Enjoy the new logo; read about local election hustings and other news

With local elections approaching on May 2nd, a small group met on 4th April and then deliberated over the following weekend before making practical arrangements for a hustings - an event where candidates can meet and answer questions from the public.

The elections provide Shaftesbury residents with an opportunity to choose TWO people to represent the town on Dorset Council. We have 9 candidates to choose from, a mix of people who are experienced in councillor roles (for town, former district or county) and some who are less well known so far. They've all been invited to join the panel of candidates who will introduce themselves and then respond to questions from the public, overseen by independent chair Stuart Edwards. Dorset Council has significant influence over this community, the shape of our town and its future. Please publicise the hustings where you can, and come along to join the audience to help you decide how to vote. To offer practical help as a steward, or to submit questions in advance, email planetshaftesbury@gmail.com.

Election Hustings for Dorset Council

Shaftesbury Town Hall, 18th April, 6.45pm for 7pm start

Candidates for Shaftesbury Town Council stand either for the East (8 seats from 2024) or West (7 seats from 2024) ward. The seven candidates for West Ward find themselves elected unopposed whereas at the 2nd May election voters in East Ward will select 8 of the 10 candidates. All of those putting themselves forward (and not standing for Dorset Council) have been invited to join the audience at the hustings.

Meanwhile, the Annual Town Meeting takes place on 23rd April from 6.30pm. This year, Planet Shaftesbury is not providing an information stall prior to the formal meeting at the Town Hall, but there will be a report of activities from the Sustainable Shaftesbury Working Group. An Annual Town Meeting is expected of town councils and is where the council explains what they have been doing over the last year and where ordinary electors can find out what is going on in their town and have their say.

Bere Marsh Farm, close to Shillingstone, was acquired by the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) in 2020 and is now a showcase for CRT's work to deliver nature recovery and nature-friendly farming. Between April and October there's a varied programme of events, walks and workshops available - see details and book at https://www.thecrt.co.uk/Pages/Events/

Hawkers Recreatives is a drop-in stitching group hosted every Thursday morning, 10-12.30, in the Barn at Hawkers Farm, Stour Provost. You can learn how to mend, make a skirt, up-cycle a garment or embroider or just bring your own needlework and enjoy the company of like minded people. Jennifer Morisetti, who started this initiative, is also to be found at the Vintage Fair and Repair Cafe which returns to the Town Hall this Sunday, 14th April, 10am-4pm.

Code Red for Nature: At 2pm on Saturday 20th April a mass assembly for a Funeral for Nature is taking place in Bath. The UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth and several locally-based Red Rebels with be joining around 400 others in a procession from the Bath Percy Community Centre. Too late now to arrange to join as a 'Red' but 'mourners' dressed in black are invited to follow the procession. More details at https://www.coderedfornature.uk/

Our Next Meeting on a range of specific projects linked to Sustainable Shaftesbury takes place on 9th May. More details on the website (still in the throes of a refurb) and in the next newsletter.

Please send news or event details to planetshaftesbury@gmail.com for sharing across our network