This month Barry Cuff has chosen a couple of postcards of Colehill near Wimborne Minster.
Sent initially to Titchfield, this postcard was forwarded on to Seven Sisters Road in Holloway, London. It was sent in January 1910 to a Miss K Bond c/o The rev’d Matthews, and appears to be simply known as ‘Nurse’. She in turn seems to know the gentleman of the sending couple by his surname – perhaps they were all in service together?: ‘Dear Nurse We had quite a surprise on Sat, Burling met Anstee (?), and Mrs M have taken a house about 7 or 8 minutes walk from here, so I suppose we shall [have] the pleasure of seeing you & the family soon. Only fancy Mrs M coming to live so near us, it really was a surprise. Our very best respects to Mr & Mrs Matthews & love to yourself from your old friends H & E Burling’
‘Millie’ sent this chatty postcard of the stores and post office at Colehill to Miss D Morris on 13th October 1908 – Millie feels like a young girl. Dorrie’s address is simply ‘Stanley Villas, Downton, Salisbury’, which we cannot find in modern day Downton: ‘Dear Dorrie Very many thanks for P.C. was very pleased to receive it and to hear you are all well. Have made another sachel with the silks and have begun a glove case which I hope to finish this week. Give all my love to all, yourself included. Best love, Millie
*Barry has always understood that postcards were often written upside down ‘to prevent the postman reading them’. It’s a puzzle as to which way up to display it on the page! – Ed
Tickets for the ever-popular Countryside Alliance point-to-point at Badbury Rings on Sunday 18th February, kindly supported by Howden Insurance and Savills Estate Agents, are now available to buy online. If you are new to point-to-pointing, it is a form of amateur horse racing, where horses and jockeys race over steeplechase fences. It is a great day out in the countryside where you can meet family and friends, watch a fantastic sport and socialise. When you arrive grab a race card and study the form of each horse as they walk around the parade ring. There is no better location than the historic Badbury Rings – an Iron Age Hillfort between Wimborne and Blandford – where from the top you have sweeping views out across Dorset. The course at Badbury Rings is rectangular and undulating with an amazing view of the four fences in the home straight, so you can watch the horses battle it out to the winning line. An amazing way to watch horses who love what they do speeding across the line to applause.
Plenty to do Gates open at 10am with the first race – the Countryside Alliance Club Members Conditions Race – starting at 12 noon. This allows plenty of time for racegoers to arrive in good time, enjoy the entertainment and perhaps consider a visit to the bookmakers for a flutter before the first race. It’s a super family day – enjoy a picnic or purchase a variety of food and drinks from the stalls, and stroll around the trade stands selling many great locally-produced gifts and products. Another firm favourite of this annual event is the family dog racing so bring your dogs along too!
The Patron experience There are a limited number of Patrons’ tickets available – these offer a thrilling race day experience which includes entry and parking. Other inclusive benefits of the Patron’s package are all-day access to the designated marquee area, which is positioned in a prime location and offers seating, a welcome aperitif and buffet lunch, refreshments throughout the day and a complimentary race card. Tickets for the Patrons’ area cost £45 each and must be ordered before 10am on Friday, 9th February. You can purchase your patrons’ tickets HERE.
Early bird tickets are currently available to buy online at £12.50 per person – card or cash entrance on the day is £15 per person. Further details can be found on the point-to-point website, just click on ‘Buy racegoer tickets’.
Dedicated Swanage Railway volunteers are to stage a two-day Community Weekend, offering a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the award-winning heritage line. The special event takes place on the weekend of 17th and 18th February, with staff at Swanage, Herston, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle and Norden stations all taking part. There will be the chance to drive a 1950s heritage diesel shunter at Swanage for £20, watch a train guard or on-train travelling ticket inspector perform their duties for £5, as well as enjoy £5 behind-the-scenes tours of the award-winning signal boxes at Harman’s Cross or Corfe Castle stations. Free events include guided access to the footplate of a steam locomotive at Swanage, visits to 1960s heritage telephone exchanges at Harman’s Cross and Corfe Castle stations (both subject to volunteer availability) and the chance to have a go at signalling at the Corfe Castle signalling museum. Event organiser and volunteer guard Clare Collins said: ‘Our Community Weekend is a different and interesting day out for all the family – a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes of a working heritage railway, explore some of the many different roles required to operate the Swanage Railway and find out about varied volunteering opportunities.’ In addition, for people living in the BH and DT postcodes, half-price train tickets for the Community Weekend are available in advance from swanagerailway.co.uk.
Winter water wonders: Shaftesbury Lido turns icy conditions into a hub of cold water swimming camaraderie and ambition, says Rachael Rowe
Elizabeth Mills (left) and Harriet Green after the qualifying Ice km All images: Rachael Rowe
‘There was ice on the pool cover this morning!’ As one of the highest towns in England, standing at 750 feet above sea level, Shaftesbury is known as one of the coldest places in North Dorset. With frost on the ground, most people are trying to keep warm – the last place I’d expect to find anyone on a January morning is an open air swimming pool. Unexpectedly, Shaftesbury Lido was full of people.
Winter swimming The lido began offering cold water swimming in November 2023 as a trial, and it has proved very popular. There’s a real sense of community at the poolside, with smiling faces encouraging some to take the plunge and supporting swimmers as they get out of the chilly water. Some were happy to take a dip in a full wetsuit, but others had significantly more experience with cold water swimming. New manager Harriet Green is an aquavit instructor and lifeguard as well as a swimming instructor and cold-water and open-water coach. She is also experienced in teaching people how to swim safely in cold water. She says: ’I love the variety you get with cold water swimming, it really opens the eyes of those who come for a dip. And there’s a whole new side with ice swimming. We have 16 places available here, and we’re fully booked. ‘I got into it myself when I was swimming the River Dart 10km. I had just suffered a trauma, and when I got in the water it was so very cold but it really focused my mind as I relaxed. It took all that [trauma] away. I realised cold water swimming could help me.’ Harriet has just qualified as an International Ice Swimming Association Official Observer, so she can participate in IISA events and ice mile qualifying swims. With the water at a bracing four degrees conditions were ideal for her first observed swimmer to take the plunge in Shaftesbury.
Elizabeth Mills as she finished her final lap – ice Miles must be completed wearing just a normal costume and one hat in water less then 5ºC
No jumping, no diving An ice mile is a technical term rather than simply a slang phrase for a chilly swim – a one-mile swim under International Ice Swimming Association rules in a water temperature of five degrees Celsius or less, without stopping or putting a foot down, wearing just a standard costume, goggles and one swim hat. Only 450 people have completed the challenge globally – it is not to be taken lightly. Ice miles are not a stag weekend activity or a dare. Rather, they require very serious preparation. As with all cold water swimming, ice miles must always be done with other people. Swimmers have to be in good health and it can take several winter seasons to build their stamina. Medical checks, including an ECG, are required before undertaking an ice mile. Elizabeth Mills from Corfe Mullen was about to attempt her qualifying swim for the ice mile. ‘I’ve built up my strength over about five seasons. You really have to build it up.’ Elizabeth is also a mermaid swimming coach and has previously swum the length of Lake Windermere in a mermaid tail! She’s hoping to be one of four qualifiers to go to Cheltenham in February to swim an actual ice mile. Shaftesbury cannot be used as an ice mile pool – even though the temperature is optimal, the length needs to be 25 metres, and Shaftesbury is only 25 yards. However, it can be used to train and also to get that crucial qualifying swim. Successful ice mile swimmers have to get the swim properly ratified. They then become part of a very exclusive community and get to own a coveted Ice Mile Red Jacket. There is, of course, a lot of publicity about the dangers of swimming in cold water, especially jumping in. So what is the team doing that is different? Harriet explained the importance of coaching for anyone interested in cold water swimming. ‘We do a lot just to help people get into the water properly. During lockdown, all the pools were closed and people took to open water. However, they were just jumping in, and that can be really dangerous. The shock of the cold water makes people inhale, and they can take in pints of water. That’s how people drown. Even the tombstoners on Durdle Door are at risk from cold water inhalation.’
Tracking the lap numbers as an alert support team monitors Elizabeth carefully
The swim With the water temperature at an average of 4.1 degrees, Elizabeth is ready to enter the water for her qualifying one kilometre swim – 44 lengths. Around the pool, all eyes are on her as she carefully steps into the pool, splashing water on herself to try and get used to the cold. Then she’s away, slowly but deftly gliding through the water. An ice mile typically takes 20 per cent longer than a normal swim because of the strain on your body. From the pool edge, Watching from the pool edge, Elizabeth’s swim looks effortless but all around me the team is vigilant for any sign of a problem. Someone is monitoring the number of lengths she has to swim, and Harriet times each length, focusing on Elizabeth the entire time. Halfway through, Harriet asks Elizabeth a question to ensure she is still orientated. Then, after 15 minutes and 49 seconds, Elizabeth reaches the finish. She did it! There’s a quick cheer from friends and she’s rapidly bundled off to the changing room, where she has to be dried, changed, and she’s enjoying a warm drink within ten minutes. Glass hands An ice mile is not over until the ‘after drop’. During the swim, blood travels from the extremities to the body’s core to protect vital organs. After the swim, there’s a critical ten-minute window before the blood starts flowing back to the rest of the body again, and that cold blood can shock the system. Extreme shivering can occur, and you are often colder than you are in the water. Elizabeth recovers quickly, and is soon wrapped in warm clothes with an essential hot chocolate. ‘It was fun,’ she said. ‘I couldn’t actually feel my hands. I wasn’t sure if my hands were touching the water.’ Harriet nods in recognition as she recognises the feeling: ‘When I swam, my hands felt like glass.’
Not all about the ice You don’t have to be an ice miler to enjoy Shaftesbury Lido, though there are cold water sessions where you can learn the techniques. In summer the pool opens to schools as well as for naturist swims, aquafit and paddleboard yoga. New ideas and suggestions from the public are always welcome.
A four-person team from Shaftesbury Lido aims to complete ice miles in Cheltenham in February. We wish them the very best of luck.
Alfred Tennyson might have mused that spring was the season for romance, but in Dorset, hearts are set aflutter with a different kind of love – a passion for the countryside. The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Spring Countryside Show is ready to spring into action as the first rural spectacle of the season. Family fun is firmly at the heart of the exciting new-look show, the first under new organiser Cat Harris. It takes place on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st April at Turnpike Showground, in Motcombe, SP7 9PL What’s more, children under sixteen can enjoy the festivities for free, with early bird family tickets currently available for just £12 per adult, rising to £17 on the day.
Clown Dingle Fingle is an undercover policeman is on the relentless pursuit of Slippery Sid the classic car thief …
What not to miss Get set for a whirlwind of laughter as the UK’s only Arena Comedy Car Act and Slapstick Stunt Show takes centre stage. It’s going to be a riot of fun with the madcap stunt clowns’ capers and water cannon antics – just don’t end up in the splash zone! And pigs can’t fly – but do they race? Joseph’s Amazing Racing Pigs are about to show you. Witness five rare breeds leap and snort their way through an entertaining obstacle course. The Lamb National is hot on the trotters of the pig race, with nimble Herwick sheep from the Lake District’s slopes navigating an obstacle challenge. Root for your favourite woolly competitor and see who will out-leap the flock. On the Sunday you can see The Dog & Duck show – with skilled sheepdogs herding not just sheep but also ducks, geese and chickens! There will be free tractor and trailer rides, horticultural showcases, the finest Dorset culinary delights, and live music to ring in the spring.
scarecrow. Let your imagination run wild – there’s no theme and you can make use of any materials. Cat Harris says: ‘Who doesn’t love a scarecrow (apart from the birds!)? We’re hoping to have a spectacular line up so visitors can enjoy a Scarecrow Stroll or take the free tractor ride and see all the entries. Entry to the competition is free, and the only rule is that the scarecrow must be a group effort. We hope groups of all ages and sizes will take part – from families to schools, youth clubs to care homes.’ It’s not just a celebration of spring but a community gathering that champions the joyous spirit of rural life.
This month, dog owners, potential dog owners and dog fans are in for a treat as Dogs Trust Salisbury opens its doors for a fun open day. The ‘Discovery Day’ event, to be held at the Salisbury Rehoming Centre in Newton Tony, will run from 12pm to 4pm on Tuesday, 13th February. The free event is designed to provide a real insight into the range of services Dogs Trust offers. Visitors can look forward to learning about various Dogs Trust initiatives such as the Dog School, Behaviour Support Line, their popular fostering programme, and their educational services: Dogs Trust Dog School In person and virtual training classes for you and your pooch. Classes cover all ages, from puppy to adult dogs, and are tailored to the age group to best meet your needs. Education Dogs Trust Education and Community Officers offer free workshops for primary schools, with fun sessions to promote safe and responsible interactions between children and dogs. In addition to this, a wealth of resources are available for all ages to learn about dogs. Behaviour advice Every Dogs Trust rehoming centre has a dedicated behaviour team who work with the dogs to give them the best chance of success on their journey to find their forever home. Canine Care Card This is a free service that anyone can sign up to. The Canine Care Card service provides the peace of mind that should anything happen to you, Dogs Trust will care for your dog(s) – giving them the care they need and deserve.
The Salisbury rescue centre’s knowledgeable staff will be available to field questions on the day as well as share insights into their work. There will also be a Tombola, exclusive Dogs Trust merchandise for sale, and a selection of refreshments. Justine Salkeld, the Supporter Relations Officer at Dogs Trust, said: ‘We are really excited to host our Discovery Day this February. It is a great opportunity for the public to learn about our fantastic work, explore our rehoming centre, and chat to our amazing staff. It will be a fun event for dog owners and dog lovers alike – we look forward to welcoming everyone on February 13th.’ Set your calendars for a day filled with canine camaraderie at Dogs Trust Salisbury, 45 Amesbury Road, Newton Tony, Wiltshire, SP4 0HW.
No one knows a place like the people who live there’ – Rachael Rowe asks if community land trusts are the housing solution for rural communities
Housing provider Abri facilitated the £8 million affordable development at Hazelbury Bryan
You can’t help but notice that there are housing estates springing up all over North Dorset. And there’s no doubt that affordable homes are required for local people. Dorset is one of the most expensive places in England to buy a home and it is critical that the county can both attract key workers and enable people to live in their local communities. How can communities stop developers building uninspiring eyesores or luxury homes that local people don’t want or can’t afford to buy. Community land trusts are having a significant impact in rural areas and could be a solution for places that need to expand but where local people want to maintain control.
A community land trust? There may well be a community land trust (CLT) in a village near you, and several have achieved remarkable things. CLTs give ordinary people the means to steward land for local use and sustainability. Primarily, they focus on developing and managing homes. However, a CLT can also be used to manage other important assets in a local community, such as a post office or village hall. Some are also beginning to look at community renewable energy schemes. A CLT gives local people an opportunity to have more control over developments. Alison Ward is the lead community land trust advisor at Middlemarch, a social enterprise set up to support community-led housing, for example, through a community land trust, housing co-op or co-housing organisation. ‘No one knows a place like the people who live there,’ she says. ‘Many communities today feel as though they are not in control of developments. They don’t want places to lose their character and they don’t want policy imposed from outside. People want to be able to plan sites for themselves. ‘There’s a real need for affordable homes in rural communities so that younger people are able to continue to live locally – that’s often a starting point for a community land trust. ‘Typically, a parish council will make an assessment of local housing need – usually there’s a mix of types of property, depending on the local requirement. What we tend to find is that local people have a very good knowledge of what is needed, and also of how it should look. Where they usually need the assistance is with the planning and building, which is where we can help.’
Queen Camel’s Old School building was secured by a community land trust, and is now a hub for the village with a cafe, community facilities and workspaces
Who knows best? Once a community land trust has been set up and a local housing need is identified, there’s a call out for suitable land. Sometimes a landowner will offer to sell a piece of land for local use. ‘Usually, communities know where a project would work best,’ says Alison.. ‘In Powerstock they chose a place in the centre of the village, opposite a Grade 1 listed building and down a long winding lane. No large developer would have gone there, but it worked for the community. They knew what was right and got eight affordable homes there.’ Once a CLT has a site, they need to partner with a housing association and developer who will finance the build and do the construction. The small village of Toller Porcorum has 160 houses. Their priority was actually a new post office, as the current one was in an unsuitable building. Toller Porcorum CLT secretary Rorie Geddes has worked with the project since 1999: ‘It all hinged around our post office, which was closing. In 2012, a village survey showed a lot of enthusiasm for a community land trust. Some land became available from a local landowner, Venera Hereward, but the condition was that a new post office would have to be built as well as the affordable housing. ‘We worked with Aster Housing, which now manages the homes as well. We get a ground rent which is ploughed back into the community. However, it takes a long time to get these things done. It took us five years.’
Toller Porcorum’s community land trust secured the village post office, along with affordable housing
Working to local needs When communities take on major projects like a CLT, there are lots of lessons to learn. Terry Bennett, involved with a CLT in Bradford Abbas, and Rorie Geddes in Toller Porcorum both feel the length of time to get things done can be frustrating. Rorie says: ‘Our priority was the post office –there wasn’t that much of a local housing need, so people from other parts of Dorset moved in to the houses. We may have had a different outcome if we had sold the houses in an affordable way instead of renting them.’ Alison has also worked with Norton sub Hamdon in South Somerset. ‘They have been going for a long time now. They initially got 12 affordable homes developed – they partnered with Abri. But their community shop was at risk so they also included that in the CLT. They didn’t do it because they love building but because they love their community. ‘Queen Camel is another great example where they built 20 affordable homes, and then the CLT took on a school building. The school had been at risk of flooding so there was always a plan to close it, but the community did a massive job of raising the funds to keep it. Now Old School contains a community cafe, a gallery space for local artists, business space, a day centre … there’s even a community laundry.’ For those communities considering a community land trust, the housing enabling officer at the local authority is a good starting point. Both the Middlemarch website and National Community Land Trusts Network are full of excellent examples of developments where communities are taking back control of their areas and making positive change.
We warmly welcome you to join us for an all school Open Morning this February, to see the school ‘in action’ and discover our innovative personal development programme LEX. Hear from the Head, Jo Thomson and the leadership team in informative presentations, and enjoy a tour of our wonderful facilities and grounds.
Clayesmore is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school located in the beautiful Dorset countryside.
As gardeners wait for the earth to warm, Pete Harcom considers ways to make an outdoor space stimulating and healing for every sense
Chocolate cosmos – always a favourite with children
As I wait for Spring to arrive, I have been thinking about making a part or the whole of a garden into a sensory garden – to appeal to as many of the senses as possible. These gardens and types of plants can be very beneficial for so many, in particular people suffering with dementia. Being able to experience colour, touch and scent can help inspire recollection of memories. These types of gardens can also help children with special educational needs, including autism. The RHS has an excellent guide on its website on how to create a sensory garden – it’s definitely worth a read. Briefly, here are just a few ideas (plants with a * are those which can be easily grown from seed).
Sight Choose bold leaved and architectural plants: Sunflowers* – a bright, bold flower that can grow 30cm in height in a week in ideal conditions Love-in-a-mist* – sun-loving, bright blue flowers Chameleon plant – three-toned foliage that smells of lemons Swiss chard* ‘Bright Lights’ – brightly coloured stems and foliage Heuchera – cultivars are available in many vibrant colours and shades from lime green to dark purple
Taste Herbs are always an easy win for this one! Spearmint Rosemary Chives – this plant also produces pretty pink, mauve or purple flowers Nasturtium* Wild strawberry* Pot marigold* – the yellow-orange petals brighten up any salad Sweet basil*
Smell Curry plant – the fragrant leaves give off a spicy aroma on a warm, sunny day Lavender – relaxing, fresh aroma and flowers Chocolate cosmos – the beautiful, maroon flowers give off a chocolate/vanilla scent, and are always a big hit with the kids! Stocks* – these traditional cottage garden plants are highly-scented summer flowers in a variety of pink, white and red shades Lemon scented geranium – crinkly leaves that smell delicious when rubbed Oregano/wild marjoram* – not just aromatic leaves, it also produces pretty pink or white flowers in midsummer Sound Enjoy the bees buzzing, the birds singing, the sounds of the wind rustling through grasses and plants. Add a water feature or wind chimes to enhance the sounds in your garden. Greater quaking grass, Briza maxima* – a grass that rustles in the wind with nodding, lantern-like heads of flowers Miscanthus Nanus Variegatus – pretty, rustling bamboo-like foliage Sweetcorn* – another rustler, and it’s good to eat too! Bamboo Phyllostachys – pretty foliage that whispers in the wind Fountain grass – long, evergreen grass with bristly spikelets
Touch Lamb’s ears, Stachys – the downy leaves resemble the ears of a lamb Silver sage, salvia: large, silvery–white leaves covered in cotton wool-like down Jerusalem sage – soft, downy leaves and stems with pretty, yellow flowers
