As autumn gets into its stride it’s not all about the flowers, says Kelsi-Dean Buck. Think about bring more of the outside inside this year
A splash of autumnal colour from Thorngrove’s rudbeckia
Autumn is officially here! Our lawns are finally looking healthier thanks to the rain, and we’re in full swing of the new season. At Thorngrove the seasonal bedding is on hand to bring some lush colour to your borders, planters, baskets, and pots. Pansies and violas are always the star of the bedding show at this time of year, and they never lose their charms. Dianthums, rudbeckia, and agastache are also all looking fabulous. We mentioned Cyclamen in the last issue, and they’re now ready to leave the glasshouses and take pride of place outdoors in your garden space.
It’s not all flowers Also on site we have new compost ranges arriving, with special offers for the new season too. Houseplants are becoming more popular again, as people spend more time indoors now the summer is over. Having a few plants inside your home brings many benefits, including purifying the air, offering a good screen distraction, and some studies showing they even help you sleep better! Check out our beautiful range when you next stop by.
Behind the scenes news! We’re making some adjustments to signage on site and we are aiming to offer more insight, tips, and useful advice for everyone who visits. We understand that not everyone is an expert when it comes to choosing the right plants or in how to care for them, so we want to make sure your visit to Thorngrove is as fruitful as can be. Keep your eyes peeled for this very soon!
Coming up at Thorngrove: Children can join our crafts-master Claire during half term to make some unique seasonal creations (including custom Jam Jar Lanterns!) to take home with them. Safe for little hands, and perfect for the upcoming spookiest time of the year. October 24th, 25th, 27th. 10am-12pm, £7 per child.
The much-loved Winter Hanging Basket Workshops are back this October, too. Join in for a demo, and then get creative with our gorgeous selection of winter basket plants, and take home something unique that you put together yourself under the expert guidance of Chris. We’d love to see you there! We’re also offering a great package with the hanging baskets and lunch. Monday 17th to Saturday 22nd October daily. £10 for just the workshop demo (2pm-4pm) or £25 for the demo plus a two course lunch in the Secret Garden Café (12pm-2pm).
The BV’s night sky photographer and columnist Rob Nolan makes a welcome return – and introduces the Soul Nebula from within Cassiopeia
Folks, I’m back, and I apologise for the few months absence! Life events got in the way, as they invariably do. However, the nights are drawing in, and that means it’s definitely time to get the cover off the scopes! To celebrate my return, I thought I’d show a new part of the sky that I’ve not imaged until recently. I do have a habit of going back to old favourites, which is easy to do when you acquire new scopes or cameras (yes, that’s right, more money has been spent – whoops!) so you may see some familiar objects if you’re a long term reader, but I promise they’ll be bigger and better than before! This month’s image (opposite) is a close up on the eastern part of the Soul Nebula (also known as Westerhout 5), an emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia. It forms part of a famous pair known as the Heart and Soul with the neighbouring Heart Nebula (IC 1805). The Soul Nebula is sometimes also known as the Embryo Nebula or IC 1848, which is a designation used for the open star cluster within it. The Soul Nebula is being carved out by the stellar winds from the stars embedded within it, a process that leaves behind large pillars of material pointing inwards. These pillars are very dense and have stars forming at their tips. Each pillar spans about ten light years. This image was taken using my new Skywatcher Maksutov Newtonian telescope, the 190-MN DS-Pro, which is a hybrid imaging scope that provides better image quality than my previous 200PDS Newtonian, which I will miss dearly! At around six and a half hours of data, you can clearly make out the features that give the nebula its unique name in the night sky.
The night sky, October 2022 – Rob’s guide for your stargazing this month:
There have been some great celestial events over the last few months during my absence, but there’s still time to catch some of them if you haven’t already. Most notably, on 26th September Jupiter reached opposition and was closer to Earth than it has been in the past 59 years. There really has never been a better time to grab your binoculars (or telescopes) and take a peek to spot the giant planet and its moons. This month, we’ll be treated to meteor showers and a partial eclipse. It’s going to be a busy month! On the 8th of October, look out for the moon as it passes under Jupiter, shining very brightly in the sky at the moment due to its close proximity. On 12th and 14th October, the waning moon will pass by the Pleiades, Aldebaran and Mars. In September there was an excellent conjunction of the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn, which all lined up nicely in the sky. I did manage to capture that while in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland on holiday – the skies are very dark up there! On the nights of 21st and 22nd of October, our annual pass through the debris from Halley’s Comet creates a potentially great ‘shooting stars’ display in our night skies until around 3:30am, when the Moon will rise. If it’s a clear night, the meteor shower is definitely one to wrap up warm for and go and look at. On 24th October, before dawn is a good time to go and look at Mercury as it lies under a crescent Moon. This is best observed through binoculars. On 25th October during the day, we’ll experience a partial solar eclipse, in which around 15 per cent of the Sun will be covered. Visible from the UK, Europe, North East Africa and the Middle East, the eclipse will start at around 10am, with the maximum coverage occurring around 10:57am and ending at 11:45am. Never look directly at the sun! Always use appropriate protection such as solar eclipse glasses or an appropriate solar filter with a telescope. At the end of the month another meteor shower starts to become visible. The usually mediocre Taurids meteor shower, created by Encke’s Comet, this year has the potential to produce Hallowe’en fireballs in the skies, as we pass through a dense region of debris from the comet. They’ll peak in November, so we’ll mention that in the next issue. It’s nice to be back, folks!
NHS Dorset is investing in technology to improve care for the population – sometimes unpopular, it is necessary to cope with demand. Rachael Rowe reports
Most of us are aware of the increased demands on primary care and hospitals at the moment, and the challenges in getting appointments. But what if there was a way of getting help to people more efficiently, using technology? That’s exactly what is happening with primary care in parts of North Dorset. The Blackmore Vale Partnership manages GP practices in Shaftesbury, Gillingham, and Sturminster Newton. It has been busy trailblazing a new IT system to manage appointments. Newly appointed clinical digital care co-ordinator Charley Davies explains: ‘Klinik is a nationally recognised system. It is used by 500 practices across the country, and it brings a uniformity to the service.’ As featured in the BV last year, Gillingham Medical Practice, like so many others, adopted a new solution. At that time, Dr Chris Pearce told me: ‘Prior to the new system, Gillingham Surgery received 14,500 phone calls a month. Only 53 per cent of those calls got answered; there simply weren’t enough people to pick up the phone. It’s impossible to deal with that volume.’ Just think about that number for a moment – and that’s just one practice in Dorset. Others have the same problems – it’s not sustainable.
Who deals with what I recently used eConsult (very successfully) at the Blandford Group of practices and wondered how the two platforms, Klinik and eConsult, differed. Charley says: ‘Klinik offers so much more, and it also helps with choice and promotes a better service.’ So how is it all going to work when someone phones their GP? Dr Simone Yule, clinical director for the Blackmore Vale Partnership, is clear on the benefits. ‘Klinik will bring a uniformity of service. Whether someone rings the surgery or uses the website, they will get the same response. Part of the problem is the huge range of healthcare practitioners in primary care now, such as paramedics, physiotherapists and nurses. Knowing who is best to deal with an issue can be difficult. With this new system, we can streamline patients to the right place and for the right reason. There is an element of instant triage (see video opposite) – and there’s a clinical team behind it looking at what is coming in on the system. So people will either get a face-to-face or a phone appointment. And it should then be easier to get that face-to-face appointment because the system releases capacity.’
Digital triage When someone uses the Klinik system, they are asked a series of questions which is a core part of the triage. See the video opposite to watch exactly how it works. It starts with the basics – so, for example, if you have a query about a letter, you’ll go straight to the administrative team. Klinik is designed to reduce call time, so the issue of being told ‘You are number 52 in the queue’ should resolve. However, the system is not for emergencies. When you have answered the questions, a calendar pops up where you can give a time convenient for someone from the practice to call you or to schedule an appointment. So what happens to the receptionists now? Laura Grant, operations manager at Blackmore Vale Partnership, reassures me: ’The receptionists are really excited about it. It’s a new system, and it builds relationships with the team.’ Simone adds: ‘We think of receptionists as patient service teams here, because they do so much more than just be on reception and answer the phone.’
Help is at hand But what if you are unable to use the internet? Firstly, the phone option is still available; but you’ll still answer all the questions as the patient service team uses the same algorithms to assess your need as the online system. Then they will pass your request to one of the clinicians monitoring the system. And if you want to become more confident in using the online service, Charley is available to help you navigate the internet and use the various apps and technical services best.
More than just your GP Dorset is using more technology to support people managing their long-term conditions and stay healthy. Verena Cooper, who is supporting the project, outlined the MyMHealth app to me, used by people with diabetes, asthma and COPD. Dorset is also implementing the BP at Home service, where people can measure their blood pressure at home (and usually in a less stressful environment). In addition, there’s an entire library of online services on the Orcha platform, where all the digital applications have been thoroughly checked for safety and IT security. Another exciting development in Dorset has been the DIIS (Dorset Information and Intelligence Service – pronounced dice) which uses anonymised data such as medical codes to help practices and primary care networks identify people who are at risk of developing health problems so they can be targeted for more support. Whether you like it or not, technology is here to stay in the NHS. From insulin pumps transforming the lives of people with diabetes to robotic surgery and innovative apps which help to manage chronic illness, times are changing. And the most exciting developments in tech and healthcare are when they make a positive difference to people.
Passed away unexpectedly at home, on 12th September, aged 74 years.
Dearly loved husband of Linda, much loved father of Nathan and Matthew, much loved brother to Joanna, beloved Granddad of Aurora, Wilf and Pandora and loved cousin of Caroline and Cynthia.
A Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Michael’s life to take place at the Church of St. Mary Shroton on Friday 28th October at 11.00am.
Private Cremation. Family flowers only, please.
Donations, if desired, for The British Heart Foundation. Donations may be made online at www.funeraldirector.co.uk/michael-jones or sent to Lesley Shand Funeral Service, 28 East Street, Blandford, Dorset DT11 7DR.
Sadly passed away on the 28th September 2022 at the age of 82 in Dorchester County Hospital.
Beloved wife to (Bob) Robert and loving mother to Bobbie, Kevin, Amanda & Darren and grandchildren Scott, Nathan, Rebecca, Louie, Elliot, Amber, Jacob, George and Great Grandchildren Bunny, Archie, Travis, Ella-May, Evie, Tia, Dulcie, and Aria, Lily & Megan and Marsha.
Funeral to take place at Poole Crematorium on the 14th October 2022 at 3.00 pm.
Donations if desired for Dorset Air Ambulance payable to the charity at the crematorium or care of Colin J Close Funeral Services. Peel Close, Salisbury Road, Blandford. DT11 7JU
The area was new to us for walking – like many locals we would generally shoot past on the A30, on our way elsewhere. But a recent unplanned detour through the beautiful quiet valleys north of Sherborne persuaded us to go back and explore properly. So we plotted out a 10 mile route and gave it a go – and we’re so pleased we did!
To follow this route using the Outdooractive App, please find the route here.
Corton Denham is a lovely village to start (the excellent Queen’s Arms – Taste of the West Gold and Five AA Stars – is open seven days a week from 11am to 11pm. An excellent plan to look forward to at the end of the walk!), and parking should be simple on the roadside.
The route is easygoing and well marked, and takes in parts of both the Monarch’s Way along Corton Ridge, from which you get those spectacular views of the Levels, and the Macmillan Way through the pretty village of Sandford Orcas.
The view across the Somerset Levels from Corton Ridge. Image: Laura Hitchcock
Unusually for us there are small sections of lane walking, but none were busy or too long. Sometimes, going through the villages is an interesting alternative!
A good bridge should never be underestimated (nr Stafford’s Bridge). Image: Laura Hitchcock
We walked on a warm but overcast day, with drizzle constantly threatening the nearby hills. On a clear day I suspect the views will be utterly stunning.
The weather was closing in fast as we descended from Corton Ridge back into Corton Denham to finish. Image: Laura HitchcockThe path along Poyntington Hill. Image: Laura Hitchcock
The Headteacher and Governing Body of Fiveways School are looking to appoint a committed, motivational and dynamic Assistant Headteacher to form part of a newly structured leadership team. As an Assistant Headteacher we will look to you to help drive school improvements and make a real difference for our staff and pupils. We wish to find someone who will be committed to further developing our ‘school offer’ through outstanding curriculum knowledge, an understanding of pedagogy and passion for supporting pupils to achieve their best. We wish to continue to foster and develop our reputation for being an open friendly, inclusive and nurturing school that welcomes and supports our children and their families.
The quality of all our staff lies at the heart of our very high standards. Outstanding OFSTED 2005, 2008, 2014 & 2017. Qualifications, commitment and experience of working with SEND pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties, would be desirable but not essential.
As a key member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, the Assistant Headteacher will significantly contribute to the overall leadership and management of the school, be active in developing the school’s curriculum, promoting its aims, and supporting an ethos that promotes achievement and high standards. The post will include some teaching commitment up to 0.4.
Fiveways School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo Child Protection screening, including checks with current and past employers and an enhanced DBS clearance. References will be requested before interview.
The school employs a rigorous “safeguarding” approach to recruitment.
Fiveways School strives to ensure that no employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of age, disability, race, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex or pregnancy and maternity.
We highly encourage you to arrange a tour of the school. Please contact the school office.
In this episode, we have the equestrian, wildlife and farming sections, plus the Letters to the Editor:
Laura Wilson watched a therapist treat her horse – and gave up accounting to train as a McTimoney animal chiropractor
As weaning begins for this year’s foals, the stud begins to focus on sales, says Lucy Procter of The Glanvilles Stud
The August ground was so hard that Team Bartlett headed north in search of softer going for Equador MW and Cor y Taran, says Toots Bartlett
Autumn is the season of abundance, even after a summer drought, says foraging expert Carl Mintern as he enjoys the literal fruits of the season
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Marine Awareness Officer Julie Hatcher shares the story of work to monitor the recently arrived furrowed crab.
We’ve lost a staggering 97 per cent of our species-rich grassland since the 1930s. Growing a wildflower meadow in your back garden isn’t quite as simple as you might think – but it’s important to try, says writer Jane Adams
Once a major business, English wool is now a wasted opportunity – the industry needs an urgent rethink, says Andrew Livingston
Letters to the Editor – listen to what others think (our postbag is always open – send emails to [email protected] )
