On Thursday 1st November, from 6pm to 8pm, Gillingham School is thrilled to be staging its Next Steps Careers Fair for students of years 9 to 13, their parents and those of neighbouring schools.

This is our fifth year of running this event and each year it gets bigger and better. If you have been before you will know that the event is well subscribed to by organisations and students. It has a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. Inviting parents is particularly effective in ensuring that the young people make the very best of the opportunity.

We recently received this accolade about the event ‘I attended your last Careers Fair with Camps International and I found it a tremendous success’.

The purpose of the evening is to introduce students to all possible opportunities available to them at whichever point they choose to leave full time education.   For this reason we include: colleges, universities, apprenticeship education providers, volunteer and gap year organisations, as well as employers. Our intent is have representation from as many employers as possible, covering a wide variety of sectors and entry levels.

In the past the evening has been very well attended and the feedback has demonstrated how beneficial it was for both the young people and their parents who often feel at a loss when giving their children informed advice about potential careers. Having now expanded our coverage to include years 9 and 10 this should result in footfall in the 100s.

If any other organisations would like to support the school with this event please contact Emma Vallender, Careers Leader evallender@gillingham-dorset.co.uk.

GROUP FOR ANYONE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES

MEETS 1^ST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH 2PM – 4PM, DROP IN

£2 PER PERSON INCLUDING REFRESHMENTS

TRICURO, TRINITY CENTRE, BIMPORT, SHAFTESBURY SP7 8BW

PLEASE CONTACT AMANDA FOR MORE INFORMATION

ON 07749 062 327

Flyer sponsored by: Michael JH Brown MOst Osteopathy & Acupuncture, Abbey View Complementary Clinic, Shaftesbury (info@bouncebackhealth.co.uk)

Shaftesbury Town Council has commissioned local company Partnership Security to install a replacement CCTV system in Shaftesbury. Preparation for this regeneration began in 2013 and the Council is pleased to say that the project is nearing completion. Partnership Security are expecting everything to be up and running by the end of June. Nick Ogle, Director at Partnership Security said; “It has been a real pleasure to redesign a system that meets the current needs of Shaftesbury and to work so effectively alongside the Team at The Council.”

The Council has been working closely with local Police officers to provide a system that meets the needs of Shaftesbury and operates effectively and legally. Technology has greatly changed in recent years and upgrading the system gives the Town the opportunity to install a system that will be far more effective, with better quality and greater coverage as well as the capacity to add more cameras to the system if they are needed in the future.

Local Officer PC Ellis says, “I am delighted that at long last Shaftesbury is going to get the system it deserves; I am looking forward to the benefits that this system will bring and the reassurance it will give to both residents and visitors.”

London, Paris, New York and now Shaftesbury has its own very special Fashion Show.

On Wednesday 19 September Shirley Allum Fashions and Lingerie from the High Street will host a Charitable show at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.   In aid of ‘Brain Tumour Research’   https://www.braintumourresearch.org/ and the ‘Raise a Roof’ http://www.shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk/stage-4-development-funding-appeal/.

Featuring a surprisingly large range of designer names, the styles will cater for women of all ages, shapes and sizes, all at affordable prices.

Shirley Allum has been a High Street name for many years. The shop has provided outfits, accessories and even footwear for many an occasion; formal, everyday and even walking the dog.   At the back of the store is the lingerie department where all the girls are trained fitters. The range again is large and they particularly specialise in mastectomy wear and for the larger cup size. Both swimwear and night attire are popular lines still provided.

Shirley has run many of these charity events raising over £68,000 for her supported charities.   Asked why she should donate all the time and effort to putting these events on Shirley said “because we feel it is important to give back to the community and raise money for worthy causes”. The last fashion show hosted by Shirley Allum raised enough money to put a new guest kitchen in at the Forest Home Hospice http://forestholmehospice.org.uk/ .   She hopes that both this year’s charities will benefit from this event. She stresses “every penny raised will go to the charities”.

Shirley has already had some amazing raffle prizes donated and the incredibly talented Samantha http://www.samantha.co.uk/ is kindly supporting the event again by singing during the show.

Tickets are available only from Shirley Allum Fashion and Lingerie at a cost of £15 to include a free welcome drink, discount vouchers and gift. Tickets are going fast and if the afternoon is a sell-out Shirley, as in previous years has the option of repeating the show in the evening.

I’m a professional, full-time photographer with a passion for providing my customers with great value for money. I have a reputation for being approachable and good humoured. I’m based in Gillingham, Dorset and mainly work in the Southwest, but I also like to travel further afield, I will pitch up at any gorgeous location you ask me to!

I first got behind a camera over 30 years ago… I still remember the days of developing my film in the darkroom! For years, photography was, and still is, my passion and I’m fortunate enough to have turned that passion into my job. For me, its the best job in the world!

I don’t just do weddings. I spend a lot of my time out and about with my camera and I’m at my happiest when I’m in some remote wood or forest photographing the natural beauty and wildlife.  I also enjoy the unique challenges that photographing sporting events brings… I must be a glutton for punishment! 

Weddings

My aim is simple….. to provide couples with professional quality wedding photography that is good value for money!

If you are looking for someone to take images of your day that will capture the moments, the emotion and the story of the day at a price that won’t bankrupt you, then I might be the photographer for you.

I like to be pretty much unnoticeable and blend into the background. I’m not into being the centre of attention in any way. I keep it simple and am out to  create beautiful images of your wedding day.  Of course I can also do the more formal, posed images….the parents or grandparents normally demand them!

Events

It doesn’t matter whether your need is for formal posed photography or for more informal, natural photography; I can more than meet your need by providing you with beautiful images that capture your event.

I love to capture the emotions of the day, whether that is laughter or a tear in the eye.

I can provide lighting for the more formal photos if required.

email:

terry@terrylucasphotography.co.uk website

 www.terrylucasphotography.co.uk t: 07873 587455

We have so much in common. We like the same music, movies, everything. But mostly we both love food. Eating is our great pleasure. We have adventurous tastes. Thai, Japanese, Turkish, Mongolian, we try them all.

I ask her to marry me one Sunday morning. She is at my flat and there is nothing for breakfast but bread fit only for toast and that thing that divides the nation. A jar of Marmite.

‘But I love Marmite,’ she says.

We look for, and find, a place together. It’s a tiny house, but we can afford it.

There’s a small garden and we chat to our neighbour, an old bloke living alone. He says he’s dividing his rhubarb roots. Would we like some? Rhubarb, the other food that divides the nation. I feel a trembling in the space that loves her. We look at each other and I give a tiny nod just as she does.

‘We love rhubarb,’ she says. I agree.

‘Don’t pull any this year or it won’t thrive’, advises our neighbour.

A fortnight later the old man has a fall. He’s moved to a care home and the house is put up for sale. It sells quickly and a young couple move in. We see them in the garden digging up the rhubarb and bagging it for the bin men. They let us know their negative view of the plant in a way that includes most of our favourite foods. They have no taste for the exotic and high praise for local fast food outlets. We nod politely and glance longingly at our small, unproductive, rhubarb patch.

That spring the rhubarb pokes above the ground, but we heed our old neighbours’ advice and don’t pull any. It feels a travesty to buy rhubarb when we have our own growing, so we go the whole year without.

The following March the bright red points of our rhubarb come again. One Saturday, we pull the first three sticks.

We play a game we have often played.

‘Stewed or crumble?’ she asks

Stewed of course,’ I reply, she nods.

‘Custard or cream?’ I ask.

‘Always custard,’ she replies, and I agree.

‘I can’t believe you’ve done that’ she says, anger in her voice, as I place the bowl of rhubarb and custard before her.

‘Done what?’ I ask.

‘You’ve put the rhubarb in first, and the custard on top! It’s ridiculous, what did you do that for?’

‘I always have my rhubarb like that, what’s wrong with it?’

‘It’s just so wrong. How could you!’

And we have a frightful argument. Crockery and rhubarb all over the kitchen. It’s our first real fight. She insists its custard first and I insist it’s rhubarb first. We make up eventually. But for fifty eight years, whenever we eat rhubarb and custard she has it her way and I have it mine. It just goes to show, opposites attract.

On a hot sunny Sunday afternoon in May three trainers from The Toning Suite in Gillingham,  Dorset took part in The Glitter Run at Wincanton Racecourse. The event was in aid of St Margarets Hospice which is based in Somerset. Katie Butler, Leanne Huxter and Lynnie Axford finished the course in under 44 minutes despite the heat and raised an amazing amount of money for the Hospice thanks to the support of the lady members of The Toning Suite and Club Owners Colin Fricker and Keith Flint. Further donations can be made directly to St. Margarets Hospice by going directly to their website. St. Margarets Hospice Care and clicking on the yellow donate now button.

www.somerset-hospice.org.uk/donate/donate-now

www.facebook.com/TheToningSuite/

With the prospects of another predictable FA cup final and a Royal wedding on the same day, we thought it would be a good idea to offer a distraction. Mindful that the FIFA World cup is around the corner and England fans are ready for the sweet taste of beer and disappointment, we figured we would kick start the summer of footballing bliss with a local company football tournament at the home of GTYFC in Kington Magna. We wanted to involve as many local companies and teams as possible. What we ended up with was 15 teams with some Dextra staff who played for one of the four Dextra teams travelling from as far as Liverpool and London to join in the fun.  Just like the possibility of England winning the world Cup, every lad, Dad and even Grandad playing dreamed about their team picking up the winners’ cup against the odds.

In amongst the intense football was some good rivalry and  great community bonding time. Many teams realised they had players that should have hung up their boots when Gary Lineker was giving us hope of winning the World Cup. Nevertheless, the good, bad and even the ugly fought hard in blistering heat and after 7 hours of football, without a cross word or expletive whispered, a winner emerged from the haze of deep heat and Lynx Africa. Dextra 3 deservedly were winners after a intense final with Stalbridge Linen Wincombe. Both teams created great chances and the quality of play was a joy to watch. Stalbridge Linen won the fair play award. Anuson Praman from Dextra 3 won Player of the Tournament.

The day would not have been possible without the help of GTYFC, especially Steve, Andy and Stuart who made pitches worthy of playing  an FA Cup final on. GTYFC raised  money for the club by collecting the car parking fees and selling teas and coffees on the day. The referees Chris Pike, Chris Jones and Dean Porter were outstanding and very professional all day, they gave up their time to us for free so that we could raise money for charity.

There were so many others that contributed towards the success of the day:

Sydenhams Ltd of Gillingham, Town and Country Aerials, Josh Sims of Southampton FC, Archie O’Donnell for keeping the scores up to date, Tamzin O’Donnell, Matthew Holehouse and Georgina Jones for the photography. Fast Feet Football for organising a beat the goalie competition, James Hillier of Yeovil town FC, Ian Lyster of Wincanton Racecourse, Phil Martin of Stalbridge Linen for raffle prizes – the list goes on.

We would like to thank all the teams that were part of this great day: Stalbridge Linen Wincombe and Sturminster, Marnhull Veterans, Valecraft, Design Jam, Thales, Gillingham School Teachers, Dikes, Fast Feet Football and South Cheriton FC. Everyone enjoyed and looked forward to the fabulous Jens ice creams from Cerne Abbas and Nana Moons catering from Gillingham.

We raised £424 for Mosaic who are a local charity who support bereaved children, young people and their families.

Dextra are celebrating their 40^th Anniversary and this football tournament is being followed by a staff party in the summer that the 500 employees have all been invited to. Dextra remain the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of Commercial, retail and Industrial lighting and hope to invite many more local teams to next year’s bigger and better football tournament.

By Curtis O’Donnell and Henry Porter.

The Veteran’s Dream – A ‘Young Persons’ Opera.

Two of our dedicated young soloists, Eden and David, will

be joining other members of the community who will be

taking part in the opera on Saturday, 13^th October at 2.30 p.m.

at the church of St Mary the Virgin, Gillingham.

The children in our Outstanding Early Years Unit have had an exciting start to the summer term. Both our Reception Class and Shooting Stars Nursery have had visits from 8 day old lambs kindly brought in by in by a local farmer.  The children were able to ask lots of questions, feed and stroke the lambs.  We have also had eggs which we have incubated in school and have hatched 4 beautiful chicks which will stay with us until they return back to the same farm as the lambs.  Finally we have tadpoles whose legs have just started to appear! The children have thoroughly enjoyed the process and carefully observe them throughout the day using clipboards and ipads to record their findings. We are now registering children for our Nursery setting for September 2018 (2 – 4 year olds). Please call 01747 824 446 to arrange a visit. St Mary the Virgin ce va Primary School and Nursery.