Prepare to light up the city with NEON at this year’s Midnight Walk! The organisers invite you to hop, skip and groove through the streets of Salisbury dressed in neon socks, funky glasses, and head boppers! The sponsored walk is open to everyone over the age of 12 – and dogs are very welcome! The walk starts and ends at the Five Rivers Leisure Centre, and there is a choice between the six or 10-mile routes. Things get started with the dusk party warm-up disco before participants head out to take a walk under the stars to commemorate loved ones lost in this fun and incredibly moving sponsored walk that supports Salisbury Hospice. The special memories board will return this year, offering the opportunity to dedicate a star to a loved one. In addition, the completer’s medals are ‘living’ medals, in the form of Forget Me Not seeds, a gentle reminder of those loved ones. The walk is on Saturday 27th April, and registration is open now – https://www.salisburyhospicecharity.org.uk/event/midnight-walk . Maybe ask, cajole and bribe your friends, family and colleagues to do it with you, and make a neon party night of it!
In a significant move for Sherborne, Chris Loder, West Dorset’s MP, has successfully negotiated the establishment of a banking hub in the town. This comes in the wake of Lloyds Bank’s decision to close its Sherborne branch, which prompted Chris Loder to engage in extensive discussions with financial regulators and banking bodies to ensure continued access to banking services for the local community. The hub, expected to launch in 2025, will cater to customers of all high street banks, including those like Natwest and Barclays that had previously withdrawn from Sherborne.
Chris Loder says: “After months of high-level discussions with LINK and Cash Access UK, I’m glad to announce that a Banking Hub will open in Sherborne next year. I’ve been campaigning for the protection of and better access to banking facilities and cash in West Dorset. The Banking Hub in Sherborne will be available to all residents, with different banks – including Lloyds – working on a rotating basis on different days with community bankers available to speak with.”
He further clarified the transition timeline for Lloyds Bank, noting, “Lloyds has informed me that it will cease operating on the 16th January 2025, but are willing to extend this, should it be needed. I am working closely with Cash Access UK, which will develop the Banking Hub in Sherborne, to ensure that it is operational, or a temporary alternative is accessible before the closing date.” This initiative underscores a significant effort to maintain essential banking services in Sherborne, directly addressing the concerns of the local community in the wake of bank closures.
We are sad to announce the death of Roy Knapman, peacefully in Castle Cary, on the 17th March 2024, aged 94 years.
A loving husband of 66 years to Shirley, wonderful dad to Lesley, Christopher and Clare; amazing grandpa (grumps) to Ali, Ed, Will and Sophie; and special great-grandpa to Max.
Service of thanksgiving at All Saints’ Church, Castle Cary on Wednesday, 3rd April, at 2:30pm. Family flowers only please, but donations in memory of Roy to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, supporting young British athletes. c/o Harold F.Miles, Funeral Director, South Cadbury, BA22 7ES
The family extend heartfelt thanks to the Weldmar nurses, district nurses and community care team for invaluable support and kindness during Arthur’s last weeks and wish to thank everyone who has sent lovely messages of condolence.
Arthur will be buried at the woodland burial ground, Shillingstone at a private service. All are warmly invited to a memorial meeting and celebration of Arthur’s life at the Quaker Meeting House, Abbey Walk: 23/04/2024 at 10.30am, and afterwards for refreshments at home. Donations in memory of Arthur can be made to Weldmar Hospicecare.
Begin 2024’s gardening journey in March sowing seeds – a magical job that lays the foundation for a season of colour, says Charlotte Tombs
In March, as winter loosens its grip on the South of England and signs of spring really get going, the anticipation of seed sowing fills me with excitement. There’s an undeniable thrill that comes from witnessing the first seed germinate, a promise of new life and vibrant growth. With approximately eight weeks until the last frost, now’s the perfect time to kickstart the gardening season. If you haven’t grown from seed before, you really should give it a go; it’s so rewarding and so much cheaper than buying your plants ready-grown! One of the techniques I use for seed starting is a soil blocker. This ingenious tool creates tiny soil blocks, providing the perfect environment for seedlings to establish themselves. I love how efficient it is; 40 soil blocks neatly fit into a takeaway tub, and when covered with the tub lid, it transforms into a mini greenhouse, creating a warm and moist environment ideal for germination. Plus, you don’t waste seed or compost, or waste time pricking out.
What to pick? As I prepare to sow my seeds, I carefully select from an array of varieties suited for early spring planting. Calendula, with its cheerful orange and yellow blooms, is a must-have for adding a pop of colour to the garden. Cornflowers, in shades of blue, evoke a nostalgic charm reminiscent of English cottage gardens. Malope, with its delicate petals in a deep Vulcan red and white, adds a touch of whimsy to any flower bed. These all make great cut flowers – in all honesty I don’t grow anything that doesn’t make a good cut flower or smell amazing… preferably both! Sweet peas are another favourite of mine, with their intoxicating fragrance and delicate tendrils that climb effortlessly up trellises and fences. Annual phlox, with its clusters of vibrant blooms to attract pollinators, adds a burst of colour to the garden. Quaking grass, with its graceful seed heads that sway in the breeze, adds movement and texture to floral arrangements, and statice, with its papery blooms in shades of purple, blue and white, is perfect for drying and preserving.
A little bit of magic As I sow each seed into its designated soil block, I can’t help that buzz of excitement, knowing that in just a few weeks, these tiny seeds will burst forth with life, transforming into robust seedlings ready to be transplanted into the garden. I water each takeaway tub, ensuring that the seeds are evenly moistened, and then cover the tub with its lid, creating a cosy haven for germination to take place. Some seeds require dark for germination, some light, so do read the seed packet. Seed sowing in March is more than just a job on your list; it’s a celebration of nature’s resilience and the promise of new beginnings. As I look forward to the blooms and abundance that lies ahead, I’m reminded of the joy that comes from working with Mother Nature through the seasons of the year. And as I witness the first seed germinate, I’m always filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude.
This meal is the one my eldest son requests when he comes home from Uni – thankfully it is ridiculously easy to make! It’s a slow cooker fave (if you don’t have one, a normal oven works too) and it is so full of flavour. I’ve also included my own homemade coleslaw recipe – and if you really want to play in the kitchen, then make your own brioche rolls too, using my foolproof recipe that featured in September 21’s BV here.
Ingredients serves 6 to 10
Pork:
1.8kg to 2.5kg pork shoulder joint
½ cup dark soy sauce
½ cup honey
½ cup sesame oil
Coleslaw:
½ green cabbage
3 large carrots
½ cup mayonnaise
½ Greek style yoghurt
1tsp soy sauce
1tsp honey
Method
Into a slow cooker add the wet ingredients and mix together.
Remove the pork shoulder from any wrapping or string. Pop into the slow cooker and turn it around in the sauce until covered.*
Cook on low for eight hours. I usually start ‘skin side up’ and then turn the joint every couple of hours so that it all gets soaked in the tasty liquid.
The meat is done when its falls apart with a fork.
To make the coleslaw, finely shred the cabbage into a large bowl. Peel and grate the carrot into the cabbage and mix together.
Stir in all the wet ingredients until everything is coated well. You can also season with black pepper if you wish.
Serve the pulled pork in brioche rolls with some shredded iceberg lettuce for some extra crunch. We have also served this with Bao Buns or toasted bagels (see last month’s recipe to make your own here!), the latter liberally laden with butter of course.
Heather Brown is a special officer for the Guild of Food Writers, and has worked in the food industry for 20 years. She is a food writer and photographer, offering one-to-one help to local businesses for content and websites.
If you don’t have a slow cooker, then you can make this in the oven. Just place the meat and the sauces into a large oven proof dish and cook in a low oven (gas 2 – 140º fan) for 6-8 hours, still checking and turning the joint periodically.
Boasting vibrant displays of chalk downland flowers and butterflies, an abundance of birds and mammals and stunning views over the Blackmore Vale, it is easy to see why Fontmell Down attracts nature lovers all year round.
One of the most celebrated birds in literature, poetry and music, the rather nondescript skylark (Alauda arvensis) Image: Vaughn Matthews
And quite often, these visitors are joined by their beloved four-legged friends. Walking your dog is a great form of exercise and can help achieve that important dose of nature therapy that we so often neglect. However, a dog’s naturally inquisitive nature can be extremely harmful to wildlife, particularly our ground-nesting birds.
Skylarks build their small, grassy, cup-shaped nests on the ground Image: Seb Haggett
Many ground-nesting birds, such as nightjar and woodlark, are associated with heathland habitat. However, one particular species takes advantage of the patchwork of grassland and scrub at Fontmell Down: the skylark. One of the most celebrated birds in literature, poetry and music, the skylark (Alauda arvensis) is a small, streaky brown bird with a crest and long tail. Although its appearance can be described as rather nondescript, the same cannot be said for its unmistakable song-flight. Male skylarks will rise almost vertically from the ground, effortlessly hovering at a great height while singing. These long and complicated song-flights can last for up to an hour, and the birds can reach 300 metres before descending. In contrast with their impressive aerial displays, skylarks build their small, grassy, cup-shaped nests on the ground. Around three to four eggs are laid, and parents can have up to four broods in a breeding season (between April and August).
Fontmell Down in summer Image: Jack Clarke
Building their nests on the ground means that they are at risk of disturbance from trampling feet and excited dogs. When the parents are scared off their nests, the precious eggs and chicks become vulnerable to predators. And it’s not just skylark nests that can become compromised by walkers and their dogs on Fontmell Down. Meadow pipits, stonechats, corn bunting and yellowhammers all nest on, or close to, the ground. The law states you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than two metres between 1st March and 31st July when on any open access land, in order to protect ground-nesting birds. But Dorset Wildlife Trust urges all visitors to keep their dogs on a short lead and stick to the pathways on the nature reserves all year round to protect wildlife and livestock.
Visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk to plan your own trip to Fontmell Down and find information on our other nature reserves
At its annual Community Chest Awards in January, local family brewer Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) announced the successful recipients of grants totalling more than £27,000. The funding is part of a wider £55,000 being donated to other counties where H&W operates, which is the highest sum since the Community Chest initiative began in 2002 – here in Dorset more than 20 grants were mad. Organisations providing support to people with disabilities and groups offering guidance, training, and career advice all received a share of the funds that H&W set aside for the initiative. Mark Woodhouse, family director of H&W, said: ‘We never cease to be amazed by the tremendous good that organisations can do for their communities and are honoured to help continue their hard work. It’s all about providing access to funding for small, local, volunteer-led and trustworthy organisations that make a real difference. ‘It’s always a privilege to meet the people behind the organisations making such a positive change. Already, I very much look forward to launching the Community Chest again in the spring.” One recipient, Weymouth Foodbank, operates from four locations across Weymouth, providing local people with essential groceries and hygienic equipment. In 2023, it fed more than 14,000 people, a 56% increase from 2022. The funding provided by Hall & Woodhouse, totalling £2,700, will cover the purchase of milk, cheese, and eggs for a whole month. Dorset-based charity Countrymen UK helps individuals experiencing isolation due to physical or mental deterioration. The charity provides activities and workshops based around creativity and movement, while encouraging members to build strong support relationships. H&W provided £1,000 to help fund running costs and activities.
Our life-saving charity, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA), provides relief from sickness and injury for the people of Dorset and Somerset, by the provision of an air ambulance service, with an air and road delivered critical care capability.
DSAA is a well-loved and respected charity, which relies on the generosity of the public to raise our operational costs of over £10 million per year. The charity is extremely well supported by over 100 volunteers spread across Dorset and Somerset, who contribute unpaid time to help us deliver our fundraising activities. Our belief is that patients’ lives depend on us being there and the whole team is focused on making that happen.
Job Description
We are now seeking to appoint a Supporter Engagement Officer to assist our volunteers and maintain excellent links with communities within the Somerset area. A large proportion of the charity’s fundraising activities are undertaken by groups, businesses and individuals who hold events in aid of the charity and your role is to provide support alongside our friendly fundraising team.
Highly motivated, flexible and enthusiastic, you will have an understanding of supporter engagement and enjoy the challenge of building relationships within the community. This role will suit someone who is passionate about people and has the ability to engage with a wide range of audiences confidently and to be a key community champion in Somerset.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Be an ambassador for DSAA within the Somerset community, helping to raise awareness and maximising income generating opportunities.
Provide exceptionally high-quality care to ensure that our volunteers and supporters feel valued and appreciated.
Uphold and be able to articulate an excellent level of knowledge about all aspects of the charity, including our clinical and operational activities.
Manage a team of volunteers across Somerset, including recruiting, training, providing equipment and supporting them in their various roles.
Work closely with the wider fundraising team, helping to develop and deliver fundraising initiatives.
Oversee the servicing and management of collection boxes across Somerset, liaising with the fundraising officers and finance team.
Present talks about the charity and be a confident and engaging public speaker.
Liaise, manage and represent the charity at events, presentations and donation collections.
Provide on call support for our events volunteers, including out of office hours.
Keep accurate records of all events, supporters, communications and fundraising activities on our CRM system.
Person Specification
An understanding of community fundraising would be advantageous, along with experience of working with volunteers.
Strong communication skills including the ability to speak publicly via presentations to businesses and groups.
A history of forming strong long-lasting relationships.
A willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends.
Full clean UK Driving license.
Education and qualifications:
Essential: GCSEs Grade C or above or equivalent in Maths and English
Previous experience:
Essential: Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working in a people focussed engagement role
Desirable: Experience of working with volunteers or a charity
The successful candidate will receive:
Competitive salary: up to £30,000 (depending on experience)
37.5 hours per week/worked flexibly
28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Generous pension scheme (8% Charity Contribution) and benefits package
Home-based role based in Somerset with travel expenses paid
If you have the right skills, experience and knowledge, and would like to join our passionate and friendly team, we would love to hear from you!
If you would like to ask for more information or have an informal chat, please contact Fundraising Manager, Emma Jones by calling: 01823 669604.
Recruitment Process
Closing Date: Friday 5th April 2024
Interviews to take place:22nd to 25th April 2024
How to Apply
To apply: Please email your CV and a covering letter to: [email protected] or post to: Julie Plowden, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Landacre House, Chelston Business Park, Castle Road, Wellington, TA21 9JQ.
