Detached 3 bed cottage, own enclosed garden, isolated farm in beautiful woodland, N. Dorset.
Council tax, utilities paid plus £ negotiable (paye). Hours part-time, variable, domestic help plus caretaker/dog sitter role.
Flexibility essential – not regular hours. Suitable for someone who loves the countryside and possibly has an occupation on the side such as a writer/artist that does not have fixed hours, maybe semi-retired.
Experience of dog care essential. Happy with small domestic chores, errands, laundry. Regular periods working alone. Other staff kept.
Experience in similar role in a private household desirable. References essential. Own pets considered. Own car essential.
A new Crop Circle in Dorset has appeared at the top of Okeford Hill near Sturminster Newton. Often suggested to be a paranormal phenomena, it’s widely known they are man-made constructions, created using ropes and boards. No matter what your belief on their origin, they’re often a fascinating thing to see: the new one on Okeford Hill will continue to draw an increasing amount of visitors until the field is cut. But what impact does this have for the farmer whose land and crop has been used?
The Okeford Hill Crop Circle in Dorset. Image courtesy of Droning On
We spoke to Dorset NFU who have been in contact with the farmer who owns the land and the crop on Okeford Hill:
“Annoyance at the flattening of some of this crop, making it hard to harvest, and quite possibly wasting £600 worth of wheat, is tempered by some respect for the perpetrators who have made an admittedly pretty good job of this attractive geometric pattern.
The Okeford Hill Crop Circle in Dorset isn’t visible from the footpath: Image courtesy of Droning On
Local Dorset commercial drone photographer ‘Droning On’ was happy to catch the crop circle at just the right moment “After a thunderstorm the sun and heat returned, mist rose and golden hour made for some stunning views over Dorset. Whatever your views of such formations, I have to say this was an impeccably chosen location, and this is a well-executed crop circle.”
There are no public footpaths through the field in question, and the circle is invisible from the popular walking routes across the local viewpoint. Though local drone photographers have taken to the adjoining footpaths and made the most of the circle from the air, the Dorset NFU spokesperson points out visiting the crop circle is inevitably pointless:
“Not only is there no legal public access across the field in question, the only way worth seeing it is from the air; it is not visible from anywhere on the ground, and of course being close up gives you no clue of the design.”
They also point out the potential for further negative effects from visitors on foot:
“The damage from the circle is one thing in itself. But more damage can be done by crowds of spectators at ground level. Please spare a thought for the farmer’s field, biosecurity, safety to wildlife, and farm staff as they have to clear up the flattened crop and prepare the ground for the next crop. Although elsewhere there have been attempts to set up ‘honesty’ schemes to compensate farmers for their losses by what amounts to trespass and criminal damage, these have largely not been successful.
Stormy summer clouds over the Okeford Hill Crop Circle, perfectly placed above the Blackmore Vale: Image courtesy of Droning On
“The Crop Circle in Dorset was created while the crop was still green, when it should have been filling the grains by photosynthesis, which should have continued over the following weeks. Once flattened this will have ceased, and valuable yield lost. A crop like this costs a lot to grow; that cost is lost, as well as the return from the grain that will be left shrivelled on the ground, which may cause a nuisance by germinating in the next crop. Birds will land on the flattened wheat to feed on the ears, and where birds go, so do their droppings, not a good mix with a food product.
The Friends of Blandford Hospital are absolutely delighted that their incredibly talented shop volunteer, Joan Capron has agreed to stage another of her Affordable Art Exhibitions this summer in their Blandford Charity Shop. Joan’s charity exhibitions are always held on the basis of 100% donation and this will be her 4th exhibition for the Friends but follows many previous exhibitions for other charities.
By Joan Capron
It has been a difficult year in which to prepare for an exhibition, particularly so for an artist instructed to Shield. Joan found herself shut away from many sources of inspiration and variety of art materials.
By Joan Capron
However, a very determined lady rose to the challenge and experimented by painting on anything that came to hand ……including slate, silk, stones, canvas, textured wallpaper and even cotton sheeting! She used pastels, inks, acrylic paints and powder, oils, pencil and collage and had great fun in doing so! To add to the variety of original art, other charity volunteers have offered to donate some examples of their work.
By Joan Capron
So lockdown not only affected the subject matter and style but also the costings. The exhibition has always been “affordable”, bringing art within everyone’s reach and of course prices will remain low. However, this year Joan has made it even more affordable by offering, alongside framed original paintings, many mounted and signed prints at a fraction of the cost of the original. There will also be a large range of greetings cards produced by Joan.
The exhibition will run from Friday 30th July to Saturday 7th August From 10am -4pm In the Hospital charity shop in Barnack Walk.
We are looking for a new trustee to chair the people subcommittee and to join our Board which is responsible for the overall direction, vision and oversight of Citizens Advice Central Dorset.
● Voluntary Position
● Covering the Dorchester, Gillingham, Sherborne and Weymouth and Portland Area
● Time requirement of 3 to 4 hours per month plus additional Sub Committee,Board and Executive Meetings
● Qualities: Enthusiasm, commitment to the aims of Citizens Advice and an interestin people, governance, social justice, training, policies and practises associatedwith staff, volunteers and trustees
● Closing Date: Tuesday 31st August 2021
Citizens Advice Central Dorset provides free and confidential independent advice services to people who live and work in the Dorchester, North Dorset, Sherborne and Weymouth and Portland communities. We are governed and managed locally but with the benefit of being part of the influential national organisation, Citizens Advice. We provide advice on for example Benefits, Employment, Debt, Housing and Consumer issues and have supporting projects such as Macmillan Benefits, NHS GP Surgeries, Energy Project, Multiple Sclerosis, and Mental Health.
The purpose of the subcommittee is to provide the appropriate support and help to the board of trustees, volunteers, paid staff, and others who may from time-to-time undertake work such as work experience, so that Citizens Advice is as welcoming, inclusive and effective as possible.The subcommittee oversees governance with the aim of ensuring all trustees, paid and volunteer staff and others are appropriately trained for their roles and have equal and fair opportunities for continuing education, support and, where appropriate, career and/or personal progression.
Your experience, enthusiasm and skills will make a significant contribution to the Board and give valuable support to the Chair of the Board and Chief Officer. This is a voluntary, unpaid appointment, although reasonable travel expenses will be paid. The role provides you with a great deal of experience and satisfaction, the opportunity to develop your skills and utilise your expertise and knowledge from which you will gain further experience and much satisfaction.
More details about us can be viewed on our website www.centraldorsetca.org.uk If you would like to discuss the trustee role further please contact Peter Green – [email protected]
We are looking for a motivated and reliable individual to assist during our busy autumn calving block, rearing calves from mid August until November in newly built facilities.
This position is based in Mappowder, North Dorset.
Experience in calf rearing is preferred but not essential.
The job role will be based on 6 hours per day, 5 days a week, although we can be flexible with both days and hours worked, with more or less hours available if needed.
Rates of pay will be above average and dependent on experience.
If you are interested in this role or would like to find out more, please email [email protected].
Much loved husband of Janet, father of Clara, John and Rory.
Thanksgiving service at St Michael’s Church, North Cadbury on Thursday 5th August at 2pm.
No flowers please but donations if desired to Cancer Research, St Margaret’s Hospice or RABI. C/O Harold F. Miles, South Cadbury, BA227ES, 01963 440367.
Last week, North Dorset MP Simon Hoare was named among the new Awkward Squad by the Spectator – a reference not only to the fact he has defied the Tory whip and voted against the move to cut the UK’s Foreign Aid budget down to 0.5 per cent of GDP, but also a reference to the ‘awkward squad’ of socialist trade unionists and rebel MPs in the early 2000s who were a thorn in the side of Blair’s Labour government.
Twenty-four Conservatives voted against the government including former Prime Minister Theresa May; former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell; defense committee chairman Tobias Ellwood; ex-Cabinet minister Jeremy Hunt; and Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs committee.
Having previously discussed with Simon his policy of voting with his conscience, and his occasional need to defy the party line where he felt strongly, I wanted to know why he had decided at a time of enormous national debt that the £4bn reduction in aid was important enough to rebel on.
“Well, firstly I fail to see how voting to maintain the manifesto upon which we were elected makes me ‘awkward’!” said Simon
“for me, this is about many things. Firstly, this is not ‘charity’, it is helping fellow men and women. And for those quoting ‘charity begins at home’ at me, yes, of course we have terrible issues with poverty here in the UK too. But we also have a sophisticated raft of services to help. In other countries this aid is quite literally the difference between survival and death. And whilst there’s never a right time to do it, now is utterly the wrong time.
Simon Hoare on Foreign Aid
“The UK has a long and proud history of charitable greatness – look at Live Aid, Children in Need, any natural disaster… We’re a nation which has giving in its DNA. And I do not like the little tables of foreign aid rankings – just because X country does less, or X country does more should bear no relevance to our own actions. There’s no prize, there’s no meaning to the feelgood rankings – we simply need to do the right thing for the right thing’s sake.
“Globally, the UK are a leader in humanitarian and peacekeeping aid: our example is followed, and via soft diplomacy places like Japan and the Middle East become involved and engaged. At a time when we are banging the drum for Global Britain, this move feels utterly self-defeating politically.”
Meeting the 0.7% figure was made law in 2015, and it is an internationally recognised target; charities such as Oxfam and ActionAid have warned that projects are being called off as a result of the cuts.
The Conservative’s decision to lock the foreign aid budget to 0.7% of GDPR was seen by many as a forward-thinking, progressive move, welcomed across the political spectrum as the right thing to do. Simon is dismayed at the back-pedalling
“It’s easy to be generous when times are good, but far more meaningful to give during tough times. We are the only member of the G7 reducing our commitment: and it’s a nonsense that defies the maths. We haven’t committed a specific amount, we’ve committed a percentage of GDP. Which literally means we give less during lean years – it’s already built in to the equation.
“To declare we cannot afford this, or to increase nurses pay, and yet we can spend over £200 million on a new Royal Yacht that even the Royal Family don’t want, is simply wrong.
“The decision is simply easy politics – and not only is it the wrong thing morally, on a political level I feel it will come back and bite us on the arse.”
