Volunteers have been hard at work sprucing up Spetisbury Station ahead of our Railway 200 Summer Tea Party on Sunday 13th July. In the June sunshine, the team weeded, mowed, swept and planted fresh blooms, and even installed a new sign on the old station building.
From 10am to 2pm, you’re invited to explore this beautifully-kept heritage site as we mark 200 years of modern railways in Britain and 165 years of Spetisbury Station. Enjoy live music by the Blandford Ukulele Group (12.45–1.45pm), browse second-hand railway books and gifts, and learn about the station’s rich history. Pimms, teas, coffees, scones and cakes will be on offer, with proceeds supporting the Spetisbury Station Project. Entry is free, but donations (cash only) are very welcome. If wet, festivities move to Spetisbury Village Hall! Find out more at spetisburystationproject
The Friends of North Dorset Womens Refuge celebrated 25 years of supporting the refuge with a lunch party at Motcombe village hall, attended by members of the Friends group and representatives of organisations and groups that support the charity’s work.
Sara Jacson is pictured at the anniversary lunch at Motcombe village hall, cutting the birthday cake made by her grandson Jack
Founder Sara Jacson, who cut a birthday cake made by her grandson Jack, recalled the growing awareness in the late 1990s of the need for a refuge for women in North Dorset. There was no money, she said, but both the former North Dorset District Council and Purbeck District Council wanted to help. The fledgling organisation applied for funding from the government’s Safe Communities scheme and on 2nd January 2000 they received money to set up the refuge. The charity Friends of North Dorset Women’s Refuge (FNDWR) was founded that year to support the residents and their children at the refuge and make their lives a little better. Sara recalled a meeting with the senior housing officer at North Dorset District Council: ‘With tears in his eyes, he said: “I cannot imagine what it is like to leave a place you have felt safe and loved. Sara, we will make this as good as we can, but we cannot sustain this level of support.” ‘So here we are now, 25 years later. Everybody here has helped in some way – toys, food, money, hampers. Some knit or sew. You all do wonderful things for us. Everybody helps in some way. ‘We need £1,000 every month to provide what is needed.’ The Friends of North Dorset Women’s Refuge welcomes financial donations to help to provide bedding, cutlery and crockery, fresh fruit, support for relocation costs, when families go into permanent accommodation, and funds for outings and parties.
Charity Auction and Preloved Fashion Show There’s a special evening planned at the Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary on Saturday 2nd August – a Charity Auction and Preloved Fashions Catwalk Show to raise funds for SturAction and Home Start Blackmore Vale. Tickets are available from 1855, The Emporium, or by email (contact details below). Your ticket includes: A Dorset Deluxe grazing supper from Black Cat Catering, with a complimentary glass of fizz A bar stocked by Dike & Son and run by volunteers A Preloved Fashion Catwalk, featuring outfits from The Preloved Boutique and Dapper Chaps, including stunning wedding dresses and suits Dorset desserts (brownies and berries) A Charity Auction with fantastic lots donated by local businesses – including a month’s subscription to The Hinton Workspace, Dorset food and pamper hampers, and a Dorset Tipples drinks hamper Live music and a DJ throughout the evening All the models are volunteers from community shops, the Girl Guides and friends of the organiser, with hair and makeup generously donated by local professionals. Most outfits will be for sale on the night. All the profits from the Evening will be donated to Stur Action and Home Start Blackmore Vale If you’d like to book tickets or donate a prize, please email: Caroline on [email protected].
Sturminster Newton Arts Weeks are now underway – this year for two full weeks, so you have longer to visit and enjoy the work of local artists showcased in shop windows across town. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the North Dorset Photo Competition. The exhibition at The Exchange is coming to an end, but plans are in hand to display the photographs elsewhere, including in the House of Commons later this year – a wonderful way to share the beauty of our part of Dorset.
New Shops Opening Soon Stur’s independent shops continue to thrive, with only two premises currently empty – and SturAction already brimming with ideas for at least one of them! A warm welcome to: Green Lake Studio Crafts, opening officially on 12th July in Station Road. Weldmar Hospicecare Charity Shop, opening soon. Forgotten Frowns Aesthetics and Beauty, just opened on the corner of Church Street. Community Connections charity shop, reopening shortly at Stour Connect on Bath Road, complete with its café.
Looking Ahead In keeping with Stur’s enthusiasm for sustainability and upcycling, plans are taking shape for a fun evening of Strut, Swap, Style on 1st October, celebrating all our wonderful charity shops. More details will follow soon. Car & Bike Meets The Car and Bike Enthusiasts Meet is growing every month – join them on the Rec on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 12pm, with free parking courtesy of SturAction. On 6th September, the meet will feature craftspeople from 1855 demonstrating their skills (and possibly a few gin makers too – watch this space …)
Supporting Our Community At its most recent meeting, the SturAction Board agreed funding for: Sturminster Newton Boxing Club, supporting their work with young people Community Connections, to improve the outdoor seating area at the café The Riverside Festival on 16th August, offering an affordable afternoon and evening out for families To keep these brilliant projects going, SturAction relies on donations of saleable goods – and, most importantly, volunteers. If you can spare a little time to join this friendly team, especially in the Market Place shop, your help will be hugely appreciated. If you would like to get involved, email Jacqui at [email protected] – your skills (and friendship) will be very welcome.
A brand-new highlight on the automotive calendar is coming to the South West this summer. The Gurston Ascent, an unmissable celebration of performance, engineering and driving passion, takes over the iconic Gurston Down Hillclimb on Sunday 20th July 2025 – and everyone is invited.
Set in the stunning Wiltshire countryside, Gurston Ascent brings together an incredible variety of cars – from exotic supercars and precision-built hillclimb machines to immaculately modified performance cars from across the UK. Every vehicle is road-legal, but far from ordinary. Spectators will enjoy the rare chance to see these machines unleashed on the hill in a series of untimed, non-competitive demonstration runs – no trophies, just raw speed, sound and spectacle. Whether it’s a roaring V12, a turbocharged track weapon or a perfectly engineered hot hatch, there is something here for every enthusiast. The Ascent is the ultimate leveller: whether a high-powered supercar or a fully built ride, there is nowhere to hide on the hill. Special guest driver Abbie Eaton, professional racer and Grand Tour test driver, will also be taking part. Crowds can watch from the hillside as she conducts her own runs up the hill – a rare opportunity to see her in action up close.
More than a hillclimb Beyond the action on the hill, the event features paddocks packed with metal not often seen at an average car meet, curated static displays and a display area dedicated to interesting road cars. Visitors can browse a carefully chosen selection of automotive trade stands and specialist exhibitors offering everything from detailing products to performance upgrades. Quality food and drink vendors will be on hand, along with welcoming spaces to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Tickets are £20 per adult, with under-16s going free, making Gurston Ascent a great day out for families and fanatics alike. Parking is free, and the hill offers exceptional spectator viewpoints, so no one will miss a moment of the action. Whether drawn by the drama of a hillclimb launch, the gleam of carbon fibre, or simply a brilliant summer Sunday out, Gurston Ascent promises something truly special. Book now at gurstonascent.co.uk and be part of Wiltshire’s newest automotive tradition.
Amendments to the 650-home West Wincanton housing development, proposed by LVA (Land Value Alliances), have been published by Somerset Council. Concerned local people and organisations have until 24th July to send their comments on the changes.
The red line is around the West Wincanton application site, and a yellow line around a site already approved for 80 houses
There is no date set yet for councillors to discuss the application. The changes include:
Removing the employment area south of Lawrence Hill and reducing the length of the cycle path, but a short section of “active travel route” is still required south of Lawrence Hill to tie in with the toucan crossing. This parcel of lands been removed from the application site; this will reduce tree loss south of A371/Lawrence Hill Small changes in the “Brook Quarter” to increase the net developable area, increase land use efficiency and optimise the active travel route; and in the development area and allotments in the northwest corner to ensure no residential development is shown on land covered by a restrictive covenant Re-design of the Anchor Hill junction and access to avoid the oak tree T281 Reducing the number of footpaths north of Valley Park to reduce the breaks in the hedgerow.
The proposal is an outline application (with all matters reserved except for access) for the demolition of farm buildings and up to 650 homes; up to 3.1ha of mixed use comprising employment land, local centre and care home, primary school, pre-school/nursery, accesses from West Hill and Lawrence Hill, mobility infrastructure, new pedestrian/cycle route to the south of Lawrence Hill, open space and all associated infrastructure.
Welcome to my July column. With the holiday season upon us I thought I would reflect on the importance of having a proper break and time off when on holiday, whether that be at home or away.
I have often been guilty of looking at my emails when on holiday. Invariably this draws you in to responding or actioning something and before you know it you are straight back in to work mode. You may as well be back in the office. And then when you return to work with that feeling you’ve not had a break.
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I have just been away for 10 days and made a promise to myself that this year I would have a proper break and would not be tempted to look at my emails.
I put my ‘out of office’ on the day before I went on holiday and updated my voicemail greeting, I was all set for a real break.
During the 10 days away I didn’t once look at my email, and to be honest the temptation to look was actually easy to overcome in reality. I also stayed away from LinkedIn to make sure I had a complete break from the wider business community as well.
I am fortunate to have an amazing and highly capable team behind me and I know things will run smoothly whether I am there in the office or not. There is no need to look at any emails at all, which is good because it can only take just one negative email to really niggle you and effectively spoil your day.
And of course, if there was a real crisis, I could be contacted if it were really necesary.
Because I took these measures I have returned to work feeling rested, motivated and ready to get back to things with energy and enthusiasm.
Having a good break away from things is so important it hugely improves your productivity when you do finally return to the office. You should hopefully feel both rested and energised when you get back to work, ready to get stuck in.
I’d always recommend employers really promote this approach with their staff and encourage colleagues to make sure they have a proper break, it’s so important for our general wellbeing and mental health.
And of course it will also hugely benefit your business with a motivated and energised team, which is the greatest asset in any business.
Passed away peacefully on 26th May 2025 in Salisbury District Hospital aged 92.
Widow to the late Len Mills. A much loved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She will be sorely missed by all her family and friends. Service already held to celebrate her life at Harbour View Crematorium. The family of Kath would like to thank everyone who attended.
Back home to rest in Dorset, Eddy Scott shares how dark humour, determination and a new purpose are carrying him through recovery
Eddy Scott at The Superhumans Center in Lviv
One of the most striking things about Eddy Scott is the positivity that radiates from him, despite his life-changing injuries: ‘I’m doing really well! I got a very good prosthesis for my leg two weeks ago. I’ve been visiting friends, including going to a wedding near Manchester, which was excellent, and now I’m just having some down time.’ The BV has followed the story of Shaftesbury’s Eddy who was injured by a Russian drone strike in March while operating as a humanitarian aid worker in Ukraine. Eddy lost his left arm and leg, and has been undergoing intense rehabilitation in Lviv. We caught up with him on a two week break in England.
Eddy Scott with his dog Tarka
The rehabilitation journey Eddy is at home with his parents and being treated to his favourite foods, Sunday roasts, curry and tuna pasta, and also enjoying the company of his dog, Tarka. Eddy is rehabilitating in Ukraine at The Superhumans Center in Lviv – a specialist hospital focused on military personnel and civilians injured in war zones. Tens of thousands of people have been injured as a result of the war, with many having lost limbs and having to rebuild their lives. The centre also focuses on getting people with disabilities back into jobs and adapting to civilian life. As a result of the war in Ukraine, surgeons and therapists are rapidly learning new techniques for the treatment of war victims. Some of this involves collaboration with other nations, but it is also placing Ukraine – and Superhumans in particular – at the forefront of innovative techniques and therapies. The centre also specialises in the psychological care of war victims through Superminds. ‘I have been discharged for my leg,’ Eddy says. ‘I now have work to do on my arm, and towards the end of July I’ll return for that part. On a typical day at Superhumans, I’ll do two hours of occupational therapy in the morning, working on movement and sometimes gardening outside. In the afternoon, there’s three hours of physical therapy to build strength, often with outdoor activities, plus hydrotherapy. I’m there five days a week, with two days off.”
Back home in Dorset: Guinness the cat was adopted after he lost a leg in a car accident. He gets on very well with Eddy …
A new role It’s not all hard, physical recovery work. In his last interview with the BV Eddy talked about staying in Ukraine and his love of the country – and it looks like that dream is about to come true: ‘Superhumans have offered me a job as an ambassador! It’s really exciting, and it means I can still help people in Ukraine but in a very different way. It will involve a lot of travel and I’ll get to meet a lot of people.’ Eddy’s role will involve giving peer support to other injured people, and also promoting the work of Superhumans to a wider audience. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continues unabated. ‘Lviv is in the west of Ukraine, and it’s very safe: we get the occasional air alarm. However, Kyiv has been hit very hard recently. I have friends who are really suffering and there are attacks every single day. Where I used to live and work, in Kramatorsk, things have really changed over the past five months and places that were once quite safe are now not at all. It’s very difficult.’
Eddy with Andriy, the Superhumans’ media manager
Looking forward Eddy is still adjusting to life without two limbs: ‘I’m coming to terms with the changes. It’s going well. I’m being looked after well, and I’m looking forward to the new opportunities with Superhumans. Losing two limbs is a big change for anyone. But I’ve also found that things have been a lot easier than I expected. ‘I stay resilient by having things to look forward to – like the job as an ambassador, and being able to help Ukraine. It gives me more of a purpose. I’ve come out of it relatively well, and I have also been able to support others.’ Obviously, being blown up is extremely serious, but there have been humorous moments for Eddy. ‘I’ve used humour throughout this whole process. A dark sense of humour helps in situations like this. For example, when it first happened, a friend made a cake and iced it with the words This cost an arm and a leg – which was brilliant! ‘There have been so many dark jokes – you have to have a sense of humour to get through this. ‘What I’ve realised is that I’m more capable than I ever thought I was. It’s taught me that I was doing the right thing, and made the right decisions. I have had a lot of support and people have told me that my levels of positivity have helped them a lot. It’s nice to find out that I have had that impact on them, and that they can take something from it.’ A life-changing incident like the one Eddy experienced is harrowing for family members as well. ‘It has been a big change for my family as well.,’ he says. ‘They have been really supportive. And it’s good to see them. ‘I’m looking forward to my new job and meeting some really interesting people. I’ll continue to tell my story, and the Superhumans’ story … and keep the Ukraine story alive.’
Hinton Workspace, the rural coworking hub set in a converted carpenter’s workshop in Hinton St Mary, has announced a series of events this summer aimed at supporting local businesses, freelancers and working parents.
On 10th July, Alice from World Secrets will visit to share the story of her distinctive footwear business and host a pop-up shop featuring her range of bold bags and shoes. The talk offers an opportunity to hear first-hand how she developed her brand and navigated the challenges of growing an independent label. Later that day, Hinton will also welcome members of the North Dorset Chambers of Commerce for a networking session designed to bring local businesses together in an informal setting. From 28th July, the workspace will launch You Work, They Play, a scheme to help working parents over the school holidays. While parents use the shared facilities, children aged eight and over can join creative workshops led by Mrs J in a dedicated space across the courtyard. Sessions will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays through August, with a special combined rate available.
On 30th July, the Tithe Barn will be turned into a pop-up cinema for a screening of Big Star, telling the story of Nick Skelton’s famous showjumper. The evening is open to the wider community and will be a chance to come together in a relaxed setting. Hinton Workspace continues to offer flexible coworking and meeting space throughout the year, with a focus on collaboration and rural enterprise. For more information about any of the events, or to book a place, visit hintonworkspace.co.uk.
