July 2013 Forum Focus

For Blandford and surrounding villagesIssue No. 16 July 2013

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

Rotary Spring Festival fun: P8-9

FORUMFOCUS

by Nicci Brown

Residents of Orchard Street in Blandford toast the Queen during their Big Lunch, with (right) Carolyn Telford and her hus-band Len who instigated the event in Blandford five years ago.

OrchardStreet toaststhe Queen'slong reignTHIS year's Big Lunch onSunday 2nd June provided anopportunity for residents inOrchard Street, Blandford, totoast the Queen as she celebrat-ed the 60th anniversary of herCoronation.The Big Lunch was launched asa nationwide event in 2009,designed to bring neighbourstogether over an outdoor lunch intheir street, and Orchard Streethas participated every year.This year the numbers were a lit-tle depleted due to other commit-ments, but once again organiserCarolyn Telford and her husbandLen were joined by a number offamilies who each brought a con-tribution to the table. Theyenjoyed sharing pizza, salad andof course the odd glass of wineand champagne in which to toastthe long reign of Queen ElizabethII.Mrs Telford said: "We were alsojoined by a resident from DamoryCourt Street who told us he hadlived in Orchard Street at the timeof the Queen's Coronation, andtold us about who lived here atthe time and the street party heldto celebrate the event."

Town centre wish listcan boost businessA RANGE of suggestions has been put forward forhow Blandford's town centre could be made moreattractive to visitors and residents.They have come from the steering group seeking tore-establish a Chamber of Commerce in the townand from town councillors considering how financefrom out-of-town supermarket developments mightbe applied.This month has seen the reopening of two maintown centre premises. The former Half Crown Cafein the Market Place has been taken over byScrivens opticians following their relocation fromSalisbury Street, and Terri Harrison's former leather-craft shop opposite The Crown in West Street, nowrelocated closer to the Market Place, has becomethe base for home-care providers Apex Care. Thereis also the prospect of Subway, the sandwich store,moving into the former Julian Graves' shop inSalisbury Street.They are developments which, whilst failing to addto the variety of what the town centre can offer, sup-port the continued confidence of the commercialsector in its viability.Ideas have flowed thick and fast on how the townmight further improve its profile and its attractions

both to shoppers and new traders at meetings ofthe re-developing Chamber of Commerce andTrade.Its steering group of about a dozen traders andinterested people has met regularly since a specialmeeting called by president Trina Horrocks in Marchwhen she stood down and urged others to take onthe mantle which she has borne almost single-hand-ed for the last few years.They include signage on the bypass, reorganisingthe Thursday and Saturday markets, late-nightshopping events, the introduction of a park and rideand bus service, discounted parking, improving theChristmas lighting display, bringing in an artist tohelp design window displays, and subsidising busi-ness rates.Some of this wish list has been backed by towncouncillors in their suggestions to North DorsetDistrict Council on how to use the money generatedfor town centre enhancement by out-of-town super-market developments. These are the approved Tesco extension at Stour

To Page 2

INSIDE

Corn Exchange plansto be revised - P3

Town shocked by twosudden deaths - P6

Focus feature onsummer theatre P14-15

Double honour fortireless Della - P2

July 20132

FORUM FOCUSCONTACTS

Editorial: Nicci Brown T: 01258 459346E: [email protected]: John StaytT: 01258 454427E: [email protected]: Jackie StaytT: 01258 456999E: [email protected]: David EidlesteinT: 01258 450989E: [email protected]

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Diary events are updated regularly on ourwebsite so it is always worth logging on tostay up to date with what’s happening in thearea. The website also carries additional pictures oflocal events and background information tostories.

DEADLINESAdverts: Thursday 11th JulyEditorial: Friday 12th July

DROP POINTSMain drop points for Forum Focus inBlandford and Blandford St Mary are atBlandford Post Office, Blandford Library,Jeans and the Corn Exchange in the MarketPlace, James Newsagents in The Plocks,Homebase, the Co-ops in Salisbury Roadand Langton Road, Tesco at Stour Park, OneStop in Salisbury Road, Blandford LeisureCentre, the Heddington Drive Nisa shop andBlandford Tourist Information Centre, WestStreet. In the villages they are at the CharltonMarshall Church Rooms and Charlton pub,Woodpecker pub at Spetisbury, True LoversKnot and Langton Arms in the Tarrant Valley,Pimperne shop, White Horse Inn atStourpaine, Iwerne Minster post office,Shillingstone garage and church centre,Royal Oak at Milborne StAndrew, Sticky Stores atWinterborne Stickland and theCricketers at Shroton.

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From Page 1Park and the proposal for an Asda store at Badbury Heights, which isnow due to come back before planners for confirmation this month fol-lowing agreement on approval in principle at the April meeting of NorthDorset's development management committee.

A PUBLIC meeting will be held in the Corn Exchange on Monday 8thJuly to address issues affecting Blandford town centre and to seekideas on how they might be tackled.The event is open from 5.30pm for a prompt 6pm start and is open toany individual, business or group that cares about the future ofBlandford town centre. Ideas will be heard and shared, opinionsexpressed, and there will be the opportunity to get involved in future.The meeting is being facilitated by the Association of Town and CityManagement which works with Town Teams in the South West andbrings many years of experience and ideas from other areas. Theinteractive event will allow groups to work on particular issues theywish to see resolved. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact Louise Richardson atNorth Dorset District Council on 01258 484009 or [email protected] to ensure that everyone can beaccommodated.

Town centre wish list

Mosaic for the museum

Get involved and make yourvoice heard on town's future

Double honourfor tireless DellaDORSET's CancerResearch UK patron DellaJones MBE, of Winter-borne Zelston, has beenhonoured by the presenta-tion of the award ofHonorary Fellowship ofthe charity.Five years ago shereceived a commendationfor her work, which hasseen her spearhead fund-ing in the county since herfather died from cancermore than 50 years ago.She travelled to Londonwith her daughter Louiseand local CancerResearch UK worker RosFry to receive the Flame ofHope award which waspresented at a ceremonyin the Hotel Russell inLondon, where tribute waspaid by the charity's chair-man Michael Pragnell.It was a high point in along career of service tothe community, whichincludes serving as a localcouncillor and chairingNorth Dorset DistrictCouncil for several years.But the 80-year-old saidanother high point camewhen she was waiting forthe train on WaterlooStation and was compli-

mented by a smartly dressedyoung man, a complete stranger,who told her: "You look wonder-ful - definitely the best dressedwoman on the station!".Della and husband David cele-brated their 62nd weddinganniversary on Sunday 9th Juneat Whitecliffe Nursing Homewhere David is now resident.

Della Jones with her Flame of HopeHonorary Fellowship award from CancerResearch UK.

AFTER a successful exhibition ofceramic mosaics as BlandfordMuseum's Artist of the Month inApril, Judy Baker is to make amosaic to be set into the floor atthe entrance to the museum.Mosaics found in Pompeii haveprovided the inspiration for thework, which will provide a uniquewelcome to visitors.The design will incorporate someoriginal loose tessari collected bythe museum over the years.

The mosaic will be created duringJudy's next two-day mosaic work-shop on 26th and 27th July at theWoodhouse Gardens Pavilion.Anyone interested in this work-shop should contact Judy [email protected] or call01258 451452. For more information visit themuseum website atblandfordtownmuseum.org andJudy's own creative mosaicswebsite, smashart.co.uk.

July 2013 3

THE Blandford Stour Valley BrassBand this year celebrates the150th anniversary of the day in1863 when its predecessorbecame the National Brass BandChampions of Great Britain atCrystal Palace.As part of the celebrations, theband travelled to Blandford'sFrench twin town of Mortain inNormandy in the annualexchange visit which takes placebetween the two towns.Supported by funding fromBlandford Town Council, they leftBlandford in a coach filled with 26musicians, including the strongjunior section, and nine twinningassociation members.Their drivers were band membersJohn and Michael Kenyon whoseday job is behind the wheel of abus with Damory coaches.During their four-day visit theyplayed at Mortain's Liberation

Service, gave a concert in thechurch and another in the marketplace, and also paid a visit toMont St Michel.

The Stour Valley Band pictured in front of the church in Mortain.

Band spreadsanniversarymessage totwin town

They also enjoyed a joint bandand twinners dinner when theycould sit back and relax as theentertainment was provided by

local musicians.For a more detailed account ofthe visit, see our website atforumfocus.co.uk.

Corn Exchange plansare set to be revisedTOWN councillors have agreed torevise their plans for redevelop-ment of the council offices inChurch Lane as part of the £4mto £5m scheme to refurbish andremodel the Corn Exchange.Authority was given to the town'sCorn Exchange Project Board tosubmit a revised plan with theacceptance of English Heritage inresponse to the national body'sobjections to the scheme, whichwas discussed in detail by bothparties at a series of meetings inJune.The English Heritage objectionswere one of the reasons the towncouncil application, recommend-ed for approval by North DorsetDistrict Council, was called in bythe Secretary of State for a publicinquiry.Their concerns included the bulkand mass of the proposed four-storey office building in theChurch Lane car park, which theyargued was not appropriate for itslocation behind the main façadeof the Grade I listed CornExchange.At an open meeting with towncouncillors, their representatives

said they had other concernsabout alterations to the CornExchange, which might beacceptable if it were shown thatthey would result in a more sus-tainable use for the building.The project, which has been inthe pipeline for several years andtowards which a total of morethan £600,000 has been collect-ed by the town council and fromdeveloper funding, will requiremajor grant support to find theremainder.It involves glazing the front of theShambles beneath the Town Hall,remodelling the interior andCouncil Chamber above, and theCorn Exchange to the rear, toprovide a lift offering betteraccess to the first floor, movablestaging in place of the currentproscenium arch, as well as thenew and extended council officesand meeting rooms including acommunity room on the top floor,again with lift access.The inquiry is scheduled to beheld in the Council Chamber atNordon, headquarters of NorthDorset District Council, inSalisbury Road, Blandford, onTuesday, 10th December.

July 20134

Stronger code of conductsought for Trailway usersONGOING problems over thenewly opened stretch of theNorth Dorset Trailway betweenBlandford and Stourpaine routehave prompted town councillorsto ask for a stronger code of con-duct for users. They aim to resolve issues thathave been raised over conflictsbetween cyclists and pedestrianson the route, which is designed inpart for cyclists and in part forwalkers and riders, but is notclearly marked as such.Countryside Ranger GilesNicholson, speaking at the AGMof the Blandford and District CivicSociety, said the surface hadbeen changed to slow down thecycles which share the route withpedestrians, but admitted it mightnot be suitable for bikes with thin-ner tyres which could suffer punc-tures.Chairman of the town council

town and general purposes com-mittee Cllr Hugo Mieville said:"It's a wonderful facility forBlandford which has opened upall sorts of opportunities, but alsohas teething problems whichcould be overcome."Cllr Roger Carter said he wel-comed the opportunities it pre-sented, but as a cyclist andpedestrian he could see the prob-lems from both points of view."I think there is an accident wait-ing to happen. A child could berun over or a dog hit by a cyclist.A code of conduct giving therules of the road could work, butneeds to be stronger than justasking people to be nice to eachother."It was agreed to write toSustrans, the funders of the trackas part of the National CyclistsNetwork, and to North DorsetDistrict Council and Dorset

County Council, whoseCountryside Rangers are respon-sible for its maintenance, askingwhat could be done to ensuresafety, and to provide extra infra-structure.Further concerns about the tracksurface have come from a dogwalker who claims his SpringerSpaniel returned from a walk onthe trailway with torn and bleed-ing paw pads. Owner Alan Taylorwarns that the surface may notbe suitable for larger breeds.He said: "I also have a small dogthat came for a walk with us butshe has not been affected asmuch. This path might be all rightfor small dogs but it is dangerousfor larger dogs."Another dog walker said he nolonger took his animals on theTrailway because of difficultieswith the surface. He added thatthe opening of the route hadbrought more cyclists on to theMilldown where there was notroom for bikes and pedestrians topass each other.One issue that has beenresolved is the installation of adog bin along the route. Therewere concerns that there wouldbe a problem in emptying bins,but one has been put in at ManorFrance which can be accessedfrom the road.The move follows complaints thatdog owners were leaving bags ofdog poo along the route, and insome cases throwing them overthe fence into the fields and cre-ating a hazard for livestock.

Members and guests at the Stour Rotary 15th anniversary dinner held at the Castleman Hotel, Chettle.

Rotarianscelebratethe habitof givingCURRENT and honorary mem-bers of The Blandford StourRotary Club and their guestsassembled at The CastlemanHotel, Chettle, to celebrate the15th anniversary of the club’sfoundation. A wonderful meal was providedby the hotel and there werespeeches from current club presi-dent John Turnbull, Blandfordclub president Nic Nicol and otherBlandford Stour members TrevorRoberts and Phil Kreeger. It was an opportunity to reflect onnot only the 15 years of the clubbut also the contribution it hasmade to the local community andfurther afield through its continu-ing charitable fundraising activi-ties and donations, totalling£110,000.Mr Turnbull said: "This has beena truly memorable occasion anda considerable encouragement toour newer members to hopefullybuild on what has been achieved.They have made a huge impacton our activities already and I feelsure that will result in our continu-ing success over the next 15years."John Turnbull (pictured) was oneof three members, with a com-bined age of 178, who took partin the BritishHeartFoundationDorset BikeRide, complet-ing the 66miles in underfour hours, andcontributing£150 to thecharity.

July 2013 5

The Villager Marketeers at the Spetisbury Festival country day: left to right JoEdmond, Sarah Damon, Marcia Hannam, Vicky Martin and Finola Brennan.

Spetisbury markscountry life with atwo-week festivalSPETISBURY Festival 2013opened with a three-day art andcraft exhibition in the village hallfollowed by a folk concert withPoachers Moon and a radio playin the Woodpecker pub.It continued with a Country Fairheld at Crawford Bridge featuringa range of country sports, enter-tainment, and stalls from theAnonymous Travelling Marketand individual exhibitors.Also represented were the ladiesof the Spetisbury Village Market,a now regular fortnightly marketlaunched at the beginning of Mayat Springfields as a developmentof their regular Friday TradingPost at Crawford Bridge and nowproviding local produce boxes,

sourced from local farms,farmshops and suppliers, to thelocal community.There was angling, fly fishing,clay shooting, archery and an airrifle range for visitors to try theirhand, dog shows and demonstra-tions, bird of prey displays andwood turning - all in celebration ofcountry living.Festival committee chairman RobBrown said: "When the Festivalfirst began back in 2001 it wasconceived as an opportunity tocelebrate the wide variety of cre-ative talents harboured within oursmall community. The introduc-tion of the Country Day in 2011widened our appeal, and theresultant profit was donated to a

local charity and village groups."The two-week festival, which thisyear raised funds for theBlandford Opportunity Group,Home-Start North Dorset and theBlandford Foodbank, included afilm night and presentationevening, a comedy theatre nightwith Spetisbury OccasionalDramatics Society in the villagehall, a nature walk, an open gar-

dens event including the newlyrestored Spetisbury Station andthe Great Spetisbury Cake BakeOff, a piano trio concert in thechurch, a quiz, a ladies night andan end of festival party with a1950s Prom Night theme.It was preceded by a CiderFestival at the Woodpecker pubwith a range of more than adozen ciders and perrys, a barbe-cue and music.

Floodlit sports pitch plansfor field next to school

Learning and leisureacross the Atlantic

PLANS have been submitted fora synthetic sports pitch at TheBlandford School which will allowgames to be played during thewinter and in wet weather.Floodlighting will also mean thatthey can be used in the earlyevening.The field adjacent to the schooland next to the Deer Park ridingstables was previously let to thestables under a grazing licencewhich has now expired. The landis owned by Dorset CountyCouncil.

Headteacher Sally Wilson saidthe project would greatly improvethe sporting facilities and opportu-nities for the school's own stu-dents and those from local pri-mary schools, as well as beingavailable for use by communitygroups and sports clubs.The school has three netballcourts, managed by the BlandfordLeisure Centre and made avail-able to the school during schoolhours, but they do not alwaysmeet the need for after-schoolactivities.

BLANDFORD Town Clerk Linda Scott-Giles unsurprisingly spent sever-al days in May discussing the issues and problems encountered in thedaily running of a council.What was unusual about it was that it was at the conference of theInternational Institute of Municipal Clerks in Atlantic City.She said it was hard to find a close comparison in Dorset with dealingwith the aftermath of a hurricane or tornado, but she had not anticipat-ed the warmth shown by other clerks and the value of the discussions.Linda won a bursary to attend, along with the town clerk of Diss inNorfolk, Deborah Sarson, with whom she intends to keep in touch.Sessions included involving communities, using social media, facingdifficult economic conditions and motivational leadership. Linda said there was also a fantastic programme laid on for the dele-gates, including entertainment and a tour of the world's largest hybridwind and solar powered treatment facility incorporating a landfill andrecycling centre.She added: "I have returned with renewed enthusiasm for my role andhope to share it with my colleagues - but may need to start saving fornext year's conference in Milwaukee."

July 20136

Town shocked by twomen’s sudden deaths

DAN Jones was a midfield player forAFC Blandford, and fellow team

members wearing his No. 4 formed aguard of honour at the entrance and car-ried the coffin into the church, which waspacked with mourners.They included many more young foot-ballers, fellow bikers, and colleagues fromBlandford MOT & Service Station onBlandford Heights, where he and his sisterSian worked for their father, Richard.The service was conducted by the Rector,the Rev Tim Storey, who said Dan hadtragically had his life cut short, but invitedfriends to pay tribute to their friend andhold on to him by remembering the goodtimes they had enjoyed with him.They included Tom Cox, who had joinedhim for a bike ride at the time of his death,and said they had promised each otherwhen they were 12 years old that theywould each get bikes."He died when he was at his happiest," hesaid, recalling Dan's mood as they set offon their last ride together, and paying trib-ute also to his girlfriend of five years,Mollie.As well as singing hymns, the congrega-tion listened to Christina Perri's 'AThousand Years' and heard a memorialtribute 'Legacy' written especially in hismemory and produced by Ryan Glover.The track is now being sold to raisemoney for the Daniel Jones Fundraiserlaunched in support of the Dorset &Somerset Air Ambulance, for which a col-lection was made after the service.A collection is also being made at thenewly opened Sticky Stores in

FATHER of two Kevin Manson, whodied after contracting septicaemia, was

a partner with his brother Gary in G & KManson's plumbers and electricians.The firm was only recently established inShaftesbury Lane, Blandford, to succeedC.E. Hill Ltd of Alfred Street, which wasfounded by Kevin's late father Jack anduncle Cyril, a former Blandford mayor andNorth Dorset district councillor.His death coincided with the publication ofa letter in the Blackmore Vale Magazinepaying tribute to his kindness and work-manship after he had worked in the homeof former NDDC chairman Della Jones.Kevin was also a keen footballer in hisyouth with Blandford United, and a lifelongsupporter of Liverpool FC, whose anthem'You'll Never Walk Alone' was sung as hiscoffin was carried from the service in theCorn Exchange to the hearse taking himfor committal in Blandford cemetery.Tributes were paid during the service byhis brother Gary, his widow Dawn, childrenRobert and Heidi, and friend Glen Eager,who described his life, speaking of his loy-alty to his friends and family and his pas-sion for his work as a plumber and lead-work specialist.Micky Westwood, chairman of BlandfordUnited, said he had been integral to theclub in the 1980s. After a back injurymeant he could no longer play he devotedhis sporting attention to fishing.The non-denominational service was writ-ten and conducted by Nita Tripp, anddonations in Kevin's memory were madeto the Charitable Fund of Dorset CountyHospital, where medical staff had fought totry and save his life in the intensive careunit.

Winterborne Stickland, the village where Dan grewup, and a memorial ride was staged on Monday 17thJune by the Poole Bike Night riders.AFC Blandford has 'retired' Dan's No. 4 shirt as amark of respect. It has also renamed its annual match the DanielJones Memorial Trophy due to be held this year onSaturday 29th June in his memory.

TWO funeral services, each attractingmore than 300 mourners in the spaceof five days, reflect the shock

throughout Blandford at the sudden anduntimely deaths of two well-known localmen.Scores of young people sportingManchester United and AFC Blandfordshirts attended a service in BlandfordParish Church to celebrate the life of DanJones, aged 23, who died in a motorcycleaccident on Bank Holiday Monday, 27thMay.Four days later more than 100 people gath-ered outside the packed Corn Exchange ona busy market day as a mark of respect to49-year-old Kevin 'Bert' Manson, who haddied on 31st May after being taken ill on thesame day.

Extra litter bin requested for footpathTOWN councillors are asking the new DorsetWaste Partnership to install and manage a lit-ter bin on the path from Higher ShaftesburyRoad and Castleman-Smith Close which hasbeen the subject of many complaints.

Despite the reluctance of other authorities toprovide and manage one in the past, mem-bers are concerned that it is the main pedes-trian route from the estate, and next to thetown's cemetery.

July 2013 7

Supporters and friends Phoebe Newton, Zoe Mansfield and Abi Lockyer, all aged16, at the Teddy 20 children's tombola.

The players who took to the pitch in the Teddy20 Big Bash.

The brave trio who had their heads shaved in aid of Teddy20’s cancer charitieswere Jeanne Rutherford, Susan Henderson and Susan Griffiths.

Teddy20 Big Bashis a hit with crowdsTHIS year's Teddy20 Big BashCommunity Cricket Fun Day washeld on May Bank HolidayMonday at Blandford CricketClub. The crowds flocked to Park Roadto have a fun-filled day and theweather held as the local commu-nity came together yet again inmemory of Ted Newton, helpingto raise more than £4,000 forchildren and young people withcancer. More than £1,000 was raised bylocal women Jeanne Rutherford,Susan Henderson and SusanGriffiths who had their headsshaved in front of a large crowdwhile cricket was being played inthe background. Many local businesses donatedservices and raffle prizes for the

event. Kim Newton said: ''Withoutthe support of the local peopleand businesses we couldn't stagesuch events. We are all verygrateful for all the support we getthroughout the year and togetherwe hope we can make a differ-ence to children and young peo-ple suffering from cancer.'The main Teddy20 match wasplayed between the Teddy20Legends and Tim Hill's DorsetUnder-17s county team. Thematch was played in true sports-man-like manner, which saw theLegends come out as winners.The day came to an end with amini Teddy Rocks music festival.One of the next events is a sky-dive planned by Phoebe Newtonand a dozen friends inSeptember.

Armed Forces ceremonyMEMBERS of the public joined representatives of the Royal Navy,Army and Royal Air Force, local dignitaries and councillors atNorth Dorset District Council on 24th June in support of men andwomen of the Armed Services in the lead-up to the nationalArmed Forces Day on Saturday 29th June.They gathered round the flag pole in the grounds of Nordon, to bewelcomed by council chairman Cllr Su Hunt, hear a brief addressabout Blandford Camp and its links with the local communityfrom Col Matt Fensom, Blandford Garrison Commander, and joinin prayers led by the Rev Tim Storey, Rector of Blandford Forumand Langton Long.

July 20138

Zoe Hickson in fine voice.

Alfredo the Magician entertains a fascinated child with balloon art.

The Grind, an exciting new rock triofrom The Blandford School.

Blandford RotarySpring Festivalhailed a successTHE Rotary Clubs of Blandfordput on another 'Great Day Out forthe Whole Family' in the gardensof the Crown Hotel on the lateMay Bank Holiday Monday.What is now established as anannual event in the town's calen-dar was, as in previous years,organised in conjunction with theBlandford Cub Scouts and 1stWoodcutts Scout Group who pro-vided 'fun of the fair' attractions. The two Scout groups received alarge share of the proceeds,about £1,700, and two local chari-ties supported by the BlandfordRotary Clubs, Youth Aid andJulia's House, ran stalls.After the official opening byBlandford Town Mayor BobBrannigan, entertainment beganwith Alfredo the Magician and afull programme of live music. Thiswas provided by the SturSteppers Dance School, SamRyall who played keyboard duetswith a teddy bear called George(yes, really!), and pupils from TheBlandford School, contributing forthe second year running to theannual community event. Theyincluded Rory Shafford on firedevil sticks, the duo Anatemy fea-turing Emily Denton Smith andNatalie Hawkins, the school'sexciting new rock trio Grind, madeup of Jed Dutton, Tom Wood andJack Hopcroft, Sam Greenwoodon violin, beautiful singing fromZoe Hickson accompanied byJamie Cardno on keyboard, anddancers Becky Tun Pe, KatyClark, Georgina Duckworth, JessHollings, Rea and Amy Lillywhiteand Hannah Stevens.They were commended on theiroutstanding performance by John

Bentley, incoming president ofBlandford Rotary, and DeputyHeadteacher Andrew Mead said:"It is testament to the high calibreof the performers that we have atthe school, that we were able toprovide four hours of such highquality entertainment." Rotary and Inner Wheel stallsoffered cakes, plants, jams andpreserves, books and the ever-popular hog roast, hot dogs andbacon baps. The name of theRotary bear - Roger - wasguessed by seven-year-oldThomas Kiff.Event organiser Steve Adamson,thanking the Scouts and Cubs fortheir hard work, and Hall &Woodhouse and The CrownHotel for providing facilities freeof charge, said: "It's rewarding tohave everyone working togetherto put on an event that local peo-ple enjoy and raises money fordeserving charities."

PHOTOS BY JOHN BENTLEY

July 2013 9

Cub Scouts on their stall at the Blandford Rotary Spring Festival.Rory Shafford with his Devil Sticks.

Thomas Kiff, aged seven, proudlyholds up the bear whose name hecorrectly guessed as Roger.

A section of the crowd watches the festival entertainment.The Mayor of Blandford, Bob Brannigan, opens the annual festival in thegardens of The Crown, billed as ‘A Great Day Out For the Whole Family’.

July 201310

Dancers earn clean sweep

Youngsters from Studio B who earned UDO accreditation in exams.

MORE than 50 children atStudio B Dance in Blandfordwho took their first UDO StreetDance exams last monthearned the studio a 100 percent pass rate in the first nation-ally recognised street danceaccreditation scheme in thecountry.Some were given merits anddistinctions at different levels,dependent on age. Theirteacher, Nuno, was awarded thehighest marks given to anyUDO Street Dance teacher inthe country when he passed histeaching exam.The youngest pupil to attempther exam at Studio B Dance

was just five years old.United Dance Organisation(UDO) accreditation consists ofall forms of street dance includ-ing breaking, locking, hip hopand even a section where thepupils have to choreograph theirown routine. The examiner forthe day was Leon Petit, the cho-reographer and dancer for JLSand a world-renowned teacherand UDO competition judge.Kate Lewis, manager of UDO,said the studios results were agreat achievement.The children are now workingtowards their next big theatreproduction and the next gradingday.

Crime figures fallbut there’s a sharprise in shopliftingCRIME levels in Blandford aregenerally down compared withfigures that were already low lastyear, but while there have beenno domestic burglaries there hasbeen a sharp increase in shoplift-ing.Sgt Matt Chutter of the SaferNeighbourhood Team, reportingto Blandford Town Council inJune, said the police had spokenwith all the major shops and sup-pliers to issue advice on shoplift-ing. Nowadays, he added, policestarted investigations immediatelyan incident was reported."But the onus is on the shop toget evidence for us before we getthere," he said, adding that oneprolific offender had admitted tonine offences and was currentlyon bail after re-entering a shopfrom which he had been banned.A drugs raid at the end of Mayrecovered £500 worth ofcannabis and there have recentlybeen three arrests and a largenumber of drug-related cautionsand street warnings for low-levelabuse. Seven people have been directedto leave the area protected by a

DPPO order restricting alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.A joint operation in Blandford,Shaftesbury and Gillingham inwhich several pubs were visitedby police with a dog earlier thisyear was one of several beingconducted in partnership withlandlords to ensure customersare acting within the law and tosafeguard people.Sgt Chutter said that in Blandfordthere had been a 26 per centreduction in violent crime, a 100per cent decrease to nil indomestic burglary, a 35 per centreduction in criminal damage, a10 per cent drop in anti-socialbehaviour and a 65 per centdecrease in commercial burglary.Blandford Safer NeighbourhoodTeam can now be followed onTwitter, as well as on their web-site where contact details anddates of meetings can be found.PCSO Emma Proctor has left ona career break and PCSO CharliBarkshire is on maternity leavebut two new officers have beenappointed. Sgt Chutter said hewas confident that there would beno reduction in staff numbers.

Abuse case teacher jailed

MP backs phone signal drive

A FORMER music teacher at Clayesmore Prep School, IwerneMinster, has been jailed for five-and-a-half years after being con-victed of abusing a young boy in the 1980s.Sir Peter Newson-Smith, 3rd Baronet of Totteridge in Hertford-shire, was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault of achild under 16.He was sentenced to four years in prison on the first charge andfive-and-a-half years for the second, the sentences to be servedconcurrently.He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life andmade subject to a sexual offences prevention order for an indefi-nite period.

NORTH Dorset MP Bob Walter isbacking a Countryside Alliancecampaign to help improve thephone signal in the constituency.People are being asked to helpmap real phones reception ratesacross the UK by downloading afree RootMetrics app onto theirsmartphone or tablet and use itwhile they are at home, as wellas while they are out and about.The app tests the strength of theirmobile phone signal, automatical-ly records the result, and can alsobe used to check which company

provides the best service in anarea.The information will be used tomake the case to phone compa-nies and the Government toimprove mobile reception, espe-cially in isolated rural areas.North Dorset contains a numberof areas with exceptionally poormobile signal, which is why MrWalter is so keen to see as muchinformation gathered as possibleto back the case for action.For further information visit root-metrics.com/uk.

July 2013 11

THE new chairman elect ofBlandford Chamber ofCommerce, and recently electedmember of North Dorset DistrictCouncil, is Traci Handford, adirector of Sunrise Service &MOT Centre, which is currentlycelebrating its fifth year in busi-ness.Traci and her fellow director andpartner David Handford and theirteam are reflecting on anextremely successful five yearssince relocating from TarrantHinton to Sunrise Business Parkin Blandford. They have built up a small busi-ness, which had been in the fami-ly for three generations, into athriving enterprise with six fullyqualified mechanics - David, Dan,Shane, Stuart, Mikey and Mike.Each specialises in differentareas and vehicles, includingVauxhall, Ford, Renault andNissan, while Traci now has twoassistants, Kimmy and Rachel, tohelp in the smooth running of theoffice and reception.Traci says: "With lots of hardwork and our excellent reputationwe have been able to build ourcustomer base and relationshipswithin the trade to a high stan-dard. We have also broadened

our trade to include motorbikes,car sales and a taxi service."The workshop has expandedover two units to include sevenramps for cars, vans andminibuses up to 3.5 tonnes andtwo ramps for motorbikes. They have the equipment toundertake extensive diagnosticson all makes of vehicles and areable to cater for classes 1, 2, 4, 5and 7 MOTs.David and Traci pride themselveson their customer service andattribute their success to theirreputation for honesty and relia-bility. "We've built much of ourcustomer base through recom-mendation and we aim to offer afriendly and trustworthy servicewhile also being as flexible aspossible," Traci says."We would like to take this oppor-tunity to thank all our customersand suppliers who have support-ed us over the last five years."Sunrise Service & MOT Centre isRetail Motor Industry Federationregistered and part of the RACnetwork. It is open six days aweek 8am-5.30pm weekdays and8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Formore information contact 01258459798.

Five years of successfor the Sunrise team

The Sunrise team look back on five great years.

Lions help specs collectionBLANDFORD Lions Club was represented when nine clubs gath-ered at Gillingham Town Hall for the 31st area collection of usedspectacles under the Lions' 'SpecTrek' scheme.A record-breaking 26,618 pairs of spectacles were boxed up andtransported by Petersfield Lions for sorting, assessing and re-usein Third World countries.Blandford contributed 900 pairs to the total, and all the clubsinvolved thanked the various opticians and other sources fortheir help in making the collection.

July 201312

Legal papersheld byBlanchardsSOLICITORS Grenville J. Walker& Co Ltd ceased trading recentlyand although no other firm hastaken over the practice in thetown, Blanchards Bailey LLPSolicitors of Blandford have takencustody of Wills, Powers ofAttorney and Deeds belonging totheir local clients.Those affected can decidewhether or not they would like tocollect them or leave them withBlanchards Bailey LLP for stor-age.Documents held by Grenville JWalker & Co Ltd for clients whoused their Weymouth andBroadstone offices are held byother solicitors in those localareas.Any former client for whomGrenville J Walker & Co Ltd wereholding documentation on theirbehalf and who would like to col-lect it, check what was beingheld, or review the documenta-tion with a solicitor fromBlanchards Bailey LLP free ofcharge, can contact BlanchardsBailey LLP at Bunbury House,Stour Park, Blandford, or call01258 459361.

Collingwood Cornerceremony recalls lossTHE Collingwood parade andservice held at CollingwoodCorner on South Down, TarrantHinton, on the 98th anniversaryof the loss of the Collingwoodbattalion in World War I was heldunder stormy conditions.The rain fortunately held off,since high winds had made itimpossible to erect the shelterunder which invited guests usual-ly sit, but the atmosphere was allthe more moving for the distantthunder and lightning whichaccompanied the memorial serv-ice led by the Rev John Bridges,chaplain to HMS Collingwood,the naval training establishmentwhich has succeeded the lostbattalion in title.

The memorial at CollingwoodCorner on Blandford Camp andthe annual service were founded60 years ago by Roy Adam MBE,of Pimperne, on behalf of theRoyal Naval Association and inmemory of his late father, whoafter the war served with one ofthe naval divisions which tookpart in the campaign.Mr Adam was present to see hisson Stuart introduce the proceed-ings, now organised by theFriends of Collingwood, in whichBlandford Camp GarrisonCommander Col Matt Fensomrecounted the story of more than1,000 members of the RoyalNaval Division who lost their livesat Gallipoli on 4th June, 1915.They had trained at BlandfordCamp for an infantry role andwere the second group to bewiped out within the space ofseven months when they wereslaughtered in the Third Battle ofKrithia. The first group were slainin October 1914.Wreaths were laid on behalf ofthe military and the community,led by the Lord Lieutenant MrsValerie Pitt Rivers and Mayor ofBlandford, Lt Col (Retd) BobBrannigan.

The standard of the Blandford branchof the Royal British Legion flies overthe Collingwood Memorial and (below)some of the invited guests.

July 2013 13

Knighton Countryside workmen install the badgers on the Tesco roundabout.

Simon Vaughan and Kwala with their sculptures beside the Blandford bypass.

Town carves outa sculpture trailTHE appearance on the Tescoroundabout of the Blandfordbypass of the badger sculpturessponsored by Hall & Woodhousehas added to the impression thata sculpture trail is developinglocally.In addition to those on the NorthDorset Trailway, for severalweeks the bypass has beenhome to two itinerant woodwork-ers, Simon Vaughan and Kwala,whose creations have provedeye-catching for passingmotorists. The two say they havebeen doing a good trade.Simon, from Cornwall, said: "Thelocal authority has been lenientwith us. They have told us we willhave to move on quite soon, butwe are hoping to stay in the area."It's the first time in eight years Ihave come to Blandford. Wehave been taking quite a lot ofcommissions."The badgers at the junction ofthe A350 and A354 Poole andDorchester roads were commis-

sioned from sculptor HelenGodfrey and installed in celebra-tion of the brewery's FoundersDay on 8th June, when the com-pany also organised litter clean-ups at each of their premisesacross the south.In Blandford they also installed afingerpost sign which formed partof their award-winning garden atthe Hampton Court RHS FlowerShow in 2012 and developed aspart of the Dorset Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty'sDorset Fingerpost Project.In May, directors Mark andAnthony Woodhouse donned abadger onesie and hopped on atandem bike to cycle from TheCrown in Blandford to the Hall &Woodhouse brewery. They were supporting Badger ona Bike, the 777-mile cycling chal-lenge by Jamie Smith and BenHolden to raise money for NaomiHouse by riding between 52 ofthe company's public housesbetween Devon and Portishead.

If things had been different . . .THE story of what might havehappened in Blandford duringWorld War II is told in a new bookby Michael le Bas, assistant cura-tor of the Blandford Museum.The book, now available from themuseum, tells of plans drawn upby the Ministry of Defence to forti-fy the town against a possibleGerman invasion, and why anumber of wartime defenceswhich still exist around the towncreated a wall of resistanceagainst invading tanks.It also records the known historyof defence activities in the town,including details of civil defenceorganisations and individualsinvolved, measures taken to con-fuse the enemy, and photographs

taken at the time.A model of the defences in themuseum has taken two years toconstruct and shows thedefences - pillboxes, gun posi-tions, barbed wire, road blocksand anti-tank blocks - to be over-come by Germans tanks crossingthe bridge.Items displayed include the deto-nator box wired up to demolishthe town's beautiful stone bridge.Other items include tins of driedeggs and milk, an incendiarybomb, ration books and HomeGuard manuals.The book was launched, togetherwith a new exhibition at themuseum, by Col (Retd) DavidRose.

July 201314

FOCUS on summer theatre

LOVERS of live theatre arespoilt for choice this monthwith a series of productions

in the area sure to suit all tastes.Starting on Sunday 30th June atThe Exchange in SturminsterNewton, the touring productionof the Bristol Old Vic TheatreSchool, 'Moonfleet', is based onJ. Meade Falkner's classic tale ofsmugglers, shipwrecks, treasure,vengeance and enduring love.Set on the Dorset coast and fea-turing an original score from localmusician Tim Laycock, it is afast-moving, breathtaking dramawritten especially for the compa-ny, which has trained many starsof stage and screen since open-ing in 1946. The theatre school'scompany tour is a regular high-light of the Artsreach summerprogramme.On Thursday 4th July, the RudeMechanical Theatre Companypresents 'Harlequin Goes to theMoon' on Child OkefordRecreation Ground. It followsthe antics of a couple in 16thcentury Florence who fall in lovedespite parental opposition and a

stable boy seeking his stolenheart. It promises plenty of slap-stick, poetry, romance, buffooneryand original music.For more information see thewebsite therudemechanicalthe-atre.co.uk and for tickets buylocally from the Cross Stores inChild Okeford.

Burnt Out Theatre's 'AMidsummer Night's Dream' atLangton Old Rectory, is also onThursday 4th July but it contin-ues through to Saturday 6th Julywhen there are matinee andevening performances. It is partof the Dorset Opera Festival,which also features later in the

month with productions atBryanston School of 'LaTraviata' and 'The FlyingDutchman' in celebration of thebicentenary of the births of com-posers Giuseppe Verdi andRichard Wagner.The magical open-air perform-ance is hosted by Deirdre andEgerton Skipwith, whose cousinis a member of the company. It isin support of The Dorset OperaSociety and Blandford parishchurch's Cupola Project.Warm clothes and sensible shoesare recommended for membersof the audience who are invitedto come early with picnics, rugsand chairs, and to be led aroundthe pretty groves and greens ofThe Old Rectory by a troupe ofyoung actors, singers and musi-cians. A vibrant, energetic performanceis promised, in traditional settingand costume, accompanied by anoriginal musical score by talentedyoung composer JamesReynolds.The London-based theatre com-pany specialises in bringing

Quench your thirst for entertainment

Donna Combe, Antony Cule (Mechanicals) in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream',which will be performed by Burnt Out Theatre at Langton Long.

July 2013 15

FOCUS on summer theatre

by re-inventing themselves ascharacters with the same namein the Wessex Actors Companyproduction at a number of ven-ues. The tour takes in performancesat Kingston Lacy (13th July),Sturminster Newton Exchange(19th July), Weymouth (20thJuly), Wareham (21st July) andPoundbury (28th July).Wessex Actors Company is aprofessional touring theatre com-pany formed by local director JoPuttick in 2011, who first toured'A Midsummer Night's Dream'and last year 'The Merry Wivesof Windsor'.

accessible, promenade produc-tions of classic plays to uniqueopen-air venues, accompaniedby original music and song,whilst raising money for worthycharities. Last year it raised morethan £8,000 for the MultipleSclerosis Society.Following the success of'Calendar Girls' last November,Churchill Productions present'Quartet', by Ronald Harwood, atthe Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne,from 18th to 20th July. Written in 1999, the play was lastyear adapted as a film directedby Dustin Hoffman and featuringMaggie Smith, Pauline Collins,Tom Courtenay and BillyConnolly. The play is set in aretirement home for musicians,where the quartet are famousopera singers.Oscar Wilde's so-called TrivialComedy for Serious People, 'TheImportance of Being Earnest',has been delighting audiencesfor more than 100 years. Twoyoung bachelors in EdwardianEngland bend the truth to add adash of excitement to their lives

this summer“All women becomelike their mothers.

That is their tragedy.No man does, and

that is theirs.”Oscar Wilde,

‘The Importance ofBeing Earnest’ Art exhibitor Martin Ansell in his more familiar role as a taxi driver.

Leopard, by Martin Ansell.

BLANDFORD Library in TheTabernacle is currently hostingan exhibition by Martin Ansell, asinger, musician and self-taughtpainter who is perhaps bestknown in the town as a taxi driv-er.'No Ark for the Animals' is a col-lection of beautiful colour por-traits of endangered species. Itopened on 17th June and contin-ues until Monday 15th July. Theartworks are available for salethrough Martin.For anyone wanting to learnmore about endangered species,or take up art, there is a collec-tion of books available to borrow.As well as books, DVDs, musicand free events, the library now

Taxi driver joins the ranksof exhibiting artists

YOUNG musicianssupported theBlandford ParishChurch CupolaProject with a fund-raising concert in thechurch on Sunday23rd June. Local piano teacherSue Craxton said: 'It'svital for students toshare their enjoymentof music with an audi-ence." The concert includedmore than a dozenyoung people playinga varied programmeof short pieces thatincluded Puff theMagic Dragon and theStar Wars theme.Several students havebeen learning sinceChristmas, while oth-ers have been learn-ing for some years.

Sancha, one of the young musicians in the BlandfordParish Church concert.

offers free wi-fi access.For more information aboutlibrary opening times and otherservices and events see dorset-foryou.com/libraries or call 01258452075.

Concert for cupola appeal

July 201316

Photographers puttheir skills on showBLANDFORD Forum CameraClub's annual exhibition in theCorn Exchange at the end of Maywas an opportunity for local pho-tographers to display their workto the public, and the public torecognise their skill and expert-ise.It was judged by Alison Cawley,who selected some of the mostimpressive images in the openand club competitions but wasunable to be present at theawards ceremony on the Sundayafternoon when trophies and cer-tificates were presented by theMayor of Blandford, Cllr BobBrannigan.The open challenge shield formonochrome went to Alan Bevisof Swanage, the colour trophy toNorman Wiles of Bournemouth,and the DPI Cup for digitalimages to Dee Maddams ofBournemouth.Exhibition awards went to JeanBartlett for 'Lily' (club mono-chrome), Colin Cross for 'AerialBallet' (club colour and EsmeButler Cup for top-voted print),

Marilyn Peddle for 'Canary Wharf'(club digital images), ColinSansom for 'Two by Two'(Founder's Cup for three linkedcolour prints), and Norman Careyfor Space Warp (Dr Davies Cupfor three linked colour prints).The women versus men annualcompetition for the Wessex Cupwas held at the club whenGraham Ireland from Warehamwas the judge. The always keen-ly-contested competition compris-es three sections, for DPIs,monochrome prints and colourprints, and the judge awardspoints out of 10 without knowingthe gender of the photographer.The monochrome and colourprint sections were won by themen by the narrow margin of oneand two points, and they alsobeat the women in DPIs by 4.5points, with a final score ofWomen 206.5, Men 214 in a funevening enjoyed by all.For more information on the club,contact Alf Tompkins on 01258454450 or visit bfcclub.co.uk fordetails.

Above: Trophy winners at theBlandford Forum Camera Clubexhibition. Below: NormanCarey's winning 'Space Warp'image of Wareham harbour.

Pub cashA SERIES of events is beingheld at the Farquharson Armsin Pimperne to raise money forequipment for three-year-oldRuby Mae, a type 1 diabeticwho needs an insulin pumpthat costs £5,000.There has been a quiz night, asponsored walk and fete, abingo evening, which was dueto be held on 30th June, and asecond quiz night on Sunday14th July.For further details call theFarquharson on 01258 268521or Jackie on 07879 003567.

July 2013 17

Sarah and Darren Roberts behind the counter of the new Sticky Stores andTearoom, with their children Erin, aged seven, and Faye, aged three.

Cllr Mike Oliver relinquishes his chain of office to chief executive Liz Goodall tohand over to Cllr Su Hunt as chairman of North Dorset District Council.

District council hasa new chairman

Sticky venture puts life andcakes back into old shop

More awards for Spectrum

MIKE Oliver, of Pimperne, chair-man of North Dorset DistrictCouncil for a total of seven yearsbetween 2004 and 2013, hasbeen succeeded by Cllr Su Huntof Gillingham.Cllr Oliver, who representsCranborne Chase, said: "I havedone my best to represent thecouncil at more than 1,500 civicevents when my aim has been toshow our council in the best pos-sible light, give good news ratherthan bad and gain the best possi-ble publicity throughout NorthDorset and the county."He said giving someone else achance would give him more timeto become involved with a familybusiness building hospitals inGhana, flats and a water filtrationplant, and in preparations for amajor show on the Shaftesburyestate at Wimborne St Giles inaid of military charities on 15thSeptember.He paid tribute to the staff who

had supported him at NorthDorset and to his wife Jill, whomhe described as a "tower ofstrength". He announced that fundraisingfor his chairman's charity, theDorset & Somerset AirAmbulance, had totalled £1,600during the year.Cllr Hunt, who has served asvice-chairman for the past twoyears, will be supported in hernew role by Cllr Vic Fox ofSturminster Newton who takesover as vice-chairman.She was elected chairman by herfellow councillors at the annualcouncil meeting held at Nordon,Blandford, on 24th May.Other appointments confirmed atthe meeting were: Cllr DeborahCroney, Leader of the Council(Conservative); Cllr DavidMilsted, Leader of the Opposition(Liberal Democrat); Cllr GeoffreyMiller, Leader of the IndependentGroup.

SPECTRUM Property Care Ltd has been awarded Gold standard forthe fourth time for its approach to occupational safety and health in anawards scheme run by the Royal Society for the Prevention ofAccidents (RoSPA).It was also one of only two direct labour organisation or social housingowned contractors to be featured in the National Site Awards and, toadd to its achievements, has picked up its sixth ConsiderateConstructors Scheme award.

THE 18th century street fair at Milton Abbas every two years attractsthousands of visitors and this year, on Saturday 27th July, it againpromises to be a perfect day out for the whole family. It is a chance to step back in time and commemorate the Feast Day ofSt Sampson, on which date a country fair was always held in the 18thcentury.The street is closed to traffic and decorated with swathes of homemadebunting. Residents and stallholders at traditional market stalls dress in18th century costume against the background of rows of thatchedwhitewashed cottages fronted by broad greens. There will be plenty ofentertainment and refreshments, including a picnic area, as well asmaypole dancers and Punch and Judy.Parking is free, but an adult contribution of £7 is requested at entry(reduced rates for seniors, children and families) so that proceeds canbe shared between local charities and organisations.For further information call 01258 880229 or visit miltonabbas.org.uk.

A VILLAGE shop which closedwhen its owners retired sevenyears ago has reopened inWinterborne Stickland under thename of Sticky Stores andTearooms.Villagers Sarah and DarrenRoberts were given permissionfor the venture by Audrey andGordon Walters, who used to runthe shop and who still live behindthe premises.Sarah and Darren say they will indue course take on the businessof Stickland Post Office, run for

Milton Abbas street fair

three generationsby the Spracklingfamily. It will beclosing when thecurrent propri-etor, DeirdreSprackling,retires.Mother-of-twoSarah said:"Darren works inanother busi-ness, but I havealways wanted torun a tea shop,

and with the pub closed and thepost office wanting to close, itseemed like the right time to doit. "We have been able to take onfour part-time staff, all of whomlive in the village within a stone'sthrow of our own home, and wewill be open seven days a week."The opening was greeted withenthusiasm by local villagers andby passing cyclists, delighted tofind they could call in for wel-come refreshments.

July 201318

FOCUS letters

Dear EditorFurther to your report in the Juneissue of Forum Focus ['Hospitalward shutdown shock' - Page 1] Ihope you may be able to help inour efforts to present a positivepicture of Blandford Hospital. Although part of the hospital, theBetty Highwood Unit is managedby a separate directorate fromthat which manages the rest ofthe hospital. However, it is theonly elderly mental health facilityin North Dorset and thereforeessential for the patients in ourregion. DHUFT [Dorset HealthCareUniversity Foundation Trust] arehaving two recruitment drives inJune and July to get their staffingup to strength in mental health.This should enable them toreopen Betty Highwood Unit byOctober 2013. It is unfortunatethat the process will take thislong but it will enable the facilitiesto be improved in the interim.As regards Blandford Hospitalitself, the care given to inpatientsin Tarrant Ward is first class,there is a very positive responseby patients and the faults foundby the CQC [Care Quality

Dear Editor,AS a trustee of The Information Centre in Blandford I am writing toexpress our appreciation of the quality of your superb magazine whichis providing much needed information about Blandford and the sur-rounding villages.The article printed about our need for volunteers to help in the TIC pro-duced excellent results and we are delighted with the response - thankyou. I was also asked to forward our congratulations on the quality produc-tion of the Forum Focus magazine. I am convinced that all your con-tributors and readers will also share my appreciation. Keep up thegood work. Della Jones MBE, Trustee, TIC Blandford.

Let's take a positive look at our hospital

TIC most grateful to FF

Commission] showed the needfor some improvement. It worksextremely well with theCommunity Rehabilitation Teamso that patients move back homeand are well supported. As regards the outpatient facili-ties, these are being expandedespecially in conjunction withPoole General Hospital and thefollowing services are now avail-able in the hospital: MaxillaryFacial, Day Surgery List, DiabeticEye Screening and anOphthalmology clinic run byRoyal Bournemouth Hospital.Furthermore, there are ongoingdiscussions for potential develop-ment of Collocation of Health &Social Care Teams, Dermatologytreatments, Pain Management,Community Dental Service,Ambulatory care, Orthopaedicclinic/day surgery treatment.Whilst the Friends of BlandfordHospital continue to support allthat goes on in the hospital, theirfocus has now widened to helpthe broader health communityboth with transport and health-related activities.I hope this gives a more positivepicture of the Blandford Hospital

which I feel is going from strengthto strength. Please note that our AGM isWednesday 3rd July at 6.30pm inthe Day Hospital at Blandford

Hospital and we would bepleased to see you.Peter FaleChairman, Friends of BlandfordCommunity Hospital

Seen something you'd like to comment on or share withother readers? Anxious to give a local topic an airing? Email your letter, which must be as brief as possible, to: [email protected] or call 01258 459346. You can also deliver by post or by hand to Forum Focus,c/o Colin's Community Club, 49 Damory Street,Blandford DT11 7HD.

July 2013 19

FOCUS on schools

The Blandford School netball tournament teams at Condover Hall, Shropshire.Between them they scored 233 goals and won three trophies in one afternoon.

Netball teams bring honourto their school and the townGIRLS from Years 8, 9 and 10 atThe Blandford School travelled toCondover Hall in Shropshire andreturned with three trophies froma netball tournament involving 43teams from schools and clubsacross the country.The Year 8s found themselves inthe largest group of 19 teams butwon through into the Plate com-petition in which FrankieYeatman, Grace Ritchie andCharlotte Legg linked up well tobeat two schools and reach thefinal against Maltby Academy.One second before the finalwhistle a goal from Charlottegave Blandford the win by 5-4.In the Year 9 section, the B teambattled well to finish sixth, whilethe A team played some excep-tional netball to finish top of theleague with 96 goals in eight 10-minute games. Emma Sully, Alyce Peaty and FloBailey combined brilliantly inattack, while Ashlea Gale andAlice Youngson put in a sterlingeffort in defence.

At full-time in the final againstGrey Court School fromRichmond in London they weredrawing at 7-7 and still level aftertwo minutes of extra time at 9-9.Grey Court won the toss for gold-en goal and won 10-9. Blandford's Year 10 team were ina league of five schools and putin some spectacular performanc-es, beating Castle Manor School14-0 and Willenhall 10-1 to alsomeet Grey Court in the final.Shae Hardy sent pinpoint passesto Paige Murphy and ChloeEvans who shot with great accu-racy, and in defence Ellie Whaleand Phoebe Carter made impor-tant interceptions, using BellaMurphy and Vicky Starr to bringthe ball up court. The final scorewas 8-3 in their favour. All the students, who wereaccompanied by coaches KarenPeaty, Kev Noyce and Mrs Bailey,were a credit to themselves andwonderful ambassadors for TheBlandford School, whose reputa-tion now extends beyond thecounty boundary.

Voices unite in songTHE first joint celebration ofmusic and song featuring choirsfrom schools in the Blandfordarea will take place in the hall ofThe Blandford School on 2ndJuly, starting 6pm.It will include singers from TheBlandford School andDownlands, Pimperne, BlandfordSt Mary, Spetisbury, Durweston,Archbishop Wake, Dunbury andMilldown primaries, together withThe Blandford GarrisonCommunity Choir, PlaysongsMums' Choir and members ofThe Royal Corps of SignalsBand.There will also be performancesfrom The Blandford School WindBand and String Group.Tickets are available from theschools, priced £3.

CLAYESMORE School GCSEstudents had the chance to meetFra Fee, an actor and singer withmusical theatre roles in Fame,Dirty Dancing and SweeneyTodd, but perhaps best known forplaying Courfeyrac in the recentscreen adaptation of LesMisérables. He took time out from his busyschedule to drop by and offersome musical theatre tips to stu-dents. A graduate of ManchesterUniversity and the RoyalAcademy of Music, his master-class included vocal warm-upsand intensive work on 'At the Endof the Day' and 'The Epilogue'from Les Mis. He stressed the importance ofcharacter development for every-one on stage for the performanceto be believable and explainedhow the final song of Les Mis,despite its poignancy, expresseshope for the future.

Fra Fee conducts his masterclass.

Master of themusical givestips to pupils

Schoolshorts

Korky draws new fansAWARD-winning illustrator KorkyPaul held his young audienceenthralled when he demonstrat-ed some of his artistic skills to thechildren of Clayesmore Prep.The illustrator of numerous chil-dren's books including 'Winnie theWitch' entertained and inspiredpupils from the Nursery right upto Year 5.

Eco helpers get dirtyThe Eco Rangers at DownlandsPrimary School have been work-ing along side the staff fromCranborne's Ancient TechnologyCentre to renovate Downland'sIron Age Hut. They all had a great time with thewattle and daub and the resultsspeak for themselves - a greattribute to all involved.

July 201320

FOCUS on schools

The Knighton Chapel Choir jump for joy in The Strand during a triumphant London visit when they provoked an emotional response from their audience.

Knighton choir sings for London reunion with famous Old GirlFORMER pupils of Knighton House Schoolgathered from around the country to spend anevening 'in conversation with JoscelineDimbleby' in central London. Jossy Gaskell, as she was known when sheattended Knighton in the 1950s, recalled hertime at the boarding school in Durweston andregaled guests with stories of dungarees, bon-fire night parties and dormitory fun andgames. During her time at Knighton, Josceline was amember of the choir and was noted for hersinging, so the evening was made even more

special with a performance by the school'sChapel Choir who sang four pieces to raptur-ous applause.Hosted at Outer Temple Chambers on theStrand opposite the Courts of Justice, thevenue was ideal for those who are nowLondon-based, but many had made the jour-ney from Dorset to meet up with old friends.Ginny Rottenburg, chair of the OldKnightonians and current school governor,said: "We were thrilled that so many Old Girlswere able to join us. Jossy talked about hertime at Knighton as a nine-year-old and then

went on to talk about her successful cookerywriting career, which was enthralling."Josceline said: "It was a great pleasure to beinvited back to talk with old friends and dis-cover how Knighton is still thriving today, morethan 50 years after I first attended. The Choirwere quite brilliant and certainly brought a tearto my 'Old Girl's' eye."The Chapel Choir performed again for anaudience at Lady St Mary's Church,Wareham, on 7th June, when a retiring collec-tion was made for the church's restorationfund.

Staff rise to challengeof Three PeaksA THREE Peaks Challenge teamof staff from The BlandfordSchool successfully ascendedand descended the highestmountains in Scotland (BenNevis), England (Scafell Pike)and Wales (Snowdon) over twodays in half-term.The climbers were LucyBowerman-Ellis, Caroline Kelly,Jean-Paul (JP) Dubock andAndrew Mead, supported by theirindefatigable driver BeckyMutimer. They completed the challenge to

raise money for special perform-ing and creative arts events inthe school. Headteacher Sally Wilson com-mended the team on what shedescribed as their “fantasticachievement”.She added: "The staff are realrole models for young people.Their personal challenge wasvery demanding and they workedhard to prepare and then suc-ceed. “Our whole school community isvery proud of them."

The Spetisbury Primary School team which won the Dorset School Games net-ball final held at the Blandford School. There were several rounds in the tourna-ment, starting with local Blandford schools, on to North Dorset league and thenthe Dorset finals. Spetisbury only has 16 children in Year 6 from which to pick anetball team so their success is all the more notable as they came first out of allthe Dorset primary and middle schools taking part.

July 2013 21

FOCUS on schoolsOfsted finds ArchbishopWake is 'good' all round

3. Pupils refer to their school assomewhere they are proud to beassociated with. They are highlyrespectful towards each other,their teachers and other adults. 4. They have positive attitudestowards their learning. Behaviourin lessons and around the schoolis good.The school was also given areasfor development, which mainlycentred on helping children tobecome more independent learn-ers as well as continuing toimprove the outdoor provision forchildren in Reception.Pupils, staff, parents and gover-nors are delighted to have such apositive report which reflectswhat a great place to learnArchbishop Wake is. To read thereport in full, visit the Ofsted web-site www.ofsted.gov.uk

A RECENT Ofsted inspectionfound Archbishop Wake PrimarySchool in Blandford to be 'good'in every aspect of its work.Staff were given just half a day'snotice of the visit by three inspec-tors, who explored every aspectof the school's work over a two-day period, watching lessons,looking at books, chatting to chil-dren and parents and discussingchildren's progress with staff.The inspectors' comments aboutthe school included:1. Pupils work hard and achievewell because of the good teach-ing they receive. They enjoy com-ing to school and attend regularly.2. Teachers plan lessons withinteresting tasks that meet theneeds of all pupils, including dis-abled pupils and those with spe-cial educational needs.

YEAR 10 student Keelan Stringer of The Blandford School rounded off a fantas-tic rugby season in style by being selected to represent the Bath RugbyAcademy at a tournament and summer training camps. Keelan has already played at Bath's rugby stadium, The Rec, in the Dorset and

Wilts U15 victory againstSomerset in the Bath Cup.This result came a week after hehelped the team win the South-West 10-a-side tournament.Keelan's club team Wimbornehave also had a successful sea-son, winning both the Dorsetand Dorset and Wiltshire Cupsto become Dorset and Wilts U15Champions.Sally Wilson, headteacher of TheBlandford School, has wishedKeelan all the best for his sum-mer rugby development andsays she hopes he continues hispositive progress next season.

The Blandford School's Mishmash team which acquitted themselves so well inthe Young Enterprise scheme.

Enterprising team spreadthe Mishmash messageTHE Blandford School's team,Mishmash, the first ever to beentered in the Young Enterprisecompetition, came third in thecounty finals in Bournemouth. Judges praised the team for theirinnovative and imaginative busi-ness model, awarding them theBest Company Report of the Yearaward.Sally Wilson, headteacher, said:"These students can be proud oftheir achievement. They haveworked so hard over so manyweeks and months. We, as aschool, are exceptionally proud ofeach and every one of them."Led superbly by managing direc-tor Robbie McClachlan,Mishmash has gone fromstrength to strength since formingin October 2012.In the run-up to Christmas, the

company braved the cold to selltheir locally produced goods inChristmas markets inBournemouth and Poole andthen developed their own clothingbrand, called 'Leave the Building'. A-level textiles student JouhenaChowdhury oversaw the produc-tion of the company's highly styl-ish recycled clothing range,which has sold amazingly well onfashion website Asos. Some ofthese garments were modelledby the students in fashion showsincorporated into year assem-blies.The Mishmash team alsoincludes Year 12 students SophieCox, Elias Mead, Masna Gurung,Georgia Yeatman, OliviaMackenzie, Josh Newman,Melissa Snow and JonathanBarnes.

Keelan’s string of successes

July 201322

FOCUS on schools SPORTS Extra

Event winners at the Bristol BikeFest (from left): Kim Little, AndyParsons and Mark Green.

Offcamber triorise to bikingchallengeFOLLOWING an impressivewin at The Erlestoke six-hour Enduro mountain bikeevent in May, TeamOffcamber - Andy Parsons,Mark Green and Kim Little -tackled the Bristol Bike Festheld at the Ashton Courttrail centre. The technically challenging,fast-flowing, single-trackcourse, coupled with thehot weather, proved a toughchallenge for all competi-tors. After a Le Mans-style run-ning start Kim put the teaminto a strong position, buton the second lap Mark fol-lowed another rider thewrong way, losing over aminute. Andy fought backwell to restore the team'slead and they went on towin by two laps. Another local rider, PaulHopkins, riding for Merida,teamed up with elite riderJon Pybus and rode to animpressive win in the six-hour pairs event.

PUPILS of the Little Birch Pre-School gather round one of their garden plantersas Hazel Moscrop receives a cheque for £1,000 from Blandford St Mary ParishCouncil chairman Malcolm Albery.

A GARDEN party at the LittleBirch Pre-School in Blandford StMary marked the completion ofan 18-month project to renovatethe school's garden with plantersand areas where the 44 childrencan grow their own produce. Children, staff, committee andparents of the pre-school havebeen busy fundraising and havejust completed the renovation. In celebration, they held a gardenparty and invited members of theparish council who presented adonation of £1,000 as first pay-ment towards a pledged £5,000over the next five years.Parish council chairmanCouncillor Malcolm Albery said: "Iam delighted to present thisdonation, representing our com-mitment to the community infra-structure, in support of Little BirchPre School, which is a most high-ly regarded, popular and impor-tant facility for our young fami-lies."Pre-school chair Hazel Moscropsaid: "The garden has been cre-ated from what was only a fewmonths ago a bit of a buildingsite, and we have planted toma-toes, aubergine, beans, mint anda basket of strawberries. Thechildren went to Homebase tochoose the plants." The registered charity pre-school,set in the grounds of but inde-pendent of its neighbouringBlandford St Mary PrimarySchool, invited local educationdepartment representatives andstudents from The BlandfordSchool who provided live musicentertainment.

Pre-school digs deepfor garden project

July 2013 23

FOCUS on sport

THE first-ever tag rugby festival organised by Blandford RugbyClub was held at Archbishop Wake Primary School in Blandford.More than 120 pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 from ArchbishopWake, Milldown and Pimperne primary schools came together toreceive expert coaching and tips from Blandford RFC coaches andrefereeing by Blandford RFC's own U15s team.Children were impressed to meet Charlotte Male, who captainedthe England Ladies' U20 team in 2010. Each child received agoody bag with information about the club and summer seasonactivities.Blandford RFC Academy are running free, informal fun sessionsfor ages 6-16 at Larksmead Recreation Ground from 7-8pm everyTuesday evening. All are welcome. The Academy are also hostinga fun training day with the Exeter Chiefs, the south-west's premierrugby club, on 29th July. It is for youngsters aged from six to 16and all are welcome.Call Kerrie on 01258 451779 for details or find them on Facebookat 'BlandfordrfcAcademy'.

Huge turnout for first tag rugby festival

Archbishop Wake, year 4 winners.

Liam Tuck, third from the left in the front row, and the target bowls competitors.

Grant cash provides a boost for young bowlersTHE thriving junior section ofBlandford Bowling Club recentlyreceived a grant of £1,600 fromDorset Youth OpportunitiesFund, enabling equipment to bebought to promote bowls for the6-16 age group. The juniors meet every Saturdaymorning at 10.30am when theyreceive coaching and participatein a variety of '4 fun' activities. The monthly trophy event washeld on Saturday at the MilldownRoad green. There were 15 con-testants to compete at targetbowls. After bowling four woodsat 12 targets at various distancesthe victor was Liam Tuck. "There was some really goodbowling and the juniors haveobviously put their coaching intopractise. The new equipment,which is colourful and 'new age',has generated great enthusi-asm," said Joy Steele, one of the

coaches. Anyone who would liketo 'give it a go' can just turn upor contact Tony Ives for furtherdetails on 01929 472336 oremail [email protected].

July 201324

REGULAR EVENTSThe Royal Naval AssociationBlandford Branch meets at theBritish Legion House Blandford at7.00pm every second week of themonth and welcomes all ex-serv-ice and non ex-service people.

JULYMonday 1st July: Blandford andDistrict Floral Group meetsUnited Reformed Church Hall,2.15pm for demonstration 'AsTime Goes By' by Ann-MareeDickerWednesday 3rd July: Bryanston Coffee Morning,Bryanston Club, from 10.30amBlandford St Mary Parish Councilmeeting, Bryanston Court, 7pmMagnum Carnival Club bingo,Pimperne village hall, 7.30pmBlandford RFC v BRFC CricketTeam, Park Road Recreationground.Blandford Art Society demonstra-tion of 'Painting with flowers theChinese way' and practical exer-cise with artist Deborah Chisman,Parish Centre, Blandford, 7pm,non-members £3Thursday 4th July: RudeMechanical Theatre Companypresent Harlequin Goes to theMoon, Child Okeford RecreationGround, 7.30pmThursday 4th to Saturday 6thJuly: 7.30pm Burnt Out Theatrepresent A Midsummer Night'sDream, Langton Long, 7.30pm,Saturday matinee 2pm, seePages 14-15Friday 5th July: Dogs withoutCollars farewell concert, SealySuite, Crown Hotel, BlandfordSaturday 6th July: Not Just Sundaes, free ice-creamand pancakes at Blandford ParishCentre, The Tabernacle, 10.30am to 12.30pmBlandford United ReformedChurch Summer Fair, SalisburySreet, 10am to 3pm, martial artsdisplay 11.30amTarrant Rushton village fete, LongBarn, from midday, BBQ, livemusic, beer tent, proceeds to theDorset Air AmbulanceCharity barbecue, TarrantGunville village hallSunday 7th July: Car treasure hunt for DisabilityAction Group, from NightingaleCourt, Blandford, 2pm, £4 percar, details 01258 268309U3A Singing for Fun concert withAfternoon Tea in aid of theCupola Project, Blandford ParishChurch, 3.30 pm"A Miracle in Miniature", QueenMary's Dolls House: an illustrated

talk by Lady Lucinda Lambton inthe garden of the Old Rectory,Langton Long. 6.30pm for 7pm,contact Elizabeth Coulson,NDCA, The Stables WhitecliffGardens, Blandford Forum, DT117BUThursday 11th July: BlandfordForum & District Stamp Clubmeets Woodhouse MemorialGardens, 7.30pmSaturday 13th July: Larksmead Pre-School Fun Day,Larksmead 10am to 2pmBlandford RFC Bike Tour onNorth Dorset Trailway The Importance of Being Earnest,Wessex Actors Company,Kingston Lacy, see Pages 14-15Saturday 13th and Sunday 14thJuly: Craft and Garden Fair,Chettle House, DT11 8DB Wednesday 17th July: Blandford& District Society Town PerimeterWalk, meet Eagle House car park7pm, bookings 01258 453550Wednesday 17th July toSunday 21st July: Larmer TreeFestival, Larmer Tree Gardens,Tollard Royal Thursday 18th July: BlandfordHeart Forum social evening,speaker Bob Sharpe on 'Historyof Crime Writing', WilliamsOpportunity Hall, WhitecliffGardens 7 to 9pm Enquiries01258 860880 or 01258 860787.Thursday 18th to Saturday 20thJuly: Churchill Productions pres-ent Quartet, Tivoli Theatre,Wimborne, see Pages 14-15Friday 19th July: DurwestonFilm Night, The Sapphires, villagehall, 7.30pmSaturday 20th July: Blandford Art Society morningworkshop with Sue Fawthrop,Painting Together, United ReformChurch, Blandford, 9.30am to12.30pm, enquiries 01258861754 BFPC Allsorts Craft Club, Coffeemorning, Parish Centre,Blandford, in aid of air ambulanceand Parkinson's Society, 10am -3pmBlandford and SturminsterNewton Cats Protection Leaguecoffee morning and sale,Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion,10am to 12.30pmTarrant Keyneston Flower Clubcoffee morning and sales, AnneBiddlecombe Hall, TarrantKeyneston, 10.30-12 noon.

Sunday 21st July:Blandford Orchard Group(Blandford Forum TransitionTown) working morning, enquiries01258 857336 [email protected] Tarrant Valley Ten, multi terrainrace starting from Langton Arms,details 01258 830656Kings Men in concert at MiltonAbbey, 7.30pm, proceeds to StMary's Church, WinterborneWhitechurch and Milton Abbeyschool, tickets 01258 880766 oremail [email protected] 22nd July to 4thAugust: Blandford Carnival Spotthe Oddity competition in shopwindows, entry forms from E HJeansWednesday 24th July: BlandfordCarnival bingo, Royal BritishLegion, doors open 7pm for eyesdown 7.30pmWednesday 24th to Saturday27th July: Dorset Opera,Bryanston School, see centrepages Thursday 25th July:Lions Youth Concert, CornExchange, Blandford, free admis-sion, 2-4pmBlandford Rural home watchmeeting, Okeford FitzpaineSports Pavilion 10amFriday 26th July: Gearing up forGorillas charity auction, Game &Wildlife Conservation Trust,Burgate Manor, Fordingbridge,detailswww.g4g.co.uk/donate.htm or bycontacting [email protected]. Saturday 27th July:Milton Abbas Georgian StreetFair, DT11 0BW see p 22Summer Ball, Crown Hotel,Blandford, enquiries 01258456626Fish and chip supper andevening of Georgian and countrydancing led by Ring of Eight withNo Strings Attached, CornExchange, Blandford for theCupola Project. Sunday 28th July: Family Dayevent at Spetisbury VillageMarket, SpringfieldMonday 29th July: BlandfordRugby Club training day withExeter Chiefs, see page 23,Larksmead recreation ground

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 [email protected]. This page is available andregularly updated on our website at www.forumfocus.co.uk

Forum Focus - forthcoming events NEWS in BRIEF

BLANDFORD and District ArtSociety staged the first of two exhi-bitions this year in the CornExchange in early June.The members' two-day exhibitionwill be followed by the open exhibi-tion for a week at the end of August.It is one of a series of events,including regular practical work-shops in the United ReformedChurch Hall, demonstrations in theBlandford Parish Centre, and all-daypractical workshops in Pimperne vil-lage hall. For more details seeblandfordartsociety.weebly.com.

AN afternoon of free live brassmusic will be given in the CornExchange on 25th July by theaward-winning Lions Youth Brassfrom South Cheshire. Tickets may be obtained in advancefrom the Town Clerk's office or youcan turn up on the day between2pm and 4pm. Refreshments will be available fromthe Blandford Celebrations Groupand a voluntary collection will betaken for Blandford and DistrictLions' charities.

AGE Concern Blandford Forum'sAGM is to be held on Tuesday 9thJuly at Woodhouse GardensPavilion at 2pm.The charity is seeking someone totake over the chairmanship of theactive group, and new volunteersare welcome to offer help and tocome and meet the trustees andvolunteers.For information contact the office at4 Nightingale Court, Blandford, orphone 01258 458250.

CHILDREN’S favourite Shrek wasthe surprise special guest atMilldown Primary School's summerfair on Saturday 15th June.There was a tae kwon do demon-stration and performances by theStour Valley Band and Studio BDance group, pony rides and asummer themed art exhibition.See pictures on our website.

BLANDFORD's household recyclingcentre in Shaftesbury Lane hasbeen remodelled and re-equippedwith extra bins for mixed glass,plaster board and mixed plastics.General rubbish is now housed inlarge containers alongside the card-board and other recyclable materi-als, and an improved re-sale sectionhas been resited close to the exit.The remodelling makes trafficmovement much easier withchevron parking bays alongside thecontainers.The centre closed for three daysbefore the launch in North Dorset ofthe new home collection service.