Chris Loder audio interview By Seth Dellow

Part of our series of audio interviews, Seth Dellow talked with West Dorset MP Chris Loder, about local mental health issues, as well as the impact of the pandemic.

In a wide-ranging interview, recorded at his Poundbury office, West Dorset MP Chris Loder cites attitudes to social responsibility and the disproportionate distribution of economic resources as causes of some of the problems faced by rural areas. The fascinating interview, part of our series on mental health throughout the wider local community, gives an interesting insight into how the softly-spoken man from Sherborne went from life as a local farmer to Member of Parliament. It also gives an insight into some of the personal challenges he has faced throughout his own life, as well as during his short time as an MP.

Speaking about the problems of loneliness and isolation faced by many in rural and farming communities, he stated how ‘shocking’ the suicide rate is and how it is a ‘cause for national embarrassment.’

Although drawn to a more national role in politics during the Brexit debate, Chris Loder had served on West Dorset District Council to represent villages to the south of Sherborne since 2013 and was Association Chairman of West Dorset Conservative Association for three and a half years until August 2019. Now in a position with much more public scrutiny and with high expectations from constituents, he hints at some of the frustrations of being a new MP and how difficult it can be to create change, especially at a time of such huge uncertainty. ‘The reality of being a member of parliament of course, is that you are here as a representative of this constituency—to hold the government to account, rather than being a government minister—and that is something that is not well understood,’ he says. ‘Regrettably, I don’t have the ability to pull a direct string and make something happen tomorrow, but I can hold others to account in doing so.’

From subjects such as his challenge to Government about what it is doing to help gay farmers, to the lack of housing to help young people stay in the South West, as well as his concerns about what can and can’t be believed about COVID-19 data, Seth Dellow’s interview with the West Dorset MP is illuminating.

‘From my interview with Chris, it was clear that rural locations, such as that of West Dorset and the surrounding areas, have individual and unique problems relating to mental health’ explained Seth. ‘Despite the seemingly challenging situation, it has been an intriguing opportunity to talk to Chris about the work he has been doing in his constituency... What has struck me most during this interview, and the others in this series, is that no one is immune to mental health issues, and reaching out for support is never a bad thing to do.’

This interview, as with all the others in the mental health series, will be available on the Marshwood Vale website, at www.marshwoodvale.com.

Chris Loder with his dog Poppy on the family farm in West Dorset Listen to Part 1 of the Chris Loder interviews at the following link: https://bit.ly/37dFO6D

The interview is in three parts which will be released over the weeks coming up to Christmas. To be alerted when new links are available, email a request to be updated to info@marshwoodvale.com.

Seth Dellow is a University of Exeter student reading History & Politics, with a keen interest in political history and public policy. Aside from academia, he is active in the local community, regularly volunteering and has won the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards twice. His experience extends to the media sector and he enjoys interviewing people from a wide range of backgrounds, often to discuss the emerging themes of the day. You can learn more about Seth at www. linkedin.com/in/sethdellow

The Magic of Sound and Light

A Spectacle for all the Family in the run up to Christmas

Christmas may be different this year but there are still some spectacular sights and adventures to be enjoyed. Deep in the heart of the Dorset countryside, the gardens of the National Trust Kingston Lacy form the perfect setting for a new, after-dark experience to light up your evening. As twilight falls the magic begins. Expect the unexpected as you glimpse fairies in the Fernery, fiery fish and woodland wildlife sculpted in willow all within an enchanting landscape filled with wonder. Lit by lanterns, wander between flickering flames and beside stately majestic trees from one amazing space to another. Within this fiery interpretation of stars and spheres, illuminated flora and fantasy, there are moments of reflection and playful discovery set to a soundscape that will inspire and intrigue.

Owned by the National Trust, Kingston Lacy is an elegant 17th century Italian inspired country mansion set in attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland near Wimborne in Dorset. Kingston Lacy’s 8,500 acre estate was gifted to the National Trust in 1981 and was home to generations of the Bankes family who owned vast swathes of Dorset for over 400 years. The formal gardens were created by Henrietta Bankes. Stroll around the Japanese Garden, complete with an authentic tea house or take a sheltered walk through the woodland. The hour-long discovery trail has been specially designed for visitors of all ages to enjoy. The Great Outdoors made magical. Ignite trails are brought to you by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music and hosted by the National Trust. The trail, created by Culture Creative, will be open on selected days:

Friday 11 December – Sunday 13 December: 4.15pm – 8pm (last entry). Friday 18 December – Wednesday 23 December: 4.15pm – 8pm (last entry). Thursday 24 December: 4.15pm – 7pm (last entry). Saturday 26 December – Wednesday 30 December: 4.15pm – 8pm (last entry).

Advance ticket prices including for National Trust members are £15 per adult and £10.00 per child. A family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) is £45. Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under. There is an addional £7 car parking fee for non-members. Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, Dorset. BH21 4EA.

For more information visit the website ignitetrails.co.uk/ kingstonlacy

Gardens open in the run up to Christmas

FRESH air, gentle exercise and enriching outdoor spaces are things we all need at the moment and Knoll gardens is the perfect place to enjoy all of these. As autumn advances the intricate seed heads and graceful stems of perennials form striking silhouettes, the perfect foil for Knoll Garden’s renowned ornamental grasses. In this quieter season the gardens offer the perfect escape for us all.

A wander around these naturalistic gardens, with the shifting shapes of swaying grasses punctuated with structure from perennial planting, can instil a sense of wellbeing and act as a much-needed tonic during these testing times. And with the festive season fast approaching, the on-site nursery offers a range of carefully selected plants so visitors can give those they love something a little more unusual and meaningful this Christmas.

The gardens and nursery are open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm until 18th December 2020 (reopening 2nd February 2021) and there is no need to book, but visitors are asked to remember to practice social distancing whilst in the gardens and nursery and all payments are to be made by card please.

For further information on the gardens and nursery visit; www.knollgardens.co.uk