The Headteacher and Governors are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and inspirational full time class teacher to work in our Reception class and to join our team from September 2023.
The successful candidates will:
• have high expectations of all pupils
• be passionate about teaching and learning
• have a thorough knowledge of the EYFS/Primary Curriculum and a wide range of teaching strategies
• be committed to collaborative working and ongoing professional development
In return we can offer a warm, friendly and growing school with hardworking and well-behaved children, dedicated and supportive staff and governors and opportunities for continual professional development.
Milborne Port Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share in this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Visits to the school are welcome. Please email Mrs Claire Brown, the School Business Manager to arrange a visit and/or obtain a copy of the recruitment pack: [email protected].
All applications should be completed electronically and returned to Mrs Brown.
In a BV exclusive, our own Jenny Devitt sat down with Natalie Wheen, one of the nation’s favourite broadcasters, for a wide-ranging conversation around Natalie’s Dorset Island Disc choices. Eavesdrop on their chat as Natalie shares the remarkable stories of how and why each piece of music has stuck in her life (you can find links to the specific pieces that Natalie chooses on the website here). Her choices are a fun, naughty, surprisingly moving and very personal wander through the memories of the greatest names in the world of classical music.
After a lifelong career presenting music to the nation, writer and radio presenter Natalie Wheen found it a challenge choosing just eight discs. For more than 30 years, she was an ever-present voice on our radios, with weekly shows ranging from presenting classical music on BBC Radio 3, and a broad selection of Radio 4 shows from the arts review Kaleidoscope to The Food Programme. Moving from the BBC to Classic FM in 1999, she was charged with ‘spicing up the repertoire’ – which she did for four hours a week for more than ten years.
Lastly, in the final item from April’s BV, Terry shares Rachael Rowe’s investigation into why there is such an enormous lack of NHS dentists in Dorset.
The BV podcast goes beyond the pages of the magazine, providing you with exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth conversations with our guests. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to take a look at the April issue of the BV here or visit our website to explore the articles and stories featured.
Walk where Thomas Hardy, Robert Young and William Barnes would all have wandered, crossing a Grade II listed Victorian footbridge and following ancient tracks into the unchanged secret countryside that lies hidden behind Sturminster Newton. Gently wind your way towards Lydlinch and Bagber Common – where William Barnes was born – before turning back towards the town.
The route starts in the heart of Sturminster Newton – there is free parking to be found around the streets, but there is also a large paid-for car park which makes life very simple.
Follow a narrow winding back lane past some of the oldest buildings of the town, finding yourself swiftly on an old footpath to Colber Bridge, a Grade II listed cast iron footbridge over the stour that was designed and built by a Sturminster clockmaker, J Conway, in 1841.
From here it’s a short path across (wet!) watermeadows to join Stalbridge Lane, a beautiful track to walk which originally connected Stur with neighbouring Stalbridge, 4.5 miles away (it’s now 6.5 miles by road). Be aware before you start that if the Stour is in flood, sections of Stalbridge Lane (and other river-level sections of this walk) are likely to be impassable.
As soon as you leave the immediate environs of Sturminster Newton itself you slip back into a quieter time. We have lived locally for 30 years, and have never walked this route due to the fear that the busy A357 would be an irritant throughout the route. But astonishingly you never even notice it – the whole walk was a peaceful joy.
There is a length of road walking at the far end of Stalbridge Lane where the old track morphs into Chapel Road; it was a pleasant stroll between typical Dorset hedges with some beautiful views across the valley, and we didn’t see a single car while we were on the road.
Be aware as you approach Hargrove Lane at the back of Lydlinch that the footpath has moved – the original took you through the farmyard itself, and it has sensibly been shifted to join an access lane instead of winding awkwardly between barns.
The route is easy to follow and well signposted. Stiles and bridges are all well kept (except one small planked ditch bridge as you approach the back of Mullins Farm. Tread carefully on this one – one side is fine, the other very much not so! See image above).
Time it right, and you can finish your day at one of the many excellent coffee and cake spots in the town – we highly recommend both Oxford’s and Stur of the Moment!
A new ‘magic’ weight loss injection has been in the news – could it work for you? Nutritional therapist Karen Geary takes a look
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The notion of a silver bullet for weight loss is highly appealing. If you have a BMI of at least 30 and likely at least one other health concern such as diabetes or high blood pressure, under NICE guidelines you may soon be eligible to receive Semaglutide, the new ‘weight loss injection’. However, you need to go beyond the headlines to understand what it is, how it works, the risks and the alternatives from a nutritional therapy standpoint. Here is the low-down.
What is it? Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are hormones that are released naturally by the gut; jointly, they have an impact on the hormone insulin. GLP-1 and GIP agonists are drugs that work by mimicking the effects of these hormones. They started out as drugs to treat patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and act through simulating insulin release and inhibiting glucagon release. The net effect is a lowering of blood glucose/improved glycemic control, but in T2D patients, another effect was noted – weight loss. We still don’t really have a clear explanation as to WHY the hormone is also increasing satiety and reducing appetite, but it is highly effective – hence the excitement. One of the new drugs, Semaglutide, is pure GLP-1 and is licensed for use as an obesity drug. The newer Tirzepatide is a combination of both GLP-1 and GIP and is currently only licensed for T2D, but is reportedly even more effective than Semaglutide (so expect to hear more about it in the future as a potential option for obesity should it be approved for use). Semaglutide is administered weekly via an autoinjector pen requiring refrigeration and is known as Ozempic or Wegovy; the difference between the two is purely dose rates and branding. Tirzepatide is branded as Mounjaro and is administered in the same way.
Does it work? It is extremely effective; BUT it comes with a large caveat. In both the original trial and its extension, weight loss was significant in all participants and begins to slow, at around 60 weeks.
As soon as treatment stopped at 68 weeks, there was an average two thirds regain in weight in all participants. The amount of weight regained depended upon how much was lost originally. Those who lost 20 per cent or more of body weight regained some, but not all. However those who lost 15 per cent or less ended up weighing more than their start weight by the 120 week mark; hence its intended use for those who are genuinely obese.
Known side effects Anything that changes things in the gut is going to have side effects. In trials these are noted as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, headaches and dyspepsia. However, these are all noted as transient and can be managed well under medical supervision if the dose is slowly increased to minimise side effects. There were reports of thyroid tumours in rodents from a small trial of an earlier product, Liraglutide, which is why GLP-1 agonists are not recommended for any patient with certain thyroid conditions. Peter Attia MD, based in the US, has been using Semaglutide on patients for more than two years. His clinical observations are not part of trial data but you can read about what he has seen in a longer version of this article here.
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What are the alternatives? A good diet is about eating food which contains nutrients critical to satiety, but without over-eating in calories. If you are not getting enough nutrients, your body will naturally go in search of the vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids you may lack by eating more. Protein is the cornerstone of feeling full (many people on Semaglutide struggle to get adequate protein intake as they are just not hungry). Proteins are recognised as potent natural stimulators of GLP-1. A palm-sized portion at every meal should be the mainstay of any diet, whether that be animal or plant based. The high amount of amino acids in protein also help to fuel the feel-good ‘happy’ neurotransmitters. So, two eggs at breakfast or three tablespoons of chia seeds or a tub of natural yogurt. For lunch, why not try canned sardines or some pulses in a soup. For dinner enjoy a portion of meat, fish, lentils or pulses. Whey protein is often used in studies for the stimulatory effect on GLP-1 secretion, but make sure you get a good source. The second thing that makes you feel full is fibre, so load up on veg and a little fruit – at least half the plate. There are some natural GLP-1 boosters for blood sugar management and satiety; avocado, cinnamon, curcumin, eggs, green tea and rosemary. There are also certain supplements that have a similar action.
It has been called a ‘secret landscape’ – and not just because there doesn’t seem to be a sign anywhere directing you to ‘Cranborne Chase’. Or if there is, author and photographer Roger Lane hasn’t found it yet. ‘Perhaps it is the most appropriate description because it isn’t too well-known, even among longstanding residents,’ he says. ‘I have often been asked exactly where it is and what it is.’
Fifield Bavant was used for the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film – the location fee paid for the restoration of the church.
As with the Blackmore Vale, boundary definitions vary, but broadly Cranborne Chase is the chalk downland that spreads out on either side of the Blandford to Salisbury road, extending into three counties – Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.
Famous Zig Zag Hill, just outside Shaftesbury
It is peppered with Neolithic and Bronze Age burial mounds, bisected by the six-mile Dorset Cursus and the Roman road known as Ackling Dyke, which runs from Old Sarum to Dorchester via Badbury Rings. As its name suggests, the Chase was once a royal hunting forest which naturally made it a battleground for poachers and gamekeepers and a refuge for smugglers and criminals.
In 1875 Berwick St John almost became the Paddington of Cranborne Chase
In Cranborne Chase: A Secret Landscape (Amberley), Roger Lane and his friend Roger Holman, who died before the book’s completion, take us on an A-Z tour of the villages and other locations, starting with Ackling Dyke and finishing with Win Green. The pair are well-known for their stunning landscape photographs and these, together with Roger Lane’s informative text, make this book a must-read for anyone with a love of the picturesque Cranborne Chase.
Attention, book lovers! The Sturminster Newton Literary Festival is back, and this year it’s bigger and better than ever! The festival is expanding to include writers with a Wessex connection and is now open to non-fiction as well. With a diverse range of events celebrating the best of writing in the Dorset and wider Wessex region, the festival offers a fabulous range of experience for all literature enthusiasts.
One of the many exciting events at this year’s festival is the Rupert Brooke Walk (3rd June). The poet spent much of his time in Dorset, and David Caddy will lead a short walk along the North Dorset Trailway from Shillingstone, the same route the poet travelled on his way to Gallipoli in 1915. He will give a talk about Rupert Brooke – one of his most famous poems, The Soldier, was written while he was stationed at Blandford Camp – and read his poems in a vintage restored railway carriage at Shillingstone Station.
Libby Page (8th June), the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lido, The 24 Hour Cafe and The Island Home will appropriately talk about her latest book The Vintage Shop of Second Chances at 1855, Sturminster Newton’s creative indoor market of artisans. After book signings the team from The Boutique in Sturminster Newton will hold a fashion show of pre-loved items (all for sale on the night).
Familiar to BV readers will be our own wildlife writer Jane Adams (10th June), who will be discussing her new book Nature’s Wonders, published with the National Trust, which is an inspiring guide to connecting with the nature around you and seeing how it changes through the year.
Another must-see talk is from Jon Woolcott (6th June), whose new book Real Dorset is a personal, humorous and idiosyncratic look at our county, with a peek below the pretty village surface to the subversion, rebellion and revolt, wealth and poverty, ghost stories and rich folklore beneath.
Or perhaps The Tennis Champion Who Escaped the Nazis (5th June) is more your thing, as you listen to Felice Hardy tell the story of Liesl Herbst, Austrian National Tennis champion, who fled Nazi occupation with her family. You’ll hear the moving story of their escape and of what happened to those left behind.
Matthew Harffy (10th June) is the author of the action-packed Bernicia Chronicles, a gripping, powerful, action-packed historical thriller series about vengeance and coming of age in seventh century Britain. He’ll be discussing writing historically accurate fiction, and what it is that inspires him.
In addition to the literary walks and talks, the festival has writing workshops and free events such as the Stained Glass Stories walks around the town.
Be sure to keep an eye on the festival’s official website and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest announcements about upcoming events. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating the magic of literature at the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival in 2023.
And The BV is excited to announce we have three pairs of tickets to any event at the SturLitFest (as it’s affectionately known)!
To be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to the event of your choice (subject to availability), just answer the first three questions in the widget box below. There are more chances to win by completing the other entry options if you so wish – they’re entirely up to you! The closing date for this competition is 21st May 2023 and only entries received on or before that date can be included. The prize will go to the first three randomly chosen entries. Good luck!
Employ My Ability offers vocational training for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Maddie Walters worked on her journalism with the aim of writing a column for us – Ed
This month Maddie is thinking about pets – therapy animals aren’t just for those with limiting conditions, we all feel better for with an animal
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Everyone, disabled or not, sometimes needs a bit of creature comfort – and it can often come in the form of a pet. In this month’s article I will be talking about pets and some local pet shelters and charities. According to news articles and television ads, many pets are abandoned or surrendered to a shelter. Giving an abandoned pet a home is a great way to find your next pet! There are many local charities you can find online – but do call first, you may have to book an appointment to see pets available. Cats and dogs are great pets to have if you are disabled. In some cases therapy dogs are really helpful for people; most people know about guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the deaf, but there are an increasing number of therapy dogs trained to help owners with debilitating conditions like epilepsy, and equine therapy is being successfully used to treat mental health issues too (see ‘Horse, the mood altering drug’, The BV Apr 22).
Pet experience If you can’t have a pet yourself, volunteering at your local shelter can help you get some experience looking after pets – and also some extra pet cuddles! At Thorngrove Garden Centre all of the Employ My Ability students and day services have welcomed the guinea pigs and rabbits and they are really enjoy looking after them! They have learned all about feeding, changing the straw, giving them water and making sure that they don’t run away or get lost. It is great practise for having a pet of their own, and enjoying some beneficial animal therapy I recently read an article about robot cats and dogs, too! They have been very helpful in nursing homes and respite care homes for elderly people with dementia.
Local support If you can’t take another pet yourself, you can still support a local animal charity, The Cats Protection Charity Shop is a great option (the nearest one is in the High Street, Gillingham). There are many wonderful pets that need a home – maybe it’s the right time for you, and you can find your next pet at a local rescue? If you are thinking about providing a forever home for a rescue pet, try the following local rescues:
Stour Valley Dog Rescue – just dogs Margaret Green Animal Rescue – all animals Cat’s Protection mid-Dorset – just cats Dog’s Trust – just dogs Angel Rabbit Rescue – Rabbits and guinea pigs Staffie & Stray Rescue – just dogs Waggy Tails – just dogs RSPCA Ashley Heath – cats and other small animals
These roles require enthusiastic, well organised individuals with a warm and welcoming nature to assist the House parents in our boarding houses, and the duties associated with the boarding operation, and to oversee the pastoral wellbeing of all the pupils in their care.
The successful candidates will have experience of working with young people and an understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, along with the ability to deal calmly
with sensitive situations.
Role 1 is a term time, full time role,
working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Role 2 is a term time, part time role, working 25 hours per week
and the hours are 1pm until 6pm Monday – Friday
For further information and an application form, please go to:
Clayesmore is committed to the safeguarding and promotion of children’s and young people’s welfare and expects all staff and volunteers to share in the commitment.
Enthusiastic and committed Graduate Assistants are required for our Senior School on a fixed term contract. This exciting opportunity includes a full and active role in the pupils’ games programme, administrative support for our Senior Academic staff, and pastoral care of our boarders.
The successful candidates will play a full and active role in the pupils’ games programme and supporting the Girls’ Games with the provision of training, matches and school events. The successful candidates would have demonstrated proven ability in at least one of the following: Netball, Hockey or Tennis.
The candidates will also provide occasional classroom cover and, where appropriate, may be offered some teaching opportunities. These positions would suit recent graduates looking for experience prior to teacher training or seeking a short-term post prior to embarking on another career path.
This is a live-in position that will involve some evening and weekend work within the boarding house.
For further information and an application form, please go to:
Clayesmore is committed to the safeguarding and promotion of children’s and young people’s welfare and expects all staff and volunteers to share in the commitment.
