The West Dorset Magazine Edition 10, June 17, 2022 by westdorsetmag

Edition 10

Friday, June 17, 2022

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The West Dorset Magazine A feast awaits! Two-week food and drink festival set to be gurt lush P36-37 Tanks set to roar into town for what could be the last time: P22-23 Plus SIX pages of Whasson?, EIGHT pages of Culture and FIVE pages of Sport

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

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( 01305 566336 Contents: News & features 2-31 Down to earth 39-43 44-45 Whasson? (events) 6-11 Home & Garden 46-53 Letters 32 Culture Items for sale 32 Constituency issues 54 Politics 54-55 Births, marriages Puzzles 56-57 and deaths 33 Business 58-59 Church 33 Health & Wellbeing 60-61 Vittles Sport 62-66 (food & drink) 35-39 Agriculture 67-71

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

RS! PAGE 3 STUNNE

My name is Lord Alfred Sticks and I have moved in with Florence, who saved me from my horrible life only a few weeks ago. I was very thin; my tummy was full of worms and my fur was very sticky. I was nervous and I think I was a bit agoraphobic. Now I am living like a Lord. I am fed three times a day and I have a best friend called Buddy. We often get mistaken for music duo Simon & Garfunkel because I am very tall and wiry, and Buddy is a stocky little fella. I love my new life. Thank you, Florence.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022 A Dorset-born diplomatic negotiator who helps prevent suicides almost daily has received royal recognition for his work. Former Sherborne School pupil Richard Courtenay Cripwell received the Platinum Champion Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Crisis and Welfare over the last 20 years from the Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace. Richard is called out on an almost daily basis by authorities in Dorset, including the police, prison service and NHS, to help counsel people who feel suicidal. Richard, who trained in peace and conflict studies with the United Nations in Geneva, said: “I work a lot in suicide prevention. “It is very close to my heart, having lost a couple of close friends to suicide. “I don’t have set hours, so I can be called out at any time. From my experience the problem of people feeling suicidal has got worse, not better, over time – especially since the pandemic. “The worst thing when you’re feeling that low is that you very often don’t want to call anybody or don’t know how to call anybody; that’s the awful thing. “If you’re feeling that low, you should try to find the courage to talk to anybody you trust; that person can help you find professional help. “Suicide is an incredibly complicated issue. As a

HONOURED: Richard Courtenay Cripwell chose his son Zeb, 15, as his guest of honour for the ceremony. Inset, Richard as young boy running errands on his bicycle for elderly people in his community

Royal recognition for work of diplomatic negotiator

negotiator you put yourself in someone else’s shoes and empathise with them and try to understand the

depth of their despair.” Richard said it was ‘touching’ to receive the Royal Voluntary Service’s Platinum Champion Award after dedicating his life to helping others.

“I think ever since I was a very young child, I’ve always wanted to stop all fighting and war. I couldn’t understand why anyone had to suffer, or be homeless, or experience famine or poverty. I was about six when I first thought that I might be able to make a difference.” Richard, who lives with his family in Stinsford, said his mother was a huge inspiration to him. “She did countless things for the community,” Richard said. “She was a director of the Samaritans and she was a nurse who helped trauma patients. She taught me how valuable it is to help people. “At age eight, I set up my own volunteering initiative. I was running errands for older people in

the community. I had a homemade basket on my bike, and I used to ride it to the nearest town to buy and deliver groceries to people.” Richard admits that his work, which includes bullying prevention and bereavement counselling, affects him deeply. But he says that he finds emotional strength in spending time with his family and doing normal things like cooking dinner. Richard added: “I talk about how I’m feeling with my family and with the people I work with. “I don’t bottle things up and I very often shed a few tears if I’m speaking to someone about their life. “In fact, I can shed quite a lot of tears on a regular basis and there’s no shame in that for me.”

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

Meeting to tackle lack of homes A meeting is being held by Sherborne and Castleton Community Land Trust (CLT) at the Digby Hall on Thursday, June 16 at 7pm and everyone who cares about housing is invited to join the discussions. The CLT is a newly formed not-for-profit organisation whose remit is to create housing at a level that allows those on the lowest incomes to stay living close to their roots. According to CLT, Sherborne has a strong cultural heritage, and with its attractive stonebuilt shopping centre. It has become a ‘honeypot’ for many people of retirement age, but the net effect of this migration, plus other factors, has been to push up house prices and rents, making it difficult for many to find a place to live. The meeting being will discuss the problem and launch a month-long survey to

ACT NOW: Sherborne Mayor Juliet Pentolfe

discover the extent of the problem. The survey will ask: Is Sherborne too expensive for its own people? Juliet Pentolfe is Sherborne’s Mayor and co-chair of the CLT. She said: “Dorset Council is running the survey and we would like everyone who has experienced problems finding housing to let us know what those problems are. All we ask is to fill in a form and return it. “We’d also like to hear at first hand where the biggest issues

Council climate pledge Dorset Council has published its progress report in its effort to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE). Dorset Council declared a CEE in May 2019 and, following extensive development and consultation, their Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy (CEES) and action plan was adopted by Full Council last July, with an agreement to report progress twice a year. Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said:“It’s important to make sure everyone is kept up to date with how we’re getting on delivering our Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and action plan, and I’m especially pleased that Dorset residents will be able to see that these works are gaining real momentum now. “As a local authority, we must

deal with many competing priorities, but our commitment to delivering on our CEES ambitions remains steadfast. “Much has already been delivered, both by Dorset Council directly but also working with a multitude of partners. There is no one single point of success or failure defining whether we will be successful; the journey to a decarbonised Dorset will involve us all. We will continue to work towards our goal to become a carbonneutral council and putting in place the necessary actions and partnerships to accelerate the journey towards a carbon neutral Dorset. I welcome the opportunity to discuss with all interested parties what their views are on concrete steps that can realistically help us accelerate our ambitions, balancing the social and economic needs of all residents.”

are, so if people come to the meeting they can air their views.” High demand for property has pushed up house values in Sherborne. Housing Associations and the private sector control 26 per cent of the housing stock, only half of which is deemed to be ‘affordable’. Ms Pentolfe added: “We really need to act now if we are to stand any chance of solving this problem.” Everyone will be invited to join the CLT for just £1, which will give them voting rights over future policy. In the long term, Sherborne CLT hopes to acquire land and build homes, or convert existing buildings, at a rental lower than those offered by other housing associations. For information go to sherborneclt.com

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) Friday, June 17 Bridport Beer Festival will be held at Asker Meadow, with music by Stillyano – a superb international rock band from Exeter providing the ultimate tribute to classic stadium artists – from 8pm. Stillyano has a great reputation of producing a high energy live performance with an edge that always guarantees to give the audiences an amazing show. Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland will be held at Weymouth’s Nothe Fort from 5.30pm-6.45pm. As Alice encounters the weird, wacky and wonderful characters who live in the world at the other end of the rabbit-hole, she’ll experience an adventure like never before! Finding her way home again won’t be an easy task and it will definitely make her rethink all her thoughts she has previously thought! Running time: 75 minutes. This is an open-air performance so please bring chairs/blankets and picnics to enjoy whilst watching. They will perform in all but the very worst weather! thisismytheatre.com/ weymouth-alice

Saturday, June 18 Grazina Ellis and Phil Williams with One Voice Choir & St Mary’s Church present Meditations of Our Hearts at St Mary’s Church, Maiden Newton at 7pm. Tickets £10 including refreshments, under 16 free. Available from The Village Store, 2 Church Road, Maiden Newton DT2 0AA

A great evening Ches nous A pop star will be performing a special gig in a Dorset Cerne Abbas to help his childhood friend raise money for cancer treatment. Chesney Hawkes, singer of number one hit The One and Only, will play a concert on the Barn Stage at Cerne Abbas Brewery to raise money for Vic Irvine, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Chesney, who now lives in LA, will be playing the or Jim Robinson 07799 018870, or on the door. onevoiceweymouth.com Dorset Songlines will be at Maumbury Rings, Dorchester, from 12.30pm. Free event – bring a chair. Geof Edge along with Dorset Songlines now has a set of nine descriptive songs that tell the story of Dorset’s journey through time. This project began with a visit to the Dorset Natural History Gallery in the Dorset County Museum. There, led by the museum’s team, Year 4 children from the 14 first schools in the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership (DASP) and adult members of local choirs came to investigate the amazing changes that Dorset has undergone during those 250 million years. Each song has its own character that reflects a

fundraising gig on July 22. Tickets are sadly sold out, but you can see more of the brewery’s cracking gigs, including July’s epic Endorse it in Dorset. at cerneabbas brewery .com/events particular period; from the Triassic when Dorset was a scorching desert, the Jurassic when Dorset was under a warm shallow sea, right through to the Quaternary when Dorset was in the clutches of ice ages – rather like April and May this year! A non-profit whist drive is held every Saturday at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Lysander Road, Yeovil at 7.30pm-9.45pm. Enquiries to 01935 862325. All welcome. The Sherborne branch of the Royal British Legion will be holding a Falklands Remembrance event outside the Abbey at 11am. A short memorial will be followed by wreath laying by a Falklands Veteran in which we shall remember the 255 British service personnel who lost their

lives in service. The war lasted for 74 days, after Argentine forces invaded the Falklands on April 2, 1982. Three days later, a taskforce set sail from the UK, eventually involving almost 26,000 armed forces and 3,000 civilian crew. Sustainable Farming will be the focus of an open day at Tamarisk Farm from 10.30am-5pm. Tamarisk Farm is an organic family farm above Chesil Beach (tamariskfarm.co.uk) As part of Bridport Food Festival, you are invited to discuss with the family the current farming landscape and why they believe local, organic, and pasture-fed is important. 10.30am: Arrival and welcome. 11am: Farm walk – Livestock in grassland and arable management. 1pm lunch. 1.30pm: Discussion – Food miles, does it really matter? 2.30pm: Garden walk – Fresh seasonal food and composting systems. 4.30pm: Cake and tea. Cost £13-£20. Book at eventbrite.co.uk/ o/tamarisk-farm41358888723

Sunday, June 19 Abbotsbury Open Gardens & Craft Fair returns from 12pm-5pm, featuring craft stalls, food and drink, plant sales, a tombola, raffle and access to The Manor House, Old Gatehouse (both on Church Street) and visits welcome to Bee Nice Flowers (Rosemary Lane). Sharandys Birds of Prey will also be there from 1pm-3pm. £5 entry, under 18s free, cash advised for purchases. All proceeds support St

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury. Twelfth Night will be performed by The HandleBards in Maumbury Rings, Dorchester from 7pm. Pedalling from venue to venue, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Join The HandleBards for a bicyclepowered, laugh-out-loud production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This is an outdoor production, so please bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather! Tickets £15/£13/£48 family (4 people, max. 2 adults). dorchesterarts.savoysystems. co.uk A Coffee Concert will be held at 11.45am at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. Join them for coffee cake and a short recital of organ music, performed by William Bishop. Admission free, all welcome. ArtyFacts: Family Activities will be held from 10ammidday at Dorset Museum. Create your own mini art and craft masterpiece to take home. These events are included as a part of your entrance ticket/annual pass or membership. The activities are ideal for children 11 years and under. Children must be supervised at all times. dorsetmuseum.org/ learn/artyfacts

Monday, June 20 Honey Production: From

Flower to Jar, will be held at Corscombe Village Hall from 10.30am-12.30pm. A talk by local beekeepers Deb and Chris Childs on honey production at their apiary with a short, guided walk to wildflower meadows. The talk will cover: bees and forage, build-up of colonies, bee health, management of colonies, honey adulteration and the honey harvest. The morning will include a walk to the neighbour’s wonderful nectar- filled wildflower meadows, followed by a hands-on opportunity to see the behind the scenes, timeconsuming and often messy processes involved in honey production. Although bees do not sting unless provoked there is always a risk associated with being close to them. Please attend the event at your own risk. For booking and more information please email savagedebs51@gmail.com Maximum 15 people. Cost £10. Chalke Valley History Festival 2022 will be held from June 20-26. After a slightly shortened version in 2021, this year the festival will be back to seven days, packed full of historical entertainment, inspiring discussions, fun for all the family and featuring the very best historians in the land. Taking place at its stunning venue in Broad Chalke, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, this year’s festival will build on some of the hugely popular open-air events introduced last summer. Visitors will be able to listen to world-class speakers, and to watch eyecatching demonstrations given by knowledgeable living historians, whilst sitting on the surrounding

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CERNE ABBAS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Join us for our 30th annual festival in Cerne Abbas Classical masterpieces presented in beautiful, informal surroundings by musicians who are principal players in some of Europe’s greatest orchestras and ensembles. July 7 at 7pm: July 8 at 7pm:

Dvorak, Sarah Jenkins and Berwald Mozart Piano concerto, Dvorak American Quartet July 8 at 10pm: Messiaen ‘Quartet for the End of Time’ July 9 at 7pm: Music by Howells, Kreuz and Brahms July 10 at 6pm: Schubert, Vivaldi and Brahms

For full programme information and tickets visit the festival website at: cerneabbasmusicfestival.org.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) hills savouring delicious historic fast food. Household names like acclaimed travel writer Colin Thubron will take to the stage in one of the big speaker tents, whilst children experience the thrill of driving the 1930s dodgems or riding on the big wheel at the vintage fairground. For those wishing to sleep under the stars, there will be camping and glamping facilities available, with a stunning view to wake up to over the festival site. Festival Chair, James Holland, said: “There really is going to be an incredible range of history on offer this year. Our talks and discussions have traditionally been the backbone of the festival and, once again, we have among the very best historians around coming to speak. But more than ever we are offering a much wider programme that includes lots of live music, a reconstructed Iron Age round-house, vintage funfair and some truly stunning and original living history displays, from Restorationera horse racing to a forensic reconstruction of how Richard III lost his life at Bosworth. There will be so much on offer for children and families visiting together and I really do think this is our very best programme ever.” The amazing line-up of speakers already confirmed at this year’s Festival includes Helena Merriman sharing the incredible story of Tunnel 29, a true story of an extraordinary escape beneath the Berlin Wall in 1962, the bestselling historian Andrew Roberts presenting his most recent

This king size quilt will be showcased and raffled at The Schoolroom Quilters show in St Peter’s Church in Eype, known as Eype Centre for the Arts, on June 25 and 26, in the first exhibition for the group in three years. This year, the weekend event will showcase the craftsmanship of the group’s 13 members who book about George III, BBC World Service’s Lipika Pelham discussing an alternative history of identity from the Middle Ages to the present day, Simon Jenkins on Europe’s 100 best cathedrals, and Sarah Churchwell talking about the history and legacy of the epic novel Gone with the Wind. There will also be evening historical storytelling around crackling fires, as well as more performance events. The stunning valley location will offer a midsummer return to a spectacular celebration of history with all the accompanying array of food, drink, music and camping that are normal features of the June festival. More detailed information and tickets at cvhf.org.uk

Weds, June 22 A free introductory paint

together have spent the last two years working on this beautiful, hand stitched quilt, which is a copy of the quilt much-loved member, the late Diana was making for her daughter-in-law before she became ill with Motor Neurone Disease. This quilt is one of many being sold, along with other stunning items. Free parking. class will be held at Puddletown Village Hall from 9am-12pm. Creative Image Studio is offering a free introductory painting class for adults. The first lesson is about learning how to paint onto fabric while including basic brush skills. You will work on a piece of fabric and you will paint three basic flowers. If you like the experience and want to learn more, you will be able to join their weekly Wednesday classes which start on July 6. creativeimagestudio.simplyb ook.me

Thurs, June 23 A lecture will give Thomas Hardy fans a special insight into his life and work from 7pm-8pm. The lecture, part of Dorset Museum’s new Hardy’s Wessex exhibition, will be

delivered by curator Harriet Still – one of the UK’s leading experts on Thomas Hardy. She studied English and History at the University of York before managing Hardy’s Cottage on behalf of the National Trust. Harriet has sat on the Council of Management for the Thomas Hardy Society and the Hardy Country steering group, as well as acting in various Hardy productions with the New Hardy Players and playing in Hardy folk band Tatterdemalion. In this lecture she will tell you more about the themes and stories of the exhibition, which spans three other museums in Dorset and Wiltshire. You can explore the exhibition, as well as Dorset Museum’s award winning galleries, in a free open evening before the lecture. Harriet said: “We hope the exhibition will encourage visitors to see Hardy in a different light – for example, how he used his writing to campaign for rural workers’ rights, women’s equality and animal welfare, or his conflicting interests in superstition and science. Each exhibition sheds light on different aspects of Hardy’s life, work and character.” To book the lecture go to dorsetmuseum.org/event/h ardys-wessex-talk And to book the free open evening go to dorsetmuseum.org/event/ museum-after-hours23_07_2022 There’s a Dorchester Youth Theatre Double Bill at 6.30pm at the Corn Exchange. Our Teacher’s a Troll by

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Dennis Kelly features Holly and Sean, two terrible twins, who give their head teacher a nervous breakdown. They were very pleased with themselves until the new head arrived. You see, the new head teacher was a Troll! See if Sean and Holly can save the day and stop the Troll from eating their classmates! Then Aesop’s Fables by Gerald P Murphy: Join the juniors and enjoy the fun retelling of some of these well-known tales. dorchesterarts.savoysystems. co.uk

Friday, June 24 The next meeting of the Sherborne Mothers’ Union is the Summer Lunch – so the slightly later time of 11.30am for noon, in the Griffiths Room, Digby Memorial Church Hall. Lynn Heaton will tell us about The Pod in Cheap Street before lunch. Beaminster Museum will be hosting The Nature of Music – an assemblage of Beaminster artistic talent woven into and around the nature of music, but also around the idea that there is music within nature itself... from 2pm-4.30pm on June 25 and 26. A spokesman said: “It is the need to make known the fact that our little town is brimming with unique flairs of genius and that when we come together, we make a music all of our own. This exhibition is alive with colour and rhythm and beauty, but don’t take our word for it, come and steep yourselves in it and walk out inspired.” A barn dance will be held at

Ivy House Barn, Oborne, Nr Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4JY (on corner of A30 and turning into Oborne Village) from 7pm, featuring ceilidh band Four Foot Four. There’ll be skittles and a bar. Ticket price includes a ploughman’s. £12 adults, £6 16 and under. Tickets from oborneevents@gmail.com or Karen on 07866 933736. All money raised will go towards the village hall, playing field and church. Get in the festive spirit with The Culliford Tree Chill Out weekend of music from Friday June 24 to Sunday June 26 at the Donkey Down campsite, Sutton Poyntz, near Weymouth. Acts so far appearing include Andy Grant, Mama Feelgood, Elijah Wolf, Lost Souls and the East Street Band. For full details of tickets and facilities, see donkeydowncamping.co.uk

Saturday, June 25 St Osmund’s School in Barnes Way will be holding an Eco Summer Fair from 11am-2pm. The Ossie’s Climate Action Group will be holding the inaugural event “celebrating earth-friendly living” on the school field and will be a fun day out for all the family. There will be live music by Ossie’s students, pillow bash, bungee run, beat the goalie, bake off competition, children’s activities, tombola, plus Prickly Pickles hedgehog rescue and Paula’s wildlife rescue will both be there to give information about how you can help local wildlife. Personal trainer and nutrition coach, Cath Short, from Raw4Fitness, will be there to

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) provide information on plant-based nutrition. There will also be info from Dorset Recycling and Dorset Vegan Society, plus food and drink and a host of stalls. Entrance is free. Rapunzel’s Musical will be performed at Athelhampton House at 6pm. This is a new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale – a fast-paced, larger-than-life production with a laugh out loud script, heaps of audience interaction, a host of catchy songs, unforgettable characters, and maybe even the odd water gun or two! With magic and mayhem throughout, this is one hairraising adventure the family won’t want to miss! Age four-plus, bring a picnic. Gates open at 4pm for picnicking, performance starts at 6pm on the west lawn. Bring your own rugs and low-backed seating. Running time: Act 1: 55 minutes – interval of 20 mins – Act 2: 40 minutes athelhampton.com/events1/rapunzels-musical Wildlife Wanders will be happening from 10ammidday at Hardy’s Birthplace and Thorncombe Woods. Join Countryside Ranger and bird enthusiast Kath Hernon for seasonal guided walks around Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve. Kath will share with you her extensive knowledge and passion for Thorncombe’ s wildlife. She will identify species of ancient woodland flower and tree, tell you which butterfly is which by the size and shape of its wings, or identify a bird just from its song.

Top beer festival returns A Dorset brewery is bringing back its beer festival after a two-year hiatus. The Hall and Woodhouse Dorset Beer Festival will return on Saturday, June 25 for its eighth annual celebration at the brewery site in Blandford. All proceeds from the event, running from 11am to 10pm, will go to mental health charity Dorset Mind. Head brewer Toby Heasman said: “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to sample our award-winning beers alongside an extensive range of other craft beers and ciders. As well as sampling beer and cider, visitors will also be able to enjoy a host of live music, entertainment, Kath’s enthusiasm for all things ‘wildlife conservation’ is contagious and these walks are a highlight of Thorncombe’ s 2022 events calendar. Booking essential on 01305 251228 or hardysbirthplace@dorsetcou ncil.gov.uk £5pp suggested donation. Parking charges apply Giant’s Head Marathon, Giant’s Half and Sydling Hill Race will start at Sydling St Nicholas at 7am on the 25th and continue until 4pm on the 26th. Winning several awards for Britain’s Best Marathon over the years, it’s easy to see why runners love the feel of this event. Camping is available and part of the experience, as is the Saturday night barn

and food offerings. Hall & Woodhouse is committed to growing the festival and we are all looking forward to its return this year.” The festival usually attracts more than 1,400 people. In addition to the brewery’s own ales, a further 50 different beers and ciders from a range of other local and out-of-county breweries will be available on the day. Since launching in 2013, the festival has raised more than £51,000 for local charities. Tickets are £10 each at hallwoodhousebeerfest.com dance. Whitestarrunning.co.uk Opera’s Heroines will be performed at 8pm by Opera Anywhere and Sorelle at the Corn Exchange. The first half of the evening tells the stories of feisty, wronged women determined to win back their love or seek their revenge at whatever cost. The traditional image of the tragic scorned heroine is pushed aside to make way for the women forging their own routes to happiness no matter who gets in their way. The second half includes a fully staged one act Puccini opera, Sister Angelica, performed in English. This production is set in the Republic of Ireland in the 1950s, in a rural convent set deep into a superstitious and

isolated community. Sister Angelica reflects the very real problems facing women in Ireland at the time. It is not their religion that drives the other characters to ostracise and persecute Angelica, it is their disgust at her social fall from grace and their refusal to face their own hypocrisy. dorchesterarts.savoysystems. co.uk

Sunday, June 26 The Friends of Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth are once again holding their very popular Tabletop Sale Trail. Supporters of the group sell their goods from their property around the Lodmoor area, raising towards maintaining and replacing play and green gym equipment and tending the wildflower meadow. The sale will be held from 10am-2.30pm from 67 Beaumont Avenue, DT47RG. Enquiries 01305 750557 or dinah.ellis@btinternet.com At 2pm there’s a Singing Bowl Soundbath to quieten the mind, calm the emotions, and relax and detox the body at Oborne Village Hall, nr. Sherborne, DT9 4LA. £15 Please book in advance – limited spaces. 01935 389655 ahiahel@live.com centreforpuresound.org Dorchester Repair cafe will be held at the Borough Bandstand from 10-12pm. Bring your broken items for the volunteer repairers to fix. From lamps to broken zips, phones to teddybears, we can deal with a diverse range of objects. Coffee and cake. Volunteers always needed.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) Contact: repaircafedorchester@ gmail.com There’s a charity fundraiser for Dorchester youth & community centre’s Saturday club from midday-4pm, and people are being urged to book a table to sell their items. Businesses as well as private sellers are welcome – stalls cost £10 from Dawn Eccles at dawn.eccles@dycc.org.uk or 07818 278311. Dorset Youth Pride will be held at Shire Hall Museum in Dorchester from midday till 5pm. Everyone of all ages is invited to the inclusive event welcoming all members of the LGBT+ community, families, young people and allies. Visitors to Dorset Youth Pride will have the opportunity to take part in a range of inclusive activities whilst exploring one of Dorchester’s most historic buildings.

Tuesday, June 28 ‘Bridport U3A’s monthly meeting and talk is Kevin Patience , titled ‘Send a Gunboat’, at 2pm at the Bridport United Reform Church Hall in East Street This is about the Royal Navy’s actions on the East African coast against the slave trade in the late 1800s. It culminated in the shortest war in history and a 45minute bombardment against the Sultan’s Palace in Zanzibar in 1896. There is a curious Dorset connection. The talk is free to members and there is a £2 charge for non-members. Go to bridportu3a.org.uk

Weds, June 29 From June 29-July 3 Dorset Arts Festival will take place at Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington. An amazing award winning five day festival showcasing the best artists and makers in Dorset, it will feature over 60 artists, crafters and makers. You will be able to watch paintings being created, pots being thrown, jewellery being made and a whole range of other arts and crafts disciplines being demonstrated. There will be food and drink stalls, the 26 acre sculpture park, an indoor art gallery, Gallery by the Lakes and a sculpture courtyard. Tickets are £14.50 from tinyurl.com/2p8kw8z4 Sing For Ukraine -

Thurs, June 30 Dorchester Rock Choir will be at United Church Dorchester from midday1pm. The chosen charity is The British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. The event is free to attend but there’s a retiring donation for the charity via cash or card. The set list will include songs from the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Simon & Garfunkel, Jess Glynn, James Bay and even Meatloaf!

Thurs, June 30 There’s singing at Nothe Fort with Wessex Musical Theatre from 7pm-10pm. Tickets for the show are £10 adults, £6 children, under-5s free from wessexmusicaltheatre.eventb rite.co.uk

THE DORSET OPERA

MMXXII

The home of Country House opera in South West England featuring renowned soloists and full orchestra

Marquee Bar | Picnics | Formal Dining

Giacomo Puccini

MANON LESCAUT

25, 28, 30 July at 19:00 | Matinée 27 July at 14:00 Sung in Italian with English surtitles

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

THE MAGIC FLUTE 26, 27, 29 July at 19:00 | Matinée 30 July at 14:00 Sung in English with surtitles

Coade Theatre, Bryanston, Blandford Forum

Box Office: dorsetopera.com 07570 366 186

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

Autistic children growing confidence Autistic children aged five to 11 and their families can now grow their own fruit and veg at a special club in Bridport. Gardenscape has opened at St Mary’s School in Skilling Hill Road, launched by ASCape, Bridport’s charity for autistic young people aged up to 25. The school’s Edible Garden has made a plot available for children to plant and grow organic food as well as eating the fruit and vegetables they produce. ASCape chairman Karen Wright said: “This is the first after school club in Bridport aimed at supporting children on the autistic spectrum. “Autistic and socially anxious children benefit from smaller groups with one-to-one encouragement. “They usually thrive outdoors and working with

New trains Train services have been added to and from Weymouth. The Heart of Wessex line runs between Bristol, Bath, Castle Cary, Yeovil, Maiden Newton and Dorchester and Weymouth. Another seven train services now run on the line to Weymouth on Saturdays: 0808 from Swindon, 0908 from Bristol Temple Meads, 1423 from Westbury, 1541 from Gloucester, 1210 from Weymouth to Westbury; 1828 from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads; and 1940 from Weymouth to Swindon.

the soil and growing plants can be extremely grounding and therapeutic.” She added: “ASCape are hugely grateful to St Mary’s School and the Edible Garden team for their support, and for funds made available by the Cowshed and from the Dorset Community Foundation.” Lead gardener Kat will show the children how to

prepare the planting area and discuss the lifecycle of plants and how seeds germinate. The children will be invited to share in the planning process, selecting plants and sowing seeds. There will be a range of fun activities whatever the weather. The Edible Garden is a safe and secure area, the lead

gardener and volunteers are DBS checked and have full safeguarding training. ASCape also offers monthly clubs and activities for teenagers and young people, based at the Bridport Youth Centre. Spaces are available for more children to join on Tuesdays 4.30-5.30pm. The club will run until October and is open to all children

Digital champions making a difference By Karen Bate Six new recruits have signed up to Dorset Council’s army of volunteer digital champions to help people get online. Research has shown nearly a third of people in the county don’t have the means or the skills to get online and are increasingly being left behind in a world that is becoming more reliant on the internet. These volunteer digital champions offer regular face to face sessions at libraries and help over the phone via the council’s Digital Hotline. New volunteer digital champion, Ellen Paver said: “I am a British Sign Language student with Dorset Skills and

Learning. By becoming a volunteer digital champion, I’m excited to help deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind people use technology as an accessibility tool.” Paul Hutchings said: “I was already volunteering in our local parish online centre. Becoming a volunteer digital champion seemed like a good opportunity to reach more local people. I know how the older generation can struggle to connect, and it’s a passion of mine to help in this way.” The digital champions can assist with any digital issue – from online shopping to ordering prescriptions and with help setting up and using

new devices. Since the start of the year, they have held 457 sessions across 32 locations. Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for corporate development and transformation, said: “We’re so grateful for the generosity of the volunteers, giving their time and skills to assist our residents to get online. “In Dorset, we still have 11% of residents completely offline and another 20% lack all the essential digital skills needed. This means nearly a third of our residents are digitally excluded in some way.” For help from a digital champion ring the Digital Hotline on 01305 221048.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

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who have an autism diagnosis or who are on the diagnostic pathway in the West Dorset area. A parent or carer must remain with the child at all times. For further details and booking go to ascape.club/whats-on n ASCape is the only charity of its kind dedicated to improving the lives of autistic children

and young adults in West Dorset. Founded in 2018, ASCape has supported over 75 children and their families through a range of family-based activities. They provide a safe environment for children and young people aged 025 to meet up and socialise, explore their feelings, and gain peer support.

Bug hunt proves fascinating There was nature hunting at St Martin’s, Shipton Gorge, as part of the Churches Count on Nature initiative. Armed with bug boxes, magnifying glasses, paint brushes for gently encouraging wildlife into containers for a closer look, and a few spotter’s guides, people attempted to identify some of the wildlife. Benefice administrator Helen Fry said: “We were glad to have Janet Lane with us as she was very knowledgeable. We appreciated the longer grasses, the wall, trees and ox eye daisies as habitats! Lots to look at, including grasshoppers, woodlice, a variety of spiders, hover fly, bumble bee and

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cuckoo spit (created by a spittle bug inside!). “We plan on putting some information sheets and guides in church, so maybe visitors and those who couldn’t make it today can have a look another day.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

Visitors can take a relaxing, picturesque stroll along the Dorset Sunflower Trail when it returns later this year. Maiden Castle Farm is bringing back the sunflower walk for the second year running from Monday, August 8 to Saturday, August 20. Funds raised from the walk will be donated to Dorset County Hospital’s Kingfisher ward and to Cherkasy Hospital in Ukraine. The Hoskin family, who have run Maiden Castle Farm for three generations, say walking the trail takes about 40 minutes, although a second, shorter route has also been set up for people who are less able to walk a long distance. A spokesperson for the Hoskin family said: “We welcome you to Maiden Castle Farm and invite you to celebrate the beautiful Dorset summer by attending our Dorset Sunflower Trail, running for its second year, on the farm. “We love the land that we are lucky enough to live on and farm every day, and we can’t wait to share a part of it with you.” Visitors are invited to bring picnics and enjoy lunch in the open air, although people are encouraged to bring blankets as the grass can become damp later in the day. The Café on Wheels, a pop-up converted horse box, will also be on site to serve hot and cold drinks, cakes and ice creams. The Hoskin family raise beef, sheep and arable crops at Maiden Castle

Everything’s gone yellow on the new sunflower trail

GOOD CAUSE: The Sunflower Trail takes place in August and will raise funds for the Kingfisher Ward at DCH and a hospital in Ukraine

Farm, a site which has been used for agricultural purposes for centuries. Lapwings, corn buntings, hares and other wildlife also call this chalk downland farm home and visitors may be lucky enough to spot some of these during their visit. Amateur photographers are welcome to walk the

Sunflower Trail but the Hoskin family ask that professional photographers pre-register with them. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the site because the sunflowers will be harvested for the food industry and visitors are not allowed to pick the sunflowers.

There is also no smoking on the trail. Car parking is free adjacent to the site. Tickets will go on sale in July 2022. To keep updated follow Maiden Castle Farm on Facebook at facebook.com/ MaidenCastleFarm and via their website maidencastlefarm.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Passengers’ alert over rail strike action Rail passengers are being asked to check their trains are running ahead of time, as industrial action is due to take place on several dates next week. On Tuesday, June 21, Thursday, June 23 and Saturday, June 25 customers are warned to expect severe disruption and change plans if they can. Significantly reduced service levels are expected. SWR is working closely with Network Rail and other train operators to finalise a significantly reduced timetable for those dates, but is warning customers to expect severe disruption on those days. With Network Rail signallers and more than 2,100 SWR RMT members taking industrial action, it

is likely that significant parts of the South Western Railway network will be unavailable for travel on those dates. Where routes are open, it is likely that far fewer trains will run than normal. As a result, customers are

n West Dorset MP Chris Loder, pictured left, has urged local community groups, particularly those associated with rail travel, engagement, education or environmental benefits, to apply for new funding announced under Great Western Railway’s Community Fund. The scheme run by Great Western Railway seeks to support a number of community projects identified by the communities they serve, urged to change their travel dates if they can and, for those who have to travel on those dates, to begin looking for alternative methods of transport. Teams are also working to update hospitals, schools, airports and businesses

including many in West Dorset. Information and the application portal is now live on Great Western Railway’s website. Mr Loder said: “Across West Dorset we have an outstanding range of community projects that could make great use out of this fund. I warmly encourage as many bids as possible to this fund and wish every success to those who submit their bids before the deadline of Monday, June 27.” across the network on what this will mean for them. SWR will publish details of its reduced timetable when finalised and customers should check the website for latest updates: n southwesternrailway. com/industrial-action

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

Local attractions are on a winner in By Miranda Robertson

SILVER MEDAL: The Acorn Inn at Evershot

miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A brace of West Dorset attractions have been named national award winners in Visit England’s annual ceremony. Evershot’s The Acorn Inn scooped silver in the Pub of the Year category, while West Bay Discovery Centre won bronze in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award. Just outside the district, Weymouth’s Nothe Fort won a glittering gold in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category. Hundreds of tourism businesses across vied for a range of awards, going through to regional then the national finals. The national winners were

announced at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster and author Clare Balding, right. Of The Acorn Inn, judges said it is ‘the kind of place you

wish you could call your local’. Natalie and Richard Legg are general managers at the Acorn Inn. Natalie said: “We have been so overwhelmed

since finding out that we were finalists for the Visit England award – we just do what we love to do each day, serving guests amazing food and offering friendly service and to be awarded Silver for best pub in England is unreal.

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

prestigious Visit England ceremony BRONZE AWARD: John and Sarah West of the West Bay Discovery Centre with their certificate

“Our staff are so happy and we couldn’t be happier for them to be recognised for their achievements. “Especially after the last two years of incredible difficulty, it means more than ever. “Thank you to everyone

who supports us from staff, locals, guests, and suppliers, it is so appreciated.” West Bay Discovery Centre trustee John West, who attended the prestigious awards finals event in Birmingham with

his wife Sarah said: “It has been an incredible six months for the Discovery Centre with a string of award successes. “We had no idea that we would progress from winning at the Dorset Awards through to the

regional and then finally national award level.” In their comments about the centre the judges said it has ‘one of the best accessibility guides ever read, and is an attraction which punches above its weight’. John added: “This year it’s been great to see more visitors of all ages returning and really enjoying what the centre has to offer. We are run on a charitable basis with mostly volunteer input, so winning these awards is a big boost for everyone involved.” New volunteers are always welcome at the centre. For information visit the centre or contact manager@ westbaydiscoverycentre. org.uk

It’s all going on at Cerne Abbas’s annual fete Enjoy a dog show and a classic car display at Cerne Abbas Village Fete next month. The fete is being held in the

vicarage gardens in Back Lane from 1.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday, July 2. Funds raised from the event will go to St Mary’s Church

and Cerne Abbas First School. Organisers say the fete will include a beer tent and Pimm’s, children’s games, classic cars, a dog show, Jen’s

ice cream van, a grand draw, hot food and drinks, bric-abrac, a book stall, plants sale, a new to you sale, a tombola, a raffle and sideshows.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Take care out there on the coast as By Dan Goater dan@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Recent sudden changes in the weather are increasing the risk of landslips on the West Dorset coast, a coastguard has warned. Rob Sansom, senior coastal operations officer for the West Bay coastguards, said both locals and tourists alike need to take care when visiting the county’s coastline. Mr Sansom also said that people should not be risking their lives at the seaside to try to take photos or videos for their social media. His comments come after a video posted on Facebook recently showed a walker slipping on the Dorset coastline and nearly falling hundreds of feet down a steep bank and onto a rocky beach. Mr Sansom said: “Cliff falls happen all the time and the bigger ones happen more often after heavy rain

ON EXCERCISE: Coastguards tarining throughout the year for any possible emergency

or severe changes in weather – from wet to very cold or to very warm and dry – quickly. “Sudden weather changes like this can make the land shift, and this is particularly prevalent in

the area between West Bay and Freshwater. “Some of these landslips can move up to 400 tons of earth and the smaller falls can happen with no warning at all. “That’s why we try to

stress to people that they shouldn’t be anywhere near a cliff edge.” He added: “Many holidaymakers who come here don’t know the real risks because they don’t see it happen as often as

Risking your life is not worth a People should not risk their lives at the seaside in a bid to take good social media photos and videos, Rob Sansom said. Commenting on the Facebook footage of a walker slipping at the coast near Old Harry Rocks, Mr Sansom said: “There’s a little path near the headland there but he’s gone out further than that. “I don’t know why he’s walked out there but it seems like

CLOSE CALL: A walker losing his footing at the top of Old Harry Rocks

everybody wants to get that perfect Instagram shot or video clip for YouTube that sets them apart from everyone else these

days – but it’s just not worth the risk. You also see it with people tombstoning as well, especially people jumping from Durdle

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

landslips risk increases in dry spell SAFETY ADVICE AND TIPS

KEEPING WATCH: Coastguards are anticipating a busy summer

the locals do; they don’t see footage of landfalls on the local news as often as we do. People think they’re aware of the risks, but they still tend to underestimate them. It’s never just one aspect that causes an

accident. If the weather has left the ground slippery, and then someone comes along who has perhaps overestimated their abilities, those factors can combine and lead to an accident. But it’s not just

Door, just to get footage for their social media feed – it’s ridiculous. “When it comes to tombstoning, there’s an element of peer pressure with people saying: ‘I did it last week and I was fine’ but it’s so incredibly dangerous, it’s really not worth the risk.” Mr Sansom said sea swimming has become a popular pastime in recent years but people need to take care in the sea. He said: “The whole Chesil Beach area, for example, has some very strong undertows and it’s easy to get out of your depth there really quickly, even if you’re an experienced sea swimmer. “There was an incident in midApril when a sea swimmer lost his

tourists who can fall victim to this, sometimes locals can become overconfident in their abilities or complacent because they’ve lived here so long and feel they know the area better than visitors do.”

life in West Bay. Members of my team were able to get him out of the water and administer CPR, but I learned later via the ambulance service that he had died. Water temperatures are at their lowest in March and April and cold water shock can have a severe effect on the body very quickly. “Experienced sea swimmers might be able to get away with just wearing shorts and a tee-shirt in the sea but many of them wear wet suits for a good reason.” Mr Sansom and his fellow coastguards also do prevention work with local schools and scout groups to raise awareness of coastal dangers and will run a

n Pay attention to what the weather and the tide is doing when walking on the coastline n Take notice of warning signs – they’re there for a good reason n Stay on defined paths and pay heed to warning barriers n Pay attention to what your pets and children are doing at the coastline n Be prepared for your trek with appropriate clothing and footwear, bottled water and a charged phone n Be aware of your personal limits and expertise when near the coast n Don’t put yourself at risk in a bid to take the perfect photo or video for your social media profiles n If you think you see someone in trouble, call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard

stall at the forthcoming Melplash Show. The coastguards also respond to calls from the public that turn out to be false alarms that made with good intent. He added: “We don’t mind false alarms that are made with good intent. “If people think they see someone in trouble, we want that person to call us straight away before the situation gets worse – it’s never a problem if it turns out to be a false alarm with good intent. “And where we get false alarms with malicious intent – basically people wasting our time – we do everything we can to pursue a prosecution.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Pupils celebrate Children at Stickland’s C of E Primary School in Evershot held their own street party to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. And parents were welcomed back into school for the first time since 2020. Headteacher Kathy McCann said: “It was amazing to see so many families joined together and celebrating with one another, for this momentous occasion. “With bunting and flags aplenty, the children had their own royal lunch, before taking part in a range of activities to entertain their families, it was a real delight for all. From singing to dancing, to the most spectacular cornet playing from Bea, everyone celebrated the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.” Year 6 pupil Bea said: “I had a great time, especially as there were so many performances to see. It was lovely to be able to spend quality time with family.”

So much going on for the Jubilee St Martin’s, Shipton Gorge, was at the heart of the community celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee. The day began with a short service, people admired the flowers in the Jam Jar Flower Festival. Jubilee brunch

was served in church with many people staying to talk, while the youngsters got involved with Jubilee crafting. Later in the evening, the village’s beacon was lit on top of the tower.

Rural economy braced for an £883m loss after new payment scheme starts By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A report to shed light on the impact of new payment schemes on the farming and rural community has predicted an ‘economic shock’ in the south west. Research by the Countryside and Community Research Institute, funded by Dorset LEP, NFU, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP and Heart of the South West LEP revealed £883m could be lost from the rural economy in the south west by 2027. As farmers transition from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to the new Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs), they will receive direct support for better land

and nature management. By 2027 BPS funding will be completely phased out. The report states that the loss of income during the transition period will have a widespread impact on the rural economy, businesses and jobs. Luke Rake, principal of Kingston Maurward College, board member of Dorset LEP and chair of Dorset Local Nature Partnership said: “The significant shift in agricultural policy and associated postBrexit transition represents a challenge for the food production and land management industry, and I welcome this report. Whilst the increased focus on biodiversity recovery and farming for public good is

welcome, there is also a need to ensure this transition is handled carefully and the report clearly shows a major financial risk for the sector. “This is particularly acute in the South West region, where rural resilience relies on a network of family and smaller farms which are the backbone of the communities in which they sit. “As principal of Dorset’s specialist agricultural college, the future of the young people we serve is closest to my mind. Shifts in policy need to be matched with appropriate support to enable our food security to be maintained, the next generation of land managers to develop, and the rural villages and towns of the south west to thrive.”

Mel Squires, regional director of NFU South West, said: “As our family farming, food producing businesses, related supply chains and the wider rural economy battle with significant cost inflation, the scale of reductions in available funds to businesses laid bare by this report is considerable and can’t be ignored. “We need to give confidence to our family farms to plan for the future in unprecedented times, and take advantage of the opportunity that change should also bring, continuing to produce high quality, local food, identifying new markets, delivering public goods, investing for net zero, and supplying the public sector.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Moreton Fund is a helping hand for villages’ learners

THANK YOU: Tony and Margaret Greenham present a cheque for £1,000 to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Charities’ £1,500 at Fairey concert A yearly concert by The Fairey Band at St Marys Church in Beaminster raised £1,000 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and £500 for the church. Organisers Tony and Margaret Greenham thanked the sponsors, the helpers and the audience for their generous support. Each year for almost 40, members of The Fairey Band from Heaton Chapel in Stockport take the 500-mile round trip as Tony and Margaret used to play for the long gone Beaminster Band. Whilst Margaret had been a baritone player, Tony could be found on

tenor horn and later, three of their children also joined the band. Over the years the concerts have raised more than £60,000 for charity with previous beneficiaries including Weldmar Hospice care, Cancer research UK, Help for Heroes, Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance, British Heart Foundation and St Marys Church. Tony and Margaret’s efforts were recognised in 2013 when the band made them honorary vice presidents. And in 2020 Tony was awarded the BEM for his fund-raising efforts and his work with The Royal British Legion.

Young people in the Moreton and Affpuddle parishes who need a helping financial hand to meet the costs in the next stage of their lives are being invited to apply for a grant from the Moreton Fund. The Moreton Fund helps meet the costs of education, training and career start-up. The William Frampton Educational Trust chair Richard Frampton-Hobbs said: “We know that young people are really concerned about funding the next stage in their lives, so if we can help, we will.” Richard notes that young

people starting work, training, an apprenticeship, or continuing in education, are discouraged by huge expenses. The Moreton Fund gives awards of up to £1,000 to young people to help with the cost of training, travel, purchase of equipment to young people in Moreton or Affpuddle – which also covers Waddock Cross, Briantspuddle and Throop. Grants are usually awarded in early September and to apply check out the facebook page for the William Frampton Educational Foundation or email themoretonfund @hotmail.com

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Tanks for the memories but this could By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A veritable army of Second World War vehicles will trundle through Dorchester this Saturday, June 18 – possibly for the last time ever. Huge costs to run and maintain the group of trucks, jeeps and tanks mean this weekend’s event will be the last time people will be able to see them en masse in the town. People are being encouraged to put on their best 1940s clobber for Armour & Embarkation 2022, and watch as between 65 and 75 vehicles make their way from Broadmayne into Dorchester, where they will go up High East Street before turning off by Woods and Myra’s into Church Street. The procession will end up at Brewery Square, where people can get up close to the vehicles for a couple of hours from about 3.30pm. The event has been organised by Dorchester Business Improvement District, which has nearly n The convoy’s basecamp is the historic campsite of Camp D5 in Broadmayne. The trees are still covered with the names and markings of American GIs waiting for D-Day. Camp D5 was one of many marshalling areas on the South Coast in preparation for Operation Neptune, the

ON PARADE: Veteran military vehicles will be in Dorchester

400 businesses as members. Project director Phil Gordon said: “We didn’t know if it would happen, because it costs them so much to get the vehicles here – the rubber tracks they use to protect the road cost something like £28,000 a set and they do two miles a gallon. So this naval Invasion of the Normandy beaches on D-Day and part of the wider Operation Overlord, the battle for Normandy. These camps, also known as sausage camps because of their shape on maps, were chosen based upon certain requirements. Most obviously, they had to be a short distance from the embarkation

Pictures: PHIL GORDON

is almost definitely to be the last time they’ll do this.” The vehicles will arrive at the base camp in Broadmayne on the Friday (June 17) and visit the village primary school in the morning before visiting Manor Park First School in the afternoon. Phil said: “The event will

commemorate the build-up to D-Day. Dorset was pivotal to Operation Overlord. “We are hoping to encourage public to come in authentic dress, whether that’s as French Resistance, air raid wardens, Dad’s Army, Land Girls or evacuees. Maybe even some spies

points – at Camp D5, this was the ports of Weymouth and Portland, roughly seven and 13 miles away. Wooded areas were often chosen as they provided concealment from aerial surveillance, which was important to keep the movement of men, vehicles and machinery in preparation for the Channel crossing as low-

key as possible. The camps at Broadmayne and West Knighton, whilst made out of canvas tents in fields, were surrounded by trees, making them a good strategic choice. As with other marshalling areas, the US troops straightened, widened and improved the roads with Tarmac to carry their vehicles.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

be the last time... RoSPA steps in to help curb dangers of falling Health and safety charity, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched the groundbreaking ‘Falls Charity Appeal’ to prevent the hidden harm caused by falls. RoSPA is calling on West Dorset businesses, business leaders and the health and safety community to put their skills to good use and educate their employees to help prevent falls in the home. The Falls Charity Appeal is urging organisations to deliver the charity’s free, 20-minute Fall Fighter awareness sessions to their staff and is asking for donations for its appeal. Errol Taylor, RoSPA’s and PoWs. “Dan Snow is coming with his film crew and the Decadettes are coming to sing. “Dressing up makes it a lot more fun – my outfit will feature a pin I’ve just rediscovered, that my grandfather wore. “He was in the Dorsetshire Regiment, Evidence of this is still visible on Chalky Road just outside the village boundaries, where the original route of the road is visible between the trees. Hard standings and temporary Nissen huts were also put up to house vehicles and equipment, whilst the lower ranks lived in their canvas tents and

digging tunnels in Eype and Northern France. He was shot three times – once in the hand, once in the chest (his cigarette case protected him) and once in the head – thanks to his helmet he was just knocked out and grazed.” Jack Beckett, a local historian, is organising the convoy. the officers were billeted at Broadmayne House on Osmington Drove. These camps were erected along the sides of the existing roads, which were used to load and unload men and supplies and so were within easy reach of the troops. The roads themselves were closed for public traffic.

Chief Executive, said: “At RoSPA we know that businesses are experts in preventing falls in workplaces, but we want to translate these skills to tackle falls that are happening in homes, which are a forgotten killer. “We believe that if every employee was made aware how falls can be prevented we could, together, achieve a huge reduction in the numbers of those killed and injured. This is why we have developed our innovative free Fall Fighter resource. By rolling-out our online sessions, businesses will be taking a leading role in addressing one of the biggest health and safety issues we face.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Join us and we can work together to By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A group who make bespoke, one-off items of equipment for disabled people, free of charge, are encouraging people to join them in making a difference. The Dorchester Panel of Remap – part of a national network set up in 1964 – has been helping to solve problems for decades. The volunteers, who cover an area between Wareham and Yeovil, beaver away in their garages and workshops, and in people’s homes to create solutions to problems that can’t be solved with a quick Google. Currently, chairman Malcolm March, 74, who has been a member for nearly 30 years, is making a box for a TV to protect the set when its young owner has a fit. Many TVs have been smashed due to the young man’s illness – now Malcolm is raiding B&Q to make a bespoke fortification for it. The group is often asked to build settee and chair raisers. Other projects have included making a set of one-legged stools for youngsters at Weymouth’s Wyvern School. This may sound odd, but for some kids who struggle to focus, the concentration they need to keep the stool upright can help them to focus on their schoolwork. The stools are also used by the military for people monitoring equipment such as radar. Similarly, the panel has also been asked to make

IN THE FRAME: Malcolm March makes a wooden frame for a television and, below, two innovations from Remap which have made a real difference to people’s lives

vibration boards, which slightly bounce. The youngsters’ concentration on the moving board under their feet helps distract them enough to focus on something else. Remap started after Pat Johnson, an ICI Teeside engineer, made a ramp and a hoist for his disabled sister to improve her mobility at home. Others joined him and by 1968 a network of panels was developed. Remap stands for Rehabilitation Engineering Movement Advisory

Panel, or Resourceful Engineers Make Anything Possible. Today there are about 900 members over large parts of England and they have recently linked up with Remap Scotland. Nationally Remap completes around 3,500 projects each year, helping disabled people to become more independent. The Dorchester panel currently has 10 members, who carry out about a dozen projects a year between them. Membership comprises

mostly retired people with practical skills and equipment. Malcolm said: “In the past they were mostly engineers, retired from, for example, the MoD Portland and the UKAEA Winfrith, but also included a retired town planner.” Malcolm himself was working at Winfrith as an experimental physicist when an engineer colleague persuaded him to join Remap. The group gets most of its requests from occupational therapists, but people also

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

make real difference in people’s lives independently as possible, with one-off bits of kit that can’t be provided by other means.” He added: “We’ve lost a lot of members but we still have jobs coming in. “People don’t so much have the skills, the tools and the time these days. It would be particularly good to get some members in the Weymouth area as we have two current jobs there.” More examples of equipment made by Remap volunteers include attachments to wheelchairs to hold binoculars, cameras etc, dead-man’s handles for baby buggies, transfer aids (such as from bed to chair, but also for Sailability, to get disabled people on and

INNOVATIVE: Inventions and designs, including a clothes peg to be used by people with one hand

self-refer from the Remap website. As the volunteers often have to build solutions in people’s homes, for children and vulnerable adults, they have to go along with an occupational therapist. They can claim expenses for mileage and parts. Several members have recently retired, such as an 86-year-old from Swanage, leaving a bit of a hole as younger generations are less likely to have engineering skills, or the equipment needed.

But Malcolm hopes there will be a handful of people reading this who can offer up the kind of skills needed, for projects such as extensions or reduction in the height of Zimmer frames, walking sticks etc, modified Zimmer frame wheels to mount carpets and steps more easily, and indoor and outdoor ramps over steps or uneven ground. Malcolm said: “There’s definitely a need and it would be such a shame if Remap went – it’s about allowing people to live as

off their boats). They have also made mounting blocks for a local disabled riding charity. Do you have skills you could use to help? Anyone with DIY skills would be welcomed. Committee members would also be welcomed – the panel meets three or four times a year to discuss current projects, funding and operational matters. They need a couple of people to do admin and take minutes. n For more information, including joining the Dorchester Panel, or to directly request help please contact Malcolm March on 01305 264498 or Stephen Green on 01305 789 191.

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

You’re invited to share your stories about the monarch for a film project. AsOne theatre company is calling for anyone in West Dorset with anecdotes about Elizabeth II to share them in a film called The Queen and I. The film is being made to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in conjunction with Broadmayne First School and Agincare’s Crecy Care Home in Spa Road, Weymouth. A spokesperson for AsOne said: “Have you met the Queen, have you seen her as she passed or visited where you were one day? “Did your family buy a television to watch the Coronation? Did you have a Silver, Gold, or Diamond Jubilee party with fond or funny memories? “What funny or poignant things happened this Platinum Anniversary year? Do you have any stories of the Queen through your eyes, or do you have any arts and crafts or treasured memorabilia of her reign? “If so, please let us know and we will come and interview you for a film being made as a part of a project called The Queen and I.” In the build-up to this project, pupils from Broadmayne First School joined Crecy Care Home residents for a picnic earlier this year. An AsOne spokesperson said: “We have been working with partners Broadmayne First School and Crecy Care Home and the very young have been sharing memory boxes

DOWN MEMORY LANE: Broadmayne First School children enjoy a Jubilee picnic with residents of Agincare’s Crecy Care Home

Wanted... Your stories of when you met the Queen full of their own art, facts and figures, photos, and stories about the Queen with Dementia residents. “They chat about what the Queen means to them and what they would do if they were to reign for a day. “A Jubilee song has been commissioned by composer Laura Reid with lyrics inspired by what the elderly and young have said in answer to the questions. But we are

looking for more stories throughout our community of Portland, Weymouth, and Dorchester, especially from the elderly.” If you have stories, images or memorabilia to share with AsOne for their film project, email them on info@as-onetheatre. co.uk Anyone from Portland, Weymouth, or Dorchester can order free tickets for a screening of The Queen

and I public screening on Wednesday, June 29 at 5pm at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange. Email info@ as-onetheatre.co.uk and office@broadmayne. dorset.sch.uk with your name, telephone number and the number of tickets required. There are a limited number of car parking permits for people with disabilities or families with babies near the venue on a first come, first serve basis.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Critics praise Joanna’s debut novel By Miranda Robertson miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A former journalist and charity worker is receiving lavish praise for her first novel – finished after she was made redundant during the pandemic. Joanna Quinn, 46, says she was scared to be out of work, trying to pay her rent and support her young daughter, when everyone went into lockdown. But suddenly presented with time on her hands she decided to make the most of it, and continue writing a novel she had started nearly a decade ago. The Whalebone Theatre was published last week to huge national acclaim. It’s surprising Joanna hasn’t written a book before. The former Wey Valley pupil won a national writing prize from WHSmith when she was 12 and went on to win the highly coveted Bridport Prize, while working at the Dorset Echo as a reporter in her 20s. She was later shortlisted again for the Bridport Prize, and has also been nominated for the National Arts Foundation Fellowship for Short Stories. But writing fiction is something she’s always done as a hobby until covid forced her to re-evaluate. Stuck at home, Joanna started to flesh out a bit more of the novel and sent it off to a literary agent, who immediately wanted to sign her up. Joanna added: “When I heard from her, it was such an enormous relief. Like Cinderella’s fairy godmother appearing!” Joanna worked round the clock to pull the novel together, and after ten months’ solid graft, it was done. Her efforts paid off. The moment publishers saw The Whalebone Theatre, a bidding war broke out to acquire the rights to it. It was also fought over around the world, including US, Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Russia, Sweden, and Spain. Now reviewers are falling over themselves to praise Joanna’s book, with national press, booksellers and readers all swooning at the ‘lush’, ‘immersive’ and ‘entrancing’ tale, which tells of orphan Christabel, who is living in a Dorset manor house in 1919 as the novel opens, and who, along with her siblings, creates plays which they perform in the carcass of a whale that has washed up on the beach. One reviewer said the war scenes were ‘the best you’ll ever read’ and

Joanna has had rave reviews from The Times, The Sunday Times and the Daily Mail. She said: “I started the book as part of a PhD in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths University that I started in September 2013. I did my PhD part time in order to fit around working full time and childcare. “I wanted to imagine what life would be inside one of the ancient manor houses we have in Dorset – but I was especially interested in imagining how life might be for people who didn’t fit into the

established power structure of the house – particularly the women, children and servants.” She added: “I have been surprised and delighted by the reactions of people who have read it so far. All my family and friends are very pleased - especially as, like lots of people, we’ve had a tough few years, so it’s nice to have something to celebrate!” Joanna is now hoping to teach creative writing more, and keep writing books. The Whalebone Theatre is available now, from bookshops and online.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Three cheers for the red, white and SINGING IN THE RAIN: Making the most of the weather, the beacon and fireworks and, below, the Green Canopy

Villagers of Cerne Abbas celebrated Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style – despite the rain!

n Villagers in Dewlish enjoyed a series of great fun celebrations for the Jubilee. Thursday evening saw most of the village gather on the high ground where they dined and wined with a blues band which played until the beacon was lit. On the Saturday there was a parade led by the children and followed

by a train of veteran cars, ending at a large marquee where a ploughman’s lunch was served. There was also a canine agility course – with the first participant a corgi. Live music and a barbecue followed. Finally, the village got together again for a shared lunch on the Sunday.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

blue... Here’s some pictures of you

ON STAGE: The Men of Cerne and, below, fans near the barn, waiting for the rain to arrive and, right, their youngest fan

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

LADIES’ THIRST: Sherborne Wednesday Club members at the Waterwheel Centre

Tea and cakes make a right royal day out Members of the Sherborne Wednesday Club were treated to a celebratory tea fit for a queen ahead of the Platinum Jubilee, by the volunteers of the Steam and Waterwheel Centre in the town. Volunteers and guests, many of whom remembered the

Accession of Queen Elizabeth II and the wheel in use, dressed in their finest attire and were delighted to show their respects. The sun shone and train passengers were treated to the sight of the historic wheel in motion and the SWC guests waving at them.

All geared up for the summer show The countdown to the Beaminster Horticultural Society’s Summer Show is on. And this year, a number of Platinum Jubilee-themed classes will be held in celebration. Show secretary Hayley Skelton said: “The show is a great opportunity for its members and their families to enter into healthy competition in a variety of classes designed to appeal to and encourage a range of

interests. For example: gardening, hobby and floral art, baking and preserve making, amateur photography, and even home gin making. The six classes in the children’s section also encourage creativity in ages up to 16 years.” Once all exhibits are in place on the morning of the show, the much-valued team of local experts will begin judging with the winners presented with

trophies at 4pm on the day by society president Ken Hunt. This year exhibitors will be members of the society and their families only and the closing date for entry forms is August 10. Entry forms are available at bemhortsoc@gmail.com or a hard copy is available at the horticultural society’s monthly meetings for members on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Public Hall,

where presentations and talks are held throughout the year. New members are always welcome. The Summer Show is on Saturday, August 13 in the Public Hall on Fleet Street from 2pm for members of the public who want to see the stunning exhibits. Tea, coffee, and a delicious selection of homemade cakes will be available. Admission is £1 per person.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

BLAZE OF GLORY: Bob Meades Lyme Bay Watchkeeper and, inset, lighting the beacon Pictures: KATE SHEMILT

Glowing tribute for Queen’s jubilee Lyme Bay National Coastwatch Institution QAVS say they ‘were proud’ to be part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons and Associated Activities on June 2. Lyme Bay NCI QAVS, in conjunction with Burton Bradstock Parish Council, NCI Watchkeepers and 200 villagers and visitors watched Bob Meades, Secretary of the NCI Lyme Bay, light the Beacon at 9.45pm at the top of Cliff Road. A Beacon was also lit at Charmouth. These Beacons were among over 2,022 lit by charities, communities and faith groups all over the UK.

KEEPING WATCH: The Lyme Bay Watchkeepers

Judy Clarke, on behalf of Lyme Bay NCI QAVS said: “We were proud to be part of this momentous celebration.

Picture: ANN MEADES

“It is only appropriate that this unique milestone in history was marked with beacons. “We were honoured to be

part of this special event for Her Majesty, The Queen’s 70th year as our Monarch and Head of the Commonwealth.

Confusion over road resurfacing in Victoria Park Residents in the Victoria Park area of Dorchester have been left confused after they had leaflets put through their doors saying the roads were being resurfaced and cars needed to be moved in three days’ time. However yellow warning notices have

also been put up on lampposts warning people the roads will be closed for the works between July 15 and 20. The signs warn that cars left parked will be towed away. Resident Gillian Greening said:

“There has been no suggestions where everyone can park – most of the area is residents’ parking – or even if there will be a rebate for the not inconsiderable parking cost. Dorset Council has been contacted for a comment.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Letters

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Nice, but not Tim in Antiques Roadtrip pic I’m pretty sure the photo is David Harper and not Tim Wonnacott on page 4 pictured during the filming of Antiques Road Trip. Love the mag by the way. Heather Puttock You are right! Amateur Googling skills, there... Staying in Charminster for the first time in four years, I was delighted to find Chris Slade’s Frome Valley trail walk in your June 3 issue, and set out yesterday, with eager anticipation, umbrella and OS map to follow his directions. Bradford Peverell and the Muckleford Nature Reserve were utterly lovely, but my good intentions came unstuck at Three Corners where the

“bridleway to your left that heads uphill across fields” was notable by its absence. Instead I ended up flattening myself into hedges of stinging nettles to avoid traffic on the A35 before taking a lengthy, fruitless detour round Bradford Down, asking numerous locals for directions (“Mooooo” wasn’t very helpful), ploughing through a narrow, thorn-strewn jungle to get to Giles Cross and gasping in dismay at Phase3 of the “Charminster Farm” development along the A37 … thank goodness Rob at the Three Compasses was well-equipped to restore my humour after an additional five-mile detour! So, much

as I enjoyed my Dorset adventure, I’m just wondering if your walking notes are regularly checked for accuracy and touristfriendly information … or should I just be grateful that I survived my erroneous wanderings past New Barn Farm Centre, where the sign reads, “No Trespassing: we’re tired of hiding the bodies”? Ruth Oldfield I’m pleased that you attempted to follow the route I described but am sorry you got lost. The Editor limits me to 300 words so I can’t go into too much detail as, if I overshoot, the ‘editor’ becomes a ‘head hitter’ and will give me a clip round the

ear! (not really). I followed a similar route to yours a couple of years ago while exploring Bradford Peverell parish and met those cows. They’re very friendly. The route you should have taken at Three Corners is tucked away on the left at the end of the trees in the Nature Reserve. The only sign on the gate reads DANGER. If anyone from Dorset Council reads this maybe they could arrange for it to be properly signed. If you don’t like the view of the Charminster Farm development, just wait until the proposed development to the north of Dorchester occurs! Best wishes, Chris Slade

Items for sale Glass top garden table approx 3ft X 5ft with parasol hole. Seats 6. Good condition but legs need attention hence £25ono. Buyer collects Bridport 01308 281200. Free standing solid pine display cabinet – good condition. Three adjustable shelves with storage cabinet. 201cm x 48cm x 32cm. £40 Priced to sell 01297 489414. Large wall mirror with pine surround 134cm x 104cm £25 01297 489414. Ice cream/sorbet maker, Gelato chef 2200 by Magimix, white. Working order. Bit of wear and tear. With original instruction

VINYL RECORDS BOUGHT Clocktower Music Bridport Please phone 01308 458077 booklet. £100 ono 01308 421720, Bradpole. Novello duck-egg pencil pleat curtains. Two pairs From Dunelms Luxury Curtain Range. £50 1 pair approx. 66”width x 54” drop. 1 pair approx. 90” width x 54” drop Purchased a couple of years ago for our non-smoking (no children!) home. House move (unfortunately) makes them surplus – sizes no good. We

GUNS WANTED FOR CASH Any condition. SOS to all air rifles and pistols, any maker or model. We collect in any area. Top prices paid in cash. 07970 742471 GUNS ALSO SOLD GUNS ALSO SOLD actually bought more of same curtains at the right sizes – they are so nice. Will sell both pairs for £50 total - they are a real bargain for somebody (cost a ‘fortune’ in Dunelms!) but open to individual pair sale (90” @ £30 / 66” @ £25) They really are lovely top-quality curtains. 07952 667728. Ceiling lights (traditional style - really good quality) Ceiling lights (traditional style - really good quality)

£10. Five hanging lamps from one pendant. Glass shades included. Takes bayonet-fitting bulbs. These really are a bargain price for somebody! 07952 667728. T.V. 32ins Samsung. Good working order c/w lead and remote. £50. 0777 616 8276 Table. Dark glass. for T.V. or coffee. 3 levels. 1m w x 45cm deep x 45cm high. £30. 0777 616 8276.

Advertise your items for sale priced up to £100 FREE: Email newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Births, marriages and deaths

Share your family occasions Here at The West Dorset Magazine we know how important it is to mark significant events. Whether you are welcoming home a new baby, congratulating a newly married couple, celebrating an anniversary or want to pay tribute to a lost loved one, you can place a notice here to let people know. If you would like to place a funeral announcement, mark a big wedding anniversary, welcome your newborn or simply say Happy Birthday, you can place a notice with us for £1.50 per word. Please email classifieds@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Congratulations to Emily Pykett and Lucy Quance who are now Mrs and Mrs! Looking forward to the ‘official’ ceremony on Saturday. Lots of love, from the Maid of Newt xxxxx

Ken APLIN Peacefully at home on 28th May 2022, aged 87. Much loved husband to the late Clara May, dad of Kevin, Sandy and Dave, proud grandad of three, loved brother of the late Ted, Sheila and Will. Funeral service: 1.30pm, Monday, 20th June at St. Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester. Family flowers only. Donations to Mind and Dementia UK.

THE ROUND BARROW TODAY'S LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO TREASURE

OPEN WEEKEND JUNE 25 & 26, 10AM-5PM Within the landscape of our natural wildflower meadows now lies this unique, stunning and exeptional creation. Offering an amazingly serene and beautiful permanent resting place for ashes. Niches may be chosen for immediate use or secured ready for the future. Enter the round barrow; an eternal circle that connects us to the ancient burials of our forefathers, in the profound peace of the earth, cocooned from the elements. In a world where so much is transient, we find ourselves looking back for something permanent, something that tethers us to a place or time. To find out more or to arrange a visit to the burial grounds or the round barrow, please contact us:

Higher Ground Meadow, Corscombe DT2 0QN | 01935 891245 office@highergroundmeadow.co.uk hgff.co.uk | highergroundmeadow.co.uk theroundbarrow.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Church

Daring to dream and make a difference By Canon Deb Smith, Team Rector of Bridport When I lived in the north there was a project to build a huge new arts centre in the dockland development that was taking off in the area. The plans were lavish and incredibly exciting. It was going to be a state-ofthe-art, modern glass and steel structure housing a theatre, an opera house, an arts museum, galleries and lots more. But it was to be sited across the road from some of the most deprived areas of the city, and some people protested that money was being poured into this project rather than into something more useful. Twenty years on and the Lowry Centre is one of the most successful Millennium projects in the country, it has made a big impact on those living

Services Friday, June 17 Sherborne Abbey 11am Remembering the Fallen Sunday, June 19 Sherborne Abbey 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong Lillington 10am St Martin of Tours Longburton 10am Family Communion St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am Morning Worship Castleton 11am Mattins, St Mary Magdalene Beaminster, St Mary of the

LAVISH: The Lowry Centre

around it, and its lavishness and extravagance is appreciated and celebrated in the city – it even makes a profit. The impulse to celebrate life by art and music and extravagant gestures of devotion is part of our likeness to the God who set the stars in their courses at the foundation of the world. That the Lowry

Centre has flourished in an inner-city area which was once so grey, says something about the reckless beauty which gives life, and which finds its source in God. Something of this God-like extravagance is to be found in the way in which people dare to dream up so many ways to make a difference in our communities. In

Annunciation 8am Eucharist 9.30am Eucharist Broadwindsor - The Nativity of St John the Baptist 9.30am Eucharist Drimpton St Mary 11am Morning Prayer Meplash – Christ Church 9.30am Eucharist Mosterton – St Mary 11am Eucharist Netherbury – St Mary 6pm Evening Prayer South Perrott – St Mary 11am Eucharist Stoke Abbott – St Mary 6pm Evensong Toller Porcorum – St Andrew & St Peter 11am Eucharist

Bridport Catholic Church 10am Mass Swyre 9.30am Holy Communion 11am Morning Worship Burton Bradstock 9.30am Family Worship Chilcombe 6.30pm Evening Prayer Dorchester United Church 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church Sunday, June 26 Burstock – St Andrew 11am – Mattins Hooke – St Giles 11am Eucharist Swyre 9.30am Holy Communion 11am Morning Worship Salway Ash – Holy Trinity

these days of mounting fear about the cost of living crisis, we need more than ever to value that extravagance in offering hope, and a helping hand to one another. Those who volunteer in food banks, in opening their homes to refugees, who offer their time in all kinds of projects to make life better for others, those who are good neighbours, and who by their creativity open up life for us all and bring us together. There are countless ways people of faith, and of no faith, who show extravagant goodness which build us all up – and we need them now more than ever.

9.30am Eucharist Bridport Catholic Church 10am Mass Dorchester United Church 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church Sherborne Abbey 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong Lillington, St Martin of Tours 10am Morning Service Longburton 11am Village Communion St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am Morning Worship Castleton 11am Matins, St Mary Magdalene

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

Wine rack essentials for any occasion Meet Jack Priestley, the manager of wine merchants Morrish and Banham’s Dorchester shop. Jack will be writing a regular column, passing on his secrets and sharing his knowledge about all things grape A couple of weeks ago I was driving home on a Sunday in the early afternoon. An unusual morning mist had just blown off the town and we were heading for a long sunny afternoon that would soon drift into evening. I found myself asking: what is the perfect wine to enjoy on a day like this? At any time there is usually a handful of bottles on my wine rack, (or more often in the fridge) ready and waiting for an opportune moment to be drunk. But honestly, the real answer is that there’s always loads of different wines and styles

TOP TIPPLE TIPS: Jack Priestly of Morrish and Banham

that work well with different situations. A good policy for starters is to avoid over-thinking about any bottle for a particular situation. That said, it’s good to have some ‘wine rack essentials’ that are both personal favourites of yours and potential crowd pleasers for when the sun comes out. For whites, my advice

is that you’ll want something lighter that’s both crisp and refreshing. Something either fruit driven, or mineral in taste. Why not try a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa or an Italian Gavi made from the Cortese grape? If you’d like to be adventurous seek out a Clare Valley Riesling – sunshine and citrus in a bottle!

Rosé is another obvious choice. It might be rather basic of me to recommend a Provence rosé, but the popularity of this delicate and fragrant wine style from the South of France seems to have no bounds. On a summer’s day, it’s hard to beat. Though if you shop around you can often find better value alternatives. We stock Domaine Mont d’Hortes Grenache rosé at M&B which provides much the same enjoyment at a far more modest price. For those red lovers, why not try chilling down a bottle of a lighter style? I’d suggest a decent bottle of Beaujolais-Villages or the Italian variety Frappato works awfully well. The key is to avoid anything overly alcoholic or tannic. Just 30-45 minutes in the fridge ought to do it. This’ll just add a touch of refreshment. Happy wine drinking folks!

Legal firm supporting moves to keep it local A legal firm has pledged to support Dorset’s food and drink industry. Blanchards Bailey LLP is backing Dorset Food & Drink, the independent non-profit membership organisation, and is a sponsor of the Love Local Trust Local awards. Blanchards Bailey managing partner Paul Dunlop said: “As a firm we are very much immersed in Dorset’s thriving food and drink scene – with our specialists offering expert advice across the sector and to our many clients in the agricultural field. “We felt we wanted to give something back – hence our sponsorships – by helping to raise awareness of the incredible wealth of producers,

suppliers and restaurants plying their trade in the county. “This rich and varied harvest – from fruit, vegetables and bread to seafood, cheese and drinks – is undoubtedly one of Dorset’s true assets and needs shouting about.” Blanchards Bailey staff attend events staged by Dorset Food & Drink, often manning a stall, as the firm fully embraces the county’s culinary scene during a two-year sponsorship. Dorset Food & Drink Coordinator (AONB) Caroline Richards said: “We are a community interest company so every penny we have goes on supporting our members’ businesses, helping them gain deserved

recognition and acting as a conduit for collaboration, networking, business growth, grants and environmental performance. “Above all we get out there at events, fairs and festivals to share this wealth of products and places to go with everyone – which the sterling support from Blanchards Bailey helps us maintain.” Caroline said that volunteers from the firm had helped at pop-up markets in Dorchester Borough Gardens, the Tank Museum at Bovington and Weymouth’s Nothe Fort. Paul added: “We love the way that these awards focus of some of the smaller producers and suppliers whose excellent work is often overlooked.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

Expand your waist and reduce your Celebrating delicious fresh food while minimising waste is the theme for this year’s Bridport Food Festival. Running until Friday, June 24, the festival features cooking demonstrations by top local chefs including Mark Hix and Chris Chatfield, the head chef at the Station Kitchen, West Bay, among others. Following a two-year hiatus due to covid, the food festival returns to Asker Meadows on Friday, June 17 with the launch of the Bridport Food and Drink Festival, featuring more than 80 beers and 40 ciders. There will also be a Pimms bar and a selection of street food and live music to enjoy. A festival spokesperson said:

FAMILY FUN: There will be demonstrations for children at Bridport Food Festival

“If you are passionate about food and where it comes from then you are in for a real treat again at this year’s Bridport Food Festival. Food and drink producers are opening

Mum’s Kitchen... Amaretti Plum Crumble Ingredients: 100g/3 ½ oz crunchy Amaretti biscuits 30g/1 oz butter 1kg/2lb 4oz plums (red ones are nice), halved and stones removed 2 tablespoons sugar ½ lemon, zest and juice Crumble topping 150g/5 ½ oz plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 100g/3 ½ oz butter 3 tablespoons of sugar Method: Preheat oven to 190C,

170C fan. 1. Whizz the Amaretti biscuits to coarse crumbs in the processor (or bash in a plastic bag). Decant into a bowl. 2. Melt the 30g butter in a large pan. Add prepared plums, sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of sugar, add lemon zest and juice and cook gently until plums soften. 3. Pour the plums into a 23 x 6cm deep ovenproof dish (or similar) and set aside. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of the crumbled Amarettti biscuits. 4. Whizz up the crumble

their doors to the public to showcase what they do. Restaurants and pubs are preparing special dishes and menus, the popular food and drink quiz at the Ropemakers is

back, as well as the Indian masterclass by Helen Choudhury at the Taj Mahal. New this year are two farm walks at Tamarisk Organic Farm in West Bexington and Hollis

with Diana Holman ingredients in the processor, then tip in the rest of the Amaretti crumbs and briefly mix in. 5. Top the fruit in the dish

with the crumble, spreading well to the edges, and bake for around 30 minutes.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

waste at festival of food and drink

KEEPING IT LOCAL: Dorset produce will be on offer at Bridport Food Festival

Mead Organic Dairy at Corscombe.” On Saturday, June 18, Asker Meadows will be transformed into a celebration of the best local food and drink available in the area for the whole family to enjoy. An event spokesperson said: “As well as great food and drink to suit all tastes, mainly from producers and suppliers within a 25-mile radius of Bridport, there is lots of foodie fun and entertainment for the whole

family to enjoy. “There will be a children’s and teens marquee, cookery demonstrations by local chefs including Mark Hix, Gill Meller, Pam Corbin, Sally Fishcamp and Chris Chatfield. There will also be a cocktail making session by Dark Bear of Bridport, plus a festival tearoom offering a good cup of Dorset Tea with homemade cakes and scones, and live music by local musicians. “There will be over 60

local food and drink producers, and food to go caterers offering a whole raft of delicious food and drink for you to try and buy. The popular festival tearoom will be open, there will be live music and entertainment, a picnic area, a raffle with fantastic prizes, a children’s marquee and teen zone, cookery theatre, cooking competition and the Love Food Hate Waste Tent focused on how to save food from the bin to save money.” The spokesperson added: “With the overall theme for this year’s festival being ‘Reducing Food Waste’, in the #lovefoodhatewaste tent visitors will see and find out through a selection of demonstrations and talks from special guests, including eco nutritionist Daphne Lambert, on how saving food from the bin is good for our pockets and also for the planet.” Tickets are £5 on the gate or £3.50 in advance from the TIC or online at bridportandwestbay .co.uk/tickets Entry for under 17s is free.

Some top tips to reduce food waste n Before you go shopping, check what’s in your cupboards, fridge and freezer and create an ongoing shopping list based on your week to week needs n Make sure your fridge is between 0 and 5 degrees to keep food chilled at the optimal temperature and try to ‘rotate’ your fresh food stock (like they do in supermarkets) by eating older fresh foods first n Make good use of your freezer – store

leftover food and bread, which can be toasted from frozen. You can also make sandwiches with frozen bread in the morning and they will be thawed out by lunchtime n Plan your meals in advance - take food out of the freezer in time to defrost it before cooking n Use an online portion planner and find recipes online to make the most of your food

FOOD FESTIVAL TIMETABLE Friday, June 17 n Dorset Nectar Cider Tasting and Orchard Tour n Mini food festival at St Mary’s Primary School, Bridport n Bridport food and beer festival n Bridport Round Table beer festival at Asker Meadows n Paella and wine evening at Arts Club restaurant and bar Sunday, June 19 n Walking tour of sustainable Tamarisk Farm, West Bexington n Pizza night at Mercato Italiano (DT6 5BU) Monday, June 20 n Honey production: from flower to jar, Corscombe Tuesday, June 21 n Farm walk and tasting at Hollis Mead Organic Dairy, Corscombe (DT2 0NP) n Hollis Mead inspired bar launch at The Fox, Corscombe (DT2 0NS) n Wine tasting to celebrate British wine week with selected grapes and Soulshine Wednesday, June 22 n Fire in the Shire at Bridge House Hotel, East Street Friday, June 24 n Soulshine summer sizzler

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Vittles (food & drink) Karen Broad lives in Burton Bradstock, with her husband and two mad dogs. She ran The Mousetrap in Dorchester, has lived in France and loves discovering new food producers. Located on the Dreadnought Trading Estate in Bridport, you will discover a little flavour of Italy. Unpretentious and discrete Mercato Italiano hides behind an elegant, almost clinical façade that belies the ‘horn of Amalthea’ inside. It oozes simplicity, but it’s classy. Open the door and let your senses explore. This is ‘Little Italy’ in West Dorset. Someone once said: ‘When you love food, there are two things you really want to do: eat it and make it.’ A visit to an Italian deli is one of the greatest sensory extravaganzas on this planet. Sights and smells simply intensify your predilections, conveying you to Mediterranean climes and cosy trattorias. The earthy aromas of a ripening Toma Montanara, risqué and freckled with fennel and coriander or a silky smooth white Burrata, the chilled cabinet is a pure arousal of the senses. Displayed are brawny slabs of prosciutto, Copa, Mortadella, and salamis which wait with an eager anticipation to be thinly sliced and devoured along with a dish of olives, ruddy sun-dried tomatoes, and caper berries. Loaves of crusty bread sit randomly in a basket surrounded by sweet delicacies. The chink of cups and aroma of coffee, fills this stylishly unpretentious surroundings, it reminds me of cafés 40 years ago. Sofa filled establishments

BELLISSIMO: The deli counter at Mercato Italiano and, below, the cheese selection and, right, Italian pastries

Sensory extravaganza of Little Italy is just the job

then were somewhat dubious and best avoided! Offering breakfast, cakes, salads, panini, and platters, this small but bijou café is enchanting. Un bellissimo caffè. I had to try the salamino fennel, thinly sliced, fresh and creamy with a subtle ‘boom’ to the tastebuds of delicate sweet fennel. n Inspired, I made some tiny Italian pastries which are simple to make, delicate, crispy, but so moreish.

Ingredients 225gms butter 250ml sour cream 1 large egg yolk 700gms SR Flour Dash salt Filling 225gms finely chopped walnuts 225gms soft brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon Method In a bowl beat the butter and cream add the egg yolk and mix well. Add the flour and salt, mix well (dough will be sticky)

Refrigerate for three hours Blitz together walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon Divide dough into 8 pieces Roll out each piece thinly to a 10” circle, cut each circle into 8 triangles Sprinkle each triangle with walnut mix Roll up each triangle from wide end and place on baking parchment, point side down. Bit fiddly but persevere. Bake for 20 mins until light brown. Cool and sprinkle with icing sugar. Delizioso con caffè!

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

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

A flowery taste of summer sunshine

Gathering elderflower blossom is a simple pleasure – one task that no matter how busy I am during the short season, I get the dog and off I go. Taking the pup is ok as the blossom a) aren’t low growing and b) the dog won’t eat them. A bonus. You’ll have noticed elderflowers recently as they put on a show between May and mid June. The gorgeous blooms don’t last in a vase but the flavour can be bottled. Picked at their best, in full sun and with a heady scent, elderflowers make a wonderful cordial. It’s easy to do at home – you only need a day, sugar, lemons and elderflower blossoms. Make it, store it and you have bottled sunshine. The cordial will keep for three weeks in the fridge or can be frozen in ice cube trays or plastic bottles. Elderflower Cordial 4 lemons and 2 limes (zest and juice) 850 ml water 680g sugar (granulated is fine) 12 elderflower heads

Juice and zest the fruit and pop the juice aside until the next day. Gently bring to a simmer the water and sugar in a large pan. Meanwhile try to remove as much of the stems away from the heads as you can and discard. Do not wash the flowers as you will lose loads of flavour. Add the prepared elder and zest into the pan of piping hot liquid.

Steep the flower heads overnight covered with a tea towel. Next day add the reserved juice and strain through some muslin draped over a sieve into a jug. Pour into sterilised* bottles. *If you have a dishwasher pop the bottles through on a quick hot wash or wash in hot soapy water, rinse and put in an oven (200C/ Gas 6) for around 15 minutes. Allow to cool for a further 15 minutes.

Elderflower Cordial Fill a glass with ice and pour in a measure (according to taste) of cordial. Top up with either lemonade or soda. Add slices of lemon and lime. Elderflower spritz In a glass with ice pour over a measure of wine, add a shot of cordial and top up with lemonade or soda. Serve with a slice of lemon. Elderflower cooler 50g caster sugar 150ml lemon juice 250ml elderflower cordial 250ml gin 125ml sparkling water or lemonade Squeeze the lemons into a large jug . Dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice. Add all the other ingredients to the bowl and fill the glass with ice and serve with a slice. Take to the garden and enjoy! n Lizzie can be found in Upwey outside her cottage

every Saturday feeling her wares. Check out lizziebakingbird.co.uk or

follow her on Instagram @lizzibakingbird The recipe will be up on reels.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Down to earth

The special branch of Pagan beliefs PAGAN VIEWS by JO BELASCO

I never had a big wedding day with the fairy tale dress but I did have a wand. It was handmade for me by a Pagan friend on Facebook who I had never met and lived on another continent. It was a gift given freely as we had both suffered brain problems and felt a connection in our recovery. I say a wand, but Pan was also a walking stick, a staff and just about the coolest thing I had ever owned. Fire-blasted with my name and carved with healing intent, studded with carefully chosen gems, it was a physical manifestation of a how connections online can create magic. I liked very much that Norton Nearly, Pan’s creator, only used wood which had fallen from a tree, never harming a living tree. I lost the walking stick, maybe when I put it down to take a photo of a stream or a tree which was calling to me. Maybe I left the walking stick leaning on a standing stone, maybe someone else found it and that was meant to happen? Anyway, something occurred in between the owning of the wand and feeling connected to trees: Some trees more than others. I remember driving past a three sister tree near

LEAP PF FAITH: The Leaping Lady at the Valley of the Stones near Portesham

TREEHUGGER: The Magician Tree, the Three Sisters and, right, the row of trees at Martinstown and Pan the staff

Halstock and feeling a tug. Eventually, I had to go back and explore and all I can tell you is it radiated powerful energy. I hope you can feel it from the photo? There is an oak near Ashley Chase which I call the Magician tree. It always seems to be beckoning me towards it. I

think there might have been a oak grove there and I like to think in the past healing rituals were performed there. Maybe they still are. On the hill at the top of the Valley of the Stones near Portesham is another tree I visit. I call her The Leaping Lady as you can see from the photo. A leap

of faith of course! I am not good at knowing the type of tree but that does not stop me from feeling its energy. This line of trees (maybe beeches) near Martinstown seems to ripple with power… or is it just me? True, I am a card-carrying tree hugger, but can you blame me?

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Down to earth

The emergence of ‘a living flash of light’

Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown up sons and her spotty rescue dog. You can follow Sally on Instagram at Sparrows in a Puddle One glorious warm morning in lockdown two years ago, I sat by my garden pond transfixed by one of nature’s most amazing sights, the emergence of new dragonflies. With no school or their expected exams to go to, my boys joined me and it was very special all watching together. Dragonflies spend most of their lives hidden underwater as larval ‘nymphs’ but that morning, triggered by day length or temperature, a succession of them were climbing out of the water up the vegetation and emerging as adult dragonflies. The process took a few hours, as the new adult bodies needed time to harden

before they were able to fly. My resident house sparrows were taking a lot of interest too and although I tend not to interfere in the garden food chain, we couldn’t help being on a dragonfly’s side as it took its first flight and I did shoo a few birds away! Those that managed to dodge the birds and flew off out of the garden left behind the delicate thin shell of the nymph, an exuvia, still attached to the leaf. Continuing their life cycle, at this time of year I often see the females come to the pond to lay their eggs. The dragonflies I watched emerging were broad-bodied chasers and I’ve watched the female dip the end of her abdomen into the water again and again as she drops her eggs below the surface. Southern hawkers also come but with this species the female carefully lays her eggs in the

low vegetation beside the pond. All dragonflies are highly efficient predators on the wing, taking hundreds of smaller insects, such as midges and mosquitoes, and the names ‘chaser’ and ‘hawker’ reflect their hunting methods, with other species called ‘darters’ and ‘skimmers’. Summer is a great time to spot dragonflies in the garden or out in the countryside and The Dorset Wildlife Trust website can guide you through the most common ones you might see. These amazing creatures have been on Earth for millions of years, making them ‘living fossils’ and I am always thrilled to see them. Arthur Conan Doyle described their ‘gauzy wings and gleaming bodies’ but I think Tennyson in his poem The Dragonfly, described them perfectly as ‘a living flash of light’.

Exploring fascinating world of the humble gall 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 awardwinning Forager’s Calendar and in 2021 his Spotter’s Guide to Countryside Mysteries was published. Of the several hundred books I have on natural history and the countryside, one of my most treasured is British Plant Galls, by M Redfern and P Shirley. It enables me to identify most of the thousand or so galls that occur in the UK. I think most people will have seen the Oak Marble Gall – a hard, woody sphere on the underside of oak leaves, and perhaps the Spangle Galls, also on the underside of oak leaves, where they form dozens of small brown

rings. Apart from these, however, most go unnoticed. There is, then, much to explore in this obscure but fascinating world. My prize this year was the Currant Gall, again on oak, looking like dangling, immature Redcurrants. Galls are structures created by a plant for a parasite. The parasite may be a wasp, a mite, a fungus, a nematode worm, a bacterium or even another plant. The first two types are the most common by far. The purpose of a gall is to provide shelter, protection and food for the growing grub (or fungus etc.) – a gall is a fortified kitchen-diner. With wasps and mites an

egg is laid on some preferred part of the host plant where it releases hormones to stimulate rapid growth in the plant. It then directs the plant to form a gall. This is an unsophisticated process in many cases, forming a mostly undifferentiated ‘blob’ of tissue. Sometimes they are complex structures that need a bit more explanation. Quite how a plant manages to grow such intricate structures to the precise specifications required by a parasite is not truly known, but it may be that it transcribes genetic material into the cells of the plant, effectively changing the set of instructions the plant normally follows. This is natural genetic engineering of a most

sophisticated kind. The forms that galls take are very diverse: small curls on the side of a leaf, a cottony structure where the flower should be, spheres, ‘Sputnik’ shaped, hopshaped, swollen, twisted stems, the brilliant red and bushy Robin’s Pincushion found on roses and any and every variety of the aforementioned blob. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to identify if you have a book on the subject as most galls grow on only one host. Sow-thistles and Scabious species, for example, have only five galls, Saxifrages only two, Poplars, 18. Know the name of the host plant and you are almost there.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Down to earth

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

So there’s this incredible place with Tudor Castles, a secret city underground, preNeolithic sites, rare sea-horses and lots of dolphins and beach-combing to rival anywhere in the world! My American friends are practically drooling. Tell us about the secret city, they say. It’s a labyrinth of tunnels from when Portland was a world-leading quarry. “You mean they turned it into an urban exploring holiday experience?” Well, they could but like the world, Portland is at a crossroads. They may turn some of the quarry into a massive landfill site and the waste incinerator may go ahead but I don’t think the Portland people or Natural England or English Heritage will let that happen. More and more cruise ships are visiting Portland and some canny tour businesses are offering excursions in Portland and beyond. I think they are missing a trick or two in not looking into specialised tours such as urban exploring and beachcombing. But no one will want to go beachcombing if there is an incinerator and landfills with the inevitable waste transport that brings and the inevitable destruction of the natural world. As luck would have it I bumped into two very interesting fellow

Could this incredible isle be ruined by waste treatment?

TREASURE ISLAND: Left, Antje Rook looks at a piece of sea-glass and right, beachcomber and artist Sara Pearce at Castletown beach

beachcombers at Castletown beach. The first was Sara Pearce – a member of one of the five ancient families of Portland. Sara was particularly looking for sea glass and pieces of sea

crockery worn soft by the waves. She uses them for her art in pictures and cards which she sells at craft fayres such as the upcoming one at Fancy s Farm Music Festival on July 9.

Strolling along with her two border collies came Antje Rook, a textile artist involved in Artwey. Antje also enjoyed a successful search for some sea glass and told me some of the history of the underground city which she had photographed many years ago. My favourite find was a lovely smooth-edged piece of pottery. The castle on the beach was built in Henry the 8th’s reign. I wondered if he once snuck one of his six wives down for a romantic weekend. Could I hear the echoes of their lovers’ row which ended perhaps with Anne Boleyn lobbing a priceless vase out of the window which smashed to smithereens on the rocks below? Probably not, but it’s always fun to think of the origins of the booty you find.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Down to earth With the longest day, June 21, fast approaching, we are well outside hedgelaying season, but for Russell Woodham the longest day marks the changing season and the build-up to winter again. Russell, who lives just outside Dorchester, is three times National Champion in his class, carrying out the ancient tradition since 1999. As well as being a member of The National Hedgelaying Society, Russell has held NHLS Accreditation since 2007 and been a committee member since 2013. Russell always looks forward to September 1, when he starts another season of rejuvenating the surrounding hedgerows. Russell said: “When I’m out and about I’m always looking at the state of our hedges and thinking how good some would look if laid. If while out driving about and you see a branch growing horizontally, just a few inches to maybe a couple of feet high from the bank along a hedge line, there’s a good chance that was part of a laid hedge many years ago. “With the realisation of the good that hedgerows do for carbon capture, soil erosion and water run off or flooding and of course for wildlife in general, there is a bigger interest in hedges and their future.” Hedgelaying takes place over winter, which means it can be a challenging job because of the conditions Mother Nature throws at

HEDGING HIS BETS: Russell Woodham is three times national hedgelaying champion

Privets on parade: Living on the hedge with Russell

us. Russell works mostly across the Dorset countryside but ventures over the borders, even laying hedges in Brittany,

and over the last 23 years has laid miles of new hedges. Hedgelaying is a country skill and is thought to date

back as far as Roman times. Many different styles have evolved depending on location, the stock and the land, but all work to produce the same goals, to retain livestock, rejuvenate and old hedgerow and provide shelter for crops and wildlife. The theory behind hedgelaying is easy but the practice is not, it requires skill and experience to master the craft. Russell showcases his craft on social media, demonstrating the benefits of the Great British hedgerow and how to maintain them for the future. He runs courses over winter, passing on the skill and craft to others who hopefully might take it up as a job or a job change. n He can be found at dorset-hedgelayer.co.uk, on Instagram and YouTube.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Homes & Gardens x

Horticulture...

...with botanist Dr Dave Aplin

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

The pHacts about soil in the garden

West Dorset hosts a wide range of soil types. One of the important features of this friable earth is its pH, or degree of acidity or alkalinity. This is because it

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can dictate what you can grow in the soil and the fertility of the ground. If you want rhododendrons, pictured, azaleas and camellias to thrive in your garden then you must provide acid soil. Failure to give this will turn the leaves of newly planted specimens a sickly pale-yellow, typically with veins of darker green, a condition known as ‘lime-induced-’ or ‘interveinal-chlorosis’. The cause of this sicky growth is largely iron deficiency, and yet iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, so what is going on? Plant nutrients are only absorbed by roots when dissolved in water. This means each of the 13 soil-derived elements needed by plants must be in a soluble form to be useful. Despite iron being plentiful, alkaline soils makes iron largely insoluble leaving insufficient amounts for plants with a high iron demand. Consequently, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and others, collectively known as ericaceous plants turn yellow and become stunted in limy soils. Iron deficiency is one of the starkest examples of how the influence of soil pH alters nutrient availability, but it is far from an isolated

example. All plant nutrients are affected in some way by soil pH, but first it is worth briefly reviewing the pH scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 14. pH 7 is neutral, above this value soils become increasingly alkaline, below this value soils get progressively acidic. The 14-point scale is logarithmic (stay with me here…), this means pH 5 is ten times more acidic than pH 6, a hundred times more acidic than pH 7, and a thousand times more acid than pH 8. For the cultivation of most plants, pH 6.5 is considered preferential because it is the value that the greatest amount of nutrients is soluble and available to plants. Unsurprisingly, it can be very useful to know the pH of your garden soil to avoid buying expensive plants that will turn their toes up in your soil. pH can vary depending on what has happened to the site. In one garden I tested, there was a hundred-fold difference in pH between the back and front gardens, mainly a result of historic building work locally increasing alkalinity in one of the gardens. This meant plants could be grown in the back garden that would not tolerate the soil at the front. In acid soils, iron

availability may be sufficient to cultivate ericaceous plants, but other nutrients needed in large amounts such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium are often in short supply. This is because the soil’s acidity makes these elements insoluble causing chemical reactions that lock nutrients in the soil. The application of lime on acid soils allows these insoluble nutrients to become soluble. In the past, lime kilns dotted the countryside with the role of processing lime to spread onto acid soils to make them fertile by making nutrients available that were previously insoluble. At the other end of the pH scale, alkaline soils of pH 8 and above have reduced phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, boron, and manganese. There are ways of increasing and reducing soil pH to benefit particular plants. This can be achieved by applying lime or sulphur. However, it is sensible (and more economic) to focus applications to specific areas to benefit specific plants. For example, potatoes enjoy an acid soil, whereas cabbages are much more content in alkaline ground. Soil Values offers a range of soil testing services from a single test to multiple soil analysis. I also explain the meaning of the results and give recommendations for your specific purpose. n soilvalues.com

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Homes & Gardensx

Greener changes to building rules Upholsterer Mike Oaten has been bringing new life to old, worn or sentimental pieces of furniture for 35 years. From his base at the fabulous Redlands Yard in Broadwindsor Mike, the owner of Beaminster Upholstery, can be found sewing, stitching and practicing his alchemy to revive sofas, chairs, stools and footstools and any number of pieces with fabric, foam and feathers. And as a wood repair specialist, Mike is happy to turn the scratched and broken into smooth and functional, mending everything from

headboards to sideboards, sofas and chairs – even floorboards and carpets and turning forlorn gems into eye-catching masterpieces. Since striking out on his own just last year, he has never looked back. “I love what I do,” said Mike. “I really enjoy being given something old and worn and then turning it into something which looks new and fresh.

“This is so gratifying, especially when the customer is happy. “Just recently a customer brought in a very old chair, which had seen better days, and she told me it belonged to her late grandmother. “The chair was very special to her. “I reupholstered it and she was absolutely thrilled.” Mike cut his teeth at Relyon in Wellington and

from there has worked for companies big and small, attending a host of specialist courses, honing his skills where he is able to turn his hand to all things furniture and flooring. “I can repair and reupholster electrical recliners, sofa beds, fix the springs and recover. I love to see the transformation and now I am working for myself, I can take my time and really hone into want the customer wants.” Mike is able to offer advice and quotes plus timescales just from a photograph. Take a look at him at beaminsterupholstery.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture

Paws for thought about cats and dogs By Dan Goater Former journalist Helly Eaton has written a children’s book about a dog who ‘learns to speak cat’. The Mad Adventures of Freya Waggytail is based on the exploits of Helly’s Irish rescue dog after they relocated to West Dorset. Helly, who lives in Drimpton, said the book came about following a chance meeting with one of her ‘favourite artists’ Jenny Beck. Helly said: “When Freya and I moved to Dorset some years ago, I didn’t expect to immediately bump into one of my favourite artists, Jenny Beck, at the local village hall. “Although we’d never met before, we soon discovered that my rescue dog Freya looked identical to Jenny’s dog Holly. “That unexpected meeting has DATES FOR YOUR DIARY June 16 The Arts Society West Dorset will welcome speaker James Legard for Rethinking the meaning of Blenheim Palace at Bridport Town Hall on June 16 at 2.30pm. Visitors welcome £7.50 For more information visit taswestdorset.org.uk n Palooka 5, famous for its sci-fi surf sound, is playing at Clocktower Music on June 16 at 7.30pm. For tickets go to

now led to us creating a beautiful new children’s book called The Mad Adventures of Freya Waggytail, which is written by me and illustrated by professional artist Jenny.” Helly added: “This lovely, heart-warming children’s story is about an Irish rescue dog brought to England for rehoming – the trouble is, no one understands what she’s barking about. “Freya Waggytail soon learns

bridportandwestbay .co.uk/events and look under June 16. June 25 On Saturday, June 25 at 4.30pm, Music at St Peter’s in Dorchester offer their monthly, cathedralstyle Choral Evensong. The service includes music by Bruckner, Purcell, Radcliffe and Elgar. Graham Scott is at the organ and Ian Davis is directing. All are welcome to attend this service and are warmly invited to enjoy a glass of wine afterwards.

English from a well-meaning Burmese puss, but then gets laughed at by all the local animals for speaking ‘cat’. “Fun and crazy adventures follow as Freya Waggytail meets the local wildlife and other animals.” Discussing her background as a writer, Helly said: “I started on children’s comics for IPC magazines and Walt Disney, then moved into women’s magazines, plus freelancing for newspapers including the Daily Mail and Daily Express. “Later I became passionate about environmental issues and wrote a regular Living World column that won three awards and edited two new magazines Green Cuisine then Organic Life. “I also retrained in complementary medicine and practised and taught for some years in Sussex before moving

down here to lovely Drimpton eight years ago with my husband Robin, rescue dog Freya and several cats. “We had always wanted to move to West Dorset, but then things didn’t exactly go to plan. I later wrote a book Tales from the Wishbone Tree when Robin tragically died five years ago. The book was about how nature and a wise old tree helped heal my broken edges and save my sanity. “So being here has saved my life in so many ways – the village community has been so strong and supportive – and I’m now revisiting my previous and continuing love of writing for children, hence The Mad Adventures of Freya Waggytail.” n The Mad Adventures of Freya Waggytail, published by Austin Macauley, is available at bookshops and online.

Artistic talent at museum Beaminster is brimming with artistic genius, and The Nature of Music exhibition at Beaminster Museum is a showcase of the finest talent in the town. An assemblage of Beaminster artistic talent has been woven into and around the nature of music, but also around the idea that there is music within nature itself. The exhibition is alive with colour, rhythm and beauty, but don’t take our word for it, come and steep yourselves in it and

walk out inspired. The exhibition runs between June 25 and July 3 between 2pm and 4.30pm.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture

Drastic action on plastic by students for exhibition

An exhibition of posters, pledges and artwork by Weymouth College students on the environment will be on display at Dorset Museum from June 20. Plastics Are Not Fantastic features artwork created by students on various courses at Weymouth College to raise awareness of the ongoing climate emergency. More than 60 students contributed ideas and created posters during the 2021

COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow and formed part of a competition at the college. The students used a variety of creative styles and different media, including illustration, printmaking and collage. In particular, they focused on the dumping of plastics in the ocean, deforestation, the extinction of rare species, rising sea levels and most importantly, the pressing need to take preventive

action before it becomes too late. The ehibition can be seen on display alongside a selection of posters and artwork in the Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Community Space. Admission is free. The materials used for installing this exhibition are recycled or from sustainable sources. For more information: dorsetmuseum.org/event/plastics-arenot-fantastic

A career turnover for pâtissier Lyn After hanging up her rolling pin for the final time, former pâtissier and novelist Lynette Fisher has now penned and illustrated her first children’s book. Inspired by the day-to-day adventures of her ‘naughty’ Jack Russell puppy George, Lynette’s new book The Tail of George, Prince of Puppies also features original oil paintings by her. The Beaminster-based writer said: “I wrote this new children’s book during lockdown shortly after buying George. “I also started oil painting during that time, doing pictures of the dog, and I thought I would incorporate those paintings into the book. I think oil paintings have a timeless quality to them and I thought it would be something very different for a children’s book. The Tail of George, Prince of Puppies is basically an introduction to George and the mischief he gets up to. I’ve never owned this breed before – he’s

A DOG’S LIFE: Lynette Fisher with George and, inset, some of her paintings

lovely but he’s also very naughty. “I’m also working on a second book about George, which might have something to do with a day out shopping for hats that we had with my mother-in-law that turned

out to be quite fun and eventful.” Lynette Fisher is perhaps best known in Beaminster for running Le Vieux Four (The Old Oven in French) patisserie from 1991 until three years ago. During that time Lynette

wrote two recipe books and two novels, The Warmth of Waves and The Flowers that Bloom on a Dark French Night. Lynette said: “Writing a children’s book is a complete shot in the dark for me but I enjoyed writing it enormously. “I spent the first half of my working life cooking on yachts at sea and I’ve spent the best part of the last 30 years running the patisserie, but I decided a few years ago it was time for a change. “Sometimes people stop me in the street and ask if I could do a cake for them, for a birthday or something, but I always kind of side-step the question. “I love baking and I will always be a pâtissier, but I’m really enjoying writing and painting at the moment.” Lynette’s new children’s book will be available in local book shops in Beaminster but she is also pursuing a potential deal to stock the book with Waterstones.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture

FIVE STAR: Where the Spirit Leads (oil on board) by Alison Summerfield and, right, Liz Vonberg’s silk painting Beach Detail

Five go on show at Malthouse Gallery

An exhibition showcasing an excellent variety of work in different styles, subjects and medium is on at Malthouse Gallery, the Town Mill, Lyme Regis DT7 3PU until Thursday, June 23. Artists Liz Vonberg, Susan Paradise, Lesley Hook, Alison Summerfield and Lynsey Pickwell have contributed to the show, which is daily 10am to 4.30pm (free admission).See more on Instagram @fivegoto or townmill.org.uk

West End hits on way to Mapperton Classical music, West End and Broadway hits and the drama and poetry of Shakespeare are coming to Mapperton House & Gardens near Beaminster in a series of events this summer. From West End to Broadway brings stage musicals to life on Sunday, July 10 when Alison Carter, one of the country’s leading musical theatre performers, joins West End musical director John Donovan on piano to perform live renditions

from hit songs we all know and love. Open-air Shakespeare from the Castle Theatre Company takes over the gardens on Sunday, July 17 for two performances of The Comedy of Errors. Combining the farcical dilemmas of mistaken identity with the desperate search for love, this glorious play explores the blissful, chaotic and hysterical reunion of a long-lost family. Renowned cellist Steven Isserlis will be performing

in the intimate surroundings of All Saints Church, Mapperton in the evening of Tuesday, August 9. Acclaimed worldwide for his profound musicianship and technical mastery, cellist Steven Isserlis enjoys a unique and distinguished career as a soloist and chamber musician. He will be accompanied by pianist Melvyn Tan and the programme will include the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata and the Moscheles Sonata Op 121.

Back to the drama and Kick In The Head productions bring Three Men in a Boat, with Giles Shenton playing the part of Jerome K Jerome, on Sunday, August 21: a hilarious tale of men behaving badly while messing about in boats. There’s the opportunity to relax in Mapperton’s beautiful gardens and enjoy your own picnic before all the performances, so bring a picnic basket, chairs and blankets! n mapperton.com

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture

Spooky Men at school’s refurbished theatre The first performance at Dorchester’s newly refurbished Hardye Theatre is set to be staged on Thursday, August 4. Acclaimed singers Spooky Men’s Chorale will make a rare return to the town, having last performed here in 2017. Mark Radcliffe of BBC Radio 2 said of the group: “Inspired – and a triumph of choreography – …a fantastic night out is guaranteed!” Armed with no more than their voices, a nice line in deadpan and an illmatched set of hats, the Spooky Men have been gleefully disturbing audiences everywhere since 2001 with pin-drop beautiful ballads, highly

WELCOME RETURN: The Spooky Men’s Chorale will be at Thomas Hardye Theatre

inappropriate covers, and a swag of original songs. Don’t miss it! The Hardye Theatre at Dorchester’s Thomas Hardye School has had a

£1.35 million refit over the last few months. The new 400-seat theatre will see Dorchester Arts bringing bigger name acts to this venue, as part of its

commitment to providing a better performing arts offer to the county town. n Tickets at dorchesterarts.org.uk are £22 (£20 concessions).

Clairvoyant Baptiste behind bars By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The notorious clairvoyant in Peter Kaye’s Phoenix Nights, Clinton Baptiste, played by Alex Lowe, will be communicating with the afterlife in HM Prison in Dorchester on June 17 at 8pm. Comedians David Arnold and Louis Burgess will support Baptiste in the comedy night hosted by amateur comedian James Robinson of Heckle and Squelch, in the wings of the old prison, among the cells. “I was looking for somewhere different to host an event, as I like to try out different locations,”

location for various events. “I contacted the prison and went for a look around. It was brilliant: Such an amazing space. It has an element of spookiness and I’m sure if the walls could talk, they would have great stories to tell. Visually its great and there is a large atrium area that the wings spur off. I decided that I wanted to do run a show here and had been looking INSIDE for an act that would work STORY: Phoenix brilliantly with the venue. Nights’ Clinton “I was already aware of the Baptiste is at character act Clinton HMP Dorchester Baptiste, as he first appeared in Peter Kay’s said James. “I stumbled Phoenix Nights. across HM Prison “He is as spiritual medium Dorchester after seeing it was being used as a act and I thought what a

great combination with the Victorian prison here in Dorchester. I contacted Alex and he’s agreed to come along for the event.” James has been running the comedy club, Heckle and Squelch, which he started as a hobby five years ago and since then, he has hosted multiple events across Weymouth and Dorchester, raising money for good causes, including Weldmar Hospicecare, and he hopes to boost their coffers with the event. Cocktail bar Nook will be serving drinks on the night n Tickets are available at £20 from heckleandsquelch comedy.co.uk or on Facebook.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture

Get your skates on for society exhibition Winter may be a long time away but artist Paul Dilworth is exhibiting his Brewery Square Ice Rink in Dorchester at the Bath Society of Artists Exhibition in the Victoria Art Gallery, which features 389 paintings, many by artists from Dorset.

Legal firm renews support for arts Law firm Blanchards Bailey has renewed its ongoing partnership with Artsreach, which brings live theatre, music, dance and family shows to rural communities across Dorset. Now in its 32nd year, registered charity Artsreach relies primarily on grant funding and income from ticket sales to provide people in rural areas with the opportunity to choose and promote professional arts events in their local venue. The Artsreach performance programme runs through a network of around 50 volunteer promoting groups, with more than 140 high quality professional events staged every year, usually in village halls right across rural Dorset. The latest programme is

A LEGAL MATTER: Blanchards Bailey partner Lucy Mignot, left, with Kerry Bartlett, executive co-director of Artsreach

packed with eclectic performances from many exciting companies and performers taking place across a range of rural communities. Blanchards Bailey managing partner Paul Dunlop said: “We are pleased to continue our support of the arts and Artsreach, which brings an excellent and diverse programme of high-quality events to the rural communities we serve.”

Artsreach has been bringing professional entertainment to rural Dorset for three decades and is funded principally by Arts Council England and Dorset Council. The charity is also open to new funding streams, be it individual, corporate or legacy giving. Kerry Bartlett, Artsreach Executive Co-Director, said: “We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support from Blanchards

Bailey. The firm’s help enables us to reach out and reconnect with our communities and community spaces and continue to ensure that people in rural Dorset are able to access professional entertainment without having to travel miles.” The latest Artsreach programme includes performances by The Three Inch Fools, LAStheatre, Regents Opera, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and acclaimed storytellers The Devil’s Violin, in venues ranging from Shillingstone, Buckland Newton and West Stafford to Winterborne Stickland, Fontmell Magna and Litton Cheney. n Find the full programme, see artsreach.co.uk/whatson

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture The Beaminster Festival, known for bringing the best music, theatre, art and literature to the town, is excited to have Connaught Brass performing as part of this year’s much-anticipated event. Festival organisers are delighted to welcome this thrilling young quintet to perform at St Mary’s Church on Friday, July 1 at 11.30am. Connaught Brass are making quite a name for themselves as ‘fresh talent’ in the chamber music world, having already made their debut at the Lucerne Festival and London’s Wigmore Hall. The ensemble’s ability to manipulate and unify sound earned them first prize in the Inaugural Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition (2019) and the Royal Overseas League Mixed Ensemble Competition (2022). Beaminster Festival’s Artistic director Lois Pearson said: “We are thrilled to have Connaught Brass joining us this year. “They are fantastic young

FANFARE PLEASE: Connaught Brass are at Beaminster Festival on July 1

Brass in pocket and all set for Beaminster Festival musicians whose wide range of musical repertoire is bringing brass chamber music to the forefront of today’s musical world. “For our coffee concert they have devised an entertaining programme including favourites from

Porgy and Bess and West Side Story. “They are also working with and playing to six local primary schools and Mountjoy School during the festival.” Connaught Brass will be playing in St Mary’s Church Beaminster on

Friday, July 1 at 11.30am preceded by coffee served from 10.30am and a precoffee concert given by musicians from St Mary’s Academy, Beaminster. n For tickets and more information visit beaminsterfestival.com

Timeline of Dorset set to words and music Hear local schools and the community at the final performance of Dorset Songlines on Saturday, June 18 in Maumbury Rings. The free performance, from 12.30pm marks the end of a fantastic songwriting project by Dorchester Arts, Dorset Museum and DASP Music together with local schools and community choirs. Local composer Geof Edge has been

working with the museum’s team, Year 4 children from the 14 first schools in the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership (DASP) and adult members of local choirs – Viva, Heart and Soul, DCH choir and the Quangle Wangle Choir – to create music inspired by the amazing changes that Dorset has undergone during the last 250 million years. He said: “The words, phrases,

creative writing, and musical ideas produced helped me to begin the process of transforming the information into songs for each of the prehistoric eras. Each song reflects a particular period; from the Triassic when Dorset was a scorching desert, the Jurassic when Dorset was under a warm shallow sea, right through to the Quaternary when Dorset was in the clutches of an ice age.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture By Karen Bate karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

French composer Oliver Messiaen’s rapturous masterpiece is just one of the highlights performed by a top cast of principal players from major European Orchestras and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Cerne Abbas Music Festival between July 7 and 10. The musicians, who perform with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Salzburg’s Camerata, English Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Symphony, form the 12strong Gaudier Ensemble, who have been playing together since their Youth Orchestra days, and is chaired by BBC Symphony clarinet player Richard Hosford. The ensemble has descended on Cerne Abbas for the last 30 years, staying at the homes of locals for a week every summer to rehearse and perform breath-taking performances of worldwide acclaim to St Mary’s Church for an atmospheric and intimate experience. Richard said: “The appeal of the festival, seems to be the wonderful repertoire we are lucky enough to perform; the intimate and informal relationship between audience and performers and the particularly beautiful and acoustically perfect St Mary’s Church in the village of Cerne Abbas with its three pubs and tea rooms. “The musicians are put up in Cerne Abbas by

INTERNATIONAL QUALITY: The Gaudier Ensemble and, below, Richard Hosford

Gaudier Ensemble joining forces for Cerne concerts

amazing local enthusiasts who also organise the festival from start to finish. Spending a few hours on a summers evening in the company of great musicians clearly enjoying

themselves and performing close to the audience, has stood the test of time for this festival, which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary.” Dorset born and bred,

Richard now lives in Martinstown and works in London with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and travelling the globe. Richard said: “I set up the festival 30 years, with help from the village, and brought professional colleagues from major European and British ensembles and orchestras to perform in the wonderful acoustics of St Mary’s Church.” The programme contains a new work by Sarah Francis, a prize winner of the BBC Young Composer Award, entitled The First Swallow, which celebrates the arrival of the swallow in spring. The piece mirrors Sarah’s deep

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Culture

Crowdfund wildlife book

VISITING AGAIN: The Gaudier Ensemble have stayed in Cerne Abbas for the past 30 years

Writer Brian Jackman is calling for the public’s help to publish a book about Dorset’s wildlife. A long-time champion of ecotourism, Brian has been writing a regular column about nature in the Eggardon and Colmers View Parish magazine for ten years. Brian is now looking for help to collate these columns and publish them as a single ‘nature diary’ called Wild About Dorset. He said: “Wild About Dorset will have a cover

specially designed by the acclaimed Dorset landscape artist Liz Somerville, and stunning colour illustrations by Carry Akroyd. “Bradt Guides hope to publish the book in the autumn, but due to the financial constraints imposed by the covid lockdown, this can only be achieved with the help of a crowdfunder campaign. “Any additional donations will be divided between the Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Eggardon and Colmers Benefice.” The link is crowdfunder.co.uk/p/wildabout-dorset-1

Author’s Iceland inspiration appreciation of the natural world and this beautiful little bird. Richard said: “Another highlight is a performance of the French composer Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. This deeply moving work was composed while Messiaen was a prisoner of war in 1942. Together with other inmates he performed it in the camp that same year. With yet another devastating conflict in Europe, it is a very poignant time to be playing this momentous work.” This 60-minute work will be performed by Candlelight at 10pm on Friday, July 8.

The ensemble like to perform varied programmes, which include masterpieces by Brahms, Dvorak, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. “We are a group of friends who love performing together,” said Richard. “We play without a conductor in this wonderful church and the concert is one of intimacy between the ensemble and the audience. Even if people don’t know classical music, they can feel it. And if you stick your toe in, you might be surprised.” n For more information please visit cerneabbasmusicfestival. org.uk

A magical new children’s story book which was written in a café in Sherborne is about to be released. Skylark and the Dragon was written by Alison Slack – pen name Gigga Black – in the Bean Shot Coffee Shop in South Street after a trip to Iceland. The inspiration for the book came from the sea life there and two pet degus called Skylark and Victoria. The story tells the tale of grandparents Mr and Mrs Catchpole, who fly to Iceland on Hallowe’en and meet a dragon called Terence and his companion Skylark the degu. They have adventures in

France and Iceland and come across a nasty Kraken monster called Virginia. Alison said: “I grew up in Dorset and have lived in Sherborne on and off since I was 15. I speak French and would really like to go to the South of France to live. “I used to work in charity shops in Sherborne, Oxfam and Sue Ryder. I’ve also published two other books The Scritch and The Barnacles.” Skylark and the Dragon can be bought direct through the publishers Austin Macauley, Waterstone’s, Amazon, WHSmith and Barnes and Noble.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Constituency issues

with West Dorset MP Chris Loder

Jubilee celebrations happy and glorious

The Jubilee weekend was a triumph for Her Majesty The Queen in celebration both of her immense service to our country and the Commonwealth, but also of everything that makes our country so great. As of Monday, June 13, Her Majesty has just become the second longest reigning monarch in recorded history. But she has already earnt her place in the history books, not just because of the unprecedented acceleration of change that has occurred in the last 70 years, but by the deep and sincere respect and affection she commands across the world. I wish to pay tribute both to our wonderful Queen, but also the communities and

volunteers who put such an effort into these events and festivities that have made the vast majority of us united and proud to be British. n I attended Jubilee celebrations across the constituency including the Service of Thanksgiving at Sherborne Abbey as well as bellringing at Holwell Church and opening the Jubilee Celebrations at Cheselbourne. n Antisocial Behaviour has been a blight on the lives of many people across West Dorset. It is therefore great to see Dorset Police leading the charge against this through Operation Relentless, a

scheme aimed at cracking down on antisocial behaviour. Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick has recently announced a new Operation Relentless Community Fund that welcomes applications for grants in between £100 and £5,000. This new fund aims to support community organisations, projects or initiatives with a local focus that aim to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour. I very much support this scheme and will be happy to help with any bids if I can help. n Two weeks ago I visited RNAS Culdrose, a Royal Navy airbase in

Cornwall. Its main role is servicing the Royal Navy’s fleet of AgustaWestland helicopters, with most likely the majority having been built or worked on by West Dorset engineers from the Leonardo site in Yeovil. This is through the Armed Forces Parliamentary programme that I am participating in as MP to gather insights into our country’s defence force and the associated industries that train and employ many talented people from West Dorset such as Leonardo. Through this programme I will also be visiting RNAS Yeovilton this week. As always, please feel free to contact me through hello@chrisloder.co.uk

Politics

We’re better off today, despite the Conservatives What a historic few days. I sat down to write about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and how much Britain has changed over the last 70 years, then suddenly, the Prime Minister is barely surviving a vote of no confidence from his own MPs! As entertaining as the end of Boris Johnson promises to be, his career is an example of the failure to actually make a difference to anything that really matters. We like to think we live in an open, free democracy, where ideas are debated, the public makes a choice and the PM mostly does what he/she says they will – or at least that’s the theory.

By ANDY CANNING West Dorset LibDems

And yet, did you realise that in the Queen’s 70-year reign the Conservatives have been in power for 46 of them and Labour just 24. While here in West Dorset the Conservatives have won every general election since 1885. Despite often not winning 50% of the votes the Conservatives have had 100% of the local power. Surely this shows all but the most closed minded that there’s something not quite right about our socalled democracy. And yet, and yet. In spite

of the years after years of Conservative Government they have singularly failed to stop the wheels of progress or even slow them down all that much. Imagine you lived in West Dorset in 1952. What would people have thought then about legalising homosexuality, let alone gay marriage? Or sexual equality, safe effective contraception or legalising abortion? We may still not be there completely but today there are 225 female MPs compared to just 17 in 1952. Britain’s population has risen from 50 million to over 67 million and much of this growth has come from immigration. I believe we are both

culturally and financially better off for this greater diversity. Again it has been a regular theme from Conservatives to cut immigration but yet again, they failed. Finally, it has long been a Conservative mantra that they support the UK more than anyone else. And yet, it was their shenanigans that led to independence for the Republic of Ireland and their support for Brexit that is destabilising Northern Ireland and driving a wedge between Scotland and England. Personally, given a choice between living in 1952 or 2022 I would choose 2022 every time!

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Politics

We need to establish a dialogue before election I have recently been selected as the Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate for West Dorset. As such, and because of the ongoing situation regarding Boris Johnson, I can’t help wondering how likely it will be that an early General Election is called. Whilst May 2024 was the most likely date, it is surely only a matter of time before Johnson is forced from office, and a new Prime Minister may well want a mandate of their own. This prospect has got me thinking about how I communicate with you, the residents and voters of West Dorset. Yes, I’m fortunate enough to have this fortnightly column, and I write a weekly blog

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

(greenthoughts.me). We (the Green Party) also try to deliver regular newsletters through your door, but I’m the first to admit that none of this is enough. The main problem with these forms of communication is that they are one way; it’s either me telling you what I think about an issue, or us telling you what we’ve been up to. I don’t, by any stretch of the imagination, have all the answers to the problems we face. In fact I don’t even know all the questions. So I need to find a way of listening to your concerns

and developing more of a dialogue between us. Social media allows some degree of two-way communication, and I’m more than happy for people to contact me via Twitter (@kelvinclaytongp). My concern, though, is that social media exchanges can quickly descend into a simplified polemic. As a recent Radio 4 programme on the loss of nuance pointed out, in a world of increasing complexity we are more and more seeing things in black and white, yes or no, support or reject. But I’m sure that we in West Dorset can avoid this. Are there other solutions? Like I said, I don’t have all the answers. One option,

though, would be to pop along to my weekly councillor surgery and discuss your concerns with me over a cup of coffee. You can find me every Wednesday morning in the front of Soulshine, in South Street, Bridport, between 9.30am and 10.30am. Another option may be to do what some residents of Langton Herring did recently – invite me to a meeting of residents in their village hall. This allowed some detailed discussion of issues that were uppermost in their minds. Or perhaps you have other ideas. If you do, please contact me at cllrkelvin.clayton@dorsetco uncil.gov.uk

Dental health seems only for the wealthy I was talking to someone the other day who had moved to West Dorset in the autumn of 2021 and has still not been able to register with an NHS Dentist in the area. It was shocking to then discover that they are just one of a growing number of people struggling to find an NHS dentist or get treatment. A five-minute internet search quickly highlighted that this is not just a local problem but yet another example of how NHS services across the country are being eroded. Healthwatch Dorset encouraged local people to take part in a national Healthwatch survey which found that a staggering 41% of respondents said they found it difficult to book an NHS dental appointment, whilst one in five (20%) couldn’t access all the

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

treatments they needed. A third of all respondents said that as a result of not being able to register it had led to more serious problems and they felt that they had no alternative but to pay for private treatment. Indeed, one in six people said they had felt pressurised into paying for private dental treatment. The shortage of NHS appointments has hit people on low incomes hardest, meaning they are less likely to have dental treatment than those on higher incomes. The Healthwatch survey found that overall, 38% of the respondents felt less likely to visit a dentist, despite clinical guidelines recommending

regular dental check-ups to keep people’s mouths healthy. The situation is getting so serious that the National Director of Healthwatch England has stated: “The shortage of NHS appointments is creating a two-tier dental system, which widens inequalities and damages the health of the most disadvantaged communities. With millions of households bearing the brunt of the escalating living costs, private treatment is simply not an option, and even NHS charges can be a challenge. This needs urgent attention if the Government is to achieve its levelling up plan and tackle health disparities.” I would be happy to have a small wager that the majority of people reading this article have spent their lives

registered with a local NHS dentist and feeling safe in the knowledge that if they needed routine or emergency dental treatment they would be able to get it without much difficulty. That sadly is no longer the case. It is a damming indictment that once again access to NHS dental and other services is being denied and good dental health is becoming something only the better off can afford. It is encouraging that the British Dental Association has stated that “NHS dentistry should be a world leader, ensuring everyone gets access to dental care and good oral health outcomes, wherever they live and whatever their financial situation.” Unfortunately, their hopes and ambitions do not seem to be shared by those in government today.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Brain ticklers Arrow words Plans

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‘In truth’, online (inits)

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Wordsearch Booker Prize Winners

W N O S B O C A J D R A W O H

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1 2 3 4 5 6 8 13 15 17 18 19 20

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Sudoku

9 7

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For the solutions turn to page 70

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RESULT

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

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Super tricky puzzles

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword

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Brain chain (Hard version) 96

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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. 11

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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.

Across 1 Foreign currency some exchanged in arcade (5) 4 Failure by outsiders in party to produce old computing aid? (6) 10 Takes responsibility for cuts of meat? (9) 11 Duo forgetting quiet song (3) 12 Girl with love for cowboy’s accessory? (5) 13 Count approximate amount? (6) 14 Puny lodger’s spilt sticky stuff (6,5) 18 Fellow permitted to back female writer (6) 20 Surprise in a feature of Hampton Court (5) 23 Priest infused by belief (3) 24 Start to make a request by drinking haunt in front of green (9) 25 Train group of swimmers (6) 26 Psychiatrist, unusual leader with no end of guile (5) Down 2 I study carefully first of sacred images (5) 3 Narrator’s retrospective comment taking everything into account (3,4) 5 On radio, catalogue Hungarian composer (5) 6 Even out competition with a university (7) 7 Material for spinning a story (4) 8 Devotional song providing extra note and a line before mass (5) 9 Grey moonlit ground revealing a set of names (11) 15 Feeling elated, I hang about in house after turn (2,1,4) 16 Longed for period with study in retreat (7) 17 Noise from one in stable gets denial, we hear (5) 19 Forbidden time before a limited period of prosperity (5) 21 A US soldier with liberal energy is active (5) 22 Ship’s eating quarters in a disorganized state (4)

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Health & Wellbeing

Walking West Dorset

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

FROME VALLEY TRAIL: 7th WALK This is a six mile circuit and parts of it are soggy so you might wish you’d worn wellies. Park on street at West Hill, Charminster and walk west to join the A37 which has a pavement/cycle track that takes you south to a roundabout at which you take the first exit. All the land on either side is Access Land which you are allowed to explore on foot. After a while you’ll see a blue road sign stating that there’s parking in half a mile. Cross the road here, enter the water meadow and head towards the large bridge taking the railway line over the Frome. When you get to the riverside you can enter the fenced off anglers’ path and follow it downstream towards Dorchester below the north bank of Poundbury Hill Fort. Old maps will show you the public bathing place on the other side of the river. It’s on Access Land but difficult to get to nowadays. I’m told that the water’s quite deep

there. Carry on until you get to the weir at the former West Mill then turn left and shortly scramble up onto the road near Spar. Turn left past the garage, cross the bridge then turn right and follow the riverside path. I sometimes went for a lunchtime swim there in my working days. At the end of the path turn right then, at John’s pond, left and follow the path down to the White Hart, possibly diverting for a short circuit around the Local Nature Reserve. Cross the main road and take the path for about a third of a

mile taking you down Mill Street where I remember my relatives had no electricity but did have gas lighting. Cross the road by the bridge and enter the playing field which has recently been planted with hundreds of trees each with a plastic! wrapper. Follow the boundary of the field which is alongside the Frome until you get to the kiddies’ play area. There’s an old steam roller there, the chimney of which I stood on in about 1960. Rejoin the road, cross Grey’s Bridge, turn left along the path that takes you past the old swimming pool, over the

hatches and past a cottage. Then join a path leading west past Coker’s Frome Farm through a couple of fields until it joins a track by a ford. Turn right and head north to join a road where you turn left and go west for a quarter of a mile and join a path to the left that takes you south west past a pumping station and across a field to join the road at Lower Burton, just north of the Sun Inn. Take the path westwards through the Ilchester Estate yard and head north west across a couple of fields, the site of a medieval village, to Wolfeton where a path takes you north past some old cob walls to join the road at Charminster. Turn left and go down to the Church, diagonally across the Churchyard and up an alleyway to join the A352. Turn left then right, passing (or pausing at) the Three Compasses and soon you’ll be back at your car.

The very brightest and most talented free resources to help people relax and take stock.

youcantalk.net is a new wellness and mental health resource launched by Bridport-based duo Kerry Miller, pictured, and Alex Fender. It features lots of

Imposter syndrome: The persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills. People suffering from impostor syndrome may be at increased risk of anxiety.

If you’re troubled by this do me, and yourself, a massive favour and Google ‘Famous people with impostor syndrome’. Or just check this out linkedin.com/pulse/57famous-people-reveal-howovercome-imposter-charlesstevenson Read. Think. Who and what do you see? Try to tune into the possible

usefulness or benefits of impostor syndrome. What is it for? What is it trying to protect you from? Now consider the opposite, its uglier relative: DunningKruger effect, in psychology, a cognitive bias whereby people with limited knowledge or competence in a given intellectual or social domain greatly

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Health & Wellbeing

Celebrating outside helped us all heal Andy Cole is a reiki healer based in Middlemarsh. He specialises in planting for healing. The recent jubilee celebrations have given a much-needed boost to everyone’s wellbeing. With all the negative things in life at the moment with inflation, fuel increases and a general squeeze on household incomes, the respite of a few days’ celebrations has been welcome. This has given much needed healing to everyone, especially during those activities organised in parks and gardens – what better place to relax and receive the healing of plants and the great outdoors? When we are outside at these events, or just enjoying the green space outside, it is not unusual to see many people with their shoes off, walking on the lawn in bare feet. During the time walking on the grass, they are receiving healing that they are unaware of, in the form of natural

reflexology and energy transfer from the grass and the ground. You become connected with nature if only for a short while, but feel so much more content in your surroundings. Most people class the lawn as just a lawn, however the texture of the grass on your feet will aid in the relaxation process. The effect of this is calming and will help to relieve you of the stresses that you are carrying around with you. The lawn not only provides you with a place to relax, receive healing and natural reflexology, but is also a haven for wildlife, it provides shelter for bugs and small mammals, if allowed to go to seed it provides food for birds and the flowers are a source of nectar for bees. The clover family, being legumes, help to fix nitrogen in the soil. The grass clippings make excellent compost and provide a habitat for worms and other insects as well. This compost is a source of nutrition to put back onto the garden, and all the positive energy within this is returned

to the ground to start the cycle of healing again. Nothing is more satisfying than getting your hands dirty when working with the soil and compost as these provide a natural source of energy healing. Soil is the life-giving gold of the earth, its health and fertility support all life, one way or another its health is the health and well-being of all life. Without the earth and its energies nothing would flourish, it is vital to promote sustainable growth in All aspects of the natural world. By putting the compost back into the soil, it uses the unused

energies from the plants to recharge and fertilise the soil. By working with the soil, the energies we absorb will help to prepare out inner selves for the journey ahead. Plant of the week: Wisteria This plant can live for more than 100 years, it is seen as a symbol of everlasting wisdom. The vines are seen as searching and reaching out for new knowledge. It is viewed as a symbol of longevity and endurance, too. The energies from this plant encourage us to keep going when things get tough and helps us acquire the knowledge to overcome the currant adversity. Colour therapy based on the flower, white aids in our spiritual enlightenment and the purple restores the chakras by cleansing and balancing them. Mainly grown as a climber but can also be grown as a standard, often highly scented. Pruned twice a year, the long tendrils to keep it in check during the summer and the main prune done in the winter after the first frost when the leaves have dropped. Prefers a sunny position and free draining soil.

people can suffer imposter syndrome overestimate their own knowledge or competence in that domain relative to objective criteria or to the performance of their peers or of people in general. So instead of embarking on a neverending mission to prove something to or about yourself, to be absolutely certain that you are always right, why not just forgive yourself for not knowing

everything, and recognise that what you do know still has the potential to help others? There is no need to worry about being exposed as a fraud or impostor if you hold what you think you know lightly. In some way you’re an expert to someone, and people can still benefit from what you know.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Business

A net result for village broadband Wessex Internet has won two national broadband awards – after impressing judges with its work with villagers in Affpuddle. The tiny village had struggled with agonisingly slow broadband speeds for years before Wessex Internet managed to hook them up to faster lines last year. Traditional providers had left the village behind and speeds of less than 8mbp were common. Now villagers are enjoying fast broadband, enabling them to enjoy the streaming services other communities had been able to access for so long. The company, based in Blandford, won Best Rural Fibre Provider and Rollout Challenge Buster at the inaugural UK Fibre Awards 2022 for its work in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, beating internet

WELL DONE: Wessex Internet’s Zac Barrett, Minna Henderson, Emma White, Sally Sommers and Ludo Skinner at the ceremony in London.

companies from across the UK. Their innovative approach to network build and collaboration with the community to bring full fibre to Affpuddle has won the firm loyal customers, as well as the two awards. Resident Helen Frost said: “We switched to Wessex – very efficient installation. “Nice to speak to real people easily who took an interest in us and rang to check all was well.

“Straightforward switch and reliable and fast service.” Resident Bob Holman said: “We couldn’t fault them in any way. “We now have about ten times the speed we had before. “And the billing has always been fair, they ring back when they say they will and act promptly.” In a separate project, the challenge of connecting full fibre to the low-lying area of Lower Nyland in

Dorset which was prone to flooding was also recognised. Due to adverse weather conditions, the team worked round the clock to ensure that installations were complete within a tight timeline. This involved ploughing several kilometres of fibre and drilling under the A30 in wet, boggy ground conditions. Ludo Skinner, director of infrastructure at Wessex Internet said: “We’re honoured to win these two national awards. This really is testament to the hard work of our team. From the guys out in the fields building our network in all-weather to the teams in the office that serve our customers every day, everyone is passionate about bringing fast, reliable broadband to local communities and we’re proud of what they have achieved.”

Minister urged to act on procurement process West Dorset MP Chris Loder has urged the Government Efficiency Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg in the Queen’s Speech debate to break down the barriers to opportunity for small and medium sized businesses in public sector procurement and made the case for greater investment in the South-West. This followed a summit in Dorchester with Mr ReesMogg in which Mr Loder utilised his expertise from a 20-year career in the

SUMMIT: Jacob Rees-Mogg and Chris Loder

railways to encourage the Government to make it easier for West Dorset small business to access more business from public sector procurement processes.

Mr Loder said: “97% of all businesses in West Dorset are small or micro-sized. We have a real opportunity here with the Procurements Bill to allow the many of these to tap into the pool of opportunities in public sector procurements that are available and as of yet, not accessible for the vast majority of businesses particularly in West Dorset. “It was good to learn from the Minister (during our Dorchester Summit) that the Procurement Bill will

help those very small and micro sized businesses tap into the procurement system that for too long has been held back by bureaucracy or EU legislation. Such things as Closed Approved Suppliers Lists which I understand will be reviewed and this will mean a huge amount to rural constituencies such as West Dorset that have a large proportion of small and micro-sized businesses.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

with dorsetbiznews.co.uk A Dorchester-based business that recycles coffee cups into sustainable stationery has won an award for its green products. Coffeenotes won the Sustainable Stationery Product of the Year award at the Stationery Matters Awards 2022 held in London. Sarah and Mark Downey, who have been running printing firm Epic Print Ltd for the last 30 years, launched Coffeenotes last year, working with Cumbria- based papermaker James Cropper to create their writing paper. The company uses a trademarked design system called CupCycling, which they claim has recycled 120 million coffee cups into useable paper so far. A spokesperson for the

papers made from repurposed textile waste. “Further eco-friendly design details include a non-plastic coated wire which means the whole product can be easily

recycled. “This is their first win, and their second time being nominated for an award. “They received runner up in the Best Stationery Design category at the Paper Awards 2022.” The spokesperson added: “Did you know 2.5billion cups are thrown away each year in the UK? “Cupcycling is the world’s first dedicated recycling scheme for coffee cups. “The award-winning circular design innovation creates zero waste: transforming cups into paper. “Coffeenotes makes simple sustainable stationery. We make all our products at our family-run factory in Dorchester.” n For more information on Coffeenotes, visit coffeenotes.info

“Conference attendees will gain networking opportunities, a first-hand experience of the apprentice journey, advice in attracting and retaining the best apprentices and access to the latest labour market information.” Funded by Careers and Enterprise Company and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership and in partnership with BCP Council and Dorset Council, Dorset Careers Hub brings together employers, schools and colleges with the aim of helping young people in Dorset progress into promising careers. Rebecca Philips, strategic leader for Dorset Careers

Hub, said: “Apprentices are a really great recruitment option for small businesses and provide an exciting pathway for local young people looking to embark on a promising career. “We’re focused on dispelling outmoded negative perceptions and changing the way that students feel about the amazing range of ‘earnwhile-you-learn’ opportunities. “We have some expert speakers who have benefited massively from the scheme and who will be on hand to help others understand the process from both an employer and applicant perspective.”

Recycling firm up for the cup in green award Coffeenotes brand added: “The winning product, the Tailor’s Collection Wirobound Notebook, features writing paper made in part from upcycled coffee cups and cover

Learn about apprenticeship benefits

Small businesses in West Dorset are being urged to learn about the benefits of apprenticeships at a conference. The Apprenticeships 2.0 Conference is being hosted by Dorset Careers Hub on Wednesday, June 29 from 8.30am at the RNLI College in Poole. Organisers say the event aims to ‘change the perception of apprenticeships and show the benefits that taking on an apprentice can bring to businesses, both in the short and long term’. The spokesperson added: “Expert speakers with direct experience will provide real-world insights and help to demystify the

process with the additional aim of increasing the number and quality of apprenticeships offered in Dorset. “The event is completely free of charge and available to 50 business delegates from across Dorset. “It is being delivered by Dorset Careers Hub as part of its wider Apprenticeship 2.0 initiative which combines events and research to change perceptions and improve uptake in the county. “A head teachers’ business lunch, parent/carer careers and coffee morning, and a research project are also running alongside the conference.

The West Dorset Magazine, May June 20, 17, 2022 2022

Sport

Beaminster’s positive start to season By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Ross Baker from Beaminster Cricket Club has been talking to the West Dorset Magazine about a positive start to 2022, on and off the field. Having secured vital funds to improve facilities at The Memorial Ground, the club have opened their account in fine style on the pitch, and are currently leading Division 2 of the Dorset County League after six games. Ross is a stalwart of the club and the passionate driving force behind the club’s prosperity, fundraising, and development of young players. He combines his tireless work off the pitch with heading up the youth set-up backed up by a team of proficient coaches. Ross, pictured right, said: “It’s been a positive start on the pitch and we are proud to be at the top of the league but won’t be taking anything for granted. We haven’t yet played all the teams in the division

FIRST CLASS: Beaminster CC First Team pictured with sponsor Bridport Building Supplies and, below, some of club's rising stars celebrating a win

so it’s too early to get carried away, but we are pleased with the start we’ve made.” Ross stood down as First Team captain at the end of last season, handing over the

n Beaminster Cricket Club was officially founded in 1855, although it is believed that cricket may have been played in the village some 25 years prior to this, at a field next to the Holy Trinity Church and graveyard, now Trefoil House. Like many of the clubs in West Dorset and beyond, the club has moved home over the

armband to fellow club stalwart Chris Park, who has relished the opportunity. Ross said: “Chris is a real club man and he’s been playing with us for 25 years or more. He absolutely loves it and he’s doing really well in encouraging the team. I felt the time was right to pass over the responsibility and it gives me the chance to

years. For around 50 years from 1867, cricket was played in the grounds of the Horn Park estate, then between the wars, the club moved to a field at Parnham House. Once play resumed after the Second World War, the town council was gifted the Memorial Playing Field, which became home

focus on developing the youth coaching which is so important for our future.” Chris spoke of his pride in his appointment, while paying tribute to his predecessor. Chris said: “I was taken along to the Beaminster youth team by my dad in 1988, when I was around nine years old, and from then on I have been involved with the club at all levels. “I was handed the captaincy by Ross this year after he almost singlehandedly kept the club afloat and introduced a very successful youth set up and now this season, a second team for the first time in over 10 years. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to captain my home town club and build an identity that promotes a club that is an inclusive part of the community with enjoyment, kindness, respect and positivity as its core values.” The introduction of a Second XI, playing in Division 7 of the Dorset County League, has indeed been a positive. Ross said: “It’s been a great addition for the club, and good that so many youngsters are

for Beaminster Cricket Club in around 1950, with a new pavilion built on the western boundary. The ground has been regularly updated and improved over the years and, with the latest pavilion built by CG Fry in 2010, boasts some of the best facilities in Dorset. Beaminster still host annual matches to commemorate two of

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Sport

with a keen eye on future players getting proper match practice. The captain of the Seconds, Dan Spiller, has been incredibly passionate and supportive of the new players, and they’ve already got a win under their belt. “It’s great for us to be able to call on second team players if we’re short in the Firsts too, as they will have the benefit of competitive match practice, which is invaluable. The only negative really is that there are quite a few blank Saturdays, and it would be better for them to be playing every week so they really get into the swing of things as a group.” Dan said: “It’s my first full year as captain but I’m really thrilled to be responsible for such a great group of players. I’m a Beaminster lad myself and I have many memories of the following and playing the game in the town. It’s a real privilege to be involved with such a dedicated team behind the running of the club. “The Second XI is all about helping the next group of young players into the game we all love. As such, there’s a mixture

of adults, young players and parents who are involved each week. It’s really rewarding to see the younger players take their first steps into league cricket. We play our cricket the right way on the pitch and encourage each other to improve our skills in an environment that is respectful and inclusive, as well as being competitive and fun.” The club’s fund-raising exploits in the spring have enabled them to upgrade and refurbish many of the tired facilities at the club, helping to attract young talent. Ross said: “We set out the vision some time ago to drive engagement from young players in our catchment, and it is starting to pay dividends. We are seeing upwards of 60 youngsters each week across our three junior teams, and All Stars and

Dynamos, and are pleased that many of them are sticking at it and progressing. Many of our youth players are now turning out for the Seconds, and we just want to keep that production line going.” The club has stiff competition to attract young talent, with other teams in West Dorset always recruiting, and North Perrott across the border in Somerset having a particularly strong set-up. In order to attract local talent, the club have introduced a number of measures aimed at young players. These include the waiver of match fees for all under 18s and a 50% discount for those aged 18 to 24, together with a bursary for equipment for young players who play a minimum of 10 league matches in a season.

BEAMINSTER CRICKET CLUB FACT FILE Founded: 1855 Ground: The Memorial Ground Playing Field, Hogshill Street, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3AE TEAMS: First XI:Dorset Cricket League Division 2, Second XI: Dorset Cricket League Division 7, U16s, U14s, U10s, All Stars, Dynamos. OFFICIALS: President: Cleeves Palmer Esq. DL Chairman: Ross Baker

its club greats, with current and past players competing on Spring Bank Holidays in the Brian Newbury vs. Maurice Hannam match, which is a homage to the 1955 Centenary Match between a President’s XI and Captain’s XI. In recent years, the club has overcome financial challenges due to lost revenue owing to the

Vice Chairman: Simon Jones Secretary: Nick Hollely Treasurer/Fixture Secretary: Nikki Moss Youth/Coaching Coordinator: Ross Baker First Team Captain: Chris Park 2nd Team Captain; Dan Spiller Youth Coaches: William Moss, Keith Cudmore Adrian Everitt, Rob Pepper Welfare Officer: Nikki Moss

pandemic and has continued to recruit in the face of fierce competition from other successful local clubs. According to club chairman, Ross Baker, the club is now on a sound footing, with a strong and stable committee passionate about a club which is inclusive and progressive. On the pitch, the team have

There is still work to be done on the facilities at the Memorial Ground and the next priority is the replacement of the artificial wicket on the club’s practice ground. “The replacement of the strip is long overdue and it’s been down for well over 20 years. We’re hoping that we can find a sponsor for the work which cost in the region of £710K. It will have a lifespan of 15 years or more and a business could have its name on the pitch if we can find a company willing to support the project. “Cleeves (Palmer, the club President) has been great at on-boarding business sponsors and we offer a Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsorship package. He has been really successful in agreeing three-year sponsorship packages with a few local businesses, which ensures that we have that sustainable funding in place.” To find out about playing cricket at Beaminster, or supporting them commercially, please contact the club via their website beaminstercricket.co.uk

enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent years, including a stint in Division 3 following successive relegations. With the focus firmly on fostering good, young talent, Ross hopes that they can achieve promotion back to Division 1, although the greater success will be in ensuring the long-term stability of the club for years to come.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Sport Christchurch CC 1st XI 104 (31.1 Overs) Dorchester CC 1st XI 253 (49.1 Overs) Dorchester CC 1st XI won by 149 runs - Christchurch CC 6 points; Dorchester CC 20 points Dorchester Firsts returned to winning ways with an emphatic win at Christchurch, dismissing the home side inside 32 overs. Batting first, Dorchester build to challenging total, with Eral Anderson and Guatham Rajendar both hitting fifties while putting on 109 for the third wicket. Jon Legg, returning from a strong showing for Dorset Development XI in the week, made an unbeaten 36 to help his team reach 253. The run chase always looked beyond the hosts, with two early wickets from captain Dan Belt and one from James Dunham, leaving them languishing at 19 for 3. Jack Owens then took centre stage in an impressive all-round Dorchester performance, bagging 4 for 25 from his nine overs, and it was left to Rob Nobbs to polish off the Christchurch innings with his second wicket of the afternoon. Martinstown CC 1st XI 234/9 (50 Overs) Broadstone CC 1st XI 235/4 (35.1 Overs) Broadstone CC 1st XI won by 6 wickets – Broadstone CC 19 points; Martinstown CC 7 points Martinstown 1st XI were unable to defend a respectable total against inform Broadstone, who eventually ran out

comfortable winners thanks to an unbroken partnership of 116 for the fifth wicket, with Matty Whittle making 74 not out and Caleb Rowe an unbeaten 64. Martinstown’s bowlers had chipped away at the top order, but Whittle and Rowe quickly took the game away from the visitors, with Rowe’s knock coming off just 37 balls and including eight sixes. Earlier Martinstown had won the toss and elected to bat, and gave themselves a chance of victory with a competitive total. Ed Nichols led the way with 46, with good support coming from Ry Gerety (38), Ryan Blair (37) and Matt Camp (35). Despite the loss, Martinstown took 7 points from the game, and return to Ashton to play Cattistock & Symene on Saturday, June 18. Poole Town CC 1st XI v Bere Regis CC 1st XI Poole Town CC 1st XI 172/9 (50 Overs) Bere Regis CC 1st XI 84 All Out (35.0 Overs) Poole Town CC 1st XI won by 88 runs – Poole Town 18 points; Bere Regis CC 1st XI 4 points Bere Regis CC fell short in a low-scoring game at fellow high-fliers, Poole Town CC, with home bowler Scott Bellamy, claiming 5 for 22. Bere Regis invited the home side to bat first, and did well to peg Poole back after their openers had put on 84 for the first wicket with George Moses making 41 and Jamie Bennett, 33. Dean Rogerson with 3 for

25 was the pick of the visitors’ attack. In reply, Bere Regis adopted a cautious approach on a wicket which favoured the bowlers. Many of their batsman took time to play themselves in, but found runs very hard to come by. Cameron Robertson topscored with 20, but the visitors lost wickets regularly and slipped to their first defeat since the opening day reverse to table-topping Wimborne & Colehill. Sherborne CC 1st XI 125/9 (50 Overs) Wimborne & Colehill CC 1st XI 127/4 (35.5 Overs) Wimborne & Colehill CC 1st XI won by 6 wickets Wimborne & Colehill CC 18 points; Sherborne CC 3 points Wimborne & Colehill maintained their 100% start to the season at The Terrace, with an outstanding bowling display from Jake StainerReid helping them to overcome a spirited Sherborne side. Stainer-Reid took 4 for 11 from his 10 overs, including the crucial early wickets of Ryan Monk and captain Shane Pulling, who both fell without scoring to leave the home side facing an uphill battle at 10 for 2. Josh Lawrence compiled a patient 33, and aided by some useful contributions from the middle order, Sherborne batted through their overs to give their bowlers something to defend. Unfortunately the Sherborne attack were

unable to take the early wickets they needed to make a real game of it, with openers Colin Randall (40) and Ben Brigden (17) sharing in an opening stand of 49. Mark House added a patient 25 to take them to the brink of victory, and they duly sealed the win with wickets and overs in hand. Next up for Sherborne Firsts is a trip to reining Premier Division champions, Dorchester. Bere Regis CC 1st XI 269/7 (50 overs) Cattistock & Symene CC 1st XI 70 All Out (23 overs) Bere Regis CC 1st XI won by 199 runs – Bere Regis CC 20 points; Cattistock & Symene CC 3 points. Sam Goodhew picked up five wickets for just five runs as Bere Regis Firsts coasted to victory over Cattistock and Symene 1st XI, helping to dismiss the visitors for just 70. Only Wes Lewis was able to trouble the home side’s attack, making 31 before falling to Matt King, who finished with figures of 314. Having been put into bat, the hosts had earlier racked up a commanding total, with opener King leading the way with a score of 77. King looked well set for a century before falling victim to Ollie Legg. Other useful contributions from Bere Regis’ middle order kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Legg and George Wyrill both picked up a trio of wickets each for the visitors, who are still searching for their first league win.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Sport Bridport Bowls Club By Laura Taylor Bridport Bowls Club celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a fun day, where the bowlers had to navigate six different stations with points up for grabs at each. The special equipment included a target, a ramp and skittles, buckets, a goal post with guards, a raised target with holes to aim for and a casting-the-jack task. The winning squad was headed by Jill Willcox, and the players then enjoyed an American supper with all members contributing to a very well stocked table. Fortunately, the rain held off and a great afternoon was had by all, including several new club members. In competitive bowls, the club’s teams enjoyed mixed fortunes. Bridport men, depleted by injury and illness, still managed to field two County teams. Away to Melcombe Regis in Weymouth, the rink of Taylor, Kennedy, Tibble and Langdon had a runaway win of 28-9. Scott, Rumble Smith and Jones shot into the lead but dropped nine shots in the last three ends and lost by just three shots. The overall score was equally disappointing with Bridport losing by one shot, so gaining just the two points for a winning rink. Bridport A were away to Lyme Regis, and the team of Crimp, Coram, Griffiths and Bartlett were the only winners. Duthie-Jones, Greenfield, Stone and Wilson picked up seven shots in the last two ends but still lost by four, to give

JACK HIGH: Bridport Bowls Club Platinum Jubilee celebrations PICS BY JIM GREENFIELD

Jubilee celebration at club’s day of fun

Bridport A just two points. Bridport A were away to Dorchester A in the South Dorset league, where the team of Medland, Brooks, Shortland and Thorne won by eight shots, gaining two points. At home, Bridport B entertained Dorchester B and, in a closely-fought contest, had to settle for just two points gained by the one winning rink of Aylott, Stocks, Pomeroy and Seadon – and it was great to see Fred Pomeroy back in action following illness. Monday evening saw Bridport at home against Portland Victoria with two winning rinks and the points for overall score, so eight points in total.

Honours to Medland, Brooks, Shortland and Thorne. The losing rink of Kenyon, Rumble, Smith and Jones were really unlucky to lose by one shot against stiff opposition. Bridport A were away to Portland Borstal with one winning rink of Pomeroy, Aylott, Bourne and Wilson. There were just five shots between the teams on the overall score. More good, and unexpected, news on Tuesday for the Ladies, who were playing at home against strong opposition in Poole Park, and ended up with two winning rinks and all the points. The team of Mackenzie, Strange, Seadon and Willcox were trailing until the 19th end when they took a one shot lead, dropping one shot on the 20th and going into the last end equal. Jean Seadon managed to secure a shot for Bridport, thus securing the extra two points. On Friday, 10 ladies travelled to Dorchester to play their National Top Club competition with four

disciplines and one point for each winning one. In damp and windy conditions, the club’s singles player, Pamela Daters, was first to win for Bridport, although Dorchester then won the triples to tie the game. The pairs finished next, with Bridport winning their round so all rested on the team of four who were the last to finish. They went into the last end all square at 18 shots each and the last end was a tied end where both the measure was so close they could not be separated, meaning that Bridport Ladies triumphed by 2 ½ points to 1 ½. Lyme Bowls Club Lyme’s ladies were unfortunate to lose against Greenhill in the Top Club, tying the disciplines at two each, but losing out on overall shot difference. Result: Ladies Top Club: Lyme 65 Greenhill 80 Singles: Lyme 21 Greenhill 12 Pairs: Lyme 17 Greenhill 16 Triples: Lyme 12 Greenhill 30 Fours: Lyme 15 Greenhill 22 It was a successful week for Lyme Men’s championship side, winning 82 away to Shaftesbury. Dorset Men's Championship Lyme 67 Shaftesbury 60 R Hunt, A Nabarro, S Pomeroy, P Pomeroy 22-24 S Dowling, B Driscoll, C Barber, B Rattenbury 25-19 P Moffitt, T Allman, A Weech, C Stephens 20-17 Friendly Results Lyme 49 South Dorset B.A. 52 C Boyle, E Sarson, A Darvill 13-17 B Moon, J Maslen, P Weech 21-19 J Moon, D Sarson, A Weech 15-16. Lyme 96 Topsham 115 K Berry, B Parsons, N Benson, N Driscoll 13-18 J Berry, D Sarson, K Barnes, P Weech 24-10 T Allman, E Sarson, J Sherring, P Moffitt 12-19 S Dowling, J Moffitt, S White, H Dowling 7-35 J Moon, A Sherring, A Darvill, A Weech 26-10 J Parsons, J Bishop, B Driscoll, S Rowe 14-23

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Sport

n Manager's Player of the Year award went to Aaron White

n The Top Goalscorer award went to striker Alex Murphy

n Player of the Year trophy awarded to Tom Budden

n Clubman of The Year winner Spencer Crampton

Zebras celebrate title-winning season Sherborne Town celebrated their championship-winning season at their presentation night, toasting their most successful season in recent times. The evening was hosted by the Zebras’ main sponsors, Nuova Italia, in Ilchester. In such a successful season, there was no shortage of candidates vying for the top awards, however Tom Budden was recognised by both teammates and fans alike to win the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year Awards. The Clubman of the Year

accolade was awarded to Spencer Crampton. Freescoring striker Alex Murphy scooped the trophy for top goalscorer, while Aaron White was the pick for manager, Wayne Jerome. The event was partly sponsored by Transolva. The Zebras’ commercial manager, Sam Bowers, said: “We would like to thank Transolva and Nuova Italia for looking after us so well on the night as usual. We’d like to thank everyone who attended on the night and who has supported us during the season. A good time was had by all.”

n The Zebras' Players' Player of the Year, Tom Budden

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Agriculture You herd it here first...

with Rachel Hayball

Oh yes – we ALL hate sheeting the pit

Rachel Hayball is a mum of six from Beaminster. She is a herdsperson, has a small flock of sheep and sells lamb. As everyone has probably noticed it’s that time of year again. Everyone is busy making silage. The grass has grown to the right length, the weather forecast is right for a few days and off everyone goes. Grass being mown, foragers and wagons going from field to field and farm to farm, and lots of people working long hours and eating breakfast, lunch and dinner in their tractors leaving their partners feeling like ‘silage widows’. There is a bit of a buzz around making silage. Initially it’s rather fun. Then it starts to get a bit boring and repetitive and tiring, and then it’s time to sheet up the pit. We all hate

sheeting up the pit. There are lots of different ways to do it. Some people use cling film, some don’t. Some use tyres to keep the main silage sheet down, some use sandbags, some use weighted net. It doesn’t matter what you use – we still hate it. First, you have to climb up the huge mound of well-rolled mown grass. This is like climbing up a large, springy mattress, initially nice on your feet but later you feel it in your legs. Then you have to put on the cling film, or plastic sheet. Now remember how your grandmother used to fold a sheet? Everyone used to grab a corner and you used to work together to fold it. Imagine that the sheet was wider and longer then your house and mega heavy. You need to grab a corner and make sure every part of the pit is covered. If not you risk ruining the silage. Now your legs are hurting due to walking up and down the giant green springy plant

mattress and your arms are hurting due to playing tug of war with a sheet, but you can’t stop because you have now got to repeat the above with a weighted net, or carry sandbags over your now plastic-covered, slippery, grass mattress, or you may have to play musical tyres... without the music or the prizes. You have to carry the tyres from the heap where they were chucked when the silage was uncovered and carry them onto the pit and lay them down until every bit of sheet is under a tyre. Those tyres have spent months in a heap catching every last bit of rain. That rainwater sits in the tyres and becomes smelly and slimy and if you are really unlucky several stinging nettles have also moved into the tyre along with a dead frog and some crosslooking beetles. By this point in the day you are tired and just want to have dinner and go to bed. So you

are trying to get the job done as quickly as possible and are grabbing tyres and chucking them like you are in some sort of weird TV competition where you might win a new iron or a holiday to Skegness. You pick up the tyres, sting yourself and pour all of the contents down your leg repeatedly. By the time you finish for the day you are not sure if you are human or some sort of dirty-smelling relative of Shrek. But it’s done. The grass is in, the pit is sheeted down and the grass is now on its way to becoming silage for winter.

Business is blooming for flower entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs Amy Ralph and Emma Hughes have a growing business in more ways than one. The pair launched a pick your own flower farm on a totally empty site in the middle of Abbotsbury, near the old Children’s Farm just last spring, but they are already seeing their start-up bloom. They had a very busy summer of PYO flower visitors, wedding flowers, workshops, open days and even a hen party last year. They also started supplying bouquets to Ducks Farm Shop and Rise Bakery, as well as supplying local florists.

Amy said: “It has been a brilliant first year – beyond our expectations! We knew PYO would be fun, but we hadn’t realised how much the public would love it. We get whole families coming down, often several times during the summer, and they love the total escapism of slowly filling a vase in the sunshine, surrounded by the ruins and the duck pond.” They have several events planned this year, including an open garden event with neighbouring gardens, Flowers From The Farm’s Big Weekend and a photographic competition. They have started

selling in Groves Garden Centre, and have planted many more flowers, especially dahlias, which were a PYO favourite last season. They also hope to work with Dorset Wildlife Trust to manage their wildflower

meadow this season. Emma said: “We’ve had such a warm welcome from the village, it’s been lovely. Lots of neighbours have become friends, and Abbotsbury is a lively village with lots of garden and artisan businesses, so we’ve slotted in well.” With the growing awareness of the environmental impact of cut flowers, British flowers are increasingly popular. Amy said: “People are much more aware of air miles and carbon footprints, but will still buy supermarket flowers from Kenya or Ecuador without realising the harm they do.” abbeyfarmflowers.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Agriculture

And the beauty of it all: You’re being Farmers in West Dorset have been given hundreds of thousands of pounds in grant help to carry out projects that help the environment in the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). The area covers a great swathe of West Dorset, and the AONB encourages positive projects via the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, which awards cash to farmers and land managers to ‘support nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to engage with the ROCK OF AGES: landscape and cultural Kingston Russell Stone heritage, or support nature- Circle on Gorwell Farm and, right, the friendly, sustainable farm threatened Duke of businesses’. Burgundy butterly J W Finding (Farms) Ltd just outside Dorchester has been awarded £120,000 n All projects over three years to plant t end by March mus 3.6km of hedges on its 2024. Regular Local dairy/arable farm to Assessment Panel meetings contribute to carbon are held throughout the year, so el, to be considered at the July pan sequestration and re June 30. befo ly grassland to enable app increasing AONB It’s best to contact the Dorset exclusion of cattle biodiversity. team to discuss your application during the most Around 10km of before submitting. .uk/ .org onb sensitive periods of the seta dor to n Go access routes will be resource/farming-inbutterfly lifecycle. That supported that link protected-landscapes to project was also awarded people in Dorchester and find out more nearly £10,000. Martinstown with the Langham Farms near Protected Landscape Ansty was awarded nearly with the crops helps to around Maiden Castle, £2,500 to formulate a Winterborne Herringston minimise soil erosion and management plan for and Winterborne Monkton. improve local water future scrub removal on Watcombe FFP in the quality, lowering flood risk their 37ha project site. The Charminster St Mary’s at the same time. site contains two sites of ward was awarded nearly At Higher Hill dairy farm nature conservation £10,000 over two years to in Plush, a large breeding interest (SNCIs) noted for colony of the threatened plant fast growing crops their grassland habitat. between July and February Duke of Burgundy The newly-formed Long butterfly is being protected Bredy Farmer Group to improve biodiversity. by fencing off part of the The covering of the soil were awarded £7,500 to

develop a habitat creation and restoration plan for the five farm business. FWAG advisers worked with farmers to produce an overarching landscape scale and farm-specific plans to help them increase the resilience of the business to climate change and increase biodiversity. At Blackdown Nature Reserve they have replaced 1,915m of worn out exterior fencing to enable better management of cattle, and therefore grazing, to restore the heathland site and increase the area of high quality

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Agriculture

given grants to make it all beautiful

BEAUTY SPOTS: Some of the Areas of Natutal Beauty across the county and, left, Maiden Castle, near Dorchester

habitat there. They were given £16,100 to help them do this. Gorwell Farm, which has sites of local and national importance, including the Kingston Russell Stone Circle and Grey Mare and her Colts, as well as a network of access routes, was awarded just over £26,000 for a project strengthening connections between people, nature, and historic landscapes. The project also enhanced biodiversity along the existing rights of way that pass between the South Dorset Ridgeway and

Tennant’s Hill. Hogchester Farm in the Marshwood Vale was awarded £43,800 over three years for its meadows expansion project, aiming to increase the availability of local wildflower seeds for meadow restoration projects, by purchasing a brush harvester suitable for use on small sites, and training local people to use it in a not-for-profit venture. Coppet Hill Bridport was given just over £1,000 to set up a safe forest school area, predominantly for Symondsbury School, the

local primary school to use four days a week. And Home Farm, near Thorncombe received over £5,000 to send a farmer with tenancies at Mapperton and Sadborow to attend a well-renowned soil health training programme to assist with developing and sharing more regenerative practice. Pitt Farm, in Whitchurch Canonicorum, will be reinstating a 30-tree former orchard, using traditional varieties with the help of volunteers. They were awarded just shy of £7,500.

n Much of this year’s funding is now allocated, but applications are being invited for the next round of funding. If an applicant will not make a commercial gain through a project, they could receive up to 100% of the costs. Where an applicant would benefit commercially from a project, they could receive between 40% and 80% of the costs through the programme, depending on how much commercial benefit the project will give them. Other organisations and individuals can apply, as long as they do this in collaboration with a farmer or land manager, or in support of a farmer or group of farmers. Common land is eligible for support through the programme. You can apply as a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together. There are many examples of the type of project that might attract funding. They include: n Re-wiggling a straightened watercourse, for the biodiversity and natural flood management benefits this can bring n Replacing stiles with gates on public footpaths to promote easier access n Restoring drystone walls n Conserving historic features such as lime kilns n A pop-up camping facility, alongside the provision of new walking trails and on site activities, including eg: stargazing and dawn chorus walks n Whole farm planning for conservation, energy efficiency and economic resilience, including in farmer clusters

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Agriculture

Gemma was my favourite of the flock of feed and in the blink of an eye, we were off. Movement papers completed; we drove them back to the summer grazing on the hillside in our village. We left Gemma back at the field with her lambs as it was easier to keep a close eye on her there. The ewes did not look at all perturbed to be separated from their lambs, and in fact went onto the fresh grazing, munching greedily as they went. The lambs however became very vocal about the milk disappearing. Sadly Gemma, despite our best efforts, passed away after 10 days of stripping the infection out and antibiotics, the infection spread across her stomach area and her lack of

Mud-phobic Tria Stebbing lives on the outskirts of Sherborne. She keeps sheep, is working on her first book, and works in a village school.

So, following on from our dilemma with the lambs we decided that they should come off of the ewes. Two weeks ago, I reported that Gemma had mastitis and we were wondering whether to remove the rest of the lambs from the ewes. Unlike the Poll Dorsets the Zwartbles ewes loaded into the trailer without any fuss, the lambs were distracted by a bit

condition due to having triplets, made her too weak to fight the infection. Any decent farmer will tell you that we are not supposed to have favourites, but we do, and she was mine. It has been hard going over to the field to feed the lambs, expecting to see her there, she will live on in the beautiful triplets that she had and I for one will be keeping a special eye on them. This year the hedgerow around the field has an abundance of elderflower and I have been enjoying experimenting with the elderflower cordial recipes. I have finally found perfection and have been busy collecting bottles to keep it in, it mixed

From pages 56-57

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

Crossword

9 5 6 3 2 7 1 4 8

7 4 2 8 1 5 6 9 3

8 1 3 4 9 6 5 2 7

6 3 8 5 4 2 9 7 1

5 2 1 9 7 8 3 6 4

4 9 7 1 6 3 2 8 5

2 6 5 7 3 4 8 1 9

1 8 4 2 5 9 7 3 6

3 7 9 6 8 1 4 5 2

Brain chain 49

Killer Sudoku Pro 11

9 2

7 6 8

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8 5 7

7 8 1 5

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8 1 23

7 9 2 5 6

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beautifully with Prosecco on the Jubilee weekend. No two batches seem to be the same so having reached perfection I wonder if I should stop now. The other half is busy getting the machinery ready to start baling. We need a week of sunshine once the field has been cut, to dry, tedder and bale. The long-term forecast is not currently showing any long periods of heat and sun and we are really hoping to have the job done by the end of June. Last year we cut late, and the sheep have turned their noses up at the less sweet-smelling version of what they want. Sheep are fussy eaters….who knew!?

7 11

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G A M E S H O W O U S T

A A L M A N A I Y N D W I A E F T Y R R I T T E E U W N E R S D E O L V E Y N

Arrow words H V H C O V A R Y I L C M T H D R A W N I U T Z A P P I N G E O U N R E N A L S U L H I P P S I I E E B P R E V A I L S L E

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S C T H E M R E S

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Brain chain (Hard) 109

146

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Cryptic Crossword D I N A P C L S H O U L A N T L A S S O M L G O L D N M A N T M H A E L I B S G O S C H O O

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F L O P P Y I L A R S A I R Z T N A T T E R A S Y R U P E N A M A Z E R G I I N N I N G E L H A D L E R

The West Dorset Magazine, June 17, 2022

Agriculture By KATH BEST Veterinary Surgeon Synergy

As temperatures rise and conditions become perfect for blowfly strike, the need for fly protection is now a must. Blowfly strike is both an economic and welfare concern for farmers, as sheep affected with blowfly strike are reluctant to graze and so lose weight. If not caught and treated in time blowfly strike can of course be fatal. The main signs of an animal affected with strike are: n Irritation – scratching, teeth grinding n Dullness Animals may separate themselves from the rest of the flock. n Dark areas of fleece – seen mainly around the back end, chest and feet but can occur anywhere on the body. n Kicking at their body and tail shaking When should you treat? Shearing is a good time to treat ewes and lambs, but with what? There are two main options available for preventing fly strike. The first option is insecticides, such as Ectofly. These products will protect and treat strike but will only give around six to eight weeks’ cover and are best applied when there has been some regrowth of fleece. Although the meat withdrawal on the

Blowfly season is here – what you can do about it insecticide products are very short, eight days in the case of Ectofly, there are a few downsides to consider. The main consideration is that these products only protect the areas of the animal where they are applied. Attention to detail when applying the product to the animal is critical if strike is to be prevented. The other option is to use an IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) product such as Clik and Clik Extra. These products are extremely effective at preventing strike by targeting the first larval stage of blowfly development as at this stage they do not have mouth parts and so are completely harmless. IGR products are considerably longerlasting compared to the insecticidal products, with

Clik Extra giving up to 19 weeks of blowfly cover. The other advantage of using an IGR such as Clik Extra is that it can be applied directly after shearing and if applied correctly will protect the whole animal, potentially through the entire blowfly season. There are, however, a couple of aspects to consider before reaching for an IGR product. Firstly, and most importantly, IGRs will not treat existing blowfly strike. Secondly, be aware they all have long meat withdrawal periods, Clik Extra’s is 40 days, something to consider before treating lambs. If you are unsure which post-shearing blowfly prevention you require or just need advice or information on the

effective control of blowfly strike in your flock, please contact one of the Synergy Farm Health RAMA team on 01935 83682 and they will be happy to discuss all your fly control needs. n An alternative method of fly, tick and lice control for sheep is provided by our Mobile Plunge Sheep Dipping Service, pictured. The timed and accurate submersion of each sheep into Gold Fleece Sheep Dip ensures thorough ingress of dip into fleece. Our lorry can bring water and dip for up to 600 sheep, topping up onsite for larger flocks. The calm process, with minimal handling, is even an option for ewes close to lambing. Plunge dipping can be used for fly, tick or lice control, sales prep and sheep scab treatment.

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