The West Dorset Magazine, Edition 9, June 3, 2022

Edition 9

Friday, June 3, 2022

Fortnightly, FREE

The West Dorset Magazine A right royal knees-up!

Towns and villages set to celebrate the Jubilee The once great house left to rot: What’s happening with Cattistock Lodge?

P16-18 Plus SIX pages of Whasson?, FOUR pages of Culture and SIX pages of Sport

REMOVALS l PACKING STORAGE l CLEARANCES enquiries@back2market.com

( 01305 230830 l 07853 275379 l 0800 2425012

2

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Contact us:

( 01305 566336

News, letters to the editor and general feedback: newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk Display advertising: advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Miranda Robertson Editor

Karen Bate News Editor

miranda@westdorsetmag.co.uk

karen@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Classified advertising (text ads): classifieds@westdorsetmag.co.uk Sport: sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk Post: 15 Stanstead Rd, Maiden Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0BL

Contents:

Alana Robertson Classifieds

classifieds@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Nick Horton Chief Sub

nickH@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dan Goater Reporter dan@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Stuart Wickham Sports editor

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

News & features Whasson? (events) Letters Items for sale Church Births, marriages and deaths Vittles (food & drink) Home & Garden Down to earth Culture Constituency issues Politics Business Just the job (recruitment) Puzzles Health & Wellbeing Education Sport Agriculture

2-31 6-11 32-33 32 33 34-35 35-39 40-41 42-45 46-49 50 50-51 52-54 55 56-57 58-59 60 61-66 67-71

Get in touch!

01305 566 336

Advertise your business here from as little as £100 a fortnight!

Get a great response with targeted advertising in the WDM advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Handy Andy has it all boxed off

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Once a feature of every high street and serving as a village hub, the traditional red phone boxes are loved up and down the country – in 2015 they were even voted as being the ‘best of British design’.

But from the 10,000 still standing, maybe half are operational, and hundreds are crying out for a paint job.

Not so for the phone box in Toller Porcorum, which incidentally exists because the determined WI fought a spirited campaign with BT in 2013 to keep their lifeline. No, this phone box has just had a revamp.

When I called Andy Sewter, he was ‘fighting the weather.’ Heavy rain had set in, and he was on his way to a far-flung village in North Wales to give the cherished but paint-worn phone box a lick of fresh, red gloss.

His signal was patchy, so I waited until he had parked his van somewhere with reasonable signal to talk to this man, who spends his summers travelling the length and breadth of the country, painting phone boxes and living from the van he has made his home.

“I was an intensive care nurse for 20 years and

TAKE IT AS RED: Andy Sewter painting the phone box in Toller Porcorum

used to have a house, which I sold and bought a van,” said Andy, who has painted just shy of 500 phone boxes across the country over three summers – clocking up three each day working from 7am until 8pm, seven days a week.

“It wasn’t until I left nursing, I realised I had spent so many years cooped up inside the hospital. I’m a nature boy at heart and since I left the hospital, all my work has been outdoors.

“The phone boxes are a focal feature, a navigation point and we are losing the generation who grew

PAGE 3 STUNNERS! Reader Susan Wreford owns these stunning pet Embden geese. Embden geese are named after the German village, where they were first popularised.

up with them, when these boxes were a lifeline and a hub of the village. BT are decommissioning them, replacing or upgrading them, and I offer the painting service. And I love it. I meet many different people and of course, it gives me a sense of freedom.

“I love that moment when you first wake and open your eyes, and fleetingly not know where you are for a moment or two. I love travelling and seeing different things, I can be on a clifftop, a lakeside or an industrial estate depending on where I am in the country.

“After I have finished here in North Wales, I will drive to Manchester and Lancashire, Cumbria, Scotland and the Hebrides before driving south.

“I am a loner and live a solitary life, although I am amenable, but I like the freedom my job gives, just listening to the wildlife around me and the health benefits I derive from it.”

Andy gave up meat several years ago when he became a committed vegan and cooks quinoa once a week from his stove in the van, adding sun-dried tomatoes and all manner of fresh seasonal goodies to add to his healthy plate.

Andy said: “Did you know you could live on Quinoa alone? It is the only food available in the world that you can sustain life from as it contains all trace elements. Cooking it is simple and it is so healthy.

“Coupled with staying active for many hours of the day means during the summers I get really healthy while doing something fulfilling, which makes a good deal of people very happy.”

Sue Wreford, who lives in Toller Porcorum was one of those people.

“Andy is a fascinating man,” she said. “And he is doing an incredible job.”

3

4

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Workshop offer Dorset Museum is holding workshops this June, as part of its new Hardy’s Wessex exhibition.

The newly opened exhibition takes a fresh look at the Victorian novelist and poet in the stunning landscapes that shaped his world.

His story has been retold in new ways by the museum collections, from period costumes to personal letters, art to archaeology.

Dorset Button-making day talk and workshop, with Anna Macdowell: June 18. Explore the history of Dorset buttonmaking and make your own.

Spend the morning learning about Dorset’s cottage industry started by Abraham Case in the 1600s, how Dorset Buttons were used in original items of clothing and what is being done now to help keep this heritage craft alive.

Hardy’s Wessex: Drawing on the ancient past with Helen Garrett: This six-week course starting on June 17 and led by artist Helen Garrett, will take you on a creative journey through Thomas Hardy’s work and Dorset Museum’s collections.

For more information go to dorsetmuseum.org/events

Land meeting A public meeting is being held at Sherborne’s Digby Hall to discuss the future of the Sherborne Community Land Trust (CLT).

Everyone is welcome to go along to the hall at 7pm on Thursday, June 16, learn how to become a member and discuss issues around the subject of housing.

Help at hand The increase in the cost of living, combined with spiralling energy prices has resulted in many people struggling with everyday expenditure, so Citizens Advice has re-opened their face to face library sessions, with funding supplied by Dorset Council.

Citizens Advice will be available at Bridport Library on Tuesdays, 10am-noon and Dorchester Library on Mondays, 10am-noon.

Tim from the telly in Tincleton Teams from the popular TV show Antiques Road Trip were out and about in West Dorset recently.

Dorchester photographer Steve Pallant captured this picture of Tim Wonnacott in Tincleton.

£135k to redraft Local Plan The government has given Dorset Council £135,000 to fund the redrafting of the Local Plan.

The move comes in the wake of widespread public disapproval for plans to build 4,000 new homes north of Dorchester, dubbed ‘Norchester’ by locals.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has hailed the funding allocation from the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing as a ‘major step forward’.

The funds have been allocated shortly after a crunch summit between Mr Loder and the Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.

Mr Loder said that during the meeting he expressed the ‘urgent need for

BY GOVE: Chris Loder meets Michael Gove

Government support to rework the local plan to shelve the controversial 4000 home development on the land north of the county town’.

Mr Loder added: “This support is a much-needed endorsement from the government of my campaign against ‘Norchester’ and will mean we are one big step closer to achieving a local plan that really addresses

the planning needs of Dorchester and West Dorset and protects our most beautiful countryside.”

The cash injection now secured will act as a project management resource to support planning policy allocation in Local Plan for the garden village and associated technical studies, design input and community engagement.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

5

Set the satnav for transport meeting The Dorchester Transport Action Group (DTAG) has reformed and the first public meeting is being held on Wednesday, June 15 between 7pm and 9pm in the Magistrates Room in the Corn Exchange, Dorchester DT1 1HF. Anyone with an interest in sustainable transport for Dorchester is welcome to attend.

The meeting is intended to let residents know about the work of the Transport Action Group and to consult with residents on the the main transport issues affecting people living in and around Dorchester.

A ‘very short’ AGM will formally start the new organisation, followed by an interactive session where will

ISSUES: County town transport in the spotlight

be discussing many of the transport issues facing Dorchester now and in the future.

The group is interested in your views on sustainable transport provision to help those without access to a car and to make low carbon alternatives to car use more attractive.

If you are concerned about any transport issues in Dorchester – rail, buses, electric cars, e-scooters,

84 MELL MELLSTOC OCK AVE, DOR DORCHES HESTER ER DT1 2BH

01305 305 25 257171

PROFILE-HAIRANDBEAUTY.CO.UK @PROFILEHAIRANDBEAUTYDORCHESTER

SPECIAL OFFER 1:

HALF PRICE CHILDREN’S HAIRCUT

SPECIAL OFFER 2:

25% OFF ANY MANICURE

OFFERS VALID FOR NEW CUSTOMERS ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT. OFFERS MUST BE BOOKED BY JUNE 30, 2022

cycling, walking, riding – or just want to know more about how transport may change over the coming years as we move towards a net-zero future, then please come along to our meeting.

DTAG is run by a group of volunteers who have an interest in the future of

Dorchester’s transport system.

They would be delighted to welcome new members to the group.

If you have any questions before the event please contact the acting chairman Stewart Palmer at shartlandpalmer@ gmail.com

ARE RE YOU INTERES ERESTED ED IN TAINABLE BLE TRANSP NSPORT? T? SUSTAI Come along to the first mee琀ng of the reformed

DORCHES RCHESTER ER TRANSP SPORT ACTION GROUP GR UP on Wednesday, June 15 from 7pm­9pm at the Corn Exchange All welcome Enquiries to shartlandpalmer@gmail.com

6

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Thurs, June 2 A Jubilee Party will be held at Symondsbury Estate from 11am-4pm.

The ‘fabulously British Jubilee party’ will feature a traditional street party on the Café Terrace – Pre-order your picnic box on the website or in the Home & Garden Store.

There will also be village fete games – skittles, coconut shy, giant Jenga, children’s entertainment and workshops, Strawberry Jam Entertainments and Punch & Judy.

There will also be competitions for all the family with some great prizes, including Queen of Symondsbury Fancy Dress.

Live music, Pimm’s bar and cake stall. Free entry. £3 car parking fee, proceeds to local charities.

Hanging, Punishment and Justice in the works of Thomas Hardy is the subject of a talk at Dorchester’s Shire Hall Museum at 7pm.

This talk, given by the Thomas Hardy Society’s academic director Mark Damon Chutter, is part of Shire Hall’s Raising Voices series and this lecture is given with the support of the Thomas Hardy Society.

Learn about the world of Hardy – where characters are living on the margins of society in poverty where they are punished and where there is little justice in a system that is both punitive and where the rich prevail – where capitalism oppresses and where there is no escape, no life and little future.

Mark has published papers in the Thomas Hardy Society Journal and for the TES. He has been teaching for 25 years and was shortlisted for both the TES‘s Most Innovative Teacher of the Year and

Kids’ bake sale raises £155

Pupils at Dorset Studio School held a celebration for the Queen’s Platinum jubilee, featuring a cake sale and a bake-off.

The Year 9 student council – Tilly Jones, Robert Robertson, Sienna Neilson and Sophie Davis – chose a bake sale to Teacher of the Year. He is president of the National Education Union for Dorset and is a committed socialist and a member of the Socialist Worker Party and Stand Up To Racism, Dorset. Mark is also a member of the Dorchester Civic Society and STAND. shirehalldorset.org The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting will be held from 9pm-10pm at Salisbury Fields, Dorchester.

Classical soprano Laura Sharley will sing before a Jubilee proclamation by Alistair Chisholm, Dorchester’s Town Crier.

Then Diu Regnare will be piped by Lt Gen Sir Andrew Graham, Bugle Call ‘Majesty’ will be played by John Ghose, Jubilee Anthem will be sung

by Churches Together Choir before the lighting of the beacon by the Mayor of Dorchester Cllr Janet Hewitt

raise funds for a charity that helps military parents and their children, Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

The winning creation of the bake-off was a delicious lemon and elderflower cake. The bake sale raised nearly £155.

Friday, June 3 An exhibition of flowers, quilts, art, crafts, poetry and photography will be held at Bere Regis’ St John the Baptist Church until June 5, from 10am-4pm each day.

Refreshments served 11am3pm, cash only.

Thorncombe voluntary groups are holding a flower festival at St Mary’s church over the Jubilee holiday, with displays by several village organisations reflecting key events or memorable images from the Queen’s 70-year reign.

The display will be open daily, 10am to 5pm. Entry is free, but viewers can give a donation towards the costs.

A Jubilee Flower Festival will be held at Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton throughout the four-day bank holiday, an exciting display created by the

flower arranging team.

The exhibition will showcase some of the events and interests closely associated with the Queen and enjoyed by her throughout her long reign. Everything from her love of horses, her clothes, crowns and jewels, to hobbies less well known with aspects of her life and work, all in floral form.

There will be organ recitals, bell ringing, a Champagne raffle and a chance to have a go at The Corgi Challenge together with refreshments and home-made cakes make for a special outing.

Entry is free and the display opens from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily.

The Funny Life Of James Campbell – a stand-up comedy show for children over six, their parents and anyone who likes comedy without the rude words – will be hosted by Dorchester Arts at the Corn Exchange at 11am.

It’s time to stick a banana in each year and blow your nose without using your hands. No it isn’t that at all, actually. It’s actually time to watch James Campbell’s one man comedy show.

Book at dorchesterarts. savoysystems.co.uk The Boat That Rocks in Hamm Beach Road, Osprey Quay, Portland, will be hosting all day music from 1pm with Night Owls, Clemntynes and Finnian McGurk performing outside on the stage until late.

Saturday, June 4 The FOWL (Friends of Weymouth Library) are hosting a talk titled ‘Under Our Feet’ by Steve Wallis, senior archaeologist at Dorset Council at 10.30am.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Booking essential on 01305 762410 or email weymouthlibrary@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk 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.

A Pirates Day and the Jubilee Grand Finale fireworks will be held at West Bay. Free event – donations welcome.

A choral evensong will be held for the jubilee at 4.30pm at St Mary’s church, Edward Road, Dorchester.

Visiting choir In Ecclesia will include much-loved choral items from the Coronation by Parry, Stanford, and Vaughan Williams, plus organ voluntaries There’s a Platinum Jubilee Street Market in Cheap Street, Sherborne.

Stalls will line Cheap Street showcasing the best of Sherborne businesses and local produce.

There will be street entertainment, a shop window competition and Sherborne Community Kitchen will be holding a Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch.

Free parking will be available all day in the town.

A primary school children’s fancy dress parade, along Cheap Street, commencing at 3pm and finishing on the Parade (prizes for the winners).

Dorchester’s Brewery Square will be welcoming visitors to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in style with a weekend filled with music, food, and activities.

Grace Lovelass will give a special national anthem performance at 12pm, while The String Quartet will play a

range of classical renditions from 4.45pm.

A variety of stalls will be available in the Square, alongside entertainment and food; from crown making competitions to scones and ice cream.

The celebrations will continue into Sunday, June 5, when visitors can catch TV coverage of the Jubilee on a big screen.

The Square is also supporting the annual Big Lunch as people come together to celebrate with their community with a feast fit for kings and queens. Visitors are invited to treat themselves to a packed lunch or takeaway food and drink from one of the eateries.

The weekend will end with the Platinum Pageant from 2.30pm. brewerysquare.com A Jubilee party will be held in Beaminster Sqare by Brassica Restaurant & Mercantile.

The restaurant is open for takeaway from midday until food runs out, including: Organic Coronation Chicken Salad, Portland Crab Spaghetti, Mushroom arancini with aioli and Strawberry Pavlova. There will be plenty of seating and tables in the square.

Charminster Fete will be held from 2pm at Charminster House Garden on East Hill, with a special line-up for the Jubilee to include classic cars, Punch and Judy, a dog show, live music, traditional games, a barbecue, bar, duck race and a grand prize draw.

Sunday, June 5 Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre is hosting an open day from 11.30am3.30pm to offer visitors the chance to find out how this area overcame a previous health emergency, watch Continued on next page

7

Dorchester

TRINITY Club

Bingo Weds, Sat, Sun Pool, darts & skittles Weddings & events

£5 toa year join!

dorchtrinityclub@gmail.com 01305 262671

Solicitors & Mediators

An honest, straightforward legal team with five-star reviews 01305 819696 or 07825 611436 pharaohlaw.co.uk

8

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) waterwheel and steam engines running and examine many items of local and historic interest.

Free parking and entry by donation. For more information go to SSWC.co.uk

June 11/12 the picturesque village of West Milton nestled in the hills of West Dorset will be opening a variety of gardens from 2pm-6pm.

There will be wonderful teas, cider, ice creams and a plant and produce stall. £5 per adult, children free and dogs on leads. Free parking and some disabled parking or a lovely circular walk for the more energetic.

Contact Jane White 01308 485237 or aajanewhite@gmail.com

A Jubilee picnic will be held from noon at Glanvilles Wootton, Holnest and Middlemarsh village hall to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. All welcome.

Queen's Platinum Jubilee Weekend – Fireworks' Grand Finale will be held at The Cobb, Lyme Regis.

Over the weekend, Lyme Regis Town Council, in partnership with Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Committee, Jazz Jurassica and the Marine Theatre, will be hosting scores of events, culminating in a spectacular BBC Big Band performance on the beach followed at 10pm by a magnificent fireworks display over the Cobb, rounding off the weekend with a bang.

Watch from the Langmoor and Lister Gardens, the Marine Parade or the beach.

Parking will be limited in Lyme Regis so please arrive early to avoid disappointment and use public transport or car share where possible.

Tues, June 7 An open day will be held at Volunteer Centre Dorset, The Coach House, Acland Road DT1 1EF from 10am-2pm.

Join them for coffee and cake and a chance to meet the team. Come down to talk about all things volunteering, from finding out how to register as a volunteer to finding volunteers for your organisation, and much more about community matters.

Palooka 5, famous for its sci-fi surf sound, is playing at Clocktower Music on June 16 at 7.30pm.

For tickets go to bridportandwestbay.co.uk /product/palooka-5-atclocktower-music-thursda y-16-june

Weds, June 8

and performances by local talent will be on at Portland’s Royal Manor Theatre from 7.30pm from June 9-11.

Tickets at ticketsource.co.uk/royalmanor theatre/e-lpdaze

There’s a carer’s event from 10.30am-4pm at Guggleton Farm Arts (Station Rd, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton DT10 2RQ). Stands, art and craft workshops, free tea and coffee and cake.

Workshops are free and include a light lunch.

Enquiries to 01305 340045 or carers@dorsetmentalhealthfo rum.co.uk.

Thurs, June 9 Sherborne and District Gardeners’ Association will be holding a meeting at 7.30pm at the Digby Hall, Hound Street, when Brian Hesketh will give a talk on Gardening in the Goldilocks Period: Effects of Climate Change on our Gardening.

All welcome. Visitors £2.

Shorts! A barnstorming collection of short form plays

The Dorchester and District Probus Club will hold their monthly meeting at The Gamekeeper in North Street, Charminster at noon. New members are actively being sought.

Membership is open to retired/semi-retired business and professional men. Visitors from other Probus clubs always welcome.

Contact the secretary at billlowes@sky.com or 01305 261417.

The speaker for June will be author Jackie Winter.

Saturday, June 9 On Saturday and Sunday,

The Bridport Musicathon will be held in Bridport United Church in East Street and Bucky Doo Square.

This event aims to raise funds through sponsorship and donations for Weldmar Hospicecare and the Richard Ely Trust for Young Musicians which supports Dorset young people with their musical studies.

From 9am to 5pm in Bridport United Church there will be vocal and instrumental performance from individuals and groups. An audience will be most welcome to give support throughout the day.

During the morning coffee will be served in the hall, followed by light lunches from noon and tea/cake during the afternoon.

In Bucky Doo Square from 10am to 12.30pm music performances will take place and there will be a charity stall.

Contact 01308 427851 or 01308 456297 for further information or availability of performance slots.

The Helter Skelter Hillclimb presented by Buckland Newton Hire (BNH) will be held from 9am-9pm at Court Farm, Buckland Newton, DT2 7BT, hosted by Steel Hawk Motorcycle Club.

Tickets steelhawkmc.cc/

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

helter-skelter-hillclimb After a successful inaugural event in 2021, Steel Hawk is inviting anyone with two wheels and a motor to attend a second event.

Six riders will race to the top of a hill, then down again in a slalom course.

Swithun's Church Hall, Allington, Bridport, from 4.30pm.

Bring your own drinks and nibbles, max of six per team, price £5 a head to pay on the door includes refreshments.

Raffle. To book a table call 07741 457505.

Cheselbourne Village Jubilee Celebrations will be held from 3pm-10pm.

From 3pm-6pm there’s a family fun afternoon at the village hall and surrounds which will include cakes, bar, cream teas, craft stalls, children's entertainer and side shows.

Big prize raffle, with prizes including family tickets to the Tank Museum, family tickets to Athelhampton House, a barrow bag of kiln dried logs and various gift vouchers from leading retailers in the area.

From 8pm celebrations move to the Rivers Pub with a barbecue and live music.

Rampisham Open Gardens will be held from 11am5pm.

This beautiful historic village has seven gardens opening this summer, many for the first time. The larger ones have wonderful perennial borders, roses and shrubs, old walled gardens with topiary and standard trees.

There are new cottage gardens that have an array of floral colour, fruit trees and traditional vegetable patches.

There’s woodturning by Peter Thomas and Trevor Ball, Blue Bowl gifts by Florence Drake, local landscape paintings by Esther Jeanes, national award winning charcuterie

by Capreolus Fine Foods; and plants for sale at Broomhill. St Michael and All Angels will be open so please visit the floral arrangements and view the chancel, designed by AWN Pugin (co-architect of Houses of Parliament).

Tea, cake and light refreshments in the village hall.

Entry £8 for adults £4 children.

Tickets can only be bought at Pugin Hall and Broomhill so please start your day at one of these gardens and hold on to your tickets for entry to the other gardens.

The Keep military museum in Dorchester will be hosting a ghost hunt from 8pm-2am.

Ghost Hunt Events will offer séances, vigils, table tilting, glass moving, ouija boards, evp experiments, automatic writing and much more.

Tickets £45 per person. ghosthuntevents.co.uk/thekeep.php

Sunday, June 12 Churches Count on Nature: Bug Hunt will be held at 9.30am, starting with breakfast in the village hall and some thoughts about ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ before heading to the churchyard of St Martin’s, Shipton Gorge, to search for wildlife.

All welcome.

A fun quiz will be held at St

Bridport Food and Beer Festival – A week-long celebration of local food and drink in and around Bridport – will start today.

BATHROOM MOBILITY SPECIALISTS Keeping you safe & independent n Design & technical survey n Product purchase n Full installation n Wet rooms n Walk in baths and showers n Bathroom adaptations

n n n n n n n

Smart toilets Tiling Panelling Non-slip flooring Warranty Free quotation!

Covering the whole of the South West!

01935 726216 0800 448 0861 Free quotes: ttfinstallations@hotmail.com

9

10

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

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. Throughout the week the whole town and surrounding area will be celebrating local food and drink.

Askers Meadow, BRIDPORT, Dorset DT6 4SB. An Open Farm Sunday event will be held at The Dorset Dairy Co at Crib House Farm from 11am-5pm.

Farm tours will take you through everything that goes into looking after our cows, from what goes in, to what comes out. You can visit the wider farm, and learn how they manage the land, by joining one of our tractor and trailer rides leaving every 20mins from 11.45am.

Fresh milkshakes, cakes and teas and coffees, burgers, hotdogs, doughnuts, and Purbeck ice cream will also be available. Pearce Seeds will talk all things soil, Clyde Jones will talk about regenerative agriculture and Friars Moor Vets will talk all things cow.

The NFU will be running a stand with plenty of educational materials and there will be games and activities for children and a milking demonstration every 15 mins from 2.45pm.

Finally, you’ll be able to stock up on DDC produce, Barbers cheese and Bohemian Dorset’s locally foraged chutneys, jams and jellies.

Dogs on leads.

Free event but please book ahead at trybooking.com/ uk/events/landing/28671 or on 07375 883299.

Monday, June 16 Leigh Talks! Presents A Farming, Food and Community talk at 7.45pm at

Glorious gardens on show Roses will be at their best when Cerne Abbas gardeners open their gates to the public for the 48th year on Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19, from 2pm-6pm.

The village has been opening some of its private gardens since 1974 and this year visitors can enjoy more than 25 gardens for £7, (accompanied children free).

All the gardens are within easy walking distance of the free car park (open from 1pm-8pm).

Hosts make a special point of being available to talk about their gardens and their homes. A few of the gardens can accommodate wheelchairs and most gardens welcome well Leigh Village Hall DT9 6HL (doors open 7.30pm).

What are the challenges for farmers facing climate change and pressures on biodiversity?

Farmers are central to our community and farming is key to the local economy here in Leigh and the in surrounding area.

Farming and land-use features significantly in discussions on how to curb greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and mitigate rising temperatures.

Farmers are already making changes in response to these challenges and to protect the environment.

Come and hear a panel of local farmers talk about these issues.

Free entry. Bar. This is the second in the series of Leigh Talks! which aims to get people talking about the themes relevant to climate change. Let’s find ways to

behaved dogs on leads.

Maps at cerneabbasopen gardens.org.uk the week before. Teas will be available in St Mary’s church and there’ll be a great plant stall in the village square. reduce our carbon footprint.

Contact cate.m.dixon@ gmail.com / 07971 061335 for further information.

Arts Society West Dorset present Ambitious Architecture: Rethinking the Meanings of Blenheim Palace by speaker Dr James Legard at 2.30pm at Bridport Town Hall. Visitors welcome at £7.50.

Friday, June 17 Bridport Beer Festival will be held at Asker’s Meadow from 8pm, with music by Stillyano – a superb international rock band from Exeter providing the ultimate tribute to classic stadium artists.

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/weymout h-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, 3 Church Rd, Maiden Newton at 7pm.

Tickets £10 including refreshments, under 16 free.

Available from The Village Store, 2 Church Road, Maiden Newton DT2 0AA 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

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

11

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Sunday, June 19 Abbotsbury Open Gardens & Craft Fair returns from 12pm5pm, 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 1pm3pm. £5 entry, under 18s free, cash advised for purchases. All proceeds support St Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury.

Twelfth Night will be performed by The HandleBards in Maumbury Rings from 7pm.

Pedalling from venue to venue, the HandleBards are a fourstrong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK. Join The HandleBards for a bicycle-powered, laughout-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

Town’s summer festival is back!

Sherborne Summer Festival is back after two years of covid-forced cancellations!

The festival is being held in Purlieu Meadow, close to the railway station.

Committee chairman David Birley said: “Everyone is working so hard to make this our best event yet. Come and

26 JUNE - 3 JULY

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 particular period; from the Trias-sic 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!

hear some great bands and visit lots of stalls. There are also really good raffle prizes

including a meal for two at the Clockspire restaurant."

The event runs from noon to 10pm. Admission is free and free programmes can be found at many shops.

Pictured: Organisers Paul Dibben, David Martin, Lynda Martin,Taff Martin, Di Norton, David Birley.

beaminster festival 2022 MUSIC

THEATRE

ART

LITERATURE OPERA GALA

EMMA JOHNSON ROVING CROWS

RAPHAEL WALLFISCH

CONNAUGHT BRASS

CLAIRE FULLER

BOOK TICKETS Full programme and tickets : www.beaminsterfestival.com TicketSource 0333 666 3366

12

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

Wool I never! Knitters honour royal occasion Royal Voluntary Service members have been hard at work creating a fabulous display of ‘Royal Knitting’ for Dorset Libraries.

Earlier this year the RVS started inviting people to knit and craft items to celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

A spokesman said: “We have done similar projects before, but this one was special as HM The Queen is Royal Voluntary Service’s patron. We have had some beautiful items coming in, made and donated by RVS volunteers and clients, and people out in the community who have this special talent and wanted to be part of this celebration. We would like to thank everybody who has contributed to our project.”

There’s a display at Dorchester Library & Learning Centre initially, and it will then ‘tour’ a number of Dorset libraries

CRAFTY: Some of the Royal Knitting by RVS members

before the items will be sold to raise money for Royal Voluntary Service in Dorset and BCP. The RVS operates a Home Library Service, where volunteers deliver library books free of charge to anybody who cannot easily

get to the library; books and talking books are chosen for each person individually according to their personal preferences and delivered every three weeks, combining the provision of new and interesting reading

materials with a regular visit by a trusted volunteer.

The library is open Monday 10am-5.30pm, Tuesday and Friday 9.30am-7pm, Wednesday 9.30am-1pm and Thursday 9.30am-5.30pm and Saturday 9am-4pm.

Beacon lit up to mark platinum jubilee Sherborne Town Council will light a beacon to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the evening of Thursday, June 2.

The beacon will be lit at The Terrace Playing Fields, Dancing Hill and is one of thousands that will be lit throughout the Commonwealth to mark the special event.

Sherborne Town Band will play a medley of music at the beacon site at 8.45pm.

Sherborne’s town clerk Steve Shield said: “We are proud to be part of this

momentous celebration.

“It is only appropriate that this unique milestone in history is marked with beacons and music.

“We are honoured to be part of this special event for Her Majesty The Queen’s 70th year as our monarch and Head of the Commonwealth on her Platinum Jubilee.”

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee beacons and associated activities have been conceived and organised by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek

and his dedicated team.

Mr Peek said: “Building on a long tradition of lighting beacons to mark significant royal celebrations, thousands of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

“They will enable local communities to join together to pay tribute to Her Majesty as part of the official programme of events.

“For the first time, town criers, pipers, buglers and choirs from the UK and the

Commonwealth will come together to join in the celebrations in their own individual and special way.

“It is wonderful to see the range of support for beacon lighting, which will highlight both the diversity and unity of the nation and the Commonwealth.

“The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment.

“We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

13

PROPERTIES WANTED NO MORE: Tenant problems Evictions Arrears Property damage GUARANTEED rent income for up to seven years, hassle-free. Family-run business.

Property handed back to you in the same if not better condition.

n A huge Union Jack is draping one of West Dorset’s most famous landmarks – Colmers Hill in Symondsbury. Using his drone, photographer Neil Barnes captured the 17-metre wide flag, which members of Symondsbury Estate had laid ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Surgeries all set to merge in new health shake-up Two West Dorset doctors’ surgeries are planning to merge under a single contract. The GP partners of Portesham Surgery and Prince of Wales Surgery in Dorchester say they are ‘pleased’ to announce the proposal.

Dr Louise Beale of Portesham Surgery and Dr Stephen Scott of Prince of Wales Surgery issued a statement which said: “Joining forces offers many benefits to patients and practices alike.

“As a bigger organisation we will be able to offer the combined skills within our GP and nursing teams to the patients of both practices, and will be more attractive to recruiting new clinicians, making us more sustainable.

“We anticipate the merger

taking place in early to mid2023.

“Once the application has been approved by NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, there will be a process to follow to bring our individual practices together contractually and systematically.

“We will engage with you (patients) over the coming months to ensure you are fully informed and have an opportunity to ask further question or share your views with us.

“We look forward to working on your behalf to maintain and improve primary care services.”

To contact the Portesham surgery’s patient group email contact@ porteshampatients.org.uk

We work with local businesses to provide accommodation for their working professionals as well as providing guest accommodation.

OUR GUARANTEE: We will maintain your property to the highest standard, with rent on time, no void periods, no tenant problems, no evictions, no arrears and no damage. The property will be professionally cleaned at least once a week and any damage by the guest would be taken care of immediately by us as per our contract.

Can we help you?

Nicholas : 07928 771538 Emily: 07919 441381 info@neraproperties.com

Maide aiden New ewton earance ce Ltd Clea CHRIS: 07580 193352 KIM: 07467 070960 mnclearance@live.co.uk l House Clearance l Garden Clearance l Garage Clearance l Commercial Clearance l Industrial unit Clearance l Items purchased l Hoarded houses cleared maidennewtonclearance.co.uk We clear houses, garages and gardens, with full-time staff who are experienced in clearing all types of properties from hoarded houses, overgrown gardens, large and small houses. Our clearance teams will bag, box and clear everything to be cleared.

We are fully insured and a

FREE QUOTES

registered waste carrier holding an upper tier waste carrier’s licence. Our staff recycle as much as possible, with our waste going to Canford Recycling centre, near Wimborne or Dorset Waste Partnership.

We offer clearance services all over Dorset.

14

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

It’s full steam ahead for stag party outing A stag party pulled on a pub crawl by a steam engine made for a great talking point. The party, dressed in appropriately historical garb, stopped in Beaminster and West Bay on what observer Bryan Greenwood, who took the righthand photo, described as ‘a (very) leisurely pub crawl’.

A jab well done by volunteer Roger

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Roger Marsh, chairman of the Patient Participation Group in Sherborne, has been given a Dorset Volunteer Heroes Award for his hard work during the covid-19 pandemic.

Roger not only provided comprehensive reports for every town council meeting but was instrumental in ensuring the vaccination clinics were run efficiently, carried out risk assessments for the safety of volunteers and patients and informed everybody via social media about vaccination clinics in the Sherborne area.

Dorset Council officially thanked people who have contributed to their communities as part of Volunteers Week.

Roger said: “Being retired has given me the opportunity to play an active role in the community. As one grows older health becomes more important in one’s life and I am lucky enough to enjoy good health at an age where many don’t.

“As a result of the covid pandemic health has

improvements for others.”

As well as a letter and certificate from the chairman of Dorset Council, Cllr Val Pothecary, the volunteers will be invited to attend ceremonies to plant fruit trees in carefully chosen locations across the county later this year for local people to pick and enjoy.

At the heart of the covid-19 PLAUDITS: Volunteer Roger Marsh pandemic, volunteers across become more important in the county delivered an many people’s lives. This exceptional display of has given me additional kindness and compassion motivation to promote and their efforts have been health and wellbeing essential for helping people activities within the stay safe and for keeping community to keep health our communities going. at the top of people’s Dorset Council and agenda.

Volunteer Centre Dorset “Volunteering is such a have formally recognised worthwhile activity that is their efforts and rewarded when you feel achievements following an that you can actually make appeal for the public to a difference. nominate their volunteering “One should never volunteer for personal gain, heroes for the Dorset Volunteer Heroes Award but only to help and make

scheme.

In total, nearly 100 people were nominated by the public for the kindness, selflessness, and commitment for their volunteering efforts during the crisis.

From checking in on neighbours, delivering groceries and medicines, making friendly phone calls to those feeling isolated, to stewarding the testing and vaccination centres – thousands of people across the county have benefited from the help and kindness of a volunteer in some way, shape or form during the last two years.

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said: “We have witnessed an incredible response from volunteers locally and people stepping up to support their fellow residents.

“The time and effort they provided to others in their hour of need was very much valued and we want to celebrate them all and formally recognise their efforts and achievements.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Keep it local and we can all benefit

By Karen Bate

ON A ROLL: Leakers Bakery in Bridport is just one of the many independent business in West Dorset

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Scores of businesses in Bridport are taking part in Totally Locally Bridport’s Magic Tenner campaign until July 30, to highlight the importance of buying local and organisers are urging all the town’s independents to take part.

Team member Kim Squirrell said: “The Magic Tenner is a brilliant opportunity to find out more about your local retailers and the other local businesses that supply them with services or goods, we’re so lucky here in Bridport to have such a range of independent businesses with a wealth of knowledge and experience they’re ready to share.

“As with all our campaigns

it’s all about starting a conversation about what a heathy local economy looks like and what we can do to ensure Bridport continues to be a vibrant and distinctive place to live. To that end we’ll be setting up a stall during the

Magic Tenner campaign to share and celebrate the whole range of Bridport independents.”

This is the idea behind it all: There’s a bit of maths that says if you spend £10 in a shop that sells stuff from

15

local producers the amount of money that goes back into the local economy can be over £50!

Imagine picking up a pie for your lunch. If you buy a locally-made pie from a local shop, a big part of your money is passed on to the local piemaker.

The shop employs a local accountant or even a decorator. In turn, the piemaker who sources his ingredients from a local farm spends a big percentage of his money with the farmer.

The farmer then spends some of his money at his local garage, the garage owner then…

To take part email totallylocalllybridport@ gmail.com or call Roy on 07429 102645.

NEW IN STOCK! Beds & Mattresses

Carpet Vinyl Laminate Wood

The carpet store that comes to your door

Visit our showroom: Unit 1 Grove Trading Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1ST

(

01305 753998 *

info@carpetselect.co.uk

16

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

Exploring the great country house

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A fascinating ruined estate in Cattistock has been the subject of numerous YouTube ‘explorer’ videos.

Thousands of people have viewed footage of Cattistock Lodge – a once grand estate which had numerous buildings and fine gardens, set on the edge of the village.

Now boarded up, it still attracts huge interest from viewers from around the world, gripped by the romance and tragedy of a once stunning property falling down, with ivy growing through it and a rusting Jag in what remains of the garage.

Many people have tried to get to the bottom of why Cattistock Lodge was allowed to rot.

The house was lived in until at least 2011, when it was already in a state of advanced rot. Some say the most recent inhabitant, Margetta ‘Peggy’ Soulsby lived there till she died in 2016, however it is thought she spent her last five years living with a friend in Kent.

Certainly the house was not safe for anyone, let alone a woman in her 90s.

Since her death, explorers have been in and out and one has even gone through paperwork left there, and called people in a bid to find out about its history.

It’s curious Cattistock

SHADOW OF ITS FORMER SELF: Cattistock Lodge. Below, steps and an abandoned Jaguar Old pictures courtesy of Maiden Newton and District Community Trust

Lodge has been left for so long, and that’s one facet of the story which interests people.

However there have been attempts to do something with the site.

Planning permission was applied for as recently as 2021, for the ‘conversion of dilapidated residential dwelling and outbuildings into 7no. dwellings, with the erection of 3no. mews style dwellings.’ However

planning officer Tim Marsh turned it down, on several grounds.

A previous application to build on the site, made in 2019, was withdrawn.

There’s no doubt the site would make a lovely setting for new homes, nestled in the Conservation Area. It was once home to first class cricketer and archer Henry Hamilton Palairet, who lived there with his wife and five children until 1923.

The latest inhabitants, the Soulsbys, arrived in 1959 – the house had been up for

sale as four flats in 1957.

What fascinates most people is the sheer amount of hoarded items left behind from the Soulsbys’ tenure – paperwork from as long ago as the 1930s, newspapers from the 60s, piles of paperwork from Peggy’s father Percy’s travel company the Westminster Touring Association, which he founded in 1947.

Percy and his wife Margette lived there from 1959. They had three children – Peggy, Douglas and Sheila.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

17

that was left to fall to rack and ruin

MEMORIES: Above, the Soulsbys at Cattistock Lodge and inset, past and present. Below, Percy and Margette with Peggy

Percy is said to have been knocked for six by the death of Douglas in 1972, aged 43, and his health deteriorated quickly.

Margette’s death in 1976 was a further blow and he

died in 1980, aged 76.

Peggy stayed on the estate, which once boasted seven gardeners and a gardener’s cottage.

In 1985 there was a planning application to

convert the house, staff cottage and outbuildings to six houses and one bungalow and modify vehicular and pedestrian access, but that was refused and somehow it seems, Peggy gave up trying.

A hoarder, she is thought to have refused all help offered to her to tidy up and keep the estate from ruin. The buildings gradually became more and more unstable until walls started to fall down, roofs tumbled to the ground and floors fell in.

From the videos online

you can see foolhardy souls exploring the numerous rooms, in which vintage and antique furniture and fittings can be seen amid piles of hoarded items.

You cannot imagine how anyone could have lived there.

The house is frozen in time at Christmas, with lights wound round a balustrade.

Remnants of a large greenhouse are still attached to the side of the house and a log burner, which would once have heated it to grow all sorts, still sits rusting away.

18

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Ravaged by time, this dilapidated home draws modern day explorers It seems such a shame something has not been made of the site – indeed, it may have been if the applicant had engaged with planners sooner in the process then permission could have been forthcoming. It is not a listed building, which widens the scope for development.

However case officer Tim Marsh had to reluctantly concede that investigations of the site’s ecology had not been carried out.

He said: “In the absence of the requisite ecology surveys it is not possible to establish whether the proposals would result in unacceptable harm to biodiversity including European Protected Species.”

A tree plan was also incomplete, he said, and there was no provision for affordable housing, or financial contribution in lieu of affordable homes.

He said if the applicant

RECLAIMED BY NATURE: Top right, urban explorer Jason Lanier visited several times, and even went through the piles of paperwork to track down what happened

had used their preapplication advice service and their plans did not fit the development plan.

He added: “The applicant was offered the opportunity to submit amended plans to overcome concerns identified by the case officer but chose not to do so.”

The council’s conservation officer backed the plans, saying redevelopment of the site would benefit the Conservation Area, however plans should respect the original design.

They said: “Great weight should be given to the conservation of designated and undesignated heritage assets, as is the case here, in any planning balance.

As such, subject to the external reconstruction and detailing of the conversions being conditioned to ensure the works respect this undesignated heritage asset, full officer support is forthcoming.”

Cattistock Parish Council wanted the ancient trees preserved and said: “The garden was originally planned as an arboretum and laid out in the manner

of Gertrude Jekyll as was the fashion then. I would like particular care to be taken of the ancient holm oak which forms a portal to the village from the east.”

Frome Valley Parish Council had no objection to the redevelopment of the main house but objected to the conversion of the outbuildings on grounds of density and potential for overlooking.

The council is evidently keen to support some redevelopment at the site, however no new applications have been forthcoming since the latest plan was rejected last year.

It remains to be seen if Cattistock Lodge, now hidden from the road by boards, will ever emerge again or if it will be allowed to continue to dissolve into the earth.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

19

New protection orders to curb anti-social behaviour

Right royal party for nursery’s tots Tiny tots celebrated the Platinum Jubilee with a party fit for a queen.

Dressed as royalty, the children at Summertime Nursery and Pre-School in Dorchester ate at the Queen’s table and tucked into a royal feast surrounded by staff, friends and family.

Manager Cathy White said: “We had a lovely day; the weather was perfect and lots of our parents came in to be with their children and join in the fun. The children were all dressed as Kings, Queens, and Princes with a few princess Elsas for good measure. It was lovely to be able to get everyone back together after having to cancel events over the last two years.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all the staff and parents for making this so memorable for the children.”

Dorset Councillors have approved eight Public Spaces Protection Orders for 2022 to tackle anti-social behaviour which include Bridport, Dorchester and West Bay. The new orders hold dispersal powers and will tackle unauthorised camping on Chesil Beach, Weymouth Beach and Lulworth in response to the rising number of people camping on beaches during recent summers, which led to a significant increase in nuisance complaints, damage to property, accumulation of rubbish and human waste and destruction of natural habitat.The orders come into force on July 1 and expire in June 2025.The Dorset Open Land AntiSocial Behaviour related PSPO offers

an additional measure in preventing wildfires, following the devastating fire at Wareham Forest in May 2020 which destroyed over 220 hectares of the forest. This measure is supported

by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, who emphasised they are committed to working with the council to protect these areas.

Cllr Laura Miller, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said: “Dorset Council has a key role to play in helping to make sure our public spaces can be used and enjoyed by everyone.“We don’t want to prevent or stop people from enjoying themselves responsibly, but we know how anti-social behaviour can impact our communities.”

20

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

LINKING UP: representatives from the main project partners: Dorset Council, Wessex Internet and BDUK (Building Digital UK).

Dorset Council has been awarded almost £900,000 to install broadband at schools, libraries and a visitor attraction in the county.

The broadband packages will be installed at 35 sites throughout Dorset that currently have no commercial plans to install broadband.

Among the 35 sites in the ‘Gigahub Connectivity in Rural Dorset Project’ are 22 primary and secondary schools from the Purbecks in the south to Gillingham in the north. Durlston Country Park is also set to be connected and the funding will also help two libraries, a care home and a children’s centre.

The first sites are due to be connected in June 2022 and all sites will be linked

by September next year.

Make the right connections with £900k broadband boost Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract by Dorset Council to provide a full fibre connection to important community sites across the county. Not only will 35 schools and other community facilities benefit from ultrafast and reliable connectivity, surrounding homes and businesses will also be able to get connected.”

Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said: “Thousands of hard-toreach homes and businesses in rural Dorset

will get better broadband through our £5billion investment in Project Gigabit, the biggest broadband rollout in UK history.

“This initial £1million in funding means Dorset Council can level up public services with lightning-fast internet speeds and encourages more broadband firms to build networks in the county’s rural areas.”

Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Corporate, Transformation and Digital Cllr Jill Haynes said: “This is fantastic news for many areas of

Dorset that would otherwise have been left behind as we all start to move to gigabit-capable broadband speeds.

“It will bring immediate benefit to the sites included in the plans and it will also make it easier for residents and businesses in those areas to look to upgrade their broadband one day.

“Our reliance on very good broadband speeds is only going to become more important as technology evolves and investment like this will provide certainty for these communities’ futures.”

Jab’s a good’un as vaccination centre closes ahead of new phase Dorchester’s large vaccination centre at Vespasian House has closed as the Dorset covid-19 vaccination programme moves into its next phase.

The centre, in the offices of the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group opened in December 2021.

The centre’s closure heralds a new model for local provision at sites in

Weymouth, Bridport and Blandford Forum while the Pharmacy2U site on the High Street in Dorchester will become the primary vaccination centre for the county town.

Clinical lead for the vaccination service Dr Ravin Ramtohal, of Highcliffe Medical Centre, said: “The centre at Vespasian House has been a key site for our communities

in the west of the county. We’d like to thank the thousands of people who have come forward for their vaccination there, as well as the staff and volunteers who have run it so efficiently.

“We’re moving into the next phase of the programme now and we know that a more localised offer is what people prefer.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

21

GOOD LUCK: Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole presents a certificate to retiring firefighter Pete Sartin watched by colleagues at Lyme Regis

ORGANISATIONAL QUEEN Bespoke and dedicated focus to get your stuff totally sorted!

Files, cupboards, homes – anything.

References available.

jessie@skirtpockets.com

Fireman Pete to retire after forty years in service After 40 years serving the community of Lyme Regis, firefighter Pete Sartin of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has hung up his uniform for the final time.

Pete attended his final drill night at Lyme Regis fire station and celebrated with his colleagues at his penultimate training session. Pete joined the then Dorset Fire Brigade as an on-call firefighter in 1982 and has been a serving firefighter and emergency response driver for the station.

As a driving instructor and HGV driver for a local company, he has juggled his primary employment with fire calls and training.

Pete has provided vital firefighter cover for his community and responded to medical emergencies as a co-responder since the scheme began in 2003, until the beginning of 2020.

Pete said: “I have really enjoyed my time as an oncall firefighter and though I

am looking forward to retirement, I will be sad to say goodbye to the team at Lyme Regis. I have attended some memorable incidents over the years, but my biggest takeaway from my time in the fire service will be working with the most fantastic teams of people possible.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said: “Remaining in any role for 40 years is an impressive commitment, but on-call firefighters and their families make a huge commitment to their communities. Call outs can mean missing meals, family occasions and other events. I want to say thank you to Pete and his family, on behalf of the residents of Lyme Regis, and across our wider Service area, for his dedication to keeping them safe. Everyone at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service wishes Pete a long and happy retirement – without the sound of a pager!”

¢E* ÂEJ¢* E ¢ È * ¢ g J j ¢ * 7KDWFKHG *UDGH OLVWHG 16th WK century FHQWXU\ Thatched, Grade ΔΔ II-listed IUHHKRXVH at DW WKH KHDUW KLVWRULF freehouse the heart ofRI theWKH historic YLOODJH RI <HWPLQVWHU $FFODLPHG 6XQGD\ village of Yetminster. Acclaimed URDVWV Sunday roasts.

Classics run.

Classic car andFDU DQG &ODVVLFV fun IXQ UXQ &ODVVLF PRWRUF\FOH IULHQGO\ motorcycle-friendly.

Large, floodlit asphalt surfaced rear car /DUJH IORRGOLW DVSKDOW VXUIDFHG UHDU FDU park with CCTV. Car wash facilities.

SDUN ZLWK &&79 &DU ZDVK IDFLOLWLHV ¢E* ÂEJ¢* E ¢ू EJ=E ¢ **¢ू È*¢gJj ¢* ू E* s j*ू $s *¢ू $¢ࣆ ࣃ^<

˒˒˒थ˒ɏɔʰȲɏȉʟʰ˘ȲʰɴɔɷʦʰȲʟथȦʁथʹɦ फ ʁɅɅɔȦȲਆ˒ɏ˘ȲʰथȦʁथʹɦ फ ࢛࢜ࢤ࢞ࢠ ࢣࢢ࢝ ࢞​࢞ࢣ

ADVERTISE HERE: CALL 01305 566336

l TRAILER SALES l TRAILER PARTS & SPARES (next day delivery) l TRAILER SERVICE & REPAIRS We supply spares and parts for all makes and models of trailers l l l l

Brake spares Trailer lighting Trailer wheels/tyres Jockey wheels/ prop stands l Body fittings

l l l l l l

Bearings Mudguards Numberplate holders Aluminium ramps Security Storage boxes

01929 462534 WADDOCK CROSS, DORCHESTER, DORSET, DT2 8QY Please visit our eBay shop for the best prices – ‘Wessex Trailers’ – click the link on our site, wessex-trailers.co.uk or email - sales@wessex-trailers.co.uk

22

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

County town’s new mayor hits out at

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Dorchester has welcomed its newest Mayor – mum of four, international swimming coach and committed charity volunteer Janet Hewitt.

Janet was handed the chain after serving seven years on the town council, taking over from Gareth Jones at a heartwarming ceremony in the Corn Exchange attended by her children, grandchildren and her parents.

She will be supported this year by postman husband Dave and one of her five grandchildren, Warwick Dabbs.

Janet used her maiden mayoral speech to strike out at plans for 4,000 homes north of the town – plans which have been widely condemned for spoiling the countryside without providing affordable homes.

She told the gathering of family, friends and town councillors: “Should this development go ahead, as part of the Dorset Local Plan in spite of the threat to our water supply identified by Wessex Water, it is most unlikely to meet our real local housing need, which is for truly affordable housing to buy or to rent for working people on Dorset wages and salaries.

“It will utterly destroy the rural setting of our town, so eloquently described in Thomas Hardy’s writing, it will not be linked to the town and will put huge extra pressure on our roads, our health and education services and,

WORKING TOGETHER: Dorchester’s town councillors

Pictures: GRAHAM HUNT

OUTGOING: Alistair Chisholm, left, pays tribute to Gareth Jones and his wife Anne, right

most importantly, that vigorous sense of community which is the county town.”

Nominating Janet for the role, Cllr Stella Jones told the gathering that Janet was in the Royal Air Force for three years as a senior aircraft woman, and taught swimming as part of that role.

She said: “Janet taught my four children to swim at Damers School pool along with hundreds of other local youngsters. But previously to that had taught Dorchester children at Bovington Camp pool and at the Chantmarle Police Training College.

“I first met Janet and Dave almost 50 years ago when I was chairman of Dorchester Sports Advisory Council and together with the Post Office Sports Club we were trying to get public use of the new swimming pool at Dorchester Secondary modern school.

“Once that was achieved Janet went on to start West Dorset Warriors Swimming Club, from which three Dorchester youngsters went on to swim for England.

“However Janet’s greatest success was coaching Lulu Cummings for three Deaf Olympics in Rome,

Melbourne and Tapei, where Lulu won medals.

“I know her parents are here this evening and they’ll never forget what Janet achieved for their daughter.”

Stella paid tribute to the huge amount of work Janet does for many local charities including the Family Support Unit of Poverty Action, Dorchester Homeless, Food Share and Casterbridge Rotary.

She added: “Janet is a very hard worker. She is a great person and I have no hesitation in formally proposing Cllr Janet Hewitt to be Mayor of Dorchester.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

23

4,000 homes plan

TREE SURGERY & GARDEN MAINTENANCE

07826 030706

stevettg@hotmail.com COTTAGE iN NORMANDY NEW ROLE: Dorchester mayor Janet Hewitt and inset, with husband Dave and grandson Warwick Dabbs

Janet moved to Dorchester from Bournemouth as a child in 1963.

Her father used to paint the signs on the Eldridge Pope lorries and the pubs – many of which are now collectors’ items.

Janet told the gathering of the town council’s efforts to plant 2,450 trees over the last two years – most of which will create the town’s first permanently accessible community woodland at Kings Road open space.

Cllr Alistair Chisholm paid tribute to the retiring mayor Gareth Jones in typically sonorous

fashion, gently poking fun at Gareth’s own rather booming voice and inviting him to contend for the town crier’s post.

He said: “Indeed, when singing from the Borough Gardens bandstand during the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, he was admonished by the head gardener Ian Adshead, and asked to step back from the microphone for the welfare of both his audience and the town council’s precious equipment.

“There can be few better qualified and experienced contenders for the post of town crier.”

SPECiAL OFFER

10% off bookings when you book for seven nights or more if booked on Airbnb or Booking.com www.thebellsendcottage.com WEATHER GUARANTEE No increase in price at peak season

24

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

A young apprentice from food producer ABP at Yetminster and a mum of two from Dorchester have been named winners at the first Dorset Apprentice of the Year Awards.

The awards, held by Dorset Chamber and the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network, were held to celebrate the achievements of apprentices across the county on a number of levels.

Intermediate Apprentice of the Year went to Ellie Edmonds, who works for ABP Food Group in Yetminster.

Degree Apprentice of the Year went to Rebecca Buck, who is Dorset Council’s first solicitor apprentice.

They were named as winners at the county’s inaugural Apprentice of the Year Awards at a ceremony with dignitaries including the LordLieutenant of Dorset.

Dorset Chamber joined forces with the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network and sponsors manufacturing firm Superior Seals for the initiative celebrating the contributions of apprenticeships to business.

Ellie and Rebecca were joined on the winners’ podium by Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Cameron Hearn of Frettens Solicitors.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “This was a tremendous celebration of the value of apprentices to our businesses.

“Ellie, Cameron and Rebecca were all very

TOP STUFF: Winners of the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards 2022, from left: Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Ellie Edmonds of ABP Food Group, Yetminster, Advanced Apprentice of the Year Cameron Hearn of Frettens Solicitors and Higher and Degree Apprentice of the Year Rebecca Buck of Dorset Council

It’s honours all round for area’s young apprentices

WELL DONE: Winners and finalists of the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards 2022

worthy winners who have all demonstrated exceptional determination, talent and commitment to succeed.

“They can be very proud of themselves for their achievements.”

The Lord-Lieutenant Angus Campbell performed the honours after a celebratory lunch.

Guests included finalists, businesses, Dorset Council leader Cllr Spencer Flower and Cllr Toby Johnson, who is BCP Council’s lead

member for levelling up and skills.

HR co-ordinator Ellie is taking an apprenticeship in business administration.

She runs the Youth Ambassadors of ABP across the company to help make the industry more appealing and accessible to young people aged 16-24. She is also the southern England regional leader for the company’s new female talent community called ‘ABP SHE’.

Rebecca juggles her job and training with a family and two young children in Dorchester.

The apprenticeship route has given Rebecca the opportunity to continue to work while studying without facing university fees. She has a study day a week and then fits the rest into evenings after her children are in bed.

The awards were free to enter with entries invited from apprentices and their employers.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

25

Petition plea to protect at-risk wildlife Government targets to protect nature in Dorset may come into force too late to work, the county’s wildlife trust has warned.

Dorset Wildlife Trust says that while the details of the 2021 Environment Act are still under discussion it has become ‘crunch time’ for the county’s biodiversity.

The trust is urging people to sign its petition calling for the most ambitious targets possible to protect wildlife.

A trust spokesperson said: “It is now more than six months since the landmark Environment Act was passed – the first dedicated environmental legislation for nearly 30 years and the first time England has set legally binding targets for nature’s recovery.

“But the details of these

targets are still being discussed and a consultation is due to close on June 27 to assess how ambitious these targets will be.

“It’s crunch time for nature. In Dorset over 400 species recorded in the past are thought to now be extinct in the area; these include the pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly, shrill carder bee and chough.

“Nearly 3,000 species are now classified as ‘protected’, ‘threatened/rare’ or ‘scarce’.

“That includes over half the bee species and 42% of our butterflies.

“Recovery is possible, for example Dorset Wildlife Trust is helping to restore populations of the ladybird spider, but we need nature back everywhere, not just intensive care for wildlife on the edge of extinction.”

The spokesperson added: “Unfortunately, the long-term target currently being proposed for nature’s recovery aims to have just ten per cent more nature in 2042 than 2030 levels – by which time the state of our natural world is expected to have

We'd like to thank all of our customers for their ongoing support.

declined even further.

“This could mean that wildlife is less abundant by 2042 than it is now, after another decade of decline, and clearly falls short of the government’s promise to pass on nature in better condition.

“The new target that the government has proposed is too weak and unambitious – England would have even less wildlife in 20 years’ time than the much-depleted state that we have now.

“We’re urging everyone to sign our petition calling for stronger targets to put nature on the path to recovery before the situation gets even worse.” n Sign the petition at wildlifetrusts.org/naturedeserves-better

26

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Health professionals’ concerns over

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Skin cancer rates in Dorset have risen significantly over the last decade, according to dermatologists in the county.

Specialist skin doctors in Dorchester and Poole say they have seen around a 20 to 30 per cent increase in new cases of skin cancer since the 2010s.

Dermatologist and dermatopathologist Dr Saleem Taibjee of Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester said: “There’s certainly been a steady increase in skin cancer rates in Dorset, decade upon decade, even in the last ten years I’ve been here. And that’s across all skin cancer types, both melanoma and nonmelanoma.

“Over the last ten years it’s been a 20 to 30 per cent increase. That rate may be partly related to earlier diagnosis and patients being more aware of what to look out for, but the biggest cause of skin cancers is still long-term sun exposure.”

Dr Taibjee said that West Dorset’s rising skin cancer rates are partly due to the above average number of retired and elderly people living here as well as the number of outdoor workers.

He said: “In Dorset we’re well up there as having some of highest rates of skin cancer in the country, perhaps only after Cornwall and the Isle of Wight – we call it the South West effect.

A disabled Dorset mum is helping her daughters ‘cement their memories’ while battling stage 4 melanoma.

Toni-Marie Roper, of Lyme Regis, has set up a Gofundme page to help pay for a holiday for her girls Darcey, aged nine, and Xanthe, seven.

Thirty-one-year-old Toni-Marie, who also suffers from tissue disorder Ehlers Danlos syndrome and fibromyalgia, said the ideal trip for her family would be the North Coast 500 tour of the Scottish coastline.

She said: “The trip I’m planning is not about a holiday, it’s about escaping.

“I want to show them that I’m still theirs, and I want us to see as much together as we can.

“They’re quite artsy and I’m a photographer, so the North Coast 500 would be a dream way for them to cement their own memories with me.

“They’ve had to grow up quickly.

“I’m not saying people shouldn’t get out and enjoy the sun, but they need to do it safely.”

Dr Taibjee added: “Long term planning for cancer treatment is the biggest issue that we’re facing in the NHS. “Cancer needs all sorts of professionals to take a hand in treating it and dermatologists are in short

“They’re well-nurtured but they’re already very wise.”

Toni-Marie was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in January.

Specialist doctors at Poole are currently helping her explore treatment options including immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

“I was never a sunsupply. The country’s simply not training enough of them. There are currently around 150 dermatology vacancies nationally. We also need more pathologists, radiologists and oncologists.”

Consultant dermatologist Dr Caroline Morgan of University Hospitals Dorset in Poole said:

worshipper but I, like most people, never really thought too much about covering up in the sun,” Toni-Marie said. “When I first spotted a mark on the side of my face, I thought it looked a bit like a birth mark. It did grow superficially but it didn’t even enter my mind to get it checked at first. When I did get it checked, the doctors had “When we talk about seeing increases, we’re talking more about trends that we see rather than strict figures.

“For example, where I work, we’re currently seeing between 200 and 300 new melanoma cases per year, but during the 2010s that figure was about 120 new cases per year. Some of that

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

region’s increase in skin cancer rates

HOLIDAY DREAM: Toni-Marie Roper with her daughters Darcey and Xanthe

Mum fighting melanoma as she tries to ‘cement memories’ with daughters

me in hospital within three days. I thought at the beginning it would be a case of having it cut out and then move on with my life, but it hasn’t worked out that way.

“With my type of nodular melanoma – the one you don’t want – it only takes about six weeks to metastasise in the body. I’m now doing increase can be put down to greater patient awareness and earlier detection but not all of it.”

Dr Morgan added: “Where we live in Dorset we have a big sailing community, lots of people love spending time out on the water but they’re often not wearing enough sunscreen or reapplying it properly throughout the day.”

regular trips to Poole Hospital, and I drive to every appointment because it keeps me focused, even if it means starting at 4am – I like seeing the sun rise.”

Toni-Marie’s desire to feel focused mainly applies to time with her girls.

She said: “I think waiting for news is the worst part for people

with cancer because it’s all they do. The trick is to live between appointments and not just wait for them.

“I’m always making sure that the girls and I have got things to do and places to go.

“We try to be as active together as possible – even though the medications I’m on are quite intense.”

Top sun safety tips from Dr Taibjee and Dr Morgan: n Don’t burn in the sun n Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm n Where possible, stay in the shade and cover up with clothing n Wear a wide-brimmed hat n Use a high sun protection factor sunscreen with a high star rating that also blocks UVA rays n Apply sunscreen thoroughly and

Toni-Marie added: “I’ve not been upset about this yet. People keep saying I need to break down about it, but I don’t need to because I’m well-informed. I don’t have a choice, so I take it in my stride.” n To support ToniMarie, please visit the Gofundme website and search ‘Take a break from melanoma’.

keep reapplying it n If you are in doubt about a new mole or skin blemish book an appointment to see your doctor n Check yourself regularly for new moles or marks, use a mobile phone camera and a tape measure to keep an eye on blemishes if they start to grow.

If in doubt, visit your GP n Help family members and partners check their bodies for marks and moles too

27

28

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Get out and about, learning and discovering Learn about local history while getting some fresh air on guided walks led by West Bay Discovery Centre volunteers.

The walking programme began on Thursday, June 2 with tours taking place every Thursday and Sunday.

Discovery centre trustee John West said: “The walks, led by the centre’s volunteers, usually start at the discovery centre with a different walk each Thursday morning and one Sunday morning walk each month. The walks offer the opportunity to learn more about local history or just enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

“June’s programme includes West Bay’s Hidden History, Stormy

WALKING AND TALKING: Out on a walk with the West Bay Discovery Centre, right

Seas and Crumbling, a walk along the river and railway, and a circular walk to the village of Eype.”

There will be a small fee

to join the walks.

For more details visit the centre or visit the What’s On page of the discovery centre’s website or its Facebook page.

Family boost with hubs cash injection Families throughout Dorset can soon access new support service ‘hubs’ thanks to an £875,450 government cash injection.

These new Family Hubs are designed to allow children, young people and their families to join in activities and support groups and to access support services in their area.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has welcomed the news that Dorset is one of seven authorities to receive a share of the £12m fund and said: “I have been continually making the case for Dorset to receive its fair share under the Government’s levelling up agenda. I am pleased to see the Government recognising the need in

West Dorset to level up and improve the state of social services for those who need them here.”

The first hub will be launched this autumn, and by the end of the project, a spokesperson said ‘all families will have the opportunity to access a family hub through online services’ and in their communities.

Councillor Andrew Parry, portfolio holder for children, education, skills and early help, said: “Our families tell us that they want to access help from professionals in welcoming spaces, with joined up support from the community.

“Our workforce tells us that they don’t have access to sufficient effective

spaces for work with families and want greater opportunities to be in the same space as our professional partners to improve information sharing and support to the families we serve.

“The Family Hubs that we are creating will resolve both these things, meaning that we can offer our families a better service that our workforce and our partners feel is more efficient. To get a grant from the government to do all this is fantastic news – not only does it help financially, but it also shows that the government has recognised the great things we have achieved in Dorset so far and that it has the confidence in Dorset Council to carry on

delivering against its commitments.”

Cllr Parry added: “Family Hubs is one of the things recommended in the recently published independent review of children’s social care, so we are pleased that we are one of the first seven local authorities to benefit from funding.”

Dorset Council was awarded the cash needed to create the new hubs from the government’s Family Hubs Local Transformation Fund. A council spokesperson said the authority will use the money to provide staff for the project, fund the repurposing of some sites and provide small grants to local, voluntary organisations.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

29

£77m DCH plans under consideration Plans for a £77million redevelopment of Dorset County Hospital have been submitted to Dorset Council.

Using earmarked funding from the government’s New Hospital Programme, the plans would see the construction of a new emergency department and critical care unit on part of the site of the former Damers School building.

Plans submitted to the council would include the partial demolition of onsite buildings and structures and the ‘consolidation and expansion’ of healthcare facilities.

This would include constructing 10,920 square metres of additional floorspace, including an extension to the emergency department and intensive care unit and the expansion of medical and health services, including a primary care health hub and a new hospital support centre.

The plans may also see the construction of a new twostorey main entrance, key worker housing and the creation of an integrated care hub as well as changes to site access.

Interim chief executive at Dorset County Hospital Nick Johnson said: “We have big aspirations to develop and improve our hospital site for our patients, staff and visitors, including a brand-new emergency department and critical care unit as part of the government’s New Hospital Programme.

“We really appreciate people taking the time to look at our site plans and give us their feedback.

“We heard from patients, staff and the wider community and have included their views as part of our outline planning application, so they can also be considered by local councillors.”

A spokesperson for the hospital said the plans form part of the hospital’s Your Future Hospital programme, which sets out plans over the next five years to expand clinical facilities on site and help

meet increasing demand.

In February and March, the trust invited staff and the general public to comment on its plans.

Nearly 400 people gave their feedback, and this has been included as part of the outline planning application which seeks a decision on the general principles, scale and nature of the developments.

If Dorset Council grants permission, it would be subject to conditions, and the trust would need to draw up and submit detailed plans for each individual project. n More information about Dorset County Hospital’s plans can be viewed online at dchft.nhs.uk/your-futurehospital The planning application documents can be viewed online at Dorset Council’s planning portal.

occasion. A variety of stalls will be available in the square, alongside entertainment and food, from crown making competitions to scones and ice cream.

Charlotte Spracklen, centre manager at Brewery Square, said: “It’s an honour to host such a unique event and welcome families to make lasting

memories. The sense of community and culture that Brewery Square stands for has always been a crown jewel for us.”

The celebrations will continue into Sunday, June 5 when visitors can watch the Jubilee on a big screen and enjoy the Big Lunch as people come together to celebrate with their community with a feast fit

for kings and queens.

Visitors to Brewery Square are invited to treat themselves to a packed lunch or takeaway food and drink from one of the popular eateries and joining others to enjoy in its amphitheatre-style seating area.

The weekend will end with a Platinum Pageant from 2.30pm.

REDEVELOPMENT PLANS: An artist’s impression of the new look DCH and, below, how it is today

It’s hip to be Square for jubilee celebrations Dorchester’s Brewery Square is celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this weekend with music, food, and activities on Saturday, June 4.

Grace Lovelass will be giving a special national anthem performance at noon, while The String Quartet will play a range of classical renditions from 4.45pm to mark the

30

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Pedal power as cyclists take on the

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Courage, determination and triumph was demonstrated at the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge.

Hundreds of cyclists took part, pedalling the 55 miles from Watchet Harbour in Somerset to West Bay, or the shorter 11-mile route which started at the Royal Oak in Drimpton, also finishing at West Bay. Watchet town crier David Milton heralded the start of the annual spectacle, which is now in its 11th year, which took the cyclists through beautiful countryside, with a mixture of quiet back roads, demanding hill climbs and equally hairy descents. And all the while, crowds of onlookers braved the rain to show their support.

Those who took part included former patients who have experienced the work of the air ambulance first-hand, others cycled in memory of loved ones, as a personal challenge, or as a team.

The first male to cross the finish line was Paul Branfield from Bridgwater and the first female was Anna Boden from Bridport.

And Ed Highnam, 79, from Marnhull was the oldest participant completing the 55-mile route. Ed, a long serving

MEDALS: Henry Thomson aged 11 and his dad Bryn

WELL DONE: Paul Symington and Darren Mockridge from the Devon and Wiltshire Fire Service and, left, Bridport’s Anna Boden is the first female across the finish line

volunteer for the charity, was beaming as he crossed the finish line.

Charlie Bradshaw and

George Hyde, (both aged nine), were the youngest to complete the 11-mile route.

Steve Staple from Weymouth completed the challenge, raising £1,450 for the charity which saved his life after he suffered a cardiac arrest whilst out riding his bike.

Steve said: “It was certainly a challenge. At

the end, a friend who does lots of triathlons said that due to the weather and the head winds, it’s one of the hardest rides he has done, so I think I must have done okay.

“From the last pit stop at Drimpton, I got my second wind and knew I was not far from the finish. I felt a big achievement when I

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

31

coastal challenge for air ambulance very successful 11th birthday. The buzz of eager anticipation at Watchet was fantastic and it was great to see so many familiar faces from previous years alongside those who were taking part for the first time.

“I must say that the very heavy rain in the early afternoon presented a physical and mental challenge to even the hardiest of cyclists.

“I take my hat off to every single rider and at the finish line in West Bay, it had clearly tested everyone.

“However, it was inspiring to see so many who had pushed themselves way beyond their comfort zone to triumph in the end. Of course, it is when things do not go exactly to plan that the organisers are truly put to the test.

“I am very proud to say that our team of staff, crew and volunteers who, having spent months planning for various contingencies, really stepped up to support the riders in reaching their goal.”

AND THEY’RE OFF: The start of Coast to Coast 2022

n Patient Steve Staple from Weymouth

finished and I am really chuffed to have raised a good amount for this amazing charity.”

Stuart Willmore from Bridport, who had completed the challenge four times, fell off a roof in 2019, breaking his back and suffering severe head injuries.

Incredibly, this year Stuart took part in the 55-mile

n Stuart Willmore cycled 55 miles on his hand bike

cycle challenge on his hand bike and said: “My accident left me with a complete spinal cord injury, but I have recovered well and managed to get back out riding again, albeit on three wheels rather than two.

“I cycled in a group of four people, raising money for Dorset and

n Paul Branfield is first male across the finish line

Somerset Air Ambulance and Wings for Life, a nonprofit charity for spinal research.”

Bill Sivewright, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance chief executive officer, praised the efforts of the cyclists and said: “Despite the best efforts of weather to put us off, our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge enjoyed a

n Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance would like to thank the sponsors of this year’s event: Bicycle Chain, Bishops Lydeard Football Club, Carly Press Printing, Garador, Glastonbury Spring Water, Hunts Food Group, Ilminster Ambulance Station, Innovative Hire, Mademoiselle Desserts, Muc Off, Taunton Rugby Club, The Royal Oak Pub Drimpton and Workwear Pro Direct.

32

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Letters

Accident shows the need to stop the Regarding the recent road accident at Miles Cross with a further loss of life and a serious injury to one other person, bringing traffic to a standstill on the roads in and around the town, surely now is the time to call a halt to build some 760 new homes at Vearse Farm?

With the current volume of traffic and an additional estimated 2,00 vehicle movements in the vicinity the road infrastructure is utterly inadequate to service any further development.

Come on councillors – wake up and for once listen to your electorate and not be guided

by council officers and give consideration to the effect on the town’s residents and others this would have! The detained planning application will, in all probability, be dealt with in the next couple of months, so make your views known, time being of the essence.

David Tett West Allington Nick Cole’s long and somewhat obsessive article about the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle somewhere in north Dorset (‘Who is poisoning these birds of prey”, May 20) states that ‘Ilchester Estates made a donation of

Plant of the week...

By botanist Dr Dave Aplin Ox-eye daisies are perennial plants mainly occurring in meadows and along roadsides in West Dorset. Plants vary in height depending on the fertility of the soil. In

£14,000 towards Chris Loder’s election campaign’ and then says that ‘there is no suggestion the eagle died on their land, or because of anyone associated with the estate.’ In that case why mention either the Ilchester Estates or the donation in the first place? What is the implied logic? Or is the author just trying to make unsubstantial insinuations, either about Ilchester Estates or Chris Loder?

Roger White, Sherborne Why are we not supporting home grown in this unstable world? As a Dorset farmer’s

daughter and wife, a few weeks ago in Catering Magazine, I was sad to read it welcoming in the Australian larder that the British Government signed us up to back in December 2021. We British farmers knew very little about this trade deal that the government was signing us into and it goes against everything that we are trying to do. We should all be asking our own citizens to eat and support local food.

Yes Australian farmers produce excellent Wagyu beef and their lamb is also very good, but no better than the home reared meat of the

Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthumum vulgare)

my own meadow, plants initially flowered at 75cm, but now they bloom at around 30cm, indicating that the soil is becoming increasingly infertile, which bodes well for a diverse speciesrich grassland. The first part of their scientific

name ‘Leucanthemum’ is derived from Greek for white-flower, whereas ‘vulgaris’ comes from Latin meaning common.

Beneath their 4cm wide flowers, alternate toothedleaves increase in size as they near the base of the plant.

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.

A bag of a variety of clothes including two Ralph Lauren shirts, Topshop jeans, several unworn T-shirts, Next dress

VINYL RECORDS BOUGHT Clocktower Music Bridport Please phone 01308 458077 and other labels, and many tops. 07876 485498 £30.

Free standing solid pine display cabinet – good

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 condition. Three adjustable shelves with storage cabinet.

201cm x 48cm x 32cm. £40 Priced to sell 01297 489 414.

Large wall mirror with pine surround 134cm x 104cm £25 01297 489 414.

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

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

33

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

760-home Vearse Farm development farmers right here on our doorstep. At Rawston Farm, we carried out our own survey last Easter to discover that imported lamb was more expensive than our local English option. It makes no sense to choose the imported option.

Yes, our fruits are not as exotic as our Australian cousins, but when British apples, pears, raspberries and strawberries are in season, they are some of the best in the world.

What other things do we produce in the UK that are forgotten in these strategic trade deals? Sugar beet, award winning wines for a start. And as the home of whisky, why

n A couple from Affpuddle were surprised to meet the President of Ireland while on holiday.

Bob and Diana Holman met Michael Higgins at the palace while on a flower arranger’s holiday in Dublin led by demonstrator Michael Bowyer. They were treated to a tour of the grounds and canapes.

Diana said: “I don’t think any of us really believed we really would are we importing that too? The government says prices are lower and the supply chain

get to meet the president!

“The president and his wife Sabina met each of us individually and they were so genuinely warm and welcoming.” better, but flying food and drinks 9,445 miles and then paying our own farmers to re-

wild and plant trees rather than cultivate food is ridiculous.

Food from home is the safest choice to feed the population in the wake of Brexit, Covid and now the war in Ukraine.

We are faced with the strong possibility of running out of sunflower oil as Ukraine is one of its’ biggest producers and this is just one example.

Producing food on home soil from some of the most talented farmers, fishermen and food producers in the world is not only safer and more sensible; it’s morally and ethically responsible to the people of the UK. Barbara Cossins, Rawston Farm

Church Services Thursday, June 2 Swyre 10am Thanksgiving and Celebration for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Friday, June 3 Sherborne 3pm Civic Service for the Platinum Jubilee at Sherborne Abbey Sunday, June 5 Bridport Catholic Church 10am Mass Burton Bradstock 8am Holy Communion 10.30am Songs of Praise Litton Cheney 9.30am Morning Worship Long Bredy 11am Holy Communion Puncknowle 9.30am Holy Communion Swyre 6pm Evening Prayer Sherborne Abbey 9.30am Pentecost/Whit Sunday St Martin of Tours, Lillington 10am Platinum Jubilee Service

The village’s Jubilee Party takes place after the service from midday.

Longburton 10am Village Communion St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am Holy Communion Castleton 11am Mattins Sherborne Abbey 6pm Festival Evensong Sunday, June 12 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 Holy Communion, St Mary Magdalene Cheap Street 6.30pm Taize Service Shipton Gorge 9.30am: Churches Count on Nature: Bug Hunt We will start with Breakfast in the

Village Hall at Shipton Gorge and some thoughts about ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ before heading to the churchyard of St Martin’s, Shipton Gorge, to search for wildlife.

All are welcome to join us!

Bridport Catholic Church 10am Mass Burton Bradstock 11am Holy Communion Dorchester United Church 10.30am Morning Worship and Junior Church Wednesday: 10.45am Market Day Service Other service times vary - details displayed on the Monitor in the South Street window Littlebredy 11am Holy Communion Litton Cheney 9.30am Holy Communion Shipton Gorge 9.30am Breakfast Church Swyre 11am Holy Communion Toller Fratrum St Basil’s Church.

11.30am Holy Communion

34

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022

Births, marriages and deaths

Dad was teacher, mentor and father:

By Dave Aplin

What makes a good teacher and mentor?

It’s not qualifications, but an infectious passion and enthusiasm and a willingness to share.

I owe my life in horticulture and all things plant-related to my dad, Kenneth Aplin, who sadly passed away on May 28, aged 87.

Dad was a passionate hobbyist, who as a young man exhibited rabbits with the late John Holbrooke, raced pigeons and kept goal for a number of local football teams.

By the time I entered the world, his passions had crystallised into gardening,

PRIZE GUY: Kenneth Aplin with his award-winning flowers

initially exhibiting chrysanthemums with the legendary Cyril Hollywood, later showing dahlias competing against Larry Phillips, Peter Read and his son Mark, and – when show rules allowed – me.

Dad’s domain was several allotments at the St George’s Road site in Fordington, along the banks of the River Frome, where he, and then we, tended four allotments stocked with dahlias, chrysanthemums and vegetables to fill a huge chest freezer and potato store.

His fellow allotment holders were Walt Downton, Ray and Tony Palmer, Doug Chainy, Bob House, John Bladimer, ‘Lofty’ and dad’s brother Will.

The first bunch of

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, May 20, 2022

35

Births, marriages and deaths

A life of growing beauty I emulated chrysanthemums dad cut was always given to his sister Sheila Fielding.

As a postman, alongside his late brother Ted, dad started work very early, but that provided him afternoons to tend his plots.

Prior to the bypass, this was a tranquil spot, and one where I would explore the riverbank with my cousin Nick and attempt to climb the numerous ivy-clad apple trees.

My interests turned to what dad was doing and by the age of 11 I was hooked on gardening. I would observe the master at work, trying to copy.

Dad was always encouraging

and would happily relinquish tasks with his careful oversight.

During the early 1980s, dad was show secretary of the Dorchester Horticultural Society. There were several shows a year, with exhibits taking up both floors of the Corn Exchange and Magistrates’ Room.

Jim Barnes, Larry Phillips, Brian Copp, Harold Swain, Jack Mouland, Jean Hawkins, Mary Hayward and a very young Mark Read were the names on the prize cards at that time. With success locally, dad and our friends, Peter, Mark and Adrian Read

ventured a bit further afield, exhibiting at the Southwest of England Dahlia Championships in Plymouth.

Success there gave dad confidence to enter the National Dahlia Show in London, where he became National Champion for a particular type of dahlia.

Overnight trips to Plymouth and London provided many memories for the Aplins and Reads, which are still recalled with great fondness to this day.

Dad gradually reduced the number of allotments, until he relinquished the last about 12 years ago, which had been in the family for around 75 years.

Dad became a popular horticultural judge and bred his own dahlia cultivar, named after his wife of over 50 years, Clara May. Dad died of vascular dementia, the same condition that claimed mum, but my memories of dad will be forever of a very patient dad sharing his passion at a tranquil St Georges Road allotment site during the 1980s. Dad is survived by three children, Kevin, Sandy and myself, his sister Shelia, brother Will and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements to be confirmed.

Vittles (food & drink)

36

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Vittles (food & drink)

Tucking in and raising a glass to the

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Foodies everywhere are raising a glass in anticipation for the Bridport Food and Beer Festival, which is back in town on June 17 and 18 after a two-year hiatus.

Organised by Bridport Local Food Group and the Round Table, the event on Asker Meadow is the highlight of Bridport Food Festival fortnight, which is running between June 12 and 24 to celebrate the food produced by people within 25 miles of Bridport.

The festival features a sparkling array of events on Asker’s Meadow, kicking off on Friday at 6pm with the Beer Festival, which will be showcasing 80 beers and 40 ciders along with the Pimm’s bar, music and street food.

On Saturday, top local chefs Mark Hix, Gill Meller, Pam Corbin, Sally Fishcamp

and Chris Chatfield, the head chef at the Station Kitchen in West Bay, will present cookery demonstrations while those wanting to learn the art of cocktail alchemy can take home some tips from

Dark Bear. If you fancy something softer then head to the Festival Tearoom for a good cup of Dorset Tea with homemade cakes and scones.

The theme for this year’s festival is Reducing Food

Waste, so visitors can head to the #lovefoodhatewaste tent to watch a selection of demonstrations and talks from special guests including eco nutritionist Daphne Lambert on how to save food from the bin

For the crumble 200g plain or wholemeal flour 100g butter 50g grated cheese Handful of porridge oats Black pepper 2 tablespoons sunflower or pumpkin seeds (optional) For the sauce 2 tablespoons butter 1 garlic clove, peeled and

crushed 2 tablespoons plain flour 400ml milk Handful of grated cheese (optional)

Mum’s Kitchen...

Easy Vegetable crumble Serves 4-6

available in the fridge or in the garden.

I had vegetables left in the fridge before we went off on holiday, so made this recipe to use them up.

The vegetables I used were courgettes and organic broccoli, with an added tin of drained sweetcorn, but just use what you have

Ingredients for the filling About 600g of mixed vegetables such as: Carrot, parsnip, squash, potato, sweet potato, spring onion, leeks, mushrooms, peppers, peas (frozen or fresh), sweetcorn (frozen or fresh)

Method Make the sauce.

Chop all the fresh vegetables into fairly small dice. Melt the butter in a large saucepan until it

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

37

Vittles (food & drink)

welcome return of popular foodfest

and help save our pockets along with the planet.

The food festival runs from 9.30am to 5pm. The Beer Festival runs from 11am to 11pm.

Adult tickets are £5 on the gate or £3.50 in advance

from the TIC or online at bridportandwestbay.co.uk/ tickets. Entry is free for youngsters under 17 years of age.

During Bridport Food Festival fortnight there will be tours and tastings,

farm walks, special menus and pop ups, masterclasses, a food and drink quiz, food matching plus wine tasting will be taking place in the town and surrounding area, showcasing and celebrating the diverse and

with Diana Holman starts to bubble slightly.

Add the crushed garlic and stir for a minute. Add the flour and stir well for another minute. The butter and flour will thicken and change colour slightly.

Gradually add the milk a little at a time, stirring all the time to prevent lumps forming. When the sauce has thickened, add the

chopped fresh vegetables and cook gently for five minutes, stirring often.

Then add any frozen or drained tinned vegetables.

You can add a bit or grated cheese if you wish. I had a small piece of soft goat cheese and some Greek yoghurt in the fridge, and I stirred these in at this point. Pour the filling into

an ovenproof dish. Top with the crumble mixture. I put all the ingredients for the crumble into the food processor and whizz them up, but it could be made by rubbing the butter in by hand if you wish. Preheat the oven to 200C/180 fan.

Bake the vegetable crumble for 30-40 minutes until it is golden brown.

resilient food and drink producers, retailers and hospitality industry from this little part of West Dorset.

For the full calendar of events visit bridportfoodfestival.co.uk

38

The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 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.

March 23, 2020: a date that we will all remember, the day we went into covid lockdown. It made me reevaluate my life, gave me time to think about what was important to me.

We were all a little scared about what the future would hold and the acceptance that our current ‘status quo’ would indubitably change and in hindsight, it has! It made me rethink my shopping habits, what I was eating, where it originated and the animal’s welfare.

Hublet is the archetypal ‘meat and two veg’ man. I enjoy a good vegetarian dish, I empathise with the opinions of vegans and vegetarians, though object to the vegan hard-line rhetoric. We are all entitled to our opinions, we have choice. Take that away and what do we have?

However, these new food trends do highlight some important issues, where our food comes from and how highly processed foods is detrimental to our health, which includes overprocessed plant-based ‘meat substitutes’.

Visiting Balson’s in Bridport is a journey into times past. Shopping with my gran is one of my earliest memories.

Pigtailed and full of ‘skips,’ the trip into town criss-crossed streets void of cars until we reached the butcher’s shop on the Marine Parade. Inside the butcher always greeted us with a wide smile, the delicious waft of hot meat pies, sausages and cooking

PLEASED TO MEAT YOU: Richard Balson at his shop. Below: Ukrainian sausages

Nostalgia not what it used to be when we’re so lucky hams made my mouth water, the woody scent of sawdust sprinkled over pristine blue and white floor tiles. My gran would reflect melancholically on the austerity of the war years and softly remind us how lucky we were, looking at the choices we have today, aren’t we just!

But today, a war still rages in Europe, and the Ukrainian sausages on sale seem such a genuine and fitting tribute to Ukraine. They smell amazing.

Balson’s is a traditional butcher shop, allowing a smidgen of nostalgia.

The scent of freshly cooked pies and traditional

pasties and their famous faggots greets your senses, a visual delight of meats,

cheeses and chutneys, eggs and virtually everything you need.

So, what is Richard’s Balson’s secret?

500 years of history lay behind Balson’s door, and Richard and his team are understandably proud of its robust history and achievements. It’s a family affair.

And there lies the answer, a devotion to a trade, and just like my gran’s butcher, always smiling! I think my gran would approve of today’s Balson’s.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

39

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.

Crumbs! Cookies that take the biscuit Coconut and White Chocolate Cookies Making cookies is a lovely way to occupy your children and eating them an equal pleasure. When I make these, I add flaky sea salt, which provides a lovely contrast to the sweetness. However, you can omit the salt with no detriment to the final, deliciously chewy cookies.

Makes 10 cookies 100g white chocolate 115g soft butter 125g caster sugar 95g light brown sugar 1 free range egg 250g plain flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon flaked sea salt (optional) 50g desiccated coconut Chop the white chocolate into large pieces (1cm square) and leave on the side until you need it.

Mix the soft butter with the caster sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl – you don’t need to beat the mixture. Pop in the egg and mix again. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt (if using). Add your chopped chocolate and coconut and stir until all the ingredients are combined in a soft dough.

Weigh out 75g lumps of dough and roll them into balls. Sit them on a parchment-lined baking tray so that they don’t touch and

put them in the fridge for 30 minutes or so to firm up.

Turn the oven on to Gas 4 /180°C about 15 minutes before you intend baking.

Take the dough balls from the fridge and put half of them onto a second parchment-lined baking tray and set them all well apart – they will spread in the oven but you don’t want them to lose their roundness. They will take 25-30 minutes to cook. When done, the cookies will be lightly golden but should still feel slightly undercooked at the centre.

Remove from the oven and leave on the baking trays until cool. Serve with a cuppa – oh yeah, and the kids. n Variations: Proceed as above but try using different ingredients in place of coconut and chocolate.

For Fruit and Chocolate Chunk Cookies, add 100g milk chocolate and 100g cranberries.

For Smartie Cookies (I like the giant guys – they add great colour and crunch) use 150g. n Lizzie can be found outside her cottage in Upwey every Saturday and at various food festivals throughout the summer check out www. lizziebakingbird.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @lizzibakingbird.

40

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Homes & Gardens

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

Top tips for the prickliest customers If you’re seeking quality plants and fantastic advice on their care, a specialist independent nursery is the place to go. The owners

OVEN CLEANING

SHINY STOVES Oven cleaning Family-run business Eco-friendly products 01935 592461 / 07875 272401

shinystoves.com

UPHOLSTERY BEAMINSTER UPHOLSTERY AND FURNITURE REPAIR Please ring Mike for a quote 07470 007588 or email beaminster upholstery@gmail.com

GARDENS

THE FENCING & GATE Co Free survey & quotation

01935 330095 01305 330031

Soil Testing Service Professional laboratory soil tests

• gardeners • landscapers • small holders Wild昀ower meadows, veg, fruit, 昀ower, new & established gardens.

Fast, accurate & easy to interpret soil report within 7 days

www.soilvalues.com 07598 714 082

have real passion for their chosen plants, which they lovingly raise from cuttings and seed. One such nursery is Coach House Cacti (coachhousecacti.co.uk) in Kingcombe Road, Toller Porcorum.

A cactus nursery situated deep within the emerald folds of the west Dorset landscape might surprise, yet David Ennals, supported by his wife Jane, have carved a highly successful prize-winning nursery boasting the widest range of cacti in the county.

If you think you already know cacti from the types normally sold in garden centres, then observing a specialist’s collection can’t fail but expand your horizons to their diverse shapes, colours and forms.

Visiting a specialist nursery at a residential property might at first seem a little daunting, but in reality you will be greeted with smiles as you step across the threshold and probably offered a mug of your preferred brew. It appears that David and Jane place as much care into their customers’ comfort as they do to the cultivation of their plants.

David’s passion grew from the age of 14 following the responsibility of looking after several cacti. He now resides over a considerable number of spectacular

plants, some close to half a century old, used for the exhibitions they attend annually. These provide customers with a glimpse of what the smaller, saleable plants will become given the right care. Nursery opening times are highlighted on the Coach House cacti website, but also available through various plant fairs and shows throughout the summer.

David’s top tips for growing cacti are: cacti enjoy high light levels, so place them on your sunniest windowsill, turning them weekly to ensure even growth. water plants as individuals,

if dry, water, if not leave them well alone. rainwater is perfect for cacti because some dislike hard tap water.

Avoid getting water on the plants, this can lead to scorch on hot days, in cooler weather the moisture can linger inviting disease.

Ensure cacti are planted in free-draining compost by adding grit to any prepared mix (ideally John Innes number 2).

If you have a specialist plant collection in the West Dorset Magazine’s distribution area then why not let us know? I’m sure others would love to share in your passion.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

41

First fluffy cygnets swanning around The first fluffy cygnets have hatched at Abbotsbury Swannery.

And with more than 100 nesting pairs of swans, the coming weeks will see scores of new arrivals at the swannery, which is the only place in the world where visitors can walk alongside the nests through the colony of mute swans and have the chance to see the cygnets hatching from their eggs this month and next.

Swannery manager Charlie Wheeler says: “It is always such a thrill when the first

eggs hatch and now it’s all systems go for the next couple of months, as hundreds of cygnets make their debut. Our visitors get a wonderful close-up view of the young birds and can see how attentive the swan parents are, as their youngsters grow and venture out of the nest.

Visitors can also take part in the mass feeding sessions twice a day, which is quite a spectacle when the swans gather en masse for their lunch and tea!”

The swannery is open every day 10am to FEATHERED FRIENDS: The first cygnets recently started to hatch at 5pm.

Abbotsbury Swannery

l 50 years’ experience l No obligation CAD design service l Local, established family business l Exclusive products l Installing throughout Dorset and the South

Mill House, Millers Close, The Grove Trading Estate Dorchester, DT1 1SS

We are a local family run business offering you the best possible prices with the assurance of superior quality and generous year-round discounts

( 01305 259996

bathroominspirationsdorchester.com

42

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Down to earth

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

There has been a harbour at West Bay since the 13th century. Technically, that would mean it should be a great place to beachcomb.

Have the locusts of beachcombing beaten me to it? Or maybe the goodies are deep, deep down under decades of beach defence work.

West Bay has a special light quality, perhaps that is why it was chosen to be the location for so many films and TV dramas. So, again technically we could beachcomb and find an old shoelace of David Tennant’s or a remnant of Reggie Perrin’s folded clothes before he disappears into the sea in the credits of The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin.

The big pink house – an icon in West Bay – apparently once belonged to film producer Cubby Broccoli’s widow. So again it may be possible to find a useful piece of 007 spy kit that was mislaid in removals. Not likely I know – but one can dream!

Turning my mind to certainties I went to see the Dorset Art Weeks exhibition at Poundbury’s newly opened Jubilee Hall.

I was feeling a little flat as my beachcombing hopes had been dashed (not for the first time) at West Bay. However beachcombing inspiration was at hand.

Combing sands of West Bay in hunt for hidden treasures low tide, and also has a stunning website at seashed.co.uk with everything from greetings cards to jewellery for sale.

The theme of the exhibition at Jubilee Hall for Dorset Art Weeks was “It’s Up to Us” as in – are we just going to let global warming destroy us?

So, we were very pleased to see Stephen Yates’ fabulous painting The Water Level is Rising.

Stephen is also a TOP FINDS: Top, Enjoying West Bay and Driftwood Horse by ceramicist and Rachel White. Above, Jenny Hunt’s Rock-pooling on the Tideline experienced teacher based on Portland. You The first piece which Weeks are over now but art can catch him on Facebook caught my eye was Rachel is still available to buy – at Stephen Yates Artist.

White’s Driftwood check out her beautiful Lastly, Beth Taggart’s Seahorse. It captures the website driftwoodfish.co.uk colourful ammonite acrylic beautiful and odd Jenny Hunt had a painting stood out.

Contact movement that seahorses wonderful exhibit: Lyme have. Of course, Dorset Art Regis Rock-pooling on the her on 07896 245205.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

43

Down to earth

So much to look forward to this month Kevin Quinn is a Dark Sky Custodian for the Cranborne Chase Dark Sky Reserve who lives in Piddletrenthide.

Read his blog at theastroguy.wordpress.com With the arrival of British Summer Time, many northern hemisphere astronomy enthusiasts will have already packed up their scopes and put everything on hold until the autumn.

After all, it doesn’t get properly dark until very late, and then you’ve only got a couple of hours before it starts getting light again. In previous years there were at least some planets on view in the summer evenings, but this year the major planets won’t be back in the evening sky until the autumn. It won’t be until the beginning of August until we see Saturn clearing the horizon around 9pm.

So, what to do? Well, planet enthusiasts can always get up early in the morning to view them. In fact, all the planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune – will be visible in the pre-dawn sky at the same time throughout June (quite a sight, though binoculars will be needed for the latter two). There are a number of nice conjunctions on show, too: n Mars and Jupiter on June 1 n Venus and Uranus on June 11 n Mercury and the Hyades and the moon and Mars on June 23

LOOKING UP: Here’s what to expect in the June night sky

Definitely something there worth setting the alarm for.

Then there’s the everreliable moon: I’m not really a moon person, but I’m reliably informed that it’s endlessly fascinating, and changes from night to night and at least it’s something to look at.

No, I’m afraid that, for me at least, there’s nothing for it but to stay up late; at least it’s warm.

Over the years I’ve managed many very late sessions and even some allnighters during the summer months, and very enjoyable they were, too.

It’s on such occasions, while you’re actually waiting for darkness and seeing the stars gradually emerge, that one really feels the slow, unhurried turning of the earth; not something that can be rushed.

I like to set up the scope nice and early, spend the evening in the garden with family and friends, listening to the birds, watching the bats flitter around, seeing the first few stars start to appear, all whilst enjoying a glass or two …

A moonless evening at the beginning or towards the end of June would be ideal.

Then, just as the light fades, the Milky Way appears: a ghostly pale arc across the sky to begin with, then more details emerge as the night wears on. Extending from Perseus in the north, through Cassiopeia, Cygnus, Aquila, Scutum, Scorpius and Sagittarius in the south, I’d say it’s well worth staying up for a look at this alone; there’s so much to see. And then you can watch the planets rise,

one at a time ahead of the sun. Finally, something that’s well worth looking out for at this time of year is the phenomenon known as noctilucent clouds.

These are extremely rare, very high clouds (in the Mesosphere, around 200,000 feet up) visible in the night sky, usually on clear, summer nights. They become visible about the same time as the brightest stars and are usually bluish or silvery. There have been some beautiful displays over the past couple of years, and provide a great photo opportunity.

44

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Down to earth

What’s in a name? It’s nunya business PAGAN VIEWS

by JO BELASCO

The Disappearing Nunnery – is there really “nun-thing” to it?

Place names tell us a lot.

Usually in a ‘does what it says on the tin’ sense.

So, for example, White Ways would usually be made of chalk, Abbotsbury would be where there was an abbey and Abbot and in this case it was the home of blackrobed Benedictine monks.

You get where I am going with this – broad garden was once, yes, a broad garden and bishop’s kiln still has the remains of a kiln. And of course, Nunnery Grove once housed... WAIT! Did it?

On the Purbeck and South Dorset OL15 map you can clearly see a massive swathe of land called Nunnery Grove (NGR – SY578846).

What’s this got to do with paganism, you may ask?

The feeling I get here is a strong desire to be remembered, the desire to be heard. Most online maps I’ve seen don’t show Nunnery Grove and I had the uncomfortable inkling somewhere rather special was being accidentally edited out of history.

The first thing I noticed after braving the dodgy entry into one of the footpaths from the coastroad was a possible sheep dip. There is one at Martinstown which is signposted and even has a plaque. Maybe,

FINDING THE FLOW: Mark Vine examines the possible sheep dip and finds a fairy ring.

Below, two nuns in the Gemini month and a map of the area

Abbotsbury has so many wonders this one is just overlooked?

Monasteries in the past used to sometimes house both men and women.

This led to, let us say ‘indiscretions’ and so a rule was made to house nuns in separate buildings at least four miles away from the monasteries.

The possible nunnery hidden away in Nunnery Grove is not four miles

away and as quite a few of the Abbots – especially the last one, Roger Roddon – had a very bad reputation with women, the need for historical secrecy starts to make sense.

Fearing I was adding two and two and making 451 I called in the assistance of my archaeologicallyminded friend Mark Vine, a local history writer and Dolmen lyricist.

He agreed that the area had all the hallmarks of a settlement. He noticed a strange circle on the ground I had forgotten about. Mark also pointed out what looked like a very ancient track leading right through the middle of the site. The area we were in leads on from the hill which is the start of Nunnery Grove but that has no public rights of way I can find.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

45

Down to earth

Look out for feeding time for the fledglings Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown up sons and her spotty rescue dog. You can see Sally’swork, Sparrows in a Puddle at Instagram.com/ sparrows.puddle.photos It’s ‘feed me!’ time for my fledgling garden birds I love to be up early at this time of year. There is something very special about eating my breakfast in the quiet of a June morning while I watch the birds. Along with the usual suspects, the sparrows, blackbirds and robins, there are some new kids on the block.

Rounder and fluffier, with yellow flanges at the sides of their beaks, the new baby birds out of their nests can look quite different from their parents.

Their behaviour is quite distinctive too, they’re often hopping about on the ground, or flapping their wings rapidly as their parents approach to feed them.

Baby birds leaving the nest are called

fledglings and typically spend a couple of weeks being fed by the parents while they learn to fly and be independent. The most common fledgling I see is the house sparrow. Our bungalow has wood cladding, which as it has aged has warped and cracked along the grain to create numerous nooks and crannies desirable for the sparrows to nest in.

As we have also provided some terraced nestboxes, there are always many fledgling sparrows in the garden in the summer.

Blackbirds have successfully nested in our hedge this year and their big brown fledglings often draw attention to themselves with their loud ‘feed me!’ calls. I’ve also been watching three gorgeous fledgling robins in the garden being fed by a hardworking parent.

Apparently, with both the blackbirds and the robins, this is most likely to be the male as the females will already be preparing for another brood.

Robins, blackbirds and house sparrows all typically have two or three broods a year, so I still expect to see fledglings in the garden right through into August.

If you do spot a fledgling on the ground, the RSPB advice is to leave it where it is as the parents will be coming to feed it.

If possible, keep your cats inside, as baby birds are easy pickings. However, it might be necessary to move a fledgling if it is in immediate danger (on a road for example) but even then, it should only be moved carefully to the side of the road, so that the parents can easily find it again.

There’s no need to hide your puppies these days 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.

Overlooked by all but a handful of us on our perambulations are the Rust Fungi, with only the gardener and certainly the arable farmer caring or knowing much about them.

Two-hundred and fifty species occur in Britain, and they can be seen almost everywhere. The easiest to spot is Violet Bramble Rust, Phragmidium violaceum.

This ubiquitous species produces purple fruiting structures on the underside

of bramble leaves and covers the top of the leaves with pink blotches.

More striking are the numerous rust fungi that appear as patches of bright orange pustules. Looking out for pustules is not for everyone, but they are worth your attention because they are so very interesting and worth a close look through a magnifying glass. The pustules are the sporeproducing structures that are created from energy and material ‘stolen’ from its unfortunate host. Mallows are worth examination as they almost invariably suffer from hollyhock rust, (Puccinia malvacearum), as, unsurprisingly, do hollyhocks. Among my favourite rusts is nettle rust, (P. urticata), a real beauty that can cover a larger area

of leaf and stem, deforming both in the process. Most rust species are confined to one or a few hosts, making them relatively easy to identify. Often, as in these two cases, the genus name of the host is used as the specific name of the parasite, another example being Puccinia menthae, which attacks mints, the genus name of which is Mentha.

Apart from their perhaps questionable beauty, rust fungi have no good side to the character as they are straightforward parasites of living plants.

While few would mourn the loss of the odd stinging nettle, with food crops it is quite a different matter.

Cereals are very vulnerable and always have been.

Stripe rust and brown rust,

for example, are still serious pathogens of cereal crops in Britain, with only good management and the application of fungicides saving the day. In the past, such strategies were not available, so people were inclined to propitiate the gods. The Romans held the festival of Robigalia, where the blood and entrails of an unweaned red puppy were offered to their god of agriculture, Robigus.

We have better gods these days, but the Roman festival is continued in the Christian Church with Rogation Sunday and various Rogation days, all of which are in late spring.

As far as I know, no puppies are sacrificed.

46

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Culture

After pandemic, local arts & crafts In 1906, a small craft exhibition was held at Hinton St Mary and its success led to the formation of the Dorset Arts and Crafts Association in 1907.

The association’s first exhibition

was held at Blandford Corn Exchange in 1907.

Since then, exhibitions have been held annually, apart from a break during the Second World War. The association was registered as

a charity in 1967 and supports local artists and craft workers through the annual exhibition and through the awarding of an Arts & Crafts Grant to groups or individuals.

By Marion Spencer The covid-19 pandemic may have brought many challenges and negative aspects to all our lives, but it also instigated many positive changes. One of these has been a resurgence of interest in traditional arts and crafts and an acknowledgement of the sense of wellbeing gained by learning a new skill or filling your home with original art and handmade objects.

Members of Dorset Arts and Crafts Association (DACA) have been bringing their quality mix of traditional and contemporary creations to a wide audience for over 100 years and despite the challenges, still managed a smaller but highly successful version of their annual event at The Purbeck School in Wareham in 2021.

Techniques and ideas from books and videos are all very well but there is nothing like the live experience. This August, visitors will be able to enjoy the full DACA experience once again with five days of demonstrations, exhibits of fine art, crafts and photography and children’s workshops, plus a selection of stalls where they can meet the makers and buy their work.

ONE GOOD TURN: Peter Thomas at his lathe

Peter Thomas and Trevor Ball are long-standing members of DACA who champion the importance of learning by watching. Peter is a self-taught green woodturner and stick-maker who learnt the latter by watching his grandfather making shepherds’ crooks.

Trevor also taught himself to work with the living wood, after observing Peter at his lathe and ‘getting the bug’.

As a farm manager in Rampisham, Peter had always had an interest in wood and purchased his first lathe second-hand: “For the first few weeks all hell let loose, but I became absolutely hooked,” he said.

Soon Peter had pushed the machine to its limits and decided to make his own using a five-horsepower grain elevator motor, some angle iron and MDF pulleys.

Once he retired due to knee trouble, his hobby became a full-time cottage industry, working from his shed built of locally-sourced Douglas fir.

His passion was never intended as a business but soon he had accumulated so much work he took some to a small event in the village and sold out. Gradually he attended more and more shows and gained a reputation in the craft.

In recent years Peter has dropped the majority of shows, mostly selling directly to a loyal following, but he still enjoys the annual DACA showcase which he has taken part in since the early 1990s.

Peter said: “With the history and length of DACA it needs all the support we can give, there can’t be many organisations with over a hundred years of history and the encouragement they

give to young people , by awarding an annual grant, is fantastic. One of the other good things is the have-ago workshops, I ran one for several years, not turning but making a walking stick and they used to queue up.”

Following his army career, Trevor had been a gamekeeper and woodsman on the farm Peter managed and was inspired by the work he showed at a countryside fair organised there in 2006. By the time he also retired, Trevor was just as passionate about turning.

He said: “I had planned to be a furniture maker but the first tool I bought was a lathe. After that all the tools I bought were funded by selling what I made. I can remember bringing my first bowl up to show Peter, he must have been horrified!”

Although Trevor considers Peter his mentor, neither believe in formal teaching because of their love of using living wood. Trevor said: “We both have the philosophy that the worst thing you can do is go for lessons, because you are brainwashed in to thinking there is only one way to do things. There is no set way, we even sharpen our tools differently. Peter is ambidextrous for one thing, which annoys me. I would

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

47

Culture

are taking a woodturn for the better

SKILLED WORKERS: Peter Thomas and Trevor Ball and, below, Pete with one of his bowls

sit and watch him for hours and he would try to bury me in shavings.”

Peter has many people watch him work. He said: “They say, ‘can you teach us?’ and I will say ‘no, but you can watch’. We only use malformed, misshapen and diseased wood, which is so undervalued, all our wood is cut with a chainsaw so it’s rough-edged and not round, it’s an organic material, still alive. You give that to another wood turner and the first thing they will do is make it neat and round on a bandsaw, no character. We are giving another life to the tree and that piece of wood will respond to temperature and humidity. People pay a lot of money for a seasoned log from a rainforest. Ours is all locally sourced and sustainable. It dries as you turn it anyway, seasoned wood makes a lot of dust and is a lot harder to cut.”

Peter also values the therapeutic effects of

crafting and has welcomed a range of people with depression, anxiety or antisocial behavioural problems to his workshop to be inspired and experience the self-worth of holding something you have created. He said the transformation in people has been impressive.

Both wood turners were founder members of the Dorset Coppice Group which aims to educate people on the sustainability of coppicing, using areas of woodland cut in a controlled way to provide wood, crafting materials and charcoal which has a surprising variety of uses.

Members of the group demonstrate a range of woodland crafts at the DACA event, including basketry and hurdle making.

Trevor said: “DACA is such a unique thing in the country, there’s not another one like it now, I don’t think. You get lots of youngsters, that’s one of the

things I used to enjoy about demonstrating. I was always outside in the courtyard, and you get the nine to 12-yearolds and they’ll stand there half a day watching you and talking to you about it. If you can fire a little germ into them for the future, you’ve achieved something.”

The two men have a friendly rivalry and have competed against one another for the DACA showcase trophies over the years.

However one more thing that they are both agreed upon is that neither is satisfied with their work.

Peter said: “I have never yet made anything I’m happy with. I would give up if I did. It is the satisfaction of the technical challenge that keeps you going.

You are always looking for that next piece that will be the one.”

Trevor agreed: “It’s the one thing

that spurs you on, the childish excitement of looking at a piece of wood and wondering what’s inside.”

What advice would these two mentors who don’t ‘teach’ offer to all the budding wood turners out there?

“Don’t start with any preconceived ideas. Have a go and don’t be afraid of your tools, don’t be too timid, the chisels have a long handle so you can steady them with your body.

“If you are turning an uneven piece, it is hard to see the edge when it’s spinning so if you hang a light colour cloth behind it, you will get a ghost image you can follow.” n The DACA Showcase event will be at The Purbeck School in Wareham on August 5-9.

48

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Culture

Your chance to land share of £16.9m arts funding West Dorset MP Chris Mr Loder is encouraging museums, galleries, libraries, and cultural venues across West Dorset to bid for a share of £16.9million in new funding from the Museum Estate and Development Fund.

This cash boost is designed to help museums conduct maintenance work to improve their building infrastructure for the benefit of visitors, staff, to preserve culture in our communities.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is contributing the extra funding for the

FUNDING CHANCE: Chris Loder MP with Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston

second round of the Museum Estate and Development Fund following Chris Loder’s invitation to Dorset last year to the tourism minister – to get more for West Dorset. Grants available in Round 2 are between £50,000 and £5million.

The funds are already benefitting museums, with improved access to local history. They have helped to complete structural work, prevent flooding, and increase public access, so more people can visit their collections and enjoy our national heritage.

Mr Loder said: “West Dorset has a rich heritage showcased in our local museums, galleries and libraries, of which we can all be proud. I welcomed the tourism minister to West Dorset last year to see for himself the rich contributions made by our local museums to our national story.

“The extra £16.9 million in funding from the Museum Estate and Development Fund will protect and widen access to the historic collections in our museums and galleries. I urge museums and cultural venues across West Dorset to apply.”

Check out poet’s supermarket story

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Acclaimed poet and Radio 4 regular John Osborne is heading to The Royal Oak in Drimpton and A Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton to perform his new poetry collection about supermarkets and the people who use them.

A Supermarket Love Story is a national project to some of the UK’s top performing poets to craft new shows especially for rural pubs, with the aim of helping landlords attract new customers, widen the experience for regulars, and help reinforce the pub as a central, vibrant part of community life.

John Osborne is a Radio 4 regular and creator of the cult show, John Peel’s Shed. Through his latest

PUB DATES: Poet John Osborne’s summer tour

collection of poems, A Supermarket Love Story, love will bloom, lives will continue as they always have, and you’ll meet two

paramedics by the crisps.

As staff untuck their shirts and sit on kick stools stacking shelves, we join them all for a storytelling

feast and find that every aisle really does tell a different story.

Weaving words to create wonderful worlds out of the most ordinary of situations, join John in two Dorset pubs this summer for a night of poignant, enchanting and heartwarming poetic tales.

John Osborne will perform live at The Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton on Sunday, June 12 at 6.30pm.

The pub kitchen is open until 6pm for roast dinners.

Contact The Gaggle on 01300 345249 to book tickets.

John will be at The Royal Oak in Drimpton on Sunday, August 7.

Tickets can be booked on 01308 867617.

Full details are available online at artsreach.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

49

Culture

Enjoy seeing Bottom in the open air This summer, Festival Players are inviting you to share in the colour, poetry, and magical mayhem of A Midsummer Night’s Dream’as they head to Halstock for a one night only performance with Artsreach.

Expect exhilarating openair entertainment as The Festival Players perform Shakespeare’s popular fantasy comedy of love and

jealousy set amongst the mortals and the fairies, featuring features magic and mirth to delight all the family. The Festival Players is now well established as a professional theatre company delivering the best in open-air Shakespeare and growing in reputation internationally. Supported by their patron, Dame Judi

Dench, the company is committed to presenting the very best in touring theatre.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed at 7pm on Friday, June 10. A bar and hog roast will be available from 6pm. Bring a chair or rug and dress appropriately.

Tickets are available from 01935 897144 or online at artsreach.co.uk

witty, uplifting pieces with whimsical charm, gaining a huge following around the world with celebrity collectors such as Emily Blunt and Roy Hodgson.

Charlotte Spracklen, centre manager at Brewery Square, said: “We are all absolutely delighted to

officially welcome Halo Fine Art to Brewery Square with this exciting event.

We pride ourselves on hosting a vibrant selection of retailers that bring so much life to Dorchester, and Halo Fine Art has firmly made its mark. It is an honour to welcome Doug Hyde to the Square to celebrate this momentous occasion.”

In addition to Doug Hyde, Halo Fine Art showcases other UK leading artists including Duncan MacGregor, and worldclass names such as Fabian Perez and Sherree Valentine Daines.

For more information about Brewery Square, visit: brewerysquare.com

Artist officially opens new gallery Halo Fine Art in Dorchester’s Brewery Square welcomed internationally renowned artist Doug Hyde for its official opening.

The contemporary fine art gallery, formerly known as Dorchester Art Gallery, recently welcomed new owners and features a range of sculptures, signed limited edition and original artwork.

Georgia Heggs, managing director of Halo Fine Art, said: “To be able to exhibit and sell work from an artist such as Doug Hyde is exceptional in itself, so to have him come to Dorchester to attend our official launch is a dream come true. We are blown

away by the support we have received since opening.”

Doug Hyde was named the UK’s most popular living artist by the BBC and coined as the UK’s biggest selling artist in 2005. Doug uses a smile as the starting point for his work, creating

Join the ranks for Restoration Comedy at festival A hilarious production awash with deceit, passion, swordfights, and surprises galore set to visit Beaminster Festival on June 26.

Professional theatre company Rain or Shine, hailed by The Stage as ‘one of the best companies

touring open air theatre’ is set to delight family audiences with The Recruiting Officer, a rakish Restoration Comedy by Irish playwright George Farquhar.

One of the most popular plays of its time, this is a delightful romp through

18th century Shrewsbury and follows the mischief of crooked army recruiting officers Captain Plume and Sergeant Kite,as they embark on a journey to persuade men to take the Queen’s Shilling by any means, legal or otherwise.

Suitable for audiences from

age six to 106, Rain or Shine will perform at Beaminster Manor on Sunday, June 26 at 2.30pm.

Tickets on the door or from beaminsterfestival.org, 03336 663366.

Audiences are requested to bring low-backed seating or rugs, and a picnic.

50

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Constituency issues

with West Dorset MP Chris Loder

Welcome funding will help all of us

Following my meeting with Housing Minister Michael Gove in Dorchester less than a month ago and his commitment to review our Local Plan situation, I am pleased to let you know that Dorset has been chosen for a £135,000 boost to rework its Local Plan following concerns over the ‘Norchester’ proposal, which I made clear to the Minister is not an acceptable proposition for Dorchester. This, I think, presents a major step forward in the campaign.

Last week, I was very pleased to see several improvements have been made to the Heart of

Wessex Line, with three additional northbound and four additional southbound summer Saturday services for Maiden Newton to Dorchester and Weymouth – some further progress on my Heart of Wessex line improvement campaign.

I am also pleased to inform you that Dorset has been successful in obtaining an £875,000 boost to reform the Family Hubs scheme. Family Hubs help to streamline the ability for struggling families, particularly with children requiring additional special needs to access the help and social

services they need.

We have also had two great opportunities for community funding announced this week which I’d like to share with you. Firstly, the Community Ownership fund will soon be reopened for applications.

This Government scheme, as part of levelling up, invites community groups to submit applications to take ownership of community assets at risk of closure. Please get in touch with me if you would like more information or if I can assist in any way.

Secondly, Great Western Railways’

Community Fund is now open and seeks to support a number of projects identified by the communities they serve.

Information and the application portal is now live on Great Western Railway’s website and is especially focused towards projects relating to environmental issues, accessibility and inclusion and railway usage.

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. Once again, please get in touch with me so I can lend my support to them.

Politics

There’s still a fossilised attitude to gender equality On May 21 I spent a very enjoyable sunny Saturday afternoon at the unveiling of the new Mary Anning statue in Lyme Regis.

It was great to see hundreds of people gathering to celebrate and honour the achievements of one of Dorset’s most famous daughters.

Mary’s story is most remarkable. And this was in a time when women struggled to get any formal education, when they weren’t supposed to work in the professions and were barred from membership of any societies.

She was born in Lyme Regis in 1799 to a poor working class family and lived on the site of Lyme Regis Museum, which includes a wing named after the fossil hunter.

By ANDY CANNING West Dorset LibDems

Mary collected and sold fossils from the Lyme Regis and Charmouth area from a young age, and her discoveries included the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton; the first two nearly complete plesiosaur skeletons; the first pterosaur skeleton located outside of Germany; and fish fossils.

Yet even now 171 years after her death, books still fail to list her as one of the greatest palaeontologists of our time.

Her name has been eradicated from history and her achievements unacknowledged and

unknown because Mary was an uneducated, working-class woman and, subsequently, an outsider to polite society and the scientific community.

She was refused membership to the influential Geological Society, she wasn’t even allowed to attend meetings or lectures as a guest and was never allowed to publish her work. It was always the male geologists who published the scientific descriptions of the specimens she found, frequently neglecting to even make reference to her name.

We’d like to think that the sexism of that time no longer exists in 21st Century Britain.

But is that right? Amazingly less than 3% of the statues in the UK feature named women.

The campaign to make a

statue of Mary Anning began when tenyear-old Evie Swire asked a simple question: “Why isn’t there a statue of Mary?”

There was no good answer to that question so Evie and her mother, Anya Pearson, set about getting one. They created the Anning Army and five years and countless hours of hard work later they made it happen.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

51

Politics

We should aim at 20-minute neighbourhoods We need to start visualising how Dorset, how the communities we live in, will need to change in response to a changing climate. As change, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation, will be inevitable it makes sense to start planning changes that improve our communities, not just make life more difficult.

There is no shortage of ideas, and not all will be possible, certainly not in the short-term, but the sooner we start thinking about and discussing the options, the more we will be in control of things. Dorset Council, as the local planning authority, needs to take lead in this process.

One idea that I particularly like, from the Town and Country Planning Association,

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

is that of the ’20-minute neighbourhood’. These are complete, compact and connected neighbourhoods where people can meet their everyday needs within a short walk or cycle. Such neighbourhoods produce multiple benefits in addition to tackling climate change, like boosting local economies, improving people’s health and wellbeing, and increasing social connections in communities. But they will not just happen, they need to be planned. All future planning applications would need to be considered with regard to the

degree they support their development.

Another idea, this time from the Royal Town Planning Institute, is that of mobility hubs. These hubs would form the focus of trips between neighbourhoods, forming a locus around which walking, cycling, public transport and shared mobility networks converge to enable seamless movement for medium and longer distance trips. They could be the pick-up and drop off points for electric car and e-bike clubs. As they would be located within the neighbourhood centre they would drive footfall to local services and amenities. In additional to personal trips, they could support the development of net zero

logistics through the provision of fast charge points for ecargo bikes and EVs. Even without climate change the role of high streets have naturally evolved over the decades. A recent piece of research I read shows that back in the 1960s most people went to their high street to access retail and services such as banks. Now, with the rise of on-line shopping and banking, most people go to their town centre because they have become a locus for socialising and enjoyable experiences. We should build on these changes and start redesigning the layout of our town centres in such a way that they reduce our reliance on cars and increase our opportunities to socialise.

Action call will be for everyone’s benefits Families across Dorset are being pushed into levels of poverty not seen for decades. The Conservative government have finally done a U-turn and adopted Labour’s plan for a windfall tax on the big energy companies which will raise funds to help those struggling to pay their bills.

This is a step in the right direction but long-term issues still need to be addressed.

The priority must be to protect the most vulnerable.

The rate at which benefits used to be set was based on the minimum needed for subsistence. Today that concept has been eroded to the position of reliance on food banks; a visible reminder in nearly every town in the country, that the ‘safety net’ is now well and

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

truly broken.

A decade of austerity left the NHS unprepared for a major crisis, in much the same way the benefits system is not fit for purpose and is failing to meet the needs of millions of the country’s citizens at a time of economic crisis.

It may surprise you to know that, based on the government’s data, £15 billion is unclaimed by lowincome households across the UK each year. This means millions of our poorest families, young and old, disabled people, job searchers and those in work are not getting the help they are entitled to. There are

lots of reasons why these benefits go unclaimed.

Many people simply don’t know about the help that’s out there. Others are put off because the system can seem too complex.

That is why we are calling on local authorities to invest in a major benefits take-up campaign across Dorset to ensure those who are not claiming are more aware and can get the help and support they need. This would at least raise their incomes to the very basic minimum to which they are entitled. Addressing poverty is good for business. It is a simple economic fact that low-income families spend the majority of their incomes locally. Lifting them out of poverty or at least ensuring they have enough to live on, will

mean more money being spent on our run-down high streets. For nearly 40 years after the Second World War, there was a consensus across political parties (with some more committed than others) to addressing poverty, poor health, opportunities through better education, the need for decent jobs and housing.

The 1945 Labour government, despite a much worse economic position than today, set about building a better future.

Today, we need to see the same urgency, determination and ambition from our locally elected MPs. We urge you to contact your councillors and MPs to demand immediate change and to support a benefits take-up campaign across the county.

52

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Business

Raise your glass! Award-winning wine

By Andrew Diprose of DORSET BIZ NEWS editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk An award-winning Dorset wine estate, which is expanding production by 200 per cent to meet demand, has held a ceremony to mark the planting out of 45 acres of new vines.

Langham Wine Estate is to increase its vineyards from 30 acres to 85 acres in a project costing more than £500,000.

The expansion will increase annual production from 50,000 to 150,000 bottles.

The latest 45 acres of vines have been planted at its Owner Justin Langham with (left) vineyard manager Olly Whitfield, and winemaker Tommy Crawthorne vineyard site, Grimshaw at the ceremonial planting of the last vine.

Picture: DORSET BIZ NEWS between Milborne St Andrew. and Puddletown years it has been named the grapes and rapidly expand clones supplied wasn’t They include existing best sparkling wine that way but that is so what I ordered. clones and varieties, producer in the South West. much against our ethos.

“It was very similar but not predominantly Chardonnay Owner Justin Langham “We would not only be the same. and Pinot Noir. planted the first 30 acres of losing our control but we “I rejected it so we’ve The first harvest is vines in 2009. feel the grapes we grow planted about 45 acres and expected in 2024/25 and The soil at Crawthorne here are special. we will, hopefully, get that the wine will be on sale in consists of a shallow clay “One of the things we are extra ten acres planted next 2026/27. loam, containing flint, over passionate about is having year.

A further ten acres will be deep Cretaceous chalk. all the functions of “We didn’t want to take a planted next year.

The chalk soils provide the producing the grapes and clone and potentially dilute In 2020, Langham was wines with a fresh, saline making the wine directly what we’re trying to named Sparkling Wine character. under our control. achieve.

Producer of the Year by the But after what Justin “That makes me sound a “The quality is International Wine & described as a bit of a control freak but I everything.”

Spirits Competition ‘rollercoaster’ two years, think that all of the small Justin, who heads up a (IWSC).

Langham found that little increments that you small and passionate young It saw off competition from can do to improve the team including Tommy more than 700 entries from demand was heavily quality all end up in the Grimshaw, Winemaker, and all over the world including exceeding supply.

He said: “We are sadly finished product.

Olly Whitfield, Vineyard champagne and prosecco turning away people who “We decided the only thing Manager, said the past two brands. want to buy our wines. to do was to plant more years had seen challenging The previous year the “We simply don’t have vines. times for Langham. contest had been won by enough.

“The planting that has just He said: “It’s been a bit of the French champagne “The easy thing to do taken place was meant to a rollercoaster. house Veuve Clicquot.

In three out of the past four would be to go out and buy be 55 acres but one of the “In 2020 we were hoping

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

53

with dorsetbiznews.co.uk

estate celebrates planting of 45 acres to build substantially on 2019 and then, of course, March came along and we had lockdown.

“As our wine is entirely sparkling wine, a lot of it goes for parties, celebrations, weddings as well as the restaurant trade and all of that stopped overnight.

“Our sales, frankly, fell off a cliff.

“We sold a few bottles online which was helpful but it didn’t remotely replace what we were selling elsewhere.

“At the end of June 2020 things were looking pretty grim.

“Financially we were staring into quite a black hole because I couldn’t furlough people and get government support because we still needed to maintain the vineyard.

“You couldn’t just switch things off.

“But when lockdown was released in early July we actually had quite a bounce back effect, because people couldn’t go abroad and restaurants, and the like, were very limited to what they could do in the rule of six and two-metre spacing.

“Because we’re such an outdoor place we started doing a lot of picnics in the vineyard and we were very, very busy.

“By the end of the summer we had made up quite a bit of the lost ground from the earlier part of the year.

“Then November came along and we were back into lockdown.

“We thought: ‘Oh, my God, we’re back to square one because everything stopped dead’.

“But then, very fortuitously, at the end of November we won the Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year global competition.

“We got a huge amount of publicity in this country, and also around the world, and it was very effective in

helping our sales and expanding our profile.

“We had a huge bounce back at the end of 2020.

“The challenge in 2021 was to make sure that wasn’t just a flash in the plan and to continue the branding we were building up.

“By and large I think we’ve successfully carried that on and that’s why we’re planting these vines today.

“We are sadly having to turn customers away from our wine because we don’t have enough to supply.

“Although this will take quite a few years to come onstream you’ve got to start somewhere so we’re starting here.

“In global terms, and in terms of many producers in this country, we are still small minnows.

“In the South East there are a number of producers who are investing huge amounts and building up vineyards multiple times our size, often from scratch.

“Their first planting is two or three hundred acres.

“We’re planting 50 or so acres but my ambition has always been to try and produce some of the best sparkling wine.

“Being the biggest, frankly I’m happy to let other people do that.

“I’m never going to be the biggest and I don’t choose to be the biggest.

“We want to be one of the best.

“There are new producers coming all of the time.

“We’ve got to innovate and try to produce the most interesting and exciting sparkling wines we can.”

Langham Wine Estate hosts regular events, tours and tastings. Visitors can also buy wine from the cellar door shop and relax with a drink or a meal at the Vineyard Café. n langhamwine.co.uk

54

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Business

with dorsetbiznews.co.uk

By MIranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Habitat First Group, which runs the Silverlake complex in Crossways, has appointed a new CEO. Allan Lambert has joined as the firm’s holiday lettings company, Habitat Escapes, saw a 250% increase in holiday-let bookings year on year.

The group focuses on sustainable development and holiday homes.

Allan has previously had senior leadership roles at other holiday providers including Awaze UK and Bourne Leisure.

The group is expecting the next phase of Shepperd’s View at Silverlake to attract huge interest following unprecedented demand for second homes during the initial release, and the group is also focusing on the forthcoming development of the new al-fresco spa, which is set to encourage more visitors both regionally and nationally.

Allan said: “I’ve not seen a product or experience in the industry as unique or as high quality as Habitat First Group, and with continued re-investment, we are looking forward to seeing the business continue to thrive. Habitat First Group is committed to creating sustainable communities that combine architecture and ecology, prioritising the need to create developments that are relevant for future.

“Development is booming, and we have seen an increase in holiday homeowners,

QUALITY: The Silverlake complex near Crossways and, inset, new CEO Allan Lambert

New CEO is appointed at busy holiday complex

along with the highest number of Silverlake home sales for Quarter 1 in the company’s history.”

The group creates private, holiday home communities that share a love for mother nature and has won prestigious housing awards for the

innovative Habitat House, designed in conjunction with architect Featherstone & Young.

Most recently Silverlake has been awarded both Best Leisure Development UK and Best Leisure Architecture, South West England at the

UK Property Awards.

Habitat First Group celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021.

Both the group’s locations are former quarries that have been transformed into nature reserves with luxury eco homes spread over hundreds of acres.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

55

Just the job (recruitment) Amuco (Ilminster) Ltd Contract & Relief Milking RELIEF MILKERS URGENTLY REQUIRED IN DORSET & SOMERSET We have full and part time work available for experienced, clean and reliable milkers in areas to include Dorchester, Weymouth, Sherborne, Yeovil, Castle Cary, Weston-Super-Mare & Taunton Please email info@amuco.co.uk with your CV or complete an application on the website www.amuco.co.uk or call 01460 258781

Jobs created at new Maccies More than 120 full and parttime jobs have been created with the opening of a new McDonald’s at the Weymouth Gateway retail park.

It follows a significant investment by local franchisee Chris Truscott who now owns four restaurants in Weymouth and Dorchester, employing more than 400 people.

He said: “Our restaurant teams are proud of the positive role we play in the communities

we serve and look forward to continuing to see local customers enjoy our services on offer.”

The new restaurant boasts all the latest innovations from McDonald’s. Table service is available and self-service kiosks. Smart Digital DriveThru menu boards have also been installed.

The My McDonald’s App is also available to use at the restaurant.

Rubicon on hand with refreshments for bike ride A recruitment agency will support the Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride on Sunday, July 3.

Rubicon Recruitment will support the refreshments stops and provide the company’s Land Rover to help cyclists as they raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Rubicon Recruitment’s marketing manager Abigail Reeves said: “We look forward to supporting this highly successful event again this year and what better way to do this than providing our iconic Land Rover Defender as a support vehicle for recovery and assistance.

“Volunteers from our team will be on hand at the event refreshment stops to cheer and motivate cyclists onward.”

Ride organiser Peter Smith-Nicholls said: “Once again we are grateful to Rubicon for providing this very practical support which adds to the smooth running of the event.”

Peter Smith-Nicholls founded the Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride in 1989 and has run the event for the past 34 years supported by a loyal band of volunteers and supporters.

The annual event now

attracts in the region of 500 cyclists.

Cyclists can enter this year’s fundraising ride online at macmillan bikeride.co.uk There will be four circular rides, ranging from 38 to 100 miles, starting at Corfe Mullen and full support will be provided by marshals and mechanics en route.

The 2022 Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride is sponsored by Sunseeker International and supported by bike store Primera Sport.

The Hendy Group and Coles Miller Solicitors are sponsoring the cycling

jersey. Further support will be provided by Blandford based metal fabricators Iracroft.

A spokesperson for Macmillan said: “We need your help to make sure that people affected by cancer get the support they need to face the toughest fight of their life. No one should face cancer alone, and with your support no one will.

“To get involved, call 0300 1000 200 today. If you’d like support, information or just to chat, call us free on 0808 8080000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, or visit macmillan.org.uk.”

56

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Brain ticklers Arrow words British defence company (inits)

Native American tribe

Crossword

*

Opposite of to?

Summary

1

Aviator

Goodbye, to the French (2,6)

3

4

5

8

Type of rodent

Fault

Block

2

Internet

Down payment

Tendon injury (inits)

6

7

9

10

11

13

14

12

Earliest

Supplication

15

Large tanks

16

17

18

19

March

Equinox month (abbr)

Pal

Recipient

Tense

20

Brake part

Question responses

23 ‘How stupid!’

Verruca

Sixth sense (inits)

1 4 8 9 10 11 13 16 19 20 22 23 24

Gunk

Excitement

Wordsearch Breeds of Duck

R E S M H G N F G E E B N D T

W E O R O L N P N O B R U O B

E N V A U D N A L T E H S F T

L L G D E N D E R M O N D R F

BLUE SWEDISH BOURBON BUFF CAMPBELL DENDERMOND ELIZABETH GIMBSHEIMER GRESSINGHAM

22

21

S M A R M B N E I P G A M H B

H S I D E W S E U L B I U T S

H D E N H S H M R U E T L H T

A D S S H S S R L L T E E R L

R H T E B A Z I L E I N B U Q

L D A M S L E E N A G E F V M

E B I D F L B G E G I V U U H

Q G D L H P E E A E H H L E O

U F V D M M D R A L L A M L D

HUTTENGEM MAGPIE MALLARD MULARD RUNNER SHETLAND VENETIAN WELSH HARLEQUIN

I L L A Z E I E M S R R M R D

N E C S S W B M H D F D P L E

24

Across Prefix meaning ‘before’ (4) Familiar spotted beetle (8) Small river (6) Wired-up (6) Black-and-white, toothed whale (4) Eternal (8) Relating to gardening (13) Approximate amount (8) Proposal (4) Assault (6) Central truths (6) Numerous (8) Dip in water (4)

2 3 4 5 6 7 12 14 15 17 18 21

Down Widely known (9) Chic (7) Confine (5) Using base ten (7) A confusion of voices (5) Mourn; repent (3) Skilled, elder politician (9) Burst into laughter (5,2) Amalgamated (7) Ill-suited (5) Stay away from (5) Greek ‘T’ (3)

Sudoku

2

7 5 5 8 1 5 6 1 3 8 7 1 4 6 5 7 3 4 7 3 9 1 5 2 1 7 4

For the solutions turn to page 70

Brain chain 15

+25

-75%

÷2

+49

-50%

RESULT

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Brand new, recondi琀oned & rental stairli昀s Book your free, no­obliga琀on quote now: 01823 66 33 56 info@somersetstairli昀sltd.co.uk

Super tricky puzzles

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

Cryptic Crossword 1

4

5 5 4 1 1 7 6 7 6 3 8 1

3

8

3

3 9 6

1 3

5

3

2

8 2 7

8

7

5

2

1 3

3

4

8

17

10

10

7

4

17

8

8 4

8

6

11

12

14

13

16

5

18

17

20

24

17

18

16

25

7

17

15

15

6

17

12

10

7

11

23

8

11

13

10

15

Brain chain (Hard version) 109

+37

+50%

÷3

+110

-62

19

6 21

22

13

15

4 8

16

14

7

5

5

8

6

9

23

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.

13

5

2

1 7 1 4 2 9

7

2

2

1

6 4

7 9 6 5

3 9

8 6 7 3

7

5 1

6

8

57

Killer Sudoku Pro: 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.

1 5 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 18 20 21 22 23

Across Writer with deceit largely regarding lines? (6) Bachelor correct and intelligent (6) Horse afar about houses (4) Busy state in training exercise (8) Two parts of the body in reddish-brown horse (8) Party by hot area in Middle Eastern capital (4) Pair of bridge players by centre giving a repeat performance (6) Distinctive flag eg inn’s unfurled (6) Brood about source of penury and talk with scorn? (4) Impudence about small dwelling by last character with disgusted expression (8) Posh director in charge in dubious jail regarding the process of law (8) Conservative noted athlete at college (4) Recent way of operating by the Royal Navy (6) Promotes in advance courses in the jungle? (6)

Down 2 Attention at that time regarding pottery (7) 3 Puzzle about public transport (5) 4 Engineer or a technician in consecutive process? (5,8) 5 Grip the little ball and face up to unpalatable situation (4,3,6) 6 Enters aggressively home Dave’s refurbished (7) 7 Husband longing for a lift (5) 13 Disclosed set of players in the open? (7) 15 Gentle Greek, a young man sent up to tour university (7) 17 Quiet place in Bedfordshire restricted animated dog (5) 19 Animal in middle of mazes, wild bear (5)

58

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Health & Wellbeing

Walking West Dorset FROME VALLEY TRAIL: 6th WALK This is the sixth of the walks going down the Frome Valley. It’s about six miles long and takes you in a circuit around Bradford Peverell.

Start in Charminster, where there’s usually parking available on the A352 north of the crossroads. Walk up the road a short distance then turn left, NW, along Wanchard Lane, passing an industrial estate.

At the end of the lane turn left, SW, down Sodem Lane which soon brings you to the A37 where you turn right and follow the pavement

through Wrackleford. If you have time, count the bricks in the garden wall of Wrackleford House!

When the road becomes a dual-carriageway, cross it to join the road heading SSW across the water meadows to Bradford Peverell. When you reach the village turn right and walk for a mile

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

westward along the road, first through the village and then past the water meadows.

You’ll see on your left the remains of the Roman aqueduct. At the end of the road turn left and walk a quarter of a mile to the Z-bend where you take the unpaved road SSE alongside the Muckleford Nature Reserve.

At the end of the Nature Reserve, at Three Corners, take a bridleway to your left that heads uphill across fields. There are lovely views from the top. The path then descends to join the

track heading NE down to the village. About 100 yards before the church, take a footpath to your right which leads onto the road where you turn right and go over the hill SE down to Giles Cross.

Turn left here and head NE crossing two fords and rejoining the A37. Turn right and head back to your car, possibly pausing to quench your thirst at The Three Compasses.

I bring you tidings of comfrey and joy Andy Cole is a reiki healer based near Melbury Osmund. He specialises in planting for healing.

Energy healing is needed more and more as the last couple of years have taken a significant toll on people’s wellbeing.

The initial lockdown put tremendous pressure on people, their relationships and mental health. With some degree of normality returning, it has become more apparent that the outside space is needed by everyone. The healing this provides is of great benefit to all, without knowing exactly why and how the healing is taking place.

Gardens for wellbeing are becoming a very important part of the recovery process.

These gardens have been specifically designed and planted to enhance the healing provided in that particular space. Some therapy gardens even provide a space where you can pot on plants, weed, plant and get hands on within the space. The benefits of doing this type of activity are unquestionably therapeutic.

Firstly, by concentrating on the job at hand it clears the mind of all the stress and clutter.

Secondly, you connect with the soil or composts which provide a good grounding for your spirit and soul, you also absorb the positive energies that the soil and compost hold.

Finally, you gain the healing energies from the plants you are handling and by the end of your time spent doing these jobs you have cleared your mind and refocused yourselves. By clearing your mind, the problems you had,

have diminished and you get the answer to a problem when you’re not thinking about it.

If you decide to just sit and unwind in the garden the healing will still take place but will have less focus.

Plant of the day: Comfrey Spiritually it helps to ground the soul and releases unconscious thought patterns.

The energies help to prepare you for healing or meditation, and enables you to connect with your subconscious, grounding you and clearing the mind. With your mind at peace, your mental wellbeing is improved, your energy levels are boosted which will help to improve overall health.

Common Comfrey is a popular plant in herbal medicine and is regularly used to treat sprains, bruises and wounds, and to ease arthritis.

It’s been known to cause skin irritation if you are particularly

susceptible to this plant.

Grow comfrey around your other plants as a living mulch and chop-and-drop fertilizer.

Fill a bucket with comfrey leaves and cover them with water.

Let it sit outside for a month or more until it smells terrible.

Dilute it to feed your plants. Be sure to filter the liquid well if you intend to use it in a sprayer.

It’s a must for organic gardeners because its roots reach deep into the soil making it rich in minerals, while its leaves can be used for slug control, and as a composting aid.

This plant is a must for bee lovers as they flock to it.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

59

Health & Wellbeing

Don’t be in a such a rush to be busy-busy 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 free resources to help people relax and take stock.

This is a longer post, but worth it I hope, if you have the time.

Keeping active has unquestionable health benefits, and keeping busy can be very compelling, but there is a significant downside to busy-busybusy. There is a famous Good Samaritan experiment which demonstrates this beautifully.

Question: Why did the Good Samaritan in the Bible story stop, when others had passed by a fellow human being who was in obvious need of assistance?

Earlier studies had not been able to find a link between personality traits

and the likelihood of helping others in immediate need.

So, seminary students were recruited for a study on religious education, or so they were told, and split into several groups. All were asked to complete questionnaires about their personality traits and religious beliefs in one building and told the study task would continue in another building, some way off. The researchers varied the amount of urgency conveyed to the participants before sending them across to the other building, and they allocated different tasks to complete on arrival. One task was to prepare a talk about seminary jobs, and the other was to talk about the story of the Good Samaritan. One group of participants was told they were late for the next task, the others were told they had plenty of time but they should head over to the second building anyway.

On the way to the second part of the test the scene was set for each of them,

one at a time, to pass by a man slumped in a doorway who would moan and cough as they walked by.

Then, on arrival at the second building each participant was asked to give their talk.

The researchers set up a scale to rate the helpfulness of each of the participants.

0: Participant seemingly failed to notice the man was in need of assistance 1: Participant seemed to notice that the man was in need but did not offer any help 2: Participant noticed that the man needed assistance and helped indirectly (told the aide on their arrival) 3: Participant stopped and asked the man if he needed help 4: Participant stopped and insisted on taking the man inside and then left him 5: Participant stopped to offer help and refused to leave the man, or insisted on taking him somewhere Overall 40% of participants offered some help to the man – less than half. In unrushed participants, 63% offered help; with

increasing time pressure 45%, and high time pressure only 10% offered help. There was no correlation between which talk they were giving or stated religious beliefs and the participants’ helpfulness.

Helping behaviour clearly diminished in the participants who were rushed. Evidently and ironically, a person in a hurry is less likely to offer help, even if s/he is going to speak on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Some participants literally stepped over the coughing man on their way to give their talk. The researchers wondered if doing the right thing becomes a luxury as the speed of our daily lives increases? Or maybe people failed to recognise the need for help when highly goal focused due to time pressure?

Whatever, wearing busyness as a badge of honour ‘that don’t impress me much’, in the words of Shania Twain. And like that Shania Twain song, it’s soooooo last century.

CAB Q&A The Citizens Advice Bureau in Dorchester and Sherborne is offering a single parent some advice about the increasing cost of living.

I am a single parent, with two young children. I am already struggling to stay on top of my household bills; my weekly food shop isn’t stretching as far anymore and now my energy bill is going up too. I don’t know how I’m going to afford all of these price rises. What can I do to stop my finances spiraling out of control?

First of all, you are not alone in this and there’s

support to help you. It’s always worth checking if there are benefits you don’t know about that you’re eligible for, including support with your energy costs and living costs.

On the Citizens Advice website there’s a benefits calculator and advice.

There’s also emergency support that you may have access to, such as food bank vouchers or fuel vouchers, and access to grants.

If you’re struggling to stay on top of bills, it’s really important to understand what money you have coming in and going out each month.

Citizens Advice has a budgeting tool on its website that can help with this.

JANE PURNELL THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE 35 years’ experience Relaxation Deep tissue Trigger point & fascia release Appointments (Poundbury) and home visits For information call

01305 602 406

60

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Education

New HEC on show at college open day Weymouth College’s newly redeveloped Higher Education Centre will be among the facilities on show at an open day on Saturday, June 11 from 10am to 1pm.

Visitors – including prospective students and employers – will be able to tour the complex for foundation degree, degree and HND students during the event.

The college’s other departments and facilities – including cutting-edge media suites and centres of excellence for motor vehicle, construction and engineering – will also be on show.

OPPORTUNITY: Martin Oliver

There will be entertainment, refreshments and students and lecturers on hand to talk about the wide range of higher education, adult, leisure and part-time courses available as well as apprenticeships, A-levels, BTECs and services for local employers.

It will be the college’s first

LET’S DO THIS

on-campus summer open day in two years, with course applications still open for September 2022 Martin Oliver, head of curriculum, said: “This is our first on-campus summer event for two years and we are very much looking forward to welcoming prospective students and apprentices as well as local employers, businesses and residents to our campus.

“It is an opportunity for local employers and employees to see how we can help with cost-effective and flexible upskilling and training up to degree level.

“There will also be

information about adult courses and our leisure and part-time subjects as well as the opportunity to see our modern facilities, including our new Higher Education Centre and centres of excellence.”

The college runs more than 250 courses for 4,000 students, including access to higher education courses, university level degrees and Higher National Diplomas in partnership with the University of Plymouth and Pearson.

Visitors are asked to register by going to the college website at weymouth.ac.uk

OPEN EVENT Saturday 11th June from 10am

Book your place now - weymouth.ac.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

61

Sport

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Champion Bridport bowls players Pamela Daters and Annie Bowden reflect on their recent triumph at the English Indoor Bowls’ Association National Championships, and speak to The West Dorset Magazine about their enduring love for the sport.

Pamela and Annie have played competitive bowls for a combined 55 years, and their victory at Nottingham in the EIBA Women’s Over 60s Pairs, has been the pinnacle of their respective careers to date.

Pamela said: “It’s easily the highlight so far, and we got such a buzz from it. We’ve both won several tournaments over the years but never anything on this scale. I was part of a team of 24 who enjoyed some national success but achieving what we have as a pair feels entirely different and really special indeed. It’s going to be hard to follow it up, but I’ll certainly be trying. It might just be a one-off for us, we played so well together in this tournament.”

Annie agrees: “It took a few days to sink in and I think I felt more relief than elation to begin with.

I was struggling with illness and on a course of antibiotics throughout the tournament, so I really just didn’t want to let Pamela down. I remember giving her a hug, and saying ‘we did it” and

CHAMPIONS: Annie and Pamela with the coveted 'glass jar with a handle' after being crowned National Over 60s champions PIC BY EIBA

Pamela and Annie ready to handle champions’ role feeling that huge sense of relief. I’ve been to the Nationals many times but this is the first national title that I’ve won, apart from the Atheley, which was quite a different experience, because we had a huge Dorset contingent with us.”

Pamela and Annie overcame familiar foes, North Wiltshire, in the final of the tournament, winning by 17 shots to 12 to lift the trophy, which Pamela affectionately describes as a ‘big glass

jar with a handle’.

Although North Wiltshire had beaten the Bridport ladies before – in the final of the Mason Trophy – they led this one from the outset.

Arguably a stiffer test came the previous day, with a quarter final against a London pairing, immediately followed by a semi-final against a Nottingham team playing in their own backyard.

The last eight match against Bounds Green was a particularly slow affair,

making it hard for Annie and Pamela to find their customary rhythm, however they edged the contest by a single shot.

The match was so long that the Bridport pair had only 15 minutes to re-focus ahead of their semi-final, making the ladies’ 19-13 win against Nottingham even more impressive.

Sixteen pairings took part in the finals. The Bridport ladies quickly booked their place in the quarters, easing past a team from Plymouth on the Sunday, prior to Monday’s doubleheader, and their final success on the Tuesday.

The two ladies use their complimentary skills to make a formidable pairing. Pamela said: “I am very much a drawing bowler, whereas Annie is a firer. Naturally we can both adapt our games according to the circumstances, but I am generally putting bowls into the head and Annie can send a bowl down quickly when she needs to, and is very accurate indeed. Annie is very strong and she can really mix things up.”

Annie: “We had a real battle in the final. They have a player who can really smash things about with her huge bowls, but we’ve got that in our armoury too, as they found out on the day.

“We’ve only been playing together for three years, and two of those were badly disrupted by covid, so it’s fantastic that we’ve achieved this, and hope there is more to come.” n SEE NEXT PAGE

62

The West Dorset Magazine, May June 20, 3, 2022 2022

Sport

Passion for the sport taking club’s Pamela plays outdoors at Bridport Bowls Club in the summer season, which runs from April to September, and at Bridport and West Dorset Indoor Bowls Club during the winter.

She said: “Indoor bowls can be more consistent because of the playing surface, and many people like that, but there really is nothing better than playing outside on a beautiful sunny day with the sun on your back.

“Being able to play indoors means that it’s a year-round sport and it’s great that we don’t have to take a break like many sports do.”

Pamela started playing bowls along with her husband Royston some 30 years ago, and was instantly hooked: “I took to it immediately and we both loved it.

“Royston was a very good bowler before giving up due to arthritis. Now he’s happy to take a back seat and support me.”

She added: “I always try to get into the zone when I’m playing. I don’t look at anybody, I don’t talk to anybody, just focus on my next bowl.”

A member of the Bowls Dorset County outdoor and indoor teams since 2002, Pamela has progressed to the outdoor National finals at Leamington Spa on 12 occasions in every bowling discipline, reaching the quarter and semi-finals in both individual and team games.

She has also been to Nottingham on several occasions for the indoor Nationals, previously

TEAM MATES: Bridport Ladies pictured at the indoor club and, left, Pamela the bowler in action

winning the Atherley Trophy Ladies County competition – 24 team.

Like most good sportspeople, Pamela treats every loss or below par performance as a lesson to be learned. “I am very analytical about my game, and always analyse where things have gone wrong and try to put things right for next time,” she said.

“I played a terrible game the other week and just wanted it to finish, but I still reflect on it and try to learn and improve. Playing as an individual is different because you are only responsible for yourself. In team matches, if you have a bad game, it affects the team, whereas if it’s an individual

game, you’re only letting yourself down. I’m always supportive of the others in the team if they have an off day, but I’m critical of myself if I’ve let the side down.”

At club level, Pamela has won competitions in most disciplines during her stellar career, winning the open two wood championship on several occasions. She has regularly competed against the men, and scooped last year’s Mixed Two-Woods Singles, held at the indoor club. Pamela said: “Although it’s a game of skill, physical strength remains a factor, so it does make it harder to compete against the men.

“They can go with a

maximum length jack, and it becomes really testing physically for the ladies when they do. They have more strength, more arm swing, and it makes a difference. I’m only five foot nothing!”

The recent National success will doubtless be a tough act to follow, but one thing is certain: Pamela will be working hard to beat it. n Now President of the Bridport and West Dorset Indoor Bowls Club, Annie’s bowls journey began in 1997, where she began playing outdoor bowls before switching to the indoor game, largely due to work commitments.

Annie’s evening league

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

63

Sport

dynamic duo all the way to the top debut was to follow, and she level, she has appeared in Despite Annie’s reputation was keen to take any advice indoor and outdoor finals as somebody who can fire, or encouragement on offer. on numerous occasions, she has all the shots in her She was given an including the Champion of locker. “I’m just a opportunity to play with Champions singles, where consistent bowler and it some of the male members she regularly competed would be hard to tell if I of the club early in her against England players. was winning or losing a career and think that helped Annie’s combination of match from looking at me. I her to improve more quickly. strength and skills puts her just try and come up with Annie said: “I turned up for on a par with the top male the right bowl for the a roll-up on a Friday night players on the circuit, and circumstances.” and the men were there, who she has won countless Her club is always looking were very good bowlers – mixed events both for new members and Annie they were the big boys of the individually and at team will be on hand to offer club. level. words of support. Annie “They were one short so Anne said: “I struggle said: “I don’t mind playing invited me to join them and sometimes to stay focused with anybody, whether it’s they were really when it’s just singles, Tony Allcock, international encouraging. particularly if it’s a league players, or an absolute “I have always tried to help match where I’m up against beginner. and encourage others and somebody I’ve played “I’ll always give them a would have loved a bit more many times before.

It’s game, try to be support and encouragement EYES ON THE PRIZE: Annie different in the team encouraging, and listen to Bowden lines up a shot myself early on, but some earlier in her career matches and I never want to advice that good players people don’t want to help let the team down.” want to give me.” you to get better in case you tending sheep end up beating them. I think and horses, they’re cheating themselves looking after the with this attitude really and farm’s gundogs, I’ve always been happy to mending fences, try and help people and, if and ‘doing a bit they improve and go on and of everything’. beat you, then that’s fair Annie said: enough. Some people don’t COME IVE BOW OWLS A TRY TR COME & GIVE “The bowls has want to be knocked off their sometimes had Mondays: 7.30pm Wheelchair accessible false pedestal.” to fit around my Bowls legend, Tony Allcock, work but Saturdays: 10am All ages and abili琀es welcome offered some equipment playing indoors advice at a workshop Annie tends to work attended. “Tony said that I better with the should go with as big a bowl short winter as I could hold in my hand, days.” but my old ones were Armed with probably too big and holding some proper me back and had to go.” equipment, Annie missed out on the Annie’s bowling chance to give Tony a game Contact Arthur Stone to book or for career at the talk, having to leave blossomed, more details: 01308 425278 halfway through to go back playing county to work. Having spent all her league and for bridpor琀ndoorbowls.co.uk life in agriculture, Annie still Dorset. works on a farm today, At national

TAS ASTER ER SESS SSION IONS:

BRIDPORT & WEST DORSET INDOOR BOWLS CLUB

64

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Sport

Club sets £13.5k funding target to

By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Sherborne Cricket Club has launched an ambitious fundraising campaign in order to safeguard the club’s future, which has been badly affected by the pandemic. They have set themselves a stretching crowd funding target of £13,500, which will be used to replace run-down practice facilities which they feel are holding back the progress of their emerging players.

The club’s young cricketers will be the main beneficiaries of the improved facilities, with the majority of the money earmarked for the building of new two-bay, fullyenclosed practice nets. The club have 50 young players regularly attending practice sessions and playing in matches, and hope that the provision of improved facilities will help them attract more children to the sport from the surrounding area.

Cricket has been played in Sherborne since 1837,

HOWZAT: A fundraising campiagn has been launched to update facilities at Sherborne

making it one of the oldest clubs in West Dorset, and the club hope that funds raised will secure its place as a family-friendly club, at the heart of the community.

First team player and head groundsman David Barnstable said: “The existing nets we have were installed over 30 years ago and are sadly no longer fit for purpose. Having access to these facilities is

essential in order to maintain our adult teams and continue to develop and build on our youth cricket offering. It is our vision to be able to continue to build our family friendly club.”

Sherborne are an ECB Clubmark accredited club and cater for young players from All Stars (ages 5 to 8) and Dynamos (8 to 11-yearolds) up to U13s, with older youngsters then

encouraged into the senior teams. Sherborne First XI play in the Dorset Cricket League Premier Division, with the second team competing in the third division, so the youngsters are certainly given an opportunity to compete at a good level once they graduate to the senior sides.

Sherborne also have a strong ladies’ team, competing in the Dorset

Come for the fun, stay for the cricket at festival

Sherborne Cricket Club are hosting a Family Fun and Beer Festival on Saturday, July 9. The festival, the first the club has organised, will take place at The Terrace and run from 2pm to 11pm, with a licensed bar, live music and fun activities for children.

Accompanied Under 16s will be admitted free, with tickets costing just £10 per adult, which will include a drink token and festival glass. The live music will feature

popular local Indie covers band MicroLight and talented duo Fric Keirle and Bill Osbone.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the club’s ambitious fundraising campaign, as they seek to raise money for improved facilities to benefit budding young cricketers.

David Barnstable from the club explained the reason for the event: “Our First team will be in action on the day of the festival and we will have Kwik Cricket running

continuously. and we hope it might give children a glimpse of what a fun game cricket can be. There will be lots of fun stuff for all the family and a couple of top bands playing in the evening. We hope that it will build awareness of what we’re trying to do at the club for the benefit of the community.

“We would love people to come for the fun, and stay for the cricket!”

For tickets or enquiries, please contact the club.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

65

Sport

ensure progress of young players

STICKY WICKET: Sherborne's First team in action at the Terraces and, right, the club’s nets are no longer fit for purpose

Softball League.

The campaign was launched on Wednesday, June 1, and the target of £13,500 must be achieved

by July 1, in order to secure the funding.

David said: “If we are able to hit this target, Sport England will offer us a further grant of up to 50%.

“The £20,250 total, together with existing funds raised by the club will be sufficient to build good quality and hard-wearing facilities to help us foster the next generation of cricketers.

“It’s all about our future success.

“We are passionate about continuing to build community cricket in the Sherborne area, and providing proper facilities and coaching, particularly for our young players.

“Without an upgrade to our facilities, it will be hard to

SHERBORNE CRICKET CLUB FACT FILE Founded 1837 (Reformed 1988) Ground The Clubhouse, The Terraces, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NS Club Officials Richard Carter: Chairperson Andrew Nunton: Club Captain David Barnstable: Head Groundsperson Paul Hancock: Honorary Secretary

guarantee cricket in the area in years to come.”

“I know we have set an ambitious target, but if today’s children don’t have access to cricket facilities and coaching, there simply won’t be a cricket club in the future. For many of us at the club, being a part of the cricket club community has been a huge part of our

Tim Durston: Coach Caroline Durston: Club Safeguarding Officer Abby Carter: Committee Member Teams First XI: Dorset Cricket League Premier Division Second XI: Dorset Cricket League Division 3 Women’s First XI Friendly XI U13 U11s U9s: All Stars Dynamos Website: sherborne.playcricket.com

lives from childhood. With no facilities at the Terrace Playing Fields, children in Sherborne would have really limited options to get involved in cricket in their local community, and sadly it is a familiar story in many of the surrounding villages.

“These facilities and the coaching that we will be

able to deliver when the new nets are in place will allow every child to take part in cricket, filling the gap that is currently in our local area. As the Terrace playing field is councilowned land, we intend for these facilities to be available for use by the local community as well as club-arranged sessions.”

For David, the greatest impact of covid was on the playing side. He said: “The pandemic prevented people of all ages from playing cricket and getting involved with their local clubs.

“It was the young players who were particularly hard hit, as losing two years in their development at a young age is hard to make up. It’s time you never get back.”

As with many local sports clubs, there were financial consequences too, and Sherborne saw their revenue stream completely wiped out in 2020, and heavily reduced in 2021.

Planned fundraising activities had to be put on hold, delaying the plans for the rebuilding of the nets.

The clubhouse was used as a covid testing centre in 2021 but closed as a sports venue throughout last summer.

New members are always welcome and junior practice sessions take place from 4.30pm to 7.30pm on Fridays each week.

Sherborne Cricket Club would love to hear from businesses or individuals who would like to support their campaign.

66

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Sport

Girls close to royal glory Leweston School produced a brilliant team performance to achieve a second place at the Inter-Schools show jumping competition at the Platinum Jubilee Royal Windsor Horse Show missing out on top spot by just two seconds.

The team of Flora, Y11, May, Y9, Hen, Y8 and

Molly, Y10, pictured right, rode brilliantly with three clear rounds and just four faults between them.

School equestrian team manager Lorraine Roberts said: “I was very impressed by the way our team of four coped with the atmosphere, stayed focused, and jumped four super rounds.”

CRICKET ROUND-UP

Dorchester 1st XI 248 All out (47.2 overs) Martinstown CC 1st XI 148 (41.5 overs) Dorchester 1st XI won by 100 runs – Dorchester 20 points; Martinstown 7 points Dorchester Firsts maintained their 100% start to the season with a convincing display against Martinstown, consigning the visitors to their third straight defeat in the process. Batting first, the home side posted an imposing total aided somewhat by some wayward bowling, captain Dan Belt top-scoring with a breezy 68. Belt shared in a 96-run stand for the fifth wicket with Jon Legg, who made 42. There were other useful contributions, and although Dorchester were dismissed, the chase always looked to be beyond a Martinstown team lacking in confidence with the bat.

The home attack bowled with accuracy and discipline to chip away at the visitors, with Legg returning 4-18 from his 10 overs to cap a strong allround performance. Captain Sam Kershaw produced a fine, unbeaten 52, but only

Maltby was able to offer meaningful support with his 27, and wickets fell regularly to leave Martinstown exactly 100 runs short.

Sherborne 1st XI 162/3 (37.3 overs) Puddletown 161/9 (50 overs) Sherborne 1st XI won by 7 wickets – Sherborne CC 19 points; Puddletown CC 4 points Sherborne First XI made it back-to-back victories, completing a comfortable run chase against a Puddletown team still looking for their first win in the Premier Division.

Puddletown elected to bat first and batted through their overs to post a defendable total, with James Mitchells’ watchful 58 the highlight. Dave Morris produced a nice cameo at number 10, ending on 27 not out, with Tim Dunstan the pick of the bowlers with 3-29.

Puddletown’s opening bowlers were unable to exert the required pressure at the start of Sherborne’s reply, and Mike Kennedy scored a quick 41 to set them on their way. James

Morris bowled accurately to stem the flow of runs, however Ollie Senneck (27 not out) and Emlyn Kuhn (30 not out) saw them home with overs and wickets to spare.

Cattistock & Symene 1st XI 115 All out (25.3 overs) Broadstone 1st XI 117/2 (26.3 overs) Broadstone CC 1st XI won by 8 wickets – Cattistock & Symene CC 2 points; Broadstone 20 points Cattistock First XI were reduced to 51 for 7 against a good Broadstone team, with Charlie Groves’ leading the attack and finishing with 4-31. The home team rallied with a counter attack from captain Steven Tucker, who made 24, and lower order runs from Ollie Legg (22) and George Wyrill, who topscored with 30.

Despite Bradley Damen making an early breakthrough in a tidy opening spell, an away win looked certain once captain Dan Cook had played himself in. Cook struck 8 fours and 4 sixes in a superb unbeaten 67, to see his team home with room to spare. Still looking for their

first win on the season, Cattistock now face a trip to in-form Bere Regis.

Christchurch 1st XI 194 All out (37.5 overs) Bere Regis 1st XI 256/5 (50 overs) Bere Regis 1st XI won by 62 runs – Christchurch 6 points; Bere Regis 20 points Pete Russell scored a brilliant unbeaten century to lay the foundations for Bere Regis’ third win of the season, moving them up to third in the Premier Division table. Russell hit 103 not out, including 13 fours, with excellent support coming from Jacob Kennard (46), Tim Goodhew (27) and Robert Murphy (30), to set an imposing target for the hosts.

Christchurch responded to the challenge to keep up with the run rate, but they ran out of batsmen with Sam Walbridge and Goodhew bagging three wickets apiece.

Wicketkeeper Kai Darwin and James Cross scored 48 and 44 respectively for the home side, however were unable to go on to make a match-winning score.

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

67

Agriculture

Vital time for farmers to keep it local

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

“Now more than ever, we need to support our farmers.”

This is the message from Barbara Cossins, who is making it her mission to ensure we all eat homegrown produce amid the wave of unregulated food imports reaching our supermarket shelves.

The Cossins family are fifth generation farmers at Rowston Farm in the Tarrant Valley, and in 2012, amid the horse meat scandal, the family started their own butchery and farm shop, which was launched to offer people trusted produce.

Barbara said: “I was so fed up only being able to find poor quality meat that as farmers with our own beef animals who graze on the lush grass here in the Tarrant Valley, it seemed utterly crazy not to change the situation.

“Just before I opened the doors of the butchery the many stories of the horse meat scandal hit the UK press. Cheap imported European horse meat had

CALL FOR SUPPORT: Barbara Cossins with Harry and Barney and the Love Local poster

been flooding our markets and going into our food chain – there is nothing wrong with eating horse meat, it’s on the plates of many European countries but we need to know what

THE TALE OF THE BLACK BEETLE In 2018, the EU banned three types of neonicotinoid pesticides, which followed earlier restrictions on pesticides after research indicated the chemicals used impacted negatively on bee populations. The ban led to a return of the cabbage stem flea beetle, or black beetle, which

we’re eating! The problem was that whoever was importing it was going to great lengths to disguise it as something else to get it into our country.

It was wrapped and

devastates oilseed rape crops.

The UK became increasingly reliant on importing oil from countries where the pesticide was allowed.

Barbara said: “The black beetle eats young plants and destroys the crops. The pesticide used was said to be harmful to our bees and quite rightly, we don’t want to harm our beautiful bees.

“However, not so for foreign

presented as beef to deceive the British consumer and the only reason something was picked up as wrong was when they discovered the horse pain reliever Bute in there. I used to give this to my ponies when they went lame!”

Barbara thinks the horse meat scandal is probably just ‘one example of some of the many foods that are coming into our country with no checks made and no proper labelling declaring their properties and their origin’.

oilseed rape it seemed. Other countries were still allowed to export it – even though farmers had been using this same pesticide that our farmers are not allowed to use. Where is the sense in that?”

Farmers across the country fear similar discrepancies may occur more often if imports of food, with many produced using chemicals or techniques that are banned domestically.

68

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Agriculture

Public ‘at risk’ in decline in standards

A decline in food standards on imported food since Brexit has worried organisations, farmers and the public.

Farmer Barbara Cossins believes the Government is putting the UK public ‘at risk’. And she is not alone in her view.

Compassion in World Farming together with WWF, RSPCA, Greener UK and Which? have condemned the failure to safeguard environmental protections, food safety and animal welfare standards in the Government’s trade deal between the UK and Australia.

Barbara said: “For the fourth time since Brexit the Government has again delayed the SAFETY implementation of AND HEALTH much needed checks on imported foreign food arriving in Britain. Frightened of food shortages because of world droughts in India and America, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the

QUALITY CONTROL: Barbara Cossins inspects some of her produce

Government has yet again failed in their support of the British farmer and allowed unregulated food to flood into the UK. “Britain is proud to have the very highest in animal

n Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency Jacob Rees-Mogg announced that the implementation of planned controls on imported food and agricultural products, due to come into force this summer, have been pushed back to 2023.

A government statement said Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the recent rise in global energy costs have had a significant effect on supply chains that are still recovering from the pandemic.

Controls no longer being introduced

VIEW FROM BOGE

welfare standards in the world. The risk to animal health combined with the threat to the nation’s bio security from the import of cheap food that is not being checked or vetted is a very real one and is

for EU goods July 2022 are: n A requirement for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks currently at destination to be moved to a Border Control Post (BCP) n A requirement for safety and security declarations on EU imports n A requirement for health certification for further SPS imports Mr Rees-Mogg said: “We want the process for importing goods from the EU to be safe, secure and efficient and we want to harness innovative new technologies to streamline processes and reduce frictions. It’s precisely because of

currently being completely ignored by our MPs. “The government’s decision is putting the UK public at risk and the British farmers at an unfair disadvantage. On the reverse side, British farmers have been made to submit endless forms, checks, statistics, tagging and heritage of everything that is exported outside of the UK since the very start of Brexit in January 2020.

“The same is not happening with food arriving on our shores.”

Barbara added: “Our government is spending taxpayers’ money on asking our farmers to rewild and grow trees on their land rather than producing food for their communities. Our British famers have to meet huge expectations and standards to export our home-grown food and yet the food that comes in from abroad is not having any similar checks made on it and putting all of us at high risk.”

Brexit that we’re able to build this UK-focused system “The UK Government is committed to ensuring the process for importing goods remains safe, secure and efficient and will harness innovative new technologies to streamline future processes and reduce frictions. Our engagement with industry will be guided by these objectives, and will build on existing work already taking place, including on the UK Single Trade Window – a new digital gateway that will help traders to more easily move goods globally.”

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

69

Agriculture Barbara founded Love Local Trust Local in 2018, the trusted food label, created by farmers for farmers and food producers. Food boasting the Dorset Flag means consumers can rest assured that they are buying food produced in the county.

While Dorset is leading the way, we have 45 county flags in the UK and Barbara along with her small team, is rolling out the Love Local Trust Local movement nationwide.

“British farmers have the highest standard of farming in the world. We need to stand by them and important to the areas we support their efforts to live in that we grow what feed all of us here in suits it and works most Dorset and beyond with efficiently. wonderful, home-grown “Did you know that food that hasn’t flown Worcestershire is great for loads of miles and is asparagus, Kent is the LOOK good for both the THE home of British apples TO plate and the FUTURE and cherries or that environment.

Dorset and Hampshire “It is so important that have some of the best people start recognising dairy herds, East Anglia these flags so that they offers the best soil type for know what’s growing and growing wheat and barley produced in their own and the lowlands of county. Each regional soil Scotland are wonderful for type is different and it’s grain and sugar beet?

Flying the flag for farmers

n The government’s decision to delay postBrexit import checks for the fourth time not only leaves British farmers at an unfair disadvantage but also poses a risk to the nation’s biosecurity, animal health and food safety.

The NFU has called the government’s decision ‘unacceptable’, saying it will result in another significant blow for British farm businesses already facing unprecedented rising costs.

NFU President Minette Batters said: “It is astounding that the VIEW FROM NFU

“The more that we understand about our country and our counties and what they can offer our families to eat and drink, the better for our health and our purses.”

Barbara added: “Now more than ever the British public need to support their farmers.

“This unchecked flooding of foreign, unsafe food imports shows just how important food labelling is for all of us if we are to understand what we are

government is taking such an unacceptable approach to critical checks for agri-food imports from the EU. These checks are absolutely crucial to the nation’s biosecurity, animal health and food safety and without them we really do leave ourselves at risk. For the introduction of these checks to have been delayed three times was bad enough but to now have them essentially scrapped in favour of an unknown system is unacceptable.”

“This is a question of fairness. Our producers have to meet stringent controls to export their own

feeding our families and friends. We have no idea of what is in the food on our plates.

“If we don’t do something now, then the repercussions will be huge.

“The Dorset food label has been campaigning for recognition of this situation and how to remedy it for many months.

“Join the food movement and have your say, campaign your local MP today!”

products abroad, all while being left at a continued competitive disadvantage to our EU competitors, who are still enjoying an extended grace period which gives them access to the prized UK market relatively cost and burdenfree.”

Mrs Batters added: “We now need to see urgent and cast-iron guarantees that the government will provide the resources to implement this digital solution as soon as possible and ensure it is robust.

“Waiting until 2023, or beyond, would simply be too late.”

70

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

Agriculture You herd it here first...

Sadly dairy farming (alongside other farming sectors) regularly takes a battering from the press and various animal rights organisations and many ‘facts’ that are shared both in print and online are simply not true. I recently saw an article about the price of milk and was both saddened and horrified to see some of the comments shared below the article. When you are born and raised in farming you are equipped with knowledge about farming and food production so it is easy to forget that many people in the UK have never stepped foot on a farm. Those people often get their information on

with Rachel Hayball

Rachel Hayball is a mum of six from Beaminster.

She is a herdsperson, has a small flock of sheep and sells lamb. farming from the TV and other media, friends, family and the internet. This can create a problem as poor or incorrect information is then passed on and on without being verified. As a result I have decided to dispel a few of the most common myths about milk.

1: Milk is full of pus. It’s not, and even if it was then we wouldn’t be able to sell it as

it would fail the tests that are done at collection. Milk does contain somatic cells, but these are a mixture of milkproducing cells and live immune cells, not pus.

2: Cows regularly get mastitis. This isn’t true and if a cow does get mastitis several times then it is a concern as this points to a problem. Many of the cows that I milk have never had mastitis. Mastitis is not something that we expect our cows to get.

3: Milk contains antibiotics.

Definitely not true! If a cow is poorly and is put on antibiotics then her milk is dumped (thrown away) until the withdrawal period has

finished. The length of the withdrawal period is dependent on the particular drug, and each farm has drugs protocols to follow.

The milk buyers also test the milk when they collect it. If the test for antibiotics comes back positive then the whole tanker of milk is thrown away.

4: Milk is full of fat. The average butterfat content of cows milk is just under 4%.

If you look at many processed foods you will see that any food containing less then 5% fat is often classed as low In fat.

So please continue to enjoy your milk in your coffee or on your cereal.

From pages 56-57

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

9 1 6 5 3 8 4 2 7

3 8 2 4 7 1 6 5 9

7 5 4 9 2 6 3 1 8

6 4 5 8 1 2 7 9 3

1 9 8 3 4 7 5 6 2

2 3 7 6 9 5 8 4 1

Crossword

4 7 1 2 5 3 9 8 6

8 2 9 7 6 4 1 3 5

5 6 3 1 8 9 2 7 4

Brain chain 40

15

10

5

54

27

Killer Sudoku Pro 13

8

17

9 2 6 1

10

7 3

15

5 4

5 17

4

14

3 2 8

16

9 7 6 1

10

1 7 6

17

5 3

7

4

15

9

11

8 2

9 24

5 1 7 2 3 6 4

13

8

8

2 3 7

18

4 6 8

23

1 9 5

6 8 13

4

17

9

12

5 1 2 7

10

3

16

3 6 9 8 4 2

8

5 1 7

7 1 11

8 3

25

9 5

7

4 2

6

5 1 7

17

6

4

8

2

3

15

6

9

A N O S T O O R I H O U E S

T E L A L I R E A M G I C A T I N R T I C U R T I M A T N C A T T A C K A P U M U L T I P L

Arrow words D E C I M A L E V A D E

Y B I R D A U A B L E D E E L E S S T T U R A L N T I D E A F S X I O M S E A D U N K

Jumbo 3D Sudoku 2 9 1 3 6 4 5 7 6 7 5 7 8 2 9 6 5 1 4 9 4 5 7 6 5 8 1 7 8 1 8 6 3 2 8 4 3 2 2 4 8 3 3 1 8 4 3 3 1 1 7 1 8 9 9 2 5 3 2 6 4 9 9 2 7 6 9 3 1 8 9 5 5 6 4 7 64 2 5 9 8 47 6 4 2 9 7 7 3 2 6 5 9 5 4 1 8 6 3 2 1 3 5 4 8 5 2 3 7 1 4 9 7 9 1 8 2 6 8 6 8 3 7 2 2 9 3 5 6 5 7 1 1 5 7 4 5 3 1 1 3 9 4 8 5 2 1 3 7 9 4 9 9 7 6 8 6 4 6 8 4 9 6 8 2 7 5 7 6 4 1 3 5 8 2 5 2 6 8 3 1 8 9 6 1 3 2 2 7 4 2 1 9 1 3 8 4 7 5 4 6 3 7 5 5 8 9 69 3 6 4 7 95 1 7 1 2 3 4 8 1 3 4 2 2 7 7 8 6 5 2 9 9 6 1 4 3 5 8

B F A U R V E T O E W S D E P O B R O A N P A Y E E S W A R T

O E V E E R V S I E S W E P H

P I R L R O R A T S T I T E R S D O H G O O Y P E

O

Brain chain (Hard) 109

146

219

73

183

121

R I N I V A D E N S

G H T I I T Y C O H A

T Z E B R R A

H

Cryptic Crossword M E A A R T C H E E N S P L J U T M O

T R I C B E H I A B A C T U I E E S T N U T R H C O R E E U A B I T C H U S T L D I C I A L D O E D E R N T

I G R P A D L U A I L

N

E S

The West Dorset Magazine, June 3, 2022

71

Agriculture

By ALASDAIR MOFFETT Veterinary Surgeon Synergy

Synergy Farm Health is actively supporting the Rich Wigram New Zealand Farming Scholarship. This charity was set up in 2012 to enable young people over 18 years to experience dairy farming in New Zealand, through a oneyear work placement. The aim is to send out two candidates per year in June or early July.

The purpose of the charity is ‘to further the education, knowledge and experience of farming students through a travel scholarship and work placement in the dairy industry in New Zealand, with a particular focus on industry best practice and environmental management’.

FARM WORK: Kathryn Symes and friends

Opportunities on other side of world

The scholarship has been set up in memory of Rich Wigram, who tragically died in 2010 as the result of an accident on his farm in NZ at the age of 34. This charity is administered by his family and friends in both the UK and NZ. The Scholarship n Return ticket to NZ n Help and advice in

finding work on a suitable dairy farm in New Zealand. n About 10 months work, allowing around two months for travel or other work at the end of the year. n A mentor in NZ to help learning and development – and in case of any work related problems.

Having been running for 10 years, the charity is

delighted that after two years of covid they can finally send recipients back to NZ with their Working Holiday Visas which thankfully are now being issued again. Previous recipients have come from the following colleges and straight off farms: Bicton, Duchy, Kingston Maurward, Reaseheath, RAU, Plumpton, Nottingham, Aberystwyth and Harper Adams.

The scholarship has a focus on taking students from the South West of the UK. The last two candidates have been patiently waiting since 2020 – one is heading to the South Island where the 2014 recipient of the scholarship now lives and farms. The second scholar is heading to Waikato in the North Island. n See RichWigramNZ Scholarship.org for more information.

It’s a full house with Gemma’s mastitis 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.

If sheep keeping were bingo, we would be quids in this year.

Having had orf, foot rot, twin lamb disease, a cast sheep and a facial cyst you would think we had ticked the box for sheep ailments.

Just when the lambs are thriving, and we can step back a bit from the 24/7 attention the flock have had…Boom!

There it is…mastitis, clearly the one we thought we had escaped. We are meticulous

with keeping the shelter clean and have disinfected and mucked out more times than you could shake a stick at so thought we would be okay.

On checking in with the sheep today I noticed Gemma at the bottom of the field, away from the rest, with her head down.

Muttering under my breath about how far she had made me walk to find her, as I got closer, I could see that she was clearly unwell. She usually stands tall and proud with her head tilted up, today she was lying down in the shade with her ears down, her devoted triplets lying with her. She got up as I approached for her usual head rub, I could see

straight away that she was limping badly, so I grabbed her feet and set about spraying them with the magic purple spray.

I did a double take as I left her, noticing that her udder was very engorged, which seemed a bit odd as she is still feeding the triplets. I could see that her udder looked very angry and swollen. Squeezing the swollen side, out shot a line of blood instead of the milk that I was expecting, the other side still had milk. The vet was with me within half an hour and confirmed what I suspected.

Unusual, as the triplets are six weeks old now and if she were going to get it, it would have been a few weeks ago.

Basically, it is a bacterial infection of the udder and common in ewes with high milk production who are raising multiple lambs.

The vet gave Gemma antibiotics and a painkiller and left us with the dilemma, to remove the lambs to give her a fighting chance or not?

Whatever we decide, Gemma will get the best care and lots of ginger biscuits.

The lambs are certainly big enough now to make it without her milk – thankfully they are huge and grazing well. I love my sheep.

!"#$%&'()'*%"&&' +((%'),%-./,%$ !"#$%&'"(!)*+,--

!"#$%&'&()*++)(&&&%%% ,,,-./01123.456,-."4783

Using the traditional ‘Lost Wax Process’

Classic Handmade Quality !"#$%&'()*+(,-#*+'-*+,(,-"(./(0&1(2+#*3"