Naughty Newt and the Lisnaught ladies

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9 April 2024

We’re excited to welcome Team Rimmer to the BV equestrian section, kicking off a new monthly column sharing life in a busy eventing yard

left to right, top: Lucy, Boy Joe, Jo, Lily. Bottom: Hannah, Stacey, Jess
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock

Team Rimmer are really excited to be here, and we’re looking forward to sharing our stories with you every month! We figured the best way to start is probably with some introductions … I’m Jess, and I make up 50 per cent of Team Rimmer. The other half is my mum, Jo, who you will no doubt hear from in future columns!
We are a close-knit family business based at Fontmell Parva, just outside of Child Okeford, where we run a yard of competition horses alongside Joe Roome – also known as ‘Boy Joe’.
Although our focus is Eventing, our top priorities are happy horses, happy staff, and a work hard, play hard mantra!

Jo Rimmer (left), with 5* Isaac Newton and Jess: ‘Newt thinks hard work is totally overrated’

Down the ‘main yard’ – Auriella is the bay with the white stripe with her head over the door

Daily life on the yard consists of caring for and training around 20 competition horses, give or take – mum keeps telling us she’s cutting down. We’ll believe it when we see it!
Perhaps a quick Eventing 101 would be a good way to introduce this crazy sport … Many describe Eventing as an equestrian triathlon. It consists of three phases: dressage, showjumping and cross-country. It is a test of trainability, bravery and precision, and was originally designed to prepare military horses for the diverse range of challenges they might face. Event horses must be obedient yet bold, confident in themselves, yet trusting of their rider.

Joe is washing Conor’s feet off at the end of the yard while Auriella supervises

Henry (Sir Henry Hall) at the back, Jimmy (Talan Blue) in the middle and Max (Mr Mister)

Trainability is perhaps the most important aspect when looking for a top Event horse – and it’s one which our best horse, Isaac Newton, is severely lacking! Known to his friends as ‘Newt’ he is a cheeky, playful character who sees the funny side to life. He also thinks hard work is totally overrated. Mum always describes him as being the ‘rascal schoolboy’ who would be turning his maths tests into paper aeroplanes, but somehow manage to pull it out of the bag on exam day.

Despite his slightly rebellious attitude, he has completed three 5* International events – the highest level there is – and he represented Great Britain in the Nations Cup series. He has enormous talent, and his partnership with mum was fairly unrivalled. More recently, I’ve been lucky enough to take over the reins, and we have some exciting plans as we head into the 2024 season
Returning to the schoolboy theme, it seems fitting to introduce Mattie (The Real McKay) who is on the other end of the spectrum to Newt. He would defintely have difficulty with his times-tables, but he does ALL his homework with 110 per cent effort. He wouldn’t ever be one of the ‘cool kids’, but he would always be the one to make sure everyone was included at play time.

Mattie would be hanging out in the playground with Jimmy (Talan Blue) – he’s the lanky, gawpy and kind one – and the pair of them would spend their time swooning over the beautiful ‘Lisnaught’ ladies: Princess Elsa (Lisnaught Lady Cruise) and Bisous (Lisnaught Are You With Me). Who would in their turn be totally uninterested, naturally!
Right, I had better leave it there before this turns into a novel … there is still the rest of the classroom to fill, but it’ll have to wait ‘til next month!

Team Rimmer Eventing

Future Farmer: 5-year-old Giles Apsey.

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Editorial team

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9 April 2024

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Giles was a year old when Fluffy was born – she was one of a triplet who needed to be bottle fed. He took full responsibility for her feeds and made sure she was well looked after. Fluffy is now four and Giles turned five just a few days after this photo was taken! Fluffy had twins in March – Giles was tucked up fast asleep during the birth, but when he woke and heard the exciting news, he ran outside to see her for cuddles. He made sure Fluffy had fresh water and hay, and that the lambs had a warm cosy bed of straw.
Giles loves learning about farming – his family live on his grandads farm in Charlton Musgrove. He helps with collecting the eggs, getting the cows in, chasing the naughty piglets – and anything else he’s allowed to, under the guidance of his grandad Pat and dad Roger, with help from his mum Emily and brothers James and Charlie.
Do you have a Future Farmer? Send a picture with a few details to [email protected]

Great Pottery Throw Down star at the new Dorset Spring Show!

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Editorial team

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9 April 2024

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Channel 4’s Great Pottery Throw Down 2024 runner up, Dan Sandham

The special guest at the inaugural Dorset Spring Show at Kingston Maurward on 27th and 28th April will be 2024 Great Pottery Throw Down finalist (and Weymouth resident) Dan Sandham. He will be joined by his fellow Throw Down contestant Ed King to demonstrate and lead hands-on workshops.
Dan, who was runner-up in this year’s edition of the popular Channel 4 show, loves ‘making the biggest pot I can.’ Devon-based Ed is celebrated for his abstract ceramic designs, working in stoneware clay, oxides and reactive glazes. They are currently among the hottest names in contemporary British pottery and at the Dorset spring show visitors will be able to watch them as they work and listen to their personal insights into their creative processes – before getting hands-on with the clay themselves.
Dan says: ‘I’ve loved watching the Great Pottery Throw Down for the last couple of months and am excited to be sharing my love of ceramics at this year’s Dorset Spring Show.’
Event organiser James Cox is delighted that the potters will be part of the show: ‘Having Dan and Ed at our very first Dorset Spring Show is a real coup. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our visitors to get up close – to see, learn, and even try their hand at pottery. We love showcasing the incredible talent we have in Dorset, and the pottery workshops are exactly the kind of interactive experience we love to offer visitors.’

Great Pottery Throw Down contestant, Ed King

A spring adventure
The new Dorset Spring Show at Kingston Maurward near Dorchester ’swings open its farm gates’ on the last weekend in April, from 9.30am to 5pm both days. In addition to the pottery workshops, the show offers a variety of attractions for the whole family, including Extreme BMX and Mountainboarding performances, falconry displays and a dedicated Craft Avenue.
The Sheep Show, Hogg Show, interactive farm experiences and sheepdog demonstrations are not to be missed. Kitchen and garden enthusiasts can enjoy expert talks and food and floral demos in the demonstration theatres. The Food & Drink village will be filled with local artisan produce.
Specially priced advance tickets are available until 20th April. Dorset’s first county Spring Show is shaping up to be an exceptional event, blending the best of rural traditions with contemporary artisan craft.

Children FREE, adults £12 until 20th April
Gate price is £15 per adult, children free
dorsetspringshow.co.uk

PA part time – Wilts/Dorset border

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Editorial team

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9 April 2024

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To help manage a couple’s office.

The part time role, probably two days a week with a preference for Monday and Wednesday.

The role will be varied and include general administration, diary management, travel arrangements, simple accounting, telephone answering and post.

The successful applicant will be accurate, self motivated and take pride in their work.

Good communication skills both written and oral on all levels essential, with good computer skills.

Please Apply with full CV to: [email protected]

Doreen Anne Giles (nee Lane)

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Editorial team

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9 April 2024

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25th of March 2024 – 29th of July 1939

Passed away peacefully at Dorchester Hospital on the 25th March aged 84.

Doreen will be sadly missed by her Husband Michael and all her family and friends.

Funeral service to take place at Poole Crematorium on Friday 26th of April at 1pm.

Family flowers only please, donations, if desired for the Friends of Blandford Community Hospital, may be made online by visiting www.close-funeral.co.uk or cheques payable to the charity c/o Colin J Close Funeral Service, Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford DT11 7JU. Tel: 01258 453133

Exams Officer | Fairmead Community Special School

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9 April 2024

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Exams Officer

Part-time/full-time, negotiable (term-time only) 39 weeks

Grade 13-12 – £20,460 – £22,625 (relative to experience)

(based on 37 hours per week, Term Time only)

Fairmead Community Special School transforms the lives of pupils aged between 4-19 years with additional learning needs (MLD and ASD). The school works in partnership with parents/carers and other stakeholders to develop our pupils in becoming positive individuals who make a valuable contribution to their community.

We are looking to recruit an examinations officer who will be responsible for the organisation and smooth running of both internal and external examinations. The officer acts as the primary liaison between the school and external examination bodies. They will be familiar with the requirements and regulations placed on schools by both awarding bodies and the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and will ensure that the school is compliant with these before, during, and after examination periods.

To obtain an application pack please contact [email protected]

Or visit http://dasjobs.co.uk/job/exams-officer-12/

Prospective candidates are warmly invited to visit our school; this can be arranged by contacting [email protected]

Closing/Shortlisting Date: Tuesday 30^th April Interviews: Thursday 2nd May

Pamela Boxall

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Editorial team

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9 April 2024

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1st October 1942 – 28th March 2024

Pam Boxall passed away peacefully at Salisbury Hospital aged 81 on 28th March.

A much loved Mum to Donna & John. Best Nana ever to Gemma, Luke, Scott, Reece, & Katie, & Grana to Ruben & Arlo.

A celebration of life will be held at Rocky’s Bar Gillingham on Saturday 25th May at 10am

Branch secretary | Oddfellows

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8 April 2024

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We are seeking a branch secretary in the North Dorset/South Somerset area for a national friendly society, required to start in June/July.

Would ideally suit a newly retired or semi-retired person.

This is a paid position and you will work from home with hours to suit, but also to attend regular meetings and social events, therefore own transport is essential.

Computer skills a distinct advantage.

Full training will be given.

For an application form and job description please email: [email protected]

A whirlwind tour of all that’s coming up in Sturminster Newton this month

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Editorial team

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8 April 2024

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Pauline Batstone shares her monthly round up of what’s happening among the town’s collection of community enterprises and events

1855 now has more than 100 traders offfering a wildly diverse choice for every budget

Spring has arrived, and thanks to our wonderful volunteers, our ladies’ pre-loved Boutique is once again open six days a week, and British Summer Time means longer opening hours – from 10am to 5pm, stocked with new items perfect for the season.
Our Furniture Store is now mostly staffed during operating hours – if the door is closed, feel free to pop along to the Emporium for assistance. And don’t forget the free school uniforms hub upstairs – there to help any parent, with good secondhand unforms vauilable for all the local schools.
1855, our boutique shopping experience, is now close to reaching 100 traders, offering a diverse range of intriguing items and attracting visitors to the town, especially during holiday weekends.

SturAction is ready with a warm welcome for any new members to the volunteer family which covers all our community shops. A Volunteer Day will take place at Stour Connect, Bath Road, on Saturday 13th April from 11am to 3pm. The annual event invites local voluntary groups to showcase their activities and provides the community with an opportunity to explore available volunteering options, regardless of the time they can spare.

Car and bike enthusiasts will gather in town as usual on the first Saturday of the month. It’s free, no need to register if you’d like to bring a vehicle, just turn up. Your car or bike must be roadworthy, taxed (where required) and insured. The meet will be at the Station Road car park if the weather dictates, otherwise on the Recreation Ground. On these days, parking is free in all our car parks, courtesy of SturAction.

We’re excited to announce the return of the Car Boot Sale – it will be on the Recreation Ground on the first Sunday morning of each month until 1st September, with all profits going to support local charities.
Though still recovering from the Easter Weekend festivities, we’re already gearing up for Sturminster’s Big Weekend, 31st May to 2nd June. The Exchange will host a Beer & Cider (and Music) Festival over the weekend, alongside a Garden Fair and Market on the Saturday, Cars and Bikes in the Recreation Ground, and the Big Lunch on the Sunday, thanks to Rotary. Keep your eyes peeled: plans for the event are continuously evolving.
On 6th June, the town will commemorate D-Day and the sacrifices made for our freedom with a beacon lighting ceremony in The Railway Gardens at 9pm. Throughout the week, The Exchange will host an exhibition featuring local stories of D-Day.

The Sturminster Literary Festival has curated a series of events for the second week of June, including its own D-Day event on 9th June, showcasing stories of our local soldiers and the deceptive tactics used against the enemy regarding invasion plans. For the full event programme, visit sturlitfest.com or pick up a brochure available around town.

This summary only scratches the surface of what’s happening in Stur and the surrounding area – for comprehensive information, refer to What’s Happening in Stur for April and May, distributed around town by David Shepherd and his team, sponsored by The Town Council.