Gillingham & Shaftesbury Guide August 2020

ISSUE: AUGUST 2020 

GILLINGHAM & SHAFTESBURY 

GUIDE 

SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OF GILLINGHAM AND SHAFTESBURY 

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3

WELCOME 

GILLINGHAM & SHAFTESBURY GUIDE 

Welcome to our August 2020 Issue. 

Well that has been a few months we would all rather not repeat. In some ways it has been 

lovely working through the home ‘to do’ list. I think we all now want to get back to normal 

living. It is important at this me that we support our local businesses. They are owned and run by friends and 

family members who put a lot into our towns and community so now lets support them. 

Please note this month’s magazine is very small. We are running it to support those who are already open. We 

hope in the coming months to grow back to a larger magazine and be able to run all our regular features, quizzes 

and recipes, but for the moment these have been dropped along with the what’s on page and the groups and 

sociees page. We hope these will appear again soon 

During lockdown I have spent a good few hours taking myself into the world of ficon where life seems a lile 

beer so we are hoping to bring you reviews from local authors who have launched books over the last few 

months. We start (pg 10) with Della Galton’s latest novel ‘Sunshine over Bluebell Cliff’. Many of you will 

recognise Della from her courses that she adverses here. This is well worth a read and will certainly put a smile 

on your face. Della has kindly donated a free copy for the compeon on that page. 

Thanks to Steve Hawkins of Focal Thingy (pg15) for his summery front cover photo. Just the thing to cheer us 

all up. Please note we are currently planning to deliver the September issue as normal and the deadline will be 

August 10th. This is subject to the situaon connuing to ease and no second spike. 

Businesses note we do excellent rates for packages It appears at the me of wring that we are the only media 

to be delivered free of charge to potenal clients so do get in contact if we can help you. You can find back issues 

at hps://www.vale-adversing.co.uk/gillingham-and-shaesbury-guides/ 

Fran 

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5

Daylight Murder by Rik Lonsdale 

‘These are the last two to be had anywhere in town,’ said Sergeant Scotty McWade as 

he put on a mask and handed one to his boss, Detective Inspector Guy Farley. 

‘Better start wheeling them in,’ said Guy, donning his own mask. 

The murder had been brutal and bloody, but that didn’t worry Guy, murder was his 

speciality. The motive seemed obvious, the victim wore expensive clothes but had no 

wallet, watch, phone or car keys. The body lay near the last ATM in the town. It should 

have been easy to solve too, a murder on the high street of a provincial town during 

market day, there were fifty witnesses. 

Scotty introduced them, one after another, into the makeshift interview room. Guy 

questioned them. From the little old lady buying a few veg to the hotel manager ordering 

the weeks fresh produce, even the youths trying to hide their forbidden skateboards, 

they all told the same story. 

‘There were two of them attacked him with knives. They didn’t stop when he fell but 

carried on. Then one of them rummaged in his pockets taking everything out while the 

other watched us.’ 

‘What was their hair like?’ asked Guy’ 

‘I couldn’t say, they wore caps.’ 

‘What about their clothes?’ 

‘I didn’t notice. They were covered in blood, it went everywhere.’ 

‘Did you see their faces?’ 

‘Of course not, they were wearing masks.’ 

They were wearing masks. Of course they were wearing masks, everyone was. 

‘I could use a pint,’ said Sergeant Wade after the last witness had left, ‘seeing how 

the pubs have reopened today.’ 

‘I disapprove of drinking on duty,’ said Guy, ‘but this time I think I’ll join you.’ 

They went first to The Shepherds Legs Inn. The crowd in the pub were all trying to 

keep their distance from each other. Scotty headed for the bar, but before he got there, 

his boss said. ‘Not here Scotty, come on we’re leaving.’ 

‘What’s wrong with the Shepherds, Guv, it’s a good pint?’ 

‘I think we’ll do better elsewhere, Scotty.’ 

It was the same in The Rustic Rover, The Venal Vintner, The Melodious Monk and 

The Flag and Flutter. 

When they got to The Socket and Spanner, Guy said, ‘We’ll take a table outside, by 

the door. And we’ll just have a half.’ 

Scotty’s face fell. The Socket was renown for its Steampunk Heavy, one pint could 

change your view of the world. 

They sat for three hours nursing half a pint. The crowd inside became more 

boisterous. At closing time they began to stream out. 

‘Time for action, Scotty’ said Guy. He pointed 

out two men, ‘you take the blonde-haired bloke 

and I’ll take the other.’ 

After the two had confessed at the station 

Scotty finally plucked up the courage to ask his 

boss how he knew it was them. 

‘This is why you’re still a sergeant and I’m the 

Inspector,’ said Guy, ‘They were the only people in 

the whole town without masks.’ 

Scotty kicked himself, of course the masks 

came off, all that blood! 

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9

Sunshine over Bluebell Cliff 

‘Clara King is left in sole charge of a fabulous new 

cliff top hotel for the summer. The owner has 

barely left the country when Clara realises that 

someone is hell bent on putting the Bluebell Cliff 

Hotel out of business’ 

From the first page I was captivated by this 

summery book. A hotel to make your dreams 

come true, this book delivers just that. A perfect 

summer read mixing mystery and romance in the 

glorious setting of the Dorset coastline. 

For Clara there are many suspects and she must 

decide who she can trust and who she should be 

wary of. That doesn’t help when she is falling for 

one of the suspects. Can he be trusted? Can 

Clara rely on her instincts? The vivid descriptions 

of the sound of sea, the smells of the kitchen and 

the tastes of chocolate and holiday treats leaves 

you feeling you were staying here too. Set against 

a backdrop of summer, beaches, and dreams 

come true this is a wonderful read with believable personalities and the humour coming 

from the simple everyday problems. 

This is the latest novel by local author Della Galton and was launched just in time for the 

annual influx of people to Dorset. This year with restrictions in place this might be the 

only way to enjoy a vibrant trip to the coast with the most entertaining characters 

including the wonderful three legged Foxy. 

Della Galton lives and writes from her North Dorset home. She runs regular writing 

classes with many of her students going on to have success with writing projects of their 

own. Read her blog here http://www.dellagalton.co.uk/?page_id=28 with the story 

behind Bluebell Cliff and a link to Amazon where the book is available in Kindle, Audible 

and paperback. 

We are delighted to have a signed copy of ‘Sunshine over 

Bluebell Cliff’ as a prize. For a chance to win this please 

answer this question: 

At the beginning of the book Clara drives through the Isle 

of Purbeck passing the ruins of a well-known Castle. What 

is the castle called? 

Send your entries to gillinghamguide@btinternet.com or 

post them to Vale Advertising, Unit 111, The Wincombe 

Centre, Wincombe Business Park, Shaftesbury SP7 9QJ. 

Della’s Inspiration By 5 September 2020. 

FOR ALL YOUR VEHICLE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS 

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What an incredibly difficult time 

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We wish all our leavers a fun 

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school. Children returning/ 

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as we aim to open as ‘normal’ 

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Take Care everyone 

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11

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13

Accountants 

Just Mortgates 5 

Money Management Matters 15 

Ward Goodman 9 

Barber 

The Barber Shop 12 

Blinds 

Sewards3 

Broadband Provider 

Vocallity9 

Builder 

Bitsbobs and Oddjobs 8 

Car Maintenance 

Station Road Garage 11 

Care 

Fernbrook Lodge 5 

Topsie Rabbit 11 

Carpets 

Cullingfords 15 

Masterfit 7 

Carpenter 

Jon Fox 13 

Childcare 


Cleaning 

A&J Windows 15 

Computer Services 

AJS Computers 3 

Mr Safe Mode 11 

Decorator 

Bruce Chown 7 

Domestic Appliances 

Proper Domestics 5 

Education 


Electrical 

QJ Hull 13 

Proper Domestics 5 

Estate Agents 

Chaffers16 

Index of Advertisers 

Fencing 

Fencing Jobs 3 

JW Landscapes 13 

Finance 




Flooring 

Cullingfords 15 

Masterfit 7 

Garage 


Garden Design 


Garden Services 



Gutters 

Tom the Roofer 5 

Hairdresser 

The Barbers Shop 12 

Handyman 


Heating 

Chris Miles 12 

D& T Plumbing 5 

John Eggleton 8 

M & D 9 

Paul Burton 7 

Home Improvements 


Bruce Chown 7 

Cullingfords15 


Jon Fox 13 


Masterfit 7 

Sewards2 

Hotel 

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Lettings Agents 

Chaffers16 

Motor 


Painters 

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Photographer 

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Plumber 

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D& T Plumbing 5 

John Eggleton 8 

M & D 9 

Paul Burton 7 

Restaurant 

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Retail 

Cullingfords15 

Masterfit 7 

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Roofing 

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Surveyors 

Chaffers16 

Swimming Pool 

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Telecoms Engineer 

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Toner & Ink Supplies 

AJS Computers 3 

Wedding Venue 

Royal Chase 33 

Wedding Services 

The Barber Shop 35 

Window Cleaning 

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All advertisements are printed in good faith, however Gillingham & 

Shaftesbury Guide cannot take responsibility for the content of the 

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15

Incorporating 

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Chaffers Estate Agents now have four offices in prominent posions in 

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Gillingham & Shaftesbury Guide August 2020

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