Welcome to Blandford St Mary
On behalf of The Parish Council, let me welcome you to Blandford
St Mary. We hope that the information given in this Welcome Pack
will help you to settle more comfortably into your new home and
the village.
Neighbours usually become your first contacts and advisors, but
please feel free to email any of the Councillors or Clerk for
information and help. As residents, we trust that you will quickly
become and feel part of this community.
We have tried to gather as much useful local information as
possible, but the editors would be pleased to hear any suggestions
or improvements you might have about this pack. More local
information is available via our website. The website also carries
the most up to date version of this document.
http://blandfordstmary.wordpress.com/
We wish you many happy years in Blandford St Mary and hope
that you will join with us in creating a vibrant and friendly
community.
Mary Siwek
Chairman of the Parish Council
Editors
Anne Davies-Hutton
Hazel Moscrop
johnhutton3@sky.com or tel 489100
hazel@bringmesunshine.co.uk
Councillors
PARISH COUNCILLORS
CHAIRMAN
Mrs.L.M. Siwek
mariekins@yahoo.co.uk
Mr. R.G. Whitlock
nd51wdk@yahoo.co.uk
Mr. P Hill
impaulhilly@yahoo.co.uk
Mr. J. Dallison
JDallison@TDUK.com
Mrs. S Erim
shulay@talktalk.net
CLERK
Mrs. N Phillips
Nicola.phillips37@tesco.net
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Mr. C. Tomlinson
chris.tomlinson@btopenworld.com
COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Mrs. H. Cox
h.a.cox@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Further contact details are printed on the parish notice boards.
These are situated in Birch Avenue, Bryanston Court, Lower
Blandford St Mary and Bournemouth Road.
Parish Council meetings are the first Wednesday of every month
except January and August at 7pm at Blandford St Mary Primary
School.
There are no meetings in January or August.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this
welcome pack. If, however, you do find any inaccuracies please inform the
editors. Thank you.
The Local Area
Market Days
Market square, Blandford Forum Thursdays and Saturdays
Farmers Markets – Usually the 2nd Friday of the month. Actual
dates in the Blackmore Vale Publication
Things to do and Places to go
River Stour walk - Starting at Bryanston School gates opposite
the Stour Inn, walk through the gates and immediately bear off to
the right, up the slope and follow the path to the left down towards
the river.
The Trailway walk - Coming from Blandford St. Mary along the
A350 towards Charlton Marshall turn right into Wards Drove at
Lower Blandford St. Mary (white house on the corner) and follow
the track up past the houses, around a metal gate, over the old
Blandford St. Mary station bridge and turn left through the new
metal gates onto the Trailway. Suitable for wheelchairs and
pushchairs.
Now comes the simple bit. Just follow the Trailway for as far as
you want, turn round and walk back!!
Badbury Rings - Iron Age hill fort near to Kingston Lacy House,
Wimborne. Look out for the brown tourist signs.
Open recreational space in Blandford St Mary
Pigeon Close – green for games, football and basketball areas and
children’s playground. No dogs please.
Stour Meadows – Skatepark and walkway through to town centre
via Mortain Bridge.
The Milldown
Large open space, small wooded area and childrens playground.
Opposite The Blandford School, Milldown Road
Blandford Leisure Centre
Main pool, teaching pool, gym, court hire and more. Milldown
Road, Blandford Forum. Tel: 01258 455566 or log on to
http://www.north-dorset.gov.uk/index/enjoying/
north_dorset_leisure_centres/blandford_leisure_centre.htm
Activities for Young People
Baby Clinic Drop-in – Blandford Health Centre, Salisbury Road,
Blandford. Thursday afternoons 452949
Parent and child activities, Children’s Centre, Black Lane,
Blandford 480147. Antenatal, postnatal, children’s activities and
support. Also nursery provision.
‘Chums @ Charlton’ For all pre-school children, babies and
toddlers. Mums, Dads, Grannies and other carers welcomed.
Tea, Coffee toys and chat. Charlton Marshall Church Room,
Usually 2nd Friday in the month 2pm.
Charlton Marshall Youth Club , 2nd and 4th Thursdays. Ages 9 to
17. Charlton Marshall Church Room Tel 452457
Swimming Club – Blandford Flyers, Bryanston School, Mon &
Wed, Blandford Leisure Centre Thurs & Fri Contact Mrs Alner
453128
Blandford Leisure centre with on site youth club and Blandford
gymnastics club run activity sessions for young people. There is
also a skate park in Stour Meadows. There is a drop-in youth
coffee shop (TREADS) on Salisbury Street, next to the Oxfam
shop.
Connexions is for you if you are aged 13-19 and wanting advice on
getting to where you want to be in life. It also provides support up
to the age of 25 for young people who have learning difficulties or
disabilities (or both). Barnack Walk, Blandford Forum.
http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm
There is also Blandford Amateur Boxing Club for adults and
juniors, Male & Female. Unit 8, Blandford Heights. Contact Les
on 01258 458894
Activities for Families
The Family Information Service produce a booklet called “Tots and
Tiddlers about Town”. This provides a full listing of ante-natal,
baby, toddler and children’s activities, support groups and fun
sessions. You can contact them by phone 01305 224800 or just
search on the internet for tots and tiddlers north dorset for the
latest booklet.
Dorset Rural Music School, The Close, Blandford Tel 452511
Music lessons, instrument hire and shop. Mon-Fri 9.30 – 6.30am
and Saturday mornings only.
Blandford Film Society , Blandford School, Milldown Road. Tel
454697 Sept – March blandfordfilm@gogglemail.com
Activities for Adults / Older People
Blandford Adult Learning Centre, Black Lane, Blandford 0800
262648 blandford@dorsetadulted.info
U3A (University of the 3rd Age) Contact Gillian Jackson 453376
Online Centre, Learn new or brush up on old computer skills.
Charlton Marshall Church Room Mon-Thurs 10.30-12.30 Tel
452457
Charlton Marshall Church Room, Coffee, chat, homemade cakes
and paperbacks Mon-Sat 10.30-12.30
Womens Institute - Blandford
United Reformed Church Hall 1st Wednesday of the month.
7.30pm. Contact
D. Saad on 01305 266366
Camera Club, Blandford
Club room – Station Yard, Blandford. Contact Alf Tomkins on
01258 454450 www.bfcc.co.uk
Civil Service Retirement Fellowship
Hall & Woodhouse Visitor Centre based at the Brewery, Blandford
St. Mary.
2nd. Friday of the month at 11a.m. Contact Mrs. Chambers. Sec.
01258 456572
NADFAS Wimborne & Blandford Decorative & Fine Arts
Allendale Centre, Wimborne. 3rd Monday of the month. 2.15pm.
Contact Mr & Mrs Fields 01202 887065
Reading Club
Blandford Library. 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1p.m. Contact
Mrs Robinson 01258 455007
Blandford Knitting Machine Club
Pimperne village Hall. 3rd. Tuesday of the month at 2p.m. Contact
Mrs. Ball 01258 454516
Ashley Wood Golf Club
Wimborne Road. Blandford. 01258 452253
Deer Park Riding Stables, Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford Tel
453285
Wessex Astronomical Society. Meets first Tuesday of the month
730pm at Allendale Community Centre, Hanham Road, Wimborne.
Visitors welcome. Also public astronomy events held monthly at
Durlston Country Park, Swanage (Except June and July).
www.wessex-astro.org.uk
Travel Information
Taxi
J & R Taxi - 01258 450077
Kens Kabs - 01258 456 136 or 01258 452 735
Hilliard Cars - 01258 454415
Forum Cars - 01258 456788
Train
The nearest train station is in Poole. For National Rail Enquiries
phone 0845 7484950.
Coaches
National Express coaches depart from Poole or Ringwood. For
information phone 08717 818181. Tickets can be bought at the
Blandford Information and Tourist Centre.
Bus
Please find a bus timetable included. Alternatively, phone Wilts
and Dorset Bus Co on 01983 827005
Nordcat
NORDCAT is a charitable organisation which provides a door-todoor minibus service in the north Dorset area primarily for the
elderly, disabled and socially excluded. For more information
please contact the NORDCAT Community Transport Manager,
Helen Reed Tel: 01258 472164.
Friends of Blandford Community Hospital Transport Services
Transport to and from hospital appointments. Distance no object.
Free service, donations appreciated. Book through your GP.
Shopping trips and outings for vulnerable or disabled residents.
Contact Sarah or Lisa on 450095.
Services
Utilities
British Telecom - 0800 800 150 Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm,
Saturday 8am to 8pm, and Sunday 9am to 6pm
Southern Electric – General enquiries - 0845 7444 555 (local rate
call)
British Gas – General enquiries 0845 6000560
Wessex Water - General enquiries, water and sewerage 0845 600
4 600
Post Office
Post Office / Royal Mail services, sorting office and parcel
collection point. The Tabernacle, Blandford Forum Tel:
0845 722 3344
Post Boxes
Royal Mail post boxes for mail collection are situated outside the
front doors of Tesco in Blandford St Mary and Folly Lane in
Bryanston Hills. There is also a postbox next to the church in
Lower Blandford St Mary.
Newspaper delivery
Jeans Newsagents. Market Place, Blandford.
James (The Plocks, Blandford. Only open a.m. for papers) 452910
Milk delivery
Please call Dairy Crest for information on 01258 820591
Blandford Information Centre and tourist office.
Marsh & Ham car park. Wealth of information about the local area,
events, brochures, maps and accommodation bookings. Open
Mon –Sat. 01258 454770
Citizens Advice Bureau
Nightingale Court. Blandford , Appointments only 01747 822117
Age Concern
Nightingale Court. Blandford, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 10a.m to 1pm.
Answerphone at other times 01258 458250
North Dorset District Council (NDDC) Services
Refuse Collection
Blandford St Mary black sack collection – Fridays
Lower Blandford St Mary black sack collection - Thursdays
Kerbside Recycling
Green box collection fortnightly on a Wednesday.
Recycling Centre
There are limited recycling opportunities in Blandford St Mary in
Tescos car park. The main recycling centre is at Higher
Shaftesbury Road.
Blandford Leisure Centre
Milldown Road, Blandford Forum. Tel: 01258 455566 or log on to
http://www.north-dorset.gov.uk/index/enjoying/
north_dorset_leisure_centres/blandford_leisure_centre.htm
Library
Application form enclosed for membership of Blandford Library,
The Tabernacle, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DW Tel: 01258 452075
Register Office
North Dorset Register Office, Salisbury Road, Blandford, DT11
7LN Tel: 01305 225153
Opening times: Superintendent Registrar: Tuesday, Wednesday &
Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 4.00pm
Local MP
Robert Walter MP Tel: 01258 452420
Church
The Parish Church of Blandford St. Mary is situated in Lower
Blandford St. Mary. Rector: Rev. Stephen Treeby.
sftreeby@alumni.manchester.ac.uk The Rectory
Spetisbury. Tel: 01258 453153. Church service times are posted
on the Parish boards.
Police
999 Emergency
Blandford Police Station. Peel Close Tel: 01258 452101
Non Emergency Police contact: 01202 222 222
Use the non-emergency service to notify any and all criminal
activity because, without the Statistics to rely upon, the police
funding will continue to fall.
LOCAL COMMUNITY POLICE
Safer Neighbourhood Team (office) 01202 223003
(mobile) 07825 521850
Community police officer - Dave Mullins
dave.mullins@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Dorset Police online, interactive website
www.dorset.police.uk
A Police Officer attends the Parish Council meetings to give
monthly crime figures in Blandford St Mary and to discuss items of
interest.
ICE - IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CONTACT
All mobile phone users are urged by the police to enter next of kin
or other emergency contact into a mobile phone under the name
‘ICE’
Families and Health
Schools
Pre-school – Little Birch pre-school, Birch Avenue, sessional care
2yrs 9mth – school age. Telephone 07929 363291
Primary - Blandford St Mary Church of England Voluntary Aided
Primary School, Birch Avenue, Blandford Forum, DT119QD
Telephone: 01258 453331
Secondary - The Blandford School, Milldown Road, Blandford
Forum, DT117SQ Telephone: 01258 451121
Doctors
Whitecliff Surgery, Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset,
DT11 7BH
Enquiries (01258) 452501
Eagle House Surgery, White Cliff Mill St, Blandford Forum, DT11
7DQ, (01258) 453171
Dentists
The easiest way to find a local dentist who is accepting new
patients is to log on to http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories .
Alternatively call the Dorset Primary Care Trust on 01305 361300
Hospitals
Minor injuries unit 8am-8pm - 01258 394032 Blandford
Community Hospital, Milldown Road Blandford Forum Dorset
DT11 7DD
Dorset Emergency Care System (DECS) for out of hours doctors
advice Tel: 0845 600 1013
NHS Direct – Tel: 0845 46 47 or log on to
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
Accident and Emergency – Poole General Hospital, Longfleet
Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2JB Tel: 01202 665511
Accident and Emergency – Dorset County Hospital, Williams
Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2JY Tel: 01305 251150
Pharmacies
Boots Pharmacy, 45 East Street, Blandford Tel: 01258 452619
Boots Pharmacy, 3 Salisbury Street, Blandford Tel: 01258 453108
Vets
Damory Veterinary Clinic, Tel: 01258 452626, Damory Lodge,
Edward Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 7QT
Drug and Alcohol Services
Blandford Drug and Alcohol Advisory Service
3A Market Place, Blandford. Mon- Fri 9am – 4.30pm
Tel: 01258 450862 or mobile: 07515 585988
North Dorset Disability Action Group
Provide loan equipment, including electric scooters, powerchairs
and wheelchairs on a short-term basis to people in immediate
need and to help clients purchase for the long-term. We are a
small, effective charity who would love some new members. These
can be able-bodied and people with disabilities.
Alan Dunn, Chairman or Pat Withers, Secretary, PO BOX 1572
Gillingham, SP8 4DZ, Tel: 07791 232461 Email: info@nddag.co.uk
Website: www.nddag.co.uk
Wayfinders
For free impartial and confidential advice for people over 50.
Contact 01305 213345. Information about benefits, legal issues,
housing options, reliable traders, healthcare etc. (POPP Dorset
partnership for Older People Project)
Publications
Blackmore Vale Magazine.
A great source for free local information. Published weekly.
This magazine is delivered door to door in some areas. This
publication is also available at WHSmiths, Blandford and The
Information and Tourist Centre, Marsh & Ham car park, Blandford.
It is usually available late afternoon on a Thursday.
3 Villages News
A local monthly publication covering Blandford St.Mary, Charlton
Marshall and Spetisbury. Village news and events, Church service
times, adverts, articles. Yearly subscription £5.
To order (home delivery) Contact Mr. Bob Wood, 9 Lower School
Lane, Blandford St Mary on 01258 488559
Available from Newsagents
Western Gazette.
Bournemouth Echo.
Don’t forget the Blandford St Mary website as a great source
for local information
http://blandfordstmary.wordpress.com/
http://blandfordstmary.wordpress.com/
Features include:
 A great local history of the village
 Parish newsletters
 Diary dates
 Junior pages
 Council news & diary dates
 Ideas for reduce, reuse, recycle
 Swap shop
 St Mary’s church
 Village memories
 And plenty more……………….