Tag: #WestDorset

Conservation Volunteers Meet At Hursey Common – Thursday, 15th July

Very recently confirmed, Nick Gray, Conservation Officer for West Dorset’s Wildlife Trust will be at Hursey Common tomorrow (St. Swithin’s Day), July 15th and is calling out for local volunteers to join in…

“Dear All,
I hope this finds you well and relishing sunny prospects. We meet this week on St Swithin’s Day, July 15th, a day steeped in folklore and hay-making tradition… appropriately enough, as it turns out, because we’ll be swinging scythes and raking up arisings from a couple of species-rich patches at Hursey Common, near Broadwindsor.
You might think it’s a bit early to be cutting wildflowers off at the knees but I don’t have to tell you guys there’s always a balance with the more boisterous species, and cutting some areas slightly earlier will prevent weed species seeding and, as our aim is only to cut between a third and half of the target areas, begin a rotational cutting pattern that will tempt the flowering season to continue well into the autumn. Justification enough, I hope, and I’ll look forward to seeing you for a bit of mowing or raking or both.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW if you can make it so I can keep an eye on numbers as there may be a few local volunteers along to join us too. And, with apologies for another truncated day, we’ll be finishing around lunchtime again this week. But, in the sunshine’s honour, some of us can start a bit earlier too…

Please meet at Hursey Common – as on the map, or grid ref ST434026. There is a parking area on Hursey Common where there’s plenty of room. There are two patches to tackle, one next to the car park and one down the road, so if anyone who’s keen to do some mowing can arrive a bit earlier than usual at 9am, we can get a head start before rakers arrive at normal time of 10am… When you reply, if you could let me know your preference, I can manage tools too. If anyone has a rake or pitchfork they can bring along, that would be brilliant. And don’t forget gloves for the attendant nettles and thistles.

Also below is the Coronavirus Consent form that you may know about by now. Anyone who hasn’t already done so, please fill it in and email back to me, or if that’s tricky, I’ll bring along some paper copies. But please do have a look at it before the day. (Anyone who HAS already filled one in, I’ll bring your form along so you can just sign and date for this week…)

Don’t forget your drinks and snacks as I fear we still can’t share just yet.

Very many thanks as always, I’ll look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes,
Nick”

Nick Gray
West Dorset Conservation Officer

The Kingcombe Centre
Toller Porcorum
Dorchester
DT2 0EQ

Tel: 07824 438974

*If you would like to be involved with the limited volunteer activities going ahead – please download and complete the Coronavirus Consent form HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#DAONB,#Village,#BWGPC,#WestDorset,#Conservation,#HurseyCommon,#DorsetCouncil,#Mow,#Rake,#Scythe,#Volunteer,#Outdoors,#Sunshine,#SocialDistancing,#BeSensible,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Stableyard Restaurant Closed

The Stableyard Restaurant at Redlands Yard has closed for approximately 10 days due to a positive Covid case in their kitchen.

They hope to be back open again towards the end of week commencing 19th July and will keep customers updated on social media with plans nearer the time.

Stableyard Restaurant, BroadwindsorThey thank you for your understanding.

Please direct any enquiries to:
hello@stableyardrestaurant.co.uk

 

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#StableyardBroadwindsor,#RedlandsYard,#covid19,#PositiveTest,#ClosedDueToCovid,#BeSafe,#StayWell.#StaySafe

The Bishops’ Kitchen – July 21

DANDELION & LEMON BISCUITS

  • 20 dandelion heads
  • 125 g softened butter
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 1 egg, zest of 1 lemon & 1 tbsp juice
  • 180g plain flour
  • 20g cornflour
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Method:

Prepare the flowers: wash heads then remove petals by pinching firmly and pulling (a little green is ok but not too much as it can impart a bitter taste).
Cream the butter & sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and lemon zest. Sift in the dry ingredients and combine well. Add lemon juice and the petals then mix.
Dollop spoonfuls onto a baking tray and cook for 12 mins. at 180°C/Gas 4 until golden.
Cool on a wire rack and enjoy.

DANDELION & BACON SALAD

  • Large handfuls of unopened dandelion flower buds
  • 1 bunch (about 2 large handfuls) young dandelion leaves
  • 4 rashers rindless, smoked, streaky bacon
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin oil
  • 1 tbsp wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp caster sugar
  • Salt & black pepper

Method:

Wash the dandelion flowers and leaves and pat dry between paper towels.
Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry in a dry pan over fairly high heat until crisp then drain on paper towels.
Toss the dandelion flowers in the bacon fat over a medium heat until the buds are just open then drain on paper towels.
Put the dandelion leaves in a salad bowl and mix in the fried bacon and flowers.
Put the oil, vinegar and sugar in a small screw top jar and season with salt & pepper.  Seal the jar, shake well then add to the salad and toss lightly.

All recipes are from village resident, Richard Childs.

Missed a recipe? Click HERE to view Richard’s earlier recipes and other seasonal ideas.

The dandelion (Taraxacum officiniale) is a type of daisy. Found in virtually every kind of habitat and lawn, it is vital to many pollinating insects such as bumblebees, butterflies, hover flies, day flying moths and solitary bees. They are frequently treated as an unwanted weed.

Photo: Florets – Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen – Wikimedia commons

The flower head is infact made up of lots of individual flowers known as florets or ray flowers. Each common dandelion flowerhead contains approximately 150 – 200 florets.
A rich source of vitamins, minerals, the leaves, root, and flowers can all be eaten.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#TheBishopsKitchen,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#RichardChilds,#Cooking,#Foraging,#Dandelions,#Biscuits,#Salad,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

 

Full Moon – Thursday 24th June

June was traditionally the month for marriages – it is even named after the Roman goddess of marriage, Juno. Following marriage comes the “honeymoon,” which give may give some credence to this Full Moon’s name. The bees are indeed making honey at this time. It was traditional to gift mead or honey to a newlywed couple during their first moon of marriage.

June’s Full Moon on the 24th is also known as the Strawberry Moon by the UK and many other Eurpean countries, being the time of year for ripening strawberries.  All other names have sweet or romantic connatations:

  • Full Rose Moon.
  • Mead Moon.
  • Lover’s Moon.
  • Hot Moon.
#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#FullMoon,#HoneyMoon,#StrawberryMoon,#Mead,#LookUp,#SkyAtNight,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

 

Summer Solstice 2021

This year, the June solstice (Litha) occurs on Monday, 21st June, marking the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun will rise at 4.52am and set at 9.26pm. From now on the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer.
At Litha bonfires represents a reflection of the Sun at the peak of its strength. The chosen wood is often Oak (the King of the Trees) and aromatic herbs were scattered into the fire.  If the Oak is the King, then the Elder represents the Queen. Elderflowers are at their peak too.  Pick them on a sunny day and try the simple recipe for Elderflower Champagne below. Bees are now making honey. the Midsummer Full Moon on the 24th is known as the ‘Honey Moon‘

At Stonehenge, it is the second summer solstice’s celebrations to be cancelled due to Covid-19 safety guidlines.  The Sunset and Sunrise will be live-streamed from Stonehenge for free on English Heritage’s social media channels and will include exclusive interviews and music. Click HERE for more info.

Elderflower Champagne:

Do use screw top bottles – large plastic bottles used for squash etc. are perfect. This solution will fizz and if not bottled tightly it can explode! Because of this risk, perhaps keep it outside in the garden rather than in your kitchen or a cupboard.
Make sure the flower heads are clean and free from any wee beasties 🙂

  • 8 litres water
  • 1.25 kg sugar
  • 8 large elderflower heads
  • 4 lemons
  • 4 tablespoons mild white wine vinegar

Method:

Boil the water and dissolve the sugar into it. When the water is cool, add the elderflowers,  juice of two of the lemons and slices of the other two, plus the vinegar.
Cover with a clean cloth and leave for a day.
Strain through a fine sieve or piece of muslin, carefully squeezing the flowers to extract as much flavour as possible.
Store in clean screw top bottles.
Leave well alone for 10 days or so. Drink within a month. Enjoy!

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#SummmerSolstice,#ElderflowerChampagne,#Stonehenge,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Father’s Day – Sunday 20th June

Honouring fathers and all things paternal, Father’s Day has been celebrated on the third Sunday in June since 1910.

The Stableyard Restaurant at Redlands Yard are offering all Dads:

  • A bottle of beer/lager/cider
  • Roast lunch
  • Pudding

All for £19.50

There are 1/2 price puddings for everyone else 🙂 Be quick and call them on 01308 868362 to check availabilty!

Founded by the daughter of a U.S. Civil War Army veteran in 1910, in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. Then in 1972, President Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the 3rd Sunday of June each year. The U.K. follows this observation.

A customary day for the celebration of fatherhood in Catholic Europe is known to date back to at least 1508 and is usually celebrated on March 19th, recognised as the feast day of Saint Joseph.

Germany marks Father’s Day on Ascension Day in May or June, 40 days after Easter, while Australia and New Zealand commemorate it on the first Sunday in September.

In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5th December, the birthday of their late king who was considered the ‘Father of the Nation‘.

Russia continues a tradition from the Soviet Union of celebrating “Man’s Day” on ‘Defender of the Fatherland Day’ on 23rd February, which marks the first mass draft into the Red Army.

In addition to Father’s Day, International Men’s Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19th in honour of both men and boys.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#StableyardBroadwindsor,#RedlandsYard,#SundayLunch,#HappyFathersDay,#HugDad,#Celebrate,#RememberDad,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Proposed Development At Bernards’ Place

The first illustration details the planned development for Bernards’ Place play area in Broadwindsor. The application being made by the Comrades Hall Management Committee is a very large project involving installation of a new state of the art low carbon heating system in air source heating and installing solar panels onto the roof.
As well as this, an overhaul of the play equipment is planned as shown in the second illustration below.

All of this transformation is subject to getting funding, applications have been made to National Lottery and Low Carbon Dorset.

The full Planning Application, P/FUL/2021/01358 can be accessed by clicking HERE and is included in the Group Parish’s Agenda for their meeting on Monday evening.

Please direct any enquiries to Cllr. David Leader: 01308 868275 or 07867 608652.

Scroll#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#BWGPC,#Community,#Village,#BernardsPlace,#NationalLottery,#LowCarbonDorset,#ComradesHall,#Charity,#COVID19,#Covid19#SocialDistancing,#LetTheChildrenPlay,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Farewell Lloyd Curtis

This morning, members of the Parish Council and local community applauded as Lloyd Curtis drove through the village on the back of a trailer which looked absolutely beautiful in it’s simplicity in today’s beautiful sunshine.

The Group Parish Council commented on social media: “ Lloyd was a long-standing member who made such a positive contribution to the Council, he had an amazing local knowledge and a true community spirit. Lloyd will be greatly missed by all and the Parish Council offers its sincere condolences to his family.”

R.I.P. Lloyd.

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Family,#Village,#Farmers,#YFC,#WeldmarHospicecare,#RIP,#BeaminsterTeamChurches,#AJWakely,#SocialDistancing,#WearYourMask,#StaySafe

Lloyd Curtis’ Funeral Arrangements

Local Farmer and Councillor for Burstock Ward, Lloyd Clifford Curtis (65yrs) who died on 1st June, will have a farewell drive past in Broadwindsor Square tomorrow morning at approximately 11.10am. The service will take place at 12 noon in St. Andrew’s church in Burstock and will be conducted by The Reverend Canon David Baldwin. The service will be broadcast outside the church.
There will be standing room in the graveyard,  in the field around the church and on the entrance to the church. Please observe social distancing rules.

If Someone Dies . . .Our deepest condolences go to his wife Alison, his children Sonia, Emma and Stuart, and his grandchildren.

Any donations, if desired, for Weldmar Hospicecare which may be sent c/o A J Wakely & Sons, 7 North Street, Beaminster DT8 3DZ or online HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#Dorset,#Family,#Village,#Farmers,#YFC,#Funeral,#WeldmarHospicecare,#PayRespects,#BeaminsterTeamChurches,#AJWakely,#SocialDistancing,#WearYourMask,#StaySafe

Gladis’s Law

Cameron Farquharson is gathering a wealth of support for Gladis’s Law, Protecting livestock, informing dog owners: a campaign for a change in law to make it mandatory to keep dogs on a lead when walking near livestock. “We want to educate dog owners about the importance of using a lead.”

Yesterday Cameron received the 2021 Sheep worrying by dogs survey from The National Sheep Association.  He shared the following on social media:

“I am currently sat reading through it and the causes of the livestock incidents jumped out at me. People could select multiple answers.
  • 70% selected that the cause was not putting their dog(s)on a lead.
  • 66% believed that their dog(s) won’t attack livestock or won’t do damage if they do.
  • 49% Was down to a lack of regard or concern on the issue.
  • 39% had assumed their dog(s) would respond to commands off the lead.
  • 47% was down to allowing dog(s) to roam unaccompanied or escaped from gardens or kennels.
  • 5% Worrying on purpose/linked to poaching.
The NSA then asked farmers what was the outcome of them asking people to put their dogs on lead. Again people could select multiple answers.
  • 51% reported receiving Verbal abuse.
  • 48% were ignored by the dog owner.
  • 21% received Intimidation by the dog owner.
  • 16% Other (no understanding, land ownership).
  • 15% Polite refusal to use a lead.
  • 8% Retribution (vandalism).
  • 3% received physical abuse.

I will post more once I’ve read and understood. But I think we can all agree that the statistics from this survey are shocking. We need to change things for the better.”

Gladis’s Law, Protecting livestock, informing dog owners.

To keep up to date on the Gladis’s Law Facebook page – Click HERE.
#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#WestDorset,#DorsetLife,#Farmers,#BWGPC,#Livestock,#Sheep,#Cows,HighlandCoo,#Gladis,#BBC,#ChrisLoderMP,#PCSO6386,#TakeTheLead,#LivestockWorrying,#NSA,#LivestockAttacks,#RespectProtectEnjoy,#KeepYourDogOnALead,#GladissLaw,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe