The West Dorset Magazine Edition 7, May 6, 2022

Edition 7

Friday, May 6, 2022

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

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RS! E N N U T PAGE 3 S

There were so many gorgeous cows at Modbury Farm we were hard pressed to choose our page 3 stunner!

But this lady really wanted to be our star turn. Full story: Page 68-69

Calls to reverse Vearse homes plans

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Campaigners say there is still time to rethink controversial plans to build 760 new homes at Vearse Farm near Bridport.

Former town mayor David Tett, speaking on behalf of pressure group Advearse, says the planning application for the proposed ‘Foundry Lea’ development has been rushed and will not meet the housing needs of local people.

Mr Tett said: “The land lies in an Area of Outstanding Beauty. This should only be built on if there are exceptional circumstances.

“These do not exist other than the need for Dorset to

meet the nationally imposed housing target. “Bridport needs genuinely affordable social housing; it does not need properties which will be snapped up as second homes.

“The massive development does not fit the character of a small market town and the scheme may increase the threat of catastrophic flooding. It is just two miles from the sea and there is too little land to absorb run off from a site that is itself prone to regular flooding.

“The scheme has failed to address the pressures which the additional car movements will create in the town. The town infrastructure, its medical and dental services,

will not cope with the additional pressures of a 15% increase in population. In 2013 Taylor Wimpey concluded that the site was not viable for large scale development because of the complexity of the development.”

Dorset Council has already given outline planning permission for the Foundry Lea development, which includes plans to build 760 homes, a football pitch, an orchard, open spaces, and pedestrian routes. Dorset Council has yet to approve more detailed plans concerning the development’s layout and design. Despite a raft of

public objections to the plan, Advearse lost a judicial review into the plans in 2020 but are continuing their fight against the proposal.

Mr Tett added: “It is shameful the way in which housing policy and planning in this country is in favour of developers. Given the relevance of the continuing strong and valid objections to the scheme, Dorset Council must be robust on behalf of the community it serves in ensuring that the scheme as a whole addresses issues of concern. We call for the scheme to be redrawn so that it does not impact negatively on the town which it has been sited next to.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

12,000 flock to two-day Spring Countryside Show

Organisers of Dorset’s newest country show say they got off to a ‘fantastic start’ with around 12,000 people attending.

The two-day Spring Countryside Show at the Turnpike Showground near Motcombe featured live music, steam engines and classic car rallies.

James Cox, event organiser for the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show team, said: “We are over the

moon with the response to the Spring Countryside Show. We set out on this venture back in the autumn and never expected it to gain the momentum it has.

“The feedback on social media has been incredible.”

Mr Cox added that a major highlight of the show programme was horseback falconry in the Jonathan Marshall Free Spirits Show. The show is due to return in April 2023.

TAKE A SEAT: Reading The West Dorset Magazine and, top left, WDM’s Baking Bird at the show

Water quality fears over homes plan

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Campaign group Save the Area North of Dorchester (STAND) is calling on Dorset Council to suspend work on the proposed development after Wessex Water expressed concerns that the 4,000 homes could have a significant negative impact on the quality of the town’s drinking water.

The concerns are set out in an email from Wessex Water to a firm of consultants who have been asked by Dorset Council to create a vision for a new ‘garden community’ on green fields just north of the town. In their email,

Wessex Water say the development could result in pollution of the Eagle Lodge borehole, which provides most of the Dorchester area’s drinking water.

Wessex Water say it’s likely ‘significant investment will be required to maintain the quality of the water supply including the provision of new reservoirs’.

The email says: “The history of nitrate reduction in this catchment shows that land use change will affect groundwater quality in the long term.

“In addition, most other groundwater sources

adjacent to urban areas have been abandoned due to reduced water quality.

“So our experience is that major development in a source protection zone can result in significant water quality deterioration in the aquifer requiring carbon intensive additional treatment and in some cases serious pollution that may render the source unusable resulting in alternative new water resources needing to be developed.”

The proposals for more than 4,000 homes in the next Local Plan have been backed by many Dorset Councillors.

But West Dorset MP Chris Loder, Dorchester-based county councillors and Dorchester Town Council have all expressed deep concerns.

STAND chairman Jane Ashdown says the news could derail the plans. She says work on the scheme should be halted while Wessex Water carries out a major risk assessment of the impact of the development on water quality.

Wessex Water says experience suggests that the existing borehole may have to be abandoned and alternative water supplies developed.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

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Wyld women of the West defy tradition

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A mixed group of West Dorset Morris dancers are celebrating their tenth anniversary of defying tradition.

Frustrated by the gender division in traditional Morris dancing groups, retired airline stewardess Briony Blair established Wyld Morris as a way to let men and women dance together.

The group, which is now 20-strong, will soon celebrate its tenth anniversary with a limited screening in Bridport of a documentary on their history.

Briony said: “A little over ten years ago I moved to Dorset from East Sussex, where I used to Morris dance, but when I moved here I had no one to dance with and I really missed it.

“The Wessex and Uplyme Morris dancing groups didn’t accept women members and that was that. I knew If I wanted to continue Morris dancing, I would have to set up my own group but that ended up happening almost by accident.

“I had a friend who wanted to try Morris dancing and asked me to teach her. It turned out she had two left feet and didn’t really last with it, but by the time she realised that other people had joined us and we had formed the beginning of

BORN TO BE WYLD: Wyld Morris entertain the public

our little group.

“We’re now up to around 20 members, but five or so of them have been with us from the beginning.”

Briony added: “People seem mostly ready to embrace mixed Morris dancing groups these days I think. There are lots of male only or women only groups, but not so many mixed groups. The times have changed and Morris dancing needs to change with it, if it stands a chance of surviving.

“At Wyld Morris we’re not picky about who wants to join us: all are welcome, and we love sharing our passion for this with other people.

“Our members range, at the moment, from their early 40s to one member who is now 85 and is still dancing well.

“Collectively, we may not be the best Morris dancing group in the world but we have fun and we always have a great reception form the public when we perform.”

Wyld Morris, named after Monkton Wyld, recently commissioned Bridportbased filmmaker Rob Jayne to create a 40-minute documentary on the group and its history.

The film was set to be screened for a private

audience of group members, friends and relatives at Bridport Town Hall on Wednesday, May 4.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the group should visit wyldmorris.org.uk or email brionyblair@hotmail.com

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Saturday, May 7 Discover what happens behind the workshop doors at the Boat Building Academy on Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis DT7 3JN. The academy is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an open day from 11am-4pm.

Tour the workshops, see boats and furniture made by its students, get involved with live demonstrations, there will also be tea and cakes, and a raffle.

Money raised at this event will go to our bursary fund and to the Ukraine Appeal boatbuildingacademy.com 01297 445545 office@boatbuilding academy.com A Kids’ Fun Run & Fete is being hosted by Bridport Ladies’ Circle at St Mary’s Playing Field raising money for Unicef’s Ukraine Response.

Runners £1 entry, registration 2pm-2.30pm. 715yrs, 2.5k, 2.30pm. 3-6yrs, 1.5k, 2.40pm.

Kids can take part by skipping, running, or walking – all abilities welcome. There will be a little fete with refreshments and games for all the family.

Each entrant will receive a certificate and goodie bag for taking part.

Add your child/children’s names and age group at forms.gle/4ezjgsPKHfWHdk Ri8 Dorset Coppice Group Wood Fair will be held at Bonsley Wood from 2pm-4pm at The Living Classroom, Bonsley Wood, Durweston. The event will kick off at 10am and wind down around 4pm.

With a range of demonstrations of traditional

Exploring workhouse life

Teas and Talks – Luke Mouland presents a talk on The Parish: Life in the Victorian Workhouse at Dorchester’s Shire Hall Museum from 2pm-3pm on Saturday, May 7.

The Victorian workhouse still inspires powerful images of fear and hardship. But what coppice and woodland crafts, hurdle and spar making competitions, refreshments and stalls, it’s sure to appeal to the woody side of your nature! If you would like to enter either of the competitions, please email your details to info@dorsetcoppicegroup .co.uk Set in a beautiful ancient woodland setting, surrounded by bluebells and wild garlic, this promises to be lovely way to enjoy your Saturday. Families and well behaved dogs welcome.

Charcoal and timber for sale.

All proceeds go back into helping manage the woodland and promote the coppice and greenwood crafts.

Sunday, May 8 Dorchester Lions Club is holding a Family Fun Day

evidence do we have that conditions in “the Union” were really so dire? This talk draws on stories from a number of Dorset’s workhouses to explore the theme and takes a look at some of the records available to help you research your own pauper ancestors. on the Great Field in Poundbury on from noon to 4pm.

People will be able to enjoy a barbecue and ice creams.

The line up will also includes Juggling Jake, Bugfest, birds from Xtreme Falconry with static displays and two 30-minute flying displays.

And for those who love Christmas there’s a chance to meet Summertime Santa and for people to try their luck on the coconut shy or try their hand at wellie whanging and knob throwing courtesy of Gary Spracklen, headmaster of Prince of Wales School.

There will also be charity stalls, a display by Dorchester Ballet and Dance Club and a raffle.

Community radio station Keep 106 will be there.

Dorchester Outdoor Vegan Market will be held at

Maumbury Rings from 10am-4pm.

Free entry. There will be 45+ stalls of 100% vegan products. Bring your own blankets or chairs. There will be many stalls from local businesses offering delicious hot and cold food, tea, coffee and yummy cakes, icecreams, tasty cheeses and other fine cuisine. Along with health and beauty care, ethical clothing, eco-friendly products, jewellery, information and advice and so much more!

With all stalls under gazebos the market can go ahead rain or shine and, if weather permits, there will be an Inflatable Play Zone with bouncy castles and slides.

Any dogs must be kept on a lead and well behaved.

From 9.30am-12.30pm ASC Portland will hold its Aiming High SEN Open Day at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

This free open day is for children aged 6-13 with a learning or physical disability. The day will give you a little taste of what your child could get up to at our regular weekly Aiming High Club.

The club programme aims to boost their sense of selfworth, helping them deal with stress and emotions, alongside the excitement and challenges of learning a new skill.

There will be free sailing, SUP and kayaking on the day.

Spaces are limited so call 01305 457 400 to book.

Park Yoga will be held at Lodmoor Country Park from 9.30am-10.30am.

Join your local yoga instructor, Kim, for your weekly dose of free yoga.

Open to all abilities.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

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Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.

Classes are weather dependent. parkyoga.co/weymouth Minterne garden plant fair with classic car display will be held at Minterne Gardens from 10am.

Bugfest will be there.

Steam Trains and Pirates is the theme from 10.30am4pm at Yeovil Railway Centre.

Come dressed as your favourite pirate to enter the fancy dress competition.

Prizes for adults and children.

Train rides along the 1/3rd mile of the ex-Great Western Railway Clifton Maybank branch. Passengers travel in historic brake van vehicles or coach.

Coach is accessible via ramp for standard size wheelchair and other users.

Trains run every 20 minutes (except for a lunch break) and visitors can enjoy unlimited trips on the day as well as on the Miniature Railway.

Other planned attractions include a shop, light refreshments, model railway and exhibits and displays (including demonstrations of the turntable).

Admission (including Steam Train and Miniature Railway rides) £9 per adult, £4 per child (aged 5-15). Children under 5 and members free.

One child (aged 5-15) is admitted free with a full paying adult. Gates open at 10.30am and train rides start at 11am. Last admission 3.15pm.

Monday, May 9 The Wessex Morris Men will be dancing around

Sherborne, starting at The Cross Keys at 7.30pm, then the Digby Tap at 8pm and Weavers Club at 8.30pm.

Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild will host David Bailey, a winner of the 2011 Welsh Wildlife Photographic Award and author, in The Dorchester Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury, DT1 3DF at 2pm.

Visitors are very welcome to attend for £2.50. Tea and coffee are available. Queries to 01305 832857.

Tues, May 10 There’s a past life regression evening with Jayne & Lorraine from 7pm-9pm at Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre.

Lorraine will take you on a journey back to a past life you have lived. Jayne will interpret and give you a reading and clarity from what you experience.

Looking at our past lives can help us enormously in our present life as you will see that maybe there are patterns that you continue to play out, the same type of people that you encounter, maybe the same feelings correspond through both lives. ticketsource.co.uk

Weds, May 11 An ‘Unseen estate – meet the livestock’ event is being held at Kingston Lacy from 10am-11am.

Exclusive tour of the parkland to see some behind-the-scenes areas.

Hidden highlights of the working estate, focusing on the cattle, sheep and pigs that are a key part of caring for the parkland

Thurs, May 12 An Extinction Rebellion-led climate change protest is being held at Dorset Council’s third annual meeting at 6pm, entitled Empty Promises Tripple Whammy.

Join other climate action and

climate justice groups from across Dorset to send a powerful reminder and message to Dorset Council, and boost awareness about the need for urgent action on climate and ecological crises.

Organisers say in the past three years Dorset Council has failed to marry its

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?) climate strategy and action plan, and other council strategies – finance, planning, pensions, transport and failed to communicate and engage Dorset residents and community groups in achieving the necessary goals.

There will be a samba band and music from Tip of the Pops, the world’s only solar powered wheelbarrow disco created from waste, by Ecotainment.

history. During this fun and fact filled 45-minute tour you will discover some of the castle’s secrets and participate in interactive challenges as you time travel through the ages from the Normans to the 1940s.

Sessions at 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm (to accommodate those arriving on the steam train from Swanage).

Friday, May 13 To mark Christian Aid Week (May 15 to 21) the Bridport Team Ministry is putting on a series of short films about how lives can be transformed. You can learn more about Christian Aid at christianaid.org.uk At 6pm there will be a film and discussion at St Swithun’s Hall.

Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm. Seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be an opportunity to hear from the local co-ordinator for Christian Aid as well as time to speak to neighbours and friends. Everyone is welcome!

There will be Music at the Pavilion organised by Pips Poundbury from midday1pm.

Enjoy lunch from the cafe or bring a picnic and local musicians will offer you some entertainment.

Grace Petrie will be at The Corn Exchange, Dorchester, from 8pm.

The protest singer has an army of loyal fans across the alternative, folk, political and comedy scenes. She’s toured to arenas with Frank Turner, has supported comedian Hannah Gadsby,

Concert for Parkinson’s An Evening with Ed Hintze and Dorset for Singing will be held at 7pm in United Church Dorchester on Saturday, May 7.

A joint concert with Ed toured with comedy phenomenon The Guilty Feminist, has done a prestigious live session on the BBC Radio 2 Jo Whiley Show and reached the top 40 in the UK album charts in autumn 2021 with her new album Connectivity. Festival appearances have included The Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia and Vancouver Folk Festival in Canada among many more.

Grace will be accompanied on stage by long-time music collaborator, singer and multi-instrumentalist Ben Moss. dorchesterarts.savoys ystems.co.uk

Saturday, May 14 There’s a Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea At Boo’s Toy Shop Poundbury from midday till 3pm, with an

and his community choir, Dorset for Singing, performing well known songs from across the decades. Free entry with a retiring collection in aid of Parkinson’s UK. afternoon tea in the style of a Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Also from midday till 3pm there’s a Family Fun Fest at St Aldhelm’s Church, Weymouth – a free, fun filled afternoon for the whole community, Food, arts and crafts, games, live music and fun for all the family.

And, yes, it will be over in time for us to watch the FA cup final!

A Cattistock sponsored ride will be held at Melbury Sampford from 10am-3pm – a charity sponsored ride.

Book at equoevents.co.uk Keeper of the Castle: Storytelling tours will be held from 10am-4pm at Corfe Castle.

Join the Keeper of the Castle as you discover how clever design and strategic location made it fulfil its role throughout a turbulent

Bridport Community Charter Fair will be held from 9.30am-4pm at Mountfield’s Millennium Green.

The Charter Fair celebrates the right to hold a market with a Charter granted over 700 years ago by King Henry II, and Bridport’s Citizens’ Charter, reflecting the principles of 1998 Human Rights Act, and confirming Bridport becoming the UK’s first Rights Respecting Town.

The market is listed in the top ten markets nationally.

The re-named Bridport Community Charter Fair is now a partnership initiative together with Bridport Town Council, Bridport Community Fair and the national (now International) Love Your Local Market.

This event seeks to reflect the diverse creativity, passions and pastimes of the Bridport Community, with all ages and interests welcomed and encouraged to take part. Live music, entertainment throughout the day and maypole dancing.

Sunday, May 15 Stickleback will be playing at a jazz afternoon from 4pm at the Convivial Rabbit micropub in Dorchester’s Trinity Street.

The five-piece comprises double bass, guitar, trumpet,

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

percussion and vocals.

Covers band... mostly, a little bit jazzy.

Set list includes Moondance, Sway, Valerie, Isn’t She Lovely, Dreadlock Holiday, Probably Me...

There’s just time to enter an Unaffiliated Dressage competition at Downclose Lane, North Perrott, TA18 7SH from 10am, sponsored

by Ellen’s Equine & Pet Care.

All tests will run under BD rules. Riding school ponies are available to hire for current clients only at £10 per horse.

Rosettes to 6th place. Entries close 4pm on Friday, May 6.

Find @downclosestablesNP on Facebook.

Lyme Regis May Fete will be held from 10m-4pm at the Anning Road playing field.

Lots of fun things to do for all the family including entertainment and displays, bouncy castle and other activities for kids, craft market, stalls from local groups and organisations plus plenty of food and drink to tempt your taste buds.

A host of entertainment in the arena will be provided by local organisations including displays from Lyme Regis Majorettes, Lyme School of Ballet, FitSteps with Sarah and Lyme Morris.

Lots of things to keep the kids happy including bouncy castle, face painting, henna tattoos and hair braiding.

Carl Salter Bubble Man extraordinaire will keep the kids enthralled and there will be a roving T-Rex and baby dinosaur which the kids will love having their photo with.

Stalls from local clubs, groups and charitable organisations to raise awareness and showcase their talents, plus a craft

market with local artisans including crafts, homewares, glass, plants and much more.

There’s a varied mix of food and drink including tasty wraps, gourmet burgers, ice cream, waffles, doughnuts and cocktails.

Email info@lymeregiscarnival.co.uk The North Dorset Cycle Ride 2022 will be held from Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, from 7.30am.

The enjoyable and inclusive cycling event boasts the ultimate finish line goal – the Gold Hill Challenge (ouch).

New for 2022 is a much more accessible family ride – much flatter and shorter than before – plus more of a family festival afterwards on Castle Hill with plenty of refreshments and entertainment for all ages.

Then as well as the popular 25-mile and 50-mile rides, there is a new challenge for the really ambitious cyclist with the c80-mile ride (not for the faint hearted!).

Start at Castle Hill (the car park field).

Organisers Shaftesbury Rotary Club will be donating any proceeds to Prostate Cancer and other local charities.

Pre-registration only online.

Family Fun Ride: everyone £5, 25 and 50-mile rides £25, 75-mile ride £30.

Children (under 10 years) free – must be accompanied by adult. shaftesburyrotaryclub.org/ gold-hill-cycle-ride

Monday, May 16 The Wessex Morris Men will be dancing around north Dorset on Monday, May 16, starting at Mappowder village centre at 7.30pm,

then St Aldhelm’s Church in Belchalwell at 8.15pm and The Ibberton in Ibberton at 9pm.

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11pm at the Corn Exchange.

The Hang Massive are the world’s most renowned Handpan players, pioneering a successful electronic act with a magnetic live show, blending dream-like acoustics and upbeat sounds.

Go to hangmassive.co/dorchester2

Weds, May 18 UK and Swedish duo Hang Massive will be hosted by Dorchester Arts from 8pm-

Dorchester

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Whasson? (and where’s it to?)

2Thurs,

May 19

The Arts Society West Dorset is holding a talk entitled British Travellers in Mexico: Lost Cities and Surreal Worlds.

Speaker Chloe Sayer will start her journey at 2.30pm in Bridport Town Hall.

Visitors welcome at £7.50.

Bridport & District Gardening Club is holding its monthly meeting at the WI Hall, North Street, from 7.30pm.

Martin Young will talk about gardening on clay and shady spaces. Martin is a horticultural speaker based in Weymouth, formally in the RAF, with an interest in butterflies, moths and the plants which attract them.

Martin is a member of the Plant Heritage and takes a keen interest in plant conservation and the National Collections of Dorset.

Open to non-members for £2. More information at bridportgardeningclub.co.uk

Friday, May 20 Maiden Newton Art Group will be holding an exhibition at the village hall on May 20 and 21, 5pm till 9pm on the Friday and 10am till 4pm on the Saturday. Raffle and refreshments, fee entry.

Rediscovered – Weymouth College Music Students – will be playing from 8.30pm-10.30pm at Tom Browns, High East Street, Dorchester as part of their Summer Tour. Expect pop and rock classics! Free admission.

A coffee concert will be held at St Peter’s Church in Dorchester on Sunday, May 15 from 11.45am.

Coffee and a short recital of works by St Peter’s Plant Sale will be held from 10am-1pm.

Local charity stalls, tombola, new2you, bric a brac, produce, crafts and fabulous jazz from Dan and Sue. Bacon butties, cake and coffee in the hall. Tto book a £10 pitch call 07887 483228 or book a charity table at no charge.

Lyme Regis Football Club will be holding a Casino Night from 7.30pm, with professional croupiers.

Tickets cost £30 including a glass of prosecco on arrival, buffet and live entertainment.

Tickets available from the clubhouse on Saturdays or by calling 07814 114 973 or 07796 951 991.

Saturday, May 21

There is a Wild Garden Free Party with The Avalon Sound from 7.30pm-1am at Grow Slow Broomhill Farm, West Bay Fields, Bridport, DT6 5LB. This is a free party with live music and DJs. Dress code Goddesses & Legends.

Hot food & a fully stocked bar.

St Swithun’s Car Boot &

At midday there’s a Duck Race & Fun Day at Tom

choral scholar Amy Bolster (alto) to include works by Purcell, JS Bach, Pergolesi and Gershwin. Free admission, all welcome.

Browns Pub, Dorchester in aid of Young Lives Vs Cancer.

The duck-related fun includes hook a duck, splat the duck, tombola, raffle/ auction, music, comedy and face painting, From 11am there’s a Classic Vehicle Show at Brewery Square in Dorchester.

Dorchester Classic Vehicle Club will bring a range of classic vehicles until 2pm.

The Keep military museum in Bridport Road, Dorchester, will be holding a ghost hunt from 8pm-2am.

This venue has never been investigated before.

There will be EVP sessions, table tipping, spirit board, glass divination, scrying and more, for £30pp.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Bring refreshments – however there’s a little tuck shop available.

Bring a torch and any paranormal equipment you have. eventbrite.co.uk There’s a ghost hunt at the Shire Hall Courthouse toowoo-wooo…

Séances, vigils, table tilting, glass moving, ouija boards, evp experiments, automatic writing and much more.

This is a serious overnight ghost hunt (paranormal investigation), and is conducted with our team of professional mediums and paranormal investigators.

Group of just three or four, tickets £40. Over 18s only 8pm until 2am. Event includes tea/coffee.

Book at ghosthuntevents.co.uk/shir e-hall-courthouse.php A Party @ the pump track will be held in Stalbridge.

Bring your bike, helmet and a picnic to meet us for some pump track fun at Stalbridge pump track!

A Mind, Body and Spirit Fayre will be held from 11am at the Digby Hall in Sherborne, DT9 3AA. Psychic mediums, tarot, reiki, reflexology, Indian head massage and new treatments and therapies.

Demonstrations and workshops, refreshments served throughout the day £1 entry.

An Art Weeks Artist Events & Outdoor Cinema Evening (with LIVE soundtrack) will be held from 8pm at The Walled Garden Moreton.

The ticketed event will feature the classic 1922 vampire film Nosferatu with a soundtrack performed live.

Tickets on Eventbrite for £12.50, with barbecue food available. Bring a blanket or some camping chairs.

A Mini Model Railway Exhibition will be held from 10am-4pm at Upwey Memorial Hall.

Variety of layouts and scales.

Refreshments available but limited parking.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

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Cheers all round as Lion roars again A village community is in high spirits after reopening its pub following a £50,000 campaign.

The White Lion in Broadwindsor has opened after months of negotiations and a dynamic public fundraising campaign.

The campaign was spearheaded by parish council vice-chairman David Leader, who died suddenly last month at the age of 64.

Rick Dyke, chairman of the White Lion Management Committee, said: “Without David’s energy, enthusiasm and diplomacy, we would not be about to reopen the pub. We hope that The White Lion will become the community hub that David envisaged.”

Rick paid tribute to the local community which has so generously supported the committee’s fundraising efforts.

He added: “I’d also like to thank the many volunteers who have so freely given their time to help with the refurbishment, some of whom have been almost living in the pub in recent months. They know who they are!

“I am sure everyone who visits The White Lion will agree that the transformation has been remarkable. I’d also like to thank all the committee members who have given so much of their time, knowledge and experience in delivering this project.”

Around £50,000 was raised for refurbishment and working capital through public donations, grants, funding from the parish

IT’S OPEN: The White Lion in Broadwindsor

council, a contribution from Palmers Brewery and events, including a band night and two themed food evenings. A pop-up bar in the village hall has been running since October and raised nearly £10,000.

The tenancy agreement for the White Lion was signed by committee members on Valentine’s Day and since then, work has been going on behind the scenes to get the pub ready to open.

Manager Kate Staff, whose parents live locally, will be running the pub with her daughters Chloe and Louise. They met the community at an open evening in the pub in February when visitors had the opportunity to find out more about the refurbishment and future plans.

Kate has been leading the volunteer decorating team in transforming the interior into a lighter and brighter space.

“It’s lovely to be a part of this amazing project,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming customers back into the pub. We want The White Lion to be the kind of place where people can meet up

with family and friends or feel comfortable to come in on their own. The White Lion has played a central role in village life over the years so long may that continue.”

Initially, the pub will be open only for drinks until new equipment is installed

in the kitchen. But it’s hoped that it won’t be long before the pub is serving food again.

The White Lion aims to be modestly profitable but not for private profit, offering food and drink with an emphasis on local produce.

The atmosphere is intended to be warm and friendly and a community hub.

The pub will be open from Tuesday to Friday, from 6pm until 11pm, and on Saturdays from 11am11pm and Sundays from noon to 10.30pm.

On Tuesday nights, the pub will not be serving food, but customers are welcome to take in their fish and chips from the van that comes to the village every week.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022

Tom talks of mercy mission

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Tom Littledyke, the bighearted Shave Cross Inn landlord who organised and drove two convoys of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, spoke after the screening of Flee at Bridport Arts Centre.

Tom, spurred on by one of his regulars, took his pub’s minibus packed full of donations to the PolandUkraine border shortly after the war started.

Tom went on to drive to the Ukrainian city of Lviv to bring out refugees desperate to escape the conflict.

This effort rapidly grew into a second convoy with over 30 drivers delivering ambulances and 4X4s as well as more humanitarian aid.

Tom, 31, says he met ‘incredible and inspirational’ people from the warzone, and he is especially indebted to ‘Sofia’ who has converted her eco re-fill shop in Lviv into a distribution point for aid and accommodation for refugees.

Tom said: “She has been vital in making sure aid is getting where it’s needed – when she let us know that the ambulance we had dropped off had already saved a life, it was emotional to know that what we were bringing was getting put to use straight away.”

Tom has a lifelong love of film. After first training as a Royal Marine Reservist, he pursued the pull of performance that had started with GCSE drama at The Woodroffe School to reach Hollywood in 2014, where he took acting classes.

“I landed the role of a bad guy in the TV series The Punisher, though the absolute highlight was meeting Dolly Parton and finding out she is just as lovely a person in real life!,”

CONVOY: Shave Cross Inn landlord Tom Littledyke

said Tom. Missing ‘country pubs and proper beer’, Tom returned to West Dorset where he brought his love of cinema to the Shave Cross Inn in the Marshwood Vale.

Tom said: “Taking on a pub during a pandemic meant we had to keep adapting – drivein screenings at our ‘Jurassic Parking’ nights, enabled us to bring food and drink to customers’ cars, The Truman Show was an especially good fit for lockdown life.”

Tom has plans for more outdoor films, ‘Shave Cross Under The Stars’, and a Shrek Burlesque show in October.

Flee was shown as part of Bridport’s Film Festival, From Page To Screen. The award-winning animation tells the true story of an adult Afghan refugee confronting their traumatic childhood experience of human trafficking.

From Page To Screen organised a raffle to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian and Afghanistan Crisis Appeals.

Generous prizes donated by local businesses and festival supporters, including film memorabilia from Claire Nuttall of Bridport’s Ukraine Volunteer Group, were up for grabs.

So many obstacles

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A handyman has told of his marathon journey to Poland and back in just 63 hours, delivering vital aid.

Bill Davis, AKA Loders Handyman, stepped in at the last moment when local fundraiser Ryan Bennett needed a driver urgently.

Ryan had decided to help after seeing boxes stacked at St Michael’s Trading Estate and discovering collection organisers Claire Nuttall and Jane Wain were waiting for transport for them.

He swung into action, setting up a justgiving page and sourcing vehicles and people for the trip –Jodie Molloy, Bill Davis, Pete Hindes, Ben and Simon Cousins, Ian Skelton and James Bennett.

But nothing proved to be easy.

Bill said: “We had to get all the necessary documents, for example a covid passport, which took three days. We were generously offered the use of various local vans, however trying to get insurance as a named driver for travel to Poland quickly became an insurance risk none of the big operators were willing to take.

“It seemed that it would be easier to buy a used van

specifically for the trip, and this was exactly what Ryan did, using his own money. A fourth van was needed and the justgiving page had by now received enough funds to pay for one rental vehicle.

“Then the pre-booked van rental we had arranged was declined just three days before departure.”

Ryan sourced yet another van, and volunteers packed hundreds of boxes into every possible space.

The drivers set off for Hurko, 10km from the Poland/Ukraine border.

Bill said: “We spotted other convoys from all parts of Europe on the motorway and realised that we were just a few of the many people delivering supplies.

“The days were sunny but the nights were cold. Dresden next and into the old East Germany through a landscape of forest for most of the way and a sunrise at 4.30am. Finally we entered Poland and reached Hurko – a total distance of 1,304 miles.”

He added: “Olga, a Ukrainian from Lviv, had driven across the border ready to return with the most urgently needed aid.

The doors of her van were open and ready to load with sleeping bags, warm clothes,

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

13

Far left, Ukranians Olga and Sophia head back to Lviv with brownies. Left, the vans were rammed with donations. Right, Claire Nuttall

– but we made it to Ukraine border blankets and overcoats. The local team helped to unload the boxes from our vans and trailers, saving us much time.

They worked tirelessly to get us back on the road.

“We delivered in total 1,200 boxes of supplies, 400 more than an articulated lorry could carry. The contents included medical supplies and personal hygiene products, toiletries, nappies and pet food.”

Just 63 hours later the convoy arrived back in Bridport at 11.30pm.

The team later learned that Lviv had come under attack that night. Bill added: “The Ukrainian people will need our support for some time to come, the work of the many volunteers to sort and pack donations will need to

continue. More trips to Poland will be needed.

“We have learnt much on our journey, and we are happy to share our experience with any volunteers who might be thinking of delivering more supplies. We can advise on the best route and the possible dangers.

“From all of us, huge thanks to everyone who donated goods and those who helped at the centre on St Michael’s Estate, and to all the people who donated to the justgiving page and gave their vans and trailers for us to use.

“The justgiving target of £8,000 finally reached £10,000. Enough to put towards the funding of another trip which is just beginning to be planned.”

Sale raises £6,998 extra A sale of items donated in Bridport raised an amazing £6,998 at the weekend.

Jane Wain and Claire Nuttall held a three-day event with food and entertainment to raise more money for the appeal, after being left with thousands of items unsuitable to send to Ukranians.

Claire said: “This wonderful amount raised includes the huge contribution from Matt

Beard at Cafe Bean, who gave us £540 from his Sunday Ukraine Breakfasts.

“The highlight for all of us was meeting Ukrainian families who recently arrived, and we were able to supply them with bags full of lovely clothes they picked out for themselves.

“The unit will now only be open to these families to come and help themselves.”

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 22, 2022 Le sure Leisure Breaks reaks Normandy ormandy

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Let’s talk rubbish! Climate group in series of events Leigh Climate Group has scooped National Lottery funding to get a series of green initiatives going, starting with Leigh Talks – a series of informative evenings.

Have you wondered what happens to all that stuff you throw away? Where does it go? Is it really recycled?

If you want answers to these questions, come to hear Paul Burridge from Dorset Waste Services and he will explain what happens.

The talk will be held on Thursday, May 19 at 7.45pm at Leigh Village Hall DT9 6HL (doors open 7.30pm). Free entry, refreshments available.

The talks are aimed at people who want ways to reduce their carbon footprint. They won’t blind you with science but aim to be entertaining and present issues that everyone can respond to at an individual and community level.

Leigh Climate Group members are from all walks of life and over the next ten

months their talks will cover a wide range of topics. You will have opportunity to listen to an expert speaker, ask questions, discuss, and come up with ideas to reduce your impact on climate and biodiversity.

Later in the year there will be talks with Dorset Wildlife Trust; with local farmers; on travel and transport; on sustainable gardening; a repair cafe and much more.

Future events will be posted in the local press and at leighvillage.org.uk and on Leigh Climate Group Facebook.

This is the first in a 10-month programme of community events, supported by the Lottery Community Fund, called Leigh Talks! that will feature a presentation by an expert or celebrity speaker, followed by discussion and an opportunity to come up with ideas for changes to reduce our impact on climate and biodiversity. Email cate.m.dixon@gmail.com / 07971 061335 for details.

Climate change will lead to more frequent and severe wildfires throughout Dorset, an expert has warned.

Andy Elliott, a retained firefighter from Maiden Newton who also owns and operates Wildfire TAC, has given the warning in the wake of recent wildfires at Canford Heath and elsewhere throughout the county.

Mr Elliott warns wildfires throughout England are becoming more commonplace and more must be done to prevent and mitigate them.

He said: “As of April 25, there were 221 wildfires recorded nationally so far this year. The total reported number for 2021 was 247; we’re already at 221 and it’s only April.

“In the last few weeks the south of England has been under an amber level wildfire alert. Weather conditions have been very dry with strong winds from the east, which are always very dry and troublesome.

“Climate change is definitely playing a part. Most of the recent wildfires are the result of the weather, but climate change is posing a longer term risk, meaning we will

have higher temperatures and more frequent dry periods that support wildfire outbreaks. Climate forecasts indicate we will see wildfires more frequently and that their intensity and severity will increase in this part of the world. We’re already seeing it now.”

Mr Elliott has advised on tackling wildfires around the world including South Africa, France and Spain as well as the wildfire outbreaks in Mati, Greece in 2018 and the California wildfires of 2015 in which 3,000 homes were destroyed.

Mr Elliott said: “Part of my personal mission has been to bring the best wildfire mitigation and management tactics back to the UK because we need to be as prepared as we can be. People need to be more aware of this growing risk.”

Mr Elliott says his private work involves working with land managers, farmers and foresters to advise on wildfire prevention and mitigation policies.

He said: “For example, a lot of foresters will ‘clear fell’ a site, meaning they chop all the trees down at once, which leaves dry bush everywhere and increases the risk of wildfires.

Sign up for your spring booster jab Over 75s can get their covid spring booster jab at a popup vaccination site at Langdon ward at Bridport Hospital.

Anyone wishing to be vaccinated at the hospital needs to book in advance at nhs.uk.

Appointments will be available to book throughout May.

PRECAUTIONS: Andy Elliott at work

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

15

more frequent with climate change’ BLAZE ALERT: Firefighter Andy Elliott

INFERNO: There have been more than 200 wildfires recorded nationally this year

“Part of my job is to get them to move over to a ‘continuous cover’ felling system which means you only cut down trees when they’re ready, not the whole crop at once, and reduce wildfire risk.

“I also work with the emergency services to train them. Our services in Dorset are fantastic but they are more geared towards dealing with property fires. However, these

services will have an increasing need for different types of equipment and tactics to deal with wildfires as they become more commonplace.”

Dorset Police and the fire service are still investigating the cause of the Canford Heath wildfire. Eyewitnesses to the fire, or anyone who recorded it with drones, phones or dashboard cameras, are urged to contact police.

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Star composer signing his debut novel A first time author from Charlton Down will be signing his books at Waterstones in Dorchester from noon on Saturday, May 14.

Humour and suspense entwine on a thrilling search guaranteed to have readers on the edge of their seats and in stitches in turn, as author Lee Darkin-Miller from Charlton Down releases his debut novel, It’s All About Teddy.

TC, a hapless, middle-aged widower is desperate to find his green-eyed angel. One day, he stumbles upon a lead, but after an unfortunate misunderstanding and an accidental death involving cutlery, he is sent on an everspiralling descent into the criminal underworld.

His search leads him to an

elusive cult called The Lodge, and a twist of fate has him cross paths with a pair of vigilante siblings who believe The Lodge are involved in the proliferation of a new, dangerous street drug called Fudge.

As the story unfolds, TC takes the reader on a tense and traumatic journey through the criminal underbelly, to find his greeneyed angel.

Lee is a published writer, award-winning composer

and multi-instrumentalist whose work appears in film, TV and video games. He is currently working on an historical comic novel.

Lee said: “This book started as a short writing exercise inspired by the Chris Morris/Blue Jam Monologues. It soon evolved into a story idea, and eventually a novel. I never plot my stories. I let them flower from the initial seed, allowing the characters and situations to evolve organically. Humour was always key, but never to the detriment of the story, so although there are plenty of funnies, I interlaced them with plot and character development to make sure they didn’t slow the pace.” leedarkinmiller.co.uk ISBN: 9781914471377

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Centre and pub off to national finals Two West Dorset businesses have been nominated in Visit England’s national tourism awards finals.

West Bay Discovery Centre, whose volunteers are pictured, has been shortlisted in the ethical, responsible and sustainable business category while The Acorn Inn, Evershot has been nominated in the pub of the year category.

Earlier this year West Bay Discovery Centre won gold in the South-West Tourism Excellence Awards.

West Bay Discovery Centre trustee John West said: “We are stunned by this nomination in the Visit England awards as we thought our success at the South-West Tourism Excellence awards was the summit of our achievements, but this national recognition is beyond our expectations and a very pleasant surprise.”

West Bay Discovery Centre is up against Chichester Festival Theatre in West Sussex and Pure Outdoor in Derbyshire in the Visit England awards.

Mr West added: “Care for the environment and promoting sustainability is central to what we do. We aim to have a low impact on the environment by recycling our waste, buying sustainable and locally produced merchandise wherever possible and promoting local beach cleans.

“We have interactive displays

showing how we can all reduce our carbon footprint and lessen the impact of climate change. We are also a Bridport ‘plastic-free business’ champion.”

The Acorn Inn in Fore Street, Evershot has been nominated for pub of the year. It is in competition with The Cotley Inn, Somerset and The Devonshire Arms at Pilsley, Derbyshire. General manager Natalie Legg said: “We’re very happy to have made it this far. It’s not very often that

I’m speechless but I am at the moment. We have a spectacular team and they’re the ones who are responsible for this success.”

All awards finalists have been invited to the awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 8 at the Library of Birmingham.

Other Dorset businesses that have made it to the finals of Visit England’s national tourism awards include All Hallows’ Farmhouse Cookery School, Wimborne St Giles in the experience of the year category and Weymouth’s Nothe Fort in the small visitor attraction of the year category.

A spokesperson for West Bay Discovery Centre also said that new volunteers are being sought. For more information visit the centre or email manager@westbaydiscoveryc entre.org.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Popular restaurant looking likely to survive... for now

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Supporters of the threatened but muchloved Rajpoot restaurant in Sherborne have been bolstered by news that an application to increase the residential part of the building is unlikely to force it to close.

But they still fear a rent increase could push Azizul (Abdul) Haque out of his restaurant, which he has run for 35 years.

A meeting of Sherborne Town Council heard the landlords of the Grade-1 listed building in Half Moon Street did not have permission to change the use of the ground floor of the building from commercial to residential.

A successful application to create another flat, approved by planning officers earlier, looked set to threaten the popular restaurant, as the plans suggested part of a new flat would be created in place of the kitchen and toilets.

But in response to enquiries from local activists, The Northern Area Planning Department confirmed that there was no permission to change the use of the lower floor.

Former town and district councillor Rob Bygrave said: “There had been fears that the kitchen of The Rajpoot, which is an old

UNDER THREAT: The Rajpoot in Sherborne

bakery, would be converted into a flat. This would prevent the restaurant from functioning – so they would have to close.

“However, as the kitchen has no windows and has a public house on either side, the idea was quite ridiculous. A flat without a view and severe with planning restrictions due to its grand status would make no sense. No change of use has been granted.

“Therefore Abdul and his team seem safe for now but the landlords have other ideas. Rent increases have been suggested along with expensive structural alterations at the expense of the tenant.

“In this way they are applying pressure on The Rajpoot to close.

“However the public have been alerted to what is going on here and in other parts of Sherborne. The town is losing its shops and some landlords want to change shops into residential properties in fine old buildings.”

He added: “The town council inform us that 98

Discovering lost cities in Mexico

The Arts Society West Dorset is holding a talk entitled British Travellers in Mexico: Lost Cities and Surreal Worlds on May 19. Speaker Chloe Sayer will start her journey at 2.30pm in Bridport Town Hall. Visitors welcome: £7.50

per cent of the planning decisions are being made by delegated officers who have not been elected. It is therefore necessary to have more transparency around these decisions.

“It is understood that local council members who objected to the plans about The Rajpoot were not allowed to speak at certain meetings – ‘due to a conflict of interest’.

17

Encore’s songs from the shows

The Encore Singers will be opening the Upwey concert season with a performance on Saturday, May 7 at St Laurence Church at 7pm.

The singers will showcase a programme of songs from the shows along with some other numbers and seasonal readings.

Tickets at £5 on the door or from ticketsource.co.uk

Keeping it tidy

Bridport’s Mass Litter Pick From Street to Sea will be taking place on Sunday, May 15 between 10am and 12noon and will cover the streets, the rivers and green spaces and beaches.

Simply turn up from 10am at Bridport Morrisons, the Bridport Co-op or the Watch House Café in West Bay.

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Campaigners in climate change vigil at abbey Campaigners held a vigil outside Sherborne Abbey to raise awareness of climate change.

Quakers from Sherborne, Long Sutton and Street were joined by members of the Catholic community, Milborne Port Climate Action and others for the Earth Day vigil outside the abbey.

The campaigners were also joined by three ‘red rebels’ – members of a theatrical, political pressure group who claim to seek to raise awareness of ecological and political crises.

A spokesman for the

RED ALERT: Red Rebels outside Sherborne Abbey

Quakers said: “Local people stopped and drivers passing through the town tooted and gave us the thumbs up.

“One driver jumped out of his car to talk to us, wishing to tell us how

important he felt that a vegan diet is to reduce greenhouse gases.

“Quakers in the UK feel strongly that having contributed to climate change over the past century or more, we must

take urgent action for the earth and the people who are already experiencing extreme weather events.

“More climate vigils are planned at Wells and Sherborne to sustain the sense of urgency.”

Fresh framework for SEND support Dorset is part of a programme aimed at improving the services and support available for young people with special educational needs.

The county has agreed to take part in the joint inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission to ‘support the development of a new local area framework’.

A spokesperson for the joint inspection programme said: “The new framework will focus on the impact of local area arrangements on children and young people and their families.

“It will consider how inspectors gather evidence,

and whether this evidence enables them to fully measure the effectiveness of local services to improve the experiences, progress and outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs.

“Participating in the pilot will help services in the Dorset Council area develop and ensure the needs of these children and young people are met.”

The spokesperson added: “Hearing from parents, carers and young people will be an important part of the inspection visit and their views will be captured through a survey.

“Dorset Council, NHS Dorset

Clinical Commissioning Group and Dorset Parent Carer Council work together to ensure children, young people and their families have equal opportunity to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect them at all levels.”

Councillor Andrew Parry, portfolio holder for children, education, skills and early help, said: “We are delighted that Dorset has been chosen by Ofsted and the CQC to help them test their inspection framework.

“As a partnership we are keen to learn so we can continually improve our services.

Although there will be no judgements or individual

reports published after the pilot inspection, the council values the opportunity to take part.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to test our systems and gather feedback which will help us continue to strengthen our services. We are proud to have been invited to take part and help make a difference.

“We encourage parents, carers, young people and families to get involved so we can work with our health colleagues at NHS Dorset CCG, our early years settings, schools, further education colleges and DPCC to learn and make our service the best possible experience for children, young people and their families.”

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.”

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

New art gallery welcomes internationally renowned artist

The West Dorset Magazine, March 25, 2022

Delays ahead for road resurfacing Motorists can expect disruption throughout Dorset as the council begins a programme of repairs to the county’s roads.

A spokesperson for the authority said this ‘surface dressing’ work helps prolong the life of roads by adding a waterproof sealant that helps improve skid resistance.

The spokesman said: “A rolling programme of surface dressing will run over the next three months.

The work is carried out under a road closure, with on-street parking suspended to allow the work to take place. It is a quick process, with bitumen binder sprayed onto the road to seal it against water damage and stone chippings spread

19

DRIVING DELAYS: Roads are being resurfaced and repaired across Dorset

onto this to restore grip, with these compacted down with a roller.”

Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: “It’s been proven that early, preventative maintenance is the most cost-effective way to maintain roads, and

surface dressing is an important part of the road treatment cycle.

“Our targeted maintenance approach – to carry out repairs specific to the damage evidenced in the individual road – ensures we can carry out maintenance on more roads

compared to solely using resurfacing.

“This also reduces emissions by using less raw material and creating less waste.”

The full list of roads set to be treated can be found online at dorsetcouncil. gov.uk/surface-dressing

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Happy birthday! Celebrations are

By Andrew Diprose editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk

It was the year that saw the coronation of Edward VII, the second Boer War ended, Land of Hope and Glory received its London premiere and Marmite was first produced.

And in Dorchester, Harold and Florence Gould opened a store stocked with general and fancy drapery.

The year in question was 1902 and on April 26, exactly 120 years later, independent family-run retailer Goulds held the first of a series of birthday events.

It took place at Goulds Garden Centre in Preston, Weymouth.

Harry and Florence Gould’s drapers shop opened on the corner of High East Street in Dorchester Town.

Four generations later, the Gould family are still running the business which has grown to three department stores and a garden centre.

Goulds (Dorchester) Limited now employs more than 200 people.

The company’s two stores in South Street,

Dorchester, sell branded clothing and accessories, home living and gifts as well as the Dorset Kitchen eatery and Dorset Kitchen Farm Shop.

The Goulds Garden Centre, in Weymouth, has a range of more than

The history of Goulds n Established in 1902, independent family-run business Goulds has been at the heart of Dorchester for 120 years this year. n On April 26, 1902, Harry and Florence Gould opened a drapers shop on the corner of High East Street in Dorchester Town. n Harold and Florence Gould placed an advertisement in the Dorset County Chronicle just before the opening of their shop, which, in the language of the time,

25,000 product lines including horticultural and outdoor leisure products, a well-stocked plant area and gifts.

Speciality foods and drinks from local suppliers and beyond are available in The Dorset Kitchen food

advertised the forthcoming opening of their new venture. n It read: ‘Important Notice. H.J. Gould begs to inform the inhabitants of Dorchester and District that he will be opening the premises, lately occupied

by H.R. Hayman and Son, with a well selected stock of General and Fancy Drapery and hopes by strict and careful attention to Business, to secure a share of patronage and support. First day of opening Saturday April 26th, 1902’ n Fourteen members of the family have been on the board of the company over

hall, while The Dorset Kitchen eatery provides meals and snacks.

Further along the coast, in East Devon, Goulds also owns the Fields of Sidmouth department store.

Acquired in 2015, it

the years. During the Second World War, two of Harry’s sons joined up while Ronald, who was in a protected occupation, continued to help his parents in the business. However, once the shop closed, he would get on his bike and cycle to Portland to help protect the naval dockyard base at night. n When Harry died in 1947, Ronald and his younger brother Arthur, took over the company as joint MDs; the second generation was in charge. n On the death of Arthur in 1971, John Keeping, the uncle of Ronald’s son,

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

21

in store as Goulds is 120 years old

NOW AND THEN: One of the Goulds shops in South Street today and, below, back in the day

opened in 1809 in the same location from which the business still trades.

Chris Gould, 40, director of Goulds (Dorchester) Limited and the great grandson of Harry Gould, said the company had faced many challenges

over the years, ranging from wars to the pandemic.

He said: “There is no doubt the retail sector has, and continues to meet, strong challenges, evident from the many shops that have disappeared from the

Roger, became the non-executive chairman. It was under his financial guidance that the next generation of Goulds took over. n The level of advanced planning which went into ensuring the succession was demonstrated by how each new family member coming into the company had experience in the workplace, not just at Goulds, but in other companies too.

Third generation Roger was 21 when he joined the business and, like his brother Richard, had returned from training at Bentalls, a large family-owned

High Street.

“We are most thankful for the support of our community, which has helped us keep the doors open and provide employment opportunities for local people.

“Serving our local

department store in Kingston Upon Thames. Together with cousin, Stephen, they were joined a few years later by Philip, Ronald’s youngest son. n Chris, Roger’s youngest son and fourth generation, had experience at Bentalls and John Lewis before returning to Goulds in 2005 as a buyer before becoming a birector in 2008. n In 1997 Goulds purchased the freehold of Humphries Garden Centre at Preston, Weymouth, covering a sevenacre site and employing around 25 staff.

In 2000, Anthony, Roger’s son, became

communities with respectful, personal service, quality goods and great value is at the forefront of our business ethos, just as it was when my great grandparents started the business.

“We currently employ over 200 local people, some of whose families have worked here for generations before them.

“None of this would be possible without the continued support we have received from our customers.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their valued custom and extend a warm welcome to the exciting, fun-packed shopping experience we have planned on the anniversary of the day we opened 120 years ago.”

The celebration at Goulds Garden Centre included a demonstration day followed by an evening meal in The Dorset Kitchen with three courses inspired from bygone recipes.

Pictures courtesy of Goulds. n gouldsstores.co.uk n fieldsofsidmouth.co.uk

the first member of the fourth generation of the family to join the business in the garden centre. n In 2015 Goulds purchased Fields of Sidmouth, Devon, and has successfully run the long-standing business ever since. n From small beginnings, Goulds has grown to include three department stores – two in Dorchester and one in Sidmouth – and a thriving garden centre in Weymouth. n And on April 26, 2022, Goulds celebrated its 120th anniversary.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022

Fayre enough! Village all set for its big day The hugely popular Burton Bradstock Village Fayre will be held in the delightful Rectory Walled Gardens between 2pm and 4.15pm on Thursday, June 2.

Organisers say visitors compare this quintessential English event as something ‘straight out of Midsomer Murders... without the untimely deaths.

Organisers say it’s an ‘ideal afternoon out for all local and visiting families, with tests of skill for children and people of all ages, lots of stalls and games, ice creams, soft drinks, barbecue and renowned Dorset cream teas’.

Due to popular demand, children will once again be able to have their faces painted, play high striker, enjoy supervised games

with prizes for winners, toy pig racing, toy stall, coconut shy, train game, splat the rat and many more!

Richard said: “You never know what bargains you will find for sale at the many stalls. There is bound to be the usual

queue of ‘early birds’ to search for that special piece of bric-a-brac, book, CD, spring plant or delicious home-made cake or jam.

“The bottle tombola stall is hugely popular as is the chance of a fine cream tea in the village hall or a

burger from the barbecue.”

Entry is £1 for adults and free for children aged under 12. Please note that a section of Church Road, Burton Bradstock outside the Village Hall will be temporarily closed from 9am to 6am on the day of the fayre.

Boost for disabled looking for work Residents with a disability will receive more support to get into work and expand their horizons with a new partnership between the council and national disability employment specialists Pluss.

The council has a legal duty under the Care Act to facilitate employment and volunteering opportunities to people with disabilities, and other vulnerable adults, and has awarded a three-year contract to Pluss to help 50 people through the partnership.

People with a learning or physical disability, autism or mental health needs, should receive bespoke

support to search for, secure and retain employment.

Councillor Peter Wharf, portfolio holder for Social Care and Health, said: “Some people have little or no aspirations which Pluss can unlock. Alternatively, others have the aspiration but do not know how to achieve it. The service will help people with practical advice and support from navigating a bus or train timetable, the etiquette of getting on a bus like having the money ready for the driver, to what is expected in a place of work.

“This contract will see people grow and become

the best they can be and encourage businesses to get involved by assisting with easy read documents for example, which can be a barrier for some people before they even start.

“This contract with employability specialists Pluss, will empower people to change their lives.”

Neil Cattle, operations manager at Pluss, said: “We are looking forward to working with communities and employers alike, both of whom will both benefit greatly from the wealth of skills and talents so many people with a disability bring to the workforce.”

The council has also

developed a ‘Pathway to Employment’ initiative offering four apprenticeships with the support of Pluss.

The new partnership aims to improve the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework ratings for people with a learning disability or mental health needs in paid employment, which in 2019/2020 was below average in the southwest region and nationally.

Previous support was only accessible to adults with a learning disability so the new service is expanding the number of people who can be assisted to include people with Care Act eligible needs.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

23

Saddle up to aid Ukrainian horses

By Karen Bate

DOING THE RIDE THING: Cattistock Hunt Pony Club will be riding through the Melbury Estate to raise funds to help horses in Ukraine

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A hunt group pony club has organised a fundraising ride in aid of Ukrainian horses.

Cattistock Hunt Pony Club will lead the ride through Melbury Estate on Saturday, May 14 to support the Ukrainian Horse Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation and the Disasters Emergency Committee.

A spokesperson for the pony club said the hunt group has already delivered £5,000 worth of feed and bedding to horses left neglected in the war-torn country.

The spokesperson added: “The Ukrainian equestrians and their horses urgently need help to survive and sustain hope through these terrible tragic times.

“There are more than 100,000 horses in Ukraine, many of which are caught up in the war, with no possibility to flee and seek safety, with no shelter and care.

“The Ukrainian Equestrian Federation is supporting horse owners, providing counselling support and

needs-based assistance on the ground, including mapping shelter options and assisting with aid distribution.

“So far, the Cattistock Hunt Pony Club has sourced a lorry in Poland, loaded it with shavings and feed and delivered it to Lviv at a cost of £5,000, which was funded by member donations.

“However they do not want to leave it there; they want to send further supplies as the situation is deteriorating daily. Horses have now started to be

On song for Ukraine’s £2k West Dorset based singers raised more than £2,000 for the people of Ukraine through a series of busking sessions.

Local Vocals members have been singing their hearts out in Bridport, Dorchester, Yeovil and Sherborne to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee and

the Red Cross.

Ros Kanter of the Local Vocals group said: “We are delighted to announce that our busking raised £2,221, which has been shared between DEC and the Red Cross.

“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated to our fundraising.”

evacuated.”

People can book a place on the ride through Melbury

Estate via equo events.

There will be refreshments en route and tea, cake and a barbecue after the ride. The route will not involve any road work and there are two routes, one of approximately ten miles and a three mile route through the woods, which is described as ‘very suitable for children and lead rein’.

If you are unable to attend but wish to support the hunt club’s fundraising efforts email cattistock sponsoredride@gmail.com to buy raffle tickets.

George Albert Hotel and Spa ... definitely more than just a great night’s sleep

Sunday Lunch Carvery Sundays are meant to be spent tucking into good food with great company and The George Albert Hotel is delighted to offer a mouthwatering lunchtime Carvery. Our traditional Sunday roasts feature locally sourced meats, roasted roots, seasonal greens and larger-than-life Yorkshires.

For those that prefer there is always a tasty vegetarian option available too.

Booking your table is recommended

Wardon Hill, Evershot, Nr Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9PW 01935 483430

www.gahotel.co.uk

24

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

New outpatient unit opens at Charlton Down Dorset County Hospital (DCH) has opened a new Outpatient Therapies Centre in Charlton Down.

The centre, on Sherren Avenue, hosts a variety of physiotherapy services, including musculoskeletal, respiratory and pelvic health, as well as speech and language therapy.

Over the last two years, teams have been operating from their Weymouth base as well as temporary locations in Dorchester due to the pressures of the pandemic and ongoing building work on the main hospital site.

The trust received one-off funding from NHS England of £15million as part of a drive to upgrade several Emergency Departments (ED) across the country. This meant that some services at DCH had to be relocated to make room for the

WE’RE OPEN: Team members Clare Ruston, left, and Gillian Woodsford outside the Outpatients Therapies Centre in Charlton Down

improvements to the ED, including outpatient therapy teams.

The centre at Charlton Down will offer appointments for patients who have been referred by

primary care, secondary care or have self-referred.

It has six clinic rooms and a large gym space, plus parking for patients and visitors.

Having more space and a

new base will help the teams see more patients and tackle appointment waiting lists.

Head of physiotherapy Sandra Firth said: “We’re really pleased to have moved into this centre.

Our teams have done a brilliant job of working from various temporary locations and patients have been incredibly understanding. It’s great to have a new dedicated space to treat patients with all the equipment and facilities we need. It’s been very much designed with patients in mind, offering them the space, privacy and dignity that they expect when attending their appointments.”

Read all about libraries consultation

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A public consultation launched by Dorset Council last year to help shape the future of Dorset libraries has highlighted the importance of the service.

Some 7,500 people responded during the 11-week exercise which highlighted how important the library service is to people, many of whom outlined their support of the service to better meet the needs of communities.

The consultation included responses from children and teenagers, young people along with adults,

businesses and employees.

Children said they would like more clubs, arts and crafts sessions along with more board games and more comouter and virtual reality clubs.

The majority of over 16s said they would like more online services and people in business suggested a greater need for community spaces,

hot-desking and coworking spaces.

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said: “Our current library strategy is 11 years old and so much has changed over those 11 years, but Dorset’s libraries have remained at the heart of our communities. It was important that we heard from as many people as possible and I am really pleased that we received over 7,500 responses, thank you to everyone who had their say. This first phase of consultation is taking us one step closer to

providing a more customer focussed and modern service.

“Your responses have helped us shape our new draft strategy which will go to public consultation this summer. We look forward to hearing your views again in a few months, in the meantime please come and visit our libraries and experience all that they have offer - there really is something for everyone!”

The survey summary reports in more detail on the Dorset Council website.

The draft strategy will go to the Joint Overview Committee next month.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

25

Film investigates mysterious tragedy of war hero

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A new film exploring the final years and death of Lawrence of Arabia will be screened throughout Dorset next month.

Mark Griffin’s Lawrence: After Arabia functions as a sequel to David Lean’s 1962 cinematic masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia.

Lawrence: After Arabia, which features Tom Barber Duffy in the title role plus veteran actors Brian Cox and Hugh Fraser, examines the last few years of the war hero’s life and questions if TE Lawrence’s fatal crash was truly an accident.

Director Mark Griffin will introduce each Dorset screening, which will be followed by a question and answer session with him.

Mr Griffin said: “This movie’s been a long time in the making for me.

“I got into learning about Lawrence of Arabia at about ten years old and I just became hooked on researching his life and death.

“I used to come to Dorset for six to eight weeks each summer during the school holidays as a child and have driven down Clouds Hill many times while visiting the area for research.

“This movie started as a radio play about Lawrence’s death, but it didn’t really work as a radio play; I could see it really needed to be a movie.”

Mr Griffin’s self-financed movie began filming in

ON SCREEN: Tom Barber Duffy in the title role in Lawrence: After Arabia, the film poster and, below, director Mark Griffin

Uncovering the secret life and death of TE Lawrence October 2018. It was originally meant to premiere in May 2019 but was delayed until October 2021 because of the covid pandemic.

Lawrence: After Arabia has already won more than 30 film festival awards in Europe and the US and has garnered favourable critical

reviews, including a 7.6 out of ten overall score on IMDB. Mr Griffin said: “I’m delighted to be able to share this story with people.” n Lawrence: After Arabia will be screened at Royal Manor Theatre, Portland on Monday, May 9; on screen three at

Dorchester’s Plaza on Wednesday, May 11; at Wareham’s Rex theatre at 2.15pm on Thursday, May 12; and at Edgar Hall, Somerton on Thursday, May 19. The film is also available for pre-order online now with shipping date no later than Thursday, May 19.

n SEE NEXT PAGES

26

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

A tragic accident... or was death of

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Was Thomas Edward Lawrence murdered by the British Secret Service?

It’s a question that has been running around the mind of filmmaker Mark Griffin for decades.

The official story of Lawrence’s death is that he crashed on May 13, 1935 after swerving to avoid two boys riding bikes on Clouds Hill and died six days later in hospital.

But for the director of Lawrence: After Arabia that explanation of the circumstances of the crash does not match the facts unearthed during years of investigation.

Mr Griffin said: “I’ve been researching Lawrence since childhood, but it wasn’t until I was in my thirties I took a step back from it and began looking at the evidence afresh.

“I got into visiting all the locations that were significant in Lawrence’s life: Clouds Hill, St Martin’s Church in Wareham, the crash site, and I have read voraciously everything I can about his life and death. Some years ago, I was at St Martin’s Church in Wareham and was talking to a man there about Lawrence and the crash and I asked him if he thought it was an accident.

He said: ‘Not all accidents are accidental.’

“The story is he crashed after swerving to avoid two boys on bikes on a road he knew like the back of his hand, and it doesn’t make sense at all.”

Mr Griffin says that

EPIC TALE: Tom Barber Duffy as Lawrence, mourners at his funeral and, below, Lawrence on his motorcycle overlooking Corfe Castle

evidence proving Lawrence’s bike crashed with a black car at the scene of the fatal collision was suppressed by the authorities in a bid to rush the inquest into his death.

Mr Griffin said: “George Brough, who made Lawrence’s bike, was asked to examine it after the crash.

“All he was asked to say by the authorities was

whether the machine was sound and roadworthy before the accident – that was it.

“He later said he found black paint on the bike’s handlebars and petrol tank, suggesting something black struck it. But Mr Brough was only allowed to state whether the bike was sound or not at inquest – that was the one question he was asked.”

Mr Griffin said the testimony of eyewitnesses, who claimed to see a black car speeding away from the scene of Lawrence’s fatal crash, were wrongly discredited and that other witnesses, like the two boys on the bikes, were made to ‘parrot’ their testimonies.

So why would anybody, especially the British Secret Service, want

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

27

Lawrence planned by secret service?

KEY SCENE: Lawrence on his motorcycle and the mysterious black car. Below: The two boys on their bicycles

Lawrence dead?

Mr Griffin said the research he has conducted has led him to three theories.

His first theory is that Lawrence was trying to make personal contact with Hitler via the British fascist movement and that this had sent a scare through the intelligence community.

Mr Griffin stressed: “I

don’t think Lawrence would have been trying to join the Nazis: I think he might have been trying to infiltrate them.”

Another theory is that Lawrence was targeted because he had been approached by Arabs in the build up to the 1936 uprising in Palestine and that the secret service feared Lawrence may become a figurehead for

the movement.

The final theory is that Lawrence was being lined up for a top job in the secret service as the nation prepared to combat a rising Hitler in Europe and that Lawrence was targeted by people at the service who feared his maverick tactics or that he may replace them.

Mr Griffin added: “The evidence suggests he was

more likely removed by the British Secret Service because he was starting to be a thorn in their side.

“To me there’s no evidence his crash was an accident but there’s lots of evidence it was a deliberate attack.

“I mean this national hero died one day, the inquest happened the next morning and he was buried that afternoon.

“That’s not right.”

28

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

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

Classifieds: Text ads with or without box: £5 plus £1 per word, £3 for box Book at westdorsetmag.co.uk or call 01305 300830

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30

The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022

Magical May in focus Photographer Neil Barnes has been capturing the beauty of West Dorset in the heady month of May, including the amazing sequence of a kestrel catching its prey.

Neil says: “Whilst out walking my dog Betsy on Abbotsbury Hill I spotted this kestrel hovering just a few feet off the ground, it was obviously eyeing up its next meal.

“I was quite a distance from it so had to use my longest lens – an 800mm. It eventually dived down to the ground just out of sight and to my surprise came up clutching a snake in its claws.”

Chance to improve your computer skills

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

During the coronavirus pandemic when people became housebound, many found themselves socially isolated, which was especially acute for those who are not online.

Cattistock residents Julian English and Barbara Evans stepped in and decided to help by launching a project to offer computer training and install WiFi to the Savill Hall.

Now there are spaces for more trainees to join the group and sharpen their skills. More trainers are also welcome.

Julian said: “This project was ‘inspired’, if that is the right word, by covid. One thing that the pandemic has proved beyond doubt is that people who are not online are at a tremendous disadvantage not only financially but socially.

“That is why we put a bid in to the Dorset Council for funds to get WiFi into the Savill Hall and to buy some computer hardware.

Our bid was successful. We have been running the project for around a year now. We have four volunteer trainers and are helping over a dozen local residents to improve their

computer skills.

“The objective is to provide free one-to-one training to those who are either entirely offline or who are not confident enough to take full advantage of being connected.”

The trainees cover topics including: n Online grocery shopping n Filling in the eConsult form on the surgery’s website n Skype or Facetime communication with relatives or friends n Online banking Julian said: “However this

is not an exclusive or proscribed list and our trainers will help trainees tackle any subjects they are interested in. We are also on the lookout for more trainers, so if you think you have the skills and have some spare time to pass on your knowledge, please contact one of us for a chat.”

If you would like to know more, please contact one of our two co-ordinators: Julian English on 01300 320028 or at julianenglish @btinternet.com Barbara Evans on 01300 320825 or at Barbara_ evans@hotmail.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

31

Vittles (food & drink)

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Meat eaters in West Dorset are being urged to step outside of their comfort zone and try something a bit different at an open-air vegan market.

There will be more than 45 stalls selling vegan food, clothing, jewellery and other products at the Dorchester Outdoor Vegan Market in Maumbury Rings on Sunday, May 8.

Market organisers Sheila Biddlecombe and Dave Clark say it is the perfect place to come and try some vegan fare for the first time.

Dave said: “Most of our visitors are usually non vegans who are curious about it and we’re here to show them that vegan food is very tasty and it’s not just all about salads.

“All of our stall holders are really engaging and love meeting people. Our jewellery and clothing stall holders will help you understand everything about the fabrics they use and why. It’s fun and engaging and we’ve got a bouncy castle for the kids because we wanted this market to have more of a fete or festival kind of feeling.”

Sheila and Dave have been running the vegan market three times a year since 2018. Following the outbreak of Covid, the

OUT IN THE OPEN: An open-air vegan market will be at Dorchester’s Maumbury Rings

Meet up at vegan market & try something different

market became an openair event as of 2020.

Dave said: “I think a lot of people are still more comfortable attending events outdoors, so we’ve moved over to doing it

this way. Our motivation for setting up the market is to try to protect animals and to show people that eating and living vegan is not as hard as they may think.

“I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 17 – I’m now 55 and it’s only in recent

years I became fully vegan.”

The market will run on Sunday, May 8 from 10am to 4pm at Maumbury Rings and entry is free. n For more information visit Facebook and search for Dorchester Outdoor Vegan Market.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 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.

Start the day with a good value brekkie My grandmother would often say that “breakfast made the day well”, but she was prone to using charming anecdotes, such as telling us that ‘sitting too close to the TV would make us blind’ and ‘carrying an acorn around kept you young’!

None of these made sense, or did they?

Breakfast literally means, to break the ‘overnight fast’.

Our bodies use night-time to replenish energy levels and repair, the food we have eaten throughout the day helps our systems to do just that. Breakfast is essential to kick start our metabolism and our brain and cogitative function.

On Easter Monday, hubby and I decided to go for breakfast. With a surfeit of choice, we eventually chose The Club House at West Bexington. Art Deco in design

TASTY: Breakfast at The Club House in West Bexington

this chalet restaurant is situated 100 yards from the beach, it was a no-brainer, its position clinched the deal. We have visited before, but not for breakfast.

As the warmth of the sun dispersed any morning cloud, a fishing boat chugged its way along the coast, the soft purr of stones being moved around as the waves gently lapped at the beach; we marvelled at the stunning vista that is the vastness of Lyme Bay. Arriving as they opened, we

were invited to sit ‘anywhere’ by a cheerful young lady who seemed totally in control. There was a buzz of calm competency, as they geared up for a busy day.

The breakfast menu appeals to most tastes, as well as the traditional cooked breakfast there was the option of Crab Benedict or avocado on toast. The choice of an indulgent Brioche French toast with berry compote and vanilla Chantilly cream, was counterbalanced by a

Mum’s Kitchen...

Cheese and Spinach Pasta with Walnut Crumble Serves 4

Ingredients: 250g penne 1 leek, sliced 45g butter 45g plain flour 1 teaspoons ready-made English mustard Generous grating of nutmeg 500ml whole milk, plus a little extra milk to loosen sauce if necessary

175g extra mature Cheddar cheese, grated I slice of wholemeal bread cut in small cubes or made into coarse crumbs in the processor 45g walnut pieces 200g spinach Method: Preheat oven to 190C/170C fan.

Boil the pasta with the leek for 10 minutes, then drain.

Melt the butter in a large pan, stir in the cornflour and cook gently for a minute or so before whisking in the milk a little at a time.

healthier option of a smoothie bowl.

We opted for the traditional cooked breakfast.

Savouring a tasty hot coffee, we didn’t have to wait long.

Our cooked breakfast arrived on hot plates and looked most appealing.

The two rashers of bacon had been char-grilled which was delicious and tender, a slice of quality black pudding, a chunky Sausage, hash brown, succulent vine tomatoes and a perfectly cooked golden yoked egg.

One can order extras, such as toast but believe me this was substantial and good value. It was quality ingredients, well-cooked and well presented.

Our breakfast certainly ‘made our day well’ and at about £13 per head, we agreed, for such a quality meal, this was good value.

The setting is just a bonus.

with Diana Holman

Add mustard and nutmeg. Cook until bubbling and thickened, stirring all the time.

Remove from the heat and stir in two thirds of the cheese.

Toss the remaining cheese with the bread and walnuts.

Pour a kettle of boiling water over the spinach to wilt it, then squeeze out excess water.

Stir it into the sauce with the pasta, leeks and season generously.

You may need to loosen the sauce with a little milk, then tip into an ovenproof baking dish and scatter the bread mixture on the top.

Bake for 40 minutes or until golden.

The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022

33

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.

Don’t flap, Jack: Just change tack for chewy flapjacks This chewy, buttery flapjack is slightly softer than usual because of the addition of fresh fruit.

If you buy (or pick) your rhubarb when it is pink, the resulting flapjack will zing with colour - if your rhubarb is redder, it may not look so great but trust me, it will taste just dandy.

You can use any flour here – even a gluten-free one.

When it comes to the oats, I think the cheaper the better, to be truthful, but definitely don’t use jumbo oats.

Ingredients 400g rhubarb 340g light brown sugar 1 teaspoon mixed spice 450g porridge oats 210g plain flour 340g butter 100g golden syrup Trim the rhubarb and cut it into 2cm pieces. Toss with 40g of the sugar and the mixed spice. Leave to macerate until needed.

Line a baking tin approximately 20x 0cm with baking parchment.

Don’t use greaseproof as the flapjack will stick!

Mix the oats, flour and remaining 300g sugar in a bowl.

Put the butter and the

syrup in a small pan on the hob (or you can use a microwave) and melt them together.

Stir the melted butter and syrup into the oat mixture making sure that it’s combined.

Line the tin with half of the oat mixture, loosely pressing it down.

Add the rhubarb and spread across making sure that it evenly covers the base.

Then add the final layer of oats, so that the rhubarb is fully covered.

Try not to leave any pieces showing as these will ‘catch’ in the oven.

Bake the flapjack for around 45 minutes until golden brown.

Leave to cool in the tin.

When cold cut it into 10 pieces.

Serve with a lovely cuppa. n Lizzie bakes at her home in Upwey, Dorset.

You will find her stall outside the house, or inside the pub The Old Ship Inn, every Saturday morning. n Follow on instagram @lizzibakingbird or check out the blog on the website lizziebakingbird.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Homes & Gardens

Ex-nursery fills gap in the market

By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

An overgrown and neglected former nursery just outside Crossways near Dorchester, has been transformed into a thriving market garden on a ‘very small budget.’

Inspired by selfsufficiency, Lily and her mother Nicky, the former head gardener at Athelhampton House, have launched the Edible Acre and will be selling their produce in vegetable boxes from June with the excess being sold to restaurants and pubs.

Lily said: “Growing food which is enough and more to feed the local community can take us away from relying on the giant supermarkets.

“We wanted to do this especially having noticed the fragility in the current world’s food systems which have been exacerbated by covid and Brexit.

“We had also heard from friends and many other people that there is a want and a need for locally produced fresh food.

“This motivated us to push on with our idea of creating a local market garden.”

Without further ado, Lily and her mum got digging and clearing the plot ready for planting, with the harvest ready in just a matter of weeks.

“We took on the site as a disused nursery which had not been open and used for six years. Nature had

A GROWING BUSINESS: Edible Acre near Crossways, Dorchester

completely taken hold and over the last six months we have been working with the help of family and friends to bring it back into use as a small-scale food production site, reusing most of what we could and doing the best within a very small budget.”

Lily is part of a large

family, who have always been interested in selfsufficiency, looking after and growing in a multiple of vegetable plots and allotments, foraging, raising chickens, preserving foods and making wine and beer.

“Being has always been a cornerstone of how we have lived,” said Lily, “so

creating something like The Edible Acre was always a family dream. As children, we quite often were plucking veg from the garden for dinner as Mum had the pot already on the stove.”

Along with selling the produce, Lily has a vision to host and run workshops, hold talk and host events

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

35

Homes & Gardens

garden business

on the site.

“We want to be a facilitator in sharing knowledge, skills and experiences for fellow growers, people interested in sustainability, and local people. We have hosted small plant sales from The Edible Acre, specialising in interesting

and perennial vegetables as well as heritage tomatoes and other crops.

These are short and seasonal and only available in spring and autumn.” n If you would like to find out more and order a vegetable box, go the theedibleacre.co.uk

TREE SURGERY & GARDEN MAINTENANCE

07826 030706

stevettg@hotmail.com

36

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 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

Get to grips with gastropod gannets Some of gardeners’ biggest foes, slugs and snails, are no longer considered pests in the eyes of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Despite their ability to munch through seedlings and young plants during their nocturnal escapades, the benefits they provide to the ecosystem far outweigh the havoc they cause, and the effects chemicals to control them have on wildlife.

There are over 40 species of slug in the UK, of these only eight are troublesome.

Some, like the leopard slug, benefit the gardener by eating other slugs.

Snails amount to 100 UK species, but only three or four are responsible for the

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CATCH US IF YOU CAN: Snails and slugs can do untold damage to your plants

slippery trails where your salad plants once grew.

That said, the few can cause significant damage to susceptible plants and since they are hermaphrodite, they don’t need two to tango, so they can multiply quickly.

Some gardeners have become use to liberally scattering slug pellets containing metaldehyde around their hostas, but since April 1, metaldehyde is been banned from sale due to the unacceptable risks it poses to birds and mammals, especially hedgehogs.

So, how do you control these slimy foes? There are multitudes of wonderfully devised methods to deter slugs that have absolutely

no, or very little effect.

Copper tape, crushed eggshells, the spreading of ashes, soot, gravel, woodchip and coffee grounds or creating mini barriers with prickly or slippery materials might keep you entertained but won’t solve a slug problem. Biological control using mail ordered nematodes (microscopic worms) that you add to a watering-can then apply to the soil surface will reduce these molluscs numbers for a while, but repeat applications are often needed, which can be expensive. No method of their control is pleasant, nematodes enter slugs via there respiratory opening, once there they secrete

bacteria that kills the slug.

A method I have used a few times that helps on a very local scale is a slug pub.

This involves placing a container into the ground, level with the soil and filling it with cheap beer.

Slugs and snails are attracted to the beverage, take a sip, fall in and drown. It’s not a perfect method but it may help around those precious plants.

Perhaps the best method is a midnight walk with torch in hand gathering slimy beasts as you go, but what you do with your hoard is up to you. If you are not up to nocturnal wanderings, then elevating slates, just above the ground will create a place of daytime refuge for these slippery guests that can be regularly checked. A word of warning, if you are going to rehome them then make sure it is over 20 meters from your garden, scientific studies have shown that a snail’s homing instinct is greatly reduced after a 20-meter excursion.

Finally, slugs and snails are mainly a problem for certain plants when they are small.

Dry periods also present relatively few problems from slugs and snails, with snails estivating (dormant) until rains fall once more.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

37

Homes & Gardens

Group still unhappy about Duchy rule A pressure group has vowed to continue its fight with the Duchy of Cornwall to stop the rot in the window frames of their homes.

Poundbury Windows Group made national headlines earlier this year over their campaign to replace rotting wooden window frames in the Duchy’s buildings.

The group claims ‘shortsighted’ Duchy rules about sustainable building materials are having a negative impact on the buildings and on residents’ lives. The group said a letter to the pressure group by the Duchy asked that the ‘dialogue is discontinued’ on the windows issue.

Mr Moorby said: “Our only armaments in this fight are pen and paper; we’re not prepared to glue ourselves to the road or

make a big fuss in that way, but this is not the end of the fight. We’ve got a Poundbury Residents’ Association meeting in a few weeks’ time and that should get pretty exciting. There are a lot of people who are still very unhappy over this.

“Poundbury’s looking bloody awful at the moment quite frankly, with its peeling paint and its rotting timber frames and the Duchy needs to do something about it.”

Mr Moorby added: “The problem with wooden frames is that the paint soon cracks and peels. Even with regular maintenance, rain gets into the wood which then rots and has to be repaired or replaced after only a few years at great expense. The ‘wood only’ rule is not only putting the

residents to unnecessary extra cost and inconvenience, but it is also making Poundbury look prematurely shabby.

“Modern materials are far more suitable for exterior doors and window frames because they are weatherproof, durable, low maintenance, affordable, energy-efficient and recyclable. Not only can they replicate traditional designs and look just like freshly painted wood, but they will retain those good looks for years.

“The Duchy’s acceptance of modern materials seems to depend on how visible they are. If the materials are pretty much out-of-sight, like pipework and cavity closure fittings, then they are tolerated.

“Otherwise, the Duchy raises

one argument after another against them – and particularly against uPVC.” The Duchy of Cornwall did not respond to our request for a comment.

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38

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Down to earth

BEACHCOMBING with JO BELASCO BA Hons History of Architecture and Design

It’s the perfect egg hunt for beachcombers.

Over the Easter holidays The Fleet and Chesil Nature Reserve holds a Great Egg-case hunt where the information gathered is sent off for research purposes.

“We are all marine biologists for the day,” exclaimed our lovely guide Marc.

There were shark, skate and ray egg cases to search for between the pebbles.

Marc amazed us by saying that sometimes there were visiting leather back turtles in the Fleet waters and even whales.

As the sea was very calm that day we sat on the highest point of the Chesil bank and had a cetacean watch, basically looking out for the flap of a dolphin fin breaking the surface or gulls hovering over a certain area which would alert us to the possibility of whale or dolphin.

We didn’t see any but it was a nice thing to do and there’s always next time.

For years I had wanted to find enough egg cases to complete an ongoing project.

To me the individual eggcases looked like chain mail but I never had found enough to realise my ambition to make a chain mail vest.

With Marc’s guidance on

ON THE HUNT: The Great Eggcase Hunt at The Chesil Beach Centre. Above: Ray and shark eggcase chain mail vest and, below, making a necklace

Getting on the case in the big egg hunt

where to look I slowly collected what I calculated was a vest’s worth.

Working with the brittle

Batman-like critters is fiddly but I was pleased with the final version.

My mistake was to do the

photo shoot at a beach.

One rogue sea breeze and the whole crinkly vest got entangled in the thread I had used to string it together.

The model and I pretended we were less doing a fashion shoot and more in a Dr Who episode, possibly, Attack of the Sea Necklace. Disappointed by the result I tried again in the safety of a frame.

The Wild Chesil centre don’t just hold organised egg hunts at Easter but all through the year. Granted at Easter you do get the bonus of an Easter egg if you find an egg case but they can be found all year round.

To see this and what other events are hosted by The Fleet and Chesil Reserve go to dorsetwildlife trust.org.uk or pop in for a cuppa and a look around.

Well behaved dogs are allowed on the hunt on a lead and there is even special doggie ice cream available.

Paid parking and toilets are available at The Fine Foundation Centre Wild Chesil Reserve, Portland Beach Road, DT4 9XE or phone 01305 206191.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

39

Down to earth

Looking up is really therapeutic for you 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 As someone who lives with Parkinson’s, I’m keenly aware of the need to be mindful of my mental wellbeing, stress management, and of how I’m doing generally. Given the importance of sleep for health and well-being, it may seem counter-intuitive, then, to suggest staying up late to go stargazing, but doing exactly that has been shown to be very beneficial.

There’s undoubtedly something calming about being outside under a dark starry sky, identifying constellations, checking out the colours of the stars, spotting shooting stars, the ISS and other satellites. And no equipment is necessary.

In fact, as often as not when I’m out with my telescope, I spend as much time just staring up at the sky with the naked eye, drinking it all in, watching the Milky Way arch overhead, as many generations of humans have done since the dawn of time.

It’s well known that being in the midst of nature in general helps relieve stress, calms the mind, and helps us put things into perspective.

It’s not always considered as such, but the nocturnal environment is as much ‘nature’ as what we can see during the day. People are increasingly encouraged to fear the dark. Yet the night sky is our broader home and where we and everything around us came from. We

STARSTRUCK: Don’t let yourself get so distracted that you miss out on what’s going on above your head

are, after all, made of starstuff, the animate byproduct of the life cycle of stars and the passage of time.

I find contemplating the time scales involved, the sizes of the objects that can be seen, and their distances from the Earth, gives a calming sense of perspective. The stars are tens to hundreds to thousands of light years away, there are a hundred billion of them in our galaxy alone, the next nearest galaxy (Andromeda) is 2.4 million light years away … yet all this is visible with the naked eye. Instead of feeling small and insignificant, experiencing such a vista is incredibly empowering and affirming. We’re able to say ‘yes, I saw all these things’.

But it’s not all anecdotal …

A 2014 scientific study (Dark Nature: Exploring potential benefits of

nocturnal nature-based interaction for human and environmental health) indicated that participants at stargazing events ‘… highlighted a range of benefits, including a sense of personal growth, from developing skills to experiencing positive emotions and a variety of transcendent thoughts and experiences.’

In the 2015 study ‘Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behavior’ researchers wrote that: ‘Awe arises in evanescent experiences.

Looking up at the starry expanse of the night sky.

Gazing out across the blue vastness of the ocean … although often fleeting and hard to describe, serves a vital social function. By diminishing the emphasis on the individual self, awe may encourage people to forego strict self-interest to improve the welfare of

others.’ So there you have it: stargazing makes you nicer … #fact :) Speaking of engaging with the nocturnal ecosystem and environment. Many’s the night I’ve spent sitting by my scope, listening to frogs croaking, foxes, deer and owls and goodness knows what calling, not to mention the many unidentifiable small rustlings, while innumerable stars glittered overhead.

I mentioned earlier that no equipment is necessary, which is true, but binoculars and/or telescopes bring much more of the universe to view, deepening the experience and understanding.

Stargazing, then, has much to recommend it for helping us deal with stresses, wellbeing issues, physical and mental health, personal growth, etc, by connecting us with the universe, experiencing the same sense of awe as generations of people before.

Looking up at the stars, contemplating the cosmos, helps you enter into a meditative state where everyday stresses fade. It’s therapy; connecting you to nature, and bringing calmness to mind and body.

So, what are you waiting for?

Go outside and get looking up.

40

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Down to earth

Reflections on the Portesham Mirror PAGAN VIEWS

By Jo Belasco

It’s only natural that our special places are mostly local.

Places with memories of friends and family, places where special events occurred.

Sometimes , they are not the ‘main event’ – for instance, when I walk to what is commonly known as the Portesham Dinosaur (a dinosaur sculpted from farm machinery) what I am actually drawn to is the gateway into nowhere a little higher up the hill.

It hints at Narnian adventures and that combined with the tunnel of arches (once apparatus for transporting stone at this old quarry) makes this area one of pilgrimage to SPECIAL PLACES: Zelda swimming in a pool, the Portesham Mirror design and, below, the gateway to me. another dimension A footpath goes from Winters Lane up through Portesham farm and round down the steep Portesham hill. Somewhere in the village, The Portesham Mirror was discovered in the 1990s and is now displayed at Dorchester County Museum.

The Mirror is from an Iron Age grave of a older lady and made of beautiful polished bronze in the Portesham below and substitute mechanism for style of Celtic Art. resembles a mirror of ‘capturing’ the sun.

A few years ago I took a This led me to research photo of Zelda swimming kinds. I loved the idea of into iron age mirror design in a little pool at the top of capturing the sun in the reflection. I wondered if and use. The mainline the hill and stuck it on our ancestors loved that Christian theory of Facebook naming it, idea too and as the pond mirrors is that they were Alternative Portesham dries up in late Summer used for purposes of Mirror as the pond looks out over the village of used a mirror as a vanity and indeed often

symbolized vanity as in the mermaid often depicted with a mirror and comb. However, recent scholarly research has offered an alternative suggestion. Melanie Giles and Jody Joy write: “It (the mirror) may also have been associated with powers of augery and insight into the past, or access to ancestral or spiritual worlds” – (Mirrors in the British Iron Age: Performance, Revelation and Power, available to download online).

Of course, this whips my imagination into overdrive as the name Portesham already lends itself to interpretations of magical portals.

I copied this pattern of the mirror design from other articles by the aforementioned archaeologists. t was hard to draw the weird shapes and the result lacks finesse but I hope piques your interest in The Portesham Mirror and its Pagan possibilities.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

41

Down to earth

Reversing worrying spike in decline of hedgehogs

Sally Cooke lives in Tolpuddle with her husband, two grown up sons and her spotty rescue dog. Sally will be writing seasonal pieces for The West Dorset Magazine and you can see her work, Sparrows in a Puddle at Instagram.com/ sparrows.puddle.photos When I was a child in the 1970s, the sight of flattened roadside hedgehogs was so common that jokes about hedgehogs crossing the road ‘to see their flatmates’ were shared in the playground and seemed harmless enough.

If you were out after dark it was quite normal to see them snuffling about and I particularly remember them sneaking into my gran’s lean-to to steal the cat food each evening.

Now, however, as habitat loss and other factors have caused Britain’s hedgehog population to decline drastically, I see even one dead hedgehog on the road as a tragedy

and those childhood jokes seem in very poor taste.

We are so pleased that hedgehogs regularly visit our Tolpuddle garden.

We first noticed them scraping through the gravel outside the front door hunting for the sunflower hearts that had fallen from the birdfeeder above. Hedgehogs will eat virtually anything, but the high phosphorus/low calcium content of sunflower seeds can give them a crippling bone disease if they eat too many. So, for a few years now we’ve been putting bowls of hedgehog food and water under the feeder to give them something healthier before they head off around the garden to help with our slug control. Hedgehogs are known to travel around a mile each night foraging, so we’ve made sure there’s a gap under our fence to provide access from our garden to our neighbour’s.

May 1 to 7 is Hedgehog Awareness Week, organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). As well as providing food and water and ‘hedgehog highways’ between gardens, the BHPS are also urging us to check for hedgehogs before mowing and strimming, make sure that garden ponds have a safe route out, cover drains and deep holes, stop using pesticides, keep netting at a safe height, and check compost heaps before digging the fork in.

The next couple of months is peak mating season for our Dorset hedgehogs. Late one evening last May, the loud snorting and puffing of the male chasing a female around the garlic patch sounded to me just like a steam train.

Hopefully, there’ll be more of the same this year and we might be rewarded by the sight of baby ‘hoglets’ later in the summer.

Cooking and eating seaweed is a shore thing JOHN WRIGHT is a naturalist and forager who lives in rural West Dorset.

He has written eight books, four of which were for River Cottage. He wrote the award-winning Forager’s Calendar and in 2021 his Spotter’s Guide to Countryside Mysteries was published.

That the British have never taken to eating seaweed is a great pity considering that we are surrounded by millions of tons of the stuff.

Yes, laver, (a seaweed that looks like brown clingfilm) is eaten in Wales, and dulse is occasionally eaten in northern parts of Britain.

Having tried about 20 species of seaweed I am with

the north in favouring dulse above all others.

Dulse is a common red seaweed which looks like a cut-out of a hand and usually found attached to wracks, the brown seaweeds that dominate the shore. Your expedition should be on a calm day when there is a spring (large) tide, and it is safest collect your seaweed while the tide is going out.

We are extraordinarily lucky in our tides from Portland to the Chapman’s Pool area in that during springs the tide goes out and stays out for nearly four hours giving us plenty of time for gathering.

Seaweeds should be cut carefully, a little from each clump of fronds, as though you were already preparing it

in your kitchen. This avoids over-picking and a great deal of wasted time later.

Choose only the freshest looking specimens and those free from such things as sea mat (little, silvery cells arranged in a honeycomb formation).

I dry most of my dulse on a sheet in the garden for a couple of days, then in a low oven for an hour until it is crispy.

I then put it in my serious blender and turn it into a powder which I store in jars.

This can be sprinkled on scallops or almost any fish dish. Or it can be used along with mushroom and onion powder as you would a stock cube – all three ingredients hitting the umami spot.

Just steamed, it goes green instantly and tastes a bit like cabbage with just a hint of iodine – which at least shows how good it is for you. I have served steamed dulse in a flan with wild sea beet and smoked fish, an amazingly good dish.

The ultimate, however, is very simple. Wash, then pat dry fresh dulse, then dust it with flour and drop a handful in a good cooking oil at 180C. Stand back a bit.

When it stops fizzing, leave for another minute, then fish it out and leave to cool and drain on a clean cloth.

Dulse crisps are the best, you will love them.

42

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Letters

We’re not Extinction Rebellion activists Thank you to the West Dorset magazine for giving us the opportunity to explain why we disrupted Dorset Council’s Meeting recently. First, however, we would like to clarify that this was not an Extinction Rebellion action, but a couple of grannies making a stand for the future of all our children and grandchildren.

We disrupted the council meeting to call out the conservative councillors who do not all seem to be clear and/or informed about what is needed to help climate change (despite having declared a Climate Emergency three years ago). Disruption can bring attention to a matter which otherwise may not be reported. We glued our hands to the table in order to extend the period of disruption. Our disruption did not prevent democratic debate, it could have delayed it by 15 minutes or so. The Conservative chair denied debate when the meeting was moved to an alternative room.

In August 2021 the UN IPCC issued a Code Red for Humanity telling us that “The evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions are choking our planet & placing billions of people in danger. In March of this year, the UN told us: “The rush to use fossil fuels because of the war in Ukraine is “madness” and threatens global climate targets. To keep that threshold alive, carbon output needs to be cut in half by the end of this decade.” Instead, as the UN pointed out, emissions are set to rise by 14%. Many responsible and reputable bodies are giving us dire warnings.

Come and join our drey!

First Beaminster Scouts are looking for new members to become Squirrels.

The new Squirrels section was launched in March, with youngstgers learning all about the outdoors.

A spokesman said: “We are very lucky to be able to meet in our district headquarters in Beaminster, a new building surrounded with a safe grassed area.

“To date, we have learned about ourselves, our families, our homes and the It is only in the past three to four years the majority of people have become aware of the impacts of climate change.

Legislation in many ways is still catching up. Councillors are still unable to decline planning permissions on the basis of climate change. This clearly needs to change, and fast.

On the night in question, a cross-party motion tried to get Dorset Council to agree to lobby central government for this planning regulation change. The conservative majority were whipped to vote against it. Absolute madness.

Some of our Conservative councillors are quite connected to government and could have easily done this, at no cost, and

wider world. This term we will be focussing more on the outdoors; our theme will be growth.

“Squirrels have bright red uniforms, and follow the Scouting Programme, gaining badges to be sewn on to their uniforms.”

The Squirrels meet on Wednesdays 5pm to 6pm.

For more information call group scout leaders on 01308 862055 or email gsl-beaminster@ dwdscouts.org.uk taking little of their time, if they had wished to do so.

Instead, (playing politics, rather than acting for the safety of the people they represent), they tabled their own complex motion which began by calling for the expansion of fossil fuels (oil, gas, fracking) and nuclear energy due to the crisis in Ukraine. This type of kneejerk reaction is madness in terms of climate change and other consequences, and seems to be mainly driven in the background by fossil fuel lobbyists. (Similar shenanigans happened years back when the tobacco industry lobbied against the health impact of smoking – putting their own profit before people.

Any readers who are aware of the seriousness of climate change and has read about tipping points, global dimming, the albedo effect, and future global food basket failures will, without doubt, agree that urgent action needs to be taken and changes to planning regulations should be one of them.

Every day millions of pounds of tax-payers’ money is used to subsidise both the fossil fuel and nuclear industries. This money could and should by diverted to the development and expansion of large-scale clean renewable energy, nature’s own gifts, of wind, sun, tide and river. Genuine clean renewable energy should not be confused with biofuel from cash crops or incineration which emits vast amounts of greenhouse gases and toxins - both victim to the devil called ‘green-wash’.

It really is no longer enough to content ourselves with recycling our rubbish or planting bee-friendly bushes at home. We have to inform ourselves and push for the bigger solutions NOW. Without these, the future for our children and grandchildren already predicted to be bleak, will be a whole lot worse.

Anyone wishing to know more or with further questions is welcome to contact us: granniesforthefuture@gmail. com Annie Webster and Giovanna Lewis Grannies for the Future n I write with regard to the letter by C Sherman on the subject of food and rewilding (April 8 2022).

Your correspondent is, of course, right to be concerned

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

43

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

– we are just grannies fearing for future about food security and the desire to reduce importing food. His point about the effects of re-wilding’, however, are puzzling.

Successive government policies after the second world war drove farmers to produce cheap and plentiful food, but ignored repeated warnings as to the long-lasting damage which would affect the ability to produce food and quality of life for future generations.

These policies – and particularly the disastrous European Common Agricultural policy – have led directly to huge loss of both wildlife and soil health. Food which is cheap at the check-

out has masked the damage to both ecosystems and human health by excessive fertiliser and pesticide use and over-use of fragile soils.

We have learnt that it is a cardinal mistake to ignore the importance of the healthy ecosystems in flood alleviation, air quality and soil health, and is one which we must not repeat. To regard ‘wildlife’ as something pretty to look at for human convenience misses the point completely. Its role in the health of the planet is far greater than ours, yet Britain has the lowest percentage in Europe of land and water which supports the healthy

Plant of the week...

By botanist Dr Dave Aplin Of the six native flowering plants we’ve featured, this week’s herb paris is the most unusual, this rarely seen native is blooming right now in old, damp

biodiversity which sustains us all. The current projects to create landscape-scale naturerich areas are rarely on prime agricultural land. The Great Fen in East Anglia is preventing the complete loss of 6,000-year-old peat soil which has been depleted by excessive agriculture in two just two centuries. Knepp Wildlands in Sussex and the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s ‘Wild Woodbury’ are similar stories where agricultural production has become exhausted or uneconomic, whereas new management brings great rewards for wild and human communities alike.

Food production and a healthy

environment are not mutually exclusive. Breathing life into the natural world which supports us all is not, as your correspondent suggests, a luxury – it is a necessity.

Alan Bowley Author: ‘The Great Fen - a Journey Through Time’ n In Sally Cooke’s article re bluebells in the April edition of The West Dorset Magazine, she has omitted the most obvious difference between Spanish and English bluebells which is that the English have the flowers only on ONE side of the stem.

Excellent magazine Patricia Armes, Dorchester

Herb Paris: Paris quadrifolia

woodlands on chalk in West Dorset. The plant is unmistakably exoticlooking with four broad, oval leaves held flat like a Maltese cross. From the centre, a solitary star-like flower appears with narrow, yellow-green

petals and a dark berry-like middle (the female ovary) surrounded by a crown of eight golden stamens (male pollen bearing structures).

After flowering, a single blue-back poisonous berry is produced containing over 30 seeds.

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44

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Constituency issues

with West Dorset MP Chris Loder

It’s been a busy few weeks for events

This week, I’d like to share with you some insights from my constituency diary appointments.

On Saturday, April 23, it was a very enjoyable morning supporting the charity vintage tractor run in and around Beaminster and Bridport in aid of Mountjoy School.

Paula Randall brought together a fantastic show, having been set back two years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

People came from across Dorset to participate. It really demonstrates the strength of support for this cause, and the special role that Mountjoy school has in supporting students and families from all across the area.

On the following Sunday, I

attended St Andrews Church in Leigh for an award that was presented to the church for raising the most money for Dorset Historic Churches Trust during its annual Ride and Stride event in September. In fact, nearly £2,500 was raised from the parish.

The importance of our local churches cannot be overstated. They are living, breathing buildings that are at the heart of every village community, the source of counsel and spiritual support when people need it most, as well as historic monuments to the history and stories of our parishes. The work of the

Dorset Historic Churches Trust is really important and I encourage you to support them and the many parish churches that need our help to sustain their work and presence.

The Sherborne Abbey Music Festival has been taking place this week, running until Saturday, May 7, and is a great reminder of exactly why I feel so strongly about our Abbey Church. Its ability through prayer and music to bring joy and life to the town is unsurpassable and following the last 2 years of restriction and anxiety, this year’s festival has been a roaring success.

What with the Cattistock Point to Point last

Saturday and the Frome St Quintin Church Fete with dog show on Sunday, it has been a busy few weeks!

Looking ahead, on Saturday, May 14 at 3pm, there will be a thanksgiving service at Sherborne Abbey for the Yeatman Hospital.

One of the reasons I worked so hard to get the Minor Injuries Unit re-opened is because I appreciate just how fortunate we are to have such an important facility in our community.

This service will underscore the importance of the Yeatman Hospital to Sherborne and surrounding villages and I warmly encourage you to attend if you can.

Politics

Pushing forward to deal with climate change The most recent meeting of Dorset Council ended in chaos after two climate change activists glued themselves to a desk and then tried to read out a statement. The meeting was delayed for some time and when it resumed in a nearby room the Conservative majority closed down any further debate and moved straight to a vote on their motion. This was democracy under attack. Firstly, by green activists adopting tactics that are antidemocratic and trying to intimidate elected councillors.

But secondly, by the Conservatives refusing to allow the debate to resume, closing down discussion and

By ANDY CANNING West Dorset LibDems

then forcing a vote.

And what was being debated? We were supporting a motion asking Dorset Council to lobby Government to change planning regulations. We wanted to make it easier to stop a development when it is damaging to the environment and likely to worsen climate change.

Conservatives opposed this and instead called for priority to be given to making the UK energy independent. What this means in practice is more nuclear power, more coal

and more fracking.

This sounds like it might be an understandable position to take in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but this would be a mistake.

It is incredibly short-sighted.

Achieving our carbon reduction targets is already hard enough without the Government spending billions making the situation worse. This position also undermines the community group that is fighting valiantly to stop an oil well being drilled near Puddletown. It was only recently confirmed that these plans had been withdrawn due to the strength of opposition to them. We are now deeply concerned that Dorset Council’s new

position will lead to this proposal being brought back.

The Conservative Government has also been pushing for the first new coal mine in thirty years to be opened in Cumbria and they’re still pressing for a new runway at Heathrow.

None of these measures are consistent with tackling climate change.

I believe we should be re-examining the plan for an offshore wind farm off the Dorset coastline and for more onshore wind production, which is by far the cheapest way to generate electricity. We need to tackle climate change now, while we still can. We must not go backwards with the Conservatives.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

45

Politics

Time for some grown-up thinking on voting Good pub quiz question: on what day in the last three years did 14.5 million people do something that ended up being a waste of time? Answer: in the December 2019 election they voted for candidates who did not get elected. That is a lot of people.

It includes all those people who vote in West, North and South Dorset for parties other than the Conservatives.

Altogether it amounts to 45.3% of people who voted across the UK; nearly half.

Okay, many will say, it is a competition, not every candidate can win. But nearly half of voters go to the polls election after election knowing that, if they want to vote Conservative in a seat where Labour usually wins with a thumping majority, or vice

By CLAUDIA SORIN West Dorset Labour Party

versa, there is not much point. It may go some way to explain why many voters just give up and do not bother to vote. Or why people who support the small parties, Greens, the Liberal Democrats, or Reform UK, get so annoyed.

How we vote should not really be a ‘party’ issue. We should be discussing across all the parties whether what we have used for centuries still works, or whether we should make a change. The Liberal Democrats and Greens are committed to changing to a ‘proportional’ voting system, so that when you vote you can put at least two of the candidates in the

order you prefer them. That way, if none of the candidates get more than half, we can take into account which candidate also got ‘second choice’ votes. We would end up with the candidate most voters disliked the least.

The Labour party is moving towards supporting proportional representation.

Some say it will lead to more coalition governments, such as Liberal DemocratLabour-Green, or Conservative-Liberal Democrat. But even though many did not like the experience of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition of 20102015, that does not mean all coalitions are a bad thing.

The Scottish and Welsh Parliaments seem to manage well with more

‘proportional’ voting systems. And it could help at the local council level too.

As voter distrust increases, and people look on at the antics of some of our politicians in despair, it is obvious we need a more grown up politics, one where parties with similar policies bargain and compromise. It’s time for the Conservatives to also decide we need a change to a fairer system, or at least help start a national debate on this issue. We fight for democracy, we see Ukrainians fighting for their democracy, but there are very few democracies left in the world with such an outof-date and ‘wasteful’ voting system as ours, in fact we are one of only two European countries that use FPP for its main elections – the other being Belarus.

Let me know if you experience racial abuse Several national newspapers have recently included towns in West Dorset in their lists of the best places to live in the country.

Whilst this is a view that I’m sure many of us would whole heartedly endorse, a recent discussion has made me question whether this is the view of us all.

A local parent has told me that their teenage child has experienced several incidents of racism in the area.

These include: being pushed by an elderly lady in a local supermarket whilst being told to “get out of the way you filthy brown person”; being called the N-

By KELVIN CLAYTON West Dorset Green Party

word by an elderly lady who they stepped out of the way for; and being asked: “What are you doing here, n*****?” by a young lady they passed whilst walking in the street.

The parent told me that the teenager has experienced at least one other incident, and that there are other local families who have experienced similar.

Now I really want to believe that such events are very rare. But because our communities are not very culturally diverse I can’t

help asking myself whether there is a significant under current of racism that isn’t being acknowledged.

And this is where I am going to call upon your help. I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced racial abuse in the West Dorset area.

My aim is simply to get some idea of the extent and type of such abuse so that I can raise the issue with local councils.

There are two ways of contacting me.

Either email me at cllrkelvin.clayton @dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call into see me at my weekly councillor surgery.

You will find me in the

window seat of Soulshine café every Wednesday between 9.30 and 10.30.

I was going to close with reference to Bridport’s Citizen Charter, its declaration of being a Rights Respecting Town, but on reading through the Charter (which I helped to write) I’m ashamed to say that there is no direct reference to any type of abuse, let alone racial abuse.

This is something that I need to rectify.

None of our towns deserve any mention in the press as somewhere special to live in if people living in them, anyone living in them, is the subject of abuse.

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Culture Burton Bradstock is set to celebrate its 40th Music and Arts Festival this summer.

An initial spring concert on Friday, May 20, including music by a Ukrainian composer, will see the return of the popular festival, which was last held in 2019.

Artistic director David Juritz has put together a special programme of music including work by Ukrainian Valentin Silvestrov, in honour of his countrymen and women who are suffering during the war with Russia.

During the main three-day festival in August audiences will hear the string quartet by the “father of Ukrainian music”, Mykola Lysenko.

This year’s festival will be particularly poignant as its founder, distinguished flautist Mary Ryan, died in April.

The spring concert will see David, violin, joined

by Anna Hashimoto, clarinet, and David Gordon, piano.

The main festival takes place from August 17-19 and the art festival will run in the Village Hall from August 16-21.

Chairman Jenny Malyon said: “What a delight to be able to say that we are

FESTIVAL DATES: Clarinettist Anna Hashimoto and pianist David Gordon

Ukraine music to launch village’s 40th arts festival going to go ahead with the 40th Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art. “The fact we have had a delay just whets our appetite for the joy of hosting again in our village, the prestigious musicians who come to entertain us. As with everything worth waiting for, perhaps the enforced and rather long interval will make us all the more appreciate the second half!

“For the spring concert

n Founder Mary Ryan, who died in April 2022, spent much of her childhood in Burton Bradstock.

After studies at the Royal College of Music on an open scholarship she was appointed principal flute of the BBC Northern Orchestra in Manchester.

She played concertos with both the BBC Northern and the BBC

David Juritz has put a programme together for us that I know we will all enjoy and we will be meeting old friends who always come to listen to the music, both familiar and less so, to revitalise us all after a very difficult couple of years.”

David Juritz said: “I will remember festival founder Mary Ryan with enormous affection. Working with her was always a delight with every rehearsal punctuated by her

Scottish orchestras. On her return to London she co-founded the ground-breaking all-female wind group, the Portia Wind Ensemble.

Working with composers such as Richard Rodney Bennett and Sir Harrison Birtwistle the Portia commissioned many new works which they premiered on the BBC.

anecdotes and wry observations. My gratitude for the legacy of concerts she leaves is shared by everyone that remembers her.”

The spring concert starts at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church in Burton Bradstock and there will be a bar in the interval run on a donation basis.

Tickets are £12/£8/£6 and can be bought through the Bridport TIC. n burtonbradstock festival.com

Throughout a busy career Mary retained her links with Burton Bradstock and, in 1981, she and her husband, Ronald Gillham, organised the first Burton Bradstock Festival. A combination of hospitality and excellent music soon attracted leading musicians to the village and began a tradition that is still thriving.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

47

Culture

It’s a date: Swipe right for Tory’s relationships novel A West Dorset writer has released her first novel – and it’s already being considered for adaptation

by Netflix.

Tory Henwood Hoen has written about the trials and tribulations of the dating scene in The Arc. She comes from a writing family – her aunt, Toller Porcorum’s Sue Wreford, wrote for The Sporting Life and her uncle Robert Henwood, who lived in West Compton for many

DEBUT NOVEL: Tory Henwood Hoen

years, was European correspondent of The Blood Horse.

Tory said: “When I became single at 35, I decided to try dating apps for the first time. Before long, I was

asking myself: How can this be the cutting edge of modern dating?! I was totally underwhelmed by the experience. I knew I wasn’t alone. Dating fatigue is real, and so many of us have wished, at one time or another, that we could outsource the search for the perfect partner.

“That’s how I dreamed up The Arc: a highly-secretive “relationship architecture” service that uses complex emotional, psychological,

and physiological assessments to help its clients find their ideal mates. The best part? No swiping necessary.”

Tory says she was influenced by her favourite rom-coms and classic love stories; but she also took cues from the worlds of sci-fi and psychological thrillers.

Find Tory on Instagram (@toryhenwoodhoen) or go to toryhenwood hoen.com.

Travellers’ tales for town’s litfest Two intrepid travellers launch Bridport Literary Festival’s 18th year with a special talk on Thursday, May 19 at the Bull Hotel ballroom.

Barnaby Rogerson and Jason Goodwin both publish and write about their adventures.

Rogerson is director of travel publisher Eland, and Goodwin is the author of a series of detective TRAVEL SOFA: Barnaby Rogerson with travel legends thrillers set in 19th Don McCullin and William Dalrymple and Lady McCullin century Istanbul. small publishing houses. some of the lives of Festival director Tanya Perched high in a third Eland’s charismatic travel Bruce-Lockhart said: floor attic above a busy writers: Gavin Maxwell, “Having been confined Dervla Murphy, Norman through covid for so long, street market in the East End of London, Eland Lewis, Martha Gelhorn, this is just what we all specialises in travel Nicholas Bouvier, need, to be enchanted by writing. Always in Winston Churchill and exciting tales of faraway competition with the big Peter Mayne. places.” players – Penguin, Picador Jason Goodwin’s Lords of Barnaby Rogerson’s talk, and Virago – Eland has the Horizons is a history Celebrating the World, at of the Ottoman Empire, a 2.30pm focuses on people, been able to quarry the best titles from these old book inspired long ago by places and different ways rivals. a walk that he and his now of living. It’s the 40th To celebrate this wife Kate made from anniversary of Eland Gdansk to Istanbul to Publishing, one of the few impressive anniversary, remaining idiosyncratic Barnaby will examine explore the borderlands of

Europe. Some years later, Jason embarked upon a series of historical detective thrillers, featuring the eunuch Yashim, set in the 1830s.

The first book in the series, The Janissary Tree, won the coveted Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel. It was followed by four more enthralling adventures and a cookery book, Yashim Cooks Istanbul. Jason continues to explore all corners of the world but always returns to Dorset. His BridLit talk is at 4.30pm.

Tickets cost £25 and £20 for Friends of Bridport Literary Festival. Tickets are available from Bridport Tourist Office in South Street, Bridport, either in person or by calling 01308 424901.

The 18th Bridport Literary Festival 2022 is scheduled for Sunday, November 6 Saturday, November 12. n bridlit.com

48

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Culture

It’s Up to You to come along & see

By Jane Norman newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Poundbury’s newly refurbished community space at Jubilee Hall is the perfect central location to host Art In Poundbury’s very own Dorset Art Weeks collective exhibition and art trail, opening on Saturday, May 14.

Titled It’s Up to Us, the exhibition is being led by Casterbridge Art Society, which has created the umbrella group of Art In Poundbury, inviting fellow creatives from Artwey, Dorchester Camera Club and 3Cs Calligraphy to take part, along with new and established artists, sculptors, photographers, textile artists, calligraphers, stone masons and jewellers - all of whom are based in this part of Dorset.

Pupils from Damers First School are also taking part, with Year 3 pupils having been busy working with ceramic storyteller, Katie Netley.

Inspiration for their work, and the exhibition’s title, has come from the book of the same name by Christopher Lloyd and 33 award-winning artists from around the world. It is a beautiful yet thought provoking manifesto ‘calling on young and old to help restore the harmony of Nature, People and Planet’.

Keeping within that theme, Art In Poundbury has planned an

EXHIBITION: Sam Rich, Judy Tate, Colin Anderson and below, Jackie and John Walker and, right, Lisa Smith

exciting and thoughtprovoking show.

Alongside traditional oils on canvas, photography and ceramics, you’ll find beach-combed art to innovative glasswork, a life-sized chimpanzee (yes, really!) to intricate chicken wire creations.

Something for everyone to explore and enjoy - and perhaps even buy.

Long-standing artists and

Poundbury residents have been invited to cut the ribbon, officially opening the show at 10am on Saturday, May 14 at Jubilee Hall – where refreshments will also be served to the first 100 visitors. So, don’t miss it!

“Putting on a professionally hung exhibition of this size is a big challenge, and would

not be possible without a fantastic band of local volunteers and businesses,” said exhibition lead Judy Tate.

“Thank you for all your energy and enthusiasm.” n It’s Up To Us runs from Saturday, May 14 to Wednesday, June 1. Open daily, 10am - 4pm. Free entry. n artinpoundbury.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

49

Culture Watercolours created using masking tape and traditional buttons will be among the artworks on display for this year’s Dorset Art Weeks fortnight.

More than 250 artists will showcase their creations throughout the county from May 14 to 29 as part of the 30th annual art weeks event.

Among the artwork on display will be a collection of monochromatic photography by Alison Webber called Through An Aspergic Lens at 27 Monmouth Road, Dorchester.

John Meaker will showcase his life paintings, portraits and INSPIRED: John Meakers’ Melancholy Angel, and, right, ST George will on display at ‘spontaneous graffiti’ Abootsbury Studio during the DAW fortnight inspired by Greek myths at Abbotsbury Studio in Rodden Row, Abbotsbury.

Artist Anna McDowell has created traditional buttons with ‘a contemporary twist’ using Weeks provides local contemporary twist are touches to their work sari silks and yarns from people and visitors an amongst the art exhibited before opening their doors India and will put her opportunity to make the for this year’s Dorset Art to visitors.” work on display in most of Dorset’s towns, Weeks.

Watercolours For a full list of the 250 Donhead St Mary near villages and landscapes, created using masking displays taking place Shaftesbury while painter and to discover the range tape, and photography throughout Dorset visit and lithographer Göran of creative talent across expressing the artist’s dorsetartweeks.co.uk to Hahne will display his the county. identity also feature. use their interactive work in Blandford.

“Traditional Dorset “Artists across the county county map and listings A spokesperson for the art buttons with a are putting the final guide. weeks said: “Dorset Art

Artists’ works showcased during Dorset Art Weeks

Museum gearing up for busy summer season Beaminster Museum is now open for the summer season and looks forward to welcoming you to see the newly extended premises.

There’s more to see, hear and do for all ages than ever before.

There’s a photo exhibition entitled Beaminster in Covid Times, which

was compiled in conjunction with Beaminster School, the town council and many others, showing photographs and poems of the community response to covid. It runs throughout the summer. You can also explore why an 18th century Arctic explorer is pulling his sledge

upstairs, why there were elephants in the middle of Broadwindsor and similar fascinating facts about this delightful part of Dorset.

Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays 10.30am-4pm, and Sundays 2pm to 4.30pm. Free entry.

50

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Culture

Honeybourne date with Beethoven at St Mary’s Dorset-born international pianist Duncan Honeybourne will be performing Beethoven’s second piano concerto with the Dorset Chamber Orchestra on May 14 at St Mary’s Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester at 7.30pm.

Commended by International Piano magazine for his “glittering performances”, Duncan has toured extensively as

CONCERT: Duncan Honeybourne

soloist and chamber musician, broadcasting frequently on BBC Radio 3 and radio networks worldwide. His many recordings reflect his long association with 20th and

21st century British piano music. He is a Tutor in Piano at the University of Southampton and Sherborne School.

The concert programme includes one of Mozart’s best loved symphonies, No 40, and the folksonginspired Elegie by Swedish composer Hugo Alfven.

Dorset Chamber Orchestra’s Music Director, Walter Brewster

said: “The past two years have presented many challenges for music groups, but the appetite for live music is stronger than ever. This will be our fourth concert of the season and it is a joy to welcome Duncan back to perform again with us.”

Tickets are on sale now at dorsetchamberorchestra. org/tickets priced £15, under-19 £1.

Wisconsin Willy’s wending his way American singersongwriter Willy Porter from Wisconsin is bringing his searing signature guitar sound back to Dorset after a gap of three years.

Willy’s musical style blurs the line between indie-folk, Americana and rock, with a touch of blues thrown in for good measure.

He has performed alongside musical icons including Jeff Beck, Paul Simon and Tori Amos, who was once quoted as saying: “Willy plays rhythms that make me want to crawl

BROADMAYNE GIG: Willy Porter

inside his guitar and sleep there forever!”

Ahead of his return to

Dorset, Willy said: “I consider myself very lucky to be among the tribe of

misfits that gets to come to the UK every year. Like a well-behaved dog, my guitar somehow puts up with me.”

Willy will be performing at Broadmayne village hall in Cowleaze Road on Thursday, May 26 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £15 from wegottickets.com or from Cornerhouse Stores, Main Street, Broadmayne.

You can also buy tickets from Tim Clayton by calling 07443 659912 or visiting willyporter.com

New Elizbethans on song for concert of uplifting music The New Elizabethan Singers and The Broadoak Choir St Mary’s Church, Bridport REVIEW by ALAN HOBBY

St Mary’s was packed with a capacity audience keen to hear The New Elizabethan Singers and The Broadoak Choir combined to perform two choral pieces written by local composers.

Matt Kingston (pen-name Matthew Coleridge) has directed the NES since 2011. His Requiem integrates broad, lush vocal harmonies with

exhilarating organ, string and percussion accompaniments and solo passages.

“It was inspired,” Matt says, “by the joy of the arrival of my first child and the beauty of the Dorset countryside.”

His Requiem premiered in 2015 and has received numerous, acclaimed performances in the UK, the US and Europe. Details of future performances of the piece can be found on matthewcoleridge.com NES bass Chris Reynolds has lived and worked in the area for 30 years.

With roots in folk and jazz, he has

also written several liturgical pieces for the small, a cappella Broadoak Choir. His 2019 choral cantata Three Trees, is a mystical, moving meditation on crucifixion and redemption; it reflects on the mystery and magic of real trees and the beauty of creation; and how close humankind is to destroying it.

The audience were delighted and the church echoed with resounding applause for both pieces.

It was a concert of wonderfully uplifting music, grown organically in the Marshwood Vale and composed and performed by Dorset talent.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

51

Culture

By Dan Goater newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The winners of the inaugural Bridport Prize Black Writer residencies found fresh inspiration on a behind the scenes tour of Dorset Museum.

Grace PetersClarke and Stephenjohn Holgate, both from Birmingham, recently visited the museum in Dorchester during the first of two residencies, with the second one happening in June.

The up-and-coming writers’ work is being championed by Kit de Waal, best-selling author of My Name Is Leon and former two times winner of the Bridport Prize international writing competition.

Grace Peters-Clarke, who grew up in the Caribbean and now teaches English at a Birmingham secondary school, said: “It was fascinating to experience a museum through the lens of those who work behind the scenes and to see firsthand the vast collection of artefacts that are painstakingly archived. I was inspired by Hardy’s Dorset gallery and the Elisabeth Frink collection, that writing is often bred by landscapes, artefacts, the cultures of the spaces in which it is created.”

Stephenjohn Holgate, a lecturer from the West Midlands who was born in Jamaica, said: “The coast was always an important part of my life as a child. It is one of the things I miss the most. I want to explore the Jurassic coast more and see what ideas that geography would inspire. It

MUSEUM VISIT: Kate Wilson, Bridport Prize Programme Manager; Mick Smith, director of Bridport Arts Centre, Stephenjohn Holgate, Elizabeth Selby, Interim Director Dorset Museum, Grace Peters-Clarke

Prize-winning writers take tour through county’s past

JUDGE: Author Kit de Waal

was exciting to go backstage at the museum to see what was not on display, the drawers of beautiful birds were fascinating. The thought of just going to the museum meant I managed to scribble out a short story.

“It was inspiring.”

Kit de Waal, who is now one of the Bridport Prize

judges and has been mentoring Grace and Stephenjohn, said: “I’m delighted to be part of the Black Writer Residency.

“Too often we are thought of as only urban writers, concerned with inner cities and housing estates, but here is the chance for two unpublished writers to experience Hardy country and enjoy writing in a rural environment. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

A Bridport Prize spokesperson said: “The museum’s interim director Elizabeth Selby gave Grace and Stephenjohn the opportunity to explore behind the scenes of the new Collections Discovery Centre, where a large proportion of the museum’s treasure trove of four

million objects are stored.”

Elizabeth Selby of the museum said: “We’re thrilled that Grace and Stephenjohn joined us as writers in residence this April and will be again in June. We’re excited to see how the two writers will take inspiration from the museum, our collections and the wider experience of spending a week in Dorset.

We can’t wait to how this experience shapes their writing during and after their visit.”

An adaptation of Kit de Waal’s best-selling novel My Name Is Leon is coming to BBC One soon and will feature Sir Lenny Henry, Christopher Eccleston, Shobna Gulati and Cole Martin in his first TV role.

52

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Business During the working week Danielle Mowlam specialises in estate administration in the private client department of law firm Blanchards Bailey.

But at weekends, the Dorset-based legal executive dons a sequinencrusted skater dress and takes to the floor as captain of the England baton twirling team.

Danielle, 26, has just returned from leading the team at the four-day European Championship in Selestat, near Strasbourg, in eastern France. She competed in individual and team events after spending hundreds of gruelling hours practicing routines.

Danielle’s team was rewarded for their efforts with a silver medal and, in her individual event, Danielle made it to the final and finished in eight place. She is now preparing to compete in the World Championship in Holland in July.

Danielle, who joined Blanchards Bailey in 2016, has been baton twirling since she was five.

She is a member of Oasis Twirlstars, one of the UK’s leading teams, and undertakes a 110-mile round trip to their Basingstoke base every Saturday and Sunday for 14 hours of intensive training.

Now a veteran member of the squad and competing

HIGH FLYER: Danielle Mowlam in action for England at the European baton twirling championships and, inset below, at her day job as an estate administrator

Danielle picking up baton to twirl her way to glory alongside teammates as young as 13, Danielle has vowed not to

retire until she has achieved everything she can.

She said: “I’d quite like to coach in the future, but until then I want to go on competing at the highest level for as long as I can, but it’s hard on the body – sometimes I can’t move for a couple of days after a training session.

“I absolutely love the sport and the massive commitment it requires is well worth it. To be named captain of England was a real honour.”

And when she

is not training, Danielle, a private client executive specialising in estate administration, is working towards attaining her Chartered Legal Executive qualification.

She said: “Some of my work colleagues think I’m a bit potty as when they go home for the night or weekend, I’ve always got my bag packed to go to the gym or to more training.

“In fact, at the moment I’ve pretty much only got time for my baton twirling, work and studying for my exams.”

53

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Business

Advertising in The West Dorset Magazine is great for business! n 20,000 copies distributed to 235 stockists (No door to door, all actively picked up by readers)

Get together and make connections at business event Businesses are being invited to a third networking event in Bridport on Thursday, May 19 at 6.30pm.

Connect Bridport is meeting at The Bull Hotel, Bridport.

The Design Yard has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and Bridport Mate once again to offer businesses the chance to meet and discuss opportunities and challenges.

A spokesman for the event said: “We would like to thank you all for a fantastic and successful event, we are now delighted to go for round three.

“The turnout was fantastic.

We are still blown away by the support we have received from our local community. So once again thank you. It was lovely to

hear that the event ‘had a nice informal and friendly feel’.

“The aim of this bimonthly event is to bring people together just like it says in the name: Connect Bridport. After a rough couple of years, we believe that this is what was needed in Bridport: a feeling of togetherness.

“But the real benefit of this is of course meeting new people, finding out more about local businesses, new entrepreneurship and people with a set of skills that could benefit you, and on top of that creating either business relationship or brand new friendship.”

Two speakers are set to be announced soon.

Tickets are £11.37 from eventbrite.co.uk/e/connectbridport-tickets-306343671 167

n Every town and village in West Dorset covered n Well over 40% penetration (based on 46,000 households in West Dorset) n Widest read publication in West Dorset n A fortnight’s advertising – cost effective n Trusted, well-written hyperlocal content TESTIMONIALS I have just picked up a copy and seen our little advert this week. Brill. Thank you. The adverts are working. We are so pleased.

This magazine is much looked forward to and read by our entire household in some detail! Many thanks go to you all - finally a local magazine for the locals.

What a brilliant job all of you have made of the new magazine. We absolutely love it – such a good idea.

So many interesting articles to read and keep.

Absolutely well done and congratulations.

advertising@westdorsetmag.co.uk ( 01305 566336 Edition 5

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Brain ticklers Arrow words

Crossword

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First modern Greek king

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RESULT

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

55

Super tricky puzzles Jumbo 3D Sudoku

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-50

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.

22

Across 1 Small chicken left say with hard outgrowth (7) 5 Hoisting mechanism beginning to work with small measure (5) 9 Authoritative teacher finished with despicable types completely (4,4,5) 10 Puts in position a person in field amid soft sun (8) 11 Company? Alabama provides fuel (4) 12 Analysis of moon, star and galaxy finally in this? (9) 16 Reject study on right-winger in party (4) 17 Rogue deeds and one’s made gloomy (8) 19 Exchanges scores in rugby having kept a tally without friend (13) 21 Semiprecious stone and silver Greek character retracted (5) 22 Important set of rowers in Wyoming (7)

Down 2 Former English politician close to bankrupt is immune (6) 3 House idly arranged in a dire way (9) 4 Bird is yellow with head obscured (5) 6 Old President some disliked (3) 7 Seize top part of coat (6) 8 Criminal is near and come into view (6) 11 In a race, arriving blocked by dog maybe (9) 13 Roster changed in holiday destination (6) 14 Take an inordinate time to feel at home (6) 15 Exercise with a fanatic getting source of protein? (6) 18 English explorer, initially daring and very thin sort (5) 20 Examine thoroughly old soldier (3)

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Health & Beauty

Walking West Dorset FROME VALLEY TRAIL: 4th WALK This walk of 6 miles is easy going and much of it is on the cyclists’ Route 26. Park at the walkers’ car park, about 100 yards beyond Greenford School in Higher Frome Vauchurch. Walk down past the school to the junction with the A356.

Cross the road and then the bridge over the river Toller (aka Hooke) just before its confluence with the Frome.

Walk diagonally to your left across the field, through a gate and alongside the Frome, to join a road that continues downstream to Lower Frome Vauchurch.

Continue past the Church until the tarmac runs out at a gate.

Follow the path across a couple of fields and cross the Frome twice at an island on the boundary with Maiden Newton parish.

Turn right and follow the river to the next bridge then turn left along the road to

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

Cruxton. Follow the road until the houses run out and turn left and follow an unpaved Council road, which is muddy in places, to Notton.

The surface improves along the next mile, a bridleway, that, past Throop, passes Nunnery Mead, a wild flower meadow with the site of a medieval village and a Roman villa that you might like to visit.

Continue through a short section of woodland and you’ll arrive at Southover, a suburb of Frampton with

lots of houses that will make you wonder where the flint mine is. Continue through the hamlet until you reach a junction.

Turn back and follow your footprints back to the start unless, at the west end of Southover, you’d like to join the bridleway that takes you up the peaceful and beautiful Southover Bottom, a coombe that takes you up to Notton Hill Barn then down through Notton Bottom to rejoin the route.

Dealing with difficult life decisions

Alex Fender

youcantalk.net is a new wellness and mental health resource launched by Bridport-based duo Kerry Miller and Alex Fender.

It features lots of free resources to help people relax and take stock.

I thought it might be helpful to share a Life Review with you. This one developed into a supported biography (more about that another time).

I should say at the outset I

keep all work secure, under lock and key whilst in progress and destroy all work when the Life Review is completed. The client keeps the work we produce. I don’t keep copies.

What I share below is from memory and anonymised.

When I first met Janice her hands and arms were shaking, she was generally fidgety and over time it seemed to be getting worse. I wondered if there was something deeply buried, and toxic, in her past.

Eventually, with me as an empathetic writing companion in a safe nonjudgemental space, she told me her father took his own life in the family home and the grief of that led to her having sex with a former

boyfriend much against the mores of the conservative and religious society she lived in. She became pregnant and decided to bring up the baby herself.

Her mother supported her.

One day Janice was invited to a wedding and her mother urged her to go.

She met Tim. Tim and Janice married. Tim adopted Raymond, now three. Janice and Tim had four children together, none of whom knew Raymond was a halfbrother.

Janice was on constant high alert because Tim would make mistakes about how long they were married for and in his job and the society they lived that mattered.

We discussed the corrosiveness of these two

secrets – her father’s suicide and Raymond’s illegitimacy – if we were continuing with a Supported Biography, perhaps Raymond needed to know the facts and all the children should know the truth about their grandfather’s death.

I felt hugely privileged to be given this task and saw Raymond and told him the story.

A week later I went to see Janice, she opened the door looking like a different woman: fresh, smiling and incredibly, the shaking had gone. She said she felt peaceful for the first time in decades.

If you want to know more about Life Reviews, Supported Biographies or Legacy Writing go to youcantalk.net

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

57

Health & Beauty

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A woman who runs a blissfully peaceful wellness centre bursting with plants and wildlife near Melbury Osmund is making an urgent appeal to buy land for a new centre.

Michele Hounsell, 56, has run the much loved Potting Shed, on the side of the A37 towards Yeovil, for the last 11 years.

Just before Christmas she received the shock news that the land’s owners wanted to reclaim it for other uses. She quickly found another plot near Thornford, and had her offer accepted at the beginning of January.

But the process of buying the land has been delayed and delayed and now she faces having nowhere to rebuild the centre and nowhere to put her thousands of plants, trees and shrubs when she has to leave in June.

Michele is being supported by her partner Andy Cole, a reiki healer.

He said: “We’ve even signed the paperwork after months of delays, but still nothing is happening – we are in limbo.”

Andy met Michele when he was at his lowest ebb.

He said: “This place has turned my life around. I had been through a divorce and lost my business and I was on antidepressants. But then I walked in here and the ambience of the place is so calming, so healing.

“It’s helped me and helped other people too.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE: Michele and Andy at The Potting Shed

Uprooted wellness centre couple look for some new land “Customers were in tears when they found out we had to leave here.”

The couple have been trying to plan the move, with scores of trees, hundreds of plants, veg, fruit trees, arches, arbours and art sculptures set to be shifted at the end of their tenancy. But they fear the purchase will never happen after so many delays and they are desperate to find an acre or more to establish a new centre.

Michele said: “I definitely want to buy – I’m not going down that road

again. I want to plant permanently. We are having to leave many established trees behind, such as oaks, because the delays mean it’s now too late in the year to transplant them.

“We think if we can just buy the land we can get the therapy side up and running quickly. The planting will take till next spring to establish.”

The Potting Shed offers all sorts of wonderful therapies, with workshops, teas and jams on sale, and all sorts of help on offer. People can

just turn up and potter around, picking fruit and planting seeds.

If the couple can just find a plot of land to buy, Andy hopes to add a garden design course into the mix, as he specialises in therapeutic planting. And there could be the option to run retreats with yurts pegged out on the land for guests.

They need an acre minimum, preferably with a building such as a barn or outhouse.

Michele said: “We can establish the yoga garden quite quickly even if the rest will take longer.

“We just want to recreate the wellbeing centre, which is so needed. We have about 100 regular customers and others who pop in and out. We have to find somewhere so they have somewhere to go.” n Anyone who knows of land Michele and Andy could buy should call them on 07940 803927 or email Michele. secretgarden@gmail.com.

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The West Dorset Magazine, April May 6,22, 2022 2022

Church

Don’t doubt the love of our Lord Jesus

By The Rev Deb Smith, Team Rector of Bridport Have you ever suffered from the disease FOMO – the fear of missing out?

It’s horrible when you hear friends or family tell you: “Oh you missed it” or “You should have been there.”

Poor Thomas misses out on an extraordinary encounter with the risen Christ, because he was somewhere else.

As the community experiences the event, he becomes the one who missed it.

It was that point in the story, post crucifixion, with the disciples wondering what to do next.

Grieving, hiding away in an upper room, with none of the confidence and reignited hope that is to come.

And then we hear that wonderfully human account of Thomas, full of doubt, and wanting evidence of their

Services The fourth Sunday of Easter, May 8 Allington 9.30am Sunday Eucharist Bradpole 11am Holy Communion Bridport 10am Mass Burton Bradstock 11am Holy Communion Castleton 11am Mattins Cattistock 6pm Holy Communion Chideock

SUCH KINDNESS: People are welcoming refugees from the warzone in Ukraine

unbelievable claims. There is a real sense that he needs to catch up and understand.

What Thomas does know is that their encounter with Jesus has changed his friends, and that’s when the FOMO really kicks in.

Thomas, full of incredulity, is left wanting to see for himself to really believe.

What is it that makes faith believable?

Surely it is the little miracles of transformation that we witness in our lives together.

We see it in the love and light shining through the lives of those who serve others.

It is the same outpouring of grace and blessing that continues to ignite hope and causes us to embody love in action. Like the

8.30am Mass Dewlish 11am Parish Communion Dorchester Baptist Church 10.30am Sunday Service Dorchester Community Church 10.30am Celebration Service Dorchester United Church 9am Holy Communion 10.30am Mid-morning Service 6.30pm Evening Service Also hosts a service at 10.30am on market days Frome St Quintin

11am Holy Communion Halstock 10am Morning Worship Holy Trinity, Dorchester 8.30am Mass 10.30am Mass Lillington 10am Morning Service Littlebredy 11am Holy Communion Litton Cheney 9.30am Holy Communion Longburton 10am Family Communion Maiden Newton 9.30am Worship Service Melbury Osmond 9.30am Holy Communion Puddletown

work of volunteers at food banks, or those who are good neighbours.

Those who open their homes to refugees.

It is seen in the faithfulness of those who keep praying for peace in this damaged world of ours.

The early Church took hold and grew because of the authentic witness of those first disciples and their amazing transformation that moved them from people of fear to people of joy.

And that’s what Thomas wanted too. Jesus showed his scarred hands and side, not to rebuke Thomas, but to transform his doubt to faithfulness and hope. In this joyful Eastertide may we also encounter the risen Christ and know the transforming power of his love for us.

11am Puddletown Praise Sherborne Abbey 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong Shipton Gorge 9.30am Breakfast Church St Paul’s at the Gryphon 10.30am Morning Worship St Peter’s, Dorchester 9am Said Communion 10.30am Sung Eucharist 9.15am Morning Prayer every day Swyre 11am Holy Communion Tolpuddle 9.30am Parish Communion 5.30pm Sunday Reflections

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59

Church Five new canons have been be welcomed into Salisbury Cathedral’s College of Canons – including Bridport’s Team Rector Deb Smith and Sherborne’s Gryphon School head Nicki Edwards.

West Dorset Magazine columnist The Revd Deb Smith is a former newspaper reporter, who is in her fourth year as Team Rector in Bridport, in charge of six churches.

She worked as a newspaper reporter in Salford, Manchester and Dorset before training for ordination. She served her curacy in Dorchester then spent 11 years as Rector of Wyke Regis.

Her first trip to Iona 20 years ago was what nudged her to explore vocation.

She is married with two grown-up children and loves live music, wild swimming, walking and pub quizzes. Deb helped establish one of the first community hubs in Salisbury Diocese – creating a space where May 14 Sherborne Abbey 3pm Thanksgiving Service – Friends of Yeatman Hospital The fifth Sunday of Easter, May 15 Allington 9.30am Sunday Eucharist Bradpole 11am Holy Communion Bridport 10am Mass Burton Bradstock 9.30am Family Worship 6.30pm Evening Prayer Chideock 8.30am Mass

children and young people of all ages can safely explore questions of faith.

Nicki, despite being busy in her day job at the helm of the Gryphon, which has 1,645 pupils, has also been instrumental in establishing a community hub in Sherborne. Nicki joins the college as a lay canon.

Nicki grew up in Sturminster Newton before

studying at Imperial College London and Oxford University. She began her teaching career in Surrey. Nicki has twin children – Alexandra, a teacher in London, and William, a credit analyst for a multi-national firm in the City. Nicki is committed to Christian education and a strong advocate of chaplaincy in

schools. She acts as a Bishops’ Adviser in the national Shared Discernment Process, the process by which anyone who believes they have a vocation can test their calling. Like the community hubs, the Shared Discernment Process is designed to open the church up to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

The Gryphon is pioneering in many aspects of Church School ministry. Nicki has led the development of the school’s innovative Chaplaincy model. Nicki acts as a Bishops’ Adviser in the national Shared Discernment Process and is Churchwarden in her home parish. Each new canon will be allocated a stall in the Cathedral Quire. At twice yearly meetings the college members provide feedback on policy decisions made by Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body.

Both Deb and Nicki were installed on Tuesday.

Chilfrome 11am Morning Prayer Corscombe 11am Morning Worship Dewlish 11am Family Service Dorchester Baptist Church 10.30am Sunday Service Dorchester Community Church 10.30am Celebration Service Dorchester United Church 9am Holy Communion 10.30am Mid-morning Service 6.30pm Evening Service Also hosts a service at

10.30am on market days Evershot 10am Holy Communion Litton Cheney 9.30am Morning Prayer Long Bredy 9.30am Morning Worship Maiden Newton 9.30am Holy Communion Melbury Bubb 5pm Evening Prayer Puddletown 11am Parish Communion Puncknowle 11am All Age Holy Communion Rampisham 11.15am Holy Communion Sherborne Abbey

8am Holy Communion 9.30am Parish Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong St Peter’s, Dorchester 9am Said Communion 10.30am Sung Eucharist 9.15am Morning Prayer every day Swyre 11am Morning Worship Tolpuddle 9am Family Communion West Chelborough 9.30am Morning Prayer A weekly telephone service is recorded by a member of the Bride Valley Ministry team. To listen call 01308 293062.

NEW CANON: Nicki Edwards of Sherborne Gryphon School

Cathedral college welcomes canons

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Sport

Champions! Zebras crown amazing

By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Sherborne Town’s fans, players and officials have been royally celebrating the best season in recent memory, as the team’s incredible 21 match winning streak has seen them crowned Division One champions.

Their final points tally of 99 points from 40 matches - equating to almost 2.5 points per game - is exceptional at any level, and usually reserved for club’s whose resources put them at an unfair advantage.

Not so the Zebras, who have competed on a level playing field, and who have emerged with immense credit for how they have played on the pitch and conducted themselves off it.

In November, the Toolstation Western League Division One title looked like it might be destined for a team based in North Somerset, founded on the local mining community.

Some 17 points clear at the top, and with an unbeaten record, Welton Rovers had taken the division by storm, prompting some in their camp to suggest that the race was already won, even before the Radstock Christmas lights had been switched on.

Yet the Green Army optimists hadn’t reckoned on the Zebras and, in a season which featured a number of stand-out winning streaks, an

WE’VE DONE IT: Players, staff and families celebrate lifting the Toolstation Division One trophy and, below, winning the crucial match away at Welton Rovers Pictures: MARK WOOLMINGTON/ JRH Media

unbroken run of victories

by Sherborne’s finest was to ultimately prove decisive. Although they had enjoyed a promising start with three big wins of their own, dropped points followed, leaving Sherborne nestled in the chasing pack, with Wincanton Town and Warminster Town for company.

Even when they thrashed

Longwell Green 5-0, there was little sign that they were about to launch a successful assault on the league title, but they did not drop a single point in the 20 games which followed and played with growing confidence, selfbelief and relentless desire, as they slowly, but surely, eroded Welton’s lead, before carving out one of their own.

On January 29, the Zebras won a crucial encounter 2-1 at Welton’s West Clewes ground, giving them a vital three points and the clearest indication yet of a big shift in momentum. By the time Ash Guppy had rounded off a 5-0 win – their 19th in a row - at Dorset rivals, Gillingham Town, on Good Friday, the Zebras could no longer be caught

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Sport

season with title

61

BEN BEN FATTO, FATTO, ZEBRAS! ZEBRAS! PREMiER PREMiER ITALiAN ITALiAN FOOD FOOD -- EAT EAT iN iN OR OR TAKEAWA TAKEAWAY Y

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TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE THE TOP FOUR Sherborne Town Warminster Town Wincanton Town Welton Rovers

P 40 40 40 40

W 31 28 27 27

21 WON SALUTE ZEBRAS’ INCREDIBLE WINNING STREAK December 4 Longwell Green 5-0 December 11 Almondsbury 2-1 December 18 Cheddar 4-1 December 26 Radstock Town 4-1 January 15 Portishead Town 1-0 January 22 Bishops Lydeard 7-1 January 29 Welton Rovers 2-1 February 5 Oldland Abbotonians 4-0 February 9 Devizes Town 6-1

at the summit.

It was somewhat fitting that they should play Welton again on Easter Monday, who sportingly formed a guard of honour as the Zebras took to the pitch, and then Bishops Sutton joined in the celebrations after captain George Mapletoft had been presented with the league trophy on St George’s Day

D 6 5 7 7

L 3 7 6 6

GD 86 51 77 51

Pts 99 89 88 88

February 12 Gillingham Town 3-1 February 19 Bristol Telephones 5-1 February 26 Wells City 4-2 March 5 Bishops Lydeard 2-0 March 12 Portishead Town 5-0 March 19 Warminster Town 2-0 March 26 Longwell Green 3-0 April 2 Odd Down 1-0 April 9 Oldland Abbotonians 3-2 April 15 Gillingham Town 5-0 April 18 Welton Rovers 1-0 April 23 Bishops Sutton 1-0 Goals for: 70 Goals against: 12

Sherborne won both these games, testament to Wayne Jermone’s professional approach and the team’s will to win.

They finished the season 10 points clear of second placed Warminster Town.

21 games, 63 points, the league title with room to spare, and a season that will live long in the memory. n SEE NEXT PAGE

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Sport

Keeper Josh making the most of his lucky break Goalkeeper Josh Attwood has enjoyed a great season with the Zebras, and has not been on the losing side in 26 first-team appearances since taking over the gloves in November. Josh, pictured, seized his chance when a rib injury to first-choice ‘keeper Jamie Beale resulted in a call-up from the reserves, and he has conceded just 16 goals, keeping an impressive 12 clean sheets during the Zebras’ title-winning run.

Although pleased with his own performances, 20year old Josh is quick to praise the players in front of him, as well as manager Wayne Jerome.

“It’s not me that has kept the clean sheets, it’s us a team. I’ve got 10 great players in front of me and we have Wayne, who’s very good tactically and knows how we should approach each game.

“It’s a tough league and there are usually lots of goals, and you can easily slip up against any team on their day.

“We’ve had a few scares along the way but I’m pleased that we’ve done so well defensively as a unit.”

Currently recovering from a broken collarbone sustained in the penultimate game of the season, Josh is looking forward to playing in the Premier Division with his hometown club.

“I’m confident we can do well next season. We’ve had some cup games against Premier opposition and have done well in these – beating Street and only losing 3-2 to Bridgwater, we had a tight game with Poole too who are a couple of leagues higher.

“There’s a real togetherness in the team and I’m positive that we will hold our own and not be battling against relegation.”

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07855 250136

Proud chairman

By Stuart Wickham sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Zebras’ chairman John Bowers has spoken of his immense pride following his team’s championshipwinning season, comfortably the highlight of his six-year tenure.

John said: “I am one very proud chairman. We will look forward to next season, it will be a big challenge, but for now, I am on a real high and I want to live on it for a bit.

I’m going to milk it, because you have to. You never know if you’re going to experience anything like it again.”

He said: “It has been six years since I have been chairman and we’ve been through a lot. We’ve been relegated, then we were in a relegation battle the next season, we’ve had two seasons hit by covid, and we’ve had to sort out the club’s finances. And now we’ve won Division One and will be promoted to the Premier!”

In his first season as chairman, John saw the

team struggle on the pitch, culminating in relegation.

“We weren’t just losing games, we were getting hammered, 8-0, 7-0, that sort of thing. I remember us playing with a 54-yearold centre half in one game, and there was just no way we could compete.

The next season, I thought it would be much easier, but it wasn’t and we were facing a relegation battle and had to let the manager go.”

A key change was the appointment of Wayne Jerome as the new manager, who quietly went about his business of building a team who could bring good times back to Raleigh Grove. John said: “I wanted to bring Wayne in for a while and had already asked him three times before he finally agreed to join us.”

There have been challenges off the pitch to get the club onto a sound financial footing, and John is quick to praise his son, Sam, the club’s commercial manager and a former player.

Tactic switch & Dec hits The season was a successful one for Dec Cornish, scoring 20 goals in his first full campaign with the Zebras, since joining from Bridport FC during a covid-interrupted 2020/21. Originally operating as a number 10 alongside Alex Murphy, Dec adapted to playing as part of the Zebras’

attacking triumvirate, interchanging with fellow wide man, Anth Herrin, with the pair supporting Murphy through the middle.

Dec explains the tactical change and how the management team adopt a consultative approach to team matters.

“We were playing with

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

63

Sport

really enjoying life in Wayne’s world has been a real challenge and we’ve had to look at getting revenue in to plug the gaps and pay players’ wages.”

John is not under-estimating the challenge the team will face next season. “It will be hard to compete because we are self-sufficient and won’t have the resources that some do. There is a lot of money bouncing around at some other clubs and they can afford to pay good wages and signing on fees.

We cannot get involved in that as we have to make sure that Sherborne Town remains on a firm financial footing.”

“There’s such a great PRIZE GUYS: Chairman John Bowers, centre, with club historian Colin Goodland, left and, right, vice-chairman Steve Paradise and Digger the club mascot with the Toolstation Division One trophy

“Sam got me into it in the first place really, he used to play for the team and that’s how I first got involved and now I have completely fallen in love with the club. I’ve always said you need a great team off the pitch, to build a great team on the pitch,

and that’s what we have here. Sam has done so well to bring in sponsorship revenue and grants and help us to be self-sufficient as a club.

We are so grateful to our commercial partners and know it’s a difficult time for businesses too. Covid

20 goals in first full season three at the back and, due to injuries, changed to a back four. In the next session, we talked about it as a group and how playing 43-3 gave us more control over the game. The manager is great, he will

always take our suggestions on board.

“Ultimately he will make the calls but it’s great to know that he listens to us and if things aren’t working, we will find a way. It’s a very positive place to be, a very happy club. It’s like playing with friends you’ve known for years.”

atmosphere and people may go, but they always come back. All the players are mates.

“We’ve had an element of luck at times, but you always need that and we’ve got such a great depth of squad and quality players.

When you’re on a roll, you get the luck. The ball hits the post and goes in, when you’re struggling, it hits the post and goes out for a goal kick.”

There is little doubt that there is a togetherness on and off the pitch and this is truly a friendly, family club, and it might just be enough to carry the Zebras to more success as they step up.

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64

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Sport

After a tough season, it’s all change at St Mary’s

n Action from Bridport FC’s final game of the season as Edgar Marcu takes over from departing manager Shaun Annetts Pictures: STEPHEN BARRETT

GET STUCK IN: It’s your chance to get into hockey at the Yeovil and Sherborne club

Pictures: YSHC

Stick with us and get into hockey Yeovil and Sherborne Hockey Club have announced more details of their Back to Hockey programme, which will run from Monday, May 9 through to Monday, July 11, The initiative, supported by England Hockey, provides an entry into the sport within an informal environment, and is aimed at newcomers and those who have previously played the sport and are looking to return. Although the club regularly use playing facilities at Sherborne, the Back to Hockey

sessions will take place at Yeovil Recreation Centre, and run on Monday evenings from 7pm to 8pm.

To encourage players to try before they buy, initial sessions will be free, and cost £3 thereafter or £25 for the full nine weeks. The programme is fully coached, with an emphasis on making friends and learning new skills in a fun and sociable environment.

Participants must be aged 16 plus, although the club have a thriving junior section with separate

coaching programmes for younger players.

Players are asked to wear comfortable clothes, trainers or astro-boots – with no studded football boots – and reminded to bring their own refreshments, sanitiser, and a hockey stick if possible, although these will be available to borrow. The club also recommend wearing shin pads and a mouth guard or gum shield.

For further information, please contact the club www.yshc.co.uk

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

65

Sport

GOOD SEASON: Sherborne First XV and club officials pictured at the end of their season

Pictures: GILL CLARKE

Harvey the star in Sherborne romp Sherborne RFC Buckingham

31 7

Max Harvey starred as Sherborne Firsts finished the season in fine style with a comfortable win at home to Buckingham, with the hosts running in four unanswered tries in a rousing second-half display.

The busy, bustling Harvey was a powerhouse throughout, taking multiple defenders with him in a series of attacking forays.

With the score locked at 7-7 at the break, and with both teams playing an expansive game, Sherborne changed tack after the restart, adapting to playing tight and grinding their opponents down.

The plan worked as the home side racked up 24 second-half points without reply to run out easy winners, including two tries from the versatile Chris Mills. Will

ON THE ATTACK: Sherborne run out convincing winners against Buckingham and, below, Sherborne’s loyal supporters enjoy a well-earned pint

Matthews also impressed for Sherborne with some great work in the scrum.

The win was Sherborne’s 14th of a solid campaign, seeing them finish in 10th in the Tribute South West

1 East Division.

Nick Foot ran in four tries as Sherborne Seconds also finished the season on a high, with a 58-31 win against a spirited Blandford side.

The club are always on the lookout for players at senior and junior level, please see www.s herbornerfc.co.uk for details on how to get involved.

66

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Agriculture Mastitis, Metritis and Agalactia is a syndrome often referred to as MMA. It can be seen in sows that have just farrowed and can occur up to three days post farrowing.

The exact cause of the disease is not fully understood, however, it is thought to be due to reduced immunity around farrowing and there is a bacterial component to the disease course. The components of MMA are: n Mastitis – A bacterial infection of the udder, this can sometimes just affect one or two teats or may affect every gland. Glands affected can be red, hot, and swollen. n Metritis – An infection of the uterus, often recognised in sows by vaginal discharge. n Agalactia – An absence or reduction in milk.

The disease can present as one or all of these components. Recognition of the syndrome relies on spotting the clinical signs and considering the timings of when the sow has farrowed. Affected pigs may be lethargic, unwilling to feed piglets and inappetent. You may also see vaginal discharge or swollen red and hot mammary glands as described above.

Sometimes the disease can be initially noticed due to hungry or sick piglets that won’t settle after feeding and can be seen with an increased frequency of feeding.

Risk factors for MMA include hygiene, feed, water intake of the sow, body condition and age.

FEEDING TIME: An increased frequency in feeding could be a sign of MMA

Keeping an eye out for the early signs of MMA in pigs

By Ellen Taylor, BvetMed MRCVS Synergy Farm Health

Members of Synergy Farm Health’s Smallholder Club receive a regular newsletter.

Here is a recent article I produced about MMA in Constipation in sows is also a known risk factor.

Despite all of this the syndrome can also happen on farms with excellent hygiene and management, so it is important to recognise and treat the disease early.

Treatment should be discussed with your vet.

This will involve a visit to examine and confirm the disease and on confirmation will involve antibiotics, pain relief and good nursing care of the

pigs. Pigs are not a species typically seen by the farm side of our practice as we tend to work more with diary, beef and sheep farms. If you have a smallholding and would like to know more about the smallholder club, please do contact the practice or visit our website for more information.

sow.

The piglets should also be assessed and supplementary feeding may be required.

Prevention of the disease relies on good hygiene and drainage in the farrowing area, an appropriate body condition of the sow and plenty of water. Speak to your vet for further information on any of these and consider discussion of body condition score during your health plan.

Spring is always the best

time to sit down and review your parasite planning for the year ahead. With such a mild winter still bucking the normal temperature trend for the time of year, many have been experiencing problems with external parasites such as lice.

Though lice are not a big issue a large population may indicate an underlying health or management issue and owners should also watch out for secondary infections.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

67

Agriculture

Ouch! My foot trim task ends with a trip to A&E Mud-phobic Tria Stebbing lives on the outskirts of Sherborne with her farmer partner and two dogs in a converted stable. She keeps sheep, both stock sheep and pedigree rare breed sheep. She is working on her first book, in between working in a village school to pay the vet’s bills.

After the anticipation and enjoyment of lambing it was time to get back to the mundane jobs that keep the flock running smoothly.

Last Saturday was one of those days. We had several jobs on the list including foot trimming, worming and fly strike prevention.

The pedigree flock are currently on summer grazing with their lambs ten miles away, leaving us with the Poll Dorsets here in the village.

The Dorsets are more feral and make a hard job of catching them to do anything, so we took everything we thought we would need to make it as quick and efficient as we could.

After lugging sheep hurdles up the very steep hill to where the flock congregate, we made a corral to tempt them into.

It was a simple task, to shake a bucket of tasty

FARMER DRAMA: One of the sheep tries to hide in the grass and, inset, the trimmers which ended up in my neck

food to tempt them in and then set upon them individually for their pamper session. So, they all played the game and followed the bucket except for the two older ewes who sat up on the hill watching with distain as the younger ones were literally following like sheep.

It started well, my farmer partner turning the sheep over to check and trim the feet and me, his able assistant standing some way back passing various foot clippers, purple spray and medication. Halfway

through we caught one of the shearlings and turned her over to see to her feet, clearly, she was not going to have any of it and started to kick anything in her way.

What happened next can only be described as one of those freak farming accidents that can change everything in an instant.

The shearling kicked the foot trimmers (like garden pruners) out of my partners hands with incredible force, they flew through the air, in a split second and embedded themselves in my neck,

just next to the jugular vein. It did not register for a couple of moments what had happened there, the pain was incredible, and I could feel the warm blood running down my neck.

To give him credit, he did look slightly concerned, which, if you live with a farmer, you will know means that it could be serious. I was determined to finish the job, having got so far, and slapped some hand gel on the wound before carrying on.

Just as we were finishing and contemplating heading to Dorchester A&E my mobile rang, the pedigree lambs were out and running through the village ten miles away clearly loving the freedom….Why? Is an acre or so of lush green grass not enough? Clearly not. Many thanks to the farmer in the village for putting them back with a good telling off and stuffing some stock fence under the gate for us.

Clearly foot trimmers in the neck are not something that A&E see often. Brilliant swift efficient service from them, who cleaned me up and gave me some antibiotics to prevent some nasty sheep germs invading my system. Just another Saturday managing sheep but not one I will forget in a hurry.

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Agriculture Farming

Diversification the key to success as

By Miranda Robertson newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The scene of contented bovines happily munching their way across lush fields at Modbury Farm is not a new one – this has been a working dairy farm since 1857 and many of the field names were recorded as early as 1587.

But the 150-acre farm, in the Bride Valley near Burton Bradstock, still has a number of USPs you may not expect.

It is the only place for miles around licensed to sell raw, unpasteurised milk – a foodstuff popular with personal trainers and athletes as well as people who laud it for decreased rates of asthma, allergies, eczema, otitis, fever, and respiratory infections.

And because the milk comes from Tim and Julie Garry’s Jersey herd, it boasts impressive levels of calcium – 20 per cent more than conventional cow’s milk – and protein, too.

Modbury has evolved over the centuries as tastes changed.

From a bevy of milkmaids rolling up their sleeves to milk the cows and cheesemakers producing their wares on site in the 19th century, the farm now has a shop full to bursting with locally produced goods, from fruit and veg to felt slippers, greetings cards to ice cream.

“Twenty or thirty years ago

WHAT A LOT: The well-stocked farm shop and, inset, milkmaids at Modbury Farm

this was a

big farm,” says Tim. “You’ve got to diversify.”

For a farm shop, it’s busy, with people in and out all the time. In summer it

becomes even busier with local campsites generating a bustling trade in local foods.

Outside the shop, the farm is a haven for wildlife. Its eight-acre woodland contains many species of plants and wildflowers.

The hedgerows are up to 6ft wide and create corridors which allow movement of wildlife.

The Garrys’ herd are exceptionally pretty and so obviously well cared for.

The animals stroll over for a pat as soon as you set foot in their field, curious to make your acquaintance, with 18-year-old Parsley in slow pursuit.

I adore Parsley. Her grey, wrinkly face is not something you often see on a working farm – cows

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

69

Agriculture Farming

Modbury evolves over the centuries

HERD THE WORD: Tim Garry with the Jersey cows and, below, with Julie and Parsley

simply don’t usually live that long. But here at Modbury it’s easy to see why Parsley’s in such fine fettle.

The herd get all the benefits of conventional medicines, but they are also treated with homeopathic remedies, thanks to the Garrys’ holistic approach to their animals.

They used to be organic, but now they farm with organic principles.

Julie’s family can be traced back in farming to William the Conqueror, and Tim’s back three generations.

However it seems that their agricultural pedigree may stop here – both their children having taken up good careers in other industries.

“All of our relations were farmers,” said Julie.

“But now only one cousin is still farming.”

The couple moved to Modbury from Sussex 35 years ago after deciding they wanted somewhere bigger and seeing Dorset was, in 1987, better value than other areas.

Currently they have a beef herd and a dairy herd, pigs,

some chickens and other birds and three dogs.

The number of livestock kept at the farm has been whittled down over the years to just the right amount – the couple know each animal by name and every one has been there since birth.

Breeding is carried out via artificial insemination, with gender selection used on the semen shipped from all over the world.

Their beef, pork and veal is sold in the shop, alongside asparagus from Bothen Hill, preserves, wooden sticks and toys and so much more.

People travel here from as far as Bournemouth to buy their raw milk – many scientific studies have shown raw milk can help people recover after antibiotics as it is stuffed with probiotics and enzymes.

Tim and Julie have a special licence to sell their milk raw, under which they have to have regular inspections.

When you see their herd of fine ladies chomping away at the bright green fields you are aware of how much hard work it must take Tim and Julie, without a team of milkmaids at their service, to keep everything this bucolic, yet still conform to all the regulations. n Pay them a visit at Modbury Farm Shop, Monday to Saturday, 7am7pm at DT6 4NE. Call 01308 897193 or email info@modburyfarm.co.uk

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The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

Agriculture You herd it here first...

Every farmer or farm worker has their favourite animal.

Sometimes their favourite is very friendly, sometimes it’s an animal they have nursed back to health, sometimes it’s an animal that causes chaos and annoys everyone else on the farm.

One of my favourite cows introduced herself to me a few days after I started my new job. I was talking to a colleague when I felt a nudge on the back of my leg. The nudge became a lick and she licked my leg for a good few minutes. If I tried to touch her she would step away, but if I walked away she would follow and as soon as I stopped moving the licking would start again.

The next time I saw this cow she had a very interesting hairstyle.

with Rachel Hayball

Rachel Hayball is a married mum of six from Beaminster. She is a herdsperson and has a small flock of sheep and sells lamb.

She had clearly been sticking her head in the hedge and had created a hair style that many would have paid good money for in the 1940s. Again she came over and licked me and then followed me around the field.

We give our animals the same high level of care, but I have to admit the favourites tend to get an extra handle of cow cake while the others are not looking and they do become our ‘pets’.

Sadly, like with any animal,

there comes a time where we have to say goodbye, and that always hurts. Our ‘pet cows’ play a huge part in our lives and we notice the hole they have left when we don’t get that familiar nudge in the back when stood in the field, or when they don’t come in the milking parlour in their normal position.

We had to say goodbye to one of the pet cows recently. She was 12 years old and was one of those lovely friendly girls who would always come up for a

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From pages 56-57

Puzzle solutions Sudoku

Crossword

5 3 7 9 4 1 2 8 6

9 2 6 8 5 7 3 4 1

8 4 1 6 2 3 7 5 9

2 7 5 1 8 9 6 3 4

3 8 4 2 7 6 9 1 5

6 1 9 4 3 5 8 7 2

1 6 3 7 9 4 5 2 8

7 9 8 5 1 2 4 6 3

4 5 2 3 6 8 1 9 7

Brain chain 9

45

15

19

38

11

Killer Sudoku Pro 14+

9

4÷

8 2

1

7

5×

5 1

0

1 6

4

22+

7 3

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8

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3

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6

9

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9

216×

17+

6

2

4

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36×

4

5

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0

8

5

10+

1

15+

6

5

17+

3 8 6

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9 0

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32×

18×

6

3

9

2

18×

4

1

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9

5

2

3

42×

20+

7

8

9+

7

5

5

6

1

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9

8

6

8+

4

13+

1

7

6+

2

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3

8

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6 1 4

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9

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cuddle. Sadly she became poorly and we couldn’t get her better even with medication and lots of TLC. We were all very sad to loose her and we questioned ourselves, but no one could have done more. She had the very best of care from team of people who loved her. Death on the farm is always hard and even the most hardiest of farmers will still be sad and shed a tear at times. It’s all part of the circle of life, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

Arrow words

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

Jumbo 3D Sudoku

G R E B E H E I O N A L U B Y T E O Y I N T E S N C A T E H A T I O N S N C E A N E D

1 2 5 9 6 3 4 6 3 7 2 7 8 4 7 1 5 4 2 7 2 9 5 6 3 2 1 8 5 9 4 3 6 4 1 8 9 1 6 5 9 7 8 6 9 5 1 4 3 8 5 3 8 3 9 7 8 2 8 7 4 3 7 1 7 6 1 1 6 9 5 6 2 6 4 24 9 2 9 4 35 4 3 8 5 7 2 8 7 2 1 9 1 8 3 5 4 9 1 6 1 4 3 6 9 7 3 7 5 4 9 7 6 2 6 5 8 2 5 9 2 1 8 2 8 6 3 5 2 3 5 1 5 3 7 7 3 9 1 2 4 6 9 7 6 2 8 4 3 6 7 4 8 1 5 4 4 1 9 5 2 8 7 5 3 6 1 6 8 7 4 9 2 8 6 2 9 3 8 1 9 3 1 9 5 1 4 7 3 9 7 5 2 4 9 5 7 6 8 7 3 5 8 8 2 1 41 8 3 6 3 63 4 2 4 2 1 9 5 7 7 1 6 6 2 1 9 8 4 6 4 5 8 7 2 5 9 3 8

S G H R M O J O P I S C S B S I R A J K N U D E N D A G N O S E E K

L W O T T O B I O E S T S P A N U I T E R A A B O N D C C H I C R A M

Brain chain (Hard) 32

163

86

43

189

139

Cryptic Crossword S C R E A M S A C O S U N C O N D I T O N E U R E F O R M E D S M I V I E W P O L C I S A G S T R U D H S D I S T R I B U D O N A W A L T Z G L

G R E B E H E I O N A L U B Y T E O Y I N T E S N C A T E H A T I O N S N C E A N E D

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022

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