For Blandford and surrounding villagesIssue No. 32 November 2014 Jean’s joyful reunion - Page 9

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Residents’ anger at parkingnightmare

Bumper to bumper: Vehicles often parkon pavements in Queens Road.

RESIDENTS of Queens Road,Blandford, are calling for some-thing to be done about parkingproblems in their own and sur-rounding streets after respondingto a suggestion that double yel-low lines be introduced.They attended en masse a townand general purposes committeemeeting of the town council togive their views on the proposalput forward by PCSO GraemeArchibald in response to the con-cern of several of them abouthealth and safety because ofparking on the pavements whichobstructed the passage of wheel-chairs and pushchairs.He said the key issue was overthe junction with Salisbury Road,and said there had never beenany intention to paint double yel-low lines on the whole road,although he was also aware ofissues with speeding and lack ofaccess for emergency services.Ed Hearn said parking restric-tions would only push parkingfurther down the road, wherethere was also a problem withHGVs which struggled to get upthe hill and between the parkedcars after being directed throughfrom St Leonard's Avenue by sat-navs. "There should be a 20mph limitthrough the whole area, includingAlfred Street, Albert Street,Victoria Road and EdwardStreet," he said.Committee chairman CouncillorHugo Mieville said there weresimilar problems in Albert Street,and Liz Rawlings claimed halfthe cars parked in Queens Roadbelonged to people fromSalisbury Road. She askedwhere they would go if parkingwas restricted.Beth Whitworth suggested a resi-dents' parking zone, but town

clerk Linda Scott-Giles said pastexperience in other areas hadrevealed difficulty in getting allresidents to agree to it. DonHerring said that some years agoresidents had been asked to parkpartly on the pavement so thatrefuse trucks could get through.Bill Erskine said yellow lineswould only cause anger amongresidents fighting for spaces, andthere should be a survey of whatspace was available. Dr Richardson of WilverleyGardens said there was haphaz-ard parking on both sides, whichwas a danger for children, wingmirrors, scraping of cars and

caused problems over who hadright of way. He felt lines on one side of theroad might help, but others feltthat part of the problem lay inpeople from Wilverley Gardensparking there because they didnot have enough space in their

own road.John Turnbull said Queens Roadwas used as a rat run to schooland even on occasion by policecars returning to the police sta-tion."Applying yellow lines would belike rearranging the deck chairson the Titanic," he said. "Weneed a review of parking in thewhole area. In London there arebarriers in domestic roads to pre-vent through traffic which wouldcut down on rat runs and use bydelivery vehicles, or signs indicat-ing the road is unsuitable forheavy vehicles."

To Page 2

The Bell: a triumph

but lessonsto be learnt

- Page 3

Pimpernestill tops in

village contest

- Page 18

Steam fair: changes

needed infuture

- Page 7

2 November 2014

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Where to findForum FocusTHE main drop points are:Blandford and Blandford StMary:The Post Office, Library andParish Centre in The Tabernacle,the Corn Exchange, Gorge Cafeand Blandford Museum in theMarket Place, the TouristInformation Centre in West Street,James Newsagents in The Plocks,the Co-ops in Salisbury Road andLangton Road, the 3Cs in DamoryStreet, the Damory Garage andOne Stop in Salisbury Road,Cherry's hairdressers in ElizabethRoad, Blandford Leisure Centre inMilldown Road, the Central Shopin Heddington Drive, the BreweryVisitor Centre, and Tesco andHomebase at Stour Park. In the villages:Charlton Marshall Church Roomsand Charlton pub, Woodpeckerpub at Spetisbury, True LoversKnot and St Richard Close busstop in Tarrant Keyneston,Langton Arms in Tarrant Monkton,Pimperne shop, the White HorseInn at Stourpaine, Iwerne Minsterpost office, Shillingstone Garage,the Royal Oak at Milborne StAndrew, The Crown atWinterborne Stickland, and TheCricketers at Shroton.Please let Jackie Stayt know ofother places where copies couldbe left for collection (contactdetails in panel above).We are very grateful to our teamof over 40 volunteers makinghouse-to-house deliveries. If yourcopy has not been delivered bythe first of the month, please col-lect from a drop point - your deliv-erer may be on holiday. If there isno delivery in your street, pleaseconsider helping us and yourneighbours by joining the team.

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From Page 1Seventeen of those attendingwere in favour of lines only at theSalisbury Road junction, but allagreed a comprehensive reviewwas needed.A request for the lines, which arealready applied to other roads inthe area but in this case shouldbe 'no loading' lines to preventthe use of blue badges, will besent to Dorset County Council,together with a request for signsrestricting HGV use and for a fullreview.

Residents’parkinganger

Petition power may helpsolve Fly funds problemA PETITION, calling for sprayingof the River Stour to prevent theemergence of the Blandford Flynext spring, closed in the middleof October with more than 2,400signatures, and its promoter PatAshworth is now making plans topresent it to North Dorset DistrictCouncil.She said she had been in discus-sion with Dr David Phillips, direc-tor for Public Health Dorset, whohad agreed with Liz Goodall,chief executive of the districtcouncil, that a request for fundingsupport to spraying would betaken to the next meeting of theDorset Health ProtectionNetwork, which he chairs.In a letter to Mrs Ashworth, DrPhillips said: "I fully understandthe depth of feeling you describeand although I am not the heador an employee of Public HealthEngland, I have a leadership role

for public health locally. I am con-fident that between all the peopleinvolved a solution can be foundto fund spraying in 2015."He told her that staff at NDDChad confirmed that the districtcouncil remains the principalagency for arranging the treat-ment on behalf of all those withinwhose boundaries the problemextends, and that the district, asa member of the network, are thebest people for her to communi-cate with.But in a meeting with her on 16thOctober he said the petition couldbe presented also to the DHPN,of which North Dorset and otherinterested authorities are mem-bers."We will do everything we can toget the spraying done next year,and the money will not be a prob-lem if we are clear that it is alicensed product," he said.

He said it would be for NorthDorset District Council to seekconfirmation that the treatmentcan still be carried out pendingrenewal of the product's licence.

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3November 2014

Picture: Paul Hampartsoumian

Bell organisers:we can learnfrom mistakesORGANISERS of last month'stheatrical spectacle 'The Bell' inBlandford Market Place say thatlessons have been learnt fromtheir first visit to the town.While the performance by pro-fessional theatre makersPeriplum was welcomed enthusi-astically by the vast majority whosaw and took part in it, therewere those among the estimated3,000 people for whom it wasless than perfect.Comments among the audienceon the night and afterwards onBlandford Town Council'sFacebook page ranged from 'Atruly wonderful spectacle' and'electrifying' to those beyond thebarriers who were unable to seeor hear clearly, and those aston-ished at the volume.Issues over signage and man-agement were reported to towncouncillors at a committee meet-ing after the event, and mem-bers of the public, markettraders and taxi drivers were dis-satisfied at the lack of informa-tion about relocation of the mar-ket, taxi rank and bus stops dur-ing the preparation for the event.Activate's Inside Out Festivalproducer Jen Walke said: "We

have learned a lot from workingin Blandford with all the incredi-ble residents who supported itand we hope that this has whet-ted the appetite for the future."She said Activate stronglybelieved in making its eventsfree and accessible to all wher-ever possible, but so many peo-ple arrived early to watch thatsafe capacity was reached short-ly before the start time. "We were disappointed thatthere were people unable to seethe show, but we take publicsafety very seriously, and spaceneeded to be kept free within theperformance area to allow forthe pyrotechnics, for the audi-ence to move, and for people toenter and exit safely. "This is the first time since 2007,after running many eventsacross the county attracting atotal of over 100,000 people,that we have reached capacity inthis way."It shows how interested the res-idents and visitors to Blandfordare to see something like thispresented in the town."Around 250 local children andadults took part in outreach andparticipation work, including

making banners which went ondisplay in the grounds of theparish church, and a 14-strongchoir and 12 volunteer perform-ers in the performance itself.One said: "I felt extraordinarilyprivileged to have the opportunityto take part. It was a memorableexperience and I would jump atthe chance to do something simi-lar."Councillor Esme Butler wasthanked publicly by the town'sRegeneration group for havingthe vision to bring the perform-ance to the town, in associationwith funding and support from

the town, district and countycouncils, the Arts CouncilEngland, the MoD CommunityCovenant Fund and Awards forAll Lottery.She said: "It has demonstratedthe power and impact such aperformance can have on a townand its residents. "Blandford has lacked high-quali-ty large-scale performances inthe past, but The Bell has trulychanged that. Blandford is atown where art and performancecan take place and we have theappetite for more."More pictures on our website.

Signs of confusionover flyposting issueCONCERNS at the amount of fly posting and unauthorised signage inBlandford has resulted in inconclusive discussions at successive towncouncil meetings.At the town and general purposes committee meeting at the end ofSeptember, it was agreed that those putting up signs should be askedto take them down once the event was past.Members felt there had to be a balance between allowing small busi-nesses and charities to advertise their events and controlling the num-ber of signs appearing.But at the planning committee meeting in October, further concern wasraised at the proliferation of signs in the town centre, including three onone lamppost for a carpet sale, and unauthorised signage inGreyhound Yard advertising businesses in Barnack Walk and theMarket Place.Councillor Roger Carter said that before they could do anything, theyneeded to know what the rules were, who was responsible and whetherthey could work with the Chamber of Commerce to get people on side.The Chamber is working on a proposal to have permanent signageboards on which businesses can insert their details in return for spon-sorship or payment to reduce the number of signs on the industrialestates, and the Town Team is considering revising signage to townfacilities on the bypass.

4 November 2014

A RETIREMENT presentation was made to Judith Fitzpatrick, who forover 20 years has been one of the cooks at the Blandford MethodistChurch Lunch Club.Mrs Fitzpatrick was also invited to sit down to lunch with the membersinstead of working in the kitchen.As a community payback supervisor with Dorset probation service, shehas been involved for 26 years in co-ordinating the meals served upby those undertaking community payback services, the last 20 of themin Blandford where the club now serves meals to on average 50 peo-ple a session, two days a week.Judith is pictured (second from left) with pastoral lay worker forthe Methodist Church Di Browning, right, and operations manag-er Julie Jones, left, and Thelma White, seated, who has run thelunch club for over 22 years.

ORGANISATIONS in Blandfordhave been asked for ideas ofwhat should be done with thederelict site next to the TouristInformation Centre in West Streetwhich many years ago was ear-marked for a new town library.The scheme was mothballed byDorset County Council afterplans to subsidise the library withhousing development wererejected, and the site hasremained unused for anythingbut an unofficial car park.Landowners in Barnack Walkhave asked that something isdone to tidy up and secure thesite.Blandford Town Council sometime ago rejected a lease offeredby the county council because itsterms made using the land, par-ticularly only temporarily, tooexpensive.Policy and performance officerwith DCC Becky Forrester said:"We had a positive meeting withCouncillor Bob Brannigan andagreed a way forward. Countycouncil officers explained at thatmeeting that the lease was adraft and could be changed, andthat although there is no budgetallocated to the site, officerswere happy to have a conversa-tion about resourcing whateveroptions the town council cameup with. "We agreed that the priority wasto identify two or three possibleuses that could be explored, andthen think about resourcing, lev-elling, management, etc. "In September we received arequest from the landowners tofurther secure the land, and thecounty council is under pressure

Judith’s fond farewell

Quandary overwhat’s to be donewith derelict site

to put up some bollards."Blandford Town Clerk Linda ScottGiles reported the outcome of aplanning committee meeting inwhich it was agreed that thetown council was still not in aposition to take on the site, dueto limited resources.But she has written to the TownTeam, Rotary, DT11 Forum andthe Chamber of Commerce, all ofwhom were felt likely to want tosee the appearance of the siteimproved.She said councillors were disap-pointed that, should the towncouncil not adopt the land, itwould be fenced off with con-crete bollards, disregarding thewish of the local community for itto be tidied up.DT11 Forum chairman Nic Nicolsaid: "We are grateful to the towncouncil for the invitation to takean interest in the ground, but ifthe terms and conditions havenot changed, we do not believethis would be a good use ofDT11's limited resources. "We will check with DCC toestablish if conditions can bechanged to enable the land to beused for the long-term benefit ofthe community, such as a libraryand/or community centre. Webelieve it is essential that thetown council does all in its powerto prevent the land from beingclosed off and left as wasteground."

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Dance for Langton LongTHE annual barn dance for the parish of All Saints Church, LangtonLong, will be held on Saturday 8th November between 6.30pm to9.30pm at the Corn Exchange, Blandford.There will be a meat auction and grand raffle, with hall and tables dec-orated in true barn dance style. People are invited to dress up. Callerwill be Keith Stevens and music from Paul Hooke.Tickets can be booked through Blandford Parish Church (01258456246), Langton Long PCC members or phone 01258 452246. Allproceeds go to the Langton Long Church.

5November 2014

A LUNCH club, founded when anadvert from the Partnership forOlder People asked people howthey could help their community,has celebrated its first anniver-sary in Child Okeford village hall.Four women, Oonagh Eveleigh,Hazel Miller, Liz Smith and HilaryOsborne, sat down to considerwhat they might do, then plannedand advertised everywhere in thevillage for people to come along.They now have 25 to 35 peopleevery month attending what hasbecome a real social event in thevillage, with tables beautifully laidout and a cooked lunch servedup from the hall kitchen.Lunches are often accompaniedby entertainment or guest speak-ers, and at the birthday party PhilBlake played the piano. Thegroup has been supported bysponsorship from StalbridgeLaundry, which provided the tablecloths, and the SturminsterRotary Club, Cheese Festival andGillingham Waitrose and Tesco.

Oonagh Eveleigh, Hazel Miller, Liz Smith and Hilary Osborne, co-founders of theChild Okeford lunch club, with the first anniversary cake at their birthday party.

Milestonefor villagelunch club

BLANDFORD's new Chamber ofCommerce will be formallylaunched at a meeting inBlandford Rugby Club in EastStreet on Wednesday 9thNovember, starting 6pm.The steering group which hasbeen worked to revive theChamber is hoping that as manybusiness owners as possible willattend.Group chairman Traci Handfordsaid: "I am so pleased that finallywe are able to launch the newBlandford Forum Chamber ofCommerce. This is not just forBlandford but will incorporate thesurrounding areas. We hope thisChamber will help to strengthenBlandford's businesses and pushthem forward in the right direc-tion. "We have many long-standingfamily-run businesses in thisarea and some unique business-es, all of which we should beproud of. Let's put Blandfordfirmly on the map."

Chamberset torise again

DORSET Police responded on 7th October to a report that a man wascarrying a gun in the East Street area of Blandford just before 8.30pm. Firearms officers located and seized an air rifle inside a flat in EastStreet. There were no reports that the rifle had been fired. Officersand the Police helicopter conducted a search of the area and theman was not found.It is understood that an injunction was later sought by SpectrumHousing and granted at Bournemouth County Court, banning theperson concerned from Pines Court and its environs.

Gun scare prompts police helicopter search

November 20146

Prama's marketing manager Paula Jones and chief executive Jeff Russell at theshop opening, with Mayor of Blandford Steve Hitchings, PramaFair shop man-ager Nikki Edwards, assistant Aaron Head and Prama trustee John Simmons.

DORSET-based home-care char-ity Prama opened its new fairtrade shop 'PramaFair' inBlandford on 7th October.Among the guests was JennieRake, whose fair trade shopacross the road in SalisburyStreet closed when she and hus-band David retired earlier thisyear.Trustee John Simmons said: "Itis lovely to have Jennie here onthis very special day for us,because it was her vision to havefair trade in Blandford thatsparked what we have heretoday to support people living inthe community and sell thingsproduced across the world in afair way."Prama chief executive officer JeffRussell said: "We are alwaysseeking ways to improve the livesfor many in our community and toraise awareness of those livingwith dementia, so to have theopportunity to generate incomethrough fair trading is ideal."With more income we can pro-vide more subsidised care for

those on low incomes andincrease the range of addedactivities to tackle loneliness andisolation experienced by olderpeople across Dorset."Mayor of Blandford SteveHitchings, who cut the ribbon toopen the store, said it had beensad to see one shop close butexciting to see another open, itsvision transferred from one prop-erty to another.Shop manager is Nikki Peacock,who said: "We will be sourcingour products from a range ofsuppliers, focusing on quality anditems that can't be easily boughtelsewhere."

Prama givesfair trade anew outlet

THREE local businesses havebeen nominated as finalists inthe Taste of Dorset Awards,whose results will beannounced at a presentationnight at the George AlbertHotel in Evershot, with guestValerie Singleton, on 3rdNovember.The Home Farm shop, TarrantGunville, is nominated in theindependent tearoom, cafe orsnack bar category; theLangton Arms, TarrantMonkton, is nominated for aninnovation award; and TheCricketers, Iwerne Courtney,is nominated as best restau-rant or dining pub.

It’s all change forthe town bus stopsCHANGES are being made to thebus stops in Blandford town centreused by services X9 and X10.John Cummings of Dorset CountyCouncil said: "The main reason isto improve connections to andfrom Poole on service X8 and toreduce the number of buses layingover on the East Street/MarketPlace bus stop."From Monday 3rd November, bothX9 and X10 services will continueto arrive at the East Street/MarketPlace stop where connections canbe made with service X8 to Poole.Most journeys on X9 will then con-tinue to Blandford St Mary (Tesco). Service X9 will start its return jour-neys from Blandford St Mary(Tesco) running via Chettell Wayand Pidgeon Close to theBlandford West Street/Crown Hotelstop where it will pick up for jour-neys to Shaftesbury andGillingham. It will no longer pick upat the East Street/Market Placebus stop.Service X10 will now start fromand only pick up at BlandfordWest Street/Crown Hotel for jour-neys to Sturminster Newton,Marnhull, Stalbridge, Sherborneand Yeovil. It will not pick up pas-sengers from the EastStreet/Market Place stop.Both services will connect with

journeys from Poole on service X8at the West Street/Crown Hotelbus stop.Mr Cummings said: "Passengersjust have to get off the X9 or X10arriving in East Street and the X8should arrive soon after for jour-neys to Poole. In the other direc-tion passengers get off the X8 atthe West Street/Crown Hotel stopand the X9 or X10 will arrive soonafter for Shaftesbury andSturminster Newton."Services 185, 309, 310 and 368will continue to use the EastStreet/Market Place stop for depar-tures and arrivals.The DT11 Transport Action Grouphave produced a leaflet detailingbus services and community trans-port services available in thewhole of the DT11 area. Nic Nicol, chairman of DT11, said:"This proves the value of transportaction groups and collaborationwith DCC's Transport Services.Thanks to input from DT11 TAGmembers, from 1st November, itwill no longer be necessary for buspassengers to walk from EastStreet to West Street and viceversa, to achieve an onward con-nection, and timetable changeshave been made to provide aBlandford to Wimborne servicewithout going via Poole."

Stella’s follow-up published LOCAL author Stella Baldwin, whose first book 'Molly's Mary' followedher research into Kingston-upon-Thames in the 1880s, has now pub-lished her second, 'A Day in the Life of ...'It is a collection of seven stories relating to subjects as varied asWorld War One and Beethoven, all intended for girls and boys agedaround 10. She said: "They are designed to entertain but also toinform."Copies are available for sale from the Blandford Tourist InformationCentre in West Street.

November 2014 7

Downpours forcea rethink oversteam fair plans

Delays in the flu queue

Crash driver’s jail warning

The Commemoration Group team serving up refreshments at the interval.

BLANDFORD's World War One Commemoration Group hosted a mov-ing performance in the Corn Exchange of Women of World War One,a specially commissioned tribute, in words, music and images, to therole of women during the conflict.Trio Paradis provided the music, works of female composers, andPetra Schofield and Barbara Ingledew the spoken commentary ofwords from the diaries, autobiographies and letters of well and lesserknown women a century ago. It was set against the background of afilm of archive material made by Polly Nash and Liberty Smith.There was an informative display illustrating the lives of those remem-bered in the performance. Refreshments served at the interval includ-ed cakes made with ingredients of the time.

Wartime women tribute

GREAT Dorset Steam Fair organ-isers have admitted they need toreview their processes and infra-structure of the late-Augustevent, which in recent years hasbeen beset by wet weather.Many of those attending lastmonth's 'wash-up' meeting toexamine how the event had gonereferred to the serious problemsencountered by those seeking toaccess the disabled parking area. Managing director Martin Oliversaid this year had been one ofthe worst because of the rainarriving on the days before thefair opened, when heavy equip-ment was trying to get onto thesite and had to be towed in,churning up the entrances."They were conditions whichwould have tested any eventorganiser, and although we havean experienced team, the firstthree days were very bad finan-cially because of media reports. Ifit happens again we need to bemore geared up and havealready discussed more road-ways and hard standings overthe next five years to get trafficoff the main road."Technical director Julian Hubbucksaid: "We are going to have toput more infrastructure into theshowground."The meeting was told that the

inch of rain which fell represented22,500 gallons of water.Landowner Robin Hooper com-mented that September had beenthe driest in 50 years.There were also repeated con-cerns about the failure of mobilephone networks to cope with highvolume of calls, due largely toonly one, O2, bringing in a tem-porary mast.Mr Oliver said: "They have a dutyto provide a network and signal fortheir subscribers." It was agreedthat an approach should be madeto Ofcom and the companiesthemselves to resolve the issue.Companies had argued that theydid not have a budget and thesteam fair, the biggest andlongest event in North Dorset, didnot meet their criteria for the sup-ply of temporary masts. Themeeting was told it had been abig issue for the temporary policestation on the site.Hilary Fildes, Tarrant Hintonparish clerk, reported a "fairamount of resentment" at thetwo-mile 30mph limit imposed onthe A354 the week before the fairopened when the amount of traf-fic did not justify it. CouncillorSimon Tong from Gussage StMichael said it would be helpfulto see the outcome of the reviewcarried out last year.

PATIENTS with the Whitecliff Surgery in Whitecliff Mill Street,Blandford, have received an apology from the practice for the delaysexperienced by many arriving for their annual flu jabs.People were reported to be waiting for up to 40 minutes in a queuewhich stretched down the road.Carol Tilley said the reason was partly due to some doctors startingthe clinics later than anticipated, but also patients disregarding theirappointment times and arriving early. "As partners we will be having an in-depth review of this incident andwish to assure you that we will learn from this."

A BLANDFORD man has been warned he could face jail after killing apensioner in a crash while drink-driving. Stuart Rosoman, 51, of Victoria Road, was found guilty at DorchesterCrown Court of causing death while driving while unfit through drink atMilborne St Andrew on May 15 last year.His car was in collision with that of David Waterland, 68, of Wareham,who was pronounced dead at the scene. Rosoman was released on bail for preparation of a pre-sentencereport, and will be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on 4thNovember.

November 20148

Fast broadband ison the way at last

THE Three OkefordsPreservation Society staged itsannual end-of-season steam-up at Shillingstone Station on11th and 12th October.Steam engines and interestingvintage road vehicles were ondisplay, and there was someold-fashioned entertainment,with hot food, live music,refreshments and the bar inthe 1951 Mk1 Buffet coach nowinstalled on the track.The following Saturday there

was a steam-up at the Old Oxin Shillingstone.The Society enjoyed a suc-cessful show and rally atShillingstone in May and, at itsannual dinner on Saturday 8thNovember at The Olive Bowl inGillingham, will be presenting£5,000 in donations to chari-ties. For more information about thesociety, see their website atthreeokefordspreservationsoci-ety.co.uk.

Shillingstone station retail manager DerekLester-Jones with Craig and Tom Antell andtheir traction engine, Wally.

A steaming good effort

RESIDENTS and businessesacross North Dorset will benefitfrom faster, more reliable broad-band in 2015 as part of Dorset'smulti-million pound rollout of fibrebroadband.Superfast Dorset have announcedthat engineering work is alreadyunderway on the third phase ofthe programme, which by nextspring is expected to makeimproved internet speeds avail-able to 9,000 properties in com-munities in the exchange areas ofBlandford, Bourton, Child Okeford,Fontmell Magna, Gillingham,Hazelbury Bryan, Marnhull, MiltonAbbas, Shaftesbury andSturminster Newton.This third phase builds on thework of the private sector whichhas already made fibre broadbandavailable to most of Dorset'stowns, including the majority ofproperties in Blandford, Gillinghamand Shaftesbury.The programme, a partnershipbetween Government, BT andDorset's councils, will continuework in future phases to reach anestimated 17,000 premises by theend of 2016 in North Dorsetalone.Following the announcement at

the Community PartnershipsExecutive North Dorset meeting atNorth Dorset's council chamber,council leader Deborah Croneysaid: "This will make a huge differ-ence across the county to familiesand business, especially in ourisolated communities. People inrural areas, including much ofNorth Dorset, currently strugglewith frustratingly slow speeds."The Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC)technology being widely usedthroughout the programme candeliver download speeds of up to80Mbps and upload speeds of upto 20Mbps through fibre running toa fibre optic street cabinet.According to regulator Ofcom, thecurrent average download speedin Dorset is 10.9Mbps. In manyrural areas, it is much lower.Once in place, the fibre optic net-work is available on an openwholesale basis to all broadbandproviders, which will ensure com-petitive pricing and a wide choiceof suppliers for local householdsand businesses.A map showing the Phase 3 area,as well as an interactive coveragemap of the whole project, is avail-able on the project's website atdorsetforyou.com/superfast.

Exercise on offerBLANDFORD Leisure Centre's Everyone Active exercise referralscheme is a 12-week tailor-made package of sessions designedspecially for people with, or at risk of developing, health problems.The programme can be developed for those with a wide range ofconditions. Qualified instructors at the leisure centre work withparticipants to make it suitable for their specific conditions, withactivities such as gym-based exercise, light circuit training, groupexercise classes, swimming, water-based exercise and walking,Accessing the scheme needs the support of a GP or other health-care professional who will contact the centre to refer an individual.To find out more, call or visit the centre in Milldown Road, andspeak to Kelly Cornick, Exercise Referral Co-ordinator, or emailkellycornick@everyoneactive.com.

November 2014 9

Jean Wellings briefly reunited with her foster dogs Ebony and Tara at the dogshow at Iwerne Minster.

AT LEAST three dogs were foundnew homes when Pound PuppyAnimal Rescue held a fundraisingfun dog show on the Parish Fieldin Iwerne Minster.Resident Jean Wellings wasbriefly reunited with the elderly toypoodles and long-term PPAR fos-ter dogs, Ebony and Tara, thatshe had fostered for six monthsbefore reluctantly having to givethem up.Prizes for first and second placewinners in all 14 competitionclasses were donated by HealthyPets (Blandford) Ltd, with raffleprizes from local businesses. Bestin show went to a greyhound, withreserve to a dachshund.There was a demonstration ofdancing dogs from Purbeck AgilityGroup by Sarah Turnbull andCarol Bentley, whose performancecollie was a PPAR dog rehomedwith her five years ago.

A total of £750 was raised to helppay for veterinary treatment,which currently costs PPAR about£4,000 per month. Villagers werethanked for their support, particu-larly Jim Beck, whose dog Honeywas a PPAR dog and who spon-sored the hire of the field.Sadly the day was somewhatmarred when it was discoveredthat several doggy treat prizesfrom the display table were miss-ing, believed stolen, to the disap-pointment of winners who had toaccept rosettes only.PPAR, who rely on foster carersto look after animals until they arefound homes, could still be lookingfor a long-term foster home forEbony and Tara. Anyone who would like to offer ananimal a foster or permanenthome can contact Jayne on 07736176613 (daytime only) or visitpoundpuppy.info.

Fun show gatheringhelps dogs find homes

Reprieve for policefront desk serviceBLANDFORD police station'sfront counter service has beensaved, on two days a week, fol-lowing a review of servicesaimed at reducing the DorsetPolice Authority budget and sur-veys revealing that many frontcounters were little used.Initial plans were to close allcounter services outside ofBournemouth, Poole, ForceHeadquarters at Winfrith,Swanage and Weymouth, whichwould realise essential savings.In direct response to consulta-tion, and powerful feedback fromthe public and stakeholders,these plans have been revised.In a joint letter from ChiefConstable Debbie Wilson andPolice Crime CommissionerMartyn Underhill, to the Mayor ofBlandford Steve Hitchings, theysay: "Continued reductions incentral government fundingrequire the Force to find signifi-cant further savings during thecurrent comprehensive spendingreview of around £9.5 millionand we are all well aware thatausterity is highly likely to con-tinue well into the nextParliament."Plans have been revised inresponse to the consultation,and savings have been reduced,but we are still capable ofachieving a further reduction in

excess of £700,000 per yearfrom our operating costs andpotentially between £6m to £8min capital receipts."A service will be retained atBlandford, Gillingham andSherborne, each opening twodays per week, providing a moreeven spread geographicallyacross the county and reducingjourney times for the public,although because of staff short-ages they remain variable, andpeople are advised to check onservice 101 to confirm openingdays and hours."As part of its review of estates,the Police Authority has alsointroduced response hubs result-ing in traffic officers since 30thSeptember being based atBlandford, where they start andend their shifts covering thewhole of North Dorset.Councillor Hugo Mievlle, chair-man of the town council's townand general purposes commit-tee, welcomed the decisionwhich safeguarded the future ofthe Blandford police station.Safer Neighbourhood Teamsremain in place in the town andnow have their own dedicatedsergeant. North Dorset inspectorRob Chalkley said they werebeginning to see the fruits of thelabours of the dedicated team.

November 201410

Quilterscelebrate20 years . .

. . and thestitcherskeep busy

John Staytwins townby-election

THE Long Meadow Quilters ofPatchworker's Paradise celebrat-ed 20 years of quilting and stitch-ing with an exhibition inShillingstone Church Centre.Every room, corridor, nook andcranny of the former primaryschool was filled with quilts andpatchwork items large and small,including the refreshment areawhere there was also seating inwhich people could relax andchat about their work.The group of around two dozenseamstresses began in June1994 under the leadership ofRowena Ellis, who started teach-ing patchwork and quilting in1985, and was named after herhome in Shillingstone and busi-ness, then in Blandford.Since their first annual exhibition,held in the Portman Hall,Shillingstone, they have raisedthousands of pounds for variouscharities as well as making cotquilts and other items for needychildren in this country andabroad.Funds raised this year will go tothe Ducks & Drakes ColonCancer Trust and to HomeStart,the charity supporting childrenand families in North Dorset.

Some of the two dozen members of the Long MeadowQuilters of Patchworker's Paradise with, seated centre,Rowena Ellis, who founded the group 20 years ago.

Members of 'Stitch, Knit & Knot'with some of their work.

'STITCH, Knit & Knot' is a groupof lively ladies who meet once aweek in the Blandford'sWoodhouse Gardens Pavilion.Originally known as Knit &Crochet Blandford, the group,which meets on Wednesdays at2pm to share skills and learn newones, is now looking at differentcrafts and techniques involvingmaking stitches and knots, fromknitting and crochet to tatting andpatchwork. Last winter, members knitted hatsfor the chemotherapy units atPoole and Dorchester hospitals,and this year some are alreadyknitting for the premature babyunits at local hospitals with morecharity projects in the pipeline.More information can be found onthe Stitch, Knit & Knot Facebookpage, by going along for a chatand a cup of tea and cake, or bycalling 07743 483155.

SERVING North Dorset Districtand Blandford St Mary Parishcouncillor John Stayt won theBlandford Town Council by-election on 4th October to fillthe vacancy caused by thedeath of Councillor AndrewPemberton.In a 19.7% turnout, he polled136 votes, well ahead of thetwo other candidates AdrianFord, who polled 87, andDuncan Smith, who polled 70.Cllr Stayt, a Conservative, tookhis seat at the town council'splanning committee meetingthe following Monday.Forum Focus apologises toCllr Stayt for an error in theOctober issue indicating hehad campaigned against thewithdrawal of the proposal fordevelopment on the CrownMeadows, when in fact hecampaigned for it.

www.forumfocus.co.uk

November 2014 11

Some of the people who signed up to the Blandford Park Run coinciding with the Health and Wellbeing Expo.

THREE days of displays, demon-strations and 'have a go' ses-sions in Blandford gave peoplethe opportunity to find out aboutall they needed to know toimprove their health and wellbe-ing.The exhibition, organised by theDT11 Forum community partner-ship in association with the NHSDorset Clinical CommissioningGroup in the Sealy Suite of theCrown Hotel, ran alongsidetaster sessions around the town,including a cycle ride, canoeing,a guided walk and exerciseclasses at the Leisure Centre.Among the exhibitors were theFriendly Food Club, which offerscookery workshops preparingtasty and economical food inBlandford, Gillingham andSherborne, whose dishes wereprepared on site, and Knees UpBlandford who gave a display ofchair-based exercise.Subjects covered in over twodozen presentations includedosteoporosis, dementia, chi-

ropody, child care, complementa-ry treatments, long-term condi-tions and disabilities, cardiologyand heart disease and elementaltai chi. Other activities includedhandbell ringing, running, bowlsand pottery.In addition to welcoming over 250members of the public who couldsign up to their GP practicepatient participation groups andlearn about treatments and serv-ices available in the community,those offering the treatments andservices were able to find outabout others in the area which

could be of benefit to theirclients.Mayor of Blandford SteveHitchings, who officially openedthe event, said: "Sometimes theopportunity to network with otherprofessionals and voluntary serv-ices is just as important as publi-cising them to the community."He described the event as "cru-cial" to the wellbeing of the com-munity in Blandford and the DT11area.See more pictures on our web-site.

Health advice well received

CAMPAIGNERS against a controversial trade deal between the EUand US gathered in Blandford Market Place to raise awareness ofthe Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which theysay will threaten public services in the UK.The demonstration coincided with a Europe-wide day of actionbacked by a petition signed by more than 180,000 people toincrease pressure on the EU to modify or reject the agreement.

Protest against trade deal

BRITAIN'S Got Talent finalistSam Kelly will be appearingwith his trio at the RailwayHotel in Blandford on 6thNovember at 8.30pm.One of the fastest-rising per-formers on the British folk cir-cuit, the 21-year-old singer,songwriter and multi-instru-mentalist hails from Norfolk,and as a young child learntGaelic songs from his Irishgrandfather. He reached the final of ITV's'Britain's Got Talent' in 2012and his debut EP 'Your WayHome' was released in Marchlast year, featuring Beth Porterof the Eliza Carthy Band oncello.He now tours with his band,Jamie Francis on banjo andEvan Carson on bodhran (Irishdrum) who, as the Sam KellyTrio, receive glowing reviewsfrom punters at every gig theyplay.

TV’s Sam atthe Railway

November 201412

Parents in row overvillage hall parking

Bob Walter MP with a representative of Dometic at the Southampton Boat Show.Photo courtesy of onEdition.

NORTH Dorset MP Bob Walter met a number of marine companiesbased in his constituency at the PSP Southampton Boat Show.They included Dometic Ltd of Blandford St Mary, suppliers of marineequipment to yacht builders, military and commercial shipbuildersworldwide, and Q-Marine from Charlton Marshall, distributors forYelling Yachts, two of the nine North Dorset-based businesses that aremembers of the British Marine Federation, which organised the event.Marine companies are a vital part of the Dorset economy, with 231firms operating in the county with combined revenues of £443.2 millionand £259.7 million in international trade.Mr Walter said: "As a keen sailor and member of the Sailing & MarineLeisure All Party Parliamentary Group, it was really interesting to meetbusinesses based in my own North Dorset constituency."

MP meets local marine firms

LONG-standing parking problemsoutside Durweston PrimarySchool and village hall resulted ina police presence at drop-off andpick-up times last month in a bidto resolve the conflict betweenparents bringing their children toschool and those using the hall.Repeated requests by the schoolto parents to avoid parking in thehall car park have now resulted ininformation being supplied regu-larly in the school newsletter alert-ing them to the days on which thevillage hall has bookings.They were warned of a very realpossibility that the hall could with-draw the permission it gave forparents to park there becausesome were continuously ignoringcones indicating that the hall hada booking.Resident Peter Collins said: "Weare fed up with being held to ran-som by the bad parking and ver-bal abuse of parents whose chil-dren attend Durweston villageschool."Those who send their children toschool from outside Durwestonshould realise that it is an earned

privilege that they drive their chil-dren to school. There is a schoolbus that could pick up most ofthem and it should be a conditionof sending children from out ofcatchment area that they go onthe bus. "If they insist on driving theyshould be given a permit whichcan be withdrawn if there arecomplaints of bad parking or simi-lar."In over two years the situationhas just got worse, and if resi-dents complain to the school,council or even the police, theyjust get passed from pillar topost."The school has thanked thoseparents who have tried to avoidthe areas requested, but saysthere are many who do not.It has suggested to parents thatthey consider car sharing or park-ing at a distance from the school,and reminded parents the hall carpark is a private one and that theyshould not park in the entrance topeople's driveways, in narrowparts of the road, on private landor in the bus stop.

November 2014 13

WILLIAM Matthews, 17, fromChettle, has raised a phenome-nal £2,275 with a skydive from15,000 feet in aid of DiverseAbilities Plus, the charity thatsupports over 600 children andadults with disabilities in Dorset.Born with a chromosomal disor-der, William regularly visits thecharity's Children's Team andgoes on organised days out andenjoys fun activities, like anyother teenager, with the supportof Diverse Abilities staff. William chose to undertake askydive and raise funds for thecharity to say thank you, andaccepted money instead of pres-ents for his birthday and atChristmas to fund the challengeso that every penny raised wentstraight to the charity. His mother Julie volunteered tojump with him in case he pan-icked on the day, but William

took it all in his stride - it wasJulie who was terrified.William said: "I really enjoyed theskydive experience and definitelywant to do it again. I would liketo say a massive thank you toeveryone that has sponsoredme."William's dad Richard Matthewssaid: "Both Julie and I are everso proud of William for choosingto forgo his presents to pay forhis skydive and the fact heraised such an amazing amountof money for a charity close to allour hearts."To sponsor them and raise fundsfor Diverse Abilities Plus, go tojustgiving.com/WilliamandJulieMatthews To take part in a skydive yourselfin support of the charity, emailSharon.wells@diverseabilities-plus.org.uk or call 01202718266.

William Matthews and his mum Julie who skydived for charity Diverse Abilities.

William jumps to itin charity skydive

November 201414 MUSIC

NORTH Dorset's Mill Singers Male Voice Choir (above), whose galaconcert in Blandford Corn Exchange in May raised over £800 for choirfunds, is making a return visit to the town on Saturday 22ndNovember, this time in support of the parish church's Cupola Project.The choir has two main objectives: to give singers an opportunity toenjoy a sociable male voice musical activity and to perform concertsfor charitable organisations attempting to raise money. Over the 20years since its foundation, it has raised over £50,000 through charita-ble performances.Local singers who would like to attend their rehearsals in ChildOkeford to find out whether they would like to join them can find moreinformation on the website at themillsingers.co.uk.

Milling about for charity

Quire revives musicfrom bygone days

THIS term's music appreciation course at the Dorset Rural Music Schoolin The Close, Blandford, is focusing on 'The Symphony', and during theeight-week course is looking at some of the best-known and lesser-known examples. Classes are on Thursday afternoons from 2.15 to3.45pm. Details 01258 452511 or office@drmsmusic.demon.co.uk.

THE Purbeck Village Quire sup-ported the Cupola Project on 4thOctober with a concert in theparish church which unfortunatelyclashed with the Music from theMovies concert by the Stour ValleyBand in the Corn Exchange.Nevertheless, a total of over £200was raised during a 'Harvest ofLand and Sea' - traditional 1850schurch and village music from theera of Thomas Hardy with seashanties and folk songs, accom-panied by a ploughman's supperand apple pie.The quire, which this year cele-brates its 25th anniversary as StPeter & St Paul celebrates the275th anniversary of its reopeningafter being rebuilt after the 1731fire, is a group of singers and

instrumentalists who enjoy meet-ing together to perform 'WestGallery' and folk music.Much was composed by peoplewho lived and worked in thePurbeck villages, and theybrought back the days, up toabout 1860, when singing in mostEnglish churches and chapelswas led, not by an organ, but by aquire usually situated in thechurches' west gallery. The singers and instrumentalists -village recruits, trained and taughtto read music by the choirmasteror parish clerk - also played for vil-lage dances and led the militiaparades, and developed their ownstyle, blending aspects of contem-porary art music with folk music,and composing their own tunes.

Members of the Purbeck Village Quire in the gallery of Blandford Parish Church.

MEMBERS of Blandford Choral Society were joined by theSherborne Singers and Sherborne Young Singers for a charity con-cert directed by William Slogrove in support of Bryanston RDA atthe Shillingstone Church Centre on 11th October.The programme of autumnal music entitled 'Winter is a cumin' in'included a performance of 'Captain Noah and his floating zoo' byMichael Flanders and Joseph Horovitz.The choral society and singers will be joining forces again at TheBlandford School on 1st November for an open singing day focus-ing on Carl Orff's Carmina Burana between 10am and 5.15pm For more information call Madeleine Bridle on 01258 454811, emailmadeleinebridle@btinternet.com or see blandfordchoral.plus.com.

Choral concert for RDA

November 2014 15MUSIC

ONE of the region's leading chamber choirs, BournemouthSinfonietta Choir (pictured above), is combining with the talentedyoung singers and players of Sherborne Girls in a programme ofmusic from the baroque to the present day in Blandford ParishChurch on Saturday 8th November at 7.30pm.Choir chairman Nigel Wyatt said: "We are looking forward toworking with these promising young musicians in what should bea memorable concert for all concerned."This will be the third time Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir andSherborne Girls have appeared together, but it will be a first forBlandford. Previous combined concerts have proved very popularwith both audiences and participants.The programme includes favourite anthems by Purcell andMonteverdi, together with Benjamin Britten's A Boy was Bornwhich combines young voices with those of an adult choir in oneof his earliest compositions.Tickets are available from the choir's website and at the door.

Chamber choir in church

Full house and a flagfinale for band concertTHERE was a full house for aMusic from the Movies concertgiven by the Stour Valley Bandin Blandford Corn Exchange insupport of themselves as thecharity for the year chosen byMayor of Blandford SteveHitchings.The band, directed by TimStankus, was joined on stage bythe choirs of Archbishop Wakeand Milldown Primary Schools,

and by soloists Amy Lillywhiteand Bill Moulton, and the con-cert ended with a rousing cho-rus, complete with flag waving,from the finale of the Last Nightof the Proms.The event on Saturday 4thOctober raised around £620,and will be followed by a furtherconcert with a Christmas themeon Sunday 7th December for thesame causes.

WORLD War One tribute'Poppies Red and CornflowersBlue', developed by local folkgroup Poachers's Moon and pre-miered at Durweston in February,is coming to Blandford CornExchange on Friday November7th, just two days beforeRemembrance Sunday.John Anderson from Charlton onthe Hill has been overwhelmedby the enthusiastic response tohis latest production, which com-memorates the journey taken byDorset soldiers in the Great Warand has been well received byaudiences across the south ofEngland. Told with his original music andsongs, poems from the trenchesand narrative from letters senthome from the front, it is accom-panied by projected images as abackdrop. They are true storiesof local families told with ele-ments of humour and respectful

sensitivity as a result of a hugeamount of research over morethan two years by John andDorset storyteller Peter Gritton.Poacher's Moon are well knownin the area for their lovely musi-cal interpretation and rich har-monies. They consist of John andRay Tower, Caroline Anderson,Christina Harden and GillRedmond, and are joined for theperformance by Peter as a sol-dier in the trenches.The show, starting at 7.30pm,offers the audience the opportuni-ty to join in with the commemora-tion by singing songs whoselyrics will be projected on screen,and to learn more about the livesof soldiers and their families,including the Cotterell family fromCorfe and Jack Counter fromBlandford.Tickets are available by calling01258 488640 or by emailingcastintime11@googlemail.com.

Great War tribute inRemembrance week

www.forumfocus.co.uk

November 201416

MACMILLAN Cancer Support has been presented with a cheque formore than £134,000, the result of 12 months fundraising by teammembers at Hall & Woodhouse up to September 2014.This year's fundraising has got off to a good start with a five-a-sidefootball tournament, the Macmillan 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' on26th September, followed by the second annual Badger Beer Festivalat the brewery on the 27th September with brews from over a dozensouth-west breweries.Music was provided by contemporary folk band Brementown, vaude-ville band The Tin Pan Allies and the three-piece ukulele band TheMother Ukers. There was also a silent auction with prizes including abeer tasting session and chance to win a person's height in beer.Fundraising activities at the Crown Hotel have included a quiz night on1st October, and on 26th November there will be tabletop salebetween 10am and 2pm.

Brewery’s charity cash The Badger Brewery Beerfest in September.

Jennie Ann Rake with her secondnovel, 'Forgetting Mr Nice Guy'.

LOCAL author Jennie Ann Rakelaunched her second novel,'Forgetting Mr Nice Guy', at apresentation in The ParishCentre in Blandford and is look-ing forward to a similarly warmreception for it as for her first,'Deception, Lies and ChocolateMuffins'.Published less than a year afterher debut novel, she said manypeople were surprised at thespeed with which she had pro-duced her second tome. "I wasable to learn from the experienceof having the first edited, andavoid mistakes I had made," shesaid.Both were written during quietperiods when she managed thefair trade shop in Salisbury Streetfrom which she and her husbandDavid have now retired.A former primary school teacher,she says that, like her first novel,the new book is based on herown experiences, and some ofthe characters are based on peo-ple she has met. 'Forgetting Mr Nice Guy' (ISBN

number 9781843869849) is onsale in local bookshops andavailable from Pegasus (pega-suspublishers.com) or from theauthor at jennierake@aol.com.

A second novel byex-teacher Jennie

November 2014 17

A STEADY flow of visitorsenjoyed the sunshine at theBlandford Royal British Legion'sannual car show on the Marshand Ham, which this yearextended on to the grass allow-ing more space for children andadults to enjoy the entertainmentprovided.There was also a fun dog showon the lower Ham which was wellsupported and judged by TracyFranklin of Muddy Puddles dogwalking service. In the vehicle area, along withthe classic cars and Subarus, theBlandford police safer neighbour-hood team were on duty withtheir bike, car and promotion ofthe various watch schemes, andin the grassed area were theinflatables guaranteed to drawthe youngsters.There were also a number ofcharity, pet, craft and refresh-ments stalls, a raffle and aRemembrance balloon release.Show organisers paid tribute tothe late Len Melling ofWeymouth Vehicle Preservation

Ann and Bill Farrow of Orchard Street, Blandford, with Ann's 1969 Fiat 850Sports Coupé. Bill is also the proud owner of a 1971 Morgan.

Classic cars pull the crowds

Society, a supporter of the carshow, by presenting to his part-ner Marie Wyatt a trophy in hisname to be awarded to the bestentry from club members. It wentto Steve Matthews with a Ford

Capri.Mr Melling, of Higher Ansty, whodied on 14th August in theJoseph Weld Hospice, aged 77,was for many years the jointorganiser with Marie of regularcar rallies around Dorset, includ-ing the New Year's Day rallywhich this year passed throughBlandford.See more pictures on our web-site.

Rotary takeriver routeTHE riverside path along-side the Stour in Blandfordhas been officially designat-ed the Rotary Way in recog-nition of the project to makeit more accessible to thedisabled and general public.Blandford Rotary presidentSteve Adamson said: "Thenew Rotary Way sign on theall-weather path betweenthe blue and black bridgescelebrates our support forGraham Stanley and theDorset Rangers in improv-ing public access to theBlandford Meadows."

Blandford Rotary Satellite Group members Greta Chippendale, Judy Adams andSylvia Hixson-Andrews and Blandford Rotary president Steve Adamson withGail del Pinto of the Blandford Food Bank outside the Crown Hotel.

BLANDFORD Rotary PresidentSteve Adamson and members ofthe Blandford Rotary SatelliteGroup presented a cheque for£272 to Gail del Pinto, managerof the Blandford Food Bank. Part of the sum was raised at a'small change collection' in theCorn Exchange and the rest

donated by the club following aninformative talk by Gail about thework the food bank does."The food bank needs cashdonations as well as food items,"said Gail. "This money will helpto meet our overheads such asstationery, publishing and phonebills."

Money for the bank

AGE Concern Blandford are looking for people with time to spend a fewhours a week volunteering to work with them offering information, adviceand a listening ear to the over-50s. It offers them a chance to learn andenhance their CV by working alongside a colleague to deal with enquiriesincluding helping with form filling, explaining how to get tax or benefitsadvice and housing assistance, or join a club. Full training will be given.More details from Carol on 01258 458250.

November 201418

NEWCOMERS from the DT11area were among the award win-ners at the 2014 Dorset BestVillage competition announcedat a presentation evening atMorden village hall.Only Pimperne, repeatedly suc-cessful in the large village cate-gory, saw more overall successby winning the previous winners'section, but there were runners-up awards for a number of vil-lages and projects, includingMilborne St Andrew's Bus2Gocommunity transport schemeand Iwerne Minster's villageshop.Winterborne Kingston was run-ner-up in the previous winnerlarge village section, and at theother end of the scale,Melcombe Horsey was runner-up in the hamlets category.

There was also a special prizefrom North Dorset DistrictCouncil for Charlton Marshall.This year Martinstown picked upthe first prize for the Best LargeVillage and Loders that for BestSmall Village.Awards were presented by BillTite, representing host districtcouncil Purbeck, Graham Colls,chief executive of main sponsorfor the last six years MagnaHousing, and representatives ofindividual class sponsors includ-ing the districts from which theentries came and Dorset CountyCouncil.Other top awards went toCharmouth's 'Shoreline' commu-nity magazine (project),Alderholt's village pond (greenproject) and Winfrith Newburgh(village shop).

Pimperne tops thebill in village contest

Councillor Derek Andrews of Pimperne receives the award for winner of the pre-vious winner large village section.

Tim Hill of Charlton Marshall receives a North Dorset District Council SpecialPrize from NDDC chairman Su Hunt.

Carol Eastment of Melcombe Horseywith the award for runner-up in thehamlets section.

Joint runner-up in the People'sProject, Bus2Go represented byMargo Kirk.

George Scott of Iwerne Minster receives the award for runner-up in Dorset'sBest Village Shop from Rupert Hardy of CPRE.

Margaret Selby of Winterborne Kingston receives the award as runner-up in theprevious winner large village category from Graham Colls, chief executive ofMagna Housing.

November 2014 19

Pick of the crop: youngsters at The Orchard pre-prep department of Knighton House School.

Home-spun harvest for pupils THE Orchard, Knighton HouseSchool's pre-prep with boys andgirls aged three to seven, had funcooking for their harvest lunch, athree-course lunch starting withyear one's home-made vegetablesoup and year two's Frenchbread. The nursery made the maincourse of pizzas and finally thereception class used their own'orchard' and hedgerows in theschool grounds to pick applesand fruit to make crumble. Thefeast was enjoyed by the staffand pupils. The main school started this aca-

demic year with a new head-mistress, Sarah Wicks, who,along with her husband Alan,understands Knighton House andits unique ethos.Having been deputy head for tenyears she knows the schoolinside out, and says: "The tradi-tions of scholarship, responsibilityand sensitivity established by ourfounders, John and PeggyBooker, remain at the heart of theschool's ethos today, as we striveto nurture natural talents andbuild confidence with which toface life's challenges." This summer's leavers achieved

places at their first choice of sec-ondary schools with a number ofscholarships to top independentschools, including St Mary'sCalne, Bryanston, SherborneGirls and Leweston. The children can enjoy ponies,rabbits, guinea pigs, residentbees, dens, the orchard andwoods, the chickens and thepygmy goats, which were onview at the open day on 11thOctober.

THE new Blandford ForumCamera Club season began withthe Chairman's Evening at whichguest speaker John Tilsley gavean insight into judging an image,and Marilyn Peddle gave presen-tations of her photographs con-trasting the landscape of Dorsetto that of Canada.Guest speakers during Septemberincluded Tim Whitney on photog-raphy of female models, MarkRigler on 'Convergence' - a studyof what the modern digital SLRcamera can do - Tim Whitney on

nude photography, Mike Read onthe endangered bird species andhabitat of New Zealand.The first Points Cup evening wasjudged by Zaid Meherali. The highstandard of work was evident withseven top scores of 10 beingawarded in the print section: TonyWard, David Chaloner, SallyChaloner, Norman Carey andPeter Gafney for three images;and with 9½ Brian Winkle, DavidChaloner, Eric Langley, DaveHurley, Ian Ferris, Peter Wattsand Christine Downs.There were five top scores amongthe projected images for AlanWicks, Eric Langley, JohnSavage, Howard Westlake andPaul Hunter, and with 9½ JohnSavage, Pat Catley and JeanBartlett with two images.Those interested in the club andits activities and requiring furtherdetails should contact DaveHurley on 01258 451895 or visitbfcclub.co.uk for details.

Standard high forphoto competition

HUNDREDS of pounds were raisedin the Blandford area for MacmillanCancer Support as part of theworld's biggest coffee morning. Atotal of £479.06 was raised at theConstitutional Club in SalisburyStreet, and £531.70, the highesttotal yet for Spetisbury, in the villagehall. A coffee morning hosted by theBlandford Regeneration group in theparish church and museum gardenraised £278.95.

Shoeboxtime againONCE again the two RotaryClubs of Blandford are participat-ing in the annual Christmas ShoeBox Appeal. Supporters fill shoe boxes,appropriate to the chosen age ofthe child, with toys, clothes andeducational items and wrap theboxes in Christmas paper.The boxes are collected, sortedand delivered by Rotariansdirectly into the hands of childrenin schools, hospitals and orphan-ages in some of the world's poor-est countries. For many of thechildren this colourful box of giftsmay be the only present theyreceive.A Rotary spokesman said: "Weare ever grateful for the generos-ity of supporters of this annualscheme - they can achieve adouble whammy by purchasinggoodies in local charity shops atthe same time saving money andsupporting the charity shops'efforts."To make up a shoe box or two,contact David and Julie Jaquesvia the websiteblandfordrotary.org.uk.

20 November 2014

Local men perishedin battleship disaster

The ill-fated battleship Bulwark.

HMS Good Hope, sunk off Chile.

The grave of Private Reginald Tanswell atBlandford Cemetery.

ON the afternoon of Thursday,26th November, 1914, WinstonChurchill made the following

statement to the House of Commons :"I regret to say I have some bad newsfor the house. The Bulwark battleship,which was lying in Sheerness thismorning, blew up at 7.35 o'clock. TheVice and Rear Admiral, who were pres-ent, have reported their conviction thatit was an internal magazine explosionwhich rent the ship asunder. There wasapparently no upheaval in the water,and the ship had entirely disappearedwhen the smoke had cleared away. Aninquiry will be held tomorrow whichmay possibly throw more light on theoccurrence. The loss of the ship doesnot sensibly affect the military position,but I regret to say the loss of life is verysevere. Only 12 men are saved. All theofficers and the rest of the crew, who, Isuppose, amounted to between 700 and800, have perished. I think the Housewould wish me to express on theirbehalf the deep sorrow with which theHouse heard the news, and their sympa-thy with those who have lost their rela-tives and friends."The subsequent inquiry and inquestconcluded that the explosion was likelyto have been caused by the overheatingof cordite charges that had been placedadjacent to a boiler room bulkhead.Among those to perish were two pri-vates in the Royal Marine LightInfantry, Reginald Charles Tanswell andGeorge Herbert Battrick.Reginald Tanswell was the second sonof widow Alice Catherine Tanswell andthe late William Albert of 3 AlexanderStreet, Blandford. Aged 19, he hadworked as a gardener before the war.His was one of only around 100 bodiesrecovered and he is buried in BlandfordCemetery. Mrs Tanswell was to lose herelder son Percival, a postman whobecame a Rifleman in the 3rd Battalion,King's Royal Rifle Corps, just sixmonths later when he died of wounds inMay 1915, aged 20. George Battrick was born inBlandford, the son of widow JaneBattrick, who lived in East Street, andthe late John Battrick, who had diedabout six months earlier. George's bodywas not recovered for burial, and he iscommemorated on the PortsmouthNaval Memorial as well as on theBlandford War Memorial.A third member of the Royal MarineLight Infantry, Private Steven HenryLambert, died aboard the HMS GoodHope when the cruiser was sunk at theBattle of Coronel off the Chilean coaston 1st November, 1914, aged 34.He was reported believed lost in the'Roll of Honour' in the CountyChronicle of 26th November.

The son of printer and clerk of the parish churchJames Alfred and Sarah J Lambert of 22 WhiteCliff Mill Street, Blandford, his body was notrecovered for burial, and he is commemorated onthe Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

THE Admiralty had announced, in September 1914,the organisation of a large number of men belongingto the Royal Marines, Royal Naval Volunteer Reservesand other naval reserves into a Royal Navy Division,which was established in November 1914 on the site ofa former racecourse on Monkton Down.The rapid building of the camp was something of anachievement, for all materials had to be brought infrom elsewhere to Blandford Forum railway stationand then by steam tractors and horses a further threemiles to the camp. In October men working at the camp went on strike,demanding an extra penny an hour, but were quicklyreplaced when they left after it was refused.A 9pm closure order for public houses in the town wasgranted 'for the good of the defence of the realm'because of the number of men employed at the campand in anticipation of troops arriving.On 12th November the County Chronicle reportedthat an advance party of the RND had arrived at theMonkton Down camp, and the first unit to arrive wasthe Nelson battalion at the end of that month.Numbers were to reach about 10,000.

10,000 based atMonkton Down

Extracts from the County ChronicleNovember 19th 1914Visiter in trouble: At the police court on Wednesday,before the Mayor and Mr W.E. Lawrence, JamesGibson, of no fixed abode, was charged with being onenclosed premises in Salisbury Street for the purposeof committing a felony. P.C. Otter stated he found theaccused on enclosed premises in the occupation ofMessrs Cherry and Sons. A mate of the defendant(Andrew Conway) stated they came from Liverpooland had been working on the Downs for five weeksas carpenters. Gibson was let off with the nominalsentence of one day's imprisonment.

November 26th 1914Intemporate: In the borough police court, before theMayor, Councillor S.J. Norman, William Hart, a car-penter employed at the camp, charged with beingdrunk and incapable. Pleaded guilty and fined 2s 6dand 2s 6d costs.

On Tuesday (24th November) some 1,000 men of theRoyal Naval Division arrived in Blandford to take uptheir quarters in the newly erected huts on theMonkton Downs. The men, who looked very fit, weremarched to their quarters, via Black Lane, headed bytheir fife and drum band. Residents at Pimperne havemen connected with the camp billeted upon them.

Forum Focus would like to thank theBlandford 14-18 Group and Peter Rederfor their help in researching this material.

November 2014 21SCHOOLS

Above: Steve Garbutt, station com-mander at Blandford, with pupils ofyears five and six at PimpernePrimary School and their Gold Awardcertificates.

Right: Niki Raper and Jack at thecake stall at Pimperne Primary PTA'sautumn fair with Stef Montgomery.

YEAR 5 and 6 pupils fromPimperne Primary School attend-ed Safewise in Weymouth tolearn about fire safety andbecame the first school in Dorsetto receive a gold award twoyears running.During their visit to the fire safetyawareness centre they raisedtheir understanding of the issuesfrom 51 to 87 per cent and noware in a position to share theinformation they learnt with theirpeers, family members and thecommunity.They made posters to go on dis-play in the village shop, and alsogave a presentation to a schoolassembly on fire safety, health,peer pressure, drugs, alcoholand first aid.Head teacher Jerome da Silvasaid he was very proud of hispupils in becoming the first inDorset to win the school its sec-ond gold award.The previous Saturday, theschool parent teacher associa-tion held its annual autumn fair inPimperne village hall, next to thesite where a new school is beingbuilt.There were gift and cake stalls, ateddy tombola and refreshments,and attendance by Dorset Fireand Rescue, the Dorset WildlifeTrust, as well as activities includ-

ing football, pony rides, facepainting and inflatables outsidethe hall. Inside was an array ofcrafts stalls.There will be an open day at theschool for those interested inlearning about its reception classon Saturday 15th Novemberbetween 10am and noon.

Pimpernepupils strikegold again

DURWESTON Primary School istaking part in a nationwide instru-ment amnesty, Don't Stop TheMusic, headed by internationallyrenowned classical pianist JamesRhodes in response to his con-cern about the state of musiceducation in Britain.He said: "Music saved my life. It'sthat powerful. We must giveevery child the opportunity tolearn a musical instrument.Young children have a hungerand thirst to learn music that issimply not being met."The amnesty coincided with aChannel 4 series Don't Stop TheMusic, which followed James ashe trialled the amnesty at a pri-mary school in Basildon. Durweston responded to anappeal to take part and was oneof 150 schools selected based onneed and a strong commitment

already shown to making musiceducation sustainable.The school will receive instru-ments as part of the plan formusic clubs to allow children totry a variety of instruments beforedeciding which they would like totake further. Head teacher LizWesley-Barker has already hadoffers of help from BryanstonSchool to help this dreambecome a reality.Oxfam, with its great reputationfor supporting music projectsand local communities, helpedJames by providing their net-work of nearly 700 shops acrossthe country as drop-off points,making it easy for people todonate their instruments to theamnesty.To find out more, visit theamnesty's dedicated websitedontstopthemusic.co.uk.

Durweston to benefitfrom music amnesty

November 201422

It’s always a busyschedule for the U3A

Milestone for literary journal

Members of 611 Comms Trg Troop from the Royal School of Signals taking partin the Bournemouth Marathon.

THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised over the last few monthsfor the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund by members of 611 (CommsTrg) Troop from the Royal School of Signals at Blandford Camp.Fundraising events in the area have included visiting supermarkets tohelp customers pack their shopping and raise awareness of how thecharity looks after past and present Royal Signals soldiers and theirdependants in times of need.They raised £2,438.94 at Tesco's Fleetsbridge store and £1,143.58 atAsda in Poole, and eight members of the Troop, who are part of 4 (MilTrg) Squadron, ran the Bournemouth Marathon. They all completedthe 26.2 miles as a team, helping to raise funds through sponsorship.To offer further sponsorship, visit their Just Giving page atjustgiving.com/611TroopBournemouthMarathon.

Troops run for charity

SEPTEMBER was a busy monthfor group leaders and members ofBlandford & District U3A(University of the Third Age).Many of the interest groups metafter a gap of a few weeks, andthere was a well attended openmeeting at Durweston with a talkby Kay Townsend on life with atravelling fairground.Members also took part in theDT11 Health & Wellbeing Eventwith a stand at The Crown andone member, John Draper, led awalk around the back lanes andgreen spaces of Blandford. InOctober there was a skittlesmatch between Blandford andSturminster Newton U3A at theOld Ox in Shillingstone.

Plans are now in hand for aninter-group entertainment at theopen meeting starting 2pm inDurweston village hall on Friday28th November which will reflectthe mystery and anticipation ofwinter and the coming Christmasfestivities.The U3A has 260 members and36 interest groups covering sub-jects as diverse as the history ofart, languages, music appreciation,walking and running, by membersfor members, with no exams orqualifications needed or distinctionbetween learners and teachers.For more information see theirwebsite blandfordu3a.co.uk orcontact Gill Jackson, membershipsecretary, on 01258.453376.

TEARS in the Fence, an independent tri-annual literary journal estab-lished in 1984 and edited by David Caddy of Durweston, celebrated its30th anniversary with a Poetry Festival at the White Horse, Stourpaine.There were readings, talks, discussion, bookstalls, displays, a festivalsupper, music from acoustic folk duo No Fixed Abode and book signingsin a large marquee. There was also a celebration of the centenary of thebirth on 27th October 1914 of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.The publication includes poetry, prose, translations, reviews and essaysby established writers from around the world. See tearsinthefence.com.

November 2014 23SPORT

Officials and guests at the top table at the Blandford United Football Club sports-man's dinner including (from left to right): MC Dave Thomson, club presidentMickey Westwood, ex-Arsenal player Ray Parlour and comedian Les Gibson.

Blandford United president MickeyWestwood and sportsman's dinnerorganiser Nigel Underwood with theBarclays Premier League Trophy.

MORE than 160 sat down to the Blandford UnitedFootball Club sportsman's dinner at the Crown Hotelin support of the Wessex Cancer Trust, the charityfor which the club has over the last four yearsraised close to £6,000.Members and guests had a chance to lay theirhands on the Barclays Premier League Trophywhich was on display in the foyer of the Sealy Suite.

They also had the opportunity to meet the formerArsenal and England player Ray Parlour, who wasguest speaker, along with comedian Les Gibson, afinalist on Britain's Got Talent.The evening, which included an auction, heads-and-tails game and raffle, was organised by NigelUnderwood, with proceeds matched by Barclays insupport of the charity.

Arsenal ace stars at charity dinner

AMONG the exhibitors at the Blandford Sport & Recreation Expoin the Corn Exchange in October were Paul Colver and DanDeakin, treasurer and chairman of Blandford Badminton Club (pic-tured), who are keen to recruit new members since many of theiryounger players have left the area to pursue their further educa-tion. The Expo was organised by the council as a successor to itssuccessful Community Expos to give local sport and recreationalclubs a platform to promote themselves to the public.

THE Ladies Championship heldat the Ashley Wood Golf Clubresulted in a win for the currentCounty Captain Sue Edwards,who retained her title.The competition is played over36 holes. It includes a handicapcategory and the shield was wonby Judith White.The winners received their tro-phies from Ladies Captain PennyMeaden, who also presented theOver-70s trophy to Gill Philip. The Sunday Ladies from the clubenjoyed a weekend away when,apart from their golfing activities,they raised £140 for the LadyCaptain's chosen charityMacmillan Cancer Care. Thewinner of their competitions, JoyWhite, then had to endure theIce Bucket Challenge - all in agood cause! There were mixed results for theSeniors of the club, who playedaway at Dudsbury Golf Club on abeautiful day and were beaten 5-1. The match at Crane Valleywas a much closer affair with theresult being a 3-3 draw, a fittingend to the fixtures between thetwo clubs. Ashley Wood thenhosted Highcliffe and had aresounding win by 5½ to ½.

Captain Suekeeps holdof her crown

Sturminster Marshall senior golfers on tour in Normandy meet themayor of St Mère Eglise, Stur’s twin town. They presented him witha mounted pin flag at a reception. They also visited many of the D-Day landing beaches and museums.

@forumfocus

NOVEMBERSaturday 1st November: RNLI Christmas sale & coffeemorning, The Church Room,Charlton Marshall, 10.30am to12.30pmScreenbites Finale, 'Chef', TheExchange, Sturminster Newton,see www.screenbites.co.ukForum Drama present 'Dreams ofHome', Corn Exchange,Blandford, 2.30 and 7.30pmSunday 2nd November:Lawsbrook, Brodham Way,Shillingstone, open for NationalGardens Scheme, 10am to 4pmWednesday 5th November: Blandford Forum Film Societypresents 'Before the Winter Chill',The Blandford School, 7.30pm,guest tickets 01258 453851Child Okeford Gardeners' Club,Mike Burke - 'Putting the Gardento Bed for the Winter', 7:30pm atthe Village HallThursday 6th November: Blandford Museum talk, TaniaKing and Flick Baker on work ona significant archaeological site inArmenia, 7.30pm, BlandfordMuseumBGT finalist Sam Kelly and Trioplay at The Railway Hotel,Blandford, 8.30pmMinistry of Entertainment presentNormal Service will be Resumed,Durweston village hall, (Artsreachpromotion), 7.30pmFriday 7th November: Poacher's Moon present'Cornflowers Blue and PoppiesRed', Corn Exchange, BlandfordMinistry of Entertainment presentNormal Service will be Resumed,Tarrant Gunville village hall,7.30pmNamvula, Pamela Hambro Hall,Winterborne Stickland, 7.30pmSaturday 8th November: Milldown Primary School Fair,Corn Exchange, Blandford, 9amto 1pm

Bus2Go Christmas Shopping tripto Castle Point, Bournemouth,details 01258 837749Annual Langton Long Parish barndance, buffet supper, auction andraffle, Corn Exchange, Blandford,6.30 to 9.30pm, tickets 01258456260 or 452246Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir inConcert with Sherborne GirlsMadrigal Society and StringOrchestra, Blandford ParishChurch, 7.30pm. Purcell,Monteverdi and BrittenSunday 9th November: Bus2Go trip to RemembranceSunday, Tank Museum,Bovington, details 01258 837749Shillingstone Service ofRemembrance, 10.30am at thewar memorialBlandford Remembrance Dayparade and service 2.45pmBlandford Market Place andParish ChurchO What a War, concert of prose,poetry and song commemoratingthe First World War, St John theBaptist Church, Spetisbury7.30pm. Tickets from TheWoodpecker or 01258 858964Thursday 13th November:Charity stall in Blandford IndoorMarket selling handknitting forChristmas in support of theAlzheimer's Society, from 9amBlandford Mortain TwinningAssociation annual general meet-ing, presentation and quiz, ParishCentre, Blandford, 7.30pmFriday 14th November: Farmers Market, BlandfordMarket PlaceCharity Auction, band and buffet,for the Childhood Eye CancerTrust, Crown Hotel, 7.30pm, tick-ets 01258 860150

Christmas Bingo, Child OkefordVillage Hall in aid of HallExtension FundSaturday 15th November: Pimperne Pre-school FestiveFair, Corn Exchange, Blandford,10am to 1pmCats Protection coffee morningand stalls, Woodhouse GardensPavilion, 10am to 1pmNew, Nearly New, & ChristmasSale, Child Okeford village hall, inaid of hall extension fund, 11.30to 3.30pmMonday 17th November:Blandford Club for VisuallyImpaired meets, WilliamsOpportunity Hall, WhitecliffGardens, Blandford, 2 to 4pm,singing with the WimborneVoices, contact Margaret Hemuson 07786 413616Wednesday 19th November: Blandford Carnival Bingo, RoyalBritish Legion, doors open 7pm,eyes down 7.30pmBlandford Forum Film Societypresents 'The 100-year-old manwho climbed out of the windowand disappeared', The BlandfordSchool, 7.30pm, guest tickets01258 453851Dorset Wildlife Trust North Dorsetbranch meet 7.30pm, FontmellMagna Village Hall for talk on'Climate Change' by FelicityHiggins from the Met OfficeThursday 20th November:Blandford Heart Forum.Blandford Hospital Restaurant2.30 to 4.30pm, speaker MikeRevans, ‘The NationalCoastwatch Institution’. Saturday 22nd November: Larksmead Pre-School ChristmasFair, Corn Exchange, Blandford,9am to 1pm

Mill Singers Male Voice Choir,Blandford Parish Church, sup-porting the Cupola ProjectSunday 23rd November:Storytelling with Amabel Clarke -'The Stories of Red Hanrahan byW B Yeats', Springhead Trust,Fontmell Magna, 7.30pmThe Whispering Road, SeriousKitchen, Milborne St Andrew vil-lage hall, (Artsreach promotion),7.30pmWednesday 26th November: Blandford Forum Townswomen'sGuild meets, WilliamsOpportunity Hall, WhitecliffGardens, Blandford, 2.15pm, MyYear as Mayor with Col R VBrannigan (Retd)Artizani present Six ImpossibleThings, Child Okeford village hall(Artsreach promotion), 7.30pmThursday 27th November andevery Thursday: Live music at theKings Arms, Whitecliff Mill Street,Blandford, from 8.30pmFriday 28th November: Blandford U3A open meeting,Durweston village hall, 2.15pm,admission £1 for U3A members,£2 for guests. For details seewww.blandfordu3a.co.uk or call01258 860191Christmas tree lighting andFather Christmas in the CornExchange, Blandford from 6pmSaturday 29th November: Blandford Lions Christmas CraftFayre, Corn Exchange, 9am to4pmIwerne Minster village pan-tomime, Village Club, 7.30pmDurweston Choral Society'sAutumn Soirée, 7 for 7.30 atDurweston Village Hall, Tickets£20 to include a drink on arrival,2 course dinner and choral enter-tainment. To book phone 01258472253Sunday 30th November:Durweston Primary SchoolChristmas Fair, DurwestonVillage Hall, 12 to 3pm

Entries in this diary are free of charge. If you have an event youwould like included, please send details to Nicci Brown, 01258

459346 or email s.n.b@btinternet.com. This page is available andregularly updated on our website at www.forumfocus.co.uk

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events

November 201424

Forum Focus is an independent, not-for-profit, community newspaper produced entirely by volunteers

AROUND three dozen people gathered on the Marshand Ham in Blandford as part of a worldwide cam-paign to highlight the World Climate meeting in NewYork.To the accompaniment of classic protest anthems,they marched with posters and banners they hadmade to the Corn Exchange to raise their banners fora photo sent for display in Times Square, then onthrough the town gathering more support for thePeople's Climate March.They were led by Sam Ryall, who said: "Residentswanted to show the level of public support for a globaldeal to avert climate catastrophe, and call for a 100per cent clean future."

Climate change march