In this episode Terry gets to grips with some of the biggest issues currently pressing Chris Loder MP, Cllr Spencer Flower shares the music which is his memorial to his daughter, Penny Nagle talks to Jenny about a new producers market and Terry discovers the story behind award-winning Orris Leather in Wimborne.
Cllr Spencer Flower shares his life’s journey from a boy to a single mum on a Gillingham council estate to becoming the leader in charge of a £348m budget for Dorset Council as he chooses the music he can’t live without in Dorset Island Discs
In the second part of his interview, Terry talks to West Dorset MP Chris Loder about topics as diverse as the current state of government, the relentless drive to a cashless society and speed cameras on the A30.
Penny Nagle, well known for her Feltham’s Farm cheese, talks to Jenny about the new Horsington monthly market which is her brainchild, where local growers and producers are celebrating homegrown produce, promoting sustainability and fostering a real sense of community.
Dorset craftsmen Ed Waldron and Chris Holbrook have been internationally recognised as two of the world’s best under-40 leatherworkers – but it all sorted as a bit of a hobby.
Dorset Council is calling for the local community, organisations and businesses to back care-experienced young adults as they transition to adulthood. Care leavers often face the challenges of pursuing education or employment while developing life skills, without the family and friend networks that do so much to support other young people. Hall & Woodhouse has been a tremendous resource for Dorset’s care leavers, providing employment opportunities for young people who may have faced challenges entering the workforce due to their backgrounds or low self-confidence. The local firm organised information days and activities, including a cooking skills workshop, at their head office and brewery site in Blandford, leading to some care leavers securing jobs with Hall & Woodhouse across Dorset. Anthony Woodhouse, Chairman for Hall & Woodhouse, expressed his delight at being part of the Dorset Council Care Leavers programme and the opportunity it presented to support young talent in hospitality. Last year, Sky launched Sky Up, a programme created to tackle digital inequality, providing vital skills training through a dedicated £10 million fund. As part of Sky Up, the Tech Grants initiative helps young people leaving the care system by providing them with devices, connectivity and training. Working with Spectra and Dorset Council, 50 local young people received a technology bundle including laptop, rucksack, & digital active pen, and 18-months internet connection. The Dorset care leavers were also invited to a wellbeing event held at Bournemouth Football club, with a stadium tour and workshop teaching new ways to manage stress and anxiety. The young people also attended a celebration event at Sky’s head office – the day included a campus and Sky Studios tour and talks from Simon Thomas (Soccer Sunday host) and inspirational care-leaver, Ashley John-Baptiste. They took part in workshops and attended a session on future possible career opportunities at Sky and the media industry. Cllr Byron Quayle, Dorset Council’s Portfolio holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help said; ‘We want our care-experienced children and young people to thrive, develop their full potential and enjoy a settled adulthood. ‘We are grateful for the opportunities and support that Hall & Woodhouse and Sky offer to our young people – they are making such a difference. ‘We’d like to encourage more local businesses and organisations to consider how they could be part of Dorset’s initiative. If you’re willing to help, please do get in touch.’
To find out more or to offer support and opportunities, please contact [email protected]
Of, Shaftesbury formerly of Farrington sadly passed away on 16th November aged 81 years.
Loving Father and Grandad.
Funeral Service at St Peters Church Shaftesbury on Thursday 7th December at 10am, followed by a reception at the Grosvenor Hotel, Shaftesbury.
Family flowers please, but donations if desired for the Lullaby Trust and the Terrence Higgins Trust may be sent to Grassby and Close Funeral Service, 4 Innes Court, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BB, Tel: 01258 471024.
Donkeys are a frequently misunderstood desert animal, says Sally Cooper, owner of Mr Pebbles, the man-donkey who steals hearts as well as glasses
Mr Pebbles at ten months old
The time has come – I have to accept that my latest baby is now not a boy, but a man … ish. Mister Pebbles is a 14-month old donkey. We initially called him Fluffy – yes, due to the long white hair of the tiny fluffball. Now, however, it is becoming eye-wateringly clear that he is very much a man-donkey. Confirmed recently when the visiting arborist asked me why I had a five-legged donkey! I don’t think that it is an exaggeration when I say that as a country we are very much under the spell of the donkey. Most of our visitors stop to speak with the donkeys before knocking at the door to see us mere humans. but as a nation we really don’t know much about the real life version of this much-loved cartoon creature. For starters they are equids, not equines – far better described as more like dogs than horses. It is naturally a desert animal, so it’s not a good idea to treat donkeys in the same way as a horse. For a start, they aren’t waterproof so they always need access to a roof over their head. Grass is not their natural choice of fodder, either – they need a lot of fibre, so tree branches and leaves (mine prefer willow), cut nettles and lots of thistles (apparently delicious). Woe betide any unknowing donkey owner who doesn’t feed them enough chunky fibre – they’ll soon start to eat the stable, the fence and the gate …
The noise, the naughtiness Influenced by their desert background, donkeys are also great stampers. If they find a dog that is not a family member in their field, they latch onto it like an Exocet missile and will stamp at (or on) it with their front legs. To be fair, you never know when you will need to stamp on a snake do you? Then there is the bray, that Eeyore sound. The noise, the volume, the pleading eyes … our neighbour’s donkeys are a mile away and they can talk quite happily to ours without leaving their field. Well, deserts are big places! This of course also explains the huge ears. Bonus fact: once they start to bray they can’t stop! Their absolute favourite pastime is humans. In order to keep you engaged they will try anything – removal of your glasses and dropping them in the water trough … standing in the middle of your exit route … shadowing your every side-step … or simply putting your coat zip in their mouths and walking in the opposite direction. I challenge anyone having a bad day not to feel more upbeat after a donkey chat.
Mr Pebbles with Rodney Images: Sally Cooper
Always a double act So the time has come for Rodney, our older donkey, to escort Mister Pebbles to the vet for castration. Donkeys are relaxed when in pairs and should never be separated – the vets always expect a double act. I can’t help thinking that Rodney will have a wry, knowing smile on his face as they go in!
Hours of work: 11.25 hours per week. 1:00pm- 3:15pm
Monday-Friday
Term time, fixed term only
Salary: Grade 15.3 £11.79 p/hr
We are seeking to appoint a part-time teaching assistant to join our team of dedicated teaching support staff. This is on a fixed term basis until 31st March 2024 (Longer term available, pending additional funding). The role will involve running interventions, under the direction of the SENCo, on a 1:1/small group basis to support Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils with learning in core subjects. The successful applicant will be adaptable in their role and able to show the necessary initiative and subject knowledge to support pupils.
Previous experience working in a school is preferable. You will be part of a happy, positive and inclusive learning environment. The applicant must be self-motivated with good communication skills.
The school welcomes applicants who are motivated to positively impact and enrich children’s lives and support the wider life of the school.
Milborne Port Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and all staff/volunteers must share this commitment. All appointments are subject to the necessary DBS and pre-employment checks. No CVs accepted.
Completed application forms should be returned by email to: [email protected]
Toots Bartlett reflects on the highs and hurdles of the 2023 eventing season, with decisions to make about her talented horses’ futures
Toots on Freestyle R, who is to move to pure dressage – she has made the tough decision to sell him
And just like that the 2023 eventing season is over! Perhaps a stranger season then most with the weather effecting a huge part of the spring campaign, but we managed to have a successful last few events. After a bad fall at Cornbury horse trails we had a few weeks off before Cor Y Taran finished his season with a win at Swalcliffe in Oxfordshire. He went on to jump clear at his first CCI3-S at Bicton last weekend. He’s an incredibly exciting horse! Being only seven and with very little time and experience behind him he coped amazingly in all three phases, and he made the tough cross country course with its long hills and sticky, muddy ground feel very easy. He will now have a very deserved month off out in the field (where he will be joined by my lovely four-year old) for a holiday, allowing tired muscles time to repair and relax. My plan for next year is to get Cor Y Taran to Blenheim for the 8/9yo CCI4 Championship next Autumn – I will make a proper winter plan with both my trainers on how and what we need to do to achieve this goal.
Tough business decisions Freestyle R has taken a new path recently and we are exploring the route of pure dressage with him – an area he has always specialised and excelled in. I’m having an interesting time learning pure dressage movements such as multiple changes and pirouette work. He achieved a very exciting 70 per cent at an Advanced Medium recently, givingh him the win. He is now training towards Prix St George and he is such a quick learner. Sadly Freestyle is going onto the market – although I am loving learning new tricks on him my focus will always be eventing, and I know he will give someone a huge amount of pleasure and success in pure dressage. Horses like Freestyle – safe, sound, kind, rideable and with a balance of mind and action – are incredibly rare and although I know he can fly in a new career and partnership it will break my heart to say goodbye. I feel this is the first proper ‘business’ decision I have had to make as I try and establish myself and it has not been an easy one! Charlie has won 11 out of 11 of his recent competitions, whether dressage or combined training, and this little horse has so much talent and scope. He is a stunning horse to look at and is jaw-droppingly beautiful under saddle. He belongs to my sister and he too needs to move on to a new partnership to allow me to bring in some youngsters to produce to event. It is very hard producing such lovely animals to then sell them, but as I grow older and understand more about building a business, it has slowly become a sad inevitablity. As the 2023 event season draws to its close I have more time on my hands for more freelance riding. If you have any horses you would like schooled/ jumped or merely exercised please do get in touch. I have had many seasons schooling hunters and improving them as well as youngsters. tootsbartletteventing.com
Dorset Mind volunteer Annabel Goddard provides an insight into supporting the many complex emotions of suicide bereavement
Trigger warning: this article contains themes of suicide that could be distressing. Please seek support via signposting at the end.
International Survivors of Suicide Day is 19th November – a day which unites those who have lost a loved one to suicide and are navigating bereavement, those who are finding their way after a suicide attempt and those caring for a loved one struggling with suicidal thoughts. It is an important day in the fight to draw attention to those affected by suicide – a topic we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about. Bereavement is a complex subject – the process is different for different people. Losing a loved one to suicide can bring up so many unanswered questions and feelings. These can include wondering if you could have done more to prevent it or could have stopped it entirely. You may be more like to have feelings of guilt when grieving a death you feel could have been preventable. While these difficult feelings are best discussed with a professional therapist, it is always important to remember you cannot blame yourself for the actions of another person and it could damage your own mental health.
Take your time Grieving is an important part of healing and you must allow yourself to take time. It might be weeks, months or even years before you feel back on track. There is no set time-frame, and accepting this could help put you at ease. However you choose to grieve, make sure you stay in touch with those who care about you. Having a support system is important in helping you to feel less alone and you will be able to open up about what you’re going through. Both you and others who may also be grieving will benefit from staying connected. While grief may never go away, it will change and evolve during your life. In the early stages of bereavement it may be very painful and difficult to remember good times you shared with the person you’ve lost. But, in time, you may be able to remember them fondly, and without finding it searingly painful. If you are supporting someone who is grieving a loved one lost to suicide, the best think you can do is give them time and treat them with patience, kindness and sensitivity. It can be tough watching the grief of someone you care about, but do make sure you discuss how you are prepared to care for them – ask them what they need, whether that is time and space, or if they perhaps want more company than usual, even if that is just a text to check in every day.
Support for you: Visit dorsetmind.uk for local mental health support and ways to keep mentally healthy Call Samaritans on 116 123 for free 24/7 emotional support Call Dorset’s mental health helpline Connection for support on NHS 111 Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger
Young learners explore farming and food at 10 Downing Street in a special Lessons at 10 event connecting children with British produce
Akshata Murty, the Prime Minister’s wife hosts a Lessons at 10 in collaboration with the National Farming Union where students from Countess Gwyth Primary school took part in a Farming StemTERPRISE activity session in 10 Downing Street.
Forty local schoolchildren were recently lucky enough to join NFU Education at 10 Downing Street for a tailor-made lesson on food and farming. The Year 5 and 6 pupils from Countess Gytha Primary School in Yeovil, Somerset, were invited into Number 10 to explore the world of agriculture as part of the ‘Lessons at 10’ series, an initiative organised by the Prime Minister’s wife, Akshata Murty. The lesson introduced the children to British food and farming through NFU Education’s Farming STEMterprise project and challenged them to invent their own finger foods using a range of British ingredients. And the challenge didn’t stop there – the children also had to market their creations and explain the many benefits of using homegrown British produce. Working in teams, they were supported by an NFU Education Farmers for Schools ambassador, who offered firsthand insights into how they produce high quality, climate-friendly, nutritious food. Hailing from Lancashire to Sussex, they were able to share their expert knowledge of their sectors in dairy, arable, horticulture and sheep farming. NFU Education Manager Josh Payne said: ‘This event provided an exceptional learning opportunity for these children to understand the importance of the vital world of British farming. It’s a brilliant programme, and it’s wonderful to see Mrs Murty recognising the value of teaching key STEM subjects through the lens of food and farming. ‘It’s important to make agriculture relevant and interesting to young people so they can become more involved in the countryside and rural areas as they grow older. ‘It’s been great to run this session and hopefully it has not only excited the children about food and cooking, but also got them thinking about where ingredients come from and the work that goes into their production. This experience is also a chance to meet real-life farmers, which is a fantastic way to bridge the gap between the field and the plate. ‘I’m sure this ‘Lessons at 10’ event will leave a lasting impact on these children, and we hope to inspire them to appreciate the importance of British produce.’ Ms Murty said: ‘It was wonderful to welcome pupils from Countess Gytha Primary School to Downing Street today for a special farming and food Lessons at 10 event. ‘It’s so important for children to connect with where our food comes from and experience great British produce. Thank you to everyone for coming and highlighting why we should back British farming.’
