The Alfred Daily

On today’s Alfred Daily: Why trees are decorated on Park Walk | Dorset Police lockdown patrols | Shaftesbury Library Christmas kids’ challenge | Additional COVID test site for Dorset | Restricting Park Walk traffic | Support for Dorset farmers' mental health | Clive Whitbourn on ash dieback and Merlin | Why silver birch is special | Afternoon sunset on Foyle Hill

On today’s Alfred Daily: Rise in Shaftesbury COVID-19 cases | Castle Hill goat grazing | Shaftesbury footpath watchdog wanted | Shaftesbury vet warns chicken keepers | Octoberfest won’t return to Barton Hill | Do you support Shaftesbury FC 3G pitch? | David Kerswell North Dorset farming | Motcombe shop’s winter COVID-19 safety | Arts Centre actors rehearse through lockdown | Brigit Strawbridge Howard’s wildlife-friendly garden | A robin in Breach Lane

On today’s Alfred Daily: Witness appeal following A30 crash fatality | Spreadeagle Hill closed | Help find Shaftesbury bank card fraudster | Shaftesbury shop closed under COVID rules | Enmore Green estate plans are amended | Zara and Percy’s online art exhibition | Littledown footpath reopens | Wardour smallholder Mary Myers | Shaftesbury birdwatcher Alex Chapman | Afternoon playtime in St James Park

On today’s Alfred Daily: Police seek witnesses to B3091 accident | Shaftesbury fire crew called to A30 collision | Youth support charity extends to Shaftesbury | Redrow break promise to reopen Littledown path | Wartime history - Motcombe POW camp | Dorset dialect with John Cluett | Ode to Gold Hill | Wildlife-friendly gardener Dirty Nails | A blue tit near Fontmell Magna

On today’s Alfred Daily: Shaftesbury forester Robin Walter publishes book | Fault causes Shaftesbury power cuts | Town Council opposes Raspberry Lane home | Shaftesbury woman creates lockdown café | Shaftesbury’s Facebook running club | Annabel and Richard birdwatch | The sound of the springs near Wincombe

On today’s Alfred Daily: The Shaftesbury road that feels least safe | More dog poo bins for Motcombe | Shaftesbury FC Chairman Steve Coffen | Kate and Karren chat | Barkley Johnson’s short story - ‘Whistling Jack’ | Nick Crump records sparrows in a yew on Breach Lane

On today’s Alfred Daily: Shaftesbury salon burgled | Legion chairman pleased with Shaftesbury poppy support | Dorset Council’s lockdown business grants | Extra Dorset police on lockdown patrol this weekend | Shaftesbury School’s new headteacher | COVID cases up in Shaftesbury | Tom Perrett walks around Gillingham | Chicken keeper Kate Scott | Paul Merefield’s pub quiz | Book reviewer Karen Cole | Birdsong at Wardour Lake

On today’s Alfred Daily: £2m Shaftesbury business expansion | Motcombe Council backs barn owl boxes | Shaftesbury smallholding one year after arson | Online store inspired by Shaftesbury foliage | Yew tree qualities - with herbalist Julie Wood | Soundscapes - birdsong and water on The Maltings

On today’s Alfred Daily: Blocked Shaftesbury to Motcombe path to reopen | Shaftesbury parents launch lottery and virtual fair | Shaftesbury shops’ home delivery | Free Cranborne Chase history lessons | Dorset Police thank residents | Shaftesbury what’s ons | Happy memories of Ray Humphries’ shop | Motcombe’s clean war memorial | Daybreak at Shaftesbury smallholding

On today’s Alfred Daily: Hundreds fill High Street to say farewell to Ray | Mystery over Shaftesbury’s Polish war hero | Tesco seek judicial review over Lidl store plan | Shaftesbury job vacancies | Christmas tree trail for Enmore Green | Shaftesbury mum launches healthy lifestyle business | Mary Myer’s smallholding diary | Dawn on Gascoigne’s Lane