A spirited summer afternoon of live music awaits as the 28-piece Oddfellows Brass band returns to Dorset for the first time since 2016. Hosted by the Phoenix Oddfellows, the concert will take place at Stalbridge Hall on Sunday 29th June at 3pm (doors open 2.15pm), in support of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Formed in 1981 and sponsored by the national Oddfellows Society, the Leicestershire-based band brings together talented musicians of all ages. Many original members still perform, including founder Rob Boulter, who will be taking the stage once again. With a lively, crowd-pleasing repertoire spanning opera, stage and screen classics, and traditional brass favourites, the two-hour show (with interval) promises something for everyone – whether you’re a seasoned fan or simply curious. The band last performed in the area at Blandford’s Corn Exchange to an enthusiastic reception. ‘If you’ve never been to a brass concert before, our show is a great place to start,’ says Rob. ‘There’s nothing better than seeing audiences singing and dancing along.’ Refreshments will be provided by Blackmore Vale u3a, with a raffle on the day in aid of the Air Ambulance. Tickets are £10 and available from Williams Florists (Station Road, Stalbridge), The Swan (High Street), or by contacting Judy on 07984 170571 or on judy.penfold@oddfellows.co.uk.
Find out more about the Phoenix Oddfellows and their community work at oddfellows.co.uk, or explore the band’s history and music at oddfellowsbrass.co.uk.
James Gibson Fleming has been named in the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours List, awarded an MBE for services to charity, community and business.
Though well known in the region for pioneering rural broadband, the award recognises far more than just his role in transforming digital access. For more than 40 years, James has been quietly but consistently building a legacy of service, shaping the county’s charitable landscape and supporting long-term regional development.
James Gibson Fleming
His voluntary work began in 1994, when he played a key role in establishing Cancer Care Dorset, a charity offering home-based support for families affected by cancer. As Chairman, he oversaw its merger with Joseph Weld Hospice to form Weldmar Hospicecare – Dorset’s only specialist palliative care provider, and regarded as one of the best hospice organisations in the country – and continues to serve as Vice President.
James’s impact extends beyond healthcare. He spent 36 years as a trustee of the Talbot Village Trust, guiding a major regeneration project around Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus that has generated significant economic benefits for the local area. From 2006, he also served as Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, acting as a tireless ambassador for the county and its communities.
Alongside these roles, James has led an impressive business career. After military service in Cyprus, Germany and Northern Ireland, he trained at the Royal Agricultural College before heading up Hanford Plc and later founding Wessex Internet in 2010. The idea came from lived frustration with rural connectivity in North Dorset. Starting with a few wireless links between farms, the firm now delivers full-fibre broadband across four counties, employs more than 300 people and has won numerous national awards for its rural innovation.
Despite the scale of his achievement, James is keen to share the credit. ‘I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition which really belongs to the volunteers at Weldmar and the Talbot Village Trust, the incredible teams at Wessex Internet and the communities who have supported us every step of the way,’ he said. ‘The approach has always been the same – take the long view, invest in your community, and build something sustainable that will serve people for decades to come. ‘Any success we have had – whether with the hospice work or building Wessex Internet – has been down to the dedication of local people who believe in serving their communities for the long term. I’ve simply been fortunate to work alongside such committed individuals who do the real work of connecting and caring for Dorset. This honour is theirs as much as it is mine.’
The North Dorset Cycle Ride once again enjoyed fantastic weather on 18th May, with 110 cyclists taking part in one of the three scenic routes. Riders tackled the familiar 25- and 50-mile road routes, and also a new 22-mile gravel ride. The 50-mile route included the leg-burning Zig Zag Hill, Broadchalke and the Fonthill Estate, offering plenty of challenges and sweeping views. The Gravel Crunch led cyclists past Wardour Castle and through Semley – and all routes concluded with a triumphant climb up Shaftesbury’s iconic cobbles on Gold Hill, cheered on by a supportive and enthusiastic crowd at the top. The Family Fun Ride returned bigger and better, with cycling tests and activities at Shaftesbury Primary School for both children and adults. Prostate Cancer UK was this year’s chosen charity, with strong community support for a cause that now affects one in eight men across the UK. Cyclists were welcomed at the finish with hot food courtesy of Paul Whiteman and team, and refreshments provided by BADco (Brave and Determined). Shaftesbury Rotary Club extends its heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, schools, supporters and local businesses who all helped make the event such a memorable success.
More than 780 pupils from 30 local schools gathered at Bryanston for the second year running to take part in the Knight Frank Schools Triathlon – the UK’s largest fundraising event for children. Swimming, cycling and running, the young athletes collectively covered over 1,700km – the distance from Blandford to Valencia – and raised more than £58,000 for youth charity Restless Development as well as more than 30 other charities chosen by participating schools. Top fundraisers of the day were The Olive Green team from Port Regis School, who raised £1,550. Asked why they took part, they simply said: ‘To help people who don’t have as much of a chance in life.’ The Bryanston event is part of a 12-race national series organised by Restless Development, aiming to raise £1.2 million this summer. Last year, the global youth charity supported more than 288,000 young people leading change in their communities. Thanks to sponsors Knight Frank and Neilson Beach Clubs, every penny raised goes directly to the chosen charity, supporting grassroots initiatives both in the UK and internationally. More than 2,000 people attended the event, which brought together pupils, families, local businesses and volunteers. Bryanston’s Head, Richard Jones, said: ‘We were delighted to welcome everyone for a brilliant day of sport and community spirit. To see so many young people engaged, active and doing good at the same time is exactly the kind of event we love to support.’
Muscle-bound, shiny and flaunting it – meet the beetle, strutting through Dorset gardens in metallic green lycra like a six-legged bodybuilder
Picture, if you will, Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, gatecrashing a quiet Dorset garden party wearing tight, bright metallic green lycra. Sounds unlikely, I know. Yet that very specimen – muscular, shiny and dressed to impress – is likely roaming your flower beds right now. Meet the male thick-legged flower beetle. With bulging back legs and a metallic suit he struts across flowers like a mini bodybuilder, showing off his impressive quads to any nearby females. She’s less about muscle, more about poise: think skinny-legged supermodel rather than gym-honed athlete. Both sport dazzling emerald-green outfits, making them quite literally summer’s most glamorous couple. They aren’t exactly newcomers to Dorset, but before the 1990s, you’d have struggled to find them. Since then their species has spread across southern England and Wales, even reaching as far north as the Scottish Borders. Now, from May to August, you could find them anywhere with flowers, though oxeye daisies, cow parsley and buttercups are some of their favourites. And they don’t just look good – they’re also excellent pollinators as they traipse and fly between summer blooms in search of pollen. But here’s the twist: you won’t find their youngsters trailing behind them. In fact, they won’t ever meet their offspring. The females lay eggs in the hollow stems of plants such as teasel or wild carrot, and, once hatched, their larvae develop and stay hidden before pupating and emerging next spring as adults – long after their parents have gone.
Female thick-legged beetle, Oedemera nobilis, sitting on a yellow tansy fower,
If you’d like to tempt some into your garden, it’s quite simple. Instead of cutting them back, leave any dead, hollow stemmed plants in the autumn. By leaving them standing until spring, you’ll provide the thick-legged flower beetle larvae – and many other insects – with a safe winter haven.
In March the club was awarded the Most Outstanding Community Support Award in the Sturminster Newton business awards
You may have seen us on social media – we’re the small-town boxing club that keeps punching above its weight. At Sturminster Newton Amateur Boxing Club, we’ve produced multiple national and European champions. And now we’re proud to say we’ve coached a world champion: Ruby “The Pocket Rocket” White, who first stepped into our gym as a shy seven-year-old. But while the headlines might be about medals, our real work happens every night of the week – with more than 200 young people from the local area. Many are struggling in school, facing difficult circumstances, or just in need of a positive place to be. We give them that place.
The challenge grows Boxing builds more than fitness. It creates confidence. It channels aggression. It teaches discipline and respect. Most importantly, it gives young people a safe, structured space to grow – a community, surrounded by coaches who care. All of us are volunteers: between us, we give more than 200 hours of our time each week, entirely unpaid. As we grow, so do the demands – and travel costs, our biggest expense, are spiralling. Competing across the UK and Europe isn’t just about medals: it’s how we give our young athletes the experience and exposure they need to thrive. But without financial support, we simply can’t keep opening these doors.We’re reaching out to local businesses and people to ask can you help? We’ve put together a set of sponsorship packages which start at just £30 a month – or if you’d prefer to make a one-off contribution, no matter how big or small, every penny really does make a difference. Your support doesn’t just back champions – it helps shape young lives. Please feel free to get in touch for a chat on 07817 243101 or sturabc@aol.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this – Shaun
SNABC’s 2024-25 season: 180 Competitive bouts 22 Skills bouts 17 Box Cup Champions 12 Western Counties Champions 3 Boxers on the England Pathway 3 National Runners-up 2 National Champions 1 Tri Nations Runner-up 1 Tri Nations Champion 1 European Champion 1 World Champion “Not a bad effort for a club in Rural Dorset” – Shaun Weeks
Teddy Rocks, the award-winning Dorset music festival dedicated to fighting children’s cancer, has announced a record-breaking fundraising total for its 2025 event, held at Charisworth Farm in Blandford this May.
All photos courtesy of Charlie Raven Photography
This year’s festival raised an extraordinary £164,233, bringing the overall total raised since the festival began to more than £700,000. Every penny goes directly to five charities supporting children undergoing cancer treatment and funding vital research into childhood cancer.
Now in its 14th year, Teddy Rocks is run entirely by volunteers. This year marked a milestone moment – for the first time ever, the festival sold out, a significant achievement at a time when many festivals across the UK are struggling to survive.
All photos courtesy of Charlie Raven Photography
Festival founder Tom Newton said: “2025 was a very special year for Teddy Rocks. It was the first year to sell out and was at a level we never thought possible when this all started back in a pub almost 15 years ago.”
Headliners in 2025 included Punk Rock Factory, B*Witched, Peter Andre and Portuguese Linkin Park tribute act Hybrid Theory, drawing thousands of music lovers from across the country. Family attendance was up by 30 percent following the festival’s win at the UK Festival Awards in 2024, where it was named Best Festival for Families.
Tickets for the 2026 event, which takes place over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd May), are already selling fast. Sales are up 60 percent compared to this time last year, and campervan tickets are already 50 percent sold out.
All photos courtesy of Charlie Raven Photography
Tom added: “The festival is growing and we’re looking forward to planning bigger and better things each year. A huge thanks goes out to all the supporters, sponsors, artists, and volunteers who make this remarkable and special weekend happen every year.”
All funds raised go directly to five incredible charities: Teddy20, Young Lives vs. Cancer, Bone Cancer Research Trust, George’s Rockstars and Alfie’s Wish.
Tom said: “We will never stop fighting to help the children that need our support. By supporting Teddy Rocks you are contributing to the most amazing charities enabling them to do crucial work. This is so much more than a music festival, it’s a real family.”
Tickets for the 2026 event are available now at teddyrocks.co.uk, priced from £22.20 for children (aged 5–15) and £44.40 for adults.
From racing clubs to Pony Club safaris, it’s been tours with tea and snoozy foals (and sausage rolls) for Doug Procter, with one final foal to come
The Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Pony Club Safari!
You’re probably expecting to read that May was notable for a lack of both rain and grass growth … which it certainly was to begin with, but at TGS our grazing woes have been eclipsed by two visits. The first of these was from the Colin Tizzard Racing Club. It coincided with Lucy disappearing to Cornwall to run the 44 miles of coastal path, from Lizard Point to Land’s End, leaving me (Doug) home alone to host our guests. Luckily, the rain – which had finally arrived a few days prior to the visit – had abated by the time the 25 racing club members arrived and tucked into tea, coffee, cake and biscuits laid on by one of our TGS team members, Clare. Duly fortified, the visit began with a tour of the barns as I pointed out our eleven foaling stables covered by the cameras that we watch at night during the foaling season, and the veterinary area with stocks, which ensure that our vet, Paul Legerton, can safely scan the mares without the danger of being kicked.
The Colin Tizzard Racing Club enjoyed a family morning meeting the foals. Image: Courtenay Hitchcock
Grace and the first foal she has helped deliver. Image: Lucy Procter
Then the main event … meeting the foals. As we all walked up the stud, past each paddock, I explained the breeding of the mares and foals and which stallions the mares had visited this year. We ended up in one of our largest fields, Oaktree. It’s ideal for foals with its thick hedges and mature trees providing shelter from both inclement weather and unduly hot sun. Some of the foals were lying down half-way across the field, so I took the youngest visitors for some close-up, snoozy-foal interaction. Meanwhile, the remaining mares and foals went over to investigate the rest of the visitors by the gate, calmly wandering among them. The enjoyable morning was rounded off with yet more tea and cake! Our thanks to Simon Gillet of the racing club for arranging the visit.
Doug explaining the breeding of the mares and foals and which stallions the mares had visited this year to the Colin Tizzard Racing Club. Image: Courtenay HitchcockImage: Courtenay Hitchcock
The safari The next visit was far more daunting … The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Pony Club Foal Safari! This was a visit that had originally been initiated several years ago when Lucy was DC of the branch. Once again I was home alone: this time Lucy was taking a mare to be covered by a stallion called Cracksman – a successful son of the great Frankel, standing in Newmarket at the Darley-owned Dalham Hall Stud. I knew Tea and cake were not on the agenda for these particular visitors, so it was straight into the barns where I was kept busy answering questions – from both parents and children – about all aspects of breeding and foaling. Finally we were on to the really exciting bit they had all come for – the Safari! Once all the Pony Clubbers had been loaded into the back of two pick-ups (think sardines and tins), our son Will and I drove the trucks up the track. Again I provided my commentary on the mares and foals in each paddock as we went, but the best bit was obviously saved for our arrival at Oaktree again. We drove right in among the mares and foals who, having apparently read the ‘be nice and cuddly’ memo, all quickly came over to say hello.
The mares and foals had read the ‘be nice and cuddly’ memo for the Pony Club visit
While the youngest children stayed safely in the back of the pick-ups, others jumped out to get up close to the foals – most of whom were already as tall, if not taller, than their ponies at home. The foals all behaved impeccably: they were very calm and friendly, with only the odd nibble at a sleeve. Finally, it was back to the front paddock for a picnic: I’m happy to report my quality control duties on the sausage rolls were taken very seriously. Our dogs also thoroughly enjoyed the picnic, opting for smiling cutely at the children, with varying degrees of success! Lucy arrived back with the mare and her foal just in time to show the Pony Clubbers the lorry camera: the foal was flat out, fast asleep on the thick straw-bedded floor, with the mare standing protectively over him. Then it was ice-cream all round – Lucy had definitely arrived home at exactly the right moment!
The foals are probably already taller than some of the ponies the children ride
Grace’s foal Our last resident mare has foaled, and she obliged with a daytime foaling. Spotted in the field early enough, by eagle-eyed TGS team member Grace, we were able to bring her into a stable to foal and Grace was able to help with her first foaling. We’re very aware who is Grace’s favourite foal of the season! However, sleepless nights are still the order of the day as we have just had a sports horse, a non-Thoroughbred, mare arrive for foaling, so the cameras are going to stay on at night, with Doug sitting up watching, for another week. Or two … or three … depending on how long before this last mare of our 2025 season decides to give birth.
From fieldwork to Fortnite – childhood has shifted dramatically over the last century, but the childish spirit of curiosity and mischief remains recognisable across generations
Playing conkers in the QE School playground in 1955
Growing up has always been a balancing act between structure and freedom, expectation and imagination. But the nature of childhood – how it’s spent, what’s valued, and when independence begins – has shifted dramatically over the past two centuries. For most of the 19th century, childhood in East Dorset was short and often harsh. Many children worked from an early age, especially in rural families where an extra pair of hands in the fields mattered more than classroom attendance. Education, if it happened at all, was patchy – a luxury for wealthier households, a charitable provision for everyone else.
1st Wimborne Scouts in the 1950s, delivering logs to Wimborne old folk in Burt’s lorry. Photo taken at the bottom of St John’s Hill by Harleston Villas.
Formal schooling gradually became more widespread after the 1870s. By the early 20th century, most children were in school until the age of 14. Lessons focused on the basics – reading, writing, arithmetic – alongside moral instruction and, for girls, domestic skills like sewing. It was education with a purpose: not to broaden horizons, but to prepare children for work. The Second World War brought disruption but also reform. From the 1940s onwards, the idea of education as a right – not a privilege – began to take hold. The school leaving age rose, and new opportunities opened up. Secondary schools expanded, and by the 1960s, further education and training were within reach for many more teenagers.
1960s Youth Club, upstairs in the Church HouseA children’s party in Wimborne’s Congregational Hall in 1962
The way we play But childhood isn’t just about classrooms. The way children spent their free time also changed. Earlier generations had little leisure and fewer possessions. Entertainment was self-made: seasonal games, exploring the countryside, or helping out at home. By the 1950s and 60s, consumer culture had taken hold. Comics, pop records, and branded toys shaped a new kind of childhood – still rooted in the local, but increasingly influenced by national trends.
1952 Wimborne Council School Football TeamQE School’s A Level History class of 1958
Youth organisations, from Scouts and Guides to church groups and sports clubs, offered structure and purpose. They helped young people develop confidence, skills and friendships – and were often the first taste of independence beyond the family.
David Hart in the 1960s, with the salmon he caught on the Stour near White Mill Bridge
Today, childhood looks different again. Longer, in many ways – more education, later starts to working life. There’s less freedom to roam, but more support and safety. Digital life often replaces much of the outdoor play that once defined every childhood in rural areas.
Ferndown Zoo was run by Mrs Sadler from her house in Ringwood Road, now called the Old Stile House. After several animals escaped, the zoo had to close in 1955
Scouts on Poole Station, leaving for the 1957 World Jamboree in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield
Old photographs quietly remind us how much remains familiar, however. Fashions and hairstyles may change, but the energy, curiosity, pride and moments of mischief all feel instantly recognisable. Time moves on, but the look in their eyes tells a story universally understood.
