Local Projects
Arts & Culture
There is a longstanding aspiration for a community art centre in Blandford to meet a variety of needs. The DT11 Partnership is trying to draw these strands together into a coherent proposal, and then work to see what premises could become available, and what funding could be reached or raised. At this stage nothing is ruled out (nor in) – the example of the Exchange at Sturminster Newton may or may not be like something that Blandford with nearly three times the population needs, wants or could maintain.
The draft of the Community Strategic Plan currently has the following statement – Arts and Culture. (p 20)
'In spite of the fact that there are more artists here than in any other part of North Dorset there is no centre in which to display work or to assist with its creation or teaching. Young people lack creative stimuli of any kind. There is an urgent need for a properly equipped venue where people of all ages can both engage in and view theatre, dance, music and film as well as the visual arts. A community arts centre could have permanent but changing displays of art, sculpture etc; drop in practical art & music workshops for all ages, kids theatre workshops, young peoples issue based theatre or videos (such as the “Clean up Blandford” video) and provide outreach work with halls in the surrounding villages. Work of this nature particularly when it reaches disadvantaged groups (such as people with learning difficulties, long-term unemployed or young offenders) is valuable in developing confidence, self-esteem, pride of place and help in gaining access to further education.'
A group to consider options, possible premises and other issues is being convened under the auspices of the DT11 Partnership
Please contact Keith Yarwood if you would like to be involved or help.
Email kyarwood@waitrose.com, or phone the DT11 Forum Office on 01258 489998
North Dorset Trailway
The North Dorset Trailway project has had some remarkable successes culminating early in 2008 with the opening of the whole of the Shillingstone to Sturminster Newton section, including a new bridge over the Stour at Fiddleford. DT11 has adopted the task of getting the next section from Shillingstone to Stourpaine completed.
The Trailway is a path (formally a bridleway) open to walkers, cyclists and riders, but not motor vehicles, with firm, but soft surfacing.
There is a real prospect of raising ambitions and trying to get the whole route of the former SD&J Railway open from Bournemouth to Burnham on Sea and Bath and Bristol. This project is much more than just “green”; it would provide many safe routes to school (over 33% of children would like to cycle to school, yet only 2% do) as well as pleasant and useful routes between villages and it would be a valuable tourist attraction bringing business to pubs, B&Bs and other small businesses in towns and villages along the whole route, as well as saving CO2 emissions and obesity.
Extending the Trailway is at least as much a matter of negotiation as money, and a point to be borne in mind is that unlike the railway, it does not absolutely have to all be straight and level - detours around problem or otherwise developed sites are possible.
The draft entry in North Dorset’s Community Strategic Plan reads...
The North Dorset Trailway could be part of a coast to coast (Bournemouth to Burnham on Sea & Bath) route with enormous tourist opportunities as well as providing dozens of Safe Routes to School (Sustrans says 33% of children would like to cycle to school but only 2% do so). Once completed this will open up an economic and recreational safe transport link through and beyond the DT11 area. Making the links between the local footpath network and nearby villages makes car-free journeys possible and will offer an extensive network of paths and bridleways and can encourage sustainable tourism and opportunities for village based businesses.
The Trailway is being supported by Dorset County Council, and the district councils, as well as the national charity Sustrans.