Listen To Alfred

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: From boardroom to bookstores nationwide, Alfred chats to the BV Dairy director who is now a published author. Harry Cowan reveals a surprising fact - he’s only read a couple of books during his lifetime. (00:24) Alfred hears about a huge Shaftesbury art auction to raise funds for women and children affected by abuse. (09:41) St John’s Hill residents have started a Facebook group over HGV safety fears. We hear how recent incidents have prompted them to collect photo and video evidence. (17:53) We go for a stroll with the team behind the second Shaftesbury tree walk map and learn about the hidden curiosities this new guide will reveal. (26:14) Shaftesbury’s new literary festival will launch in 2020. We speak to their leader as she launches a volunteer recruitment drive. (33:28)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A pensioner returns to Shaftesbury to visit the scene of a horrific accident. At the age of 13, Eric Coombs was shot when a gun went off in a military exhibition inside Shaftesbury Town Hall. (00:26) Work begins on a £100,000 Shaftesbury Arts Centre makeover but there’s been a surprise. The sprung dance floor will cost more than originally anticipated. We chat to Chairman Jenny Parker and meet one of the architects undertaking this and a much bigger potential future building project. (06:50) Shaftesbury’s zero plastic shop expands and its owner, Lucy Barfoot, tells Alfred how she knows she made the right choice by starting her business in Swans Yard last December. (14:12) Shaftesbury Town Council declares a climate emergency and backs plans to make our town plastic-free. (20:41) Three key Shaftesbury organisations join forces for a £1 million town centre enhancement bid. Alfred discovers how the proj

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: We chat with the local author of a new nature book that will put our town in the spotlight. Brigit Strawbridge gives us an insight into her first publication and reveals how Shaftesbury will be featured prominently. (00:24) Why charity trustees need cash to transform an historic Shaftesbury almshouse. We learn about the history of Chubbs Almshouse and future plans on our tour with Tony Morgan. (06:11) Archaeologist Julian Richards shares the latest news from the Abbey’s archaeological dig. After a fortnight of excavation, he is now more hopeful that previous digs haven’t destroyed clues to the Abbey’s layout. (15:55) Alfred visits Wincombe Park and hears how you could use this private garden as your own relaxation retreat. Co-owner Phoebe Fortescue has listed her estate in the Quiet Gardens Movement register. (23:56) Alfred meets the artist who gifted her sculpture to one of our town’s quiet spaces.

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Organisers are delighted with the fourth Shaftesbury Fringe and they confirm the festival’s 2020 dates. We chat with some of the artists, including the oldest performer, headlining comedian Cally Beaton and ‘I’m A Celebrity’ and Talk Radio star Iain Lee. (00:26) What would you call the four streets planned for Shaftesbury’s new estate? Your ideas are requested ASAP! Redrow has already moved the site-clearing bulldozers into position. (08:44) Extinction Rebellion’s fake funeral on the High Street and their mass die-in on Gold Hill gets people talking. Not all locals are supporting this climate change protest action, though. We talk with the group and hear why they arranged Saturday’s event. (13:24) Nine-year-old Finn tells Alfred why pupils at a Shaftesbury’s Abbey Primary want a place of peace and quiet reflection created on their school site. (20:32) The Great Ground residents who want the Town Coun

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury Primary School has a new approach to teaching that could improve pupils’ life chances. We chat to Headteacher Paul Lavis and members of the PTA who are backing this new initiative. (00:27) Alfred hears how the town’s new Swifts Group wants to ensure that these birds, which have been here since King Alfred’s time, remain a feature of Shaftesbury’s summertime into the future. We chat with Enmore Green swift spotter Catherine Simmonds. (08:17) Alfred pops in to meet the artists behind Shaftesbury’s newest pop-up shop. John and Ruth share their ideas for making our town an arts destination. (18:53) Three Shaftesbury mums are planning ‘forest school’ style workshops for local schoolchildren. Alfred hears about their idea for half-term sessions. (22:30) We call into the rehearsal of a quirky choral group, which formed especially for Shaftesbury Fringe. Alfred talks with Ed Bersey of The Sylvafi

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury cycle speedway could launch on Wincombe Recreational Field within a year. We chat with Rotarian Tony Morgan about the history of these bike events in North Dorset and what how he wants the community to drive the project forward. He says the funding is secured. (00:27) A Shaftesbury historic café reopens as a tearoom and tapas bar. Alfred meets the man running King Alfred’s Kitchen. (10:08) Plans to plant two thousand trees in Shaftesbury gains support. James Thrift sowed the seed of this idea to represent every young resident. We speak with James and Tree Group members Bernard Ede and Robin Walter about the plan and its practicalities. (12:57) Shaftesbury Council approves a request from the Abbey’s SAVED project, for archaeological digging around the town’s most historic sites. Archaeologist Julian Richards is particularly excited about excavating test pits in St James’ Park. He explains

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: The Shaftesbury D-Day veteran hailed a hero, 75 years since he last set foot in Normandy. We meet Bill Ridgewell and hear why he felt guilty about the Allied action in northern France until he returned to the area earlier this month. (00:27) Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce's new Chairman reveals her vision for a vibrant hilltop town. Virginia Edwyn Jones wants a conversation with landlords and more events to ensure that our town remains a great place to shop. (14:20) We meet the Motcombe couple praised for their community spirit with a new plaque. Tom and Brenda Crabbe have raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes and the couple have made a real difference to life in the village. (22:09) We hear about a new business opportunity for under 30-year-olds. The manager of the monthly Shaftesbury High Street Sunday market wants to encourage more young entrepreneurs to trade and he's got an unbeata

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Alfred meets the Semley tree-climbing expert touring England’s summer festivals. We spend the morning at Stourhead, where Mark Hawes is giving some Motcombe schoolchildren the opportunity of scaling a tulip tree. He explains how he left the London rat-race for a new life in the Shaftesbury area. And Mark says that his business is reaching new heights! (00:24) Tales of Peking to Paris in a pink Rolls-Royce will raise funds for a church in The Donheads. Alfred visits Sir John Stuttard in his St James home to meet ‘Harrison’, a beautiful classic car and hear ‘his’ story. (08:17) Alfred visits Wincombe Park and chats with Phoebe Fortescue who operates a summer English school for overseas students. We were interested to hear what surprises the teenagers about Shaftesbury. (19:17) Water-based workouts are proving popular at the improved Shaftesbury Oasis Pool. Alfred meets Claire and Laura, who are offerin

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury advert is ‘part of national heritage’ says Hovis boss. The classic 1973 Hovis ‘boy on the bike’ ad has been remastered and will be played on national television for a month. Alfred talks with Hovis director, Jeremy Gibson and Robin Baker, head curator of the British Film Institute. (00:26) Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for Shaftesbury’s Steps in Time dance group. The dancers are a familiar sight at summertime events in and around Shaftesbury. The group has been teaching under 16-year-olds traditional English dances for thirty years. Alfred spoke with Penny-Jane Swift from the dance group. (07:56) Shaftesbury’s new all-youth drama group is ready for debut show. (13:11) ‘Togetherness’ is the theme of second Shaftesbury Civic Day. (20:06) Meet Mavis – the vintage lorry adding extra appeal to Shaftesbury events. (26:47)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: The new Shaftesbury Café Club that’s being set up prevent people from feeling lonely. Alfred meets the woman bringing Coffee Companions to Shaftesbury. (00:24) Dorset Council turns down a new estate at Enmore Green. Alfred reports from the packed meeting, where campaigners were surprised by the new council’s decision but also delighted that the Shaftesbury Slopes will stay green - for now. (07:48) The story of Shaftesbury’s original pop-up art shop. We meet Kate Toms, the artist behind ‘Art in May’, now in its 19th year. (12:48) The power of the handpans. We check in with the sound therapist offering Shaftesbury people an emotional experience through his music. (22:20) A new CCTV camera in Shaftesbury town centre could identify where people causing late night noise are coming from. Councillor Derek Beer tells Alfred more. (29:48)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A plastic-free town initiative launches in Shaftesbury. Alfred talks with Planet Shaftesbury’s Maude Chappell about the goals the environmental action group must meet to gain accreditation from assessing body, Surfers Against Sewage. And you’ll hear what businesses will be encouraged to do. (00:20) The miracle-working nuns of Minsk are planning a Shaftesbury choral concert at St James Church. Alfred talks with Rev Mary Ridgewell, who visited the sisters in their convent. She says that the women undertake social service duties in Belarus. And we meet one of the visiting nuns ahead of their performance of Gregorian chants on 31st May. (05:08) Loudspeakers could address declining bird numbers in Fontmell Magna. Alfred visits Dick Stainer, who has wired his house to play the sounds of swifts to encourage them to nest there. (13:31) Abbey School reaches new heights with their fundraising. Parents, childre

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Jasper goes faster! A better time for last year’s Gold Hill Cheese Race winner. Alfred reports from a packed Shaftesbury Food Festival and tours the town during the traditional Byzant Procession, too. (00:24) How Brexit Is affecting Shaftesbury’s Oxfam bookshop. Alfred meets the volunteers hoping to turn around a downturn in donations. And we hear how much some rarer items have sold for. (09:06) The Springhead Sustainability Fair demonstrates a use for waste plastics. Organisers are delighted at the turnout for this first eco event. And attendees learned how to repurpose single use plastic packaging. (18:30) The Shaftesbury charity changing lives in Africa. We meet Mike Hayes, the former Shaftesbury school teacher, making a difference in Rwanda. (23:52) A new speed-cycling record is set in Shaftesbury. Alfred was on the Gold Hill cobbles to watch Ben Moore’s superfast ride being filmed for a new prom

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury's youngest councillor is elected following a tiebreak drama. Alfred chats with 21-year old Matthew Welch, who wants the Town Council to engage better with the entire town. (00:24) The Shaftesbury sports club that is so sociable, half of its membership go on holiday together. Alfred visits Shaftesbury Bowling Club for its open weekend. Bowls are considered an older person’s game - the Club is trying to change this. (08:41) How your Shaftesbury inspired pictures or paintings could earn you cash. We hear about the Portrait of Shaftesbury exhibition being arranged by Shaftesbury Arts Centre in partnership with Gold Hill Museum. (17:47) We found out why buckets filled Shaftesbury streets during the Great War. Ann Symons and Claire Ryley have presented some of their First World War ‘Shaftesbury Remembers’ stories and pictures at Shaftesbury Library for the History and Communities Month event. (

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A groundbreaking move for Ansty’s May Day event. Alfred is there for the celebrations as the village crowns its first May King in 400 years. (00:26) Two craftsmen thank their supporters after their workshops were destroyed in Easter Sunday’s fire at Melbury Business Park. We speak to Darren Wheeler and Peter Port who lost everything but received a huge and ‘humbling’ amount of support. Now a crowd sourcing appeal is helping the men rebuild their businesses. (8:58) You can tackle anxiety issues when you keep a journal, according to Rebecca Bingham. The Shaftesbury-based creative writer has launched Doodly, an online business to help others beat the mental health issues which she experienced when she became a mum for the first time. (17:57) Alfred meets the mums who had fun running the London Marathon - and they raised thousands for a Shaftesbury school in the process. (24:08) Margaret and John Cluett

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Dozens march through Shaftesbury’s streets to warn about the climate emergency. ThisIsAlfred attended the procession arranged by environmental campaigners Planet Shaftesbury as a North Dorset response to national Extinction Rebellion events. (00:24) The colourful history of Shaftesbury’s long-forgotten pubs is shared in a new Gold Hill Museum exhibition. We chat to John Strange about the 55 former alehouses he has researched and Janet Swiss explains how she has uncovered interesting aspects of our town’s water supply throughout history. (09:14) A new study assesses Shaftesbury parking options. And it reveals where you’re more likely to find a free space. We chat with Stuart Edwards from Shaftesbury’s Neighbourhood Plan about some of the consultants’ recommendations that include signs and altering the length of stay in some car parks. (20:38) Why staff from BV Dairy are undertaking a tough triathlon-l

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Two Syrian refugee brothers are voluntarily helping the refurbishment work at Shaftesbury’s Oasis pool, to show their gratitude for the townspeople. Social enterprise Build Love has been awarded the pool makeover contract and that also means more opportunities for Guys Marsh prisoners to learn new skills. (00:24) Shoppers welcome the Lidl plans for a store on the former Cattle Market, but their ‘waste of space’ is challenged. People seem to like the idea of competition from a cheaper store in Shaftesbury but many potential shoppers would prefer the supermarket to be sited elsewhere in town. The Civic Society thinks that the single storey design means that the supermarket is not making the most of scarce town centre space. (08:59) The first Shaftesbury Spring Clean is hailed as a success. We talk with the Hilltop Litter Pickers and some of the young volunteers who helped with the tidy-up. (14:36) Musi

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury Town Council objects to Persimmon’s new planning application to build on land south of the A30. We’re at the Council meeting, as the Mayor explains why he doesn’t trust the construction giant. (00:25) There’s national publicity for online retailers as they celebrate their new Shaftesbury shop opening. We catch up with Amalia of the Botanical Candle Co and hear how the business is blooming. (11:13) Tales of the Taliban have boosted a Shaftesbury man’s confidence. Peter has been learning to read with Read Easy volunteer tutor Phoebe. Peter’s life has changed over the last two years. He’s come out of his shell and he’s even appeared on stage in Shaftesbury. (20:41) QI panellist Cally Beaton is the international TV Executive who switched to comedy. She is returning home for Shaftesbury Fringe 2019. We hear Cally’s showbiz stories and learn which celebrity spotted her talent and effectively ch

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: The Shaftesbury Abbey team share some of their recent archaeological dig finds and their plans for the future at their 2019 opening. (00:26) Shaftesbury audiences are offered a new experience with the Arts Centre’s staging of an experimental play. We watch rehearsals for ‘Audience’ and chat to the director and cast. (11:20) Shaftesbury Town Council takes on new land at the side of Salisbury Street. They plan to encourage bees and wildlife to the open space through the sort of flowers they plant. (18:48) Gold Hill Museum remembers the year, 100 years ago, when Shaftesbury was sold three times. As you might imagine, that caused major upheaval. And historian Matthew Tagney highlights some Shaftesbury area place names that appeared on the older maps and sale documents that have fallen out of use. (21:54) Shaftesbury Town councillors are unconvinced by High Street traffic proposals, suggested by Dorset Hi

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: We meet the League of Friends volunteers transforming the Shaftesbury Hospital gardens for staff, patients and wildlife. And they are making sure that all the plants are bee-friendly. (00:26) A ‘national treasure’ entertains Shaftesbury with his showbiz stories. 90-year-old veteran entertainer Lionel Blair was in town to open the new Churchill development. (07:06) An interesting radar survey find in the hunt for the missing a Shaftesbury landmark. We meet Pete Ryley from Shaftesbury Abbey to learn about what’s been found in the Bury Litton churchyard, thought to be the site of the now disappeared St John Baptist church. (16:14) A Shaftesbury church asks potential organists to ‘pipe up’. David Grierson and Chris Mahon share stories of the odd musical requests that they have performed in church. (25:50) The American Midwest podcasters who fell in love with Shaftesbury. Alfred meets Jonathan and Jackie

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Alfred goes out with volunteers who have given up their Sunday morning to try and improve visitors’ first impressions of Shaftesbury. We chat to the Shaftesbury in Bloom helpers tidying up the Royal Chase Roundabout. (00:26) Shaftesbury Town Silver Band members celebrate the best contest result in memory. We chat to the Vice Chairman and Musical Director about our town’s triumph in Torquay. (06:17) Guys Marsh Prison staff praise the Bell Street loo project that has changed the life of at least one prisoner. Alfred attended the toilets’ official re-opening. (12:35) We meet the Shaftesbury choir singing the songs that helped to change British life. Alfred visits a Palida Choir rehearsal and Musical Director Karen Wimhurst explains why people attending their next concert will notice a difference in they way they perform. (18:08) The urban appearance of a new Shaftesbury estate disappoints. Alfred attend