Pull a Pine event, RSPB Arne Nature Reserve, Dorset, December 2022
This year’s Pull a Pine event will be held over two days on RSPB Arne; Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December, 10am to 3pm (last entry 2pm). The family friendly event is one of the biggest conservation events in the country. Visitors have the opportunity to get their wellies on, dig out their hats and scarves and join in a wonderful festive day in nature to pick their own sustainable, home-grown Christmas tree – and to help save one of Dorset’s rarest habitats at the same time. The Pull a Pine event features an entire suite of entertainment, including live music from Quinns Quinney on Saturday 2nd and Sixteen String Jack on Sunday 3rd. There will be refreshments, hot tasty food, and mulled cider. There will also be Christmas crafting activities and in the Arne Café Garden a Christmas Fayre, featuring stalls for locally-made artisans and festive gifts, plus carol singing. Most important is the opportunity to do your bit for nature. Pine trees from commercial forestry plantations, which now dominate areas of Dorset’s heathland, spread quickly onto rare lowland heath. If left unchecked, they will out-compete important native heathland plants. Lesley Gorman, Visitor Lesley Gorman, operations manager at RSPB Arne, said: ‘Our visitors have a great day out and get to choose a lovely wonky Christmas tree with character. And in return, it would take staff and volunteers weeks, if not months, to achieve what’s done in a single weekend at Pull-a-Pine. ‘Last year’s event saw more than 15,000 small pine trees removed over a weekend – a huge effort which allows this special place to maintain a healthy mix of landscapes and wildlife.’
University Music Chamber Choir will be coming to Dorchester to lead the Advent Carol Service at St Peter’s Church on Saturday 2nd December at 4.30pm. The choir is formed of students from Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth, all of whom continue to develop their musical skills to an incredibly high level while also completing their varied degree courses. The service incorporates beautiful choral settings from composers including Judith Weir, James MacMillan, John Tavener, Philip Stopford and Benjamin Britten alongside much-loved advent hymns. It begins in candlelight as the readings, liturgy and music move from darkness to light. This is the choir’s first visit to Dorchester and provides the local community with a wonderful opportunity to listen to and support this talented next generation of singers. The Advent Carol Service is a free event, and everyone is very welcome to come along.
All are welcome at Gillingham Methodist Church (GMC) for a very special Carols by Candlelight service at 7pm on Thursday 14th December. There will be the traditional Carols and Lessons, along with some lovely organ and piano music. Admission is free and the service will be followed by mince pies and refreshments. It will be an especially poignant service, as it will be GMC’s last, says organiser Gordon Amery: ‘The building is being purchased by the local catholic church, so our wonderful Sweetland organ is safe, but Gillingham Methodist Church Society will be closing, as will Music at GMC. ‘Since it was formed in 2004 to fund the restoration of the organ, Music at GMC has held more than 200 concerts and these have greatly benefited numerous charities as well as church funds. Our concert last year in aid of the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal was probably the most ambitious, since it featured four famous organists, a concert pianist and a celebrity trumpeter – and we raised more than £5,500 for the appeal.’
A long-held dream ‘Over the years we have been honoured by visits from many famous faces in the organ world, including Ian Tracey (Liverpool Cathedral and City Organist), Thomas Trotter (Birmingham City Organist), Thomas Heywood and David Briggs (International Concert Organists) and of course not forgetting the late, great Carlo Curley. ‘Our recent hosting of a performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius featuring David Briggs taking the part of the orchestra was certainly a highlight for me personally – it was the realisation of a long-held dream. ‘We are hoping to make our last Carol Service particularly special and we invite everyone to please join us. It would be good to go out on a high, with a large congregation to raise the roof during the Carol singing! ‘It just remains for me to thank everyone for their loyal support of our Music at GMC concerts over the last 19 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed planning, organising and attending every single one of them and also ensuring that our amazing Sweetland organ has been heard around the world.’
Astrophotographer Rob Nolan captures a nebula’s chilling skull-shaped visage and suggests we wrap up for winter’s finest stargazing
As we rapidly approach Christmas and the temperatures have suddenly started to drop below the double digits, it’s all too easy to stay indoors in the warm. But when the temperatures dip to near zero, that’s when we get some of our crispest, clearest skies – so wrap up warm and get outside for some amazing stargazing this month! Last month I asked what BV readers would like to see in this month’s image, but unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to acquire any data on the suggestions you sent. I will give them a go soon, I promise! So, instead, I’ve chosen a region of space that I haven’t shared before – the NGC 7822, otherwise aptly known as ‘the question mark nebula’. It’s also known as the skull; in this image you can clearly make out a quite disconcerting shape of a skull, complete with teeth! Had the image been a slightly wider field of view, a small dot shape nebula would have been visible further down, completing the shape of a giant question mark in space (hence my appropriate image title!). It’s amazing what shapes we impose onto these objects in space from our own world’s recognisable patterns. NGC 7822 is a young star forming complex emission nebula in the constellation of Cepheus. Some 3,000 light years away, it’s a violent, chaotic, deep-sky region where young stars are still being born, their powerful radiation ionising the surrounding gas and causing it to glow. I only captured Hydrogen Alpha data on this object, hence its predominant red glow. It’s an area of the sky I’d like to revisit to capture the full question mark object with full narrowband data.
This image was taken in August this year. It is approximately three hours of data, shot in HaLRGB, with my smaller 70mm refractor telescope at 350mm focal length.
The night sky, December 2023 – Rob’s guide for your stargazing this month:
This year, December certainly feels like the celestial advent calendar of Christmas presents bestowed upon our night skies … providing we get some clear nights, of course! With a surprise second meteor shower appearing this month, it really could be Christmas come early for astronomers! We kick the month off straight away on the night of 1st/2nd, and 2nd/3rd when we might be treated to a rare display and return to our skies of the Andromedids. We’ve not seen them with the naked eye for many decades, so this could be a real treat! The meteors in this display originate from the now-obliterated Biela’s Comet, which broke up in 1846. In early December we’ll cross paths with the debris that it shed in 1649! We could see up to 200 meteors per hour, so this is definitely one to get outside and watch in the moonless hours. The meteors generally appear to originate in the constellation of Andromeda, as the name of the shower suggests, but due to its age and diffusion, meteors may appear to come from the neighbouring constellations, such as Pisces, Triangulum and Cassiopeia. On 10th December, if you’re up before dawn, you’ll be treated to a view of the thinnest crescent Moon, with Venus (the Morning Star) hanging above. On the night of the 13th/14th, we’re treated to the second meteor shower of the month! The annual Geminids may prove to be the best annual show this year of these natural celestial fireworks. They’ll be unspoilt by moonlight, so should hopefully produce a bright display. These meteors are actually caused by an asteroid called Phaethon, instead of the usual comets. On the 17th, Saturn shines brightly above the Moon. The Winter Solstice occurs on the 22nd at 03:37am, at which point the Sun reaches its southernmost point in our skies, making the shortest day and longest night in the northern hemisphere. On the night of the 22nd, the brilliant shining star near to the Moon will be the gas giant Jupiter. I’d like to take a moment to thank all the BV readers for their support and interest in the night sky articles I’ve written this year. I hope they have inspired you, at whatever age, to go outside and look up in wonder – or perhaps a little more knowledge. Maybe Father Christmas will be delivering your first telescope this year! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Until next time, clear skies!
Hunting humans – Senior Master Jeremy Whaley tells the story of the South Downs Bloodhounds
She chose the harp over the recorder when she was five – Gwyneth Wentink, internationally acclaimed harpist, talks about her life with her giant instrument as she chooses her Dorset Island Discs
Win a hamper for Christmas, packed with £400-worth of Dorset produce in our Local Flavours competition
It’s panto season (Oh yes it is!). Poisoned apples, dashing princes, magic lamps or talking cats – which pantomime should YOU choose this Christmas?
Paul Atterbury, Antiques Roadshow expert, answers the Random 19. From puppeteer’s son to TV authority: one of the nation’s favourite experts talks antiques, art, and Andy Pandy
Unwrap Dorset: From great bustard tours to dry stone walling – Rachael Rowe presents The BV’s guide to local gifts for the person who has everything
Well, what a year 2023 has turned out to be! The BV has continually gone from strength to strength, and we are immensely proud to have received national recognition for our efforts.
Now we’re also thrilled to share that we’ve been honoured as the Digital Innovation Business of the Year at the Gillingham Dorset Business Awards. It’s truly fantastic to be acknowledged right in our own local area, a recognition that holds just as much, if not more, significance than our national accolades.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who nominated us — it was an astonishing surprise, especially since we hadn’t even realised we were in contention! Additionally, a massive thank you to Marketing West for organising such a splendid event.
As a franchise for Costa Coffee we are passionate about finding the right people for our business.
We currently have Store Manager opportunities in the Gillingham and Shaftesbury areas of Dorset and are looking for someone committed to achieving results and giving their best every day.
Ideally, you will have management experience in the coffee industry but what is essential is a passion for customer service and an ability to confidently lead a team of individuals. The role will require a sound knowledge of team management, stock control, labour percentages and an ability to achieve a set of KPIs. Effective communication skills with both team members and senior management is critical for this position.
The Store Manager position is full time (42.5 hrs per week). We offer an attractive base salary of £28,000 and a potential £17,000k bonus per annum. We provide all training, both in our dedicated training centre at Boscombe and back in store.
Forcing yourself out for some fresh air each day is more essential than ever in the winter months, when it’s all too easy to choose curling up in the warm instead of pulling your wellies on. This particular walk is a regular favourite of ours – it’s much shorter than our usual hikes, and perfect for short midwinter days.
The first time we walked it was an unforgettable joy – we headed out on the afternoon of New Years Eve and we took it oh-so-slow. The light was glorious, the air was crisp, the shadows long, and we simply breathed in the dying embers of the year, making plans for better days ahead.
Beautiful low winter sunshine through the woods on the Roman road in the Vernditch Chase.
We’ve been asked for some shorter routes, and at just over four miles on wide easy tracks, this one’s for almost everybody. You will not be disappointed – though we can’t guarantee you the spectacular frozen landscape oir glorious sunset!
Beautiful icy reflections on the Cranborne Droves Way near Cow Down Hill.
Starting on the Ox Drove, there is always ample space to park under the trees. Then it’s a simple saunter along the drovers track, enjoying the views and the forest, until a short right cuts diagonally across to the Roman road on Vernditch Chase (we always cut this corner during the winter as the Roman road gets horribly sloppy – in the summer do square the corner along the edge of Knighton Wood).
Stunning winters light casting mesmurising shadows on the golden leaf carpet in the Vernditch Chase on the Cranborne Droves Way.
Then it’s a simple bridleway all the way back up to the road, and a short uphill back to the car – keep an eye out for the white deer.
A view across to Chickengrove Bottom, such a beautiful winters day.
As the sun finally starts to set we find ourselves back at the start at Cow Down Hill – thankfully we’re smart and there’s a flask in the car, and we have time for a hot chocolate while we watch the last of the winter sun before heading home.
The New Year will see the start of a new monthly column in the BV Magazine, celebrating the importance of local food production and the work of the organisations and businesses that promote it.
Local Flavours will feature news from the food and drink scene across the Blackmore Vale (and a little further), with interviews, the latest products, information on where to buy the best local and seasonal food and drink, updates on special or regular events, some tasty history from Dorset’s archives and kitchens – and the occasional recipe to stimulate you to try something new. And we’re thrilled to have persuaded Fanny Charles, author of the original Local Flavours column and long time editor of the original Blackmore Vale Magazine, to write it! Fanny was one of the founders and organisers of Screen Bites Food Film Festival, co-founder of the Dorset Festival of Food and Art, was Dorset Food and Farming Hero 2017, and is a judge and co-ordinator for the Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards.
What’s the story behind Dorset’s famous Blue Vinny Cheese? When and where is your nearest farmers market? What label tells you something’s genuinely been made in Dorset by a local producer? You’ve heard of black garlic – but what would you do with it? Who was Sir Kenelm Digby – and why is he important in food history? You see “Free from …” labels and signs in supermarkets and there are allergy warnings on pub and restaurant pub menus. Many dishes and bakes are defined as gluten-free, but what does it mean to be coeliac, and which Dorset bakers have built their careers on creating fabulous pies, tarts, cakes and cookies which are safe for sufferers of this incurable condition?
From some of the world’s greatest cheeses (OK we’re prejudiced, we love farmhouse Cheddar – and Blue Vinny, of course) to award-winning gin, from organic farm products to the area’s best food festivals and fairs … Local Flavours will be serving up some interesting and appetising treats.
To celebrate the launch we’ve spoken to some of the myriad of local artisan food producers we have featured since launching the BV three years ago – and with their help we have put together a hamper filled to the brim with local produce, worth more than £400 for one lucky BV reader to win for Christmas!
We need to thank the following producers for their generosity and support:
To be in with a chance to win the Local Flavours Dorset Hamper, just answer the question in the widget box below – and as there’s gin and wine in the hamper we also have to check you’re over 18, sorry!
There are more chances to win by completing the other entry options if you so wish – they’re entirely up to you! The closing date for this competition is 14th December 2023 and only entries received on or before that date can be included. The prize will go to the first randomly chosen entry, and we will arrange to deliver the hamper the weekend of the 15th December. Good luck!
