Step back in time with our ‘Then and Now’ feature, where vintage postcards meet modern-day reality. Explore the past and present on the same page, and see the evolution of familiar local places.
In the 19th century, wages were lower in Stourpaine than in some other parishes and the village became known for its poor living standards, a refuge for those turned away by others. Pimperne’s Rev. Henry Austen reported in 1841 that the behaviour of some women was a problem in Stourpaine, because ‘in that village there are more bastard children than in any other village.’ The village hasn’t noticeably grown in almost two centuries – in 1867 the population of the parish was 658, and in the 2021 census the population was 642. The White Horse, seen in both images opposite, is still as it was, on the west side of the A350 trunk road, adjacent to what used to be a petrol station, garage, post office and store. The terraced row of thatched farm cottages have long since made way for the widened A350. The old school house, above top, is a private home now. The bell, porch and large round chimneys are all gone, but the building with its central tower is still recognisable.
Artsreach has announced that contemporary circus artist Max Calaf Sevé is coming to Dorset this March with his breath-taking trampoline show. It comes as part of Circus Around and About 2, an innovative project bringing extraordinary circus shows to communities across the south west. Anyday is a circus show like no other. Max lives on a trampoline, with only his little pet bird for company. Every day his life is the same – but Max decides he wants a change. So Max and his bird embark on an adventure together. Follow the two friends in their funny, bouncing daily routine, with breathtaking trampoline skills and hilarious clowning. Anyday is a brilliant and unique new show for all the family. Max Calaf Sevé is a contemporary circus artist who specialises in trampoline acrobatics, object manipulation and physical theatre. The soundtrack was created by Matt Huxley, who grew up in Bridport. Anyday will come to Gillingham School on Thursday 21st March at 7pm. Tickets and further information are available online at artsreach.co.uk
Simon Hoare MP’s March musings: championing British farming, lambing season, community advocacy and Government collaboration
Simon Hoare MP
For this month’s column I thought I would look at some varied topics rather than a thematic piece. Farming and food production remains one of the largest part of the UK’s economy – it outstrips the automotive and aeronautical industries by some distance. North Dorset born Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, launched a campaign in 2023 to persuade supermarkets to have a ‘buy British’ section on their websites. It started small, with just a few of us supporting him, but it grew and took root, with a raft of my Parliamentary colleagues adding their voice. Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Aldi have all now created Buy British tabs on their websites – and we have to hope that other retailers will follow suit. I would encourage readers to write to the chief executives of businesses urging them to do so. Such action would augment and support the recent announcements made by the Prime Minister at the NFU Conference, strongly supporting farming. Still on the subject of farming – we are on the cusp of lambing season. We dog owners need to remember that our adored companions are not that far removed from the wolf and that latent instincts can kick in. Please please please ensure your dog is on a lead when around livestock. I have seen for myself the mauled carcasses and also the mutilated yet still (barely) alive ewes and lambs that have been attacked by dogs. It’s not pretty. One cannot claim to be an animal lover and then act (or rather not act) in a way that leads to devastating, painful and costly attacks. Please be sensible and cautious.
Blandford ghetto On the subject of being sensible, I was delighted that the Planning Inspectorate refused the appeal to create a ghettoised caravan park for Ukrainian refugees on open land near Blandford. We have all welcomed Ukrainians fleeing the war as they seek sanctuary from the horror, and we have housed them with families to provide stability, support and comfort. We have not stuck them in a caravan in some isolated field. Residents, Blandford Town Council, I and others recognised this proposal for what it was – a not particularly well-disguised Trojan Horse to support a future application for housing development (on a site which has already been explored and rejected for new homes). The Inspectorate listened to our policy-based concerns and dismissed the appeal. It was the wrong scheme, on the wrong site, promoted for entirely the wrong reasons.
A good base Many of us will be familiar with the phrase ‘joined-up Government’. Sometimes it feels more like an aspiration rather than a way of actually working. Against this backdrop, I thought readers might be interested to hear briefly about my joint work as part of the DHLUC ministerial team with my opposite numbers. We are all concerned about ‘bed blocking’ – people in hospital who are ready to leave but due to delays in their at-home care packages find themselves stuck in hospital. The Department of Health & Social Care and I are working closely to ensure maximum integration between our councils (who provide the care) and the NHS. Likewise I am working very closely with ministers in the Department for Education on issues relating to SEND policy, home-to-school transport and policies towards combating child abuse and exploitation. The role of local government (for which I have ministerial responsibility) is absolutely pivotal, given its place in service provision. There’s more to do, I know, but steady delivery of joined-up government on policies that really matter to the lives of so many in North Dorset is a good place to begin.
Power of a title One of the most satisfying parts of an MP’s role is the Advice Surgery. Constituents who have been wrestling with a problem for months come and see me to explain the issue and seek my help. No MP is a miracle worker, but the magical properties that the words Member of Parliament have still amazes me. With those three words, attention is gained and action summoned up. We can’t solve all of the problems but we do give everyone a damned good try. If you think I can help please email me at [email protected] to arrange an appointment.
Next month the Powell Theatre in Sherborne will be awash with top international travel writers, photographers, and radio and television personalities, between them covering destinations such as Sicily, Kerala, China, the Brazilian Amazon, North Korea, Roman Gaul, Nigeria, Burma’s Shan Hills … and the Cotswolds. The Sherborne Travel Writing Festival runs from 5th to 7th April – curated by Rory MacLean, travel writer of more than a dozen books, the programme of talks have been meticulously planned to inspire, excite and motivate both armchair and intrepid travellers to broaden their horizons. Highlights of the weekend include: Noo Saro-Wiwa, author of the Sunday Times Travel Book of the Year, Looking for Transwonderland, talking about her new book Explorer and filmmaker Benedict Allen, relives memories of the Arctic with his team of dogs overcoming the worst winter weather ever recorded, as well as his solo trip to revisit the Yaifo people in the Amazon. Don McCullin, veteran photojournalist and Dorset resident, closes the weekend reminiscing on his iconic black and white work from 1950s London to the Vietnam War. Award-winning photojournalist Nick Danziger will join Rory MacLean to discuss their humanitarian work A Writing Britain panel sponsored by Bradt, the leading independent travel publisher, with speakers on the Cotswolds, Cornwall, and Dorset (perfect for those who prefer journeying closer to home!). Weekend Festival Tickets, with entry to all 12 talks, including free parking and Tea with the Authors, cost £80 per member and £100 for non-members. Individual session tickets cost £10 per member and £12 for non-members, except for the Don McCullin session which are £18 for members and £22 for non-members. Membership to the Sherborne Literary Society is only £10 a year, which includes a discount on books bought from Winstone’s Bookshop, Sherborne.
To find out more and to buy tickets for the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival visit sherbornetravelwritingfestival.com Tickets can also be bought from Winstone’s Bookshop, Sherborne.
It was obvious there was something special about Sophie’s Ceramics Pottery Cafe in Blandford Forum when a neighbour showed me her 18-month-old granddaughter’s impressive artwork – and what a lovely thing for a grandparent to treasure. Curious about what happens at a pottery cafe, I went to meet owner Sophie Perks. ‘I come from Bournemouth, where there has been a pottery cafe for a long time. As children, we used to go there and paint all kinds of things each year – we built up quite a collection and I still have them! I moved to Blandford nearly three years ago and felt there was something missing for children in the town. I worked in education briefly but I really love the hospitality sector. I felt that I could bridge that gap – and then things very quickly spiralled. ‘We found these premises, and before I knew it we opened in October 2022. It’s been so much fun.’
Sophie Perks launched the pottery cafe in October 22. Image: Alma, almashomestudio.uk
What is a pottery cafe? Sophie’s Ceramics is very different from a standard coffee-and-cake spot and you should go prepared. ‘You choose a piece of pottery to paint when you come in,’ says Sophie. ‘On average they cost £15, and there’s a £3.50 firing charge. We have a range of around 40 items plus seasonal pieces such as Easter baskets and eggs. Then you bring your item to a table, and the colour chart shows what the colours will look like when the ceramics have been fired. And then you start painting … ‘Of course we also have cakes and drinks on sale. People become very absorbed with the artwork, it’s so relaxing. We have had the odd paintbrush dipped into hot chocolate by mistake! ‘Recently I launched a Mother’s Day afternoon tea event – it was completely sold out within 90 minutes of being advertised. During half term we do themed children’s events – one was a Read and Paint event where my granddad read the Bear Hunt book to everyone while they painted a character!’ As well as the four other staff, Sophie’s grandparents help out at the cafe. Granddad Geoff not only reads stories but also has a seasonal job as Father Christmas in the Paint With Santa events. He also makes a good cup of coffee. ‘We’re on community service here,’ he says. ‘Baby hand and footprints are very popular,’ says Sophie. ‘We also do paw prints from animals, which is a lovely memento of a pet. We have a Gruffalo event planned for Easter, where children can paint a mouse or a Gruffalo.’ Although there are lots of child-friendly events, Sophie says 60 per cent of her customers are adults. ‘We have adult-only events such as baby showers, hen nights and birthdays. And of course people can just come in on their own and do something. When we have adult-only evening events, people bring a takeaway or bottles of fizz with them.
The colour chart plate shows what the paint colours will look like when the ceramics have been fired – Image Rachael Rowe BV Magazine
Keeping up with demand Upstairs there is an entirely different operation, with Sophie’s nan, Gloria, helping to dip items in glaze before they are fired in the kiln. The entire firing process takes around 18 hours and then they are left to dry off properly. After ten days they are ready for collection (or can be posted if someone visited while on holiday). The team organises everything like a military operation. ‘Some of our most popular items are the obvious mugs and plates, but also spoon rests and butter dishes. People like things they can use in the kitchen. And our own kitchen bestsellers are the hot chocolate and milkshakes! ‘We use local suppliers wherever we can. Our coffee is local and our cakes come from Cakeheads in Dorchester. I also get vegan cakes from a supplier in Basingstoke. We have about five types of vegan milk here so can do vegan milkshakes, and we also cater for gluten free. ‘The biggest challenge has been dealing with the demand – a nice problem to have to be honest! – and making sure we can process everything in a timely way. We had to get a larger kiln, and can now fire up to 100 items at a time. ‘I’m so proud of the community feel in the cafe. When we opened we wondered if we would get repeat business, but people keep coming back. I love the community buzz – and we have got to know so many people.
There’s a wide range of blank pottery for customers to choose from
‘We’re such a mixed group and there’s always a friendly smile for everyone who comes in. We have also worked with care homes and the children and mental health teams at Blandford Hospital. ‘I won the Best Entrepreneur Business Blandford award last year. I’m always looking for new ideas. We have just launched our afternoon tea, which was more popular than we thought it would be. What I’d like to do next is more community work – we went to Leweston School and Spetisbury Manor Care Home last year, and I’d like to do lots more of that type of work. Blandford is a lovely town with a wonderful community and people do look out for each other here.’
sophiesceramics.co.uk 8 Barnack Walk, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AL (opposite Morrisons) Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm Sundays 10am to 4pm Closed Mondays
An equine therapy centre in Blandford is creating transformative connections for those most in need of healing – Sally Cooper reports
Texas just holding space for his partner All images: Sarah Vivian
Researching a new equestrian piece is always interesting – but coming to understand Horserenity at Kites Farm in Blandford has left me lost for words … perhaps fantastical fits? Perhaps deeply insightful of the horse/human relationship might begin to cover it? Sarah Vivian started Horserenity almost by mistake. Her giant 17.2 warmblood Lumber Jack formed an unlikely bond with the young boy next door – Rory is on the autism spectrum, and she saw how he seemed to find a peace with Jack. As the connection grew between the pair, Rory’s behaviour started to relax. The idea that the positive horse and human connection might work as a form of therapy began to take form.
Chico offers a quiet sense of calm togetherness
Eclectic therapists In ten years, the project has grown and there is now a ‘natural herd’ of eclectic horses in Blandford, working with an equally mixed group of adult clients and young learners. The herd includes a dozen animals living a free, natural life within a track system (see panel below), ranging from Peter the Welsh pony – the self-appointed ‘meeter and greeter’ – to John, the sensitive and frightened ex-racer with separation anxiety. The official aim of the project is simple and yet the effects have been profound for many. Much of the work is aimed at improving outcomes for children with special personal needs, and to register them formally on their Educational Health Care Plan.
Jammy sharing his space
Finding the right match Everything that happens at Kites Farm is about building a natural relationship between an animal and a human. People who find help at Horserenity include those with autism, those suffering from trauma, anxiety and low esteem or those in family crises. Sessions might include time spent grooming, joining with the herd at liberty, working with energy in the round pen, drawing, reflecting, leading a horse through life’s obstacles or learning about the physiology of the horse. Members of Sarah’s team are led by the needs of every individual and they will build a tailored programme to help achieve specific goals. Each day brings the calm and deeply personal process of a physical meeting between human and horse. Sarah is keen to explain that her animals are not in any way trained to perform. They operate autonomously and often there are unlikely pairings as horse and human choose each other. When the right pair ‘click’ there can be goosebumps or a magical feeling among the team. Next month we will be back at Kites Farm, hearing in more detail about some of the relationships forged there, and the help that the herd has given.
Kites Farm will be hosting an Easter Family Fun Day on Saturday 6th April, with a fête and dog show, allowing visitors to see the whole facility. 10am to 3.30pm at Tin Pot Lane, Blandford.
*The Track System In the wild, horses move along familiar routes or tracks and instinctively walk in single-file formation as they travel long distances in search of food, water and shelter. It is difficult for domestic horses to match the amount of movement that wild horses achieve – up to 18 miles a day. A track system is designed to mimic the movement of wild horse herds and encourage natural behaviours in domestic horses. It is designed on a continuous loop track, created using either permanent or temporary fencing around the outer perimeter of fields. The horses are allowed to go back to their more natural state and just ‘be a horse’. They are encouraged to forage, move, be part of a herd, socialise and to make choices about where they want to be and where they want to rest.
This month Barry Cuff has chosen a couple of postcards of Winterborne Zelston: ‘I have been collecting since 1974, and I have only ever found four cards of the village – and the other two are unused.’
Sent to Miss Reeves at Wilderton House – an Edwardian mansion in Branksome, Poole, which was converted from a single home into seven flats in 1958 and demolished to make way for modern apartments in 2023: ‘Dairy House Dear E. When are you coming or can’t you get away just yet too busy I expect. I was down your home last Sunday I went to see A at Weymouth Saturday. Hope you & A are still on the best of terms. Write and tell me when you can come shall be very pleased to see you both love from Florrie to all
This month’s challenge! This card, sent to Mrs Church in Brixton Hill, London in 1909, has very difficult handwriting to translate. Here’s the editor’s best guess, but we’d love any corrections and suggestions: ‘D L (Top – Kind regards to Muriel and Gladys when you see them) Thanks for [Beers?]. Hope you are all well & Bob etc. Much put up for [… ]. Where is C’s christening? Fancy all was down for few hrs, only I [… ] We miss Charlies [… ] this week sometime. Told B – have had no reply to her correspondence. Fond all F.
Tracey Goodall, whose Brides of Dorset business is based in Gillingham, was a full-time midwife when she took her sister shopping for wedding dresses in 2006. ‘I LOVED it. The dresses, the shops, my ability to help … it was wonderful. A friend soon asked me to come with her to choose her wedding dress, then another friend… I have no idea why. There is just something about being in a wedding dress shop. It’s my passion. I come alive. And back then I said to myself “one day, I’m going to do this”. ‘I became a stay-at-home mum when my first child was born, but it’s been ten years, and it’s time for me to do something for my own career again. I already knew what I wanted to do. I just had to take a deep breath and go for it. ‘I took a year to plan, working in some bridal shops to gain industry experience. I knew it was the right thing for me immediately – I’m actually living my dream job! The first year has been amazing, I cannot believe how far I’ve come, so fast. ‘But I had a clear vision, and I stuck passionately to it. I did so much research and visited so many dress shops. I have been with friends who have left shops in tears and have heard some horror stories from my brides. Giving brides and prom girls that special experience genuinely matters to me – and in the end, all the research led me back to myself. ‘I have just stuck to my own values – I treat every single bride the way I would want to be treated. I’m sure that has been a key factor in my success. ‘The first year was tricky, mostly because the business was brand new. I had no expectations or plan because I had no idea what sort of seasonal trade swings there might be or how long it would take to build a solid reputation. ‘And you have to be ready for the quiet months. I quickly realised that’s the nature of running your own business. You’ve just got to ride out the quiet spells, cover your bills and keep going. It’s daunting, and it’s difficult. ‘But fairly quickly, my word of mouth reviews started to spread and everything began to snowball. And the wedding industry is like a new family – the local wedding suppliers have swiftly become friends and mentors. I stock a range of options for bridal gowns, in sizes 6 to 30. It was so important to me to be size inclusive, to ensure that fuller figure brides can have the exact same experience. Every bride should get a choice and feel special no matter their size, shape or style. ‘I have a team of seamstresses – Bespoke by Summer Mai in Dorchester – who are amazing. I stock a range of ex-sample dresses which the seamstresses will alter and adjust – many brides will fall in love with a dress but want to add sleeves, or some sparkle or lace, for example. And the Louisa Jackson Bridal Collection is all made to order, with a four to five month delivery time. ‘Surprisingly, my biggest issue was finding the right premises. I nearly quit before I’d even started. I have no idea how businesses manage to stay afloat while they’re paying High Street rates. It was a total eye opener. Finding somewhere that was big enough and also affordable almost broke me. But then at the end of 2022 this place on the Kingsmead Business Park popped up out of nowhere – I hadn’t even considered Gillingham, but it’s perfect for me. It’s on the Dorset/Somerset/Wilts borders, and it’s gorgeous inside, attached to an old farmhouse with exposed brick and beams, huge windows so there’s loads of light … I knew immediately I could make Brides of Dorset into a destination experience, and I realised I didn’t need a High Street shop front. ‘Learning the nuts and bolts of running a business has been tough too – the admin, the tax, the finances generally. The not-fun bits you MUST do. It’s all so new to me. I attended a free course through Dorset Growth Hub which was incredibly useful. I strongly recommend it. ‘I had to make the choice to concentrate on what I was good at, and paying for what I wasn’t. I’m pretty good at marketing and social media, but don’t have a clue about websites (Vicky from The Graffiq Web Studio was an absolute saviour).
Tracey Goodall (centre), owner of Brides of Dorset
Love it or loathe it? ‘I love the flexibility I have to work around a young family. I love the absolute control that being my own boss brings – and also the lack of reporting to anyone else! Having said that, I work evenings, I work weekends … I probably work longer hours even than I did as a midwife. You’d never do it for an employer, but when it’s yours you somehow don’t mind. There’s joy in watching the business grow and thrive, knowing it’s down to you. ‘The flip side is that I’m constantly juggling – it’s a good job I’m a great organiser and good at time management! The balancing act is tough. ‘But in the end you’ve just got to be confident. Trust yourself and go for it. Because you’ll never know until you do it – and when you do, it’s fantastic.
Louise Davis (left) and Sam at the Shaftesbury Business Awards
When she was 18, Louise Davis decided to put off university for a year by taking what I intended to be a ‘short term’ job in retail. ‘I managed to get hired on the spot in a jewellery store for an assistant manager position. I wasn’t qualified – I knew very little about jewellery! But I instinctively understood what could make the shop better. I turned out to be really good at making the shop profitable. Before long I was promoted to an area manager position, moving to struggling stores within the company and turning them around. ‘Eventually I moved on to a high-end jewellery showroom in Kingston – where I was miserable. They had what they called the BOB tick sheet, which we had to complete for every single customer. Did we greet within five feet of the door? Offer a seat? Show what they asked for, plus the range in the next price bracket? Sell them insurance? Take their contact details and anniversary dates? ‘It was hard pressure sales and I really hated it. ‘But they offered terrific diamond training, so I decided to suck up the misery to get my qualifications, and as soon as I could, I left. It was most definitely what we now call a toxic workplace. I’d had my fill of retail, so I moved into the manufacturing side of the business – and found that I loved it. ‘We manufactured the jewellery that was stocked by retail outlets like John Lewis. I learned every aspect of the wholesale trade, and eventually I was designing my own ranges, overseeing their development within manufacturing and then taking them out on to the high street. ‘A few years ago I made the move to the West Country and decided to start Honour Jewellery. I wanted to take all the elements I loved about what I did, and to hire people to do the bits I didn’t! Richard is my business partner and Sam works with me on face-to-face design appointments. I have two goldsmiths, a stone setter and an engraver. ‘We started with a small studio in Mere – it worked well, but wasn’t really big enough, so after COVID we moved to our current design studio at the Wincombe Centre in Shaftesbury. ‘And it’s funny – I still see elements of that old BOB sheet! My clients are appointment-only now – no more standing around mindlessly polishing! But they always get offered a seat and a cup of tea… We only do bespoke or personalised pieces, so we’re either designing something from scratch, or taking something from one of our ranges and adjusting it to make it more personal. ‘I particularly enjoy the unique work, where we might take a client’s own sentimental metal and gemstones and make a new piece out of them. ‘That’s the most interesting and also often the most technical work, if we’re combining different metals, for example.
Honour Jewellery
Be consistent ‘The biggest thing I think I have learned is to treat every single customer in the same way. Every single one. We find people will often come in with a small job first; can we just fix a little silver brooch for them? Next time they come in, they might be there for a platinum and diamond ring. ‘Or they might just tell all their friends and family about the brilliant place they went to where the people were so lovely – and that sort of word of mouth referral is absolutely priceless. Never ever let them walk out feeling undervalued. ‘One client was a funeral director. She had a ring which had a strong emotional significance for her, but the setting was quite tall, and whenever she carried a coffin, it dug very painfully into her finger. ‘The ring I designed sat low and flat against her hand, she loved it. She not only became a long-standing client but also a useful business associate too. ‘The other absolutely vital thing is consistency. Whatever you do to find your customers, whether that’s a poster in the corner shop or big glossy ads, you have to keep on doing it. People need to feel assured that you’re real, and not going to vanish next month. I have relied a lot on social media, because I could easily control it and it’s very cheap for a start-up. But I’ve lost count of the number of people who have said ‘I have been following you on Facebook for a couple of years, and I’ve finally managed to come and get something done.’ ‘If I’d stopped using social media, I would probably have lost those clients. ‘And on a purely practical note, don’t spend all your money! Keep some cash in reserve – you still need to pay the bills during the quiet periods, and there are always quiet periods. ‘Actually, holding your nerve and just plodding through the mud in the bad times is a key resilience skill you need to run a business.
Love it or loathe it? ‘I love the flexible lifestyle running my own business allows me. Sitting at a desk 8.30 to 5.30 bores me rigid. Now I can choose balance – I can finish early, spend time with my kids, but then also work late into the night once they’re in bed. I’m not answerable to anyone. ‘I simply don’t do well in a controlled environment, having to justify every minute. I do the same for my team – I give them space, and trust them to do their job. They have free rein on when and how they work; I always try to hire the right people, then treat them well. ‘I do loathe the admin side though. I am not a fan of jobs I must do that ensure the business runs smoothly. In an ideal world, I’d just talk to the customers, do the design work, oversee production … and someone else can deal with all the rest! ‘But at the end of the day, all the dull admin jobs in the world don’t outweigh the benefits of having ultimate control over the business and its direction. ‘That freedom is priceless.’
