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Equine Teacher and Assistant Yard Supervisor | Kingston Maurward College

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Permanent

Salary: £21,516.90 – £23,248.40 per annum depending on experience and qualification.

Hours: 38 hours per week depending on course and yard requirements worked Monday – Sunday on a rota basis.

The College is seeking a full-time, Equine Teacher and Assistant Yard Supervisor who is able to work flexibly according to study programme and yard requirements. The successful candidate will possess relevant vocational experience and qualifications in equestrian industry. The ability to deliver high quality teaching sessions in practical and classroom situations is essential as is a teaching qualification.

A flexible and positive attitude is required alongside the ability to challenge and motivate students. The role promises a varied and interesting workload. The role would suit someone who is working in industry and is now seeking a new challenge.

Job Purpose: To plan, deliver and assess equine units at Level 1 to Level 4 as well as deliver practical riding and horse care instruction to learners and to support the Equestrian Centre Manager by undertaking supervisory and practical duties on the yard.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact on Tamzen Hannam, Head of Department on 01305 215000, Option 1, extension 1608 during normal working hours.

To Apply:

This position does not meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route within the UK Visa and Immigration service’s Points Based System. Therefore, KMC will not be able to sponsor individuals who require permission to work to carry out this position.

Please visit the KMC website for a College Application Form and a full Job Description.

We are not accepting Applications from previous applicants.

Applicants for this position must complete an employment application form. CVs may be submitted and will be considered in support of a fully completed application form. 

We are not accepting CVs at this stage from Recruitment Agencies

Please return the completed Application Form by email to [email protected] or by post to: HR Department, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PY. 

The Closing Date for Applications:          Thursday 30 November at 9:00am

Proposed Interview Date:                       As and when required*

*Kingston Maurward College reserves the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Walking inland from Ringstead Bay | 7.6 miles

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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.

Dorset walks from Ringstead Bay
Ringstead Bay circular Dorset walk

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.

The path from Ringstead bay car park - Dorset walks

• 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.

walking inland from Ringstead Bay

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.

sunset from the Ringstead Bay car park after a Dorset walk


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).

Events Assistant | Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society

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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

Salary: £13,260 (£28,900 pro rata)

Sherborne secondhand book, postcard, map and ephemera fair

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Saturday 18th November 9.30am to 4pm

FREE ENTRY

Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne Dorset DT9 3NL

For more information email [email protected] or call Ed Bailey on 07967 643579

Vining, Tracey

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22/02/1963 – 20/10/2023

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 .

Sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Carver, Charles Peter

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Formerly of Shaftesbury Dorset. Passed away peacefully in Lincolnshire on 16th October surrounded by his loving family

Aged 94 years

Much loved Dad, Granddad and Great Granddad.

Home at last with his ever loving wife Mary

Smirte, Lillian

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Passed away peacefully on 10th October after a short illness

Aged 83 years

Loved and much missed by all those that knew her.

Donations if desired to be sent directly to the Dorset and Somerset Air ambulance

Time for a Dorset staycation?

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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

Wozzie shutterstock

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.

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Cradle to Grave willow coffins secures third win as Coffin Supplier of the Year

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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.