Stalbridge Royal British Legion are holding a Quiz Night on Wednesday 30th September from 8pm to 10pm. Tables must be booked. £2 per person to play. Cash Prizes on the night. See their poster below for more details...
Fountain of Zen Tai Chi present New Classes in Stalbridge Community Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays starting on Wednesday 2nd September and Monday 7th September. Monday 7th September Time 13.30-14.45 Wednesday 2nd September Time 0900-10.15 Discover an Astonishing gentle art That will Change your life ! Introducing Bo Qigong Balance for Life Improve Your Health in a Fun and Friendly atmosphere at A lovely Venue All classes should be Booked online as limited spaces are available due to social distancing Booking link https://www.fountainofzentaichi.com/book-online For other local classes Contact Geoff 07941 115352 geoffrey1145@gmail.com Fully Qualified Tai Chi Union of Great Britain Instructor 
The Stalbridge Petanque & Croquet Club, are pleased to announce, that the official opening of the playing area, will be on the 5th September at 3pm outside the Community Hall. All are welcome. Bring your boules if you have them, and try it out. Social distancing will apply. There is plenty of space. We hope that it will be a nice sunny afternoon. We will be there from 10am should anybody wish to come early, The Bric A brac sale is on from 10-30 in aid of hall funds, you are welcome to come round and have a chat to find out more. Visit their facebook page for contacting the club 
Stalbridge Hall are holding a Car Boot and Bric-a-Brac Sale out doors in the Stalbridge Hall car park (DT10 2NF) on Saturday 5th September 2020 from 10.30am. £5 per pitch. Car Boot set up is from 9am with buyers welcome strictly from 10.30am onwards. Bric-a-Brac items from 20p - All items must go. Please note that this is an outdoor event only. Only Car boot sellers will have access to the toilets. There will also be no refreshments. For more details please ring Mr C. Rhymes on 01963 363702 or email: stal.hall@outlook.com 
Click on the images below to view the online order and delivery services available in Stalbridge
        
SCVCS (STALBRIDGE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER CAR SCHEME) is re-starting with a limited service from Wednesday 2nd September 2020. We have only a few Drivers who are currently available and can only offer a few Journeys per week. If you are registered and have already got an appointment for a visit to a Surgery or Hospital you can call us on 07746 100 299 on or after 26th August 2020 and leave your name, telephone number, date of your appointment and the destination and our Co-ordinator will get back to you to confirm whether we can help you with a Driver or not. Please note that we must ask for 48 hours’ Notice before being able to consider your request for a Journey. If you have any other queries or wish to register with the Scheme please call on 07512 489 531 and leave your name and telephone number and we will get back to you. 
Due to COVID19, The Blackmore Vale Partnership is running a drive-through Flu Clinic in September at Henstridge Airfield, BA8 0TN, in order to be able to vaccinate a large number of people while keeping staff and patients safe. Have a look at the information graphic below for more details. The Blackmore Vale Partnership phone number is 01258 474500. You can also visit their facebook page or website.
There's still time to enter the 2021 Calendar competition run by Dike and Son supermarket in Stalbridge. On their facebook site are details of how to enter, so if you have taken some outstanding pics during lockdown they would love to receive any local Dorset and Somerset images, like rural views, towns and villages, wildlife and farming. Competition entries close on Monday 21st September. Entries chosen will appear in the Dikes calendar for 2021. Head over to Dikes facebook page for competition rules and how to submit your photographs. 
Else Family Butchers in Stalbridge is a traditional High Street shop offering a friendly & professional service and only the top quality meats and deli produce. The range of beautiful and tasty food on offer is something Else! They have an active facebook page which is always updating with offers and new items, including "Fresh Artisan Bread Fridays", where hand made Focaccia, Bloomers, Seeded, Sour Dough Granary and Brioche is temptingly on display and currently some great offer BBQ packs are available for £12. A super deli section stocks a wide variety of cheeses, seafood and fish and fresh vegetables and salad items are available. Have a look at some of the photos of their lovely produce on their facebook page or pop in and see them at Else Family Butchers, Stalbridge High Street. 01963 362276
The Stalbridge Arms are running the government "Eat out to help out" scheme on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August. Half price on meals, desserts and soft drinks. They do ask for 24 hours notice for bookings. Please call them on 01963 364322. 
The perimeter of Stalbridge Park Wall just happens to be about 5 miles in length, which is convenient for anyone in search of a five mile run or walk in Stalbridge. Many runners, walkers and cyclists have put themselves to the test on the gruelling up and down hilly circuit, but no one as far as we know has done it from the inside of the wall....until now! Whether the wall was built by Napoleonic prisoners of war or not is still up for debate, but with the kind and "one off" permission of Mr Richard de Pelet Jan Wardell has recently made the unusual "inside the perimeter" walk around this imposing structure in order to raise funds for the NHS locally and specifically for Remote Consulting Equipment, considered vital for clinicians in the coming months. You can support her valiant effort by contributing to the equipment fund. Details are posted below.
Within the grounds of The Gugg in Station Road Stalbridge is "As the crow flies", a craft gallery/shop which sells one off items created by local makers and artists. All items in the shop are sourced within a ten mile radius of Stalbridge. GIFT VOUCHERS are now available in the shop to be redeemed against anything Guggleton. Available in multiples of £20. Pop in and grab some or use the contact form on their website to order direct. 
A boost for Businesses in Dorset. Dorset Growth Hub has launched Small Growth Grants for Dorset businesses with ambitions to grow. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have traded successfully for at least 12 months and now have plans for a project that will facilitate business growth. The Small Growth Grants scheme is inviting applications for projects of a value from £4,000 upwards and successful grant applications are provided 25% of eligible project costs. The minimum grant amount is £1,000 and the maximum is £5,000. For example, to receive a grant of £5,000 the total project cost will be at least £20,000. Eligible project costs include capital equipment, new premises works and fitting, new digital capability adoption, and outsourcing of expertise. This is a competitive application process and the guidelines and application are provided below. The Small Growth Grant is currently open with completed applications to be submitted by Friday 3rd December 2021, and with any resulting grant claims to be claimed within 6 months of the grant being agreed. Download the application form and guidance below from the Dorset Growth Hub website (this works best on Chrome or latter) or if you have any queries please call our grant administration team on 01202 607533. 
Road closures in Stalbridge
Duck Lane in Stalbridge is due to be closed for BT to do some work from 9.30am on Thursday 27th August to 3.30pm on Tuesday 1st September 2020. If you have any concerns about this please contact Tom Faulkner, (trafficteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk) by 7th August 2020. For your information Stalbridge Primary school children are not due to return until Monday 7th September. 
The government regularly updates their online publication for frequently asked questions about what we can and can't do during the Coronavirus pandemic. This changes as more rules and guidelines are relaxed over time. The latest rules and guidance for 10th August 2020 onwards can be found on an HTML page called Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do on the government website. One of the main changes concerns the wearing of masks. So for example from 8th August the government says: We are now recommending that face coverings are worn in additional indoor settings and this will be enforceable in law. Currently you are required to wear face coverings in shops, supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, indoor transport hubs and public transport. For members of the public, from 8 August this will be expanded to include:
Some people, including disabled people and those who have invisible impairments or conditions such as mental illness, do not need to wear face coverings if they are unable to do so. People are not required to prove they are exempt from a face covering. Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing one should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this. 
The Church of St Mary in Stalbridge is to re-open its doors from Sunday 19th July 2020 at 9.30am. A service of Music , Prayers and Readings will take place at this time ( but unfortunately no singing). Everywhere has been cleaned and the appropriate Covid precautions have been put in place for the safety of all concerned. Please be aware that the church is required to take details of those attending due to Track and Trace requirements. 
Stalbridge Town Council are pleased to announce that The Jubilee Play Area has re-opened today 15th July in Stalbridge Playing Fields. There is now one entrance only gate and one exit only gate. Please read and respect the guidance and rules displayed in order to be able to use these facilities safely. Stalbridge Town Council reserves the right to close these facilities again at any time if the rules and guidance posted are not being observed or if new guidance from government changes in the future. Thank you for your understanding. 
Dorset Council have announced the re-opening of its sports and leisure centres from 25th July. Announced on their website "The centres managed by Dorset Council will be welcoming back customers from Saturday 25 July. The news comes after the facilities closed in March due to COVID-19." Guidance published by the Government outlines measures that will allow indoor swimming pools and sports facilities to reopen. Social distancing measures will be in place in all the centres, together with rigorous cleaning regimes. Touch-points, such as door handles and railings, and all equipment will be cleaned regularly and hand sanitising stations positioned around the buildings. Centre employees are receiving COVID-19 training to help them understand and implement plans for the safety of customers. Find out more nearer the time by visiting the council website and finding a leisure facility near you. 
Stalbridge Town Council is happy to announce that the Jarvis Field Play Area and Multi-track will open today, Friday 10th July, at 3pm. The new signs and guidance for the safe use of these facilities are attached to the gates. Please make sure you and your children understand the rules and guidance before using either area. As you can see from the map below there is one entrance only to the play area and one entrance only to the Multi-track. When leaving either the play area or the Multi-track the Wessex Road Exit Gate must be used. Please read and respect the guidance and rules displayed in order to be able to use these facilities safely. Stalbridge Town Council reserves the right to close these facilities again at any time if the rules and guidance posted are not being observed or if new guidance from government changes in the future. Thank you for your understanding. 
Stalbridge Play parks update: Stalbridge Town Council are getting ready to re-open the Play Area and Multi-track at Jarvis Field. In order to make these facilities as safe as possible to use we have ordered new safety advice banners and banners for Entrances and Exits. With many businesses and organisations ordering new signage from signmakers at short notice it has taken longer than usual to obtain this signage. We are expecting delivery of the 24 different signs we have ordered to arrive in the next few days and as soon as we receive them we will be able to open Jarvis Field Play area and the Multi-track. The opening of the Jubilee Play Area at Stalbridge Playing Fields will happen as soon as possible after that.
As you can see from the map below there will be one entrance only to the play area, one entrance only to the Multi-track. When leaving either the play area or the Multi-track the Wessex Road Exit Gate must be used. Please read and respect the guidance and rules displayed in order to be able to use these facilities safely. Safety remains our absolute top priority and we have worked to keep these areas as safe as possible. With regard to the Public WC’s in Station Road car park we are phasing the opening with a single multi use disabled and unisex facility. This is being done in order that we can provide a facility that is safe, with ventilation, non- touch taps, flush and hand soap and sanitiser dispensers. Again there will be a marked one way system and signs in place to encourage adherence to latest guidelines in relation to covid 19. The opening date is yet to be confirmed. Thank you for your support and understanding.
New fish & chip shop opening times from the 8th July 2020. Please click the button below for further information on the shop opening times and their covid rules for visiting the premises. 
Stay local, shop local – Councils and shops come together to re-open the high street
A Message from Dorset Council about the re-opening of retail outlets... Stay local, shop local – Councils and shops come together to re-open the high street Following government guidelines, from Monday 15 June many of Dorset’s shops re-opened for business, and they need your support. Most shops and high streets across the county have been closed since the government introduced lockdown measures in order to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Now that restrictions have started to be relaxed, shoppers are able to return to their local high streets. This is vital for shop owners, who need Dorset residents to help get their businesses back on their feet by shopping locally. But as the threat of the virus has not passed yet, Dorset Council together with town and parish councils have been working with local businesses and organisations to ensure that people can keep safe while they’re out and about. Shops that may reopen include those that sell clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books and electronics. Hairdressers, beauty salons and leisure facilities like cinemas currently remain closed. Cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars are also closed unless they are offering a take-away service. Businesses will only be able to open if they are confident about managing the risks and are able to follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines. To keep people safe, Dorset Council has been working with town and parish councils across the county. Work is underway and will continue over the coming weeks to implement various measures on the high street designed to help shoppers stay safe: –
We recommend cycling or walking to your high-street whenever possible. However, we have re-opened council-run car-parks and normal charges are in operation. Please use your mobile phone to pay for parking where you can, by calling/texting or using the Just Park app. If you need to use a ticket machine, keep your distance from others when waiting to pay. If you need to use public transport to get to the high street, remember that from 15 June it is compulsory to wear a face covering while travelling on public transport. Many public toilets will also be open, and these have full hand-washing facilities available. Some toilets will remain closed while we make changes to ensure they are safe for public use. Please wash your hands regularly, before you leave home and when you get back. If you know you are likely to use a public toilet, make sure to carry your own hand sanitiser and gels. Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Skills, said: “By staying local we can continue to limit the spread of COVID-19, and I urge you to shop locally where possible to show support for our businesses in these extremely difficult times. This is a crucial time for local business-owners who want to welcome shoppers back while ensuring that their customers stay safe. By councils working together with businesses and their customers, we can maintain public health and support the economy to start re-opening safely. Local businesses need your support right now to ensure they can continue to trade in the future. Our message for residents is if you continue to follow the public health guidance around COVID-19 it’s safe to get back out there and do some shopping on your high street.” 
An important update from Stalbridge Parochial Church Council on the possible re-opening of The Church of St. Mary in Stalbridge... "As you will have heard the government and church authorities have agreed that churches can open to give members of the public access to churches for private prayer and meditation. Stalbridge Parochial Church Council held a virtual meeting to examine, under the latest guidance available to them, the methods and routines to be used to open the building for public access. The suggested plan was to open the church building on a Wednesday and Sunday between the hours of 10.00am and 4.00pm. After much soul searching the PCC felt that it could not put in place the measures required to guarantee the safety of anybody who may choose to use the church and maintain the standard required for public safety. The PCC realise that this is a disappointment to the community around Stalbridge but will continue to monitor the latest information on the situation from the government and church authorities so as we are able to open the building as soon as possible. The Rural Ministry team and Bishop Karen have acknowledged how difficult it is for those of us in small rural parishes to reopen churches and have come up with a new and innovative option which the PCC are putting in place. We are establishing a “Local Prayer Space” which will be centred on the bench which is just outside the church door of St Mary’s church; there will be signs to show where this is. There are some benefits to this option as there are beautiful views of the Blackmore Vale and the churchyard from there and it is accessible all day and every day. The usual social distancing rules will apply but there will be no other restrictions needed. The churchwardens and the PCC welcome anyone who wishes to sit and pray or meditate at the Local Prayer Space and hope it will be some comfort to those who need it. Thank you everyone for your understanding and patience at this time". 
An important message about First Bus Services by Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First Bus. "Following recent updated guidance from the Government I want to provide you with an update of what we’re doing at First to keep you travelling safe. From 15th June you must wear a face covering or mask on our buses From Monday 15 June, anyone wishing to travel by bus must follow new government rules and wear a face covering or mask on board at all times. Please help our drivers and your fellow passengers by complying with this practical safety measure. A guide on how you can make a mask, can be found on our website firstgroup.com/help-and-support/coronavirus-information Keeping you safe on board This week we’re also rolling out a new, long-lasting sanitising treatment across our entire fleet, which kills Coronavirus on surfaces. The treatment is effective for 28 days, is environmentally-friendly, and is scientifically proven to be highly effective against Covid-19. It is the latest addition to our already enhanced cleaning regime. Our buses will be treated every 28 days with this “invisible shield”, which attracts and kills organisms and is the latest cleaning enhancement in addition to the daily disinfection of all customer touchpoints onboard. Helping you travel with confidence With social distancing measures in place on our buses there are fewer seats than normal available on each bus. To help you travel with confidence we have developed some new functionality in our Mobile App. You can now track your bus live on a map so you know exactly where it is and when it will get to your stop. What’s more, each bus now displays in real time how many empty seats there are to help you plan your journey. If you can buy tickets in advance on our app and avoid using cash it would be appreciated. Download or update the app today Thank you for your ongoing support. Regards Giles Fearnley Managing Director, First Bus |
