Are you a Electrical, Mechanical and Instrumentation (EM&I) Technician who has an electrical bias? Or are you more mechanically bias and looking to further develop your skills set in electrical work? If so, we are looking for someone to join our team of Technicians who can bring a can-do attitude and a flexible approach to working.

What’s the job?

We are a close-knit team of skilled technicians who are renowned for the quality of our work. We pride ourselves on our staff development and that means you will have great opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge on the job.

The Electrical Mechanical and Instrumentation team provide 24/7, 365 days per year operations. We’re looking for a committed individual who can be flexible in their work pattern to meet the demands of the department. We ensure the operation and maintenance of water treatment works, network boosters, boreholes and reservoirs so they are compliant and meet quality standards.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will be to ensure the effective operation of plant machinery and equipment, as well as carrying out fault finding, diagnosis and resolution.

You can also expect to:

perform plan preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance on electrical, mechanical and instrumentation breakdowns
carry out electrical and mechanical installations
produce condition reports on plant/assets
visually inspect and carry out condition monitoring on assets
review PLCs and Scada systems to identify trends, performance and investigate potential issues
carry out chlorine and sulphur preventative maintenance on dosing systems and breakdowns
work on chemical dosing systems
collaboratively work with site teams and contractors
understand supply assets and our design standards to provide the best possible service to customers
manage critical spares and spares lists
deliver a first-class health and safety approach to work
deliver work to a time scale under permits.

Please note, we work in a 24/7 operational team, so you will be required to cover out-of-hours call-outs as part of a standby rota.

What do I need?

We are looking for an experienced Multiskilled Technician or an electrically bias technician who is self-motivated and can work with minimal direct supervision.

If you are a mechanically bias technician, who is looking to develop their role into a multiskilled position, then we would consider for the role.

In addition, you will also have the following:

City and Guilds, Btech or NVQ level 3 or above
experience working with three phase power and control circuits
fault finding skills
computer literacy
PLC programming and fault diagnosis
experience working with chemical and gas dosing systems
mechanical repair and maintenance experience.

It is essential that you hold a valid UK driving licence, as this role will involve regular travel across the Dorset area, which is often to rural sites.

Benefits for you

Pension – up to 20% combined contribution.
25 days’ holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
Opportunity to buy and sell up to five days’ holiday.
Health benefits package.
Life assurance (up to four times your salary).
Electric vehicle salary exchange.
Flexible working.
Cashback and discounts from over 1,200 retailers.
Paid volunteering day.
Enhanced family leave.
Interactive health and wellbeing platform.
Support from mental health first aiders.
£1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

What will you get from us?

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, and they stay with us! We are proud of how we support development and career progression. We have a wealth of both financial and non-financial benefits to offer our people and are committed to ensuring we provide an environment that supports health and wellbeing and flexible working.

We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, we welcome all applicants.

We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who declare they have a disability or have previously served with the Armed Forces, and meet the minimum requirements for the job, will automatically be invited for an interview.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to assist you in starting your journey with Wessex Water.

If you have what it takes to join this award-winning business and want to be part of our exciting journey and share in that success, then please get in contact with us to find out more.

Closing Date 13/12/22
Reference REQ004885
Department Operations Location Dorset
Starting Salary GBP 27,500 to 34,500 per annum, dependent on experience, plus a monthly performance bonus, a company van and tools/ PPE
Category Permanent
Package 40 hours per week, pension scheme up to 20% combined contribution, 25 days annual leave, rising to a maximum of 28 days with 5 years’ service.

Click the following link to apply – https://bit.ly/wessexwElecBV

Neighbourhood priorities

By

Editorial team

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24 November 2022

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The autumn has seen the local policing teams concentrating on the issues which the public have said are their biggest concerns, says PC Tom Harness

PC 2186 Dave Mullins on the left and his colleague PCSO 7309 Mike Sinnick

With a busy summer now behind us and much to reflect on over the last few months, policing in North Dorset continues to work at driving down our three priorities, which were decided by our neighbourhood priority surveys:

Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) and driving.
Drug Dealing and County lines.
Reducing rural crime and acquisitive crime, with particular focus on burglaries.

Back in July we saw an intensification week in Blandford. As well as effective and targeted use of stop search powers we also executed a warrant at an address which was publicised by local news and the BBC. This was as a result of Operation Viper – Dorset Police’s coordinated response to drug dealing and county line activity.

To reduce anti-social behaviour in Blandford, we have utilised Community Protection Notices (CPN’s) – these were formerly referred to as ASBO’s, a term many will be familiar with. We have identified key and persistent anti-social offenders, such as prolific drug users, shop lifters and those that have continually disrupted the peace and vibrancy of the town. In conjunction with the council ASB team, these individuals have been served with conditions designed to rehabilitate and reduce their offending.

Drop in clinic
On the last Tuesday of every month we have been joining up with Blandford Group Practice for a drop-in clinic at the Corn Exchange in Blandford. While there we aim to answer any questions the public may have and, importantly, offer an opportunity for people to fill out our neighbourhood priority surveys – these survey answers are key in deciding what the local policing teams focus on each quarter, so please do come and have a chat.

PC Mullins
Lastly we are saying goodbye to one of Dorset’s longest continually serving neighbourhood PC’s, Dave Mullins.
He has covered rural North Dorset and Blandford for nearly 18 years and has finally decided the time is right to retire.
We wish him all the best.

Can you have British flowers all year?

By

Editorial team

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24 November 2022

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Winter doesn’t have to mean resorting to supermarket flowers, says Charlotte Tombs. Perhaps we just need to think a little differently

Create an indoor spring bulb garden in the depths of winter All images: Charlotte Tombs

The answer is YES; with a little imagination, planning, organisation and determination you can have British flowers in your house all year.
Of course, the flowers might not be the same as those you would buy from the supermarket along with your weekly shop. But stick with me – there is a way which is kinder to the planet, which has little to no carbon footprint. If you’re thinking about your eco choices, why are you still buying imported flowers with who knows how many chemicals sprayed on them or fed to them? I certainly know what I’d rather have in my home.

Hellebores provide subtle but splashy winter colour

A simple twig with lichen on can be quite beautiful

‘Plant’ narcissi on gravel in a storm lantern

Dried flowers can be a wonderful investment

Thinking differently
Even in the depths of the coldest months there are winter-flowering shrubs, hellebores, berries, seed heads, winter-flowering honeysuckle … if you look hard enough you can always find a bit of colour.
I think we can be quite conservative in our approach to vases of ‘flowers’. Sometimes a simple group of twigs with lichen on can be quite beautiful. There is also the option of forcing branching by cutting twigs when you can see the first leaf/blossom buds. Bring them inside and place in water – given the indoor warmth you’ll get to watch the leaves unfurl. It is wonderful to watch.
Something else you can do is plant bulbs that have been cooled to fool them into winter dormancy. By planting these specially-treated bulbs (look for ‘pre-chilled bulbs’) you can cheat Mother Nature and have an indoor spring bulbs garden. Some bulbs, such as narcissi, don’t need to be kept in a dark cool place if they have had the cold treatment. Instead you ‘plant’ (more like ‘place’!) them on gravel in a glass storm lantern and watch them grow. The flowers will fill your home with scent. Use your forced branches for these blooms as support for the long stems.
Or perhaps you could invest in an everlasting bunch of flowers – dried ones. I say invest as these have been grown from seed, potted on, planted out, fed, watered and nurtured until they were harvested, sorted, dried and stored … before being made into a vase arrangement for you to enjoy. It seems fair that they are more costly. There is an awful lot of effort in that dried bunch.
Some brides are having all dried flowers for their weddings now. I’m not sure I could go down that route but there is always room to enjoy fresh and dried.
If you have any questions on techniques or varieties, please do send me a message on Facebook, Instagram or email me on [email protected]
and I’ll happily help.

Teacher of Business | Clayesmore School

By

Editorial team

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24 November 2022

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To commence January 2023

An opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, enterprising and inspiring person to join our Business and Enterprise department at Clayesmore School.

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of what a modern and relevant business curriculum should offer and have the ability and understanding to motivate and inspire pupils and colleagues. Experience of teaching A Level Business is essential and A Level BTEC Enterprise would be an advantage.

In addition they will be keen to contribute to the life of a busy boarding school.

This is a permanent, full time position; a competitive salary and attractive benefits are provided for the successful candidate.

For further information and an application pack, please go to:

https://clayesmore.com/work-for-us/

Closing date: 8.00am on Wednesday, 7 December 2022

The vacancy may close earlier if a suitable candidate is appointed. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Clayesmore is committed to the safeguarding and promotion of children’s and young people’s welfare and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

www.clayesmore.com

Teacher of PE and Games | Clayesmore School

By

Editorial team

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24 November 2022

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To commence in January 2023
Full time, fixed term for Spring and Summer 2023 terms

We wish to appoint a Teacher to contribute to the Girls’ PE and Games programme in Key Stage 4 and 5, and a small number of lessons each week to our Key Stage 2 pupils.

A competitive salary and attractive benefits are provided for the successful candidate.

An early application is recommended as we may interview and appoint before the deadline if the right person applies.

For further information and an application form please go to:

https://clayesmore.com/work-for-us/

Closing date: 8:00am on Wednesday, 7 December 2022

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 this commitment.
www.clayesmore.com

A resurgence after the rain | The Voice of the Allotment

By

Editorial team

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23 November 2022

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After the hot dry summer, three inches of rain in September made a noticeable difference to the plot, never achieved by the watering, says Barry Cuff.

Barry continues to enjoy autumn salads, and the plot’s brassicas have never looked so good

With above-average temperatures and higher-than-average rainfall for October, growth of both vegetables and weeds was phenomenal! The one slight frost wasn’t cold enough to kill off tender plants. Within a week, newly moved soil had produced a flush of weed seedlings, especially chickweed, groundsel, fat hen and sowthistle.
Many of our flowers – cosmos, nasturtium and dahlia – still attracted hoverflies, bees and Red Admirals. Lots of weeds were still flowering too – black nightshade, red deadnettle, weasel snout and shepherd’s purse.
We were still picking runner and French beans till at least the middle of the month, but they have now finished, and we cut our last courgette on the 25th.
Our first parsnip was dug mid-October and cooked as wedges; tasty enough, but they will be better after a few frosts.
We have had some wonderful autumn salads too, all harvested fresh from the plot. Ingredients included red frills mustard, green streaks mustard, mizuna, lettuce, cauliflower florets, red moon radish, blue moon radish, baby carrots and radicchio.
The brassicas have never looked so good, having lost most of the whitefly and with little-to-no caterpillar damage. We have cut excellent Cheesy and Fargo cauliflowers, eating them both raw and boiled. Our Ironman calabrese are producing good-sized heads and will eventually have smaller side shoots. All the lower leaves of the Brussels that were covered in honey dew have been removed, making the plants look much better as the sprouts themselves begin to develop.
Both the leeks and celeriac are growing well and we will start harvesting those next month. Celery and carrots continue to be harvested as required and we are using potatoes, squash, onions and garlic from our store. From the freezer we have this summer’s peas, French beans, broad beans and sweetcorn.
We were still picking raspberries on the 28th of October and we are enjoying the last of the pears which we picked early in the month.

Looking ahead
Next year’s garlic was planted on the 12th. We are trying two varieties which are both new to us – Garcua and Carcassonne Wight – and have planted a total of 40 cloves.
A highlight of the month was the arrival of our seeds from Kings. We ordered 37 packets (31 vegetable and six flower), making the most of the 50 per cent discount we get as our allotment is a member of The South West Counties Allotment Association. The first of these will be sown next February – broad beans and peppers.

‘Rock Around The Christmas Tree’ with the Gillingham Festive Light Switch On

By

Editorial team

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23 November 2022

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‘Rock Around The Christmas Tree’ with the Gillingham Festive Light Switch On – 2nd December 2022

Street Market Santa Claus Food and Drink Children’s Activities Daily Deals Santa Parade Live Music Festive light switch on

Come to Gillingham this Christmas, so much to see and do …

The festive day starts from 12pm with a street market of fabulous stalls for all your Christmas shopping delights. Throughout the day there will be live music, childrens activities and plenty of great food and drink on sale. There is a Santa Parade and you can personally visit the jolly man himself from 3pm.

And finally at approximately 7.05pm there is the Festive Light Switch On itself… a day not to be missed!

There is even *Free Parking* for everyone in the council operated car parks!

PLUS!

There are daily December deals to be had from Gillingham’s businesses in their digital advent calendar

… here https://gcci.co.uk/advent/

To see a full list of things that are on and all the timings, please visit their website https://gcci.co.uk/festive/

So come along on the 2nd December for a real rock around the Christmas Tree!

Gillingham Chamber of Commerce

Gillingham Town Council

Reader’s Letters, plus The Repair Shop’s Sonnaz and John the Fish

By

Laura

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23 November 2022

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Kicking off with the Letters to the Editor, we’ve then had some fascinating conversations with some well-known local personalities, including Sonnaz from the Repair Shop (who answers our 19 random questions), and Athelhampton’s owner Giles Keating sharing his Dorset Island Discs:

Letters to the Editor – listen to what others think (our postbag is always open – send emails to [email protected] )
Sonnaz Nooranvary is a British-Iranian upholsterer who lives near Wimborne, best known as the resident upholstery expert on BBC One’s The Repair Shop. This month she braved the BV’s Random 19 questions.
Filleting since he was 14 – meet John the Fish, Wimborne’s fourth generation fishmonger with no better fish to fry when it comes to his life choices.
Pies, pasties and sausages are on the menu at Yeovil-based Wild and Game as they promote the use of wild British game into our diets.
Giles Keating, the owner of Athelhampton House, one of England’s finest Tudor manors, has overseen a major plan of maintenance on the much-loved building. He shares his story through his Dorset Island Disc choices – be ready for Dr Who, LEGO and Taylor Swift.

The BV magazine is the monthly digital magazine from Dorset – you can read the entire latest issue here and why not subscribe (it’s FREE!) so that it drops into your inbox every month on publication day? Just click here!