The weather has meant some aborted trips for the Tizzard team – but they’re firmly eyeing the next few months. And Jess has had a long, cold (bruising!) December now her crew of ‘bog ponies’ are back from their holiday and slowly getting back to work
90 OUT OF DOORS Garden jobs, and Barry Cuff’s allotment round up
LOCAL HISTORY
New BV partners Museum of East Dorset are adding to Barry Cuff’s postcards, and CPRE have added 1930s Bohemian Dorset revelry...
A few weeks ago, I came across a few sentences that have stayed with me: “Winter is here to remind us to rest, to slow down, to find some comfort. Don’t let society pressure you into ‘new year, new you’ – if you feel called to do less, listen to that voice.” It struck a chord (and yes, I’m aware it teeters dangerously into that ‘motivational quote’ territory for some, but stick with me here). Karen Geary (on p.36) is absolutely right this month (to be fair, she’s right most months) –the phrase “new year, new you” reliably awakens my rebellious inner teenager. No thanks. The old me is perfectly and deeply content curled up in the armchair by the fire, favourite mug in hand, alternately napping and reading and watching the birds in the new window feeder. January, if we’re honest, isn’t the easiest month for grand resolutions. It’s still midwinter – a time in nature for rest, solitude, healing and reflection. Yet, we so often push against the natural
SANTA SACKS STUR
After an ‘offensive and sacrilegious’ gonk nativity scene was left on display in Sturminster Newton, he’s resigned as the town’s Father Christmas and returned his recent Community Award.
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FARMING Andrew Livingston is as full of pessimism as we’ve come to expect as he looks forward to egg promises.
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WILDLIFE Jane Adams meets one of the UK’s feistiest, loudest and most industrious birds
rhythms of the season, plunging ourselves into ambitious goal-setting right after the exhausting festive whirlwind.
Little wonder, then, that many resolutions already feel a bit tarnished by the second week of the year.
What if we approached this differently? What if we give ourselves permission to pause, to embrace the slower pace of winter and to simply be? Spring, with its sense of renewal and reawakening, feels like a far more fitting time to turn over a new leaf.
If your resolution is already faltering, perhaps it’s not a failure – just a case of bad timing. Rest now. Reflect. Recharge. The goals will wait.
As we step into 2025, I hope you take these next few weeks to be kind to yourself, to cherish the quiet moments and to embrace the fact that, like the rest of nature, we too need time to hibernate.
From all of us at The BV, we wish you a peaceful and restorative January, and plenty of happiness in 2025.
by Rachael Rowe
Santa sacks Stur
Sturminster Newton’s Father Christmas found the town’s gonk nativity scene so offensive he has handed back his Community Star Award
Sturminster Newton’s festive decorations are a cherished tradition, with campaigns like Make Stur Sparkle adding seasonal cheer and attracting shoppers to the town. However, this year’s Christmas display sparked unexpected controversy when a nativity scene in the Railway Gardens – featuring three carved wooden gonks and a baby gonk – was suddenly removed. Had the Grinch paid a visit to the Exchange? Social media buzzed with questions: Was this a case of festive sabotage? Conspiracy theories swirled, but it soon emerged that the gonks had been removed following a complaint that the display was offensive.
Was it a troll?
With the issue appearing to centre on the baby gonk, Cllr Pauline Batstone asked whether it might be replaced with something more babylike to mitigate the complaint. Unfortunately this was not supported by the other councillors, who swiftly had the gonks restored: this time with a bit more straw for baby gonk, and additional lighting.
Far from quieting the situation, the controversy only drew more attention. Visitors flocked to see the nativity scene, and comments poured in on social media:
‘I’ve never seen them before, but now I’m glad someone complained – I’ll have to come and have a proper look now!’
‘Just been to see this controversial festive installation (although I didn’t let my threeyear-old Labrador look at it, as he is quite sensitive).’
The display was not a traditional
religious nativity but a practical option for an outdoor environment like the Railway Gardens. Suspicions about the complaint ran high: ‘You cannot seriously tell me that they offended someone.’
‘Possibly someone identifying as a troll?’
Sacreligious and offensive
At the full council meeting on 8th January, it was revealed that the person making the complaint about the gonks was the town’s Father Christmas himself – and the town council was definitely on his naughty list.
Deeply offended by the display, he had not only formally tendered his resignation as Father Christmas, but also returned his recent Community Star Award. Pauline Batstone spoke on his behalf at the
meeting, and it transpired that while Father Christmas (real name Vic Burge, but referred to consistently as Father Christmas throughout the council meeting) had no problem with the three large gonks, as someone with deep Christian beliefs he felt that representing baby Jesus as a gonk was wrong: ‘I have no problems with the Gonks as Wise Men/Kings but to have a Gonk complete with red nose and beard portraying the son of God is, in my opinion, both sacrilegious and offensive.’
He went on to criticise the council for reinstating the gonks, adding lights and placing them in a more prominent position after his concerns were raised.
‘I find it shameful that the mocking of the Nativity should have been allowed to take place – and even more so that when it
The original gonks nativity tableau. Image courtesy of David Strelley
was pointed out how offensive this would be to many people in the town. The thoughts of those people were ignored.’
Despite Father Christmas’s strong feelings, public reactions were not generally in his favour. Many Christians voiced no objection, with one commenting: ‘As a Christian, I am personally not in the least offended - in fact I am pleased to see this display! Some people will always take offence to Christianity being mixed with paganism, but I for one celebrate that we can all share this season!’
Only one formal complaint about the display was received by the council.
Father Christmas also returned his Community Star Award, stating: ‘Despite the success and interest my time as Father Christmas has brought to the town, I cannot support a town council that is so shortsighted to feel that Christians are fair game to offend. While I am happy to receive the thanks of the people of Sturminster, I have no wish to receive thanks from a town council with such a lack of vision, perception and taste.’
Although Pauline Batsone had some sympathy with Father Christmas, other councillors were less supportive. Andrew Donaldson responded: ‘Madame Chair, Christmas is over. The gonks have gone to sleep. Let us
leave it at that. I’m fed up with the whole thing.’
Don’t Mess with the gonks
But why the fuss over gonks? Gonks were originally seen in Nordic and Scandinavian mythology. Mistaken by some as a Santa Claus figure, they are not specifically tied to Christmas. In Scandinavian folklore, gonks love cold weather and getting into people’s homes where, if they are treated with kindness
The replaced gonk scene, with added straw in the manger and fairy lights. Image courtesy of Abigail Horne
and respect, they bring good luck and protect the family. However, if you don’t treat them well, they can cause all kinds of mischief in the year to come.
Chairman Helen Lacey summed up the council’s position: ‘We are here to serve a whole town, not just individuals. It’s very stupid to hand this award back. Returning it is throwing it back in the face of the townspeople. It’s not just from us – it’s from the whole community. It’s an insult to Sturminster.’
This episode underscores the challenge of balancing inclusivity with tradition in a multicultural society. Father Christmas has demonstrated integrity in standing by his Christian beliefs, but the gonks’ playful charm clearly resonated with much of the community.
As the decorations come down and the town looks to the year ahead, one thing is certain: gonks or grievances, Sturminster Newton’s festive spirit is unlikely to fade. Who will end up on the naughty list next Christmas?
Sturminster Newton’s Father Christmas was presented with his Community Star Award for festive services to the town in December
‘We’re
here to make life better’
Terry Bennett talks to West Dorset’s first Liberal Democrat MP, Edward Morello, who is still negotiating the Westminster jungle
When Edward Morello walked into Westminster for the first time last summer, he found himself not only lost in the corridors of power but also searching for something far more basic.
‘Nothing can prepare you for it,’ he says. ‘It is a completely different world. Everything about it is bizarre and antiquated ... and you’re also trying to work out how to find a sandwich?’
It’s a typically down-to-earth reflection from the man who overturned one of the safest Conservative seats in the country to become West Dorset’s first Liberal Democrat MP. It’s also a clue to how Edward approaches politics – practical, thoughtful …
and never afraid to acknowledge the steep learning curve that comes with the job.
Career in transition
Edward’s route into politics was far from traditional. Raised in a lively, debate-filled household where opinions required evidence to back them up, he developed an early interest in the science and practise of politics.
‘I just got extremely lucky to have grown up in a big, loving family where we sat around the dinner table and talked about stuff ... You couldn’t just say, “This is my opinion.” You had to come with the evidence,’ he says.
– international politics is hardly quiet right now!’
Farming, fairness and future
Edward is acutely aware of the pressures facing rural Dorset – and nowhere are they more evident than in farming: ‘Farming is a really tough job at the best of times. It is less a job, more a lifestyle. Farmers have had years and years of successive governments making decisions that negatively impact their businesses and operations.’
In my family you couldn’t just say, “This is my opinion.” You had to come with the evidence
After studying International Politics and Strategic Studies at Aberystwyth University, Edward spent a decade in geopolitical risk consultancy before pivoting to renewable energy finance.
It was that move, combined with his wife’s desire to be closer to family, that brought him to West Dorset. ‘My mother-in-law was already down here, and when our son was born, my wife said, “I want to go and be close to Mum,” which was a totally understandable response.’
His grounding in international relations and renewable energy now shapes his focus in Parliament. Despite early hopes of joining the Net Zero Committee, Edward found himself back in his old world, sitting on both the Foreign Affairs and National Security Strategy committees.
‘It’s funny how things come full circle,’ he says. ‘And let’s face it
He’s particularly vocal about the impact of inheritance tax changes, which he believes could devastate family farms. ‘Farmers have repeatedly effectively rolled over on these levies and decisions that have impacted their business. Now they are supposed to say “I’m going to work all of my life, and I can’t pass it on to my son.” And that’s really the final straw.’
While he acknowledges the Government’s focus on growth, Edward worries it comes at the expense of rural businesses. ‘If you’ve got a growth agenda, then hurting businesses with National Insurance contribution rises makes it very difficult. They will cut investment and they will not hire – and so then don’t get the growth that you want.’
Power struggles
As someone with a decade of experience in renewable energy finance, Edward is passionate about tackling climate change … but he’s also pragmatic about
Edward Morello MP
the challenges. ‘We’re in desperate need of infrastructure investment,’ he says. ‘The grid is old and decrepit ... We lose 10 per cent of the energy we generate just on transmission, and that is a terrible waste of money.’
It’s this bottleneck that’s driving controversial developments like the proposed solar farm near Wyke Farm near Sherborne.
‘The grid means that we can’t get energy around the place,’ he says. ‘So you have this issue where people want to build solar farms near large urban areas, like Yeovil, because you can connect straight in to the grid.’ His solution? Investment in the grid to unlock more suitable locations for renewables –and a serious push for better community benefits when projects do go ahead.
‘What I think communities should be doing is saying “if we accept the possibility this is going to go through, how can we shove as much community benefit into this as possible?” We have to require as much public access land, community orchards, an education centre – chuck as much cost as possible into this project to make it commercially unattractive to the developer.’
Lost in the palace
Edward admits that adjusting to life as an MP has been a whirlwind: ‘You arrive in Westminster and you suddenly realise the learning curve is steep. There’s something fundamentally different between understanding our political system and then working out how you do it.’
But there is a camaraderie among the newcomers. ‘For at least the first month and a half, possibly longer, we were in co-
‘Farmers have repeatedly rolled over on decisions that have impacted their business. Now they are supposed to say “I’m going to work all of my life, and I can’t pass it on to my son.”
working spaces. We’re all trying to figure this out – so you turn to a colleague and ask, do you know how to do this? How do I do this?’
It’s that mixture of humility and humour that seems to define Edward’s approach to politics. ‘You’re really learning as you go,’ he admits.
Looking ahead
So what does Edward hope to achieve before voters head back to the polls in 2029?
‘If people feel richer, healthier and happier, then I’ll know we’ve done something right,’ he says. ‘And if not, well, they’re perfectly entitled to kick me out!’
In the meantime, he’s focused on the issues that matter most to Dorset – improving NHS access, protecting farmers and balancing renewable energy ambitions with preserving the rural landscape. ‘We’re here to make life better,’ he says. ‘And I’d like to think that’s what people judge me on.’
• If you are a West Dorset constituent and would like to get in touch please email edward.morello.mp@ parliament.uk
Blackmore Vale Motor Cycle Club combines tradition, innovation and community to keep off-road racing thriving after more than a century
Motorcycle sports roared onto the scene in the early 1900s, born from the time trials hosted by the ‘auto-cycle’ clubs. The off-road motorcycling circuits
are grass, gravel and mud, packed with tight turns, water, ramps and punishingly steep slopes. The primary objective is to complete the course in
the shortest time, and success hinges on precision, control – and nerve. When an 11-yearold Dean Whitty saw his uncle’s trials bike he was fascinated ... and so began a lifelong love of trials riding. Dean is now the club secretary of the Blackmore Vale Motorcycle Club Auto-Cycle Union (MCC ACU).
“The Original Blackmore Vale MCC is 103 years old, one of the oldest in the country. It started in 1922, with scrambling, trials and road racing. Today the club specialises in off-road trials and not the wider motocross scrambling disciplines.
‘My uncle had a road bike that he rode to work and then converted to off road for trials at the weekends. He said he would take me to a trials meeting and from then I was hooked.
‘Mum and Dad weren’t very keen ... but my uncle bought me a bike and taught me!’
Inevitably, trials bikes have evolved significantly over the last
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century as the sport has become more specialised.
‘People tend to ride to the era of the bike they own. In my uncle’s day, lots of men used to do what he did – ride their road bike to work and convert it at the weekend. People still ride those bikes, and there are pre1965 classes for them. But today things are very different, with specialised purpose-built bikes.
‘There are the old two-stroke bikes. Then air-cooled bikes developed – that’s where air passes through aluminium fins to cool the engine while the bike is in motion. Now there are modern water-cooled bikes, with much better suspension.’
Although the liquid-cooled bikes are more efficient and comfortable to ride, trials is now starting to see electric bikes.
‘They are the future. We already have world championships designed for electric bikes. And a lot of people with bikes tend to have more than one type – that’s what happens with motor sports!’
oldest person riding at the Blackmore Vale club is 93-yearold George Greenland from Salisbury, who regularly turns up at meets. Dean says: ‘He’s still competing – in his younger years he won the British Enduro Sidecar Championships three years running.’
Younger members may start from seven or eight years old, but Dean sees most people taking up the sport in their 30s. He’s also noticed something else about the membership:
The Meets
Three-times World Champion Mick Andrews runs training classes ... and tells us where we’re all going wrong!
‘Some of the kids who start give up when they hit their teens, as they get more of an interest in electronic devices, and disappear. Because of this, the future of the sport is thin on the ground.
‘It’s hard to see how it will look in the next 20 years?’
There are few women in the club at the moment. ‘We have had some in the past,’ says Dean. ‘One lady had to give up after having a family. They are always very welcome. It’s not intended to be a boys club!’
The original Blackmore Vale MCC ACU has seen several national and world champions. ‘We’ve got Ben Lovelace who is a factory rider for Gas Gas. He’s won national events and competes in the British Championships. And we have two-times European Trials Champion Mick Andrews, who was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements, running training classes for us ... he tells us where we’re all going wrong!‘Over the years I’ve also met a lot of champions, including Guy Martin. Everyone is very friendly. It’s a great community. We go to steam rallies in the summer and have a static display or a demonstration. ‘We also raise money for charities such as the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.’
‘Meets depend on what’s happening,’ says Dean. ‘Some of our riders ride with other clubs, so it can be a juggle. We tend to have five meets a year – we get permission from landowners and pay them a fee. Around two weeks beforehand the course setter will go out and mark out the course. Meets usually attract
50 to 60 riders. And we always fix the state of the ground after the meet. That’s something a few walkers have been worried about when they see the ground churned up, but we do repair it. ‘The vast majority of people
involved are volunteers. It’s the love of the sport! For anyone wanting to take up trials, contact someone like me. You need to have an ACU licence* and a bike and the kit. If you are a newbie, we can help – we’ll take you aside, find someone who can do the training and get you started. ‘There’s a lot of camaraderie in trials riding and people with a wealth of experience. You might be competing against each other, but if you come off your bike, someone will stop and help. It’s that kind of sport.’
• *A day licence in 2024 cost £20, and a Trials One Event registration was £5.
• The ACU website has lots of information on getting started in trialsacu.org.uk
• Get in touch with Dean on whittydean@gmail.com
The Dorset Insider, a new sporadic column dedicated to shedding light on local matters with unfiltered honesty and a critical eye. The author – a local parish councillor – will remain anonymous for the sake of candid discourse, but readers can rest assured that their identity is known and trusted by the editorial team. This anonymity allows the columnist to speak openly, challenging the status quo and addressing issues that matter most to our community.
The value of local knowledge and intelligence
The first the neighbours knew of a planning application next to their home was a notice the day before the consultation deadline. Yes – the day before.
Dorset Council has now devolved responsibility for posting planning notices to the developer, as they no longer have the capacity to place them on sites. It’s quite possible that developers, as busy people, also don’t have time to put sign up – or they simply forgot. That’s only human, we all forget things. Or maybe it was simply that the wind blew the sign away. These neighbours did eventually find out in the nick of time. But imagine losing the ability to comment on a planning application at all.
Nimby or experience?
Reading the new diktat on planning, anyone who complains about large developments seems to acquire the Nimby title
Just before Christmas, when people already had their minds focused on the festive season, the Government released two very important papers on devolution and planning.
Launched to a fanfare of “War on the Nimby,” politicians promised that the currently bulging planning bureaucracy would be overcome by making the process easier. Indeed, there have already been incidences where the deputy Prime Minister has waded in to long-standing disputes across the country to sort out the so-called blockages to development.
So what exactly is a Nimby? From reading the new diktat on planning, right now anyone who complains about large developments seems to acquire the title. However, the acronym for Not in My Backyard first appeared in 1979, and was used to describe people who complain about developments or unpleasant projects in their area, such as a new waste incinerator.
The concept dates back a lot earlier, of course: back in 1721 the good people of Smithfield in London objected to the stench of women being burned at the stake (note that the barbaric punishment itself wasn’t the issue) and got the execution site moved to Tyburn.
Who is heard
As a councillor, I’m approached all the time by people with concerns about the loss of good agricultural land and the threat of turning villages into featureless commuter transit centres – or, worse still, merging two villages into one as a consequence of the continual creep of new housing onto farmland. While it’s inevitable that every town and village has at least one person who believes everything should remain as it was in the 1950s, the vast majority of those raising issues have constructive feedback and significant, very reasonable concerns.
I’ve learned a great deal from people who have worked the land all their lives – those with deep, practical knowledge of drainage and ditches. What they have to say about the impact of building developments is highly relevant, especially given the rising groundwater on roads in North Dorset. Then there are the growing concerns about road safety, with larger vehicles speeding down narrow roads that lack pavements – basic, valid worries. When local families face the realities of Dorset’s ‘dental desert’ or juggle school runs to three different schools due to limited places, they are rightly questioning the strain on infrastructure.
When we deny the voices of local people, we lose perspectives, knowledge –and the right to speak freely
And you only need to visit an A&E department in January to see the effects of failing to expand local infrastructure alongside housing development. These are all urgent, well-founded concerns –yet time and again, they’re kicked into the long grass by successive governments. When planning decisions are made, a very defined process is followed to ensure that the applicant gets a fair hearing and the right to appeal where necessary. So when I see politicians wading into the planning process, or ‘bureaucracy’ being removed, it begs the question who exactly makes the decision on large developments, and on what criteria?
Of course, streamlining the endless red tape is badly needed. But so are the opinions and the engagement of the community around new developments. When we deny the voices of the local people, we are firstly losing out on important perspectives and knowledge, but more importantly, the right to speak freely without being labelled as a stereotype.
A mayor for Wessex?
When the new strategic councils are formed and decisions are taken at a wider regional level, I wonder how any deep understanding of local knowledge can possibly be heard and taken into account. Most of the strategic councils so far have been established in urban areas like London and Manchester. Will a city model work in a rural area? Especially where a mayor is responsible for several counties? And what happens when a difficult decision has to be made, such as one member council being unable (or unwilling) to meet its planning targets? Will the others have to absorb the shortfall?
As strategic councils begin to form, I also wonder about the impact on local council officers, most of whom do a fantastic job in challenging and underfunded circumstances. When I have a parish issue, I always find it refreshing to speak to a Dorset Council officer who knows exactly where I mean in the wilds of North Dorset. But will a super-council offer the same response, or will that local knowledge be lost in corporate detachment? Most importantly, will we as the people of Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset get to vote on the proposed mayor, as London currently does, or will these people be appointed through a yet-to-be defined process?
A handsome Maine Coon enjoying his stay at Dorset Cattery
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
It’s purr-fect inside Dorset Cattery
When Kirsty Sturmey goes to work each morning, she walks across the yard into a space filled with purrs, whiskers and the unmistakable comfort of home.
‘I love what I do: I love cats. I just have an affinity with them. I seem to be able to care for them, spot things when they’re not quite right. I don’t know how, I just do it,’ she says.
‘I loved cats from the word go –there are pictures of me, really young, basically mauling random cats ... if there was a cat in the room, I’d be on it!’
Now, having spent more than seven years running her own cattery and with 17 years of prior experience, Kirsty has built a place where pets – and their owners – can relax, knowing they’re in safe hands.
Kirsty’s journey began as a teenager when her family moved to Charminster, near a cattery called Home and Away. by
Courtenay Hitchcock
Owner Kirsty Sturmey stopping for cuddles with another guest
Kirsty in front of the huge ‘Rogues Gallery’ of former guests
‘I went to see if I could get a Saturday job. The lady was absolutely lovely, but said she didn’t have any vacancies. Kirsty’s chance came later, during school work experience: ‘I hated it. Hated being told “find a work experience placement for a job you want to do” when I didn’t KNOW what job I wanted to do! So I was just looking through the school’s folder of all the job placements they had, and Home and Away cattery was in there. I didn’t hang about!’
That work experience placement led to a job offer – and a passion that has lasted. ‘I was so happy there, I absolutely loved it. I stayed until I was pregnant with my son, 17 years later.’
Dreaming into reality
The idea of running her own cattery started early: ‘I was only about 18 or 19 when I knew I really wanted my own cattery. But it was never the right time. We didn’t want strangers on the farm, and it was always “maybe later, maybe when we’re older.”
... Years passed, I’d finished working at Home and Away, I was pregnant, and my husband was putting up a new barn at the
In the warm, bright airy barn, the cats enjoy some exercise and company each day in the big central space
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Journey
Back To The 1990s
Journey back to a time when there were no smartphones, reality TV or social media to distract us Relive the decade when a whole generation Grew Up 90’s The era of Britpop, Cool Britannia, the Spice Girls, Lara Croft, Power Rangers, Pokémon, Trainspotting and Teletubbies Come and experience the fashion, toys and the music that shaped the decade. Don’t miss the opportunity to play classic video games on our arcade machine
Follow the 90’s Family Trail | Dressing up box 90’s style | Toy box 90’s style
Dress up as Spice Girl Geri, Harry Potter, Cher from Clueless Playtime with Sonic the Hedgehog, My Little Pony and more
top of the farm. We hadn’t talked about the cattery for ages – years probably – and he just came home one day and said “I’ve put the footings in for the new barn. There’s space down the side for your cattery, if you still want to do it.”
‘Well, that was it! I was immediately in to planning, working it around the new baby – and my old boss really helped me get started. She basically handed me her business. It was lovely: customers would call her, asking to book their cat in, and she’d say: “Sorry, I’m closing. But do you remember Kirsty?...”
The personal touches that matter
For Kirsty, it’s all about creating a home-fromhome experience. ‘Each pen is fully heated with its own indoor and outdoor space,’ she says. ‘All have multi-levels, so the cats have places to hide, to be cosy and places to see what’s going on. The barn is light and airy, with a massive open central area. So I can let the cats come out of their pen – one family at a time, obviously – for a big wander and a play. I make sure they’re not cooped in a pen the whole time with us: unless they want to be, of course. Cats will be cats, you get some that don’t want to come out. But for the sociable and active ones, particularly the younger ones, it’s really nice for them to explore.’
Kirsty also sends updates while owners are away. ‘I have all the contact details, obviously, and I’ll send a little update here or there. The cats all get fresh roast turkey at Christmas – or a bit of fish if they’re not turkey fans. On Christmas Day every owner gets a photo: “Christmas greeting from the cattery, Merry Christmas from ...” It takes me hours! And everyone gets a party bag when they go home, full of dreamies and treats and things.’
Industry Changes
Each of the 42 cosy multi-level pens has its own outdoor space too
Running a cattery means staying ahead of the changing regulations that have closed others down.
‘When we were building I checked with the council whether there were any statutory measurements, and they assured me that there weren’t, they would just inspect when it was ready. Six months later, new regulations came in ...
‘Luckily, most things were fine, because I’d followed some suggestions online. They weren’t actually these new rules, but they just happened to be close enough. That was really lucky.’
Despite the challenges, Kirsty has adapted, and Dorset Cattery has grown from the original 28 pens to 42, with space for 56 cats.
With 75 per cent repeat customers, Kirsty has built strong bonds with both cats and owners.
‘You start to see the same cats again and again –you really got to know the cats, and you get really attached to them.’
Kirsty’s even had long-term guests: ‘I had a pair of cats in, two ginger tabbies, completely gorgeous. They were booked in for roughly six weeks while their owners moved house ... and it took them 14 months to go through the whole process!
‘We love all the characters. It’s the quiet period at the moment and I’ve only got 15 in – it’s too quiet. We need more cats to chat to!
‘I love what I do. It’s all about making them feel at home – that’s what we try to do every single day.’
• thedorsetcattery.co.uk
• 01300 341881
• enquiries@thedorsetcattery.co.uk
Okeford Fitzpaine churchyard. Image: Rachael Rowe
Graveyards: an excuse for weeds or a space that nature needs?
Rachael Rowe investigates how Dorset’s living legacy of churchyards blend history, wildlife conservation and community care
There was a time when most people were buried in their local churchyard, with entire generations resting together. Today, 70 per cent of people are cremated, and with pressure on land supply, what is the future for traditional graveyards? Who maintains them and how are the currently-popular rewilding projects managed?
History in graveyards
Cemeteries are steeped in history, and many of Dorset’s churchyards provide the last resting place for notable
Traditional scythes are used by the Living Churchyard project volunteers tomanage areas of long grass.Image: Anna Aubrey
people, containing a wealth of information for genealogists.
Benjamin Jesty, the farmer associated with experiments into immunity from cowpox is buried in Worth Matravers, while the notorious smuggler Roger Ridout rests in comfortable peace in Okeford Fitzpaine.
The Blackmore Vale is also home to many meticulously maintained Commonwealth War Graves: there are 87 in Blandford Forum, including nine German graves from World War Two. Several Anzac graves in Fovant and Heytesbury are the tragic consequence of the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed troops as they waited to go back to Australia and New Zealand. Churchyards are often home to ancient trees, especially yews, like the 4,000 year old yew at St John’s Church in Tisbury.
Who is responsible?
Municipal cemeteries are the responsibility of town and city councils. Natural burial grounds are maintained by the trusts operating them. Any graveyard within church grounds comes under the jurisdiction of the local parochial church council.
However, if a church closes, the responsibility for the churchyard maintenance usually reverts to a local or parish council. Today, many churchyards in Dorset today are maintained by teams of volunteers. While burials decline and opportunities to create wildlife habitats may increase, can these sacred environments be maintained without looking unkempt?
Living churchyards
The enthusiasm bubbles from Anna Aubrey as she outlines the Living Churchyard Project run by Dorset Wildlife Trust. Currently, the people responsible for 150 churchyards receive advice from Anna, the volunteer co-ordinator. ‘There is no need for churchyards to be messy,’ she says. ‘It has been tricky this year because of the weather, but there are ways of doing it. We recommend churches have three lengths of grass: always keep the front of the churchyard short, it needs cutting weekly or fortnightly. Long grass is difficult to maintain, so is best kept to a minimum and cut twice a year.
‘Churchyards are areas of unimproved grasslands. The
soil has not been disturbed for centuries and we don’t have places like that any more. When they are managed properly they hold a seed bank – wildflowers grow all over the place! They are a huge asset to nature and make wonderful wildlife corridors. They are a space that nature needs.’
Anna also advises churchyard volunteers to create compost heaps and wood piles as they attract all manner of insects and reptiles such as toads and slow worms. If they are kept at the back of the church they are unlikely to look unsightly and will remain undisturbed. Some of the cemeteries involved in the Living Churchyard project have begun attracting a proliferation of wildlife. Helen Kemm leads the team of volunteers at St Mary’s Church in Piddlehinton, who held a bat evening for the local community so they could learn about their churchyard residents.
‘Churchyards are areas of unimproved grasslands. The soil hasn’t been disturbed for centuries.’
‘We have had lots of events. We held a maker day when we made different kinds of bird boxes and another one for swift boxes. Around 25 people turned up! We have also made a hedgehog house and bug hotel. Then we had a moth mapping event, where we spotted 70 species in our churchyard. We also listened for the dawn chorus at 6am.. ‘We did have issues with long grass in the churchyard, which got a few complaints, but the PCC has a regular mowing scheme now.
‘I’ve been doing it for two years now,’ she says. ‘I was asked by the PCC to lead on the Living Churchyard project when I attended a clear-up event: I have a background in the environment, so it suited me. I had just moved in to the village and it was a good way to get to know people.
‘When we asked for help to clear things, the entire village turned up! We have a regular autumn clear-up day to get rid of brambles and ivy etc. We also link up with other groups such as butterfly conservation and Dorset Bat Group. It’s too early to say whether we have made a difference, as the project has only been going for two years – and of course this year all the numbers of insects were down, but I do keep records.’
Natural burials
Many people are now opting for natural (or green) burials where the body is literally returned to nature in a woodland or designated field. Loved ones can
a tree above the burial plot, and plaques replace traditional headstones. These areas tend to be peaceful places where nature flourishes and there is little need for a carefully manicured churchyard, although paths and access points are maintained.
Excuse or opportunity?
In a world where the natural environment is increasingly fragile, there is an opportunity to use existing cemeteries and churchyards to support wildlife. However, volunteers are always in demand to maintain these areas, which must be accessible for the bereaved as well as attractive to the natural world.
• For more information on the Living Churchyard Project, including volunteering, see the Dorset Wildlife Trust website
plant
Village communities come together for annual clean-up events at their churchyards
Image: Anna Aubrey
Churchyard wildflower meadow in summer
Image: Anna Aubrey
by Laura Hitchcock
Same bikes, new mission
Giles and Annie Henschel’s return to the Mediterranean highlights the crisis facing olive farmers and the resilience that is keeping hope alive
In March 2024, The BV featured Giles and Annie Henschel as they prepared to retrace the epic 10,000-mile motorbike journey that sparked the creation of their Dorset-based business, Olives Et Al, 30 years ago. Across the Mediterranean, droughts and floods have disrupted major harvests and markets in a huge way. The 2023 olive harvest in most of Europe failed for the second successive year, presenting a very real threat for the future of the entire olive industry. During 2024 prices for olive oil reached record highs both at source and for retailers. Now, with the journey completed, the Henschels have created a mini-documentary film.
Back in 1993, Giles and Annie’s year-long trek around the Mediterranean on two motorcycles not only inspired the founding of Olives Et Al but also set the tone for their lifelong relationship with Mediterranean food and culture. The original journey – dubbed “Operation Watertight” – focused on highlighting water shortages and pollution in the region. Fast forward to 2024, and the Henschels found themselves facing a new, but equally urgent, challenge: climate change. This time, they set out to explore how shifting weather patterns are affecting Mediterranean harvests and the communities that depend on them. In the film,
Giles talks about their beloved BMW R100 GSs motorcycles – unchanged since the first journey, and even part of the Olives Et Al logo. ‘They’re part of our DNA,’ he says. ‘They’ve been with us from the very beginning.’ Their new journey title?
Operation Watertight 2 – Same Bikes, Different Challenge. The olive tree – a symbol of Mediterranean life – is not just a source of food, but a physical connection to history and culture. ‘There’s just something spiritual about an olive tree,’ Annie says. Giles continues: ‘It can affect every aspect of your health, your demeanor ... and it’s given us ...’ ‘... a way of life.’ finishes Annie.
On the road again
Last year, on those same bikes that were used 30 years ago, Giles and Annie travelled 10,000 miles in 100 days, passing through 11 countries and crossing 16 international borders, returning to the landscapes that had shaped their early adventure – this time with decades of experience, deeper connections and a growing sense of urgency. The couple mapped around 50 farmers, growers, producers, suppliers and contacts to visit, and they planned to get input
Annie Henschel enjoying the ride through an olive grove at sunset
Giles and Annie Henschel
from others they met along the way. After crossing France, they rode across the top of northern Italy, down through Slovenia into Croatia, on through Montenegro and Albania, into Greece and then over into Italy – to Sicily, back into Italy, around France, around Spain, to Portugal … and then home. ‘We wanted to build a complete picture,’ Giles explains in their film. ‘So we asked the same five questions to everyone – farmers, growers, agronomists, restauranteurs ... What’s happening? How is the climate affecting their crops? What does the future look like?’
A crisis in the olive groves
The picture they encountered wasn’t always hopeful. ’The industry now is in something of a crisis,’ says Giles. Over the last few years the Henschels have seen olive groves completely devoid of fruit. ‘Either the conditions weren’t right, or the trees simply couldn’t produce. Either way, there were no olives. ‘So we decided to go and see first-hand what was really going on, on the ground.’
Growers they met often believed their struggles were isolated: ‘Every single farmer,’ says Giles. ‘In every single region, every single producer, they think it’s just happening to them. It isn’t. And if we can share that knowledge and share that
information, maybe some more communication can happen and some more plans could be made. The Henschels’ journey confirmed that shifting rainfall patterns, soaring summer temperatures and new diseases are placing immense pressure on traditional farming practices. Their final question to each interviewee – ‘How do you see the future?’ – was often the most poignant. The couple fall silent on the film before Giles shakes his head: ‘They couldn’t answer.’
Resilience and hope
Despite the many challenges to the olive industry, the Henschels also found reasons for hope. At the World Olive Bank – a DNA cataloguing project for olive varieties – they witnessed efforts to preserve genetic diversity and build resilience against climate change. ‘It was really uplifting,’
Now back in Dorset, Giles and Annie are busy writing up their findings, which they plan to publish later this year. But for now, they’re focusing on sharing their film as widely as possible to keep the conversation going. ‘It’s been a fascinating trip,’ Giles says. ‘And we hope the film adds to the discussion about climate patterns and the changes we all need to face.’ New adventure,
Giles says. ‘I came out of there with a huge amount of optimism.’ ‘It’s very exciting for the future,’ adds Annie.
Personal connections added further to the trip. From sharing meals prepared to age-old family recipes to swapping stories with farmers who are determined to adapt and innovate, Giles and Annie saw resilience in action. ‘There’s always hope,’ Annie says.
The journey continues
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Championing rural Britain
The BV takes a look inside the Countryside Alliance’s fight to protect rural traditions and livelihoods and to drive sustainable countryside policies
Many people have heard of the Countryside Alliance, but how much do you really know about the work they do? From championing rural communities to protecting country traditions, the charity plays a key role in shaping countryside policies and debates. The BV magazine sat down with the Countryside Alliance to learn more about their work and the challenges they tackle.
What is the Countryside Alliance?
It’s a leading membership organisation which aims to promote and protect the rural way of life. Our work spans rural advocacy, wildlife conservation, field sports and supporting the rural economy. We are a voice for the countryside, ensuring that government, media and the wider general public understand the value and importance of rural life.
What type of issues does the Countryside Alliance campaign for?
Quite simply, we campaign on issues that matter to those who live and work in the countryside. We work to publicise the economic, social and environmental contribution that activities like hunting, shooting and the countryside as a whole make to the national economy and quality of life. From digital connectivity and supporting local businesses to educating on rural crime and advocating for farmers up and down the country, our campaigns are constantly evolving.
How did the Countryside Alliance influence policy, defend rural traditions, and amplify rural voices in 2024?
During the general election campaign our supporters sent more than 50,000 emails to candidates, championing the rural way of life. We launched our own manifesto for the countryside – the Rural Charter – and
held events at all the major party conferences throughout the year to influence the policy of all parties.
Shooting contributes £3.3bn a year to the UK economy, and supports the equivalent of 67,000 full-time jobs
Through a Campaign for Hunting initiative, more than 10,500 supporters lobbied Steve Reed (now Labour Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) following his pre-election announcement that Labour would ban trail hunting. Our Action for Hunting communications regularly engage with more than 17,000 people, and we held ten regional briefings on the future of hunting last summer.
Lastly, we launched the ‘Value of Shooting’ report in 2024. The Campaign for Shooting showed that shooting contributes £3.3bn to the UK economy annually, and supports the equivalent of 67,000 full-time jobs. With more than 14,000 people actively engaged with our work on shooting we have challenged the RSPB on their bird crime figures and have continued to stand up for the shooting community when it faces hostile attacks.
And exactly how does the Countryside Alliance support the farming community?
We have been at the forefront of opposing the proposed “family farm tax”, launching the Fight the Farm Tax campaign which has mobilised farmers and the public against the tax, engaging with the media to articulate the concerns of farmers and rural communities. The Alliance has also supported local government opposition to the proposed tax changes, reflecting a growing town hall rebellion.
In what way does the Countryside Alliance support rural businesses?
Affectionately known as the Rural Oscars, the Countryside Alliance Awards provide recognition and visibility for the countryside while celebrating rural businesses and communities. More than 1,000 rural businesses are nominated each year, and over 40,000 people vote to support their favourite rural businesses.
This ensures both regional and national recognition of smaller rural businesses which might often go unnoticed. Many winners report
Come racing at Badbury Rings!
The ever-popular Countryside Alliance point-to-point returns to Badbury Rings on Sunday 23 February, with tickets available to buy online. Gates open at 10am, with the first race starting at 12 noon.
So that provides ample time for racegoers to arrive early, explore the shopping stalls, enjoy the entertainment ...and maybe even place a bet with the bookmakers before the first race! pointtopoint.co.uk
significant boosts in recognition and revenue, with some expanding their operations after receiving the Award.
How does the Countryside Alliance protect lawful hunting activities and shooting?
Our aim is to achieve a better understanding and acceptance of lawful hunting and shooting activities, protecting them from bias, misinformation and over-regulation to ensure they have a long-term and sustainable future. Through consultations, meetings and events with politicians, policymakers and civil servants, we promote real rural issues in Westminster and across the devolved administrations to ensure that law and policy support the needs of those whose lives it directly affects.
• countryside-alliance.org
Inside violin maker
Jeremy Walsh’s Dorset studio
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
Dorset’s master of strings
Dorset luthier Jeremy Walsh on listening to the wood, a double bass jigsaw, holding a $15m Stradivarius and Friday night rave music
In his self-built workshop at the end of his cottage garden, Jeremy Walsh dexterously taps his fingers over the belly of a violin he is making. ‘Audi lignum’ he tells me. ‘Listen to the wood. That’s my motto.’
It’s about a month’s work to handcraft this beautiful instrument from spruce and maple, using patterns developed by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù (1698-1744) – the famous Italian violinmaker, whom Jeremy hails as a genius.
Specialist tiny curved planes, gouges, violinmaker scrapers and even horse tail are all used in the exquisite carving. Mares’
tail (equisetum), one of the oldest plants in existence, has been used by violin makers since before Stradivari’s time – it is a perfect finishing abrasive on the wood before it is varnished. Once the external shape is perfected, Jeremy cuts the F holes and fixes the base bar, all the while listening and tuning the wood.
his favourite part. ‘I was taught that these are the external signature for the internal verity of your work. If you see a well carved scroll, you can be confident you’ve got a good instrument.’
‘Listen to the wood. That’s my motto’
‘Every piece of wood is different, and must be treated as an individual,’ he explains. Making the scrolls (the decoratively carved beginning of the neck)is
A luthier (someone who builds or repairs stringed instruments) in Dorset for more than thirty years, Jeremy relies on word of mouth for his private commissions, selling to music shops and repairing and restoring instruments for
Jeremy Walsh in the door of his studio
‘These chaps spent all day with beautiful instruments, whittling bits of wood and listening to Radio 3. I thought that would be a perfect use for a politics degree!’
musicians across the country. ‘You can advertise all you like, but it’s what people say about you that counts – and that’s a lovely thing.’
One of his most demanding projects was piecing back together a double bass. ‘A musician had found it in an old ballroom. It was in so many pieces he delivered it to me in a tea chest. It was like a huge jigsaw and I had to make all the missing parts. I loved it!’
Jeremy recalls his childhood bedroom filled with Airfix planes hanging from the ceiling. ‘I was always doing something creative – building, or taking things apart.’ It was while studying for a degree in politics in Lancaster in the 1970s that he got into playing double bass – ‘very badly!’ – in jazz bands and scratch orchestras.
‘Double basses just come apart for a hobby. The wood moves constantly in humidity, and you’re always banging them into things as they’re such cumbersome instruments.
Making the scrolls (the decoratively carved beginning of the neck) is Jeremy’s favourite part. ‘These are the external signature of your work. If you see a well carved scroll, you can be confident you’ve got a good instrument.’
Consequently, I spent a lot of time going to see repairers to get mine put back together and stop it “buzzing”. These chaps spent all day with beautiful instruments, whittling bits of wood and listening to Radio 3. I thought that would be a perfect use for a politics degree!’
Jeremy moved to Bristol and persuaded expert luthier Rod Ward to teach him the craft.
lunchtimes, we’d nip to live Radio 3 concerts at St Georges Church on Brandon Hill.
I would’ve died long ago if I’d had to sit in an office every day
‘Rod must be in his eighties now, and he’s still making. He’s an exacting craftsman and continually finding ways to improve his instruments. He’s an inspiration and a hoot! At
‘Afterwards, we’d nab the musicians and scrutinise the string quartet’s instruments. We’d also go to Sotheby’s and Christie’s when they were auctioning Stradivarius’. It was a fantastic education. The auctioneers allowed us into their inner sanctum and let us loose on grand master instruments that ended up being played by famous soloists like Nigel Kennedy. I’ve got photos of myself holding an instrument
Jeremy’s quick fire questions:
Dinner party A-list?
Cooking for my wife, three kids and old friends who make me laugh. I’d love to host author Terry Castle, avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson, historian Dame Marina Warner, classicist Mary Beard and author Margaret Attwood. Eavesdropping on the conversation of these sassy, intelligent and incredible women and basking in their brilliance would be a complete hoot.
that was offered at 15 million dollars. I could have easily dropped it ... and Rod played folk tunes on it!’
Jeremy’s life choice has certainly hit the right note. ‘Most people thought I was mad to take this up for a living. But I’ve never had any sort of plan or career aims. I just know I would’ve died long ago if I’d had to sit in an office every day. I just like making things, and I love that I am still learning my craft. And listening to Radio 3 ... except for Friday nights, when I listen to rave music on Six Music. It’s great, a noisy accompaniment to carving!’
• Jeremy can be contacted on jeremywalsh@btinternet.com or 07929 597207
Book on your bedside table?
Nearly always travel and history books – Greece, Rome, the Middle East ... ‘Geometry, Proportion, and the Art of Lutherie’ by Kevin Coates is a book that ticks all my boxes.
Best violinists?
Viktoria Mullova and Jascha Heifetz
Best violin music?
Bach – his violin concertos and especially his sonatas are utter bliss.
by Karen Geary, Nutritional Therapist DipION,
Small wins, no fads, no pressure
Small, consistent habits and a supportive community beat unrealistic resolutions for health and wellbeing every time, says expert Karen Geary
At the end of last year, I joined a challenge at my local gym. The run-up to the festive season can be stressful, as we all know, and the aim was to provide some collaborative support. ‘Buddy benefits’ or ‘buddy systems’ have been widely researched – and it has been clearly demonstrated that working with others can make a material difference to weight and fitness goals. I didn’t know these women before I started, but the inspiration, encouragement and camaraderie from the group (we used an online app) were incredible. Halfway through, I suddenly found myself dealing with some serious family health stress and was unable to do everything I had set myself originally (more on that in a moment), but the team kept me going, with things I was able to do when I could. I soon learned how small things done consistently can make massive differences, rather than aiming for lofty goals – and failing. Which brings us to the New Year.
The media world is once again full of the ‘new year, new you’ messages which make me instantly rebel against the very idea of it. Besides, it’s mid-winter, and the body does not wish to be put under undue pressure. This time of year is all about nourishment and self-care.
Small things add up
But there are a number of small things that, done consistently, will really have an impact on your health. Let’s start with staying hydrated. One of the things I committed to during the challenge was taking in enough water: my rule-ofthumb calculator was 35ml per kg of body weight, and when I tracked it I was honestly shocked to find I wasn’t drinking enough. Staying hydrated was a gamechanger: my skin, health, weight, energy and sleep all improved. I was also less hungry. It’s a boring tip, I know, but – are you sure you’re drinking enough?
Next – we don’t need to eat all the time! The UK has a strong snacking culture, but our bodies are not meant to snack. Unless you have a medical condition or are an athlete with very demanding goals, a steady three meals a day is more than enough for most people. Creating consistency with three meals a day and not eating on the run is something most of us can do. I couldn’t always manage it when I was dashing
back and forth to the hospital, but I stuck to it when I could, thanks to the team support. Protein and fibre with every meal. Protein and fibre create satiety (feeling ‘full’) – if you have these covered, it’s so much easier not to snack and to stick to your plans.
‘New Year, new you’ messages make me instantly rebel
Here’s a quick starter for ten to get you thinking along the right lines:
Breakfast Ideas:
1. High-Protein Omelette
• 2 eggs + 2 egg whites
• Spinach, tomatoes and a sprinkle of feta cheese
• Serve with a slice of wholegrain toast
2. Vegan Overnight Oats:
• 50g rolled oats soaked in plant milk
• 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 scoop plant-based protein powder and a handful of berries
• Topped with crushed nuts for fibre
3. Greek Yogurt Bowl:
• 200g Greek yogurt
• 1 tbs flaxseeds, a handful of mixed berries
or stewed apple (skin on) and 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Sprinkle with a small handful of oats, sugarfree granola or nuts
Lunch Ideas
1. Chicken and Bean Salad:
• Grilled chicken breast on a bed of mixed greens
• Add chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and ½ avocado
• Drizzle with olive oil and lemon
2. Vegan Lentil and Quinoa Bowl:
• 100g cooked quinoa mixed with 150g cooked lentils
• Add roasted vegetables like courgette, peppers and carrots
• Top with a tahini dressing
3. Salmon and Broccoli Stir-Fry:
• 1 salmon fillet stir-fried with broccoli, edamame and mixed peppers
• Served with brown rice
4. Home made vegetable soup is always good
• Remember to add some protein. Try chicken, egg, prawns, tofu or beans
Dinner Ideas
1. Chicken/turkey and Sweet Potato Tray Bake:
• Lean chicken or turkey breast, roasted with sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and red onion
• Season with herbs, olive oil and garlic
2. Vegan Chickpea Curry:
• Chickpeas, tomatoes, spinach, onion, garlic and coconut milk simmered with turmeric, chilli powder and cumin
• Served with cauliflower rice
3. Fish & Mixed Vegetable Bake:
• Baked fish fillet on a bed of asparagus, cherry tomatoes and green beans
• Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil
Walking
I missed quite a few gym sessions, but I walked around the hospital quite a lot, got outside for some fresh air when it wasn’t raining, and always used the stairs. Walking doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but it’s a powerful tool for both physical and mental health.
Be kind to yourself
When setting your New Year goals, be kind to yourself. Start with small, sustainable habits and remember that consistency is key. Best of all, try and find a ‘buddy’ so you can cheer each other on. What small change will you focus on this January? Share it with a friend or your own ‘buddy’ to make it stick!
• My thanks to the ladies at Lukins Fitness and especially to Rachel Howard for creating such an incredible group.
A whirlwind tour of all that’s coming up in Sturminster Newton this month
Pauline Batstone shares her monthly round up of what’s happening among the town’s collection of community enterprises and events
Make Stur Sparkle 2024
Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make Stur Sparkle this Christmas, despite three major storms. The two before Christmas blowing the lights off the little street trees (and blowing down some of the trees themselves), and then the storm which blighted the New Years Day Classic Car event (but still more than £2,000 was raised for the Air Ambulance).
Thank you to the Town Council grounds team for all their input, to the Fire Brigade, and to Lee, our 1855 blacksmith, who got the trees and lights back up for the second time.
A special thank you to Father Christmas for coming to meet our children and their families ahead of Christmas Eve at this busy time for him.
And none of it would have happened without the work of our events coordinator Jacqui Wragg, our shops manager Cheryl Basten, their colleagues and volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors, businesses and SturAction customers who pay for it all.
The next event in Stur’s busy calendar is the Wedding Festival. The Wedding Fair will be held at The Exchange on Saturday 25th January. It’s set to be the best wedding fair yet, with more than 60 exhibitors, live music and entertainment and two catwalk shows featuring 15 brides, grooms and flower girls. There’ll be lots of offers for bride and grooms, of course, and food available in the café by Black Cat Catering. And the fair wouldn’t be complete without the wonderful wedding dress
display in the church – see 21 dresses from the last 100 years, displayed with the wedding pictures of them being worn and the romantic story of the couple. Don’t miss it at St. Mary’s Church on Friday 24th and 25th Jan.
The wedding fair is FREE entry and runs from 10am to 3pm. Car parking in the town will also be free.
Business Awards are open
It’s back to work for some of us and just checking the entries/nominations we’ve had so far – big thanks to everyone that’s taken the time to enter again this year.
If you haven’t yet, remember the way it works – you enter your own business (or where you work) and anyone can nominate a business they love. If you’re a local resident and there’s one you think deserves an award please do put them forward – they could be our winner!
All the details are on the website and that’s where you enter – marketingwest.co.uk/ sturminster-business-awards
• Lastly, we’d like to thank the teams at both Charterhouse Auctioneers and to Horrocks & Webb for all the support and advice they give to us at The Emporium, enabling us to get the best value from the collectable donations we receive.
We’d love to see your dress!
We have held an exhibition of wedding dresses at St Mary’s Church in Sturminster Newton for the past two years in conjunction with the Wedding Fair in the town, and we are now looking for wedding dresses to display in the 2025 exhibition. Would you like to share your wedding story? Whether recent or from years in the past, every wedding has a story, and we display your stories with the dresses together with any memorabilia and accessories (photos, shoes, veils) that help recreate the memory of the day. We have been able to include family wedding dresses worn across the generations, wartime and vintage dresses, new dresses and some of different colours. Each has its own unique tale to tell – details of the dress, why it was chosen, or perhaps an unexpected happening on the wedding day. There will be bridal flower arrangements and wedding hats on display in the church too, all of which create a beautiful celebratory atmosphere. If you or your family have a cherished wedding dress, old or new, simple or elaborate, that you are happy to lend to us for the 2025 display, we would love to hear from you: Please email rm.damerell@gmail.com
We welcome everyone to come and see the display (free admission) at St Mary’s Church on 24th and 25th January.
Letters to the Editor
Want to reply? Read something you feel needs commenting on? Our postbag is open! Please send emails to letters@BVmagazine.co.uk. When writing, please include your full name and address; we will not print this, but do require it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
On the morning of Monday 30th December, my 91-year-old mum fell in Roselyn Crescent, Alweston. I would like to send heartfelt thanks to the strangers who stopped their cars and helped her back to her feet – luckily, all she suffered was hurt pride and a wet rear end!
Julie Fox, Alweston.
A huge thank you to Heather Brown for the miracle of her magic Christmas cake recipe! Thanks to a hideous bug, it was decided on 23rd December that I’d be hosting Christmas. We all pitched in with dinner, but the thought of my mother-in-law without homemade Christmas cake... I didn’t dare. Then I remembered Heather’s “make it at the last minute, no one will know” recipe. THE WOMAN’S A MAGICIAN. She saved me from disappointed pursed lips – I got a ‘lovely!’ instead. Phew!
Anon (for fear of discovery. Ssshhhh!)
A massive THANK YOU to Sadie in the wine column for the tip re. PX Sherry over ice cream affogato. A disastrous dessert was hidden from guests with this trick, and they LOVED it.
Jane P, Wimborne
I just wanted to say how much I enjoy Barry Cuff’s allotment column each month. It’s such a calm, grounding read – like a quiet stroll through a well-tended garden. I never miss it, despite only managing a few tomato plants and a couple of herb pots myself!
I particularly envy his salad selection – the thought of harvesting fresh leaves right through winter sounds wonderful. I’d love to know if Barry has any tips for keeping salads growing over the colder months. Are there varieties he’d particularly recommend for beginners? Can I grow them outdoors? Are there tricks for protecting them in chillier weather?
Claire Potter, Sherborne
On The Grumbler
(Does Dorset Council actually care about the food and drink sector? The BV, Dec 24)
Thank you for shining a light on the glaring oversight of Dorset’s food and drink sector. It’s astonishing that Dorset Council has failed to prioritise such a vibrant and economically valuable industry in its strategy.
As a small producer myself, I’ve felt invisible for years. Dorset Food & Drink could be an incredible asset, but as you rightly said, it’s woefully underfunded and underutilised.
We need councillors who not only recognise the value we bring but also actively support us with funding, events and proper representation on the Economic Growth Board.
Dorset’s food and drink producers deserve a seat at the table – quite literally.
Name supplied, Wimborne
Brilliant. Another council strategy that ignores the people actually making things – unless you count PowerPoint slides and business jargon as output. I must have missed the Dorset Plan’s section on ‘how to sideline everyone who grows, brews, bakes and preserves for a living’. Perhaps it’s in the appendix? Meanwhile, Wiltshire’s making us look like amateurs.
Dorset Food & Drink should be a crown jewel, not a dusty trinket the council forgot it owned. Wake up, Dorset Council, you can’t eat spreadsheets. Yours hungrily,
BM, Retired farmer and cheese lover
Your Grumbler raised important points, but let’s not write off Dorset Council just yet.
I agree that food and drink producers need better representation and support. However, the Winter Food Fair at Athelhampton was terrific, and proves there is interest – it just needs scaling up.
Rather than criticising what’s missing, let’s focus on solutions. A stronger DF&D, more events and direct communication between the council and producers could transform a section of Dorset’s rural economy.
This sector is worth fighting for, and with the right investment we could be a model for other regions. Let’s push for action – not just sit and grumble. RW, Shaftesbury
I agree that Dorset has some fantastic food producers that we should champion and support. Protecting and growing this industry not only helps economically but also helps to preserve traditional foods and production methods used by many in the food industry.
Dorset Council does currently offer support to food businesses through the EU/UK protected food names scheme. If a food producer makes a
food that has links to the Dorset geographical area, or perhaps they make a food using a traditional recipe or production method, then they can apply for legal protection of their product; guaranteeing the product’s characteristics, reputation, authenticity and origin and giving protection to the product name from misuse or imitation.
Dorset businesses interested in exploring this should contact Dorset Council trading standards via email, tradingstandards@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tim, comment left on the BV website
On the potholes
(A plague of potholes, The BV, Dec 24)
Kudos to the festive genius who planted a Christmas tree in the pothole! It’s sad that it took tinsel and baubles to finally get attention, but at least it worked. While I appreciate Councillor Andrews’ comments, I wonder if the council’s targets – 32 hours for urgent repairs and 28 days for the rest – are more aspirational than achievable? Perhaps we should adopt the ‘Christmas tree strategy’ countywide? If Dorset Council won’t act until potholes are decorated, we’d better start planting pumpkins for Halloween and Easter eggs come spring.
Merry Crater, Child Okeford
While the tree in the pothole was supposed to be amusing, I actually find it infuriating that Dorset’s roads are left to crumble until someone makes a spectacle out of it. A Christmas tree in a pothole shouldn’t be a call to action – regular maintenance and timely repairs should be. Councillor Andrews talks about careful planning, but if Belchalwell’s hole sat there for months, it’s clear the system is broken. It’s not just about aesthetics – potholes damage cars and endanger cyclists.
Belchalwell’s residents shouldn’t have to resort to tree planting to get noticed.
Frustrated in Blandford
Sparkle-less Stur again
Once again, Sturminster Newton’s Christmas lights failed to live up to the town’s sparkling reputation. The dreaded battery-powered lights on the small trees were back, and while the big storms were a challenge, they were dim or not working long before the weather hit (not the main town tree, that was a joy as usual). Every other local town manages to brighten their streets, enticing shoppers with their displays, so why does a town that proudly claims to “Make Stur Sparkle” (and is so brilliant at so many other things) continue to fall short? The little trees on the buildings are the only street decorations and would be fine if they actually decorated!
Here’s hoping next year finally sees Stur shine as it should (and, if memory serves, as it used to).
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Abbey104 Album of the Month: You Should Get Some Sleep
Aquilo
December is a notoriously lean month for new releases, and this year was no exception. Thankfully, I was saved by Lancashire duo Aquilo, who have provided an ‘album of the month-worthy’ offering: their second LP release in the space of just four months. You Should Get Some Sleep can be viewed as a companion piece to August’s A Quiet Invitation To A Hard Conversation – the two albums are available together as a double vinyl LP – but it also stands by itself as their best work to date. The band’s production on this can essentially be split into two camps. One is the pop, indielite presentation of songs such as the title track You Should Get Some Sleep and Coldplayesque I Smile When You’re Not Even There. But this album really shines when duo Tom Higham and Ben Fletcher prioritise restraint in creating their soundscapes. Opening track Feel Alive (“Close your eyes, you’re only 23, but you still know how to dream”) sets the tone suggested by the album title with simple piano arpeggios and washes of strings combining to create a dreamscape which invites the listener to delve deeper. This style returns throughout, providing necessary respite from the more pop-oriented
offerings. No Means No (“Can’t let go, I’m tired and in a mess, and we keep on pushing on dead discussion”) manages to spin 90s slow-jam touchpoints into a truly moving reflection on incompatibility in a relationship. The eight tracks here get their work done quickly (the album is wrapped up in under 23 minutes), but impressively it never feels rushed. A lovely piece of English pop which demands you hit play again and again. 3.5/5 stars.
• Matthew Ambrose presents Under The Radar on Tuesday evening at 7pm on Abbey104. Broadcasting on 104.7FM and online at abbey104.com.
Matthew Ambrose, DJ at Abbey104
Join Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge 2025
Get ready to saddle up! Online registration is now open for this year’s Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge, taking place on Saturday, 10th May 2025.
This year’s event is extra special – it marks 25 years of life-saving work by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. What better way to celebrate this milestone than by making this the best Coast to Coast yet?
The Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge isn’t about competition – it’s about community, stunning scenery and coming together to support a vital cause. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or someone looking for a fun way to get involved, this event takes you on an unforgettable journey through the beautiful Dorset and Somerset countryside.
Two routes
• 55-Mile Challenge:
Starting at Watchet Harbour in Somerset at 10:30 am, this route takes riders along breathtaking back roads, with challenging climbs and exhilarating descents, before finishing at the stunning seaside town of West Bay, Dorset.
• 11-Mile Challenge: A shorter but equally scenic option begins at the Royal Oak Public House in Drimpton at 2:00 pm, ending at the same vibrant West Bay finish line.
Both routes include well-stocked pit stops to keep every rider fuelled and ready to pedal, plus plenty of opportunities to soak in the camaraderie and community spirit.
Every pedal pushed With just 600 places available, early registration is a must. Whether you ride solo or as part of a team, this is your chance to be part of something truly special. Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship to support the charity’s life-saving missions. Every pound raised helps ensure that Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance can continue to be there when it matters most. Alana Hardy, events officer at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, said: ‘Our Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge has become a firm favourite over the years, bringing people together from all walks of life. Whether you’re taking part as a personal challenge, in memory of a loved one, or simply to support our charity, you’re
making a real difference. This year is particularly special as we celebrate 25 years of saving lives. We can’t wait to welcome everyone at the finish line in West Bay, where the atmosphere is always electric. Every pedal stroke and every pound raised helps us be there today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.’
Entry
Fees
• 55-Mile Route: Adults: £40 | Under 16s: £20
• 11-Mile Route: Adults: £20 | Under 16s: £10
Help celebrate 25 years of life-saving care and be part of something extraordinary! Visit dsairambulance.org.uk/c2c to secure your spot and kick-start your fundraising. But hurry –with spaces limited to just 600 riders, they won’t last long!
Fun, fundraising and fine musicians at The Exchange
The Exchange ended 2024 with a fantastic night of fun with Mad Dog McCrea, a true ‘live’ band who gave the crowd an amazing, energetic evening. The Exchange trustees are hugely grateful to all those who have worked (and worked...) to make 2024 such a success: in particular, raising more than £35,000 to help rebuild the financial reserves which were hit so hard by electricity costs in 2023. Celebrity guests have freely given their time, volunteers have gone that extra mile – and more – on top of all they already do, and you, our customers, users and visitors, have been so very generous. Thank you all.
The end of the year isn’t the end of the hard work, of course: inevitably, costs continue to rise and similarly hard-worked equipment has to be replaced. Please continue to support The Exchange ... it’s the venue other towns wish they had!
Coming up...
Why not drop in on the 15th of January – it’s free entry! – and be entertained by John H as he plays 200 tunes and songs in the Bibbern café, all to raise funds for The Exchange.
The Bibbern is also our art gallery, of course, so you can enjoy the exhibition of Samantha Biddles’ vibrant animal portraits while you sip a coffee and enjoy the music. John will be back again on the 7th February to accompany our popular French Wine and Cheese Evening – we’re always keen to provide an opportunity for you to enjoy yourself
It’s the venue other towns wish they had!
while supporting us! Before that, and not for our funds but for the good of the community, we are delighted to welcome back the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 14 piece ensemble on 5th February, performing ‘West End to Hollywood’. Our partnership with Artsreach is again responsible for bringing musicians of the highest quality to rural North Dorset, playing music we can all enjoy – it’s a brand new concert of film and stage inspired music.
And looking ahead a little further, we’re excited to announce that on Saturday 29th March we have An Audience With John Sergeant. Join us for an entertaining evening with the former chief political correspondent for the BBC and ITN’s political editor. Known as one of Britain’s most popular and respected broadcasters and authors, tickets will sell out fast so be quick to book yours!
Happy New Year from all at the Exchange.
Is it your year for the Couch to 5k?
The Dorset Doddlers’ next – very popular – Couch to 5k course starts this month. These courses have helped many want-to-be runners ease themselves into the sport through excellent coaching, friendly club members and by making it a bit of fun!
No previous running experience is required: just a desire to get a bit fitter, to meet some new people and to bring a positive, can-do attitude – especially as they train in all weathers!
You will be supported and coached every step of the way
– “No one is left behind, and no one is too unfit”.
The sessions start at Sturfit in Sturminster Newton at 6.45pm every Monday, and the course lasts for 10 weeks.
It is not too late to sign up, even though the course officially started on 6th January*.
The Dorset Doddlers was formed in 1983 by a small group of friends and now has more than 150 members. There are weekly hills sessions in Shaftesbury on Tuesday evenings through the winter – fancy running (walking!)
up the iconic Gold Hill? – which switch to summer runs around the county when the clocks change (mysteriously starting and finishing at pubs, usually...).
Thursday evening fitness sessions are from Sturfit in Sturminster Newton, making use of the local small roads and trailway. All sessions are taken by qualified club coaches and are tailored for runners of all abilities.
• *More information can be found on the Doddlers’ website dorsetdoddlers.org
Child of the 90s? Your Tamagotchis and Furbies are in a museum ...
Within the 200 items on display as part of the MED’s I Grew Up 90’s exhibition, curator Rob Gray says that two items stand out to him more than any of others –and not for their cute or cuddly dispositions.
The first is the Tamagotchi, the virtual pet that you could nurture and grow. However, neglect of said virtual pet could lead to its demise and ultimate death – they taught a deliciously harsh lesson in electronic mortality.
The other is the Furby: again, not for its cute and cuddly appearance but for the ridiculous fact the United States spy agency, National Security Agency (NSA) thought they were covert spies and banned them from their premises in the 1990s.. Who said the 1990’s were dull?
Tamagotchi comeback
The egg-shaped toy housing a virtual pet was one of the biggest crazes of the 1990s – and it is back!
A Tamagotchi is a virtual pet: you raise it, feed it, clean up after it and play games with it, all while carrying it with you. Invented by Aki Maita and Akihiro Yokoi in 1996, Japanese manufacturer Bandai created these digital toys, targeting a primarily teenage audience. They were launched in the UK in 1997, and quickly
became a craze. Every 90s kid had their own Tamagotchi, with so many different pets to collect. Global sales have continued to rise. As of June 2023, more than 91 million units have been sold worldwide. Tamagotchi has now opened its first shop in the UK –something it didn’t do even when it was 1997’s hottest gadget. Unsurprisingly, the modern Tamagotchi isn’t the same as the 1990s version. It looks the same – a bright coloured egg with a small digital screen and buttons – but the actual toy has much more functionality, allowing WiFi connection and the ability to download items.
The Furby Spy conspiracy
Furby was an American electronic robotic toy by Tiger Electronics. Originally released in 1998, it resembled a hamster or owl-like creature and became the musthave toy at Christmas that year. More than 40 million Furbies were sold in the first three years, and its speech was translated into 14 languages.
Furbies were the first successful attempt to produce and sell a domestically-aimed robot. A newly purchased Furby starts out speaking Furbish, the unique language that all Furbies speak, but is programmed to start speaking English words and phrases in place of Furbish over time. This process was intended to resemble the process of learning English.
Furbies came pre-programmed with 700 to 800 words. While they only spoke their native language (Furbish) straight out of the box, more interactions would unlock more real words.
On January 13, 1999, it was reported the National Security
Agency (NSA) of the United States banned Furbies from entering NSA’s property due to concerns that they may be used to record and repeat classified information, advising staff should they see any on NSA property to contact their Security Officer for guidance. It was thought within the NSA that Furbies had an artificial intelligence chip that could “learn” from things the user said. The NSA theorised that if employees discussed confidential information around the toys, that information could later be repeated. Roger Shiffman, the owner of Tiger Electronics, stated that ‘Furby has absolutely no ability to do any recording whatsoever,’ and that he would have gladly told the NSA this if they had bothered to take the time to ask him!
• IGU90s exhibition at Museum of East Dorset runs until 29th March 2025. One admission ticket gives you annual access to Wimborne’s award-winning museum.
• museumofeastdorset.co.uk
Next fibre rollout continues to transform areas of rural Dorset
Wessex Internet has officially begun work to bring full fibre broadband to more rural communities across new parts of Dorset and South Somerset as part of its £33.5 million Project Gigabit contract. Following months of design and planning, the five-year government-funded contract is now moving into the construction phase, with Halstock, Dorset, being the first area to benefit. Engineers have started laying fibre cables to connect hard-to-reach homes and businesses, marking the beginning of a transformative project that will bring these communities into the digital fast lane.
The rollout will eventually connect 21,400 homes and businesses, delivering lightningfast, gigabit-capable broadband to rural areas that would otherwise be left behind. This initiative is set to improve everyday life for residents and give local businesses a competitive edge in the digital economy.
Reaching the Unreachable
The £33.5 million contract is Wessex Internet’s largest Project Gigabit undertaking to date. In Dorset, the rollout will extend to rural communities surrounding Swanage, Dorchester, Sherborne, and Beaminster. Over the border in South Somerset, the network will reach areas near Crewkerne and Ilminster, with further expansion to communities around Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, and Bruton. Telecoms Minister Sir Chris
Bryant welcomed the launch of the project, saying:
‘Dorset and Somerset are the latest regions to see spades in the ground, laying fibre that will deliver the fastest internet speeds on the market – thanks to our nationwide rollout of Project Gigabit.
‘These upgrades will help put an end to buffering broadband in hard-to-reach rural communities and support our mission to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity. We are on track to keep plugging digital gaps and achieve nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030.’
Connecting Communities
Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, highlighted the significance of the project:
‘We’re delighted to have started the construction phase of our fourth Project Gigabit contract, which will benefit thousands
of residents and businesses in rural Dorset and Somerset.
‘This follows the start of construction for our South Wiltshire contract a few weeks ago and demonstrates the commitment and hard work of our teams to rapidly progress the delivery of these vital infrastructure projects. For too long, rural communities have had to make do with outdated, unreliable internet connections, and this rollout of full fibre broadband represents a great leap in digital infrastructure that will support local residents and rural economies for years to come.’
• How to Check Coverage
Residents and businesses eager to find out if Wessex Internet is coming to their area can check availability by visiting the Wessex Internet website or calling 0333 240 7997.
Dorchester Chamber’s festive gift to the community
Dorchester Chamber has stepped up to spread some much-needed festive cheer, donating £500 to the Dorchester Food Bank to support local families during what can be a tough time of year. The funds were raised at the Chamber’s annual President’s Breakfast, held earlier this month, where members celebrated the close of another successful year for Dorchester’s business community.
Generous raffle prizes, donated by Chamber members, helped raise £448 on the day, with the Chamber itself rounding it up to an impressive £500. The cheque was handed over on Friday, 20th December, to Dr John Burn, a trustee of the Dorchester Food Bank.
This year’s President’s Breakfast was particularly poignant, as members united to help those in need. The event, a highlight of the Chamber calendar, isn’t just about celebrating achievements; it’s also a reminder of the power of the business community when it comes together to give back.
Food Bank Support at a Critical Time
The Dorchester Food Bank plays a vital role in the community, offering emergency food parcels to individuals and families facing hardship. From young families to pensioners, the Food Bank ensures no one goes without essentials. In the run-up to Christmas, they go the extra mile, adding festive treats to their parcels to bring some joy to those struggling to make ends meet.
The day of the donation handover turned out to be
the Food Bank’s busiest day of the month, with 28 families seeking help. Among them was a mother attempting to feed her four children and herself with a single tin of meatballs, and a pensioner whose social worker had discovered their cupboards were completely bare.
Dr John Burn, who accepted the cheque, said the donation could not have come at a better time.
‘We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation,’ said Dr Burn. ‘Support from the Chamber is invaluable, especially at this time of year when demand is at its highest. This contribution will make a significant difference, enabling us to provide vital supplies to those in need over Christmas.’
A Community That Cares
Chamber President Steve Bulley, joined by Vice-President Steph Addison for the presentation, praised the generosity of Chamber members and highlighted the importance of supporting local initiatives. ‘As a Chamber, we are committed to helping our community, and we’re proud to support such an essential cause,’said Steve.
‘Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for families experiencing financial hardship, and we hope this donation eases some of the pressure. A huge thank-you to all our members who donated raffle prizes and made this fundraising effort such a success.’
• dorchesterchamber.co.uk
Left to Right: Steph Addison, Dorchester Chamber Vice President, Dr John Burn Trustee Dorchester Food Bank, Steve Bulley President Dorchester Chamber
Struggling Millstream asks for help
Millstream Theatre has, for more than a decade, been a beacon of creativity and inclusion for adults with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions. Based at the Museum of East Dorset in the heart of Wimborne, this remarkable group offers its members a platform to express themselves through drama, storytelling, and performance.
The impact of Millstream Theatre’s work is evident in the glowing reviews from audiences and critics alike. Their original cabaret show, In Harmony, received high praise during its tour last summer. Mark Tattersall, Director of Dorchester Arts Centre,says, ‘Having never seen Millstream Theatre perform before, I didn’t know quite what to expect – but In Harmony absolutely blew me away.... it was the tremendous humour and sheer joy of the play that made it sparkle!’ Such performances not only entertain but also challenge perceptions, showcasing the talents and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals.
Under threat
environment. One participant shared, ‘I’ve looked around and Millstream is the only group that’s perfect for me.’
Enrich the cultural landscape and foster a more inclusive society
The benefits of participating in such inclusive arts programmes are profound. Engaging in theatre can enhance communication skills, boost self-esteem, and provide a sense of belonging. For many members, Millstream offers a unique opportunity to connect with others in a supportive
However, Millstream Theatre’s vital work is under threat due to financial pressures. The costs associated with professional facilitators, support workers and guest artists are substantial. While members have agreed to contribute through subscriptions, many face financial challenges, making it difficult to sustain the necessary funding. The directors have initiated an application to Arts Council England, but this process is lengthy, and immediate support is needed to keep the workshops running.
Can you help?
Theatre groups like Millstream play a crucial role in promoting diversity and disability inclusion in the arts. By providing a
platform for neurodivergent artists, they enrich the cultural landscape and foster a more inclusive society. Supporting such initiatives not only benefits the participants but also enhances the community’s cultural fabric.
Local businesses and individuals have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Sponsorship or donations can help ensure that Millstream Theatre continues to provide its invaluable services to the community. Co-director Tony Horitz is asking for help: ‘If any local company would like to sponsor Millstream, enabling us to keep our workshops running and capping costs to those who are struggling financially, we’d love to hear from you.’
• For those interested in supporting Millstream Theatre, please contact: Tony tony.horitz@icloud. com or Tam Gilbert tam@ persuasionarts.co.uk if you are able to help. museumofeastdorset.co.uk/ millstream-theatre
Members of Millstream including co-directors Tam Gilbert in the centre and Tony Horitz( white hair and glasses) in the rear.
A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues. In the postbag this month:
Mouldy tenants?
Q:‘Damp and mould has built up in our home over the winter. I’ve been chasing our letting agency but nothing has happened and I’m worried about how this might affect our health. Our tenancy agreement isn’t up for six months, what can I do?’
A:Mould is a fungus that grows anywhere that warm damp air hits a cold surface, such as window frames. There is information on our website which will help you work out what type of damp you have, who is responsible and what you can do about it. You should also take a look at your tenancy agreement for specific mentions of repairs and damp.
You’ve definitely done the right thing by reporting the issue to your letting agency. It’s not always easy to work out the cause of damp and mould. Your landlord might well suggest that something you’re doing is contributing to it: but your landlord will be responsible if it’s being caused by structural problems or disrepair such as a leaking roof or bad insulation. Your landlord is also responsible for fixing a damp problem if it’s making your home
unsafe to live in or if it’s affecting the health of anyone living in the property.
Condensation can contribute to damp and mould. One of the best ways to prevent condensation is to keep homes well-heated and well ventilated. If you’re finding it hard to insulate and heat your home, check our website to see if you’re eligible for support
To make sure you’re not contributing to a damp problem, it’s best to avoid drying clothes on heaters, blocking air vents, or using portable gas heaters. However, showering, cooking, and laundry are things everyone expects to be able to do in their homes. If the property can’t be heated and ventilated adequately to cope with daily living activities, then it’s the property that’s the problem.. If your landlord is responsible for the damp in your home, but doesn’t do anything about it, there are steps you can take, like reporting them to the local authority. As a last resort, you might decide you just want to leave the property but getting out of a tenancy agreement early can be difficult. If you’re feeling stuck, speak to your local Citizens Advice or call our Advice line on 0800 144 8848
New Year, new hopes, old fights
Simon Hoare MP looks ahead – can Labour steady the ship, will devolution reshape Dorset, and how a misguided Reform Party threatens farming
Let me begin by wishing you, your families and loved ones a very happy New Year. I hope you had an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas. For those with family descending I trust it was not too overwhelming and for those on their own, I pray you were okay.
A mayor of Wessex?
My sincere hope for 2025 is that we have a year of calm here in the UK, and one of positive moves to peace internationally. Turning to the latter first, can we dare hope that a new regime in the USA will provide a new impetus to end the loss of life in Ukraine and in the Middle East and to enduring peaceful settlements? Let us hope, too, that the new Syrian regime is not merely a leap from pan to fire but something different, which respects the dignity of human life and rights. Here at home, even its most ardent supporters admit that the Government has got off to a rocky or patchy start. Bewilderment at Labour’s lack of preparedness to govern has quickly turned to exasperation that the Government has failed to road test policy ideas before launching them. Filling the gap of ignorance with bluster and bravado is no way to govern.
For the sake of all of us in North Dorset, we can only hope that Keir Starmer has made a New Year’s resolution to govern better. There is one sign of a shift in gear, in the realm of reform to Adult Social Care. This issue somewhat dominated PMQs last autumn, and indeed I called on the Prime Minister to find a lasting settlement through cross-party working. Recent briefings from No10 suggest that such an approach is currently being worked up. It will, undoubtedly, delay the vital reform by a year or so, but I think most people would prefer Westminster to get it right rather than meet an artificial deadline.
Where Dorset led (in its delivery of a Unitary Council) others are now being propelled to follow, spurred on by the Government’s publication of its English Devolution White Paper. In the Commons I welcomed the Government statement of intent and the direction of travel. Larger councils have the potential to make significant savings while also improving service delivery and strategic outlook. Some form of combined Mayoral authority focussed on Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset is certainly on the horizon. While the devil remains in the detail, there is some considerable merit in the proposal, given the close synergies of the three counties. I shall work to ensure we achieve the very best deal for Dorset.
Dorset farms
Given the importance of farming to both the North Dorset economy and environment, I will continue to resist the imposition of the Family Farm Tax. On the topic of agriculture I want to debunk any idea (proposed solely by themselves, I might add) that Reform is “the party of UK farming and farmers”.
It simply is not.
In fact, it is the opposite. Reform and its Faragevanity-trips leader have advocated for a no-deal Brexit with the EU (cutting off vital UK food export markets), argued for a race to the bottom in terms of environmental and animal welfare standards and continue to trumpet for a trade deal with the US that would open our markets to a flood of unfettered cheap imports of chlorine-washed chicken and hormoneinjected beef – injurious to public health (look at the US salmonella etc rates) and a hammer blow of fatal proportions to our UK livestock sector. For Reform to now describe itself as “The Farmer’s Friend” is akin to Herod applying to lead the NSPCC!
Reform as The Farmer’s Friend is akin to Herod applying to lead the NSPCC!
Daring to dream big?
The New Year brings an opportunity to take stock of where we are, and to decide how we might change the way we do things, for the better, so that 2025 becomes a year we can look back on with satisfaction, instead of regret.
Regardless of our many differences, we all share one thing that is absolutely essential for life – the planet we inhabit. In many ways it’s in a mess right now, and we face huge challenges ... but humans can be incredibly resourceful and it is certainly within our power to change things for the better. We are great survivors, largely thanks to our ingenuity. And ingenuity relies on what is perhaps our greatest strength: our imagination. It not only enables us to find solutions, it also inspires and motivates us to take action. Focussing solely on
what we don’t want can leave us feeling disempowered: challenges can seem insurmountable. Instead, if we use our creative imagination to focus on what we actually do want, we can be uplifted and inspired to make it happen.
Focussing on what we don’t want leaves us feeling disempowered
Rob Hopkins from Totnes is the author of ‘From What Is to What If – Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want’. His book is full of realworld examples of the positive difference made by creative thinking. He makes a compelling case for the use of more imagination in school, at work, in our personal lives and in politics. My own political imagining is of our elected representatives choosing to act collectively, and for the
common good. MPs rejecting the pressures of political dogma and of wealthy vested interests splashing cash and favours to influence political decisions. Imagine that! Around the world ever-more positive actions are being taken to address our many challenges. However, they are still nowhere near enough, as the decline in wildlife and the changing climate clearly show. Although many of us struggle with demands on our time and energy at the moment, we can still find actions to take, no matter how small. So let’s imagine the glorious world we want, and find ways we can help to help make it happen. Together. Onwards and up!
Ken Huggins North Dorset Green Party
Optimism delayed: not extinguished
Pondering on the theme for this first column of 2025, I looked forward to spreading some optimism and positivity on my first day back at work ... and found myself groaning instead at the news of Baroness Casey’s social care review. Labour’s social care review sounded good, until we heard the timetable. Some near-term gestures aside, there will be no recommendations for a longterm solution until 2028. This is a blow. Dorset’s population is older than average across the UK’s counties, and a sustainable solution to social
care is essential to help the NHS. Despite many previous excellent reviews and commissions, it seems that we must once again repeat the exercise to buy time for this government.
In China it’s still the year of the Dragon until the Lunar New Year arrives on 29 January and we turn to the year of the Snake. Nothing so exciting sounding here in the UK, where our government has made it feel like 2024 was the year of the stubbed toe – too painful
Here in the UK, it felt like the year of the stubbed toe
to laugh off, but we’re just too hardened to cry about it either. We could see it coming during the general election. Almost everyone I spoke to said they expected to pay more tax –they’d almost be glad to do so, to be rid of the Conservatives and get public services working again. The only people who seemingly didn’t know it were Keir, Angela, Rachel, Wes and co... Boxed into a corner by undeliverable promises not to raise tax, they decided to
escape by shooting a foot with the half-cocked pistol of winter fuel allowance. Then came a budget that hobbled the nation’s spirits, applying extra national insurance contributions that will just slow hiring and investment. Let’s not even mention the farming inheritance tax bullet into the other foot. It’s been hard to maintain enthusiasm for this government – but we can’t afford for them to fail.
My optimism from this time last year has only been delayed, not extinguished. Our Dorset community resilience and local business innovation offer hope. Nationally, there are clear pos-
itives. Our national strengths –that Brexit and numerous Prime Ministerial failures called into doubt – are returning: we have political and legal stability, financial credibility and talented people. Our universities are stressed, but they and their research remain world class. Trumpian tariffs on goods may be threatened but our large and competitive services sector will help us.
Dorset needs sustainable social care, flood and climate resil-
ience, intelligent devolution and planning reform in a thriving economy. All need to be fought for, and Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign through 2025 nationally to influence, and locally through Dorset Council, to implement and improve. I hope you will share my optimism and I
wish you a Happy New Year.
Gary Jackson North Dorset Liberal Democrats
No safety net for Dorset’s lifelines
Happy New Year! I hope this finds you well rested and full of cheese after the Christmas break.
I’ll admit I was somewhat looking forward to Parliament coming back – it feels like there is a lot to do in 2025.
Already this week I’ve been speaking in Parliament about the devastating impact the Government’s planned increase to National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will have on West Dorset’s charities – especially our hospices. Weldmar Hospicecare is well known to West Dorset residents as a provider of specialist end-of-life care to patients in their own home, as well as at their inpatient unit in Dorchester. It does fantastic work.
NHS Dorset has notified Weldmar of a £400,000 reduction in Fast Track Funding from April. This cut, in addition to the National Insurance increase, along with ever-rising demand for their services locally, will create an additional financial burden of £600,000 this year.
NHS Dorset has notified Weldmar Hospicecare of a £400,000 reduction in funding
Weldmar already subsidises 60 per cent of its NHScommissioned care using charitable funds, but it is not sustainable or acceptable for charities to fill these gaps. The reality is these costs will result in Weldmar being able to support fewer people at the most critical moments in their lives.
Julia’s House, another well-known local charity, which provides care for seriously ill children in
West Dorset, faces similarly dire consequences. Only eight per cent of its income comes from the Government, making it one of the leastsupported hospices in the country. The NIC increase alone will cost Julia’s House an additional £242,000 per year: yet their commissioning contract with Dorset ICB has increased by just 0.6 per cent, a rate far below inflation and the 5.5 per cent NHS pay award.
This inevitably means significant cuts to the amount of care available for those at end of life.
Charities like Weldmar and Julia’s House play a critical role in alleviating pressure on the NHS in Dorset. They provide care in our community, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and support families in their darkest hours.
The Liberal Democrats are campaigning hard to get the government to reverse the NIC increases, or at the very least exempt charities from them. These organisations are the backbone of our communities, delivering essential services and support to those who need it most. They embody selflessness and service. We must protect their critical work and ensure that they can continue to provide comfort and dignity to those in need.
Edward Morello MP for West Dorset
What’s on show in 2025?
Fanny Charles looks ahead to what’s coming this year
January is an odd time in the art world – some galleries carry their December/Christmas exhibitions over into the New Year. Others – such as Bournemouth’s Russell Cotes Museum and Gallery – are closed, for necessary maintenance work or other reasons. And it’s not a time when you necessarily want to venture far from the warmth of your home or the demands of the job, so here is a brief look at some of the interesting exhibitions in the first half of 2025, from big London shows to local galleries.
For fans of the great early Italian Renaissance artists, the National Gallery has the exhibition of the year – Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350, This milestone exhibition marks the gallery’s 200th anniversary with a rare reunion of 14thcentury Italian paintings. The 100 or so works on show will showcase the pivotal role of Sienese artists in Europe’s artistic landscape. Highlights include Duccio di Buoninsegna’s Maestà panels and Simone Martini’s Orsini Polyptychi. – 8th March to 22nd June. Staying at the National Gallery,
Laurence Edwards at work in his studio
we find there is more to Mexican art than Frida Kahlo, wonderful though she was of course. The UK’s first exhibition of work by Mexico’s leading 19th century artist – Jose Maria Velasco: A View of Mexico – celebrates his paintings of Mexico’s landscapes and industrialisation and the 200th anniversary of UK-Mexico diplomatic relations.
You may recognise his painting called (in translation) Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, an iconic view of two of the massive ancient structures which dot the Mexican landscape.
– 29th March to 17th August.
Paule Vezelay’s Living Lines at the Royal West of England Academy at Bristol
The Royal Academy at Burlington House in Piccadilly has an exhibition of Victor Hugo’s drawings. Best known for his massive novels, including Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hugo was also a poet, politician and artist. His drawings, many made while he lived on Guernsey, include imaginary castles, monsters and seascapes. – 21st March to 29th June.
The Royal West of England Academy in Bristol has its biennial open 2025, with the theme of Paper Works, and an important exhibition of work by Paule Vezelay, a pioneering modernist, born in Bristol, with an international reputation. – 25th January to 27th April
The Russell-Cotes on Bournemouth’s East Cliff is one of the most beautiful museum buildings in the country, with a fascinating display of the many collections of Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes as well as a changing programme of exhibitions. The current show is
Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place, a revelatory survey of the artistic heritage of this spectacular part of Dorset, with its dramatic coast and landscape and its history of quarrying and stone-carving. The artists, painters and sculptors featured include Mary Spencer Watson, Brian Graham, Mark Gertler, Augustus John and Paul Nash.
– Returning from 21st January to 16th March, after the New Year closure period.
Southampton City Art Gallery has an exhibition from its important permanent collection that tells the story of western art from the Renaissance to the present day. Featured items include works from the 17th century Dutch, French and Italian baroque, French Impressionists, 20th century British art, Surrealism and the St Ives-based abstract artists.
– From 23rd February
Sladers Yard at West Bay follows the Christmas-New Year mixed show, Radiance, with Restless Earth – paintings, prints and ceramics by leading gallery artists, including Anthony Garratt, ceramicist Adela Powell and resident furniture designermaker Petter Southall. The spring show is a solo exhibition by the Poole-born and West Dorset-based Philip Sutton RA. Now in his 90s, this remarkable artist has a career spanning seven decades including paintings and drawings from his years living on Fiji. The new show is Portrait of the Artist, 70 years of self-portraits and the places where they were painted. – 15th March to 11th May
Messums West, based in the magnificent medieval Tithe Barn at Tisbury, has a wide range of exhibitions and events, including Landscape Painting Today, from 11th January to 24th
February, Contemporary Danish Ceramics from 1st March to 4th May and Dressed for the Woods, a retrospective to mark Nicola Hicks’ 65th birthday, celebrating one of the most significant sculptors of our time, from 8th March to 4th May. Further ahead, there is an exhibition by another outstanding contemporary sculptor, Laurence West, from 26th July to 29th September.
If you have been captivated by the blood and glamour of the amphitheatre in Gladiator II, you will be fascinated by Gladiators of Britain at Dorset County Museum. The exhibition explores the history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain, and will include finds from Maumbury Rings in Dorchester, originally a Neolithic henge which was transformed into an amphitheatre by the Romans. This is followed by Jane Austen: Down to the Sea, celebrating the 250th anniversary of her birth and exploring the influence of the sea in her novels.
– Gladiators of Britain, 25th January to 11th May
Jane Austen: Down to the Sea, 14th June to 14th September
Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s gallery has a regularly changing
programme of exhibitions, mostly on for a fortnight, but the 2025 opening show – Welcome 25 – is on until 1st February. It is followed by the Spring Open, from 5th to 22nd February, and the arts centre art group’s annual exhibition from 26th February to 4th March. The gallery is open most days and is always worth a visit. The standard of work on show – paintings, prints, ceramics, photography and more – is consistently high.
Hauser & Wirth at Durslade Farm, Bruton, is the Somerset outpost of a global contemporary art group, bringing world-class art to our area. Past exhibitions have included Elisabeth Frink, Henry Moore and Phyllida Barlow, in a beautiful rural setting, with a garden designed by Piet Oudolf. This year’s shows include An Uncommon Thread, featuring 10 contemporary artists living and working in the UK, highlighting the transformative power of unconventional media, using unexpected painting surfaces, adapting formal craft traditions and repurposing discarded products into compelling works.
– 8th February to 27th April.
Gladiators, a panel from the exhibition coming to Dorchester
Sixpenny Handley
This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards from Sixpenny Handley, both sent in 1913, the year before the First World War began.
Sent to Elsie Carter in Salisbury – Elsie is on the 1911 census, so we know she was 17 and an apprentice ladies outfitter when she received this card, living at home with her parents, two brothers and a sister. ‘Dad’ was Joseph Carter, 69, a tailor. ‘Uncle Henry’ is perhaps George Henry Phillips, who lived in Sixpenny Handley with his eight children, probably at The Hollow as pictured. The only adult Amy in Handley in the 1911 census was a 23 year old Amy Enna Alford, a domestic servant at ‘The Cottage, The Coppier, Handley’ – an address which no longer exists.
‘Dear Elsie, please tell Dad that the horse called Reuben, which was ill when he was here, died last Sat. love from all Amy. ... It is Uncle Harry in the picture’
This postcard was sent by an apparently keen photographer in August 1913 to Mr Walter Butcher of Shelbourne Road in Bournemouth – we know from the census that he was 21, unmarried and a milk carrier.
Handley, Salisbury, Thursday. ‘Dear Walter, this is a view of Handley all out at the top of Handley Street. I hope you will like it. Ever so many thanks for the nice cards I received from you and thank you so much for the Photo Bits this morning. I have just had a long letter from Mrs Whitestone this afternoon. I hope you are well, and your dear mother and all the rest. with love from [unreadable]
Snow scene on the River Allen at rear of Royal Studio in East Street, Wimborne. It looks like Job Pottle in the boat, so the photo was probably taken by his assistant.
Dated 25th April 1908
Framing the past – Job Pottle’s story
A prolific photographer from the 1880s to the 1920s, Job Pottle captured local life from children to Churchill, the royal family to railways workers.
Job Pottle was born in 1856 in Poole to Henry and Fanny Pottle. He grew up in a busy household with three sisters and six brothers. One of his brothers was a part-time postman and photographic assistant: the snow scene above was produced as a Christmas card image from the Pottle family, and was possibly taken by his brother, as Job himself is the man in the boat. Job started his working life as an apprentice cordwainer (shoemaker) to his father, but by December 1889 was calling himself a photographer. He enjoyed the new technology of photography, starting a photographic studio in Wimborne at the back of his father’s property, 34 East Street, and calling it Minster Studio.
Job Pottle in casual stance, possibly in his photographic studio. Date unknown.
Celebrations in East Street, Wimborne, for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The postmistress, Miss Housden, is on the left in front of the Post Office with Mr Ward, postman, on the tricycle which has a pannier for letters at the rear. In the foreground is Mr John Low with his wife
A group photograph outside Canford Manor taken in 1907. Group includes Lord and Lady Wimborne with Winston Churchill (without hat) seated on the far right. Lady Wimborne was one of Winston’s aunts
He recorded the floods of 1894 and also suffered an injury helping to catch two women who leapt from a blazing building in East Street but he still photographed the charred remains of the shop. He documented Wimborne’s celebration of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897 and photographed King Edward VII’s visit to Crichel in 1909. Later, having photographed many important Royal visitors to nearby Crichel House – you can see the impressive list on his advert – he renamed his business Royal Studio. An enterprising photographer, Job produced popular Royal portrait postcards from his photos to sell, and also rephotographed older pictures to sell as postcards and magic lantern slides.
To Canada and back Job’s advertising poster of 1910 (right) indicates children and animals were a speciality, and he kept pet rabbits in his studio to keep children calm and still. Job married Mary Ann (née Wyatt) in Wimborne Minster on 5th December 1887, and the couple had two children, Reg
Wimborne railway station staff on the platform, circa 1900
1908 view of East Street, Wimborne, from Eastbrook Bridge to Poole Corner. On the right is Morton’s shoe shop, King’s hairdresser and Pottle’s photographic studio. Further along is Seward and Co’s ironmongers shop with its three bay windows, which came down for the new Post Office. Job’s daughter Ella is the girl on the right in the white dress.
and Ella. Reg wasn’t interested in the photographic business, but Ella was frequently seen in Job’s photographs (see above). Ella became ill from the toxic chemicals used in the developing process. The advice to improve her health was to go to Canada – where her brother Reg had already emigrated.
In 1921 Job and Mary spent six months in Canada, returning as Ella was homesick. Returning home, Job set himself up as a grocer in Southampton, where he lived until his death in 1947, at the age of 90.
• Photographs supplied by Museum of East Dorset. Copies of photos from the museum’s extensive library are available to buy.
• If you have any bygone photos, slides, negatives or film relating to East Dorset that you would like to loan for copying, or to donate to the museum archives, they would be delighted to receive them.
• For either of the above, please email photographs@ museumofeastdorset.co.uk
This portrait of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra with their favourite dog Caesar comes from a larger group photograph taken by Job Pottle in 1908 at Crichel House. The enterprising photographer published a series of royal portrait postcards from this single visit.
Step back in time with our ‘Then and Now’ feature, where vintage postcards from the Barry Cuff Collection meet modern-day reality. Explore the past and present on the same page, and see the evolution of familiar local places. ‘Now’ images by Courtenay Hitchcock
Winterborne Stickland
A winterborne is a seasonal spring which dries up in summer; Stickland, means “the dweller at the steep path” (from the old English sticol or stickel, meaning steep) likely refers to the Chalky Path, an ancient trackway leading up the hill from the village. Towards the end of the 19th century, the population of Winterborne Stickland was around 400, and like many Dorset villages it had two Methodist chapels. The Wesleyan chapel (built 1863), is just round the corner from this, the Primitive Methodist chapel (built 1877).
Barry belives that Corner Cottage, the unchanged flint and brick banded cottage on the left of both pictures, was once the village police constable’s house. Between the photographer and The Crown, on the right, is a small thatched outbuilding which clearly made way for the town war memorial after the First World War, just visible on the right of the ‘now’ image.
Love in triangles - the Bloomsbury set in Dorset
Dorothy Parker famously said of the Bloomsbury Group that “they painted in circles, lived in squares, and loved in triangles.” While this group of writers, artists, and intellectuals was based in Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, they often ventured beyond London – particularly to Dorset, and especially to Studland.
The group’s core consisted of sisters Virginia Woolf, the writer, and Vanessa Bell, the painter. Around them were economist John Maynard Keynes, novelist EM Forster, post-impressionist painter Duncan Grant, art critic Roger Fry and biographer Lytton Strachey. The spouses – art critic Clive Bell and essayist Leonard
“Julian rushes straight into the sea. Nessa tucks her skirt up ... I ... swam far out, until the seagulls played over my head.”
Woolf – were also integral. Many in the group were bisexual and had numerous affairs, rejecting Victorian conventions in favour of bohemian ideals that prioritised personal relationships and individual pleasure. Virginia and Vanessa’s father, Sir Leslie Stephen, first brought them to Lyme Regis in 1901. They returned to Studland with friends in 1909, perhaps inspired by Stephen’s work editing one of Thomas Hardy’s novels. For Virginia, who struggled with bouts of severe depression, the trips offered respite from London.
The new train service to Swanage brought many artists to Purbeck for the first time, drawn by
its dramatic coastline and downlands dotted with clay pits and prehistoric barrows. Dorset artist John Everett encouraged his contemporaries from the Slade School of Fine Art to visit.
Inspired by the area, the Stephen sisters often brought their friends along.
In a 1909 letter from Studland, Virginia wrote: ‘Julian rushes straight into the sea. Nessa tucks her skirt up. Clive dives from a boat in a tight black suit. Yesterday I hired a gentleman’s –it was bi-sexual – bathing dress, and swam far out, until the seagulls played over my head.’
The Dreadnought Hoax
In 1910, Virginia and Vanessa returned to Dorset with friends, including Horace de Vere Cole, who was known for his elaborate pranks. At the time, there was a rivalry between the officers of HMS Hawke and
Photograph of the participants in The Dreadnought Hoax
HMS Dreadnought, the Royal Navy’s flagship stationed at Portland. A friend from the Hawke joked to Cole: ‘Couldn’t you do something to pull the leg of the Dreadnought? They want taking down a bit.’
Taking up the challenge, Cole and his friends staged one of the most famous hoaxes in British history. Disguised as Abyssinian royals – complete with blackface, turbans and robes – they tricked the Navy into giving them an honour-guarded tour of the Dreadnought. Unable to find an Abyssinian flag, the Navy used Zanzibar’s flag instead and played its anthem. Throughout the tour, the group communicated in a mix of Latin and Greek gibberish, punctuated by cries of “Bunga, bunga!” De Vere Cole ensured the prank gained national attention by sending photos and an account of their escapade to the Daily Mirror. While the Navy was humiliated and threatened the hoaxers with symbolic caning, no real punishment followed and Virginia later drew on the experience for her short story, A Society.
The War changed all In 1911, Vanessa and Virginia stayed at Harmony Cottages in Studland with Lytton Strachey and Roger Fry. Both Fry and Vanessa painted scenes from their holiday – and began an affair. Fry’s Studland Bay, one of the first post-impressionist paintings by an English artist, used simplified forms and mosaic-like shapes. Vanessa’s Studland Beach reflected similar influences, particularly Matisse, with its bold colours, rhythmic lines and simplified forms. The painting is often regarded as a visual equivalent to her sister’s experimental literary work, To the Lighthouse. The sisters were also active in the women’s rights movement. Vanessa captured a leading
suffragist on Studland Beach holding a Votes for Women pamphlet, highlighting the political undercurrents of their time.
Lady Ottoline Morrell rented Cliff End Villa in Studland during Easter 1911. There, she began an affair with philosopher Bertrand Russell, exchanging more than 2,000 love letters. In her open marriage, Lady Ottoline was unafraid to take other lovers.
The Crichel Boys
Bed-hopping was de rigueur at Crichel House, where bohemian weekends of croquet and connoisseurship flourished
Leonard Woolf married Virginia in 1912, though their relationship remained platonic. Vanessa once observed that Virginia “never had understanding or sympathised with sexual passion in men.”
The group returned to Dorset in 1913, but with the outbreak of the First World War, the Bloomsbury Group retreated to Charleston in Sussex. There were still visits to Dorset, such as when Virginia and Leonard saw Thomas Hardy at Max Gate in 1926 – but the visits were more sporadic.
Cliff End Villa in Studland – still a holiday cottage today, it was rented by Lady Ottoline Morrell during Easter 1911. Here, she began her affair with philosopher Bertrand Russell
After the Second World War, Dorset welcomed a new bohemian circle echoing the Bloomsbury spirit. Three “hyphenated gentlemenaesthetes” – Eddy Sackville-West, Eardley Knollys and Desmond Shawe-Taylor –bought Crichel House on Cranborne Chase. Bed-hopping was de rigueur at their bohemian weekends of croquet and connoisseurship, recreating some of the intellectual atmosphere of the pre-war Bloomsbury set. Guests included Duncan Grant, EM Forster and Vita SackvilleWest, Virginia Woolf’s former lover. Vanessa Bell painted at Crichel House but Virginia was no longer part of these gatherings, having taken her own life in 1941, during the Second World War. by Rupert Hardy
• The Tate has a fascinating gallery of images available to view, all taken by Vanessa Bell during the 1910 stay on Studland.
Troglodytes troglodyte - the king of the birds
The male wren, Troglodytes troglodyte, may provide nests for up to six (or more!) females in a season, helping to produce 30-plus fledglings
Wildlife writer Jane Adams greets one of the UK’s feistiest, loudest and most industrious birds as he survives winter before building a harem
I’m filling the kettle when a movement outside catches my eye – a wren. There it is, busy at work, coaxing a miniscule spider from its sticky web spun across the window frame.
The wren’s rotund body, with its chestnut-brown speckled feathers, is so tiny it weighs less than a pound coin. One of our smallest birds, it’s also the UK’s most common.
Usually, all you’ll see of a wren is a blur at the edge of your vision. It doesn’t skulk, it is just constantly on the move: wrens are busy and hard to keep up with. You might not see them that often, but you’ll certainly have heard them. Their high-pitched warbles – surprisingly loud for their diminutive size – can often penetrate even the most overcast of winter days.
Watching my visitor through the window, I can’t help but admire its defiant posture. With what looks like a permanent scowl and a fearless demeanour, the wren almost dares you to challenge it. I once heard them described as a cross between a mouse and an animated walnut –so small, so up for a fight!
When spring arrives, fighting will definitely be high on the agenda. Male wrens fiercely defend their territories from rivals while also wooing passing females. And beneath that tough macho exterior there’s a surprisingly good homemaker ... Males build several nests within their territories, showing each one to a female, hoping to impress with their DIY skills. By the end of the season, one male may have provided nests for up to six (or more!) females and helped to produce 30-plus fledglings.
A cross between a mouse and an animated walnut – so small, so up for a fight!
January, though, survival must be my visitor’s chief concern. On cold winter nights, when temperatures plummet, wrens will often huddle together in holes or bird boxes for extra warmth. In Norfolk during the viciously cold winter of 1969, researchers found sixty-one wrens hidden in a single bird box.
Fingers crossed, my bird has some friends.
In some cultures, the wren is known as the King of Birds – such a lofty title for this little fella. Legend has it that during a contest to see which bird could fly the highest, the wren won by perching on the wings of an eagle.
With white-tailed eagles back in the south of England, who knows? Anything’s possible ... So keep your eyes peeled!
For
Male wrens fiercely defend their territories from rivals while also wooing passing females
A wetland revival
How Dorset Wildlife Trust is restoring ponds, protecting species and tackling biodiversity loss with the help of the Species Survival Fund
Dorset Wildlife Trust received government funding last year to revitalise over 500 hectares of habitats – including woodlands and ponds – across 18 sites in Dorset. The funding, part of the Species Survival Fund, aims to halt and reverse the decline in species abundance by preserving vital habitats and creating nature-rich landscapes.
The UK’s rain-soaked landscapes provide ideal conditions for wetlands – dynamic ecosystems where water meets dry land. These habitats support a rich diversity of species, including dragonflies, damselflies, wading birds such as curlew and snipe, carnivorous plants, and fluttering butterflies. Historically, wetlands covered a substantial part of the UK landscape. Before Roman times, as much as 25 per cent of the British Isles may have been wetlands. However, modern development, agriculture, and drainage have drastically reduced their extent, leaving them to cover just three per cent of the UK today.
Wetlands are vital ecosystems, yet many in Dorset and across the UK are in decline or poor condition. Dorset Wildlife Trust is working to expand and revitalise wetlands across several of its nature reserves with government support.
Dorset wetland.
Image: Steve Oliver
Great crested newt in Dorset. Image: John Bridges
Understanding wetlands
Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems, varying in size and shape, and defined by the presence of water – still or flowing – for extended periods. They may contain freshwater, brackish, acidic, or saltwater and act as vital transitional zones between land and water. Their distinctive soils and vegetation are specially adapted to saturated conditions. Healthy wetlands provide critical benefits, including carbon storage, flood mitigation and rich plant life that offers shelter, nurseries and breeding grounds for wildlife.
As environmental challenges intensify, restoring and protecting wetlands is vital for biodiversity and human wellbeing.
Through the Species Survival Fund project, Dorset Wildlife Trust is working to restore and create new wetlands across nine of its nature reserves, including Brownsea Island, Lyscombe, Peascombe, and Nunnery Mead. This network will help wildlife move across the landscape, meeting their needs during different life stages and seasons.
One example is Brooklands Farm, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s headquarters, where a well-established pond is home to great crested newts, a protected species. Maintaining such habitats is essential, as ponds can quickly become overgrown with vegetation. To ensure light reaches the water’s surface and encourages aquatic plant growth, willows around the pond edge are carefully pruned. This work is timed for late autumn and winter to minimise disturbance, ensuring it takes place after
the breeding season and once juvenile newts have migrated to land.
The clearance has reduced the number of dominating species around the pond edge, allowing a variety of other, less aggressive, plant species to flourish, including marginals such as native waterforget-me-nots which are already present but need a helping hand to become more established. These provide a great place for species like the great crested newt to lay their eggs, and when in flower add a splash of colour to pond edges. This intervention is needed because, before humans changed our landscapes by parcelling up land with boundaries, wild ponds would have a diverse mix of wildlife coming to their edges to drink, feed, bathe and hunt. The larger mammals visiting would trample and graze the vegetation, maintaining the open areas of the pond edge. Wetland restoration and creation, then, combined with traditional habitat management techniques, are crucial for preserving biodiversity, improving water quality, and mitigating climate change in Dorset. Success relies on collaborative efforts between government bodies, conservation organisations and local communities.
• The Species Survival Fund initiative is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund, developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Restoration of Dorset wetland in progress. Image: Brian Bleese
We welcome photography submissions from readers – the only rule is that they must have been taken locally in the last month. Our cover shot is always selected from our submissions pile. If you’d like to join in, please share it in The BV community Facebook Group or simply email it to us on photos@bvmagazine.co.uk
Rainbow’s end Sarah McNulty
Alex Sherris
Canada goose
Paul Dyer
Marsh harrier
Mark Churchill
December weather
Sam Norse
Coast guard
Kate Fry
has things to say
He
Alexa Pereira
Chaffinch
Henry Wincewicz
Somebody’s upset the robin again
Tina Dawkins
Curlew Emma Parkes
Four-year-old Alexei ran an impressive win of a novice hurdle at Taunton – he is now unbeaten since joining the Tizzards
Racing highs, weather lows
Chris Wald reflects on December’s challenges and triumphs on the yard, and looks ahead to the Tizzard team’s path to The Festival
The good form of the yard continued into December and two horses at opposite ends of their careers provided early highlights of the month. The 11-year-old Le Ligerien won the veteran’s race at Lingfield, thus gaining the ninth win of his career, while an exciting four-year-old called Alexei ran out an impressive winner of a novice hurdle at Taunton – he is now unbeaten in a charity race and two novice hurdles since joining us in the summer having previously run on the flat in Germany.
Christmas is a busy time for anyone working in the jump racing industry, and it is no different for the staff here. While it is difficult to give much of a break with so much racing on at this time of year, we tried to give people a chance to get home and see their families, with some having Christmas Day off but working New Year’s Day, and vice versa. Due to the generosity of the owners in the yard, the tack room is always well-stocked with mince pies and chocolates at this time of year, which is much appreciated by all the staff! We were
less busy than other years on Boxing Day, with just the four runners at Wincanton, and it was great to get a winner with Pedley Wood in front of a huge local crowd.
A new Tizzard
A few days before Christmas, Joe and Rachel welcomed a baby boy, Harry, into the world. Their first child, Tommie, is now two and Joe has already given them the nickname of The Tizzard Boys… Watch out!
Every horse’s birthday is on 1st January – no matter when they were born
It’s a fitting time for a horseracing birth: the New Year starts with every horse’s birthday on 1st January. Not that any of them were actually born on this day! It is the same for all racehorses, all around the world, making it easier to categorise races with them all becoming a year older at the same time (when a horse turns ten it becomes eligible for Veteran’s races, for example).
The main feature of January so far has been the disruption that the weather has caused, with both
New recruit Etna Bianco on the gallops
freezing temperatures and heavy rain causing lots of meetings to be abandoned. Last weekend was particularly frustrating, with Sandown and Wincanton frozen off on Saturday, both meetings where we had strong chances in some valuable races. Then, on Sunday, myself and travelling head lad Richie made the three-hour trip to Plumpton
with two horses, only for the meeting to be called off less than an hour after we arrived due to waterlogging. Needless to say, a quick fry up in the stable lad’s canteen was required before loading up and heading home again!
Meanwhile Reggie and Kim had a similar experience at a snow-covered Chepstow which
was abandoned after the first two races, only an hour before our horse was due to run. In both cases the owners were also already at the races – they are the ones who lose out the most, having spent a lot of money to get to that point, sometimes with a lack of alternative races for their horses to run in.
Running in a bumper
The newly-turned four-year old’s who were broken in during the summer as three-year-olds continue to build up their work, and some have already been up to Larkhill point to point course for a ‘racecourse gallop’. We will get them all back there over the next few weeks for more serious bits of work, with the aim of running in a bumper (a flat race for future jump horses) in the spring if they are showing us they are ready. It is exciting to see these horses progress through their careers and can be one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
Looking to The Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of Jump racing, running over four days in March. It is every trainer, owner and jockeys’ ambition to have a winner there. The entries for some of the major races close over the next few weeks, and the further we go through the season the more attention turns to The Festival. For the select group of horses we have who have targets there, it is likely that they will only run once, maybe twice, more between now and then, so the pressure for these horses to perform is increased. Excitingly, there are also some horses, such as some of the novice hurdlers, who could earn their right to go there with just one good performance over the next few weeks.
Happy New Year to all BV readers – hopefully the weather turns in our favour and we’ll see you at a racecourse soon!
by Jess Rimmer
Back to work
From winter woes to wobbly lines, Jess Rimmer takes us through the slow work (and horses who think they’re funny) to polished event horses
I would start off by saying the traditional and polite ‘December has flown by’ ... but in reality, it feels like it’s been one of the longest months of the year, and I’m very glad to be seeing the back of it!
The horses had been out enjoying their winter holiday, and excitingly, they all came back into work at the start of December to begin building their fitness for the 2025 competition season.
This isn’t all as “sunshine and rainbows” as it might at first glance appear! With competition horses, it’s super important that we build their fitness back up slowly, to set a solid foundation of strength and protect against potential future injuries. Which sounds great ... until you realise it means spending the entirety of a cold, grey December not breaking out of a walk on some rather fresh horses!
Jimmy, on the other hand, thought he was absolutely hilarious ... and made a total fool of me
Mattie and Elsa haven’t let their halos slip so far. Max can have the odd spooky moment, but has overall been pretty good, too.
Jess Rimmer with Max (Mr Mister)
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
Max looking wild and woolly in his ‘bog pony’ winter coat
Max enjoying the glamour of having an ear hair trim
Jimmy, on the other hand, thought he was absolutely hilarious ... he made a total fool of me on his very first ride back, bucking me clean off within about 30 seconds of my foot going into the stirrup! Luckily no harm done (other than a rather bruised ego) – the joys of excitable young horses and winter. As I said, goodbye December!
Having done nearly a month of walking, just after Christmas we started some trot work. We build this up gradually as their fitness increases – to start with, just a few laps of the arena, and after a couple of weeks they’ve built up to being able to trot twice up the gallops.
That’s about where we’re at as I write this: from here it starts to get a bit more interesting. We re-introduce some basic dressage moves, some pole work, and maybe we’ll even have a canter next week (yikes - I’ll be holding my neck strap!).
Just
a short back and sides
Following their winter holidays in the field, the horses are all looking rather fluffy and unkempt. It’s actually nice for them to grow out their natural coats – but they definitely need a tidy up before the 2025 season!
We will spend the next few weeks trimming their manes, tails and bridle paths until they start to resemble the sleek, shiny competition horses you are all accustomed to seeing!
It’s not only about appearance, but also practicality and comfort. As they build up their work rate, the horses will find their fluffy winter coats a little too toasty, at which point we will give them a clip to help them keep cool during exercise.
Clipping is a skill ... one which I am yet to master. The first time I attempted to clip, it took me double the time it should have, and resulted in some very dodgy lines and an embarrassed looking horse (I’m so sorry, Bobby!).
One slightly tearful phone call later, and Stacey the magic head groom came to the rescue. I have had marginally more success recently, thank goodness, but it definitely isn’t something I’ve mastered yet!
Gently, gently
Although it’s no speedy process bringing the horses back into work, it’s so important for their long-term soundness, and it’s something which really can’t be hurried. In many ways, it’s very satisfying seeing their transformations from floofy, unfit bog ponies to fit, polished event horses. The work it takes to get there often goes unappreciated – despite the fact it’s happening in every event yard all over the country at the moment!
Hopefully things will start to speed up a bit in January – until then, it’s a case of numerous extra layers, plenty of hot cups of tea ... and remembering to hold on tight!
December diary
Barry Cuff takes a look back at what happened on his Sturminster Newton plot over the 2024 season
At the end of December, Val and I had had our allotment for 36 years. We originally took on 90 square meters back in 1989, increasing this to 270 square meters in 1990 plus a further 60 a few years later – enabling us to be more or less self-sufficient in vegetables and some fruit. In 1989, many of the plots on the site were unused and in a bad condition, with weeds, grass and brambles – and there was no water on the site.
As we enter 2025, it thankfully looks very different: there is a waiting list for plots, two sources
of water, a discounted seed buying scheme, a yearly manure delivery and also an annual inspection managed by the Allotment Association.
December is a quiet month on the plot, so I thought it would be good to look back and review the whole of 2024. It was probably one of our best years for yields and crop quality – with one or two exceptions. There were very few frosts of a damaging nature last year, and we had below average sunshine with well above average rainfall –more than 40 inches.
Beetroot – Successional sowings ensured roots for six months.
Broad beans – Good yields from both Masterpiece Green Longpod and Witkiem Manita. Less blackfly than usual.
Brussels sprouts (Brendan) – we started harvesting at the end of November, and the nine plants will supply us until the end of February.
Cabbage – The last head of the Red Drumhead was cut at the end of November: it stood well, with no caterpillar damage. The Savoy is filling out well for the spring.
Calabrese - We have had excellent yields of both Ironman and Atlantis, with good heads followed by side shoots.
Cauliflower – We had average curds of both Cheesy and White Step, and we are cutting good heads of Cendis now. Medallion and Snow March should be ready in February and March. No damage this year from Swede Midge.
‘What I picked on the allotment today’ – Barry Cuff is still harvesting through the winter All images: Barry Cuff The Voice of the Allotment
Carrot – Once again we only grew Early Nantes and we made about ten sowings over a long period. We’re digging excellent roots now, and we have enough in the ground to last until the beginning of March.
Celeriac – This was grown next to the celery and also developed Septoria – the roots were smaller than usual.
Celery – Not a good year for our celery - leaves were attacked by Septoria leaf spot, probably helped by high rainfall.
Chicory (Witloof) – We had a good yield of roots, which were lifted in November. First chicons harvested on 20th December.
Courgette – We had good yields of both Defender and Astia Dwarf French bean – Good yields of Safari and Nautica over a long period.
Leek – We are currently lifting as required. This year’s crop are slightly smaller than usual, but we have many left in the ground for 2025. No Leek Moth damage this year!
Lettuce – (Little Gem) We’ve had good tight heads from monthly sowings.
Mangetout – We had average yields from both Carouby De Massaune and Purple Magnolia.
Onion – Our yields were down compared with the previous year due to White Rot. Those harvested have stored well, however, and they should keep in good condition until March. Parsnip – These are yielding well and we have plenty left in the ground for 2025.
Pea – We had very poor establishment down to either seed weevils, mice or birds ... but we have ideas for 2025!
Potatoes – Probably our best year ever for yields! We lifted before the blight set in, and they
are all stored in paper sacks and keeping well.
Runner beans – Good yields of both red and white flowered over a long period.
Salad crops (autumn/winter) –All looking well on the allotment. During January we will make our first sowing of sweet peppers, and also buy our seed potatoes.
Squash – Both Butterfly and Crown Prince gave us good yields and are still keeping well in store.
Sweetcorn – (Swift) This is a variety we have grown for many years: we grew about 70 plants this time, and they did well despite the weather.
Barry started harvesting the Brussels sprouts at the end of November, and the plants will continue to be harvested through to the end of February
How d’you like them onions?
Plan, prune, plant... there’s sow much to do this January
January’s where it all starts again in the garden, says Pete Harcom, and it’s a perfect time for some plotting and planning, as well as tidying!
Happy New Year! It’s the beginning of the gardening year – and a good time to plan for the 12 months ahead.
Start thinking about what you want to do with your garden in the months to come. Now is the time to order seeds and plants from the comfort of your armchair! Have a look at the garden and think about what worked well last year and what needs attention.
Tidying up
Prune your wisteria this month by cutting back the thin summer growth, leaving only two or three buds.
It’s also the right time to prune rose bushes, while they are still dormant – especially if they are tall and vulnerable to wind rock. Cut branches back to just above a bud, making sure to remove any crossing or dead branches. Cut back your ornamental grasses now,
too: just clip the old foliage down before new growth begins. You can cut back to within a few centimetres of the ground. You can also tidy up those messy perennials. Cut down the old stems of perennial plants like sedums, but be careful of any new growth.
Planting
If the soil is not too wet or frozen, now’s the time to plant bare root roses, shrubs, hedging and ornamental trees. Bare rooted plants are far less expensive than container-grown plants and can establish well. Many deciduous and evergreen shrubs, trees and hedging plants can be planted bare rooted as they are dormant between November and March. After this, the roots will establish themselves quickly once the soil warms up in the spring.
Sowing
Sow antirrhinum, sweet peas, lobelia, begonia and geraniums (pelargoniums) now, keeping them in gentle heat either in the greenhouse or an indoors windowsill – or a propagator if you have one.
Housekeeping
Check that small alpines in the garden haven’t been smothered by fallen leaves and other wind-blown debris. Clear away the soggy and collapsed stems of perennials and compost them. Deadhead your winter pansies and other bedding plants regularly. Check your winter protection is still working for you — survey any stakes, supports and ties that might have been damaged in bad weather. Remove slimy patches from patios and paving by scrubbing with a broom or a blast with a pressure washer. Lastly - feed the birds! Hang some fat balls and keep all bird feeders clean and topped up to attract birds: they’re not only lovely to watch, but they’ll eat garden pests!
Is it the year of the egg?
Pessimism,
promises and poultry: Andrew Livingston asks if 2025’s lofty food and farming goals may already be slipping through
When you return to work in January – not that farmers ever really stop... – you can soon forget that it is a shiny, fresh new year. The festivities get left behind, New Years’ resolutions begin to get dusty and forgotten and we all slowly return to just getting on with our lives. My own healthy eating plan has already gone out of the window, but I’m still (mostly) dry for January!
For the poultry industry, 2025 is supposed to be a big year. Many of the major retailers made a promise in 2016 – the question is, will they keep it?
Nine years ago, Aldi, ASDA, Iceland, Lidl, Morrisons and Tesco all stated that at the end of 2025, all the whole eggs sold in their stores would be from cage-free birds. It’s a promise which is looking very unlikely to be kept ... it’s all gone a bit too quiet. Hats off to M&S who have only sold free-range eggs since 2002, and Waitrose hasn’t sold any caged eggs since 2001.
The promise was made in what was frankly a completely different world: pre-pandemic, pre-inflation, pre-war in Ukraine and pre-bird flu. Each of these have put great strain on the industry. While the volume of free-range eggs sold in the UK went up another 7.8 per cent last year, 22 per cent of all the eggs sold in the second quarter of last year were raised in colony cages: that’s around 220 million dozen a year.
our fingers
the difference between caged or barn-kept birds, or even what organic really means.
The reaction will be interesting nonetheless, as there are bigger promises to be broken in the near future. The NFU pledged five years ago that UK farms would be carbon neutral by 2040. A quarter of the time has gone and little progress has been made.
I hate to be nihilistic, and I know it’s important, but ... Donald Trump is back in America and far-right movements are gaining power across Europe. Are we wasting our time on the climate change debate? Please don’t think that I am a climate change denier (don’t come for me, I wash my plastics). I just worry that we are going to be one of the only countries banging the Net Zero drum while everyone else prioritises other matters.
I’ve done it again. I’ve gone all pessimistic. All I’ll say is, looking at the current global situation and the history of the last five years, should we concentrate on our food security rather than climate change? Or should we be concentrating on animal welfare rather than food security?
Most of the public wouldn’t know the difference... I doubt that the public really cares
Colony cages replaced the old battery cage system in 2012, and on average a colony cage holds 80 hens. It has a screened-off area for laying, a scratch mat and low perches. Hens don’t leave the cage until they go to slaughter.
I will be interested to see the public’s reaction if the 2016 promise isn’t kept ... though I doubt that the public really cares. Most of the public wouldn’t know
It’s a moral dilemma and I don’t have an answer. It’s a Venn diagram of a multitude of factors and we need to find the sweet spot in the middle. I don’t know where that sweet spot is, but I do know we aren’t there yet.
Planning officers need to start granting permission for chicken sheds to grow the nation’s free-range flock … without them, we’ll never stop selling caged eggs on our supermarket shelves.
Sorry. Nihilistic, pessimistic, depressing... Happy 2025! I need a stiff drink after all that. I suspect my Dry January is about to get a little wet.
The Rawston herd enjoying some winter sun
The 47 cow heartbreak
From devastating tests to tax protests, James Cossins sees resilience and unity as the driving forces behind such challenging times in farming
Since my last column two months ago, a lot has happened, both in the wider farming world and also here at Rawston, where we have had the challenge of Bovine TB to deal with yet again. With a recent test giving many inconclusive results we were encouraged by the Government’s animal health vets to carry out a Gamma Test – a blood test which is more sensitive than the skin test we normally carry out. We have been under restrictions for nearly two years now, with the odd reactor but never any visible lesions when the cattle are sent to the abattoir. The hope was that it would find the one animal which does have TB but for some reason is not being picked up by the skin test.
Probably the saddest and most emotional day in my lifestime of farming
the results came as a bit of a shock. We had 47 animals testing positive, including one bull: that represents about 15 per cent of our entire adult cattle herd. On probably the saddest and most emotional day in my entire lifetime of farming, we duly loaded up the animals onto two enormous lorries to go to the abattoir. On top of the sadness, the amount of milk sold the next day was considerably down, of course – most of those cows were in full milk production. Results from the abattoir have shown that none of the cattle had visible lesions.
The sooner we can get a vaccine the better place we will all be in.
That Tax
Nationally, the announcement in the Government’s budget regarding changes to inheritance tax has certainly got the farming family fraternity up in arms about what the changes will mean to family farms up and down the country. I think essentially we believe the Chancellor Rachel Reeves has got her sums wrong, and hasn’t understood that it is not just land values at stake here, it is the value of the businesses themselves – including properties, buildings and machinery – which all make up the running of a viable business. I went on the protest march in London on November 19th with family members of all ages attending to show the strength of feeling there is within the agricultural industry.
So we duly had the milking cows and two stock bulls tested ... and
I would like to thank both my family and my fellow farmers who have all supported me through what has been a really tough time.
Farmers for Action organised various speeches in front of a huge crowd near the Parliament building, and there were also a large number of food donations
given from attendees to the food banks within London: these donations were gratefully received by all those involved. There was also an impactful march by young children on their pedal tractors, demonstrating the effect the tax changes may have on their future livelihoods.
The NFU organised a rallying call from their president, Tom Bradshaw, followed by smaller personal meetings with constituency MPs.
A group of local farmers met with Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, who is very sympathetic to our cause, and fully understands the implications to his rural constituency. He reassured us that he would continue to lobby – especially the rural Labour MPs – around the significance of the proposed changes. Thank you Simon for taking the time and for listening to our concerns.
I believe there will be further actions taking place in the new
year. The NFU, I am sure, will continue to put pressure on MPs for a change.
But I believe farmers may feel that is not enough, and that different actions may be needed. I just hope that we don’t lose the public’s support – we must remember they are our customers as well.
Looking ahead
As we look to 2025 the days are already slowly getting longer and spring will soon be here. Who knows what the weather will bring us, but I’m sure the British farmers’ resilience will pull us through whatever is thrown at us – and continue to keep feeding the nation.
Two FCN quiz nights coming up!
January and February can often be a hard slog for the farming community – with seeminglyconstant inclement weather combined with dark mornings, short days and early nights. For that reason we have decided to hold TWO quizzes in January and February! It’s always a really fun evening with a hot supper and a few rounds of questions – which are hopefully not too tricky!
Tickets at both evenings are £15 a head, to include supper. Tables are for six but we can always accommodate anyone who can’t get a table together themselves. There will of course be a pay bar at both events – please bring cash. Please book in with bec.fcn@gmail.com
Quiz night dates:
• Thursday 16th January –Udder Farm Shop at East Stour, 7pm start.
• Thursday 13th February –Symondsbury Tithe Barn, 7pm start.
Farmer’s March image by James Cossins
This is a simple twist on a classic fish pie, replacing pastry or mashed potato with a cheesy scone or dumpling type topping which bakes beautifully to give a soft middle and crunchy top. I’ve used smoked salmon here, but you can replace that with any type of fish or even prawns. Serve with a jacket potato for a wonderful, warming winter dinner. Heather
Fish cobbler
Ingredients
(serves six)
For the sauce:
• 3 heaped tbsp butter
• 2 large leeks, chopped
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• Small glass of white wine
• 400ml milk
• 5 fillets of your fish of choice, cut into chunks.
For the topping:
• 280g/10oz self raising flour
• 110g/4oz cream cheese
• 1tsp caster sugar
• 50ml milk (approx.)
• 30g/1oz cheddar (or parmesan) cheese to finish
Method
1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the chopped leeks and cook until the leeks have begun to soften. Pour in the white wine and cook for two to three minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and mix well. Slowly add the milk, stirring, until everything has combined and then bring to the boil, still stirring continuously. Once boiled, remove from the heat and set to one side.
2. In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar and cream cheese. Mix to combine (using your hands here is easiest). Then add the milk, a little at a time, until the crumbs combine to form a soft, sticky dough.
3. In an oven proof dish (approx. 25cm/10inch square or similar), add the fish chunks and pour over the sauce. Stir together and spread evenly across the dish. Using your hands, break the dough into pieces and place them gently on top of the sauce. Spread them out – its ok if there are gaps, but you want the dough to stay on top of the sauce.
4. Grate the cheddar cheese on top, then place into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Heather Brown is a special officer for the Guild of Food Writers, and has worked in the food industry for 20 years. She is a food writer and photographer, offering one-to-one help to local businesses for content and websites.
Images: Heather Brown
The inviting taste of a savoury cake
Fanny Charles’ savoury courgette, gouda and parsley cake, recipe opposite
We British are renowned for our sweet cakes – but it took a French cook to create some savoury alternatives
From Mary Berry and Delia Smith to the creative and exotic creations of the Great British Bake Off, we British have a lifelong love affair with cakes.
The BV’s own Heather Brown regularly provides inspiration with her always-reliable and easy-tofollow recipes for beautiful and delicious cakes, buns and other bakes.
We are also really good at pies, tarts and cheesecakes – savoury and sweet. And we do make carrot cake, courgette cake or beetroot brownies ... but these are all sweet. What we don’t have is a tradition of savoury cakes.
Last year, at a buffet lunch given by a friend who is a brilliant cook, we were introduced to savoury cakes and instantly fell in love. Light, delicious and very attractive, they are full of colourful vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and courgettes. Our friend loaned us a book, Les Cakes de Sophie*, by French baker and cookery writer Sophie Dudemaine, from where she had selected her recipes. I have been experimenting with them ever since.
Savoury cakes are quick, easy to make, most cook in less than 40 minutes and they are fairly inexpensive in terms of ingredients.
You can eat them hot and fresh from the oven, perhaps with a bright chilli, tomato and herb salsa or a favourite sauce. But they are just as good at room temperature, with a salad.
Great with a green salad, as a quick lunchtime snack or sliced to have in the car on a long drive
They are fine for vegetarians, but less so for vegans, as they do depend on fresh eggs and a selection of good cheeses (however, with a bit of trial and error and a good vegan cheese substitute, you probably could make a satisfactory vegan version).
Our current favourite is a date, feta and sun-dried tomato cake – it looks pretty and it tastes delicious. It’s great with a peppery green salad, and also good as a quick lunchtime snack or sliced to have in the car on a long drive.
This flexible use is what you might expect – most traditional English cakes (not the fancy, iced and decorated ones) are portable and versatile.
But with their colourful ingredients – some can even be layered like a terrine – the savoury cakes are also an appealing feature on a party table.
Anglo-Saxon cake
Over more than 20 years, Sophie Dudemaine has made her name as a successful cookbook author, cookery teacher, baker and pioneer of the socalled “easy cooking” trend in France. She ran a cookery school, restaurant and bed and breakfast in Normandy. She is a prolific writer and many of her books focus on cakes both sweet and savoury –she has acknowledged that some of her inspiration derives from the Anglo-Saxon style of cakes. Most of the savoury cake recipes follow a simple formula of flour, eggs, sunflower oil, warmed semi-skimmed milk and gruyere cheese, with other cheeses, herbs, vegetables, smoked salmon or prawns for the different cakes. Like most basic recipes, you can tweak and embroider the original combination to suit your tastes. The quantities are pretty flexible too.
You could also experiment using your own preferred basic sweet cake recipe – using, for example, a simple sponge mix of 100g butter, 2 or 3 eggs (depending on size) and 100g self-raising flour, but omitting the usual sugar. As with a basic sweet cake recipe, you can multiply the quantities to make a larger cake.
Cooking times may vary – check that your cake is cooked by inserting a skewer in the middle. The
Courgette, gouda and parsley savoury cake
Makes 8 to 10 slices
Set oven to 180ºF, Gas 4
Line a loaf tin or square tin (the size you would use for brownies) with greaseproof paper –there is no need to grease the tin.
• 150g self-raising flour
• 3 eggs
• 13ml warmed semi-skimmed milk
• 10ml sunflower oil
• 150g grated firm courgette (skin on)
• 150g grated gouda (or gruyere)
• 50-60g sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, very roughly chopped
• Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves only, roughly chopped
• Grated farmhouse Cheddar for topping
Gently mix the flour and eggs together until fully combined. Then stir in the warmed milk, thoroughly, and then the sunflower oil. At this stage it is a very loose batter. Grate the courgette and fold it in, grate the cheese and mix that in, and then stir in the chopped sundried tomatoes – fold them in gently – and finally the parsley.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and put in the oven. After about 15-20 minutes, check on its progress, and then sprinkle on a generous amount of finely grated Cheddar. The cake should be ready after a total of about 30 to 35 minutes, but timings depend on the shape of the baking tin – if it is a deep loaf tin it will take longer than a square brownie tin.
mixture is more like a batter than a typical sweet cake, so you may have to experiment with timings. But if the skewer comes out clean, the cake should be ready. If it’s not quite ready but is getting too brown, cover it with a piece of greaseproof paper or foil.
Above is the recipe for our courgette and cheese savoury cake, which starts with Sophie’s core mix of flour, eggs, oil and milk. You can vary this basic recipe with whatever takes your fancy – eg substitute stoned dates, cut in three or four pieces, for the courgette, and use as many as you want, remembering that dates are very sweet; replace the gouda/gruyere with roughly cut up feta, and use a few more tomatoes, but omit the parsley (you could use a few torn fresh basil leaves, if you have them).
*The cookbook is in French, but with the power of Google Translate at our fingertips this isn’t a problem!
Raising a glass to 2025: the year of the new duty tax
Sadie
Wilkins from Sherborne’s award-winning indie wine merchant has some things to clear up regarding the new duty taxes
As we pop the cork on 2025, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who supported us through a wonderfully merry 2024. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we wish you all a very Happy New Year!
As January rolls in, let’s chat about what this month means for us in the wine trade – and for you as consumers. (Dry) January is always a tricky time for the drinks business, but this year brings fresh challenges with the UK government’s tax on duty changes. These changes have been looming, but now they’re here, and they’re going to have an impact on what you pay at the till. The new rules mean wine will now be taxed in different bands depending on its alcohol by volume (ABV). The higher the ABV, the higher the tax. For you, that means you’ll see prices going up on bottles with a higher ABV. It’s important to note that this extra cost isn’t going to the winemaker or to us as retailers – it’s tax. We genuinely feel for wines like ports and sherries, which naturally have higher ABVs and will be penalised.
Sweet enough for you?
Small, local wine merchants like us have full control over our wine buying
We’re lucky in the South West – and particularly right here in Sherborne – as the community has always been fantastic at supporting local, independent businesses. This is more important now than ever before. Small, local wine merchants like us have full control over our wine buying, which means we can adapt, flex our range and work closely with winemakers to bring you wines of true quality at an honest price. We source every bottle with care, from grape to glass – much like your local butcher or greengrocer does. We’re all championing quality over quantity.
So, while these tax changes may seem like a challenge, with your continued support, we’ll keep bringing you the best wines in 2025 – ones that are worth every penny.
A final toast
As alcohol and sugar often balance each other in winemaking, we could also see a rapid trend towards sweeter wines, as producers will inevitably look to avoid those new tax hikes. This won’t help mass-produced supermarket brands like Jam Shed, though, since they’re already sweetened to the max (there’s 57g per litre residual sugar in their Shiraz...). But here’s where we can all make a difference.
We’re delighted to be heading into 2025 as Harper’s Wine & Spirits ‘Best Indie Wine Retailer in the Southwest’ and Number 4 nationally (out of over 1,200-ish wine retailers). We love what we do, and we care about finding great wine for all people. If you’re already a fan, thank you.
If you’ve never visited, please make 2025 the year you discover your new favourite wine merchant! We’re based in Old Yarn Mills in Sherborne, a buzzy (and boozy...) little artisan quarter of Sherborne, we always have something open to try, and we pride ourselves on quality, price and service.
• vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk
Time to start shouting!
Our most important 2025 New Year’s resolution will be to keep building public engagement in our efforts to support UK food & farming. It is going to be a pivotal year to ensure and protect the future of our food and farming industry. It is crucial that we help public really understand where their food comes from. This knowledge is a lifeline for British farmers and producers, so that they can build support and educate consumers in order to safeguard our farmers’ future. I would personally like to thank Jeremy Clarkson for helping to build such public awareness with his high-profile farming ventures, as well as his additional help in the hospitality industry with his recent pub purchase – another area of essential trade that is on its knees, especially in our rural British communities and villages.
Just import it?
The recent budget has brought utter chaos to the farming community with the new inheritance tax announcement. I’ve seen comments that “we don’t need farmers, we can import our food instead”. What a ridiculous statement. It’s pure madness to even think it’s a viable solution. There is a global hunger crisis and many major nations have stopped or have limited aid to poorer countries, alongside which, climate change is affecting everyone globally. Slowly more questions are being asked on whether there is going to be enough food to feed us all?
We have an ever-increasing global population, and with all the turmoil going on in the Middle East once again, these are dark times affecting us all. What if some countries choose not to trade with the UK? This would be a major problem, especially as we just don’t produce enough of own food to feed our own population. When there is no food on the supermarket shelves it will be too late to ask why and how it happened. We have to act now to protect the future of British food and farming.
Every one of us should be very concerned about food shortages – before we know it, food will be the new oil on the global playing field and then there will be tears and tantrums.
To have no reliable and supported domestic food supply is madness. No truer words than “No farmers, no food.”
Busy summer
As a seventh generation farming family, we will be hosting the 2025 Open Farm Sunday here at Rawston Farm in the Tarrant valley. This year the date for your food diaries will be Sunday, 9th June – more details will be revealed closer to the time. We have naturally invited all our Love Local Trust Local family to come and join us in order to help spread the word about local food and farming businesses here in Dorset. It’s such a wonderful opportunity for them to tell their fabulous stories to our many visitors.
And we are expecting a lot of people through the farm gates – we usually have around 2,000 people join us on the farm for this brilliant event. Back in 2018, Open Farm Sunday was what started the Love Local Trust Local food and farming label, as it was clear people wanted to know what is produced locally and clearer labelling was much needed. This remains important: we still have a huge number of unregulated imports flooding into our country. They are then allowed to be re-processed and subsequently sold under the British flag – totally unfair to both the consumer, and of course, to our own UK food producers. Dishonest at best and illegal at worst.
We need to support our community of Dorset food producers out there – come on local councils and governments of Britain, WAKE UP!! We need homegrown food on all our plates.
Let’s hope for a happier new year.
Barbara Cossins Founder, Love Local Trust Local
Open Farm Sunday 2023 at Rawston Farm
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Commercial & Private Law
I n F e b r u a r y , l e t n a t u r e
b e y o u r g u i d e a n d f i n d
s o l a c e i n i t s b e a u t y
a n d r h y t h m .
– John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra (1911)
G O T S O M E N E W S ?
D o y o u t h i n k a l o c a l ( o r y o u r
o w n ) b u s i n e s s w o u l d m a k e a
g o o d p r o f i l e f e a t u r e ?
K n o w s o m e o n e d o i n g g o o d
t h i n g s t h a t w e s h o u l d t a l k a b o u t ?
S e n d a q u i c k e m a i l t o L a u r a :
e d i t o r @ B V m a g a z i n e . c o . u k
W A N T T O A D V E R T I S E
?
G e t i n t o u c h w i t h C o u r t e n a y t o c h a t
a b o u t w h a t y o u ' r e l o o k i n g f o r - w e ’ r e
a l w a y s k e e n t o t a l k t o l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s
l o o k i n g f o r n e w w a y s t o b u i l d t h e i r
p r o f i l e a n d r e a c h :
a d v e r t i s i n g @ B V m a g a z i n e . c o . u k
0 1 2 5 8 4 7 2 5 7 2
N e x t P u b l i c a t i o n D a t e :
7 t h F e b r u a r y
( d e a d l i n e 3 1 s t J a n u a r y )
T h e B V p u b l i s h e s o n t h e f i r s t F r i d a y o f t h e m o n t h
- e x c e p t J a n u a r y , b e c a u s e w e t a k e C h r i s t m a s
o f f ! – a n d t h e a d v e r t i s i n g b o o k i n g d e a d l i n e i s
a l w a y s t h e F r i d a y p r i o r t o p u b l i s h i n g
