News & features 4-41

School’s ‘temporary’ classrooms to be replaced

The Gryphon School in Sherborne is one of 500 schools that will be substantially refurbished –with temporary classrooms being replaced as part of the fourth round of the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme. Chris Loder, the MP for West Dorset and former pupil of the school, has welcomed the announcement, saying: “I am very pleased our hard work on this campaign has been rewarded with a successful funding bid which will finally deliver the investment that the school requires to replace the ‘temporary’ classrooms which I was schooled in 25 years ago.” Mr Loder has persistently asked ministers for an overhaul of the Gryphon’s classrooms. Headteacher Nicki Edwards said: “This is wonderful news and comes at the end of a great year for the Gryphon with our best ever exam results and our excellent SIAMS inspection. “Our students and staff work hard every day and deserve to have the best facilities to work in –replacing our 25-year-old ‘temporary’ classrooms will make such a difference.” Chair of Governors Jo Mears said: “We would like to pay special tribute to our MP, Chris Loder who is an ex-student of

BACK TO SCHOOL: MP Chris Loder meets staff and pupils at Gryphon School The Gryphon. Chris has been a tremendous advocate for our bid. “His determination to support us has made a real difference – he has encouraged us to be persistent over that past three years and has kept our cause in the spotlight in parliament. His old school is very grateful to him!”

County’s £4.5m to replace EU funds

Dorset Council is to receive £4.5million government funding to replace money it used to receive from the EU. The money will be provided over the next two years to continue several key programmes, as well as launch some new initiatives. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) matches EU funding, while giving local leaders greater say in how the money is spent. The £2.6billion of investment across the UK is aimed at ‘turbo-charging’ levelling up – supporting local businesses, boosting skills, reviving high streets, and improving local pride. A new Investment Plan for Dorset, led by Dorset Council with input from a wide range of contributors, has been approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Dorset’s Investment Plan includes funding for: n Provision of energy efficiency advice through Low Carbon Dorset n The expansion of the Healthy Homes Dorset energy efficiency scheme n Development of affordable sustainable transport, especially for younger people n A new business support programme to support business growth and deliver business advice n Basic and more advanced skills courses to help people enter the jobs market and secure better paid employment. The flexible approach to the Investment Plan also means Dorset Council will have the opportunity to adapt its plan to reflect new economic priorities over the period to 2025. Councillor Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for economic growth, assets and property, said: “This is great news for Dorset. “We had concerns about the future funding of wellused and appreciated services such as Low Carbon Dorset and Healthy Homes Dorset without EU money, but the UKSPF will ensure we can continue to deliver these. “The £4.5m will be focused on building pride in place, supporting high quality skills training, supporting pay, employment and productivity growth, and increasing life chances across the county. “All of these are key objectives for Dorset Council, especially as we tackle post-pandemic financial challenges and offer help to our residents.” The council aims to launch the first elements of the Investment Plan in the New Year and will be providing more details on how businesses and individuals can access this support.

The West Dorset Magazine, January 2023 47 Volunteers help rebuild historic wall

Volunteers from Portesham rebuilt a historic wall in the village with help from members of the Dry Stone Walling Association. Work began in May to rebuild the wall, which is thought to be unique in the village due to the lime mortar stone running through it. Volunteer Vaughan Jones said: “The wall along the old main road has been dilapidated and collapsing since a new stretch of coast road bypassed it decades ago. “However this section of road, now a cul de sac, is important as a well-trodden route to the village hall and doctor’s surgery. The wall is critical to the visual amenity of the village and could not be left to deteriorate further.” Mr Jones said a small part of the wall had been rebuilt by volunteers five years ago with further work completed late last year. Mr Jones said the project has ‘only been possible’ due to the help of individuals and organisations, including the

RAISING A GLASS: Volunteers helped rebuild the historic wall in Portesham

National Grid Community Fund which financed the work. Dorset AONB and Dorset Highways also helped, and Mr Jones said the residents of Goose Hill cul-de-sac have been ‘very supportive’ of the ongoing repairs.

Cheers all round as town is blessed with festive spirit

Winners of Bridport Christmas Cheer competitions are as follows: Most Festive Front Door, judged by Bridport Banners, was won by Andy Violet and Tracey Dunford-Violet, who received a hamper from Mercato Italiano. Best Christmas Shop Window, as voted for by the general public were: 1: Snooks, 2: Higos, 3: Natural Life Chairman Terri Foxwell said: “Thank you to everyone that entered the new Festive Door competition and to Bridport Banners for judging. All the town centre window displays were viewed as part of the competition –thank you all very much for making the town look so festive and supporting this year’s Christmas Cheer.”

THAT’S THE SPIRIT: Father Christmas visits Bridport, carols in Bucky Doo Square and, right, the Violets’ front door

48 The West Dorset Magazine, January 2023 Love letter discovered after 50 years

By Karen Bate

karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk A love letter penned by a teenage boy and concealed in a secret pocket edge of the eponymous Crosby, Stills and Nash album released in 1969 was discovered by Rose Thomas when she was cleaning records at Clocktower Records in Bridport. The 18-year-old boy was clearly in love with the girl to whom he was writing, and wrote words of romance, passion and love from popular bands of the day on the back of the inner lyrics sheet. He had created its own little secret pocket where he had hidden his love letter. The note started with the sentence, ‘When you read this in the future, think of me…’ For more than 50 years, the letter had remained hidden, never found by the girl. Rose said: “Yesterday whilst cleaning records, a concealed pocket edge of 1969’s Crosby, Stills and Nash had come unstuck. Over 50 years of pressed glue had lost its tack. “From this concealed inner sleeve fell out some inner lyrics. “On the back, many words of love songs and romantic sentences of affection. Lyrics and words written by a lovestruck 18-year-old. “There were loads of copied down lyrics from songs of the 60s. We spotted Lennon, Love as well as CSN in there. “We saw that 1973 was the latest date which had been added to the paper, suggesting this grand note was a labour of many dreamy evenings in front of the turntable.” Rose said her top favourite lines from the letter included, ‘Cupid made another successful hit on October 11th 1972’, ‘You are beautiful, (when you look my way)’ and ‘Love forever’. “We got in touch with the

person selling this collection to Clocktower Records, and we asked if she would like her letter back. To everyone’s great surprise, she did not seem to be familiar with the note, although instantly recognised the name of her teenage boyfriend from 50 years ago. “This letter was 50 years waiting to be read and has captured the hearts of Clocktower Records staff and its patrons.” Rose added: “This is a piece of music history, this concealed time capsule has brought a lot of nice nostalgia into our store, reminding those who read it about their teenage sweethearts and first loves. The power of music to amplify emotions is profound, and this piece of rock music heritage is a perfect example of this.” Rose added: “It was such a great day at work that day.” One of the songs on the Crosby, Still and Nash album is Long Time Gone’ – a fitting tribute to this love story. Hotel wins UK Charming Canine Cottage title

By Andrew Diprose of dorsetbiznews.co.uk

A Sherborne hotel has won the title ‘Charming Canine Cottage’ in PetsPyjamas’ 2022 Dog-Friendly Travel Awards. The Cottage at The Eastbury Hotel & Spa was described as a wonderful home from home experience. It was chosen from PetsPyjamas’ extensive portfolio of dog-friendly hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs in the UK and abroad. The Cottage was one of 13 winning properties where a dog – and their lucky human –can enjoy a getaway. The awards consider a property’s ability to offer: Dog-loving atmosphere and staff at all times Three or more dog-friendly rooms available to book Four-legged access to some of the property’s communal areas Ability to dine with their owners with special pet menus being a bonus Dog facilities and provisions such as a bed, bowls and treats in the property Nearby dog-friendly attractions such as doggy walks or a dog-friendly beach. The Cottage at The Eastbury Hotel & Spa impressed PetsPyjamas judges due to its lovely character, dating back to the 17th century. Judges also recognised the benefit of access to the wider hotel facilities including a 2AA Rosette Seasons Restaurant with doggie meals expertly prepared in the kitchen and the spa, as well as access to nearby historic main streets of Sherborne and the Dorset countryside. Hotel manager Gemma Wells said: “Our Eastbury Cottage is extremely dog-friendly and we love having furry friends staying with us.”