Blandford teens smash all records

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14 September 2022

L-R: Ellen (Head Girl), Grace, Peter, Lauren, Hollie

The Blandford School is delighted to report record-breaking results for year 13 students, who have smashed all previous records.As well as achieving the highest ever number of A* – A grades and A*- B grades, ALL students passed all their examinations.
With high grades in abundance across the year group, the following are the students whose results particularly stand out:

Lauren Mooney (AADist) Mollie Joyce (DistDistDist)
Jay Spackman (DistDistDist) Zoe Risborough (AAA) Joshua Sterck (AAA) Ethan Cain (AAA)
James Corrie (AAA) Oliver Long (AAA)
Toby Knight (AAA)
Ellen Fale (AA Dist) Finan Barker (AAB)
Joe Opalka (AAB) Seb Flavell (AAB)
Lewis Revell (A*AB)
Joseph Catling (AAB)
Daniel Hill (AAB)
Daniel Scott (AAB)

Every year students embark on an exceptionally wide variety of destinations, and this year is no exception. Both Zoe Risborough and Joseph Catling will be studying Veterinary Science (a highly competitive field), Zoe at Bristol and Joseph is heading to Keele. Cambridge is the destination for Ethan Cain who will be reading Philosophy at Magdalene College – congratulations to Ethan for securing a place at Oxbridge.
Luke Morgan will be heading north to study Archaeology at Durham.
Our former Head Boy, Jamie Hall, will be taking up a course at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting, considered a world-class drama school. In a similar vein, Molly Carter has an offer to study Musical Theatre at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts, and Lauren Mooney will be pursuing her dream to study acting at the Oxford School of Drama.
In contrast, Tom Fuller has been accepted to study Environmental Geoscience at the University of Exeter; a great example of a cutting-edge course at a Russell Group University.
Toby Knight leaves us to commence a degree apprenticeship with UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company. There is also genuine pride that Paige Bryant has the choice of either safeguarding the education of the next generation by commencing a degree in Primary and Early Years education at Sussex or pursuing a degree apprenticeship in the police force.

GCSEs
Sally Wilson also congratulated the Year 11s and their GCSE results: ‘This is the first set of national examination results for three years, so we are super proud of Year 11, who have performed exceptionally well; we also believe their results will look strong in comparison with national averages. The students’ commitment, focus and resilience dealing with the demands of COVID, with some challenging individual circumstances plus remote learning and periods of isolation, as well as the new rigour of public examination courses, deserves a huge amount of praise. I lead a strong staff team and they are thrilled at these outcomes, extending their congratulations to the whole year group.
‘And we send a very special well done to the Class of 2022 highfliers who are listed below. We are so pleased for them. But every single one of our students has their own personal and special achievements. We look forward to welcoming most of them back to our sixth form in September, and wish those leaving us all the very best as they head towards college courses and apprenticeships.’

TBS Highfliers:
Elowen Harley (seven Grade 9s, two Grade 8s)
Toby Bemand (seven Grade 9s, one Grade 8, one Grade 7)
Allegra James (seven Grade 9s, one Grade 8, one Grade 7)
Harry Knightbridge (six Grade 9s, three Grade 8s)
Evie Biggs (six Grade 9s, two Grade 7s, one Grade 6)
Charlie Jenkinson (five Grade 9s, three Grade 8s, one Grade 6)
Jaidee Payne (four Grade 9s, three Grade 8s, two Grade 7s)
Prajwalshwar Yakha (four Grade 9s, one Grade 8, two Grade 7s)
Jack Sully (three Grade 9s, two Grade 8s, three Grade 7s, one Grade 6)
Tahiya Payne (two Grade 9s, six Grade 8s, one Grade 7)
Thomas Sullivan (two Grade 9s, five Grade 8s, two Grade 7s)
Laila Hall (two Grade 9s, three Grade 8s, three Grade 7s, one Grade 6)
Joseph Powney (two Grade 9s, three Grade 8s, three Grade 7s, one Grade 6)
Alexander Catling (two Grade 9s, two Grade 8s, two Grade 7s, two Grade 5s)
John Cairns (two Grade 9s, one Grade 8, one Grade 7, two Grade 6, one Grade 5)
Archie Sterck (two Grade 9s, two Grade 7s, two Grade 6s, two Grade 5s, one Grade 4)

Finance Assistant | Sarum West PCN

By

Laura

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13 September 2022

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Finance Assistant

7.5 hours/week (0.2WTE) £15/hour gross Office base at The Nadder Centre, Tisbury

We are looking for a well-organised person with some financial experience and very good attention to detail to support our PCN Manager in administering the PCN’s funds. The role is part-time, we expect one day/week, to be worked flexibly by mutual agreement. It would be possible for some of the work to be done remotely.

The role will include:

Paying invoices and reimbursing other expenditure as authorised by the PCN Manager and/or Clinical Director
Maintaining records of all receipts, expenditure, and distributions to Practices, suitable for submission to PCN accountants at year end
Liaising effectively and in a timely way with the PCN lead finance Practice to enable payments and record- keeping
Supporting the PCN Manager in producing an annual Budget, and annual PCN Accounts
Producing regular reports (e.g., for monthly PCN meeting) and budget comparisons as requested
Supporting the PCN Manager (deputising in their absence) in making claims for reimbursement to ICS / NHSE, and in submitting required information
In particular, keeping up to date financial information on all our “Additional Roles” staff to support monthly claims
Answering ad hoc queries as requested The successful candidate will:

Have financial management experience in a private or public sector organisation, including electronic payments, basic book-keeping, and monitoring spend against budgets
Pay very good attention to detail
Be competent using and writing simple to medium complexity spreadsheets for financial calculations
Be trustworthy and reliable
Be able to work independently within delegated authority, knowing when to ask for formal approval for payments Desirable attributes:

AAT or similar financial qualification
Experience of using and setting up a financial accounting package

For further information or to apply with a CV, please contact PCN Manager [email protected]

A tale of three Foxes | Then and Now

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Editorial team

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13 September 2022

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Fox’s Close now stands on the site of the Fox Inn, once run by a Mr Fox. Roger Guttridge joins the dots in this month’s Then & Now

It’s hard to believe that this is the same location 120 years apart, although the name of this little L-shaped street of bungalows provides a clue.
Fox’s Close at Holwell takes its name from the Fox Inn that once stood on the site, and indeed from a Walter Fox, who was the landlord in the early 20th century.
As you drive through Holwell today, it’s also hard to believe that this modest Blackmore Vale village once had two pubs to serve its 417 inhabitants.
That was one pub too many for some villagers, though, and after the death of a previous landlady in 1883, they campaigned for the Fox’s closure.
The stated reason was that a village of Holwell’s size didn’t need two hostelries – which is a fair point, although I’m guessing that the temperance movement may also have had something to do with it.

Men only
The campaign against the evils of drink was in full swing in the late 19th century. In those pre-Suffragette days, women did not get a say in such matters, of course; even though they probably suffered more than anyone due to their husbands’ drinking. So it fell to Holwell’s men to sign a petition calling for the Fox Inn’s closure – 67 of them signed, 19 of whom were only able to do so with a cross.
The campaign obviously failed, as Walter Fox was still pulling pints at the Fox 20 years later, and it’s known that the pub was still in business in 1915!
According to a recent posting by Richard Rolls on the Lost Pubs Project website, the thatched pub was destroyed in a fire in 1961 along with the house next door, which was his great-grandmother’s home. Presumably that’s when the Fox’s Close bungalows were built.
Richard also posted a picture of Holwell Working Men’s Club members outside the Fox, which suggests it was once their regular meeting place.

Sturminster High School’s A level students show ‘incredible grit’

By

Editorial team

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13 September 2022

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‘Congratulations to all SNHS students on their very impressive A level and BTEC results today.’ a spokesperson for SNHS told The BV ‘These students in particular have worked extremely hard over the last two years, and suffered endless disruption due to the pandemic and school closure – their GCSE exams were cancelled and school closures and online learning have been a feature of their post-16 studies. They have shown incredible grit, determination and resilience in their studies over the last two years and their hard work has definitely been rewarded in these great results. Well done and congratulations to them all for their hard work and perseverance. And many thanks to all the teachers and parents who have worked so hard to support them through some challenging times.
‘All students have done extremely well and unfortunately we cannot mention everyone, but particular congratulations to:

Kalib Collins (AA A) Ella Case (ABB) Jack Tickner (AAAB) Ethan Bloy (AAAB) Holly Strange (ABC) James Kley (2 Distinctions in BTEC, and a B) Tamara Mruk (D BTEC)
Ann Louise Davies (D BTEC)
Steffi Dobrikova (D BTEC)
Charlotte Bartlett (D BTEC)
Anne-Louise Davies gained distinction levels in Health & Social Care, and achieved a merit in Creative Digital Media Production, having returned to study two additional full BTEC courses in a year.

Next steps
‘Our departing class of 2022 now looks forward to a wide range of next steps. Onward destinations include undergraduate study at UWE Bristol (Geography), Edge Hill University (Education Psychology), Southampton University (Physics), Swansea University (Criminology and Psychology), University of London Institute in Paris (International Politics), University of Durham (History), Queens Mary London (Engineering with Foundation). Some pupils are now headed for employment with the armed forces, one is going to join KOROUTINE LTD on a Degree Apprenticeship and various other apprenticeships will be started. There is also a wide range of exciting gap year travel itineraries.
‘The teaching and support staff of Sturminster Newton High School would like to wish every student the best of luck as they progress to their next step and congratulate them on these impressive and well-earned results.
A job well done.’

Relief/Part time calf rearer required | Nr Templecombe

By

Laura

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12 September 2022

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Relief/Part time calf rearer required on family farm near Templecombe.

We rear 280 calves between September and June, excellent facilities and good working conditions. Experience preferred but training will be given if required, good rate of pay to the right person who must be conscientious and 100% reliable.

Contact Giles on 07974 207127 or email [email protected]

WANTED – 500 bike riders!

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Editorial team

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12 September 2022

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The call has gone out for cyclists to join the 10th anniversary Rotary Dorset Bike Ride, happening on Sunday October 9, starting and finishing at Longthorns Campsite next to Monkey World in Wareham.
Expected to attract over 500 riders, this year’s event is hoped to be Dorset’s biggest cycle ride. With five routes ranging from 22 to 108 miles, the challenge is designed to welcome riders of all ages and abilities.
This event has raised money for a number of charities over the past ten years, including an impressive £300,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Organiser, Richard Burnett said: ‘Our 10th anniversary is a huge landmark, and we are determined that this year’s event is the biggest ever, raising vital funds for cancer research.
Our aim is for all entrants to have a great day out, whether that’s families riding together, or competitive cyclists pushing their limits.
‘There’s a serious side to the event, which offers cancer survivors and those celebrating the lives of friends and family members impacted by cancer, to fight back and provide much needed funds for research.’
The five routes in this year’s event are 22, 35, 55, 70 and 108 miles, all created to pass through beautiful Dorset countryside.
Riders are invited to sign up for the event at dorset-bike-ride.co.uk. A discounted entry fee is available by registering in advance online – currently the fee is £35 per rider, and this will increase to £40 for registrations on the day.
Children under 16 are free, if they are registered online and accompanied by a paying adult.
‘Come on, let’s make this Dorset’s biggest cycle ride for charity!’
If you’d like to be involved, the organisers are looking for volunteers and marshals to support the event – please contact via the website.

Rural Dorset gets £6m investment, and Minette Walters answers 19 random questions

By

Laura

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12 September 2022

2

Just a few days after the September issue of the BV magazine published, the nation mourned the death of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In recognition of this, Jenny Devitt leads this podcast with a statement from all of us at the BV, and with the words of Angus Campbell, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Dorset: “Our loss is incalculable.”

In the first of The BV podcast’s September epsiodes,

Boris Johnson’s levelling-up agenda comes to rural Dorset, bringing ‘lightning fast’ broadband and other benefits.
Wincanton Sports Ground could close by the end of September, warn the trustees, if no one comes forward.
Baffled by the exam system and what those grades actually mean? Kingston Maurward’s Principal Luke Rake has an explanation for all us confused ones.
Author Minette Walters takes on the Random 19 questions
Charlotte Tombs’ successful flower farming business grew out of one packet of sweet pea seeds and some Instagram inspiration.

Brilliant ‘best’ exam results celebrated at Shaftesbury School

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Editorial team

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12 September 2022

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Shaftesbury School reports another great set of GCSE and BTEC exam results for students, among the best the school has ever achieved. The numbers of students achieving five or more 4+ grades including maths and English has improved, with many subjects securing at least 80 per cent of their entries at Grade 4+.
The most successful subjects were: the Arts, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, French, Religious Studies, Drama, History, and Maths.

Better than I hoped
Headteacher Donna London-Hill said: ‘We are thrilled with these results. They are a testament to the hard work of our students and staff who together have achieved these high outcomes. We all know that the past few years have been tough, but the resilience and determination shown by our young people has been brilliant, and it goes to show that hard work pays off.
The students were relieved and delighted with the results and it was lovely to see so many happy faces. It means that they are able to move on to their next steps, which is great.’
The students were equally delighted with their results. One commented; ‘I am so relieved’, while another reported that ‘these are better than I could have hoped’.
Lots of students were keen to thank their teachers for the support and guidance that they had been offered for the duration of their courses, proving that education is very much a partnership. The school is very proud of the outcomes today and would like to wish every student a very happy and fulfilling future.

Sturminster Newton High School congratulates its GCSE students

By

Editorial team

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12 September 2022

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A spokesperson for Sturminster Newton High School (SNHS) congratulated SNHS students on their GCSE results: ‘Despite two years of disruption and school closure, students have performed magnificently and showed true resilience and determination.
These are the first GCSE exams for two years and the government has told schools that grades will be deliberately lower than in previous years, as they attempt to get outcomes in line with 2019 results. Given this fact and the very difficult circumstances over the last two years, students have performed magnificently and should be massively proud of their results.
With so many tremendous achievements, it is difficult to pick out individuals but particular congratulations to:

Sofia Sutton (seven Grade 9s, three Grade 8s),
Ellie Mitchell (two Grade 9s, two Grade 8s, six Grade 7s),
Luke Alford (four Grade 9s, one Grade 8, two Grade 7s)
Alex Sharpe (six Grade 8s, two Grade 7s, one Grade 6 and a Merit)
Beth Saunders (five Grade 8s, two Grade 7s and a Distinction).

‘These are spectacular and well-deserved achievements for our students and we are extremely proud of them.
‘A huge well done to them and thanks to all the teachers and parents who have worked so hard to support, encourage and motivate them over the last two disrupted years.
‘We wish all the students the best for their next steps.’