The determination, talent and commitment of top apprentices were praised in Dorset’s first Apprentice of the Year Awards
Winners and finalists of the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards 2022.
A 12-strong shortlist of finalists attended the county’s inaugural Apprentice of the Year Awards this month. The winners were:
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Ellie Edmonds (ABP Food Group, Yetminster) HR co-ordinator Ellie is taking an apprenticeship in business administration. She runs the Youth Ambassadors of ABP across the company to help make the industry more appealing and accessible to young people aged 16 to 24. She is also the southern England regional leader for the company’s new female talent community called ABP SHE.
Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Cameron Hearn (Frettens Solicitors) Cameron is a digital marketing apprentice and has made a tangible difference to Frettens Solicitors through digital content and social media. His efforts have attracted new visitors to the company’s website and social media and led to tens of thousands of pounds in new revenue.
Winners of the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards 2022 with organisers, sponsors and Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell.
The winners are pictured centre.: (in checked dress) Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Ellie Edmonds (ABP Food Group, Yetminster); Advanced Apprentice of the Year Cameron Hearn (Frettens Solicitors) and Higher and Degree Apprentice of the Year Rebecca Buck (Dorset Council)
Higher and Degree Apprentice of the Year: Rebecca Buck (Dorset Council) Rebecca Buck is Dorset Council’s first solicitor apprentice. She juggles her job and training with family life with her two young children. The apprenticeship route has given Rebecca the opportunity to continue to work while studying, without facing university fees. She has a study day a week and then fits the rest into evenings after her children are in bed. Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “Ellie, Cameron and Rebecca were all very worthy winners who have all demonstrated exceptional determination, talent and commitment to succeed.
Roger Guttridge digs up the long and varied history of a prominent Shaftesbury building
Philip Short’s coachbuilding works at Angel Square in the early 1900s
Few sites in Shaftesbury have seen a greater variety of uses over the centuries than the present-day Post Office at Angel Square. As a blue plaque erected by Shaftesbury and District Historical Society reminds us, the location at the corner of Angel Lane and Coppice Street takes its name from an early role as the site of the Angel Inn. It was also the home of the hilltop town’s first postmaster in about 1667.
A later building hosted a coachbuilder’s, after that it became a car repair workshop, and the present Post Office opened in 1946. My early 20th century picture (above) shows the site during its incarnation as Philip Short’s coachworks. Signs on the wall advertise Shell, Pratt’s petrol and Vacuum Oils. This suggests that, as well as making horse-drawn carriages and gigs like the one pictured, Shorts were also catering for Shaftesbury’s first motorists. The coachworks included workshops, stables, showrooms and a residence, which may explain the young children and terrier dog on the far left of the picture. Perhaps they were the owner’s family. The employees alongside them would have included smiths, body-makers, wheel-makers and painters. A sundial high on the Post Office wall is the only survivor of the pre-war complex. It was originally erected in memory of Dr Evans, who was fatally injured in a tragic accident at this spot in 1897.
Shaftesbury Post Office stands on the same site today
The 36-year-old Shaftesbury GP was driving his four-wheeled carriage when his horse bolted, overturning the vehicle and throwing him against a wall. He suffered a fractured skull and broken thigh, and died 12 hours later. Dr Evans’s seven-year-old son was also thrown from the carriage but landed on his father and escaped with bruising.
Community events are a great chance to check in with people, says Izzy Anwell of Dorset Mind, as she reminds us to always ask twice
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Jubilee imminent, much of the UK is gearing up and preparing for the festivities that come with such a special occasion. Whether you are making a cake for your local street party, fighting with an old gazebo or simply watching the celebrations on the TV, you and thousands of other people across the UK and beyond have a shared interest. It is events such as these that bring communities together; that give neighbours something to talk about over the garden fence or in the streets. But it is also at events such as these where we can notice if someone isn’t quite themselves.
One in four We know that one in four people experiences a diagnosable mental health problem each year, which roughly equates to 16 million people across the UK. From this statistic, it is clear that you are likely to know someone in your community who is suffering in silence and could use your support. Dorset Mind actively encourages open discussion about mental health. Events like the Queen’s Jubilee can be a vessel to reinforce this message and spread it even to the most rural and isolated of communities, of which we have several in Dorset. It is true when people say that a little help goes a long way. Even if it is muffled through a mouthful of cake or drowned out by a chorus of celebratory cheers, posing the seemingly insignificant question “Are you OK?” can go a long way to make someone feel less isolated and really make a difference. The power of this small gesture is often underestimated. It could be all that is needed to start a conversation. However, others may need a second gentle push to get them talking, and that’s why it is important to always ask twice. You’ll always get the truth the second time around.
Reach out and check in Although mental health is still steeped in stigma, it’s important to remember that the condition of our mental health sits hand in hand with our physical health and can impact how we live our day-to-day lives. Let’s not just celebrate this event for what it says it is on the local Facebook page – let’s use it as an opportunity to reach out and check in on others.
If you are struggling to cope, please talk to your GP. If you’re in a crisis, treat it as an emergency. Call 999 immediately or The Samaritans, FREE on 116 123. Dorset Mind offers one-to-one and group support that can help with your wellbeing. We aim to reduce stigma by normalising conversations about mental health for both adults and young people from 11+. We also offer education and workplace training.
In June, the garden really begins to bloom, says Pete Harcom. There are maintenance jobs to be done – but don’t forget to sit and enjoy it too!
The hot, dry conditions caused by direct sunlight coming through greenhouse glass in spring and summer can scorch plant leaves, encourage pests such as red spider mite and lead to the patchy ripening of greenhouse crops such and tomatoes and peppers. Greenhouse shade paint is easy to apply to the outside of the glass as and when you need it. It’s shower resistant and effective, but remember to wash it off again towards the end of the season.
June should be a month of calmer and warmer weather. Flowers in bloom now will include lonicera (honeysuckle), potentilla, iris, dianthus, astilbe, cistus, roses, early clematis, sweet peas (if you started them early), geraniums, weigela and wisteria to name a few. If you want a quick boost to an empty bed, now’s a great time for a visit to a garden centre to pick up some instant colour. The garden will be vigorously growing now, so here are just a few ideas to help keep on top of things …
In the greenhouse Use blinds or shade cloth or apply shade paint on the external side of greenhouse glass to prevent overheating. Remember to open vents and doors on warm days – automatic window openers are a real bonus at this time of year.
Weeding Now is the time to get into beds and hoe and/or hand pick annual weeds before they get out of hand. Keep deadheading (particularly roses) to remove faded blooms and help continue their display.
Planting Plant out summer bedding, including potting-up hanging baskets. This is probably the last chance to plant shrubs, as the soil will be heating up now. Ensure you water them well and monitor. If your garden has a south-facing area this may be a time to consider growing some plants from warmer climates – agapanthus, evergreen jasmine (trachelospernum jasminoides), stone pine (pine nut trees), or perhaps Italian privet (ligustrum) and Mediterranean fan palms.
In Greek mythology, Iris was a messenger from the gods who travelled to earth on a rainbow. Wherever she stepped, flowers sprang up. Iris means rainbow; appropriate when bearded iris comes in colours from pure white to purple/black, and nearly every color in between.
Cuttings Now is the perfect time to take softwood cuttings of many shrubs, including lavender, fuchsia, philadelphus and forsythia. Collect healthy shoots from the tips of plants and make 5-10cm long cuttings. Slice through the stem below a pair of leaves and remove the lower set of leaves. Simply push into a small pot filled with gritty cutting compost and place in a shady part of the greenhouse or a windowsill propagator until rooted.
Sowing Start sowing perennials and biennials such as wallflowers and sweet williams for flowering next spring and summer. Sow seeds of polyanthus and winter pansies in trays, cover with vermiculite and place in an unheated propagator. You can then plant out into their flowering positions in autumn.
Watering and feeding Feed fuchsias, petunias and any other flowering pot plants once a week to boost flowering. Use a high potash liquid tomato feed, and start once you notice flower buds forming; continue though to the autumn when the plants run out of steam.
Dorset apprentices are showing the wealth of opportunity, talent and diversity within the programme, says Ian Girling, CEO of Dorset Chamber
Whether you’re just starting out, upskilling, or looking for a career change, there’s an apprenticeship for everyone.
This month I’d like to talk to you about apprenticeships. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting the 2022 Dorset Apprenticeship Awards, run by Dorset Chamber, supported by the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network and sponsored by Superior Seals. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate the contribution apprentices make to the businesses and organisations in which they work. The event was attended by the Lord Lieutenant, local dignitaries, our finalists, employers, family and friends. The wonderful day was a tremendous celebration of the achievements of our 12 finalists.
A diverse appeal We received more than 60 entries for the awards with three categories: intermediate, advanced and higher and degree level. The entrants covered a very broad age range and were from all across Dorset and a wide spectrum of industries. They really highlighted the diversity of the apprenticeship programme and the opportunities it can offer. Apprenticeships are available at all levels and, in contrast to the popular misconception, they are open to people of all ages. We had entries from people working in farming, HR, the legal profession, marketing and computer programming, to name but a few sectors.
Apprenticeships are no longer the preserve of the skilled trades – now careers in an enormous range of industries such as social media, design, PR and even law offer apprenticeships as entry routes.
Winning stories The three judges had an extremely difficult task in identifying the finalists and winners. We all found the entries to be inspiring. We didn’t just read about the fantastic contribution these apprentices are making in their place of work but also the impact this has had on their personal lives. We heard from employers who have really embraced the apprenticeship programme and offer great support and mentoring to their staff.
A personal success My daughter is at the beginning of her career, having taken the apprenticeship route, and it has given her a tremendous start. However, many of her peers did not take this route and were discouraged by their parents, who preferred their children to follow the traditional A level-to-university route. I would urge anyone to really consider apprenticeships as a fantastic way to gain qualifications and vital skills while working and earning a salary. As a parent, I couldn’t be happier with the opportunities this has given my daughter. Visit www.apprenticeships.gov.uk to find out more.
The BV was delighted by an invitation from Sixpenny Handley First School to come and share in their Jubilee picnic in the school grounds.
The playground was beautifully decorated with handmade bunting and artwork depicting Her Majesty the Queen, all created by the children. Tables and chairs were ready for a feast, and parents were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the children. At last, the children made their made their red-white-and-blue-dressed entrance, and after a short welcome and thank you speech by headteacher Mrs Musselwhite the children entertained everyone with a Jubilee song.
Children and parents then gathered around the tables to enjoy a community picnic.Sixpenny Handley First School is a thriving Victorian village school well attended by 107 children from the local community. Mrs Musselwhite proudly told me that this event was the jewel in the crown of their week’s activities: “After the last couple of years, it was so lovely to get everyone together and do something for the community that has supported us through so much.” She was also keen to point out that the day was a team effort by the whole staff, who had contributed or made everything that was on offer. After the picnic, the celebrations continued for the children, with a brilliantly entertaining storytime on the field, with local author Chris Connaughton.
The team at MGAR share the story of Herman, just one of the senior pets they rescue and rehome every year. Do you have room for a senior pet?
Herman is a sweet boy who has suffered far more than any dog should. He is an 11 year old Lurcher and he came into our Lincoln Farm Centre this year as an unclaimed stray. The staff could see that he has had a hard life. He was emaciated when he arrived, and struggled to walk as he was so drained of energy. Herman was in desperate need of some love and care. Even though he was in such a poor state, he would always stagger to his feet to greet the staff with a very waggy tail – the team felt he knew he was finally safe. The vet suspected that two of his legs were previously broken and had just been left to heal, which meant that they have not healed correctly and he is a little wobbly when he walks.
Every penny counts Along with his starved body, Herman also had overgrown nails, rotten teeth and pressure sores all over. He was taken for emergency dental treatment where he had 18 teeth removed, as he had track lines on his gums indicating an infection. He also required a second operation for another six teeth to be taken out, as it was too dangerous for him to be under general anaesthetic any longer due to his age. The cost of Herman’s operations and treatment has already cost over £1,400, with the possibility of this increasing with further procedures. Despite his trials and ailments, Herman is the most wonderful, adoring and cheeky old gent who has stolen the hearts of everyone that has met him.
Your support could help The cost of providing care is the sanctuary’s largest expense – but we firmly believe it’s necessary. Animals should be able to live a happy and pain free life. We spend a staggering £2,500 per week on veterinary fees, and for older animals at our centres like Herman, these are usually age-related medical issues.
A quiet old age We all understand how important it is to have some peace and quiet and a safe place to rest, which is what we aim to provide for all pets who find themselves in our care. It is unsettling for any pet to have their world turned upside down. But in their golden years it can be devastating. We rescue thousands of senior animals and sadly they are often overlooked, which means they spend longer at our rescue centres. Today, we ask you to not look the other way and help with the ever-increasing costs of caring for them. A donation today will truly help, and 100 per cent of every donation goes towards the care and welfare of the animals at our rescue centres.
SEE HOW A BRUSH IS MADE AND DONATE TO CHARITY AT HILLBRUSH
To celebrate 100 years in business, Hillbrush is hosting a charity day on Wednesday 6th July for the public to see behind the scenes of its working brush manufacturing factory at Mere in Wiltshire.
Hillbrush staff will provide insight into the history of the business, machinery and brush making while visitors will get a chance to see and follow the production of the company’s brushes, many of which are used in the Royal households, from start to finish.
All proceeds from the day will be donated to The Royal Warrant Holders Charity Fund (RWHCF). The RWHCF was established in 1902 to support the charitable activities of Royal Warrant Holders. Hillbrush has been a Royal Warrant Holder, supplying brushes to the Royal Households since 1981. The Fund donates to small local charities in which Warrant-holding companies or their employees are actively involved.
Tours will take place every hour from 12noon with the last tour at 6pm and ending at the company’s Visitor Centre, Visit Hillbrush. Hillbrush guarantees that visitors will never look at a brush the same way again!
The tour will include:
⊛ injection moulding department ⊛ fibre dressing ⊛ brush making ⊛ warehouse and centenary building ⊛ packing and despatch
(Maternity Cover initially 14 months with the possibility of further opportunities)
£22,000 – £25,000 (dependant on experience)
Oxly Sportes Centre is Sherbprne’s premier facility for swimming, gym, exercise classes and climbing.
Join our team and play a part in building and inspiring a fitter, healthier community.
This role is responsible for the experience a customer has when visiting the centre promoting first class customer service and a wholly enjoyable and friendly welsome. Ensuring a safe, efficient, economic and customer orientated service is always provided for members and visitors. With specifuc responsibilities as designated by the Centre Manager, front of house, the Coffee Pod, Swim school. and the promotion of the company.
Responsibilities include:
Management of the Front-of-House team and theservices they provide.
All forms of facility and brand promotion be that digital of via traditional means
Optimising income generating opportunities across the business and ensuring income targets are achieved
Creating a cohesive, efficient and operationally dynamic team that are values and appreciated by customers and team members alike
Creating the best customer experience for all facility users for the duration of their visit ensuring the highest possible standard is achieved
Ensuring facilities are clean, safe, presentable. and welcoming at all times
Responsible for the facility on a daily basis.
To receive furher details please register your interest by contacting Samantha Welch on 01935 818378 or emailing [email protected] To apply, doenload the application form from www.oxleysc.com/careers and return to Samantha Welch on [email protected]
