Ian Gelland
On the 15th August 2021, aged 79 years
Much loved husband of Carole, beloved father of Ellen and Clair.
Private family funera. Any donations to the Dorset Air Ambulance
The Sturminster Newton Chees Festival Returns on 11th & 12th September
Arrangements are well in hand and it’s all systems go for the team behind Sturminster Newton’s Cheese Festival.
Nineteen Cheese Producers are already booked to make it a very special (and cheesy) event – as usual it’s planned to have the traditional food and craft stalls, real ale and real cider tents.
Live music, Punch and Judy, Morris dancing, children’s entertainment and of course plenty of cheese making, cheese tasting, cookery demonstrations and cheese-related events.
Entry is £7 pp, children 15 and under go free.
Tickets need to be pre purchased on line, remember to add free tickets for children if required, at www.cheesefestival.co.uk
Just follow Eliza Mouse!
Talking Menopause – ‘Trailblazing’ Dorset Chamber Event features on BBC News.
Labelled ‘the last taboo in the workplace’, a Dorset Chamber campaign about the menopause has sparked nationwide interest.
Women over 50 are the fastest growing demographic in the UK – currently there are around 4m women in the workplace of menopausal age. One in four women suffer debilitating symptoms because of it, and yet, two thirds of women report a lack of understanding in their workplace.
The ‘Let’s Talk about the Menopause’ launch event was held online, and more than 60 people tuned in to learn about the very real impact the menopause has on a woman’s working life.
Those present included British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) director general Shevaun Haviland, Labour shadow business minister Seema Malhotra and BCP Council leader Cllr Drew Mellor. An encouraging number of male delegates we spoke to admitted they were attending as they felt ignorant of the issue when the subject had been raised in the regular Dorset Chamber networking group.
“The menopause is one of the last taboos.” Said Ms Haviland “No-one has ever really talked about it in the workplace and it’s something that affects probably 50 per cent of our staff for 10 to 15 years of their careers.”
Dorset Chamber’s campaign was declaimed as ‘trailblazing’ by Ms Malhotra, and BBC South Today felt it so remarkable as a business event that they featured it on their evening broadcast.
A significant proportion of women step back from their careers or leave their jobs because of the negative impact of menopause and lack of support, warned keynote speaker Dr Sarah Hattam, a practising GP and expert on health and wellbeing in the workplace.
The event was certainly successful in raising awareness of the menopause – one male attendee who wished to remain anonymous told the digital Blackmore Vale “I’ll be honest, I thought it was just a woman’s periods stopping. I’m so glad I attended. I mean, it’s the 21st Century – why are there still ‘taboo topics’ when these are such big issues for a huge section of our population?”
Chief executive Ian Girling said: “Our poll during the event showed that nearly three quarters of women had been adversely affected by the menopause.
“It’s not about talking about embarrassing things, it’s about being able to say to a colleague or manager ‘it’s not a great day today, can you bear with me’. And it’s about helping men have more understanding.
“It was a fantastic and powerful event but it was just the start.”
For more details about support available visit https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/menopause-resources/.
Research from the independent Nuffield Health group found:
- About 13 million women in the UK are either peri or post menopausal
- Symptoms can last up to 15 years
- Over 60% of women experience symptoms resulting in behaviour changes
- One in four women will experience severe debilitating symptoms
- Almost half of menopausal women say they feel depressed
- A third of women say they suffer with anxiety
- Approximately two-thirds of women say there is a general lack of support and understanding
The Voice of the Allotment
By mid July harvesting of crops was in full swing and our kitchen was filled with the scents of midsummer from bowls of large strawberries and vases of sweet peas. The rain of previous weeks had done wonders so that the growth of both vegetables and weeds was amazing.
We were able to pick peas from our four rows of Hurst Green Shaft every 3-4 days. Most of these went in the freezer. The Carouby De Maussane mangetout and Purple Magnolia Snap both grew to about 6 feet providing abundant pods for salads and stir fries over a period of four weeks.
Haulms were removed from Foremost, Charlotte and Elfe potatoes during the first week and then dug about ten days later. All three varieties gave good yields. On the 19th the first blighted leaves were seen on the remaining rows of maincrop varieties (Picasso and Rooster). Neither of these varieties have high scores for blight resistance. As rain and thunderstorms were forecast we decided to remove the haulms as conditions were perfect for the disease to spread rapidly. On surrounding plots most varieties had the beginnings of the disease while Cara and Carolus were quite free of blight.
With the exceptional growth experienced during the month we had to remove the net cloches from all the Brassicas as the rows had become very weedy. We were pleased that only two plants had succumbed to the dreaded Swede Midge (Contarinia nasturtii). These were destroyed and replaced with spare plants. Normally we lose more plants to this insect pest. Was it because the very weedy rows had made it difficult for the flying midge to detect the plants on which to lay its eggs ?
Our broad beans had all been harvested by the 11th and the plants removed. Two rows of Musselburgh leek were planted in their place. More leeks (Tadorna) were planted on the 25th on ground where the early potatoes had been lifted.
During the month we picked our first French beans and gherkins and lifted carrots and beetroot as required.
Our Moonlight runner beans are a mass of flowers and are setting well.
The first tassels have appeared on the sweetcorn and the squashes have a lot of flowers.
All our fruit bushes are giving good yields and go to making jam and wine.
By: Barry Cuff
Sponsored by Thorngrove Garden Centre
Join Our Cheese Team | Dorset Blue Vinny
We have a couple of different vacancies opening up to join our small friendly team making the award-winning Dorset Blue Vinny.
If you’re looking for something new and either have the following skills or would love to learn about making cheese, please get in touch either by popping in to see us or by sending your CV (nothing formal, just a bit of information about yourself and what you do!) to [email protected]
What we need from our Cheese Team:
- Early mornings! You’ll start at 6am but finish around 2pm
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of our team
- It’s a very physical role – plenty of lifting and moving – so you’ll need to be strong and healthy
- A good eye for detail
- Be reliable
- A positive attitude
- Some knowledge of food hygiene would be beneficial, but not essential.
- Some weekend work is involved – but we do work on a rota-basis
Salary Expectations Circa £20,000pa
Location – Woodbridge Farm, DT10 2BD.
Shaftesbury Fringe 2021
Shaftesbury Fringe 2021 is an open access performing arts festival that takes place every summer. It is a celebration of all things creative, and welcomes both new and established artists to perform and exhibit in one of over 30 unique venues within our town.
Founded in 2016 by Andy Tebbutt-Russell & Samantha, Shaftesbury Fringe is fast becoming one of the key Fringe festivals in the country.
Covid means the 2021 event will be a little smaller, and a bit later this year – but the organisers are delighted to have almost 100 performances taking place over four days of the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The aim is to have something for everyone – and between the music, comedy, dance, theatre (and everything in between) they’ve probably got you covered. It’s not just about the expected venues either – events are scattered throughout the town, ranging from historic churches to cosy cafes and encompassing hairdressing salons and a dentist’s surgery!
Take a look at the website and browse the 2021 Programme – maybe you’re looking for the ‘Singing Bowl Chill Out’? Lie down in Bell St United Church and listen to ‘a crystal and Tibetan bowl soundbath’. (£10)
Or head to the Grosvenor Hotel for ‘a tour de force of epic dimensions’ with The Bard of Windmill Hill (£5).
Saturday night at the Two Brewers is to the sound of popular covers from the 60’s onwards from Georgie Girl (free).
Sunday night at the Grosvenor is an evening of songs and silliness with Shaftesbury’s very own male a cappella group ‘The Spoonfeds’ (£Pay What It’s Worth)
Download the Shaftesbury Fringe App for the easiest way to plan your trip to the Fringe (Apple & Android). You’ll find full details of every performance together with a planner to save your favourite shows. There’s also a handy map to help you find the venues.
By: Laura Hitchcock
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show 2021
How utterly brilliant it was today to spend hours roaming the Turnpike Showground, surrounded by thousands of people simply having a great time at the biggest Agricultural Show in the area: finally the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show 2021 was back and reuniting the rural community.
It feels like a long long time – and today’s amazing turnout felt like a jubilant celebration after the last 18mths of slog.
The display rings seemed to have a permanent crowd of clapping cheering onlookers as a quad bike flew through the air, polo ponies flaunted their skill and beauty, hawks frankly showed off and heavy horses made their elegant way around. Also don’t miss the dog show – we watched a brilliant succession of dogs getting it wrong, sneaking off for the treats and generally winning the crowd over with their rubbish cheekiness. We all just knew they were perfect during practice!
The stall aisles were busy too – nowhere felt overwhelmingly packed with people, but it was lovely seeing so many small indie businesses being well supported. From hats to stunning wood turning, wrought iron gates to wellies there was something for everyone. And of course there were plentiful activities at the bigger stands, spontaneous singing with the cheery crew from Gillingham Medical Practice (yes, really…), juggling stilt walkers at the BV Dairy stand…
Plus I spent rather too long in the poultry tent – so many different breeds of chicken. And shouty ducks. Lots of fun.
And of course there’s the food areas – plentiful and varied, but be prepared, queues were LONG at lunch time; we waited till 3.30 to get ours (we opted for an amazing curry, but were genuinely spoiled for choice).
I loved the frequent water refilling stations around the Showground – they’re shown on the map, and saw lots of people using their own refillable flasks. Sadly still saw single-use plastic water bottles on sale though – would have been nice to see these gone this year, bit one step at a time.
There was, however, no litter at all. Not because there were loads of crews collecting it – everyone was simply respectful. The atmosphere was warm, fun and friendly. Oddly soothing in its safe normality after the last 18mths.
Tickets can still be bought on the gate for tomorrow – but be ready for an early start. We arrived at just after 10, and the traffic was backed up and slow moving for the last 15 minutes.
- Adult – £17
- Child (3 – 15) – £5
- UNDER 3s – FREE
- Family – £40
Dogs welcome, and there’s loads for the kids to do.
Dorset Meat Boxes
Where to find the best meat boxes in the Blackmore Vale
It’s barbecue season (come on sunshine!) and time for entertaining family and friends.
Or, you may just be looking at restocking your freezer. There are some great places to find locally sourced quality meat boxes in the Blackmore Vale with most offering a home delivery service. Here’s our round up of some of the best meat boxes avauilable in the area: all deliver to your door.
Marnhull-based The Happy Meat Company is family-run and has a monthly meat box service. With their own Tamworth pigs & Dexter cows they offer a selection of free range meats in each box, ideal for families or stocking the freezer. They can also adapt to suit specific dietary needs. Do check out the Facebook page for videos of the delightful animals on the farm.
With their own Tamworth pigs, The Story Pig at Sandford Orcas has a good range of free range pork meat boxes. There’s a selection ranging from a barbecue box to a Quarter Tamworth but if you can’t find exactly what you need, give them a call and they will make up a bespoke one to suit your requirements. They deliver, but I recommend collecting your box so you can enjoy a coffee and the views from their new cafe at Lavender Keeper’s Farm and meet the pigs!
Meat boxes from The Dorset Meat Company featured in The Independent recently as among the best in the UK. The company is owned by Jane and Nick Somper and based in Sutton Waldron. All the meat is from Dorset or Wiltshire grass fed animals and you can select from a wide range of box types and sizes or build your own. Choose from the steak boxes or a selection designed to fill the freezer- and it gets delivered to your door. There’s a wide range of meat from fresh venison to goat, lamb and more.
Based near Shaftesbury, The Real Cure make their multi-award winning range of cured meats using wild deer for venison, free range British pigs and grass fed Aberdeen Angus beef from Jurassic Coast Farm in Dorset to produce their Bresaola.
Their salami, chorizo and air dried hams are made using traditional artisan processes of smoking, curing and air drying; the charcuterie meat boxes are great for entertaining or gifts.
Kimbers are a regular feature at Shaftesbury Farmers Market but you can also get meat boxes delivered. The farm at Charlton Musgrove has been in the same family for over 300 years and their Aberdeen Angus beef is first class. Meat boxes range from a Weekend box to a Gourmet Barbecue selection. They will also fix up a bespoke order if you can’t quite find what you need.
We’re fortunate to have a wonderful selection of high quality meat boxes across the Blackmore Vale – do also ask at your local independent butchers, many source their meat locally, and will offer meat packs. The award winning T Buttling Butchers at Ludwell, for example (featured here), have recently started selling summer barbecue boxes.
By: Rachael Rowe
New Living Legacy Fund will help grass roots groups support their communities
A NEW fund to help grass roots groups tackling poverty and isolation to improve health and wellbeing is being launched by Dorset Community Foundation and BCP Council.
The Living Legacy Fund is targeting the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area and has been boosted with a £50,000 injection from the council. The fund, which is now open for grant applications, aims to fund services and activities that bring people together to support one another, provide healthy social activities, support personal aspirations and skills and promote volunteering opportunities where possible.
Community foundation director Grant Robson said: “There couldn’t be a better time to launch a fund like this, with voluntary groups struggling after 18 months of increased demand and lost fundraising opportunities because of Covid.
“We want this fund to be a catalyst to rebuilding communities and giving groups the resource and certainty to meet the needs on their doorstep. We are very thankful for the support from BCP Council, which has been incredibly supportive of what we have been trying to do over the last year or so.”
Cllr Jane Kelly, BCP Council’s lead member for Community Engagement, said: “I am delighted and really excited that BCP Council are working with DCF to launch this fund, it is a fantastic opportunity for community groups to receive some valuable resource to continue or expand their work.
“The council is dedicated and passionate about helping our communities to flourish when they have had such a difficult time. Demand is high on services to help those who are in need, many people are facing social and financial challenges but we know that there are many fantastic people out there who can and will want to take advantage of this opportunity to start or continue community-based projects.
She said the community foundation was an obvious choice for the council when looking to invest money into the voluntary sector. “I have worked with the community foundation several times over the last few years,” she said.
“It is a well-established and very trusted name in the voluntary sector and that really matters. It has a fantastic network and the aims of the Living Legacy Fund reflects our corporate priorities, which is all about recognising the strengths within our communities, building on those and keeping residents at the heart of everything we do.”
Last year BCP Council donated £80,000 to the community foundation’s Dorset Coronavirus Community Fund. It made 13 grants and benefitted more than 10,000 people.
Mr Robson said he is expecting other people and organisations and corporate partners to support the fund. “I know there are many people in Dorset who share BCP Council’s belief in building and growing communities through investment in the voluntary sector,” he said.
“I firmly believe this fund will become an important means of support for grass roots groups in the area for many years to come.”
The fund will award grants of up to £5,000 and can cover running costs, staff and volunteer pay and expenses, capital expenditure such as IT or sports equipment or venue hire.
Organisations which apply must work in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and priority for funding will be given to those based in the area.
The funded activities must start within two months of funding and groups have up to 12 months to spend the grant. Applications do not need to be for new services, they can be for the continuation or expansion of existing services to meet changing needs or increasing demand.
To apply for a grant, find out how to support the Living Legacy Fund or learn more about the work of the Community foundation go to dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.
Sponsored by Ward Goodman
