Garden Jobs for May

By

Editorial team

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11 May 2021

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with Pete Harcom – Head Gardener at Sherton Abbas Gardening

The Peacock butterfly is one of the commonest garden butterflies, In May females lay their eggs in batches of up to 500. Peacock caterpillars are black, covered with short spines and speckled with white spots, and are usually found on stinging nettles.

Hello All,

Well, last month was a cold one wasn’t it? May should be a lot warmer, but as said
last month, keep an eye on the weather forecast and protect early outdoor sowings
and plantings with fleece.

Bedding plants may need to wait to be planted out towards the end of May.

Continue to keep on top of weed growth – regularly hoe them off whilst they are easy
to handle.

Aerate the lawn with a garden fork to avoid compaction and moss growth. After the
aeration, apply a slow release granular fertiliser (if you use small granules this will reduce
the scorch potential).

Birds will be starting to nest now – so please check hedges before trimming them back.

Wildflowers – why not create a wildflower meadow?

Even in a small garden you can attract our native insects and animals. Native wildflowers are a food source, which will naturally attract bees, butterflies and birds to your garden.

Do take a look at the Wildlife Trust’s advice on how to grow a wild patch.

Even the smallest ‘wildflower meadow’ (which is a grand name but can mean any small patch of your garden left to rewild – even one single pot is a start) will provide homes and food for wildlife and benefit biodiversity. Native wildflowers provide pollen and nectar to help sustain the insects that pollinate our food crops.

A wildflower patch will also create homes and resting places for beneficial insects such as spiders, ladybirds and lacewings. These creatures help control pests in gardens and commercial
crops

Wildflowers are a source of food and nesting material for birds, too. Some of our birds
like to eat the seeds, some like to eat caterpillars and insects. And all of these can be found in wildflower meadows or small patches of wildflowers.

Water helps too – even a tiny pond can be very interesting in a garden, and will help provide habitat for frogs and toads. Do remember to provide a ramp in any ponds with sheer sides, so frogs and other creatures can climb out easily.

Remember that toads are a gardener’s best friend – they eat slugs, bugs, flies and other pests. A wildflower meadow makes a lovely damp environment for amphibians to forage in.

The easiest way to start is to simply leave a patch of un-mown long grass in your garden. Butterflies, for instance, like to lay eggs in flowering grasses. Some types of butterfly and moth only ever lay their eggs on specific native plants.

Pete

The Insider Tips on The Dorset Property Market May 21

By

Editorial team

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11 May 2021

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More buyers are bidding over the asking price for properties than at any point in the last seven years. The UK’s property market is flying at the moment, with buyers battling to secure sought-after homes before the end of the stamp duty holiday. But is now a good time to sell locally?

New research by NAEA Propertymark found one in six properties (16%) sold for more than their asking price in March – the highest proportion recorded in seven years. In the same month, a third of properties (33%) sold for below their asking price, the lowest proportion since NAEA started keeping records. The estate agency group says there are currently 13 buyers for each home on the market, as the stamp duty holiday continues to entice buyers.

So we gathered a group of the most experienced local experts to talk specifically about what’s happening in our own market, to see what’s selling and who’s buying:

How are things looking in the property market currently? The impression to the public is that it is booming, and being an estate agent right now is an easy life: is this a misconception?

Roderick Thomas, owner of Roderick Thomas Estate Agents didn’t hesitate: “The market is booming and should, and generally does, reflect in the estate agency business.

A vigorous market involves agents working harder and faster to respond to more enquiries, carry out more viewings and negotiate and agree more sales. All very exciting, great for the economy and local employment – we’re currently recruiting to expand our staff across both branches.

Ashley Rawlings, head of residential sales at Savills Wimborne agrees “There is undoubtedly a strong country market at the moment, driven by the pandemic. More recently, the activity is being further boosted by a lack of stock. The age old factors remain the same for agents, though: it’s one thing to agree a sale, it’s quite another to see it through to exchange and completion. Just because the market is busy doesn’t mean there won’t be any unexpected hitches that could threaten to derail the process.

Knowing how to handle any difficulties and keep the sale on track is the mark of a good agent.

Simon Neville-Jones, Branch Manager at Lodestone Shaftesbury also commented on the hectic market “We have multiple buyers for many of the houses we have listed over the last year. Several of our houses followed by best bids have attracted at least 30 viewings within days of being added to the market.”

Susie Palin, head of Meyers Blandford, said “The toughest issue we have is lack of housing stock available to a high volume of buyers; currently in certain situations, vendors have to be ‘under offer’ or cash buyers in order to even view a house which has meant that there is a level of reluctance for some would-be sellers to put their houses on the market for fear of having nowhere to go.

It’s a real chicken and egg scenario at the moment balancing both vendor and buyer expectations.

Can you tell us about the current Stamp Duty Holiday benefits? How is that going to affect things over the next six months?

Brad Hansford from Meyers Shaftesbury isn’t worried “Most buyers have two budgets at the ready, pre- stamp duty holiday and post-, in case they miss the deadline. Most serious buyers have done their homework and realise that after June 30th, there is still a saving to be made on stamp duty and have done their sums accordingly.”

Roderick is confident in the market remaining high “There’s continued lower relief until the Autumn. Buyers naturally want to take advantage of reduced SDLT and are aware they may not complete a purchase prior to the end of June. Nevertheless demand is increasing and I don’t see this changing.

In fact I think the market will continue at this or a higher level at least until the end of this year.

Ashley from Savills tends to agree “Predicting anything in property as far ahead as six months is difficult, however I do see the draw to the country remaining strong for a while yet. The market will simply adapt to the stamp duty change”

Is it okay for someone to ask for a valuation appraisal, even if they’re not sure they want to sell yet?

This drew a reassuring and unequivocal YES from every estate agent!

Simon: “Yes! Agents often visit houses on a regular basis before they go to market.”

Susie: “Of course! most Estate Agents offer free valuations – it gives the seller an idea of where they stand financially”

Roderick “Absolutely.

We sell lots of properties which we originally visited months and even years previously!”

James McKillop, head of residential sales at Savills Salisbury explained further “we look to build long term relationships with clients. We recognise that circumstances change and that it’s important for people to know what their house may be worth at any given time so they can make plans. Talking to an agent about the market now may crystallise those plans or provide further food for thought.

If ‘now’s a perfect time to sell’ – what advice would you give to anyone considering taking the plunge?

Savill’s Ashley “The basic economics of supply and demand suggest now is a good time to sell. In some instances, we are handling competitive bids, and agreeing sales in excess of guide prices. Clearly I would recommend instructing an agent with a good track record – at Savills, some clients prefer to sell ‘off market’ without the use of websites or advertising”

Susie suggests being genuinely ready “It is a seller’s market currently with demand for housing high and inflated prices; if you wish to sell, be ready for your house to sell quickly. The first step of the process would be to get a local property expert out to your property so you are aware of what your main asset is worth.

Roderick “Factors driving the market include shifts to home-working, desire to move out of the bigger cities and towns, and we’ve seen a big leap in interest from overseas buyers, too. The current market is also a catalyst for people who were perhaps considering selling later in the year to crack on and do so now. My advice is to try and buy and sell in the same market.”

Simon “This remains the best market to sell in since the boom of 2006/2007. However, it will not last forever and could easily change by this time next year. It’s hard to predict, so we are encouraging people to make use of the increasing rates of value and demand for houses in Somerset and Dorset.

We see the stories of houses being snapped up super-fast – what tips do you have for potential buyers who are finding the speed of the market

The agents were unanimous in the need for registering with your local estate agents. Meyers’ Brad: “Get registered with each and every Estate Agent in the area of choice, be ready to be flexible and perhaps compromise on location. Most agents will have relationships with builders as well as private sellers and they will know which properties are ‘coming soon’. It is desperately competitive at the moment so keeping in touch with agents is a must. We have frequently sold properties in recent months that have not even managed to hit the main portal sites because the buyer is registered with us.”

Roderick takes things a step further than agents’ mailing lists and checking websites regularly: “Make sure you have a good solicitor lined up and get your paperwork in order for conveyancing. If a vendor receives multiple offers, you’ll be in a better position as a buyer if you’re organised and keen to proceed swiftly and efficiently.

Simon adds the drive for social media to your checklist “Last month we reached over 62,000 people via social media. We ensure that all our properties are added to our social media channels as soon as they are on the market, often before they are even added to Rightmove.”

And Savills’ James takes a step backwards “Most importantly, my advice would be to have funding in place, or at the very least an agreed sale in a short and stable chain. Once that is the case, register with the agents most likely to handle the sort of property you would like to buy and keep in touch with them.

Good agents will ring buyers regularly but be proactive – don’t feel you have to wait for them to call you.”

Who’s buying locally – is it an influx of people looking for a new rural location post-covid, or is it predominantly the local market shifting?

Simon shares Loders’ latest data with us “Our social media and website statistics since January have shown that prospective buyers are mostly UK, but not necessarily local. We have engagement from America, China and Germany, but the majority are UK-based. Our latest house sale attracted buyers visiting from London, Surrey, Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire, Hants, Bath, West Sussex, Berkshire and, of course, Dorset.”

Savills’ Ashley agrees it’s a widespread mix of buyers “We have seen an increase in buyers from London and the Home Counties. They have traditionally made up a large part of our market but the number of new applicants in this bracket has certainly grown. We have also seen a lot of activity from local people looking to upsize within the area.

Roderick is seeing the same movement, but adds a third sector

“It’s the perfect storm. Buyers moving out of London wanting the benefits the country and small towns and villages offer. Likewise, overseas buyers want a base in the UK. The third element is buyers who have been renting for years. Usually people can rent a house which is beyond their budget to buy. This has kept many people renting for years, but they’re seeing inflation coming and they’re now rapidly buying.

Are there currently any specifically desireable locations within the North Dorset area?

Meyers’ Susie says things are so busy it’s tough to call “We have buyers registered wanting towns, villages, splendid isolation and also right in the middle of all amenities!”

Roderick agrees “Picturesque and desirable villages, not to mention wonderful country pubs and spectacular rural scenery; it will always be a popular spot for those seeking to relocate to the West Country. We’re seeing high demand both for rural/ village homes and also homes close to good transport links for those wishing easily to commute to London and elsewhere.”

Lodestone’s Simon feels there’s commuter demands too “The most popular area is probably the A303 corridor with villages like Charlton Horethorne, Nether Compton, Buckhorn Weston. And always villages either with or near amenities.”

Interestingly, Ashley Rawlings has seen a desire for a particular spot “We are spoilt for choice really in the Blackmore Vale but in my experience recently the Okefords (Fitzpaine & Child Okeford) have seen some good sales, with the improvement of facilities in Sturminster Newton contributing towards the increased desirability of these areas.”

Arrows On The Floor

By

Editorial team

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11 May 2021

0

Sally Wilson, Headteacher of The Blandford School, shares the inside story of the past year

Sally Wilson, Headteacher of The Blandford School, issued over 5,200 headteacher commendations

We never imagined the journey we had ahead of us when Covid-19 emerged last spring.

The British are very good at ‘pulling together’ and this has been evidenced by the countless caring and kind emails we have received, as well as the wonderful offers of support we have had from the community. It has been a year of immense challenge but at the same time the resilience of the school community has been evident at every turn.

Over the course of the first lockdown we worked closely with schools in the Blandford Schools’ Network, including Bryanston and Knighton House. The former supported us in the early days

with laptop provision and first aid assistance (which enabled us to open for keyworker children).

Staff worked on a rota basis in school and commenced distance learning from their homes – many of them had childcare to manage whilst they delivered lessons using Microsoft Teams for the first time. The lack of lead-in time meant although training on the use of Teams had started prior to lockdown, we were not in such a good position as many schools in the private sector.

The cost of Google Classroom had always been prohibitive for us and so we had not engaged in any distance learning options up to this point.

It was a sharp learning curve for all of us, students, staff and parents!

The latter part of lockdown in June 2020 included lessons in school for years 10 and 12, socially distanced.
By this point we were used to arrows on the floor, one-way systems and the use of facemasks.

The pastoral and safeguarding support of all children across the school has been a major part of our work during Covid. Our school roll is approximately 1000, with 20% in receipt of pupil premium funding and at least 150 a year who see our student support worker for a variety of reasons. Close contact with students whether on or off-site has been essential in terms of their welfare and safeguarding.

Home schooling was a sharp learning curve for all of us, students, staff and parents!

Initiatives came thick and fast from staff and students.

We made over 400 shields for local care homes, hospitals, community facilities and primary schools and produced enough face masks for all staff to have one.

Treasure Island was the brainchild of our Literacy Coordinator – over 40 staff were engaged in filming sections of the novel in their own homes or on ‘location’; the footage was viewed by our students during the first lockdown and children in the primary schools to help with transition.

Year 6-7 transition looked rather different in July 2020.
Instead of briefing parents and children in school we placed a video on our website which included a virtual tour, as well as holding numerous virtual meetings with incoming children and parents.

Over 5,200 headteacher commendations were issued during the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns to children of all abilities/all ages. Congratulations to them for their attitude, effort and perseverance.

August 2020 will forever be remembered as The Summer of Centre Assessed Grades, algorithms and an unfortunate lack of clear communication and decision making from central government.

This was an exceptionally difficult time for our year 11 and 13 students who had been caught up in a muddle not of their making.

The school re-opened on time in September 2020 with a host of new ways of operating – ‘external zones’, year group ‘bubbles’, facemasks, 14 escorted moves for all students in years 7-11 during the day (from zones to lessons and back again), social distancing in classrooms, no mixing of year groups at break or lunch and no extra-curricular activities or trips.

Virtual parents’ evenings were trialled and were a success. As a school we planned for another closure by upskilling students and staff on Teams, and we also continued to manage anxieties around the coronavirus within families.

The Blandford School – image: Ash Mills Photography

The most challenging aspect of our new learning environment was the requirement for ventilation.
Windows and doors were open all the time, and still are. October was very cold and we all donned extra layers.

Children and staff were advised to wear coats in classroom if they wished! The school has had very few cases and no coronavirus community transmissions in school.

The second lockdown commenced in January 2021 and both in-school provision and out-of-school provision has gone very well.
There definitely is a weariness which was not there as much last time but staff have thrown themselves into their work with characteristic willingness and good humour.
Approximately 96% of our students have been consistently engaged during this second lockdown which is a very high proportion of the school, and testament to teamwork and the amount of carer/parental support we have received.

We appreciate many families have found home schooling difficult and we commend them for working with us.

We also appreciate some students will find it difficult returning into school after such a prolonged period and there will be significant support systems in place to look after them.

The logistics of setting up the lateral flow testing regime at the start of the new year were immense but the team – which includes volunteer staff, Simon Hoare MP, an ex-GP, health workers and governors – have done a tremendous job.

Testing, teacher assessed grades, the support of year 11 and 13 whose public exams have been cancelled, and the quality delivery of face-to-face lessons have all been our focus over the last few weeks.

We are looking forward to lighter evenings, the sun shining and the gradual return to ‘normality’. As a team, we are proud of our role during the pandemic in supporting the NHS.
We are also very, very proud of our students whose energy and enthusiasm for learning is infectious. The summer is just around the corner.

Sally Wilson,
Headteacher

Wide and easy Tarrant Valley Circular 11.5 (OR 6.5!) miles | Dorset Walks

By

Editorial team

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10 May 2021

0

This full day hike can easily be chopped down to 6.5 miles with a simple shortcut.

This is a fabulous day’s walk, a really easy going route with lots of wide views interspersed with beautiful woodland. We first walked it in late spring, enjoying the carpets of celandines, bluebells and wood anemones all around the route.

The Tarrant Valley circular route follows mostly along wide bridleways or farm tracks, with very little in the way of map reading required. Out of the woodlands the route enjoys expansive views on open chalk downland – on a sunny summer’s day this route will get HOT, so do take plenty of water!

To follow this route using the Outdooractive App, please find the route here.

For a shorter 6.5 mile alternative route, simply use the Jubilee Trail from Handcock’s Bottom to Tarrant Gunville, and then turn left to follow the path parallel to the road towards Stubhampton.

Tarrant Valley Circular Walk — Celandined lined path walking through Hinton Bushes.

You’ll note that there’s an extra leg which doesn’t make much sense across Chettle common; this is added in purely because I love this small section of the common. Feel free to keep to the main track (but I strongly recommend the detour simply to say hello to the ancient trees).

As expected for a BV Dorset walk, you can expect to not see anyone along most of the route, though the couple of miles nearest the back of Blandford Camp across Pimperne Long Barrow were moderately busy on a sunny Sunday.
Harbins Park Estate are doing some great work re-wilding the estate: it’s a hive of activity as they clearly have a major plan of re-installing hedgerows, deciduous forest and wildlife corridors. In the summer the farm is a joy of wildflowers, making up for the current forest of plastic pipes as the new deciduous woodland plantation gets a foothold.

I know I’m not alone in loving a giant oak standing proudly in its field, am I? This one is to your right as you leave Hinton Bushes, and approach the Jubilee Trail.

The wide valley view appears behind you as you walk up from Pimperne Barrow

The view to the left of the path in Handcocks Bottom, the dense carpet of celandines disappearing from view.

Bluebells and celandines line the enchanting Handcock’s Bottom path

All the Dorset Walks we feature have been created and walked recently by ourselves, so you know you can trust them – we aim for unpopulated routes with as little road and as many views as possible! You can always see the route and follow it yourself via the free Outdoor Active app – see all our routes here.

SALISBURY’s City Encounters festival

By

Editorial team

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10 May 2021

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SALISBURY’s City Encounters festival returns for the May bank holiday weekend, 29th to 31st May, with open air circus performances, dance, theatre, comedy and music in the Guildhall and Market Squares, Salisbury Cathedral Close and the grounds of Salisbury Arts Centre.

From hip-hop to playful puppetry, from physical theatre to contemporary dance, there is something for all tastes and ages as some of the country’s most adventurous and inspiring performers come to Salisbury. The programme has been created by Wiltshire Creative and supported by Without Walls to bring together up-and-coming companies, established street artists and those making their first foray into creating work for the public space.

The performers include twin sisters Kristina and Sade of Alleyne Dance, in their new work, Bonded, which uses abstract narrative, West African dance, circus skills and athleticism; Black Victorians, a dance piece inspired by the discovery of hundreds of portraits of black people from Victorian England; Altered States with The Invisible Man, inspired by HG Wells’ famous novel, to raise awareness of issues including d/Deafness, homelessness and ageing; Pif-Paf with TOAST, a growing, communal celebration of food, song, story, dance and fire performed around a mobile kitchen cart; and Nikki Charlesworth’s What Happened to You? with three raggedy puppets and real-life stories to highlight the importance of access and inclusion.

All events are free, but social distancing means that numbers are limited and tickets must be booked – www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk

Fanny Charles

The FTR

Live performance round up – what’s on in May 2021

By

Editorial team

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10 May 2021

0

From Monday 17th May, public performances with audiences are permitted again, and venues across the region are preparing for the excited, if still socially distanced, audiences. Our region is welcoming more open air theatre companies than ever before during the summer months. Look out for full details.

Here are some highlights, and remember that limited audience numbers will mean they will sell out quickly.

Bath Festival, this year from 17th to 24th May with an August finale and an October encore (Patti Smith), has the Gesualdo Six in the Roman baths, Bridgerton walking tours of the city, Richard Osman and the Complete Beethoven Quartets among a full programme.

Wimborne’s Tivoli reopens with a visit by comedian Simon Evans in The Work of the Devil, the ever-popular Paul Jones and Dave Kelly, and Jack and the Beanstalk in June, all before our next edition on 4th June.

Poole’s Lighthouse has moved big films into the larger theatre space, and starts with The Greatest Showman on 22nd May. There is a Comedy Club 4 Kids at the new outdoor amphitheatre next to the main building.

Yeovil’s Octagon has an excitingly full programme, starting with a visit from the Grimethorpe Colliery Band on 22nd May, and continuing with Austentatious – the improvised Jane Austen novel . Lesley Garrett will be in Yeovil for an evening of song, reminiscences and chat on 6th June.

Ralph Fiennes brings the world premiere of his new show TS Eliot’s Four Quartets, to Bath Theatre Royal from 25th May.

The Gaggle of Geese at Buckland Newton hosts a visit from Luke Wright in The Ballad Seller on 30th May

Big open air tours are getting started, with Illyria’s The Further Adventures of Dr Doolittle at the ECOS Amphitheatre at Frome Merlin on 2nd June, and the wonderful Lord Chamberlain’s Men at Salisbury Cathedral Close with Macbeth on 4th and 5th June.

Book soon, wrap up warm, and enjoy a summer of live performances again.

By Gay Pirrie-Weir

The FTR

Uncovering Deepest Dorset and Wiltshire

By

Editorial team

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10 May 2021

0

As part of Dorset Libraries’ celebrations for Local and Community History Month, you are invited to join journalists Fanny Charles and Gay Pirrie-Weir in a live online event.

Fanny Charles & Gay Pirrie-Weir Presenting £1,000’s woth of camera and audio equipment to the Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat – part of the proceeds of Deepest Dorset.

Fanny and Gay will be talking about Deepest Dorset, the book that delves into the local history, landscape and places that

inspire – and which has raised over £60,000 for local charities to date. The success of the book led to Deepest Wiltshire,

published in 2019, with a further book, Deepest Somerset currently planned.

Find out about their mission to create a book that showcased Dorset from a different and varied perspective and hear about the latest research

for their new book Deepest Somerset and the impact that the pandemic has had on research and interviews, and on sales of published books.

Wed, 12 May, 4-5pm.

Book your FREE place now!

Specialist Plant Fair at Yarlington House

By

Editorial team

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10 May 2021

1

On Saturday 22nd May from 10am to 4pm, by kind invitation of Count and Countess Charles de Salis, Yarlington House will host a specialist plant fair.

Always a great day out for any plant lover, from novice gardener to plantaholics looking for more treasures. There will be an opportunity to buy plants from specialist dealers from all over the South West at the twenty stalls – Amongst them you will find organic vegetables, cheery summer colour, plants for cut flowers, wildlife and shady areas; plants for every nook and corner of your garden!

All amazing quality, great value for money and expert advice if you need it.

The entrance ticket includes admission to the beautiful flower garden and walled kitchen garden, not normally open to the public.

Perfect for inspiration for your own garden!

Many of the plants will be on sale in the plant fair – including a stand with plants grown and propagated by Yarlingtons head gardener.

ENTRANCE £5 (under 16s free) Please bring exact money.

Covid Track and Trace Compliant Event

For further information please ring Carolyn de Salis

01963 440344

Proceeds to St Mary’s Church Yarlington and Yarlington Village Hall

Gold Hill Fair relaunched as Gold Hill Festival Sunday 4th July 2021, Barton Hill Shaftesbury

By

Editorial team

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10 May 2021

1

Following a year of uncertainty, together with cancellations of public events such as Gold Hill Fair 2020. Shaftesbury Rotary Club have decided to look ahead with optimism. The Gold Hill Fair will be relaunched as Gold Hill Festival and will be sponsored by Western Marquees. Shaftesbury Rotary Club are very excited by this year’s event, as it will give residents of Shaftesbury a chance to have some fun.

Taking into consideration COVID restrictions, it was decided that Park Walk would not be possible as a venue. Shaftesbury Rotary Club approached the Town Council who kindly agreed to the use of Barton Hill Recreation Park, a more spacious and usable space.

The hope is to be celebrating the end of lockdown and the legal requirement to socially distance, of course, but the committee have to plan for less favourable possibilities so holding the event on the Barton Hill field allows for social distancing and for the oprganisers to control numbers if the regulations at the time require this.

But …. they aim to bring back an even bigger range of music, dance, refreshments, trade stalls and community events. Keep up with developments of the event on the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Goldhillfair

With The Fringe not taking place until the Bank Holiday Weekend in August, Gold Hill Festival will operate as a standalone event. There will be the usual stall holders around the field, with street food outlets and a central stage and music throughout the day, including the first ‘Shaftesbury’s Got Talent’.

“Entry will be free; we want you to come and enjoy the day and have fun! If you have a particular talent and would like to take part then please let us know. We want all local organisations to be involved.”

We are very lucky this year to have a sponsor, Western Marquees, who are very kindly donating the Marquee, Stage and Generator for the event.

If you would like to take part or even get involved, then please email us at: –
goldhillfair@hotmail.co.uk