News stories from across the county this month
In which we serve
We believe that this photograph (above), titled the 1st/1st Dorset Battery, Royal Field Artillery, shows soldiers from the Weymouth or Dorchester areas. The question is, who are they, and who are the ladies and gentlemen in the background? Did a member of your family serve in the Royal Field artillery in the First World War? Look closely. Is your uncle, grandfather, grandmother or even your great grandfather in this photo?
The Royal Field Artillery used the 18-pounder cannon which, along with its limber, was towed by a team of six horses. As a result some of these men will have come from farms in the area because of their knowledge of horses. Incidentally the same applied to those chaps who joined the Yeomanry. The Keep military Museum is keen to hear stories about the men and women of Dorset who served at home or abroad during the First World War. If you have a story about a relative that you would like to share contact the Curator on 01305 264066 or email info@keepmilitarymuseum.org.
--------------------------------------------------
Sophie’s teeing up for success
An England girl international from Parkstone Golf Club near Bournemouth has been awarded the prestigious England Golf Silver Tee Award. English girls’ golf champion Sophie Keech, 17, was given the award in recognition of successfully combining her studies with a burgeoning golf career.
“I’m really pleased to win this award, it gets 2014 off to a great start,” said Sophie, who is working towards a BTec in sport at Millfield School in Somerset, where she is a boarder.
Sophie, who began playing golf at Lyme Regis golf club with her grandfather Bill Moulton, plans to play on the women’s amateur circuit for the next two years after leaving Millfield this June: “All I want to do is play golf,” she said. Her immediate targets include successfully defending her English girls’ title and winning a British event. Look out for our exclusive interview with Sophie in Dorset magazine as she embarks on her golfing career this summer.
--------------------------------------------------
Portland sailor set for challenge of a lifetime
Portland sailor and 470 helmsman Richard Mason has pressed pause on his Olympic training programme to take on the sailing challenge of a lifetime. Rich, 26, has joined the ranks of the Artemis Offshore Academy, the UK’s only centre of excellence for budding British solo offshore sailors. Swapping his agile 4.70m ‘470’ crewed by two, for a fierce 33ft French solo racing yacht called the Figaro Bénéteau II. Rich has had just five months to get to grips with the challenges of sailing offshore alone before taking on his first race of the season - racing 30 of the Figaro classes finest solo sailors 320 miles around the rocky French Atlantic coast line. The Artemis Offshore Academy is a proven training ground for ambitious solo skippers and Rich hopes this will help him achieve his dream of competing in the Vendée Globe – a non-stop around the world solo race know as the Everest of sailing. Follow Rich’s progress in the coming months via artemisoffshoreacademy.com.
--------------------------------------------------
Purbeck pair dance to victory at Crufts
A 17-year-old Purbeck Agility Group member and her dog have triumphed at Crufts. Jodie Forbes and her border terrier, Bramble, won both of the Crufts YKC (Young Kennel Club) competitions. The pair, who hail from Bournemouth, were placed first in Heelwork to Music class where they performed to Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny), and first in the under 18s Groomer of the Year. Jodie and both her dogs, Hazel (Bramble’s mother) and Bramble attend Heel to Music classes at Purbeck Dog Dancing, part of Purbeck Agility Group, held on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings. See her routine on the club’s facebook page facebook.com/purbeckdogdancing.
--------------------------------------------------
Walking for Wimborne
In the first week of May, the Rector of Wimborne Minster, The Revd Vanessa Herrick, will be walking from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain to raise funds for the work of Wimborne Minster. The route is one of many, from different parts of Europe, walked by pilgrims over the centuries to the Shrine of St James the Apostle.
As Rector of the Minster, Vanessa hopes not only to pray for the community of Wimborne as she walks, but also to raise much-needed funds for the Minster’s work in the town. It costs £800 a day to maintain the building and keep it open for visitors and worshippers. If you would like to sponsor Vanessa as she undertakes this 84 mile walk, please go to mydonate.bt.com/fundraiser/search.html. Or send a donation to: The Parish Office, Church House, High Street, Wimborne. Vanessa will be sharing her journey with us in Dorset magazine on her return.
--------------------------------------------------
Hat trick for Bournemouth striker
AFC Bournemouth’s new striker Yann Kermorgant celebrated his third goal on his home debut against Doncaster Rovers last weekend. The French target man signed from Charlton Athletic recently for £400,000 delighted fans with his performance to match his hat-trick of goals. Don’t miss our exclusive behind the scenes photo spread on AFC Bourenmouth’s Championship campaign in the May edition of Dorset magazine plus the Cherries fans favourite Marc Pugh reveals his thoughts about the beautiful game and his passion for the county.
--------------------------------------------------
Sunshine for Gully’s Place
A little bit of sunshine has been presented to Gully’s Place at Poole Hospital. Artist Stephen Bishop from Parkstone has donated one of his oil paintings ‘Sunrise’ to The Gully’s Place Suite which provides children who require palliative care and their families, a comfortable and calm environment with access to support. Helen Parker, Senior Sister on the Poole Hospital Children’s Unit, was delighted to accept the painting on behalf of the staff and users of the facility. “Donations like this make a real difference,” she said.
