The Hill October 2018

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Yearly Subscription (12 issues) £6

A MAGAZINE FOR ALL WHO LIVE AROUND HAMBLEDON HILL IN CHILD OKEFORD, MANSTON, HAMMOON AND HANFORD FIRST ISSUED IN 1967

VOLUME 51, NUMBER 10 CIRCULATION 525

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3 RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS Simon and I used to run a 32 acre smallholding and we used to greet October with a small sigh of relief. The harvest was mostly over, winter feed would have been made, straw delivered, turkeys growing nicely, pigs fattening on apples and garden produce and always a bit of time to take stock and marvel at what such a small acreage can actually produce. What strikes me from my diary entries of the time is how much we relied on our own strength and also the time and gifts of others: contractors who managed to squeeze our bales into our tiny yard, farming friends who gave us winter logs for a cut of grass, an unexpected gift of 10kgs of field mushrooms (that was a busy cooking afternoon…). It was a mixed time of year for us: the harvest was in, but we also looked forward to bringing the ewes into lamb, so it was always a pivotal time. Harvest is this gift to us – it reminds us to thank God for the bounty of the earth, and to feel that sense of connection to the passing of the seasons which roll on and on with a seamless, measured pace that cares nothing for the life of politics, and other man-made vacuities. What has always struck me when talking to farmers, or indeed allotment holders is how well they know “their” patch of land. Many local farmers have farmed in our area for generations and have a deep understanding of the way their fields work. Even on a small scale, gardeners and allotment keepers know how best to nurture food and flowers from their soil and how best to keep the land healthy and productive. This is knowledge on the micro scale and how important that is. While we may not be able to influence wider climate change and the issues and problems of waste and agri-economics, we can make a difference in our gardens and fields. God wants us to be good stewards of our land. Ultimately, we don’t own the land we live and work on – it is God’s and to God it will return in the fullness of time. Our job is look after it to the best of our abilities, in our time and place. This is a holy responsibility.

COFFEE MORNING At THE COMMUNITY CENTRE on SATURDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2018 AT 10.30 AM ALL WELCOME – COME AND JOIN US!

HARVEST GIFTS FOR NORTH DORSET WOMEN’S REFUGE St Nicholas Church Child Okeford will hold their Harvest Festival on Sunday 14th October with a Messy Church service. As in previous years we’re invited to bring gifts of non-perishable foodstuffs for the mothers and children currently staying at the Refuge. All donations, large or small, would be most welcome to help stock their cupboards, so tins, pasta and rice, sauces - anything that will keep. With heartfelt thanks. Sarah Muffett – 860010 4 YOUR CHURCH After a quiet August things are hotting up at St Nicholas! We rounded off the summer with a "Cider and Sausage Fest" in the orchard of Seville House with many thanks to Merlin and Carrie Lewis for hosting this. Approximately 80 village folk came to share hot dogs, apple cake and cider. The weather was very kind and we were entertained all evening by Sammy and Charles Upton. Many thanks to all those who organised, set up and cleared up the event. We felt the evening was worth repeating and so hope to do so at approximately the same time next year, this time with slightly more sausages!!! Our next event is on 20th October when the Mill Singers will be singing for us in church, and in the New Year, with Christmas out of the way, another Quiz and Curry evening in the village hall will be held on February 2nd. We do hope that many of you will be able to come and support these events. Our coffee mornings have relocated to the Community Centre, on the 3rd Saturday of the month. We are hoping to have - besides coffee and cake - fabric for sale, preserves, books and bric a brac for sale. Our next coffee morning will be on Saturday 20th October and everyone is very welcome to come and join us. There is great excitement as we look forward to Bishop Nicholas's visit to this month's all age communion (30th September). This service has proved a great success, reaching out to both young and old. It is fun and lively while at the same time meaningful and we do commend it to you as a coming together of all ages within our church community. We believe that Bishop Nicholas hasn't experienced such a service and he is in for a few surprises so do come and join us and support the Messy Church team who will be helping to put this service together. On the same day, in the evening we are holding a service of Remembrance at 6.30. If you or someone you know has lost someone close to you over the past 2 years, you might like to consider coming to this little service. If you would like to know more about this service then do speak to Rev Lydia or Ruth (860068). It promises to be special and a chance to reflect on loss and the hope of eternal life with an opportunity to light a candle in memory of a lost loved one. The churchyard has had a massive tidy up and is now looking very smart after several days of very hard work on the part of Jethro to whom we are enormously grateful. All is now well in the churchyard as we head into autumn. We'll be decorating the church for Harvest Festival on Saturday 13 October from 9.00am. If you'd like to help please contact Sue Clayton on 860653. Lastly, it is rumoured that the bells are on their way back! Watch this space! Keith Allen

FLOWER ARRANGERS Date Child Okeford 7th October Mes Soward & Bucknall 14th October HARVEST FESTIVAL 21st October Mes Sneary & Finney 28th October Mes Rees & Ward 4th November Mes Rees & Ward

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THE CHILDRENS’ SOCIETY (www.childrenssociety.org.uk) Childrens' Society Collecting Boxes are opened each October. As in previous years I will start the process with an informal Coffee Morning at 'Shipton', The Hollow, Child Okeford, on Wednesday, October 18th, 10.30am to 12.00 noon. Please bring your boxes along and we will count the contents whilst you enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. Last year almost 120,000 Box Holders raised £1.6 million. Thanks to this support the Society worked, in 2017, with more than 13,500 children and young people who felt scared, unloved and unable to cope. The Society has been there to support so many vulnerable children who would otherwise have had no one to turn to - and by campaigning last year the Society helped to make life better for more than three million young people across the country. Maureen Soward - 860647

6 CHURCH CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER SIDESMEN READER

Wednesday 3rd October: 10.30am Holy Communion – Millbrook House

SUNDAY 7th OCTOBER – NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10.00am Matins – Okeford Fitzpaine (Mrs S Rawlinson) (Psalm 103:6-18; Song of Solomon 8:6-7; John 13:31-38) 10.30am Parish Communion – Child Okeford (Rev L Cook) (Mrs J Housley Mrs W Billington (Song of Solomon 8:6-7; Colossians 3:12-17; (Mrs V Beech John 13:31-38) Eucharistic Assistant: Ms C Angelucci Intercessor: Mrs R Allen 11.00am Harvest Festival – Shillingstone (Rev K Wilson) (Isaiah 54:7-13; Matthew 25:34-40)

SUNDAY 14th OCTOBER – TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10.00am Harvest Festival– Okeford Fitzpaine (Mrs S le Riche & Mr C Wilson) (Isaiah 54:7-13; Matthew 25:34-40)) 10.30am Harvest Festival – Child Okeford (Messy Team) (Isaiah 54:7-13; Matthew 25:34-40 10.30am Harvest Festival – Hammoon (Rev K Wilson) (Isaiah 54:7-13; Matthew 25:34.40) 6.30pm Evensong – Shillingstone (Mr M Riley) (Psalm 103:6-18; Song of Solomon 8:6-7; John 13:31-38)

Wednesday 17th October: 10.30am Prayer and Praise – Millbrook House

SUNDAY 21st OCTOBER – TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 10.00am Family Praise – Okeford Fitzpaine (Mrs S Le Riche & Mr I Carr) (Readings to be advised) 10.30am Matins – Child Okeford (Rev K Wilson) (Mrs D Bucknall Mr A Bolton (Psalm 31:19-24; \Micah 6:6-8; Luke 6:32-38) (Mrs S Clayton Intercessor: Mr M Lewis 10.30am Parish Communion – Shillingstone (Rev L Cook) (Micah 6:6-8; Ephesians 4:25-32; Luke 6;32-38

SUNDAY 28th OCTOBER – TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 9.00am Holy Communion Order 2 – Child Okeford (Rev L Cook) Ms C Angelucci Ms C Angelucci (1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 11:25-30) 10.00am Parish Communion – Okeford Fitzpaine (Rev L Cook) (Proverbs 15:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 11:25-30) 10.30am Family Service – Shillingstone (Mr M Riley) (Matthew 11:25-30)

SUNDAY 4th NOVEMBER – ALL SAINTS’ DAY 9.00am Parish Communion (said) – Shillingstone (Rev L Cook) (Isaiah 61:1-4; Hebrews 11:8-16; Luke 9:23-27) 10.00am Morning Worship – Okeford Fitzpaine (Rev K Wilson) (Psalm 23; Isaiah 61:1-4; Luke 9:23-27) 10.30am Parish Communion – Child Okeford (Rev L Cook) (Mr K Allen Mr R Billington (Isaiah 61:1-4; Hebrews 11:8-16; Luke 9:23-27) (Mrs R Allen Eucharistic Assistant: Mrs D Lagerberg Intercessor: Mrs A Rudd

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CHILD OKEFORD VILLAGE HALL Richard Rowe Central village venue for all occasions including parties, weddings, christenings, PICTURE FRAMING social events and meetings. Excellent advice and Expert framing The current regular users are: Badminton. Oils, water colours, prints, photographs etc Table Tennis. Short Mat Bowls. Wives’ Group. Gardening Club. Art Group. Flower Gilding, wash line mounts, dry mounting Arranging Club. Lunch Club. Restoration of oils, water colours & prints Can collect and deliver For further information please contact Tel. 07968 235566 Rowena Carmichael Tel: 01258 860169 Unit 3, Vale Farm, West Orchard, SP7 0LJ www.childokefordvillagehall.org.uk

8 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL Each year, in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday, the Royal British Legion launches its main fund-raising venture, the Poppy Appeal, to raise funds for its benevolent work in supporting service and ex-service members of the armed forces, their widows and dependent children who suffer injuries or disease, fall upon hard times or the difficulties that accompany old age. We, in Child Okeford, Manston, Hammoon and Hanford, have always supported this appeal wholeheartedly. Last year we raised a magnificent £2,918.09. There are three major strands to the fund-raising. In chronological order they are: The Door-to-Door Collection: This runs from Saturday, October 27th, to Saturday, November 10th. It is important to realise that you are not 'buying a Poppy' you are receiving a Poppy in recognition of a donation so please give the sort of donation that you would give to any other charity. Our Door-to-Door Poppy sellers will be going round the villages from October 27th so please welcome them with a smile and give generously. If you miss them there will be collecting boxes in the pubs and shops and at the Coffee Morning on November 3rd. You may find some sellers 'jumping the gun' and selling Poppies outside supermarkets etc before the 27th. Please resist the temptation! Donations to them will not be counted towards our total! Coffee Morning with Grand Draw: There will be the usual Coffee Morning in Child Okeford Village Hall on the first Saturday of next month, November 3rd. Last year books of raffle tickets (5 tickets at 50p each) were included with the October edition of The Hill. This resulted in well over twice as many visitors to the coffee morning compared with the previous year and overall takings increased from £342.15 to £816.50. We are repeating that exercise this year and you will find books of raffle tickets, together with an envelope and return details, in this edition of The Hill. Anyone who would like to take a stall to sell goods or to showcase their activities, please contact me. Armistice Day Service Collection: As usual the collection on Remembrance Sunday will be donated to the Poppy Appeal. This is, of course, a very special year and our silence will be within minutes of the time that the guns fell silent 100 years ago. This will be reflected in the service which will be conducted by Rev Karen Wilson as her first Remembrance Sunday service in the Benefice. Other Matters Wreaths: As always anyone who wishes to lay a wreath in memory of a loved one during the Remembrance Sunday Service will be very welcome. Contact me for details but be quick - extra wreaths have to be ordered and delivered. The cost (again a donation) is in the order of £20.00. This year Child Okeford WI plans to lay a wreath to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the branch and we will also be laying a wreath to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the RAF. Plaque on the War Memorial: We have been informed that the replacement plaque should be with us early in October so it should be in place before Armistice Day. The Silent Soldier: For reasons too convoluted to recount here delivery of our Silent Soldier was delayed. A new application has been submitted and delivery is anticipated 'within 14 days' so it may be in place before you read this - but then I said that last month didn't I!? And lastly - Volunteers: Over 60 volunteers in Child Okeford alone do the Door-to-Door collection, run the Coffee Morning and are role players in the Sunday Service. I am deeply indebted to Mrs Vanessa Bastable for offering to master-mind the raffle this year following the death of Mrs Elizabeth Hawkins. She will welcome offers of prizes (Tel 860459). Volunteers are always needed and a particular shortage this year are Door-to-Door collectors. You don't have to be an OAP! If you can assist, please contact Mrs Angie Schwier (Tel: 860002) or me. Pat Soward - 860647 9 CALLING …….. ALL CAKE MAKERS ! ! ! ! !

On Saturday 3rd November, The Royal British Legion are holding their Annual Poppy Appeal and Coffee Morning in the Village Hall, along with other various stalls.

We had a bumper Cake stall last year and made lots and lots of money for a brilliant cause, by selling, Jam Tarts, Brownies, Fairy cakes, Shortbread, Victoria Sponge, Coffee and Walnut sponge, Fruit cakes to name but few.

Please please can I ask you to bake a cake or lots of little ones. Bring them along to the Village Hall on Sat morning before 10.00 am, so we can display them.

If you are unable to get to the Village Hall on Sat morning, you can always leave your cakes at my house on Friday 2nd, Maple Tree Cottage ,2 Jacobs Ladder .01258 860881

Thank you Oonagh Eveleigh

VICE ADMIRAL SIR BARRY WILSON KCB 1936-2018 – a Memory Twenty years ago and new to Child Okeford I first met Barry in prison. At that time he chaired the Board of Visitors (now the Independent Monitoring Board) and he was interviewing me to ascertain whether I was a suitable candidate to join the Board. Charming, polite and perceptive as he always was, he made an immediate impression on me. If this man could be monitoring the life of prisoners in our gaols, I could have confidence in the task at hand. He always gave the prisoners the same chances and respect as he would give anyone in the wider world beyond the confines of Guys Marsh. It was not unknown for him to roll his sleeves up (literally), move furniture and help a prisoner settle into accommodation upon release. Little did I know that he was also a person to whom one could not say “no” when the phone would ring and that booming voice would say “Jenny – Barry here---“. Thus it was, that having seen my meagre efforts on a bicycle, he persuaded me to join him one year on the church’s annual fundraising bike ride. We put the world to rights as we both dismounted to tackle the (for us) dizzy incline to Okeford Fitzpaine. When there was a call around the village for people to offer their time in volunteering in various ways, Barry joined with a few of us to form the Churchyard Working Group. His particular area was around the entrance gate and up the side of the church – two hours work on a Saturday morning only broken by much philosophising over coffee. I also went on a visit with him to the new Sailing Academy on Portland which included a trip around the latter where he had once been Officer Commanding. Child Okeford seemed strange without him when he and Elizabeth moved to Hayes House. The last time I saw him was a while after Elizabeth’s death when he was about to marry Georgina (who some of you will have met at COCCL) and with whom he has spent the last two happy years of his life. One of life’s gentlemen, it is a privilege to have known him, Jenny Kretz

10 IN MEMORY OF SIR BARRY WILSON KCB In late 1998 I was on “gardening leave”, prior to early retirement at the end of that year and wondering what the future held, when I saw a request in “The Hill” for someone with a computer who was computer literate to help with the production of a book to celebrate the millennium. I contacted the committee chairman, Barry, and went to the next meeting. On return from the meeting my wife asked how it went. After pause for thought I said “I think I’ve volunteered to get the book printed and then sold”. The rest, as they say, is history and there is, perhaps, an irony that Barry passed away a few days after we had made the book “Child Okeford: A Dorset Village” available on the village web site for the world to read and enjoy. I was then fortunate to enjoy 10 years or so working with Barry on various initiatives – The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations, which he chaired; various church related events when he was chairman of the PCC; and the “Trafalgar 200” celebrations for which Barry had various responsibilities throughout Dorset. And in his “spare time” he was chairman of SSAFA, Guys Marsh Board of Visitors and the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth and no doubt many more organisations. He was a truly remarkable man. But, perhaps, his greatest contribution to our community was to chair the committee which raised some £350,000 to build the premises now known as COCCL (Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning). In 2003, Barry and I attended a public meeting in the school following their failure to attract lottery funding for the scheme. By the end of the meeting, Barry was chairman of the new project team and I was secretary. We had our first official meeting in July 2003. On 5th March 2007, Sir John Tavener formally opened the new building. In between those dates we had many highs and many lows but Barry was tireless in his efforts, relentless in pursuit of funds – “no” was not an option – and picked us up when things looked grim. He was a truly inspiring man. I am sure many will say Barry was someone you couldn’t say “no” to. I see it slightly differently, as I experienced back in 1998. He was someone you said “yes” to but, until a while later, you didn’t appreciate what you had undertaken! I did however have one small victory. He never did persuade me to take his place as a bell ringer! It has been a privilege to have known Barry and to have enjoyed his company and friendship for many years. David Pope

THE BELLS…………THE BELLS…… THEY’RE COMING HOME!

Indeed, by the time you read this they will be home and you may even have heard them. To celebrate their homecoming there will be a service of dedication followed by refreshments on Tuesday 30 October at 1930 – and we hope to see everyone there. The village as a whole has made a huge effort to make this project happen, so do come and celebrate! Bob Crighton [email protected] 01258860650

11 HAMBLEDON THEATREGOERS It has been a very long time since we were last sitting in a theatre but the month is finally here for our visit to Salisbury Playhouse on the 25th to see ‘Salad Days’. Many members admit to having seen it ‘years ago’ (some lucky ones did so in London during its opening run) but they are coming again because it was such a wonderful show. I am sure Salisbury will do us proud and give the rest of us similar memories to treasure. Our first date this month, however, is on Friday 12th when we shall hold our Annual Meeting in the Community Centre at 10.30 a.m. The meeting is open to anyone who might be interested in joining our group so why not come and meet us. We were founded in 1995 by Jose Hopkin and we aim to have 5 trips a year, mostly matinées, and there is a vast repertoire of plays still out there to be enjoyed. The advantage of going to Salisbury as a group is reflected in the lower ticket cost for the centre stalls. Booking has now closed for the final visit this year. ‘Abigail’s Party’ takes place on November 15th so if anyone wishes to be on a waiting list in case of returned tickets, please let me have your contact details. Penny Nicholson 863442 ([email protected])

CHURCHYARD

Visitors to the church will have noticed that the churchyard is once again looking beautiful and well cared for. The hedges in particular are a delight. Many thanks to the PCC for this, and to Jethro for his careful work. It is much appreciated. Sincerely, Cllr Sherry Jespersen

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We serve a freshly prepared, regularly changing menu and can cater for small gatherings of up to 12 people. We can also cater for buffets, wakes etc, please contact us to discuss your requirements. If you have friends or family visiting then view Daisy Cottage, our ‘Home away from Home’ letting cottage, all details & images are available on our website.

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Two holiday lets sleeping four and six people that can be rented separately or together Lucinda Sunnucks - Chisel Farm DT11 8HH Tel 01258 863413 [email protected] www.chiselbarn.co.uk

Tuesday’s class is for Portman Hall, Shillingstone Mondays: 9.30am – 10.30am over 50s Child Okeford Community Centre Tuesdays: 10.00am - 11.00am The Latin-Inspired, The Exchange, S. Newton £5.00 per class easy-to-follow, Wednesdays 9.30am - 10.30am

Nicola Thommes - 0788 792-1717 dance fitness class Stourpaine Village Hall [email protected] Thursdays 9.30am-10.30am

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Alpacas charm the WI We began the autumn programme with a visit from Hurricane and Lightening, two alpacas from Alpaca Adventure in Shaftesbury! Owner and handler, Wendy Williams, gave a highly informative and entertaining talk about her work with alpacas. She has taken her team of alpacas to over 205 Care homes this year as they interact particularly well with dementia patients. She recently featured on an edition of BBC Country File where she visited a local care home with two alpacas along with presenter Adam Henson. Wendy described how she cares for the animals, their breeding patterns, the fleece shearing process and how to ensure the best conditions to create the finest fleece which she sells on to craft makers. Several members purchased the very soft alpaca wool socks bought along as examples. Alpacas make excellent guard animals and, on her small holding, they protect the sheep from the foxes with great success! Wendy also breeds alpacas and she described how good the mothers are at caring for their babies, who are called Crias. Wendy has won many prizes when showing her alpacas at local and national agricultural shows. Thunder and Lightning were impeccably behaved throughout the talk, they listened to every question from members and won over the audience with their grace and beauty! At the end of the talk, members had the chance to stroke the animals and many photos were taken! Photos can be seen on our news page at: www.childokefordwi.wordpress.com For a fun and different way to spend a morning or afternoon, you can book a walk with alpacas, and meet Wendy, at www.alpacaadventure.co.uk Our next meeting is a change to our schedule: We will welcome Jenny Kretz from ‘Home Start: North Dorset’ who will talk about the work of this local charity. She will be supported by a volunteer and a member of family who has benefitted from the help given by Home Start. This talk is part of our contribution to the current National Federation of Women's Institutes resolution on ‘Make Time for Mental Health’. Home Start now have increasing demands for their work with families where mental health is a major issue. We will meet on Monday 8th October at 2pm at The Community Centre. Several WI members will be helping at Oketoberfest on Sat 6th October at 6.30pm……come, enjoy the beer but please don’t pull our pigtails! For further details of this, and future events, do go to our website. For more details or a chat about joining our WI please contact:

Pam Morris, President 01258 863791

Gaynor Cox, Secretary 01258 861145

Or visit: Our website: www.childokefordwi.wordpress.com

Our WI Email address: [email protected] Please note this email address will be changing soon. Details to follow

Our Twitter feed : @ChildOkShoWI

Contributed by ……… - Communications Team

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CHILD OKEFORD GARDENERS CLUB September Report The Autumn season of meetings began with David Usher speaking to a large audience upon the ‘Care and Management of Trees and Shrubs.’ David started by asking the members to examine plants they were buying before moving on to planting, staking both bare root and rootball plants and caring for this new addition to your garden. He also pointed out that this new addition may be there for 30 to 200 years so to consider the size of the mature plant to available space and to be aware of what may lie beneath eg. pipes and cables. A large tree will also bring obligations regarding safety for you, your neighbours and the general public. He also looked at the tools available for the jobs you may have to do before moving on to the subject of pruning. David gave demonstrations of pruning upon a variety of plants brought in and reminded members that some prunings can be used for cuttings and is thus a free source of plants. His advice upon cutting back lavender was particularly novel, but suggested old well grown lavender plants do not necessarily have to be discarded. David Usher gave an interesting and stimulating start to this season with his advice and guidance being well received. Next Meeting Wednesday 3rd October in the Village Hall at 7:30pm An In-House Work Shop Once again we are trying something different and using the knowledge and experience of members. Alan Blackman will be looking at ‘Composting’ – how to compost and what happens to garden waste sent away. Tricia Samuels will be looking at ‘Propagation’ – dividing plants and taking cuttings. Viv Leigh will be looking at ‘Dried Flowers’ – preserving flowers for dry flower arrangements. Bob Ward will be looking at ‘Garlic’—how to grow garlic. Everyone attending will have the chance to visit each demonstration in a small group, watch and ask as many questions as they wish. Future Meeting Wednesday 7th November in the Village Hall at 7:30pm Mr Adams will speak upon ‘Butterflies of Dorset’ We look forward to seeing you at future meetings and please remember all are welcome. May all grow well in your garden. Keith Leighton (Vice Chair) ph. 01258 861462

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GOLD HILL ORGANIC FARM Ridgeway Lane, Child Okeford, Dorset DT11 8HB, 01258 861916 www.goldhillorganicfarm.com Email: [email protected] What a great name Lego Lane for the footpath that Andrew and I started to re-open 12yrs ago. Love to know the origin of it. As many of you know walking through the village can be rather an 'exciting' experience. Phil and I would cut across our two fields to Legal lane so that we could walk safely to school. Other walkers followed us but this led to our fence becoming 'un-stock proof' (is there such a word!). So with a government grant of £500 we put in a permissive footpath and used the money for Tim James to put a 1m wide hardcore path down. This meant Phil and I could get to school even faster on bikes and it was a joy to see how many people used it to get to school. It was safer for kids to walk from Gold Hill than it was further in the village. When Phil was in yr 5 we invited the school children with Giles (The Local Ranger) to plant 35 different apple trees along the path. I had the romantic view that in future yrs kids from the school would walk down the path picking apples and reminiscing when they planted them. Some of the names are Slack Ma Girdle Exeter Cross Tom Puttt Beauty of Bath Christmas Permain Unfortunately we haven't looked after them as much as they deserve but in the future when we repair the fence and put in a new one we will. I had a lovely e-mail from a walker, his quote about the path and it 'untidiness' follows. The small Coppers (on creeping thistle) are doing well in the field margin, where the heritage apples trees are growing, a few weeks back there were also common blues in the same spot. A good advert for not cutting everything back, just for the sake of tidiness, you've created a nature reserve! The small copper is very Small (24-30mm) and although not rare, most people will never have noticed one. When we are working in our fields it’s amazing how many walkers go by I am sure it has increased from the 1990's, when we last farmed down there. Happy walking and I hope those 'Boots Keep on Walking Right up to our Farm Shop' Sara Cross

16 CHILD OKEFORD PARISH COUNCIL AND QUEEN ELIZABETH II PLAYING FIELD TRUST The Parish Council and Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field Trust met on 10th September. Footpaths. Thanks to the generosity of the landowners at Gold Hill Organic Farm; the hard work of our Footpaths Officer and the support of residents, the permissive path between Netmead and Legal Lane is now a public right of way. The Definitive Map, as the legal record is known, will now be updated at County Hall and the use of the path secured for future generations. This path is a footpath only, not a bridleway, though at a future date it might be possible to upgrade it to a cycle way which would allow shared use for cyclists and walkers. Meanwhile the broken style on the path between Shaftesbury Road and Gold Hill has been repaired and plans are in hand to replace the final style on the path behind Crate Cottage with a kissing gate, making this entire path accessible. A broken post by the Wilson Haynes Bridge has been reported to the rangers and will be repaired shortly. Remembrance Day. This year Remembrance Day will mark the centenary of the Armistice and will have particular significance. The Parish Clerk will write to the school and to village groups asking them if they would like to participate in the Village Remembrance Day Ceremony. The Council has purchased a Silhouette Soldier from the British Legion which will be placed in the churchyard. Highways. The work by Wessex Water in Haywards Lane and Station Road has been underway since July. A number of residents have complained that, on occasion, the road has remained closed when no work was going on. This has been raised with the Project Engineers. The road surface through the top end of Haywards Land is in very poor condition so the Clerk has requested an inspection by Highways in the hope that they will do some repairs after the Wessex Water work is complete. The traffic calming SID has been purchased. In the event the Council was able to buy a second hand device for half price, so the cost of the SID was £1040, plus £738 for the poles and installation. This was paid from the Council’s reserves. The next stage is to identify a small team of volunteers willing to be trained to manage and move the SID every six weeks. If you would be willing to help with this please contact the Parish Clerk. Meanwhile the planned walk through the village with the Speed Watch teams and the Community Highways Officer is still to be arranged. Playing Field. The Parish Council will give a grant of £5,000 to the CORGI project towards funding the installation of a pump track on the field. The total cost of this scheme, which includes an access path around the field, seating area and outdoor barbecue, is £50,000. The CORGI team have raised about £5,500 already but the intention is to raise most of the funds from grants. Planning. The Planning Inspectorate did not uphold the appeal against the refusal for planning permission at the Saxon Inn. Village Matters. A few willing helpers turned out for the litter pick at the start of the summer, so many thanks to those few. Residents are reminded that it is the responsibility of landowners to keep hedges cut back on the outside of their property. This is not done by the Council. Brambles and nettles grow quickly in the autumn and if your hedge is obstructing the road or pavement you could be liable for any damage to a passer-by. The next meeting of the Parish Council and Playing Field Trust will be held on Monday 1st October 2018, at 7pm, in the Community Centre. The Agenda will be on the notice board and the website and, as always, everyone is welcome to attend. Cllr Sherry Jespersen. 860482 17 The Saxon Inn Child Okeford Come to your friendly old village pub

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Call Andrew on 01258 837092, weekdays or weekends

Jake Trim

Electrician Sturminster Newton DT10 1BQ

Domestic 07964 407 665 Agricultural [email protected] Commercial

AUTO DIAGNOSTICS Steve Bealing ~ Painter and Decorator ~Interior & Exterior SERVICING, REPAIRS AND MOTs Friendly Professional Service TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS Competitive rates with no VAT (SERVICING CARRIED OUT TO NEW VEHICLES All jobs considered WITHOUT AFFECTING WARRANTY) Tel: 01258 861803 ~ Mob: 07815 957296 RENAULT SPECIALIST WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE. COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE. Polly "Bs" FREE LOCAL COLLECTION AND DELIVERY Local lady doing Holistic Treatments Massage, Reflexology Indian Head Massage & Ear Candling SERVICE. Also Beauty Treatments, Facials, Waxing Eyelash & Eyebrow tinting. Manicure & Pedicure Nail cutting and Hard Skin Removal 14D, SUNRISE BUSINESS PARK, HIGHER Appointments available during the day & evenings. SHAFTESBURY ROAD, BLANDFORD FORUM Some treatments available in your own home. Gift vouchers available. DORSET DT11 8ST Ring Pauline for a chat on 01258 880084 / 07760303332 TEL: 01258 480456 Dorset Hypnotherapy • Anxiety, Fears, Phobias • Confidence, Weight, Exam Nerves • Smoking. Public Speaking

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01258 860169 [email protected] Award winning free -range eggs for farm gate sale beginning www.dorsethypnotherapy.com February . Google Map SP7 0LH. Lamb half or whole ready to order – 6, The Hollow, Child Okeford [email protected] (Opposite the village hall) Stuart & Vanessa Chadwick – Tel 07976 563024 tuart & Vanessa Chadwick Tel: 0797 656 3024 19

CHILD OKEFORD ARCHIVE

A few more random items from the 1979/80 book “Dorset Countryside Treasures” “SITES WITH HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS Cromwell's_Tree It is reputed that the large sycamore tree which stood in the grounds of the Old Rectory (now known as Malabar House) which had been taken over by Cromwell, was cut down by his soldiers because it spoilt his view of the River Stour. Another story suggests that the soldiers removed it for use in bridging the river. Seven strong saplings eventually grew up from the root, making 7 large trees. An attempt was made to cut them down but this so incensed the villagers that only two were felled, leaving the five which are still standing. SITES WITH LITERARY OR ARTISTIC CONNECTIONS The Bishops’ Bible* An original copy of the Bishops’ Bible, so named because it was prepared by a committee of bishops, and published by Richard Jugge in 1568, is kept in a glass-topped case at the foot of the pulpit in the Parish Church of St Nicholas. Sir William Kethe Whilst Rector of the Parish between 1561-1608, wrote the hymn "All people that on earth do dwell", affectionately known as the Old Hundredth, the popular hymn "0 Worship the King all glorious above", as well as twenty four psalms in metrical versions. He was also one of the translators of the Geneva Bible, so called because it was published there in 1500. This translation is popularly known as the Breeches Bible from the wording of Genesis Chap 3 verse 7 "... and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves breeches." He expressed a wish to be buried in the parish churchyard but unfortunately his grave is unmarked. Sir Arthur Sullivan Whilst staying at Hanford House in the early l870's, where he was a frequent visitor, Sir Arthur Sullivan wrote the music for the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers". The choir of the parish church was the first to sing the tune accompanied by Dr Sullivan (as he then was) on the church organ which had been built to his own specification. The Royal School of Church Music The choir of St Nicholas was the first to be affiliated to the School of Church Music (as it was then called), formed in 1927. SITES OF LOCAL TRADITIONS Keepers Feast. Gamekeepers assembled every year from the surrounding estates at the Baker Arms to enjoy a day's merry-making. Their chief form of entertainment, apart from eating and drinking, was games of skittles.” A full copy of the village submission can be found on the village web site (childokeford.org – The Village -Village History & Archive – The Village Archive – Booklets about the village) * The “Bishops’ Bible was stolen from the church in January 2009. It has not been recovered. A booklet about the bible can be found on the village web site in the “About the Church” section of the village archive. David Pope (861411) [email protected]

20 FILM NIGHT, FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER CHILD OKEFORD VILLAGE HALL FILMFLIXS PRESENTS ** PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF FILM ** PHANTOM THREAD (15) Cast includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson Set in the glamour of 1950’s London, renowned couturier Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville) are at the centre of British fashion. Women come and go through Woodcock’s life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship, until he comes across a young, strong-willed woman, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who soon becomes a fixture in his life as his muse and lover. He finds his once controlled and carefully tailored life disrupted by love. Reputed to be Daniel Day-Lewis’s final film. Doors open at 7.00 pm, screening at 7.30 pm. Refreshments available. Advanced booking – Val Beech 01258 860518

THE ART STABLE Child Okeford, DT11 8HB 01258 863866 open Thurs - Sat 10-3 The Art Stable has a solo show by Peter Sedgley, running until 20 October, details below: Spacious Considerations Peter Sedgley is a leading figure in the Optical and Kinetic movements who came to prominence during the 1960s. Born in London, Sedgley studied architecture before devoting himself solely to visual art from 1959. Peter Sedgley’s first solo exhibitions in 1965 were held at McRoberts and Tunnard Gallery, London and Howard Wise Gallery, New York. He was included in the influential Responsive Eye exhibition at MOMA, New York in 1964 and was a prizewinner at the Tokyo Biennale in 1965.

It was during the sixties that his initial interest in light and movement were developed. The transformation of these two intangible forces, together with his search for different ways of using colour as a carrier for optical communication, have become his life-long themes.

In the 1960’s Sedgley started experimenting with dichroic glass which has the unique property of transmitting one colour while reflecting its complimentary. This opened up new ways of working and led to the creation of kinetic pieces during the 1980’s and 90’s and since 2000 to the construction of what Sedgley has called ‘Windomes’. The works are both mirrors, in which viewers can see themselves and windows into a passageway beyond.

In 1971 Sedgley was invited by the DAAD to Berlin where he took up residence and during the 80’s and 90’s won large scale public commissions, mainly in Germany, working with light and sound in collaboration with composers. In 2000 Kelly Ross presented the first solo exhibition of Peter Sedgley’s work in London for seventeen years, to coincide with his 70th birthday and The Art Stable has presented two solo exhibitions of his work. He was included an exhibition reviewing the 60’s, Summer of Love: Art of the Psychedelic Era at Tate Liverpool in 2005 and Traces du Sacre at the Pompidou Centre in Paris in 2010. He has many works in public collections including Tate, London, Victoria and Albert Museum, the Government Art Collection and the Walker Art Centre, Minneapolis. 21 CHILD OKEFORD CENTRE FOR CARE AND LEARNING (COCCL) It is very disappointing that ill health has prevented Hilary Townsend from opening our 2018-19 season. However, we do have three very attractive meetings lined up for the pre-Christmas period - October 15 - Rev Stewart Timbrell on “Wonders and Blunders”. A man of many parts, Rev Timbrell became a clergyman only after a spell as an engineer, working in shipyards. Having joined the Church, he became chaplain to a large psychiatric hospital. And he has now become popular as an entertaining speaker, drawing on his varied experience. November 19 - John Combes - “Exploring the Dorset Stour”. John is a photographer of the highest class, kept very busy with talks and using his fees to keep his equipment up to date. This talk will cover the course of the River Stour from Hengistbury Head to Stourhead, including flowers, wildlife and places of interest, with sound recordings and musical arrangements. December 3 - Gordon Le Pard on “Picking Darcy’s Pocket”. Mr Le Pard was formerly an archaeologist working for Dorset County Council, specialising in maritime archaeology. He has applied his professional approach to the social history of late Georgian and Regency times, based on what might be found in a gentleman’s pocket in that period; he will bring a collection of artefacts for illustration. It will not be surprising if the influence of Jane Austen can be detected! Newcomers to the village, and some residents of longer standing, may not be familiar with COCCL. Our talks started back in 2006, at the time when The Ark’s accommodation had been built as an extension to St Nicholas School: most of our meetings take place in The Ark’s room, but for larger meetings (e.g. Julian Fellowes, Paul Atterbury. Simon King) we have been glad to use the School Hall. Sir Barry Wilson, whose funeral took place on 11 September, was our first Chairman. Each year we aim to provide a varied programme, of interest to all ages. People enjoy not only the talks but the interval refreshments, which give an opportunity for pleasant conversation. A “spin- off ” is that the surplus on each season’s meetings, after deducting expenses, can be distributed by the trustees to good causes - some local, some further afield such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Home Start and the North Dorset Women’s Refuge. And some speakers have given their fees to causes such as the John Muir Trust, the Rural Music School, the Air Ambulance and the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Programme cards with details of all our meetings in 2018-19 (there are 4 more meetings in the New Year) have been distributed to most homes in the village, and some more widely. To book for meetings, please ring T860767 and speak to Christine or myself. Prices (kept steady since 2006!) are £5 for adults, £3 for under 16s, and this includes the cost of interval tea or coffee and biscuits. We look forward to hearing from “regulars” and from new friends. Grahame Downer.

BLANDFORD MUSEUM

October events for Blandford Museum Thursday 18th October 7.30pm Blandford Museum Archaeology Group talk: Miles Russell of Bournemouth University on Piltdown Man - unmasking the perpetrator of the hoax. All welcome Saturday 27th October Blandford Museum closes for the season, reopens Spring 2019

22 MANSTON AND HAMMOON VILLAGE HALL As usual the 1st Saturday of the month is our coffee morning. This will be 6 October 10.30 - 12.00 in Manston. We have scrumptious cakes, tea and coffee. Everyone is very welcome to come and enjoy a good chat and a relaxing couple of hours. Don’t forget to book up soon if you’re a regular user of the hall as bookings are filling up fast. Contact Carin on 07766 764878 Maria - Secretary. - Village Hall Committee

CHILD OKEFORD COFFEE MORNING The next coffee morning is on October 6th Child Okeford Village Hall entry £1 10-30 12noon, Good Raffle, Cakes, Books, CD, DVD, CARDS, All Welcome. We made £75 at the September Coffee Morning Thank you for your support. Sylvia Holdeman 01258861055

The Baker Arms Folk Session 2nd Thursday every month, next on 11 October James and Desi 860260

CHILD OKEFORD WALKING GROUP The next walk will be on October 18th and will be led by me. It is hoped to visit the Purbeck coast (weather permitting). As usual we will meet at the Village Hall at 09.30. Would those who wish to go on this walk please contact me (contact details below) before Sunday October14th; newcomers are welcome. I am looking for a volunteer to lead the November walk (Nov 15th); anyone willing to lead this walk please contact me. The December 13th walk (note this is the 2nd Thursday in the month and not the usual 3rd Thursday) will be in the Child Okeford area and will finish with a Christmas lunch at a local pub. Roger Hull Tel: 863418 Email: [email protected]

UK BOOGIE WOOGIE CLUB The monthly club nights are on the first Monday of the month at 7.30 in the Stour Connect Centre on Bath Road in Sturminster Newton. We hope to see you there!

23 WILDLIFE NEWS Re my enquiry last month as to whether anyone has seen hares in the vicinity of the village, I had a reply from Marilyn Peddle who says that she sees and has photographs of them in the area at the foot of the hill by the manor. She sees them when walking her dog at dawn, and says they are very wary of humans and dogs, and soon disappear. I then subsequently had an email from Susan Schwarz who lives at the manor, saying that there have been hares around them for the past twenty years, and she also iterated how shy they were of humans and dogs. (On googling “hares”, I found out they are mainly nocturnal, so it looks like one needs to be up very early to see them.) Regarding the sighting of a large snake which I reported last month, both Graham Brown and Sylvia Holdeman emailed that a large snake was almost certain to be a grass snake. Graham also said that the allotments are a good place to see snakes, having once seen three grass snakes under one piece of tin. Tricia Samuel reports that she frequently comes across grass snakes in her garden, and from time to time has to disentangle them from the netting around her soft fruit area! Furthermore she has seen, and held, their eggs hatching in her compost area. (Again googling, I found that to survive and hatch grass snakes eggs need a high temperature, at least 21C, and high humidity, which occurs with rotting vegetation; hence compost heaps are a favoured location.) And still on snakes, I had an email from Alan Blundell which I quote verbatim: “Last year we returned from a day out to discover a foot of grass snake sticking out of a land drain grid next to our garage. It was clearly stuck and very unhappy. It hissed at us and thrashed itself around. Rosemary covered it with a towel while I tried to gently pull it out. That was impossible. I then got 2 large tyre levers and managed to prize the grid apart sufficiently to release the snake. It was about 3 feet long. As we held it, it played dead so we placed it near a ditch and twenty minutes later it had gone. Next day a large grass snake was seen in our neighbours garden. The original slot in the grid was 9mm wide and I managed to stretch it to 15mm. I don't know how it got in the drain, it must have come from a long way downstream.” On another previous topic, swallows, martins and swifts, I am seeing quite a lot of swallows and martins now, often sitting on telephone wires or electricity cables; numbers presumably boosted by this year's young. It is interesting that swallows and martins can often be seen well into autumn, whereas swifts have all returned to Africa by early August. Susan Schwarz also reports that there are quite a lot of roe deer in the area around the manor. Marilyn Peddle also reports many sightings, and even I frequently see them. On the subject of butterflies, Marilyn Peddle adds Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood to the list of those I itemised last month as seen in the village this summer. I saw, for the first time ever, a Small Copper in the garden on 1st September, and one was also seen subsequently by Roger Hull. And Lynne Crighton saw a male Chequered Skipper on the 2nd. I make this a total of 15 different types spotted in and around the village since Wildlife News started in June. Alan Blundell tells me that the parakeet which I reported last month as having turned up, appears (good news) to have disappeared. Finally, if you have not come across it, I recommend Marilyn Peddle's web site, www.marilynjanephotography.co.uk, which contains wonderful photographs of local wildlife and landscape, and a diary of, predominantly local, nature walks. All contributions to me at [email protected]

24 LOCKSMITHS 24/7 Quantum Locksmiths • Locks changed/repaired, UPVC specialists • Key cutting, doors/windows repaired • Lock Out/Gain Entry, DBS Checked & fully insured, No VAT Reg Hogg 01258 721236, mobile 07900196427

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KEITH ALLEN BAFRA Member, City and Guilds Qualified Tel: 01258 860068 or Mob: 07717 827427

RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION WORK Repairs & Restoration to all Antique & Period Furniture, Longcase and Bracket Clocks Veneering and Repairs to Veneer, Marquetry Repairs French Polishing, Staining, Colour Matching & Finishing

ELM HOUSE STUDIO HUW LEWIS Child Okeford DT11 8EJ Former horticultural student from Pottery made in Dorset by Kingston Maurward Cath and Jerry Broadway Ceramic artists I will mow your lawns & do Brightly coloured Earthenware and any basic gardening or manual work for Stoneware Ceramics £12 an hour Studio Pottery for all occasions Telephone: 01258 863662 Please contact me on: 01258 863800 Email: [email protected]

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Offering Sports and Remedial Massage, Personal Training and Stott Pilates. An holistic take on wellbeing and fitness to work towards your goals and ambitions. With Matt and Kate, qualified and insured fitness professionals. Please call for more details (01747 811920) or look at our lovely website. www.welltroddenpath.co.uk or email: [email protected]

Izzy Cotton [email protected] Going on holiday? Need someone to look after your pets or walk your dog? BESPOKE HAND CARVED: Going out? Need a babysitter? MEMORIALS & CREMATION PLAQUES Want some help at your event or party? PET STONES, HOUSE NAMES, FIREPLACES Need someone to take in the mail and water the plants ALL RELATED MASONRY PRODUCTS when you’re away? Produced at our workshops at Farringdon, Nr Blandford Have you got a mailshot you’d like delivered locally, or need someone to stuff envelopes? Tel: 01747 811602 or 01202 698075 To get in touch please call or text: [email protected] 07553 157061 or 01258 863651 www.dorsetstonememorials.co.uk 25 CHILD OKEFORD VILLAGE HALL A notable day in the recent life of the Hall was 18 August when we promoted an Artsreach event “Tales from the Trees” presented by the Squashbox Theatre. When I wrote a few days earlier bookings stood at “over 80”: in the event 110 of us crowded into the hall - half adults, half children (sitting on cushions). The hall was filled with happy noise as the children responded to Craig Johnson the “Forest Ranger” and his puppets. Hard work by our committee was duly rewarded. We look forward to another Artsreach event on 15 December, when 3 chaps under the name of The Churchfitters will present their “Christmas Cracker”. “Three virtuoso musicians strut their stuff ” on a variety of instruments: “Foot-stompingly fast fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock bouzouki” it says! A regular feature at the Hall is the Coffee Mornings on the first Saturday of each month. In October and November there will be something special. On 6 October Jane Stokes will bring her recorder group under the name of “Fingers and Thumbs” to play background music: she may have a few of the “Mere Mortal” CDs for sale in aid of the MS Society. Then on 3 November the proceeds will be for the RBL Poppy Appeal and the “Silent Soldier” will be present. With regular activities and some special events, the run-up to Christmas is sure to be a busy period at the Hall. Grahame Downer.

A DOG’S LIFE The sun has been fully out for at least five hours as White and I set out on our daily walk and it’s quite hot already. I’m a bit embarrassed ‘cos White is wearing a pair of green shorts which reveal a couple of white—what else, knobbly knees. I try to pretend that I’m delighted that he should be so bold as to make such a presentation to the general public without warning, but I’m also delighted that we are taking our usual morning route over the fields behind the house, across Melway Lane and on down to the fields beyond the big house, where we are seldom likely to meet anybody. It will in due, course, happen I’ve no doubt; but let it be once the afore said knees are satisfactorily weathered! But, if I can manage to be serious for a moment, It is splendid that we have been able to enjoy this spell of fine weather, even if the hose has to come out to keep the garden from wilting. Have I mentioned before that White has played the age card and persuaded a splendid young fellow with red hair—I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dog with red hair—to come and cut the lawns around the house. I can see that, for an old chap like White, it is expecting a bit much. After all, the garden is on a slope and the mowing machine gets heavier every year—so he tells me. Anyway, he does take to cuttings to the Tip where he can pretend that he has actually mowed the lawns himself! There is a lot of grass to mow, and the garden looks so much better once it has been done. Now, what else has happened? I remember!! There has been some sort of celebration, ‘cos they have been together for a long time. I think somebody said that it has been fifty five years, but I can’t imagine that anyone could have put up with White that long; it must be something like four dog lifetimes! Anyway, they gave that as an excuse to spend the other evening in the pub, and came back very pleased with themselves! I think I’ve mentioned that White is complaining that he feels as if there is a red hot coal in his right buttock! I don’t really understand what he is talking about, but now long suffering Grey has taken to coming on the evening walk with me. It’s very pleasant ‘cos I don’t get the grunting that he has taken to on the late shift! Until the next time, look after yourselves. BELLA 26 STURMINSTER NEWTON FLORAL GROUP Our event in October is a workshop entitled “Modern Pedestal or Large Vase “by Sally Taylor, this will take place on Wednesday the 10th of October in the Chiverick room at 7.30 pm. Everyone is welcome and the cost is £6 to non members, please ring either Debbie on 01258 473902 or Mary on 01258 472024 for any further information, Many thanks Sue Matthew

ST NICHOLAS WIVES' GROUP Ladies of the group met for coffee on September 12th and decided to slip the annual lunch at Udder's Farm Shop from October to Wednesday, November 14th. Our next meeting will be a Coffee Morning in the Village Hall on Wednesday, October 10th, starting at 10.30am. Jackie will have menu choice details and will take names and menu choices for our Udder's Farm Lunch then. See you there. Maureen Soward – 860647

27 DEAR ARTISTS I have two more workshops coming up this Autumn in the lovely Mill Room at Springhead, Fontmell Magna. SP7 0NU. https://www.springheadtrust.org.uk

The first one is Monoprinting and Linocutting - Sunsets and Silhouettes - Wednesday October 31st - 10.30 - 4.00 This is a lovely combination of producing several colourful backgrounds full of light and energy through monoprinting. Then you will make a simple silhouette through linocutting that can be printed on top of the background. You will be able to produce a lovely series of progressive sunsets or sunrises. £70 including all materials More info here: https://www.rachelsargent.co.uk/printing-on-a-painted-background

The second one is Christmas card Linocutting - Thursday 15th November - 10.30 - 4.00 You can produce a lovely festive linocut that can be used to print cards, labels, bags or wrapping paper. You will be able to take the linocut home to continue printing your own unique packaging and cards. £70 including all the materials.

More info here: https://www.rachelsargent.co.uk/christmas-card-linocutting

Do ring me on 07957 452 853 if you have any questions. Rachel Sargent

FRIENDS OF BLANDFORD HOSPITAL The Friends of Blandford Hospital hold their very popular Autumn Fair in the Corn Exchange, Blandford on Saturday 20th October. The Fair runs from 9.30am -2pm and includes a huge variety of stalls with quality items at very good prices. There will be gifts, crafts, collectables and jewellery (including lots of Gold and Silver), toys and jigsaws, toiletries, Christmas cards and decorations, cakes and home produce, kitchen items, handbags, scarves, toys, children’s items, tombolas and our Grand Raffle. Refreshments will also be available. This is a great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping whilst supporting not just your local hospital but health related projects across the community. Further information on the event is available by calling 01258 451456.” As always, your support is very much appreciated and makes a real difference to our fundraising efforts by spreading the word across the community. The Friends of Blandford Hospital hold their final fundraising event of the year on Thursday 29th November. Doors open for their Christmas Bingo in the Hospital Dining Room at 6.30, with eyes down at 7.30pm. The seasonal prizes will be better than ever and all guests will receive a complimentary mince pie and mulled wine or juice. Further info from 01258 451456.

Many thanks for your ongoing support, Kind regards Emma Sisson

28 ARTSREACH EVENT IBBERTON & BELCHALWELL VILLAGE HALL FUND RAISING MY SWEET PATOOTIE

Saturday 13th October, Ibberton Village Hall

My Sweet Patootie embraces the fun that makes live music so intoxicating. With a sly wink and a grin, they draw you into a world of carnival barkers and nostalgic romantics, making you feel like you're a part of it all. Shades of vintage swing, country blues, folk, and ragtime collide in an uplifting vaudeville-style show performed with tight vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and humorous storytelling. It's a unique musical experience that transcends the borders of the acoustic-roots genre, promising to entertain music lovers of all kinds.

This dynamic trio features Canadian Folk Music Award winners singer-violinist Sandra Swannell and singer Terry Young who's fingerstyle guitar work functions simultaneously as the group’s guitar and bass. The tasteful brushwork of percussionists Paul Clifford (North America) and John Jackson (UK) perfectly complements their music.

Bookings - Annette Newman 01258 817269/[email protected]

Adult £9.50 U18 /child £6.50 Family £26 Raffle, Light Refreshments, Welcome to bring a bottle & a cushion!

29 HAMBLEDON HILL September and October will be a busy time at Hambledon this year. Firstly we will be dismantling the fence which runs along the outer rampart of the eastern enclosure, bordering the bridleway from the Shroton entrance up towards the southern bridleway entrance on the hill. The fence has come to the end of its serviceable life. Its removal will allow a more open landscape, providing access for both people and grazing animals; our Volunteer Rangers will be helping with this task. The straining posts will remain for the time being along with the existing gates. If we need to increase grazing pressure in the early part of next season an electric fence may be sited below the current fence line. Following the fence removal we will have a remote controlled Robo flail on site: a low ground pressure self-propelled flail, which can operate on steep slopes of up to 55 degrees. The machine will cut some of the brambles which impinge on the bridleway, along with areas of scrub regeneration and regrowth on the eastern ramparts, and in other locations across and below the hillfort. This year our 2018 Wessex Ranger conference will be held in Markstone Field in mid-September, a two day event with speakers and workshops tailored for the National Trust’s Ranger teams across Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Rangers will be camping in their own tents and various workshops will be held on a range of subjects around Farming for Archaeology and Nature – inspired by the beautiful setting of Hambledon Hill. Last and by no means least we will be carrying out erosion repairs in early September across the hillfort earthworks where slumps have occurred along with undermining caused by rabbit burrowing. This follows a condition survey we carried out last year highlighting where repairs are needed. We will use kibbled or pure chalk, as well as jute sacks filled with chalk, to re-profile slumps and scars, then cover these areas with mole hill spoil and turf taken from rampart ditches. By the spring, nature will help to maintain the repair by stabilising these areas with new plant growth. If you have any questions about the work please get in touch. I hope you have a lovely late summer and autumn at Hambledon. Best wishes Clive Clive Whitbourn Ranger, West Dorset Team

VOSKRESENIJE

Voskresenije, the world-renowned a-capella vocal group from St Petersburg, are coming back to Dorset by popular request, and will be performing in the parish church of St Peter and St Paul in Blandford on Saturday 20th October in aid of the church's Cupola Fund.

The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, will feature Russian classical and folk music, and is an unmissable opportunity to hear some of the best vocal harmony in the world.

Evening parking in the town is free. Tickets are £10, to include a cup of tea or coffee in the interval, available from Liz on 01258 452506, or go to www.b-c-p.co.uk and follow the link.

Best wishes Liz Rawlings

30 SURGERY NEWS It’s flu jab time! To help stay healthy this autumn/winter and prevent the spread of flu to others, it’s time to have your annual flu jab. Flu is contagious, and can be passed on through coughing, sneezing or by touching contaminated surfaces. Anyone over 65, patients with particular health conditions such as asthma, and carers will be invited by text, letter or prescription reminder to make an appointment for one of the special Saturday sessions below: Eagle House Surgery • 6th October - Adults only • 20th October - Everyone eligible • 3rd November - Everyone eligible Whitecliff Surgery • 22nd September (Blandford) • 13 October (Blandford) • 3rd November (Child Okeford) The parents of all children born between 1.9.2014 and 31.8.2016 should also book flu nasal sprays at their surgery. School age children will have them at school Alternatively, if you have an appointment with your Doctor or nurse on another matter, you can ask for your flu jab at the same time. Doctors will have supplies of the flu vaccine available in the surgery. If you have been invited but don’t want your flu vaccine, please inform the surgery. You will still be invited again next year! It is also a good idea to stock up on cold relief products. If you need any help with what to buy, your local pharmacy can advise you.

CHILD OKEFORD FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB Our September meeting gave our members a choice between ‘An unusual vase’ and ‘Hogarth’s Line of Beauty’ for their practical outcome. The former gave members a chance to interpret colours, textures and styles suited to a particular container. The latter taught them control of line, movement and balance while creating the famous ‘S’ shape with flowers and foliage. We enjoyed the afternoon as we learned (or revisited) useful tips and techniques. The Workshop at 2.15pm on October 16th is entitled ‘Well Dressed Bottles’ so we will be using various floral ideas to decorate bottles as gifts. This could be useful for any occasion, any recipient and any type of bottle, whether or not it contains alcohol! Visitors or curious observers will be welcome and if you would like a worksheet or more information please contact us. Sue Brown 01258 863775

31 CORGI The rest of 2018 is full of great social events for everyone of all ages to enjoy. We are all getting excited about the upcoming Hill Race and Oketoberfest on the 6th October taking place at Child Okeford Recreational Ground. It is going to be a very busy day with the Fun Run starting at midday and the Hill Race starting at 1.00pm. There will be a bbq and a bar for those waiting eagerly for runners to get back. Even if you aren’t taking part in the races please come along and support. Prize giving will be at 3.00pm. Good luck for all those taking part. In the evening we are holding our first Oketoberfest and hope that you can come along for some fun. The Oompah band will be playing a great selection of songs and we can assure you of an evening of laughs and much thigh slapping! All accompanied by a selection of beers, we will also have wines and prosecco. Tickets can be purchased at the Cross Stores or from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/oketoberfest-tickets-49730092044. In early December we are holding a Christmas Ceilidh and we will also be holding a Carols by Lantern procession to get us all in the Christmas mood. CORGI COMMUNITY CENTRE Thank you to all who came to the Barbecue evenings in August and helped to make them such fun. With the start of the academic year the Community Centre has been a hive of activity. The After School cafe is open again and St Nicholas Church held its regular coffee morning last week. Looking ahead the Macmillan Coffee morning will be held on 28th September. All are welcome. On the 6th October there is the annual Oktoberfest and the Hill Run. Please keep your eyes open for posters around the village or visit the website for details. The centre now welcomes as regular users; Yoga, Zumba the Messy Church and the Mill Singers. If you would like to watch the Shaftesbury Football Club 3rd 11 play, they have a regular fixture on Saturday afternoons. Andrew Stevenson-Hamilton DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST North Dorset Group Events Calendar 2018/19 The North Dorset Group of the Dorset Wildlife Trust holds talks and walks throughout the year. Our new calendar of talks for the autumn/winter programme are detailed here. All talks take place at Fontmell Magna Village Hall (SP7 0PF) on the third Wednesday of the month and start at 7.30p.m. A small donation of £2.50 is invited to defray expenses and this includes tea/coffee, Honeybuns cakes & biscuits. There is also a stall selling items from DWT’s extensive range and a table displaying a variety of helpful leaflets on Dorset’s flora and fauna. Wednesday 17th October: ‘The Secret Life of the Dormouse’ An illustrated talk by Steve Oliver (DWT’s North Dorset Warden). Wednesday 21st November: ‘Wildlife Crime in Dorset’ An illustrated talk by PC Claire Dinsdale from the Dorset Police Wildlife Crime Unit. 32

33 WHAT’S ON October 1 CO PC meeting p16 (errata – meeting on 8th) to 20 Art Stable show p20 3 CO Gardeners Club meeting p14 6 CO coffee morning p22,25 6 Manston & Hammoon coffee morning p22 6 Hill Run p31,32 6 Oketober Fest p31,32 6,13&20 Flu jabs p30 8 CO WI meeting p13 10 SN Floral Group p26 10 St Nicholas Wives’ Group coffee morning p26 11 Baker Arms folk session p22 12 Hambledon Theatregoers AGM p11 13 Jumble sale p26 13 My Sweet Patootie p28 14 CO Harvest Festival p3 15 COCCL talk p21 16 CO Flower Arranging Club p30 17 DWT talk p31 18 CO Walking Group p22 18 Childrens’ Society informal coffee morning p5 18 Blandford Museum talk p21 20 Mills Singers p5 20 CO coffee morning p3 20 Voskresenije p29 20 Friends of Blandford Hospital Autumn Fair p27 24 CO Lunch Club p11 26 CO Film Night p20 (note change of film) 28 Macmillan coffee morning p31 30 Service of dedication for The Bells p10 31 Artists Workshop p27 November 3 CO coffee morning & Poppy Appeal p8,9 3 Flu jabs p30 7 CO Gardeners Club meeting p14 14 St Nicolas Wives’ Group lunch p26 15 Artists Workshop p27 15 Theatregoers p11 15 CO Walking Group p22 EDITORS NOTES Please could we have your copy for the next edition by Saturday 20 October, 0900. We welcome contributions by email to [email protected] or please pop them through the door at Highlands, opposite the ‘old’ Post Office. It is also helpful if you would leave a phone number. The letters and articles published in The Hill are accepted in good faith and the views expressed are not necessarily the views of the Editors, whose decisions on publication are final. The Hill is published by the Child Okeford Parochial Church Council & printed by Sarum Graphics 34

THE OKEFORD BENEFICE www.okefordbenefice.org Facebook @okefordbenefice Rector and Assistant Rural Dean: The Rev’d Lydia Cook 863774 / [email protected] (Lydia’s day off is Saturday) Assistant Curate: Rev’d Karen Wilson 861051/ [email protected] (Karen’s day off is Monday) Licensed Lay Minister: Mr Mark Riley 860718 Lay Worship Leaders: Mr Steve Vestbirk 860910; Mr Peter Willetts 861065; Mrs Abi Rudd 861367 Lay Pastoral Assistants: Ms Carolyn Angelucci 860049; Mrs Ruth Allen 860068; Please direct all enquiries regarding Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals to Lydia The benefice is grateful to be served also by retired Lay ministers Details of all services throughout the Benefice will be found on page 6 Parish Council Clerks Child Okeford with Manston PCC Child Okeford PC [email protected] Secretary: Mr Merlin Lewis: 863800 Correspondence Secretary: Mrs Ruth Allen: 860068 Manston and Hammoon PC Emma Smith 01258 473895 Churchwardens [email protected] Bookings Child Okeford Child Okeford Village Hall Mr Simon Baird: 860477 Rowena Carmichael: 860169 Mr Keith Allen: 860068 [email protected] [email protected] Hammoon Child Okeford Community Centre Mr Charlie Poe: 860325 Kirsty Baird 01258 860477 Mr Steve Vestbirk: 860910 Manston Village Hall Mrs Carin Ljungdell: 472825 The Hill Shillingstone Parish Magazine Subscriptions: Editor and Magazine Advertisements Alan Blackman: 860118 [email protected] Diana J Lewis: 472704 [email protected] Distribution: Mrs Sally Bolton: 861088 The Fippenny News Editor and Advertisements Editor: Derek Day: 861979, Richard Muffett: 860010 [email protected] [email protected] community.com: Editor The Community Office, The Exchange: 471456

DUNCAN HITCHINGS THE NOBLE CLEANER Master Craftsman All Domestic Cleaning Duties FURNITURE AND CABINET MAKER Cleaning, washing, ironing etc. General daily duties. All ironing now www.duncanhitchings.co.uk undertaken, free collection and deliveries. Individually designed, bespoke wooden furniture, (Excludes weekends) kitchens, doors and windows, beautifully crafted and Here to help make life easier installed by Duncan Hitchings Please call Miss Ball Unit 2a, Barnhaven Farm, Rivers Corner, Sturminster 07938389250/01258 861651 Newton, Dorset, DT10 2AD [email protected] 07814 601 291 e: [email protected]