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An evening with Harry Meade

Kingston Maurward Equestrian Centre will be hosting a lecture demo evening with one of Britain’s leading event riders, Harry Meade, on Wednesday 20th November. Harry will be bringing some of his own horses, as well as coaching a group of local riders on their own horses. The Kingston Maurward team say ‘This is a one-off event, and not to be missed!’
Harry is widely respected for his quiet and sympathetic riding style and ability to produce young horses to he very top level. He has completed 24 5*events, with multiple top placings.
Born into an equestrian family (his father Richard was a triple-Olympic gold medallist), Harry spent most of his childhood in the saddle, developing a natural feel and instinct that would become key in his later successes. He has built enduring partnerships with a number of sensitive but talented horses that have gone on to thrive at top level. Harry is driven by the challenges and the excitement of competing at top level and representing his country.
‘Early bird’ tickets (£25) are available until 13 Nov. After this, tickets will cost £29.
Booking via Equoevents or call 01305 215016

Second-hand book fair returns to Dorset Museum

Book lovers, collectors and bargain hunters alike can look forward to thousands of high-quality books on sale at unbeatable prices, just in time for Christmas: Dorset Museum & Art Gallery is thrilled to welcome back its popular second-hand book fair on Saturday, 23rd November from 10am to 4pm in the museum’s Victorian Hall.
In addition to the museum’s own bookstands, the fair will feature stalls from the Hardy Society and Nangle Books, offering a rich selection of titles across various genres, including Dorset history, travel, music, art and gardening. With both fiction and non-fiction available, there’s something for everyone – whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast or simply looking for a great read.
Entry to the fair is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own bags as part of the museum’s commitment to sustainability. All proceeds from the museum’s bookstands will support the upkeep of Dorset Museum & Art Gallery and its collections, preserving Dorset’s heritage for future generations.
In preparation for the fair, the museum is accepting donations of quality second-hand books until Monday, 18th November 2024. Every donation is appreciated and contributes to the success of this popular annual event.

North Dorset Railway is making tracks!

The first new track being laid north of Haywards Lane since 1967

North Dorset Railway in Shillingstone has reached a major milestone, with the first new track being laid north of Haywards Lane since 1967.
Volunteers have prepared the trackbed with stone, ballast, sleepers and track, which will eventually connect back to the station’s existing track. Contractors have also started work on a new car park, set to relieve parking pressure on the industrial estate and enable larger events at the station.
Shillingstone Station was featured in the first programme of Channel 4’s recent Abandoned Railways from Above series, showcasing its scenic views and historical appeal. Visitors are always welcome to explore the station, enjoy exhibits, visit the museum and signal box, and relax in the Mark 1 carriage cafe when the weather is not so good.

Christmas is coming
Santa’s annual visit will take place on Sunday, 15th December, from 11am to 3pm. Children can meet Santa and receive a gift for £4.50 per child, with proceeds supporting the railway’s restoration. Bookings are essential by phone or in person at the station.
northdorsetrailway.co.uk
Shillingstone Station is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and select Bank Holidays from 10am to 4pm.

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Iron chancellor or rusty rhetoric?

Labour’s lack of preparation and tax-heavy approach risk undermining small businesses and rural economies, warns Simon Hoare MP

After the General Election, I said that, in the interests of North Dorset and the wider country, I wished the incoming government well. I meant it. I am working collaboratively with ministers on certain issues and working ‘across the aisle’ on others. I am, however, becoming increasingly worried that the Government, despite its mammoth majority, appears to be so hesitant on some issues and plain ill-informed on others. My worries only grew when speaking to a Labour veteran, who told me how anxious many were on the government benches at just how underprepared they were for government. Labour’s victory was not a surprise one. We have to ask what they have been doing, for all those long years in opposition?
Preparing detailed, radical, dial-turning policy has not been done. Opinion Polls seem to suggest a growing disquiet with the Government. Local government by-elections – where Labour is losing ground – is turning theoretical polls into actual votes. Labour’s honeymoon lasted about as long as a Las Vegas shotgun marriage.

Dorset’s life blood
I write this on the cusp of the Budget, and it is worrying that the PM cannot define what a working person is – or indeed how the tax system should operate for them.
My anxiety is that Labour feel they can hike as many taxes as possible on business, and that those businesses will simply hang around and pay them: threats to end the 25 per cent tax free on personal pensions has already seen massive numbers of pensions being drawn down early.
Labour clearly still does not get small business.
Micro and small businesses are the life blood of the North Dorset economy and the Chancellor has them firmly in her sights. She appears to be unaware of how job-destroying her policies will be to this vital sector. She may have buttered up the CBI, but she has ignored the Federation of Small Business. Labour’s rural ignorance will become apparent if the Government changes the decades-standing approach to farm taxes. Too many small family farms will disappear under the weight of tax bills. This will change, for ever, and not for the better, the environment of rural North Dorset. Business confidence is falling just when it needs a shot in the arm.
People did not like paying increased tax under the last government but they understood it was because of the public spending undertaken during Covid. No one is buying this £22bn black hole fantasy that Labour has dreamt up. Still less are they buying that the economy was broken. Falling interest rates? Falling inflation? Rising business confidence and investment? No house repossessions or at scale business failures … If that is broken then it is a strange definition of the word.

Rub their noses in it
We all want a reliable public sector but Labour’s lack of understanding that you can only fund it sustainably through the endeavours of the private sector, through entrepreneurs, investors and risk takers who create the profits and jobs that generate the tax that pays for public services. Exempting public sector bosses, while crippling private sector ones, merely rubs the private sector’s nose in it.
What my inbox is telling me, and those of most MPs irrespective of party, is that people are furious at having been lied to at the General Election by Labour: “We will be pure and whiter than white until the offers of Taylor Swift tickets, suits, glasses and God knows what come along …”
One thing the British people hate is hypocrisy.
They would know there would be rising taxes within three months of forming a government, so why lie about it during the election campaign? The self-styled Iron Chancellor is already looking somewhat rusty. I am not certain she will pass her MOT.

Mid-century modern Blandford | POSTCARDS FROM A DORSET COLLECTION

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This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards with scenes no doubt familiar to older locals – Blandford Forum a little more than 60 years ago

Sent in December 1961 to Mr & Mrs Daniel (who appear to be Eve’s parents) in Barton on Sea, this lovely shot of the busy Blandford Market Place is not only instantly recognisable to locals in 2024, but no doubt is the Blandford of plenty of local childhoods. Eve is clearly a teacher in Blandford – if any readers remember having a Miss Daniel as a teacher in the 1960s, do let us know!
‘Many thanks for Mum’s letter and for ‘Which?’ I’m nearing the end of reports & am again almost on top of marking, often fighting – & winning! – Some battles. Yet another gale blowing – amazingly variable weather during last week, including snow. Blisses(?) have moved to another house in Chichester. Much love, Eve’


The Salisbury Street area remains familiar, with Durden’s still occupying Durden’s Corner. Henry Durden, born in 1807, established Blandford’s first museum. A Durden is recorded as a grocer in a 1791 trade directory, indicating the family’s early presence in the town. Henry’s museum, located within his shop, gained a strong reputation, showcasing ancient urns, more than 2,000 years old, all unearthed within an eight-mile radius of Blandford. The collection also included prehistoric artefacts from Hod Hill and nearby barrows, as well as flint arrowheads, bracelets and coins. The British Library preserves the ‘Catalogue of the Museum of Local Antiquities collected by Mr Durden of Blandford’ (compiled by George Payne in 1892). Durden frequently acquired items found by locals, often during ploughing or while walking on the local hill forts and barrows.
Postcard sent on 22 October, 1954 to a Mrs Simpson in Surrey:
‘My dear Cis. Just a PC to hope you are all well. I am getting on alright but leg not quite healed yet & have not been allowed to get out of bed yet. Shall be glad when I do, 4 months is a long time to be in bed. Best love to you all. Yours Mary xx Hope to see you soon’

DocBike annual ride out raises more than £8,000

DocBike volunteers at the Dorset Bike Festival

DocBike’s annual motorcycle ride out on Saturday 21st September was a huge success, raising more than £8,000 for the life-saving charity. DocBike Regional Leads guided convoys from various starting points in Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Somerset, all converging on the Dorset Bike Festival in Bere Regis.
More than 600 attendees turned out at the festival to enjoy an array of motorcycle displays, stalls from local dealerships, delicious food and live music. The day’s highlights included the grand raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses in Dorset.
The event also offered DocBike volunteers the chance to talk to motorcyclists, raising awareness of the charity’s work and the importance of upskilling riders. They promoted the free BikerDown course, which teaches bikers how to keep injured motorcyclists alive until emergency services arrive.
Brett Callaghan, Regional Lead for Somerset and Avon, and Deputy National Director of DocBike, said: ‘This was the first time that we held the end point of our ride out at the Dorset Bike Festival and it was such a success. The DocBike charity receives no funding from the government and relies on the generosity of the public to continue our life-saving work, so we are thrilled to have raised such a fantastic amount.
‘Leading the Devon, Somerset, and Avon ride into the Dorset Bike Festival was an amazing feeling. The atmosphere was incredible.’
DocBike expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported the event.

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Local symptoms of a national problem

I am all too aware that the news this week – and probably for the next few – is likely to be all about Labour’s first budget, but something else caught my eye.
BBC Dorset reported that Dorset Council failed to ensure a child received suitable full-time education and was told to pay £7,200 in compensation. The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) found the council failed to top-up the child’s education when they were put on a part-time timetable after their school place broke down. The news item was a bit worthy, a bit difficult to understand … but something made me pause and think. The case highlights something wrong with the UK’s educational framework, and simultaneously shows how much central government has ruined local government.
The specific case shows the misalignment of accountability for educational outcomes sitting with local government, while the authority to influence education has increasingly been removed from local council control.
The more general problem is that, as much as central government attempts to control everything from the centre, it lacks both the local understanding and the organisational horsepower to do the job properly. Thus, by attempting to do so much, central government ends up achieving so little.
Dorset Council, like all local authorities, retains oversight and control of children’s education provision, even if it arranges for schools or other bodies to carry out the functions on its behalf. However, the shift towards central control through academisation and the increased role of private trusts in managing schools have diluted councils’ influence.
This misalignment means that while Dorset Council is held accountable for educational outcomes, it lacks the authority to implement and enforce changes within schools.
This misalignment is the same in so many areas of local government. Roles and responsibilities are complicated, and people are confused. The consequences for the family referred to in the BBC report were distress and inconvenience, but the erosion of local government capability carries on regardless. Conservative governments have led the way in relentlessly relegating local councils to emptying bins and trying to deliver social care without bankrupting the council.
This tide must change.
Liberal Democrats want central government to be braver – to accept that it needs local government’s help to deliver economic growth and better public services.
Labour promises further devolution, which is good news, but it needs to come with meaningful powers and long-promised funding reform. Contrary to central government’s belief, giving up some power will improve everyone’s ability to deliver their promises.
Gary Jackson, LibDems

Berkeley Ensemble coming to Dorset

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The Berkeley Ensemble was formed by friends in a spirit of adventure: ‘An instinctive collective’ (The Strad), its members have come together from diverse corners of musical life to make music in new ways, reach new audiences and, most importantly, explore new repertoire, be it
newly written or inadvertently forgotten.
Its acclaimed performances and recordings celebrate contemporary chamber music, especially
by British composers.
The ensemble’s nine albums include 18 premiere recordings, among a diverse catalogue ranging from Knussen to Beethoven, and have attracted considerable praise.
The Berkeley Ensemble regularly appears at venues and festivals throughout the UK including
Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room, St David’s Hall Cardiff, Wiltshire Music Centre and the
Cheltenham, Spitalfields, and Lake District Summer Music Festivals.
Away from the concert platform, the Berkeley Ensemble works tirelessly to foster the creation,
appreciation and performance of chamber music at every age, level and ability.
They will be appearing at three local venues across two dates this month:
On Friday 15th November 2024 they will be performing at Bridport Arts Centre at 11.30am, and the same day they’ll be at Ilminster Arts Centre at 7.30pm. On Saturday 16 November 2024 they will be at The Dance House in Crewkerne, 7.30pm
Tickets at concertsinthewest.org
Evening concerts: £18, Bridport: £14 (optional donation at all the concerts)

Dorset beavers

Beavers became extinct in the UK in the 16th century when they were hunted for their fur and meat. They were extinct in Dorset for about 400 years. In 2019 two beavers from Scotland were relocated to the Mapperton Estate in Dorset as part of a conservation project.
In June 2024, evidence of beavers was found in the wild close to the River Stour near Gillingham in Dorset. How they got there is unknown, although there are beavers living in neighbouring rivers to the north in Somerset. The beavers could have made their way to Dorset from there. But it is very exciting that they are making a comeback!
Beavers are really good swimmers and divers. But the best thing about beavers is that they are known as “ecosystem engineers” – they change their habitat by dam-building, which can reduce flooding, and they can even help improve the water quality.
Ben Padwick, the ranger at the Mapperton Estate says: “We are looking forward to seeing their positive impact on the landscape.”
Beavers live about 10 to 12 years and work very hard shaping their environment. Did you ever wonder why we use the term “beaver away?” Now you know!
If you’re excited about beavers being back in Dorset, and want to support them, the Dorset Wildlife Trust is a great website to visit. It has a page for the Dorset Beaver Project and you can discover the wetland world in West Dorset at the website too.

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