Here’s one to give climate deniers a laugh, and get them triumphantly exclaiming that they knew all along it was rubbish. Brace yourself. It’s been calculated that global warming could make Europe colder. What did I tell you? Hilarious! But hang on a moment … before anyone laughs themselves too silly it’s worth asking how a northern ice age could be one of the consequences of global warming? I’ve written previously about the increasingly rapid melting of the Greenland ice cap, and how it contains enough water to raise sea levels by seven metres. However, the melt-water pouring off the island is also having another negative effect on the oceans. For centuries northern Europe’s climate has been generally mild, thanks to warm surface waters from the tropics being carried towards us by currents like the Gulf Stream. Collectively, these currents are known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and the system is estimated to distribute an amount of heat equivalent to the energy flowing through one million power stations. Unfortunately, the cold meltwater pouring off the Greenland ice cap is now slowing down the warm water flow: past collapses of the AMOC have been associated with ice ages in the northern hemisphere and increased warming in the south. I take no pleasure in sharing alarming climate and environmental reports in my articles. I totally understand why some people can’t bear to think about it all: Even I have to switch off every now and again and for a precious period of time act as if it’s all going to be fine. But burying our heads in the sand is not a constructive response to the existential threats we face. Polling shows that a majority of Britons now accept that the climate is changing due to human activity, and my hope in writing as I do is to help motivate everyone to take whatever actions they can to turn things around before it’s too late. The sooner we shift the world economy away from climate-warming fossil fuels and environmental destruction, the better our chances of building a future worth living for.
American tanks, fire watchers and 50 tons of tomatoes – Wimborne’s wartime years shaped the town’s landscape and community
The British Restaurant served wholesome and inexpensive meals without using up precious family rations. Run by the council, with five staff and meals served by voluntary helpers from Wimborne’s women’s organisations. One of the young council staff delivered supplies each day from the council offices. The staff are pictured outside at the end of the war, with the councillors sitting in the front. The shop had been Woodrow’s ironmonger’s before the war and became Topp & Bollen’s after the war.
During the Second World War, East Dorset found itself quietly on the front lines. From the Fire Watchers to the Women’s Land Army, local people played their part in the war effort, while unfamiliar faces — Allied troops and prisoners of war — became a common sight in the fields and lanes around Wimborne.
German prisoners of war help local men to fell trees at Gussage All Saints during World War Two.
The town itself escaped the worst of the Blitz, suffering only minor damage during an air raid on the night of 9th September 1940, when a flurry of incendiary bombs set fire to a cottage roof on Leigh Road. The wider Wimborne and Cranborne district was not so fortunate, with very few villages escaping damage. Only two fatal casualties occurred – one at Corfe Mullen, where a woman lost her life when her bungalow was destroyed by a high explosive bomb, and similarly at Verwood, where a young boy was killed. Fourteen explosives were dropped at Corfe Mullen on May 24th 1942 – three houses were very seriously damaged and 70 slightly damaged. Colehill was subject to two attacks, the worst of which was on January 9th, 1941 when, at Leigh Common on the outskirts of Wimborne, many incendiaries fell and a thatched cottage was burnt out – and that adjoining practically gutted. Eight days later, high explosive bombs damaged three houses and killed a pony near Greenhill, making a huge crater in the middle of the road. Over the course of the war, approximately 240 high explosive bombs and 8,500 incendiaries were dropped over the district.
Wimborne Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens taking part in the 1941 parade for National Savings Warship Week, led by Bill Tapper’s father who was head Air Raid Warden. He is flanked by Mr Stewart and Mr Greaves, respectively the Urban District and Rural District ARP officers
Three American soldiers cycling down the High St in Wimborne
Despite the dangers, there was a strong spirit of resilience. Local efforts included the Air Raid Precautions (ARP) teams and the Home Guard, captured in some of the photographs from the time. The town’s Mother’s Union also played its part, hosting sewing parties to make clothing, bedding and essential supplies for servicemen and bombed-out families. The town took part in National Savings Warship Week, a national campaign encouraging communities to ‘adopt’ Royal Navy vessels by raising funds. In 1941, Wimborne adopted HMS Challenger. Local schools, churches and charities knitted gloves, socks and balaclavas for the crew, and children sent letters and cards to the sailors. When possible, officers and men from the adopted ship would visit the local community. To celebrate their visits, parades would often be organised in their honour.
Pamphill Mothers’ Union sewing party at Pamphill Parish Hall, making pyjamas for the troops.Women’s Land Army at Leigh Vineries. They called themselves “The gang” and are pictured outside the tomato houses
American forces had arrived in Dorset in significant numbers by 1943, with camps and hospitals springing up across the countryside. One of the largest was the 106th American Army Hospital at Kingston Lacy. In 1944, in preparation for D-Day, American artillery and tanks were stationed on Jenny Down and in the grounds of Beaucroft House, while troops set up camp in Highland Road Meanwhile, everyday life carried on as best it could. On the eastern edges of Colehill and Leigh Common, several acres of greenhouses of Leigh Vineries – already known for their prolific tomato production – became part of the wartime agricultural effort. Land Girls were stationed there to help maintain the vital food supply, with some 50 tons of tomatoes grown per acre in 1943.
Barbara and Rosemary in Women’s Land Army uniform
Today, the glasshouses are long gone, replaced by housing, but their story is another reminder of how Dorset’s landscape adapted during the war.
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Museum of East Dorset’s temporary exhibition Wimborne at War is situated in the Voices Gallery and can be viewed until late August. The exhibition is included with normal museum entry. Visit their website – Museum of East Dorset
Calls for political change can be seductive, says Simon Hoare MP, but without proper scrutiny, we can risk years of buyers remorse
Simon Hoare MP
As a society we are becoming increasingly impatient (my wife has literally just walked in and commented that I have always been impatient and she did not see how I could become even more so … but I shall leave that there). Hot meals and groceries to the door. Next day delivery. Click and collect. All have contributed to creating what is being called the Amazon Prime syndrome. At the click of a button we can purchase items and have them in our hands within a few hours. Don’t like what we chose? Wasn’t quite what it said on the tin? Easy. Send it back and full refund is received. We then simply click and repeat. Our electoral cycles are not so simple: buyer’s remorse takes four or five years to get a refund.
I know it’s so Last May, Dorset’s Liberal Democrats urged a change from Conservative Council control. The Conservative administration had not done anything wrong but my Party had been running the show for while and people wanted a change. In much the same way that people change a household appliance of hairstyle – ‘nothing wrong with it per se, I just wanted a change’. In July of last year Labour told the country it was time for a change, and that only Labour could deliver that change. The country agreed and gave both Sir Keir a thumping majority and my party a massive kicking. We believe that washing machines live longer with Calgon because, with cheery confidence that does not encourage questioning for proof, they tell us that it does. I have never compared the time of a Kwik Fit fitter to a non-Kwik Fit fitter but I know, because they tell me, that they do indeed fit quicker. The word change has become the political version of ‘new and improved’ or ‘whiter than white’. The electorate have defined, erroneously, that change is only capable of being a positive thing. But anyone who has sung the hymn Abide With Me will know that ‘change and decay in all around I see’ is not an ode to joy. Change can, of course, mean progressing from the status quo: but it can also mean regressing. The negative effects of change are never entered into the voter’s calculation. They should be. Recipients of PIP do not see the Government’s changes as being positive. Farmers are not positive about the devastating changes of the Family Farm Tax, or the abrupt end of the the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Businesses of all types and sizes are seeing tax and National Insurances changes which are hostile to business. The national economy is undergoing a change – but in the wrong direction. Pensioners do not like the change brought about by the removal of the Winter Fuel Allowance. A growing economy changed to a shrinking one. I could go on but you will have got my drift. Locally, I know people did not expect a change in Council leadership to lead to the spectre of night time car parking charges, Adult Day Centre closures or council tax increases. All change from the previous administration … but in the right direction? Constituents tell me not. I tend to agree. So, what is the key lesson we should learn? Change can be good, but it can also be bad: looking forwards but also dragging backwards. When we politicians promise change, it is usually because we have sniffed the air and determine that there is an electoral appetite for it. We then owe it to the electorate to spell out what we want to change, why we want to change it, what we will change it to and how we will do it. If politicians don’t proactively offer up these things, then the voters need to drag it out of us. Buyer’s remorse for five years will be tedious. As the voiceover perpetually advises: always read the label.
This June, Dorset paramedic George Bell-Starr will attempt a never-before-completed endurance challenge – and he’s doing it in support of life-saving charities.
George Bell-Starr Photo credit: Sam Carden / Climb South West
George, from Weymouth, is taking on the Tri-Lake Swim, a gruelling test of physical and mental resilience that will see him swim 1,000 metres in the highest lakes of England, Scotland, and Wales. But that’s only part of the journey – each lake requires a demanding hike to reach, with the full challenge covering nearly 26 miles on foot and over 3,000 metres of elevation gain. He aims to complete the entire effort in under 30 hours.
George is raising funds for three causes close to his heart: Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA), The Duckling Pre-School, and Cancer Research UK.
A paramedic and keen adventurer, George has seen first-hand the critical role the air ambulance plays in emergency care across the region.
“I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself physically,” he said. “In the past, I’ve swum 500km in 365 days and cycled from Aberdeen to Weymouth on a stationary bike while working on a ship. I love swimming, and after seeing friends take on the Three Peaks Challenge, I started wondering if I could blend the two. A quick evening of Googling showed no one had ever done this, and so the challenge was born.”
While the swim itself is headline-grabbing, George says the real test lies in the long, punishing hikes to reach each remote lake – and in contending with extreme conditions.
“I anticipate that the lakes will be much colder than the sea, possibly as low as 6 or 7 degrees! The other challenge will be the dark, I expect that the English lake swim will take place in the dark, so my support crew will have to keep an eye on my small, reflective safety buoy to keep me safe.”
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance crew tasked to an incident
George’s chosen charities will spur him on through the long hours and cold water.
“The fact that DSAA is totally funded by charity donations makes it even more important that I raise as much as I can. It’s incredibly rewarding to know the money is going to an amazing cause and directly impacting lives in Dorset and Somerset.”
He also hopes his efforts might inspire others to take on their own challenge – no matter how big or small.
“Go for it! Just do it. Try not to over think it, as sometimes you can get in your head and start doubting yourself. I truly believe that anyone can achieve anything.”
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance receives no direct government funding and relies entirely on public support. Each mission costs around £3,500 to fly.
From Chateau Rimmer to soggy Chard, it’s been quite a month for Jess Rimmer, with laughs, qualifiers and falling in love with a little Ippo
Jess Rimmer and Jimmy at Cirencester
April has been a really busy, fun month for Team Rimmer. We’ve been out every weekend and have been driving all over the place, which I absolutely love – helped by the fact I don’t yet have my HGV licence so I am able to catch up on some extra ‘admin’ cough sleep! As I’m writing this I think we’re somewhere on the M1, on our way to Osberton International (sorry mum, I’m being terrible company!). I quite enjoy the Passenger Princess lifestyle, but at the start of the month I had to dust off my driving boots and take the little 3.5T lorry up to Norfolk to compete at Burnham Market International horse trials. Mum was coaching in a South West U18 camp that weekend, but Basil needed to run in the 3*S to pick up another qualification for our summer plans. So Adela and I rammed just about enough kit to last us through an apocalypse into our little silver box, and off we set! We ended up having the most hilarious week. Chateau Rimmer, as we called it, was quite a sight to behold – possibly only beaten by the sight of us trying to put it all together! Whose idea was it to send two girls in their early 20s to Norfolk without adult supervision? Lots of laughs aside, we worked really hard and Basil performed superbly, adding another double clear to the cards.
Luxury eventing in Chateau RimmerLuxury eventing in Chateau Rimmer
In addition to Burnham Market, we’ve also been to Larkhill, Chard and Cirencester Park. At Larkhill Jimmy picked up 7th place in the Novice – as enthusiastic as ever – and Max (Mr. Mister) absolutely flew round Cirencester Park: he’s improving all the time.
Jess and Max (Mr Mister) at Cirencester
Lovely Ippo And then there was Chard. I was looking forward to it, being one of our most local events where they put in a huge amount of effort to host us all. POOR Chard – it’s barely rained all month, and the one day we are at their BE event the conditions were absolutely awful. I mean, dripping-wet-underwear-within-half-an-hour awful. Yuck! At Chard, I had a new ride – Ippon, known to his friends as Ippo (yes, like Hippo without the H!). And he is just the happiest, perkiest little horse who always has a smile on his face. Ippo, would you like to go out in the horizontal rain to do a dressage test at Chard? “Ooh! Yes please!”… Ippo, would you like to jump in it too? “Ooh! Yes, yes I would please!”… and how about some Cross Country? “THAT’S THE BEST PART!”. His enthusiasm is totally endearing, and he is such a pleasure to work with – the only thing I have to do is remind him to stop trying quite so hard, and to just take a breath (I don’t know if I should say this, but if he was a human I’d tell him to sit down and have a cigarette…). Considering it was our first competition together, he listened to me beautifully and finished in 3rd place following a 28 dressage, double clear. I’m only temporarily in the saddle while his owner, Emily, focuses on her A-Levels, but I’m so enjoying him and looking forward to getting stuck in over the next couple of months (sorry, Emily, you’re gonna have to fight to get this one back!).
Jess always goes hacking before each training session – it’s not only a physically important warm up but also gives the horse time to mentally relax into their ride, as well as providing some variety in their daily routine Image: Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Give me a happy worker While getting to know a new horse, whether with the short or the long term in mind, it’s so important to take time to understand them as an individual, their attitude to work and to really figure out what makes them tick. Talking from a dressage perspective, all the horses have a slightly different outlook on their work and it’s our responsibility to learn what works best for them. Our horses always go hacking before each training session, which is not only physically important to loosen up their muscles but also gives them a mental break, time to relax into their ride and gives them some variety in their daily routine. Once we’ve been hacking, we are so lucky to have a choice as to where we ride next: the outdoor school – brilliant to really get stuck into exercises or for when the ground is too soft/firm on the grass – or the indoor, which is brilliant for arena work and also has mirrors to check our position/how the horse looks. And we also have the top field, which is fantastic as it allows the horse to gain confidence on grass, simulating a competition environment without the added excitement!
Jess and Ippo – riding the centre line is vital to practice, says Jess, because it is the first and last impression of each and every test Images: Courtenay Hitchcock The BVImages: Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Ippo, being the happy horse that he is, absolutely loves schooling, regardless of location. I chose to take him in the field this week, to run through a few basic test movements. Emily rides him exceptionally well on the flat and produces a lovely test, so I need to practice with him to learn all the buttons she has so excellently taught him. His eager attitude makes this easy to do, too, since I can repeat the same exercises a few times and all he does is improve. Some horses can start to predict the exercises and overthink, and some go the other way, getting bored and adding their own moves, freestyle. It’s so nice to ride a “worker” like Ippo, who just concentrates and tries hard! The trouble (or the beauty?!) with dressage is that it will never be perfect, and there will always be room for improvement. While I’m on my warm-up hack I like to think through where each horse is at with their training, and set a few adaptable goals for the session ahead. Ippo achieved all of his goals during this ride, and I think both he and I enjoyed it! Next stop for Ippo is Aston, where he runs in the Novice alongside Basil in the Intermediate. Max and Jimmy are competing at Tweseldown next Sunday, and Max hopefully makes his International debut at the end of the month! Fingers crossed this sunshine keeps up – although the ground could do with a bit of rain, and my shoulders maybe need a bit more sun cream…
The 2024/25 Jumps season draws to a close at the end of April, and we’ll look back on it as a successful and hugely enjoyable one. With 68 winners and an 18 per cent strike rate, it marks a personal best for Joe since taking over the licence in 2022. We managed to finish the season with a bang – our last three runners, at Taunton and Warwick, all won. A notable performance among these came from an exciting four-year-old called Bob Bishop who, on only his second career start, ran out an impressive winner of the bumper at Taunton. He is a close relative of one of the yard’s old superstars, Cue Card, and is named after the late Bob Bishop, who was married to Cue Card’s owner Jean Bishop.
image Courtenay Hitchcock The BB
Champion Freddie Joe’s nephew Freddie Gingell was crowned the Champion Conditional Jockey this season: what a fantastic achievement at the age of 18. Only his boss, Paul Nicholls, has given Freddie more winners than us this season: we are proud to have played our part in his victory.
The nutrients from the spring grass play an important role in their growth and development, particularly the younger horses. image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Holiday horses The beginning of May is the time when the majority of our horses are turned out in the field for a well-earned summer break. A few go back to their owners, but most stay on site and they will come back in to training in the second week of July. After a long season, it’s vital for the horses to relax out in the fields – to go back to simply ‘being horses’ and part of a herd. The nutrients from the spring grass play an important role in their growth and development, particularly the younger horses. However, this does not mean that there is a shortage of human work to do around the place! There will be around ten horses staying in training for summer jump racing, and we may have the odd runner on the flat as well. On top of this we have the next batch of Colin’s homebreds to break in – this year four two-year-olds – and whatever store horses (three-year-olds) Joe buys at the sales, which we also break in at the yard. Besides the young horses, there is also the annual spring clean to be getting on with: more than 100 stables need pressure washing and painting in preparation for the horses coming back in in July. Staff also take their holiday during May and June – we operate on a skeleton staff basis for two months. It is a nice time of year without the intensity of mid-season, but busy nonetheless!
Bob Bishop, on only his second career start, ran out an impressive winner of the bumper at Taunton. He is a close relative of one of the yard’s old superstars, Cue Card, and is named after the late Bob Bishop, who was married to Cue Card’s owner Jean Bishop – image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
image Courtenay Hitchcock The BVimage Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Blandford Forum, Dorset – 25th April 2025 – Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School has once again proved it’s a school where children thrive, as confirmed by a glowing Ofsted inspection published this month.
Inspectors visited the school on 25th and 26th March and found that the high standards recognised in the previous inspection have not only been maintained but strengthened. The school was commended for its warm, inclusive atmosphere and its unwavering focus on what matters most: the needs and interests of its pupils.
Children at Blandford St Mary are happy, feel safe, and are proud of their school. They attend regularly and approach learning with enthusiasm – something that stood out clearly to inspectors.
Headteacher Rosaleen Beaver said: “We are delighted with the inspection outcome. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, pupils, and the entire school community. Our focus on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment ensures that every child feels valued and supported.”
The report praised the school’s ambitious curriculum, which has recently been refined to better identify essential knowledge and vocabulary across all subjects. Pupils are building strong foundations, developing a broad and secure understanding as they move through the school. A particular strength remains the school’s early focus on reading, writing and maths – giving every child the core knowledge they need from day one.
Parents were equally enthusiastic. Many praised the school’s nurturing ethos, with one saying: “The school goes above and beyond in supporting and protecting our children. We couldn’t be happier with the education and care our children receive.”
Mark Lacey, CEO of the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust (DSAT), added his praise: “Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School exemplifies the values and standards we strive for across all our schools. The dedication of the Headteacher and her team is truly commendable, and we are proud to support their ongoing efforts to provide an excellent education for all pupils.”
Inspectors also noted the school’s continued efforts to embed its newly updated curriculum across all subjects, ensuring every child benefits from a consistent and well-planned learning experience. The school’s proactive approach to personal development was another highlight – from rich classroom experiences to a wide range of extracurricular activities, children are offered plenty of opportunities to grow in confidence and character.
Blandford St Mary remains a school where ambition, care, and community come together – and the latest Ofsted report shows it’s a place where children are not only educated but truly nurtured.
Palace Winter, the electro-indie, Australian/Danish duo of Carl Coleman and Caspar Hesselager, have bubbled under the radar since they released their excellent (but largely ignored) debut LP Waiting for the World to Turn almost ten years ago. But they’re still yet to break through in a scene crammed full of synth-heavy, mid-tempo guitar pop. While that is unlikely to change with the release of their fourth LP Confessions of Mr. Nowhere, there’s still plenty here to love. On first listen there is little evidence of real deviation from the band’s signature sound. The album is, like its predecessors, awash with keyboards, guitar arpeggios and lush harmonies. But on closer listening, there are signs of subtle evolution to be found. On the single Does That Include Television? the synths give way to a distorted Rhodes piano for a surprisingly groovy breakdown. Inget Val features a spoken word/rap backing vocal which, while not exactly ground-breaking, does serve as a welcome counterpoint to Coleman’s mid-range vocals.
Telepathic turns a riff which could easily have come from a 1980’s video game into an essential anchor for an otherwise-listless musing (“If you could only ease my mind, ‘cause we’re only wasting time, we can leave it all behind”) Overall, the arrangements and production feel denser, tighter and less riff-driven than on previous efforts. And while this is most evident on chugging opening track Mr. Nowhere (a bouncy, Ian-Brown-meets-late-period-Supergrass foot tapper), this album confirms that Palace Winter are consistently at their best when they slow things down. Just Slide, perfectly positioned in the middle of the tracklist (and reminiscent of two of the band’s previous high water marks, 2015’s Woke in the Night, The Phone Was Ringing and 2016’s What Happened) brings the heart which is absent elsewhere on the record (“Always running to a negative space…. If you break, you buy”). Another rock-solid effort from an under-appreciated gem of a band. 3.5/5 stars.
Matthew Ambrose presents Under The Radar on Tuesday evening at 7pm on Abbey104. Broadcasting on 104.7FM and online at abbey104.com.
In an edge-of-the-seat final that went to the wire, Blandford & Sturminster Ladies faced Southampton University Ladies 3s in the Hampshire Senior Ladies Vase.
Image courtesy of Paul Cross Blandford Hockey Club Captain
Nerves were evident on both sides, culminating in a tense, evenly-matched first half. Blandford earned four short corners, each denied by a commanding performance from Southampton’s keeper. The opposition responded with two of their own, both confidently saved by Zena Parry.
But the momentum shifted in the second half. Southampton failed to register a single shot on goal, while Blandford found their rhythm. Southampton’s growing frustration culminated in a green card for a foul on Justine Turnbull – though Justine herself, eager to maintain momentum, also received a green card shortly after.
Image courtesy of Paul Cross Blandford Hockey Club Captain
Blandford continued to press. Jenny Smith had a goal disallowed when a whistle blew for a stick tackle just milliseconds before the ball crossed the line. Soon after, Justine took a free hit from the edge of the D, drove left and passed to Susan Bovensizer, who executed the signature “Bovensizer Classic” – a sweeping reverse hit that thudded into the backboard. But again, the goal was disallowed: the umpire ruled Justine hadn’t travelled the required five metres before passing into the D – a decision hotly contested by the crowd.
In the final minutes, Blandford dominated. Shots flew at the Southampton goal – Maddie Cowley’s sweep went agonisingly wide, Laura Robinson’s effort skimmed past the post, and Jenny struck the post itself.
Full time: 0-0. Penalty shuffles loomed.
In this format – a player runs from the 22-line and must score within eight seconds – the pressure is immense. Susan Bovensizer stepped up first, but the imposing presence of the Southampton keeper forced her shot wide. Southampton converted their opening attempt. 1-0.
Image courtesy of Paul Cross Blandford Hockey Club Captain
But Jenny Smith responded with her trademark composure and a confident reverse hit to bring it level. Zena Parry then delivered a sensational save, sprawling across the goal to deny Southampton’s second. Caroline Smith followed her sister, beating the keeper for pace and slotting home. 2-1 to Blandford.
Zena was unstoppable. She forced the next Southampton player wide, holding her off just long enough – the ball went in, but outside the eight-second limit. Georgia Turnbull was next, dragging the keeper wide before rifling the ball into the goal. 3-1.
Image courtesy of Paul Cross Blandford Hockey Club Captain
Southampton had to score – and did, just clinging to hope. But Laura Robinson stepped up with the chance to seal it. The satisfying thud of the ball striking the backboard ended it all.
Cheers, screams and tears of joy followed as the Blandford Ladies sprinted to embrace Laura and Zena – a fitting end to a dream season. A Vase, a league title, and promotion: the ultimate treble.
