Listen To Alfred

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: We’re at Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s marmalade making contest and we meet the newbie who won the first Marma-Fest. So what did Andy put in his award winning preserve to impress the judges? Alfred visits Motcombe’s quirky music studio. High profile people have recorded inside Tom Jobling’s Airstream caravan. Shaftesbury shopkeeper Rob Neely doesn’t want you to take the art at his Arts Centre exhibition too seriously. He explains why. Rob talks about his inspiration and shares stories of his cool college days, jamming with the Sex Pistols. Shaftesbury’s Oasis Swimming Pool will be improved in time for spring. And manager Ryan Baker says new water-based workouts are planned for this season. Why Shaftesbury’s Mayor doesn’t want our town’s new Lidl to look anything like Blandford’s. Alfred talks with Piers Brown after Tuesday’s town meeting.

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: There was a massive response for the Shaftesbury Arts Centre Youth Theatre re-launch. Alfred attended the first night and enjoyed improvisational exercise before hearing plans for the future of performing arts in our town. A youth musical is on the cards for 2020! (00:26) Why a farm on Foyles Hill could be the town’s new cool performance venue. We meet the friends planning pop-up events featuring food and entertainment at Edwards Farm. (06:40) Enhance your special day or event by taking your group or party up to the top of the Trinity Tower. Alfred climbs the 126 steps with guide Chris Corner and takes in the best view for miles around. (15:10) Bouncing back after domestic and racial abuse - Ciel Taylor opens her new cocktail bar business in Shaftesbury. She tells Alfred how she stayed strong when she was at her lowest ebb. (23:16) A spring clean is planned for Shaftesbury. The Hilltop Litter Pickers

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Alfred enjoys fire eating, dragons and handmade lanterns at Shaftesbury’s Snowdrop Season finale. We chat to some of the youngsters who were making lanterns before Saturday’s procession and talk with their instructor, local artist Des Alner. (00:30) Bunting will make Shaftesbury look even better this year. A ‘four figure sum’ is being spent on colourful flags and pendants, which will be draped along the side of the High Street and perhaps Bell Street. Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Perry explains why they are funding these decorations. And Salisbury Street-based bunting maker Georgie Faulkner-Bryant tells us that the bunting will be sustainable. (09:08) There’s cash on offer if you can come up with a campaign to enhance Shaftesbury’s wildlife or green spaces. Cllr Andy Perkins talks about his ‘Wild About Shaftesbury’ competition that will encourage the public to vote for the project they believe

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A Shaftesbury business is voted the Best in Britain by readers of a national magazine. ThisIsAlfred meets Paul Hopkins of Blackmore Vale Leisure and hears how this family business has won awards over two consecutive years because of their emphasis on customer service. You might be surprised to hear how their Sherborne Causeway premises were once used in the 1960s! (00:27) The mystery of the heirlooms abandoned outside a Shaftesbury hotel. We head down the steps to the cellar of the Grosvenor Arms Hotel to see the military medals that have been kept under lock and key on police advice, since they were discovered outside. (05:47) A Shaftesbury café’s themed pop-up nights could encourage people into town. We chat with the team from the High Street Bakery about their experimental food evenings and Sunday brunch ideas. (08:19) We meet Laura Langley, the Shaftesbury mum who has set up a running forum for a

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Alfred discovers how a project to refurbish Shaftesbury’s Bell Street toilets could change the lives of Guys Marsh Prison inmates. We meet Nikki Dodds and hear about her one-woman social enterprise, Build Love, which will concentrate on North Dorset projects where prisoners can gain new skills. (00:24) TV’s Andrew Marr has filmed part of a major new BBC TV programme at Gold Hill. Alfred was there to find out more. Mr Marr promised to tell tourists where they could find the iconic view. And the political commentator shared his Brexit outcome prediction. (08:52) James and Finn McMillan are the father and son team photographing Shaftesbury’s changing High Street. So far, around half of the town centre shops and shop staff have been snapped. James has realised the magnitude of the task and its importance. (14:33) Alfred chats with Lynne Damalitis, the new landlady of St James’ pub, Ye Olde Two Brewers. L

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: We follow the volunteers who have been planting trees around Shaftesbury. Where are they being planted? And why? (00:27) Shaftesbury’s Bee Group has launched a recruitment drive to boost their work. We chat with Brigit Strawbridge about a forthcoming event. (05:21) Paul Rowe, the outgoing boss of Abbotts Greengrocers reflects on 51 years of business. (12:16) Richard Keenlyside shares stories of his life as a Shaftesbury estate agent as his firm, Gilyard Scarth, closes. Why have they ceased trading? (17:29) Why the new manager of Squires Menswear says the role suits him perfectly. And Ben Denham promises that not much will change in store. (27:00)  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: We’re getting two new supermarkets on our doorstep - but don’t assume that’s the death of Shaftesbury’s High Street. We speak to local traders about the challenges posed by Lidl and Aldi. (00:26) The Council considers acquiring an empty shop for short-term projects. Town Clerk, Claire Commons, explains that housing estate developers could pay for the purchase. (10:20) A quirky new Shaftesbury Fringe venue - book your performance at the dentist! We hear about the amazing space on offer for acts. (12:45) From Kurdistan to the former Cattle Market car wash - Ali’s opening up again and he explains why he doesn’t like leaving Shaftesbury. (14:50) The devoted volunteers who live and breathe Shaftesbury Carnival. ThisIsAlfred attends their AGM and discovers how the group recognises hard work - and funds Shaftesbury good causes. (24:11)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: ‘Planet Shaftesbury’ packs the Town Hall to launch their local climate change campaigns. Alfred speaks to event organisers, Robin Walter, Rachel Bodle and guest speaker Gary Mantle. Gary is Chief Executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and he warns how climate change could affect our local landscape, including spring bluebell displays and streams running across the chalkland. (00:25) New road markings could make a Shaftesbury junction safer, according to Dorset councillor Derek Beer. Derek is worried that Angel Square is ‘an accident waiting to happen’. He explains what he would like done. (07:53) From caring for people to caring for pets, Shaftesbury paramedics Paul and Ronda Tubb open a new cattery in West Melbury. And Paul reckons he can apply some of his ambulance crew skills to making sure the cats feel cared for. (10:42) Discover the real France and Germany with Shaftesbury’s Twinning Association

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Success for Shaftesbury Carnival. Our town’s historic event is voted Best in Wessex. Carnival Chairman, Rich Mullins, shares his thoughts on the club’s 2018 success. (00:41) An Abbey researcher uncovers the signature that altered Shaftesbury forever. Stuart Edwards explains how he’s tracked down an important document as he looks into the life of the Abbey’s last Abbess. And we preview the Museum’s future makeover. (06:21) A Shaftesbury musician praises our public-spirited town after he’s reunited with a valuable saxophone he accidentally left on the street. (13:58) Shaftesbury’s Slimming World boss says that her kids would be without their mum if it wasn’t for her weight loss group. Charlene Higgins tells her moving story. (16:13) Mental health crisis help will be offered in Shaftesbury, so locals won’t be told to travel to the south of the county for support. Alfred talks with the Hope charity’s Eil

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A day that changed Dorset history. We visit Shaftesbury Cattle Market for its final sale. The landlady of Ye Old Two Brewers in St James is leaving. She reveals her plans for Angola ’76. Saluting Shaftesbury’s unsung hero who tidies up part of the town. Why people are praising Bill Sherriff. Could you help uncover Duncliffe Wood’s hidden history? Charting this ancient woodland’s interesting past. Bored after Christmas? Find new hobbies with Shaftesbury Library’s Saturday sessions. The Town Council is promoting Shaftesbury as a place to get married. We hear why they’re hosting a wedding fair.  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Praise for Shaftesbury locals from a 93-year old, after his precious photos are returned with his lost wallet. Tony Hawkins is delighted. And there’s great news about his Town Hall tea dances, too! (00:23) New Year’s honours for Motcombe’s ‘King and Queen’. Alfred chats with Liz Pocock, BEM and John Blashford-Snell, CBE. (04:13) An uphill struggle - the challenge of creating a cycleway between Motcombe and Shaftesbury. Alfred talks with Shaftesbury councillor John Lewer and Motcombe councillor Peter Mouncey about an off-road bike link. (12:14) Why a busy North Dorset road will close for three months. Dorset County Council hopes that technology will stop the traffic jams and delays for drivers in Melbury Abbas. (20:00) Dr Marie Stopes - the Dorset woman who changed opinion on parenting and relationships. And why she was both loved and loathed. We preview a Shaftesbury lecture about her life. (30:16)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury’s ‘The Wilderness’ is sold at auction for a higher amount than was expected. The Shaftesbury Town Council bid is unsuccessful. We talk with Town Clerk, Claire Commons, who attended the sale. (00:26) 15-year-old Shaftesbury schoolboy Adam Parry has won an international ballroom dancing competition with his dance partner in Paris. We talk to Adam about success on the dance floor. (04:30) The boss of Shaftesbury’s monthly Sunday Market, Steve Dauwalder, gets tough on plastics. Steve says the event is ‘on the rise’ despite challenging conditions for market and fixed store retailers. (12:30) ThisIsAlfred meets the Pearly King and Queen of Harrow. Dave and Paula toured town centre pubs to raise cash for a North Dorset charity. We learn about the history of the Pearly Kings and the heaviness of their glittering clothes. (15:13) The Shaftesbury Memory Café could be closed if they can’t recruit mo

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Tackling fast driving through Motcombe with the village’s speed gun volunteers. And ThisIsAlfred joins the parents tackling poor parking, which creates problems for Motcombe Primary pupils walking to school. (00:24) Regular comedy nights will start next month in Shaftesbury. Alfred meets Dorset comedian Andrew White and hears how his Shaftesbury Fringe experience encouraged him to start the events. (10:16) A top Shaftesbury photographer shares her tips. We meet Bella West and learn why her work is being shown at a special Westminster exhibition. (15:26) Shaftesbury resident Simon Hill was told that he was going to die. Now Simon wants help the friends and family of patients in a coma. (22:02) Shaftesbury’s Tesco reduces the length of stay in their car park and there are mixed reactions from local people, politicians and the town’s Chamber of Commerce. (28:23)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury’s new zero waste store opens. Alfred meets eco-entrepreneur Lucy Barfoot, the woman behind it. (00:23) The Alfred podcast tours the refurbished Trinity Centre and finds out why Shaftesbury wins when you book their huge hall and meeting rooms. (07:09) We re-live the Shaftesbury Christmas lights switch-on and late night shopping event and hear seasonal singing from the community choir and star attraction Belle Street. And you’ll learn which business has the town’s best-decorated doorway. (14:31) We visit Shaftesbury’s new, limited time, pop-up art space at Father’s House and meet three very different local artists who are selling their work. (17:14) North Dorset MP Simon Hoare grabs a spade and breaks ground to launch the project to build Motcombe’s new community space. (23:34)  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Good news for fans of dark skies. Shaftesbury Council turns down a plan for new streetlights along an ancient Shaftesbury way. (00:23) Brexit uncertainty has focused Shaftesbury businesses’ minds, says The Wincombe Centre’s Wendy Ibbotson. (05:40) We meet the Shaftesbury Shaker box maker exporting his woodwork to The States. Alfred visits Richard Gibson of Shaston Boxes in his workshop. (12:03) How changing parking permissions could end the blocking of a Bell Street business entrance. Joshua Ritchie of Corita Rose has a plan. (22:55) We meet the Motcombe mum who has been wearing a sandwich board to encourage people to enter the village’s Santa Run. (27:40)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Good news for Shaftesbury’s stargazers – LEDs have reduced light pollution. Alfred visits Ansty Farm Shop for the Cranborne Chase AONB stargazing evening with our local astronomy experts. (00:27) Shaftesbury’s newest estate agent says the town is in demand. Matt Boatwright shares his views on future expansion of Shaftesbury and he says where he thinks he believes you can buy a bargain. (11:20) Shaftesbury Town Council could purchase The Wilderness. Locals want to protect the ancient woodland above French Mill Lane from development. Listen to hear how you could help. (17:10) A 93-year-old Shaftesbury dancer is starting monthly tea dances. Tony Hawkins tells his incredible story about being spotted for his dancing skills in Egypt, after the war. (26:00) Motcombe should not become a Shaftesbury suburb says draft Neighbourhood Plan. Villagers have been clear about how they want Motcombe to develop. (30:1

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: You’ll be asked what you want included in the development, if Shaftesbury Town Council bids to buy the empty Budgens superstore on Bell Street. (00:24) The archaeological survey team from Shaftesbury Abbey’s SAVED project is excited after their radar survey found signs of a settlement under Castle Green. This could be the ‘first glimpse of the Saxon town of Shaftesbury’. (07:34) Shaftesbury residents give considerably more than most towns to the Poppy Appeal. Royal British Legion Chairman Robin Miller shares his thanks. (14:30) Over fifty locals are saluted for enhancing Shaftesbury with flowers. We’re given some good gardening tips from the woman with the best garden in Great Ground, at the Shaftesbury In Bloom awards. (15:16) There’s award success for Shaftesbury’s BV Dairy. We visit the Wincombe Lane headquarters of the multimillion-pound business and hear why judges declared this ‘the best compan

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury was sold in 1919 and a centenary exhibition is planned. Hear why we’re lucky that some plots were taken out of the auction. (00:24) We meet the Shaftesbury artist selling falcon fashion. And Jack Lewis can trace his passion back to Shaftesbury’s founder. (07:29) We uncover the secrets of Compton Abbas Church. Our guide shows us a window that reveals a former village industry. (15:24) Another event for your Christmas Calendar! The Mitre is planning a festive market. (25:14) A 170-home Shaftesbury housing estate is refused permission. Hear about the design changes demanded by the Council and why the developer’s plan for the A350 proved popular. (27:34)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Alfred uncovers the spooky side to Shaftesbury. We tour the passages under Britain’s fifth most haunted hotel and talk with the landlady of the Ship Inn about her resident spirits. (00:30) Signs that the community cares - Motcombe locals restore the village’s historic Dorset finger signposts and road markers. (13:07) We chat with the retired Bishop who will honour a priest who opposed the Nazis. Learn more about this special talk. (17:17) Would a King Alfred statue enhance Shaftesbury’s High Street? Open Spaces Group member Bernard Ede believes so and he tells ThisIsAlfred why. (21:40) The Bell Street public loos will be refurbished by spring. Councillor Tim Cook tells Alfred why it is important. (24:34)  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: ‘Project Belle’ announce plans for Shaftesbury’s empty Co-op building. ThisIsAlfred speaks to Jackie Upton King, the group’s Acting Chairman about the community-led bid for the site. (00:35) Alfred spends an evening with Tiffany Longley-Wolff to hear some of the success stories from her Shaftesbury performing arts school. And we visit her brand new, bespoke building to discover what a difference the new facilities make. (04:02) Shaftesbury is getting electronic vehicle speed indicators, but which streets will have them? And why? ThisIsAlfred asks the Mayor. (12:21) Alfred meets Keith Bunting, the Shaftesbury man making real sundials, not mass-produced factory fakes. Keith creates outdoor timepieces for clients all over the world. (16:12) Have you got a well? Then Gold Hill Museum wants to know about it. Janet Swiss will explain what she wants to find out as she plans her 2019 exhibition. (25:06)