Brenda Kathleen Baker Of Sturminster Newton
Much loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on 16 September at the age of 92.
The funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church Sturminster Newton on 9 October at 11am.
Family flowers only thank you and donations, if desired, can be sent to Peter Jackson Funeral Director Henstridge, in aid of Sherborne Branch RNLI or Julia’s House.
I was hoping to spend two entire days at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show but was forced to return to the House of Commons on the Wednesday for the debate on the Afghanistan crisis. Some may ask
why a rural MP from Dorset feels it important to return to take part in such a debate.
The answer is that the rapid developments in Afghanistan concern all of us. The consequences of the situation are serious for us here at home as well as abroad.
Events moved faster than anticipated; But first I’ll recap the lightning events of recent past which may go some way to explain why we are where we are today. First, the President of the United States, on July 8th, was categoric that what has happened in Afghanistan at the point of transition of US withdrawing would not happen! That was wrong. Either there was a systemic breakdown of
intelligence on the ground, or the President was advised that these events would not
materialise.
Not only does this cause us concern for the integrity of US intelligence, but it also raises questions for us to consider about the relationship between our two nations; and this in turn gives us concern for our foreign policy in the future.
Our Foreign Secretary. Many people have commented upon our Foreign Secretary being away when this first happened. I can assure you that Dominic Raab would not have been away if this was expected. But it further goes to question the integrity of US intelligence in Afghanistan and our reliance on it.
And we must remember that since April our Government recommended British citizens to leave Afghanistan because of the risks of western forces withdrawing from that country.
Animals v humans.
You may have heard of man called Paul ‘Pen’ Farthing a former Royal Marine turned founder of the Nowzad dogs charity. I have valued his work, especially with my interests in animal welfare ,and I don’t
criticise lightly. We have broad sympathy for his cause (animal welfare in Afghanistan) but I find it morally questionable that the Government bowed to his threatening behavior to officials to use airplane space for cats and dogs rather than vets and nurses – or the most vulnerable people needing to get
out – who will likely be executed, as my colleague Tom Tugenhat MP said last week.
I wholly agree with Tom and encourage you to refer to his powerful speech in the House of Commons on August 18. colleague Tom Tugenhat said last week. I wholly agree with him and encourage you to listen to his powerful speech in the House of Commons on 18th August (above).
by Chris Loder MP
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Although long (unless you chop it in half), this is a really easy-going circular walk from Moreton Walled Gardens, mostly on broad well-marked trails. There are small sections on open heathland, but for most of the time you will be in the forests – probably mucky underfoot in winter, but cool and shady on a hot day, with a lovely ford to splash hot feet in when you’re done! Do stop at the Walled Gardens for tea and cake, too.
(The pinch point in the middle is an easy point to split the route in two – if you don’t want a 12 mile day hike, then there’s an obvious option to cut across from the Southover Heath Plantation to Pallington Clump via the Hardy Way, and you’ll end up with a nice 6ish miles instead.)
There is plenty of free parking at Moreton – but if you’re starting late, be aware that the overflow parking for the walled gardens closes at 8pm in summer months. The area does get busy in the holidays – the first couple of miles were busy with young families.
The terrain is relatively flat for Dorset. Footpaths through the forests have been subverted by the forestry tracks (our route was created from our footsteps on the actual paths available, not the public footpaths on the OS map)
Oh the ancient giants. This beauty was at least fifteen feet in diameter – I always ponder about the people who have walked beneath them over the centuries.
The ford over the river Frome at Moreton – this was taken early evening on our return leg. On the way out the water was busy with children playing and splashing.
Spending most of the day in deep forest means the odd breaks onto open heathland are welcoming windows.
Much of the day is on the wide easy-going paths which criss-cross this area of native Dorset heathland.
Each month in The BV Magazine, we share a new Dorset walk through the beautiful countryside, under our ‘Take a Hike’ series. We walk and create every route ourselves — you can explore all our previously published Dorset Walks here, plus many more personal routes with downloadable GPX files on our OutdoorActive profile here.
We’d love to hear your feedback if you try one — and don’t forget to send us your photos!
All images © Laura Hitchcock.
The property market can be daunting for first time buyers and add Covid-19 into the equation and you have a challenging situation. However it’s not all doom and gloom as property expert Samantha Pattle explains:
The property market is facing unprecedented demand partly fuelled by the changes the pandemic has brought with it.
At Battens Solicitors, we appreciate that trying to get on the property ladder for the first time can be a difficult experience, but especially for those who have been trying to secure a mortgage in the last year. In 2020 interest rates were rising and the majority of Mortgage Lenders were no longer accepting deposits as low as 5%. This was because Mortgage Lenders were limiting the distribution of mortgages offered and only typically accepting those who needed to borrow a smaller amount from them and who had a higher deposit. This made it almost impossible for the majority of first time buyers who would only be expected to have smaller deposits.
Now that the economy is starting to open up again, we have seen a rise in mainstream Mortgage Lenders such as Natwest, Nationwide, Halifax and Santander beginning to accept not only 10% deposits, but also 5% which is great news for those now buying for the first time or even those looking to purchase on again.
What is a 95% Mortgage?
• A 95% mortgage; known as a 95% loan to value (LTV) mortgage, is a mortgage to purchase a property with a small deposit (at least 5% but less than 10% of the purchase price).
This mortgage will be provided on completion with a term set and you will then pay the mortgage off monthly once the purchase transaction has completed.
• Your deposit is the amount of money that you need to put towards the property to make up 100% of the final purchase price.
What does this mean for a First Time Buyer?
A Mortgage Lender is likely to allow you to borrow more than they would have done in recent years. You can find a property to buy once you have saved at least 5% of the purchase price and, as long as the Mortgage Lender believes this is affordable for you, they will lend the remainder of what you need to purchase the property. This means that you could be eligible to buy your first home even earlier than you thought and you don’t have to save quite as much money to do so and get onto the property ladder.
Should you, a friend or colleague be looking to purchase a first home, please do not hesitate to get in contact with a member of Battens’ residential property team for a quote or further information which we should be happy to provide.
For further information please contact Samantha Pattle on 01935 811317 or email [email protected]
In my January column, I expressed a hope that the Chancellor would give us early warning of any extension to the stamp duty holiday and a plea to clients to help us achieve deadlines by being proactive in doing essential initial paperwork so valuable time was not lost…..roll the clock forward: eight months on, where exactly are we now?
The year to date has been stressful and exhausting for everyone moving home and more so for all the professionals in the process: agents, conveyancers, surveyors and lenders. In this part of Dorset, I can report it is far from over yet. June 2021 saw the Porter Dodson Sturminster Newton conveyancing team opening more conveyancing files than any month in the prior twelve-month period with higher value transactions where stamp duty savings are not the drivers.
The market in the south west is still extremely active: some would-be buyers report that agents are unwilling to engage in discussions unless already exchanged on their sale or sitting on cash. Sealed bids are back with a vengeance and properties sell even before brochures can be produced. Some properties sell for well in excess of the first asking price in a matter of days. But sellers are struggling to find next homes and those deciding to break their transactions and head to rented accommodation in between are also discovering a shortage of suitable rental properties.
The continuing buoyancy belies the expectation that the end of the full stamp tax holiday and the impending end of the reduced relief are what has stimulated all this activity: rather, it comes from a reassessment of what people want from their homes, the fact that many people managed to save during the numerous lockdowns and finally, that mortgage rates remaining attractively low for those not worried about job security. Oh – and we live in a wonderful and highly desirable corner of the UK and we should not forget it!
So, what happens next? There certainly is a need for the return of an orderly market. I hope that those who have purchased in this overheated market at generous prices do not come to regret it in future. I hope that the economy strengthens across the board and employment levels are strong so that jobs do not disappear, and we have no fear of once again encountering the spectre of negative equity that caused havoc in the 1990s and again, around 2008. But as to where we end up this time next year, only time will tell!
North Dorset Labour Party invites you to:
A discussion led by Isabel Creed, a researcher and lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Oxford.
To be held in the main hall of Blandford School on Saturday 16 October, starting at 2.30pm.
This is not a political meeting, but an opportunity to explore and understand the science of climate change.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
Enter the School by the main gate opposite the Milldown, go to the Reception entrance.
If you want to come, please register on Eventbrite or alternatively send us an email if you can to [email protected] so that we can judge numbers.
Come whatever your politics to ask questions and join the discussion.
Free Event – Click here to register
Experienced Cleaner Required
Immediate Start
For Family home near Sherborne
4 hours per week
Ideally Monday mornings
References Required
Please Text or call: 07940 513001
Josephine Evans
Sadly passed away on 13th September 2021.
Much loved wife, mum, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.
A private family funeral
Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Josie if desired to Dorset MIND.
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