When it comes to vintage comedy, the Two Ronnies, are firm favourites in many households. Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett first broadcast their show fifty years ago in 1971 and continue to make people smile today. From the Four Candles to Piggy Malone, all of us probably have a favourite and in some cases can even recite the lines. But did you know that several of their classic sketches were filmed in and around North Dorset? Even today, locals remember the comedy duo with fondness.
The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town was partially filmed in the village of Okeford Fitzpaine. One of the oldest residents, Mr Bernard Trowbridge, remembers them: “I watched them from the corner on the church lane. They were making a series of the Raspberry Blower and they had a huge searchlight. A chap stood in the road waving branches and they made a big shadow move across the church tower.” Residents were not allowed to get too close to the filming at the time but recall shadowy figures filming among the gravestones and running around the area. The village hall was transformed into a dressing room and with typical Dorset hospitality, local residents Mr and Mrs Snell, plied the Two Ronnies with tea and cake at the Old Rectory. They had to contend with a long line of children (and adults) looking for autographs.
The film crew and the Two Ronnies used to cycle downhill, through the village to the church. Julie Taylor remembers the crew with bikes. “They had baskets at the front and took grandfer’s as well, thinking it was theirs.”Bernard Trowbridge remembers a scene when Ronnie Barker was riding a large bike. “He wore a black gown and was at the top of the church path with his legs sticking out and came all the way down to the bottom. They filmed the bicycle scene from the church tower.”
A two yokels sketch, leaning over the church lychgate was also filmed in the picturesque village. Okeford Fitzpaine served as the location for scenes in Charley Farley and Piggy Malone around the church and adjoining roads. Ronnie Corbett was filmed running after a van on Shillingstone Lane, almost losing his trousers. Kings Stag was also used for the two yokels sketches with the duo leaning over a gate and chewing straw. Naturally, the pair went on to the Green Man pub- still dressed in their rustic outfits- to enjoy a drink.
Gold Hill is famed for the Ridley Scott Hovis advert made in 1973. Ronnie Barker immortalised the hill in a spoof act in 1978 as he was filmed in Shaftesbury carrying a loaf of bread and looking disgruntled with the climb to the top. The Two Ronnies also stayed at the Grosvenor Hotel in town when filming on location in North Dorset.
Next time you settle down to watch a vintage Two Ronnies special, take a closer look. You may just recognise a small part played by the Blackmore Vale.
Two giant flags that survived the eight-month siege of Tobruk in North Africa feature in a major new exhibition at the Tank Museum in Bovington, which reopened to the public on May 17.
They include the Union Flag flown defiantly by a skeleton Allied force after it was cut off in the Libyan port by German and Italian troops from April 1941.
David Willey, curator of The Tank Museum with two flags asociated with the siege of Tobruk in WW2. They form part of the new World War II exhibition.
Relief operations were carried out by the RAF and Royal Navy but it wasn’t until November 1941 that the 8th Army’s Operation Crusader finally freed the so-called ‘Rats of Tobruk’.
In the exhibition, the giant Union Flag is displayed above a German swastika flag that was captured during the relief operation.
WW2 : War Stories exhibition
Tank Museum curator David Willey told the digital Blackmore Vale: ‘Flags are so important in conflict as symbols and rallying points. For many they are an expression of what you are fighting for, or trying to defend.
‘The swastika flag was probably used to help identify the German gun position to their own Luftwaffe pilots.’
The Bovington attraction dates back to the 1920s and is the world’s biggest tank museum with more than 300 vehicles.
In normal times it attracts 250,000 visitors a year, peaking at 3,000 a day on wet days in summer.
Staff have used the lockdown to create the World War Two: War Stories exhibition, which not only features 60 vehicles but tells many of the human stories behind the official history.
One story centres on the museum’s only mascot and one of its smallest exhibits, a china doll called Little Audrey, Abbess of Chantry, who was given to tank commander Bill Bellamy by his girlfriend Audrey before he left for war.
Little Audrey was attached to the turret searchlight on Bellamy’s tank, the Abbot of Chantry, and became a good luck symbol to the whole troop.
The tanks were about to go into battle in Holland following D-Day when Little Audrey was knocked off her perch.
The tank mascot Little Audrey
Bellamy was about to give the signal to move when Sgt Bill Pritchard leapt from his tank, rushed back to rescue Little Audrey from a hedgerow and handed her to the commander.
‘I’m not going without her!’ said Pritchard.
• The museum is now open 9am-5pm daily but numbers are limited due to the pandemic and visitors are advised to book via the website tankmuseum.org.
Two Vacancies available for Office Administrators. One Full time and one part time.
D J Fox & Associates is an Employment Expert Witness Company based in Somerset and we work in the legal sector. We are looking for two experienced office assistants, one to work full time as an Office Administrator, the other to work part time as a PA and Office Administrator. They will join our team of 3 full time staff in Wincanton in Somerset, BA9 8BP.
Skills Required: Office based IT skills, Word, Microsoft, Excel. Organisational ability. Confident. Understanding of numeracy for invoicing work.
Brief Description of Roles: Both roles involve working in a small team, involved in the admin process of producing written expert witness reports. The full time OA will be dedicated to this role. The main role of the part time PA is to support the Director/Owner as a PA but the secondary duties will be supporting the office staff.
Competitive and pro rata salary offered. Hours of work: Full time 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday. Part time can be school hours but may include some school holiday time work.
Before The Old Inn, I was working as an executive chef for a large company in Lincolnshire. However, fancying new challenges and to be nearer family , I headed down South. A chance visit took me to The Old Inn and I immediately fell in love with it’s charm and community feel. It had so much potential and when it came on the market it was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.
What’s your favourite local place to visit on an afternoon off?
On those rare occasions a chef manages to get an an afternoon off and being a small independent business myself, I believe it’s important to support local. There are a few firm favourites including The Bath Arms at Horningsham, The Beckford Arms at Beckford and The Nog Inn, Wincanton.
Tell us about your 2020…
Unfortunately, being classed as one of the extremely vulnerable myself, The Old Inn was closed completely during the lockdowns. However, I have managed to put a positive spin on this by adding accommodation to the establishment, giving her a thorough freshen up and revamped the menu. Returning to work has been enthusiastically welcomed as I was running out of things to paint!
What’s been your biggest challenge since taking over – apart from COVID, obviously!
Honestly the biggest challenge I’ve found so far at The Old Inn was the high custom demand that came much sooner than expected – and we can only thank everyone that has supported us throughout. Especially my team who have stood by me through all the uncertainties and challenges of the pandemic. Alice Sims, my Assistant General Manager has been with me since the first time we opened the door and runs the front of house allowing me to concentrate my skills in the kitchen.
What part of the pub is your absolute favourite?
I know it’s a little cliché but my favourite part of The Old Inn is the bar. Here, there are days you really feel the heart of the community. Seeing familiar faces and hearing the stories old and new. Holton has welcomed me in to their village and having them congregated together enjoying everything I’ve worked so hard for is always heart warming.
Which dish is your most popular?
I always follow the seasons and use what’s fresh and available locally where possible. This reflects in our dishes. The most popular at the moment is the pan fried wild seabass which is served with sauteed thyme, chirzo, garden pea veloute and sprouting broccoli. It’s just so fresh and vibrant and packed full of flavours.
What’s next – do you have big plans on the horizon?
Next on the horizon for The Old Inn is becoming a destination establishment for events and functions, including weddings and corporate events. Being a family orientated and dog friendly venue with menus to suit everyone and a large space to hold these events we feel it would be a fantastic chance to take. Especially now we have accommodation to offer those visiting now too.
I am writing regarding an event organised by Blandford’s BLM group last Sunday, which I hope you may find of interest. At midday on Sunday 30th May Blandford’s Black Lives Matter group stood in the Blandford town market place in a demonstration of solidarity with the people of Palestine. We called on our elected representatives to condemn the bombardment of Gaza and apartheid conditions between the river and the sea. The UK government is supporting the oppression of Palestinians with its ongoing diplomatic and military support of Israel, and its failure to recognise Palestine as a state. While the British media attention on Palestine has subsided, as a social justice group advocating for the cause of oppressed people and victims of ongoing imperialism around the world, Blandford’s BLM group brought the cause into the local town, with an aim of raising awareness, showing solidarity, and encouraging people to contact their local MPs to ban the sale of arms to Israel. We carried signs and banners, and heard from Pat Osborne (Labour candidate North Dorset GE2017 & 19), and local resident Peter, and myself. Emma de Saram (Blandford resident – student at Exeter university)
I appreciate the stance taken in your last issue regarding the Solar Farm application at Pulham & Hazelbury Bryan. Whilst I disagree with local media being party political, I do believe that
opinions should be formed and sides of the fence sometimes chosen. Whilst the features were not BV editorial but articles by campaigners, the tone of the issue and the lack of balancing counterargument conveyed your support for the protests against the Solar Farm. Well Done.
Lucy J, Sturminster Newton.
I read with interest the ‘opinion piece’ by CPRE (‘Rural Matters’) on the planned Solar Farm at Hazelbury Bryan in the last issue. I trust that similar column inches will be given over to the counter-arguments so that we can have a more balanced debate about this proposed development?
I’d like to read further before deciding whether to sign the petition, rather than just rely on the one-eyed view. I’m all for debate – and am genuinely undecided on this particular matter – but as a media organisation I think you ought to show greater transparency. I understand that others may disagree (and I’m fine with that).
Lee Edmond, Spetisbury
(We had a couple more emails along similar lines on the solar farm application coverage. ‘Rural Matters’ is the title of the CPRE’s regular monthly column for us which covers a wide-range of subjects of their own choosing; it is not paid for by them, not advertorial, and no labelling is required – having the column under their logo,
and clearly signed by their own writer I thought was enough for a regular feature, but Lee’s point is taken; I will endeavour to make it clearer for future issues. I have no objection to sharing my personal opinion on certain local matters (see this month’s letter form the editor) – our reporting should always be balanced, however. Ed)
I always love reading Roger Guttridge’s columns. I think a lot of your readers like information nicely explained about the past. He reminds me of Jack Hargreaves, the nice old gentleman who explained such matters with old-fashioned courtesy. There was a nice piece in the magazine recently and I believe he lived near Woolland.
Jean H, Shaftsbury
(Ed replies: he lived in Belchalwell and he was much loved, just like Roger).
Could you please write about the tractor drivers bringing in silage that drive far too fast on these country lanes. There will be a disaster soon. Half the time they seem to be on the phone.
Harry, Sherborne
There were two letters about Andy Palmer’s columns in the last issue – one said he was ‘funny’ the other questioned the puns he makes. He seems very eccentric, but rather charming and his views are wide-ranging. It’s good that an independent magazine carries an independence of thought. Don’t fire him just yet!
A life-changing campaign – Light On – has launched across Dorset to tackle the stigma of talking about mental distress and emotional struggle, particularly among men.
A network of organisations including local businesses, the NHS, Public Health Dorset and Bournemouth University, have joined forces to build mental wellbeing together and put an end to men dealing with mental health difficulties alone and in the dark.
Andrew Coleman, Founder, Light On: “This campaign will save people’s lives because it will make it OK for people to have a conversation and ask for help.”
A life-changing campaign – Light On – has launched across Dorset to tackle the stigma of talking about mental distress and emotional struggle, particularly among men.
A network of organisations including local businesses, the NHS, Public Health Dorset and Bournemouth University, have joined forces to build mental wellbeing together and put an end to men dealing with mental health difficulties alone and in the dark.
It urges men to go beyond the banter and talk openly about how they are feeling and whether they are coping.
The campaign aims to train champions and ambassadors to spread the message across the whole of Dorset reaching men where they work, exercise, socialise and live.
Businesses, individuals, charities and sports clubs will be encouraged to join the campaign as it gains momentum to share the message to ‘turn your light on’ and give permission to someone to have a conversation about mental health challenges.
Andrew Coleman, Founder of Light On, said: “It is time to put an end to the silent struggle among men because of the taboo and stigma about talking when you’re not coping very well.
“This silence is leading to pain, suffering and suicide – and it has to stop.
“This campaign will save people’s lives because it will make it OK for people to have a conversation and ask for help.
“It will transform the way Dorset people, men in particular, deal with mental health and mental health difficulty.
“We want as many people as possible to share our message and to get involved.
“We must create such a loud voice between us that everyone knows how to have a conversation about seeking and receiving help.
“We want thousands of people to ‘turn their Light On’ with us.”
Andrew is one of a group of men who met through the charity Dorset Mind and wanted to do more to help other men who may be struggling.
All have personal experience of the difficulties and damage caused by mental health problems, with many of them losing friends or colleagues to suicide.
Ty Temel
Ty Temel, Owner of Halo Bournemouth said: “A year ago we started talking about how we could stop this wave of distress amongst men in Dorset that is leading some to take their own lives.
“It’s great that this campaign is coming to fruition – as the start of a larger piece of work.
“There are so many of us who have lain awake at 3am wondering how much longer we can cope and not knowing where to turn.
“We wanted to create a campaign that showed people that it’s OK to talk, it’s OK to say you’re not coping well and it’s OK to get help.
“If people show that they have their ‘Light On’ then others will know that they’re someone to talk to, who will listen.
“That, in turn, will shine a light on this issue and bring it out of the shadows.”
Craig Mathie
Also leading the campaign is Craig Mathie, Managing Director of Bournemouth 7s Festival, and – as is Ty – an Ambassador for Dorset Mind.
The Light On campaign was built using research from panels of men across Dorset who came together to share how they felt about talking about mental health.
They helped to shape the campaign’s focus on making sure that men knew how to talk as well as when to talk.
As a result, local businesses, clubs, charities and individuals will be offered training and workshops to train people in the basics of mental wellbeing in later phases of the campaign.
Importantly, they will be encouraged to have courageous conversations that go beyond everyday banter.
Marianne Storey
Marianne Storey, CEO at Dorset Mind, said: “This is such a vital campaign for people in Dorset, particularly at this time as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Even more people than ever are struggling with mental distress and it is essential that we create a county that is open and compassionate about talking about it.
“I believe that Light On is going to save lives.
“If enough people get involved and turn their ‘Lights On’ then more people can come forward and ask for help.
“And if we all play our own vital role in this campaign then we can all contribute to preventing distress and ultimately suicide.
“We must not give up until everyone has the help they need.”
Dee Swinton
Dee Swinton, Dorset Mind’s Income Generation and Marketing Manager, said: “The Light On initiative has been launched as a response to a growing awareness of mental health issues, especially among men.
“A survey by Mind charity found that one in eight men in the UK admit to suffering from mental health problems, while suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 45.
“At Dorset Mind we are determined to tackle these statistics alongside our partners and change the situation for men in Dorset.”
A survey is also being carried out in conjunction with Bournemouth University to find out what a greater number of men in Dorset feel about their mental health – and what might be stopping them seeking help.
The findings will be used to help the Light On team further develop their campaign.
It’s set to run for five years across Dorset and is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of people.
Already 24 businesses and organisations, including Osprey, AFC Bournemouth and both BCP and Dorset councils, are partners and organisers are expecting many more to sign up online as word spreads across communities and workplaces.
Norman and early medieval kings had vast tracts of forest in Dorset. The Royal Forest of Blackmore was set aside for the king’s use, including hunting deer & wild boar. The Latin word ‘foris’ meant ‘outside’ – the forests were outside common law. Blackmore forest once the largest in Dorset – originally joined Gillingham Forest & Cranborne Chase.
Despite the name, these areas were not all woodland. Vast tracts of heathland, quarries, a mixture of arable, pastoral land, meadows and even common land were characteristic throughout Dorset.
Forest Laws were strictly enforced by special officials – no one could take timber, hunt or enclose or improve the land without licence. King Cnut set vast fines on anyone caught hunting and Edward the Confessor [1272] had forest wardens.
Forest deer include the red, roe & fallow species and the largest bucks and harts were most hunted between June – September when they were well fed.
Hunting Scene from “Gaston Phoebus: Le Livre de la Chasse. Courtesy of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France)
Cycling passed the deer grazing in Stock Gaylard Park today and turning to the village of King’s Stag, it’s difficult to escape the sense of being in an ancient, royal hunting ground. The white hart, a creature whose rarity and beauty has attracted, in legend, a wealth of mystical and royal associations are also linked with other parts of the country. However, Thomas Hardy makes the claim for this Dorset locality when in Tess of the D’Urbervilles he considers the view across Blackmore Vale from high up at Shaftesbury:
“The Vale was known in former times as the Forest of White Hart, from a curious legend of King Henry III’s reign, in which the killing by a certain Sir Thomas de la Lynd of a beautiful white hart which the king had run down and spared, was made the occasion of a heavy fine.” And he also notes that characteristics of the original landscape were still evident: “traces of its earlier condition are to be found in the old oak copses and irregular belts of timber that yet survive upon its slopes.” When walking local woodland areas today, the woodland plants like Wood Anemone, Wild Garlic and Golden Saxifrage indicate the remnants of the ancient woodland.
King’s Stag bridge still crosses the River Lydden near Pulham and according to stories is the location of the killing. The fine was a tax on the land around the area, known as White Hart Silver which the family had to pay to the Crown.
The White Hart (“hart” being an archaic word for a mature stag) was the personal badge of Richard II, who probably derived it from the arms of his mother, Joan “The Fair Maid of Kent”, heiress of Edmund of Woodstock. The Wilton Diptych portrait of Richard II in the National Gallery, London is the earliest authentic contemporary portrait of an English king, wearing a gold and enamelled white hart jewel, and even the angels surrounding the Virgin Mary all wear white hart badges.
Today, there remain many inns and pubs across England that sport a sign of the white hart, the fifth most popular name for a pub. Inside the ancient church at Holwell, north Dorset, the story of the white hart of Blackmoor is told through a series of pictorial tiles – well worth a visit for the inquisitive type of explorer.
Despite strong opposition, the tradition of hunting remains in the area. Hunting became popular with the Victorian ‘gentry’ and from the 1860’s the railway attracted guests from London and beyond. The Blackmore Vale Hunt dates from 1826, and the country hunt has existed since 1831, when the Rev Harry Farr Yeatman hunted hare, fox or roe deer. Today, the sight of a hunt chasing across the landscape, no longer for deer or live animals, can evoke thoughts of long ago. For some, a hunt provides interest, a thrill and excitement to see well groomed riders and horses leaping hedges and crossing fields following a pack of hounds. For others, this activity represents animal cruelty and should be abolished. A very controversial topic but one with ancient roots across the Blackmore.
Whatever we think, the Vale retains very strong links to an ancient medieval anachronism and offers a unique ‘sense of place’..
Scratchworks Theatre Company is an award-winning physical ensemble that creates playful, accessible theatre. Following acclaimed tours with ‘The Great Train Robbery’ and ‘Womans(Like Romans but with a W)’, this energetic troupe of actors head back to Dorset this summer, leading Artsreach audiences outdoors to discover a joyful and mischievous interruption to the everyday with ‘The Grimm Sisters’, a brand-new show for 2021. Keep your mind sharp and your guts gory, because in the blink of an eyelash, you might find yourself within the story…
The Grimm Sisters
Would you like to hear a remarkable story? We promise it will only be a little bit gory… We are two sisters, The Sisters Grimm. One is quite clever and one is quite… musical. Our tales are greater than any others, But they were stolen by our beastly brothers! Now we must journey to fix their lies, Or else the birds will pluck out our eyes!
You know the Brothers Grimm? The famous storytellers – or story stealers more like! Brunhilda and Mitzi were the true brains behind the books, but thanks to a treacherous father, a nasty curse and a great big dollop of bad luck, you’ve probably never heard of them. Well, this summer, The Grimm Sisters are here to set the record straight! Join them on the journey as they tell their twisted tales with a marvellous mix of comedy, singing & live music. Dive headfirst into their weird world of poisonous parents, courageous quests and a magical frog called Jeremy (Jeremy is not to be trusted).
The Grimm Sisters
Founded in Exeter in 2013, Scratchworks is an all-female ensemble from Devon. Using diverse theatrical styles, they create original stories with a unique blend of live music, dynamic movement and farcical comedy. The company has enjoyed sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Exeter’s Bike Shed Theatre and Bristol’s Wardrobe Theatre, gathering a loyal following throughout the South West. Catch The Grimm Sisters outdoors at Gillingham School at 6pm on Friday 16 July, and at 2pm and 5pm at The Blandford School on Saturday 17 July. Full details about these event are available online. Find out more and book tickets by visiting www.artsreach.co.uk
Friday 16 July, 6pm. Outdoors at Gillingham School. 01747 833844
Openreach has outlined plans to bring ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband to a further 45,000 homes and businesses in Dorset.
In total at least 3m more homes and businesses – including 440,000 across the South West – will benefit in some of the UK’s hardest to serve communities.
An Openreach engineer. The company has announced an extension to its biggest ever recruitment drive, with a further 1,000 new roles to be created this year.
Openreach has outlined plans to bring ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband to a further 45,000 homes and businesses in Dorset.
In total at least 3m more homes and businesses – including 440,000 across the South West – will benefit in some of the UK’s hardest to serve communities.
It means fewer homes and businesses will require taxpayer subsidies to upgrade.
A total of 14 exchanges across Dorset are being upgraded, with the majority of homes and businesses in places such as Bere Regis, Blandford, Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Swanage and Wareham set to gain from what’s described as a massive nationwide, five-year feat of civil engineering.
The company’s updated build plan is fundamental to the government achieving its target of delivering ‘gigabit-capable broadband’ to 85 per cent of the UK by 2025.
BT Openreach
It follows an extended investment commitment by its parent, BT Group, which means Openreach will now build Full Fibre technology to a total of 25m premises, including more than 6m in the hardest-to-serve parts of the country.
Openreach’s £15bn commercial investment in upgrading the UK to faster, more reliable, future-proof broadband has been upped from £12bn.
The plans also include an extension to the company’s biggest ever recruitment drive, with a further 1,000 new roles being created this year on top of the jobs which were announced in December 2020 – of which around 200 were in the South West.
This means that by the end of 2021, Openreach will have created and filled more than 9,000 apprenticeship roles since 2017/18.
20.09.19
Open Reach – Connie Dixon
Picture by Nick Treharne:
Connie Dixon, Openreach’s Regional Director for the South West said: “Building a new ultrafast broadband network across the South West is a massive challenge and some parts of the region will inevitably require public funding.
“But our expanded build plan means taxpayer subsidies can be limited to only the hardest to connect homes and businesses and with investments from other network builders, we’d hope to see that shrink further.
“This is a hugely complex, nationwide engineering project – second only to HS2 in terms of investment.
“It will help level-up the UK because the impact of Full Fibre broadband stretches from increased economic prosperity and international competitiveness, to higher employment and environmental benefits.
“We’re also delighted to continue bucking the national trend by creating more jobs in the region, with apprentices joining in their droves to start their careers as engineers.
“We’ll publish further location details and timescales on our website as the detailed surveys and planning are completed and the build progresses.”
BT Openreach
Openreach has already made Full Fibre available to more than 4.7m homes and business so far.
With download speeds of 1 Gbps, it’s up to 10 times faster than the average home broadband connection which means faster game downloads, better quality video calls and higher resolution movie streaming.
Other benefits include being able to use multiple devices at once without experiencing slowdown – so more people in a household can get online at once.
Even if the rest of a family are making video calls, streaming box sets or gaming online, all at the same time, Openreach say that there won’t be stuttering, buffering or dropouts.
Full Fibre is also less affected by peak time congestion.
The 14 exchanges to be upgraded in Dorset are in Bere Regis, Bindon Abbey, Blandford, Bridport, Charmouth, Child Okeford, Lyme Regis, Martinstown, Preston, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Swanage, Wareham and Warmwell.
A short video here explains what Full Fibre technology is and more details about Openreach’s Fibre First programme, latest availability and local plans can be seen here.
