For Blandford and surrounding villagesIssue No. 5 August 2012

FORUM FOCUS: Your FREE monthly community newspaper for Blandford Forum and villages

Another local firm with plenty ofreasons to be cheerful - P5

FORUMFOCUS

A month to rememberWHAT a month we've had! After our

successful Jubilee celebrations inJune, the beginning of July saw aFreedom parade, followed just a fewdays later by one of the biggest floods inyears, and then the magnificent Olympictorch procession on 12th July.Like the Jubilee, the Olympic torchparade was truly a once-in-a-lifetimeevent and was greeted by a massiveturnout to witness the flame's progressthrough Blandford.Torch Group spokesman Cllr EsmeButler said: "Not since 1731 have flamesmoved so quickly through the streets ofthe town!"From Milldown Road, where BarbaraFrampton from the Tarrant Valley wasfirst to carry the flame, the torch wastaken in turn by 17-year-old Liam Burnellfrom Salisbury, elite swimmer LindaEames from Buckinghamshire, 12-year-old disabled swimmer Alice Tai fromHampshire, Kate Middleton fromDorchester, Nic Noble from Warminster,and finally 17-year-old Jack Delaneyfrom Blandford.Jack, a pupil at The Blandford School,handed it over to Lynn Fancy from BereRegis who took the flame on to the nextstage of the relay.Jack was the only torch-bearer to carrythe flame through his home town. Hesummed up the feelings of all the inspi-rational people chosen to take part in therelay, saying: "It's a privilege and greathonour to be able to do this. I've prom-ised to take the torch around as manydisabled charities, hospitals and clubs asI can."See Page 3 for more on the torch, seePage 4 for the Freedom Parade by theRoyal Corps of Signals and Page 2 forreaction to the floods, and visit our web-site at www.forumfocus.co.uk for the pic-ture gallery featuring the events.

by Nicci Brown

Barbara Frampton passes the flame to Liam Burnellin Milldown Road.

Blandford's first torchbearer Barbara Frampton.

Jack Delaney of Blandford carries the torch upBournemouth Road.

The excitement mounts as the torch apporoaches.

Mayor of Blandford, Cllr Sara Loch, inspects thetroops at the Freedom Parade.

The ticket machine in the Marsh and Ham lower carpark is almost under water.

August 20122

Blandford Forum Town CouncilFreedom Parade

The Freedom Parade that took place onSunday 1st July 2012 was a great success.People of all ages enjoyed and celebratedthe 40th anniversary of the Royal Corps ofSignals being granted the Freedom of theTown. The Parade Commander requestedthe permission of Cllr Sara Loch, Mayor ofBlandford Forum, for the 11th (RSS) SignalRegiment to exercise its right to marchthrough the streets of Blandford Forumwith "Swords drawn Bayonets fixed, drumsbeating and bands playing". There werehigh numbers of members of the public inattendance and the Town spilled out of theirhouses and pubs onto the street to supportthe soldiers marching around the Town.

Olympic TorchThe Olympic Torch passed throughBlandford Forum on Thursday 12th July2012. The Olympic Torch Committeeworked extremely hard to ensure that theevent ran smoothly and that everybody hada space to view the torch. A special thanks isgiven to Cllr Esme Butler who in the run-upto the event worked into the early hours ofthe morning ensuring that everything wentto plan and to Cllr Bob Brannigan whotrained soldiers and stewards. A further

thanks is given to members of the publicand soldiers who gave up their free time tovolunteer.

Planning applicationExtension to Cemetery - The TownCouncil has received a grant of planningpermission to extend the Cemetery. Workswill be carried out within the next year toclear and seed the site. It is hoped that thesite will be ready for burials in 2014.

Town Council Venue HireThe Town Council manage a number ofvenues in and around the town and these areavailable for hire subject to availability.Discounts are available to charities and reg-ular users and are at the discretion of theTown Council. Hire charges are available on

the Town Council's website, or by contact-ing us by emailing bookings@blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk or call-ing us on 01258 454500 or visiting us at theTown Clerk's Office, opening hours 9:30amto 12:30pm.

Town Council MeetingsMembers of the public are welcome toattend council and committee meetings andcan make comments via the public sessionsheld at 7.00pm at the beginning of meet-ings, which are held on most Mondayevenings in the Community Room. The pub-lic can also contact councillors or officersthrough correspondence/email, by tele-phone, or in person at the Town Clerk'sOffice, which is open Monday to Fridaybetween 9.30am and 12.30pm. The TownClerk is Linda Scott-Giles. Linda can be con-tacted using the details above or by emailinglinda@blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk. There areno meetings taking place in August.Forthcoming meetings in September 2012are listed below:Monday 3rd September 2012 - PlanningMeetingMonday 10th September 2012 -Town & General PurposesMeetingMonday 17th September 2012 -Town Council Meeting

Floods add weightto homes protests

signed by people living, working or studying inthe area, but there is also an e-petition for reg-ular visitors to the area and people with strongties to the town which has been set up on thegovernment's petition website atwww.ipetitions.com/petition/saveourcrown-meadowsElsewhere the flooding found its victims, withone driver stranded in flood water atSturminster Marshall. Some were less unhap-py to see the floods - canoeists took to thefields, and the lower car park at Blandford'sMarsh and Ham became a paddling pool.

FOR the second time in three months, theRiver Stour burst its banks, flooding the water-meadows and boosting support for a petitionbeing mounted against development onBryanston Park to the west of Blandford.John Cook, chairman of the Bryanston ParkPreservation Group, said: "I went down to theflood several times and at about 5pm onSunday 8th July, the flood mark by theBlandford bridge was at 33.25 metres abovesea level, not quite up to the oak tree in thepark which is at 33.3 metres."Crown Estate intends to build up to a levelwhich is 34 metres above sea level, which isnot far to go, and this is a summer flood."More than 4,500 signatures have now beencollected on a paper petition to North DorsetDistrict Council against the inclusion in the dis-trict's core strategy of the Crown Estate pro-posal for up to 200 homes on the park.An e-petition was set up on the Dorset For Youwebsite where the deadline for signatures wasextended to Sunday 22nd July. "We wanted tomake sure that anyone who has not had thechance to sign the paper one was given thechance to sign the online one," said Mr Cook.The main petition and e-petition could only be

The level on the flood marker at Blandford Bridgeshows just over 33 metres.

And we're delighted to see that our little family ofswans on the Stour survived the onslaught of thefloods. Picture by David Mason.

Blandford bay and beach? But the lamp-post in theforeground gives the game away.

More pictures from some of themain events can be found on ourwebsite www.forumfocus.co.uk.

FORUM FOCUS

August 2012 3

Nic Noble from Warminster hands over the torch to 17-year-old Jack Delaney.

Blandford Mayor Sara Loch and mace bearer David Jardine view the torch car-ried by Kate Middleton of Dorchester. Picture: Rachael Piper Harding ©

A blaze of Olympic gloryTHE turnout for the Olympic torchwas swelled into thousands bythe presence of pupils from morethan 20 schools and pre-schoolswho had prepared their own wel-come of flags, Olympic logos andbanners for the torchbearersalong the route.Hospital staff and patients joinedthe crowds in Milldown Road andthe carnival atmosphere contin-ued along Park Road, downDamory Street and along EastStreet, where crowds of workers,residents of homes for the elderlyand organisations had gatheredto wait for the slick cavalcade ofpolice vehicles with blue lightsflashing, promotional vehiclesand finally the torch.In the Market Place it was greet-ed by the town council and othercivic representatives assembledin front of the Corn Exchange,surrounded by a mass of torchwellwishers.Excitement was stirred to acrescendo by the torch relaycheerleaders in streets filled withbunting and flags which havehung since before the Jubilee cel-ebrations and were added to by

individuals decorating their ownproperties and by the flags andballoons of the relay sponsors.It was only as the processionentered West Street to cross thebridge into Blandford St Mary thatthe rain started to fall, but youngJack Delaney was undeterred ashe proudly bore it on the finalstretch up the Bournemouth Roadto the Tesco supermarket and onto a live interview on the specialCoca Cola promotional stageerected in the car park, There were a number of post-runreceptions for the torches in vari-ous venues, including theMasonic Hall and Crown Hotel.Cllr Esme Butler, spokesman forthe Torch Group which made thelocal arrangement for the relay,said: "We were very pleased bythe fantastic reception peoplegave the torch. Our thanks go tothe Band of the Royal Corps ofSignals, Stour Valley Band, sol-diers from Blandford Camp, thetown council, the parish churchwhich hosted a concert of localtalent featuring the Dorset RuralMusic School, the BlandfordSchool String Band, soloists and

duets on the piano, organ andvocals after the torch had left,and the 120 stewards who gaveup their time to make the eventsuch a great success. Well done,Blandford Forum!"The Rector of Blandford, Rev Tim

Storey, said: "The visit of thetorch was a once-in-a-lifetimeopportunity and one of thoseoccasions when the whole com-munity came together for a fewhours, or even minutes, to enjoyour part in a national event.”

More pictures onwww.forumfocus.co.uk

August 20124

Town salutesas troops marktheir freedomTHE Royal Corps of Signals,based at Blandford Camp,marched through the town withswords drawn and bayonets fixedon Sunday 1st July to exercisetheir right as Freemen of thetown.Crowds turned out in their hun-dreds to see the ceremony whichmarked the 40th anniversary, inthe Queen's Diamond Jubileeyear, of the granting of theFreedom to the Corps The parade of troops from the11th (RSS) Signal Regiment wasled into the Market Place by theRoyal Signals band under thecommand of Lt Col JAL Vosper. The troops were then inspectedby the Mayor Cllr Sara Loch, bydeputy mayor Cllr Bob Brannigan,who is also camp liaison officer,and by senior town councillorHaydn White.In her short address to theassembled soldiers, officers andcrowds, the Mayor acknowledgedthe long association between the

town and the military and recog-nition of the strengthening bondbetween them with the grantingof the Freedom in 1972.The troops then marched off upSalisbury Street and via ThePlocks and Sheep Market Hillback to the Market Place, wherethe salute was taken by MissLoch and Col CommandantBrigadier Ted Flint. The parade was followed by acivic reception in the CornExchange.It came at the end of ArmedForces Week, which had beenmarked at the start by a ceremo-ny at North Dorset DistrictCouncil's headquarters inSalisbury Road.Council chairman Mike Oliverhosted the gathering of local dig-nitaries, council employees andmembers of the public for a shortservice of celebration at the flag-pole in the grounds of Nordon,the council headquarters.

The Mayor, Cllr Sara Loch, inspects the troops.

Commanding Officer Lt Col JAL Vosper presents the troops to the Mayor ofBlandford Forum and members of the Town Council.

The march past.

LEFT: Dressed for theoccasion - Charlie, aloyal subject, enjoysthe parade.

More pictures onwww.forumfocus.co.uk

Bells silenced for overhaulFinal farewell to FrankieTRAFFIC was brought to a standstill in Blandford on 10th Julyfor the funeral at Blandford Parish Church of Frankie Benhamof Thornicombe who died on 28th June at the age of 72.A former employee of Blandford Town Council for over 30years, Mr Benham was a popular member of a local Romanyfamily.His funeral and interment at Blandford cemetery were attendedby fellow members of the Royal British Legion and by a signifi-cant number from the Romany community across the region,who have for many years made Blandford the final restingplace of their loved ones.

THE bells of Blandford Parish Church have been temporarilysilenced while Nicholson Engineering Ltd from Bridport carryout their overhaul for the first time since the bells were hungin a new frame during the mid-1930s.Work started in the middle of June and was expected to takebetween seven and eight weeks. The bells, which when theywere rehung were pictured on the ground in front of thechurch, will this time not leave the tower, but the clock mayhave to be stopped.The start of work was timed to allow the ringing of the peal incelebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on the day of thetown's civic service.

August 2012 5

Managing director Stuart Davis (centre) with guests at the opening of the newHospital Metalcraft Ltd premises at Blandford Heights.

£3m expansionadds to firm’ssuccess storyHOSPITAL Metalcraft onBlandford Heights industrialestate has become the secondleading company in the town in amonth to celebrate the opening ofa multi-million pound investmentin its infrastructure.The official opening at the end ofJune of the £3 million extensionto their production and distribu-tion areas follows that at thebeginning of the month of thenew brewhouse at Blandford StMary brewery Hall & Woodhouse.Hospital Metalcraft Ltd designs,manufactures and distributes theextensive range of Bristol Maidmedical furniture as well as dis-tributing IT and storage solutions,and the new building includesnew offices and staff welfarefacilities.Stuart Davis, managing directorfor Hospital Metalcraft, said: "Theopening of this new facility fol-lows several years of planningand hard work by a number ofpeople. "The increased space has

allowed several processes to berelocated onto one site offeringimmediate improvements in effi-ciency. Along with this theimproved staff welfare facilitiesand offices will benefit everyone."The family-owned and managedbusiness is now in its third gener-ation, and has around 160employees.The company had originallyplanned to extend onto the sitewhich is now the subject of anapplication by Asda on the oppo-site side of Shaftesbury Lane, butMr Davis said that when the landnext to their existing premisesbecame available, it made senseto extend there to bring theprocesses together.Planning permission was grantedin 2010. Representatives of themain contractors, MidasConstruction, and Blandford TownCouncil were among the guestsat the opening ceremony whichincluded a hog roast and barbe-cue for all staff, and laser pigeonshooting.

New water pumpingstation at PimperneA NEW pumping station atPimperne is part of WessexWater's £200m programme ofinvestment in a water supply gridto ensure security of supply to allcustomers.The programme will include150km of transfer mains, 14 newservice reservoirs and 22 new orrefurbished pumping stations andcomprise more than 20 individualschemes across Somerset,Wiltshire and Dorset. The preferred route goes from anexisting storage tank atSnowdown just outside Blandfordto the new pumping station atPimperne and on to theLittledown storage tank nearShaftesbury, new facilities north-east of Mere and eastwards toSalisbury.

Clean-up scheme droppedPLANS by Blandford Town Council to tidy up the site set aside inWest Street by Dorset County Council many years ago for a newlibrary have been abandoned.The county's terms for the town's temporary adoption of the landnext to the TIC placed restrictions on its use, including the insis-tence that it should be returned to them as a grassed area.It would have involved the town council in a great deal ofexpense, not only to level and resurface the area which isextremely uneven and a potential hazard, but also to remove thetarmac and turf the area when the agreement was cancelled atwhat could have been three months’ notice.

Work will involve connecting amajor part of the network fromthe north of Poole, throughSalisbury and towards Bath. A public exhibition on the propos-als was held on 20th June inBlandford as part of a seriesalong the route.A Wessex Water spokesmansaid: "The water supply grid willtake eight years to complete.Through new infrastructure linkswe will be able to redistribute sur-plus water to where it is needed. “A new water supply pipe will beconstructed to transfer water fromthe south of our region, in Dorset,to Salisbury in Wiltshire viaBlandford and Shaftesbury.“The grid involves a series ofschemes to help meet futuredemand without the need for newresources, improving security ofsupply, river flows and ecology,the treatment of water qualitydeterioration, as well as meetingwater supply demand.”

Check out the ForumFocus website atwww.forumfocus.co.uk

August 20126

AS part of the living history programme ofevents being run by the Blandford Museum, alocal researcher has appealed for informationabout the Royal Observer Corps in Blandfordduring World War II.Tony Harrocks would like to hear from anyonewho had friends or relatives serving in theROC who can loan photographs, personalaccounts and any ROC logs or documents intheir possession to the museum so that mem-ories and documents can be recorded and

copied for posterity.He said: "For many years I have collectedphotographs and personal accounts of theindividual ROC posts in Hampshire andDorset and sent copies to the ROC archivist.The archives of the ROC in southern Englandare held in the Hampshire Records Office inWinchester. "I have also written an account of theRingwood ROC post and its members whichis on display at the Town & Country museum

at Blashford, near Ringwood. "Many of the wartime logs and daily accountsof the Air War, as seen by those wartimeobservers at their sandbagged posts, havebeen lost so any remaining records that maybe hidden away in attics and forgotten areextremely valuable for the information thatthey hold. I hope that this appeal may bringsome of them to light."Contact him at the museum or on 01258480062 if you can help.

Royal Observer Corps: an appeal for memories

Weighing in: on the scales is beer winner James Farmer, with brewery chiefMark Woodhouse, Georgian Fayre president Janice Driscoll and ColinStevens of the Blandford Opportunity Group.

A heavy drinker?A LUCKY punter at the Georgian Fayre in May won his ownweight in beer in a competition staged in support of the BlandfordOpportunity Group.James Farmer, manager at All Skills on Sunrise Business Park,was invited to weigh in by chairman Mark Woodhouse at the Hall& Woodhouse brewery, main sponsors of the fayre, who hadoffered the prize.The brewery has also been named an outstanding corporate sup-porter of the Hampshire children's hospice Naomi House, recog-nising the substantial sums raised by teams from the company insupport of hospice work, with events ranging from charity chessmatches to a huge sky dive with more than 50 team membersjumping from 10,000 feet.Fiona Hansford, Naomi House corporate fundraiser, says: "Halland Woodhouse have been a delight to work with throughout thelast year and we look forward to working closely with them as theircharity of the year for the second year running."David Hoare, retail director for Hall & Woodhouse, said: "We havebeen supporting the charity for almost a year and the way that theteams from our public houses have chosen to get involved hasreally been inspiring." Teams from the brewery's 57 managed houses across the southalso carried out a community clean-up in celebration of the com-pany's Founders' Day in June clearing litter hot spots in their local-ity.But at The Crown in Blandford they had a somewhat bigger task inhand - clearing up after the three-day 'Brew Ha-Ha' held to cele-brate the opening of the company's new brewhouse. Staff, share-holders and guests had gathered at the hotel for events includinga 1777-style party in recognition of the date the family companywas founded.

Good and badin the foodhygiene resultsA NEW hygiene rating schemelaunched by local authorities withresults made public online makesinteresting reading for the DT11area.Because the scheme is new, notall businesses have a rating yet,but of around 130 listed in theDT11 area, the vast majority havebeen found to be satisfactory orbetter, while more than a thirdhave top ratings.There are, however, notableexceptions, some of which wereinspected nearly two years agoand told that major improvementwas needed, while other lowscores arise from more recentinspections. Eight, including two pubs and anumber of takeaways, needmajor improvement, and four,including three pubs, have beenfound in need of improvement.The scheme is run by localauthorities in partnership with theFood Standards Agency to givepeople information about thehygiene standards in restaurants,pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotelsand other places where they eatout, as well as shops and super-markets where they buy food.Each business is given a hygienerating when it is inspected by afood safety officer. The ratingshows how closely the businessis meeting the requirements offood hygiene law.Businesses have always beenencouraged to display stickers

and certificates at their premisesshowing their hygiene rating. Nowpeople planning to eat out or buyfood can also search the websiteto find premises listed in theirarea.Most clubs, schools, pre-schoolsand village halls are exempt aslow risk to people's health interms of food safety, along withchildminders and businessesoffering caring services at home,although some have chosen tobe inspected and make theirresults public.The website address ishttp://ratings.food.gov.uk.

THE caption to the photograph at the annual exhibition of BlandfordCamera Club printed last month wrongly named John Ellis as LeoRich. We should also like to point out that Michael Oliver, described inthe report of the Pimperne Jubilee celebrations, is chairman of NorthDorset District Council and not of Pimperne Parish Council.We apologise for the errors and any embarrassment caused.

A case of mistaken identity

THE deadline for theSeptember issue of ForumFocus is earlier because ofthe August Bank Holiday.Advertisement bookings aredue by Friday August 10thand copy by TuesdayAugust 14th. Call 01258456999 or email advertis-ing@forumfocus.co.uk. For editorial call 01258459346 or emaileditor@forumfocus.co.uk.To help with deliveries call01258 456999 or email dis-tribution@forumfocus.co.ukIf you have pictures youwould like to share with us,our readers and/or viewersof our website, send themwith a brief description toeditor@forumfocus.co.uk

August 2012 7

Hospital’s future looks healthierHOPES of developing day carefor cancer patients and a hi-techtreatment room at BlandfordCommunity Hospital wererevealed at the AGM of theFriends of the hospital on 6thJuly.Following last autumn's fears thatthe hospital was under threat andservices would be drasticallyreduced, Friends chairman PeterFale said: "The future of the hos-pital is secure and the Friendshave an increasingly important

role in shaping that future." Hesaid they were expecting to havethe opportunity to spend a greatdeal of money once the servicesto be provided had been clarified.At the end of their financial yearin March, the Friends' balancesstood at more than £1.6 million,swelled by bequests and somerecord fundraising activity.Matron Darren Wickmar said:"Only very few clinics have beenaffected in outpatients by DorsetCounty Hospital's withdrawal of

services, and we are no longerdoing some of the minororthopaedic surgery. "But we have increased podiatryand are having positive discus-sions about orthopaedics, as wellas the potential for a hi-tech treat-ment room."He said they were discussing useof the Portman ward for day carewith the Weldmar hospice, andimproving services for dementiapatients.

Rob Childs, the Sherborne GPwho chairs the North DorsetLocality Clinical CommissioningGroup which will take over com-missioning next April, declaredtheir support for community hos-pitals and care at home.He said: "Services such as glau-coma, X-ray, ultrasound and audi-ology should be provided here,and if there is need and capacitywe will seek to buy them in."

Bob Walter MP with Southern Cooperative deputy store manager Amy Booth.

NORTH Dorset MP Bob Waltergave his backing to theCitizenCard 'No ID, No Sale!'campaign when he visited theSouthern Co-operative inSalisbury Road, Blandford.He met Tom Perry, student andcharity manager for CitizenCard,Wayne Fleming, Co-op storemanager, deputy manager AmyBooth and area operations man-ager Stuart Naylor to endorse thepolicy and its adoption by NorthDorset retailers.The campaign seeks to ensurethat only adults can buy lotterytickets, tobacco and other age-restricted goods. Mr Walter saidthat following the government'sdecision to abolish national IDcards, schemes such asCitizenCard are essential. The scheme was launched bythen Home Office MinisterGeorge Howarth in February1999, since when more than twomillion cards have been issuedacross the UK.Mr Walter said: "I already have1,278 CitizenCard cardholders inmy constituency, but I wouldencourage all young adults inNorth Dorset to obtain a

CitizenCard or similar ID that con-tains the police-endorsed PASShologram."Only then can retailers fullyimplement the policy which allowsadults to buy whatever they wishbut ensures children cannot buyalcohol, tobacco and otherrestricted goods. I am delightedthat take-up of CitizenCards atthis store has been so positive."The Southern Co-operative, whoalready ask anyone looking under25 for proof of age when seekingto purchase alcohol or tobacco,said: "Every week we faceattempts by underage individualsto buy alcohol and tobacco. Ifthey cannot present valid ID werefuse the sale."We are fully aware of our legalresponsibilities with regard toage-restricted products, and as aresponsible community retailer weoffer our younger customers aCitizenCard form which meansthey can prove their age."Mr Walter holds regular surgeriesin North Dorset which are byappointment only. His next inBlandford will be on Friday 16thAugust between 11am and 1pm.Call 01258 452585

ID scheme gets myvote, pledges MP

Garden visitors downA TOTAL of 210 tickets were sold for this year's Hidden Gardensevent in June, and numbers visiting the locations totalled 2,188,both well down on the last two years. But, despite poor weather, proceeds held up well. David Rose,spokesman for the Blandford Stour Rotary, said: "We raised £1,457,a fantastic amount given the conditions and the proximity to theJubilee events."This will be donated to the following local charities and organisa-tions: Blandford Forum Diamond Jubilee Picnic, BlandfordOpportunity Group, TREADS, Clean-up Blandford Campaign,Friends of Blandford Hospital, Blandford Museum Victorian Garden,the Parish Church Cupola Fund, Bryanston Park PreservationGroup, Knees Up, Help for Heroes, RNLI, Alzheimers Society,Southampton Rape Crisis and Abuse Counselling and the BlandfordInformation Centre.

August 20128

FOCUS on schools

TWO Blandford School pupils, Alyce Peaty and Ellen Adby, have beenselected for the Dorset County Under-16 netball squad.Alyce is only Year 8 so will be playing against girls up to three yearsolder, but comes from a keen netball family with mum and older sisterboth playing locally. Ellen also plays alongside her mother in Kanga Netball team on aTuesday night in the Blandford League. Both girls volunteer at NorthDorset Junior Netball Club where they help with umpiring and coachingof the younger students.Together with Emma Sully and Flo Bailey, they recently passed theirYouth Umpire Awards for netball with flying colours.

AS part of their preparation for joining the Blandford School inSeptember, 24 pupils from Milldown Primary took part in a food tech-nology morning making Olympic-themed fairy cakes.The students not only made the cakes but also decorated and pack-aged them to reflect the Olympics. The teachers and pupils were impressed with the state of the modernfacilities in the department as well as the overall setting of the school.Vicky Moore, assistant headteacher, said: "This is one of a large num-ber of integration activities that the school have organised to ensure asmooth and happy transition from the primary to secondary school."

Left to right: Blandford School netball umpires Alyce Peaty, Emma Sully, EllenAdby and Flo Bailey. Milldown Primary School pupils enjoy a taster day making Olympic-themed fairy

cakes at the Blandford School.

County call for netball pair School move is a cakewalk

August 2012 9

FOCUS on schools

Blandford School Year 11 students at their end-of-term Prom at Kingston Maurward.

MARKING the end of their GCSE exams,the end of the school year and for somethe end of their school life at the BlandfordSchool, Year 11 students enjoyed theirProm at Kingston Maurward College.Prom King and Queen - as voted for by thestudents - were Jacob Jones, who lookedvery dapper in his white evening suit, and

Kirsty Clark, who wore an off-the-shouldermidnight blue full-length gown. Most original outfit went to JouhenaChowdhury, best dancers were Emily Openand Eric Harwood, best hair, AshleighLewis, and best arrival went to MasnaGurung and Jouhena Chowdhury, whoarrived in a hand-decorated car with 'Just

Prom' on the back. Biggest diva went toAmber Patel and Ryan Smith.Headteacher Sally Wilson said: "The wholeyear group dressed to impress with sometruly stunning dresses and stylish suits.They all looked so mature and it was agreat party at the end of a hardworkingyear."

Dressed to impress - students sign off in splendid style

DANCE teacher at TheBlandford School, Caroline Kellyachieved a very rare outstandinggrade when she passed theDorset County Council-runGraduate Teaching Programme.Caroline trained originally at theItalia Conti Stage School andwent to Chichester for herdegree in dance. She joined theschool after working locally as acommunity coach and extra-curricular dance teacher.The assessors noted her 'out-

standing dance subject know-ledge' and 'detailed and carefulplanning and assessment tochallenge students of all abili-ties'. Speaking about her success herline manager Becky Mutimer,head of performing and creativearts, said: "We are very pleasedfor Caroline as she has workedvery hard this year. Not only hasshe been a very able subjectleader but also an exceptionalstudent."

Caroline Kelly, outstanding Graduate Teaching Programme student, with headteacher Sally Wilson (right) and head of performing and creative arts Becky Mutimer.

A winning routine fordance teacher Caroline

August 201210

FOCUS on sport

The school runners

Bowlers manage tobeat the weather

A TEAM of 20 runners made up of parents, governors and friends ofBlandford St Mary Primary School took on the experts in the BlandfordBridges Run to help raise money for the North Dorset Trailway, as wellas the school.They had all been pledged sponsorship to the tune of between £50and £100 to fund resources for special education at the school.And although they failed to produce a winner in the 10k run, in whichthey competed against members of the Dorset Doddlers, WimborneAthletic Club, Bournemouth Runners and Purbeck Runners, they thinkthey have raised more than £1,000 for the cause.Overall winner was Matt Giles of the Dorset Doddlers, with CallumKennedy of Wimborne Athletic Club second and Adrian Bonner(Littledown Harriers) third. First lady was Lynn Hutchings (Wimborne),with Alexandra France-Hayhurst of Bryanston School second and theunaffiliated Amanda Shawn third.There was a record entry of 242 runners, but due to a mix-up over theroute, some were disqualified resulting in only 219 finishers.See the Forum Focus website for more pictures from the event:www.forumfocus.co.uk

THE weather has not been kindto bowlers this summer butBlandford Bowling Club continuedtheir internal competitions whenon a cool blustery day at theMilldown Road green the bowlersassembled to compete for thePortman Trophy over a full day. The competition was mixed pairswith 16 drawn teams playing intwo round-robin leagues. Eachmatch was eight ends with run-ners-up and winners goingthrough to a knockout format. The leagues were closely con-tested with Ann Dennis and TimCouling going through with

Brenda Pluthero and Peter Preenfrom Group 1. Chris Hann andBarry Males won Group 2 withTina Anthony and Gerry Griiffin asrunners-up. The final brought together twoteams that had been unbeaten sofar and the standard of bowlingwas very high. After a close contest Chris Hannand Barry Males were PortmanTrophy winners beating AnnDennis and Tim Couling by 8-3.The runners-up will receive theBlandford Cup at the annualprizegiving event on 17thOctober.

Competitors in the Portman Trophy competition at Blandford Bowling Club.

Bands of hopeBLANDFORD Corn Exchange was transformed into a rock venuefor the TeddyRocks two-day festival held in aid of a childhoodcancer charity.With more than three dozen mostly local hard rock bands andacoustic artists, scheduled to perform in the main hall and in TheShambles outside, it was the focus for hundreds of young peoplewho dropped in during more than 20 hours of live music.It was organised for CLIC Sargent and, with the help of Jan Boyd,licensee of Blandford's Greyhound Inn, by the family of Ted Newton,who died two years ago, aged 10, from a rare bone cancer.His father Owen will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for the charity inOctober. To sponsor him, go tohttp://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/teddy20challengeowenThe third annual Teddy20 cricket fundraiser at the Park Roadrecreation ground was attended by hundreds of people.The Teddy20 Veterans were beaten by Blandford Rugby Club andthe Teddy20 Legends lost to a Dorset Invitational team. But the daywas blessed with good weather for the crowds who came along tosupport the players and enjoy attractions including a barbecue.Ted's mum Kim Newton said: "We are on target to raise about£5,000. The generosity of the traders in Blandford was amazingand we would like to thank them all for their generosity to the rafflewhich raised £800."

August 2012 11

FOCUS on sport

Blandford Triathlon getsaway to a flying start

Doddlers offer a welcometo runners of all abilities

NEARLY 90 athletes registeredfor the first Blandford Triathlonwhich involved a 400m pool swimat Blandford Leisure Centre, a16-mile bike ride and a four-milerun through Blandford and thegrounds of Bryanston School. Overall winner was Ben Keightleyin a time of one hour, 23 minutes47 seconds, more than two min-utes ahead of second-placedRobert Herring of Army Tri in1.26.03.Third in 1.27.47 was Nick Berryof the North Dorset Tri Club,which trains at Blandford LeisureCentre, and fourth was first ladyHetty Brocklehurst of Zoom Tri in

1.33.19. Her nearest rival wasLydia Browning in 1.43.16, andthird lady was Rachel Harrison ofNorth Dorset Tri in 1.49.35.Organised by Michelle Noble ofResults Triathlon, the event wassponsored by local bike shop OffCamber, of Salisbury Street,Blandford.The North Dorset Tri Club hasaround 60 members who trainevery Saturday morning and onTuesday evenings in theBlandford pool.For more information on theNorth Dorset Tri Club, contactMark Neish on 01258 480453 oremail markneish@tiscali.co.uk.

Blandford Triathlon winners with organiser Michelle Noble (second from left),sponsor Alex Day of Off Camber, and members of the North Dorset Tri Club.

THE Dorset Doddlers are a run-ning club based in Blandford andSturminster Newton with a widelyvaried membership in terms ofage and ability. The beginners’ group meets onMonday evenings until the end ofSeptember and is ideal for peoplenew to running, or who havebeen out of action for a while, orin training for a Race for Life-typeevent. Main sessions for the more expe-rienced are on Tuesdays andThursdays. During the summermonths the Tuesday run is from a

different location each week, gen-erally a country pub car park.Those wishing to compete cantake part in the Dorset RoadRace League. Members alsoattend other events of varyinglength, terrain and distance, andwere victorious in the WessexRidgeway Relay in May, a100km, hilly, cross-country relayevent across Dorset. The men'steam won overall and the ladies'team were also first.See www.dorsetdoddlers.org fordetails.

August 201212

Up the garden pathAn occasional series of articles onthe broad theme of gardening, withHeather and Elaine from theBlandford Museum Jubilee Garden.

AJubilee Flowerbed created in theWoodhouse Gardens in Blandford

town centre by members of theBlandford Museum Garden Club wasinspired by an image of the ImperialState Crown worn by the Queen.Plants represent the jewelled coloursin the Crown:Representing the lower and ermineedge of the crown are Ophiopogonand Cineraria with an outer frothy ringof Alyssum and white Lobelia. The'jewels' are Ageratum 'Blue Danube'representing sapphires, and rubies ofred Salvias and Petunias.The cross pieces leading up to the cen-tral climax use silver Cineraria punctu-ated with white Marguerite pompoms tocreate a three dimensional form.The centre piece is a standard Fuchsia'Angela' with its jewel-like colours.Purple petunias have been used forthe intersections that form the velvet

cap and the basis of the design,with the Fleur de Lys represent-ed by French Marigolds.The 800-plus plants used havebeen chosen for the good colourthat they provide over a longperiod of time and their scentwhich makes them attractive tovisitors and pollinating insectsalike - hopefully, ordinary plantsdoing an extraordinary job.This has been a collaborationbetween Blandford TownCouncil and members of theBlandford Museum VictorianGarden Club.

Museum Garden Clubmembers at work onthe Jubilee Garden.

Grant aidfor livinghistoryventureA GRANT of nearly £6,000 isenabling volunteers fromBlandford Museum to launch aproject that will improve under-standing between the townand the neighbouring Armycamp.The team from the museum'sLiving History Group, whichrecords events, interviews anddiscussions for archive andexhibition purposes, will nowextend their work to include awide-ranging series of inter-views with Royal Signalspersonnel and their families atBlandford Camp.One outcome will be a DVDwhich will form part of both atravelling exhibition and apermanent display atBlandford Museum. Artefacts,letters, photos and documentswill remain in the museumcollections.The project will allow themuseum to establish a perma-nent dialogue between thelocal community and thesoldiers and families living andworking at the camp. Those interested in taking part,either as a volunteer with theLiving History Group or as aninterviewee, are welcome tocontact group co-ordinator,Mike Lofthouse, on 01258451580 or email:mikelofthouse@talktalk.netThe £5,900 grant has beenmade by the MoD's ArmedForces Community CovenantGrant Scheme and will coverthe cost of specialist equip-ment and display materials.

August 2012 13

FOCUS on events

A ZUMBA party with Kim Newton, founder of Teddy20, in the CornExchange was a great success with more than 80 participants,who danced for almost two-and-a-half hours to raise £830 for thelocal children's cancer charity. Five local Zumba instructors wereinvolved in the event, organised by Caroline Barr.Pictured are (from left) Zumba instructor Tracy Dyche, KimNewton of Teddy20, and instructors Caroline Barr, Dawn Wattonand Kim Grimston. Missing from the picture was instructor ClareDavis.

A POPULAR charity fund-raising day was revived in Blandford when anAlexandra Rose Day collection was made in support of local charitiesas part of the town's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.Beneficiaries were local charities, the Blandford Opportunity Group fordisabled children and the Treads youth advice centre. Collectors worestraw hats bedecked with roses to raise a total of more than £200.Terence Dear, who together with Gordon Irving organised the collectionon behalf of the Blandford Diamond Jubilee Group, said: "We hope itwill encourage others to celebrate Alexandra Rose Day next year."

Blandford Mayor Sara Loch buys the first 'rose' pin in support of the AlexandraRose Day collection from volunteer Annette Samways, watched by organisersTerence Dear and Gordon Irving and other volunteers including Mark Williams,chairman of Treads, and Esme Butler.

Roses gather funds for charity

Fayre in aid of lifesaversTHE Blandford & District Branch of the Royal National LifeboatInstitution holds it main annual fundraiser, the annual Country Fayreand Vehicle Rally, at Spetisbury Manor on Saturday 11th August.Attractions include a companion dog show, ferret racing, vintage andclassic vehicles, craft stalls, cakes, books, a tombola, RNLI gifts andrefreshments.Branch chairman Kathie Underwood is celebrating her 20th year asorganiser of the event. More information on 01258 451165.

BLANDFORD and Sturminster Newton Cats Protection League hold a regularsale in the Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion on the third Saturday of everymonth to help fund their cat rescue and education work. Fundraisingorganiser Di Hankins is pictured, second from left, with other volunteers.

August 201214

FOCUS on charities

A SMALL number of groupsearned the lion's share of dona-tions from the BlandfordGeorgian Fayre at a presentationnight held in the visitor centre ofmain sponsors Hall &Woodhouse on 11th July.Fayre president and founderJanice Driscoll said it wasbecause fewer clubs and organi-sations had been involved inhelping in the 20th year with thenow-biennial event which facedissues including new arrange-ments for road closures andfloods which at the last minuterobbed them of parking areas."The Fayre is great but the bestbit of all is when we give awaythe money we have raised to allthe groups who help us. They doa fantastic job and this yearpulled it together in the face ofadversity."

A CHEQUE for £7,500 was pre-sented to the Blandford YouthTrust at the AGM of the Friendsof Blandford Hospital.Trust representative BrookMacCallum and youth workerKen Reynolds described thework of the trust at the conclu-sion of the meeting, which hadalso heard of the progress ofplans for services at the hospitalfollowing the review carried outlast year.The Friends reported that theannual auction in Child Okefordin June had beaten all recordsby raising a grand total of£8,200.Auctioneer Richard Kay, ofLawrences of Crewkerne,presided and kept the biddingmoving on the 225 lots, all goodsdonated to the local charitythrough their shops and putaside for the auction to achievetheir best value through biddingfrom collectors, eBay enthusi-asts, dealers and bargainhunters.Thanks were expressed toGordon Adam and his assistant

Hospital Friends dispensecash for good causes

Georgian day brings fayre shares all round

Georgian Fayre president Janice Driscoll (centre) with representatives ofbeneficiaries and groups helping with this year's event.

Brook MacCallum and youth workerKen Reynolds of the Blandford YouthTrust receive their cheque from PeterFale, chairman of the Friends ofBlandford Hospital.

Tristan Stone who are alreadystarting to put together a cata-logue for the 2013 sale to raisefunds to support projects at thehospital and health-related proj-ects throughout the community. The Friends have also recentlyapproved £2,000 for singing ther-apy for in-patients on the BettyHighwood unit and Tarrant Ward,as well as buying 16 new combi-nation lockers, worth more than£5,920, to improve the patients'experience on Tarrant Ward.For information on the Friends,visit their websitewww.friendsblandford.org

She thanked a number of peopleand announced the presentationswhich included donations to theStour Rotary Club, HelenBarnett-Moore's BlandfordNetball League and GymnasticsClub, Shillingstone Cricket Club,the Blandford Youth Trust,Bryanston Riding for theDisabled, the Blandford School,the Gurkha Welfare Trust, theRoyal British Legion, PimperneSports Club and BlandfordCricket Club.Top of the list with five donationsand fulsome praise from Fayreorganisers came the Army CadetForce, for activities including run-ning a collection point, helpingwith logistics and road closuresand carrying out the end-of-eventlitter pick.Main beneficiary was theBlandford Opportunity Group,represented by project leaderSharon, chairman Colin Stevensand a parent, who described theinvaluable work of the only pre-school in Dorset serving young-sters from birth to school agewith complex medical needs.

Check out the ForumFocus website atwww.forumfocus.co.uk

August 2012 15

FOCUS on churchesBishop drops in for acelebration pub lunch A PUB lunch with a religioustheme was enjoyed by the Bishopof Sherborne, the Rt Rev GrahamKings, and guests with a couplecelebrating their first anniversaryas licensees.Nev Green was the leader of achurch group, The GatheringPlace, in the Blandford area formany years until he and his wifeLesley decided to spread the wordin a slightly different way.They took on the licence of theFarquharson Arms in Pimperne,owned by local brewery Hall &Woodhouse, and have made agreat success of the communitypub which also features a pleasant

dining room and beer garden.Mr Green, who entertained hisguests with gospel music accom-panying himself on the guitar,explained: "People do not go tochurch as much as they used to,but they do go to the pub and thatis the place where we can shareour Christian fellowship."Sally Grylls of Winterborne Zelstonorganised the get-together for anumber of friends to meet BishopKings, who told them of his routeto the Salisbury Diocese from agap year in the Army via law andtheology studies at Oxford andCambridge, to missionary work inKenya and ministry in London.

The Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Rev Graham Kings, enjoys lunch served byNev and Lesley Green, licensees of the Farquharson Arms at Pimperne, (stand-ing), with guests including Fatima Murray of the Church of the Living God inWestbury and Walter Drax of Charborough Park.

Rosy bids a fond farewell

Fun day fills the HubBLANDFORD Evangelical Church held its second Community Fun Dayat the Blandford School Hub and on its fields on Saturday 23rd June.It followed the huge success of their first fun day in 2011, and entrywas again free for all kinds of fun family activities, including bouncycastles, games and races, together with a barbecue, a café servingcream teas, and craft stalls which almost filled the rest of the Hub.

ASSOCIATE Minister Rev RosyColdwell was celebrating her lastservice in Blandford ParishChurch on Sunday 22nd Julywhen she preached and officiatedat communion. Rosy and her family are movingback to Yorkshire, where she andhusband Tony grew up and met,and from where they came toBlandford in 1992.Since then they have lived inMilborne St Andrew, but as a fam-ily have been an active part ofBlandford Forum Parish Churchwhere Tony has been the organist

and her children have been partof the youth and children's work. Rosy was ordained in SalisburyCathedral in 2007 and hasworked alongside the Rector andstaff team at Blandford and AllSaints, Langton Long, for the pastfive years, focusing especially onpastoral matters and work withchildren's groups. Rosy said: "I have found it a joyand privilege to begin my priestlyministry at Blandford and atLangton Long over the last eightyears and look forward to whatlies in store for us in Yorkshire."

August 201216

AUGUSTThursday 2nd August: Offical open-ing with The Rifles of Rifles Way,Blandford, 11.30amSaturday 4th August: StourpaineWhite Horse: Shooting Stars presentsMuch Ado About Nothing (WmShakespeare) Stratford Fringe awardwinners 2012, best theatrical produc-tion, 7pmWednesday 8th August: Artsreachworkshop with Peter Rush for chil-dren aged 10 and over, Durwestonvillage hall, 10.30am to 3.30pm,details 01258 488883Thursday 9th August: Age Concernwills and power of attorney surgery, 4,Nightingale Court, East Street,Blandford,10am to noon. To make anappointment please telephone 01258458250.Saturday 11th August: ChildOkeford Gardeners Club AnnualVillage Show, 2.30pm. Show registra-tion: Friday 10th, 6 to 8pm at 41Homefield, Child Okeford. Saturday 11th August: CountryFayre, Classic Car Rally andCompanion Dog Show for the RNLI,Spetisbury Manor, 11am to 5pm

Saturday andSunday, 11th and12th August: Home-baked cream teas atThe Old School, byThe Red Lion inSturminster Marshall,2.30 to 5.30pm bothdays. Supporting TheBig Dig for WaterAid's water projects in Malawi, seewww.thebigdig.orgTuesday 14th August: CameoMeeting, Durweston village hall,7.30pmThursday 15th August: SturminsterNewton Museum Finds & Children'sFun Day with Ciorstaidh Trevarthen,County Finds Officer 10am to 3pm -bring your finds along for identificationFriday 17th August: Durweston FilmNight, The Beginners, Durweston vil-lage hall 7.30pmFriday 17th August: Music &Merriment festival warm-up,Spetisbury Rings, Spetisbury 6-11pmSaturday 18th August: Music &Merriment festival, Spetisbury Rings,Spetisbury, midday to midnightSaturday 18th August: Valley

Gardening Club sum-mer show, WinterborneSticklandSaturday 18th August:Iwerne Minster SummerShow on the ParishFieldSaturday 18th andSunday 19th: TarrantValley Jubilee

Celebrations with 15 Open Gardens,home-made teas from 2-5pm and onSaturday, Squash Box Theatre pres-ent Stones and Bones, an ArtsreachPuppetcraft promotion in TarrantKeyneston village hall, 10.30am;details 01258 480778Wednesday 22nd August: AgeConcern AGM, 2pm, all welcome,Woodhouse Gardens Pavilion,BlandfordFriday 24th and Saturday 25thAugust: 2nd Annual Blandford RFCBeer FestivalSaturday 25th August: Grand Bingofor the Royal British Legion, LegionHQ, Church Lane, 7 for 7.30pmSunday 26th August: Open Gardenfor the National Gardens Scheme,Coombe Cottage, Shillingstone, DT11

0SF 2-6pm. Home-made teas at TheWillows nearby. Details 01258860220 Sunday 26th August: SturminsterNewton Mill Walk around the Hill Fortand Sturminster 'Castle' starting at3pm from mill. £3 by ticket only fromthe Mill, Museum or phone 07880787418 (evenings)Monday 27th August to 1September: Blandford Art Society60th Annual Exhibition, BlandfordCorn ExchangeWednesday 29th August to Sunday9th September: Paralympic Games(sailing at Weymouth Saturday 1st toThursday 6th September)Wednesday 29th August to Sunday2nd September: Great Dorset SteamFair; celebrate our steam, agriculturaland industrial heritage, see websitewww.gdsf.co.uk or call 01258 860361Thursday 30th August: Workshopfor children age 7 and over,Durweston village hall, making alu-minium bunting with Caroline Parrott,10am to 3pm, details 01258 488883

Entries in this diary arefree of charge. If youhave an event youwould like included,

please send details toNicci Brown, 01258

459346 or emails.n.b@btinternet.com

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events

HILL CONQUERORS: A sponsored walk to raise funds for thePimperne Pre-School group meant climbing three hills, Melbury,Hod and Hambledon. They started the Three Hills Hike at 10amwith the rain only just having stopped and finished at about 2pmin glorious sunshine on Hambledon Hill with visibility across theBlackmore Vale to Devon and Somerset more than 50 miles away.Over £200 was raised.

Supporters of PimpernePre-School at the trigpoint on MelburyBeacon.

A FURTHER meeting was heldon 9th July for people wanting tobe involved with a BlandfordFoodbank project launched byChurches in Blandford, who havelinked up with FaithworksWessex to examine the potential.There was an encouragingresponse from a wide section ofthe community at an informationand consultation session toassess demand and support for acentral point from which foodparcels can be distributed tothose in need at times of crisis.Those attending were introducedto David Wild, who has undertak-en to be the manager of the proj-ect, and to Steve and SandraGreen of Christian bookshop sup-pliers Fairway Marketing, basedon the Clump Farm Industrial

Estate in Blandford, who haveagreed to act as the distributioncentre. Mrs Green said: "Wehope to launch the project inOctober."Brook MacCallum of BlandfordEvangelical Church said: "Wewanted to hear the views of localresidents as to whether a foodbank is needed, whether theywould be willing to support it, andhow we can best help those inthe town and villages around inneed of help, who will be referredto us by relevant authorities."The experience of other foodbanks in Dorset is that demandfor their help has gone up notice-ably over the past couple ofyears, but equally local peoplehave been very good aboutdonating food or giving their timeto support others."For more information, callFaithworks Wessex on 01202304004 or emailoffice@faithworkswessex.org.uk

Support grows forfoodbank project

CHANGES to night-time street lighting aimed atreducing Dorset County Council's energy costs willbegin in Blandford on Monday 6th August and isexpected to take around two weeks.SSE Contracting, the county council's street lighting

partner, is converting the new lights they installed byadding a special light sensor to switch off overnightbetween 12am and 5.30am GMT (1am and 6.30amBST) and only switch on again in the morning if it isstill dark.

Street lighting cuts will save money

Cash grantsTOWN councillors have agreedto give £1,000 to the BlandfordYouth Trust to support the contin-uation of the Youth Support proj-ect at the Blandford School,£840 to the MacularDegeneration Society to fundtransport costs for members, and£2,000 to the Stour Valley Bandtowards transport costs for itsvisit to Blandford's twin town ofMortain in France next year.