For Blandford and surrounding villagesIssue No. 37 April 2015

Following in the footsteps of theGallipoli heroes: Pages 8-9

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Parking permit cutblow to volunteers

Blandford Guides and Brownies with cakes they baked for their spring fair in the Corn Exchange.

A DECISION by North DorsetDistrict Council to reduce thenumber of free parking permitsfor charities with shops andoffices in town has angered thevolunteers and trustees ofBlandford Tourist InformationCentre.At a meeting of trustees inFebruary, they were told that twopermits had been sent with the2014 expiry dates, resulting intwo volunteers receiving parkingfines which had to be challengedand cancelled.But they were more concerned atthe reduction in number from sixto two, and have taken up theissue with the council.The number of permits wasreduced to two per organisationin February 2014 as part of thereview of car parking chargesgenerally.At that time a total of 82 permitshad been issued district-wide,including in Blandford car parks:six each to the First DorsetCredit Union, Fashion Museum,DT11, TIC and The Friends ofBlandford Hospital, and threeeach to North Dorset CAB andthe Disability Action Group.The decision was based on evi-dence that the value of the per-mits amounted to £17,755 ayear, and on the basis that carparking income would increase ifthe volunteers paid for their park-ingTIC trustee Adam Forty pointedout that the TIC had in the pastreceived the permits to allowthem to provide a service whichwas originally run by the council.When NDDC withdrew their fund-ing, a huge volunteer effort wentinto preserving the facility and re-establish it in the premises it nowoccupies at the entrance to the

Marsh and Ham car park."The permits cost NDDC noth-ing," he said. "However they dosupport the community effort ofour 25 volunteers and seventrustees, who at no charge helpNorth Dorset District Council andBlandford Forum Town Councilfulfil the role of providing localand tourist information and pro-moting the area. We also selltickets on behalf of the towncouncil and other local events."In an email to Kevin Morris, envi-ronment, community and com-missioned services manager atNDDC, he says: "The effort of the

volunteers is considerable, keep-ing the TIC open for 291 days ayear, which adds up to 1,746hours. "With our management andtrustees' meetings and otheractivities, this adds up to 1,906hours, which at an hourly rate ofeven the minimum wage amountsto a total benefit of £12,389 tothe community. If charged at pro-fessional rates, or even localaverage wage, you could easilydouble or even treble this figure."He said that to fulfil their objec-tives and keep the TIC open,

To Page 3

INSIDEINSIDE£200,000 lotterygrant gives lift-off tochurch repairs: P3Landscape fearslead to wind farmopposition: P4Health & safetycaused bypassclean-up delay: P5Five declared so farfor General Electionbattle: P6Spring hopes forBlandford Fly riverspray: P7

2 April 2015

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Where to findForum FocusTHE main drop points are:Blandford and Blandford St Mary:The Post Office, Library andParish Centre in The Tabernacle,the Corn Exchange, Gorge Cafeand Blandford Museum in theMarket Place, the Tourist Inform-ation Centre in West Street, JamesNewsagents in The Plocks, theCo-ops in Salisbury Road andLangton Road, the 3Cs in DamoryStreet, the Damory Garage andOne Stop in Salisbury Road,Cherry's hairdressers in ElizabethRoad, CLP stationery on Bland-ford Heights industrial estate,Blandford Leisure Centre in Mill-down Road, the Central Shop inHeddington 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, LangtonArms in Tarrant Monkton, Pimperneshop, the White Horse Inn atStourpaine, Iwerne Minster postoffice, Shillingstone Garage,Londis Shop & Royal Oak atMilborne St Andrew, The Crown atWinterborne Stickland, Post Officeand Surgery, Milton Abbas, andThe Cricketers at Shroton.We know that many of you pickup copies of Forum Focus totake to friends, neighbours orother venues from our droppoints. But to avoid duplicationwith our volunteer deliverers,please let us know by email todistribution@forumfocus.co.uk orcalling 01258 456999. If there isno delivery in your street orvenue, please consider helpingus by joining the team.

WELCOME to the fourth year of publication of Forum Focus,which we are confident will be as successful as the first threesince our launch in April 2012.We now distribute to 7,500 households and businesses in theDT11 postcode area, more than 3,000 house-to-house with the helpof our volunteer deliverers, and the rest picked up by our readersfrom our drop points in the town and surrounding villages.We have been supported by our regular and occasional contrib-utors and advertisers. Our advertising rates have not increasedand in some cases have reduced as a result of being able toachieve more competitive production costs.We look forward to your and their continued support in theknowledge that Forum Focus is now well established as a qualitypublication serving Blandford and the surrounding community.

Focus enters its fourth year

The outlook is bright forOfsted inspected schoolsLAST month's front page articleon the Ofsted inspections ofMilldown and Durweston primaryschools resulted in a great dealof comment for and against bothschools.Much was based on personalexperience and circumstancesrelating to individuals, which isnot always a matter for publicknowledge.But we must correct two errors inthe article, the first that the num-bers on school rolls were trans-posed, and that at the time ofinspection there were 179 chil-dren at Milldown and 143 atDurweston.We must also highlight thatunder leadership and manage-ment at Milldown, judged in needof improvement by the inspec-tors, was a sub-section praisingthe governance of the school.

Ofsted reports are intentionallylengthy, and were necessarilysummarised in the article byusing the headline judgementsoffered by the inspectors, butthey are available in full on theOfsted website at reports.ofst-ed.gov.ukThe manager of the Handy Pawspre-school at Durweston,Lyndsay McKinley-Nichols, hashighlighted that the commentsrelating to them found teachingin the pre-school setting out-standing, with exceptional teach-ing from the childcare managerand support assistants whichchallenged and focused on sup-porting the needs of each child."We are very proud of HandyPaws pre-school and what it hasachieved," she said. "They high-lighted that children make anexcellent start to their life in

school in the well-managed andwelcoming pre-school settingand are looked after in the stim-ulating and well-stocked class-room and outside areas, andthat parents and carers aredelighted by the way their chil-dren settle in and gain confi-dence so quickly. "These comments and observa-tions are the result of continuoushard work and commitment byall staff at Handy Paws toensure that we strive, as always,to reach the high standardsevery child deserves from us." Durweston Primary's head-teacher Liz Wesley-Barker, in aletter to parents, carers, staffand governors published on theschool website, said: "Ofstedrecognised that my experienceand determination to provide thevery best education for all pupilshas enabled the school to buildon many of the successes notedat the time of the last inspection.I am also pleased that Ofstedidentified 'some significantstrengths' in the governing body. "I feel we are in a good positionto move forward and make thechanges that are needed tomove the school to at least'good' in a short time span.Current issues can be resolvedquickly with the loyalty and sup-port of the entire staff. The nearfuture will consist of half-termlyreviews by the local authority toidentify progress and Ofsted willreturn within 24 months fromnow to carry out another inspec-tion."

3April 2015

Forum Focusis an independent,

not-for-profit, community newspaper produced entirely by volunteers.

We are alwayspleased to receive

offers of help.

From Page 1they needed a minimum of four parking permits, to allow for thechangeover between two morning and two afternoon staff.Six would be ideal, allowing also the trustees and managers, includingthe book keeper, treasurer and chairman of the volunteer managementcommittee, to work on the premises as required without having to payfor the privilege."We regularly have up to five staff present on many occasions. Theprovision of parking permits would appear to be a tiny investment withan incredible rate of return." Mr Forty said volunteers and trustees gave a considerable amount oftheir time free of charge, and the lack of parking passes would have amajor impact on recruitment and retention of volunteers, among whomthere had already been talk of resignations."Volunteers are interpreting it as a slap in the face. The example thatis being set is, frankly, very poor."

Parking permit dismay

The Dorset Police Male Voice Choir in concert in Blandford Parish Church

Church repairs go ahead thanksto £200,000 lottery grantBLANDFORD's Parish Church of

SS Peter and Paul has beenawarded a £212,900 grant fromthe Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF),which will enable urgent work togo ahead on the current phase ofrestoration.Work to ensure the safety of thetower and in particular the cupolaon top is vitally important not justbecause of their perilous statebut to maintain the familiar fea-ture of the town's skyline.The clock will also be repaired,safeguarding an important part ofthe soundscape of the centre oftown. Improvements will be made tothe health and safety aspects ofaccess to the top of the tower,and the weathervane, which hadto be taken down more than ayear ago to be re-gilded, will bereturned to its position. An initial HLF development granthelped fund all the surveys andpreparatory work needed, andthis second award brings thetotal given by HLF for this phaseof the project to £250,000. Sara Loch, chairman of theCupola Project, said: "We are soexcited to get this grant. Withoutit we would not have been able to

carry out this vital work. I can'twait to see the scaffolding go up."It is expected that scaffolding willstart to go up in early May.Nerys Watts, head of HLF SouthWest, said: "This money will payfor urgent repairs at SS Peterand Paul Church in BlandfordForum, and as a result willmean the building will be moreused by the whole community,and properly cared for into thefuture."The cost of the entire project torestore the church is estimated ataround £4 million. Phase 1 wasthe emergency work to stop anyfurther water ingress and toshore up the base of the cupola,which has now been completedand paid for. The grant towards funding Phase2 will cover any work to the towerand cupola that requires scaffold-ing. Fundraising is continuing forother works to the tower that donot need scaffolding, includingthe ringing chamber, improve-

ments to the appearance of theWest entrance and making itaccessible by wheelchairs.At the end of February, theDorset Police Male Voice Choir,with musical director Dr JaneOakland, visited the church forthe first time in many years to

give a concert, which raised £530for the project.A varied programme of musicdelighted their audience, andthey were joined by two accom-plished soloists from SturminsterNewton High School, EmilyClarke and Holly Fripp.

4 April 2015

AS development moves on quick-ly at the solar farm at BlandfordSt Mary next to the A354, propos-als for a four-turbine wind farmfurther along the road atBlandford Hill, WinterborneWhitechurch were recommendedfor refusal by planning officers ata meeting of North Dorset DistrictCouncil's development manage-ment committee.Campaigners had fought hardagainst the application by REGWindpower and their objectionswere backed by the conclusionsof advisers that the 125-metreturbines would have a seriouslydetrimental impact on listed build-ings, heritage assets and sites ofhistoric interest, as well as on thelandscape in the Dorset Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty.Officers concluded, in a report ofmore than 160 pages which con-sidered all aspects of the propos-al, that the benefits in providingrenewable energy did not out-weigh the adverse impacts.They said: "The proposed devel-

Landscape damage fears leadto wind farm plan opposition

Mapperton solar farm protesters make their point.

opment would result in a highmagnitude of change to a highlysensitive landscape that in theimmediate vicinity of the site isconsidered to be of local value. "The strong sense of remotenesswould be compromised by themodern intrusion of high vertical

"Considerable importance andweight should be given to thedesirability of preserving the set-ting of listed buildings and con-servation areas and convincingjustification for the harm has notbeen provided. The merits of theproposal are not consideredexceptional."Officers also concluded that therewould be adverse impact on twonearby residential properties,Sunstar and The Lodge at EastDown, where the dominatingeffect upon views from primaryliving areas as well as amenityareas would have an overbearingimpact on residents' amenity.Meanwhile objectors are gearingup to fight a renewed applicationfor a solar farm at Mapperton onthe border of the DT11 area over-looking Winterborne Zelston,where Good Energy were forcedto withdraw an earlier applicationin the face of legal challenge.At the end of February the com-pany presented its latest proposalfor 90,000 solar panels over 106acres - the equivalent of 66 foot-ball pitches - to a packed meetingof Lower Winterborne parishcouncil. The Dorset branch of theCampaign to Protect RuralEngland, generally supportive ofsolar farm development, is back-ing local residents fighting thescheme which, they say, is inunspoilt countryside on goodarable agricultural land, arguingthat Dorset has met nearly all itsrenewable energy target byapproving 37 solar farms alreadyand can afford to be more selec-tive.See Letters, Page 19.

structures with movement thatbreaks panoramic skylines, andwould appear prominent in thecontext of the smaller-scale val-ley landscape. The resultantimpact would be a stark and dra-matic effect upon the rural land-scape." The report went on to say thatthe proposal would lead to sub-stantial harm to a number of list-ed buildings. They included thegrade I listed church of St Mary inWinterborne Whitechurch, thegrade II listed milestone on theA354 (south side), the grade IIlisted and scheduled wheelhouse and the WinterborneWhitechurch Conservation Area."As well as these substantialimpacts to heritage assets a num-ber of additional listed buildings,the registered historic garden atAnderson and several buildingsof local interest would experienceless than substantial harm.

A PUBLIC exhibition, online survey and printed questionnaire gatheredevidence for the inquiry into the North Dorset Local Plan, which started atNordon at the beginning of March and was to consider the issues relatingto Blandford.The Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan team have put forward representa-tions to the inquiry inspector, presented by a consultant on their behalf,and favoured development being focused within the town boundaryrather than in the villages of Bryanston and Blandford St Mary.Team members explained at the exhibition staged in the Corn Exchange,Blandford St Mary School and Bryanston Club over three days that thiswas because there was a stronger possibility of securing infrastructuredevelopment alongside any housing if the new homes were containedwithin the town, where larger development sites were available.The survey and questionnaire asked those living in the town and twoparishes involved where they would prefer to see the development.Within three days of the closing date for the survey, a total of 884 returnshad been received.

Local inquiry underway

5April 2015

COMPLAINTS of roadside litteron the Blandford bypass wereanswered by a three-day clear-ance blitz and with an explana-tion that regular cleaning hadbeen delayed by the need forstaff training.Blandford town and district coun-cillor Tony Harrocks reported tothe town council meeting on theday the clean-up started that hehad been told by the DorsetWaste Partnership (DWP) thatnew regulations required all high-way litter clearance operations onroads without pavements to berisk-assessed and meet extrahealth and safety requirements.The explanation was met withsome disbelief by town council-

lors, some of whom askedwhether this applied when theverge was 30 metres wide.A large number of complaints hadbeen made to the town councilabout the state of the bypass,both from Blandford residentsand from those living furtherafield, including one from anunnamed North Dorset DistrictCouncillor and another from adistrict council officer.Town councillor Haydn Whitesaid: "The town council takes alot of stick for things which arenot its fault, and I find it appallingthat a district councillor and anofficer did not know that it is theresponsibility of the Dorset WastePartnership."

Safety issues delayed bypass tidy-upDeputy Mayor, Councillor BobBrannigan, said he found theexplanation from the DWP "quitepuerile", and the bottom line wasthat they had not done their jobproperly.County Councillor Barrie Coopersaid it was an issue he hadraised at the county council's fullmeeting and was disappointed bythe response of council leaderRobert Gould who had said thelitter was more visible becausethere was less vegetation at thistime of year."The litter on the bypass has con-cerned a lot of people. I know theDWP are overspent, but it shouldstill provide the quality of servicewe expect. Blandford andWimborne bypasses are both thesame, and litter on all theseroads is totally unacceptable. Wewant tourists to come to Dorset,but that is what they see."Town Councillor RosemaryHolmes said: "There's only a littlelitter from people lobbing it out ofcars. It's more debris from lorriescoming up the bypass."Members of seven Dorset coun-cils met in March to discuss an

urgent improvement plan for thepartnership, which has reportedan overspend of £2.8 million andan increase in next year's budgetby £2.9m to £32.5m.Launched in 2011 to join upwaste services across Dorset, ithas met or exceeded most of itskey aims, including increasedrecycling, reduced landfill wasteand saving £1.3m a year in thefirst three years when the newservice was started in severaldistricts including North Dorset.But there have been problemswith the rollout of the service inWeymouth & Portland, and it hasbeen criticised over the way ithired and insured its vehicles.Dorset County Council haslaunched a formal independentlyled investigation into the issuesraised. The Director of the DWP hasbeen temporarily suspended,leaving Mike Harries, the countycouncil's director for environmentand economy and chair of theDWP management board, andSteve Mackenzie, chief executiveof Purbeck District Council, tem-porarily in charge.

Sara’s happy responseTHE introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Black Lane outsideArchbishop Wake Primary School during peak school times waswelcomed with whoops of joy by town councillor and formerschool governor Sara Loch at February's town council meeting. County Councillor Barrie Cooper was, however, asked tocheck whether the signs were too high and the timings suit-able since they were not being turned on until 8.30am.

April 20156

General Election countdown: five declared so far

Richard Barrington (Green)

Simon Hoare (Conservative) Hugo Mieville (Liberal Democrat)

Steve Unwin (UKIP)

Kim Fendley (Labour)

ELECTION fever is beginning to build ascouncillors, candidates and supportersprepare for the General Election and localelections taking place on Thursday 7thMay.Nominations close at 4pm on Monday 9th

April for candidates for the general elec-tion, the North Dorset district and localtown and parish council elections.The deadline for registering to vote is atmidnight on 20th April and for new postalvotes Tuesday 21st April.

Although the full list of candidates in theparliamentary election is not yet known, atthe time of Forum Focus going to press, atotal of five had declared their intention todo so. Here is a brief introduction to themall.

GREEN Party candidate Richard Barrington said their membershiphad grown tenfold across the constituency, especially in places likeBlandford, drawn from all the main parties and from none, to stand upfor a better way of doing things and reject austerity for the 99 per cent.He said he had been approached by people with genuine concernsabout international issues, as well as people affected by benefit sanc-tions and working in jobs with no scrutiny and no guarantee of pay."The NHS and social care are as critical issues as the environmentand how we can live within the planet's ability to support us."He said the Green Party wanted to ensure Blandford has control overits own destiny as a vibrant, caring community focused on the com-mon good, with good-quality local employment paying at least the liv-ing wage, plus holiday and sick pay, warm affordable housing foreveryone, free education providing life skills and opportunity for all,and a transport infrastructure that connected people and communitiesin a clean and sustainable environment."Our focus on helping small business and farmers to succeed andcompete against tax avoiding multinationals will help regenerate mar-ket towns such as Blandford. We want communities to decide whatthey need and will provide the tools, finance and delegated authority tosucceed."

KIM Fendley is no stranger to campaigning in North Dorset, hav-ing contested seats on the county council and other local elec-tions for the Labour party three times since 2009.The former Blandford School pupil and member of BlandfordYouth Centre, who graduated from Swansea, is now a teacher ofcontemporary history at Parkstone Grammar School, and hasheld the positions of youth officer and treasurer in the NorthDorset Labour Party.He says the greatest challenge is to engage his own 18 to 30 agegroup in the electoral process and fight their disillusionment withpoliticians. As a 23-year-old he spoke at the 2010 Labour partyconference saying he believed he was of the generation that ben-efited from Labour's commitment to education, and could honest-ly say that it worked."I believe we all deserve better from our politicians, which canonly be achieved by getting involved in the process of ourdemocracy, whether it be at the national or local level."Involvement in many charitable fundraising events has allowedme to appreciate the good things concerned citizens can accom-plish. My job allows me to continually engage with those who areat the beginning of their journey into society which has neverbeen more challenging for the young."

HUGO Mieville, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate forNorth Dorset, hosted a public meeting on 'The Future of the EnglishCountryside' at Sturminster Newton's Exchange. In his introduction, he referred to the importance of rural matters inthe forthcoming election. He also highlighted his Rural Bill of Rights,which he is proposing along with Ros Kayes, the Lib Dem PPC forWest Dorset, as an answer to the twin problems of rural inequalityand rural disconnectedness from the centre of power.The main speaker was Lord Robin Teverson, a former MEP who isthe Lib Dem spokesman in the Lords on energy and climate change,and chair of the umbrella pressure group for countryside causes,the Rural Coalition. Lord Teverson spoke about many crucial rural issues, including cutsin bus services, the need to extend rural broadband, the shortage ofaffordable housing in the countryside, and the importance of theLiberal Democrat policy of localism. He then answered questionsfrom a very attentive audience, who came from all parts of NorthDorset.The official launch of the Rural Bill of Rights took place on 6thMarch at Dorchester's Corn Exchange, where the keynote speakerwas the Lib Dem peer Baroness Bakewell, an expert on rural infra-structure.

THE UKIP Parliamentary Candidate for NorthDorset, Steve Unwin, who has lived inShaftesbury for 20 years, is taking his cam-paign up a couple of gears after a solid 18months of knocking on doors.Since September 2013, he and his teamhave spoken to thousands of North Dorsetvoters about their concerns for the future ofthe UK.Mr Unwin was main speaker at a publicmeeting at Pimperne village hall which fol-

lowed the North Dorset UKIP AGM onSaturday 21st March."More and more people are becoming awareof the expense and dangers to democracythat membership of the European Unionbrings with it," he said."But it doesn't stop there. People are alsoworried about the burgeoning national debtand the effect that it will have on their chil-dren and grandchildren.

"They are constantly being told by the coali-tion government that the economy is on themend, but then they're told in the samebreath that there is more austerity to come,more cuts to local services and the police, aswell as murmurings of more defence cutsafter the General Election - just at a timewhen the world is becoming more dangerousas each day passes."These are not the signs of an economy thatis in good shape."

SIMON Hoare, who has been selected as Conservative party can-didate to succeed North Dorset's current MP Bob Walter, joinedMr Walter at a number of visits made in the constituency, includ-ing one to Longmead Community Farm in Milborne St Andrew,and the launch of the new base for community bus serviceBus2Go at Signpost House in Blandford.Mr Hoare, currently a county councillor in Witney, the constituen-cy of Prime Minister David Cameron, was chosen in a selectionprocess which engaged members throughout North Dorset andafter a challenging question-and-answer session with more than100 party members.He said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been selected as theConservative party's candidate for North Dorset and hugely grate-ful to those who have put their faith in me. "I regard this as a great opportunity to build on the hard work ofBob Walter over the past years. I believe I bring experience, ener-gy and a willingness to listen to local people and businesses. Butmost of all, I want to serve North Dorset as I want to make a dif-ference in the everyday lives of so many people." He added: "I will be campaigning every day in the constituencyand focused totally on North Dorset, its communities and needs.If elected, I will be a full-time MP."

April 2015 7

HOPES are high that North DorsetDistrict Council will be able tocarry out the treatment of the riverStour to control the Blandford Flyby the end of March or early inApril.In February the council was stillwaiting to hear whether approvalcould be given for the treatment.Town councillors were told that theissue of licensing the product usedunder EU regulations was stillbeing progressed.But a district council spokesmanconfirmed that the Dorset HealthProtection Network, an informalgroup comprising officers fromlocal councils and agencies inDorset, has agreed to support thedistrict council in funding sprayingof the river to control the fly in2015, if the necessary approvalcan be obtained."The manufacturer of the rivertreatment product used to controlthe fly has applied for the relevantapproval, and the contractor thatundertakes the work has alsobeen notified and is on stand-by,"he said. "The council is maintaining contactwith the product supplier concern-

ing progress with the applicationfor approval. If all goes accordingto plan, treatment of the rivershould occur in late March or earlyApril."Concern was raised last year thatthe treatment might not be carriedout, firstly because of doubt overwho would fund the operation, andthen because of the need to reli-cense the product under EU regu-lations.Local councillors fought for everyeffort to be made to ensure thetreatment was carried out, and apetition launched by Pat Ashworthof Blandford was signed by over2,000 people and presented to thedistrict council and Dorset HealthProtection Network. It called for the treatment's contin-uation to prevent an outbreak of flybites which in the past have hadserious impact on residents andvisitors to the river Stour, both inthe Blandford area and furtherdownstream.Mrs Ashworth said: "Thanks toRoger Frost, manager of Food,Safety and Licensing at NDDC, itnow looks as if there is a reason-able chance that treatment will

Fly spray hopes for the springtake place this year. This is still tobe confirmed, but we have toremain optimistic."For the future, it would be marvel-lous if annual treatment of the riverStour could just continue, as manypeople would wish. However, Ithink it is probably unrealistic tobelieve that this will happen. "I can see that there is a logicaland reasonable case for putting inplace a programme of research tosee just what is happening to thefly - whether its breeding pattern

has been altered in any way, orwhether conditions in the riverhave changed. I imagine that costsalso have to feature in all of this. "I just hope that those who findthemselves in the position of hav-ing to think through all of this willcontinue to bear in mind people'svery real concerns and see thatany research programme is prop-erly explained and publicised sothat everyone knows what is hap-pening and understands the rea-sons why."

Growth cash availableNORTH Dorset District Council has an Economic Growth Fundwhich helps small businesses and community projects creat-ing jobs and economic growth, bringing a wider benefit forthe local economy. Grants of up to £5k are available for things like equipment andtraining. More information is available at dorsetforyou.com/398154 The North Dorset Local Action Group is also providing EUfunding for creating jobs and economic growth, and the twofunds will complement each other.For more information on the North Dorset Economic GrowthFund, contact Susan Sullivan, Economic Development Officer,North Dorset District Council, email SSullivan@north-dorset.gov.uk or phone 01258 484005.

April 20158

Marching in memory of heroes100 join the recreation of the troops’departure for Gallipoli a century ago

ORGANISERS were not disappointed when morethan 100 people turned out to remember the march ofmembers of the Royal Naval Division from BlandfordCamp to Shillingstone station at the start of their jour-ney to Gallipoli 100 years ago.Members of the 14-18 Commemoration Group werejoined by serving military personnel from the RoyalSignals and Royal Navy based at Blandford Campand from HMS Collingwood in Portsmouth, bydescendants of RND personnel, and by members ofthe public to walk the route of the North DorsetTrailway.Researcher Bridget Spiers, for the 14-18 group, said:"This wasn't the exact route taken by the servicemen,whose letters describe crossing fields, but it was the

closest we could safely get to it."Along the route, the marchers were able toexplain to other Trailway users the signifi-cance of the occasion as part of Blandford’sWorld War One commemorations.Their destination was the now-restoredShillingstone station, where members ofthe Station Project welcomed them withrefreshments from their cafe, and 'station-master' Derek Lester-Jones urged them onto the 'special train for Avonmouth' - thecarriage which stands on the platform, andwhere certificates of participation were pre-sented to all those completing the walk.First to arrive were two members of the 15Signals Regiment, Bidan Gurun and ShaneMorley, who together with a large numberof service colleagues had started fromBlandford Camp and who ran the route in90 minutes.The majority of civilians walked fromStation Court in Blandford, including com-memoration group member Tony Harrocks,in full military dress complete with pith hel-met, as worn by those 100 years ago. Hebrought up the rear on the final stretch,accompanied by two pack-horses whichtook the place of the mules which had trav-elled with the servicemen.Certificates were presented by AntheaGibson-Fleming, the great grand-daughter

of Lady Baker, who in 1915 came from theRanston estate at nearby Iwerne Courtneyto serve teas to the servicemen going off towar.Among the walkers were Major RichardHoghton of Shillingstone, whose great-grandfather was one of those to march,and Nick Peacey, whose great-uncle wasamong the troops leaving Blandford 100years ago.Nick was inspired to organise the com-memorative walk as part of a Gallipoli com-memoration after meeting with churchwar-den Sara Loch in Blandford Parish Churchand learning more about their departure inFebruary 1915.It led to the launch of the Gallipoli MusicMemorial with a series of events inBlandford and elsewhere commemoratingthose who fought and died at Gallipoli,through the lives and work of artists andmusicians, who were members of theRoyal Naval Division.A concert and exhibition in BlandfordParish Church on 21st June will feature thechoirs of Blandford schools and of ClareCollege, Cambridge, where composerWilliam Denis Browne studied.There will also be an exhibition in BlandfordMuseum in August of the work of Blandfordschools in researching Gallipoli.

Tony Harrocks (left) in uniform on the final stretch of the Trailway.

April 2015 9

Above: Walkers at the start of the Trailway in Station Court, Blandford. Aboveright: Tony Harrocks receives his certificate of participation from AntheaGibson-Fleming, great grand-daughter of Lady Baker, who dispensed teas toservicemen in 1915. Right: A well-deserved break for refreshments for the firstto arrive, Shane Morley and Bidan Gurun.

A welcome rest on the station platform at the end of the march.

Above: A detachment marches downBlack Lane from Blandford Camp.Right: The modern-day military arriveat Shillingstone station.

April 201510

New displays at fashion museumTHE Blandford Fashion Museum at Lime Tree House inChurch Lane reopened for the season with a number ofnew displays under the title of 'Ladies Day' and focusingon the period following the stock market crash of 1929.The effect of the economic downturn on fashion was for

it to become more elegant, with empha-sis on quality both in fabric and design,and some of the most inspired workfrom Chanel, Schiaparelli, Vionnet,Rochas and Patou.The couture business was goingthrough hard times and wages had tobe kept to the minimum. There were pri-vately run workshops that specialised inembroidery, beadwork and embellish-ment, but all had to take large pay cutsto survive.Longer skirts first appeared in formalwear in 1928, beadwork died out by1929, and the longer fashions becameaccepted in daytime wear. Ready-to-wear came along and new fabrics start-ed to appear, such as rayon, Art Silkand a knitted form used for underwear.Hooks and eyes began to be replacedby the zip.Exhibits shown as a series demon-strate the garments worn during the1930s, showing beautifully made daydress and accessories, then nightwearincluding a nightdress and bed jacketmade from coffee-coloured silk, adressing gown in black panne velvet,wide-leg pyjamas in peach-colouredsilk and a nightdress from eau de nilcrepe de chine. Evening wear is repre-sented by a dress of metallic fabric

with multicolour stylised flowers andanother in plum silk chiffon over anunderdress of the same colour.A wonderful collection of underwear isdisplayed in a cabinet close to the mainexhibits, some hand-knitted in rayonyarn and some in silk. In contrast to the 1930s, a section enti-tled Ladies Day 1790s shows two floralprinted cotton dresses, and from the1870s, a lady waiting for a train wearinga two-piece dress of plain weave brownsilk and carrying a leather Gladstonebag and fur muff.New exhibits in the designer fashionroom include items from Gucci andTurkish-born Rifat Ozbek, and theMillennium Coat designed by Georginavon Etzdorf of Salisbury.Other rooms continue to show a house-hold scene inspired by Kingston Lacywith uniforms from the Hambro family atMilton Abbas, the Georgian room andthe party dress room.The museum is open on Mondays andThursdays to Saturdays from 10am to5pm, as is its tearoom, with a separateentrance from The Plocks, which is nowunder the new management of DeniseSymmons and operates independentlyserving teas and cakes to the public aswell as museum visitors.

Curator Stella Walker shows the maindisplay to Blandford deputy mayorBob Brannigan and his wife Carole atthe Fashion Museum preview day.

PLANNING permission has atlast been granted for redevelop-ment of the vacant and derelictsite of Amey's Garage in OakfieldStreet, Blandford, by NorthDorset District Council's develop-ment management committee.The application from O10 Ltdwas for 10 two-bedroomed flats,two more than the scheme grant-ed approval which lapsed in2006. The company had recentlymade a number of applicationsfor a higher number of flats whichwere refused.

April 2015 11

April 201512

TOWN councillors gathered in the Market Place on the morning ofMonday 9th March to play their part in a worldwide recognition ofCommonwealth Day by flying the Commonwealth flag from theTown Hall window.They were joined by members of the public to hear the chairman ofcouncil and town Mayor Steve Hitchings read out theCommonwealth Affirmation.It was the first time Blandford had taken part in the annual celebra-tion, inaugurated last year with the aim of marking the day andconsidering the personal and community contribution that eachindividual could make towards shaping the shared future of theCommonwealth.Cllr Su Hunt, chairman of North Dorset District Council, read theaffirmation as the flag was raised in the grounds of Nordon, homeof the District Council, and similar ceremonies were held in otherDorset towns.

RESIDENTS living along theA350 between Blandford andShaftesbury have called onDorset County Council to reopenthe C13 Higher ShaftesburyRoad at Melbury Abbas byEaster.In an open letter to Debbie Ward,chief executive of the council,chairmen of the ten parish coun-cils on or near the road havedemanded the road be openedfor the summer tourist season.The letter follows a meeting con-vened and chaired by DistrictCouncillor Sherry Jespersen,held at Child Okeford CommunityCentre, at which closure of theC13 at Dinah's Hollow over ayear ago, and potential continuedclosure until 2017, was dis-cussed.It was agreed that the current sit-uation is unacceptable becauseof the pressure on the surround-ing road infrastructure.Residents highlight major trafficcongestion, an increase in acci-dents on the A350 in particular,high levels of pollution, substan-tial damage to the already over-used and fragile roads, vergesand properties, together with aserious level of concern for thesafety and general quality of lifeof the communities on or close to

the A350, the C13, the A357 andthe B3091."A number of local businessesare already reporting that theroad congestion has impactedtheir business and there is graveconcern that if the roads remainas hazardous for a further sum-mer, there may be lasting dam-age to North Dorset's reputationas a tourism destination," saidChris Nadin of Iwerne MinsterParish Council.Recent reports have suggestedthat the engineering work on theC13 will not be completed beforeAugust 2017, and traffic whichused to use it will continue to bedisplaced onto the surroundingroad network, including minorroads which are not fit to carrythe increased amount of traffic,and through numerous villageswith conservation areas and list-ed buildings.In their letter to Mrs Ward, thechairmen say: "These detrimentalimpacts on the local economyand the quality of life of residentsdirectly contravene the CountyCouncil's own strategic prioritiesof supporting economic growth,health and wellbeing."The decision to close the C13was primarily driven by consider-ation of a possible land slippage

Reopen landsliproad, demandangry residents

at Melbury Abbas. The balanceof risk between maintaining theroad closure and reopening theC13 temporarily is altered by thenew, much extended, time framefor the remedial work. The longerthe road remains closed thegreater the risk of a serious inci-dent."It is not reasonable to ask ourcommunities to tolerate this levelof disruption for a further twoyears. The cost is simply toohigh. The C13 must be reopenedas soon as possible, before thepatience of local residents runsout altogether."

THE Cameo Club of Durwestonis holding an open evening inDurweston Village Hall onTuesday 14th April with gueststhe Okeford Minstrels.The concert starts at 7.30pmand admission is £5 to includetea/coffee and biscuits. The hallbar will also be open. For furtherinformation, call 01258 452423.

April 2015 13

The walk-to-school party at the entrance to the North Dorset Trailway fromStourpaine.

DORSET county council members and officers joined parishcouncillors and parents in Stourpaine on a Monday morning walkfrom the village to Durweston to assess the adequacy of the 'walkto school' route identified by the county council to take the placeof the school bus. Following parental concern, plans to stop the bus were post-poned at least until after the Easter holidays and until a decisionis reached on the suitability of the walking route, which uses partof the North Dorset Trailway but also crosses two main roads andin parts is subject to flooding.As luck would have it, the inspection occurred on one of the dri-est days this year with no water in sight, although the representa-tives arrived armed with wellies just in case.But they were able to see where the Stour flooded the footpath,and also the amount of heavy traffic using the A357 and A350.Mother-of-two Julie Wigg said: "The difficulty is not knowingwhether the route is open until you have walked half-a-mile andfind it flooded, then having to walk home again to make alterna-tive arrangements."

Dry day for school walk

News in brief FORMER Blandford Town Council grounds maintenance employ-ee Stuart Antell, who left Blandford to work at Bath CricketGround, has secured a new position at Hampshire CountyCricket Club. He was congratulated by councillors at theirFebruary meeting and on the council's Facebook page.

* * * * *A Community Speedwatch lunchtime session in Black Lanerecorded 12 vehicles in 55 minutes travelling at speeds substan-tially above the 30mph limit.

* * * * *The next DT11 TAG transport leaflet will be published in earlyJune. There will be a Transport Action Group public meeting inthe Corn Exchange to explain changes to timetables and otherissues on Tuesday 21st April at 2pm. All are welcome.

No support forfireworks show TOWN councillors have agreedthat they are unable to supportthe suggestion from BlandfordRugby Club for a firework displayon Larksmead recreation groundthis year.But they have indicated to theclub that it may be possible towork with them towards an eventin November 2016.The proposal from the club,which moved onto its new pitchesat Larksmead last summer, wasconsidered by the full council inFebruary.They had in November agreed tosupport an event in principle, anda site meeting was held in Januaryto look at the issues involved.Councillor Sara Loch said: "Itwould be brilliant. I love fire-works, but reading the report feltthat officers were not particularlyhappy about it. There are prob-lems and we have already hadcomplaints about parking."Councillor Haydn White said:"People put up with the parkingwhen we had the White Helmetsdisplay during Charter 400. Wehaven't got an event like this inthe town and we should goahead and see if we can over-come the problems."Councillor Esme Butler askedwho was going to find the cost ofmore than £3,000 if they did notcharge for entry. Town clerkLinda Scott-Giles said the clubwanted the council to share thecost. Councillor John Stayt saidthe club was looking to localbusinesses for support and itwould be a terrific thing for thetown and townspeople.

Councillor Rosemary Holmessaid: "There are plenty of bigbusinesses who would sponsor itrather than hit the pockets oflocal traders in the town."Mrs Scott-Giles had pointed outthe work which would be requiredto move fences and replace themafter the event. She said:"Complaints take up hours of ourtime every day. The town needsa firework display but we justcan't cope in the office."Councillor Bob Brannigan saidthe challenges needed to be con-sidered carefully. "One is theimpact in a short period of time ofrugby club, floodlights and possi-ble pavilion extension. This is alsosomething which is covered by alot of regulation. We don't own theland at the moment and can't sayyes until we do. If the rugby clubgo it alone there will be still beexpense for the council."Councillor Roger Carter said:"We should try and find someway of supporting it. I don't thinkthe pavilion and a few complaintsare relevant. The rugby club'smove to Larksmead has beenvery successful overall."It was agreed that they shouldcontinue to support the idea inprinciple, but for 2016 not 2015,and that the rugby club should bethe lead organisation and ask thecouncil and others for assistance.Councillor Lynn Lindsay said: "Asland owners we will still haveresponsibility for health and safe-ty and would need representa-tion. It is an issue which shouldbe looked at by the new councilwithin a new four-year plan."

April 201514

Redknapp thumbs upfor school facilities

Milestone move for community bus COMMUNITY Transport organisation Bus2Go celebrated its move toBlandford with a visit from North Dorset MP Bob Walter.He cut the ribbon of the bus which had brought the dignitaries to thenew office in the Spectrum Residents Resource Centre at SignpostHouse.The organisation, founded three years ago by Margo Kirk of MilborneSt Andrew to provide bus trips for people living in the villages betweenthere and the town, had gone from strength to strength.It uses Dorset Community Transport's school buses in their down timeto carry up to 16 passengers, including wheelchairs and rollators, fordaytime and weekend trips to places of interest and shopping centres.The charity was named 2014 Volunteer Group of the Year by theDorset Volunteer Bureau, and Margo herself last year won theCommunity Hero Award, recognising Spectrum residents who go theextra mile in working for the local community.The award came with a £250 cheque which Margo chose to donate to

the ScotsGuardsColonel's Fund.She said: "Icouldn't havedevoted somuch time andattention to thisproject withoutthe support ofmy husband,Neville, and allthe fantasticpeople whohave volun-teered their helpover the pastthree years. AndBus2Go would

be nothing without the wonderful passengers we serve. I thank themfor their loyalty and for staying with us on this incredible journey."That journey has now brought her from the office in her front room tooffice accommodation in Blandford, from where a new website,Bus2Godorset, has been launched, together with facilities for onlinebooking and full details of the trips available.

North Dorset MP Bob Walter, left, and Blandford Mayor Steve Hitchings, right,with volunteers and guests at the Bus2Go office launch.

Margo Kirk with her Community Hero Award.

THERE was an unexpected visi-tor to The Blandford School overFebruary half-term when HarryRedknapp visited to watch anAFC Bournemouth Academy fix-ture. The former Bournemouth,Tottenham and QPR managerwatched the game from thetouchline with the other specta-tors. He said: "I was impressed at thestandard of facilities at TheBlandford School. The new 3Gfootball pitch is amazing and theopportunity the school is nowoffering to support grass rootsand youth football is fantastic." The school was delighted to hostAFC Bournemouth Academywhich spent three days in Blandford, with fixtures for theirU9, U10 and U11 teams.Academy manager Joe Roach

said: "This was the first time thatour teams have played at TheBlandford School and players,their parents and my staff wereimpressed by the exceptionalquality of the pitch, changingrooms and facilities for specta-tors. "The fixtures were managed pro-fessionally and efficiently by theschool, and we very much hopeto be returning to Blandford inthe near future."

THE Sealy Suite at Blandfordwas filled with exhibitors offer-ing services to wedding couplesfor the Crown Hotel's weddingfair on 22nd February.Cake makers, table setters,card printers, beauticians, hair-dressers, photographers andchauffeurs gathered to displaytheir wares.

April 2015 15

A 'WIN a costume' competition held by Peeks the partypeople was won by a Blandford dad who is using theprize to raise money for a cancer charity he launched inmemory of his son.Owen Newton set up Teddy20 following the death of hisyoungest son Ted, aged 10.When he saw that Peeks' Facebook competition wasgiving away a mascot costume he entered - and won agiant Teddy outfit which he now uses as the face of thecharity. He could be found at Tesco in Stour Park lastmonth making a charity collection.Peeks, based in Christchurch, asked entrants to explainhow they would use a mascot costume and Owen'sstory won the day.He said: "We really needed a costume for the charity.The kids absolutely love it when we are out raisingmoney, and we're so pleased because it's a really good-quality one and raises awareness of the charity."Founded in 2010, the charity has grown quickly andraised over £110,000 through sponsored events forchildhood cancer charities, most recently for the pur-chase of a holiday caravan at Waterside Park,Weymouth, Ted's Shack, which will be officially

launched on Good Friday, 3rd April. Itwill be used to provide holiday respitefor youngsters and their families.The Teddy20 charity was named afterTed and its first fundraiser was aTwenty20 cricket match at BlandfordCricket Club where Owen is a member.

It is now an annual event, held on thelate May Bank Holiday Monday.The Teddy Rocks music festival will betaking place over the early May bankholiday from May 1st to 4th at theGreyhound Hotel. For more informa-tion, see teddy20.co.uk.

Teddy’s tale provesa costume winner

Owen Newton in the Teddy outfit with other fundraisers.

TWO people were rescued by fire crews when theywere trapped in a car following a collision in Blandfordon 21st February. The one-vehicle crash closed theroad both ways between Thornicombe and theBlandford St Mary roundabout on the A354.

Fire crews from Blandford and Bere Regis attendedand found two people had been able to get free butanother two were trapped. Hydraulic rescue equip-ment was used to remove the roof of the car and theywere released without serious injury.

Crash victimscut free fromwrecked car

Jason Skeatswas happilymanning thecake stall out-side the Julia'sHouse charityshop inBlandford inMarch. The Friends ofJulia's Houseare holding acake sale withan Eastertheme at theCo-op inLangton Road,Blandford, onTuesday 2ndApril from10am to 4pm,and are invit-ing membersof the public tocontribute bymaking a cakewhich can beoffered forsale.

Bake acakeforcharity

April 201516

April 2015 17

A NEW look, new voice and newclass offerings have beenunveiled by Jazzercise Inc, whichhas recharged its brand identityto reflect the calorie-crushingintensity of its workouts.The new brand expression isedgy, intense, hard-hitting andmodern, mirroring what cus-tomers experience in class today. Jazzercise is a fitness pro-gramme that gets results fast indance party workouts that canburn off 800 calories in one 60-minute class. There is a variety tochoose from including Strike,Fusion, Core, Strength and thenewest class starting this month,Dance Mixx, which fuses dance-based cardio with strength train-ing.Forty-five years on from the origi-nal dance party workout,Jazzercise continues to transformthe bodies and lives of its cus-tomers because they know how

to get results and keep it fresh.The company says: "We con-stantly evolve our workouts, mix-ing in new music, new movesand new classes to keep it chal-lenging, reaching out to a newaudience."Campaigns will focus on intensityand results, and a new logo andbrand mark that both honour thecompany's 45 years of leadershipin dance fitness and push it for-ward.Local Jazzercise InstructorsCharity, Abi and Aga say: "Weare excited to challenge con-sumers who don't know howpowerful and transformative ourworkouts are to take a new lookat Jazzercise."Jazzercise in Blandford is locatedat the Corn Exchange onThursdays from 7 to 8pm. For aclass schedule, go tojazzercise.co.uk or call 07799484042.

Jazzercise workoutsget a new intensity

Brewery communitycash fund opensTHE Hall & WoodhouseCommunity Chest has re-openedfor 2015 with an even larger potof £50,000 to be divided amongcommunity groups across thebrewers' trading area.Since it started in 2002, £361,000has been awarded to groups inDorset, and last year £20,300was divided between 27 awardwinners.Pubs across the region alsobecome involved in fundraisingand in 2013/2014, a total of£134,000 was raised forMacmillan Cancer Care. So far inthe current year the total is£78,000 and when that campaignends in June, funds raised willboost the Community Chest stillfurther.The launch of the 2015Community Chest at Wimborne'sOlive Branch pub was attendedby civic leaders from across

Dorset. Chairman MarkWoodhouse explained that inaddition to providing a pool offunds, the Community Chestenabled organisations to accessfurther funding."It's a local community initiativewhich helps local people. TheCommunity Chest has brought uscloser to the community. It madeus feel good by doing good," saidMr Woodhouse.Applications forms can be foundon the Hall & Woodhouse web-site and may be submitted byvoluntary and community organi-sations, sports clubs, villagehalls, arts groups and pre-schools. The closing date is 8th May forjudging during the summer,results will be announced at theend of August and a presentationwill take place in October at theCrown Hotel in Blandford.

SPECTRUM Property Care has been awarded accreditation fromSafecontractor for its commitment to achieving excellence inhealth and safety. The leading third party accreditation scheme recognises veryhigh standards in health and safety management among UK con-tractors. Paul Bryan, MD of Spectrum Property Care, said: "Weare thrilled to receive this award.”The accreditation will enhance Spectrum Property Care's abilityto attract new contracts and be viewed positively by its insurerswhen the company liability policy is up for renewal.

April 2015LETTERS18

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

I HAVE known and visited Blandford Forumsince 1970 and I have been a resident since2011. As a resident I walk along the streets ofour town at many different times of the dayand night.In tourist information Blandford Forum isdescribed as a lovely Georgian town, but howmany visit the town in the evenings to see thepit of despair it has become?Approaching midnight or after, it is Dorset'smodern equivalent of Sodom and Gomorrah.Next morning you can step over the pet poothat thoughtless pet owners do not pick upand evidence of late-night takeaway food out-lets, excessive intake of alcohol, romanticcouplings are evident on the pavements, ongrassy areas or in car parks for all to see.There are also the benches pulled apart,wheelybins tipped over, shop windows bro-ken.The town's bars leave a lot to be desired,there are no restaurants to brag about, cater-

ing seems to be mostly takeaways, andevening entertainment for all seems to be get-ting inebriated.I lived previously in Marlborough in Wiltshire,an attractive town bringing in good small andlarge businesses to the High Street whichrarely has unoccupied shops and has a goodfeel about it. There is little in the way of deteri-orating properties, unlike our East Street, andthe town feels as if it's thriving. Blandford Forum can feel as if it's dying.Compare our town with Hungerford orStockbridge - there they have authorities andresidents wanting the best for where they liveand work and where tourists want to return.I would like to think that the people responsiblefor our town, our Member of Parliament, ourcouncils, Dorset Police and all mature andwell-behaved residents think "We should bedoing more" and that this letter makes some-one think "We should and can sort it out".Name & address supplied.

Town becomes ‘a pit ofdespair’ come nightfall

Litter bugs area real disgraceA RECENT survey suggested that litterlowers house prices in an area, as themajority of people dislike seeing it andform impressions of an area from it -more litter, more vandalism and pettycrime.If this is the case, prices must beplummeting in some areas of NorthDorset. The Blandford bypass, the ShaftesburyLane area of Blandford and many otherroutes are an embarrassing disgrace. Are we seeing the result of Tory cuts?Is this a vision of what to expect if theConservatives win? Whatever the rea-son, parts of North Dorset are nowunpleasant to pass through and anembarrassment to show to visitors. Forum Focus has become an excellentsource for community action; perhapsthis could be a worthy cause.Kevin Banks, Larksmead, Blandford.

April 2015 19LETTERS

I WRITE this letter in shock, hor-ror and dismay at the extent ofthe solar farm installation atLittleton Farm.I appreciate my sitting room andkitchen windows are probably thehighest in Blandford, giving methe most comprehensive viewcompared with other local resi-dents.The panels cover three fields andcompletely obliterate the greenbelt on which they sit. When thesun shines the whole siteappears as a giant area coveredin aluminium foil, and the reflec-tion is tremendous. Even withoutsun it is startling.I am fully aware that the world isin need of renewable energy, thatsolar panels are an answer tosome of the energy crisis, andthat everyone has to get used tochanges. We hear so much nim-byism regarding wind turbines,but I bet no-one would wish to befaced with fields and fields of alu-minium foil glaring at them asthey look out. Wind turbines areintermittent and never form a

continuous tract of distraction.The same cannot be said forsolar panels.I really must protest and registerthat this installation has reallyformed an enormous blot on thelandscape, and is aestheticallygrim. I hope the residents of thedevelopment proposed for thefields in front of the solar farm willbe supplied with dark glasses.Those fields were locally knownas the Ring Trees, because ofthe circle of trees at the top, usedfor playing, making camps etc, bythe children of Blandford St Mary.Please, please don't take it away,and if we must have the existingsolar farm, please don't make itany bigger.When permission was given fordevelopment at Bryanston Hills itwas on condition that no green-field sites would be developedbeyond the bypass becauseBlandford St Mary should remaina separate parish from Blandfordtown and Charlton Marshall.Elizabeth New, Barnes Homes,Salisbury Road, Blandford

Solar farm a bloton the landscape

REGARDING H. Rawles's letter (February Focus) and the exis-tence of a 'bypass pledge':My house lies outside of the bypass. When we were negotiatingfor it in the autumn of 1997, I went to the planning office to see ifthere were any planning applications nearby. I spoke to the thenplanning officer (I'm sorry, I don't remember his name) and askedabout future development. He said (and I quote) "I think I canpromise you that there will be no building beyond the bypass."A pledge? I don't know, but it did seem to be a firm policy state-ment so no, H. Rawles, you are not the only one who remembersthis.S. Lester-Shaw, Letton

Was there a bypass pledge?

Flower vandals spoil the showTHE town council's gardenersare to be congratulated upon thelovely floral displays in thetroughs and hanging basketsthroughout the town. They bright-en the town and give pleasure tomany.Unfortunately there are a fewwho take pleasure in uprootingthe plants to scatter around.

Several times I have replantedthe polyanthus in the trough onSalisbury Street.Presumably the culprits derivesome kind of satisfaction fromtheir mindless acts of vandalism;the usual case of a few spoilingthings for the majority.Name & address supplied,Blandford

A NEW and affordable, professional counselling and psychotherapyagency has been launched in the area by the trustees of registeredcharity Wessex Psychotherapy & Counselling, who have appointedDavid Sinclair as service manager subject to securing funding. It willoffer psychotherapy and counselling to individuals, couples and familiesin north Dorset and south Somerset who are experiencing psychologicaland emotional distress. For further information contact the administrationoffice in Hazelbury Bryan on 0774 702 4880 or see w-p-c.org.uk.

20 April 2015

Forum Focus would like to thank the Blandford 14-18 Group and Neil Maybin, RupertBrookeonSkyros.com for their help in researching this material.

ANYONE who would like to share with our readers pictures and details ofevents relating to relatives who played a part in World War One is invited tocontact Forum Focus by calling 01258 459346, emailing editor@forumfo-cus.co.uk or writing to 18 Tudor Gardens, Blandford DT11 7PL.

THE fate of World War One casual-ties was sometimes slow to be report-ed in detail.On 8th April, 1915, the CountyChronicle reported: Killed or died ofwounds 5, wounded 23, POW 1.And on 22nd April came more fig-ures from France: Dorset Regimentcasualties: Killed or died of wounds10; wounded 20; missing 2; POWs45, including one soldier who diedwhilst being a POW.But the death of poet Rupert Brookewas reported in great detail withindays on 29th April: We regret toannounce the death on April 23rdfrom sunstroke at Lemnos, of RupertBrooke, Sub-lieutenant in the RoyalNaval Division. He had sailed with the BritishMediterranean Expeditionary Forceon 28th February 1915 with the restof those who trained at BlandfordCamp, but developed sepsis from aninfected mosquito bite and died at4.46pm on 23rd April 1915 in aFrench hospital ship moored in a bayoff the island of Skyros in theAegean.As the expeditionary force had ordersto depart immediately and were dueto join the campaign at Gallipoli at6am the following morning, his fel-low officers had little time to makeelaborate arrangements.Brooke was buried at 11pm in a sim-ple ceremony in an olive grove onSkyros, a site chosen by his closefriend, William Denis Browne, whowrote of Brooke's death: "I sat withRupert. At 4 o'clock he becameweaker, and at 4.46 he died, with thesun shining all round his cabin, andthe cool sea-breeze blowing throughthe door and the shaded windows.No-one could have wished for a qui-eter or a calmer end than in thatlovely bay, shielded by the moun-tains and fragrant with sage andthyme."The grave was marked with a stonecairn bearing a wooden crossinscribed in Greek with the words: "Here lies the servant of God, Sub-lieutenant in the English Navy, who

died for the deliverance ofConstantinople from the Turks."The original wooden cross, paintedand carved with his name, wasremoved to Clifton Road cemetery inRugby, Warwickshire, to the Brookefamily plot when a permanent memo-rial was made for his grave onSkyros shortly after the end of thewar. But in 2008, because it had per-ished in the open air, it was removedto Rugby School and replaced with amore permanent marker.The tomb on Skyros is the work ofthe Greek sculptor Georgios Bonanos(1863-1940) and was commissionedby Brooke's mother to follow amedieval design adapted to Greeksurroundings, and intended to conveyprecision and melancholy. On it isinscribed his most famous poem, TheSoldier.Brooke has been variously seen asan idealist who died young for hiscountry, a sentimental jingoist whoglorified in war, a realist, a roman-

News of poet’s deathreached home quickly

Casualties of the war

Winter in retreat at last

The statue of Brooke in Rugby.

The tomb over Brooke's grave on Skyros.

tic, and a socialist andvociferous campaigner forreform of the iniquitouspoor law.Brooke's brother, 2nd Lt.William Alfred CotterillBrooke, was a member of the8th Battalion LondonRegiment (Post Office Rifles)and was killed in action nearLe Rutoire Farm on 14thJune 1915 aged 24, onlythree weeks after joining thebattalion.

RICHARD John Tucker had, before1911, enlisted to serve with the 2ndBattalion Dorsetshire Regiment, a bat-talion of career soldiers who were sta-tioned in India when war broke out.They landed in Mesopotamia inNovember 1914, and endured not justenemy action but intense heat andsickness.Tucker had been born around 1878 inBlandford, the son of blacksmithRichard Tucker and his wifeElizabeth Jane of Salisbury Street.He was killed in action near Shaibaon 14th April 1915, aged 37, and isburied in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.More information has come to lighton Henry Fricker, whose death in

March 1915 was reported last month.He was born in Donhead St Mary in1895, but his parents James Georgeand Ellen Fricker were in 1891 livingin East Street, Blandford, and from1901 in School Lane until theirdeaths in 1906 and 1916 respectively.Henry, the eldest of three sons whohad an older sister, married CarolinePerry at Wells, Somerset, in 1898 andin 1901 was living in Kingston-upon-Thames and serving as a police con-stable. In 1911 he was working as aGPO labourer and living in Cardiff,and before joining the Scots Guardshe served with the 3rd DorsetRegiment. He is buried in the EstairesCommunal Cemetery and Extension.

SEVEN members of the Dorset Regiment were awarded theDistinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry in action, eitherin France or the Middle East. They were: Sergeant Major G. Delare. 2nd Dorset Regiment; CompanySergeant Major F.W. Vivian. 1st Dorset Regiment; Sergeant G. Creech.1st Dorset Regiment; Sergeant E. Snashall. 1st Dorset Regiment; Lance-Sergeant H.A. Drew. 2nd Dorset Regiment; Private L. Hughes. 2ndDorset Regiment; Private W.J. Moores. 2nd Dorset Regiment.

THE wintry weather finally let up inMarch, which was reported to havebeen essentially a dry month, with thehighest rainfall recorded in Dorset atEast Lulworth, with rain on nine days.Records were kept by 'BoroughSurveyors, Gentlemen of the Clothand Landowners' and at the nearestvillage to Blandford, in Turnworth,showed a total of one inch falling inten days.Articles in the County Chroniclehighlighted some of the apparentabsurdities of the war. While horseshad been requisitioned to go to thefront, leaving a severe shortage onfarms, some had been spared to allowhorse racing to continue. German-

made toys were still being importedinto England via Italy and the USAwhere companies of German originmarked them 'Made in America' andsent them back to the UK.There was also citing of 'The King'sFine Example' in announcing that hewas giving up alcohol and hadordered that the consumption ofwines, spirits and beer would be pro-hibited in all his properties. Hisexample, in response to the numberof working days lost to wages beingspent in the pubs, was followed bysimilar bans on the consumption ofalcohol in their households by theSecretary for War, Lloyd George, andby Lord Kitchener.

April 2015 21

THE Performing Arts Theatre Academy has just completed anothersuccessful holiday workshop. Boys and girls aged between seven and 11 learnt songs from Glee,Oliver, Annie, Hairspray and The Lion King. The workshop was based on believing in yourself and was written bythe Principal, Lauren Newbury. All the children were fantastic and two

Performing Arts Theatre Academy performers.

special awards went to thosewho worked really hard.The next workshop is in the Mayhalf-term holiday (25-27th May)and PATA look forward to meet-ing more budding stars and wel-coming back previous attendees.The Academy students, includingthe Pimperne Primary SchoolPATA Glee Club, will be perform-ing at the Hamdinger on MayDay, 4th May. Academy lesson times havechanged so for the most up-to-date information and for detailson lessons or holiday workshops,check the website at thepathe-atreacademy.uk, call Rebecca on07920 755791 or email thepathe-atreacademy@gmail.com.

A round of applause

Guest ringers keepchurch bells pealing

Baking for good cause

Blandford Inner WheelSecretary GretaChippendale checkingthe stall at Rotary'scraft & coffee morning.

BLANDFORD Inner Wheel ladieshave been busy baking cakesand bottling preserves for theircharity cake and preserve stall atthe Blandford Rotary Craft &Coffee morning held in the CornExchange.Inner Wheel President DeniseSymmons said "The club wantedto help a local charity, so wedecided to donate the takings toBlandford Disability ActionGroup. We were very pleased tohave raised £70."Blandford Inner Wheel Club hasbeen in existence since 1946and meets every secondTuesday of the month.

For more information on the club,contact the Secretary, GretaChippendale, on 01258 453238. Blandford Rotary has apolo-gised to the dozens of peoplewho came to the CornExchange expecting thesausage festival which hadbeen advertised. Past president Nic Nicol said:"We apologised on the town'swebsite and on social media fornot having sufficient suppliers tomake the event viable. We'd liketo thank the craft stall holderswho came in at the last minute toavoid a complete disaster - sadlywe did not cover our costs."

School to host weddingsFOR the first time in its long and varied history, Knighton Housewill be opening its doors to weddings and private functions. Thegrand 18th century property was formerly the dowager house of thePortman family estate and since 1950 has been home to a girls' dayand boarding preparatory school. To celebrate the opening of its doors and to introduce couples tothe new venue, there will be a wedding open weekend on 11th and12th of April from 11am to 4pm.

MANY may have wondered whythe bells of Blandford's parishchurch were ringing at an ungodlyhour a few Saturdays ago. The Salisbury Diocesan GuildEast Dorset branch held a quar-terly meeting on 21st February,and took advantage of the localrings of bells. So for about 45 min-utes, crowds of ringers climbedthe spiral staircase to the ringingchamber of St Peter and Paul andmade their presence known to all.The bells at Winterborne Sticklandwere rung earlier that afternoon,and so were the bells in LangtonLong, where there are only three,the oldest dating from 1436 orthereabouts.Bellringers have always formedthemselves into groups or soci-eties, the most famous being theAncient Society of College Youthsand the Society of Royal

Cumberland Youths, these twobeing great rivals.The following Thursday, the usualpractice of Thursday ringing wasextended as a tribute to MikeMarshall, who passed away a fewweeks earlier.Instead of ringing in short bursts offive or 10 minutes, the bells wererung continuously for 47 minutesin a 'quarter-peal' involving around1,245 changes in a set order.Mike lived in Child Okeford, a reg-ular member of the band ofringers there, and regularly rang inBlandford. A retired engineer, hisretirement hobby was makingmodel steam engines, and he wasoften seen at steam fairs makingnotes and chatting to owners ofsteam locomotives who exhibited.He will be sadly missed, as will hisgreat knowledge, both in civil andmechanical engineering.

April 201522

The ViewfromtheHill

by George Hosford

EGGS hatching, cows calv-ing, muck spreading, bar-ley sowing, suddenly it

feels like spring has arrived. The ground is dry and we are flatout trying to do everything atonce because the forecasterskeep telling us it's going to raintomorrow. My apologies if the aroma ofchicken muck wafts its way inyour direction. We will incorpo-rate it into the soil as quickly aspossible with our sumo cultivator.It may well stink, but it is rocketfuel for our crops. Great excitement here before therush of the last week - we havefinally been connected toWessex Internet's superfastbroadband service. Now we candownload at 30mbps, unheard-ofpreviously out here in the sticks. I am sorry there is no time formore now. Please look at thewebsite for a fuller story, includ-ing our recent breakdown to TB(again) and pictures of new borncalves.

These chicks were hatched by one of George's hens just in time for Easter.

More from George on his website viewfromthehill.org.uk

Blandfordyoungstersin centenaryconcertCHILDREN from Blandford tookpart in the UK's biggest children'sconcert to commemorate thecentenary of the Great War.The 28 pupils from ArchbishopWake School joined schoolchoirs from all over Dorset, musi-cians and performers in theBournemouth InternationalCentre for an event which wasthe inspiration of WinterborneStickland author Ron Dawson,who last year penned his owntribute 'Lest We Forget'.The song was put to music by afriend and neighbour KevinMorgan, a member of theBournemouth SymphonyOrchestra, and has been per-formed at remembrance andother concerts all over the world.Ron Dawson said: "Within a fewmonths of writing 'Lest weForget' I was sent a recording ofit being sung by a choir ofCanadian school children. As Ilistened to it I realised that it iswith today's children thatRemembrance of the fallen ulti-mately depends. Yet children areoverlooked in so many commem-orations. "I subsequently developed theidea of a dedicated children'sWW1 centenary concert and putthe idea of a national children'sconcert to a number ofGovernment agencies. Whenthey failed to respond I took theidea to the two main music serv-ices in Dorset. They not only tookup the idea, they extended it."The two concerts on March 19thincluded a mass children's choirof over 300 children, up to 200young musicians and performers,with a giant screen depictingscenes from the war, actual flagsthat have been displayed on theCenotaph in Whitehall, a paradeof flags representing 42 of thenations involved.Cllr Toni Coombs, Dorset CountyCouncil Cabinet member for chil-dren's services, described theevent as "a unique experience,showcasing the talents of hun-dreds of children from rightacross Dorset and an impres-sive, uplifting and fitting tribute toall who served in World WarOne". It was estimated that 540,000children were killed, many moreinjured, and hundreds of thou-sands more suffered pain andloss, touched by the death orinjury of someone close to them.

Camera Club stays focusedBRIAN Tarling was the judge atthe February Points Cup competi-tion for Blandford Forum CameraClub and viewed 34 prints and 29projected images. The top scorers in the print sec-tion were Marilyn Peddle andPeter Watts with Ken Stevens

close behind with 9½ points. Inthe projected section Jean Bartlettand Colin Cross were awarded 10marks and Jean Bartlett andStephanie Selwyn 9½. The annual 'at home' battle in theSAPA Clubs competition againstFerndown Camera Club, judged

by John Tilsley, resulted in finalscores for prints of Blandford84.5, Ferndown 76.5, and for DPIImages, Blandford 84, Ferndown75.An illustrated talk by Peter andPam Byron on the flora and faunaof Brownsea Island included theintriguing history of the island, andthe annual 'themed' competitionhad the subject of 'churches'.Final placings were for Prints: 1,Norman Carey; 2, Marilyn Peddle;3, David Chaloner; HC Ian Ferris;and in the projected images: 1,Jean Bartlett; 2, Colin Cross; 3,Pat Catley; HC John Savage.The Studio Group meeting con-centrated on close-up and still-lifesubjects.Those interested in the club andits activities should contact DaveHurley on 01258 451895 or visitthe website at bfcclub.co.uk.Open entries are being taken forthe club's annual exhibition on23rd and 24th of May atBlandford Corn Exchange. Detailscan be found on the website.

April 2015 23

The musicians with Sam Ryall who gave a lunchtime concert in the church.

LUNCHTIME concerts inBlandford Parish Church areproving a popular hub at whichto meet visitors and performersover coffee and the latest wasno exception as the church wel-comed the young students ofSam Ryall.The children, aged between fiveand 11, were invited to play apiece of their own choosing.Bobbie Weedon's 'Forget-Me-Not' was short but charming andwe won't forget him or his broth-er Eddie's 'Tribal Dance'. AkiraLane played 'Slipping Around'and 'Beach Buggy' on the pianowith confidence and pace.Ayelen Navarro was joined bySam in a duet for the theme of'Titanic' and thoughts of springwere evoked by Phoebe Belle's'Country Garden' and YelenaFricker's 'Sunrise'.

Yelena and Sam on guitars sangthe Tears For Fears number 'MadWorld' and one young guitaristwith a 'Peaky Blinders' cap cov-ering his long hair was not in theleast daunted singing 'Never MetA Girl Like You Before' and thegreat blues number 'I'll Dust MyBroom'. Watch out for RalphBishop, coming to a wine barnear you - one day, maybe.A tub of sweets was handedround as the Hough children onpiano played 'Russian Song',‘London Bridge Is Falling Down'and 'Leapfrog'. Matthew Hannonbrought a change of pace on

keyboards with a funky backingtrack to play 'Hero', looking for allthe world like a contender on 'XFactor'.We galloped across the Indianplains with Jay Grimes' 'IndianPony Race' on piano, andEmmanuel de la Fuente playingthe traditional tune 'Lullaby' wasan excellent prelude to Williamending the concert with 'Let it be'.Thank you to the parents whotook time to bring the performersto the church and I hope the chil-dren enjoyed it as much as wedid. All proceeds to the CupolaProject. HC

Children’smultiplemusicalchoice

BLANDFORD'S Town Team metagain with David Stuart ofEnglish Heritage to progressideas on how to address thedecline in the town's conserva-tion area and heritage.A number of independentassessments are being carriedout on the condition of thebuildings, including one for abid to give the town UNESCOWorld Heritage status.Points raised included the needto reinstate a policy of encour-aging shop owners to maketheir frontages more consistentand in keeping with the town'sGeorgian heritage, and the pos-sibility of staging a heritagefestival in September to coin-cide with Architectural HeritageWeek.The Town Team was formed ayear ago to be a central voicefor Blandford, and from the res-idents' survey last year hashighlighted four areas to con-centrate on: heritage, the mar-ket, litter and cleanliness, andhighways and signage.In March, there was a re-launchof the farmers market along-side a craft fayre in the MarketPlace and Shambles. Specialistmarkets and car boot sales areall in the pipeline. The followingweek the Town Team was rep-resented at a meeting with amarket specialist to considerhow best to promote and devel-op markets in North Dorset.The town council is workingwith Dorset Waste Partnershipto ensure the cleanliness ofBlandford, and promoting thefact that incidents of fly-tippingand excessive litter should bereported online.There is a good chance of EUfunding being obtained to fundthemed signs on the bypassand roundabouts promoting thetown and its attractions.The team has support andinput from a number of localgroups, including the towncouncil, DT11 Forum, NorthDorset District Council, theNeighbourhood Plan team(Blandford +), the RegenerationProject for the Cupola, CornExchange and Museum, andthe Civic Society, but welcomeseveryone's involvement insharing a real commitment tothe town by contacting them atblandfordtownteam@outlook.com

Progress onTown Team programmeof action

New faces in twinning teamTHE Mortain committee of Twinning with Blandfordhave elected new officers. They are MichelThebault, who is overall president of the twinningcommittee, and Gildas le Guen, who is responsiblefor the association with Blandford. The Blandford committee, led by Mayor SteveHitchings, were pleased to receive them both inBlandford when Michel and Gildas made a visit tomake full contact and discuss the future. They areboth very keen and focused. They are replacing Francois Letendu and YannickGuillo, who have both served for many years andare good friends .Arrangements are now well in hand for the bi-annu-al visit to Mortain from Blandford, and the Blandfordtwinning association will welcome any new faces

who might like to join them over the weekend of29th to 31st May."As usual we as guests will be hosted with Frenchfamilies and made very welcome. Mortain is adelightful small town in Lower Normandy," said sec-retary Martin Brickell.Initial plans have also been made for June of 2016,when there will a more formal visit from Mortain toBlandford to celebrate 30 years of twinning.Contacts have been exchanged with ArchbishopWake Primary school, hopefully to enable young-sters to make contact with a Mortain school as partof this year's curriculum.If any Blandford residents are interested, pleasesee the website, or contact Martin on 01258453693.

24 April 2015

A DORSET team will be takingpart in the 2015 Monte Carlo orBust Rally in support of MultipleSclerosis Research and theBlandford Parish Church CupolaProject.Woolbridge Motor Club mem-bers, Bob Blackstock fromBridport and Dave Hiscock fromCharlton Marshall, will be burn-ing rubber over 1,000 miles andthree days from Namur inBelgium to Monte Carlo viaGermany, Switzerland and Italy.The pair have been involved inrallying for over 30 years, havingmet in the deserts of Qatar whenorganising an international rallythere in 1983. Dave completedthe Monte Carlo RallyeHistorique in 2002 with CliveEdwards in a Lancia Fulvia, andBob shadowing them in a back-up management car.Now they are asking local smallbusinesses to support them andhelp raise money for the twocauses by buying a sticker onthe car for £100, or making adonation.Their team, 'Good Ol' Boys -Dukes of Dorset', had to source

a car for less than £300, sodecided to put back on the roadthe 23-year-old Toyota CelicaGT4 which had languished inDave’s garage since failing itsMoT two years ago. With170,000 miles on the clock, itrolled out in January, ready to bedecked out like the General Leefrom the 1980s Dukes of HazardTV series. Inspired by the classicParamount film of the samename, the three-day adventurewill see more than 50 Britishbangers visit some of Europe'smost exciting locations andexperience spectacular roads.The Boys particularly want to seethe Schlumf Bugatti collection atMulhouse, drive over theGothard Pass from Switzerlandto Lake Como and visit theMonza racing circuit. Also along the way, they will betaking part in a variety of TopGear-style challenges competingfor points and prizes includingtrophies for the best - and worst- dressed teams. The rally, which takes placebetween 4th and 7th June, ends

Dorset duo prepare totackle rally challenge

Bob Blackstock and Dave Hiscock with their Monte Carlo or Bust Rally car.

in Monte Carlo and is followedby a parade around the MonacoGrand Prix circuit and eveningcelebrations in Nice. More information can be found

on the event website at monte-carloorbustrally.com and dona-tions can be made tojustgiving.com/bob-monte-carlo-rally or cupolaproject.org.uk.

POLICE are appealing for information about two potentially seriousaccidents in the last week of February caused by bricks and rocksbeing thrown from the Yellow Bridge over the A350 Blandford bypass.PCSO Greg Downs said: "Blandford Safer Neighbourhood Team wish-es to make residents aware of the potential for serious injury or dam-age from people throwing items from the bridge, and ask anyone withinformation to contact Dorset Police by calling 101."

25April 2015 SCHOOLS

A TEAM of Clayesmore School explorersrecently returned from an adventure which cul-minated in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.After flying to Nairobi and crossing the Masaiplains to the town of Moshi, the hard workbegan with a half-day on a small path throughfarmland and pine plantations to their firstnight under canvas, followed next day by asteady ascent up to the 'Second Cave' withsuperb views of ice fields on the rim of Kibo. Venturing off the main trail onto the moorlandtowards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, thesecond of Kilimanjaro's volcanoes, they thenclimbed steeply to the Mawenzi Tarn Camp torest and adjust to the altitude. After crossingthe lunar landscape of the 'Saddle' betweenMawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite atthe bottom of the Kibo Crater wall, they restedand prepared equipment for the summitattempt. The day of reckoning began with a midnightstart before the intrepid group set off into thenight. The testing ascent involved negotiatingloose volcanic scree, taking in a spectacularsunrise, enjoying views of glaciers and ice cliffs,and plenty of tricky walking at high altitude. The Kilimanjaro experience was a real adven-ture for all those involved who have been con-

THE whole of Clayesmore Prep School was united in raisingmoney for Red Nose Day with a 'distance' themed challenge. The netball courts were transformed into a speedy rollerbladingcircuit where 11 pupils notched up a total of 25 miles betweenthem, and the swimming pool played host to swimmers travel-ling a total 23.4 miles. Another group dribbled footballs andhockey balls over 82 miles.Years 3 and 4 used old-fashioned foot power to explore theextensive Clayesmore grounds, over 48.6 miles, and a group ofrunners ramped up the speed when they ran a total of 59 milesbetween them on the North Dorset Trailway.A loom band 'factory' produced 76 metres of continuous loomband and in the Art Room, the children created a 36-metre-longpaper chain representing a journey from Clayesmore to Lusakain Zambia - where several Comic Relief projects are takingplace. Other activities included table tennis players hitting balls over7,320 metres, and the Nursery and the Pre-Prep adding 824metres to the final total by laying various objects (includingthemselves) end to end.The final total was a staggering 391,972 metres (243.56 miles). Clayesmore Prep School's 36-metre paper chain for Red Nose Day.

Prep pupils go the full distance for charity

Clayesmore rises to mountain challenge

gratulated for taking on the demanding chal-lenge, led by Colin Evans, who reachedUhuru Point with an artificial knee and is rais-ing money for Help for Heroes, the charity

providing care and support for injured ser-vicemen and women. To help Colin reach histarget of £750 please go tojustgiving.com/Colin-Evans4.

FIVE Rivers Child Care, a local socialenterprise with a strong family focus,has, over 25 years, successfully helpedmany vulnerable children recover fromexperiences of abuse, neglect, familybreakdown and trauma.To mark the anniversary, an event forlocal foster carers and their families washeld at Cholderton Farm, Wiltshire, andincluded an inspiring talk from thefounder, Pam McConnell. The event was thoroughly enjoyed bychildren of all ages, carers who have fos-

tered with Five Rivers for many years,and new carers.Five Rivers was founded in 1989 to pro-vide local authorities with a specialisedtherapeutic service for vulnerable chil-dren in the local community, and is veryproud to work with some remarkablepeople, placing a high importance onrecognising their hard work to make areal difference to the lives of young, dis-advantaged people.To find out more about fostering call 01722435765 or visit five-rivers.org/fostering.

Fostering group celebrates 25-year milestone

The cake at the Five Rivers 25th anniversary event.

26 April 2015SCHOOLS

A SPECIAL open day at Knighton House School included a host ofactivities for children based around the theme of animals and proved tobe the most popular open day the school has hosted in recent years. The children first went on an animal trail where they saw the residentpygmy goats, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, ponies and the visitingalpacas. They were then treated to seeing visiting barn owls and tawnyowls with a question and answer session by Cherry from the NewForest Owl Sanctuary. Then there was a range of activities in the classrooms; calligrams(poetry in the shape of animals), making animal-shaped pop sticks inthe cookery room, origami and owl mosaics in the art rooms, program-ming on-screen robotic creatures in the ICT department and creatingsymmetrical butterfly collages in the maths room. The final activity wasthe dissection of owl pellets to look for the skeletal remains of what theowl had eaten - mostly vole.While the children were busy, their parents had a chance to meet staffand have a tour of the school by the Year 8 pupils.Headmistress Sarah Wicks said: "The day was a huge success andthere was a real buzz around the school. The children seemed to lovethe activities which allowed their parents to have a good look around."Mrs Wicks recently celebrated 20 years at the school, having joined thePrep School in 1995 as head of drama and Year 3 form teacher andbecome head of English in 2004, deputy head in 2005 and head-mistress in September 2014. Old Knightonians, parents, former members of staff and friends of theschool over the last 20 years returned to enjoy tea and celebrate hertime at the school. A parent governor said: "After six months in the post of headmistress,she has already brought a fresh perspective to Knighton House whichis complemented by great new additions to the staff team, includingCharlotte Weatherley who has taken over from Sarah as head ofEnglish and with a wealth of experience over 18 years in the preparato-ry system."

Animal magic atKnighton House

Left: Knighton House headmistress Sarah Wicks. Above centre: A pupil with an owl from theNew Forest Owl Sanctuary. Above right: Dissecting owl pellets.

Alpacas at Knighton House School.

Introducing a pygmy goat.

MEMBERS of the Dorset Doddlersrunning club have welcomed JohnCowley to the role of chairman for2015, to guide, support and help theclub and its 100-plus members tomeet its objectives for the year.Although club members are traininghard at present in preparation forvarious marathons this spring, theyare looking forward to commencingtheir annual summer run pro-gramme and competing in the

Wessex Ridgeway Challenge.Not only are the Dorset Doddlerscompetitive, they are also sociableand after the clocks go forward on29th March, they will meet everyTuesday night at pubs and carparks throughout Dorset, where dif-fering ability groups will follow amarked route or map for variouslength runs.Following these exertions, all arewelcome to enjoy a hearty meal in

the pub or venue and join in with abit of club chat. Summer runs andplaces on teams for the WessexRidgeway are for a wide range ofrunning abilities.To find out more and discoverwhere they meet each Tuesday, visitthe website dorsetdoddlers.org. They also train every Thursdaynight at the Sturminster NewtonLeisure Centre at 7pm and all abili-ties are welcome.

Doddlerslimberup forthe newseason

27April 2015 SPORT

TEN juniors from BlandfordBowling Club took part in theSchool of Excellence bowlingcompetition held at theDolphin Indoor Bowls Club inPoole as part of the EnglishYouth Bowls DevelopmentScheme. Blandford bowler Liam Tuckwon the Junior Section andgoes forward to the regionalfinals at Taunton Deane on19th April. This was a remark-able achievement as he is only12 years old and was compet-ing against youngsters fromall over Dorset up to the age of16. The Blandford bowlers, whoare all primarily outdoorbowlers, showed their strengthin depth by claiming five of thetop eight positions in the com-

The Blandford Bowling Club junior bowlers with their coaching staff.

Juniorsshine inbowlingcontest

petition. These results showthe progress that has beenmade by the bowlers in oneyear due to dedication andexcellent volunteer coachingstaff. Last year the Blandfordjuniors' top bowler was inninth position.

AMONG the award winners atthe Dorset FA's annual volun-teers presentation evening wasTom Filkin, nominated byBlandford United Youth and pre-sented with the Young Volunteerof the Year award.The 17-year-old coachesBlandford youngsters in 'mash upsessions'. Football Mash Up is adedicated programme aimed at14- to 17-year-old boys and girlswho have either dropped out offootball or are on the verge ofdoing so. Club of the Year for 2015 wasGillingham Town Youth, andamong other winners wasBlandford referee and officialColin Morris, who was recog-nised for his outstanding contri-

bution to refereeing in Dorset andhas been a registered referee formore than 15 years. He specialised as an assistantreferee for many seasons in theDorset Premier League, in manyDorset Cup finals, and his list ofappointments include appear-ances in the South WestCounties Championship. Last season, he was rewardedwith officiating the final in the FANational Schools competition,when running the line at theMadejeski Stadium. His nomina-tion highlighted his enormouscontribution in developing andenriching the skills of the youngreferees coming through theranks, and his guidance and sup-port to them.

County FA recognisesthe work of volunteers

www.forumfocus.co.uk

APRILThursday 2nd April:Julia's House cake sale withEaster-themed cakes at the Co-op in Blandford, 10am to 4pm,donations welcomeBlandford Town Home Watch,Blandford Police Station, 7pmBlandford Museum First Thursdaytalk: The Curators on What's newin the Museum, 7.30pmFriday 3rd April: Good FridayParade of Witness, Blandfordtown centre, 10.30amSaturday 4th April: Monthly MiniMarket, Colin's Community Club,Damory Street, Blandford, 11amto 4pm (and every first Saturday)Tuesday 7th April: MacularSociety Blandford Group meets atBlandford Parish Centre, 2pm, fortalk by Sue Inman, POPPChampion, details 01258 454169Wednesday 8th April: Bus2Gotrip to Dunelm Mill and TheRange, contact 01258 837749Thursday 9th April: Nominations close for parliamen-tary, district, town and parishelections, 4pmFarmers' Election Hustings withparliamentary candidates, theBow Room, The Exchange,Sturminster Newton, 7.30pmFriday 10th April: Blandford Farmers Market andCraft Fair, 9am to 2pm, MarketPlace and ShamblesBlandford Royal British LegionBranch Quiz Night, 8pm, teamsof up to six, Royal British LegionClub, Church Lane, BlandfordSaturday 11th April: Know Your Blood Pressure Day,Corn Exchange, Blandford, host-ed by the Rotary Club ofBlandford, 9.30am to 12.30pmCoffee morning at DurwestonVillage Hall 10-12 noon, refresh-ments, sales, tombola and raffle.Proceeds to Durweston PlayingFieldsBlandford Bowling Club SeasonOpening Day, 1pm, Park Road,BlandfordSunday 12th April: Open Day,Ashley Wood Golf Club, from1.30pmMonday 13th April: Blandford Floral Group meet2.15pm. United Reformed ChurchHall, demonstration by MichelleDavies ‘Mad Hatters’. Visitorswelcome £5Grahame Downer presents 'TheMagic of Munros' - how theascent of over 280 peaks of3000ft Scottish mountainsbecame a popular challenge,Child Okeford COCL, 7.30pm. Tuesday 14th April: DurwestonCameo Club open evening withthe Okeford Minstrels, Durweston

Village Hall, 7.30pm, admission£5, refreshments and bar, details01258 452423Wednesday 15th April: Gardens Open 10am to 5pm,book signing by MargaretMarande and talk at 2pm by headof education Kew Gardens SarahOldridge, Springhead Trust,Fontmell Magna, details 01747811853

Blandford Carers’ trip to TheRange Dorset Wildife Trust North Dorsetbranch meets Fontmell Magnavillage hall 7.30pm for 'The SilentWorld of Bats', talk by bat expert,Nick TomlinsonThursday 16th April: Blandford Rural Home Watch,Okeford Fitzpaine SportsPavilion, 10.30amBlandford Art Society meetsPimperne Village Hall, 2pm,'Exploring water-soluble graphitepencils' - a practical session withDeborah Chisholm, non-memberswelcome - £3

Blandford Heart Forum, BlandfordHospital Restaurant, 2pm, speak-er Peter Preen, ‘Lawrence ofArabia; Childhood to Fame’Friday 17th April: ShillingstoneBarn Dance Club - lively dancingwith Ruth Thompson (fiddle),Chris Toyne (accordion) andcaller TBA, 7.45 to 9.45pm ThePortman Hall, Blandford Rd,Shillingstone . 01258 861184

Friday and Saturday 17th &18th April: World War OneCommemoration event: Showand Tell Workshops with timedtalks and demonstrations ofweapon handling, bayonet drills,other kit in the Market Place orCorn ExchangeSaturday 18th April:Bus2Go trip to Salisbury Market,contact 01258 837749Cats Protection coffee morningand stalls at WoodhouseGardens Pavilion, Blandford10am - 12:30 pm Monday 20th April: Blandford Blind Club meets

Williams Opportunity Hall, 2 to4pm, music from Colin and ClaireClosing date for registration tovote in forthcoming electionsAnnual Town Assembly, CornExchange, Blandford, 7 to 9.30pmWednesday 22nd April:Blandford Forum Townswomen'sGuild meets, WilliamsOpportunity Hall, WhitecliffGardens, Blandford, 2.15pm, LenDiggins with Poetry & SongsThursday 23rd April: Dorset Rural Music School con-cert in Blandford Parish Church,12.30pm, refreshments from mid-day, supporting the CupolaProjectPanda Pre-school host TravellingTrends fashion, latest trends atdiscount prices. 7 for 7.30pm,Crown Hotel, Sealy Suite. Ticketsare £5 in advance from 01258458151.Blandford & District HorticulturalSociety meeting. BlandfordUnited Reformed Church,7.30pm, new members and visi-tors welcome, speaker MartinYoung ‘Echinaceas andRudbeckias’Friday 24th April: All party elec-tion hustings. Blandford ParishChurch, 7 to 9pmSaturday 25th April: Juniors’Open Day, Blandford BowlingClub, Park Road, 10am to 1pmConsultation event, 10am to 1pm,St James Church, Milton Abbas,re future of Milton Abbey, detailsjamesmcquaid@hotmail.com;07981 868637Opening by Lt Col David Rose of2015 World War exhibition,Blandford Museum 11am Sunday 26th April: DurwestonBluebell Walk, meet at 1.30pm atDurweston Village Hall, 2 or 6mile circular walks. Refreshmentsat the Village Hall. Entry by spon-sorship forms from school officeor £4 on the day, under 5s free,5-16 yrs £1. Proceeds toDurweston Playing Fields.Monday 27th April: Vintage atthe Village Hall, Corn Exchange,Blandford, 10am to 4pmWednesday 29th April: Bus2Gotrip to Stewarts Garden Centre,Wimborne, contact 01258 837749

MAYFriday 1st to Monday 4th May:Teddy 20 fundraiser for childhoodcancer, Greyhound, BlandfordMonday 4th May: Hamdinger, Marsh & Ham,Blandford (Corn Exchange ifwet), free musical and sportsentertainment, mini-flotilla andgames, 12 noon to 5pm, details01258 480756Food Fayre, Crown Hotel,Blandford, 10am 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 & eventsApril 201528

TIME for a Cuppa was an opportunity to go along to the ParishCentre in Blandford for coffee and cake and to do some knitting forpeople living with dementia.Wool and knitting needles were provided for people to make 'TwiddleMuffs' which are helpful to those who need to keep their hands busy.It followed a 'Friendly Food Club' event the previous day.The Dementia Friendly Blandford campaign has also been respon-sible for a series of 'pamper days' for carers, from which around 30people have benefited so far.Organiser Chloe Mutton said: "The project was designed to ensurethat people have a positive experience of care and support, andenjoy an improved quality of life and emotional health and wellbeing."They allow carers to make new friends, talk about things other thancaring as well as to benefit from services available."She said she was pleased to see that Blandford Town Council hadnow put up dementia 'exit' signs in their buildings, and hoped itwould encourage other businesses to put up dementia friendlysigns in red on a white background with pictures.

Pamela Lancomb and Diane Mawerknitting for dementia at a coffeemorning in Blandford Parish Centre.