Vacant Vicar

Both my husband and my daughter sing in the choir at St Peter's Church in Dorchester. My daughter recently enjoyed singing with the other choir members at the top of the tower at 7a.m on Ascension Day. My husband had work as excuse, he would of enjoyed being accompanied by 3 trombones at a great height I am sure!
My daughter said it was higher than she expected, and would have liked it to have been a bit warmer, but still enjoyed the enthusiasm of the choir.
The Vicar of St Peter's has now left Dorchester, to take up her new role at Exeter Cathedral. I attended her installation service. I am not sure what they do there to celebrate Ascension Day, I will have to ask her, when I next visit.

Visitors attending the service were permitted to sit within the quire area. It was good to see that so many visitors from Dorchester had travelled to support Vicky in her new surroundings. There were so many visitors that the Cathedral wardens had to put out extra chairs!

I enjoyed visiting Exeter, and due to the timing of the service it gave me an opportunity to indulge in a bit of shopping.
I was tempted by the new Apple i-watch, but decided perhaps I would struggle with reading the very small font!

I enjoy new technology, and today I have been using a new app' on my i-phone. I installed Periscope a few weeks ago. Periscope offers the opportunity to stream live video to a list of followers. The audience can then interact with the film by adding comments. I discovered that Exeter Cathedral were using it, so I followed them.

Today I had a notification flash up on my screen to say that Exeter Cathedral were streaming live. I was then able to watch a short film about 'The Exeter Book' also known as Codex Exoniensis which is an anthology of anglo saxon poetry. I am finding there is no limit to the endless potential of new technology! I am an addict!
I was also able to listen to Vicky's first sermon from the Cathedral as they are recorded.

So perhaps the new Vicar of St Peters may be using an i-watch to time the sermons! The job is now advertised in the Church Times, here is the link:- Team Vicar vacancy in Dorchester.

Link to St Peter's Facebook Page where you can see the photo's from Ascension Day and listen to Vicky's Sermon.

Lonely Bouquet in Dorchester

I am keen to see the film 'Far From The Madding Crowd' which is released in the cinema this weekend, so I walked past the Odeon cinema this morning to check out the show times. I am sure that the film based on the Thomas Hardy book will be very popular, and I was pleased to see that there are lots of showtimes over this weekend. Whilst walking away from Brewery Square I noticed a small bouquet of flowers laying on the bench outside Pizza Express.

I thought perhaps that someone had had an accident there last night or that perhaps someone had not turned up for a date and the flowers had been left undelivered. I am naturally an inquisitive person and on closer inspection I noticed two small cards tucked in with the flowers.

How wonderful for me to find The Lonely Bouquet left on the bench by Peter Hart Bespoke Floral Design of Dorchester.
As I knew that a member of Carluccios staff was leaving today to take up her new role in  the new Cheltenham branch, I decided that I should give her the flowers.

What a lovely reminder for her of her last day in Dorchester!

So as instructed on the card I am sharing this blog to the Peter Hart Facebook page to show how the lonely bouquet was adopted.



Link to the Telegraph review of the film 'Far from the madding crowd'

It's wedding time in Dorchester

I love Saturdays in Dorchester. They are often busy and bustling, but always cheeful and upbeat. Today the Corn Exchange was the venue for a wedding fair. Small businesses collaborated to provide an excellent variety of services, that all contribute to making a wedding day run smoothly.

I kind of wished I was getting married again, but don't let my husband know! 

My visit to the Corn Exchange was purely out of curiosity, but I was made to feel extremely welcome by Kate and Kirsten at the door. Kate runs Bridal Reloved a dress shop in Poundbury, and Kirsten is a talented make-up artist. Inside I chatted with Cara from Stripey Finds who's products would bring a bit of fun to any celebratory event! 

Taste Brassierie re-opened today with a fresh new look, I did not have time to stop there today, but I will look forward to eating there soon.
I did treat myself to a lovely new pair of earrings today, from the lovely jewellery shop in Princes Street called Jordan's Jewellers. 

They were not like the ones I wore on my wedding day!

I wonder what happened to those?

Spring clean in Dorchester

Dorchester is enjoying glorious sunshine this week, and some of its well established businesses have moved locations.

Stems Florist and Gifts formerly in Antelope walk is looking very attractive next to Simon's Delicatessen in Weymouth Avenue. 

Duke's Auctioneers have opened their fine new premises next to Brewery Square. The new art auction complex, offers visitors an elegant and fashionable facility, displaying antique items in a modern and refreshing style.

Visitors to the Auction House will be able to enjoy eating at one of the many lively restaurants in Brewery Square. The aromas from the micro brewery at Brewhouse and kitchen will be nostalgic for some of the more senior visitors, who will remember the original smell of hops from the original Eldridge Pope Brewery. Simon's Delicatessen in Weymouth Avenue has a new look and offers more seating for enjoying local Dorset food.

There are may other good places to eat in Dorchester. Taste Cafe and Bistro were the overall winners of the 2015 independent Dorchester Retail Awards, are refitting their premises, and we have Sushi + More!

The Shepherd o' the farm

 

I was stood looking at this plaque today in Durngate Street in Dorchester. I was thinking about the line 'An' when the evenen sheades be long'

 Changing the clocks last weekend into British Summer time indicates we are heading towards the season that William Barnes was referring to.

There are no warm evenings to enjoy yet though, the strong winds that we have been having over the past 48 hours have at least arrived before the blossom has come out on the trees. The fountains in Brewery Square are dancing in the wind!

The high winds must be challenging for those working on the tall buildings and cranes!

Some of the structures are changing the skyline of the town considerably.

There is lots of activity and refurbishment happening in Dorchester. The Junction Hotel has just had a makeover and looks very inviting! 

As always there is plenty of colour to be found in the town at Easter time. Look at all these wonderful goodies on display in Carluccios.

I like the look of this one!

Or these perhaps? 

As always there is often a talented musician or two to be found busking in the town!

Whatever your plans are for the Easter break, I wish you a happy one. I feel lucky to live in such a vibrant town that is constantly evolving! I am looking forward to those summer evenings that our local poet wrote about in 'The Shepherd o'the farm'.

Weldmar Hospice Trust

Dorchester is the home of the Weldmar Hospice Trust. It is an independent charity which supports people who's lives are affected by cancer and other life limiting conditions. The charity is well supported in the town and has a number of different shops that raise funds for their important work.

My daughter has recently started as volunteer, working in the bookshop. It is located in South Street and is always well stocked with generous donations.

In Trinity Street, there is a large shop, which sells a good selection clothing and house ware items. The shop is often bustling, but is always kept tidy and organised.

One of Weldmar's three outlet stores is currently located on the Poundbury West Industrial Estate, but will be moving shortly to bigger premises. This shop stocks furniture and larger household items and a selection of clothing.

Whichever shop you visit you will always receive a warm welcome from the staff. Donations are always appreciated. The trust runs 19 shops in Dorset and 3 furniture outlets. 

Recently I attended a training course held at Hammick House in Poundbury. 

Weldmar offer a selection of training courses relating to their work. 

Looking back to my blog that was posted on the 8th March 2014, it seems that I was sitting in the sunshine on the terrace of Carluccios. That is not the case this year, today is dull and damp, but spring is nearly here and Dorchester is a cheerful town whatever the weather is doing! 

Social Embers new business in Dorchester

I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to obtain places on some free training courses for women new in business in Dorset. The training has helped me get my new website up and running and I can now share a link to it here!

 I have founded SocialEmbers.com to investigate digital bereavement issues that are beginning to occur in the digital era. There is a blog on the website that may interest readers of this one! Please have look!

The series of training courses that I have attended have been sponsored by WSXEnterprise, The Government Equalities Office and Superfast Dorset and have been held under the umbrella title of 'Dorset Women Go Digital'

It has been a good opportunity for me to network with other women and to discover the evolving business ideas that are being created in Dorset and in Dorchester. 

Digital technology may be second nature to most people under 30 years old, but there are many older people that have not been familiar with it, who find the training extremely valuable. 

Certainly we are experiencing more and more digital technology in our daily lives, and the arrival of superfast broadband to Dorchester is welcomed by all in business. Those living in the rural villages that are still waiting to be connected can check here to see when that will happen. 

Link to fibre broadband coverage map.