Handicrafts Steal The Annual Show

As reported by Chair of Broadwindsor & District Horticultural Society, Brian Stone:

“The Handicraft section was the star of this year’s show, with 54 stunning exhibits, including a magnificent rocking horse, from Howard Foster, that took pride of place at centre stage.

Despite yet another difficult growing season, due to the weather conditions, there was still a good display of flowers and vegetables.

The mega marrows caught everyone’s attention, with the winner, grown by Bill Pearson, being an impressive 38 kilos (84 lbs). There were also a good number of entries in the other five sections: flower arrangement, photography, homecraft, art, and the classes for younger people.

We received a total of 417 entries (373 in 2022) from 65 people (60 in 2022).  The quality of the entries was very high and it was particularly pleasing to see ones from people who had never entered the show before.  Visitor numbers were similar to last year at 135 compared with 143 in 2022.


The winner of the Comrades Hall Cup for the highest total of points in the show was Kirsty Moore.

In the Fruit and Vegetables section, the winner was Bill Pearson. Second place went to Kirsty Moore.  The WL Giles Cup for the Top Tray was won by Bob Link and the Bennett Cup for the best onions was won by Roy Gunning.  In the Flowers section, the overall winner was Jo Love, who received the Jim Crabb Trophy.  The Reg Hansford Trophy, for a vase of mixed flowers, was won by Bob Link and the Ian Jones Dahlia Cup was won by Pauline Busk.  The Doug Creed Trophy for the best perfumed rose was won by Liz Studley. The Bob Wills Hydrangea Cup was won by Jo Love. This year, the Garden Cup was awarded for the best hanging basket and this was won by Mandy Turner.  In the Flower Arrangement section, the Floral Challenge Cup was won by Julia Borland and the Leonard Studley Cup for the best buttonhole was won by Jo Love.

In the Photographic section the Jubilee Photographic Cup for the best photo was won by James Dawson, with Ali Barton taking the Photographic Trophy for the most points in the section.

In the Homecraft section, the WI Challenge Cup was won by Mandy Turner, with Ali Barton winning both the Richard Thornburgh Chutney Challenge Trophy and the Maurice Yarham Cordial Trophy.


In The Handicraft section, Sheila Gray won the Art Trophy and Kirsty Moore won the Handicraft Cup.

In the Young People’s section, and for the second year running, Eden Nikolov won both the Children’s Cup for the most points and the Community Shop Cup for the best exhibit.

So, no prizes for me this year.  I will just have to try harder in 2024.  Many thanks to all the exhibitors for their entries, to the judges for their sterling work and to those of you who came along to support us on the day.  However. my biggest thank you must be reserved for that small band of people who come along to help us set up the show and then on the big day undertake all those small but vital tasks that ensure that the show runs smoothly.  In this respect, it was a pleasure to be able to present a special RHS certificate to John Staff in recognition of his contribution to the society and the show’s success over the years.”

Note: this year’s AGM will be held in the Comrades Hall Servery On Tuesday 17th October with a 7:30pm start.
Also in October – the Autumn General Knowledge Quiz on Friday 27th starting at 7.30pm in The Comrades Hall.

Well done everybody!

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#Village,#WestDorset,#Community,#HorticulturalSociety,#AnnualShow,#Winners,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Trip To Longleat – Wednesday, 29th November

The Over 60’s Club are organising a fantastic day out to Longleat Safari Park and Festival of Light for just £52 per person 🙂 All are welcome!

Your ticket price includes:

N.B.: Entrance to the house is extra.

There are 4 options for your Pick Up point:

  1.  9.20am – Bridport
  2.  9.35am – Beaminster
  3.  9.45am – Broadwindsor
  4.  9.55am – Mosterton

Arriving at Longleat at approximately 11.30am, you are free to enjoy the attractions – and lunch – at your own pace.  The lights come on at approximately 4-4.30pm.
Leaving Longleat at 6pm, you’ll be home by 7.30-8.15pm, depending on your drop off.

Pay the full amount of £52 by cash or cheque, made out to Broadwindsor & District Over 60’s Club.
A £20 deposit will secure your seat. The balance of £32 to be paid no later than 15th October.

Please give your names to Rita, 868729 or Annette, 868639 as soon as possible as places are limited and filling fast for this marvellous day out 🙂

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#Village,#WestDorset,#Community,#Over60,#Longleat,#FestivalOfLight,#DayOut,#TimeOut,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Blue Supermoon – Thursday, 31st August

At 02.36hrs on Thursday, 31st August, we have the second Full Moon of this month and the third of four Supermoons this year- the biggest and brightest Moon of the year. Due to the hour, the Moon will appear its largest & brightest on the Wednesday evening.

Blue Moons occur about every 2½ years – hence the phrase “once in a Blue Moon!“. The Moon does not appear blue in colour. The Blue Supermoon is considered a powerful time to set intentions, release negative energy, and manifest abundance 🙂

A Supermoon is when the Moon is at its closest to our planet Earth. The increased gravitational pull of the Moon can cause higher tides, known as “Spring tides“.  These tides can have an impact on coastal ecosystems.

Overall, this Blue Supermoon is a rare and powerful event that holds great significance to many cultures and individuals.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#Village,#WestDorset,#Community,#BlueMoon,#FullMoon,#Supermoon,#NightSky,#LookUp,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

No FareShare Larder On Friday, 1st September

The FareShare Larder WILL be at Drimpton Village Hall this week, on Friday, 25th August from 9.30am.

It will NOT be there next Friday, 1st September.

The reason for this and the difficulties Fareshare are currently experiencing was given by the Help and Kindness Food Larder who coordinate the project…

“… – the need for more drivers is being worked on and both Help and Kindness/NDPAG are currently working with FareShare to spread the net wider in looking for additional volunteer drivers and reviewing and offering solutions to the approach taken to deliver to each larder.  Temporarily, FareShare have also employed a driver this week to help fill the gap. 

However, FareShare have advised this morning that next week from Monday to Friday inclusive (Monday 28th – Friday 1st September) there will be no larders….
We have been assured that a full normal service will resume from Saturday 2nd September.”

Thank you for your understanding. If you haven’t taken advantage of this membership scheme, there are still some places remaining to become a member – Click HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#FareShare,#Larder,#Support,#Food,#ClimateChange,#WasteNot,#WantNot,oodCrisis,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Turf Required – Can You Help?

Volunteers from the Comrades Hall Committee have been working on levelling off the area around the shelter and would just like to let it be known locally that if anyone has any turf off cuts left over, or are likely to have in the near future – they would be gratefully received!

Please contact Chair, Megan Jones on 01308 868067 if you can help. Thank you.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#Community,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2023,#Volunteers,,#ComradesHall,#canYouHelp,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Indoor Table Top Sale – Saturday, 9th September

All tables have been booked for what promises to be an afternoon full of bargains at The Comrades Hall on Saturday, 9th September from 2pm – 4pm.

An indoor event so no need to worry about our current English weather!

Entry is FREE 🙂

Teas, coffees and delicious cakes will be on sale.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#Community,#AONB,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#2023,#Sale,#The ComradesHall,#Fundraising,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Film Club – Friday, 15th September

At 7.30pm at the Comrades Hall on Friday, 15th September, Broadwindsor’s Community Film Club will be showing…

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret! (PG)

Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig and starring Abby Ryder Forston, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates
Running time: 1hr 46mins.

Eleven-year-old Margaret moves to a new town and starts to contemplate everything about life, friendship and adolescence.  She relies on her mother, Barbara, who offers loving support and her grandmother, Sylvia, who’s coming to terms with finding happiness in the next phase of her life.  A timeless coming-of-age story, Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret, sparkles with insightful humour while candidly exploring life’s biggest questions.

  • Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm.
  • Film Club members – Free entry
  • Guests – £4 (cash please)
  • Refreshments available, including a cash bar.
  • Seats can be booked in advance by contacting:
    Emma Myersbroadwindsorem@gmail.com or
    Margaret Wing01308 867252

#Broadwindsor,#Blackdown,#Burstock,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#Community,#Village,#September,#2023,#CommunityFilmClub,#N
ightAtTheMovies,#OffToTheFlicks,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Steve Knightley – Friday, 29th September

In a brand new one man show, ‘Unlock Me & other Lockdown Laments‘, Steve Knightley will perform material that surfaced over two years of isolation and inactivity. Songs such as the Bristol Slaver and You’ll Get By were refreshed by headlines and current affairs whilst classic covers such as Forever Young and The Boys of Summer struck a chord with the thousands that tuned in to his hours of online content.

Insights, anecdotes and a bunch of new songs will attempt to chronicle and draw a line under an extra episode in all our lives. BBC Radio 2 commented Committed and distinctive songs of love, conscience and history” .

Steve will be performing at Broadwindsor’s Comrades Hall (High Street, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QP) on Friday, 29th September 🙂

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

A bar will be available (cards accepted) and there will be an interval.

All tickets £20.00, no concessions – available from:

To purchase 1 ticket…

To purchase 2 Tickets…


  • Broadwindsor Community Stores (CASH ONLY!)
  • The White Lion (CASH ONLY!)
  • Directly from Wendy Shields
  • If you are unable to purchase your tickets locally from Broadwindsor Community Stores or The White Lion – then please transfer your required amount @ £20/ticket with your Name as reference and you can collect them at the door 🙂Paying by BACS – please use your Name as reference.
    Lloyds Account Name: Broadwindsor.Org
    Sort Code: 30-98-97
    Account Number: 34903363   Any queries – email: info@broadwindsor.org

The event is being brought to you by Broadwindsor.Org with 50% of any profit made by Broadwindsor.Org being donated to the Comrades Hall 🙂 The remaining 50% is being reserved to update equipment.

Here is Steve, recorded as part of the 2017 Southdowns Folk Festival on 21/9/17:

Enjoy the show!

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Community,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#AONB,#TheWhiteLion,#BroadwindsorCommunityStores,#SteveKnightly,#TheComradesHall,#LiveMusic,#KeepMusicLive,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Open More Hours At The White Lion

Broadwindsor’s Community Pub, The White Lion is extending the opening hours beginning this Thursday, 3rd August when they’ll be introducing Coffee & Cake all day, Thursday to Sunday.

  • Mon – closed
  • Tues – (run by volunteers) 6-9pm (until 10pm on monthly Folk Club nights).
    You are welcome to bring in your fish and chips from the van.
  • Weds – 5-11pm.
  • Thurs – 12 noon-11pm.
  • Fri – 12 noon-11pm.
  • Sat 11am-11pm.
  • Sun – 12 noon-11pm.

The kitchen will be open more too:

  • Thurs to Sun = 12-4pm
  • Weds to Sat – 5.30-8.30pm

Clive‘s marvellous cooking and Kerry‘s good use of social media are bringing in custom far and wide 🙂 Please view their menus below…

In order to accommodate more diners, the fortnightly Quiz has been changed from a Wednesday evening to a Sunday evening beginning on Sunday, 13th August.


With Friday nights being Clive’s Rib Night, cooked on his Braai –

Rick Dyke remains as Chairman following the Members Meeting.  The rest of the Management Committee are:

  • Charles Ouin – Legal & Membership Secretary
  • Sandra Burrows – Treasurer
  • Teri Small – Compliance
  • Fraser Hughes – Marketing
  • Sophie Sinton – Pub Maintenance, internal and external.
  • Andrew Hookings, Adam Slater, Paul Denham – to support other committee members, particularly with regards to finance, marketing and pub maintenance.

Keep Up The Great Work Everybody!

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Community,#Village,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#AONB,#TheWhiteLion,#ManagementCommittee,#Volunteers,#Braai,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe