For Blandford and surrounding villagesIssue No. 28 July 2014

William’s thank you to hospital- Page 3

FORUMFOCUS

FORUM FOCUS: Your FREE monthly community newspaper www.forumfocus.co.uk

Wall collapseleaves

familieshomeless

Page 5

Town mournsthe lossof two of itsfinestPage 10

Weekendalcohol planangers clubneighboursA PROPOSAL by BlandfordRugby Club to serve alcohol fromthe Larksmead Pavilion onSaturdays and Sundays hasangered some of their newneighbours in Buttercup Lane.The club is next season movingback to the recreation groundwhere it played many years agoafter extensive work to level thesite and create better pitches.The pavilion, which has beenhome for more than 30 years tothe Larksmead Pre-School, willrevert to its use as changingrooms, although there is no planfor the Rugby Club to relinquishits licensed clubhouse in EastStreet.The club's application is for thesupply of alcohol and regulatedentertainment between mid-dayand 6pm on Saturdays andSundays only. Responsibleauthorities and interested partieshave until 5th July to make rep-resentations.Jean Longley, whose housebacks on to the playing field andthe pavilion, said: "We movedhere from Pentridge because wewanted somewhere quiet to livein our retirement after living inthe country. I used to work withchildren so had no problem withthe young children there andusing the play area."But the pavilion backs immedi-

ately on to our garden. The deliv-eries will have to be made to thedoors at the back because thereis nowhere to deliver at the frontand there are bound to be bottlesaround, which is not good in adog walking area or for the chil-dren using the play area."She added: "I am 70 and myhusband is 73. Many of myneighbours are elderly, some intheir 80s, and moved here for aquiet retirement."I objected when the plans tochange the use of the pavilionfrom a day nursery were put for-ward and said then that I wouldobject if there was an applicationfor a licence. How long will it bebefore they want an extension?"I also objected to the lights onthe pitches, which will be on onlyuntil 9pm, but by the time theyleave the pavilion and car park itcould be much later."

All smiles: John and Veronica Jenkins enter into the spirit of Teddy 20 bygetting their faces painted. See Page 8.

Arts extravaganzawill close the townA MAJOR outdoor arts spec-tacular production will fillBlandford Market Place withperformers on Thursday 18thSeptember.Periplum's The Bell is beingbrought to the town as part ofthe Inside Out Festival ofActivate Performing Arts, andit is the first time Blandfordhas featured on its itinerary.The show featuring promenadeaction, stilts, aerial perform-ance, pyrotechnics and music,creates a story of hope andredemption in a warring land,devastated and razed in flamesby invading forces. The sur-

vivors are faced with thechoice of seeking revenge orstaying to rebuild. The creationof a gigantic bell re-ignites thepeople's hope in a celebrationof human resilience throughshared struggle. Activate are recruiting up to 20volunteer performers from theBlandford community to takepart and spend a day workingwith Periplum learning per-formance skills, beforerehearsing and performing inthe production. They are alsorecruiting six volunteer eventstewards who will also workdirectly with the company.Other opportunities, subject tofunding, will include bannermaking and singing work-shops with participants con-tributing to the performanceitself.Town and district councillorEsme Butler, who has beenworking with the festivalorganisers, told a town councilplanning committee meeting:"It's going to mean traffic man-agement and road closures in

To Page 2

2 July 2014

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From Page 1the town centre and some of the car parks will be used forequipment, but it is going to be a massive event for thetown."A spokesman for Activate, which has since 2005 been pre-senting high quality, large-scale outdoor arts events in theInside Out Dorset festival, said it had been hoped thatBlandford might be included two years ago, which would havecoincided with the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee year.The high-profile programme of extraordinary events inextraordinary locations involves an international network ofpromoters and artists, and this year will also include events atPoole Park and The Quay from 12 to 14th September,Studland on 13th and 14th September, the South DorsetRidgeway from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st September andBournemouth from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th September.

Arts spectacular set for visit

A scene from The Bell, coming to Blandford inSeptember. Picture © Johnny Goodwin.

TWELVE-year-old Caitlin Churcher literallydefied gravity when she performed a gymnasticsroutine at the Autism's Got Talent show at theMermaid Theatre in London.She was one of a number of talented young-sters suffering from autism chosen after anationwide search by Anna Kennedy, founder ofthe charity and mother of two autistic sons.Caitlin, a year 7 pupil at The Blandford Schooland member of the Blandford ForumGymnastics and Kanga Club, was invited to per-form again at the National Autism Show at theExcel in London in June.Her mum Jennifer said: "Although Caitlin wasvery nervous, she performed to 'Defying Gravity'from the musical Wicked, and was overwhelmedby all the support she was given. "Defying Gravity was very symbolic to her after

suffering at the hands of bullies because of herdisability. The lyrics mean such a lot to her. "There were singers, dancers, musicians andperformers all with various forms of autism,some of the performers had such severe autismthey were unable to speak, but their ability toperform, dance and sing was phenomenal!"She said the other performers and their familiesfrom the show have now become firm friendsand are already an incredible support network toeach other. "The show has given Caitlin a platform uponwhich to build and show everyone that she isincredibly talented, regardless of her disability.Within the gym all the barriers and obstaclesshe meets in everyday life just aren't there anymore. She gets treated just the same as every-one else."

Caitlin Churcher with Autism's Got Talentfounder Anna Kennedy.

Talent show triumph for Caitlin

3July 2014

St John Ambulance volunteers. Back (from left): Lee Hitchings, Lucy Evans, AbiSmith, Debbie Smith and Emily Oliver. Front: Emma Jones, Courtney Quinlanand Louise Stephens.

YOUNG first-aiders who rushedto the aid of two people who col-lapsed at the Three OkefordsPreservation Society steam rallyhave been praised by local andregional managers for theiractions.St John Ambulance Cadets fromBlandford were among the teamon duty at the event inShillingstone in May and assistedthe charity's adult volunteers withboth patients.Lucy Evans (14), Emma Jones(17), Louise Stephens (15), EmilyOliver (14) and Courtney Quinlan(16) were congratulated on keep-ing calm under pressure anddelivering outstanding support."I'm so proud of them all," saidBlandford's Unit Manager, DebbieSmith. "Their casualty care wassecond to none."The first-aiders were called to thefirst collapse on the Saturdayafternoon when the casualty fellunconscious and started to fit."It was the first time the cadetshad ever been involved in an inci-dent like this, but they are trainedto deal with all kinds of emergen-cies. We put the casualty in therecovery position and monitored

while we waited for a paramedic."The girls were so calm and gaveso much reassurance to thepatient, who recovered well andcame to thank us the followingday."Towards the end of Sunday amember of the public with dia-betes collapsed due to low bloodsugar levels. "Our team of cadetswas amazing again, deliveringoutstanding care to the patient,"Debbie said.All five teenagers will receive let-ters of thanks from St JohnAmbulance's senior managersand will be presented with a cer-tificate.The charity's Regional YouthManager, Dave Christophers,said: "Debbie and her fellowyouth leaders should be veryproud for teaching these inspiringyoung people the skills to be thedifference between a life lost andlife saved, and for instilling theconfidence in them to react in theprofessional and calm way thatthey did."For more information on St JohnAmbulance's work, including thecharity's youth programmes, visitsja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.

First-aiders winpraise forprompt actions

Thanks from William A CHARITY jumble sale and raffle is being held on Saturday 26th Julyat Blandford Methodist Church to say thank you to the Spires CleftCentre at Salisbury Hospital.Five-year-old William Yorukoglu was born with a cleft lip which was notdetected at any of his mum Helen's scans, and was repaired atSalisbury Hospital when he was four months old.Recently it was only after phoning the cleft centre and having him fast-tracked that he was diagnosed with a possible abnormality with hissoft palate."Without their support we would not have got through this. He stillneeds care from them, and they are fantastic," said Helen, ofLiddington Crescent, Blandford."As a thank you we want to raise some money for the Stars Appeal forthe centre, and also to make people aware of these conditions so thatpeople who have them don't get treated differently from others."The sale will be held between 10am and noon, and people are wel-come to bring jumble along to offer for sale.

William Yorukoglu, left with histwo-year-old brother Tommy.

4 July 2014

Retiring chairman Tony Harrocks (right) and his successor Terence Dear, withNorth Dorset District Council conservation officer Jen Nixon at the Blandfordand District Civic Society AGM.

Buildings’ decline threatenstown’s conservation status THE threat to Blandford'sConservation Area status wasrevealed to members ofBlandford and District CivicSociety at their AGM by NorthDorset District Council's conser-vation officer Jen Nixon.She told how English Heritagehad listed the town among thosewith conservation areas at riskbecause of the degree of deterio-ration in not only some of its pre-mier buildings such as the parishchurch, but also less obviousstructures and features in dangerof being destroyed or lost.She also outlined how communi-ties were being urged to draw upa 'Local List' of features whichshould be protected and pre-served and so help to resist inap-propriate development in future.The meeting was told that thesociety, in addition to progressinga number of projects, was review-ing its aims, objectives and activi-ty with a view to becoming moreinfluential and pro-active in stimu-lating civic pride and public inter-

est in the history, architecture andgeography of the area.Retiring chairman Tony Harrockssaid: "The society has taken onthe role of looking after the town

and its people and must continueto do so."Mr Harrocks, who became chair-man last year with the retirementof Peter Warrington, said hewould be focusing on his researchfor the town council's 14-18 work-ing party on life in Blandford dur-ing the First World War.Treasurer Terence Dear wasappointed chairman, and ColinDuffield treasurer to take hisplace, with other officers - secre-tary Nicci Brown, minutes secre-tary Sally Woodlock and projectofficer Alan Dymond - re-electedwith other members of the com-mittee.

THE long forecast widening of the pavement outside the KingsArms in Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford, and reconstruction ofthe dropped kerb has finally been carried out, and is a wel-come improvement for pushchair, wheelchair and mobilityscooter users who can now safely negotiate the corner.Town councillors were told on 9th June that the improvementworks and creation of a cycleway in Wimborne Road whichbegan in March was due to be completed by the end of theweek.

Thumbs upfor councilchangesPUBLIC satisfaction with thequality of service receivedfrom North Dorset DistrictCouncil has risen by nearly 50per cent, according to a surveycarried out by the council withcustomers over the last sixmonths.It showed 63 per cent of thosedealing with the council wereeither satisfied or very satis-fied, compared with only 41 percent in 2008.The number of respondentsfeeling they were treated fairlyand with respect has also risenfrom 50 per cent to 65 per cent.The results are seen as an indi-cation that the improvementsput in place by the councilover recent years are workingwell. Cllr Deborah Croney, leader ofNDDC, said: "We need to knowthat we are providing the serv-ices that people need in theway they want them, and I'mvery encouraged by feedbackwe have received so far."Nearly 60 per cent of respon-dents reported that they hadneed to contact the council nomore than once because theservice or information requiredwas provided at the first pointof contact.Not all comments werefavourable and additional feed-back is being used to identifyways of improving servicesfurther.

5July 2014

The fallen wall is cleared from the yard next to the house in Orchard Street.

TWO families were left homelesson the evening of 9th June whenthe cob wall of a house inBlandford collapsed into the yardnext door.Orchard Street was closed northof the link through to Dorset Streetand remained closed for the restof the week.Anita Roberts was in the showerwhen her son George, 17, shout-ed that the wall had fallen, takinga bedroom cupboard on the firstfloor with it."I didn't believe him at first," saidMrs Roberts, who went outside inher dressing gown and slippers tofind the ground floor and first flooropen to the elements and giantcracks in the wall above.Soon after, the second floorcrashed to the ground, leavingonly the chimney standing andexposing the internal gas fire flueup the side of the building and therooms inside.George, who serves with theRoyal Navy and was at homebecause he had broken his wrist afew weeks earlier, said: "I heardthe crash and went downstairs tofind people knocking on the doortelling me the wall had collapsed. Ihad been sitting only a few feetaway."The Roberts and their neighboursin an adjoining property wereevacuated and are now seekingalternative accommodation.Anita's husband Simon Roberts,who was at work at BOCM whenhe learnt of the collapse, said itwas unlikely the family wouldmove back to the house after itwas repaired.A Fire and Rescue retained crewfrom Blandford isolated the gasand electricity supply and cor-doned off the street where neigh-bours, who only a few days earlierhad gathered for their 'Big Lunch'gathered again to offer support as

other pieces of wall fell down.A spokesman said: "The occupierhad already contacted buildingcontrol. A Red Cross Fire SupportVehicle attended for residents whowere unable to stay in theirhomes." Mrs Roberts said the house, builtin the late 19th century and one ofa number of grade II listed build-ings in the street, had been rentedby her for 17 years, and that herlandlord Paul Cracknell was dev-astated by what had happened.Mr Cracknell, who inherited thebuilding through his wife's family,was back at the scene next day,where contractor Mark Farwellhad been brought in to clear thesite, but the road past the houseremained closed after scaffoldinghad been erected to shore up thebuilding.A number of the houses inOrchard Street have cob walls,and it is understood that onewhich stood next door to MrsRoberts' home collapsed some 40years ago. The natural buildingmaterial made from sand, clay,water and straw is used in thou-sands of houses and buildings inthe south-west, but is susceptibleto extreme wet weather.THE 'Big Lunch' in OrchardStreet had been one of the bestgatherings yet as part of thenationally organised campaign,inspired by the Eden Project, tobring neighbours together in analfresco party.It had been organised for resi-dents in Orchard Street andDorset Street annually since 2009.Spokesperson AnnabelleValentine said: "It was a huge suc-cess and quite a few people metfor the first time too, which was sogreat to see. Many commented onthe wonderful sense of communityin these streets and how eventslike this bring people together."

Wall collapseleaves familieshomeless

AFTER 18 years' voluntary service as manager-ess of the tearoom and shop at the BlandfordFashion Museum, June Boutelle (left) is steppingdown from the role. The other museum volun-teers presented June with a bouquet and somegardening vouchers as a token of appreciationfor her work. June, who likes to bake cakes tosell in the tearoom and decorate the tables withvases of seasonal flowers, said: "When peoplecome into the tearoom we talk to them. We enjoyit - and that's what I'm going to miss."

July 20146

THE Royal Voluntary Service held a fundraising stall at BlandfordCorn Exchange on 5th June when donations of homemade produce,craft items and cakes were welcomed for sale.The service, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, offers befriend-ing and other services in the community, including helping atBlandford Community Hospital, and is keen to recruit new membersand dispel its image of involving only women, having formerly beenthe Women's Royal Voluntary Service. Pictured are Friends co-ordinator, Geraldine Hooton, volunteer DelyseHawkins and service manager for befriending in Dorset Tina Damon,who can be contacted for further information on 01305 236666.

RVS looking for members

LONG-term Stourpaine residentJocelyn Russell hosted a buf-fet lunch at her home in ManorRoad on 14th June to celebrateher 100th birthday the previousday. All but one of her 24 grandchil-dren and great grandchildrenwere there, together with manyfriends and neighbours, a totalof around 100 guests, and aneighbour provided a cakewith 100 candles.Family and friends, rather thanbuying birthday presents, con-tributed to a fund to providetrees for the Stourpaine play-ing fields - entirely fitting for alady who had a very active lifein the village and received herMBE in 2001 for services to thecommunity.Over 30 years, she organisedBlandford WRVS, chairedStourpaine Parish Council, wastreasurer and church warden atStourpaine church, ran lunchclubs for the elderly in bothBlandford and Stourpaine, andwas central to the campaign toacquire and establish the play-ing fields as a communityasset in 1988 and develop thetennis courts and children'splayground ten years later.Born a month before the out-break of World War One, shelost two uncles and twocousins in that conflict, andher father was a prisoner-of-war. Leaving school in theearly 1930s, she worked as abusiness manager in the glam-orous world of theatre beforetaking off on a solo trip roundthe world. In World War Two, she droveambulances in South Africaand Egypt and took on admin-istrative work in Cairo and laterSingapore. In London in the1950s, Jocelyn supported herhusband Charles, a Major-General in the RoyalEngineers, in his work as exec-utive chairman of the nation-alised road haulage industry,British Road Services. She and her husband moved toStourpaine in 1971, but herhusband died three monthslater, and she has lived in thesame house ever since whereshe remains independent, sup-ported by daily visits fromhelpers and regular visits fromfamily and friends.

A fittingparty for aremarkablewoman

Friends’auctionsuccess

Quiz nightsat Dolphin

MORE than 200 lots of antiques,jewellery, pictures and collecta-bles went under the hammer inChild Okeford village hall on 21stJune for the Friends of BlandfordCommunity Hospital.The annual auction of goodsdonated to their shops inBlandford and SturminsterNewton attracted buyers from farand wide, and will help supportthe Friends' activities whichinclude a recent £750,000 invest-ment in major redevelopmentwork at Blandford Hospital.They have also continued to sup-port smaller projects such as thepurchase of a Bariatric wheel-chair costing £550 and a FallsElectronic Alarm System costing£1,800 for Tarrant Ward at thehospital. A grant of £1,000 hasalso been given to the ElderlyMental Health Services team. Anyone with a few hours tospare on a regular basis is invit-ed to call 01258 450095 to offertime or donation of unwanteditems.

A SERIES of charity bingo andquiz nights has been launched atthe Dolphin Real Ale House inEast Street by new licenseeDave Tancock (pictured), whohas taken on the management ofthe pub afterseveral yearsas head ofentertainmenton cruiseships.

He said: "Igot chattingto the man-ageress ofthe SueRyder charityshop across the road, who waslooking for a venue, and sincewe were already running Sundayquiz nights I suggested we joinedforces. Monday evening isalways quiet, so I said we couldrun bingo sessions for them aswell."

Mr Tancock, 41, started at theDolphin at the end of April, andwas impressed by the friendli-ness and hospitality of the peo-ple in the town, as well as thescenery and countryside sur-rounding it.

July 2014 7

A CEREMONY on the site of the new Pimperne Primary Schoolcelebrated not the cutting of the first sod but the cutting ofalmost the last.The field next to the village hall in Newfield Road is now almosttotally bare, and the whole school gathered to watch from thesafety of the village hall grounds as former pupil Len Vincent wasjoined by four current pupils to do the honours for the milestonein the development of the long-awaited new school.Mr Vincent, who attended the existing school in the centre of thevillage in 1935, was accompanied by head teacher Jerome deSilva, architect Ian Cardy and Dave Rowe, regional director ofbuilders ISG.After protracted negotiation over the siting of the new school,work finally started in the autumn, but was delayed again by theDecember floods.Pimperne is the last primary school in the Blandford area to beextended or replaced following the reorganisation from three-tierto two-tier education in 2005.County Council Cabinet members were told in March that thebuilding was between five and six months behind schedule, dueinitially to protracted land transactions and then by the inclementweather which held up enabling works including highway alter-ations and mains services to the site. The estimated cost has risen from under £4m to more than £6.3mand work is due to be completed in the spring of 2015.

Pimperne school pupils cut the turf of their new school with (left to right) DavidRowe, regional manager of main contractors ISG, head teacher Jerome de Silva,architect Ian Cardy, and old boy Len Vincent.

Better late than neverfor Pimperne school

Group stung by‘savage’ criticism CABINET members at NorthDorset District Council weremeeting in confidential sessionon 16th June to consider thereport which criticised the rela-tionship between Blandford TownCouncil and the area's communi-ty partnership, the DT11 Forum.DT11 chairman Scott Norman,who has chaired the partnershipfor four years, stood down, say-ing that a response had beensubmitted to the report by thechairs of all the community part-nerships in the district. He added: "There were bits ofthe scrutiny report that were goodand to the point, but the savageway they treated us overrodethem all."The report made a number ofrecommendations, including thereconfiguration of the partnershipwith the full engagement of thetown council, and for the commu-nity development worker to workwith the town council to strength-en links between the two.At the AGM Mr Norman waswarmly thanked for his leadershipover the past four years by for-

mer chairman Steve Adamson,who said his commitment hadbeen "pretty much on a full-timebasis".Tribute was also paid to his effec-tive chairmanship of CPEND, theumbrella organisation for theNorth Dorset community partner-ships, in what were described as"sometimes very trying circum-stances", by Graham Rains forhis work on the North DorsetTrailway, and by Stourpaine vil-lage hall committee for the part-nership's help in making a stageone lottery application for theirnew building.North Dorset Cabinet memberVal Pothecary gave her own per-sonal thanks, saying she had alot of regrets about what hadhappened and the way it hadhappened.Nic Nicol, of Blandford, who cur-rently chairs the DT11 TransportAction Group, was elected chair-man of the partnership, andBobbie Church, from Bryanston,vice-chairman, Peter Slocombe,of Pimperne, having acceptedreappointment as treasurer.

THE Blandford Speed Watch volunteers turned out for the firsttime to urge local drivers by their obvious presence to observethe speed limits in the town.Co-ordinator Tony Harrocks said: "We hope to go out to vari-ous locations about once a fortnight and monitor the speed ofpassing traffic with our radar gun supplied by the police."This first morning we recorded four vehicles being driven atspeeds of 36mph and above in a 30mph limit. "We can only monitor the speeds, no prosecutions can resultand we do not stop any vehicles, but the police will write warn-ing letters to any driver who is persistently recorded asexceeding the speed limits."We have a total of six volunteers, which is the minimum thatthe police require for a group to be formed so we are lookingfor at least one more volunteer. The principal requirement is anability to get up at 6am or earlier!"

Left to right: volunteer Chris Durham, deputy co-ordinator Sidney Falla andvolunteer John Tanner on the community Speed Watch in Salisbury Road.

Speed team’s early start

July 20148

Kim Newton and firefighter son Tom at the Teddy 20 fundraiser.

BLANDFORD's Teddy 20fundraisers are relentless in theirwork for childhood cancer victims.On the late May Bank Holidaythey gathered at the Park Roadrecreation ground for the fifthannual Teddy 20 in memory ofTed Newton, a keen young cricketclub member who died in 2010,aged ten.They had raised thousands ofpounds at the early May bankholiday Teddy Rocks music festi-val at the Greyhound Inn, and on21st June, the longest day, therewas a Fright Night walk fromSturminster Newton to Blandfordon the North Dorset Trailway.On Saturday 26th July, Ted's dadOwen Newton and Dave Trotterwill take part in the MoonridersCycle Race around the streets ofLondon.On 16th August there is anotherTeddy 20 team sky-dive, and inSeptember, Owen and son Tomwill be cycling the Rockies inAmerica over five days.Teddy20 (website teddy20.co.uk)supporting Bone CancerResearch, CLIC Sargent, Piam

Brown Ward at Southampton hos-pital and Kingfisher Ward atDorchester County Hospital, isnow a registered charity.The challenge cricket match andfun day included morning andafternoon games betweenBlandford Rugby Club andShillingstone Cricket Club, theTeddy 20 Legends and the DorsetUnder-17s.In attendance was a DFRS fireengine accompanied by TomNewton, Ted's brother, who isnow a volunteer firefighter, andtheir mum and dad, Owen andKim, sister Phoebe and Ted's dogMolly all helped with the fundrais-ing.Also off the pitch, there werestalls and games, many with ateddy bear theme, together with alimbo challenge, hook-a-duck,cake raffle, and inflatables, a bar-becue and bar.Emma Hill underwent a headshave carried out by SarahChurchill, and Genevieve Corbenand friends set out to paint teddybear faces on a total of 101 chil-dren and adults.

The Teddy teamkeep up the fight

Tories scrape inA RELATIVELY high turnout of 40.06 per cent in the North Dorsetarea of the South West constituency helped the Conservatives toa narrow top-of-poll position in the district with 7,398 votes.UKIP came a close second with 7,362, and the Green Party beatthe Liberal Democrats into third place, with Labour fifth. TheIndependents from Europe, English Democrats and BNP partiescame a poor sixth, seventh and eighth, with between them lessthan half the Labour vote.The result for the South West constituency as a whole, where theoverall turnout was 37.03 per cent compared to 38.87 per cent in2009, saw victory for UKIP with 484,184 votes and WilliamDartmouth and Julia Reid elected. The Conservatives were second with 433,151 to elect Ashley Foxand Julie Girling, and Labour polled 206,124 to elect ClaireMoody. The Green Party with 166,447 votes elected Molly ScottCato, leaving the Liberal Democrats with no South West repre-sentation at all and only 160,376 votes.

Carnival royalty sought

Little Caleb gets his bike

More success for Spectrum

THE search is on to find the 'royalty' for Blandford Carnival, which willtake place on Saturday 6th September. A selection evening will beheld at the Royal British Legion starting 7.30pm on Friday 4th July.Entry forms will be available on the night for the Carnival Princess andMiss Blandford Carnival contests in the age groups of 7-11 and 12-16years respectively.Those chosen will be successors to Carnival Princess Jenny Lockyer andMiss Teenager Alex Oldfield who were also invited to take part in theGeorgian Fayre parade and activities. For details, call 01258 454696.

A MAGNIFICENT response to the story of five-year-old Caleb, whoneeds a special bike costing thousands of pounds to join his cyclingfriends, has resulted in his mum Sarah Turner receiving enoughpledges and donations to buy the equipment."Although our application for grant funding was turned down, we havebeen able to raise the full amount needed, thanks to some truly amaz-ing donations from people responding to the article, and through ourfundraising on Georgian Fayre day."Mrs Turner ran a cake stall and tombola outside the Disability ActionGroup premises in Nightingale Court, Blandford.

SPECTRUM Property Care, the repairs and maintenance subsidiary ofDorset-based Spectrum Housing Group, has won two moreConsiderate Constructors Scheme national site awards for 2013,bringing the total for Spectrum and the Poole House Partnership since2008 to eight.Both are for the high-performing Electrical Department's works pro-grammes covering works on Spectrum Housing Group and PooleHousing Partnership properties in the south of England.

July 2014 9

STAFF at Miles of Value in Barnack Walk, Blandford, are doinga sponsored slim to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Supportand to give themselves a bit of motivation.Clare Pearce, centre in the picture with Becky Coakes (left) andZoe Lock (right), said: "We have so many people who comeinto the shop who have been affected by cancer that we felt wewanted to do something."Zoe and Becky are attending Slimming World every week forsupport and weigh-ins and so far so good." Sponsor forms are at the shop, and they will also be doingsmall fundraisers along the way so that all the children whocome to the shop can join in. For information call 01258454824.

Miles girls’ charity slim

AN afternoon tea party at Castleman House in Fairfield Bungalowscelebrated national care home open day and was organised by TamalyAndrews to bring the care home together with the community.Homemade cakes made by local Rotarians and others were served,and the Stour Valley Band played on the front terrace, and there was agrand raffle. See pictures on our website at forumfocus.co.uk.

Tea party marks care home day

‘Give us your view’plea from councilDORSET County Council is ask-ing the public to help in makingthe difficult decisions it faces as itprepares for a further reduction inits budget over the next threeyears.Two in a series of Ask DorsetRoadshows across the countywere held in Blandford MarketPlace on 7th June and inMorrisons on 13th June. Councilleaders invited people to saywhich five of 20 key services theyneed and value most to bringhome sharply the challenge fac-ing the local authority.Leader, Councillor SpencerFlower, said that by 2017, as partof national austerity measures,their budget will have beenreduced by a third."The council has to change theway it does things, become morecustomer-focused, and makesure that what money we dohave is used effectively to pro-vide services people need themost. It is more important thanever that we listen to people andmake sure these views inform theway we work."

Chief executive Debbie Wardsaid: "This is a time to be clearabout the constraints on publicservices. We are trying to getpublic engagement and dialoguewith communities to deliver astronger and more successfulDorset in the future."It's not a vote on what shouldstay and what should go, but todraw out people's views on a listof priorities so that we can shapeour new corporate plan with asignificant reduction in budget."The consultation is the mostextensive the council has everconducted, and includes parishesand town council, focus teamsand its citizen's panel as well asgoing into market places andsupermarkets to take it to thepeople, rather than asking themto visit village hall exhibitions.There is also a digital campaignso that people can give theirviews online, which can be foundat dorsetforyou.com/have-your-say, and a survey will be sent toevery household in the council'snewsletter 'Your Dorset' thismonth.

Dorset County Councillor member for Winterborne, Hilary Cox, and deputyleader Robert Gould at the Ask Dorset Roadshow in Blandford Market Place.

A GALA concert by the North Dorset Mill Singers in Blandford CornExchange in May raised over £800 for choir funds, and judging by audi-ence feedback was very well received. The choir, which will be back inBlandford on 29th November with a different programme in support ofBlandford Parish Church Cupola Project, has thanked businesses andresidents who supported the event, held in support of the ten concertsstaged each year raising funds for local charities. Potential new mem-bers may attend their rehearsals in Child Okeford to find out more andcan find information on the website themillsingers.co.uk.

July 201410 OBITUARIES

Town mourns two of its stalwartsTHE Blandford community ismourning the loss of two commu-nity stalwarts who died within twoweeks of each other, town council-lor Andrew Pemberton andFreeman of the town DaphneAlner.Charles Andrew Pemberton diedin his sleep on 2nd June after ashort illness. He was 79.Born at Secunderabad in India in1935, where his father was in theArmy, he moved with his family toAxminster after the war. He joinedthe Army after leaving SherborneSchool and served with distinctionin the 14th/20th King's Hussars.

Much of his service was inGermany during the Cold War, buthe also served in Zambia andHong Kong.He and his wife Anne, who hadtwo children, moved to the OldRectory, Blandford, in 1994.He became a Blandford towncouncillor and tirelessly represent-ed the Old Town ward for manyyears. He also served as a NorthDorset district councillor for fouryears, and was an active memberof the local ConservativeAssociation, a member of the CivicSociety, a deliverer for ForumFocus since its launch in 2012until illness prevented his continu-ing, and a founder member of TheClean Up Blandford Campaign. It was his idea to run a HiddenGardens event, and fitting that hisfinal trip into the town he adoptedwas to go and sit by the river, sur-rounded by friends, to support theBig Blandford Clean Up onSaturday 17th May.Mr Pemberton is survived by hiswife, Anne, and his childrenCharlie and Sophie.Daphne Alner died suddenly ather home on 21st May at the age

of 85. A funeral service was heldat Poole Crematorium on 13thJune. She was the driving forcebehind Blandford Swimming Clubfor more than 50 years, teachinghundreds of children to swim, andwas still running four sessions aweek when she was made aFreeman of the town in 2005.Originally from London, she settledin Blandford with her husband Kenwhen he left the Army, and duringthe summer of 1952 volunteeredto look after the outdoor swimmingpool on the Marsh & Ham.At the end of the season it wassuggested that she start a swim-ming club. Daphne and Ken, anaccomplished diver, becamefounder members and ran the clubuntil Ken's death 15 years ago. She continued her involvementand, as a very active member ofthe Amateur SwimmingAssociation, officiated at competi-tions at all levels, representing theclub at county and district level,and was a past president of theDorset and Western CountyAmateur Swimming Associations.She was responsible for many ofher protégés swimming at county,

district and national events, includ-ing their three daughters, Jackie,Mandy and the late Christine, whowere county champions. She alsoran modern triathlon and life-savertraining at Blandford LeisureCentre and was a trained Citizens'Advice Bureau adviser.She was made honorary presidentof Blandford Swimming Club forher lifelong dedication to teachingswimming to generations of chil-dren in Blandford, and in 2011 shereceived the longest serving volun-teer award given by Dorset CountyASA to mark its 75th anniversary.She is survived by two daughtersand four grandchildren.

Andrew Pemberton. Daphne Alner.

OBITUARIES

July 2014 11

THE new Bishop of Plymouth visited Our Lady of Lourdes andSt Cecilia Catholic Church, Blandford, to perform a service ofconfirmation for children of the parish from Bryanston andother local schools.Bishop Mark O'Toole, together with Fr Chacko Panathara, con-ducted the service. It was his first visit to the church since hisappointment in January. After the service the children and con-gregation held a party in the garden to welcome the Bishop andfor him to meet parishioners. He is pictured with church members Marie Fisher, left, andMargaret Holt, and seated Richard Hoghton, Marie's motherJoan Butterworth and Lisa Hoghton.

New Bishop pays a visit

A COMMUNITY fun day at Angus Wood in St Leonard's Avenue,Blandford, suffered a lull in activity when it clashed with the annualfete at nearby Archbishop Wake Primary School in Black Lane.But there was still plenty of activity, including mosaic making, wood-land crafts and archaeology, for visitors to explore.An Insect Hotel, creating the right habitat for creepy crawlies to thrive,was built and artefacts were brought along for the BlandfordArchaeology Garden Study, in which people are invited to bring itemsfound in their gardens for identification.The project, launched at a Woodland Fun Day two years ago, is ongo-ing at the Blandford Museum, where an expanding map of finds isbeing developed. Items can be accepted at any time.

A hotel in the woods

Building an Insect Hotel with Museum curator Peter Andrews and Amy from theDorset Countryside Rangers.

July 201412

Wartime heroes remembered

Left:The Collingwood Memorial Parade remembering Gallipoli and the RoyalNaval Division. Above: The service of remembrance at Tarrant Rushton airfieldled by the Rev David Dennis with Wing Cdr S Powley RAF of Blandford Camp.

THE casualties and heroes ofboth World Wars were remem-bered in June with the 70thanniversary of the role of TarrantRushton airfield on D-Day andthe 99th of the role of BlandfordCamp in the Third Battle ofKrithia in Gallipoli.On Friday 6th June at theCollingwood Memorial on theA354 at Tarrant Hinton, tributewas paid to the men who trainedwith the Royal Naval Division atthe camp and lost their lives inGallipoli.And on Sunday 8th June, aremembrance service at the for-mer RAF airfield celebrated thepilots of the planes which towedgliders full of troops toNormandy with the aim of cap-turing Pegasus Bridge.The Collingwood service, organ-ised by the Friends of theMemorial, was led by the RevRoland Wort, chaplain to HMSCollingwood, with an address byLt Col (Rtd) Bob Brannigan, andwreaths were laid by the LordLieutenant of Dorset AngusCampbell, representatives of thefour nations taking part in thecampaign, and representativesof military and service organisa-tions and descendants.Those attending were told by

Friends of Collingwood chairmanStuart Adam that it could be thelast time the service was heldbeside the busy main road,since plans were being consid-ered to relocate the memorial toa safer location inside the campfor what will be a major com-memoration next year, the 100thanniversary.The Tarrant Rushton parade andservice was led by the RevDavid Dennis of Alderholt, andthe parade of standards directedby Parade Marshall SpencerHare was reviewed by Wing CdrS. Powley RAF of BlandfordCamp.

Flt Lt Dennis Hart, involved withthe parades held annuallybetween 1982 and 2006, gavethe address, hymns were accom-panied by players from theVerwood Concert Band, and theLast Post and Reveille wassounded by Mark Adams at thestart and end of a two-minutesilence.Next month, Forum Focus will bestarting a monthly series of arti-cles commemorating World WarOne and its impact on the livesof people in the Blandford area.There will also be coverage of aprogramme of events being

organised by the town's 14-18group, which will start this monthwith 'Poppy Painting Days' in theCorn Exchange.Children and adults are invitedbetween 10am and 3pm onFridays 4th and 11th andSaturdays 5th and 12th to createand paint a field of red poppieswhich will be displayed as abackdrop to the town's civicmemorial service in the parishchurch on Sunday 3rd August,remembering the start of theFirst World War.See more pictures on our web-site at www.forumfocus.co.uk.

A CIVIC reception was held in the Woodhouse GardensPavilion for the party of visitors from Blandford's twin townMortain on 7th June.The party included the joint chairman of the French twinningorganisation, Yannick Guillo, who is pictured with Mayor ofBlandford Steve Hitchings, his wife Lynn, and Councillor HugoMieville, right, who acted as interpreter to the group.Councillor Hitchings and the Stour Valley Band, who played inthe gardens during the reception, had recently returned fromMortain where they had taken part in the 70th anniversary cele-brations of the liberation of Mortain in 1944.

Welcome to French ‘twins’

If you would like to offer sponsorship for our forthcoming seriesof articles commemorating World War One and its impact on thearea, please call 01258 459346 or email editor@forumfocus.co.uk

July 2014 13ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

July 201414

Award winners at the Blandford Forum Camera Club exhibition with club chair-man Marilyn Peddle, Lynn Hitchings, Mayor of Blandford Steve Hitchings andclub president Norman Carey.

BLANDFORD Forum CameraClub staged its annual exhibitionin the Corn Exchange when 230prints and 90 digital images creat-ed by members and photogra-phers from across the countywent on display.Awards were presented by theMayor of Blandford, CouncillorSteve Hitchings, who said: "Everypicture tells a story in the eye ofthe person who took it, and theresults are fantastic."President Norman Carey thankedthe judge Tony Rackham, fromRomsey, and chairman MarilynPeddle announced the awardwinners. They included clubmembers Colin Cross (president'strophy), Brian Winkle (mono-chrome), Brian Watson (colour),Malcolm Bowditch (president'strophy and digital images), MrCarey (Dr Davies Cup for seriesof three in colour) and Marilynherself (top-voted club print andFounder's Cup for series of threemonochrome).The open challenge shield formonochrome went to Alan Bevis

of Swanage, and the open chal-lenge trophy for colour to RogerHolman of Wimborne. The PDICup for digital images was wonby Stan Maddams ofBournemouth.The award for most popular printon display among visitors to theexhibition went to MalcolmBowditch for his monochromeprint 'No Longer Palatial' of a run-down back street in Lyon, France.The year ended after the finalPoints Cup competition judged byJohn Tilsley with joint winners inthe colour print section, John Ellisand Peter Gafney, and third IanFerris. Peter was also top scorerin monochrome prints, withMarilyn Peddle one point behind,and Brian Watson won in digitalprojected images, half a pointahead of Jean Barlett and PatCatley in joint second.A 'battle of the sexes' for theWessex Cup between the menand the women in the club waswon by the men with a total of208 to the women's score of197.5.

Photographers puttheir work on show

Cleanup volunteersrescue bottle bank

AN exhibition of work by the Durweston Art for Everyone classmeeting in the village hall included a summer drawing projectwhich sought to capture images of soldiers in the trenches.It also featured work from the spring term which focused onexperimentation with unusual markers such as twig, card,sponge and straws producing some very individual results.For details of courses starting in September call 01258 820349or email deb_chisman@hotmail.com.

Troops feature in art display

A BOTTLE bank, swept away bythe December floods from theMarsh & Ham car park, was res-cued from the River Stour byCleanup Blandford volunteers,helped by members of the StourValley Canoe Club and DorsetCountryside Rangers.It was towed from where it hadbecome lodged at the far end ofthe leet by the canoeists thenhauled up the bank and acrossLangton Meadows by RangersMatt and Amy with the assistanceof Cleanup members.Although the canoeists were ableto fill bags with bottles and otherdebris from the river, the mead-ows themselves were relativelylitter-free, but plenty was found tofill more bags in the streets.Operation organiser David Rosesaid: "Over 30 people from avariety of groups and individuals,including the Blandford Town

Team and the Stour Valley CanoeClub, were joined at the start bythe Mayor Steve Hitchings in hisfirst official engagement. "In the recent Town Team survey27 per cent of the respondentscomplained about littering fromdog fouling to cigarette butts out-side shops. Litter on the streetswas the highest placed singleissue mentioned by 16 per centof all respondents. "We ask anyone who sees some-one throwing away their cigarettebutt outside a pub, leaving theirtakeaway in the street, throwing abag of dog faeces on the trailway,leaving a can of drink on the wayhome or dropping a sweet wrap-per on the way home from schoolto tell them to take it home. "And write to NDDC to get theDorset Waste Partnership to getthem to clean our streets to thelevel they are paid to do."

The bottle bank is hoisted out with assistance from the Stour Valley CanoeClub.

July 2014 15

MILTON Abbey lies in a valley in an idyllic part of thecountry, among rolling hills in the middle of Dorset,where it has stood for over 1,000 years, undiscoveredby many.Milton Abbey is steeped in history reaching back to thevery beginnings of the English Kingdom. Founded byKing Athelstan, the first King of All England, in 933, itwas initially a Benedictine monastery, until after theReformation it passed into private hands for 400 years. In the 18th century it became part of a grand schemeof Lord Milton, including a lavish Gothic mansion andthe landscape park designed by Capability Brown,considered to be one of his best schemes in the wholecountry. From 1852 to 1932, it was owned by the Hambro fami-ly, who were responsible for restoration work by Sir

George Gilbert Scott. Since 1932 it has been ownedby the Diocese of Salisbury.This summer there will be exhibitions in the Abbeyfrom 8th July to 31st August. The 1,000-year-historywill be traced from King Athelstan to Lord Milton's greatscheme to today, with a focus on the landscapedesigned by Capability Brown. The great window designed by Augustus Pugin, thefamous architect responsible for design work at theHouses of Parliament, will form the backdrop to 'Puginin Wessex', an exhibition celebrating his great works.The International Music Festival and Summer Schoolwill run from 28th July to 3rd August. This will involve aseries of concerts, run alongside residential musiccourses organised by Milton Abbey School.www.miltonabbey.org.

Exhibitions at the Abbey

Free health checksput minds at rest A TOTAL of 157 Blandford resi-dents learned whether they werein danger of having a stroke atthe annual 'Know Your BloodPressure' morning at the CornExchange, staged by BlandfordRotary, working with the StrokeAssociation and local GPs.Of them, 28 were recommendedto see their GP within a monthfor further investigation becausetheir blood pressure was abnor-mally high. A further three weretold to see their GP without delaybecause it was dangerously high."Every year we identify a signifi-cant number of people who hadno idea they had raised bloodpressure," said Rotary PresidentJohn Bentley. "We think this is avaluable service that helps toreduce the incidence of strokes,and we thank the Stroke

Association and the local GPswho give up their spare time tosupport us in this work."High blood pressure is a majorrisk factor in causing strokes andfigures from the StrokeAssociation show that 40 percent of them could be preventedif blood pressure was controlled.

Visitors to the Rotary Club’s ‘Knowyour blood pressure’ event are mon-itored by GPs

HANOVER Housing Association, anational housing provider for theover-55s with estates at HanoverCourt and Wilverley Gardens,Blandford, has been shortlisted forthe 50+Awards. The winners willbe announced on 10th July.

July 201416 LETTERS

Do write to Forum Focus if there is something you'dlike to comment on or share with other readers. Email your letter, which should be as brief as possi-ble, to: editor@forumfocus.co.uk.Alternatively, you can call 01258 459346 or deliveryour letter by post or by hand to: Forum Focus, c/o

Colin's Community Club, 49 Damory Street, BlandfordDT11 7HD. Please mark your letter 'for publication' and rememberto include your address, which will not be used in full.Forum Focus reserves the right to shorten or edit let-ters in the interests of clarity, brevity and style.

Lettersto theEditor

(An open letter to the Chief Executive, SpectrumHousing)

I REFER you to Harewood Place, which was built in1866, as I understand it by Lord Portman for his retir-ing workers - a delightful little courtyard of houses,displaying splendid Victorian architecture in our main-ly Georgian town. I believe this development fallswithin the conservation area of Blandford, or is atleast a sub-area.A little while ago local residents were disappointed tonote that the lesser windows at the rear (on the roadside) of Harewood Place had been replaced by uPVCwindows. I note today, (6th June) that a contractor arrived andhad been given instructions to replace the existingmain entrance doors to three of these properties withnew uPVC (plastic) doors and frames, and it appearsthat the rest will follow.

Can I ask, please: How on earth is this allowed tohappen? Who on earth authorised it? Is there nobuilding control now?The contractors have removed three quite servicea-ble hardwood timber doors (I admit they may not beoriginal) but complete with frames and also somelovely brass furniture, which no doubt were destinedfor the skip.Where do we go from here? Will we in time find thatSpectrum is expecting to pull down these delightfulbuildings and replace them with a large block of flats?Surely this goes against the spirit of conservation,even not entirely within the letter of the law. I would like to think that we, as Blandford residents,can be assured that no further such horrors willoccur.Martin BrickellShorts Lane, Blandford

What price conservation?

Help us make town betterI AM a huge fan of Forum Focuswhich, I believe, helps promote asense of community in theBlandford area, and I am veryappreciative of the hard workdone in assembling this excellentmagazine. With a certain amount of sorrow, Iwould like to comment on twoarticles in the June issue.The title of the article on theTown Team's questionnaireresults was surprisingly negative:'The worst aspects of life inBlandford'. As someone wholoves living in Blandford I wouldhave been happier if it said '70%of respondents rate Blandford agreat place to live, but . . ' fol-lowed by the fact that most dis-like the parking situation, the real

and urgent need to reclaim themarket, improve retail, clean upthe town, get a cinema going andhold more events and specialtymarkets. There are at least fouror five groups currently workingon the latter problems, parkingout of our control. The second article was on therelationship, apparently negative,between DT11 Forum andBlandford Forum Town Councilwhich implied that BFTC wereunsupportive of the proposedFording Point in favour of theCorn Exchange. On this issue I would like to goon record to remind residents,and DT11 Forum, that the TownCouncil has an obligation tomaintain and make as sustain-

able as possible all propertyowned by the town, including theCorn Exchange, which is main-tained at taxpayers' expense. Wehave no such obligation to theFording Point, essentially a pri-vate enterprise. The CornExchange project is proceedingwith applications for externalgrant funding to pay for the bulkof the work. No-one is stoppingthe Fording Point from doing thesame.I am a town councillor but amwriting this letter as a private citi-zen and my comments do notrepresent the Town Council'sposition on any issue.Those of us who are working oursocks off to make our town aneven better place to live coulduse more help, so I hope the arti-cles helped raise enthusiasmamong local residents and willencourage them to participate inone of the groups. If anyonewould like to become involvedwith any of the exciting develop-ments now taking place, pleasecall me at 01258 458911. Sylvia Hixson AndrewsBlandford

Cyclewaysneed arethinkI WELCOME Simon Ible's letterabout the bridge over thebypass, it being such a waste ofa perfectly good bridge, butwould also welcome a thoroughexamination of all footpaths andcycleways around Blandfordand how they serve the pedes-trian and cyclist.As a young, active family, weoften like to be out and abouton our bikes and the childrenlove to scoot from place toplace but it is far from easy. We recently made the journeyfrom Milldown Primary Schoolup to Crazy Monsters by bikebut, as well as having to crossa rather intimidatingly busybypass, we also struggled toeven cross Shaftesbury Road atthe top of Tinpot Lane due tothe lack of a pedestrian cross-ing at this particular point.In various parts of Blandfordthere are good cycle and foot-paths (eg: the Trailway, theMilldown, Stour Meadows)which, as sections, are superbbut don't always link conve-niently to the various housingestates around them. How does one safely walk orcycle to Blandford St Mary?How does one safely navigateby bike the top half of SalisburyRoad when the amount of carsparked on this road mean thateven cars find it difficult to getby? I use these as just a cou-ple of examples of how difficultit is to travel from A to B, partic-ularly with young, inexperi-enced children.I believe that the Town Councilare currently reviewing how theTrailway might be extended fur-ther south. Fantastic! Pleasecan we also look at other partsof the town?Anna Hayball, Blandford

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July 2014 17LETTERS

Readers’lettersextra

WHILST the ongoing resurgence of the red kite hasbeen evident and seen over the downland ofBlandford Camp, the sight of one over the town onMonday 19th May was probably a first.The last 30 or so years has seen that other largebird of prey, the buzzard, become ever more visibleand apparently more numerous than the once-com-mon kestrel. Now it has been joined on its aerial patrols ofBlandford by the red kite, another large raptor evi-dently enjoying a similar growth in population andexpanding territory.From the ground the two species look differentenough for the random observer to distinguish thetwo slowly soaring species, and the kite is easilydistinguishable by its forked tail and bigger, flat-tened W-shaped, almost six-feet wingspan. If youare lucky enough to be nearer, the chestnut colourof the kite's plumage is very striking and immedi-ately a clue to the 'red' in its name.It would have been a familiar sight to the town's

residents some 500 years ago, but persecutionmeant the bird was exterminated in England,Scotland and most of Wales by the end of the lastcentury. The 16th century saw a series of Vermin Acts,requiring 'vermin' including the red kite, perceivedas a threat to expanding agriculture, to be killedthroughout the parishes of Wales and England, andby the end of the 18th century an increasing num-ber of gamekeepers were employed and responsi-ble for killing many more.Only in rural mid-Wales did red kites hang on, theirnumbers down to just a few pairs, and it has beenestablished that today's growing UK population hascome from just one female bird.Colonies are now thriving outside their formerWelsh sanctuaries, with the Chilterns becoming afavourite new home, and now they are being drawnsouth and east. So welcome back to North Dorset,Milvus milvus.Stuart Booth, Blandford

Red kites have come to town

Fun festival proved a winnerTHANK you for the excellent arti-cle and photos in the June issuereporting on Blandford Rotary's'Festival of Fun', at which somany families and children had agreat day out.We also raised a significantamount for local charities and weare now in the process of distrib-uting cheques to a number oforganisations, including Dorset &Somerset Air Ambulance, the twolocal Scout groups and Julia'sHouse.

One of the fund raisers was ourgrand raffle and your readersmay like to know that the topprize of £250 was won bySolomon Gulliver, a 10-year-oldScout with the 1st WoodcuttsScout Group, who had a ticketbought for him and who decidedto split the prize with his broth-er. As you reported, the children'spainting competition was a greatsuccess with nearly 300 entries.Each of the eight prizewinners

received an art-related prize toencourage them in their paintingwork. Blandford Rotary are grateful toall those who helped to make it asuccessful day and to all theBlandford families who supportedthe event.John BentleyPresident, Blandford Rotary

How lowcan athief go?THANK you to the personin the Ham car park who,on Saturday 7th June atapproximately 2pm, stolemy car parking ticket val-ued at 70p, from the wind-screen of my 1933 Austin10 convertible,I parked it to go shopping,on a very nice day withoutthe hood up, paid my feeand put the ticket on thewindscreen. On returningto the car I found only theadhesive part of the ticketleft. I was wondering what sortof support I would havereceived from North DorsetDistrict council if a wardenhad put a ticket on thewindscreen as there wasno way I could have provedthat I had paid. Would theCCTV have seen the cul-prit?So would the thief nexttime please consider theconsequences beforerepeating the action. I knowwe live in a changingworld, but really has socie-ty stooped this low? Name & address supplied

July 201418

ICONIC British fashion designerAnya Hindmarch paid a visit toMilton Abbey School to deliver afascinating and inspirational lec-ture to pupils on her experiencesof starting her own business.As part of the school'sEntrepreneur in Residence proj-ect officially launched last term,Anya's lecture was titled 'Skipuniversity and start a business',and guided the audience throughher journey in business from thebeginning.She talked about the inspirationbehind her desire to start a hand-bag brand, how she travelled toFlorence aged 18 to explore theworld of fashion and leather, andhow the brand has grown tobecome known throughout theworld, a regular feature atLondon Fashion Week andfavoured by fashion icons andcelebrities.

She shared highlights in her busi-ness career so far, and gave tipson how hard work, determinationand plenty of enthusiasm canlead to the most rewarding andfulfilling of careers.The following day, Anya gavebusiness surgeries to each of theEntrepreneur in Residence candi-dates, talking through their busi-ness plans and offering guidanceon ways to further grow and pro-mote their enterprises. The five shortlisted groups haveeach been given a £100 start-upinvestment with which to launchand grow their businesses, andthe ventures currently include anonline sales platform aimed atclothing brands, an aerial photog-raphy business, Milton Abbeybranded merchandise, a busi-ness importing belts from SouthAmerica and a designer clothingbrand.

Anya Hindmarch leads a business surgery session with Entrepreneur inResidence candidate Ollie Forsyth.

Anya inspires withbusiness know-how

LOTS including a carriage drive, riding lesson and a day's sailingin Poole Harbour went under the hammer in an auction of promis-es for Milton Abbas Riding for the Disabled.The auction at the visitor centre of the Hall and Woodhouse brew-ery in Blandford was one of a series of fundraising events for thegroup, which needs £4,000 a year to provide Friday morning rid-ing sessions for disabled youngsters attending BeaucroftFoundation School in Wimborne.Volunteers groom and tack up five ponies at the Pound CottageRiding Stables in Milton Abbas for the young riders who arrive byminibus. Over the 23 years the group has existed, hundreds ofparents of children with communication and mobility difficultieshave described how it improves their confidence and co-ordina-tion.For more details call Sue Hodder on 01258 880229 or BarbaraRawlings on 01258 837280 or email suehodder@tiscali.co.uk orcliveandbarbara@hotmail.co.uk.

RDA auction boost

Gareth set for ahigh old adventureA SOUTH West Trains guard,who last year raised £1,415 forGreyhound Rescue West ofEngland by climbing MountKilimanjaro, is on the marchagain, this time by trekking thedaunting Inca Trail.Gareth Bishop of Blandford ishoping to surpass his 2013 totalwhen he climbs to the world-famous ruins of Machu Pichuand to a height of 14,583 feetabove sea level in support of thecharity's New Life Appeal.The appeal aims to find perma-nent homes for dogs who arrivein the charity's care in their twi-light years, and funds are des-perately needed to help supportthem.

Gareth has already embarkedupon his training regime with reg-ular walks, runs and gym ses-sions. Last month he was climb-ing Mount Snowdon and on 26thJuly he will undertake theYorkshire Three Peaks chal-lenge.He said: "I thoroughly enjoyedthe challenge of raising moneyfor Greyhound Rescue West ofEngland last year and this latestadventure to Peru looks to bejust as exciting. "Our family adopted a grey-hound, Kelly, from the charity lastyear and she has brought somuch joy to us all that this hasinspired me to don my walkingboots yet again to help supportthese often over-looked olderhounds. I was delighted with allof the support I received lastyear and I aim to raise evenmore money this year with myMachu Pichu trek."Rachel Grocott, CEO ofGreyhound Rescue West ofEngland, said: "Every dogdeserves the chance of a newlife and our New Life Appealaims to help re-home and carefor as many of these dogs inneed as possible. We are sograteful to Gareth for his dedica-tion to the charity."To support him visitjustgiving.com/Gareth-Bishop2.Information on the Life Appealcan be found at grwe.com.

Gareth Bishop on top of Scafell Pikewhile training in May.

STUDENTS from the Blandford School have become the first totake part in a new project initiated by the Blandford Chamber ofCommerce to brighten up the town's streets.The 'Art in Windows' project aims to fill the windows of emptyshops with artwork from school pupils, and the first premises tomount a display were the former curtain shop Mostyns inSalisbury Street.Chamber president Traci Handford said she hoped it wouldencourage other local schools to come forward with examples ofthe work of their pupils.

July 2014 19SCHOOLS

Clayesmore Prep pupils learn about World War Two at the Nothe Fort inWeymouth.

A GROUP of Clayesmore Preppupils spent the day before the70th anniversary of D-Day, hav-ing their own wartime experi-ence at Nothe Fort inWeymouth. The historic fort is well versed inproviding realistic role play,hands-on evacuee activities anda healthy dose of discipline, anddressed in 1940s garb and hold-ing their favourite teddies, thechildren made very convincingevacuees.Despite being day-trippers, theycould not avoid time in the class-room where a rather terrifyingteacher taught them aboutshillings and pence and madethem write a postcard to theirparents.After schoolwork they checkedout the shops, but purchaseswere strictly rationed. Somepupils stood on the other side of

the counter and became shop-keepers using weighing scalesand old-fashioned tills. They alsofaced some demanding domes-tic duties including the exhaust-ing task of washing clothes witha dolly and finishing off with amangle.More wartime tasks were mas-tered when they learnt how touse a stirrup pump to put out a'fire'. The flames were not realbut the water was. They alsotook cover in an Anderson shel-ter, huddling together, singingwartime songs and listening tothe unsettling sound effects ofbombs and shells.To round off a day of living histo-ry, the wartime explorers weregiven a tour of the fort's labyrinthof underground chambers, wherethey discovered more aboutDorset at war and the landing onthe Normandy beaches.

Wartime journey forClayesmore pupils

MILTON Abbey, the co-educational school inthe grounds of Milton Abbey, has announceddetails of a series of energy-saving initiativesto be carried out in partnership with leadingenergy solutions provider EIC.The project, entitled 'Milton Abbey Mission forEnergy Efficiency', was officially launched atthe Friends of Milton Abbey School summerfete, which took place on 7th June as part of

the school's 60th anniversary celebrations. EIC were present to talk to visitors about theupcoming projects which could togetherachieve a saving of in excess of 750 tonnesof carbon dioxide. They include the installationof dynamic lighting, the introduction of a coverfor the school swimming pool, and a newenergy consumption monitoring system whichpupils, staff and visitors will be able to view.

A biomass feasibility exercise will be carriedout to assess the site's suitability for an alter-native power source.The project will significantly reduce theschool's energy consumption and providenumerous opportunities for pupil involvementin classroom-based and practical activities,and to learn more about careers options inthe energy sector.

School takes initiative on energy-saving plans

Sporting contests are set to reach their climaxTHE culmination of this year'sDorset School games takesplace at Bryanston School on2nd July, where over 1,000 chil-dren will be competing in 10sporting categories.Active Dorset runs the level 3

games which are a county levelcompetition, and also hold amulti-sport School Games festi-val as a culmination of year-round school sport competition.A spokesman said: "It is always atremendous event and great to

see young people so enthusiasticabout their sport. Schools nowhave tremendous pressure todeliver academic results and itcan be that sport is sometimesgetting squeezed out as a priori-ty.

"It is interesting that we see sooften that where schools arecommitted to delivering highquality and regular sport, theyalso excel in the academicachievement of their students."

DURWESTON Primary School has appealed on behalf of amember of staff whose family member has recently been diag-nosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.The school is urging people to register with the Anthony NolanTrust (15-30 years) or the British Bone Marrow Registry (18-49years) when they give blood. For more information, seenhs.uk/Conditions/Bone-marrow-donation/Pages/Introduction.aspxThe school was also represented in the Durweston Darts teamwhich took part in the Race for Life at Kingston Maurward, andhas thanked everyone who supported them on the day andsponsored them to the tune of £255 through their Just Givingpage at justgiving.com/durweston-darts.

Durweston help appeal

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July 201420

CLIENT Charles Drummond, 83,of Downside Close in Blandford,was invited to cut the ribbon ofthe new Prama offices inSalisbury Street.He was joined by the LordLieutenant of Dorset, AngusCampbell, at what was describedas a significant move furthernorth for the company, which formore than 30 years has beenbased in the south of the county.Also present were guests,patrons and trustees of the chari-ty.Mr Campbell said of the organi-sation, which has a strongChristian foundation: "It is nomean feat to fill a gap that isnecessary and be able to be aviable organisation."The care of the elderly is a hugeissue right across the countrywhen funding is stretched. Butpeople live much longer in

Dorset than anywhere else in thecountry and have to find care.Those who provide it, supportcarers, and particularly the car-ers, fill a huge hole."The Blandford office, which wasblessed with prayers led byEvangelical church pastor BrookMaccallum, has two staff and ateam of 26 carers supporting 62

clients locally who are referred tothem by social services and med-ical professionals.John Simmons, Chairman ofPrama, said the charity wasworking on its relationship withlocal churches, and a socialdevelopment worker joining theteam in September would beworking with them to help.

Charles Drummond cuts the ribbon of the new Prama offices in Blandfordwatched by Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell.

A civic welcomefor Pramaarrival

ANOTHER metal detectoristhas unearthed a valuable find,this time in a field in theTarrant Valley. David Spohrdiscovered what he thought atfirst was an old sardine tin.Mr Spohr, a member of theStour Valley Search andRecovery Club fromCreekmoor in Poole, dug deep-er to reveal a shiny yellow andengraved object buried under10 inches of soil. It was identi-fied as a Bronze Age goldlunula or bracelet in the shapeof a crescent moon, one ofonly a handful found in main-land Britain, and particularlyunusual so far inland.It is believed to have beenused by a tribal leader, highpriest or healer as a symbol ofauthority, and to be between2,500 and 4,500 years old.The British Museum are cur-rently examining the findwhich could be valued at manythousands of pounds. A treas-ure trove inquest will be heldand the value will be splitbetween the finder and thelandowner.

Bronze Agerelic found

July 2014 21THEATRE

Curtain up as Shakespeare tops the bill

Same tale, different methods: Above (left), A scene from the Lord Chamberlain's Men’s all-male production of Romeo andJuliet. Above (right): A modern-day setting for the Shooting Stars' Romeo and Juliet in rehearsal.

Above left: Hilarious comedy in The Rude Mechanicals' 'The Wife' coming to Child Okeford this month. Above right:Howard and Stu of Living Spit in two of a multitude of roles in 'One Man and his Cow' at the White Horse, Stourpaine.

THE Lord Chamberlain's Mencame to Bryanston School withtheir 10th anniversary productionof Romeo and Juliet in June, andthere is an opportunity to seeanother version of the tale offeuding families and star-crossedlovers at the White Horse inStourpaine from 25th to 27thJuly.The traditional production atBryanston, with Elizabethan cos-tume, music and dance in anaward-winning all-male cast pro-duction, celebrated the 10thanniversary of the company, amodern incarnation ofShakespeare's own troupe of thesame name founded by MarkPuddle, its creative producer.He said: "Over the last 10 yearswe have travelled over 100,000miles, touring to over 250 venuesin seven different countries per-forming over 1,150 shows to over300,000 audience members, soto celebrate our 10th anniversarywe are enormously proud topresent our most ambitious andspectacular production yet."

By contrast, the version by theShooting Stars TheatreCompany, now regular visitors tothe pub in Stourpaine, whoselandlord is Chris Sargent, fatherof one of the company JoeSargent, will be a contemporaryaffair.As usual they will be putting it ina modern setting, which theybelieve will be to great effect forthe timeless story, in which Joewill be playing the role of Romeo.The production follows a per-formance at the White Horse byLiving Spit of 'One Man and hisCow', an Artsreach promotionfeaturing Howard and Stu in act-ing, singing and music a showwritten in rhyme and song with amultitude of agricultural clichéswhich went down a storm withtheir Stourpaine audience.

The annual visit of the Rude

Mechanicals to Child OkefordRecreation Ground is onSaturday 12th July, when theywill be presenting a hilarious ren-dition of their take on Chaucer's'Wife of Bath'.'The Wife' features Alison on thepilgrimage to Canterbury and thefive men who have shared herbed and the quest to find whatwomen most desire. First performed by The Rudes in

2003, it was included by TheTimes as one of their top threeoutdoor plays of that year. Ticketsare available by calling 01323501260 or from the Cross Stores,Child Okeford.

A Dorset Theatre Goers Clubis inviting lovers of theatre tojoin for a series of visits toshows across the region and inLondon.

There is currently a waiting listfor a trip to 'The Pyjama Game'in London on 16th July, butforthcoming events are visits toBath to see 'One Man TwoGuvnors’ on 20th September,and Chichester to see 'Gypsy'on 25th October.For more information, member-ship and booking forms, see thewebsite at dorsettheatregoer-sclub.co.uk.

Addiction charity marks 30-year milestoneLOCAL charity EDP Drug & Alcohol Services,which supports people in the Blandford areawith drug and alcohol addiction, this year cel-ebrates an important milestone after 30 yearsof helping those with associated problems.Previously known as the Exeter DrugsProject, EDP has helped many thousands ofpeople, working in prisons and the communi-ty, since it was formed in 1984 by a group ofdrug users and their families in Exeter.Its mission is 'to open doors for people affect-

ed by substance misuse so they can improvetheir lives and those of their families andcommunities'.Its patron in its birthday year is actressCaroline Quentin, who said: "I like the factthat people living in Dorset know that theycan go somewhere to get help specifically forthem where they live. The help varies enor-mously, but supports them whatever prob-lems they are having."EDP has also launched a 'Raise £30 for our

30th' campaign, asking people to raisemoney for the charity through sponsorshipchallenges or fundraising events, and is set-ting up a 'Friends of EDP' group to helpfundraise and raise awareness about thework that they do.For more information see their website atedp.org.uk and to talk to someone about yourdrug and/or alcohol use, contact theBlandford Forum EDP service on 01258450862.

SPORT July 201422

Former England rugby star Jason Leonard (centre), pictured with Blandfordclub chairman Jay Frampton (left) and treasurer Doug Thring at the Presidents'Award presentation that took place at Twickenham. Story: Page 23.

BLANDFORD refereeColin Morris (pictured)has officiated at a nation-al final in his last seasonin the role, having com-pleted more than 600games in the DorsetPremier League. The game was betweenThomas Telford School(Telford) and ThomasEstley Community College(Leicestershire) and was playedat the Madejski Stadium, home ofReading FC. Morris was awarded the fixturefor his long-standing support andcommitment to the English

Schools' FA (ESFA), andthe final was a fittingway to retire at a nation-al event and at such aprestigious stadium. His most recent high-profile event locally wasthe Dorset PremierLeague Cup final held atthe Bob Lucas Stadiumbetween Portland United

and Hamworthy Recreationwhere he was officiating for thethird time.He will continue to be involved infootball as a mentor to youngerreferees and assessor of assis-tant referees.

Colin’s final honour

The Teddy 20 Legends and Dorset Under-17s who played a challenge match atBlandford's Park Road Recreation Ground. Story: Page 8.

Ladies’ night at CrownAS pubs and clubs put up flags and bunting to promote showing the WorldCup on their big screens, the Crown Hotel in Blandford is planning analternative entertainment.Their 'football widows' ladies' night is scheduled for Saturday 28th Junewhen group winners and runners-up are due to play for a place in thequarter finals.Topless waiters have been booked to serve the drinks, with free make-upand nail finishing sessions, cocktails and disco. More than 80 people hadbought tickets by the beginning of June.The team at the Crown have thanked all those who supported their Musicfor MacMillan night in April to raise £382.84 for their adopted charity, and asilent auction for circus tickets in May.In June a week of fundraising events for Macmillan Cancer Support includ-ed a car wash, a book sale, a pyjama day and coffee morning, an abseildown the Spinnaker tower by duty managers Robert Gamble and GemmaBrannigan, a quiz night, another Music for Macmillan and a cake sale.

July 2014 SPORT 23

Brian White and Phil Jones from the winning team (Barry Pritchard had to leaveearly), with Gordon Ramsey, seniors' captain, Joe Robbins, club president, andJoe McMahon, seniors' open secretary.

A TOTAL of 37 teams from Dorsetand neighbouring counties tookpart in the Senior Open Bowmakerat Ashley Wood Golf Club.Scoring was good and eight twoswere recorded, together with abizarre hole-in-one on the par 3seventh hole. The problem wasthat the ball was struck from thesixth tee - the player has not beenidentified.Prizes were presented by presi-dent Joe Robbins and seniors'captain Gordon Ramsey to first-placed Barry Pritchard, Phil Jonesand Brian White of the Salisbury &South Wilts club, to runners-up

Stuart Sibley, Dave Mancey andJohn McQuillan of Came Down,and to third-placed T. Hawkins, B.Turner and S. Gibson ofParkstone, who beat Bill Kent,Lionel Pryor and Charles Thorntonof Broadstone on count back. Onlyfive points separated the top eightteams.The raffle was for Mr Ramsey'schosen charity, the BlandfordYouth Trust, and raised just under£300.Seniors' open secretary JoeMcMahon thanked everyone fortheir generosity in supporting thecompetition and the charity.

Good turn-out forseniors’ tournament

Rugby club inthe nationalspotlightBLANDFORD Rugby Club senttwo representatives toTwickenham on 1st June for apresentation as one of the finalsix in the Presidents Awards cat-egory for club management.The award recognises the effec-tiveness and efficiency of theclub committee to manage anddevelop as a successful modernrugby club. Club chairman Jay Frampton andtreasurer Doug Thring receivedthe award on behalf of the clubfrom the RFU president BobReeves and ex-England starJason Leonard. Mr Frampton said: "It is fantasticfor a relatively small club likeBlandford to get nationally recog-nised in this way to come in thetop six in the country. It provesthe hard work and commitment ofthe committee and the club isrecognised and we are movingBlandford RFC in the right direc-tion."The club has turned down thechance of playing in SouthernCounties South in the comingseason after finishing tied at thetop of their league. But they are looking forward toan exciting season in Dorset and

Wilts One South where they willface Ivel Barbarians,Bournemouth 2nds and DorsetDockers and competitive secondteams from Sherborne andWimborne.Mr Frampton said: "The last timewe got promoted, we won theleague by about 20 points, so wedidn't feel this time it was theobvious choice to go up."We're losing a lot of players nextseason and it's not fair to rely onsome of our older guys and thosewho haven't played at a higherlevel to step up."We need to close the gapbetween our first and secondteams. Last season was rubbishfor the seconds with five teamsdropping out of their league, sonext year is really promising forthem too."The club is also busy preparingfor its return to its formerLarksmead recreation groundhome, and will be hosting a fami-ly rugby fun day on BlandfordRecreation Ground on Sunday6th July.The senior side starts training thefirst week of July with a newcoach, Jon Fatiaki, to assist ChrisCurtis.

Footballers’ fun dayBLANDFORD Youth Football Club is running a fun day onSaturday 5th July on the Blandford School pitches next to theleisure centre.The afternoon will include displays from local clubs, stalls,tombola and lucky dip, football challenges, hook a duck, pick abottle and more. Inflatables are being supplied by Spacey Tracy entertainmentsand there are tables to hire for the sale of goods.A summer football fun week will operate in the first week of theschool holidays on the leisure centre fields from 21st to 25thJuly, with coaching from Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm, for boysand girls aged 5 to 12 years of all abilities.

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JULYWednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd,30th July: Swann Recruitment'Job Hunters' drop-in sessions atSunrise Business Park 3pm to6pmWednesday 2nd July: Dorset School Games, BryanstonSchoolBlandford St Mary Parish Councilmeeting to discuss village funday, Bryanston Court, 7pmThursday 3rd July: BlandfordMuseum talk, Heather Hinsley onthe Museum Victorian Garden,7.30pmFriday and Saturdays 4th, 5th,11th and 12th July: PoppyPainting Days, Corn ExchangeFriday 4th July: BlandfordCarnival Princess (7-11 years)and Miss Blandford Carnival (12-16 years) selection night at theRoyal British Legion at 7.30pm(Doors open 7pm). Entry formsavailable on the night (£2 toenter), further details 01258454696Friday 4th and Saturday 5thJuly: World Cup quarter finalsSaturday 5th July: Blandford Youth Football FunDay, Blandford School, 12 noonto 4pm, parking at MilldownSchool entranceHolistic Harmony yoga workshopand lunch, Spetisbury SchoolHall, 10am to 4 pm £45. Limitedplaces, book early to avoid disap-pointment.Sunday 6th July: Blandford RFC Family RugbyDay, The Recreation Ground,Blandford, 12 to 3pm, Mini TasterTraining Sessions, Bar & BBQ.Players and coaches of all agesand abilities welcome. 01258451779Open Gardens and Crafts,Okeford Fitzpaine 11am to 5pmMusic and Voice from TheGravellers and Dulcima,Springhead Trust, FontmellMagna, 7.30pm, limited seating,tickets 01747 811201Monday 7th July:

Charity golf day for Sepsis,Ashley Wood Golf Club, 8am to8pmWessex Water open evening,behind the scenes at TarrantCrawford sewage treatmentworks, DT11 9HU, 4 to 7pmTuesday 8th July: Age ConcernBlandford AGM, WoodhouseGardens Pavilion, The Close,Blandford, 2pm, followed byrefreshments, all welcomeTuesday 8th and Wednesday9th July: World Cup semi-finalsWednesday 9th July: BlandfordSchools Network concert, 'A nightin the West End' at The BlandfordSchool, 6pm to-8.45pmThursday 10th July: Stour ValleyMixed Probus Club meet 10.15 atthe Crown Hotel for coffee fol-lowed by a talk by June Davey on'Naomi House and Jack's Place',New members welcome, contactJoyce Lee on 450857 or EricRainbow, 454049Friday 11th July: Friday Night isMinstrel Night, Okeford FitzpaineChurch, 7.30pmFriday 11th and Saturday 12thJuly: Spetisbury OccasionalDramatic Society presents 'AreYou Sure There's No BodyThere', a comedy by Ian Hornby,Spetisbury village hall, 7.30pm,tickets 01258 857541Saturday 12th July: Garden Party for the CupolaProject, The Old House, TheClose, BlandfordWWI Commemoration VintageTea, Anne Biddlecombe Hall,Tarrant Keyneston, 2pmRude Mechanical TheatreCompany present 'The Wife' (ofBath), Child Okeford RecreationGround, 7.30pm, site opens forpicnics 6.30pm A night of Mediumship withShama in Pimperne Village Hall,7

to 9.30pm.Saturday 12th and Sunday 13thJuly: Craft and Garden Fair, ChettleHouse, Chettle, 10am to 6pmSunday 13th July: World CupFinalTuesday 15th to Thursday 17thJuly: The Blandford School pres-ents 'Les Miserables', TivoliTheatre, WimborneWednesday 16th July: DorsetTheatregoers Club trip to ‘ThePyjama Game’ in London. Seewebsite www.dorsettheatregoer-sclub.co.uk for full information offuture events, membership andbooking formsWednesday 16th to Sunday20th July: Larmer Tree Festival,Tollard RoyalThursday 17th July: BlandfordHeart Forum, WilliamsOpportunity Hall, WhitecliffGardens, 7 to 9pm, speakerPenrose Halson, "MarriageBureau Experiences". All wel-comeSaturday 19th July: Blandford & Sturminster NewtonCats Protection coffee morningand stalls, Woodhouse GardensPavilion, Blandford, 10am to12.30pm Talk by Michael Le Bas onBlandford's role in World War II,The Grange, Milldown Road,Blandford, 2.45pm. Suitable forall agesTarrant Hinton village feteShroton Fair, 12 noon to 5pmMilton Abbas Art Group exhibitionopens, the Reading Room, MiltonAbbasSunday 20th July:Tarrant Valley 10k run from theLangton Arms, Tarrant Monkton,10.30amThe Holistic Experience Fayre,10am-4pm, Pimperne Village

Hall, raffle with proceeds toTeddy 20Monday 21st July: BlandfordClub for Visually Impaired meetsWilliams Opportunity Hall,Whitecliff Gardens, Blandford, 2to 4pm, Allens Folk and Fun, con-tact Margaret Hemus on 07786413616Monday 21st to Friday 25thJuly: Blandford Football ClubSummer Football Fun, 10am until3pm. £2 per day or £8 for theweek, all day coaching for 5-12year-olds of all abilities. To bookcall 07877 145177 or 01258480342Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 26thJuly: Dorset Opera, BryanstonSchool (22, 23, 25 & 26 (mat)Aida, 24 and 26 (eve) Fidelio Wednesday 23rd July:Blandford Forum Townswomen'sGuild meets WilliamsOpportunity Hall, WhitecliffGardens, Blandford, 2.15pm, MyLife in Insurance with SharonJohnFriday to Sunday 25th, 26thand 27th July: Shooting Starspresent Shakespeare's 'Romeo &Juliet', White Horse, Stourpaine,7pm, tickets from the village shopor by phone to 01258 453535Saturday 26th July: Cream Teasand Plant Stall, Shroton, 2 to 5pmSunday 27th July: BlandfordOpportunity Group annual spon-sored Walk/Run/Jog/ Cycle Eventstarting at 10am in the StationCourt Car Park, forms from01258 456187 or 01258 453955or Off Camber, Salisbury Street,Blandford.Try Golf at The Ashley Wood GolfClub Open Day (open eveningalso Mondays from 6pm). All wel-comeThursday 31st July: MiracleTheatre Company presentShakespeare's 'The Tempest' inconjunction with Artsreach,Springhead Trust, FontmellMagna, 7.30pm, tickets 01747811201

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, and forthcom-ing events for the year, are available and regularly updated on our

website at www.forumfocus.co.uk

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events

July 201424

BLANDFORD's Set Fair 4 Trade shop inSalisbury Street closed on 21st June with theretirement of its proprietors David and JennieRake.Jennie said: "In 2005, when we moved toDorset, we were already involved with sellingfairly traded goods on an ad hoc basis - fairlytraded is the correct term for non-food items -and two months after moving here, weopened our own business and signed a nine-year lease. The name is uniquely ours and weare not part of a chain, nor is it a franchise.

"The lease was due to terminate on 30thSeptember, but the new tenant is keen to bein the premises before the autumn. So withour landlord's agreement, we agreed to finishtrading three months early."The new tenant will take over the premises on1st July, selling electronic cigarettes.Jennie added: "We look forward to our retire-ment, although David is still busy as caretakerfor the Parish Centre and I look forward todevoting more time to my hobbies and inter-

ests. My second novel, 'Forgetting Mr Nice-Guy', is being published in the autumn, and Iam working on a third. I will still continue togive talks about fair trade and issues sur-rounding world poverty to groups, schools andchurches, as a supporter of Tearfund, a role Ihave had for many years."With their retirement comes the end of whathas been one of Blandford most individual giftand charity shops - but it is understood thatthere is a possibility of another charity launch-ing a similar venture.

Fair trade shop couple opt for retirement