Listen To Alfred

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: We're getting two new supermarkets on our doorstep - but don't assume that's the death of Shaftesbury's High Street. We speak to local traders about the challenges posed by Lidl and Aldi. (00:26) The Council considers acquiring an empty shop for short-term projects. Town Clerk, Claire Commons, explains that housing estate developers could pay for the purchase. (10:20) A quirky new Shaftesbury Fringe venue - book your performance at the dentist! We hear about the amazing space on offer for acts. (12:45) From Kurdistan to the former Cattle Market car wash - Ali's opening up again and he explains why he doesn't like leaving Shaftesbury. (14:50) The devoted volunteers who live and breathe Shaftesbury Carnival. ThisIsAlfred attends their AGM and discovers how the group recognises hard work - and funds Shaftesbury good causes. (24:11)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: 'Planet Shaftesbury' packs the Town Hall to launch their local climate change campaigns. Alfred speaks to event organisers, Robin Walter, Rachel Bodle and guest speaker Gary Mantle. Gary is Chief Executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and he warns how climate change could affect our local landscape, including spring bluebell displays and streams running across the chalkland. (00:25) New road markings could make a Shaftesbury junction safer, according to Dorset councillor Derek Beer. Derek is worried that Angel Square is 'an accident waiting to happen'. He explains what he would like done. (07:53) From caring for people to caring for pets, Shaftesbury paramedics Paul and Ronda Tubb open a new cattery in West Melbury. And Paul reckons he can apply some of his ambulance crew skills to making sure the cats feel cared for. (10:42) Discover the real France and Germany with Shaftesbury's Twinning Association

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Success for Shaftesbury Carnival. Our town's historic event is voted Best in Wessex. Carnival Chairman, Rich Mullins, shares his thoughts on the club's 2018 success. (00:41) An Abbey researcher uncovers the signature that altered Shaftesbury forever. Stuart Edwards explains how he's tracked down an important document as he looks into the life of the Abbey's last Abbess. And we preview the Museum's future makeover. (06:21) A Shaftesbury musician praises our public-spirited town after he's reunited with a valuable saxophone he accidentally left on the street. (13:58) Shaftesbury's Slimming World boss says that her kids would be without their mum if it wasn't for her weight loss group. Charlene Higgins tells her moving story. (16:13) Mental health crisis help will be offered in Shaftesbury, so locals won't be told to travel to the south of the county for support. Alfred talks with the Hope charity's Eil

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A day that changed Dorset history. We visit Shaftesbury Cattle Market for its final sale. The landlady of Ye Old Two Brewers in St James is leaving. She reveals her plans for Angola '76. Saluting Shaftesbury's unsung hero who tidies up part of the town. Why people are praising Bill Sherriff. Could you help uncover Duncliffe Wood's hidden history? Charting this ancient woodland's interesting past. Bored after Christmas? Find new hobbies with Shaftesbury Library's Saturday sessions. The Town Council is promoting Shaftesbury as a place to get married. We hear why they're hosting a wedding fair.  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Praise for Shaftesbury locals from a 93-year old, after his precious photos are returned with his lost wallet. Tony Hawkins is delighted. And there's great news about his Town Hall tea dances, too! (00:23) New Year's honours for Motcombe's 'King and Queen'. Alfred chats with Liz Pocock, BEM and John Blashford-Snell, CBE. (04:13) An uphill struggle - the challenge of creating a cycleway between Motcombe and Shaftesbury. Alfred talks with Shaftesbury councillor John Lewer and Motcombe councillor Peter Mouncey about an off-road bike link. (12:14) Why a busy North Dorset road will close for three months. Dorset County Council hopes that technology will stop the traffic jams and delays for drivers in Melbury Abbas. (20:00) Dr Marie Stopes - the Dorset woman who changed opinion on parenting and relationships. And why she was both loved and loathed. We preview a Shaftesbury lecture about her life. (30:16)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury's 'The Wilderness' is sold at auction for a higher amount than was expected. The Shaftesbury Town Council bid is unsuccessful. We talk with Town Clerk, Claire Commons, who attended the sale. (00:26) 15-year-old Shaftesbury schoolboy Adam Parry has won an international ballroom dancing competition with his dance partner in Paris. We talk to Adam about success on the dance floor. (04:30) The boss of Shaftesbury's monthly Sunday Market, Steve Dauwalder, gets tough on plastics. Steve says the event is 'on the rise' despite challenging conditions for market and fixed store retailers. (12:30) ThisIsAlfred meets the Pearly King and Queen of Harrow. Dave and Paula toured town centre pubs to raise cash for a North Dorset charity. We learn about the history of the Pearly Kings and the heaviness of their glittering clothes. (15:13) The Shaftesbury Memory Café could be closed if they can't recruit mo

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Tackling fast driving through Motcombe with the village's speed gun volunteers. And ThisIsAlfred joins the parents tackling poor parking, which creates problems for Motcombe Primary pupils walking to school. (00:24) Regular comedy nights will start next month in Shaftesbury. Alfred meets Dorset comedian Andrew White and hears how his Shaftesbury Fringe experience encouraged him to start the events. (10:16) A top Shaftesbury photographer shares her tips. We meet Bella West and learn why her work is being shown at a special Westminster exhibition. (15:26) Shaftesbury resident Simon Hill was told that he was going to die. Now Simon wants help the friends and family of patients in a coma. (22:02) Shaftesbury's Tesco reduces the length of stay in their car park and there are mixed reactions from local people, politicians and the town's Chamber of Commerce. (28:23)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury's new zero waste store opens. Alfred meets eco-entrepreneur Lucy Barfoot, the woman behind it. (00:23) The Alfred podcast tours the refurbished Trinity Centre and finds out why Shaftesbury wins when you book their huge hall and meeting rooms. (07:09) We re-live the Shaftesbury Christmas lights switch-on and late night shopping event and hear seasonal singing from the community choir and star attraction Belle Street. And you'll learn which business has the town's best-decorated doorway. (14:31) We visit Shaftesbury's new, limited time, pop-up art space at Father's House and meet three very different local artists who are selling their work. (17:14) North Dorset MP Simon Hoare grabs a spade and breaks ground to launch the project to build Motcombe's new community space. (23:34)  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Good news for fans of dark skies. Shaftesbury Council turns down a plan for new streetlights along an ancient Shaftesbury way. (00:23) Brexit uncertainty has focused Shaftesbury businesses' minds, says The Wincombe Centre's Wendy Ibbotson. (05:40) We meet the Shaftesbury Shaker box maker exporting his woodwork to The States. Alfred visits Richard Gibson of Shaston Boxes in his workshop. (12:03) How changing parking permissions could end the blocking of a Bell Street business entrance. Joshua Ritchie of Corita Rose has a plan. (22:55) We meet the Motcombe mum who has been wearing a sandwich board to encourage people to enter the village's Santa Run. (27:40)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Good news for Shaftesbury's stargazers – LEDs have reduced light pollution. Alfred visits Ansty Farm Shop for the Cranborne Chase AONB stargazing evening with our local astronomy experts. (00:27) Shaftesbury's newest estate agent says the town is in demand. Matt Boatwright shares his views on future expansion of Shaftesbury and he says where he thinks he believes you can buy a bargain. (11:20) Shaftesbury Town Council could purchase The Wilderness. Locals want to protect the ancient woodland above French Mill Lane from development. Listen to hear how you could help. (17:10) A 93-year-old Shaftesbury dancer is starting monthly tea dances. Tony Hawkins tells his incredible story about being spotted for his dancing skills in Egypt, after the war. (26:00) Motcombe should not become a Shaftesbury suburb says draft Neighbourhood Plan. Villagers have been clear about how they want Motcombe to develop. (30:1

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: You'll be asked what you want included in the development, if Shaftesbury Town Council bids to buy the empty Budgens superstore on Bell Street. (00:24) The archaeological survey team from Shaftesbury Abbey's SAVED project is excited after their radar survey found signs of a settlement under Castle Green. This could be the 'first glimpse of the Saxon town of Shaftesbury'. (07:34) Shaftesbury residents give considerably more than most towns to the Poppy Appeal. Royal British Legion Chairman Robin Miller shares his thanks. (14:30) Over fifty locals are saluted for enhancing Shaftesbury with flowers. We're given some good gardening tips from the woman with the best garden in Great Ground, at the Shaftesbury In Bloom awards. (15:16) There's award success for Shaftesbury's BV Dairy. We visit the Wincombe Lane headquarters of the multimillion-pound business and hear why judges declared this 'the best compan

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Shaftesbury was sold in 1919 and a centenary exhibition is planned. Hear why we're lucky that some plots were taken out of the auction. (00:24) We meet the Shaftesbury artist selling falcon fashion. And Jack Lewis can trace his passion back to Shaftesbury's founder. (07:29) We uncover the secrets of Compton Abbas Church. Our guide shows us a window that reveals a former village industry. (15:24) Another event for your Christmas Calendar! The Mitre is planning a festive market. (25:14) A 170-home Shaftesbury housing estate is refused permission. Hear about the design changes demanded by the Council and why the developer's plan for the A350 proved popular. (27:34)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Alfred uncovers the spooky side to Shaftesbury. We tour the passages under Britain's fifth most haunted hotel and talk with the landlady of the Ship Inn about her resident spirits. (00:30) Signs that the community cares - Motcombe locals restore the village's historic Dorset finger signposts and road markers. (13:07) We chat with the retired Bishop who will honour a priest who opposed the Nazis. Learn more about this special talk. (17:17) Would a King Alfred statue enhance Shaftesbury's High Street? Open Spaces Group member Bernard Ede believes so and he tells ThisIsAlfred why. (21:40) The Bell Street public loos will be refurbished by spring. Councillor Tim Cook tells Alfred why it is important. (24:34)  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: 'Project Belle' announce plans for Shaftesbury's empty Co-op building. ThisIsAlfred speaks to Jackie Upton King, the group's Acting Chairman about the community-led bid for the site. (00:35) Alfred spends an evening with Tiffany Longley-Wolff to hear some of the success stories from her Shaftesbury performing arts school. And we visit her brand new, bespoke building to discover what a difference the new facilities make. (04:02) Shaftesbury is getting electronic vehicle speed indicators, but which streets will have them? And why? ThisIsAlfred asks the Mayor. (12:21) Alfred meets Keith Bunting, the Shaftesbury man making real sundials, not mass-produced factory fakes. Keith creates outdoor timepieces for clients all over the world. (16:12) Have you got a well? Then Gold Hill Museum wants to know about it. Janet Swiss will explain what she wants to find out as she plans her 2019 exhibition. (25:06) &nbs

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: There was a full turnout for Dorset's toughest running event. We brave the rain to chat with runners and volunteers at Shaftesbury's Gold Hill 10k. (00:30) A Shaftesbury herbalist launches her plant-based facial oil and it's already attracted top celebrity attention. We learn about Enchanted Plants' partnership with Dorset farmers to provide the thirteen plants needed for the formula. (09:21) The Mayor throws out a Christmas challenge to find Shaftesbury's best dressed home. Piers Brown says there will be prizes for the most impressive decorations. (16:31) Want to be a firefighter? See whether you have the skills and the stamina at Shaftesbury Fire Station's Have-a-Go night. We're on station talking to the crew and debunking myths about recruitment requirements. (20:19) A classic Ealing comedy comes to the Arts Centre. Take a front row seat to hear why you'll love The Ladykillers. And we discover wha

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A Shaftesbury artist wins an award with his eco-message ash tree painting. Alfred chats to West Melbury man Gary Cook about his distinctive and beautiful Dorset landscapes. (00.32) Debbie Simmons needs volunteers with vehicles to help socially isolated Shaftesbury residents. Alfred learns more about the Car Link transport service and why it is in such demand. (06:16) A Shaftesbury hotel has been named as one of the best boutique properties in Dorset. (13:56) The Wilderness, a much-loved area of Shaftesbury green space, will go under the hammer. The owner reveals his plans. (17:35) The Abbey View Medical Centre's staff now call you back for a chat before they'll book an urgent appointment. Find out why this new approach is being hailed as a success. We chat with Clinical Services Manager Richard Broad. (25:20)

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: The story behind the Kipling Club's incredible, award-winning illuminated Shaftesbury Carnival entry. We chat to twins Matt and Steve who have given up most of their spare time on making this brilliant entry. (00:24) We're out with the judges, choosing Shaftesbury's most creative window decorations in the Chamber of Commerce contest. (07:42) We visit Ashmore to meet Susanne Harding, boss of the film and Dorset produce festival that she loved so much, she took it on. Susanne tells us about Screenbites. (13:07) Dim the lights to boost winter tourism. How the Shaftesbury area could attract stargazing visitors and a potential observatory. We talk to Melbury Abbas resident William Kenealy, who is pushing for a reduction in light pollution. (20:11) Five minutes with Rebecca Chambers, the Shaftesbury vocal coach, helping singers around the world boost their confidence and stage presence. And Rebecca has hel

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: A Shaftesbury artist's Dorset buttons will feature in a Hollywood blockbuster. We hear how Anna McDowell's craft is encouraging tourists to town. We preview Shaftesbury Carnival with the new Co-Chairman, Rich Mullins. He talks about the aspect of the event that he found most surprising when he took on the role. Alfred meets Myra McDadd, the well-known local writer who has penned this year's Shaftesbury Arts Centre pantomime, The Nutcracker. Lose the pounds with playground games! Rob Marsh is starting free, fun team exercise sessions, called 'Rabble'. We caught up with Rob on a windy Park Walk to hear more. The Grosvenor Arms' new boss Kirsty Schmidt reveals future plans for the hotel and shares their impressive occupancy rates. And she tells Alfred a spooky cellar story!  

This time on Alfred, the podcast for Shaftesbury, The Vale and Chase areas of North Dorset and West Wiltshire: Have your apples pressed with a new service offered in The Donheads. How can you make sure your juice tastes great? We meet the co-founder of the Donhead Apple Company and taste the nearest thing to a Shaftesbury apple! Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce unveils a Christmas gift for shoppers and shopkeepers. They've secured a free car parking perk. From googlies to Google - A new IT and internet marketing business has been launched at the Wincombe Centre by two mates who met on the cricket pitch. How a robin delayed the reinstatement of the Gold Hill Hovis loaf. We find out how the fiberglass structure could raise funds for Shaftesbury causes and we meet the man who made the original. Your pooch could win you prizes! We preview Shaftesbury's biggest canine competition at St Mary's School on Sunday. Shepherd huts are trendy again. But did you know that Shaftesbury was the prime location for these agricul