Yet another delay to relieve the congested A303 and ‘dual’ the remaining single carriageway sections infuriates local MP Dr Andrew Murrison.

SOUTH West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison has reacted with horror to the announcement by the National Highways Agency “that it intends to long grass (delay) much of its plans for the strategic A303 corridor.”

He plans to tell Transport Secretary Grant Shapps that if the Highways Agency is not going to invest in the A303, it should make it clear that the M4-M5 is the strategic route to the West Country.

For many years, Dr Murrison has been calling for the remaining single carriageway sections, from Chicklade to Mere, to be dualled, to give relief to his constituents. Improvements along this stretch of the A303, including Chicklade Bottom, were in “the pipeline” of what was then Highways England’s long-term strategy.

The MP was informed of the change in a letter from Elliot Shaw, the National Highways’ executive director for strategy and planning. It effectively pushes the planned – and much-needed – improvements to the A303 from Mere to Wylye into the long grass, many years into the future.

Legal challenge to ‘Stonehenge bypass’

While there was no specific start date for the Wiltshire improvements, they were in the official plan to begin after the completion of the A303 Stonehenge bypass, which is currently stalled following a High Court ruling upholding a legal challenge to the tunnel scheme.

Dr Murrison says: “It’s now clear that any improvement locally will be several years away at best.

“It’s all looking like a bit of a mess. I will be writing to the Transport Secretary to point out his department and agency can’t shunt more and more traffic down a spindly single carriageway whilst pretending it’s a strategic route.
“There is an alternative if you’re not going to invest in the A303 which is to confirm the M4/M5 as the strategic route into the South West and push traffic, especially the heavy stuff, along the motorway network.”

Small scale upgrades

The new timetable for the trunk road schemes, outlined by Mr Shaw, gives priority to a section
of the A303 connecting from the South Petherton roundabout to Southfields, (the notorious Ilminster bypass), at the junction with the A358.

Work is already under way on an A303 upgrade and dualling between Sparkford and Podimore. Consultation has now ended on plans to dual the A358 Southfields to Taunton (connecting to the M5), but no start date has been announced for the work.

The South Petherton-Southfields project, as outlined in the National Highways letter, is for initial development work to take place in 2023- 24, after which the government will consider the viability of the scheme.

Mr Shaw writes:
“Whilst this will be good news for many of our customers and stakeholders, I recognise that
for others the section between Wylye and Mere may have been the preference for this initial development activity.
Upgrading the A303/A358 corridor is a significant undertaking, requiring the adoption of a sequential approach which minimises impacts on users of the route and is proportionate to funding available at a national level. Preparation for subsequent corridor improvements will need to await future Road Periods.”

By: Fanny Charles

Are you aware of the surprising wealth of activities organised by village halls throughout the Blackmore Vale, asks Rachael Rowe.

Village halls have a reputation for being rather lacklustre; hosting jumble sales and tiresome meetings.

Not so; especially in rural communities. Our village halls are critical in reducing social isolation.
It’s Village Halls Week from 24-30 January, when the community spirit of these remarkable buildings is celebrated, especially the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep them open. Although the pandemic has seen many halls unable to open, the positivity in this community space has not gone away. Most are back in action with even more activities and fun to keep Dorset’s rural communities amused and supported. So if you thought your village
hall only organised jumble sales, take a look at just a few of the events in north Dorset.

Grab a Coffee at The Mud Pie Cafe

Okeford Fitzpaine’s village hall is transformed into a vibrant pop-up cafe on most Saturday mornings. It’s a meeting point for people iving alone, newcomers to the village and for finding out the latest news and gossip. Organiser Sue Finklaire described the atmosphere. “The Mud Pie Cafe is a brilliant weekly event that brings the whole community together and is run by volunteers.

“Villagers love our home-made bacon rolls, cakes and freshly filtered coffee. It’s definitely the first place to head for if you’re new to the village and want to quickly settle in. And if you’re keen to find out about local issues and make new friends, the Mud Pie Cafe can help with it all.”

Learn a new craft!

Village halls are also creative spaces, with many hosting classes. Bishops Caundle Village Hall hosts many engaging workshops and classes, from an embellishing group to quilters and a craft group.
Colin West, the management committee secretary and treasurer says, “My wife set up the quilters group which has really taken off. Proof that if there’s a gap in the community, it just takes one person to come forward and start up a successful community activity.”
And over at Winterborne Whitechurch they have a community library in an old storeroom. There’s also ‘Crafty Natter’, which is an informal get- together on Fridays.
And now they’ve introduced ‘new age kurling’ – a contemporary fun activity where the modest fees generates funds to help maintain the building.

If you, like me, always associate curling with ice, kurling is different and can be played indoors by most people, including wheelchair users. The group invited me to have a go, and I can assure you it is harder than it looks (my excuse for not hitting the target) but definitely fun. In Winterborne Whitchurch there’s also puppy training and other fitness activities.

’Our fish & chip quizzes are over-subscribed’
Mappowder boasts perhaps the least glamorous village hall in the Vale, but it hosts cracking events including a superb annual quiz which is always over-subscribed. “For just a tenner, villagers enjoy a really great evening and the price includes an excellent supper, such as a generous plate of fish ‘n chips or a choice of curries,” says ex-village hall committee chair Kae Palmer. “We’re packed with happy people and lots of laughter.”

For the anniversary of VE Day the hall hosted a party where villagers were invited to bring and share authentic dishes from the war – although one eccentric villager brought along a big dish of sauerkraut and German sausage. “This was served during the war,” he explained, “just not to English people.”

Imaginative fitness classes

Perhaps gym fees have put you off exercising, or you fancy trying out a new activity. In that case, there’s probably something within walking distance at your village hall. Popular activities include yoga, keep fit, short mat bowls and badminton.
Colin West says Bishops Caundle Parish Council acquired spin exercise bikes for the community. There’s now a regular spinning class in the village hall.

Over at Hinton St Mary, the village hall doubles as a clubhouse for the cricket club with the green just outside.

Be part of something good!

Most village halls are run by volunteers; sometimes also trustees of charitable organisations set up as part of the governance.

Volunteers or trustees organise events and manage bookings, and fundraise to keep the buildings viable. Some help with maintenance and cleaning, as well as events. Winterborne Whitechurch Chair Teresa Goddard summed it up: “We have an excellent committee – and a good committee makes all the difference.”
If you want to get involved to keep these valuable community assets safe for future generations, volunteer a little time to help out. Also, simply support your village hall activities to keep the spirit of these unique places alive.

By: Rachael Rowe