The pay off on the stunning second half of this Dorset walk is worth the slightly dicey main road crossings of the first half. The views are GLORIOUS, and the silence of the valley behind the headland is wonderful – it’s the land time forgot in the gold rush to the sea.
The path-finding is mostly easy, with a couple of exceptions:
• At the top of the map you can see a pointless ‘extra bit’ in the route. In one field the path through the hedge has vanished – you need to go all the way down the field, through the gate and then back up the other side of the hedge to re-find the path. Annoying, but not far.
• You leave the car park and walk back along the road until turning right, steeply downhill, to Upton Farm. On the map at this point the bridleway dips away from the farmyard to work through Poxwell Big Wood. Don’t try it! After floundering around in brambley boggy undergrowth for a while we backtracked and just followed the farm lane around the wood instead.
Crossing the A353 is obviously not to be taken lightly, but both times you’re going straight across so at least you don’t have to walk along it at all. Do take care, it’s fast and busy – there’s just no alternative, it’s the only way to work a circular route here. The bonus is that once you have crossed it the second time, the route just gets better (and better and better …) the whole way back.
And when you’re finally back at your car, you can sit a while and appreciate that view; we strongly recommend having a flask of coffee and a piece of cake in the car waiting for your return.
You could also add in the walk down to the beach, if you were so inclined: it’s half a mile down to the sea (and the subsequent half a mile back up again of course!
Parking: couldn’t be easier off-season, though during the summer months you’ll need an early start to nab a spot in the NT car park (pay by machine, NT members free of course).
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Events Assistant with a eye for detail to join our team at Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural society
Gillingham and Shaftesbury show is one of the best agricultural shows in the South West of England attracting in the region of 25,000 visitors a year. The show celebrates British farming, acts as an educational and entertainments show, and a business networking event for the agricultural industry. In 2022, the society introduced a two day Spring Countryside show taking place over a weekend in late April. The show welcomes over 10,000 visitors and focuses on gardening, spring and being a family event.
The society also owns a subsidiary, Turnpike Events Limited, which operates commercial and trading facilities on the Turnpike Showground. The show ground hosts a wide range of events from April to October including dog shows and caravan rallies.
We are looking for a highly motivated, pro-active individual who possesses excellent communication and time management skills. The applicant must work well under pressure and have the ability to prioritise responsibilities and meet deadlines.
Key Responsibilities:
Event Planning: You will be responsible as part of a team, for the comprehensive planning of two events per annum and the coordination of several others, working within budgets, coordinating with suppliers, and managing timelines to ensure all aspects of the event are on track. You will work closely with the grounds team and section leaders as well as contractors and trade stand holders.
Stakeholder Management: Building and maintaining relationships with contractors, sponsors, trade stand holders and contractors is a key part of this role. You will be responsible for communicating key event information throughout the event life cycle.
Materials Preparation: You will be responsible for preparing and distributing event materials, such as tickets, badges, agendas, and information packs, to ensure a smooth on-site experience for attendees, staff and contractors.
Customer Service: Exceptional customer service is paramount whilst representing Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society. You will handle enquiries and provide support before, during, and after events to ensure attendees and stewards have a positive experience.
Financial Oversight: You will monitor and manage event budgets, negotiate and track expenditure.
Post-Event Evaluation: After each event, you will assist in evaluating feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and compiling post-event reports.
Staying Informed: Keeping up to date with industry trends and best practices is essential to enhance the quality of event experiences we offer.
The ideal candidate:
Previous event management experience is preferred
Have experience working with customers of all different levels of seniority
Must have organisational experience at a professional level
Must have outstanding communication skills
Will be highly efficient and have an organised approach to your workload
Will have the ability to work well under pressure and deal with high work volumes
Will be able to adapt and change priorities according to immediate business needs
Some knowledge of agriculture would be preferred
Must be computer literate with Windows 11 & Microsoft Office
Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator would be of benefit
Flexible but anticipated 8 – 28 hours per week depending on time of year. An approximate guideline to the hours required per week is as follows:
Jan – 10 hours | Feb – 14 hours | March – 21 hours | April – 28 hours
May – 21 hours | June – 14 hours | July – 21 hours | August – 28 hours
September – 21 hours | October – 8 hours | November – 8 hours | December – 8 hours
Please apply with covering letter and CV to: [email protected] with subject line Events Assistant – Your Name
Closing date: 21st November
Interviews from 4th December with a view of the successful candidate starting in early 2024
Sadly passed away at home with her family by her side after a long illness. she kept smiling and was positive till the end. Grave side service to take place on 7th November at 11 am at Mampits cemetery Shaftesbury .
Employ My Ability offers vocational training for students with learning disabilities and special educational needs and disabilities. One of their students, Maddie Walters, spent her work experience with us, and now writes a regular column – Ed
This month I have been looking at different campsites to visit in Dorset. Many are still open in the autumn and some even open for short breaks over Christmas – it might make a lovely ‘staycation’ for half term!
Brewery Farm Campsite Family-run Brewery Farm is near the village of Ansty. It is a small site, with a few lodges and a campsite (tents and caravans) which is open all year.
West Bay Campsite This large campsite is near the stunning cliffs, beach and harbour of the Jurassic coast. It has an indoor pool and a playground that children will enjoy. You can bring your own caravan or camper or rent a tent or lodge, and there are glamping options if you fancy a bit of luxury. There is a special Halloween short break, and the park is closed between November and February.
Wood Farm Holiday Park Wood Farm is in a rural setting with a fishing lake on site, and also has camping pods for a glamping alternative. There’s a wide range of activities for the whole family, including an indoor pool. Closed from the end of October.
South Lytchett Manor As well as your own caravan or motorhome, at South Lytchett there’s the option to stay in a glamping pod, Shepherd’s Hut or traditional Romany caravan. They are open throughout December and into early January and have many special Christmas events like a market and carol services.
Sandford Holiday Park Sandford is a wonderful place to camp out during the half term break – it’s in a quiet woodland setting and has beautiful beaches near by.The camping facilities are great for the whole family to enjoy for a long weekend. The site is closed between November and February.
Excellent craftsmanship and a dedication to sustainable practices have once again propelled Cradle to Grave to the top. Cath and Tosh Abbott work from their Withysmythe workshop in North Dorset, and they have just been awarded ‘Coffin Supplier of the Year’ for the third time, as announced by the prestigious Good Funeral Awards, run by the Association of Green Funeral Directors – a national non-profit organisation working to help the public find green funeral directors, and to bring the principle of an eco-friendly funeral into the mainstream. Cradle to Grave, known for its impeccable artistry in crafting beautiful, bespoke willow products, specialise in producing coffins and caskets with willow sourced from local, sustainable resources. Cath and Tosh are skilled basket makers, and have been basket and coffin weaving for more than 20 years. They weave their willow caskets using traditional age-old methods passed down through generations of basket weavers, using traditional weaves and handcrafted tools, made by local blacksmiths, which haven’t changed in centuries. All Cradle to Grave coffins are lovingly handwoven in Dorset. Their commitment to producing biodegradable and eco-friendly products resonates with a growing environmentally-conscious audience – even in their final rites. Cat expressed profound gratitude, stating she is ‘very proud and honoured’ by the recognition. This win reaffirms Cradle to Grave’s position as a beacon of excellence in the UK’s funeral industry.
Another season feeling the pinch at the check-out?Expert Karen Geary shares some smart strategies for eating well and wasting less
Maintaining a nutritious diet often conjures images of expensive organic produce and speciality health foods. Many believe that eating healthily on a tight budget is simply not possible. However, with a little planning and creativity, it is entirely possible to eat well without breaking the bank! Make use of tech Check out apps such as Too Good to Go and Olio. Too Good to Go is where supermarkets sell off their unwanted items close to their sell by dates. I live near Blandford, and noted both Spar and Morrisons participate with their ‘surprise bags’, at around a third of the full shelf price. And yes, Greggs are there too, but that defeats the healthy-eating point! Olio is a community exchange app – you can donate overstocks or produce of your own as well as seeing what others locally may have to share.
Plan your meals I have managed to cut my budget right back by spending half an hour a week planning meals in advance. Your plan should include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Always check what you already have in the cupboard to avoid buying duplicate items (guilty as charged) (and me – Ed). Planning meals not only helps you stay within budget, but it also eases the ‘what’s for dinner’ daily stress, while reducing the chances of impulsive and unhealthy food choices. Buy in bulk Buying staple items in bulk can significantly reduce the cost of your groceries, if you can manage the single up-front cost (which I appreciate not everyone can).Look for items like rice, pasta, beans, lentils, oats and canned vegetables in larger quantities.
Shop around One item I find annoyingly expensive in supermarkets is nuts – yet go onto Amazon – or check local supplier Wilton Wholefoods – and they are much more affordable if you buy a large bag. The same applies to many dried goods such as beans, lentils and spices.
Embrace frozen and tins Fresh fruits and vegetables are fantastic, but they can be expensive, especially when not in season. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are often far more affordable and have a longer shelf life. They are just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts and can be used in a variety of dishes, from smoothies to soups and stir-fries.
Use leftovers Got some droopy stuff hanging about in the bottom of the veg drawer? Freeze it. Perfect for adding to soups, stews or smoothies. If your menu plan uses half a packet, tin or fresh item, be sure your plan uses the other half, rather than leaving it to go sad and then throwing it away.
Cook at home Takeaways, while convenient, will quickly deplete your budget. Instead, make cooking at home a priority. Home-cooked meals are not only more budget-friendly but also allow you to control the ingredients, making it easier to choose healthier options. Experiment with simple recipes and gradually expand your culinary skills. Don’t dismiss making your own bread. It’s easy, cheap and if you make sourdough, you don’t even need to knead it! I wish someone had told me that years ago.
‘Frozen and canned fruit and veg are just as nutritious – but are often far more affordable and have a longer shelf life’
Batch cooking Cooking once and reheating in a microwave can save ££s on energy bills – as well as having things ready to go when you get home from work. My favourites are stews and soups in the winter, but it can also be done with salads and lunchbox items too. Invest in some good containers, ideally glass with plastic lids, to make them last longer and for ease of storage.
Buy generic and store brands Don’t shy away from these. They are often as high in quality as name brands but come with a lower price tag.
Less but better Meat can be one of the most expensive items and often the cheapest way to buy it is your local farm shop or butcher, not the supermarket. The quality is likely to be far superior too. Consider reducing your meat consumption and incorporating more plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, and eggs into your diet instead.
Use coupons and discounts Keep an eye out for coupons, discounts and sales in your local grocery store’s flyers or online. There are also various apps and websites that offer digital coupons and cashback rewards.
Limit processed and junk foods Ultra-processed foods are in the news at the moment. They taste great and they are cheap (let’s face it, that’s why we buy so much of them). However. .. they often offer little nutritional value and can be detrimental to your health in the long run. Instead, focus on buying unprocessed whole foods that provide essential nutrients without the unnecessary added sugars, unhealthy fats and artificial additives.
Grow your own produce If you have access to outdoor space, or even a windowsill, have a go at this. The cost of herbs is one of my pet peeves, they can be grown so easily in pots from seed.
Practice portion control Wasting food is both costly and environmentally unfriendly. Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating and to make your groceries last longer. Leftovers can also be repurposed into new meals, reducing food waste.
