We’ve a really fun competition for the smart or curious minded among you …
Discover the rich history of East Dorset by entering our exciting competition for a chance to win a Family Annual Pass to the award-winning Museum of East Dorset! This prize grants unlimited visits for two adults and up to four children for an entire year, allowing your family to uncover the many treasures and stories of our area.
Housed in a historic building once home to the Coles family’s ironmonger’s business, the Museum of East Dorset showcases more than 40,000 objects that span from the 1700s to the early 2000s. The collection includes fascinating items that reflect domestic life, trades, childhood and agriculture in the region. Among the museum’s rarest artefacts are archaeological pieces of national significance, a comprehensive photographic archive dating back to the 1850s, and historic clothing that brings East Dorset’s past to life. Many objects come from the Coles family’s personal possessions – they famously “never threw anything away”! There are also items from Sir Ernest Kaye le Fleming, a local historian who gathered an extensive array of photos and artefacts that vividly depict the area’s history, and more recently The BV’s own favourite historian, the late Roger Guttridge, left his extensive personal archive to the museum.
How to Enter: To win, simply take a look at the photo above and guess what the mystery item might be! Is it something related to an old trade? Or a unique household item from the past? Make your guess and fill in the widget box below for your chance to enjoy unlimited visits to our museum and share in East Dorset’s rich heritage.
As I write this, we await two highly significant events – the Labour government’s first budget and the election of the next US President. While the result of the US election is sure to have world-wide ramifications, the Labour budget will undoubtedly have major consequences closer to home. The US presidential election is worryingly too close to call, and the possible consequences of Trump winning do not bear thinking about. At a time when the world urgently needs to come together to address the environment, climate and conflict, Trump’s deliberately inflammatory and divisive brand of politics and his climate denialism would add hugely to the challenges we face. His well-documented routine of repeatedly saying things that are clearly and demonstrably untrue is both astonishing and alarming. Astonishing that he says them in the first place, and alarming that if anything they seem to increase his popularity with a large part of the American electorate. That said, we don’t have to look too far to find politicians of our own who have a somewhat distant relationship with the truth. In advance of the Labour government’s first budget much has been made of the so called ‘black hole’ in public finances inherited from the previous government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has vowed there will be no return to austerity, but it’s hard to reconcile that promise with her recent demand that ministers draw up billions of pounds in cuts to infrastructure projects. This could affect projects such as hospital improvements – which are urgently needed, as anyone who has anything to do with the NHS – especially the staff – knows only too well. Having been badly let down by the last government, including its phony pledge to build 40 new hospitals, the NHS urgently needs investment if the health of our nation is to be rescued from the depths to which it has plunged, with 2.8 million people too ill to work and rising rates of cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health issues. The NHS is just one example of how vital it is for the bean counters to focus on the long-term benefits of investment, rather than the short-term costs. The same goes for the environment & climate. As always, prevention is better (and much cheaper) than the cure. Ken Huggins, Greens
Meet Garrett Dorset, the local family business that realised there was a need for a personal, hassle-free approach to car selling
Today there are so many places to sell your car: from Facebook Marketplace or Autotrader to an array of giant online car companies. Navigating those platforms, however, is time-consuming and sometimes extremely stressful, resulting in an inbox flooded with messages, not to mention time-wasters and aggressive hagglers. A Poole-based, family-run business is proving that the human touch – combined with more than 30 years of experience in the motor industry – is the best road to success when selling a car, van campervan or motorhome.
Garrett Dorset in Poole will of course help anyone sell a car: but they have built an outstanding reputation helping those in the most sensitive situations. Perhaps those of us who may have lost a loved one and need to dispose of their vehicle, or those who can no longer drive through illness. Founder Andy Garrett explains: ‘The idea grew organically after a friend asked me to value a car for someone recently bereaved. The widower was so grateful for the personal and hassle-free service we provided, and we realised there were probably many other people in a similarly sensitive situation who we could help.’ The bespoke service takes all the stress out of selling a vehicle. Andy, or a female member of his team if preferred, will visit you at your home or workplace. Over a chat, a complete appraisal of your vehicle will be carried out followed by a free, no-obligation valuation. Andy explains: ‘At this point you might choose to go ahead with the sale, which we can conclude there and then. ‘Alternatively, you might like to spend some time considering our offer. Either way, there’s absolutely no obligation or pressure to sell. ‘If you choose to sell your vehicle to us, we promise a fair and accurate valuation, a quick and easy sale, fast immediate payment … and above all a friendly and efficient service.’
Handling the paperwork The service includes all handling of DVLA paperwork as well as any administration needed to settle outstanding car finance on the vehicle. ‘In times of bereavement or ill-health, taking the burden of all this paperwork away is a huge relief,’ explains Andy Garrett. ‘It can all be done by us from the comfort and security of your own home. And there are no fees or administration costs when you sell to us, unlike some of our competitors. We will pay the full valuation for your car with no deductions. The money is instantly transferred at the time of sale, too, so there’s no added anxiety of waiting for the funds to go through.’
Dorset Chamber CEO Ian Girling says the new flexible work experience options can ensure ALL young people have equal access to opportunities
It’s the time of year when a new cohort of young people begin to think about their careers and what they may want to do. Work experience can provide a vital first glimpse into the professional world, but for many – especially those from a disadvantaged background – these opportunities remain out of reach if they cannot secure their own placements. Dorset Chamber is working with the Dorset Careers Hub to make sure this doesn’t happen – all young people in Dorset must have access to a work experience placement opportunity. Work experience is hugely important for many reasons. It offers young people a first insight in to the world of work, including the skills required, and it helps inform young people regarding future decisions. It’s also vital in helping to develop those core skills that are so important: confidence and social skills, teamwork, communication and timekeeping. It’s also important in beginning to educate young people on the difference between education and school, and helping make that transition. For employers it’s an opportunity to give something back and provide a really valuable and important opportunity for a young person. Many employers also look at work experience placements as a way to recruit new and talented young people in to their business. Traditionally we think of work experience as five days of fairly mundane activities. But we are encouraging and helping employers provide meaningful and fulfilling work experience opportunities – and they don’t need to be five days long. We can help create varied work experience programmes that can include taster days, visits to businesses and undertaking work experience at more than one business for a shorter period. Work experience can now literally be anything from two hours to two weeks. If you are able to provide a valuable work experience opportunity, please do get in touch with Laura Bush on laura.bush@dorsetchamber.co.uk. Laura can provide you with help on providing a great experience for a young person that’s flexible in terms of format. You can also see more information on our website dorsetchamber.co.uk You’d be making a huge difference and providing a young person with a great development opportunity that should be there for everyone.
Jo Rimmer combines competing with producing young horses and training riders of all ages. She’s a 5* event rider, UKCCL3 BE coach PMP and Howden Way Academy Coach, has produced a number of horses up to CCI5-L level and competed at Pau CCI4 in 2018. Her sought after winter clinics are now open for booking– and be quick, they always fill fast! She’s working from two venues, Kingston Maurward Equestrian Centre and Dorset Showground, and will be covering a variety of disciplines across the clinics: Showjumping, arena eventing, technical cross country lines, poles and showjumping exercises and showjumping course riding.
• All events are bookable via Equoevents – just search for ‘Rimmer’ as the organiser and you can see them all
The Olivier and Evening Standard Theatre Award-winning sensation Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) will play a week-long run at Lighthouse Poole from Monday 18th to Saturday 23rd November. Written and directed by Isobel McArthur, this retelling of Jane Austen’s classic love story blends humour, romance and a modern twist. In this irreverent but affectionate adaptation, love, money and microphones are fiercely contested. Set in the 1800s, with a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a party, the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. The “smart, laugh-out-loud funny” (Daily Telegraph) show features a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain. “Faithful to the book, it’s also a raucously irreverent romp” (Daily Mail). The cast includes Susie Barrett, Emma Rose Creaner, Rhianna McGreevy, Naomi Preston Low and Christine Steel, with additional company members Isobel Donkin, Georgia May Firth, and Harriet Sanderson. Each actor takes on multiple roles in this inventive production, bringing Jane Austen’s beloved characters to life with a fresh twist. It’s the 1800s. It’s party time. Let the ruthless matchmaking begin. 18th to 23rd November 7.45pm (Thurs and Sat matinees 2.30pm) lighthousepoole.co.uk
Rob Gray: history-loving boy, former precious painting courier and now Wimborne’s museum curator cataloguing 40,000 pieces of Dorset’s past
Once the house and collections manager at Kingston Lacy, Rob Gray is now collections and experience manager at the award-winning Museum of East Dorset All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
Rob Gray is squirrelled away in what he affectionately calls his ‘shed’. This is the engine room of one of Dorset’s smallest and most idyllic museums – Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset (MED). Shelving runs down the length of the room, neatly stacked with boxes containing a fascinating journey through time. A stunning Victorian dolls’ house sits alongside a magnificent magic lantern, the 19th century’s image projector. Rows of Roman pottery stand to attention. A firefighter’s battered leather helmet, dating back to Wimborne Fire Station circa 1880, is carefully wrapped. You can’t help but wonder about the head that wore it …
One of Rob’s many jobs is painstakingly cataloguing and digitalising every single item in the museum’s archive – that’s around 40,000 pieces. Here, he’s examining slides for the 19th century magic lantern on the table
Rob’s been the collections and experience manager at this award-winning museum for just over a year. One of his many jobs is painstakingly cataloguing every single archived item – that’s around 40,000 pieces. He describes it as a labour of love – and possible only with the help of an army of dedicated volunteers. Rob is also responsible for the 11 museum galleries housed in the beautiful 16th century building. When we speak, he just launching a new exhibition. The current, hugely popular, Rebellion and Revolt, which has been vividly detailing the impact of the English Civil War on East Dorset civilians, will be replaced by ‘I Grew Up 90s’. This marked contrast is an homage to the era of the Spice Girls, Lara Croft, Nokia phones and Tamagotchis. Yes … the 1990s is now consigned to museum-worthy history!
Rob Gray, deep in his ‘shed’, the museum’s engine room of an archive with shelving neatly stacked with boxes containing an eclectic, fascinating journey through time
‘I curate two special exhibitions a year and am always working a year ahead, pitching ideas to the museum director and trustees,’ says Rob. ‘We’re a charity and a community museum, and budgets are tight, so I call in favours from other museums. I can be a charmer when I’m asking to borrow! ‘My exhibitions are known for being historically accurate, fun … and maybe a bit quirky.’ All research, writing, interpretation panels, even painting the walls and changing the lightbulbs, is down to Rob. His passion for history is infectious, and you definitely want him on your pub quiz team. ‘As a kid I adored reading. I devoured books from my local library, which had a brilliant historical section. I remember winning a writing project at primary school. I chose the English Civil War. I’d never won anything before – I was really chuffed.’ During school holidays, Rob and his dad – hugely influential in his life – would explore castles and historic houses together in the north of England and Scotland. ‘Other kids wanted to go to games arcades. I wanted museums and castles.’ This history obsession led to studying medieval and modern history at Southampton University. ‘The syllabus covered the Crusades to Hitler. I had a truly inspirational lecturer, Professor Edgar Feuchtwanger OBE. As a German Jew who grew up on the same street as Hitler in Munich, Edgar really could bring history alive – he’d actually lived it.’
Rob says the current exhibition in the Voices Gallery is the most under-appreciated exhibit in the museum. It is showcasing local artist Nic Rawling and The Paper Cinema
Come 1997, the boy who wandered around stately homes got the chance to live in one! Rob was appointed house steward at Dorset’s famous Kingston Lacy. Responsible for organising the cleaning, maintenance, mothballing and repairs of this acclaimed historic home, he was also a live-in security guard: ‘I lived above the shop – but what a shop! When the public left, you had the house and grounds to yourself. That was special.’ Promoted to house and collections manager, Rob had the dream opportunity of combining his love of history with his passion for travel. ‘Artwork is loaned to galleries and museums around the world. Kingston Lacy’s incredible collection of works by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Tintoretto – to name but a few – were in high demand. Acting as a courier, I would accompany these hugely valuable pieces. As you can imagine, all the conditions must be right for travel. It was my responsibility to get the artwork there in one piece and then oversee its installation. ‘That’s a tad stressful. Picture the scene: Italian crane driver, smoking a fag while dangling a multi-million-pound painting from a winch high above a gallery in Rome’s Palazzo di Venezia. I had to cover my eyes! ‘Most people never use their history degree, but I’ve been lucky enough to make a living with mine. Here I am, doing what I love, in this gorgeous museum and aiming to get others hooked too. History never stands still.’
• museumofeastdorset.co.uk • I Grew Up 90s opens on 16th November and runs until 29th March 2025
‘My exhibitions are known for being historically accurate, fun … and maybe a bit quirky.’
Rob’s special quick fire questions: Among the thousands of Museum of East Dorset exhibits, what’s your … • Oldest? Some of the prehistoric tools on display in the Landscape Gallery are thousands of years old. • Weirdest? The mummified cat found in the building that is now the Santander Bank in Wimborne High Street. It was used to ward off evil spirits. • Coolest? German Luftwaffe chocolate. It was ‘rescued’ (pinched!) from a German bomber that crashed at Sturminster Marshall during the second world war. • Rarest? The Iron Age skeleton of a man (400 – 200 BC) in the Life and Death Gallery. His spine reveals that he died of TB, one of the earliest prehistoric cases of TB recorded in Britain. • Most under-appreciated? The current exhibition in the Voices Gallery, showcasing the talent of local artist Nic Rawling and The Paper Cinema (on loan). • Favourite? Vinegar Valentine cards in the Stationers Gallery. A selection of satirical Victorian Valentine cards – some are downright rude! – they were used to firmly rebuff unwanted amorous attention.
