Stunning settings for an eclectic festival

By

-

1 September 2023

Classic film noir, forgotten Yiddish voices and a star soprano – some of the delights at Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival

Festival artistic director, internationally-renowned Natalie Clein

Audiences at the 2023 Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival, from 7th to 10th September, will be taken on an amazing journey through centuries of cultural and social upheaval and creativity – from the traditional songs and stories of London’s Yiddish community to the refined recitals of 19th century Europe, from 1940s Hollywood to the dramatic folk music of the Hungarian plains.
The festival, under its artistic director, the internationally renowned, Dorset-born cellist, Natalie Clein – a former Young Musician of the Year – has one of the country’s most eclectic and exciting programmes, with concerts and events in venues as different as Sandpit Field at Swanage, an Art Deco cinema and the ancient church of St Nicholas at Worth Matravers.
This year, with a theme of Forgotten Voices, the festival breaks new ground with the launch of a book about London’s Yiddishtown and two of the star performers playing live accompaniment for a classic cinematic thriller.

The festival includes live accompaniment to the classic Bette Davis thriller Deception at Wareham’s Art Deco Rex Cinema

On Saturday 9th from 3.30pm, Wareham’s Art Deco Rex Cinema hosts an afternoon of time travel for music and film noir fans with a screening of the 1946 black and white classic, Deception, starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains.
The film, a tangled love triangle, has strong musical themes, including a new cello concerto. The screening will feature live excerpts of the score, including Korngold’s Cello Concerto, with Natalie Clein on cello, and Marianna Shirinyan on piano.
Also on Saturday 9th, in the morning, chamber music meets Eastern European folk at Swanage’s Sandpit Field, for a free family concert by violinists Nurit Stark and Marc Danel, who will play Hungarian and English folk songs in a collection curated by the Hungarian composer Bela Bartok in 1931. The performance is a joint event between PICMF and Swanage Folk Festival.
Historian, researcher and Yiddish performer Vivi Lachs will be at Dorset Museum in Dorchester on Friday 8th September. At 5pm, Vivi will launch her new book, London Yiddishtown, and in the evening, from 7pm, she will be one of the performers capturing the unique sounds and language of London’s Cockney Yiddish community.
The other musicians taking part in this year’s festival are the Dorset-born star soprano Kate Royal, and the Danel Quartet. The venues include Lulworth Castle Chapel, St George’s Church at Langton Matravers, St Nicholas Church at Studland, the Priory Church of Lady St Mary at Wareham, St Nicholas Church at Worth Matravers and St James at Kingston near Swanage.

For a full progamme of events, please see picmf.org

September’s BV is out now!

By

Laura

-

1 September 2023

0

We start with sadness this month – our writer, colleague and friend Roger Guttridge passed away during August. We know many readers will miss his local history columns – we’ll simply miss him.

Of course we have a full obituary of his remarkable life, written by Fanny Charles, his editor for many many years at the original BVM.

In this month’s issue:

From desperation to media sensation – how Dorset artist Anna Hamilton’s Twitter plea dramatically shifted her from financial despair to overwhelming success
The mysterious journey of Alan Turing’s documents, from Sherborne to America – and back. An astonishing tale of undercover archivists, FBI involvement and the triumphant return to Britain of the stolen Turing documents
Meet Dorset’s soap star Kirsty Hearne – creator of a thriving cottage industry selling goats’ milk and the soaps she makes from it
Stranded in the west after the Russian invasion, the Kyiv City Ballet’s never-ending ‘infinity’ tour will stop off in Shaftesbury in October
Composer and Artmusic director Helen Ottaway selects her Dorset Island Discs – from folk to installation art, Helen talks about about her multi-dimensional journey in music as she chooses the discs she can’t live without
Gillian Matthews, the pioneering Paralympian who redefined athleticism, leaving an indelible mark on Paralympic history and on grassroots disability sports, has died, aged 87
Andrew Livingston is taking a nostalgic stroll through the Dorset County Showground – back to when agri show stands were someone’s caravan with an awning, and the free gifts were a particular treasure.

Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA) | Acconomy Chartered Accountants

By

Editorial team

-

31 August 2023

0

Are you looking to get back into work, fed up with a daily commute or re-assessing your work life balance?

Acconomy, a cloud-based, forward-thinking Accountancy Practice is looking for an additional team member with a like-minded attitude.

You will manage a portfolio of small Ltd companies managing their accounts, tax and business advice. An opportunity to enhance your CV through use of eg Xero, QBO, Brightpay, fathomhq, in a relaxed but professional environment.

Flexible home-based working, hours to suit. No commuting required. If you’re returning to work after time out then you can build up your hours over time.

Please email your cv to [email protected] or call Nigel Simmons on 01202 678993.

https://www.acconomy.co.uk

The annual Dorset County Show fundraiser

By

Editorial team

-

31 August 2023

0

Last night it was the annual Dorset County Show fundraiser, a fun evening of dinner, bingo and ceilidh. This year’s chosen charity is Dorset County Hospital Charity.

The decision to support the hospital holds personal significance for Nicki Ralph, Chair of the County Show. Her husband, Nic, experienced total kidney failure and sepsis last year. He spent almost three weeks in a coma, with 11 of those days on life support. Nicki says: ‘This truly is a cause close to my heart. My family are indebted to the incredible support the hospital gave my husband who, without a shadow of a doubt, wouldn’t be alive today without their unstinting help.’

Show stalwart Nic, 67, is now recovering well, and is aiming to do some fundraising himself for the hospital once he is fully recovered.

Simon Pearson, Head of Charity for the hospital, highlighted the overwhelming demand faced by the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, with over 50,000 people treated annually despite its original capacity of 22,000 attendances.

The hospital charity is running a £2.5m Capital Appeal to assist with funding enhancements to the planned new Emergency Department (ED) and Critical Care Unit of Dorset County Hospital.

The annual Dorset County Show fundraiser 2023 at the County showground

If you are planning to come to the show this year (which we recommend that you do!) don’t forget to see the pre-show magazine to help you paln your day.

You can can see it here https://bit.ly/DorsetCountyShowMagazine

Beautifully quiet walk near Sherborne | 6.9 miles

By

Laura

-

31 August 2023

0

Starting in the tiny hamlet of Folke, this circular route takes a delightful walk through Dorset countryside that feels undisturbed for a century, following green lanes.

This was a deliciously quiet walk through Dorset fields and lanes. As expected in summer, more than a few stiles were overgrown with bramble and nettle – we collected a sturdy stick to use for beating along the way! – and one stream crossing was slightly difficult to track down in an overgrown corner of a field on the approach to Butterwick Dairy House Farm. Keep an eye on the phone to stick to our tracks and you won’t miss it.

Apart from those few small hiccups the route was well signed and easy to follow, taking in surprise views across much of the way.

NB – the photos will appear ‘backwards’ as we decided, having walked the route, that it would be better in reverse. The first mile (now) is the by far the least interesting – it was our final mile, and a slightly deflating conclusion to what had been a truly beautiful walk.

A small amount of parking is available beside the church at Folke, where the route starts. Do take a minute to step into the church for a visit – it’s beautiful, and has a couple of stunning windows.

We have always created and recently walked the routes we feature (See all previously-published Dorset walks here), so you know you can trust them. You can see all our personal routes (including many which are unpublished in The BV) on Outdoor Active here, and all include a downloadable gpx file.
All images © Laura Hitchcock.

Carer Needed Lytchett Matravers

By

Editorial team

-

30 August 2023

0

We are recruiting carers to work as part of a team helping to look after a 93 year old man in his own home.

Experience or age is of no consequence, but kindness, patience and an understanding of old age is a must!

Some aspects of personal care of a routine nature and supervision are required.

Shifts are divided into morning and afternoon and are 4 hours each. Immediate payment is made at the end of each shift.

For more details please phone/text Bridget on:

07503 953848

or email: [email protected]

Deputy Director | Future Roots Young People’s Service – Sherborne

By

Editorial team

-

30 August 2023

0

Starting Salary will be in the region of £40,000

This is a full- time role working 37 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday. (Occasional weekend and evening work may be required).

This is an exciting new role to help Future Roots (limited by guarantee) improve, progress and develop its programs to Young people and families. We are an award-winning organisation that has been in operation for 16 years, based on a farm site between Dorchester and Sherborne on a small working farm.

The farm was set up to work with young people who needed different opportunities to reach their potential, academically and personally. We have seen the benefits for young people of working on the farm, with animals and creatively using all the countryside has to offer in partnership with schools and other organizations. Future Roots runs individual programmes, some therapeutic and some accredited qualification led. We are a registered National Open College Network centre and deliver our own accredited Future Farmers course and Functional Skills (Maths and English). The programs are funded by different commissioners in Dorset and Somerset including Dorset families matter, A.P and short breaks, early help mental health as well as other funding streams from the police crime commissioner, lottery, Dorset and Somerset community foundation.

For details of our work visit our website at www.futureroots.net

Please contact Julie Plumley 01963 210703

Closing Date: 20th October 2023 05:00 PM

Seeking Trustees | Age Concern North Dorset

By

Editorial team

-

30 August 2023

0

Our charity, based in Sturminster Newton, seeks two Trustees to support its important work. You would need IT skills, a knowledge of Board procedure and an interest in helping the elderly in the local community.

For more information:

See www.acnorthdorset.org.uk

Phone 01258 475582, or drop in for an informal chat.

Dianne Cooper. Chairman, ACND

Stour Connect, Stour View Close Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1JF

See you at the Dorset County Show!

By

Editorial team

-

30 August 2023

0

The rural day out is a celebration of community, countryside and tradition – and it’s a feast for the eyes, ears, and taste buds!

As the sun bids its long goodbye to the British summer (well, technically it was summer, yes?), families are looking for that final memorable excursion before the school year takes hold.
This year, the Dorset County Show has emerged as the end-of-summer event that promises not just a day but a whole weekend of fun for the young and the young-at-heart alike. And the best part? Children up to 16 go absolutely free!

Unleashing Monster-sized Fun
In a spectacle that will have your heart pounding and your children cheering, the world’s largest Monster Trucks—Big Pete and his audacious sidekick, The Grim Reaper—will roll into the showground in all their 7.5-tonne glory. It’s more than a performance; it’s an earthquake on wheels, complete with gravity-defying stunts and the crushing of cars just to remind you of their awe-inspiring power.

A Slice of Countryside Magic
But don’t think the Dorset County Show is all about loud engines and roaring crowds. There’s an entire ecosystem of rural life to explore. For instance, the Axemen Ring showcases foresters who are artists in their own right, wielding axes with surgical precision. Chainsaw craftsmen, too, will be on hand to demonstrate their intricate work, while falconers display the graceful prowess of birds of prey.
Animal Encounters
Perhaps one of the most fascinating attractions is your chance to encounter the wide array of animals at the show. From award-winning pigs and goats to captivating cattle and elegant horses, these creatures aren’t just for show and pets – they’re competing for the important (and valuable) title of Show Champion.
Pet the alpacas, and there are even sheep that can dance – look out for Nobby the Norfolk Horn and his talented friends in The Sheep Show. It’s nothing short of woolly wonderful!
And you can witness Dorset’s finest livestock parade in the heart of the County Show. The award winners will parade in the Main Ring on both days following the competitive classes and the Champions will be presented with their awards.

Equine Extravaganza
This year, prepare yourself for equestrian excitement with the Mounted Pony Club Games – a sort of high-octane sports day where fleet-footed nimble ponies are the stars. And if that wasn’t enough, Shetland Pony Racing also makes its thrilling debut as young jockeys showcase their fearless riding skills.
The showjumping is set to be a thrilling competition – don’t miss the Six Bar (sponsored by C G Fry & Son Ltd) on Saturday or the Accumulator (sponsored by Battens Charitable Trust) on the Sunday!

Rolling Down Memory Lane
The Vintage Tractor Parade is not just a procession; it’s a living timeline that trundles through agricultural history, while the nearby Steam Engine Section fills the air with a nostalgia that even the youngest generations will find intriguing.

Food, Craft, and More!
When tummies start to rumble, a stroll around the all-new Food & Drink Area will introduce you to Dorset’s culinary treasures. With a super-sized new Food Hall and more than 100 producers, there’s bound to be something that tempts you.
And for those inclined towards the creative, Crafter’s Avenue offers a glimpse into bygone skills that have shaped Dorset’s rural history

The Carnival Awaits
As if this wasn’t enough, the fairground beckons with its dizzying helter-skelters and pulse-quickening rides!
This year’s Dorset County Show isn’t just an event; it’s a mosaic of experiences that stretches over the whole weekend – September 2nd and 3rd. So why settle for a mundane end to the summer when a world of wonder awaits? It’s a summer send-off you won’t want to miss.

Click HERE (or the image above) to see the Official Pre-show Magazine – find out more about what’s in store, discover some exclusive and behind-the-scenes interviews as well as all the info you need to plan your visit.