Following a local outcry based on inaccurate information, BV editor Laura spoke to Luke Rake, principal of Kingston Maurward college about the rumours
Luke Rake, principal of Kingston Maurward College
News that Kingston Maurward College has removed apprenticeships from its course offerings, with immediate effect, recently reached local media. This caused a number of inaccuracies to be shared locally. The BV spoke to the college principal Luke Rake to discover the truth behind the potentially harmful rumours that were causing his phone to ring. ‘Apprenticeships at the college have been in decline for some time.’ Luke says. ‘The numbers are down partly because the numbers of young people in the county as a whole are going down, but also because more and more students are choosing full time education. Simultaneously, our full time agriculture student numbers are growing. ‘We have also seen a reduction in the number of employers offering to take on apprentices, mostly due to the way the government made changes to the systems. It has basically become more onerous for smaller employers and so the numbers went down. The other major factor is the funding itself. We got to a point where the college was losing a huge amount of money running apprenticeships. ‘The funding has been reduced significantly over recent years. For example, in the farming sector, there were government-imposed changes a few years ago. Previously we received £10,000 a year for a farmworkers apprenticeship; this was moved to a stockpersons apprenticeship. It’s basically the same course, but now we get just £5,000 for it. ‘In addition to which, 20 per cent of that funding isn’t operational money during the course of the provision – we only get it if they pass, when they complete the course, which could be 18 months after they start. ‘Financially, it just doesn’t work. The land-based sector nationally was furious over the changes, and land based colleges across the country for a while refused to run the new farm-oriented apprenticeships because of the change in funding. In the end, they decided (quite rightly): “It is needed in our area, we can manage to run it, we’ll just have to do it at a loss”.
Kingston Maurward College, near Dorchester
Rural challenges ‘So now, unless you’re doing apprenticeships at real scale – hundreds of them, and we weren’t, we had 65 apprentices when we made this decision – it just doesn’t work. ‘We were effectively having to subsidise every apprenticeship we took on from other parts of the college. Had we continued, in the next 12 months we would have lost roughly £150,000. That’s money which could have been spent on, for example, staff pay – we haven’t made a cost of living award to our staff for two years, purely because we can’t afford to. The college, like almost all further education colleges in England, is in a difficult financial position, and our first duty is always to the survival of the whole. Therefore, as a loss-making entity, we had to let apprenticeships go. ‘This is also a specifically rural challenge. If you have an apprentice working for Rolls Royce, you probably have 40, 60 maybe 100 apprentices all in one place – which means you can teach them all in one place and assess them all in one place. Here, we might have one apprentice working on a farm near Sturminster Newton, one the other side of Gillingham, one at Evershot, one near Dorchester … and they all need visiting regularly, they all need assessing individually. So the sheer mileage costs and practicality involved was a major challenge. ‘It’s not unique to us, it’s a challenge for any rural provider – every local family knows that rural people struggle because of the additional cost of living in a sparsely populated area.
Kingston Maurward students
No one left behind What happens now to the young people currently mid-apprenticeship? Are they simply left to start again? ‘Not in the least. Those who are close to the end of their course will be finishing off with us. ‘Those who are at an earlier stage in their apprenticeships are still employed, that doesn’t change, but the provider responsible for their training will either be Bicton College if they are in the west of Dorset, or Sparsholt College if they are in the east and north of the county. Both are high-quality land-based colleges, and every single student has had meetings with staff and employers. We have worked very hard with both colleges to ensure those learners are looked after. ‘In a couple of cases students have decided they would actually prefer to stay at Kingston Maurward, and have moved on to a full time programme, which means they’re coming here three days a week instead of just one.’
Kingston Maurward students
Poor timing? Could this not have been put in place before the school year started in September? ‘It’s something we have been discussing for a while, but apprenticeships do not have a school year – they can start at any time, and roll continuously. There is no natural break, so whenever we had made this decision, it would have been difficult. Ultimately, we didn’t want to close the apprenticeships, but our main responsibility is to the financial security of the whole institution. It was a regrettable, but entirely necessary, thing we had to do.’
Guild Anderson is a successful Tisbury based kitchen designer and maker employing 25 people in its Tisbury design studio and Hindon based workshop.
We design and make kitchens, pantries, boot rooms and high-quality interior joinery for country houses across Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, and Hampshire.
We are looking to employ a workshop helper to undertake a broad range of tasks to support our busy production team.
THE ROLE
The role is five hours a day,(suggested 10am to 3pm, though this is flexible), five days per week. Tasks include:
Day-to-day maintenance of the workshop environment and supporting with housekeeping tasks
Undertaking local deliveries and collections
Accepting and checking goods-in to the workshop
Keeping workshop environment, canteen, and toilets clean and organised
Cleaning vans (and light maintenance such as oil/water level checks)
Managing vehicle servicing
The role is a fantastic opportunity for a retiree or someone seeking part-time work, and will suit someone who:
is based in the local area
enjoys manual tasks
wants to keep busy
is happy working in a hands-on environment
is honest and reliable
has a full UK driving licence
possesses a “can do” attitude
PAY
Salary: £11 per hour
APPLY
If you would like to apply for the role, please email [email protected] or call Andrew on 01747 820449. Alternatively you can apply directly online here – https://bit.ly/bvAPWorkshop
Gardener Pete Harcom says that February is far from free of jobs to do, so make the most of a dry day and get outside to be ahead for the year
It won’t be long before the spring bulbs show their faces (image shutterstock)
Spring is just around the corner … the crocuses will be out soon, honestly! February is a good time to look back and evaluate what went well last year and plan for this spring and summer, while getting on with some useful jobs:
Check recently-planted trees and shrubs, as these may have been loosened by wind There is still time to plant bare-rooted plants – February is regarded by some as the best time to do this, as the soil will soon be starting to warm up and this will give the plants a good start when the sap starts to rise. Clean up and wash all pots in the greenhouse – this will help keep pests under control. How about installing a water butt now, ready for the summer (it’s too late once it stops raining!)? Rainwater is particularly useful for watering acid-loving, ericaceous plants. Find out what type of soil you have. Invest in a soil testing kit to help you choose the right plants for your garden. Stock up on some organic fertilisers – there are many different types, each with different characteristics. Some of the more common examples are your own garden compost, well-rotted cow, horse and/or poultry manure, blood, fish and bone meal. Seaweed fertiliser is also worth looking for, as it is one of the most beneficial fertilisers and is also good for soil conditioning. All potted plants will benefit from a top dressing with some of that organic fertiliser. Pruning Prune all your winter-blooming shrubs such as mahonia, winter jasmine and heathers once they’ve finished flowering. Be careful not to cut back into old wood. Check your wisteria and cut side shoots to three buds from the base to encourage flowers in the spring. Prune Buddleia davidii (butterfly bush) and Elder hard back to the base to keep these vigorous shrubs to a reasonable size. Before the birds start nesting, trim back any ivy and deciduous hedges, Virginia creeper and other climbers. Prune summer-flowering clematis towards the end of the month, before active growth begins, cutting stems back to healthy buds about 30cm from the base. Cut back old stems of herbaceous perennials. If you have a cold greenhouse you can start potted Fuchsias back into growth. Prune overwintered fuchsias back to one or two buds on each shoot. For the next few months, if you pinch out the lead bud on every shoot, you will have lots more flowers in the summer.
Feed the birds February can be a particularly hard time for birds. Ensure your bird feeders are kept clean and regularly stocked. Maybe put up some nest boxes for garden birds to pick themselves a home.
Steve Tarrant, who suffered life-changing injuries at Goodwood in 2000, has been awarded for his courage and commitment. Rachael Rowe reports
Steve Tarrant with his Motorsport UK Lifetime Achievement Award, after the ceremony at the RAC Club in Pall Mall
‘You haven’t seen the last of me yet,’ Steve Tarrant famously said, after an accident at the 2000 Goodwood Festival of Speed resulted in the amputation of his right leg. He returned to marshalling in a wheelchair, and has worked at leading motoring events. At this year’s annual Night of Champions at the RAC Club in London’s Pall Mall, Motorsport UK recognised Steve’s 30-plus years as a race steward with a Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest honour bestowed by the Motorsport UK board. Steve describes the moment he got the news: ‘Initially, it was a shock. You don’t expect something like that coming through the door! And you certainly don’t expect them to recognise a marshal like me when you see the other names on the awards list.’ Previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award have included Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart – and now Steve Tarrant of King’s Stag. Locals may have seen him at the annual Sturminster Newton New Year’s Day Vintage Car Rally, busily marshalling the cars from the middle of the road. But Steve has marshalled at other, rather more glamorous, places like Le Mans, Goodwood and Silverstone. Marshals are all volunteers who play a critical role in motorsport racing.
Awards night on Pall Mall ‘It was a wonderful evening, and I wish they had filmed it from start to finish.’ says Steve. ‘Although getting me to the RAC Club was quite an ordeal for the taxi driver! They handed out 35 awards for winners of national championships, and then they had the special awards. There were actually two Lifetime Achievement Awards. One went to Ron Dennis, the former owner of McLaren Formula 1 … and the other went to me! It was a bit surreal seeing all these people you read about, on the track or on TV, and they were coming up and shaking my hand.’
Steve’s main career has been in IT but he has always loved motorsports. He jumped at the opportunity to volunteer as a steward, excited to enjoy the experience of motorsport racing from a different perspective. His life changed dramatically following his accident. He was standing near the finish line with the black and white chequered flag when a car travelling at 140 miles an hour crashed into him. ‘I was in the right place but at the wrong time. And I was the lucky one. The driver was killed and another steward died later in hospital.’ Two years later, Steve was back on the track marshalling, now in his TGA Vita Scooter. He was also invited back to Goodwood – this time as a VIP. Initially, Steve had to fight for recognition as a wheelchair-bound marshal – somewhat unusual in the world of motorsports. His mobility scooter also featured in his success at becoming a Guinness World Record holder in 2014. The award was for the longest distance travelled in 24 hours on a mobility scooter. Steve’s 190.2 miles was completed with more than 1,800 laps at Goodwood, only stopping briefly for battery changes.
Steve’s a well-known (and easily recognisable!) orange-clad figure at the Sturminster Newton New Year’s Day Vintage Car Rally
He now inspires other wheelchair users to become stewards. ‘There are plenty of jobs out there that you don’t need two arms or two legs for,’ says Steve, a photojournalist with a lifetime of unique experiences. Is there a stand-out moment in Steve’s career as a marshal? ‘There are several, especially after three decades. Being on the 24 Hour Le Mans race’s grid before the start was momentous. And meeting drivers like Lewis Hamilton or Tom Kristensen and chatting about racing because they want to talk to you just as much as you want to talk to them.’
If you would like to congratulate Steve on such a well-deserved award you can find him on Twitter @leglessmarshal or as motorsportmarshal on Facebook.
Second homeowners may soon see council tax double in Dorset – but is that good for the county’s residents? Rachael Rowe reports
Okeford Fitzpaine in Dorset’s AONB. Second homeowners typically choose older, characterful property in prime locations and small communities
Coastal towns have hit the headlines in recent years with bans on second homes, especially in places where local key workers can no longer afford to live. Dorset has one of the highest rates of second homes in England, at one in every 34 homes, and the Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill presents an interesting opportunity for councils to impose a council tax premium on second homes; something Dorset Council is currently debating. But at a time when councillors have challenging decisions to make on budgets, is targeting second homes the right thing to do?
There’s a catch The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill was first presented to Parliament in May 2022. It is designed to devolve power and give local leaders and communities the tools they need to make better places and reduce inequalities. One of the components is the opportunity to implement a premium council tax payment on second homes; in effect a double council tax. With 5,722 second homes in Dorset, the Council report that could potentially generate an additional £9.5 million in income for the county budget. However, there’s a catch. Dorset Council has to give the government 12 months’ notice of their intentions, and the Bill still requires Royal Assent by April this year. Dorset Councillor Peter Wharf was set to present the ‘Council tax premiums on second homes and empty properties’ report (read it here) at 23rd January’s Cabinet meeting. However, the Cabinet agreed that it should be discussed by as many councillors as possible before it is taken to a vote at Full Council. The report has now be added to the Place and Resources Overview Committee on Thursday 9 February to consider before providing recommendations to Cabinet on Tuesday 28 February. If agreed, it will then go to the Full Council meeting in March. West Dorset MP Chris Loder has spoken in support of the proposal, saying it would ‘make it fairer for local people. Firstly, it will provide much needed income for the council for a fairer tax policy. And secondly, it will encourage property owners to think again before leaving their houses empty at a time when there are hard working local people struggling to find a home. ‘I have always maintained that to sustain our community infrastructure, we need to incentivise and support local people to stay and live in our communities.’ Behind the scenes at Dorset Council, any proposal of this nature requires discussion and agreement before notifying the Government of their intentions. And of course, it depends on the Bill being agreed upon. It all feels a bit chicken and egg – but what benefits, if any, will this premium bring to Dorset? I spoke to Peter Wharf.
What is a second home? Some people will naturally wonder whether the property they own and rent to key workers will also be eligible for this stealth tax, so I asked Peter to clarify what the council means by the phrase. ‘A second home is a second home. If someone has more than one property, then it is a second home. We have a list of homes that are potentially eligible for council tax; however, if someone is letting the property permanently, for example, that is not a second home. ‘We’re talking about the furnished properties that are left empty or used as holiday lets and rented on sites like Airbnb.’ Dorset Council has previously levied higher rates on empty properties. How has that worked? ‘That’s quite difficult to determine. It is difficult to see and assess all the properties, obviously. However, other councillors tell me anecdotally that it has sped up plans and building in some areas.’
According to the Council’s background paper on second homes in 2021, Dorset’s Coast, the AONB that runs to the north of the county and much of West Dorset have a particularly high proportion of second homes (see image right). There’s a lot of negative publicity about second homeowners, but does Peter think they bring any benefit to a local economy? ‘Well, there are benefits and disbenefits. One disadvantage is the schools don’t get enough pupils, and there is a lack of community in some areas. However, there is a counterargument. People come here and eat out in the restaurants, visit the beaches and go to the attractions. So they may add to the economy but detract from communities as they only live here sometimes.’ While the new proposal to double council tax may potentially help with house prices and the housing demand, I’m wondering what else councils can do to stop communities from becoming overwhelmed with second homes. Peter has a view: ‘There is very little we can do as it’s all about a free housing market and what people choose to do. However, it is possible to get an agreement that new housing should not be used for second homes. What we don’t want to see is a situation where second home owners are made to feel very unwelcome in Dorset. We don’t want that here.’
Airbnb wins So how could doubling the council tax affect tourism? ‘It is possible that second home owners won’t come here if we charge a premium. There is a possibility some will sell up. We also don’t know whether the £9.5 million quoted in the report will be realised because some people may sell up. I have spoken to some second homeowners who tell me they can get far more with Airbnb-ing their property than they can renting. It isn’t easy to generalise as people will choose what they want to do. ‘We are presenting this proposal now because it is an opportunity to regenerate communities in Dorset. It will go to the Place and Resources Overview committee, the Cabinet, and then the full Council. The public has an opportunity to attend.’ Second homes are like Marmite in rural and coastal communities and are guaranteed to stir up a debate. But, like them or loathe them, all councils are under pressure to find ways of funding core services. Details of the process and discussion on this proposal are on the Dorset Council website. If you have strong views, contact your local Councillor.
• Dorset Council has 82 councillors, of whom 24 have disclosed second properties and are therefore excluded from this vote
Andrew Diprose took the plunge and started an upbeat local business news website – three years later, he’s sold it to Black Ox. Laura Hitchcock reports
Andrew Diprose on the day he launched Dorset Biz News in 2019
Dorset Biz News was launched in October 2019 as Dorset’s first and only journalist-owned-and-run business news website. After three years, founder and editor Andrew Diprose is hanging up his notepad after selling the business to Black Ox Ltd for an undisclosed sum. Andrew says: ‘It will be wonderful to finally have the time to just sit still with a book! ‘The last three years have been so full, and by last autumn I began feeling the time was right to stop. But I didn’t just want to write a goodbye post and hang up the “we’re closed” sign. It deserved more than that.’ Andrew approached his preferred purchaser, Black Ox, in November 2022, and the contract was signed last month. ‘I love their plan to spread the BizNews brand to every county,’ says Andrew. ‘To be honest, if I was 30 years younger I’d have loved to do it myself. But after 44 years in the business, it was time. ‘It was a very odd experience, sitting around the board table with the Black Ox team, listening to their enthusiasm and plans for MY business, this brand that I created. Anyone who has created a business from scratch knows it’s intrinsically “yours”.’
No crime, no bad news ‘I remember so clearly watching the clock count down on 2nd October 2019, waiting for 9pm and the site to go live. The very next day the phone started ringing, and it hasn’t stopped. There was such a need and a desire for upbeat, interesting journalism. In the twilight of my career I went right back to my roots – in 1979 my job was going out and interviewing people, writing their stories.’
Richard Thompson, Black Ox Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘We love what Andrew has built at DorsetBizNews.co.uk. It is a positive and dynamic news site which has become a voice for Dorset business, celebrating the people and the companies. We have exciting plans to expand the BizNews brand, always keeping it as a voice for business at the county level and with a commitment to quality content.’ To what does Andrew attribute the success of his rule-breaking news business? ‘I don’t do crime, I don’t do bad news, and therefore I’m not searching for the same story as everyone else. The general impression is that “business is boring” – the websites’ too corporate, the images too bland. I use lots of bright colour, lots of faces. Because business is integral to all our lives. It’s just people. It’s not “business” news when it’s about your friend or your local café. It’s just news.’
Neville the pig ‘The most popular stories were always a new business start-up. A story about someone – anyone – who had decided to just go for it, no matter what the business was. Which of us hasn’t dreamed of doing that? I certainly did! ‘Of the 3,600 plus stories one of the most unusual? Neville the pig. I ran a story for a local animal charity. Neville the pig was looking for a new home. It wasn’t a business story. It had no place on the website really. But I had a slot to fill and the charity needed a little push. Obviously it was the most viewed story not only that day, but that week. And every now and again Neville pops back up on the revolving ticker, more people click on him, and his stats just keep on climbing …’
So what now? I’ll be doing a handover until the summer, and then I’ve been invited to stay as brand ambassador for three years, helping with the expansion. ‘I plan to read a lot and to sleep a bit. I am going to have adventures with my wife. But to just stop? No. That would be odd for someone who’s worked six days a week for three years. I’ve already had some interesting offers and I can safely say I won’t be bored.’ dorsetbiznews.co.uk
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But first, this month’s Letter from the Editor…
Laura Editor of the BV Magazine
A quick apology to everyone looking at our website on their phone for the last few weeks. It probably hasn’t escaped your attention that we’ve been proudly titled ‘Newsweek’ since Christmas. We’re not, I assure you, in the midst of a grand takeover bid. Rather, we have a new website, and the simple task of tracking down why we were called Newsweek when looking at it on a phone utterly escaped me. But through grit, perseverance (and a lot of YouTube watching) I fixed it. GO ME. high five But that fix promptly broke the menu. In fixing the menu I broke the sections page. And then I managed (and I still don’t know how) to put the sections page all over the home page. By this time, in a flustered frustrated panic, very very bored with my own incompetence and frankly raging at the dark and evil arts of website maintenance generally, I hit the big server switch which resets the website to the day before. Aaannndddd … hello Newsweek. Sigh. Anyhoo. Suffice to say I was ultimately victorious. The website works, and we are no longer Newsweek. We’ve big things in this issue; Dorset Island Discs and Random 19 have returned with two pillars of our Dorset community. I interviewed Henry ‘Blowers’ Blofeld, who’s coming to Dorset next month. Luke Rake gave us an exclusive on the damaging rumours that have been circulated in some areas about the cancellation of apprenticeships at Kingston Maurward College. Local man Steve Tarrant has been awarded motorsports’ highest honour – an award reserved for the likes of Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart. Farmer James Cossins tells us about his horrifically stressful January, and we take a look at whether second home owners should pay additional Council Tax in Dorset. Plenty to get your teeth into this month – go make a coffee. And don’t let the websites grind you down.
Laura
PS CONGRATULATIONS to our farming journalist Andrew Livingston and his wife Ellie on the birth of their son Charlie this week. PPS special mention to our German-speaking daughter in law Sally who provided the correct phrasing for the lucky pig Valentine’s traditions in Germany. Who knew? Apart from flower columnist Charlotte Tombs. And all the Germans, obviously… PPPS Thanks to fellow business owner and website-battler James for his support through the disaster-strewn Website Of Doom. His helpful advice extended to “You’re still Newsweek? It’s been a month. May as well stick with it now, just change your Facebook name”.
Letters to the Editor, Feb 23:
Re. A motorway in Dorset Andrew Livingston’s article in the Jan issue (read it here) on the potential for a motorway in Dorset raised a number of emails:
In response to Mr Livingston’s article on the need for a motorway, perhaps he could inform us as to which ancient holloways, protected AONB’s or productive farmland he might like to plough up? The fact that we have no motorway has actually preserved so much of our county from over-development – and the presence of one would actually detrimentally impact the very local producers he’s trying to help. Sheila Grange, Dorchester
Is Mr Livingston seriously suggesting that Devon’s local producers are assisted by people flying along the M3 to London? The success of ANY business lies in the quality of its product and in its marketing. In fact, many a weak product has succeeded thanks to its marketing strength. If local producers need more success, they need to learn how to be better at their business, not blame it on the lack of easy access to big roads. Jack Pleacher, Wimborne
If we must have a motorway in Dorset, Mr Livingston, let’s at least make it end at Dorchester. I, for one, am sick and tired of Dorset being a Jurassic Coast and nothing else; three quarters of the county is a fair drive from the coast, and yet the beautiful rural majority is consistently overlooked in terms of funding and services. Bring us people, and the County’s eye may finally turn upon us. Julie Nokes, by email
On solar panels: Hear, hear Rupert Hardy (Rooftops vs Fields, BV Jan 23). It is astonishing that for far too long there has been a seemingly broad acceptance to the quick and easy fix of letting private landowners and developers opt for huge scale solar farms when the rooftop solution bears so much scientific evidence for success and does so little visual harm. WHY is no one in authority paying attention to this? Karen Bowen, by email
Thank you for your illuminating article from Rupert Hardy on the solar farms vs rooftop panels debate. It has always been my instinct that fields of reflective panels are WRONG, but at a time when we must begin to generate more green energy it has been difficult for me to argue my case effectively; the horror of discovering oneself to be a NIMBY! Your article provided such a clear case with published evidence to support my instinctive understanding. Why oh why are we NOT implementing rooftop solar as a matter of urgency? Rita Madeley, Blandford
On the politics It has slowly become apparent that the representative for the Labour Party in North Dorset tends to veer towards haranguing those in charge of our very broken country, while not suggesting any alternative solutions from his own party. This is, I feel, no reflection of him as a person, but rather is symptomatic of the party as a whole. North Dorset may be a permanently blue seat, but that doesn’t mean that every constituent votes that way. We can all see, hear and feel that it’s broken. What many of us want is to hear what other parties might actually DO. The point of these columns is surely to understand a different point of view if we are tired and frustrated by the current crop of blues in charge, and to raise discussions on local and national issues? Alan Wills, Wimborne
On the haunting of Sandford Orcas manor (Britain’s most haunted house? BV Jan 23): We were lucky – I think it was about 30 years ago we took our son [to Sandford Orcas manor] when he was a small boy. We cheekily knocked on the door and Sir Mervyn himself answered. Instead of getting rid of us he asked us in and gave us a personal tour, during which he told us of all the facts in the attached article. We thanked him very much, it made our day. What a lovely man! Barry Wraight, via Facebook
We were privileged to be given a superb guided tour of this fascinating house by Sir Mervyn Medlicott in 2019. He really brought the history to life and the group we were in was spellbound! Joss Mullinger, via Facebook
Are you related to Roger Ridout? I have been reading your article about Roger Ridout (The BV, November 2020) with great interest. I am not a Ridout but I am descended from the Fords of Shillingstone. I have a will left by Thomas Ford in 1805, and in it he leaves ‘the Roger Ridout house’ to his wife: WILL OF THOMAS FORD (1719-1805) ffebruary 7? .4.1805 THIS IS MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT I give to my wife late Roger Ridouts house and Orchard and ten pounds a year for her life she might receive it herself if my son dont pay her she might go to Mr Tice of Blandford and receive it but if she marry again she is to lost it directly to James or his ffamily/ I thought Roger Ridout died in 1811 so I am now very puzzled. Could this be a house belonging to his father or another older relative who died before 1805? Thomas’ son, James, died two years later in 1807 and he left the house to his own son, James: ”and also a dwelling house with offi…? and all unto belonging called and known by said name of Ridouts during my said term therin unoccupied it being located and situate in the parish of Shillingstone or Shilling Okeford”. I can’t find a Shilling Okeford and wonder if it is actually Okeford Fitzpaine? I can see on an 1885 map that there is a mill on the road between Shillingstone and Okeford Fitzpaine, and another one in Fiddleford, but I am wondering which house Thomas and James Ford are referring to and how did they come to own it in the first place? Were they part of the smuggling gang I wonder? I wonder if Roger Guttridge or any of your readers could shed any light on it for me please? Veronica Barrett, Guildford
Roger Guttridge comments: Veronica’s puzzlement is based on the assumption (which I had also made until now) that Roger Ridout remained at Okeford Fitzpaine Mill until his death, which was indeed in 1811. But we don’t know that and my guess now is that he and his wife Mary (died 1809) must have left there at some point between 1787 and 1805, probably selling the house to the Fords. I say ‘1787’ because he is listed in the Dorchester Jail Registers that year as a ‘miller’ of Okeford Fitzpaine (and his crime as ‘smuggling’), so was presumably still there then. He was a well-known character in North Dorset so it’s no surprise that his old house was effectively named after its association with him. I’m guessing that the stream which once powered the waterwheel here may also have marked the Okeford Fitzpaine-Shillingstone parish boundary. The property, which last time I passed still had the old millstones on show as ornaments, probably sat in both parishes, which may explain any confusion there. Shilling Okeford or Ockford is an old name for Shillingstone, making it the third of the ‘three Okefords’, the others being Okeford Fitzpaine and Child Okeford. Roger Ridout’s father (born 1708) was William not Roger and he lived at Farringdon in the parish of Shroton. Roger the smuggler effectively introduced their surname to Okeford Fitzpaine. Roger’s mother was a Fiddleford girl, Susannah Appowell, and in 1746, as a boy of ten, Roger inherited a leasehold house and land there from his maternal grandfather. Fiddleford Mill was where the Ridout gang stored their contraband in later years and may also have been where Roger learned his milling skills, though that is speculation on my part. Veronica’s information about the Fords adds another piece to a Roger Ridout jigsaw that has been gradually growing since I interviewed my grandfather Jim Ridout of Fiddleford about the family legends for a school project in 1967. Thank you, Veronica! Roger Guttridge – [email protected]
A letter from Val Singleton is always welcome in the BV postbox: Lovely photo of Stourhead on the last issue! I have attached a photo I took when I was living in Corton Denham of a little owl that spent the summer perched on a post that led into part of the garden. I would love you to use it! Roll on spring! Val
Neglect of Newell house in Sherborne Sherborne CPRE are deeply concerned at the parlous state of Newell House – a Grade 2 historic building, which stands in an exceptionally prominent position at the junction of the A30 and the Marston Road. The western side of the house is thought to date back to the 17th century, and the house was listed in 1950.
However, in recent years the fabric has been allowed to deteriorate, as the photo shows, and is now on the SAVE At Risk register. Alongside the house, there is a listed barn dated as being built in the early to mid-16th century; no access is permitted to either building. Sherborne CPRE have repeatedly raised their concerns with the conservation team at Dorset Council, but while seemingly sympathetic to our case, they seem totally unable or unwilling to do anything to reverse the decline of this important feature of the Sherborne townscape. Offers to engage with the owner have also been fruitless. It is clear that our county representatives are either powerless or disinclined to take any positive action to preserve our precious heritage buildings. We find it disappointing that a house listed seventy-two years ago by an official government agency is then effectively abandoned by local authorities when it deteriorates. It is sadly ironic that as Sherborne House is being transformed into a remarkable asset for the Town centre, another, even older, much-loved building has been allowed to become derelict. Something must be done before it is too late; and with some 350 listed buildings in Sherborne, this needs to be a wake up call for us all. By raising further our concerns, I am confident that all residents and our Town Council will then call for urgent action from Dorset County Council. Sir Christopher Coville Sherborne CPRE Chairman
The image below was sent in from Mike Lloyd-Jones in Shaftesbury, who said: ‘This was tree surgery in St James’ today – not sure I’d fancy it!’
