage status.

More cheerfully, in July holiday rentals website HomeToGo was ranking islands worldwide based

on ‘hidden gem’ indicators.

Portland came fourth in the world as a best destination for an ‘under the radar’ island holiday.

Extraordinary recognition but not to those who live there and would rather keep it secret!

July was a busy month in the national press for Portland when a ‘barge’ arrived to accommodate refugees, making national news.

The Bibby Stockholm barge appeared in the media more often than not and stirred up some responses on local social media we’d rather have not seen.

Legionnaire’s disease was discovered on board within days of the first occupants arriving and there were continuous protests over its suitability, siting and safety. Very sadly, a young Albanian man died there in December. The BBC reported that his sister Jola set up a GoFundMe as the family could not afford to repatriate his body and over £18,000 was raised.

Jola said the generosity was a ‘strong demonstration of the people’s humanity in the UK’.

Locals that have met and spoken with some of the young men living aboard the barge say they are keen

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in another big year of developments

CALLING TIME: Seagulls round the doomed Pulpit Inn at the Bill Picture: VIV HORNE

ISLAND LIFE: Tout Quarry at dusk, pictured by Anita Roy of The Guardian and, right, Finn Caldecoat addressing the inspector at the inquiry about the waste incinerator Picture: LAURA BALDWIN

to help in the community and learn new skills.

Steven Morris of The Guardian titled an article in September: ‘It’s magical but it’s also got the Bibby Stockholm’, quoting from his interview with Rocca Holly-Nambi, director of B-Side, Portland’s Art festival.

The piece also mentions some of the participants including the wonderful short film about the ancient doorway on Brandy Lane known as Entry by Anna Heinrich and Leon Palmer.

This was so popular at the festival it was shown again at the Royal Manor Theatre in December.

In October local news saddened many in the community when Dorset Council approved plans for the demolition of the iconic Pulpit Inn at Portland Bill to make way for 11 holiday units and a restaurant.

The pub was the ambition of Major JHC Devenish since before the Second World War. He died in 1953 before the construction began so it was named after him and completed in 1955.

It was designed to fit unobtrusively into the landscape and naturally built from Portland stone.

It’s a great shame that his dream, a familiar sight on

the approach to the Bill, will soon be swept away.

On a good note, Portland town council listened to the islanders when they opposed earmarking the old France quarry site for possible development of up to 59 houses in the Neighbourhood Plan.

The site has been rewilded and is a great green space enjoyed by many people.

Whilst the council unanimously rejected the inclusion of the site, it’s unlikely to be the end of a fight to save it.

In November, The Guardian’s Anita Roy visited the island for b-Side’s event This Land,

How to Look After an Island. Anita is an environmentalist involved in the Wellington Transition Town project, which she spoke about at the event held at St George’s Primary School.

Clearly she took the opportunity to write for her Country Diary column in The Guardian and the result appeared in December accompanied by a very atmospheric photo of Tout Quarry she took as the light faded.

Some positive press for the isle again, though fans of St George’s church were somewhat surprised by Anita’s description of it as a ‘grim edifice’, prompting some shocked face emojis on Facebook pages.

Read her descriptive account of her visit to Tout Quarry at sunset, online at The Guardian, Country Diary ,December 11.

Finally, Charlotte Andrews reported online at the BBC about Island Community Action’s Advent Angels on Christmas Day, listing the 24 nominees who received a gift from the community for going ‘above and beyond’ to help others.

If you followed the daily Facebook posts and photos of recipients with their gifts, it was a heartwarming way to start Christmas.

Hopefully Portland will have influenced other communities to take up this novel idea. One wonders, has the BBC now got its eye on Portland?

Looking forward to another year of Portland in the news.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024 This month military historian ALVIN HOPPER takes us through the distinguished service history of HMS Howe – joining the ‘Kola run’ through the Arctic during the Second World War before heading East to swat down kamikaze attacks on Allied battleships and then taking the fight to Japan’s island airfields

HMS Howe was commissioned in August 1942 – a 35,000-tonne battleship armed with ten 14inch guns on various turrets.

The same armaments were applied to the Howe’s four sister ships – King George V, Prince of Wales, Duke of York and Anson (previously featured in The West Dorset Magazine).

HMS Howe was built by Fairfield’s Shipbuilding and Engineering Company. Her first duties in wartime service were the same as three of her sister ships: providing distant cover and guardianship for Arctic convoys to Russia.

On her fist Kola run she drove off a German Condor reconnaissance bomber that was spotting for U-boats and sending back information on the convoy’s movements.

Howe’s anti-aircraft fire was radar controlled, as most was by 1943. It would prove invaluable when the ship was sent East, the ‘Kamikaze’ threat to the fleet being what it was. In June 1943 HMS Howe was called upon to assist the Allied invasion of Sicily – known as Operation Husky.

Her bombardment ability,

READY FOR ACTION: HMS Howe after her 1944 refit with 72 2PDRS and 28 20mm AA guns

Distinguished service of legendary battleship along with that of her sister ship King George V, was utilised in support fire for the United States and British invasion forces.

In 1944, HMS Howe was taken out of service for an extensive refit, as were three of her sister ships.

The HMS Prince of Wales would also have been refitted – had she not been sunk by Japanese aircraft in December 1941.

After this period of refit, HMS Howe was sent to the Far East, where she formed

the nucleus of the new Eastern Fleet as the flagship of Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser.

Based at Colombo in Ceylon (now Sri-Lanka), she was joined by her sister ship HMS King George V, the flagship of Vice Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings, a few months later.

Both ships were invited to be operational with the United States 7th Fleet, based at Guam. Altogether they formed what was to become the famous ‘Taffy’ (Task Force 57) part of the US and British Pacific Fleets.

HMS Howe outshone them all. As an anti-aircraft ship, protecting the aircraft carriers, she shot down the first kamikaze attack on British ships and went on to shoot down seven more, alongside other vessels.

HMS Howe’s finest hour came with the bombardment of the Ishigara and Myoko airfields, disrupting the launch of kamikaze operations from both islands.

HMS Howe retired from her duties in May 1945, having cemented her operations at Okinawa as legendary.

She went for a final refit at Durban in South Africa, before returning to her home waters in June 1946.

She was then allocated to the Battleship Training Squadron based at Portland. She became vice flagship, and later flagship, upon the decommissioning of HMS Anson in 1949.

HMS Howe was eventually replaced by Great Britain’s last battleship, HMS Vanguard, and by the end of 1950, all training had paced to the aircraft carriers, with battleships like the Howe now deemed to be obsolete.

No word of a Leigh, book’s a fascinating read Les Wallis presented cheques from his book Tales of a Life in Leigh to village hall treasurer Rob Sanderson and playpark chair Charlie Adey.

The entire first run was sold out within three weeks, being ordered as far afield as Australia and Canada, as well as all over the UK, and more have now been printed.

Although initially set in Leigh where he was born and bred, this delightful collection of a lifetime’s tales also takes in locations much further afield

all across Dorset and Somerset and beyond and is generously illustrated with a wealth of photographs.

The events of Les’s early life, begun in that bygone age, long before transport, communications and entertainment became the taken-for-granted conveniences available to our everyday lives today, will instantly ring bells of familiarity to any rural West Country resident of long standing.

Hall treasurer Rob Sanderson, Les Wallis, co-editor Julia Jepson, playpark chair Charlie Adey and co-editor Emlyn Price

As well as being available in the Little Leigh Store and Café in Leigh, the book can also be

ordered directly from Les at leswallis@hotmail.co.uk for £12 + £3.50 p&p.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Culture

Stellar violin/piano duo line up a trio of concerts Stellar musicians Sara Trickey and Ivana Gavrić will perform in Bridport as part of the Concerts in the West programme.

Violinist Sara is renowned for her ‘fiery’ performances while pianist Ivana has been called a musician of ‘extraordinary calibre’.

The pair will perform classical and romantic pieces by Mozart, Brahms and Ravel among others at 11.30am on Friday, March 15 at Bridport Arts Centre.

They will perform again later that day at 7.30pm at Ilminster Arts Centre. Their final local

performance will be at Crewkerne’s Dance House at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 16.

Tickets can be purchased online at concertsinthewest.org, where further concert details can also be found.

Call Bridport Arts Centre on 01308 424901.

£126k grant boost for arts organisation Rural arts charity Artsreach has secured a £126,000 cash boost from the county council’s organisational revenue support fund.

The charity said an annual grant of £42,000 from the authority over the next three years will be “vital” in sustaining their touring programme.

Artsreach director Kerry Bartlett said: “The support of Dorset Council is invaluable in enabling us continue to programme quality live performances across the county.

“It is also testament to the incredible energy of our volunteer promoter network – these individuals work tirelessly to bring their communities together

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE: aKa Dance is one of the many arts groups to benefit from the £126,000 grant

through a vibrant programme of events, and this funding recognises both the work they do, and the quality of the work Artsreach presents, and has toured over the last 30 years.”

Alongside core funding

from Arts Council England, the annual council grant will enable Artsreach to play a “key role” in generating income for community assets like village halls. Artsreach says that more than £31,000 was retained by

rural communities in 2022/23 as a result of its work.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council spokesperson for culture and communities, said: “Artsreach is a fabulous organisation bringing incredible artists to the hidden corners of Dorset. At Dorset Council we are fiercely proud of our culture sector and delighted that we are able to support Artsreach and give our residents the opportunity to see amazing shows on their own doorsteps.”

Artsreach has been operating since 1990 and presents more than 130 event every year throughout rural Dorset.

Who let the Mad Dogs out? Woof, woof , woof!

Rowdy room-shakers Mad Dog Mcrea return to Dorchester Arts on Friday, February 9 for a night like no other.

Popular, unique, and defying all pigeon-holing, Mad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From selfpenned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life to traditional songs of

OFF THE LEAD: Mad Dog Mcrea are at Dorchester Arts on Friday, February 9

gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog never fail to capture their audience with

their infectious songs and enjoy the unshakable dedication of their massive and “loyal-to-the-hilt” fan

base.

With five albums under their belts, they are serious and acclaimed recording artists and will be supported by Cornish punk band JollyRoger.

For tickets and information visit dorchesterarts.org.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Culture

Writing festival the destination for travel journalists

Jet-setting travel journalists, bloggers and filmmakers will descend on Sherborne for the town’s second travel writing festival from April 5 to 7.

Curated by local award-winning travel writer Rory Maclean, 12 speakers will deliver talks over the weekend at the Powell Theatre.

Noo Saro-Wiwa, author of the Sunday Times Travel Book of the Year Looking for Transwonderland, will talk about her new book Black

Ghosts, and the explorer and filmmaker Benedict Allen, will relive some of his experiences in the Arctic with his team of dogs overcoming the worst winter weather ever recorded, and his solo trip to revisit the Yaifo people in the Amazon.

The award-winning photojournalist Nick Danziger will join Rory MacLean to discuss their humanitarian work, and collaboration on books and exhibitions for the United Nations, the International

Committee of the Red Cross, and the British Council.

There is a Writing Britain panel, sponsored by travel publisher Bradt, with speakers on the Cotswolds, Cornwall, and Dorset.

Don McCullin, veteran photojournalist and local resident, closes the weekend reminiscing on his iconic black and white work from 1950s London to the Vietnam War. n For tickets and info, see sherborneliterarysociety.com

Pianist Tamara’s date at St Mary’s Acclaimed international pianist Tamara Konstantin will make a rare appearance in Dorset alongside two of the county’s greatest composers.

Hosted by Dorchester Arts, Rick Birley and Geof Edge will support Tamara at the special concert at St Mary’s Church in Dorchester on Saturday, February 24.

She is one of the leading lights of England’s contemporary classical scene, with compositions regularly played on Classic FM and over a million streams on Spotify.

Originally from Tbilisi, Georgia, the classically-

ON THE ROAD: Tamara Konstantin with Aled Jones on their recent tour of cathedrals

trained pianist has lived in Weymouth for over two decades and draws great inspiration from the natural beauty of Dorset.

Tamara said: “Dorset has been my home for over 22

years and my love of it is reflected in my compositions.

“To perform alongside some of the finest composers in Dorset at a venue as special as St

Mary’s Church is a real privilege for me.

“There will be an enormous amount of homegrown talent on display so I hope everyone can join us for this special performance.”

She recently supported million-selling singer Aled Jones on a national tour of cathedrals and collaborated with the acclaimed cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber for a wellreceived album, Rêverie, released by the Naxos label.

The St Mary’s Church concert on February 24 begins at 7.30pm. For further information and tickets visit dorchesterarts.org.uk

Award-winning artist joins Sladers Yard gallery Award-winning artist Finn CampbellNotman has joined Sladers Yard in West Bay. Exhibiting paintings of buildings, birds and animals within landscapes, Finn developed an interest in the natural world growing up on a boat on the Norfolk Broads.

A graduate in Fine Art from UWE,

Bristol, and Wolverhampton, in Illustration from Falmouth College of Art and with a Multi-disciplinary MA from the Royal College of Art, Finn has a global reputation as an illustrator.

During 2022 he took part in and won Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, filming in various locations in

the UK and The Netherlands.

Finn’s work will be on display at Sladers Yard alongside pieces by Robin Rae, Alfred Stockham, David West and Petter Southall. n Sladers Yard’s contemporary art and craft gallery is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Culture Take your little ones on deep sea adventures and quests to deep, dark dungeons this February half term.

Artsreach has announced a full programme of theatre and puppetry, with a lineup to keep children of all ages and their families entertained during the holidays.

The Zoo That Comes to You follows the efforts of two wildlife enthusiasts who provide respite, care or a temporary home to those in need.

They now have a sanctuary full of animals, however, no one has come to visit their zoo.

So everybody – animals and humans alike – have decided it is time to get out, see the world, and bring the zoo, to you.

Featuring puppetry, live music and playful characters, Scarlet Oak Theatre welcomes families of children aged from five and over to join the conversation about animal conservation at Sixpenny Handley Village Hall at 10.30am on Monday, February 12.

They will also be at Blandford Royal British Legion at 10.30am on Tuesday, February 13.

After both performances, Scarlet Oak are offering families the chance to take part in an introduction to puppetry workshop – places are limited, and so booking is essential.

Head to the bottom of the sea for a dramatic aquatic adventure with Coppice Theatre in Science Adventures: Deep Sea. Join Professor Flotsam

FAMILY FUN: Scarlet Oak Theatre with The Zoo that Follows You, Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron, left, and, right, Science Adventures: Deep Sea

Keep your little darlings entertained this half term and Dr Wright in their brand new submarine as they look for the strangest creatures in the deep, hear some of their favourite sea stories and learn about looking after the oceans.

Take part in the adventure at Milborne St Andrew Village Hall at 10.30am on Wednesday, February 14, and at Alderholt Village Hall at 10.30am on Thursday, February 15.

After the show, children can take part in a creative puppet-making workshop and bring to life their very own deep-sea creature, inspired by the show and

made from recycled materials.

Finally, award-winning Theatre Fideri Fidera invite children aged three and over and their families to join plucky Will Tell as she sets off on a chivalric quest to rescue her legendary dad Wilhelm from the Big Bad Baron’s deepest darkest dungeon.

Inspired by the adventures of Robin Hood, Will knows all about standing up to tyrants, but is clueless when the Baron’s daughter Edel falls madly in love with her and wants to be rescued too.

Will Tell and The Big Bad Baron is an actionpacked comic adventure which promises capers around castles, medieval Strictly Come Dancing and a jaw-dropping joust on life-size horse puppets.

Touring to Sturminster Marshall Community Hall at 4pm on Thursday, February 15, and at Litton Cheney Community Hall at 10.30am on Friday, February 16. n For tickets and information visit artsreach.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Culture

Artists show off their visual rhythms at DCH Artists from the Dorset Salon are expressing their shared ‘visual rhythm’ at a Dorset County Hospital exhibition.

Running until April 22, the exhibition features work by John AustinWilliams, Imogen Bittner, Mala Hassett, June Lisle and Helen Simpson.

These five very different members of the Dorset Salon (Dorset Visual Arts) work in a variety of media including

paintings, textiles and ceramics.

The artistic showcase coincides with an exhibition called Earth, Fire, Water, Spring running alongside the Snowdrop Festival at Springhead.

The exhibition again features paintings, pastels, mixed media, textiles, and ceramic by the artists, and will culminate in a gallery concert on February 11, the final day of the showcase, at 2pm.

The concert will feature a newly

composed string quartet The Underneath and Airborne by award winning young composer Joy Ingle.

Other works performed will include The Sunrise Quartet by Haydn and Spring has Come from Piae Cantiones 1582 – A Spring Carol sung by Rosie Monaghan, with quartet accompaniment.

Entry to the exhibitions and the concert is free with donations gratefully accepted.

Arts students put dance on the map Budding performing arts students from Weymouth College will open a show for the University of Chichester’s touring company mapdance this month.

Following a workshop with the company during the day, the students will host a ‘curtain raiser’ performance for mapdance’s show at the college’s Bay Theatre on February 21. mapdance is an established, contemporary dance company and has commissioned new works for this season.

The mixed repertory offers a blend of dance theatre, fast-paced

CURTAIN RAISER: mapdance will be performing at Weymouth College with arts students opening the evening

athleticism, intricate lyrical choreography and humour.

The programme is designed to appeal to both seasoned dance viewers and audiences new to

dance and is designed to be of particular interest to dance students at GCSE, BTEC and A-Level and university level.

The mapdance 2024 performance at Weymouth

College begins on February 21 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £16 for adults or £14 for concessions and are available at ticketsource .co.uk/thebaytheatre or 01305 208702.

Verdict is unanimous: Courtroom drama still packs a punch REVIEW Twelve Angry Men Lighthouse Theatre, Poole

By Diana Holman Twelve Angry Men began life as a television play, broadcast in 1954.

It was written by Reginald Rose, and his idea was born from his own experience of jury service at a time when in the patriarchal 1950s, nearly all juries were made up solely of

men. As a dramatist, Reginald Rose was interested in how much the outcome of a case depended on the assumptions and prejudices of the jurors.

Twelve Angry Men was adapted into a stage play in 1955 dealing with the case of an 18-year-old Latino accused of having stabbed his father to death. A 12-man jury deliberate his fate. Eleven of the jury vote guilty – but not Mr Davis.

The play has remained popular throughout the years. A sign of its enduring appeal is its adoption by business and law schools, where it is used as a study aid to demonstrate the art of persuasion.

The play was powerfully performed by 12 strong actors, and attracted a well-filled theatre.

As always, our visit to the theatre was enhanced by the charming, friendly and helpful volunteer staff.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Culture

Cultivated adaptation of gardening novel borders on delightful A carefully cultivated adaptation of the 1950 novel Old Herbaceous is coming to rural village halls later this year, thanks to Artsreach.

PMac Productions presents a new take on Reginald Arkell’s story with storyteller Peter Macqueen reminiscing on memories kept alive through a love of gardening.

Pottering among the seeds and cuttings in his ramshackle greenhouse in the garden of a Gloucestershire manor house is Dorset is the setting for much of the second book of the Alfred of Wessex series of novels based on the life of Alfred the Great penned

by Bridport resident Michael Carden.

It is in the second book, Alfred of Wessex. Book Two: Vengeance, the story moves to Wareham. The ramparts around Wareham from the Anglo-Saxon period are of course still there and Michael’s novel involves the siege of Vikings within Wareham by Alfred and his warriors, despite intrigues amongst his own people.

Alfred of Wessex has been a long time in the making.

Twenty years ago Michael submitted the first book to agents and publishers only to find that Bernard

Herbert Pinnegar. Now in his twilight years, he’s full of laughter, fond memories, and tales of a bygone era.

In between potting up, he recounts his journey from orphan boy to legendary head gardener and flower show judge.

Old Herbaceous tells of Herbert’s friendship with the lady of the house, Mrs Charteris. Sown with seeds of gardening wisdom, this charming solo show is a love story; a humorous and touching portrayal of a single-

minded yet gentle man with a passion for plants.

Expect the remarkable, the formidable and the enchanting as Old Herbaceous visits Sandford Orcas (01963 220208) on Thursday, February 29, followed by Broadwindsor (07796 454203) on Friday, March 1, and Child Okeford (01258 861621) on Saturday, March 2. n For details and tickets visit artsreach.co.uk

ALF’S BACK: Alfred of Wessex and, right, author Michael Carden

Alfred back from a stay in the attic Cornwell was just publishing The Last Kingdom. An agent wrote back to say that Carden’s book might be brilliant or might be terrible, but nobody would read it because Bernard Cornwell

had just beaten him to it.

Alfred was consigned to the attic and instead Michael wrote three successful cycling books. The first was the humorous tale of a cycle ride from Portland Bill to Berwick-Upon-Tweed on

the Scottish border: The Full English: Pedalling through England, Mid-Life Crisis and Truly Rampant Man-Flu. During covid and with time on his hands, Michael retrieved his research and the draft of the first book of Alfred of Wessex from the attic.

Michael said: “Wareham is a fascinating place with so much history, particularly the take-over of the town by the Vikings, and the siege led by Alfred the Great. I hope readers in Dorset enjoy my take on the events.” n Alfred of Wessex. Book One: Inheritance and Alfred of Wessex. Book Two: Vengeance are available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

Get set for dancing at DCO’s Concert for Youth Dorset Chamber Orchestra will perform their annual Concert for Youth on Saturday, March 9 at 4pm in St Mary’s Church, Dorchester.

This year the concert has a theme of Invitation to the Dance and will begin with Weber’s piece of that name. All the pieces are linked to dance and the orchestra will welcome over 35

young players to join them in many of the works. Among the young artists there will be a solo violin contribution from Bournemouth violinist Yu-Le and a new work from Adam Vasilko, who is studying music at Bournemouth School for Boys.

The programme concludes with guest narrator Jon Valender joining the

orchestra in the wonderfully titled piece by Liz Sharma, Dancing with Dogs – a humorous set of dances celebrating the characters of our canine friends.

Tickets are on sale now at dorsetchamberorchestra.org Adult entry is £13 and those 18 and under can gain admission for just £1.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Culture

Everyone’s a winner at original music awards night West Dorset businesses were rewarded for their support of original music – with Charminster’s Three Compasses, Cerne Abbas Brewery, musician Nick Capaldi and Dorchester’s Tom Brown’s all taking their turn.

The second Original Music Awards were held at Poole Lighthouse, organised by Matt Black and Mel Berkhauer.

The Three Compasses were given a gong for Supporting Original Artists, after decades of holding live music several times a week.

Cerne Abbas Brewery’s

Barnstomper won Best Festival.

They said: “We are so delighted for Simon Guy (the organiser) and his team and so well deserved! (We are rather chuffed ourselves being the host of this great festival.)

“Some serious competition for this prestigious award being up against Teddy Rocks and the Wimborne Folk Festival.”

Tom Brown’s were awarded Best Venue and Nick Capaldi was awarded best recorded work for his album You and All the Seasons.

HONOURED: Tina and Rob Dixon of the Three Compasses

Classic thriller to keep you on the edge A unique adaptation of a classic thriller is coming to Weymouth College’s Bay Theatre on Wednesday, February 28 at 7.30pm.

Audiences will be kept on the edge of their seat, as performers Noel Byrne and Antonia Christophers breathe new life into MR James’ 1911 play Casting the Runes, accompanied by unique puppets and a haunting soundtrack of original music composed

by Dan Melrose.

With an innovative design and shifting set, this is set to be a chilling and entertaining hour of theatre.

Edward Dunning, academic expert in the

CLASSIC THRILLER: Noel Bryne in Casting the Runes

occult, has recently rejected a paper by a man named Karswell. Things take a dark turn for Dunning when he is passed a mysterious strip of paper

covered in runic lettering.

With the help of a new acquaintance, Dunning must uncover the secret of the runes before the dark presence at his heels finally

catches up with him.

This production is suitable for those aged 12+. Tickets cost £13 and £11 concessions, at ticket source.co.uk/thebaytheatre

Meet the author at launch of his second book Martinstown author Nigel Power is set to launch his new book Survivors of War at a meet the author event in Martinstown Village Hall at 4.30pm on Wednesday, February 7.

Survivors of War traverses the gripping journey from the streets of England to

far-flung battlefields, spanning the years from 1931 to a post-war Christmas in 1949. This emotionally charged narrative grapples with a poignant question: How can one find joy and fulfilment after witnessing the horror and brutality of war?

The story delves into the psyche of a young man forever changed by the atrocities he encountered during the Second World War. This is the second book from Nigel, an author who did not start writing until after he had passed the age of 80.

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

63

Homes & Gardens x

Life without peat can be just as sweet Mike Burks is the MD of The Gardens Group, with garden centres in Sherborne, Yeovil and Poundbury. Mike is a former chairman of the Garden Centre Association and is a passionate advocate of eco-friendly gardening practices. thegardensgroup.co.uk Many of us will have been brought up on peat and will see it as an essential part of gardening.

The original potting compost was the John Innes range based on loam (quality soil) with peat and sand added. It’s a heavy compost because of the soil and therefore not easy to transport in large quantities and so peat-based composts were developed which were lighter and produced better results but also needed more input. We soon got used to the extra input needed such as more regular

watering and feeding and we all settled down to the new way of doing things.

But in recent years a spotlight has been shone onto peat from an environmental point of view.

Firstly, it is sourced from ecosystems that have taken tens of thousands of years to form. Secondly, peat bogs form part of the natural water management systems of the UK. Not only that but when peat is extracted, huge quantities of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere so it’s really important that we cut back on its use.

That’s been easy to do when we consider soil improvers and there are so many really useful and easy to use alternatives such as Soil Conditioner, composted farm manure, Bloomin’ Amazing and our own garden compost are available but for growing in pots it’s not so straightforward.

Early forms of peat-free composts weren’t hugely successful but recent

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improvements have been made and particularly New Horizon multi compost and Sylvagrow multipurpose compost are the leaders. But they need a different input in terms of feeding and watering and so, just like when we transitioned from John Innes to peatbased composts, new skills are needed.

The most important thing is to start feeding peat-free composts much sooner than we would have with a peat-based compost and use a fertiliser designed for the purpose such as Boost. Also be Free survey & quotation aware that sometimes peat-free can look dry when in 01935 330095 composts fact they are only dry on the 01305 330031 surface. We have been successfully growing in BREWERIANA, TOBACCIANA peat-free composts in AND ‘MAN CAVE’ DÉCOR our nursery for over 3 years now and have learned much on the way, but it is ebay.co.uk/str/brewerianacollectables successful.

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64

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Homes & Gardens x

Drainage survey vital if you’re buying a rural property DRAIN BRAINS

By Jak Norwood of Valley Drains

Off-mains drainage is a subject that is of utmost importance if you are buying a property in rural Dorset and your drains are unable to

connect to the public sewer system due to the location of your property.

In this instance a pre-purchase drainage survey is critical to make sure you don’t get caught out and inherit an inadequate drainage system which could end up being very costly.

A house survey carried out may not pick up issues within the system as surveyors are not drainage specialists and can miss the tell-tale signs of a defective system.

You would most likely have a septic tank or sewage treatment plant that will run off to a soakaway or a water course and if not working correctly can have sub-standard final effluent that will be polluting a water course or significantly reducing the lifespan of your soakaway.

Older properties will have systems that may possibly need upgrading to comply with current regulations and this can end up costing you a big chunk of money.

A drainage survey will encapsulate a CCTV survey of the drainage to check for any potential damage underground and a check of the treatment plant or septic tank to make sure what you are buying is up to the current required standards and will serve you well into the future.

Don’t get caught out by an ineffective drain system that can leave a big hole in your bank account, when this can be overcome by means of a simple drain survey that takes a few hours.

Call Valley Drains for all your drainage needs, on 07958 335973.

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We are keen to purchase small or large collections at this time. Tel Rod 07802 261339 or 01308 863790 DAVE BUYS ALL TYPES OF TOOLS Call 01935 428975

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

65

Homes & Gardensx

Snowdrop energy brings renewed hope Andy Cole is a reiki healer at The Potting Shed in Middlemarsh. He specialises in planting for healing.

The cold frosty weather and Next week we have two sunshine has been a relief groups of students with special from the continuous rain, The needs coming to use the Potting shed, Wellbeing facilities we have – this will be Nursery, Therapy Garden is ongoing. starting to dry out. The What a marvellous start to the snowdrops are starting to year as the Wellbeing Nursery, show, a pleasant reminder that Therapy Garden is once again spring is only just around the being used for the purpose of corner. helping people, Mind- for The energies from the mental health, Body- for snowdrop bring renewed hope physical activity and Spiritand joy, they also have a giving a sense of connection to calming effect helping to all that is around us. This is the reduce anxiety and depression. goal of The Potting shed, to be What a wonderful little plant ‘A Special Place to Relax, to have in the garden. The Unwind and be Inspired’. To Greeks and Romans believed champion what can be that the snowdrop had achieved with recycling, medicinal properties and could reusing, to encourage wildlife cure illnesses. and to assist others to be the As the winter marches on we best they can be, regardless of are having the sewage their own restrictions. treatment plant put in, which We are continuing to plant the will allow us to have toilet remaining borders in the facilities as well as the current community garden, as we eco loo and the alterations to plant them, they are being the existing barn will include, mulched with well-rotted in time, a disabled toilet as horse manure. The borders we well. We have made a start on did last year flourished the extension to the barn and superbly with the manure. progress has been slow due to This time next year we will the weather. have our own compost ready We have had our first students to use and we can then mulch out for work experience, they the borders with this. have made a significant start We have planted sarcococcas. on cutting the overgrown Common name: Sweet box. hedges back. Due to the Known for their sweetlyfrosty weather, we have scented winter flowers and been unable to start the glossy evergreen foliage, main hedge planting sarcococcas may not yet, it looks like we will steal the show, but they be able to start next lift the spirits during week as it warms the short days of up. winter. Hellebores GARDENER SPECIALISING IN BORDER WORK with an emphasis on plants, planting and enhancing biodiversity. Minimal lawn or hedge work. £180 day rate, £90 half day RHS level 3, PGG diploma, MSc sustainability contact: lovelygardensdorset@gmail.com

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Clean your garden tools and get them serviced if they need it. Rake up debris, check your fence posts and panels, replace

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Church

Parallels in the tales of two babies

Many years ago, on a parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land, we made the journey to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. We were down in the crypt in the place traditionally held to be where Christ was born.

If you have been you found it very moving – but I must admit to not feeling very spiritually in tune with my surroundings, finding it all a bit sentimental and touristy. I think we were singing something like “Away in a Manger” and my toes were curling ever so slightly.

Then a young Palestinian couple entered the crypt carrying a newborn baby, only a few days old.

Ignoring everyone

around them they approached the holy place of Christ’s birth, they knelt and held their precious baby over the shrine for a brief moment or two.

And everything has changed. It was suddenly very quiet, and the moment felt holy, as we watched this simple gesture of faith by parents wanting something special for their baby. Apparently, this is customary, it’s an offering or dedication of the child to God and the seeking of God’s blessing for the baby. It’s a beautiful and moving experience for those of us privileged to witness it.

That baby would now be an adult, we don’t even know if he or she is still alive.

At this time of the year the church marks Candlemas, remembering the time when

Services Sherborne Abbey Weekday Services Monday to Saturday at 8.30am, Morning Prayer - The Sepulchre Chapel Every Monday at 9am, Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel Every Tuesday at 12noon, Holy Communion The Lady Chapel Every Wednesday at 10.30am, Holy Communion with Homily – The Lady Chapel Every Thursday at 12noon, BCP Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel Every Friday at 9am, Ecumenical Holy Communion - The Lady Chapel The first Friday of the month at 9am, Requiem Holy Communion - The Sepulchre Chapel Every Saturday at 9am, Holy Communion - The Sepulchre Chapel Sunday, February 11 Sherborne Abbey 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong St Martin of Tours, Lillington 9.30am Holy Communion St James the Great, Longburton 10am Family Communion St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am Holy Communion St Mary Magdalene, Castleton 11.15am BCP Holy Communion Cheap Street Church 6.30pm Taize Service St John the Baptist, Symondsbury 9.30pm Celtic Worship

the young parents of Jesus entered the temple asking for God’s blessing on their child, also born into a violent and troubled world. For that region is not a safe place for a child. If she is still alive, she is living, like Jesus, in a land with political and religious divisions which seem to defy all attempts to bring peace to the region.

Jesus was born into a suffering world. His people were oppressed in their own land by the occupying Roman forces.

They longed for the coming of the promised Messiah, God’s anointed one to bring freedom, peace and justice to the people of Israel. Two babies, separated by more than 2,000 years and yet having so much in common. And at Candlemas we think of Simeon, an old man who witnessed this

St Mary Magdalene, North Poorton 9.30am Eucharist St Saviour’s, Dottery 11am Morning Prayer St Michael and All Angels, Askerswell 11am Benefice Eucharist Burton Bradstock 11am Holy Communion Litton Cheney 9.30am Morning Worship Swyre 11am Morning Worship Puncknowle 9.30am Holy Communion Shipton Gorge 9.30am Breakfast Church Littlebredy 11am Holy Communion Abbotsbury 9am BCP Portesham 10am Family Praise Langton Herring 11am Holy Communion Wednesday, February 14 Sherborne Abbey 10.30am Holy Communion (without ashing) 7pm Holy Communion (with ashing) Swyre 3pm Holy Communion Portesham 4pm Holy Communion Friday, February 16 Sherborne Abbey 11am Remembering the Fallen Sunday, February 18 Sherborne Abbey 8am BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong St Martin of Tours, Lillington 9.30am Morning Service St James the Great, Longburton 10am Family Communion St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am All Age Worship St Mary Magdalene, Castleton 11.15am Mattins St Mary Magdalene, Loders 9.30am Celtic Worship

cherished child brought into the temple to be blessed. He was a righteous and devout man who longed for an end to the suffering of his people. His longing resonates with us as we see the suffering and injustice around us today.

Simeon holds on in faith to a promise made to him by God, that he will not die until he has seen the one who is God’s Messiah. We too hang on in faith to the promises made to us by God in Jesus.

The promise that we are God’s beloved children; the promise that God is always with us; the promise that even out of the darkest and most painful of circumstances God will bring healing, light and new life.

St Mary the Virgin, Powerstock 11am Benefice Eucharist St Paul’s, Broadoak 6.30pm Evening Prayer Burton Bradstock 9.30am Café Church Litton Cheney 9.30am Matins Swyre 11am Holy Communion Shipton Gorge 3pm Pet Service Long Bredy 9.30am Morning Worship Portesham 11am Holy Communion Langton Herring 10am Family Praise Sunday, February 25 Sherborne Abbey 8am BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong St Martin of Tours, Lillington 9.30am Morning Service St James the Great, Longburton 10am Said Holy Communion St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am Morning Worship St Mary Magdalene, Castleton 11.15am Mattins St Saviour’s, Dottery 9.30am Holy Communion St John the Baptist, Symondsbury 11am Benefice Eucharist St Mary Magdalene, North Poorton 6.30pm Evensong St Michael and All Angels, Askerswell 6.30pm Evensong Burton Bradstock 8am Holy Communion Litton Cheney 9.30am Morning Worship Puncknowle 11am Café Church Shipton Gorge 11am Holy Communion Littlebredy 11am Morning Worship Abbotsbury 10am Family Praise Portesham 9am BCP

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

67

Letters

Let’s demand fair share of oil profits Dorset County Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Unitary Authority are two of the least funded councils in the country and this is having a direct effect upon the health and wellbeing of local residents. Poole Food Bank for instance saw demand for its services increase by an alarming 77% last year and I believe this is being replicated across the whole county.

For the last 43 years, oil and gas have been extracted from Dorset soil at Wytch Farm. the largest onshore oilfield in Western Europe. To date 515 MILLION barrels of oil have been extracted and sold for over £11.2 BILLION. The Treasury currently receives 40% tax on all profits made on the sale of Dorset oil and gas and in May 2022 the government introduced an additional 25 % windfall tax yet we, the people of Dorset, have yet to see any financial benefits from the sale of Dorset oil and gas.

Whereas the nearest North Sea oil rig is 120 miles away from the Shetland Isles, yet they have received £380 MILLION, which has been placed in a Shetland Charitable Trust fund controlled by nine locally elected islanders who hand out grants, subsidies and funds to local islanders, organisations and groups.

This is not just about money; it’s about fairness, ensuring that everyone in Dorset has access to the resources they need to live healthy lives.

I recently started a petition on the change.org petition web site and am asking everyone to sign the petition.

If we can get enough signatures the government MUST sit up and pay attention especially in an election year The petition can be found at change.org/p/fair-funding-fordorset Please support and sign this petition and tell others about it, together we can make a difference to the future health and prosperity of Dorset.

Mike Plummer

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

In last month’s Labour column about farming, Claudia forgot to share what Labour actually does for farming given that they are in power in Wales and numerous city councils.

In Exeter, the Labour-run city council helps farmers by banning all meat and dairy products from their facilities! Yes – all dairy, including MILK! In Wales, where Labour is in power, Joyce Watson tells farmers to find another business if they get a case of Bovine TB and another Labour Welsh parliamentarian, Mike Hedges, said all farm support should be stopped.

Most farmers have never heard of a local Labour politician, let alone met one. I would love to know what the Labour plan is for farming, but like with most Labour policies, they change a few weeks after being announced. On the other hand, your Conservative MP is the sixth generation of a tenant farming family here in West Dorset and campaigned to support our farmers at every

opportunity, both here at home and in Westminster.

Chris Loder, West Dorset MP It’s great news Labour has plans to enhance food security with their ‘New Deal for Farmers’ (Claudia Sorin WDM Jan 24).

We need to grow more food in the UK. It can be done as proved between 1939 and 1945.

But I do wonder about Labour’s plan to increase wetlands. Some may remember the flooding of 17,000 acres of the Somerset levels in 2014/15. 600 homes were devastated and agricultural land ruined. Wildlife suffered.

That land has still not recovered.

Baroness Young of Old Scone, a Labour peer, was CEO of the Environment Agency. Somerset journalist and author Christopher Booker reported she was heard to say she would like a limpet mine under every drainage pumping station. Dredging of drainage channels had been deliberately neglected. Baroness Young has been CEO of the RSPB and chair of English Nature.

It seems politicians of all parties are following UN Agenda 21/30 guidelines on wetlands, which says animals including insects are accorded equal status with human beings. UK FIRES is a Cambridge University think tank.

Under Net Zero from 2030 to 2050 they foresee a four-fold increase in renewable power generation with all non-electric motors and heaters phased out.

They see beef and lamb phased out along with all imports not transported by train. Fertiliser use to be greatly reduced. How will that work out for Dorset farmers?

We are fed ‘Net Zero’ (Carbon Dioxide CO2) propaganda for breakfast, lunch and supper.

Currently CO2 is about 470 parts per million (ppm) of the Earth’s atmosphere. It is essential for the life and growth of green plants.

Plants take in CO2 and produce oxygen. Should CO2 drop to 200 ppm all green plants would die.

CO2 has a minor role in the climate variations. The main roles are played by the Sun’s activities (sunspots), galactic and planetary variations. There have been 6 major ice ages. In the Huronian ice age CO2 was 20% of the atmosphere.

All crops and trees grow bigger and are more robust if they receive more CO2. Ask commercial tomato growers.

They pump CO2 into their greenhouses.

‘Net Zero’ means artificially expensive energy. Solar farms take a huge area to produce a small and unreliable amount of electricity. Wind turbine electric is erratic and expensive and the blades kill birds and bats.

Renewable energy is expensive and only practical with subsidies.

Human health, jobs and productivity require cheap and reliable energy.

I suspect farmers may struggle to be more productive and profitable with the expensive renewable GB Energy.

Robert Theobald, Weymouth

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Sport

sponsored by Clocktower Records, Bridport

There’s a buzz going on around

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The manager of Bridport Ladies FC has been talking to the West Dorset Magazine about the team’s recent affiliation with the men’s team, their progress on the pitch and her hopes for the future.

Lianne Dunk took over the reins at St Mary’s Field ahead of the current campaign and is delighted with how things are going - on and off the pitch.

Lianne said: “Although I’ve played football since I was a girl, I didn’t really know what to expect when I took over as manager, so I’m really pleased with our progress. I’ve always been Bridport-based and started playing with the Under 10s locally, then Queen Bees, and it’s great to have the chance to manage my local team.”

Bridport Ladies are currently in third place in the Second Division of the Somerset League. Lianne said: “I am happy with third and would be pleased if we can finish there. It would give us a solid platform, then we can add to the squad and be in a position to push for promotion next time hopefully. I don’t think we can really expect to

MAKING PROGRESS: Bridport Ladies and, below, action from a league match Team picture: LIANNE DUNK. Match pictures: SIMON LITTLE

challenge Yeovil Town at the top, although we are the only team to beat them this season, and Pen Mill look pretty comfortable in second. We made the decision to play in Somerset as there is such strength in Dorset with

CLOCKTOWER RECORDS: PROUD SPONSORS OF LOCAL SPORT Vinyl records bought & sold

teams such as Weymouth, Bournemouth and Poole.

They have much bigger squads and more resources and I think it’s important that we are in a competitive league as we grow.”

“Somerset have a rule that

teams can play 9v9 which is a bit frustrating, as it means we sometimes have to stand down two of our subs at just 12 hours’ notice and it makes it hard for the girls playing on full-sized pitches. Other than that, it’s a good league for us but hope we can challenge the Dorset teams one day.”

Bridport Ladies became affiliated to the town’s men’s team for the first time in 2023/24, having previously operated as a separate entity. Lianne said: “It’s been a real boost for us, and we feel there’s a really good buzz about it all. We have had over 100 people come for some of

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 10-4.30 thecrew@clocktowerrecords.co.uk St Michael's Estate, Bridport, DT6 3RR

01308 458077

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Sport

sponsored by Clocktower Records, Bridport

Bridport Ladies

UP TO THE CHALLEGE: Bridport Ladies play in the Somerset League

our home matches and it’s great to feel a key part of the club.

“Having our kit sponsored

by Clocktower has been great, and we could not be more grateful to Roy and the team there. They’ve helped on the practical side too with our website, social media content and photography. By agreeing to sponsor our kit for two years, it gives us some real peace of mind and we can plan for the future without having shirt sponsorship on our list of things to do.”

Lianne is optimistic about growing the squad and is keen to drive interest from younger girls.

“Holly Perryment is our leading goalscorer this term. Holly is only 16, and I’d love to get more talented youngsters in. We

69

may see some players come across from Bridport U17s and would love to have enough talent to launch a development team, which would help us bring players on and help to support the first team,” she said.

“We are always looking for players of any ability and would love to hear from anybody who would like to come along.” n Bridport Ladies are due to entertain Porlock Ladies at St Mary’s Field on Sunday, February 11. Kick off is at 2pm and entrance is free.

Please check website for details of fixtures.

CLOCKTOWER RECORDS: PROUD SPONSORS OF LOCAL SPORT Vinyl records bought & sold

VIEW FROM THE SIDELINES: Lianne Dunk on the touchline for Bridport Ladies

n I am chuffed to welcome Roy Gregory and his team at Clocktower Records who are sponsoring our Sport section in The West Dorset Magazine.

Roy has already demonstrated his commitment to the beautiful game as the primary sponsor of Bridport Town FC and Bridport Ladies FC - offering practical support to help the profile of the teams.

Along with a couple of his crew, Roy has been instrumental in setting up a team of fundraisers to help the club tackle planned improvements at St. Mary’s Field. He has been a passionate advocate for the club and is focused on helping to get more people playing and watching football in Bridport.

Roy said: “We have been helping the club with their social media and it’s all about trying to get a real buzz about football in the town and help with the ethos of the club. The men’s team pulled a crowd of about 500 on Boxing Day and the ladies are getting over 100 fans through the gates which is great to see.

“We would love to help build more teams under the Bridport Town banner and get more youngsters coming through too.

“We are proud to be sponsors, and it’s amazing how much more you can do if you have the right approach and engage the community. We want to put something back into the town.”

Well done, Roy and all the crew – it’s great to have you on our team too!

Since our launch in February 2022, we have dedicated over 200 pages to community sport, covering over 50 different sports from across the region.

I would love to do even more, and it boils down to simple maths.

The more commercial support we get, the more space we can dedicate to the fantastic sporting stories out there. We write engaging coverage (even if I do say so myself!) with people who play or watch or volunteer at the very heart of the story.

If you have a sporting story to tell or would like to promote your company, please get in touch sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk Stuart Wickham

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 10-4.30 thecrew@clocktowerrecords.co.uk St Michael's Estate, Bridport, DT6 3RR

01308 458077

70

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Sport

sponsored by Clocktower Records, Bridport

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Young people are being encouraged to come and try indoor bowls at Moonfleet 2000’s upcoming Open Day on Saturday, March 16, and potentially follow in the footsteps of National Champion, Martin Puckett, who began his successful career at the popular Weymouth club.

Club chairman Mike Giles has been talking to the West Dorset Magazine about their new junior coaches, their plans for continued growth and the enduring popularity of the centre.

Two of the club’s teenage players, Dean Ballard, 19, and Joseph Aslett, 17, are currently going through the process of gaining their coaching qualifications, and Mike is hopeful that this will help to attract more youngsters.

Mike said: “Dean is very keen and has been playing for a while, and Joseph is enthusiastic about trying something different with the coaching. We are hoping that having coaches of a similar age will help us to engage younger players. We have plans to relaunch our junior section soon, which will be fantastic for the future of our club.”

“I’m not sure if we’ll find the next Martin Puckett, but you never know, and we’d certainly love to get more young people playing with us. It is great to see Martin go on to such great things in the game. I used to play pairs with him and could see his talent at an early stage.

One of the reasons he moved to Dorchester was that they had more people of his age there, so it would be great if we can have more from a

ALL RIGHT JACK: Moonfleet 2000 Bowls Club is opening its doors on March 16 to encourage new members

You’re welcome!

Come and have a go at bowls club younger demographic.”

Moonfleet 2000, a purposebuilt club at the Marsh Sports Ground in Knightsdale Road, boasts six rinks, a viewing platform, sociable lounge and a licenced bar. The club was originally formed in the 1980s and members played at Moonfleet Manor, before a new building was erected on the current site in 1998, before opening in 2000.

Mike said: “We had 220 members when the new club building was opened. Now we’ve got over 400 but we

CLOCKTOWER RECORDS: PROUD SPONSORS OF LOCAL SPORT Vinyl records bought & sold

certainly have room for more.

It’s the nature of our demographic that some of our members can no longer play, or they move on, and we’re always looking to get more people interested in the game.

Our open days are central to this drive, and we’d love to see 60 or 70 people through the doors. We have a number of courses that they can take up to try the sport and start to develop their skills. Then there’s a chance for them to start playing in tournaments or joining one of our many league

teams.”

Members have the choice of playing socially or competing in many leagues and competitions throughout the year.

Moonfleet is popular as a neutral venue for inter-county matches too, and has hosted nine fixtures recently between teams travelling from across the South of England. Mike said: “We have teams from Plymouth and Sutton competing against each other soon. We are lucky that have some great facilities and are well-positioned geographically to host these fixtures.”

The club has received National Lottery funding and will be throwing open its doors during Good Cause Week in the days prior to their open day. Mike said: “It’s a chance to give something back to the community and we want people to come in for a coffee, slice of cake, and have a look around.

“The bowling side of things will be on the Saturday when we’ll have experts on hand, but it would great for people to come in and see us on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“We’ll be open from 10am to 2pm each day and it’s a great opportunity for people to get a feel for the place.

“We’re always very welcoming.” n The club Open Day will be on Saturday, March 16, from 10am to 2pm. Fully-qualified coaches will be on hand, and all equipment will be provided.

There is no need to book, please contact the club on 01305 759106 for more details.

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 10-4.30 thecrew@clocktowerrecords.co.uk St Michael's Estate, Bridport, DT6 3RR

01308 458077

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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Vittles (food & drink)

Sunday best is top of the class here FOOD REVIEW Loders Arms, Loders

By John Clements, chef at The Olive Tree, Bridport No schedule could be further from a MondayFriday 9-5 than that of a chef. And yet…why on a Sunday, at around 3pm, do I still have a sinking feeling that tomorrow it’s back to school? It never goes away. Douglas Adams’ novel title, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, sums it up perfectly.

In an attempt to cut this malaise off at the pass I solicited the aid of two gelato-cool foodie-friends for a Sunday lunchtime field-trip. Hop on the school bus – we’re off to The Loders Arms.

This 17th-century pub, in the stunningly beautiful village of Loders, has recently been refurbished by the two new landlords Matt and Harriet. The ambience rustic-modern and the food influence English/French/Mediterran ean. Skittle-alley, pubgarden, fireplace and very dog-friendly.

Restaurant Fact: English

TOP MARKS: Pear tarte tatin and roasted celeriac at The Loders Arms, Loders

chefs can lecture for hours about a single Sunday roast. Now the exam. Deep breath, and flip over the menu. Topside of beef, rolled pork belly and roasted celeriac in pastry.

Perfectly cooked vegetables, cauliflower cheese and hot plates. Tick, tick, tick. The celeriac and pork achieved a straight A. Desserts were brioche diplomat and chocolate

delice with the pear tartetatin being top of the class.

The pear was something we thought would also work well at a dinner party and definitely an idea that me and my guest-pâtissier might have to copy. So naughty. Detention for sure. The service from Harriet throughout was warm, unintrusive and very professional. The pub soon filled up so it’s definitely

worth booking a table.

After lunch we strolled around the village inspecting the thatched cottages, watermill, streams, Manor House and the local school. All very Grade1, 2 & 3.

Your homework is to give the Sunday roast here a test. It could just be the perfect antidote for the back-to-school-blues.

Gold award for tearooms Upwey Wishing Well has been named best tearoom in the county at the Dorset Tourism Awards.

Owner Jacci Pestana said: “This incredible achievement is a testament to the hard work of our amazing team and the wonderful support from our fantastic customers.”

She added: “We're on cloud nine.”

Meat for the week Meat for the week packs at great affordable prices for two or four or more people. To find out more about how to order: l Call our shop 01305 871235 l Email meat.robins23@gmail.com l Follow our Facebook page, Meat at Robins Farm Shop l Visit biltongonline.co.uk l Visit our shop at 4 Market Street, Abbotsbury, DT3 4JR

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

Love it or hate it, as soon as the Christmas chattels have been cleared away, an abundance of romantic Valentine’s Day paraphernalia appears. It is unknown who exactly St Valentine was. There are many contenders, all purporting to be the ‘one’, along with some impressive tales to support their claim. However, February 14 is a date that is celebrated across the world.

A chequered history, the very first Valentine’s Day goes back to 496AD, influenced then by the Romans, who created a brutal fertility celebration dedicated to Faunus, the God of Agriculture. By the Middle Ages the feast day became more civilised and symbolised the beginning of the ‘mating’ season, and as years went by both Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticised it in their works. We can always trust the Victorians to put that ‘romantic spin’ on Valentine’s Day and sending chocolate to your loved one was created by a chap

contained some unpleasant, cutting alternative to the normal creations of undying love and fidelity.

I have always gone along with the maxim that the way to person’s heart is through their stomach, so make something that’s a bit of a surprise. As a child, my SUCH A TREAT: London cheesecakes husband fondly recalls how he would buy London cheesecakes with his pocket money, so I went in search of a recipe.

Little puffs of nostalgia and called Richard Cadbury, very easy to make. yes, he of Cadbury’s You will need. chocolate fame. What an 50g Butter entrepreneur! In the 50g caster sugar Victorian era, a card laced 1 beaten egg. in vinegar was used to 50g ground almonds deter unwanted admirers; 1 packet of rolled puff these were called ‘penny pastry. dreadfuls’ and normally Jam

So cheesy... but that’s love for you

Mum’s Kitchen...

Beetroot, Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup Serves 4 We are all currently being urged to eat far more unprocessed foods, and this soup ticks all the boxes for healthy ingredients. I made it for a recent flower club soup lunch and it was really popular.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra to serve 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 2 sticks celery, chopped 2 thumbnail sized pieces of fresh ginger, peeled and grated 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped or crushed 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled

100g icing sugar.

Desiccated coconut.

Start by making the frangipane: cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy and add the beaten egg and almonds and set aside.

Cut the pastry into six pieces lengthwise, then halve all of them horizontally. Put six pieces on a baking tray.

Place a teaspoon of jam in the centre of each section of pastry and spread it evenly, leaving a gap around the edge.

Add a small blob of frangipane in the middle of the jam and spread it evenly.

Cover with a piece of pastry.

Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

Whilst cooling, make the icing. Sift the sugar into a bowl and slowly add the water to make a thin icing.

Spread the icing over the top and sprinkle with coconut.

Made with love.

with Diana Holman and chopped 4 medium beetroot, peeled and chopped 1 litre vegetable stock 2 teaspoons coriander seeds Salt and freshly ground black pepper A squeeze of lemon A handful of chopped chives to serve Method: In a large, lidded saucepan, heat the

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

Oh my darling Clementine, it’s cake!

Clementine almond cake Gas mark 4/ 180C Serves 8 A cross between cake and a pudding this is a lovely moist offering. It is delicious served warm with custard or clotted cream.

The cake will rise in the oven but once out there is every chance it will dip, so don’t expect highly risen sponge, this is perfectly normal. If you prefer something lighter substitute the sugar with caster sugar. You can use any oranges available if you don’t have clementines - I even use Seville oranges. If you want this to be gluten free make sure you use the correct baking powder.

250g olive oil, plus 2 tbsps for frying 4 clementine (or similar) oranges, slice 2, zest and juice 2 250g soft brown sugar 4 eggs, separated 300g ground almonds

whilst you make the cake.

Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks and leave until needed.

In a mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks, olive oil and sugar together until they are lighter in colour, five10 minutes. Gently stir in the ground almonds with the baking powder until combined. Fold in the egg whites followed by the zest and juice of the remaining clementines. Pour the batter in the cake tin taking care not to disturb the orange slices in the bottom.

Smooth the top and put in the oven for 50 - 60 minutes. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for around 30 minutes and turn upside down on a baking tray.

THE FUTURE’S ORANGE-Y: Clementine almond cake

1 tsp baking powder Grease and line a 20cm/ 8 inch cake tin.

Put a frying pan over a low heat on the hob. Add the two tablespoons of oil in the pan and allow to come up to heat. In the meantime slice two oranges into

olive oil, then add the chopped onion and celery. Cook on a low heat until the celery is softened and the onions are translucent. Add the grated ginger and garlic and cook for a few minutes more, then stir in the chopped sweet potato and beetroot.

Pour the stock over and bring to the boil, then cover and reduce to a low simmer for around ten minutes or until the vegetables are all tender.

Meanwhile, dry fry the coriander

around 12 slices. Pop in the pan and cook gently until the skin has softened slightly approximately five-10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Place the slices of fruit in the base of the tin so that it is covered. Leave to cool

seeds in a frying pan over a medium heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly until the aroma is released. Leave to cool slightly,

The cake will keep for aboutfive days. n Lizzie can be found in the Old Ship Inn, upwey, DT3 5QQ every Saturday morning. If you’d like to know more check out www.lizziebakingbird.co.uk or on instagram lizzibakingbird.

then crush the seeds in a pestle and mortar. Stir the crushed seeds into the pan of vegetables, cooking everything for a further 15 minutes.

Pour the mixture into a blender or processer and whizz until smooth.

Add a pinch of salt, black pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.

Serve the soup in bowls with a little olive oil drizzled over each one.

Sprinkle the chives on top.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

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EASIER PUZZLES

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Arrow words

Crossword

Smallest EU member

Concert venue

Travel on

Floating ice field

Wine flavourer

Nastily sticky

Pause marks

Edges

Her

Umpire

Rend

Car

7

11

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Brazilian state

Aardvark’s dinner

Dunce

Wordsearch Witches

M L E C T A E L L A C E E T Q N I E T E M E S W M G V L L A O S L M N I G I O E E Y L M N S B O D D E L E R R A D D I O I E A D R L C D U L A E E C A D E D L O E N I C M L S H A B A A E W X A D A F D I O S B A M A R E S L M M A E C M E E M Y G F I N A M V M H L L M E N M E L B R U I O A A L A A C E A E M A L N R N L A N Q M I E M N T B A G G E T B A U A L U D R T B A C M R Y A I G L A Q I D A N E M I N A X E A N R G E T A I L X S O E M F U M T R

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Across 1 Transferred (6) 5 Emblem (6) 8 Charge per unit (4) 9 Environs (8) 10 The sale of goods (6) 11 A man, woman or child (6) 12 Far from certain (4) 14 Climbing plant, sweet ___ (3) 15 Firm up a muscle (4) 16 Consented (6) 18 Woman graduate (6) 20 Indian consort (8) 22 Senior lecturer (4) 23 Indifference (6) 24 Amass (6)

Tehran resident

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Operatic solo

MEG MELISANDRE MILDRED MORGANA NESSAROSE QUEEN MAB TARA MACLAY WILLOW

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Urgent appeal (inits)

Plus

ALICE AMY MADISON BELLATRIX CHO CHANG DAVINA BAT LUNA MALEFICENT MEDEA

6

9

16

Fencing sword

5

4

Josh Groban song

Sudden convulsion

European currency

Winter ailment

3

10

Avoiding group interactions

Two-seater bicycle

‘Alias’ (inits)

2

8

Opposite of don’ts

Married title

1

Gives a thumbs-up (abbr)

Down 2 Elliptical (5) 3 Healing treatment (7) 4 Evolved (9) 5 ‘Precisely as written’ (3) 6 Large country house (5) 7 Obsolete (7) 11 Reconciling (9) 13 Reduced-visibility car light (3,4) 15 Brass instrument (7) 17 Glorify (5) 19 Not a soul (2,3) 21 One or more of something (3)

Sudoku

3 7

5 9 7

5

1 1 3

2 6

3 8

For the solutions turn to page 79

8 5

3

9 9 4

6

6 2 3 2

5 2

5 4 9

2 6 5

Brain chain (Easy version) 41

+24

-37

×1/2

÷2

+31

RESULT

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Working together to give the customer the very best service

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

1

3

8

9 7

5

Cryptic Crossword 5 3

1

7

9

7

270×

12×

7×

27×

126×

3

72×

17+

7+

4

8+

216×

4

6÷

3

16+

160×

15+

12+

2÷

19+

8×

18×

5+

8

19+

14+

126×

5

Brain chain (Hard version) 44

+75%

+44

-8

+14

-93

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Killer Sudoku Pro:

7+

21+

2

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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.

40×

3

10

3 2 1 5 8 4 9 1 6 7 7 7 6 8 6 5 2 4 6 3 3 7 1 1 4 9 1 8 7 7 6 5 4 7 4 7 9 6 1 2 5 4 2 4 5 6 8 4 7 3 2

2

8

8

2

6 4 7 3 1 7 5 6

6

6 7

HARDER PUZZLES

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.

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Across 8 Celebrated revolutionary song and drink (7) 9 Poor name, insipid after wife vanished (5) 10 I love mixing source of oil (5) 11 Take a point when probing remedy (7) 12 At vice, truant misbehaving is repellent (12) 16 Point a cinema represented for freedom (12) 20 It’s used for seating in excessive ME state (7) 23 Group from province for Egyptian? (5) 24 A memory associated with a scent (5) 25 Char’s first and less bulky as domestic worker? (7)

Down 1 Sort out a cost for racecourse (5) 2 A gin is spilt behind home showing official badges? (8) 3 Enthusiastic Arab before depression (6) 4 Powdery stuff found in dental clinic (4) 5 As a gamble, number turned up on restricted spot (2,4) 6 List of dishes leads to many expecting novelty usually (4) 7 Kind group to work in a printing outfit? (7) 13 US music genre gets criticism (3) 14 Institute over long run recreated medical apparatus (4,4) 15 Second verse is featured in genuine work of abstraction? (7) 17 Fight against committee and club (6) 18 Date man leaving area arranged to get bike (6) 19 Conserve retail outlet (5) 21 Extreme left-winger is wrong getting internally confused (4) 22 Kiss part of a bottle? (4)

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The West Dorset Magazine, March 2023

Down to earth

Following in the footsteps of Anning

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design She is available for talks: email belasco@british beachcombingmag.com

I applied for a job at Lyme Regis Museum as a beach fossil tour guide. In preparation for a possible interview I bought a ticket for a guided tour. The ticket included entry to the brilliant museum itself, which as it turns out was built on the foundations of the famous fossil hunter Mary Annings’ old house.

We were literally walking in her footsteps as well as the many-million-year-old footsteps of various dinosaurs of the Jurassic coast.

As fate would have it, it was our guide Chris’s last

LAND THAT TIME FORGOT: A dinosaur on the beach and, left, Chris on his last fossil tour at Lyme Regis

tour of East Cliff beach. I wondered, as he pointed out the fossil imprints on stone and explained about fool’s gold, if I would soon be doing his job?

Envisioning myself bedecked as Mary Anning, holding forth on ammonites and belemnites I suddenly snapped back to the present and realised I had fallen behind the group. Watching my step over the wobbly stones

and slippery seaweed was forcing my gaze down.

Colourful, sparkly treasures were waving up to me from the pyrite. I stopped to gather sea crockery shards and sea glass – I couldn’t resist as I equally love these items as well as fossils. Don’t get me wrong, Chris was very informative and witty and I can fully recommend the tours.

However, Lyme Regis with its Victorian tip slip of 2008 is not just a Mecca for fossil hunters, it is also a sweet spot for beachcombers in general and is known in the

beachcombing community around the world. Cheek by jowl with the fossils lie sea glass, crockery shards and sometimes even Frozen Charlotte dolls.

It’s not surprising that I didn’t even get an interview as I don’t have a science background and wouldn’t know my Allosaurus from my Atlantosaurus. Equally important, you need first aid qualifications, as although the beach is full of treasures it is also full of rusty iron and sharp glass.

If I had reached interview stage I was looking forward to suggesting that they branch out from purely fossil guided tours.

I was going to propose that Lyme Regis Museum offer general beachcombing tours. Or even two separate beachcombing guided walks – one solely for fossils and one for items from nearer this end of history. Who knows… I might get an interview

Winter plant was good

JOHN WRIGHT is a naturalist and forager who lives in rural West Dorset. He has written eight books, four of which were for River Cottage. He wrote the award-winning Forager’s anyway) have or Calendar and in 2021 his Spotter’s Guide to Countryside had accommodating Mysteries was published. taste buds, as eating the stuff raw is like Alexanders is one of the very few chewing on an incense stick.

British plants to grow over the Frankly, I don’t much like it, despite winter. endless experiments to make it It is edible, and the time to pick is pleasant to eat. It is also very tricky early in the year. to prepare, and the point at which it The plant was brought to this is picked is critical. country by the Romans, who used it It is largely a coastal plant, with as winter feed for their horses. I must populations all around southern coasts, petering away in the north. assume that horses (Roman ones,

West Dorset has a fine population, but (mercifully) not a patch on that of Devon and Cornwall where it crowds coastal roadsides to the exclusion of all else.

Alexanders is tall, with ridged stems, yellow-green leaves and bright yellow umbels of flowers.

It is, of course, in the carrot family, and can be confused with the utterly deadly hemlock water-dropwort, also found on the coast and but in damper areas.

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Down to earth Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown-up sons and spotty rescue dog. She loves to photograph and write about the everyday wildlife she sees in her garden and on her daily dog walks. You can follow Sally on Instagram at Sparrows in a Puddle.

Snowdrops a constant comfort to us all This February we’ve been in our Tolpuddle bungalow for 17 years, the longest I’ve been in any home, and it’s fair to say we’ve all put some roots down.

Over the years, barring the 1960s parquet flooring in the hall, we’ve refashioned, repainted and recarpeted to the point that virtually everything inside has been replaced and it’s very much ours.

But for me, the feeling of home is rooted even more strongly outside of the house. When I took ownership of the garden that mild February day one of the first things I noticed was a couple of clumps of snowdrops, their little white flowers gently nodding in the breeze. I had never had much luck with these ‘fair maids of February’ in previous gardens so I was thrilled to see them so

established. I was soon told by an elderly neighbour that he had put the snowdrops in for the previous owner, though I was horrified to hear he had helped himself to them from local woods.

Although it is illegal to take them from the wild, what he did do right was plant them in the garden ‘in the green’. They are so much more likely to do well than packs of dry bulbs planted in the autumn.

Over the years, I have lifted and divided the snowdrops several times and they now come up all over the garden, and as Wordsworth described them, are my favourite ‘harbingers of spring’.

In Greek myth Persephone brought them with her in the spring when she returned from her winter in the underworld with Hades.

When Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, they wondered if winter would ever end, but an angel transformed some snowflakes into snowdrops, to show them that cold winters give way to spring.

In folklore they have represented hope, rebirth and new beginnings, but also, because of their white flowers, purity, innocence and spirituality.

In traditional medicine snowdrops were used as painkillers and a snowdrop extract has now been developed as a treatment for dementia.

Snowdrops are a great source of pollen and nectar for any bees and butterflies venturing out

on warm February days. Keep a look out too for the red admiral butterfly. It overwinters as an adult, coming out of its dormancy on warm days, I was thrilled to photograph one feeding on my snowdrops last February.

Wordsworth ended his ‘Ode to a Snowdrop’ sonnet by describing snowdrops as ‘pensive monitors of the fleeting years’. We have made many changes to the garden over our fleeting years, planting trees and flowers, digging veggie beds and establishing a pond, but the appearance of the snowdrops early every spring has been a comforting constant, as well as a connection to the garden’s past.

enough to feed Roman horses but that’s about it

It is distinguished by having white flowers, dark green leaves and an acrid smell.

It probably has an acrid taste as well, but I didn’t get to be an old forager by being a bold one. Do check with photographs online or in books.

Although the unopened buds can be fried in tempura batter (remove their fibrous covering), or the very young and succulent leaves used in a robust

salad, it is the long, immature side shoots (D-shaped in crosssection) that are usually eaten. They need to be soft, bendy and as thick as you can find without being hollow.

They will need peeling, (just as celery once needed peeling) as the outer layer is very fibrous.

They don’t peel easily, but peeling 10cm lengths will keep the cursing to a minimum. The remaining

succulent centre can be cooked for a few minutes to soften, but not for too long as the flavour disappears after about seven or eight minutes, though that may be for the best. It can also be candied.

Look up a recipe for candied angelica (a close relative with a similar flavour) but add a few leaves at each of the several stages to maintain the flavour. That is, if you want to maintain it.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Down to earth KIM BERLIN – A newcomer to the Rock

Keep quiet on history of Rufus Castle After the Norman Conquest of 1066, a programme of fortification building began throughout conquered England, as much to pacify the locals as to keep potential invaders out. This continued into the reign of William II, William Rufus as he is better known, son of William the Conqueror.

Perched high on a rock above Church Ope Cove on Portland’s eastern cliffs stands the keep of Rufus Castle – possibly acknowledging the King who granted a licence to build a fortification here, or maybe Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, also known as Rufus, who was granted a licence to ‘crenellate’, build fortifications, on Portland in 1256.

The original castle was the earliest known Portland stone building, but nothing remains of this fortress, except perhaps some of the foundations.

The building of the original castle is believed to be around 1100. During the 1135-43 civil war known as The Anarchy – the dispute over succession caused by the death of Henry I, between cousins King Stephen and the Empress Matilda – Portland’s castle was captured

by Matilda’s half-brother, Robert Earl of Gloucester.

Church Ope Cove was, before large scale quarrying began, the only place on the island where a landing from the sea could be made, with all the defensive

and offensive advantages that an invasion force could obtain. From Tophill, as the top of the island is known, there are far reaching views in every direction. The steep escarpment at the northern end of the island gives an enormous advantage to defenders repelling a land-based assault. Tophill was largely self-sufficient as the landmass was generous enough to provide meat and textiles from sheep and arable crops, so any defending force could withstand a siege quite well.

Rufus Castle held a critical defensive position. Portland provided a great vantage point to control sea approaches and the castle’s position over Church

Looking back in anger at use of Oasis A churchwarden and councillor is appealing for people to ensure funeral flowers are environmentally friendly after despairing of florists who ignore church rules over floral foam and plastic containers.

Sophie Stovin, who is churchwarden at Frome St Quintin, says the 15 churches in the Melbury parish try their best to dissuade people from using the traditional – and toxic – green foam Oasis for arrangements.

Oasis has been used for years, as it retains water to preserve the life of the plant material, and it is easy to push flowers and foliage in at different angles to create the arrangement you have in mind.

But the Sustainable Floristry Network (SFN) warns: “Because floral foam does not dissolve in water (it just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces), it must go through a process of degradation to

PLEA TO FLORISTS: Churchwarden Sophie Stovin

break down. This can only go on at the surface of the plastic material. Floral foam already has a very large surface area where degradation can occur, even as a complete block, because of its cellular structure. However, while crumbling it into smaller pieces may help speed up the process, there is a downside because the microplastics are more easily dispersed in the environment where they can cause problems.”

Sophie says they’ve let all the

local florists know of their rule on Oasis and plastic containers, but they still use them.

Then when the flowers turn up for a funeral it’s not the right time to tackle the issue.

She said: “It’s my mission to prevent all the plastic coming into our churchyards and using more sustainable practices in our church flower arranging.

“The church wardens in our Melbury group say they currently compost flowers but throw away the plastics.

“I believe it is very important to raise general awareness, because however many resolutions the PCCs pass nothing will change until the public know enough to ensure that their funeral florists don’t use foam or plastics.”

Floral foam is made from two chemicals considered to be hazardous to humans: phenol and formaldehyde.

Forms of ‘bio-foam’ aimed at being greener are also a no-no, says the SFN: “A recent

independent study about the impacts of floral foam on aquatic animals by a group of researchers at RMIT University in Australia demonstrated that the ‘biodegradable’ Bio Foam manufactured by Smithers Oasis is very similar in chemical composition to regular floral foam.

“It was also shown to leach more toxic compounds into the water than regular foam.”

The study also showed that the material was eaten by aquatic animals with a range of feeding habits and that it is harmful for their health.

One alternative to Oasis is chicken wire, which can be shaped to hold plant material.

Or mourners can opt for handtied and in-vessel arrangements.

There are other commercial alternatives, such as OshunPouch, Earthwool and TerraBrick.

Go to sustainablefloristry.org to find out more.

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Down to earth Ope guarded this important maritime access point.

Portland was a very important place for the defence of the realm. Several successful incursions by both the French and the Spanish between 1340 and 1439 proved the point.

Portland’s strategic importance did not lessen over the centuries. The castle we see today has been dated to the 15th century, possibly rebuilt over the earlier fortification (no other site for an earlier castle has been found), by Richard, Duke of York between 1432-60. It is unclear when it finally fell into disuse, but it may have coincided with the construction of Henry VIII’s coastal fort at Castletown in 1539-41.

Erosion, historic robbing out of stone

and cosmetic alterations in the early 19th century have left us with only the pentagonal keep, but nonetheless, it is an imposing structure. The still full height landward walls contain medieval gunports, often confused as arrow loops leading to the castle’s other local name of Bow and Arrow Castle.

The castle is today in the grounds of a private dwelling but it is easily viewed from the lane by the museum off Wakeham, the viewing area at its terminus and from the ruins of St Andrew’s Church in the undercliff.

Portland Museum has an excellent 3D tour of the castle at portlandmuseum. co.uk/rufus-castle A romantic ruin in a dramatic setting, there is little wonder that it has attracted the attention of artists for many years, most notably JMW Turner who painted it 1811. Writers have also used its setting to dramatic effect, notably

Thomas Hardy in his novel The WellBeloved, Victor Hugo, the wider landscape that includes Rufus Castle, in The Man Who Laughs and most recently, Gerald Seymour in the thriller The Dealer and the Dead.

Whatever the weather, Rufus Castle never fails to impress. Brooding and overwhelming on dark winter days, a beautiful touchstone with the past in fine weather, it never lacks in character.

Most days I walk through the arch, constructed by later owner John Penn around 1800, that connects the castle with the land to the north once known as Castle Hays. There’s a local tradition that says that some dreadful calamity (unspecified) will befall anyone that speaks going under the arch, so I stay silent, and instead think about the souls that lived, and maybe died, in the castle looming above, and of the untold stories, kept secret within its walls.

From pages 74-75

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

9 2 5 7 3 1 6 8 4

4 7 6 2 8 9 1 5 3

Crossword

7 3 9 5 1 2 4 6 8

1 4 2 8 7 6 9 3 5

2 1 3 9 6 8 5 4 7

5 6 4 3 2 7 8 1 9

8 9 7 1 4 5 3 2 6

3 8 1 6 5 4 7 9 2

6 5 8 4 9 3 2 7 1

Brain chain 41

65

28

14

38

7

Killer Sudoku Pro 40×

5 1

27×

3 9 6

3

2

16+

7 8

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4

8 2

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126×

7 3 5 1

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9 2

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9 2

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8 4

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1 6 3

14+

5

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2 3 4

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7×

1

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7

8

9

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1

7

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8

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8 7 9

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4

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9

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5

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

Jumbo 3D Sudoku 5 1 9 4 3 2 8 9 28 6 7 4 5 8 2 4 3 7 7 8 6 9 3 1 6 2 5 7 5 9 5 6 4 7 1 7 9 6 1 5 8 6 4 3 1 8 9 3 3 7 2 6 1 1 1 8 3 1 2 8 4 2 6 4 3 7 9 2 4 7 5 9 2 9 2 74 8 5 3 7 65 9 6 3 2 1 3 6 8 5 1 8 4 5 9 3 4 5 9 2 4 1 6 2 7 8 1 6 7 3 8 4 3 9 7 1 3 4 8 7 6 8 5 1 6 2 5 4 6 1 9 2 2 5 7 5 4 9 4 6 9 3 2 5 3 4 6 5 3 8 1 9 8 7 3 4 8 1 9 1 9 2 7 1 2 8 2 4 6 9 7 5 8 5 5 8 9 1 3 6 7 5 9 3 1 2 4 2 6 1 9 7 6 7 2 7 8 3 4 9 7 5 6 6 2 4 81 6 9 3 4 35 3 8 5 1 8 7 3 4 2 1 4 5 2 8 9 6 8 4 7 7 6 5 2 3 9 1

Arrow words M A F L O T A A K M R S E P F L I A U T

A R E N D A S H E E U R A O

R O I C K Y D O S E M R M A I P A S M S O S C A R I A N I A N D O L T

Brain chain (Hard) 44

77

121

113

127

34

Cryptic Crossword A I A T O M T S A N G R I A N E E D Y C S D L S N P O L I V E C A P T U R E T G N E S U N A T T R A C T I V E R I A R T E M A N C I P A T I O N M O A N S O T T O M A N N I L O T V R B E D U O A R O M A C L E A N E R L T T K M G E

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The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Health & Wellbeing

Pharmacies so much more than dispensaries A new survey by Charac, a fastgrowing NHS-integrated one-stop platform for community pharmacies, in partnership with YouGov, has found that nearly half of patients were unaware of the Government’s Pharmacy First Service (PFS), launched last week.

The PFS puts pharmacies on the healthcare frontline, acting as a first point of contact for patients and making care more accessible.

However, only 23% of patients are currently using pharmacies as their first port of call for minor ailments.

Once informed of the PFS, the number of patients that would go to pharmacists first rose to 56% for certain conditions, demonstrating the need for more awareness of pharmacists’ capabilities.

A survey last year found awareness of the full scale of services pharmacies provide was as low as 13%, with 53% not using pharmacies for anything other than very minor ailments.

Santosh Sahu, founder and CEO of Charac, pictured, said: “The pharmacy sector has long voiced its concerns about the introduction of Pharmacy First and we have seen first-hand how many community pharmacies are struggling to cope with an increase in demand. Ultimately, Pharmacy First will be vital in ensuring patients have easier access to healthcare, and for pharmacies to be able to provide a greater array of services to not only help their patients but also put them on a more sustainable financial position.

“Key to pharmacies being able to deliver on the new policy, we believe, is the digitisation of the sector, giving pharmacies an online platform where they can more efficiently manage their administrative processes and also offer new services, such as video consultations.

“Both funding and improved

digital access can make a tangible difference in equipping pharmacies for the future.

Charac’s platform enhances pharmacies’ online presence, makes their processes more efficient and helps them provide the broader range of services that will help take pressure off the NHS and work to improve the nation’s health.”

Community pharmacies are worryingly under-resourced ahead of the launch of the PFS and face an annual shortfall in funding of over £750m, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. Another survey found 81% of pharmacy staff are ‘struggling to cope’ due to a significant rise in workload, and a recent Health Education England survey found that community pharmacy vacancies doubled between 2017 and 2022.

Charac wants to provide a onestop digital platform for community pharmacies to effectively manage the total patient experience, and has

raised more than £3 million following successful funding rounds from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and leading Australia-based platform MedAdvisor. Charac has now signed up over 800 pharmacies and 40,000 patients in the UK. Simon Tebbutt, Director of Membership at the National Pharmacy Association, added: “This poll shows that most people would be very happy to go to a pharmacy to get help with a common condition when they know what a pharmacist can offer.

“The Pharmacy First initiative will be a Godsend to millions of people who will be able to go straight to a pharmacist for help with everyday health issues. We expect more and more people will use this straightforward and helpful route into the NHS as they hear about it.

“Pharmacies are local, expert, reliable and experienced, so a natural place for people to go for advice, treatment or help with many health issues.”

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

81

Health & Wellbeing

Enjoy the bumps, whether it’s your birthday or not!

BINCOMBE WALKING IN DORSET

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

This is a short walk of less than three miles exploring a small part of the ancient and hilly parish of Bincombe on the outskirts of Weymouth.

If you’re into geocaching you might find two or three without too much difficulty.

Start by visiting the ancient church, parts of which date back to the 12th century.

Then join the South Dorset Ridgeway path which

passes it and head eastwards along it. Much of the route is on access land, which enables you to wander off course and scale the hillside to visit some of the tumuli, of which there are more than

20 in the parish, including the Bincombe Bumps.

After going along the side of the hill the path then descends to join the road at Green Hill.

Turn right and head south for a short distance and then use a stile to enter a field on your left which gives you access to Chalbury Hill, an Iron Age Hill Fort.

When you’ve scrambled to the top you will appreciate why they chose that hill for their fort: not only was it

easily defensible because of the steep sides but there are wide views in all directions.

As it is access land I suggest you take your time to wander round and explore it and enjoy the views.

At the south side of the hill you’ll find a track which makes your descent back to the road easier. Back on the road, turn right and head north until you find the Ridgeway again which will take you back to your car.

Free wellbeing support for cancer patients Dorchester residents affected by cancer can now access free wellbeing support.

Wessex Cancer Support, a charity which provides free wellbeing support to anyone affected by cancer in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is expanding so anyone in Dorchester can access cancer support online.

The charity runs four cancer support centres in Bournemouth, Chandler’s Ford, Newport (Isle of Wight) and Hythe, and wellbeing drop-in sessions in Andover. It has identified Dorchester as being an area where there is a lack of cancer support. The online service has been developed because the charity recognises that it can often be hard to travel to a support centre.

Katie Davies, Wessex Cancer Support’s project manager, said: “Many of our clients visit one of our four centres in person to get free cancer support.

Having an online support package enables those who are unable to visit or would prefer to access our services from the comfort of their home to get the support they need.

“We’re striving to replicate online what we offer in our support centres;

including counselling, support groups and therapies. You’ll have the opportunity to chat to our wellbeing coordinator and identify the support that suits you best. Then, you’ll be able to book services at a time convenient for you. We know that taking the first steps to accessing support can feel a bit daunting, but we’re only a few clicks away and promise all the compassion and understanding you’d find in our support centres.”

Bournemouth-based artist Nat was 45 when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She says: “Cancer literally took my life and shook it like a snowglobe.

“Thyroid cancer made conversations hard and exhausting and I felt so isolated. I avoided going out, so the online sound therapy, meditation and friendships were a lifeline.”

The new online services are designed for anyone affected by cancer. You may have cancer yourself, be adjusting to life after cancer, supporting someone with cancer, or be bereaved. n Visit wessexcancer.org.uk/freeonline-support or email Careteam@wessexcancer.org.uk

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82

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Business Freelance copywriter ANDREW KNOWLES is based in Wyke Regis.

He helps to support and train hundreds of small business owners.

Starting a business in 2024? Chances are it won't last long. Statistics indicate that only four in ten firms survive beyond three years, and most vanish within a decade or two.

But not all businesses die.

I’ve become intrigued by firms that not only outlive their founders, but adapt to changing markets and technologies. Dorset has a wealth of such businesses, and I’m delving into their stories.

I start with Sherrens the Printers, in Weymouth. It seems appropriate: I was new in town when I met Clive, the equally new coowner of a firm founded in 1837.

Clive Garman and Andy Sharpe took over in 2011.

Both had extensive printing experience but neither had run a business, especially not one that had existed for over 170 years.

We don’t have many records relating to the history of the business. A history, published in 1976, records its founding by James Sherren in 1837, aged 24.

In the intervening 187 years Sherrens has printed tens of thousands of documents. From books to ballot papers, carnival programmes to the Dorset Year Book.

So it’s a shock to discover the firm’s archive only comprises a couple of coronation souvenirs (1953 version), two histories of the firm, a harbour handbook and tramway history, plus a Dorset Masonic Calendar for 1928. Sherrens printed

TIMES PAST: Some of the documents printed by Sherrens in the past and the old doorway in St Mary Street, Weymouth. Below: A staff dinner at the Clinton Restaurant in 1954

Tale of historic printing firm is all there in black and white

these for over 140 years.

It would be fascinating to read one of the early sheets printed by Sherrens as Weymouth’s first newspaper.

Do any exist, anywhere?

James Sherren understood the historical value of documents. The firm’s history records that in the early 1840s he was given old documents the town council had thrown away as ‘old or useless’.

The papers were in ‘a barbarous state of mutilation’.

These were, in fact, the archives of the borough

covering over 500 years.

Sherren took care of them and 30 years later, when their value was recognised, the council bought them back.

Sherren would probably be disappointed that the firm he founded has lost most of its own records.

Perhaps he maintained an archive, but it hasn’t survived changes in ownership.

The firm became Sherren and Son when John Sherren joined his father.

Around 1912 the family gave up its interest in the company, selling to Henry

Byles. He sold it on to the Dewberry Printing Co in 1975.

Sherrens was rescued from closure in the 1980s, as four employees invested their redundancy money in the business.

It was the last of these who sold to Clive and Andy in 2011. Clive remembers lots of old documents being taken away by one of those who left following the sale.

Perhaps someone, somewhere, has a stack of old Sherrens paperwork in their garage or loft.

Meanwhile, Sherrens the Printers continues its long tradition of high-quality lithographic printing, the last business of its kind in Weymouth. n Next month I’ll profile another historic Dorset business. If you know one, I’d be thrilled to hear about it. Email andrew@ andrewknowles.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

83

Business

Protecting your income and yourself

By Barry Jones of Watts Mortgage & Wealth Management Most people have financial goals; they may not have articulated them, but owning a property with no mortgage, having a good enough pension income to live on, and retiring with a reasonable standard of living are common goals for a large percentage of the population.

A good adviser will be able to help put these aspirations into a financial plan – ensuring the mortgage repayments are sufficient to clear their borrowings, their pension contributions are sufficient to build a pot for retirement, and they have an emergency cash pot to cover life’s surprises along the way.

Moving forwards, with the plan in place, all a client need do is

THE LAW COLUMN

carry on working, safe in the knowledge that they will ‘arrive’ at their planned destination in a timely manner.

The cornerstone of most people’s budget is their monthly income; the traditional ‘payday’, where our bank accounts are replenished and the bills, mortgage, council tax, utilities, food, and clothing are paid.

In the event this income would cease, perhaps due to long-term sickness, this financial shock would impact these areas very quickly. Those employed can benefit from statutory sick pay in circumstances such as long-term sickness, but with SSP set at just £109.40 a week this is far too low for most people to live on.

Income protection is a policy that ensures your lifestyle, bills and financial plan are supported from a regular payment to replace your salary should you be off work for an extended period.

The best way to think about income

protection is realising you are your most valuable asset.

Assets such as your car, house contents, mobile phone are only owned and insured because of your ability to work and earn a living, therefore insuring your income should be the very first thing you do.

Income protection is quite straightforward and transparent. An individual can insure somewhere between 55-60% of their gross income, depending upon the insurer, as the benefit is paid tax-free.

A deferred period is set, that being the length of time that the client is off work sick before the benefit will be paid.

As with all policies such as this, speaking with a qualified adviser with access to the whole of the market is extremely important to give you the best policy to meet your needs. n Contact Barry on 07980 800 474 or barry@watts-ifa.com

01305 819696 | pharaohlaw.co.uk

Navigating bankruptcy and insolvency: how solicitors can provide vital support Lisa Pharaoh is a qualified solicitor and registered mediator with the Civil Mediation Council.

Contact her on 01305 819696 or at info@pharaohlaw.co.uk Facing bankruptcy or insolvency can be a daunting prospect, but understanding the process and seeking the right support can help individuals and businesses navigate these challenges successfully. In England and Wales, the bankruptcy and insolvency process is governed by specific laws and procedures aimed at providing relief and a fresh start for those in financial distress.

The bankruptcy process begins when a debtor is unable to pay their debts and decides to declare bankruptcy voluntarily or when a creditor takes legal action to force them into bankruptcy. Once proceedings commence, the debtor’s assets will no longer be under their control and are typically handled by an Official Receiver or court appointed trustee.

During bankruptcy, certain assets may be sold to repay creditors, and the debtor may be required to make regular

payments from their income. Bankruptcy usually lasts for one year, during which time the debtor’s financial affairs are closely monitored.

For individuals and businesses facing insolvency, seeking legal advice from solicitors experienced in bankruptcy and insolvency law is essential. Solicitors can provide crucial guidance on the available options, including bankruptcy, Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs).

One of the key ways solicitors can assist clients is by assessing their financial situation and advising on the most appropriate course of action.

Solicitors can also provide representation and advocacy during bankruptcy proceedings, ensuring their clients’ rights are protected and that they receive fair

treatment under the law. This may involve challenging creditor claims, negotiating payment terms, or advocating for the retention of certain assets.

Furthermore, solicitors can offer valuable support and guidance throughout the bankruptcy discharge process, helping clients understand their obligations and responsibilities. After the bankruptcy period ends, solicitors can assist in rebuilding credit and financial stability, enabling clients to move forward with confidence. The bankruptcy and insolvency process in England and Wales can be complex and challenging, but with the right legal support, individuals and businesses can navigate these difficulties successfully.

84

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Constituency issues

with West Dorset MP Chris Loder

I’m on a mission to tackle rural inequality

In November, I tabled a debate to improve the financial situation of our rural councils. I’ve consistently led the charge for fairness and reform when it comes to the allocation and calculation of local government funding: it’s simply unacceptable for people in West Dorset to have to pay more than those in urban areas. Since that important debate, much progress has been made to address this. In late January, the Government announced its intention to provide significant additional measures for local authorities across the country, worth £600 million.

This funding package includes £500 million new funding for local authorities with responsibility for adults and children’s social care, including Dorset Council, through the Social Care Grant.

Rural councils across England are forced to derive a large proportion of their income from the Adult Social Care precept. It means ran average Band D property in West Dorset pays an annual Adult Social Care precept of £204.04, but for the same property in urban Westminster, the precept costs a mere £3.20. Paired with

the fact that rural residents get 13% less per head in social care support overall, without this Government funding, the cost of social care would skyrocket, along with an unprecedented increase in Council Tax. I welcome this additional funding, which takes stock of the reality we face in West Dorset.

My campaign to ensure recognition of the specific needs of rural areas has also received attention. I’ve been told the Government will provide an extra £15 million for the Rural Services Delivery Grant – which represents an increase of over 15% and is the largest increase since 2018/19. It will mean additional funding for Dorset Council, and I expect further details to be announced about this shortly and on Wednesday of this week, we will know how successful I’ve been with getting the Revenue Support Grant increased.

In other news, 100% of storm overflows across West Dorset’s water network have now been fitted with Event Duration Monitors (EDMs).

Since I was elected, I’ve applied relentless pressure on

our local water companies – South West Water and Wessex Water – to ensure they clean up our waterways. EDMs increase transparency by measuring how, when and for how long a storm overflow is in operation and provides data to monitor illegal sewage spills.

In addition, a significant number of investments are in the pipeline for waste treatment and sewage overflow sites in West Dorset. The Environment Bill in late 2021 helped secure new legal powers to slash the number of sewage discharges, forcing water companies to invest in the area to futureproof the local sewage network and stop dividends being paid out to water companies that pollute the environment. Among the areas where outflows are set to be revamped include Charmouth, Martinstown, Chideock, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, and Sydling St Nicholas. The completion of storm overflow monitoring and additional investments are a significant step forward in better protecting our waterways in West Dorset.

You can contact me at hello@chrisloder.co.uk

Politics

Only we can deliver real change that’s needed What a great January!

Liberal Democrat volunteers spoke to over 1,000 people on doorsteps across West Dorset.

The message from residents, no matter which political party they usually support, is the same everywhere; it’s time for change, and only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Tories in West Dorset.

With more and more people getting in touch to volunteer to help out I am confident we can speak to even more people in February. The level of support gives me huge confidence that we can bring about real change in West Dorset at May’s local

By EDWARD MORELLO West Dorset LibDems

election, and the General Election (which must happen at some point this year).

Not all good news in January though. The real world impact of Conservative Government’s continued neglect of the NHS was once again exposed. Liberal Democrat research showed a 143% increase in West Dorset patients having to wait more than four hours in A&E compared with 2019.

Separate research by the

Liberal Democrats showed there has been a real-term cut of nearly £7.5m in GP funding in Dorset since 2019 thanks to this Government.

Equivalent to a real-term cut of 7.4% in funding for each resident of West Dorset.

We need to do so much more to support the hardworking NHS staff across West Dorset who continue to do a fantastic job in the face of difficult conditions. The Conservative Party’s plans for £4.7 billion in real-term cuts to NHS funding over the next two years will only increase the pressure on health workers in the local area as well an endangering the health of residents,

especially the elderly.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Conservatives to reverse their planned cuts and provide the funding the NHS desperately needs to protect residents of West Dorset.

We also want to introduce the legal right to see a GP within seven days or 24 hours if in urgent need.

West Dorset Liberal Democrats will be out and about throughout February talking to residents about our plans for a better deal for the NHS and West Dorset.

If you’d like to get involved with our campaign you can sign up at westdorset libdems.uk/get-involved

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

85

Politics

It’s vital you get involved in democratic process Whilst many of us speculate about the date of the impending General Election, it is important to remember that we have local elections for both Dorset Council and many town and parish councils on May 2.

Our democracy is not perfect by any means (it could certainly be improved by adopting some form of proportional representation), but is better than the alternative.

It is important, therefore, that we all support the democratic process.

We can do this in a number of ways. First and foremost we need to ensure that we are registered to vote. If you are unsure whether you are registered you can check by emailing elections@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

If you are not you can do so at gov.uk/register-to-vote In order to vote you now also need photo ID. The chair of the Electoral Commission, John Pullinger, has recently warned that Conservative ministers have “opened themselves” up to accusations that this newly introduced scheme is designed to benefit the Tory party.

The “very, very tight” rules that have been imposed, he said, could disenfranchise certain groups like young people and the unemployed.

Please don’t allow this to happen. You can find a list of acceptable forms of photo ID at the Electoral

Commission website, where you can also apply for free voter ID. But voting is not all you can do to keep our democracy alive and healthy.

Please, please, actively engage with the process.

Find out the contact details of those standing for council elections in your area and ask them questions.

Let them know what your concerns are and what you would like to see changed.

One of the big harms done to our democratic process by the behaviour of certain Tory ministers is the creation of a widely accepted belief that politicians are “all the same, just in it for themselves”. We are not.

Most local politicians, even the ones I strongly disagree with, are simply trying to do

their honest best for their communities.

And when the General Election is called, do the same with your parliamentary candidates.

Additionally, come along to the various hustings that will be organised; come along and ask us questions about things that concern you; come along and challenge us regarding our positions on important topics.

I look forward to meeting you.

And on the day – vote! To maintain our democratic process in good health you need to actually place your ‘X’ against the candidate(s) that you would like to see elected. Turnout, particularly at local elections, is often very low.

Was fiasco a ploy, or incompetence?

At the Dorset Council meeting for candidates and agents for the local elections we heard about new regulations and laws.

Electoral law in the UK is extensive and thorough and remember, we now have voter ID. There is a long list of acceptable photo ID, the most common probably being passports and photo driving licences. ID can have expired provided the photograph remains a good likeness of the voter. Anyone who doesn’t have photographic ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate through the Government Portal – there is a paper application process and people will need to contact the Dorset Elections Team if they

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

are not able to use the online portal. Please do this well before election day!

In Dorset we will be going to the polls on May 2 to elect 82 councillors. A councillor’s role includes representing the needs, priorities and aspirations of the people.

Councillors also have a responsibility to act in accordance with the highest standards of probity in public life, seeking to serve the community without personal gain.

With that in mind, consider the recent by-election fiasco in the Littlemoor and Preston ward where a Conservative

candidate received the most votes and who, when the election result was announced, promptly declared that he would not take up his position as the elected councillor because as an employee of Dorset Council he is disqualified from standing.

The complete disregard of electoral law in this case is astounding. The people of Littlemoor and Preston now find themselves with no representation on the council. I find this absolutely shocking and either a cynical ploy where the candidate knew he was not entitled to stand or an extreme level of incompetence.

Either way, it’s the residents of Littlemoor and Preston who lose out. No doubt local Conservatives take their cue

from the national Party and Government when it comes to standards in public life.

We will give voters the choice to elect Labour councillors this year in several wards across Dorset.

Please get in touch to support us in our goal of bringing strong, positive Labour values to Dorset Council – email dorchesterclaudia@gmail.com The deadline for registering to vote is Tuesday, April 16. You can apply to register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote Paper application forms can be obtained from the Elections Office at elections@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or Tel: 01305 838299.

Deadline for new applications for postal or proxy vote is 5pm on Wednesday, April 17 .

86

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2024

Agriculture

Lola’s commitment lands £500 education grant Kingston Maurward College student Lola Strawbridge has been awarded a £500 Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Further Education Bursary.

The judges commended Lola’s clear passion for agriculture and her commitment to building a career in the dairy industry.

Lola is studying a Level 3 Agriculture course at Kingston Maurward.

Having grown up on a farm she is a keen advocate of the farming lifestyle and hopes to encourage others to find a love for it too.

BURSARY BOOST: Lola Strawbridge at Kingston Maurward

In her application, Lola said: “My focus is trying to influence others to love

this lifestyle just as much as I do. Yes, it is busy, and it is a lot

of hard work, but there is also so much happiness that comes with the job. Farmers really are the backbone of the country.

“The bursary will help support my travel costs. I would also like to use it to gain either my telehandler ticket or to do an AI, foot trimming or calving course.” n The Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries are part of the Future Farming Programme.

Find out more at cornishmutual.co.uk/ cmfuturefarming/youngfarmer-bursaries/

What the new Defra options mean for you

By Marianne McHugh Earlier in January, Defra provided their most recent update on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and how it will develop over 2024. The key message was that the 23 SFI options farmers can currently choose from will expand to include over 50 more land management options. Some of these options are currently available under Countryside Stewardship but will become available to apply for under a single SFI/CS application.

For the existing 23 SFI options, Defra provides very clear, if not always detailed, guidance on how they expect the land to be managed to achieve the

OUT IN THE FIELD: Looking out across Ballard Down

objectives of each option.

Such detail is critical information for any farmer considering whether options will fit within their farm structure. Such details are absent currently for the proposed SFI/CS Options but we are assured they will become available in time to allow farmers to consider this information carefully before completing applications.

More good news is that the SFI/CS application process from Summer 2024 will

accommodate farmers who have not previously claimed BPS: until now, these farmers have not been able to take advantage of these opportunities.

Nothing changes for anyone who already has an SFI agreement (apart from some of the options have increased in value, so your quarterly income may increase). If you want to apply new Summer 2024 options to your land, then you’ll need to apply for a new SFI/CS agreement to

run concurrently with your existing agreement, or wait for the anniversary of your existing agreement to add them to that. It's a complex business but it’s important to know the details so you can make the right decisions for your farm business. n If you want support with this or any other farm matters, join our FFR programme: contact ffradmin@businessinfo point.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, February 2023

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Visit our stores or café today...

BEAMINSTER - Gift and Homeware Store & Café 22 The Square, BEAMINSTER, Dorset, DT8 3AU

BRIDPORT - Cookshop 11 East Street, BRIDPORT, Dorset, DT6 3JU

T: 01308 863189 - shop enquiries and cafe bookings

T: 01308 425871

BRIDPORT - Gift and Homeware Store 4 East Street, BRIDPORT, Dorset, DT6 3LF

SHERBORNE - Cookshop 29b Cheap Street, SHERBORNE, Dorset, DT9 3PU

T: 01308 459854

T: 01935 817161

FOLLOW US:

HEAD OFFICE: 22 The Square, BEAMINSTER, Dorset, DT8 3AU T: 01308 863189 E: richard@dorsetretail.co.uk Accounts: accounts@dorsetretail.co.uk

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