There’s nothing like the smell of freshly-baked goods straight from the oven – and this time it’s your dog who gets to enjoy them.
Local start-up The Dog Chef has launched a range of 100% natural dog treat baking mixes that you make and bake in the oven yourself.
The launch range of Bake & Treat baking mixes includes Liver Cake Training Treat Baking Mix, Tuna Bites Training Treat Baking Mix, Fresh Breath Dog Biscuit Baking Mix and Carob & Banana Cookie Baking Mix.
All the mixes are approved by accredited UK dog nutritionist Gerald Pepin. Founder Ann-marie Morgan said: “Overseen by our resident dog nutritionist, every ingredient is both dog-safe and fit for human consumption.
“Apart from being exceptionally healthy, one of the biggest differences between Bake & Treat dog treats and commercial dog treats is that pet parents know exactly what ingredients are in them.”
Ann-marie Morgan began looking into pet food content when her German Shepherd Marco became ill. She discovered that ‘improved food and not increasingly expensive medication’ was the answer to his health problems. “The better we fed our boy, the healthier and stronger he became. Six years on, he’s a happy, healthy, robust individual”
She added: “It’s a way of improving the life of a dog by making its life more interesting and exciting. And as anyone who has studied the subject will tell you,
environmental enrichment doesn’t come in a packet. It comes from doing things with your dog.
“When pet parents bake their own homemade dog treats, the dog gets to enjoy the whole process. The opening of the packet, the sounds of mixing, the rattling of baking trays and the aroma of treats baking in the oven. And all that before the final mouth-watering tasting.”
Packets of The Dog Chef dog treat mixes can be bought direct online here at
We all know how important it is to have an up to date will. But what if someone loses the mental capacity to make or update their will?
1 in 14 people over the age of 65 and 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 suffer from dementia, plus people lose testamentary capacity from head injuries or other health issues. Not having the ability to execute a will where family circumstances have changed, can lead to real problems and huge upset for families.
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Under an old will or the intestacy rules (which apply if someone dies without a will) the deceased’s estate may pass to an estranged spouse or an estranged child; a long term partner, child or grandchild may be left out; or there may be a larger than necessary inheritance tax bill to pay. These are just some of the possible consequences resulting from the deceased having been unable to update their will.
Frequently, such situations lead to protracted and expensive probate dispute. However, there is, in many cases, a solution in the form of a statutory will. A statutory will is a will which is drafted and signed on behalf of the person who lacks capacity and approved by the Court of Protection. The court will approve a statutory will where it finds that is in the best interests of the person who lacks capacity.
Statutory wills are not commonly applied for, mainly because firms don’t have the knowledge or experience to do so. We are experienced in dealing with statutory will applications, having made 4 recently and having 3 solicitors that specialise in this area of the law. We also specialise in contentious probate, Inheritance Act claims and disputes relating to Court of Protection matters. If you would like advice about any of the above please contact Lucy Mignot on 01305 217303 or [email protected].
Team sport is a fantastic way to get into fitness with the added bonus of being part of a social community.
I have to be honest team sport was never my thing, mostly because being around lots of people scared me. I was persuaded to join ladies’ football at university and I fell in love with being part of a team. Not because we were any good (because we weren’t!) but because we never stopped having fun and supporting each other even in the midst of a match where we were losing pretty epically. Coming back from university I missed being part of a team and when I saw the advert for North Dorset Ladies Rugby, I jumped at the chance to give it ago.
Turning up to my first ever rugby training session was nerve racking to say the least. Not only did I not know what to expect but turning up on my own and not knowing anyone had my anxiety levels elevated to a whole new level. Turns out I had nothing to worry about! Everyone was made to feel welcome with no judgement on your ability. I for one had never touched a rugby ball in my life and I wasn’t the only one. It was comforting to know that we were all learning and developing as a team with the more experienced players supporting those of us that were new to the game. A few years on and although we’ve had a few players and coaches come and go, it’s been a pleasure being part of a team that’s so supportive of each other and boy have we had loads of fun along the way.
Wanting to give rugby a go but worried about lack of ability or you’re not sure whether you’ll enjoy it. My advice, just give it a go! The senior ladies team always welcome new faces regardless of whether you’ve played rugby before or not. I mean, I’ve been playing since 2018 and I’m definitely still learning. Why not come and watch or even join in one of our training sessions.
We are excited to announce that Dorset Mind celebrates 75 years of supporting Dorset’s mental health this year! To mark this impressive milestone, we’re looking back at our history and sharing our celebration plans.
Read on to learn more about your local mental health charity and the support we offer local people.
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History
Established in November 1946, Dorset Mind was initially known as the ‘Bournemouth Association for Mental Health’ (BAMH). Doris Odlum, a local Psychiatrist, founded the association to provide a space for professionals to discuss mental health.
In 1971, BAMH opened their first service and in the 1980s, the closure of mental health institutions triggered a rise in demand for community and volunteer mental health services.
In the 2000s, the BAMH became part of the Mind network; and became known as Dorset Mind.
In recent years Dorset Mind has grown to support people across the county. Our vision is not to give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem in Dorset gets support and respect.
Recent Challenges and continued support
This last year has been unbearably tough for everyone. Due to COVID-19 and lockdowns, Dorset Mind faced a funding emergency; some fundraising sources ceased entirely.
Despite these challenges, our staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to continue supporting vulnerable people. It was important not to let anyone feel they were alone. Our first challenge was transferring our face-to-face support to online or telephone delivery. We quickly mobilised our facilitators and befrienders to ensure that our service-users were regularly contacted.
Our support remains a hybrid of online and phone support. We deliver support for adults and young people that includes Active Monitoring, Befriending, Counselling, Education, Mentoring, Support Groups and Training.
Celebrations
While the last 75 years have not been without setbacks, Dorset Mind continues to grow, recently launching Counselling for Adults.
We plan to start our 75th year by organising 75 people to skydive on the same day! We are offering a discounted fundraising target to encourage people to take part; visit https://bit.ly/75forskydive to take advantage of this offer.
All fundraising for Dorset Mind stays within Dorset to support local people’s mental health. All donations help to protect the future of Dorset Mind as we work hard to meet the increased demand for our services in these uncertain times.
Learn more about our services or make a donation by visiting dorsetmind.uk (adults), or dorsetmindyourhead.co.uk (young people).
In a crisis, please call 999 or The Samaritans on 116 123.
The rain of the last few weeks has done more good than harm. On farms it has delayed the wheat harvest and caused some loss of grain quality. On our plot it has meant excellent potato yields despite the early arrival and spread of blight and the need to remove haulms to prevent spores reaching the tubers. Picasso, Rooster and Desiree did exceptionally well. Earlies and second earlies had been dug a few weeks earlier. All are now stored away in paper sacks.
Barry’s lush plot after all the rain. Image by: Barry Cuff
July planted vegetables romped away in the wet conditions. These included celeriac, two varieties of leeks, Spring cauliflower, savoy cabbage and Cardinal purple sprouting broccoli.
Our squash patch became a jungle with some plants trailing between the sweetcorn and raspberries. The lack of sun during the wet spell has delayed the ripening of the sweetcorn. Last year we picked the first cobs on the 20th. With a sunnier spell of weather now (25th) we will be harvesting the first cobs at the beginning of September.
Our Moonlight runner beans continued to give a profusion of pods, many of these being given away to friends. The Safari dwarf French beans were not so keen on the lower temperatures and ceased to produce but could pick up again with warmer weather.
By the middle of the month all our currants had been picked and we started to harvest raspberries.
With about half of our plot now cleared of crops we have a lot of bare soil.The leeks were planted into part of this. More has been sown with Autumn cropping salad leaves and roots. These should produce through till early Winter and possibly beyond. The remainder will be sown with rye and Phacelia for green manure.
The rain has meant phenomenal weed growth especially where the lines of peas stood.
Gallant Soldier is yet another alien plant accidentally foisted upon Britain by Kew Gardens, Surrey in 1860, the year it escaped from there. Claim to Fame: Along with Shaggy Soldier and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) this plant has the fewest outer petals of any member of the Daisy and Dandelion Family, totalling a meagre five. Image by: Barry Cuff
It had been difficult to remove them without disturbing the pea plants. Some had gone to seed. The worst being Fat Hen, Many-seeded Goosefoot, Gallant Soldier and one very large Thornapple.
We appear to be the only plot on the site to have Gallant Soldier which we think we imported in soil on the roots of plants from a relations garden in Bournemouth.
The last week of August and the beginning of September is forecast to be much drier and we are looking forward to our first sweetcorn and cauliflower.
We’ve spoken before about how the community here in Gillingham and the surrounding areas is so important to us, and how proud we are to be a part of it. We occupy a small space, and are working to expand our reach, but our heart remains in in Dorset and this past week we felt it beating with more joy than it has in a very long time.
August saw the return of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury show, and it really took our breath away. We’ve been to the show in the past, but of course, with an absence of the show last year, seeing it return in all its glory bigger than ever over 2 days, was a vibrant reminder of just how brilliant the communities in the area are.
The show to us isn’t really about making money. We bring products for sale as a sample of what we offer at Thorngrove, but in truth, we’re there because we want to represent ourselves, and Gillingham, and the efforts of our staff to enhance the reputation of the area with a garden centre you can be proud of. We attend the show to meet new people, and celebrate with old friends. Events such as this feel more special than ever, and we assure you that we don’t take our presence there for granted.
The diversity in stalls and attractions was truly something to behold. Seeing the smiles on faces, and that sense of ‘normality’ we’ve all missed really made it one of the most enjoyable weeks of the year so far. The world has changed as we push towards the exit of this pandemic, but the determination, and hard work of the residents here to put on this fantastic community event is something we had to give acknowledgment to. We hope everyone had as much fun as we did, and we can’t wait.
Kelsi-Dean Buck
Marketing Executive
Employ My Ability
The Walled Garden, Moreton, Dorset. DT2 8RH – 01929 405685
www.walledgardenmoreton.co.uk
Thorngrove Garden Centre, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset. SP8 4RE – 01747 822242
Well, Autumn is nearly here.. perhaps now is the time to think ahead to Autumn and indeed Spring.
Planning
Take some time to sit and plan ahead for what has worked this year (and what has not)! Maybe sketch some ideas and future plants. Ensure you use the knowledge gained from where the sun lands and lasts and if there are any shady areas. This is vital knowledge for ensuring plants will be successful when planted in position.
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Pruning
Prune climbing and rambling roses (unless they are the repeat flowing ones if so, leave till later in the year. Also prune Wisteria if you missed it last month!
Trim Conifer hedges to keep them in control – don’t cut in too deep – if you expose the inner brown twigs they rarely grow back!
Dead heading, Dividing and Planting
To keep your garden flowers coming continue with deadheading of roses, dahlias, and penstemons.
Now’s a good time to plant container grown trees. If they are planted now whilst the soil is still warm it will help them to get their roots established, so they can grow well next spring. Mix in good compost in the plating hole and mulch with compost in the Spring.
Perhaps divide Herbaceous perennials such as – Agapanthus, Anemone, Euphorbia, Geranium, Hostas, Iris and Lily of the Valley to name just a few.
Plant Spring flowering bulbs, Daffodils, Crocus, Bluebells, Snakes head Fritillaries, Hyacinthus and Alliums.
Take cuttings of Fuchsias and Pelargoniums.
Leave sunflower seed heads on the plant for the birds to feed on.
More recycling ideas :
1 – Empty plastic water and fizzy drink bottles can be used as mini cloches and/or propagators.
Or carefully cut a large hole in the side and use them as mini terrariums – ( they can be hung up by the neck of the bottle using string.
2 – Cardboard toilet roll tubes can be used as seed pots. Fill them with soil and sow seeds on the top! The whole thing can be then planted straight into the ground when the seed has grown and the cardboard tube will decompose in the soil. (Good idea for the Spring perhaps).
3 – Plastic Milk cartons (if they are strong enough plastic) can be carefully cut down at an angle (keep the handle intact) – to make a compost scoop.
I’d like to start by acknowledging an amazing letter from one of the readers of the Blackmore Vale Magazine in last month’s edition. I was thrilled and humbled to read that my new article is inspiring others to look skyward and to get into the amazing hobby of astronomy and astrophotography! Sharing this wonderful passion makes the long hours and cold nights (especially in winter!) worthwhile! If anyone would like any advice I am more than happy to answer any questions, just check out my Facebook page for my contact details and I will do my best to help!
Now, August has been such a challenging month for UK based astronomers! It seems as though we’ve only had a few clear nights to look skyward without thick coveted cloud obscuring our view of the heavens! I have managed to witness a couple of amazing events though by visual observations, such as seeing one of Jupiter’s moons, io transiting in front of the huge gas giant which was rather amazing! Sadly though, no images to share of that, as planetary imaging is not something I’m geared up for… yet! I can see my wife rolling her eyes already!
I have however been focused on imaging some more amazing nebulas that fill the cosmos, and theres so many more on the list as we get back to some proper astronomical darkness as we head into autumn. The image this month is of the Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) which I managed to acquire a total of 3 hours of data for on the few clear nights this month. The Iris Nebula is a stunning reflection Nebula located some 1,400 light-years away from Earth, the Iris Nebula’s glowing gaseous petals stretch roughly 6 light-years across. What’s interesting about this nebula is the dark clouds of dust surrounding the nebula, almost ghostly in their appearance! The image was taken using a Skywatcher 200 PDS Newtonian Reflector Telescope and dedicated Cooled Astro Camera.
NGC7023 Iris Nebula
The sky at night this month – September 2021
As the Autumn weather starts to make its presence known, the night sky gives way to some watery but dim constellations over the southern skies! Observable are Aquarius (the Water Carrier), Delphinus (the Dophin), Capricornus (The Sea Goat) and Piscis Austrinus (the Southern Fish). Sticking with the fishes, Pisces and Cepheus (the Sea Monster) will also be observable.
Something that’s unmistakable on a clear still night is our own galaxy, the Milky Way. This month is perfect for taking a tour down the spiral arm that’s viewable from our planet. Take a tour of our vey own back yard with some binoculars and you’ll be able to pick out star cluster and nebulae as you travel down the spiral arm. Also look out for a black region between the stars in the galaxy band, almost like a rip in space itself, this may well be the Great Rift in Cygnus that you’ve stumbled across. If you can’t see enough with your binos, and you have a DSLR type camera with manual mode and a wide angle lens (10-35mm), set your camera to M, an shutter speed of 20-30 seconds and an ISO of between 3200 and 6400. Set the camera on a sturdy tripod and if you have one, use a shutter release cable to press the shutter to avoid camera vibrations, alternatively use the cameras timer mode. You’ll be surprised what detail even a amateur camera will reveal taking this relatively simple shot! Give it a try!
Other special events to look out for this month include:
On the 9th of September, a thin crescent Moon will lie to the right of Venus, with Mercury low on the horizon, with the Evening Star (Venus) forming a beautiful duo alongside crescent Moon the following night.
On the 14th, Neptune will be opposite the Sun, and at its closest to Earth this year, just as Jupiter and Saturn were in August, but it’s not too late to catch a great view of these 2 super giants! They’ll be overtaken by the Moon on the 16th. Also on the 14th is chance to see Mercury early in the evening, as its maximum separation from the sun and Neptune is also closest to Earth, but you will need binoculars or a telescope to see it, it is 2688 million miles away after all!
On the following nights the 17th and 18th, Jupiter and Saturn continue to dance with the Moon appearing to the right and then left of it in the night sky.
On the 21st, the full Moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is known as The Harvest Moon.
On the 22nd, enjoy the Autumn Equinox at 7:21pm GMT as the sun moves south of the Equator.
The Moon will pass under the Pleaides, known as the Seven Sisters, a group of more than 800 stars located about 410 light-years from Earth in the constellation Taurus.
In June we shared how Cameron Farquharson’s cow Gladis sadly made national news when she fell more than 30ft on Eggardon Hill in May. She was due to calve in a couple of days, but her unborn calf died with her.
After hearing the story, Stan Sadler, who lives in Dorset, got in touch. He owned a fold of cows kept on his uncle’s farm in South Lanarkshire. Mr Sadler has lived in Bournemouth for 24 years, working in mental health, but pre-oandemic would commute back to Scotland every month to work on his family farm.
He said: “When I read the story on the news, I was shocked. I decided instead of selling my cows I would gain far more satisfaction by giving the animals to Cameron.”
The herd was delivered to Eggardon Hill on Thursday, August 12 and consists of one bull, three cows, two heifers and three calves.
Mr Farquharson said the gesture had “restored his faith in humanity”.
Gladis had been raised from a calf by Mr Farquharson’s teenage daughter. Mr Farquharson said: “It was tough for the whole family, because they are like pets. It’s like losing a member of the family.”
He described the arrival of Mr Sadler’s cows as “an amazing outcome”.
Mr Farquharson launched a petition for “Gladis’s Law”, requiring dogs to be on a lead when livestock are in a field.
This has been heavily backed by West Dorset MP Chris Loder and Farming Minister Victoria Prentis among others keen to get the law passed as early as May 2022.
