The most dreamy brownies (and they’re gluten free)

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17 February 2022

I love this recipe – its simple to make, oh-so-dreamy and rich, and it’s gluten free
too. I first experimented using gluten free flour to accommodate a dietary requirement but I never went back to plain flour; for some reason it just really works in this recipe! (NB. if you are making this for a
coeliac, then do make sure that your chocolate is gluten free too, as not all are).
These recipes make the perfect puddings too – I often serve with fresh raspberries and cream.
If you wanted something a little ‘extra’ then you can bake half a Creme Egg into the top (see image left): just cut the eggs in half and add them to the top after the first 30 minutes baking time and return the tray to the oven).
If you are looking for a pancake recipe for Pancake Day on Tuesday 1st March then check out my recipe from the February 2021 BV magazine here…
Heather x

Ingredients

100g butter
150g caster sugar
100g soft brown sugar
50g golden syrup
4 eggs
70g gluten free plain flour (standard plain flour works too)
75g dark chocolate (broken into pieces) – ensure it is gluten free if necessary

*Dreamy GF brownies image: Heather Brown*

Method

Pre heat the oven to 170o fan/gas 5. •
Line an 8” (20cm) square cake pan with baking parchment.
In a saucepan, heat together the butter, caster sugar, soft brown sugar and golden syrup on a medium heat. Make sure to keep stirring so the mixture doesn’t catch and burn.
When the butter has melted and all the ingredients have combined, pour in the chocolate pieces and stir the mixture as they melt.
When the chocolate has completely melted, take the saucepan off the heat.
Add in all 4 eggs and stir them into the mixture until completely combined.
Then tip in the flour and mix slowly until well combined.
Pour the chocolatey batter into the tin and pop into the oven.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, check your brownies and turn the pan 180º so it bakes evenly (most ovens don’t bake evenly so its worth doing this step despite the momentary lowering of the oven temperature).
Bake for another 10 minutes. The top should now have cracks right across the middle (not just around the edge) and not ‘jiggle’ in the centre when the pan is gently wobbled. If it is still quite jiggly or it isn’t cracked across the middle, then bake for a further 5 minutes.
Leave to cool in the pan on a wire rack. To cut the brownies cleanly, leave to cool then pop the whole pan into the fridge for a couple of hours. They will then cut with a sharp knife.

*Embrace your sweet tooth with these indulgent Creme Egg brownie variations image: Heather Brown*

Heather Brown is on the committee of the Guild of Food Writers; a home economist with a passion for Dorset’s brilliant foodie scene. Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, championing Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working with her food industry clients.

The beautiful social aspects of driving (no cars required!)

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Editorial team

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17 February 2022

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There is a whole new social world to be enjoyed with carriage riding – and you don’t need to own a horse, says Clare Turner.

*The Turner family on a pony carriage and Jon Turner running.*

Where was the original boot or dashboard? What was the original rally car? The answers lie in carriages and the sport of carriage driving.

Please pardon the pun, but there are many routes in to driving. Often people start by ‘breaking in’ an outgrown riding pony (with expert help – available via British Driving Society or British Carriage Driving)
Those that don’t have access to a horse or pony of their own may enjoy helping at local events, becoming grooms or ‘backsteppers’ to a local driver – social media is always a good place to make contact with local driving groups to find drivers needing an extra pair of hands. It’s also possible to book carriages and drivers for all sorts of occasions – a driving lesson, a picnic drive for a birthday, a prom night, weddings and funerals. One of the local companies for this is Highsteppers at Pallington.

*Portman Pony Club Members on their ponies*

Make new friends

The social aspect means that there are always two people on the carriage, more if you have
a bigger carriage – so there’s always conversation to be had and people to meet as you drive.

Inclusive sport

Carriage driving is a diverse and accessible sport, catering for all ages, and to both able bodied and disabled the benefits of time spent with animals and out in the fresh air speak for themselves and carriages provide access for everyone equally.
There is also the historical aspect of driving. Many vehicles and the harnesses that you may find in the show ring at county shows are antiques, fully functional and beautifully presented for the event. ‘Mr Private Driving’ is a marvellous source of education, particularly for those interested in showing, and he is endlessly entertaining for armchair supporters of the sport.

Join the community

It is absolutely the best way to travel, you can’t beat bowling along with a friend and a lovely horse or pony trotting along in front and maybe a carriage dog at your wheel!

In short the driving community are a group of like-minded people who enjoy the sport and want to have fun with their animals.

There are all sorts of carriage driving activities from rallies, sports driving, scurry driving, showing, fun days, carriage dogs, fancy dress, long reining – most involve picnics and all include friendly faces – maybe something to consider for 2022.

by Clare Turner, Skylands Coaching & Training Centre

Are you overwhelmed by debt?

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Editorial team

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17 February 2022

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Dorothy Brown, an experienced insolvency practitioner, shares the most common signs which may be causing you distress in your business.

1 – Cash Flow

The first sign things are going wrong is a constant lack of cash. The old adage that cash is king exists for a reason. All businesses suffer periodic dips where cash is tight. But if cash flow is continually a problem, the business is in trouble. If a business is continually spending more than it earns, unless it is deliberate and well-funded (as with some tech businesses at launch) it will lead to problems.

2 – Defaulting on bills

Everyone misses a payment or forgets a bill, but if the frequency with which it occurs increases, it suggests a business can’t pay its way. This is a sign it is underfunded, isn’t chasing debts hard enough or is heading to liquidation. Defaults on HMRC or on other formal arrangements can be particularly damaging. It can also be bad for your reputation and that of your business.

3 – Extended debtor or creditor days

Another sign of possible trouble is a rise in either debtor or creditor days. If your business has to delay payments to creditors, this can force some suppliers to cut off the supply of vital components or ingredients. Likewise, if you are unable to effectively chase payment it may cause future cash flow problems. Either way, sudden changes in these numbers should be investigated to see whether they are signs of something more serious.

4 – Falling margins

Ask any experienced entrepreneur and they will tell you that for long-term survival what matters are profits, not sales. As the old saying goes, turnover is vanity, profit is sanity. Falling margins suggest that costs are too high, and prices or income is too low. This is not a sustainable position.

5 – Unhappiness

It may sound simple, but businesses in distress are rarely happy. Owners and managers, who can sense something is wrong (but may not be sure what) get stressed and pass it on. They start cutting at random to make savings or deploy sudden switches in strategy to try and revive things. Lots of senior people may leave in a short time. These are all signs that the business might be heading down the decline curve and that action is needed urgently to pull things back.

What to do?

The main thing is to talk to someone. There are many organisations you can contact to help out, which does include your bank and HMRC.

You can also talk to an Insolvency Practitioner, such as myself.

You can contact me on [email protected] or 01202 237337.

Local law firm raised thousands for Weldmar Hospicecare during Make A Will month

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Editorial team

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16 February 2022

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For the third consecutive year, Blanchards Bailey participated in drafting Wills in return for a donation to Dorchester’s Weldmar Hospicecare.

Throughout October 2021, the private client department at Blanchards Bailey LLP undertook the drafting of thirty Wills in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare based in Dorchester. Clients referred via the scheme met with members of Blanchards Bailey’s thirty two strong, specialist private client team, to complete their Wills and In lieu of paying a fee to their solicitors, clients donated £120 or £180 to Weldmar Hospicecare and some left a legacy in their Will to Weldmar.

Following a recent update from Weldmar it has been confirmed that, once realised, the work carried out by Blanchards Bailey will result in donations of between £3,600 – £5,400 to Weldmar.

Support for Dorset adults with a life limiting illness
Sarah Balchin, Weldmar Hospicecare’s Legacy, In Memory and Trust Fundraiser said; “We cannot thank Blanchards Bailey LLP enough for all their proactive support. Our Make A Will Month has seen a very successful third year, especially at this difficult time with the continuing Covid-19 pandemic. Thank you also to everyone who booked an appointment and made a donation to Weldmar.
All the donations received, and the gifts left for us in Wills, will allow us to continue caring for adults in Dorset who have a life limiting illness, and supporting their loved ones too, with all of our services provided for free.” Jerome Dodge, Head of the Private Client Department at BBLLP added; “Blanchards Bailey are keen supporters of local charity endeavours. Although we tend to focus on fundraising for a specific nominated charity each year, when we are approached by a charity and are able to help, we are always happy to do our bit. We were delighted to be involved in Weldmar’s Make a Will Month once again.”.

Throughout the three years of the Weldmar Hospicecare Make a Will Month, the scheme has raised over £30,000 of donations for the charity which provides free vital end of life care for people living in Dorset who need specialist support.

To find out how to participate in Make A Will Month in October this year, see here.

If you would like to speak with our private client department about creating a new Will or updating a current Will, please contact Jerome Dodge, Head of Blanchards Bailey’s Private Client department, on 01258 459 361.

Yard Staff Required | Glanvilles Stud

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Editorial team

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16 February 2022

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PART-TIME or FULL-TIME MEMBER of OUR TEAM SOUGHT

Join us to be part of the unfolding racing story of all our young racehorses: helping shape their futures from birth and following their progress on the track.

Part-time or full-time days available for a Stud Hand – to join existing, dedicated team, immediate start and initially to the end of May. Part-time days Friday and Saturday or full-time days Tuesday to Saturday (would consider 3 or 4 days part-time also but must include Friday and Saturday).

‘Normal’ working hours and great conditions, a genuine 8am-5pm working day for yard work, with a half hour coffee break, a one-hour lunch break and paid holiday. Full-time staff work a five day week with one weekend day off every week.

The job involves working with well-mannered (mostly ) broodmares and foals on the ground – leading in and out, mucking out, feeding, prepping for sales and assisting with stud maintenance.

We are a mares’ only stud with high standards, breeding top quality, champion racehorses and our existing team enjoy following the careers of the foals and youngstock they have helped raise.

Some previous experience with horses required – main criteria though is you are physically fit and willing to fit in with, and become part of our enthusiastic, happy team. We are easy to get to, in Glanvilles Wootton, five miles south of Sherborne – we’re even on the Dorchester/Sherborne bus route if that helps.

Please email [email protected] or call Doug Procter on 07974 314262 to discuss.

Find out more about us by reading the BV Magazine October to February online issues theblackmorevale.co.uk.

Surprises on a meander round the old market cross in Sturminster

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Editorial team

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16 February 2022

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The centre of Stur is an often-overlooked and undervalued asset in the oldest part of town, says Pauline Batstone.

The Boutique is part of the Market Cross shopping area, and it’s a great place for browsing. In Beads with a Twist there’s always a new find, defintely the place for jewellery to go with your new outfit. There are few people who can walk past Daisy Delbridge’s

without turning to breathe in the beauty of the florist shop – why not step in and treat yourself? On the opposite corner, a potter around Agnes and Vera’s is a must – they are always a go-to if you’re hunting for an unusual gift.

–*Agnes & Vera (far right) is a great place for gift buying. Next door is Joshua’s coffee shop, the blue building is Is Shin takeaway, and the thatched building is the White Hart Alehouse* – Image Courtenay Hitchcock

If you have a little longer, when was the last time you stopped by the museum? It’s a fascinating place, filled with stories and the history of the places you walk past every day.

On for some clothes shopping in Gallery One, and of course no book lover can resist stepping into the hidden bookshop round the corner. Don’t be deceived by the tiny window of Stour Bookshop, it’s a positive Tardis. It’s always best to finish up with a coffee – try Joshua’s or Sweet Pea (or something stronger in The White Hart Alehouse…)
For gentlemen there is also the opportunity for a spruce up at Oli Barbers or ladies step round to the car park side for a relaxing pamper at Enzos.

*Sweet Pea is a perfect stop for refreshments, and the next building along is the tardis of Stour Books.* Image Courtenay Hitchcock

The huge success of the two community charity shops means we can stage many exciting events this year, says Pauline Batstone. Some of the money raised from the sale of your pre- loved goods in The Emporium and The Boutique goes towards organising events for residents to enjoy and to bring new shoppers into town.

*Far left is the black shop front of Beads with a Twist. In the middle is the Boutique, and then on the right is the always lovely florist’s shop Daisy Delbridge.* Image Courtenay Hitchcock

This is what that diary of events is beginning to look like – and we will publish updates as events are confirmed.

Each first Saturday in the month
(providing the weather’s not forecast to be awful!) the car enthusiasts bring their pride and joy to admire and swap stories in the Station Road Car Park. Anyone can come along – we have cars and bikes from modern to vintage. It’s very informal, no attendance fee, parking is free and we’re a friendly welcoming bunch!

The public liability insurance is paid for by The Community Benefit Society.

On 1st March we plan to hold our first Pancake Day event; ‘Races in The Rec’ at 2p.m. – pancakes supplied, but bring your own frying pans!

Mothering Sunday is 27th March is a good reason to buy flowers, chocolates and gifts

Easter events:

Good Friday, 15th April, a service will be held at the Cross in the Market Place, possibly followed by Hot Cross Buns Easter Saturday, 16th April, The Mill will be milling Easter Sunday, 12 noon onwards. An Easter Egg Hunt around the town Easter Monday, 12 noon, an Easter Bonnet Parade from the Church Hall to the Railway Gardens.

7th May A Wedding Fair held around the businesses in the Town, more details to follow.

2nd to 5th June

The Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend – details are still being discussed by The Town Council and the Community Benefit Society so more details to follow, but;
• Thursday 2nd – Beacon

Lighting Railway Gardens • Friday to Sunday – The Exchange Real Ale and Cider

Festival
• Saturday 4th June – Car Enthusiasts Meet in Station Road Car Park
• Craft Market at The Exchange • Anonymous Travelling Market in Station Road and the

Market Place
• Garden Fair in The Railway Gardens
• Sunday 5th June – 12.00 to

3.00 p.m. The Big Lunch and Fancy Dress Parade in The Railway Gardens.

13th to 19th June

Sturminster Newton Literary Festival – includes various events including a Victorian Fete in
the Railway Gardens on the afternoon of Saturday 18th.

July 1st to 3rd – the Boogie Woogie Festival hope to be back

20th to 29th August – SturBuzz; it’s all about bees and sustainability and fun – with a fancy dress parade on Sunday 29th (your best bee costume)

And then of course it’s the Cheese Fair on the 10th and 11th of September, there may be something about the Queen’s Green Canopy in October, and then we are back to Christmas again… I’m feeling tired already!

Plans for old bank to be new business space supporting local producers and sellers

Tim Robins is leading on an idea to see if the former NatWest building can be reinvented as a shopping destination – bringing more people into the town to our shops and cafes. The proposal is to offer customer-facing, exhibition-style space, six days a week, for people just setting out in business, selling good quality items from the Blackmore Vale. Hopefully this will provide useful space and support to new businesses, and also create a changing, ever-more-interesting shopping experience for both residents and visitors to the town (if you are interested in more details on this, please contact [email protected])

Pre–School Manager | Milborne Port Primary School

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Editorial team

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15 February 2022

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Pre–School Manager

Grade 12, scale point 12

Hourly rate: £11.49

Hours: 35

Monday – Friday 8am – 3.30pm

Term time plus 2 weeks

An exciting opportunity to join the strong team at Milborne Port Primary School and shape the future of our early years provision.

The school governors are looking to appoint a Pre-School Manager at The Beeches Pre-School from September 2022, or earlier by arrangement.

Applicants must be committed to creating an exceptional learning environment that offers the best for every child and meets all the aims of Milborne Port Primary School. There will be a strong focus on Communication and Language, Literacy and Outdoor Learning.

Please contact the School Business Manager Claire Brown on:

[email protected] for an application form and job description.

Closing date: Tuesday 1st March 2022

Interviews: Week beginning 7th March 2022

All completed applications should be returned to the school email address above.

Milborne Port Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share in this commitment.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and medical clearance.

Hall & Woodhouse raises over £1million for charity in a decade

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Editorial team

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15 February 2022

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Local family brewers Hall & Woodhouse raised over £126,000 through various partnerships over the last charity year.

*Jon Mead completed a gruelling challenge to cycle to each of Hall & Woodhouse’s 50 pubs in Dorset to raise vital funds for Dorset Mind.*

The money raised in 2021 has brought the company’s total fundraising figure over the past decade to a staggering £1,103,000.

Lucinda Gray, Community Relationships Manager at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We could not be prouder of the incredible efforts shown by our team and what they have collectively achieved over the past charity year. To be able to take the total money raised in the last decade to over £1million is an extraordinary milestone, and I thank all our team for their ambition and dedication to make this happen.”

Pub Charities

A Guinness World Record- breaking pub quiz, and a challenging group paddleboarding excursion were just some of the events and activities arranged by pubs across the south to raise money for their chosen charity partners. In October 2020 Hall & Woodhouse had launched its local ‘pub charity partnerships’, and now each Managed House team and the team based at the brewery select their own charity partner to support within their local community.

£1,867 was raised for Dorset Mind by Hall & Woodhouse team member Jon Mead, by cycling to each of the company’s 50 pubs in Dorset. Jon cycled over 350km over the course of his challenge, which took over 19 hours to complete.
The Crown Hotel in Blandford raised £1,300 for the Blandford Foodbank by hosting a night of live music with Meatloaf tribute act, Meet Loaf, performing the band’s greatest hits. Additionally, almost £18,000
was collected through Hall & Woodhouse’s charity dish initiative, which can be found on the menu at all its Managed Houses. The Steak and Tanglefoot Ale Pie proved to be a popular dish with 25p from each pie bought going straight to the pub’s chosen charity partner.
Lucinda Gray added: “we are constantly looking for new ways to reach out to those who need our support. Our pub teams have faced many challenges over the last few years and yet they continued to prioritise charity fundraising activities and our guests have responded generously in support.
“Our teams are excitedly making plans with their charity partners for the year ahead to ensure we raise even more money in 2022. Activities include the return of our own Dorset Beer Festival to be held at the brewery on Saturday 25th June with all profits from this event going to Dorset Mind.”

What does it mean if you have one of these ‘marks’ on your house?

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Editorial team

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15 February 2022

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Walking around local towns you may see strange plaques high up on the external walls of larger historic buildings. Local expert Paul Birbeck explains their origins and significance.

*To be found in Sherborne, this West of England insurance company’s plaque featured King Alfred*

My January BV article considered the birth of the modern fire brigade in our area. This month’s piece is a natural sequel
While walking around local towns and villages, you may occasionally notice unusual symbols and objects; for example on the external walls of buildings. One of my favourite items in Sherborne are the fire marks which are found on at least three buildings around the town.
The origin of these historical plaques pre-dates any fire brigade, but does provide a link to early fire fighting and the protection of property.

The Fire of London and the birth of insurance

As the Great Fire of London in 1666 consumed the buildings, alms houses, schools and churches of the City, property owners watched their buildings and livelihoods go up in flames, each knowing that they had lost everything – the concept of fire insurance did not exist.

One year after The Great Fire, the first fire insurance company, called “The Fire Office”, was established by Nicholas Barbon. His fire brigade employed small teams of Thames watermen as firefighters.

He also established a mutual society which offered fire insurance. This later became known as the Phoenix Fire Office – an appropriate name for the society as the Phoenix is a mythical bird which burns itself and then arises from the ashes reborn.

These Sherborne fire marks feature the Royal Exchange Assurance building (right) and the British lion.

The fire mark

To identify that a property was covered by fire insurance, attached to the building at a height easily seen from the street – but out of reach of thieves – was a sign or emblem called a fire mark which was issued by the company.
Each insurance company had its own distinctive design which made identification of the property easier for their fire fighters and the company representatives. At first they were made of lead with the individual policy number stamped upon them and a type of logo.
The designs of all the companies can still be found. The Sun Fire Office had a large sun with a face. The Royal Exchange Assurance’s mark featured their building (image bottom left); the West of England plaque featured King Alfred who was the emblem for the company (image above). British had a lion (image below right, the lion is very worn), and Phoenix’s fire mark featured a Phoenix rising from the ashes.

Find them in Sherborne

Today, Sherborne has at least four fire marks scattered around the town. Three are around the central areas and one can be seen on the west wall of Sherborne Castle, showing the Westminster company logo and policy number.

If you aware of a fire mark, treasure them as part of our heritage and do please make the owner of the property aware of its importance – they are becoming an increasingly rare sight. I would also be interested to know the location: [email protected] Happy searching!