The BV magazine, Mar 23

NEVER PRINTED - YOUR GREEN CHOICE

From the heart of the Blackmore Vale

West End star

Joanna Woodward answers the Random

19 questions

Page 24

IN THIS ISSUE

The fastburgeoning rate of new housing developments in Dorset is a hot topic for many local Facebook groups

Page 4

It may be 10,000 years old, but Toby Hoad believes the ancient skill of horse logging is vital in shaping and saving our woodlands.

Page 28

We’ve teamed up with Lighthouse Poole to offer The BV readers the chance to WIN a pair of tickets to one of five top live music shows

Page 84

Roger Guttridge has personal memories of the fire which destroyed Harding’s newsagent’s shop at Sturminster Newton in 1956.

Page 64

Edwina Baines had an exclusive tour of the art inside the UK’s best new architect-designed house, The Red House.

Page 40

Front cover: Happy bee by Yarin Pedael

We know, it’s a HUGE magazine. So we make it easy for you - just like grabbing the sections you like best from the Sunday papers, you can click the number to jump straight to the section you want. Or, y’know, just make yourself a coffee and read from the beginning...

Today I popped down the garden, and paused for a second. There it was. That inescapable, inevitable scent on the wind. Spring. It wasn’t a conscious choice, but my mood immediately lifted, and I took a few moments to smile at a suspicious robin who was waiting for me to leave. This winter has been so very long – endlessly, ploddingly, dully long. But you can’t keep a good year down, and as the days lengthen our gloomy northern-dwelling brains, despite their best grumbling intentions, will start to feel that positivity that comes simply from a little brightness in the day. Sometimes, you have to stop thinking so much about how wretched the world is and just feel the spring. We have had long conversations with our son in America today as he tussles between two excellent job offers. One with a stellar global company but a rigid, restrictive work routine, the other with a young company without the name, the recognition or the stability – but all the flexibility and autonomy he could desire. Ultimately his decision won’t be made in a neatly thoughtful pros and cons list. He’ll simply go with which feels right. And rightly so.

Our front cover isn’t necessarily the most technically perfect image that was in our submissions this month. But that happy, pollen-coated fat little bee with his foolishly dangling legs gave us both that same warmth of optimism that a little sunshine in March brings. He’s heading down to just-one-more sticky yellow crocus stamen like it’s a packet of chocolate digestives that it’s frankly rude to say no to. It’s perfect. It feels right.

Highlights in this month’s issue for me are the Country Living focus on Toby Hoad the horse logger, the weirdly interesting insight into where our rubbish goes, and if you never venture as far as the Health columns, don’t miss Karen Geary’s comments around the news that our GP’s will be mass-prescribing statins. As you’d expect, she has Some Thoughts.

And finally, in a bit of a scoop by Edwina, the BV can give you a tour of some of the wonderful art inside The Red House, the winner of the Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA) prize for the UK’s best new architect-designed house. It is nestled in rolling hills south of Shaftesbury. Enjoy March – don’t forget to go outside and lift your face to feel the sunshine when it shows up.

Make it affordable

You don’t have to travel far in the Blackmore Vale to see a large building site and people in high viz jackets. It seems that almost every town and village has a housing development. There is no doubt that new homes are required – there are currently 3,600 people on the Dorset housing register waiting for a home – but are we getting the right type of home, where it is needed? And is North Dorset overwhelmed with housing developments?

The size of the challenge

There have been 55 planning applications for developments of more than 20 houses in the past three years in North Dorset, which would provide more than 4,600 homes. Parish councils, and the majority of existing residents, understand the need to build more homes and for affordable new housing. However, most North Dorset residents could probably name somewhere developments have been agreed upon, and then along comes another planning

application. Although a parish or town council objects, almost all are granted on appeal. So what is happening?

Cllr David Walsh leads on planning at Dorset Council, where a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to manage the situation.

‘We don’t currently have a fiveyear housing land supply and are not building at the rate expected by the government. So if a planning application is refused, the developers will automatically appeal.

At appeal, the Planning Inspectorate will immediately look to see whether the land supply is fulfilled – if it isn’t, they will grant the application.

So smart developers target areas with an insufficient five-year housing land supply.

‘In North Dorset, we gave a lot of weight to the Southern Extension

in Gillingham. However, these numbers should not have been able to carry so much weight for a 15-year development.’

One of the biggest concerns of many people over new developments is the lack of infrastructure required to support additional housing, such as roads and schools. Cllr Walsh continued:

‘The Southern Extension of Gillingham is the highest density housing allowed. So we insisted on having a new access road before any development occurred. We need to work differently, so the infrastructure is already in place to support new developments.’

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones is the lead at Dorset Council for housing. ‘The number of houses is not a problem. It’s the type of supply. Many of the houses being developed are for the market, whereas affordable

The fast-burgeoning rate of new housing developments in Dorset is a hot topic for many local Facebook groups – Rachael Rowe

investigates

We can’t stop developers from putting in appeals. It all starts with the landowner. My frustration is massive

Prices start at £292,995 on a typical recent local development of two, three and four-bedroom homes.

solutions are what’s needed, to accommodate local key workers, for example.’

But how many houses are too many? Cllr Carr-Jones continued. ‘I have been to every appeal in Stalbridge, which has had a large amount of development in recent years.

We can’t stop developers from putting in appeals. And it all starts with the landowner. ‘My frustration is massive, and I know we need the homes.’

Some parishes have developed neighbourhood plans, but how valid are they in the current climate? David Walsh thinks they are useful: ‘Within the National Planning Policy Framework requirements, they are worth less, but not worthless.’

Chief Executive of North Dorset CPRE Rupert Hardy also has concerns. ‘We know that Dorset Council’s Local Plan was way too ambitious when it stated a need of 39,000 homes, and thankfully that figure is being reassessed. But there’s now a lot of new housing in Shaftesbury

and Blandford – which is also now facing an application for an additional 500 new homes.’

The right type of homes?

Looking around at the many new developments, it’s easy to see that some are very uniform, with lots of semi-detached houses, while others have larger detached homes. What should be constructed locally to suit the needs of the population?

A recent report by the Centre for Policy Studies shows that there is insufficient brownfield land for the number of homes required nationally. The report also indicates that although house prices and rental charges have increased significantly, the UK’s buildings themselves are smaller than the average size in other western

European countries. Concentrating on the housing needs of North Dorset, Cllr

Carr-Jones says: ‘We need social housing and we need genuinely affordable homes. Shared ownership is an option. However, some “affordable” homes are actually unaffordable to local working people. What I’m desperate to see are first-home schemes, where houses are discounted to 60 per cent of the market value and made available only to local people. They will then remain at that value in perpetuity.’

Rupert Hardy wants to see different types of housing proposed. ‘Most developers are hell-bent on building fourbedroom executive homes. North Dorset needs more social housing, retirement homes and shared ownership schemes. And

Under Gillingham’s Southern Extension plans, around 1,800 new homes will be built between now and 2033, along with new roads, schools and employment units.

‘I’m desperate to see first home schemes, with houses discounted to 60 per cent of the market value, available only to local people, remaining at that value in perpetuity ’

it would help if new builds were sited within walking or cycling distance of communities to reduce the need for cars. We’d also like to see Dorset Council increase solar panels on roofs and aim for net zero on new housing developments.’

Who is buying the homes?

With all the new homes appearing in North Dorset, just how popular are they? Violet Cross in Hazelbury Bryan is a new development of 21 houses. Twelve offer shared ownership and the remainder are let at affordable rents, some of them targeted at people with a local connection. Planning permission was awarded to the Dorsetheadquartered AJC Group for a collection of 13 open market homes and eight affordable dwellings (40 per cent). However, the company has an ambition to change the face of social housing, and AJC Group worked with developers Abri to provide 100 per cent affordable

housing across the scheme. David Cracklen, director of AJC Group, said: ‘We are extremely proud of this partnership project. Working together with Abri, we transformed a derelict brownfield site into 21 ecofocused new homes, in line with our aim and vision to produce higher quality affordable homes in line with the housing needs of underserved rural communities.’ The people interested in these houses are couples and families aged between 25 and 50. Sam Stone, associate director of land and planning at Abri, said: ‘We know the importance of affordable homes in meeting local needs, particularly in more rural locations which frequently command higher house prices, and when it comes to buying, people that have been renting locally are often priced out of their countryside location. We hope these homes in Hazelbury Bryan will allow more local people to get their foot on the property ladder without

having to leave the area. Violet Cross is a great example of how a former brownfield site that was derelict for eight years can be redeveloped for the benefit of the whole community.’

Graham Carr-Jones visited the Norden housing development in Blandford Forum when the first occupants were moving in: ‘One young woman said she had purposely chosen one of these homes in the centre of town so that she didn’t live somewhere that had recently been a green field. She had really thought about the impact of her purchase.’

With large numbers on the housing register, and a need to attract key workers into North Dorset, there is an urgent, demonstrable need for more affordable housing. However, there are opportunities for local communities to influence the types of housing provided, by encouraging affordable and sustainable options.

The new Violet Cross development in Hazelbury Bryan exceeded planning conditions, providing 100 per cent affordable housing.

RURAL LIFE RING COOKERY THEATRE TRACTOR & TRAILER RIDES MUSIC STAGE AXEMEN DOGS - FLY BALL WORKING STEAM ENGINES FARM YARD FT LAMBS & PIGS CRAFTS CORNER DELICIOUS LOCAL FOODS

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. What actually happens to Dorset’s rubbish?

Behind every rubbish lorry is a sophisticated team of experts –Rachael Rowe spoke to Queen of the Bins, Cllr Laura Beddow

You dutifully throw your rubbish in your household bin, and put it out on the kerb on collection day. But have you ever wondered what happens to it? Where it goes once it has been collected? And what happens to all that diligent recycling after you’ve sorted glass from paper and other items? There has recently been a campaign to encourage people to recycle more, so are we doing as much as we can or should?

How good is Dorset’s recycling?

Cllr Laura Beddow holds the portfolio for rubbish and recycling at Dorset Council. She earned credibility when she took on the role by training and working as a bin loader to see what happens on the front line when the lorries deal with kerbside collections.

‘In Dorset, 60 per cent of rubbish is recycled,’ she says. ‘We are the third-best council in the country, and we have just agreed to set increase our targets to 65 per cent.’

How much rubbish are we talking about? ‘Most people think the job ends with recycling in the green bins. But in Dorset, 50,000 tonnes of black-bagged household rubbish is taken to a Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant in Poole each year. Here, the mechanical part separates out some low-quality recycling and the biological stage composts the waste. So there’s a compost-like output, some low grade recycling and refuse derived fuel produced. They sort through the

black bag rubbish for anything that can be taken out of landfill, like soft plastics, film and compostable items. A lot of it goes to ‘refuse derived fuel’ and because it’s refuse-derived we can’t call it recycling. But materials such as non-recyclable plastic, which would sit in landfill sites for hundreds of years, can instead be used in a helpful way to generate renewable heat and power. It means that in actual fact 95% of the rubbish avoids going to landfill here in Dorset.’

Does that mean we can just use black bags? ‘No, people still need to recycle! If everyone in Dorset was meticulous about how they recycle, and sorted their own waste properly, we could save a million pounds each year. So please do your best!’

Is it necessary to ensure containers like food packets, cans, bottles and jars are clean when they go into the recycling box?

‘Give them a quick rinse. They don’t need to be

If everyone in Dorset was meticulous about how they recycle, we could save a million pounds each year

thoroughly cleaned, but ideally, there should be no food in your recycling bin.’

Is that true for any organic matter? What about compostable nappies?

‘That’s a difficult one because some nappy brands do say their products are compostable. They are usually not, and those which technically are will still take decades to break down. So for all sorts of reasons, we can’t recycle nappies. As a parent, I know that we all start with the best of intentions, but if you’re out and about and your baby has a spectacular nappy-related accident, you may well want to reach for a disposable! But it currently costs the council around £600,000 per year to send all used disposable nappies in Dorset for MBT, along with household rubbish.

‘Using reusable nappies is cheaper and better for the planet. One pack of disposable nappies per week for up to two and a half years can cost over £1,000 per child. Alternatively, using washable nappies can make you a saving of over £600 and they can be reused for subsequent children.’

Dorset’s rubbish

What happens to the waste once it has been sorted – how much of it stays in the county?

‘Paper and card are sorted using chemical screening. It gets sent to Shotton Paper Mill on Deeside for reprocessing into paper goods. As for your food bin – all of that is sent to an anaerobic digester plant in Dorchester which breaks down matter without oxygen and turns it into biogas. It is used as electricity for businesses and also as fertiliser for farms.

‘Garden waste is composted and used in parks and farms in Dorset. Just five per cent of waste from Dorset is sent to landfill, and that goes to North Wales.’

So what happens to all the other items that are recycled?

‘Glass gets optically sorted for recycling using lasers. With cans, steel is separated from aluminium using a magnet, and again they get recycled. For plastics we use infrared technology so they can be sorted according to light intensity – they are then turned into pellets to be melted down and recycled. A lot of strategic thinking goes on at Dorset Council on recycling waste. Laura says: ‘People think the rubbish collection is just the bin lorries, but behind the scenes is an entire team of environmental and climate experts working out how to reduce waste significantly. They are constantly looking at new things to do.

‘Dorset is often presumed to be a sleepy rural

county, but we sit at the table with ministers in Westminster, advising them on what will work and what won’t. The government wants more crisp packet recycling at the kerbside, for example, but there are lots of reasons why that’s not practical, such as separating it on the trucks. We want a solution that works for Dorset – perhaps community recycling bins.’

How can people recycle more?

‘I think it’s about just doing your best. It’s surprising how much we can recycle. And it’s about education too. I bought nothing new in 2022, and I was astonished at how some friends were quite snooty about it. I’ve learned it’s about changing the mindset of people. And it’s also about using the waste hierarchy; we all know the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra. We can reduce quite simply by deciding whether we need something in the first place. Then reuse instead of throwing it away – I made fairy lights from tin cans for my wedding and I still have them. And then recycle.

‘As a team, we go to schools, communities, parish councils and housing associations to give talks on how to reduce waste. We are always happy to educate and to advise on any issues.

My husband calls me the Queen of Bins!’

More details on which bin to use for what here. To find out more, or to arrange a talk by the team, contact them via the Dorset Council website.

Dorset is often presumed to be a sleepy rural county, but we advise ministers in Westminster

Say YES to solar, but NO to huge greenfield solar power stations

Rupert Hardy, Chairman of North Dorset CPRE, shares his thoughts on current planning applications for two huge solar farms in Dorset

A few months ago in this column we compared the merits of rooftop solar panels, which CPRE wholly supports, with the damage caused by huge greenfield solar farms – or industrial power stations, which they are, and their potential to desecrate our beautiful Dorset countryside (Rooftop panels vs. solar farms, The BV, Jan 23). We are currently awaiting a planning hearing to determine the outcome of the Mappowder/ Pulham greenfield solar application in North Dorset. There are also two other large greenfield solar proposals in Dorset – one situated around Horton in East Dorset and the other north of Chickerell in West Dorset – which, if approved, would be one of the biggest solar farms in the UK. It will take all your support to stop them.

Horton/Woodlands Solar

The Horton/Woodlands solar farm envisages two adjacent sites, covering an area up to 260 acres, within open sight of the nearby Grade II* listed Georgian folly, Horton Tower. A lot of the site is classified as best and most versatile land, which currently grows crops vital for national selfsufficiency at a time of very high food price inflation.

The Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) adjoins the proposed site. It will suffer significant adverse effects both to its

views and its setting. There is a public footpath, much used by residents and visitors, running through the site. These are all excellent reasons to object to this development, which is expected as a formal application imminently. There is a very proactive opposition group, as many local residents are aghast at the damage it would cause.

Chickerell Solar

Last year Statera Energy announced they wished to build a huge solar farm and battery storage facility covering 1,400 acres between Chickerell and Hardy’s Monument, close to the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast. The development would be nearly as large as Dorchester.

Curiously, it appears the company has no previous experience of installing solar farms and yet here it is proposing one of the biggest in the country. The location is close to an existing National Grid

substation, which was designed partly for a traditional power station that never got built, so it may have spare capacity. It has already received severe criticism from the local MP Chris Loder, as well as the Dorset AONB, the Thomas Hardy Society, Dorset CPRE and local residents. Ironically, the government has just paid £116m to remove pylons and bury overhead cable to transform views of the beautiful protected landscape in the adjacent AONB!

Three miles of solar panels

The developer proposes that a third of the site would be within the AONB, despite the damage it will do to the setting and views. The site includes land classified as best and most versatile, used for arable as well as pasture. Again, therefore, food security is a major issue. There are Grade I and II* listed buildings in close proximity; heritage is another area of concern.

The footpaths that criss-cross the site are a valuable amenity; many tourists visit the area each

It will take all your support to stop them.

View from Chalbury Hill towards North Farm, the site of the proposed Horton/Woodlands solar farm near Wimborne

year – more reasons to object. Imagine expecting a pristine view of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex rolling out in front of you from Hardy’s Monument only to see miles of industrial glass panels –equivalent to 885 soccer pitches (quite literally miles of it – the planned area runs 1.86 miles east to west, and more than three miles north to south). The landscape is the very one that so inspired Hardy, with his Budmouth (Weymouth) and Isle of Slingers (Portland) close by.

Recommended

not to submit

Residents are also concerned about the fire risk, with possible toxic fumes, posed by a battery storage unit being sited so close to Chickerell, as well as the appalling congestion construction will cause. Access to the site will be via typically narrow country lanes.

It is interesting to note that the AONB has stated that ’the envisaged proposal will be unable to achieve consent, and therefore recommend that an application is not submitted.’ Astonishingly strong words for an AONB to use!

The reasons given by the AONB included key protective policies, a previous refusal of a much smaller solar farm on the site, and a need to demonstrate exceptional circumstances. The battery storage facility will be assessed by Dorset Council, but the huge solar farm qualifies as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) due to its scale, and will be handled by the Planning Inspectorate, with the decision passed to the Secretary of State. The NSIP process is lengthy and complex, so a decision would be unlikely to come until 2025, at the

earliest, unless the development is recommended for rejection by the Inspectorate at any early stage, which is possible, given the many reasons for objections. The only NSIP proposal thus far in Dorset has been the Navitus Bay offshore wind farm, which was halted after concerted efforts by local authorities and campaigners. An action group is now being formed to fight this monstrosity.

We (CPRE) ask anyone wishing to help stop these two solar power stations from desecrating our countryside to email me on ruperthardy1@gmail.com so that I can forward on action group details. Remember these developers are motivated by profit, and NOT by protecting the planet.

It’s a dog’s life at Branscombe

Peter Sale and his family have been running Branscombe Kennels and Cattery since 2019, and are proud of what’s hiding behind the gates

The unassuming entrance to Branscombe Kennels and Cattery hide a bustling beehive of activity. Sitting in the shelter of the hill below Shaftesbury, the kennels has been under the ownership of Peter Sale and his daughter and son in law, Nadja and Steve Nunn, since 2019.

The small yard opens (through high, secure gates) to a collection of buildings. When we arrived, they were filled with dogs barking, sleeping, bouncing and sitting patiently as their bedrooms were scrubbed. The individual pens are necessarily uniform and clinical. ‘It’s not like home here,’ says Peter. ‘We try our best to make it as homely as possible, but there are limits to what we can manage.’ Each pen has an inside sleeping area, complete with recentlyupgraded new infrared heaters. ‘They’re designed to heat objects, not the ambient air. It feels cooler, but the dogs are cosy and warm, it’s a much better system, so much nicer for the dogs.’

Variously-sized kennels are matched to their occupants, from small, cosier pens for miniature dogs through to giant kennels which can comfortably house a Great Dane. The atmosphere as we walk around is one of organised bustle – the staff are busy with their morning chores, but are

constantly stopping for a pat, a chat or a game with a canine resident. All the dogs are referred to by name, and the staff are clearly familiar with their charges. It’s a busy, stimulating environment in which no dog will be bored.

‘The kennels are designed in a certain way to ensure dogs are able to be sociable with other dogs and with the people coming in and out. They’re not sitting behind closed walls all day. And we place

Ben begins the busy daily routine of looking after his section of the resident dogs. All images: Courtenay Hitchcock

dogs where they need to be – do they require a quieter kennel away from the hustle, or do they need to be seeing people all the time? We always try and work with the dog.

‘We keep a special eye on any particularly needy dogs – the very young, the elderly, the dogs who are in kennels for the first time … it can be a stressful environment initially. We like to encourage owners to leave their pets for just a day first. Then, if there’s time, for a single overnight, before they do the proper board. Dogs need to understand that you’re coming back, and what it’s like here.’

The to-do list

Peter was a deputy headteacher in Kent before he took early retirement. He bought a house overlooking the sea, spent a lot of time walking his dogs – and very quickly got bored! His daughter Nadja taught teenagers with special needs in secondary school, and she and her husband were both looking for a life change. In 2018 the three started searching for an opportunity together – and they found Branscombe.

‘It’s a lifestyle choice – you don’t run a place like this to get rich! You really can only do it if you love it – it’s seven days a week, 365 days a year, and it’s a never-ending project – you’re never done!

‘We’re always working to make it better, there’s constant upgrading and improvement. Right now we’ve got new fencing going in and we’re replacing drains (boring, but surprisingly important!). Over the past year we’ve installed new lighting as well as the infra-red heating, new windows, and we’ve upgraded the cattery block ... just keeping the pens fresh with the specific paint we’re allowed to use is a perennial job in itself!’

On the opposite side of the compound is the more peaceful cattery – which had just two residents when we visited. ‘Currently the cattery residents

tend to arrive with dog owners who also have a cat –but the cattery provides the same level of care.’

A

day in the life

Branscombe is set within large grounds which open onto open farmland and the back of Duncliffe Hill. All dogs are walked at least twice a day on the lead in the exercise fields and larger dogs (and those requiring more exercise) get taken into the agility arena to work off-lead. Owners can also book their pets to enjoy daily sessions in the agility arena and

Steve Nunn (far left) with Tiffany the chihuahua, some of the Branscombe team, Peter Sale with his rescue lurcher General Jackson and Nadja (far right) with Oceane the dachshund

The fully enclosed agility arena allows the dogs to run and enjoy enrichment activities

during their stay.

‘The animals receive 24 hour-aday-care – as we live on site, at least one of us (Nadja, Steve or Peter) is always here.

On a typical day, the rest of the staff arrive at 8am. First job is always a quick poo check, then it’s feeding time and the walks begin – a long process, as you can imagine, taking hours each day. Then there is a thorough clean of every pen, and checking in and out as some dogs go home and some arrive. Every kennel is deep cleaned and thoroughly disinfected between guests. Cats enjoy the same daily routine – the only thing we don’t do with them is the walking, of course, but we substitute the walk with some time spent with their carer. All dogs are walked in the afternoon, and then it’s feeding time again. At 5pm most of the staff leave, and we do the evening checks ourselves, including any final walks, ensuring heaters are on in colder weather, water bowls are checked, and all the dogs are put to bed.’

Peter and Nadja’s teaching background shows in their staff training programme too: ‘All the staff are constantly training – whatever qualification they have, they’re working on the next one. Some are doing Animal Care Level 2/3 qualifications, and a couple have moved on to the City & Guilds Kennel Management course. Once you have employed the right people, the better trained they are the bigger an asset they become to the business. It just makes sense. And we have such a great team at Branscombe – we don’t have to work hard at being a caring environment. Every single one of us is animal mad.’

branscombekennels.co.uk

Branscombe has recently launched a new ‘Premier Service’ for dogs that includes a daily session in the agility arena and photos sent to the owner during their stay, an extra £10 daily.

Quick-fire questions:

How far ahead should I book? As soon as you can! Really as soon as you know. Peak times book up fast – the summer holidays, Easter, Christmas and half-terms get very busy.

Will my dogs be together? Dogs from the same home can share a pen – we never mix dogs from different homes, of course.

Can I bring my pet’s things?

We can’t accommodate everything, but do as much as we can. We prefer to supply beds and bedding because then we know they’re clean and laundered correctly etc. But we won’t say no – many dogs are very attached to their beds, it’s like a security blanket, so it needs to come. Harnesses,

coats and toys are all fine. In terms of food, we have six dry, six wet and six raw foods, including gluten free etc. But if we don’t have yours, you can supply it.

Is my difficult pet an issue?

With caveats, no. The important thing is to be honest, to call us and talk through the issues. Lots of needs can be handled, but we’re not miracle workers, and we have to consider the safety and comfort of the staff and all the other dogs. If we can help, we will.

Do you have a groomer?

We have a specialist groomer on site – the grooming salon is available for resident dogs and outside clients, and offers everything from a simple nail trim to a full doggie pamper!

Branscombe’s exercise fields allow for plenty of space for a really good walk

The curious gang were keeping an eye on the visitors

Now’s the time to consider buying a future-proof home

There’s no doubt that buying a house is one of the most expensive purchases in a lifetime. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to make your next move, you’ll already have factored the initial deposit and monthly mortgage payments into your budget. But what about the less obvious, ‘whole of life’ running costs, such as rising energy bills and expensive upgrades? With the average household set to spend a third of their income on energy bills alone, this is one cost that shouldn’t be overlooked. Buyers can get a good idea of how much they’ll be spending on energy by looking at a home’s EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating. Put simply, an EPC is a scale of energy efficiency, with A being the highest and G the lowest. Newer homes tend to have higher EPC ratings, meaning they’re likely to use less energy and so protect homeowners

from rising energy bills. In order to achieve these ratings, they’ll often come equipped with the latest energy efficiency measures too – which are often simple to install in a new build, but costly if upgrading an older home with a lower EPC rating. If you’re looking for a futureproof home in the Blackmore Vale area, Abri Homes’ Violet Cross development, set in the idyllic village of Hazelbury Bryan, certainly fits the bill. There’s just a few three bedroom houses remaining, all boasting an EPC B to C rating, so you can rest assured that your home is making the most of the energy it’s using. And besides their open-plan living spaces and private gardens, they also boast energy-efficient smart thermostats, LED lights, and double-glazed windows and doors.

Although the ‘whole life’ running costs are important, buyers will be pleased that the initial

cost is affordable, too – not least because house prices in the area are well above the national average. By contrast, homes at Violet Cross are available to purchase through Shared Ownership, with a 35% share of a three bedroom endterrace house available for just £101,500, instead of the full market value of £290,000. At Abri Homes, we believe that everyone should have a warm and affordable place to live; and our Shared Ownership homes offer just that. Whilst there may have been a time where an EPC rating was little more than a letter on a piece of paper, it’s now more important than ever to consider energy-efficiency and make sure your property is ready for what the future brings.

To find out more about our wide range of homes across the south and south west of England visit abrihomes.co.uk

Cllr Pauline Batstone (front left) and Cllr Graham Carr-Jones performing the official ribbon-cutting of Abri Homes’ Violet Cross development at Hazelbury Bryan

Sherborne, Dorset

Offers in excess of £4.5m

An Elizabethan manor house in a private and secluded position in rural Dorset. Set in 21 acres of land, the property includes also three Estate cottages and a number of outbuildings.

Codford, Wiltshire Stratford sub Castle, Wiltshire

Guide price: £850,000

Guide price: £935,000

A charming four-bedroom Grade II Listed cottage situated in the popular Wylye Valley, offering a wealth of character and a detached workshop.

A beautifully presented four-bedroom contemporary family home, with a Grade II Listed barn outbuilding and attractive walled gardens.

So you think you know about living in a listed building ...

According to Historic England, there are around 400,000 Grade I, Grade II and Grade II*-listed buildings in England. A building is listed when it is of special architectural or historic interest considered to be of national importance and therefore worth protecting. The older the building, the more likely it is to be listed. So what does this mean for those who live in one?

I can’t make any changes!

This is a common misconception. You may well be able to undertake partial demolition, add an extension, or make many other changes. However, the significance, of the building should be understood and the right permissions obtained. In understanding which elements of the building are of most architectural, historic or archaeological interest, it is then

possible to understand how any proposed development may impact this. For example, if you have a listed 18th- century cottage which includes a 20th-century extension, by illustrating that the extension adds no special heritage interest, you are more likely to obtain permission to demolish it. Equally, it is possible to make internal alterations. Some may need Listed Building Consent (LBC), which must be sought from your local planning authority, while others may not. Upgrading kitchens and bathrooms can often be done without needing consent so long as there aren’t significant changes to the services (plumbing, for example).

In England, Historic England provides guidance on what does – and does not – need LBC, so having a good relationship with your local conservation officer can be beneficial.

Only the exterior is covered by the listing, so I can do what I want inside!

This is not true. The statutory listing of a building covers the whole building – internally and externally (unless parts are specifically excluded in the list description). The listing can also cover attached structures and fixtures, later extensions or additions, or buildings which predate 1948 which are located within land attached to the building which may not be explicitly described in the list entry. This is sometimes referred to as ‘curtilage listing’. Most listings provide a description of the building. Nevertheless just because an element of the building is not mentioned does not mean it is not covered.

Can I knock down walls?

Possibly. Again, understanding the history and development of the building, including how the

Natalie Aldrich, senior heritage and archaeology consultant at Savills, looks at some common beliefs and misconceptions around owning a listed building

Built circa 1770 in the grounds of Grade I listed New Wardour Castle, The Hexagon is a hexagonal house with a wealth of period features, including stone mullion, leaded windows and a combination of stone and oak floors. Currently for sale through Savills

internal layout and form may contribute to the heritage interest, is key in whether you may be allowed to alter the internal fabric/ form.

If an internal partition is modern it may be possible to remove it, especially in cases where this would reveal the original proportions of the space. For example, the principal rooms of an 18th-century townhouse were at first-floor level, larger with high ceilings. Where more recent subdivision has occurred, it may be possible to reverse this and reinstate the intended floorplan.

Am I allowed double glazing?

It will depend on what is currently installed, where the heritage interest lies and what sort of windows are proposed. Traditionally, double glazing in listed buildings has not been encouraged by local planning authorities, who prefer secondary glazing which does not require changes to the fabric of the building. It is possible to install energy efficient windows which respect the appearance and style of the original and, therefore, would not affect the understanding of the building.

Can I paint the front door?

There is no general rule to say you can’t! There are circumstances where you may need to obtain LBC – for example, if the door is original and its appearance or fabric is important in explaining its special interest. Also, if you live in a Conservation Area and wish to paint your front door a different colour, you should speak to your local planning authority to see if you need planning permission and/or listed building consent.

Can I build a new structure or building in the grounds?

Yes. You may be able to erect a new building or structure in the grounds of your listed building without needing LBC. You may, however, need to obtain planning permission. If permission is required, consideration will be given to how the proposal may

impact the significance of the listed building in terms of its setting, and therefore careful thought regarding the scale, design, use of materials and location of a new structure in the design stage may be beneficial.

Can I be made to maintain my listed building?

There is no direct legal obligation or specific duty on owners to keep their buildings in a good state of repair, but local authorities have powers to take action where a listed building has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk. The local authority can issue an Urgent Works Notice for the preservation of the building after giving notice to the owner. This only applies to an unoccupied building, or unused part of a partly occupied building, and generally only relates to works to ensure the building is weathertight, safe from collapse or to prevent vandalism or theft.

If the works are not carried out by the owner, the authority has the power to enter the property, carry out the works and seek to recover the costs from the owner. A Repairs Notice may be served where it is considered that the building is not being properly preserved. These powers are not confined to urgent works or to unoccupied buildings and can be used where it is deemed an owner is not keeping the building in reasonable repair which may put the building at risk. If it is deemed that reasonable

steps are not being taken by the owner to preserve the building, then the local authority may begin compulsory purchase proceedings. Be aware that should the local authority intervene in such cases, you may be liable for costs including the costs of works required to return it to a preserved state.

Can I get financial help to maintain my listed building?

It may be possible to apply for financial support to help maintain your building. Historic England may provide grants, however these tend to be for buildings of greatest national significance and where some degree of public access is provided. Other sources of funding may be available, but again these sources have criteria for access.

Can I appeal against the listing?

Yes, it is possible to question or challenge the designation of your listed building. This can happen both when a listing is proposed, and when a building is already listed. You can apply to Historic England to review the previous assessment, however you would need to provide evidence as to why the building does not meet the statutory criteria for inclusion, which may be based on information not considered at the time of listing. This may be because new evidence has come to light, for example regarding the architect of the building, the age or origins of internal fabric, or loss of fabric following accidental damage.

The exterior of The Hexagon

Cooksons Court | Yeovil

Wessex House | Somerton

West End star Joanna Woodward answers the Random 19 questions

Based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger, the musical adaptation of The Time Traveller’s Wife is scheduled for a West End run at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue this autumn. Joanna Woodward, who grew up in Glastonbury, will play the female lead, Clare. She attended St Dunstan’s School and Bridgwater College before going to The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Her West End career began ten years ago in Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, her list of theatre credits include playing Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman: The Musical (Piccadilly Theatre & Savoy Theatre) and Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre)

The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical has a heartbreaking and soaring original musical score by multi Grammy Award-winning composers Joss Stone and Dave Stewart, and is based on one of the best loved novels of the past 50 years. Henry and Clare’s love story is like no other and yet like all others; they meet, flirt, fight, love, marry … but all out of order. Henry is often and uncontrollably flung into time travel; he suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets, pulling him into his past or future, vanishing before one’s eyes, never knowing where or when he’s going next. Except he knows he’ll always come back to Clare – at some point in time. And so to the questions ...

1. What’s your relationship with Dorset?

I grew up in Glastonbury – what, 15 miles from the Dorset border? I loved it; the mix of people, the spirituality running through the place, the music and creativity ... I was always going out to live gigs as a teenager, in between performing in the local amateur dramatics at Strode Theatre in Street.

2. The last film you watched?

‘Pieces of a Woman’ on Netflix. I would strongly recommend it – Vanessa Kirby is outstanding in all that she does. It’s a very difficult piece to watch, but it’s important.

3. It’s Friday night – you have the house to yourself, and no work is allowed. What are you going to do?

Most parents will agree, once you’ve got the kids in bed it’s usually just dinner and crashing out in front of the television! But I can be found cooking

a delicious vegan meal, lighting some candles, having a bath and reading a book. Self-care is really important, especially as a working mum, so if I do manage some time alone, it’s all about re-filling my cup!

4. What was the last song you sang out loud in your car?

Definitely something Disney-related! I have two young girls and this is often our way of getting through long journeys. Possibly ‘Let It Go’ ... or probably the current family favourite, ‘I’ve got a dream’ from Tangled.

5. What would you like to tell 15 year-old you? Life seems really tough and scary, and it can be,

Interview by Laura Hitchcock

Joanna Woodward

but it also balances out with really beautiful things – if you’re open and willing to look for them. Never give up faith in yourself, you will get to where you want to be, as long as you stay true to your gut and have patience!

6. Tell us about a sound or a smell that makes you happy?

I can do both! For a smell – my husband’s aftershave. Cheesy, but true. And sound – my 16 month-old has just started saying ‘I love you’ in a very cute toddler way, so when the girls say it to each other, I completely melt into a puddle!

7. The best crisps flavour?

All of them!

I am crisp mad and may have a problem. Help.

8. What’s you’re secret superpower?

I am highly sensitive. In the past I have been made to believe it’s a fault, but as I’ve got older I’ve realised that it’s not at all. It’s what allows me to be intuitive with others, and very in touch with my own emotions. So actually, it’s my superpower, and allows me to tell truthful stories as an actress.

9. What book did you read recently that stayed with you?

‘The Reason I Jump’ by Naoki Higashida. Such a beautiful, touching, incredible insight into the brain of an autistic child.

10. What would you like to be remembered for?

Being someone that followed my heart and the things I believe in. Being a great storyteller. Being a good mum.

11. What shop can you not pass by?

Oliver Bonus! They just have the perfect mix of leopard print and sparkles, it pulls me in like nectar to a bee!

12. Your favourite quote?

It’s quite long but Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘The man in the arena’ speech is something I live by daily. It’s about daring greatly, living a full life and not listening to the critics who are not the ones actually in the arena (see image, top right)

13. Tell us about one of the best evenings you’ve ever had?

Without a doubt, the night I got thrown on as Carole King in ‘Beautiful: the Carole King Musical’ in the West End. We were during previews with almost no rehearsals. It was terrifying and

phenomenal and all my dreams coming true. When I got home I danced around the kitchen to ‘What a Feeling’.

14. Your most annoying trait?

Overthinking everything!

15. What was the last gift you either gave, or received?

I stayed at my best mate’s house recently and she left me a little make-up bag on the bed because she’s cute like that. She also left me a hot water bottle in the bed, which after a night of high heels and interviews was the best gift ever!

16. Your top three most-visited websites? Whatsonstage for all the latest theatre news, Find what feels good for my yoga fix and Bookshop. org so that I can feed my book addiction while supporting local book shops.

17. What in life is frankly a mystery to you? How on earth I created my daughters. I often look at them and wonder how that happened!

18. Cats or dogs?

I have both, but anybody who knows me knows that I turn gooey around dogs. ALL dogs. If you approach me with a dog, I won’t be saying hello to you first. Sorry.

19. You have the power to pass one law tomorrow, uncontested. What would you do? Childcare support for new parents. It is so hard for women to go back to work after having children.

‘Anyone that sings a bit of country has my heart’ – Dorset Island Discs

As event organiser at the Turnpike Showground, shepherd Bonnie Cradock is facing a doubly busy spring, thanks to one over-excited fun-loving ram

Bonnie Cradock rolls her eyes as she spots a ewe lambing out of the office window. ‘Last year I had them timed perfectly, lambing began the week after the Spring Countryside Show. But a ram got into the flock and enjoyed himself – and so here I am, unintentionally lambing in February!’

The 27-year old shepherd from Ludwell near Shaftesbury has a flock of 1,200 sheep which she shares with her brother Matt. Add to that her ‘second’ job of organising two of Dorset’s major country shows, and she keeps herself busy.

Lambing is the ‘hardest part of the job, but the most rewarding,’ she says ‘My days start at 4.30am and I arm myself with a Thermos of coffee. We rent our land so our flocks are spread around – we stretch from lambs in Bere Regis to breeding ewes in Fovant, and everything in between. It can take five hours to check on them all.

‘I’ve been working for the past few years for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, and I now do that almost full time. I love it; as an agricultural show team everyone’s very understanding if I turn up

unexpected ‘sheep situation!’

The Spring Countryside Show

the early lambers will be finished shortly, and then I’ll be working flat out on the show before going straight into 10-hour lambing days. And I thought a career in the army would be hard work!’

Despite growing up on a dairy farm, Bonnie was determined the Army life was for her. Having passed officer selection with flying colours, Bonnie did her A-levels at Welbeck Sixth Form Defence College. Ironically, it was her beloved sheep which caused an end to her military career: an old shoulder injury,caused by five year-old Bonnie moving sheep with Matt, didn’t appreciate her playing rugby and polo for the army, and Bonnie was discharged.

Interview by Laura Hitchcock and Tracie Beardsley

Bonnie loves working with her brother Matt

Bonnie Cradock, shepherd and events organiser.

Images: Courtenay Hitchcock

For the past four years Bonnie has been sheep farming, working with her more experienced big brother.

A life in music

And so to Bonnie’s eight music choices, in no particular order, along with how and why they have stuck in her life:

Rockin’

All Over The World Status

Quo

This reminds me of too many hours spent singing and dancing to it with my dad, while either decorating a house or doing mundane cleaning jobs. It never fails to make the tedious tasks that much easier.

Emo Girl Machine Gun Kelly

Don’t ask (that’s literally what we’re doing here Bonnie - Ed). I don’t even know why I love it. But I can sing along to the whole thing and it is definitely one of my top songs (and that’s a fact - I just checked my Spotify stats!).

Air Hostess Busted

I have too many memories of awful dancing to this with friends when I was younger! But that’s what I love about it – every time I listen to it, it’s packed with all those memories of carefree, awful-dancing young me.

Life is a Highway

Rascal Flatts

Whenever I am feeling blue, this is the song that gets put on – and with zero apologies to anyone

within earshot, it’s on repeat until I feel lifted.

Truth Hurts

Lizzo

Ooof. I’m not sure that anyone who has had to deal with a certain type of man needs this explained?! “Why men great ‘til they gotta be great?”. Yes.

Hooked on a Feeling

Blue Swede

I know it’s old, but I first heard this song while watching Guardians of the Galaxy and I couldn’t get it out of my head for weeks, it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I haven’t told my other half this, but this is the song I’d want our first dance to be to – it’s so upbeat and it’s how he makes me feel. Maybe don’t include that bit ... (oops – Ed)

Soul

Lee Brice

To be honest, anyone that sings a

bit of country has my heart. If you haven’t heard it, give it a listen. I can’t even say how happy this song makes me. If you hear me listening to it, you know it’s been a very good day!

I Am A Cider Drinker

The Wurzels.

Would it even be a Dorset Island Discs with a young farmer if this wasn’t included?! Many, many memories of great nights (often in muddy fields) surrounded by hundreds of people all singing along to this. It’s something everyone should experience.

A book for a castaway

Anything on the Greek Gods. I am currently reading a couple of books on the history of them, and trying to follow all the story lines and keeping track of who is related to who would definitely make the time go by!

A luxury item?

A sleeping bag. I’ll be fine on the island, I could actually do with some piece and quiet. As long as I’ve got something warm to cover me I’ll be grand!

One to keep?

And if a giant wave was coming, and there was only time to snatch one record, which would Bonnie save from the water?

‘Hooked on a feeling. Obviously.’

Click here to listen to Bonnie’s playlist on YouTube

All

Logging on to horse power

It may be 10,000 years old, but Toby Hoad believes the ancient skill of horse logging is vital in shaping and saving our woodlands.

He’s been up since 4.30am on ‘daddy duties’ for his five and seven year-olds. He’s cooked a full English, got his two horses into a truck, driven 20 miles and is now about to walk more than four miles with the horses, each of which can pull up to one and a half times their body weight.

This is the world of Toby Hoad, one of only 12 fulltime horse loggers in the country.

As we sit chatting on a pile of logs, looking out on an idyllic ancient woodland with the soundtrack of horses munching hay (no full English for them!) and the tintinnabulation of harnesses, I can see why Toby gets so much job satisfaction.

‘Aside from the travelling’ – he covers Dorset and all the surrounding counties – ’there’s no negatives to what I do,’ he says. ‘It’s physically hard but that’s invigorating. My workforce are the best employees - they never want a pay rise nor demand a pension!’ He’s talking about his three sturdy Comtois – Ettie, Celine and Fleur – French mountain draft horses known for their steady and sociable natures. Their powerful bodies with short, strong legs are perfect for forestry work and, in their native land, ploughing vineyards.

Tracie Beardsley reports

Toby Hoad working with his Comtois mares Ettie and Celine

images: Courtenay Hitchcock

Ettie and Celine wait patiently while Toby uses the forestry machinery

Toby Hoad’s connection with his horses is impossible to miss – they work as a team

Even in a thick forest, working with the horses individually Toby can move whole tree trunks

Toby explains: ‘Their stature allows them to work on steep slopes so they can get to where machinery can’t. Comtois are such all-rounders – hardworking as well as hardy. They don’t even need shoes as their feet are tough. Most of the time they have a lovely nature too. I’ll admit that Ettie, the lead mare, can get grumpy, but we all have bad days!’

Toby started Dorset Horse Logging 14 years ago, after exploring many other occupations: sail making, sheep shearing, dry stone walling, green woodworking, making charcoal ... ‘I didn’t know what I wanted to do so I never felt pigeon-holed. I just tried lots of different things. I love learning. The only thing I was sure of was that I wanted to work outdoors.’

Sensitive work

Toby tried an experience day with a horse logger and that was it. ‘The moment I started working with his horse, I knew I’d found my direction.’

With a mix of modern machinery – chainsaws, a hydraulic forwarder to stack the timber, a mobile sawmill – combined with his eight legs of horsepower, Toby offers complete project management: felling trees, stacking logs, sawing them and selling them on or using them again in the woodland.

At his present job, the logs are being reincarnated into a bird hide on the estate.

The National Trust employs Toby every summer on heathland for bracken rolling. His horses pull a roller with L-shaped bars which bruise the invasive bracken. The crushed plants then must put energy into recovering rather than growing, so their spread diminishes each year.

Without the use of any chemicals, grass will eventually take over and the Trust will be able to graze native cattle back

Once the trees are felled, and the trunks trimmed, Toby and his horses can move a large number of trunks out of the forest

on the heathland.

‘The beauty of using agile horses is I can work on sites of architectural interest which forbid machinery, and in sensitive areas to protect fauna and flora, as there’s less impact.’ He shows me the faint track which is the only trace that has been left by his horses. ‘With its low-impact approach,

Quick fire questions:

A-list dinner party guests?

My Grandad, another Toby. He loved woodlands and was a carpenter before being drawn into the family shoe shop business. He’d be interested in what I do now.

Billy Connelly – how could you not have fun if he’s around?

Xavier Rudd – I love his music so he can entertain us. And my wife, Janine. With young kids we don’t get much chance to party.

Books by your bedside?

I’ve a pile of 20 or so, on topics ranging from spoon carving and timber frame building to smallholdings... I open a page then fall asleep!

horse logging definitely has an important role to play in our natural future.’

It’s time to harness up again –he needs to be out of the woods before the nesting birds settle later this month. His employees are getting twitchy too, though with a few voice commands Ettie and Celine are ready for work again.

‘They’re like me!’ Toby says. ‘If I don’t work for a few weeks, I get restless. I just want to get back into the woods with my horses.’

DorsetHorseLogging.co.uk

You can see Toby and his horses in action at the Turnpike Showground, Motcombe, in the Spring Countryside Show on 22nd and 23rd April.

It’s not all horse power - Toby uses a mix of modern machinery – chainsaws, a hydraulic forwarder to stack the timber and a mobile sawmill

The season’s finally close enough to feel it

The 2023 Eventing season looks a little different this year, but with her first competition in March, Toots Bartlett has been enjoying the work

The final countdown is on. Eventing season is about to begin – the first event is at Cirencester Park at the end of March! All my horses are back into full fitness work now – galloping, trotting up the hills and, most excitingly, we’re back jumping! As I write, we are working towards getting them out on the grass for their first cross-country school of the year. We have often had to start the season having only prepared in the school, so it is a real bonus this year to be able to prepare properly. I’m aware we (my horses and me!) always get over-excited for our first cross-country so I’m hoping that our disciplined schooling over the winter has prepared us. I’ve worked hard on my partnership with each horse to fine-tune any issues we noted last year. The weather’s been kind and the ground is in great shape, highly unusually for February we have even been able to do some canter work on the grass. I am definitely not being complacent, however. The Great British Weather can be relied on to throw us a curve ball!

Events lost, found and changed

There has been a huge change in the British Eventing calendar this year, and we wave goodbye to many great events, including Houghton Hall International near Kings Lynn and Barbury Castle International, both of which ran classes up to CCI4*S. Osberton International (in Lincolnshire) has given its Young Horse Championship to Cornbury in Oxfordshire. This does mean, however, that these events have been replaced by other

venues – I’m not sorry to be heading to Bicton Arena in Devon instead of making the six hour trip to Houghton Hall, as I have done for the past five years. Bicton also offers the horses an all-weather surface for the show-jumping phase which in these changing summers and harder ground is a welcome addition.

The King’s coronation will also alter the running order of the UK’s biggest CCI5* event of the year, traditionally held at Badminton House on the first weekend of May.

Due to the large number of Eventing supporters who wish to watch the coronation, in addition to the battling media coverage, Badminton has made the smart decision to run the cross-country on the Sunday instead of the Saturday, and have therefore moved the show-jumping to the Monday. It will be an interesting experiment to see if an extra day between the dressage and the cross-country is beneficial, and what effect it has on the overall cross-country statistics. Either way, it is always a truly amazing weekend of top quality sport and one not to be missed!

Hopefully it won’t be long before I’m a Badminton competitor myself – but horses who have the skill, athleticism, trainable brain, stamina, brave heart and sheer ability required to take on one of the toughest and most demanding tracks in the world are very few and far between. If you happen to have one please do get in touch!

Toots and Cor Y Taran working in some rare spring sunshine.

Images: Courtenay Hitchcock

Toots saddling up in the barn

A yard full of potential

Foaling, backing, pretraining, first race under rules ... owner Lucy Procter covers the full journey this month at The Glanvilles Stud

Our only February foal was a lovely Nathaniel filly out of Seemarye. This family line started with successful Yetminster-based owner-breeder John Meaden’s purchase of See-O-Duf, from the Dufosees, as a point-to-pointer for his daughter.

Once retired, See-O-Duf only produced one winner under rules, but that was a good one – See Enough, winner of the G2 Rendelsham Hurdle. See-O-Duf’s point-to-point winning daughter Shepani produced three winners under rules, including the good

See You Sometime, a multiple G2 winner. And Shepani is the dam of Seemarye, from whom we have bred several foals and two winners, most notably her blacktype Kayf Tara gelding Thibault. We are looking forward to seeing how this year’s foal develops over the next few years.

we encourage the staff to give the foals ‘stable’ names – unofficial nicknames

Each year we encourage the staff to give the foals ‘stable’ names. These are unofficial nicknames

and usually bear no relation to what their registered names will be. Young Thoroughbreds in the UK are sold unnamed, with owners choosing and registering a racing name when they go into training. Each year on the stud we choose a naming theme – this year it is flowers – and the name has to start with the first letter of the dam’s name.

The single February foal at TGS - stable name Sambac – a Nathaniel filly out of Seemarye.

EQUESTRIAN

All images: Courtenay Hitchcock

Seemarye has been leased to an owner in Bali, who has bred the Nathaniel filly with the intention of racing her, and the family are enjoying the whole breeding journey; we send them regular updates, photos and videos. So we asked them to come up with their foal’s stable name and they chose Sambac – a type of jasmine and one of the national flowers of Indonesia. Sometimes stable names do turn into racing names, so look out for a filly called Sambac on the track in a few years’ time!

Long-rein and lunging

This month we restarted the backing process of a three-year old Kayf Tara filly, out of our own much-loved mare, Tsarinova. After her retirement from racing, I rode Tsarinova myself and our daughter Alice evented her before we started breeding from her following her half-brother Sam Spinner’s win of the G1 Long Walk Hurdle in 2017.

The filly’s sire, Kayf Tara, was a three-time Champion stayer on the racecourse, and he retired from stud in 2020 at the grand age of 26 years, having notched up 11 UK Championships as a National Hunt stallion during his 20 seasons at stud. Due to declining fertility, our filly is one

of only a handful of foals sired in his final season, and we hope to retain ownership of her so that we can eventually breed from her once she has retired from racing. Having spent six weeks last summer starting the filly – longreining, lunging and leaning over her in the stable – backing her this month has been relatively quick and easy as she has a gentle temperament and has remembered much of what she learnt previously.

We began by long-reining her in the confines of the all-weather turnout and then round the stud to remind her how to stop, start and turn from pressure on the bit in her mouth. Then we progressed through leaning over her in the stable to sitting astride and, after a few days of getting used to the idea of someone on her back we took her round the stud with someone walking at her head. She is now happily hacking out with a quiet horse by her side and will stay in pre-training for a couple of months before having a break, with a view to running next autumn.

Comings and goings

Of the older horses, Inspector Maigret, the Monmartre fouryear-old gelding that we have been pre-training, is almost ready

for a run and has now gone to Harriet Brown, with a view to him having a first run over hurdles later in March.

Rinjani Bay, the three-year-old Motivator filly that we have also been pre-training for our Bali owners, is off into training at Anthony Honeyball’s this week for a couple of months work before returning here for a break. Like our Kayf Tara filly, we will aim for her to get to a racecourse next autumn.

Cosmore had her first two runs in February but has come home for a few weeks rest as she frustratingly had a minor muscle pull in her last race.

Pre-training Inspector Maigret and Rinjani Bay has been great fun over the past few months, and I will miss riding them out every day. But we do still have the Kayf Tara three-year-old, a point-to-pointer and Cosmore to keep us busy.

Foaling is obviously front and centre for us during March – we have four mares who are well bagged up and due to foal soon. Doug and I are hoping that the mares are considerate when they think about foaling, however –we have tickets to go and see Honeysuckle’s ‘last hurrah’ on the Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival. Fingers crossed!

The first hack for the three year-old Kayf Tara filly, out of Tsarinova, stable name Twix – the naming theme was ‘chocolate’ in 2020! Image: Lucy Procter

The art of the Red House

Edwina Baines had an exclusive tour of the art inside the UK’s best new architect-designed house, The Red House.

The winner of the Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA) prize for the UK’s best new architectdesigned house is nestled in rolling hills south of Shaftesbury with stunning panoramic views across the Blackmore Vale. The Red House, with its intricately patterned red brickwork and contrasting bold green overhanging eaves and windows, takes clear inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement. The interior is cleverly laid out in open-plan style but without empty open spaces. Each room has a slightly different alignment, with no corridors evident. This allows the large house to retain a cosy cottage-like core.

The owners, an accountant and a London gallerist, have used simple white-painted masonry walls throughout, in order to showcase their art collection.

A series of quick-witted drawings by Devon artist David Shrigley lines one side of the circular dining area in the kitchen. Shrigley is best

All images: Courtenay Hitchcock

Edward (below) and his partner Stephen purchased the original concrete rendered cottage and its narrow site in the summer of 2011.

known for distinctive works with black capital letters making satirical comments on everyday situations and human interactions. Their deadpan humour repeats phrases like snippets of overheard conversations. His work has become popular online – he has more than a million followers on Instagram. In 2016 his Really Good

sculpture, a monumental bronze hand making a thumbsup gesture, was the tallestever piece to be erected onto the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square. Shrigley told those gathered for the occasion that the sculpture was “about making the world a better place … which obviously is a ridiculous proposition, but I think it’s a good proposition.”

Dorset’s potters

On the other side of the dining alcove, a high shelf displays a series of pots and jugs telling the story of Dorset pottery. There are several old pieces from the Verwood pottery, makers of earthenware from the early 1600s until 1952. They include an example of the most famous Verwood product - the Dorset Owl or Costrel, a flask with lugs,

A series of quick-witted drawings by Devon artist David Shrigley line one side of a kitchen alcove

A series of pots and jugs tells the story of Dorset pottery

S p e c i a l i s t s i n S t o r a g e , T r a n s p o r t , I n s t a l l a t i o n , C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d R e s a l e

> S h o r t a n d l o n g - t e r m s t o r a g e s o l u t i o n s w h e t h e r y o u a r e m o v i n g h o u s e , r e n o v a t i n g o r j u s t n e e d t o s t o r e y o u r c o l l e c t i o n

> P e r s o n a l i s e d s p a c e t a i l o r e d t o y o u r n e e d s , f r o m g e n e r a l a r t s t o r a g e f o r c r a t e d a r t w o r k t o b e s p o k e a r t r a c k i n g s e r v i c e s i n a c l i m a t e c o n t r o l l e d r o o m a t c o m p e t i t i v e r a t e s

> W e o f f e r a f u l l a r t i n s t a l l a t i o n a n d d e - i n s t a l l a t i o n s e r v i c e f o r g a l l e r i e s a n d p r i v a t e c l i e n t s

> I f y o u a r e a r e s e l l e r o r a r t i s t l o o k i n g f o r o r d e r c o m p l e t i o n s e r v i c e s i n c l u d i n g p a c k i n g a n d s h i p p i n g

F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n i n c l u d i n g c o n s e r v a t i o n , r e s a l e a n d q u o t e p l e a s e c o n t a c t u s : i n f o @ m w a r t s e r v i c e s . c o m

used by farm labourers to take cider or cold tea into the fields. A tall red and green jug by renowned Stour Row potter Jonathan Garratt echoed the property’s palette alongside another by Richard Batterham, famous studio potter from Durweston who died in 2021. Shelves in the downstairs cloakroom are used to display a growing collection of Poole Pottery, including a prized piece by Guy Sydenham, who joined Poole Pottery in 1931 and continued his career there after the Second World War. He lived on a boat moored in Poole Harbour in the 1950s before negotiating a lease on Long Island, which contained a seam of Dorset blue clay. Using driftwood and discarded materials, Guy built a studio and produced pottery on the harbour island until 1987.

Phyllis Wolff

A large map painting commissioned from artist Phyllis Wolff, who lives nearby, hangs on the wall leading to the music room. The Red House is at its centre. Tiny images of the owners’ daughter in her yellow raincoat are hidden in a couple of places and a sparkling copper button marks the house’s location. Unlike most

maps, there is no differentiation between footpaths, bridleways and roads, revealing the house to be at the heart of historic routes between the two neighbouring villages. The map makes a political point:

nowadays we use our cars too much and our legs not enough.

Yinka Shonibare

Above the library fireplace hangs a piece by Yinka Shonibare. Yinka is a British-Nigerian artist who now lives and works in London, creating work that explores issues of race and class through a mix of media. He strives to challenge the assumptions we make about other cultures through his signature material – the brightly coloured ‘African’ batik fabric he buys at Brixton market in London. Batik is often presumed to be African, but was originally inspired by Indonesian design, mass-produced by the Dutch and eventually sold to the colonies in West Africa. In the 1960s the material became a signifier of African

A large Phyllis Wolff map painting was commissioned, and shows The Red House at the centre of ancient routes

Off-set living areas are filled with art that The Red House’s owners have collected and commissioned

identity and independence. You may remember Yinka’s Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, which was the 2010 Fourth Plinth Commission in Trafalgar Square and which is now installed outside the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. In 2021 the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition was coordinated by Yinka and championed artists from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, exploring the theme of Reclaiming Magic to celebrate the joy of creating art. Yinka has been commissioned to create a mosaic of Green Woman, reinterpreting the Green Man myth. It will be installed in an outside niche of the house later this year.

Caroline Coon

The gallery holds exhibitions of works by artists solely on merit and is happy to “show the unrepresented and the overlooked.” On the wall opposite the fireplace hangs a

A piece by Yonka Shonibare CBE RA hangs above the library fireplace

A distinctive figurative oil painting by Caroline Coon in the Red House’s Gallery

distinctive figurative oil painting by Caroline Coon. Now in her seventies, Caroline is a political activist and has campaigned for women’s rights since the 1960s. Her controversial works explore the politics of sexual liberation and her hermaphroditic figures confront sexual stereotypes.

Art in architecture

The Red House architect David Kohn was given complete artistic freedom to respond to the owners’ brief. Good art should elicit an emotional response in the viewer and be memorable; it can be contentious and may or may not be beautiful, but it can never be bland. Art exerts a profound influence over our wellbeing but the majority of architecture is designed for the eye of the beholder and tends to neglect the non-visual senses that promote our health and wellbeing. The RIBA said of their 2022 winner: ’This is a project full of delight and invention, pragmatism and eccentricity, along with knowing references, formal and informal gestures.’ Creating and living in a beautiful structure is a rare privilege and The Red House is a perfect example of William Morris’s famous words: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful”.

The Red House’s spectacular staircase is a sculpture in itself

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care

2km & 4km obstacle course for all abilities!

Sunday 26th March 2023 10am - 4.30pm

Upton Country Park, Poole

Brickyard Lane, Bagber

Meyrick Griffith-Jones

Little sunshine owl

Leslie Lawrence

Cormorant Paul Dibben

Bright winter morning Graham Bannister

Swan splash Mike Howson

Goldeneye Martin Shaw

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 usually 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 here

Happy days Tracy Whincup

Wren in the rain

Sharon Towning

Nick takes the lead at the Turnpike Showground

Just a couple of months before the county sees the return of the Spring Countryside Show, Nick Hill has taken the reins as Show Secretary

Nick Hill, with over 40 years of hands-on experience in farming and livestock management, has been appointed by the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society as the new Show Secretary and Event Organiser for two of Dorset’s leading rural shows.

Having exhibited prize-winning Limousin cattle and judged highly competitive cattle show classes, Nick is now set to take on a new challenge in running the Spring Countryside Show and the Gillingham & Shaftesbury show in August.

Nick joined the Young Farmers Club at the age of 13 and progressed through the ranks to become the group secretary and Federation chairman. In these roles, he was responsible for organizing shows and rallies. After finishing school, he worked on his father’s 150-acre farm in Somerset, where he specialised in raising beef cattle. Over time, he assumed the role of farm manager and established a herd of pedigree British Limousins. Nick and his herd competed in agricultural shows across the country, including the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show.

Nick’s expertise in British Limousin cattle has earned him a place on the esteemed National Judging Panel and Breeds Standard Inspection Panel for the British Limousin Cattle Society. He has also had the honour of judging at the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show on five separate occasions.

‘I am determined to maintain the strong links we have with agriculture and local businesses, while providing fun-filled days for the general public,’ said Nick. ‘I’m also keen on encouraging more young people to consider careers in agriculture. We need forward-thinking farmers who will continue to innovate.’

Two days this summer

Earlier this year, the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society announced that the annual August show will now be a two-day event, demonstrating the show’s success and the need to continuously improve. Nick is excited to take on his new role and bring his expertise to lead Turnpike Showground events through a successful 2023. The Spring Countryside Show, launched just last year to great success, is still in its infancy as a

two-day event showcasing rural life and crafts, live music, steam engines, and classic cars. Nick’s goal is to continue the massive success and growth of both shows. The Spring Show received 12,000 visitors in its first year, and a record number of 25,000 people attended the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show in August.

The Spring Countryside Show is the perfect way to experience the best of Dorset in the spring. Tickets currently £12 – the discount ends 31st March. Visit the website to book.

BARD IN THE YARD: THE SCOTTISH PLAY

THUR MAR 2ND

William Shakespeare is stuck The King will have his head on a stick if Will dares show his quill in London without a Scottish play. Can you help the greatest playwright of all time overcome his writer’s block?

PHONEY TOWERS

SAT 4TH MAR

A hilarious stage show tribute to Fawlty Towers. Starring BGT star Drew Cameron

An Evening with: HENRY BLOFELD

THUR 16TH MAR

An evening of fun and games with legend 'Old Blowers.' Backed by film and rare personal pictures on our big screen, My Dear Old Things is an absolute treat for the cricket connoisseur and a wonderfully engaging evening for all.

FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS: The Final Tour SAT 18TH MAR

The best in Country Music and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Don't miss your last chance to see this incredible band.

CARA DILLON

SAT 25TH MAR

The extraordinary voice of Cara Dillon sharing classics and tracks from her new album Wanderer. “Quite possibly the world’s most beautiful female voice” (Mojo).

THEATRE MUSIC CINEMA VENUE HIRE

DANCE COMEDY GALLERY CAFE

Aethereus Presents: Spring Awakening

Aethereus Events invites you for an evening of music, entertainment and performance as Fonthill’s stunning Bake Barn plays host to Spring Awakening –ushering us in from the cold and looking forward to the warmer, brighter months. Some truly outstanding performers will create a filled night of eclectic shows; from live swing singers to Dj’s, from opera to erotic cabaret, it’s set to be an unforgettable, unique event.

What is the Spring Awakening?

‘The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk.’ Georg Hegel.

Aethereus Events are similarly preparing to spread their wings. Leading us from the dark, cold winter months and soaring forward into spring, Aethereus presents an evening of live music, culture and surprises. We are excited to announce our very first ticketed event: Spring Awakening 2023.

Hosting stage performance from some of the UK’s top cabaret acts incorporating burlesque with circus acrobatics, The Hell Fire Club makes its return to Wiltshire following a memorable event in 2021. The show promises to be spectacular and is not for the faint hearted.

Sadiq Ali has curated a whole new show for Aethereus Hell Fire Club, where guests will be dazzled by a devilish cabaret of burlesque and circus performance.

Those who experienced the show last year will know that it is a collection of exhilarating and

(perhaps) risqué performances by some of the best burlesque artists in the country. Newcomers prepare to be excited – very excited!

The Aethereus Lounge is a stylish retro cocktail bar with live Jazz and Swing performances, as well as world-class cocktails prepared by our professional mixologists. The Minerva Club will top off an extraordinary evening with live DJ Cat La Chapelle putting on her high-octane, hedonistic club experience until the small hours, with a few surprise performances along the way.

Tickets

There are two types of ticket available to purchase:

General admission (£60)

These give you access to all performances at the Hell Fire club; swing, jazz, crooning at the Aethereus Lounge and partying at the stunning indoor Minerva

Club. Several bars will be on hand as well as a street food vendor where you can purchase a range of hot food.

Premium admission

(limited availability – £108) A premium ticket gives you unfettered access to the entirety of the Spring Awakening experience – as well as enjoying the entire general admission access, you will receive exclusive access to La Casa de la Flores, where you will be wined, dined and treated to live operatic performances from classicallytrained tenor Vasili Karpiak and female classical crossover duet Eden, all while enjoying your included three-course meal as well as wines from local suppliers (meal and wine included in price of premium ticket).

Buy tickets here March 25th 5pm to 1am. The Bake Barn, Chicklade, Wiltshire SP3 5SY, UK

Aethereus Events invites you for an evening of culture, performance, live entertainment – and a few surprises at the Minerva Club

Recital by Chamber Music Ensembles

Thursday 9 March at 7.30pm Tindall Recital Hall

Dinner and Jazz with the Sherborne School

Swing Band

Friday 24th March at 7.30pm

Dining Hall, Sherborne School

The annual black-tie event with foot-tapping numbers by the Swing Band and a four-course dinner. Tickets £25.00

Everything Goes - MPO are celebrating 100 years of musical theatre

Everything Goes is the exciting new show by the award-winning Milborne Port Opera (MPO). It’s a foot-tapping backstage musical about ... performing in backstage musicals! A group of actors are rehearsing their next show on stage. The theatre cleaner (who knows nothing) wanders in and demands to know what is going on. The director and the cast obviously explain by performing their show – managing to provide a potted history of musical theatre from Showboat to Chicago (and back again via Hamilton and Les Miserables). The challenge for MPO is to perform all of the show’s numbers out of context and not in full costume, in order to respect copyright and licensing laws. Matchmaker from Fiddler on the Roof is suddenly about Tinder dating. A group of men getting ready to go out on the town for the night may just find themselves Putting on a White Tie. Naturally, Oklahoma is the cast’s go-to holiday destination. The show was devised and

written by drama teacher Karen Pankhurst, who also co-directs. She joined MPO in 2019 for their smash hit Anything Goes, playing Bonnie, the gangster’s moll.

Rachel Milestone (Trial by Jury, Anything Goes and Merry Widow) and Allison Gosney are Karem’s co-directors.

Caroline D’Cruz, who joined the company in 2006, continues as musical director.

The MPO company has a well-deserved reputation for

beautiful choral singing in light opera, often with a modern slant. Over the last decade the company has also staged several Broadway or West End Musicals, culminating in the sellout Anything Goes which was performed in the round on an arena stage in the village hall in 2019.

MPO is an amateur company. Its members come from all over South Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and are farmers, teachers, business owners, scientists, students, retirees and many other occupations. It welcomes new performers, particularly younger ones. Enthusiasm, the ability to hold a note, and not knock the scenery over are the only qualifications required. You do not need to be able to read music (although you might find yourself acquiring this useful skill).

Everything Goes plays in the Milborne Port Village Hall

7.30pm 12th to 15th April.

Tickets £15 (£10 concessions only on the first night).

Box Office

www.mpopera.co.uk. Also from Waynes butchers, Milborne Port

Richard Gaunt plays Stan the Man, and Linda Mumford, Edith the tea lady in MPO’s Everything Goes

Images: Paul Gumbrell

(L-R) Karen Pankhurst, Allison Gosney and Sukie Read, rehearse Ladies who Lunch from Company

ABBA is back!

21st Century ABBA, the award-winning ABBA tribute band that plays all the best songs from your favourite super Swedes, are live on stage at in Gillingham in March!

21st Century ABBA will have you up dancing, cheering for more and leaving as Dancing Queens! If you love singing your favourite ABBA songs like Mamma Mia or Dancing Queen and want to relive the energetic stage performances of this phenomenal band, come and watch them perform those fabulous hit tunes one after another. You would be forgiven for thinking that it really is ABBA, back on stage again. Get ready for the experience of a lifetime!

Gillingham Methodist Church, 7.30pm on Saturday 11th March. To see this fantastic show book your tickets here. Alternatively, message Music at GMC on Facebook, or call 07817 379006.

The Battling Butlers are in Dorset

Packed with live music, physical comedy & circus, internationallyacclaimed Bash Street Theatre tell a story as old as time in their brand-new show ‘ The Battling Butlers ’. This March they head to Dorset for three performances with Artsreach, the county’s rural arts charity.

Juggling babies, toddlers on stilts and teaching young Joey to ride his first unicycle are all part of everyday life for single dad, Joe Butler, in this poignant, family love story involving the everchanging relationship of a fatherand-son double act.

Based in Penzance in Cornwall, Bash Street Theatre has built an international reputation over the last 30 years, performing silent-comedy, street theatre shows throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. Their latest show, The Battling Butlers, is a real family affair, performed by father and son, Simon Pullum

and Loki Pickering, and featuring original live music from multiinstrumentalist and composer Julian Gaskell. Artsreach Assistant Director Yvonne Gallimore said “Bash Street have been touring to Dorset for many years, and audiences fondly remember shows such as ‘The Lion Tamer’ and ‘The Strongman’. We’re excited to see Simon and Loki

explore the father/son role more closely and are excited to be supporting them as the tour across the UK.’

More details and tickets on artsreach.co.uk

24th March, 7:30pm.

Yetminster Jubilee Hall. 25th March, 7:30pm.

Child Okeford Village Hall. 26th March, 7:30pm.

Portland Royal Manor Theatre

Milborne Port’s Market Cross and King’s Head pub (now the Tippling Philosopher) in the early 1800s. All images: Milborne Port History and Heritage Group

The Nonconformist Preacher’s Tale

Roger Guttridge recalls a minister who upset early women’s libbers, Marnhull’s bull-baiting habit and the legendary toad doctor of Pulham

It’s not difficult to arouse feminist feelings today but nonconformist preacher the Rev John Sprint managed it 300 years ahead of schedule.

The colourful cleric regularly preached in towns and villages in Dorset and Somerset including Stalbridge, Sherborne, Milborne Port, Wimborne and Gussage All Saints. But his views were nothing if not controversial. Way back in 1699, when Sprint was the Minister at Stalbridge, he succeeded in offending an early generation of women’s libbers. At a wedding in Sherborne, he preached a sermon which he later had published under the title The Bride’s Woman Counsellor.

His biblical text for the sermon was I Corinthians 7:34, which speaks of the difference between married and unmarried women. He claimed it was ‘the duty incumbent on all married women

to be extraordinary careful to content and please their husbands’.

‘The sermon caused quite a stir,’ the Rev Anthony Jones, Minister of Bournemouth and Poole Unitarian Church, told me some years ago when he was writing a thesis on early Protestant dissent in Dorset. ‘Even in those days, such views were difficult to accept.’

The women hit back with a poem called The Ladies’ Defence: or a Bride Woman’s Counsellor Answered.

It was written as a dialogue between Sir John Brute, Sir William Loveall, Melissa and a parson, who, cast as the villain,

speaks of teaching women ‘their husbands to obey and please, / And to their humours sacrifice their ease; / Give up their reason, and their wills resign, / And every look and thought confine.’

Melissa, on behalf of her sisters, replies: ‘Why are not husbands taught as well as we: / Must they from all restraints, all laws be free? / Passive obedience you’ve to us transferred, / And we must drudge in paths where you have err’d.’

But it was not only feminists that the Rev Sprint outraged. One contemporary document describes him as ‘a gentleman of too liberal principles for some pious and rigid Nonconformists’. Such was the opposition he

‘Why are not husbands taught as well as we:

Must they from all restraints, all laws be free?’

encountered at Stalbridge that in 1700 Sprint moved across the Dorset-Somerset border to Milborne Port.

There, at his daughter’s wedding, he preached another sermon called the Bridegroom’s Counsellor and the Bride’s Comforter.

‘It was a rebuff to the Ladies apologetic,’ said Mr Jones. This time the chosen text was I Corinthians 7:33.

‘I shall prove that it is the duty of husbands to please their wives,’ Mr Sprint began.

Sprint went on to build up a large Presbyterian congregation in a hosier’s house at Milborne Port, where he continued his ministry until his death in 1715.

He also founded a grammar school in the village.*

Mr Jones described Sprint as a ‘great eccentric’.

‘He always wore a cassock when he took services and a rose in his hat,’ he said.

Bull baiting at Marnhull

An event that prompted controversy and violence in Dorset 260 years ago was Marnhull’s annual bull-baiting, held on 3rd May each year until 1762 or 1763, when the rector, the Rev Conyers Place, managed to put a stop to it.

It was not, however, the welfare of the bulls that Place had in mind but the safety of the human spectators who converged on Marnhull from miles around.

‘The practice occasioned dangerous riots and bloodshed by the violent contentions of the inhabitants of the neighbouring parishes,’ wrote the 18th century historian John Hutchins.

‘In one of these frays, Bartlett of Morside was actually killed.’

Hutchins

added: ‘It was suppressed for some years but revived again on Mr Windham’s patronising bull-baiting in the House of Commons.’

After a further campaign, the Marnhull rector managed again to suppress the event, this time for good.

Of the event, Hutchins wrote: ‘The bull was led in the morning into Valley Meadow (part of Marnhull Common), where the tenant of the estate, by giving a garland, appointed who should keep the bull next year.’

The Toad Doctor of Pulham A curious quack from 19th century North Dorset was ‘Dr’

Buckland, the so-called ‘Toad Doctor’ of Pulham (although I doubt he was a real doctor).

During the 1830s a great gathering, called Dr Buckland’s Fair, took place in May, its exact date being determined by the phases of the moon.

‘The doctor, dressed in white, was assisted by his three daughters, also dressed in white, and they attended to his patients, who came from far and near,’ records the Women’s Institute book Dorset Up Along and Down Along, 1935.

‘His method was certainly unusual, for he kept toads which he used alive, hanging them under his patients’ clothes.

‘As long as the toads twitched and moved, the cure progressed. As to what happened if the toad died before the cure was complete, the story does not relate.’

* Members of Milborne Port History and Heritage Group would welcome any information which might help to identify the sites of Sprint’s two major ventures in the village.

Milborne Port’s Church School (now The Clockspire Restaurant) was founded by vicar Robertus Hall in 1540.

‘...toads which he used alive, hanging them under his patients’ clothes.’

Postcards from a Dorset Collection

The BV first featured Barry Cuff’s collection in The Gardener with 10,000 postcards in April 2022. Each month the local postcard collector shares a selection of rarely-before seen images from his archive. This month Barry has picked local photographer Nesbitt from Blandford.

Salisbury

Iwerne Minster - posted to Keynsham nr. Bristol in June 1906.

Street, Blandford. Nesbitt’s studio is bottom left, where Symonds & Sampson are today. Posted to West Pennard (nr Glastonbury), August 1910

Tom Nesbitt is listed in the 1889 and 1911 Kelly’s Directories of Dorset. His shop and portrait studio were at 7 Market Place Blandford – where Symonds & Sampson are now, at the bottom of Salisbury Street. As well as publishing postcards of Blandford itself, Nesbitt covered most of the villages within a ten mile radius. Each of the cards shown have been sent through the post.

The crossroads at Tarrant Keyneston, with the True Lovers Knot in the centre. This was posted to Exeter in August 1910

Milton Abbas - posted to Barry Cuff’s grandfather at Winterborne Whitechurch, December 24th 1909

The Bridge Street fire

Roger Guttridge has personal memories of the fire which destroyed Harding’s newsagent’s shop at Sturminster Newton in 1956

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of the day that Harding’s newsagent’s shop at Sturminster Newton went up in smoke and flames.

The year was 1956 and I was a six-year-old pupil at Sturminster County Primary School (now the William Barnes School) in Bridge Street. Harding’s was a little further up Bridge Street, where Retsel House is now, so my mother and I had to walk right past the shop on our way to the school. I remember picking my way through the mounds of charred beams, thatch and other debris – and the fire brigade hoses strung out across the road.

The combined stench of fire, smoke and water damage stayed with me into adulthood, and those memories flooded back whenever I

attended a fire as a reporter for the Western Gazette or the Bournemouth Evening Echo. I also remember learning how John Harding heroically carried his sons Christopher, a fellow pupil at my school, and his younger brother Richard, to safety at the height of the fire. Sadly, Chris and Richard are no longer with us. The picturesque thatched building was replaced by the grey and rather utilitarian Retsel House, which houses businesses to this day, including a pet shop and a barber’s shop.

In my later childhood there was a barber’s on the first floor. While waiting for a haircut, I would advance my education by exploring the revelations of an early girlie magazine called Parade. I don’t think it did me any harm, but others may potentially disagree.

Harding’s in Bridge Street before the fire. Historic images from Sturminster from Sturminster Newton Through Time, by Roger Guttridge and Steve Case

I remember picking my way through the mounds of charred beams, thatch and other

debris

The Hardings were rather unlucky with fires. The family’s previous business, the Bristol Bazaar, was in another thatched building at the corner of Ricketts Lane at the top of Bridge Street and was burned down in 1926, along with the adjoining shop occupied by Mr Pope the shoemaker. Historically, Sturminster has had several major fires – a notable one 340 years ago in 1681 and another less than 50 years later in 1729 which destroyed 67 houses, ten barns and the Market House. One of the replacement buildings after 1729 became Barnett’s hardware shop at Market Cross, but this too was completely destroyed in a blaze complicated by exploding paint cans, paraffin and gas cylinders.

Replacement building Retsel House today

Harding’s on the morning of the 1956 fire.

miles

Take a Hike: A perfect potter from Pilsdon Pen | 8.1

A moderately energetic but incredibly peaceful circular West Dorset walk (as it’s West Dorset, you can obviously expect plenty of upping and downing!) through the undulating heart of the least populated part of the county. Starting at the free car park at Pilsdon Pen and once you leave the National Trust hilltop you’ll be lucky to see another person on the whole route!

All images © Laura Hitchcock

The route is well signed and easy to follow, switching between some of the biggest long distance Dorset trails (the Jubilee Trail, the Monarch’s Way, the Liberty Trail and the Wessex Ridgeway). It’s a varied route, mostly across open farmland, but with some small patches of woodland and crossing lots of small streams (all easily bridged or passable, even in February) and there’s a permanent sense of peace. We chose not to go over Pilsdon Pen, but if you’ve never been before, do go up and over for the wonderful views – come down the back end, there is a gate which allows direct access to pick up the route again. Click here for more notes, images and an interactive map (plus a downloadable gpx file)

We have always created and recently walked the routes we feature (See all previously-published routes here), so you know you can trust them. We aim for unpopulated routes with no roads and big views! You can see all our routes (including many which are unpublished in The BV) on Outdoor Active, and all include a downloadable gpx file.

a warm sunny day

There be unicorns here…

The rewards on the long climb back up to the car

The perfect pause for lunch on

The boggy stretch below Specket Cottage

The dark-edged bee-fly, with a fluffy round body, ridiculously long legs and a protruding tongue All images Jane Adams

The bee-fly

Wildlife writer Jane Adams is looking forward to her own personal sign of spring – the Mary Quant of the insect world

What marks spring’s arrival for you? For some, it’s golden daffodils swaying in the breeze or the haunting call of a cuckoo newly arrived from Africa. For me, it’s a weird but wonderful insect: the bee-fly. I never go looking for this little creature, it just seems to magically appear. On a sunny March day, when warm sunshine entices me into the garden, I’ll be kneeling, cutting back dead plant stems, and one will suddenly just be there, buzzing frantically. There are ten species of bee-fly in the UK, but the one you’re most likely to see in March is the dark-edged bee-fly. With a fluffy round body, ridiculously long legs and a protruding tongue, it’s admittedly quite weird-looking. Occasionally, one might land on a dead leaf or patch of bare earth to sunbathe. That’s when you might spot the dark, jagged pattern on the edge of its wings that gives it its name. And although this fly might look similar to a bumblebee, it has no sting, it’s harmless –to humans, at least. It’s also very refined – you won’t find these dainty insects bumping into flowers, like a clumsy bumble. They’re the Chanel catwalk model of the fly world, oozing precision and poise, especially when feeding. With their long delicate tongues, bee-flies delve into the deepest spring flowers for nectar and pollen. All while still hovering. I’ve seen them feeding on primroses, green alkanet, cowslip and dandelions, but you’re likely to find them on other flowers.

The dark side

However, this seemingly benign fly has a dark side. In common

with at least 40 percent of the world’s insect species, beeflies are parasites. Instead of making their own nests and laying eggs, females flick their eggs towards the entrance hole of ground-nesting solitary bees. Once hatched, these larvae trundle into the bee nest, eat the food supplies left for the bee’s young and then consume the bee grubs. But don’t worry. It doesn’t harm bee populations and has been happening for millions of years. It’s all part of a healthy ecosystem.

• Jane Adams has a book out this month: Nature’s Wonders: Moments that mark the seasons, published in conjunction with National Trust. You can see our review of it on P.97

There is another species of bee-fly you might spot in your garden in late March, and that’s the dotted bee-fly (image below).

Not as common as the darkedged Chanel-look-alike, the dotted bee-fly, with its flamboyant spotted wings, is a raving Mary Quant.

You won’t find them bumping into flowers

... They’re the Chanel catwalk model of the fly world, oozing precision and poise

The dark-edged bee-fly enjoys sunbathing

The dotted bee-fly

The Dartford warbler is a small, dark bird with a fine bill and a long tail that is often cocked

Listen for the Dartford warbler

One of the pleasures of a walk across the Dorset heathland is hearing the hurried chatter of a Dartford warbler, usually coming from the depths of a gorse bush. Dartfords also have a churring alarm call, which to my ears sounds rather like a soft sneeze.

Although most vocal in the spring, Dartford warblers can be heard singing sporadically throughout the year.

Most warblers are migratory birds but Dartfords are resolutely sedentary, rarely moving more than a few miles from their native heath. They generally manage to survive the British winter on a diet consisting largely of spiders and small insects. However, Dartford warblers are susceptible if there are

prolonged spells of cold weather and the population can be significantly reduced by a severe winter.

Dartford warblers are more often heard than seen, but given a reasonable view they are fairly easy birds to identify. The overall impression is of a small, dark bird with a fine bill and a long tail that is often cocked. Closer views will reveal the subtle grey and vinous tones of the plumage and the red eye-ring. The males tend to be more colourful than the females and have distinctive white spots on the throat. In Britain, Dartford warblers are more or less confined to the heaths of southern England but, in the right habitat, they are certainly not as rare as some books suggest.

Just typical!

Seeing a Dartford warbler is still largely a matter of luck, however. I remember leading a guided walk for a birdwatching group a few years ago, with the main target of seeing a Dartford warbler. We trudged round most of the best-known habitats in Purbeck, and had not a sight or sound of our elusive quarry.

Eventually I had to admit defeat – I apologised and bade farewell to the group as they all piled back onto their coach. Naturally, just as they disappeared down the road, I heard a familiar sound behind me and turned to see a wonderful view of a male Dartford warbler, singing its heart out on top of a nearby gorse bush!

The Dartford warbler may be an elusive Dorset resident, but they’re not as rare as some believe, says conservation officer Hamish Murray

Back to Diddly Squat

The farming community was unanimous in its praise for the first series of Clarkson’s Farm. Does the second series hold up, asks Andrew Livingston

When he’s not out bashing members of the royal family with the written word, Jeremy Clarkson is able to make funny, engaging, fantastic television. The eight-episode series of Clarkson’s Farm features all your favourite characters from the hit first series, with the now-celebrity Kaleb Cooper, the farm’s advisor Charlie Ireland and of course Gerald the incomprehensible head of security.

Series two of Clarkson’s Farm spends a little less time on a season-to-season look at farming and instead tackles the big issue that faces all farmers at the moment … diversification.

After Brexit, the UK government announced that our farms would no longer be receiving the EU Basic Payment Scheme, which pays farmers a yearly lump sum based on the land they own. Instead, farmers will now be paid by the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). The problem is, the government still hasn’t actually said what this will look like or consist of, and simply keeps bandying the phrase “Public money for public goods.”

Diddly Squat Farm

Clarkson not receiving his Basic Payment is a loss of £82,000 a year to his business. The vast majority of UK farmers won’t lose quite that amount of money – it is increased by the number of hectares of land you own. However, just like Clarkson, for most farmers that money is the difference between breaking even or running at a loss.

In an attempt to increase his profits, Diddly Squat Farm goes to war with the West Oxfordshire District Council to gain planning permission for a restaurant in order to sell the meat from the farm’s new Shorthorn cattle. I implore everyone to watch the show – simply to save me describing each funny moment from the series.

I do, however, believe that some of the intrinsic character of the first season wasn’t quite there. Interestingly, the gripes I have with Clarkson’s Farm I also have with his other Amazon Prime show, The Grand Tour. I’m not sure if it comes with his increasing age, but his shows are becoming more and more blatantly scripted.

I’m not an idiot (most of the time). I know the show is scripted. Unusually for a ruralthemed TV show, season one was universally popular with the farming community – mostly because Clarkson’s chaotic

actions in season one were believable because it felt off the cuff – it resonated, as it showed what being a farmer is really like.

Farming comeback

Jeremy should count himself a lucky man. No matter what your view of the Royals, or where you sit on the everlasting Meghan and Harry debate, what he said in the Sun newspaper wasn’t good. His career was in tatters. Who Wants to be a Millionaire didn’t want him and Amazon was looking the same. They did announce that they are to part ways after 2024 – but after the success of the second series of Clarkson’s Farm, don’t be surprised if they renege on that in the future.

Almost 4.3 million people have watched the 62-year-old prat around on his farm, making it the streaming service’s biggest ever original production.

Jeremy might not ever be the greatest farmer – his own show is video evidence to prove it. But you can never deny the passion that he has for the industry. Farming is an under-appreciated world that seems just that little bit more significant with him in it.

For most farmers, that money is the difference between breaking even or running at a loss

Ginge, a red heifer at Traveller’s Rest Farm, has produced a lovely pair of twins

Red twins, ELMS and beavers

Since the beginning of February our heifers have been calving steadily. One of the bulls, Mr Red, was introduced to them several weeks ahead of the rest of the herd last May, for just two weeks. We were aiming for a 50 per cent success rate from the 24 heifers; when scanned it turned out he had successfully served 21 of them, so our sheds are currently quite crowded!

Pictured above is Ginge, the only red animal in the bunch. She has produced a lovely pair of twins –remarkable for a heifer – and she is doing them very well. We now await the start of the main bunch, hoping there will be no more trouble of the kind experienced last week – after calving, one of the ladies popped out a prolapse.

Fortunately there are no pictures of this unfortunate event, but the skill of our vet, armed with some sugar and a shot of oxytocin, and the perseverance of Dougal and Fred late into the evening saw all put back in order. Mother and calf are now doing well.

ELMS positivity

A trip to Birmingham in February took in the NFU national conference – a two day extravaganza. First up was Agriculture Minister Mark Spencer, who spent some time once again explaining the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). There are many layers to this replacement for the flat rate Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) which has run since 2015, and which rewards landowners simply on the basis of how much land they occupy. Some farmers have been getting impatient to see what ELMS will mean, as the BPS has been gradually reducing and will be down to zero by 2027. DEFRA has been taking its time, (we’ve known something new would be required post-Brexit for a few years now), but there is no point in rushing schemes out before they are ready. The history of British agricultural support is littered with the corpses of previous premature deliveries.

There is hot debate surrounding several aspects of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), one of the three strands of ELMS, especially the hedgerow and grassland standards. On a very positive note, hidden among the arable standards are proposed payments for farmers who do not use insecticides, for the establishment of companion crops and for no-till crops. We will be very pleased to take advantage of these options, which show that at least some departments within DEFRA are keeping themselves up to date with soil health and environmental issues. Opposition leader Keir Starmer delivered a positive, slick speech. He fielded audience questions with good humour and navigated trickier subjects reasonably successfully, insisting that no doors will be closed, and that a Labour DEFRA will follow the science on tricky subjects like bovine TB.

Hardly an assurance worth holding breath for though,

A surprise delivery, beavers in Blandford and farmer George Hosford’s personal thoughts on the speakers and messaging at the NFU conference

when in their next breath they are talking about extending the Right to Roam – bearing in mind the Horlicks the last Labour government made of this topic. The best was kept for last. You surely cannot have missed the story of how the Secretary of State Therese Coffey bombed. I have never seen a conference performer behave in such a fashion – she was grumpy and rude, not very well briefed, and completely failed to engage with the room, let alone with NFU president Minette Batters, who was her interviewer.

Beaver on the Stour?

Beavers have been in the news again recently. Farmers seem to be very good at getting worked up about them – worried that their land will be flooded and trees will be damaged, while finding it hard to understand the good things a beaver can bring to their environment.

It is true that if they are to be introduced – and they already

have been in many areas, including several sites in Dorset – then we ought to be allowed to manage them if their dam building threatens more harm than good.

However, the government in its wisdom has made them a protected species, so their lodges, dams and the creatures themselves cannot be interfered with. There is so far no sign of a protocol by which they can be managed. Beaver damage to trees has already been seen near the Stour north of Sturminster Newton, and a beaver was filmed by a member of the public in the

river in Blandford last summer. To show beavers in action, mostly under cover of night, here is some video from Cropton Forest in north Yorkshire, where they have erected a dam 70 metres wide which is claimed to be reducing flooding risk to the town of Pickering. However, local intelligence suggests that the erection of a bund, a reservoir that holds 120,000 cubic metres of water, and more than 100 leaky wooded debris dams may also have something to do with keeping the town flood free ...

Nick Adams, our bird watcher, found a healthy number of corn bunting where we have planted ‘corn bunting mix’ – seed-bearing crops that favour this increasingly rare bird. Nick told us that corn bunting form up into choirs that will have their own version of the corn bunting song that involves 100 different notes. It will be slightly different from what the older ones sang last year and from any other groups around. At this time of year when they’re in a group one or more of the older ones will be leading lots of choir practice for the young.

The clock is ticking for the government to back British farming to feed a changing world

In February the NFU hosted its annual conference, bringing together 1,500 farmer and grower members as well as peers, politicians and guests from across the supply chain for two days of thought-provoking speakers and debate. This year’s line-up included DEFRA

Secretary of State Therese Coffey, Farming Minister

Mark Spencer and Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer. Delivering the opening address, NFU President Minette Batters laid out what was needed to ensure a prosperous food and farming sector, one that delivers a secure, safe and affordable supply of British food, for both home markets and overseas

and which recognises that farmers are the nation’s working conservationists: ‘There are three key lessons we can take from this extraordinary year,’ she said ‘As the global population continues to rise, and parts of the planet become less suited to producing the food we eat, we have an opportunity – and a duty – to get the best out of our maritime climate. Secondly, in the face of climate change, we should be unwavering in our commitment to achieving Net Zero and contributing to our energy security through on-farm renewables generation. And thirdly, we should never take our food security for granted. Food security is not the same as self-sufficiency – we will always rely on imports to some degree,

and it is sensible to ensure diversity of supply. But food security also means ensuring our food is safe to eat, that it can be distributed efficiently and that it remains affordable. All of which points to prioritising domestic production. The rhetoric of successive governments that “we are a wealthy country … we can just import our food” must be exposed as naïve in the extreme in a rapidly changing and challenging world.

‘The fact remains that volatility, uncertainty and instability are the greatest risks to farm businesses in England and Wales today. Critically, those consequences will be felt far beyond farming. They will be felt across the natural environment, and in struggling households across the country.

‘Labour shortages and soaring energy prices are hitting the poultry industry – already reeling

President calls for a prosperous food and farming sector, delivering a secure, safe and affordable supply of British food, says NFU county advisor Gemma Harvey

In 2022, UK egg packers packed almost a billion fewer eggs than they did in 2019

A stormy Blackmore Vale from Bulbarrow Hill Image: Laura Hitchcock

from avian influenza – as well as horticultural businesses and pig farms. Meanwhile, other sectors are facing an uncertain future, as direct payments are phased out against a backdrop of huge cost inflation, with agricultural inputs having risen almost 50 per cent since 2019.

‘And the impact of this? UK egg production has fallen to its lowest level in nine years. In 2022, UK egg packers packed almost a billion fewer eggs than they did in 2019.

‘This was also the year that the potential impact of climate change really hit home. The extraordinary temperatures we experienced in July topped the previous record by almost a degree and a half. And while many parts of the country have experienced huge amounts of rainfall recently, impacting farming operations over autumn and winter, some counties remain in official drought status. Despite all this, NFU members and the farmers and growers of Britain continued to bring in the harvest, to produce the nation’s food and to keep the country fed through tough times.

‘We have seen progress; with the

publication of the prospectus for the new Environmental Land Management Schemes; with increases to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers schemes; and in securing the establishment of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, leading to the Food and Drink Export Council and the placement of eight new agriculture attachés to sell British food overseas. ‘However, more often than not it has been incredibly hard getting the government to back up its rhetoric with concrete actions.

The clock is ticking

‘The time is nearly up for the government to demonstrate its commitment to food and farming in our great country, not just by saying they support us, but by showing us they do. I have lost count of the times I’ve been told by MPs and Ministers –all the way up to Prime Ministers (plural, four of them!) that farming is at the forefront of this government’s thinking.

‘I won’t let the opposition off the hook either – I believe the rural vote will be absolutely crucial in the next election.

‘There are three cornerstones

on which a prosperous farming sector must be built and which any government should use to underpin its farming policy. They are boosting productivity, protecting the environment and managing volatility.

‘But the clock is ticking. It’s ticking for those farmers and growers facing costs of production higher than the returns they get for their produce. It’s ticking for the country, as inflation remains stubbornly high, and the affordability and availability of food come under strain. It’s ticking for our planet, as climate change necessitates urgent, concerted action to reduce emissions and protect our environment. And it’s ticking for government – to start putting meaningful, tangible and effective meat on the bones of the commitments it has made.

Commitments to promote domestic food production, to properly incentivise sustainable and climate-friendly farming, to put farmers and growers at the heart of our trade policy, and to guarantee our food security. It really is time to back British Farmers and back British food.’

*extract - read Minette Batters’ speech in full on the NFU website by clicking here

I believe the rural vote will be absolutely crucial in the next election

NFU President Minette Batters during her opening speech at NFU Conference 2023

The Voice of the Allotment No spring brassicas, thanks to December

Normally we have a good supply of brassicas to last us through February and March. Not so this year – we are only left with Brussels sprout (Brendan), and a few purple sprouting broccoli (Cardinal).

All our spring cauliflowers (Medallion), spring savoy cabbage (Vertus) – and most of the purple sprouting broccoli – plants were lost to the severe frosts in December. In more than 30 years I do not recall this happening before. It appears there were big losses right across England, from Dorset to Lancashire. One local Dorset commercial grower even lost cabbages and cauliflowers growing in his polytunnel. I believe in our case it was because the plants were exceptionally lush and almost certainly had some Boron deficiency. However, our Palace parsnips taste even better now thanks to those same frosts during the three winter months, and we do still have a good supply of leeks – many of these are being used in soups! We still have a

good selection of vegetables in our freezers and cold store, too. It is wonderful to be able to eat our own produce through the winter months. Our potatoes, squashes and onions kept well in the frost-free shed. Only the two large butternut squashes didn’t survive, whereas Crown Prince, Sweet Dumpling and Honey Boat look as good as they did when they were harvested in early September.

With much dry weather through February, all the potato ground has been dug, incorporating the horse manure which had been spread in December.

A new season

We have treated ourselves to three new strawberry varieties,

12 plants of each. These have been planted into a new bed. Our garlic put on a little growth during the month and has been fed with liquid seaweed. The first of the new year’s vegetables were planted out from trays on the 21st, about 60 plants in total. There is a double row of broad beans, two varieties –Witkiem Manita and Masterpiece Green Longpod.

In the greenhouse, we have sown Little Gem Lettuce, Golden Acre cabbage and Red Drumhead cabbage. On our bedroom windowsill the peppers sown in January are looking well and have their first set of true leaves. During March we shall be sowing our onions, tomatoes and a second batch of lettuce.

A record-breaking winter freeze ruined the spring greens, says Barry Cuff – but the stores are well-stocked and new veg is growing

The broad beans are being planted out. Image: Barry Cuff

Time to get started in the garden

March is here – and it’s finally time to get started on the outdoor jobs, says gardener Pete Harcom. But keep an eye on the forecast! The clocks may go forward on 26th March and spring might be in the air, but March can be a cold month. It can be late April or even May before night-time frosts are reliably over.

Jobs for March

• If the weather allows and the soil is not frozen, annual flowers can be sown from March onwards – just rake the soil to a fine tilth on a dry day. Once you’ve planted, watch the weather forecasts for frosty nights and protect the seeds if necessary with cloches or horticultural fleece – or even some net curtaining.

• Be careful on your shopping trips; the garden centres will have beautiful displays of annuals and bedding plants to woo you at this time of year. But it may be best to wait until late March before you purchase too many tender plants (fuchsias and pelargoniums, for example), unless you have good frost protection like cloches or even a cold greenhouse.

• Keep an eye on weeds as they begin to emerge, taking them out with a hoe or similar.

• Cover any bare soil patches and all around your shrubs with a good thick layer of mulch or garden compost. Also, top up potted plants with a similar layer of mulch or compost.

• March is your last chance to plant bare-rooted trees and shrubs. Now the soil is warming up, shrubs will soon begin to grow and get established (container-grown shrubs can be planted at any time of year other than

during very hot weather).

• Prune bush and climbing roses quite hard back to strong stems, with a sloping cut, no more than 5mm away from a bud. Ensure your secateurs are sharp and clean!

Winter berries

During the winter months the garden can look decidedly devoid of colour – winter berries can add quite significant colour to a garden and will have the benefit of helping birds through the harsh winter months. There are lots of native berrybearing species including rowan, holly, whitebeam, spindle, dog

rose, guelder rose (Vibernum), elder, hawthorn, honeysuckle and ivy. But you could also consider attractive shrubs like cotoneaster, pyracantha and berberis, all of which are especially good for a wide variety of birds.

But it’s not just our avian pals – berry and fruit-bearing trees provide food for insects and animals too. Hedgehogs, badgers, mice, squirrels and even foxes will all happily feed on them. All sorts of fruit are attractive to insects, and fallen fruit or spare fruit from the home will attract those insects to your garden, which will in turn attract a variety of birds.

A bullfinch enjoying the winter berries of the guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)

And the winner is... Anemone

The Thorngrove team are feeling the rush of spring, says Kelsi-Dean Buck, caused by a bit of sunshine and a rush of colour in the courtyard

Thorngrove is positively brimming with … well, positivity! We love this time of year – the weather starts to get a little warmer, and we see lots of people getting enthusiastic about their gardens again after the winter break. It’s been a long cold season, and like many of you, we’re just starting to plan ahead for those spring and summer garden gatherings, the barbecues, and the weekend and evening chill outs.

The late winter flowers such as hyacinth, hellebores and all the winter bedding have been bringing vibrancy to the courtyard at Thorngrove – I even snapped up a few of our hyacinth and primroses myself for my

fence containers at home. It felt like an official breaking of the seal; I’m now officially getting into Garden Mode, and I cannot wait to make the most of my space this year.

Windflowers for the win

One of the most important jobs here at Thorngrove is picking our plant of the month. After much back and forth and internal discussion, we’ve decided for March it’s going to be the beautiful Anenome. No, not the underwater kind! These ‘land’ anemone plants are freeflowering perennials, producing masses of saucer-shaped, bright or pastel flowers. They are starting to bloom now, though

some kinds bloom later in the year too. They belong to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, and are commonly called windflowers. They’re already looking beautiful and will make a perfect addition to your home or garden this month, so stop by and pick up yours today!

It’s all going on

We have a special offer in the Secret Garden Café for Mother’s Day weekend (Mum’s eat free! See our website and social media for more details). As I write this, space is very limited. We’re also soon to reveal our Easter Crafts events and activities for children, and we want to thank everyone who attended our February half-term ones. We love seeing all the creativity and smiles from those who attend! We also have a range of special discount vouchers for returning customers – be sure to ask for a voucher sheet on your next visit! One last thing … our competition for March will be launching soon. Don’t miss out on your chance to win a very special prize provided by a brilliant local business!

What are your plans for your garden this year? Drop in and let us know (we’re always up for a natter about a garden), or come and share photos on our facebook. We look forward to see you this spring!

Pog, the menace of the garden.

Image: Laura Hitchcock

The cats, the rats and the greenfly

It feels as though there is always something out to get you when you enjoy growing flowers or vegetables. And I find it very hard not to take it personally. Cats, as much as we love them, seem to be a very common culprits in so many gardens; they will insist on seeing a freshlycleared, newly-mulched flower bed as one giant litter tray. I’ll admit it does niggle me slightly, especially as we dog owners are held accountable for what their pooches produce when out and about and we as a matter of course clear up after them. If you do suffer from unwanted feline deposits, rose cuttings are your best secret weapon. Place them over your beds and it will hopefully help as a deterrent –holly leaves work well too. The prickles method may also deter squirrels from digging up your bulbs in pots; if they’ve sabotaged your pots before, just put the sharp cuttings on top of the pots. It’s not a great thing of beauty but it will save your bulbs being raided, and is only temporary.

Rattus norvegicus

Recently my tulips have been under attack by rats. This is

my first big crop of the year – I grow very different tulips from the ones that you can buy in the supermarkets. I choose varieties for their scent (yes, some tulips smell amazing), some for colour and some varieties can reach almost two foot tall, with heads larger than a can of coke. A vase of these is quite a statement! Anyway, the rats have eaten at least a couple of hundred I asked on the Flowers From The Farm Facebook members page if other growers had experienced the same problem and how they deal with it. Apparently the answer is dried chillies. Rats hate chillies! (this did ring bells for me – I remember reading somewhere that you should put chilli flakes in with your chicken food. Chickens can’t taste them) So, off I went to my local Asian supermarket and bought a large bag of red-hot dried chillis. I’ve sprinkled them all over my tulip beds and it does seem to have stopped the attacks for the time being. Fingers crossed. I have also read that mint tea bags make a good spray deterrent: brew a whole box, allow it to cool and put it in a spray bottle. Then just spray the area you want to protect. I haven’t tried

this method yet but it’s worth a thought when I’m desperate.

Greenfly

These can be taken care of with a washing up liquid solution in a spray bottle, as the little bugs don’t like the sticky soap residue. Alternatively encourage ladybird larvae, they can eat up to 5,000 aphids in their life time!

Other well-known natural remedies include used coffee grounds, baked crushed egg shell or sharp sand placed round plants that are prone to slug attacks. Saucers of beer can help also in your plants survival, and don’t forget that once most plants are big enough, they tend to be OK.

More attackers

My plants also suffer from deer attacks – they love roses! High fencing solves this problem but can be unsightly. Rabbits are an ongoing issue; they always seem to find a way in and I’m forever trying to find how they did it. One year pigeons ate all my hesperis (sweet rocket) – it’s part of the mustard family which includes broccoli and cabbages, so I learned my lesson and now cover it until the plants are big enough.

When the pests attack your cherished plants, it’s hard not to feel that it’s a personal vendetta, says flower farmer Charlotte Tombs

Not quite so discontented yet

The Windsor Framework isn’t just good news for businesses, says MP Simon Hoare. It shows a return to adult politics and better relationships

I am sure many of you are slightly weary of news, comment and discussion of the Northern Ireland Protocol. You will, I hope, forgive me for taking a keen interest in this matter. As chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee, it slightly goes with the territory. We have just had the announcement of the Windsor Framework – the updated and revised operational requirements of the Protocol. The changes which have been agreed are excellent news for the people and economy of Northern Ireland. They are also good news for those businesses across the UK, including here in North Dorset, who sell to Northern Ireland.

The side effects

However, there are some other benefits to this week’s announcements which I believe are worth highlighting.

The first is that it begins a new volume in the relationship of the UK and the EU. We have left the EU but too many people were picking at the scab that wanted to heal. Windsor cauterises the wound.

The UK remains an European country. Our nearest and largest trading market is Europe. The horrors of Ukraine have broadly united European countries not just in collective condemnation but collegiate actions. This, of itself, has served as a reminder of our shared principles and values. With this improved relationship, I think we can have legitimate expectations that we are in a better place with the French government and that a more collaborative approach to breaking the Channel people traffickers is in prospect. Membership of Horizon is also there for the taking – of strategic benefit to our strong and growing pharmaceutical, technological and scientific communities. This will help ‘Europe plc’ face into the powerful competition of Asia and the US. With that newly-forged relationship also lies the hope that it will be easier for musicians and artists to be able to perform across the EU without recourse to the current visa bureaucracy.

Bellicose, flippant, impatient cakeism

Now, we must not fall into the trap of believing that was inevitable. It wasn’t. It took the new type of politics of the government and the Prime Minister. Gone is the bellicose, flippant, impatient cakeism, to be replaced by the calm and the respectful. The magic ingredient in politics – as in so much else in life – is trust. No trust; no progress. Recent events have only been able to come about because mutual respect, politeness, seriousness of purpose, attention to detail and calm advocacy have been restored. Improved Anglo-Irish and Anglo-French relations were prerequisites for progress and Rishi Sunak and his ministers quickly saw these as pivotal actions upon which they have delivered. The dropping of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which rode a coach and horses through our international legal obligations, is another important step in restoring the UK’s reputation as being a country that keeps its words. That longstanding and hard-earned reputation is a vital foundation stone of the City of London and our place as a leading global financial centre which, of itself, contributes such a lot to the Treasury and the funding of our public services.

Manners maketh

Grown up politics

All of the above are placed within touching distance simply by resolving the Protocol issues.

Now, I supported Rishi Sunak from the get-go, so of course I could be accused of some bias. However I think even the most sceptical observer would have to admit that his seriousness of purpose, his politeness and his attention to detail can and will pay dividends for our country. As one of my American political friends said to me recently: ‘it’s so good to have the UK we all know, love and respect back in the room.’

Time to stop the hand wringing

The big issues of the week leading up to this month’s BV publication have been the Windsor Framework and the Cost of Living (neatly expressed in the price of gas and electricity).

As a Lib Dem, my instincts are to head for the common ground, find the right balance, seek fairness and a basis for sustainable future growth. Why? Well, mostly because I have seen and felt the effects of a lack of compromise and misplaced ideology. July 1972 saw me volunteering at a camp for “troubled kids” from Belfast. On our last evening, around a campfire we heard of the deaths and injuries of some of their friends from a wave of attacks on the streets of their city. Five years later found me in a flat in Madrid, 15 yards from where terrorists chose to put a bomb in the gateway to a government building. I remember thinking as I briefly sailed through the air towards the wall on the far side of my bedroom, “It’s the weekend, for crissake!” Neither event was justifiable,

not remotely justifiable. Both, though, were born of age-old repression and a lack of hope coupled with excess zeal and misplaced ideology. Woe betide the DUP if they prolong the current stand-off.

A pyrrhic victory

Sir Ed Davey’s call for further strong support for families and businesses in the face of continuing high gas and electricity prices is spot on. There will be those abstractminded mandarins in the Treasury who believe that the nation will soon adjust to a new normal – just as it has done with £10 for a pack of cigarettes, £5 for a pint and around £1.50/litre for petrol. We will all be praised for the environmentally sound principle of giving up non-essential energy use, when the truth is that using less is becoming the only way of affording what we need. The proliferation of pre-payment meters further drives a hand-tomouth existence for too many,

especially those on low and/or fixed incomes. The original price hike was the driver of inflation; time alone solves the inflation percentage even if prices stay high – a pyrrhic victory for Rishi if ever there was one. No, the government can and must act to resolve the way in which energy from fixed cost sources such as hydro, nuclear, wind and solar is only buyable at the same rate as that produced by fossil fuels, themselves price-hiked by Putin’s grotesque war of conquest. Remember, the typical US electricity price is about half what it is in the UK. The price in France is only a little more than the US price. So, less wringing of hands and bleating that you ‘can’t beat the market’, please. Let’s see some action, some fairness and less of a blight on opportunity.

Mike Chapman North Dorset

Lib Dems

I sailed through the air towards the wall

“It’s the weekend, for crissake!”

Attempting to tidy my overburdened desk recently, I discovered a copy of Ethical Consumer magazine. The cover picture showed a Lego family, standing on top of our planet, which was shaped like a piggy bank and stained with oil. The child was asking ‘Mum and Dad, are your savings messing up my future?’ Above, the headline was ‘Can your pension and investments help to fight climate change?’ The magazine was dated spring 2014, and the article on ethical banks scored Barclays the worst of all. In 2023, they are still bumping along the bottom, with an ethical score of TWO out of 20 points. I have now finally closed my long-held Barclays account. Better late than never.

(I chose Triodos instead – other ethical banks are available!)

My pension fund is ranked second best for ethics, but it still only scores 10 out of 20 points, so the pension industry clearly has a long way to go. An October 2021 report found that the UK pensions industry enables more CO2 emissions worldwide than all the UK’s carbon emissions put together. It’s why the Dorset Action group has been urging

The real power of the consumer Missions vs pledges in 2024

Over the past couple of months both the Tories and the Labour Party have started to set out their stalls for the next general election, which is likely to be some time in 2024. There are three key things that should be shouting out to voters about ‘Labour’s Five Missions’ versus ‘Sunak’s Five Pledges’.

First, ‘Sunak’s Pledges’ are characteristically focused on the short term between now and the next election. ‘Labour’s Missions’ unapologetically recognise that the chaotic mess the Tories have created over three electoral terms will take more than one term to fix.

Second, Labour is ambitious in its missions to become a ‘clean energy superpower’ by 2030 and secure the ‘highest sustained

Dorset Council to divest the millions their pension fund has invested in fossil fuels. Yes, pension funds must seek the best possible returns for their members, but as renewable sources of energy now make more economic sense than fossil fuels, it is obvious where the long-term smart money should go. And of course profit is not the only criteria. To quote Sir David Attenborough: ‘It is crazy that our banks and our pensions are investing in fossil fuels, when these are the very things that are jeopardising the future we are saving for’.

If you are a member of Dorset Council’s pension scheme, you can go to dtaction.co.uk to see how you can help persuade the council to change its investment strategy. Change has to come – and come soon. We consumers really do have the power to drive that change! From changing our lightbulbs to our bank accounts – whatever else we can change – we can help to create a future everyone can all enjoy.

Ken Huggins North Dorset Green Party

growth’ of any G7 country. In comparison, Sunak’s pledges lack any kind of ambition for the UK. His economic focus is narrowly configured around marginal gains in growth, maintaining rather than reducing the cost of living, and making small inroads into reducing the national debt. None of which helps ordinary people in North Dorset who are struggling on a daily basis with the cost of living, and leaves the UK on course to fall behind Poland in terms of growth per capita within the next ten years. Third, while both the Tories and Labour appear to acknowledge the need to improve the NHS, the remainder of their pledges and missions take on a distinctly

different feel. While Labour’s missions to reform the justice system and raise education standards point to long-term aspirations for a fairer and more equal society, Sunak’s focus is on continuing to ‘other’ people who arrive on our shores in boats seeking a better life for themselves and their families. While it is clear that Labour will also need to get to grips with the asylum crisis that endangers people seeking a better life, bedevils seaside economies dependent on tourism, and has been proven negligent in its care of unaccompanied children, Sunak’s focus on immigration is nothing less than a cynical appeal to the right of his crumbling and ill-disciplined party that reeks of desperation.

Pat Osborne North Dorset Labour Party

Still bumping along the bottom, with TWO out of 20

Reform the justice system and raise education standards

Letters to the Editor

Want to reply? Read something you feel needs commenting on? Our postbag is open! Please send emails to letters@theblackmorevale.co.uk. When writing, please include your full name and address; we will not print this, but do require it.

Second home owners

As I write this I note that Dorset Council has just voted through the additional levy on second home owners. Thank goodness. Second homes are the death by a thousand cuts for any small community. And it’s no good a holiday home owner suggesting that they contribute to the local economy - of course you do, but nowhere near as much as a family who work locally, attend school, shop, use the GP and pharmacy etc. It’s a nonsense argument. At the end of the day, if you can afford a second home, you can afford a little more tax on it to aid the community you are stripping of an asset.

(Terry’s interview with Cllr Peter Wharfe on the podcast was an excellent follow up to last month’s article, I urge others to go and listen to it.)

John Reid, Shaftesbury

Re. The original Blackmore Vale Magazine

I saw a mention in a recent article about being printed since 2020 and could only think you referred to your own tenure of the BVM.

In 1987 it was recommended to me by a local while I was searching for a place to live in North Dorset. It was packed with useful information and in fact lead to me finding a home. It provided details of employment, local events, Council activity and much much more over the years – I think it deserves a bit of a drum roll for a lengthy and informative history.

Suzanne Webb, by email

This question is raised frequently – you might like to read the article we wrote in November 2020 to clear the confusion. It may also interest you to know that we’re very proud to have the long-time editor of the original BVM Fanny Charles and equally-longserving Dorset journalist Gay Pirrie-Weir as sub-editors - Ed

Developers in Marnhull

The arrogance of developers and their agents is breathtaking. Despite approval in recent months for nearly 300 homes, Marnhull is once again having to resist a major planning application on a greenfield site. But the applications and supporting documents submitted are an insult to the intelligence of local people. Quite apart from the skewed arguments in favour of ‘sustainable development’ and ‘enhanced bio-diversity’, the casual incompetence of professional consultants beggars belief. Out-of-date plans and photos, inaccurate measurements and incorrect statements abound. It is evident that basic research has not been carried out and that no site visit has occurred.

On one recent application a consultant re-routed a public footpath through our garden and across the patio. You couldn’t make it up. Except they do, as a result of cynical, sloppy and unprofessional practice. It’s bad enough to impose unwanted, unnecessary and excessive expansion on the rural community with all the harm to the landscape and

environment that implies, but to do so with such incompetence adds insult to injury.

Stephen Boyce Marnhull

On the flood at Bourton

Further to Roger Guttridge’s The day the Dam burst (The BV, Feb23):

We live right next to the dam in question on the road to Gasper and I’m pleased to say that a) it looks very solid and b) there is a very effective run off system now. The lake is drained every year to manage the fish stocks. There is a plaque on the dam commemorating the events of that night.

Nick Allott, Facebook

For Barry and Pete

I just wanted to write and thank Barry Cuff and Pete Harcom for their gardening columns. I don’t even grow veg except a few tomatoes – but I never miss Barry’s column, much like I never miss Gardener’s World.

I enjoy the gentle, calm tone and the obvious experience and passion that comes through his words. Who knows, maybe I’ll plant some carrots this year, just to join in.

And Pete’s column always has a couple of jobs for me to get on with – despite not having a huge garden, I do love to keep on top if it. His timely reminders on a Friday always give me a task for the weekend ahead.

Could you thank them both for me, and tell them they are much appreciated?

Iris Bell, nr Blandford. (you just did so yourself – Ed)

Win tickets to this spring’s hottest shows at Lighthouse Poole

If music is your first love, read on … We’ve teamed up with our friends at Lighthouse Poole to offer The BV readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to one of the five top live music shows below! Just click the big green circle (bottom right) to enter on the website.

Frances Rossi: Tunes and Chat (2nd April)

The Status Quo legend takes up his acoustic guitar to showcase a selection of his well-known hits – and some previously notperformed-live tunes – as well as share a few tales from his 50+ years on the road.

(26nd April)

A 19-piece NYJO band is joined by classy vocalist Tommy Blaize to perform the unforgettable songs of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century, Ray Charles.

May)

With an awesome production, superb musicians and the world’s #1 Mick Jagger lookalike Paul Ashworth, The Rolling Stones Story is a high-energy concert celebrating the music of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band.

May)

A major star for four decades, Paul Young celebrates the 40th anniversary of No Parlez by releasing a remarkable new record and publishing his extraordinary memoir - both called Behind The Lens.

Anniversary

(22nd April) Barry Steele, honours the memory of The Big O who passed away 35 years ago, from his early hits to the music of The Traveling Wilburys. With special guest tribute to Buddy Holly.

Ray Charles: Tommy Blaize and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra

The Rolling Stones Story (12

Paul Young: Behind the Lens (3rd

The Roy Orbison Story: 85th

Tour

Need some Legal Advice?

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Whether you need advice on commercial or private matters, we’re here to help.

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This month’s news from the unofficial capital of the Blackmore Vale ...

SturAction celebrates with free parking in Stur on the 4th!

SturAction – Sturminster Newton Community Benefit Society Ltd. – was set up four years ago this month to help maintain Sturminster’s reputation as a great place to live, work and play. All profits generated by the six retail outlets run by SturAction are used to support the Town.

The charity is celebrating its fourth birthday by paying for a days free parking on 4th March! In the morning the monthly Car and Bike Enthusiasts Meeting will be in town, to provide interest for visitors. The car meet also comes under SturAction’s umbrella, as the organisation covers the events insurance for the town.

SturAction is also celebrating the donation of the former Lloyds Bank Building to the town in perpetuity. The building has been renamed The John Roman’s Building to honour the donor and it will continue to house The Emporium and Art Gallery, with Dapper Chaps on the ground floor, and meeting rooms and an office used by SturBiz on the first floor. The currently-derelict top floor will soon be turned into office space to help embryo businesses with a hot desking facility.

The success of 1855

SturAction runs a collection of pre-loved outlets: ladieswear in the pre-loved Boutique, a Dapper Chaps gentleman’s pre-loved boutique, The Emporium full of bric a brac and useful items, an art gallery and also a used furniture showroom. At the end of 2022, the newest business 1855 launched, allowing local makers and craftspeople to hire customer-facing space to market their

products. The profits from all of these businesses are spent on projects to benefit the town – it is hoped that more free parking Saturdays can be paid for through the year.

Cheryl Basten, shop manager for SturAction says, ‘This year we are completing the second phase of refurbishing the 1855 building. It’s a lot sooner than we had originally planned, as we already have a waiting list of local Artisans keen to hire an area. What an incredible four years! Three former banks back in use plus a boutique, with all profits being reinvested into the town.’

Other projects paid for by the SturAction funds include a defibrillator in the town centre, the town website sturminster-newton.org.uk, organising and underwriting events such as the synthetic ice rink last Christmas, putting up the town Christmas trees, more flowers in the town (in winter as well as summer!) and supporting Bib the Bike, which enables those with mobility issues to enjoy cycle rides in the countryside. It’s a long list of achievements that are only possible thanks to the group of shops.

Chairman of SturAction, Cllr Nick Dobson says. ‘our motto is the Joel Barker quote: “vision without action is merely a dream”. We have a fantastic team of staff and volunteers who routinely turn dreams into reality for the benefit of the town. We are also fortunate to have had tremendous support from John Romans, who is a local man, born and bred, and wants to assist the town.’

For the Christmas Shopping Weekend, SturAction funded the town’s first ice skating rink

Rutters and The BV triumph in a Pancake Showdown!

Laura Hitchcock reports in an entirely unbiased fashion on the 2023 annual pancake race in Sturminster Newton organised by SturAction

The day was Shrove Tuesday, which meant the great and the good of Sturminster Newton were assembled on The Rec for the annual pancake race. The going was good to soft as the team from Yewstock School bravely took the first turn on the track. Moderate chaos admittedly ensued as pancake flipping while running was discovered to be trickier than anticipated, but all completed the course in fine style (no fallers, though the same can’t be said for the pancakes). Excitement then shivered through the assembled crowd (there was an air of polite attention, anyway) as teams from Harts Of Stur, NFU Mutual Sturminster Newton, Friars Moor Veterinary Clinic, and a joint team of Rutters Solicitors and The BV magazine lined up for the adult relay. One pan, one pancake (heavily disguised as a tortilla – lighter and harder to control, there was much muttering at the start line) – and Local Rules meant flipping MUST occur as racers ran down the track. On the first leg a close-run, steadily moving pack flipped their pancakes with care. A calm

Ellie from Rutters moving in for the winning sprint, leaving Harts of Stur to take a close second

changeover meant there was little between the teams. A more competitive spirit entered with the second leg, and the race began to speed up, encouraging yells were heard, pancakes tossing with wild abandon.

We won’t have to run

A lead started to stretch, with Harts and The BV/Rutters teams battling for first place ... (it may have been muttered in the hearing of this reporter among the waiting racers on the start line ‘you promised me we wouldn’t have to run!’). The crowd jumped and cheered, ooh-ing in sympathy as pancakes inevitably missed their pan and

fell to the grass. On the final stretch the Harts and Rutters flippers were neck and neck, until with a final flourish of her wrist Ellie from Rutters flipped her pancake, stretched her legs and sailed over the line in first place, deftly catching her pancake she did so.

The crowd went wild (well, they clapped as enthusiastically as children let out of school for a fun afternoon are prone to do) as the excited BV/Rutters team punched the air and cheered each other from opposite ends of the relay track. Then things became a little more organised as the William Barnes Primary School children moved in for the actual school races. Possibly putting the grown ups to shame with their ability to line up, concentrate and run in a straight line ...

Huge thanks to Jacqui Wragg and SturAction for organising, to Harts of Stur for the pancake pans, to Yewstock School and William Barnes Primary School for allowing the grown ups to crash their pancake races, and to our fellow competing teams for making it far more fun than a pancake race has any right to be.

William Barnes primary children showing the grown ups how it should actually be done...

Monthly updates from the various North Dorset police teams. This month’s news comes from Sturminster Newton Town and North Dorset Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team

Scammers and garden thieves

There are simple things we can all do in the perennial battle against scammers and opportunistic garden thieves, says PCSO Mandy Robinson

Be aware that scams are always changing – but there are still some old ones going around, and they are all after the same thing – your money!

Please be on your guard. We have received reports recently of scam calls from the 01258 dialling code – do remember this does not necessarily mean that it is a local caller. Scammers can spoof the area code to encourage you to answer. Our general rule of thumb is that if you don’t know who is calling then don’t pick up!

You can protect yourself and your elderly or vulnerable relatives from becoming victims of scam callers by contacting the call provider and asking about call guardian or call blocker. You can also purchase phones with an integrated call blocker with answering service included at a reasonable cost.

Hang up on fraudsters and NEVER give out personal or bank details.

Crime prevention

Imagine going to your garden shed or outbuilding, finding it has been broken into and your garden tools and petrol mower have been stolen. There are some simple steps you can take to protect your property:

• Ensure that high-value power tools and equipment are tagged with a security marker. Do also photograph them and make a note of serial numbers – a simple job

with a smart phone.

• Secure valuable items to a strong anchor point using security cables/chains and robust padlocks – if you have nowhere else to store valuable equipment other than your shed, consider fitting a shed alarm, reinforce the hinges as well as locks and fit metal grills over the windows.

• Check your insurance cover too – does it include the contents of your shed/ outbuilding?

• Protect vulnerable areas of your garden by growing

Primary school traffic

The team has been in contact with the head of a local primary school after reports of vehicles speeding and parking in an unsocial manner during school drop-offs and pick-ups. During school run times, traffic can be hectic around all schools. If you drive to pick up your child, please be aware of your surroundings, drive slowly and park safely, with consideration.

• Remember to continue to report any concerns online at www.dorset.police.uk/Contact-Us Always use 999 in an emergency.

prickly plants, like berberis or pyracantha, close to boundary walls, fences and oil tanks.

One day’s neighbourhood patrol: Stour Provost, Stour Row, Fifehead Magdalen, Marnhull, West Stour, Kington Magna, Fifehead St Quintin, Woolland, Stoke Wake, Park Gate and Hazelbury Bryan – ending with a beautiful winter sunset!

Crossword Simply click to complete on your tablet, computer or phone - or there’s a download option if you prefer pen and paper.

Jigsaw

This month, for your puzzling pleasure, we have... one cow nose! Just click to complete! If you get stuck, there’s an icon at the top of the screen which reveals the completed picture for you to refresh your memory.

A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues. This month:

Can I leave my job as soon as I hand in my notice?

Q:“I’ve been offered, and accepted, a new job. The new company wants me to start as soon as possible but we’re really short-staffed where I am now and I don’t know how soon I’ll be allowed to leave. How should I bring all this up with my boss?”

A:It can feel awkward telling your employer you’re moving on but there are set processes in place and it is important to follow them.

The time between telling your employer you’ve found a new position and you actually leaving is known as your notice period.

If you’ve been in your current job for less than one month, you won’t have to give any notice period (unless your contract says otherwise). If it’s more than a month, you have to give at least one week’s notice. Check what your contract says to find out how much notice you’ll be expected to give.

If you don’t have a contract, and your employer has no written record of you agreeing to a notice period but you have been employed for more than a month you have to give at least one week’s notice.

If you have a long notice period (say, three months), you may wish to leave your job before your notice period is up: The only way to be free of the employment contract is to come to an agreement with your employer. It’s worth reassuring your employer that leaving early won’t cause them any problems – for example, agree to finish any urgent work. It can be worth reminding them that letting you leave early will mean they don’t have to pay you for as long. However, if your employer

doesn’t agree, but you want to leave early anyway, think about whether this would cost them money. For example, if they’d need to get expensive agency staff to replace you at short notice, they could take you to court. It may also have an impact on any references you might want in future.

Although it may be tempting to hand in your resignation as soon as possible, it’s worth waiting until your new employer has confirmed your new employment, for example by signing your contract or by giving you a start date. It’s then best to give your resignation in writing (email is fine), so that you have a record of the date you told your employer. You can find guidance on how to do this on the Citizens Advice website, where we have a page on handing in your notice

Fixed term contract

Fixed-term contracts are a bit different, as you won’t need to give notice if you intend to leave on the last day of your contract. Leaving before the end of a fixedterm contract usually means giving at least one week’s notice,

but again check your contract to see if this is different.

Paid what you’re owed

Don’t forget about your holiday days during your notice period. If you have any unused leave, speak to your employer about either taking these during the notice period or being paid back for them in your final paycheck. If you leave early, your employer still has to pay you for work you’ve done. If your employer refuses to pay, check what you’re owed and how to get it. Finally, sometimes people can change their mind about moving jobs or find their circumstances alter. If this happens to you, you should speak to your current employer to see what your options are and if you can stay in your current role.

Everyone’s situation is different, but if you face any challenges with an existing or potential employer, contact Citizens Advice for advice: 0800 144 8848 or visit our website pages about what to do when you’re leaving a job

Hipp!!Bones – the Gillingham youth club for young people with special needs

This month Maddie introduces us to the North Dorset youth club which is providing not just a social space but essential skills and qualifications too

Hipp!!Bones is a wonderful club in Gillingham for young people with disabilities and special needs aged 11 to 25 years old. It is a great place to socialise with friends outside school, become more independent, and develop new skills and interests.

The club runs every first and third Saturday from 10am to 12pm. On arrival, the staff members each have their own tables set up with a variety of different activities that the attendees will enjoy doing. Hipp!!Bones encourages young people to explore new activities and gain life skills through arts and crafts, cooking, and sporting pursuits. It also encourages them to join in group activities like the M&M game and parachute games. We really enjoy developing our football skills with Sherborne Town Youth Football Club, who visit regularly.

All activities are appropriately differentiated to meet each young persons needs.

Maddie at Hipp!!Bones

I have been at Hipp!!Bones for a few years and I became a young leader volunteer in September 2022 when I completed a young leadership course. I recently ran my first session on Mindfulness and Meditation. Hipp!!Bones also run occasional trips – swimming at Riversmeet leisure centre, going for a picnic in the park or bowling in Yeovil. One recent trip was to Weymouth & Portland

Sailing Academy, for kayaking, paddleboarding and going out on a speed boat. We always go to see a pantomime during the Christmas period!

I asked Jeni Green, Youth Service Worker (YSW) in Charge about the story of Hipp!!Bones: ‘Hipp!!Bones started way back in 2006. I have been YSW In Charge since 2011. In the early days Hipp!!Bones came under the auspices of Dorset Council, but has always been independently funded.

‘We are currently entirely dependent on fundraising and grants to survive.’

She continues ‘I find working

at Hipp!!Bones very rewarding. I have the pleasure of working with a skilled team of staff and volunteers who all play an important part in the running of the club.’

Hipp!!Bones is a great place to go if you want to make new friends, join in an activity and most importantly have fun.

Hipp!!Bones runs from Gillingham Youth & Community Centre, Cemetery Road, Gillingham from 10am to 12 noon on the first and third Saturday of the month

One of Maddie’s favourite moments with Hipp!!Bones was walking in the parade for the Queens Jubilee (Maddie is at the back waving her flag!)

Complex rules around gifting to charity could leave an unexpected tax bill

In 2022, almost 37,000 estates included a gift to charity. Gifting to charity is a well known strategy for minimising an Inheritance Tax bill, but recent case law shows the importance of getting your will professionally drawn up to ensure there are no nasty surprises for your loved ones. You may recently have read about Caroline Burke who thought that a will left by her aunt left money equally between charities and other beneficiaries. Unfortunately the will had not stated who should pay the inheritance tax. Silence on this point meant that the beneficiaries did not inherit equally – instead the inheritance tax came out of the shares which did not include the charities, meaning the charities received more than the others.

Gifts to charities are exempt from inheritance tax, so when an estate is divided equally between charities and non-charities, the entire inheritance tax comes out of the non-charities’ shares, unless the will specifically states otherwise. Many people leave money to charity and it is a nice way of doing good while reducing the tax

payable. However, without careful consideration it could result in the charities receiving more than intended. That is not to say don’t leave to charity; in some circumstances not only is the gift to charity inheritance tax free, but leaving some of your estate to charity can result in the tax on the rest of your estate being reduced from 40 per cent to 36 per cent.

If you are considering leaving money to charity in your will, it is important take legal advice. Trethowans can help with this, please call us on 0800 2800 421 or get in touch here.

Deepest Wiltshire books support important local charities with more than £30,000

Three Wiltshire charities have received a total of £11,000 –proceeds of the sale of Deepest Wiltshire, the second in the Deepest Books series by Gay Pirrie-Weir and Fanny Charles. Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the military charity SSAFA each received £5,000 and there was also a donation of £1,000 to the Salisbury Hospice. The book is a portrait of the county looking at its history, how and where people work and live, the army, food and farming, the arts and Salisbury Cathedral. These donations follow the £20,000 already given to Wiltshire Community Foundation for the Covid Recovery Fund, bringing the total so far raised by the book to £31,000.

The work being funded

The donation to SSAFA has come at a critical time, says Simon McNeill-Ritchie, the charity’s regional fundraising officer, ‘as we try to fund another casework support officer for Wiltshire. Each case we help, on average, costs about £250, so your contribution will help us to help 20 veterans and their families to turn their lives around.’

It costs £4 million a year to keep Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s lifesaving service operational –that is around £11,000 per day. The charity relies on donations to continue saving lives – like all air ambulance services it receives no regular direct government funding or Lottery grants.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance operates up to 19 hours a day, every day, says Cas Loudon, the senior community engagement and volunteer officer.

On average, it is called to three incidents a day in its helicopter and two critical care cars. In 2022 it undertook 1,061 missions. The air ambulance paramedics are trained in critical care skills and, together with the specialist medical equipment they use, they are able to provide gold standard medical care to patients. The service was further

improved in November 2021, when the number of pre-hospital consultant shifts was increased.

Every donation helps Alex Oram, community fundraiser for Salisbury Hospicecare Trust, says the funds from Deepest Wiltshire will be put to excellent use in helping Salisbury Hospice to provide the specialist palliative care that means so much to so many in our community. ‘Provision of this service is only made possible by the support we receive from generous local people. Every donation really does go a long way towards helping us plan for the future and of course to continue to support the vital work of the hospice and its community teams.’

One recent event – the collection of Christmas trees – raised more than £24,500, ‘which was fantastic and thanks to the huge support we receive from those in the community, and our wonderful team of volunteers,’ says Alex.

• Deepest Wiltshire is available to order from deepestbooks.co.uk or email

info@deepestbooks.co.uk

by Wayne Winstone,

I am writing this in February and it still feels cold enough to enjoy a good fire – and of course some good reading matter to keep us happy until the Spring thaw. I have selected two books this month, both are perfect distractions from the cold weather. Wayne

Teller of the Unexpected: The Life of Roald Dahl

Mathew Dennison (£20)

Given all the press coverage around sensitivity readers “improving the text” of the great children’s writer Roald Dahl I thought readers maybe curious about the man himself.

Roald Dahl was one of the world’s greatest storytellers. He conceived his vocation as one as intrepid as that of any explorer and, in his writing for children, he was able to tap into a child’s viewpoint throughout his life. He crafted tales that were exotic in scenario, frequently invested with a moral, and filled with vibrant characters that endure in public imagination to the present day. In this brand-new biography, Matthew Dennison re-evaluates the received narrative surrounding Dahl - that of school sporting hero, daredevil pilot, and wartime spy-turnedauthor - and examines surviving primary resources as well as Dahl’s extensive literary output to tell the story of a man who identified as a rule-breaker, an iconoclast and a romantic, both insider and outsider, hero and child’s friend.

Lessons in Chemistry by

Bonnie Garmus (£10)

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing.

But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Forced to resign, she reluctantly signs on as the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six. But her revolutionary approach to cooking, fuelled by scientific and rational commentary, grabs the attention of a nation. Soon, a legion of overlooked housewives find themselves daring to change the status quo. One molecule at a time

‘The most charming, life-enhancing novel I’ve read in ages. Strongly recommend’ India Knight

(I would also mention that it’s not actually about chemistry! This book was my absolute favourite read of 2022, I strongly recommend it too – Ed)

of Winstone’s book shop in Sherborne

Wonders for a nature-loving brain

BV readers have long been fans of our wildife writer Jane Adams, and the power of her words. Her column is a favourite of many as she gently shows us the secrets, beauty (and humour) held within the Dorset landscape, always encouraging us to see something new in its wild inhabitants. This month sees the launch of her first book, published in association with the National Trust. As if taking us with her on one of her walks, Jane wanders gently through the year, her evocative writing sitting alongside her beautiful photography. No sooner are you trying to recall what an oak apple gall* looks like than, there is a handy picture. *... used in the production of iron gall ink. This water-resistant and permanent ink was used by Leonardo da Vinci and the scholars of the Dead Sea scrolls.

A small problem

I’ll be honest, there is one issue with this book. It is impossible just to flick through it. I expected a rather obvious walk through the seasons (“spring wanders from south to north at a leisurely pace of one to two kilometres an hour”), filled with things that I, as a keen walker and nature lover, already knew. Instead I’m still here, half an hour later, enjoying cockchafer names (kittywitch, billywitch, mitchamador, snartlegog, humbur, bummer...) and the fact that “in 1320, exasperated with the damage cockchafers were causing, a court ordered the insects to be exiled to an area of cordoned-off woodland. Unsurprisingly, the beetles didn’t comply.”

Jane’s book is so much more than seasonal saunters. It’s a reminder to pay attention to the very smallest of details. In an always-busy modern world, it is a pause, a way to feel those ever-

more important connections to nature, no matter where we are, no matter how small they may be “... experiencing them reminds us nature isn’t something separate or out of reach. It’s here, now, entwined throughout our lives. Sometimes, though, we forget ... we can become engrossed in, and exhausted by, the modern world and the pressures that come with it. We forget to go in search of shooting stars in the winter skies, or listen for the garden robin’s serenade whilst putting out the bins.”

After one read, this book is a firm favourite I will return to again and again. I will give it to others. It’s such a wonderful celebration

of so many small, apparently insignificant facets of our English countryside, and it is packed with constant nuggets of delight.

“In October and November, jays begin to hide acorns. Not just a few beakfuls, but thousands upon thousands –each jay stuffing as many as 5,000 acorns into holes they have dug in the ground.”

They constantly make me want to go and tell someone.

So here I am.

Nature’s Wonders (£15) is available locally at Winstone’s in Sherborne, Folde in Shaftesbury, Gullivers in Wimborne, Little Toller in Beaminster, plus all good online bookshops.

Bongos and cow bells at Whitesheet Primary

On Thursdays we are very lucky to have Mr Morgan, a specialist music teacher, come and visit us here at Whitesheet Primary for enrichment. On the first Thursday, we learnt about different types of beats and counts. We decided whether we wanted to stamp, clap, click our fingers or whistle to the beat. After a lot of practice trying to hit the right beat, we created a rhythm with all of us playing something. We accompanied the chorus of Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran (most of us enjoyed the song but we all enjoyed our percussion section!). On his next visit, Mr Morgan introduced instruments like bongos, shakers, tambourines and cow bells. We really enjoyed playing the different instruments even though it sometimes became very noisy! We were taught about different musical notes and we read the music to play the rhythms together. We are looking forward to what we will learn next.

By Hollie and Rene aged 10

Local children compete in Sherborne cross-country

In February more than a hundred children from seven local schools – Thornford, St Andrew’s Yetminster, Sherborne Primary, Sherborne Abbey Primary, Buckland Newton, All Saints, and Trent Young’s – competed in the Sherborne area cross-country competition.

Hosted by The Gryphon School, high school student sport leaders supported the primary pupils and ensured the highly competitive event ran smoothly. The results were:

Girls Team:

1st: Sherborne Abbey Primary

2nd: Joint - Thornford Primary and All Saints

Primary

3rd: Buckland Newton Primary

Girls Individual:

1st: Phoebe (Sherborne Abbey)

2nd: Lydia (Trent Young’s)

3rd: Tilly (Sherborne Primary)

Boys Team:

1st: Sherborne Primary

2nd: Trent Young’s

3rd: Thornford Primary

Boys Individual:

1st: Lenny (Thornford)

2nd: Archie (Buckland Newton)

3rd: William (Sherborne Primary)

Neela Brooking, Headteacher of Thornford Primary School, who organised the event said ‘Congratulations to all the children who took part and a big thank you to The Gryphon PE department and the student helpers for supporting the event. The children are already looking forward to the next competition!’

Sherborne Abbey team

Buckland Newton pupils

Sherborne Primary boys

Tag Rugby in Dorchester

Schools in Dorchester (DASP) attended a Year 3 and Year 4 Tag Rugby festival at Dorchester rugby club. The event was organised in collaboration between Mr Perry (Cheselbourne Village School), Stu Gallagher (Rippa Rugby) and Tom Bamlet (Dorchester RFC).

Over 200 children attended the amazing event, which included learning the skills and rules of

the game and then taking part in organised matches between schools. Children left with smiles on their faces, and schools received medals and rugby balls. The event was supported by sports leaders of Thomas Hardye School and Puddletown RFC. We hope to see the egg-shaped ball in the playground in the near future! The plan is for this to be an annual event.

William Barnes Awarded the International School Award

The staff and governors at William Barnes Primary school in Sturminster Newton were proud to receive the Foundation level of the British Council’s prestigious International Award in recognition of its work to ‘bring the world into the classroom’. The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for today’s world.

William Barnes’ international work includes embedding aspects of Global Learning and Citizenship into our everyday classroom teaching and having a whole school focus on three of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals – Good Health and Well Being, Responsible Consumption and Production and Life on Land, leading to a number of projects that are currently running in school. In the last two years, some of the highlights of our Global Learning have been:

• Year 6 Malala Day – the children are inspired by Nobel prize winning educational activist from Pakistan and raise money to support her foundation.

• Year 5 children learn about the impact of tourism and global warming on the small Himalayan region of Ladakh in Northern India and its fragile

environment.

• Year 4 Plogging – picking up litter around the school environment while raising fitness levels, learning about the impact of litter on local, national and global environments and learning about how the problem is being tackled.

• Connecting with an international school through the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms scheme, originally with a school in Nepal.

• Reducing single use plastic waste in school using the Terracycle scheme, changing from plastic straws for school milk and reducing laminated plastic being used in school.

Safer Internet Day at Charlton Horethorne Primary School

Pupils from Charlton Horethorne Primary have been busy this week with a variety of activities for Safer Internet Day. The children produced a video which was chosen from hundreds of entries across the country to be featured in Childnet’s live broadcast from BT Tower! You can watch it online here

The children opened their own ‘internet cafe’ for the day, to talk about the importance of online safety and what to do if they encounter a problem online. They also made some fantastic internet themed cakes!

Roman through to Medieval Stalbridge

After a year of planning, research and illustrating, the pupils at Stalbridge CofE Primary School were thrilled to receive the first local history boards from Tony and Lesley Woods.

Portraying local history from Roman Times, the boards offer a time-line of Stalbridge history to really bring the past to life! This has been a community project with Stalbridge Archive Society working with material from Irene Jones and sponsorship from Dikes supermarket that enabled the boards to be printed.

The school council receiving the boards were fascinated by how the name Stalbridge has changed over time.

Stargazing in Yetminster

Local children were invited to a stargazing event at St Andrew’s Primary in Yetminster in February, with the opportunity to try out large professional telescopes as well as take part in fun spacerelated activities!

The children learnt about different constellations and how to use star maps, while enjoying hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows in the firepit. The event raised nearly £600

for the school. Teacher Graham Simpson said ‘The stargazing was a lovely event, enjoyed not only by the pupils and parents of St Andrew’s Primary School, but the whole community. The school field was beautifully illuminated, and it was a magical evening –even if the stars were playing hide and seek! Our thanks go to our hard-working PTFA and the staff at Lower Covey Nursery for organising it’.

Food poverty and youth mental health

With a growing need for food banks, what effect does food poverty have on a family’s youngest members, asks Dorset Mind’s Marie Glen.

For the past six months, I have volunteered at a local community fridge. I have seen an increasing number of families with children asking for support. Working a session on Christmas Eve, it particularly struck me how normalised this way of life had become for many families. Between 1st April and 31st March 2022, the Trussell Trust’s UK network distributed 2.1 million food parcels to people in crisis – a 14 per cent increase on the previous year – and 832,000 of these went to children.

Poverty and young people

I began to consider the impact this situation may be having on the wellbeing of those children. Living in a safe, warm and secure home, with enough food to eat, is fundamental to providing a physically and mentally healthy childhood. Sadly, for many, this simple basis has become increasingly challenging. BBC Children in Need recently reported that 30 per cent of children in the UK worry about their families having enough money to live.

I spoke to a 14-year-old who comes weekly to the community fridge. She told me: ‘My mum fell on hard times about two years ago and we have been relying on the food bank ever since. At first, I was ashamed and found it difficult. People at school bullied me for being poor. I was also anxious about Mum. But now it is just normal, and I’m grateful for the help we receive.’

Wondering about the longterm effects, I spoke to an adult who had experienced poverty as a child: ‘I remember feeling worried. I knew that something was wrong because my parents

were stressed and arguing a lot. I wanted to help but didn’t know how to. That feeling of helplessness never leaves you.’ The UK is facing a worrying escalation in children living in poverty. The associated mental health issues affect their education, social development, self-esteem and their ability to thrive. It may well continue to affect them into adulthood. It is vital we maintain connections with struggling young people and continue to promote good selfcare and resilience.

Supporting young people

Dorset Mind and Dorset’s foodbanks are filled with passionate volunteers who support the delivery of vital services across Dorset. If you would like to help, I would encourage you to consider volunteering.

It’s not an entirely selfless act –being part of local organisations has been excellent for my own wellbeing and enabled me to connect and support people of different ages and backgrounds.

In 2022, Dorset Mind’s Children & Young People Service reached a

total of 2,661 children and young people in schools, online and in their local communities.

Keep

talking and connecting

We need to think seriously about the long-term impact of the current cost of living crisis and the effect it will have on the mental wellbeing and resilience of our future generations. Dorset Mind hopes that, through working as a community, we can better support young people.

Find local support

• Local food banks in Dorset: helpandkindness.co.uk.

• For support with debt and money advice call CAB on 0800 328 0006, or visit their website.

• Samaritans provide a listening service through their phone line which operates 24hours a day, 365 days a year. You can talk through your concerns and troubles. Contact Samaritans on 116 123.

• Dorset Mind wellbeing and mental health support: dorsetmind.uk

Karen

Cholesterol – a good guy or a bad guy?

How can nutrition and lifestyle support good cardiovascular health?

Nutritional therapist Karen Geary takes a look at the evidence

The impact of cholesterol is a controversial topic in the world of medicine. Earlier this month I had a number of questions from clients about whether or not they should consider a statin and join the eight million other people in the UK who take them. I have read a number of papers on cholesterol over the years, often conflicting in nature, which means that today at least, there is not a clear-cut answer.

I’m a nutritionist who supports pharmaceuticals only where they are necessary and life changing, but generally my approach is first to adopt preventative strategies based on nutrition and lifestyle, as my aim is to help people lead healthier lives. However the topic of cholesterol transportation in the body is pretty complicated – we need cholesterol to build cell walls, make hormones, help make vitamin D, produce bile acids and more. And then there is the research that hypothesises that people with high cholesterol live longer. Who is right?

Statins for millions more people?

Widespread statin therapy is financially beneficial for the NHS, as the cost of providing

statins to a large population is relatively small. But so are the protective effects. This is called the ‘number needed to treat’ which is currently four. What that means is that if 1,000 people with a 10% chance of heart attack or stroke within a decade are put on statins, around four cases may be prevented. Good news for the four who needed it, but there are 996 who probably didn’t need it.

Your own preventative strategy

Regardless of whether you choose statin therapy, in my experience you can make a sizeable change to your cholesterol readings within three to six months with a little self-help and dedication:

• Movement. Consistent exercise can really move the needle on cholesterol numbers. It’s not about hitting the gym, either – increasing the length of the daily walk and walking more briskly is often enough. Put some effort into it so you become a little breathless each day.

• Weight loss. While it is true that slim people may also have cholesterol numbers

that cause concern, if you are overweight, chances are that you can materially influence your data without having to resort to statin therapy if you shed some kilos. You will also reduce your diabetes and stroke risk too.

• Nutrition. One misconception about ‘abnormal’ cholesterol is that saturated fat is to blame. This is not totally the case; it’s primarily sugar and high Glycaemic Index carbs. Reduce sugar and your triglyceride numbers go down, thus reducing your risk level. Too many carbs and alcohol raise triglycerides. It is true that if you follow a strict ketogenic diet, it can temporarily raise both HDL and LDL cholesterol, but there is no evidence that this may be harmful.

• Choose ‘good’ foods. Many foods may be supportive of ‘good’ cholesterol function, for example dark leafy green vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, oats, green tea, ginger, beetroot, dark chocolate, oily fish (omega 3), olive oil (and olives) and avocado. Stick to low-sugar fruits such as berries and apples. No juices! Purple foods (for the polyphenols) are your friends. Avoid inflammatory fats like sunflower or ‘vegetable’ oils, which are high in omega 6 and highly processed. Try to eat a diet which contains minimally processed foods (i.e.. the picture on the right!).

• Supplementation. There are certain vitamins, minerals and probiotics that may support the management of cholesterol as well as supporting any nutrient deficiencies which may have been created by statin therapy. These are very individual in nature –they require personalised advice depending upon your own health goals, medical conditions and also any pharmaceutical contraindications.

If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, don’t be afraid to ask your GP detailed questions about your data and your risk level. In the meantime, if you would like to better understand how to interpret your own cholesterol panel (in conjunction with something called your QRISK score), the importance of HDL/ triglyceride ratio, the different types of LDL and other measures of cardiovascular health, such as ApoB and homocysteine, you can read a longer version of this article on my website.

Marching on to spring’s drum

With a nod to the daffodil-loving William Wordsworth, the delights of a Dorset spring are on their way, with clumps of voluptuous daffodils and pretty primmies adorning the banks, gardens, and hedgerows. As the days get warmer, the scribble of winter trees take on a lush verdant hue as leaves and foliage start to pop into bud. It’s a feast for the eyes, but we’re all about making sure your taste buds are ready for a new crop of seasonal products and ingredients to enjoy!

From spring lamb and purple sprouting broccoli to leeks, beetroot, rhubarb, and tasty spring greens. Oysters, mussels, scallops, lobster and Haddock our producers, farmers, growers, and local fishing fleet won’t let you down.

Buy it fresh

If meat is up your street and you want yours produced sustainably and in harmony with nature, then the Jurassic Coast Farm Shop has some great offers and can deliver to your doorstep. Ditto The Dorset Meat Company who offer a combination of unbeatable grass-fed beef and lamb, outdoorreared pork, and free-range chicken.

If fish or shellfish is your dish, however, buy direct from your fishmonger. They have the best knowledge and produce and will even tell you where it came from, how it was caught, and which boat landed it! If you’re worried about the preparation, you can always ask your fishmonger to do it for you.

Saints, pies, mothers and chocolate

With quite a few national days popping up in March, there are plenty of ways to use all that seasonal goodness, and with the Easter bunny fast approaching, there are even more sweet treats to look forward to.

Dorset vittles are a must at any time of the year, so if you’re planning to dine out, this little list might help you decide where.

If you celebrate St.David’s Day on the 1st of March try this vegetarian leek, pesto, and squash pie. Sticking with the pie theme, it’s British Pie Week on the 7th -13th March, and we’ve got a few tasty recipe ideas for you. And don’t forget to make Mothers’ day on the 19th of March with these Dorset gift ideas!

It’s March, spring is in the air, and Caz Richards of Dorset Food & Drink is thinking about mums, chocolate ... and leeks.

Spotlight on Spain

This month, expert Hannah Wilkins is looking straight at you Rioja-lovers – and tackling the popular misconceptions that surround the iconic wine

This year, I firmly believe, will be a big year for Spanish wine. Both reds and whites are simply going to shine. Why? The wines from Spain are so versatile and they partner beautifully with food, so they are a great choice for get-togethers, but are equally enjoyable in front of the TV with a handful of nibbles. Most people have tried a Rioja or two, but despite the fame and quality of wines from this iconic region, there are still so many common misconceptions. The first is that it is a designated wine-producing region in Northern Spain not a grape variety. Up second in the nottrue race is the idea that Riojas are only red. Sometimes a customer will look at us in a strange way when they ask for a Rioja and we clarify whether they are looking for a red or white; white Rioja exists, and it brings a lot of flavour to the white wine drinking party. The final most popular misconception we encounter, although there are certainly more, is that all Rioja is bursting with oak ageing notes of vanilla and winter spice – true, many do, but as with any wine, the winemaking techniques applied after harvest really do vary – and

therefore so does the wine! What’s rather cool about Rioja wine ageing is that there is a specific classification system, unique to this style of wine. It ranges from no oak ageing for ‘Joven’ Riojas to Gran Reservas that require a minimum of five years (with at least two in barrels and two in a bottle). Why is this great?

Because it means there’s lots to explore beyond the grape variety! But there’s so much more to Spain than this one iconic region – as delicious as it may be!

Let them drink grapes

It’s perhaps best to take the approach of trying grapes over regions. So, let’s start with whites; there are so many native and borrowed grape varieties used in Spain, but the main ones are Viura, Malvasia, Verdejo, Airen (Spain’s most widely planted grape of any colour), Albarino, Godello, Chardonnay etc., which all bring a difference to the wine. For example, Albarinos are grown mostly in the Rias Baixas region in the

Northwest, close to the Atlantic, so they take on a saltier/saline character – great with fish and seafood dishes or Greek salads that need something refreshing to cut through. When it comes to red grapes, you have your indigenous grapes like Bobal, Garnacha (you may know it as Grenache), Mazuelo, Carinena (also known as Carignan), Mencia, Monastrell (sometimes Mourvedre or Mataro), Tempranillo etc. Depending on the grape chosen, the mouthfeel and weight in the glass can vary considerably. Bobal for example gives you a fuller style with lots of jammy fruit, whereas a Monastrell gives you a hedgerow fruit character with subtle spices.

As ever, there are many factors that contribute to a wine; the climate, the terroir, the aspect; the winemaking, the ever-changing conditions and decisions made by the winery –it’s what makes it exciting. We’ve got some cracking examples of Spanish wine at Vineyards right now – pop in and we’ll help you start exploring. Cheers! Hannah

Up second in the not-true race is the idea that Riojas are only red

Spain’s famous La Rioja region

‘Awards night was a joy’

Simply celebrating local producers was

The 9th February finally arrived, and we were able to reveal all the winners, the runner-ups and highly commended, share the judges comments and just have a joyous get-together with all the lovely small independent businesses that make Dorset great. As I said in my speech, I know that entering awards is easy to put off. It is hard putting pen to paper and giving up time in your busy working days. Sadly, all too often I hear people say ‘I don’t think we’re good enough’ too. But it is important that businesses get recognition for what they are doing – no brand succeeds while they’re the ‘best kept secret’ in Dorset! The standard of all the 2022 Love Local Trust Local (LLTL) awards entries was outstanding. The innovation, diversification, conservation and business growth were some of the most inspiring stories in the most challenging times we have ever lived through. With little support from our government, we need to continue to work together and support each other.

What a party!

More than 100 people came to the awards ceremony at Kingston Maurward and it was entirely due to them that the evening was so wonderful. The splendid surroundings really set the scene for the celebration of the LLTL 2022 Awards. Loose Moose Catering put on a terrific meal, followed by a wonderful cheese board supplied by the awardwinning The Book and Bucket Cheese Company and Open Air Dairy, along with milk, butter and cream from Meggy Moo’s Dairy. The Kingston Maurward floristry department did the most beautiful flower displays;

on the steps as you came into the great hall as well as on the tables in the dining area, they certainly set the scene. A big thank you to all the sponsors, too – nearly everyone was there to celebrate the achievements, give out the awards and say a few words about our worthy winners and runner-ups. Our sponsors don’t just support the awards financially – they give up their time to go and visit each entry, to learn all about their business and what they are achieving. It was a joy to see our Dorset businesses getting recognition and Love Local Trust Local will keep working tirelessly to spread their stories.

We are a not-for-profit organisation so if you would like to help us and get involved please contact us on 07831 184920. The next LLTL awards will open in March 2024.

The winners of the Love Local Trust Local Awards 2022!

Bakery Winner - The Little House

Runner up - Dorset Artisan Macarons

Dairy

Cheese - The Book And Bucket Cheese Company

Dairy - Eweleaze Dairy

Dorset Drinks

Winner - Little Waddon Vineyard

Runner up - Dorsetshine Distillery

Honey

Winner - Honey by Ian & Co.

Runner up - Tarrant Valley Honey

Meat

Winner - Dirtydogdorset

Runner up - Enford farm shop

Farm Shop

Winner - Steeptonbill Farm Shop

Runner up - Washingpool Farm

Hospitality

Winner - Restaurant Les Enfants Terribles

Runner up - Black Cat Catering

Business Growth & Development

Winner - The Book And Bucket Cheese Company

Runner up - Dorsetshine Distillery

Conservation & Environment

Sustainability

Winner - Purbeck Ice Cream

Runner up - Meggy Moo’s Dairy

Innovation & Diversification

Winner - Boil and Broth

Runner up - Sweet Healing Chocolates

wonderful, says LLTL founder Barbara Cossins

All images: Andrew Plant Photography

Meet your local – Namaste Gurkha

Inside one of the oldest properties in Blandford you will discover an authentic taste of the Himalayas, Rachael Rowe reports.

Prayer flags flutter as I open the door to Namaste Gurkha on a cold wintry day. The building is one of the oldest in Blandford Forum – dating from before the Great Fire of 1731, it is one of the few houses that survived. Gurkha regimental badges and panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks decorate the historic timbers and brickwork, bringing Nepalese culture and hospitality to North Dorset. Namaste Gurkha’s owner Bhuwan Thapa told me: ’The business has been in Blandford for 14 years, but I bought it in 2020 two weeks before the first lockdown. It was a difficult beginning as we could only do takeaways!

‘Before that I was in Tidworth, and before that I was in Newcastle working as a chef. I was actually involved with Latin American cuisine then. ‘This is my first restaurant business and I’m quite new to Blandford. Like most small business owners, I do everything – I run the business but also help in the kitchen, and today I’m doing some of the deliveries for the takeaways too.’

Deceptively spacious

From the street the restaurant looks very small, but in fact has more space than first appears.

‘We have 42 covers with larger tables upstairs.’

The restaurant serves traditional Himalayan cuisine – Nepalesestyle daal, traditional sukuti (spiced dried meat) and Gurkha thali (a mixed platter), momo (steamed dumplings) and grilled meat.

Nepal is famous for the Gurkhas – soldiers native to the Indian subcontinent but chiefly from the mountainous Himalayan country. For the past 200 years

they have been recruited into the British Army. Gurkhas are known to be as fearless in combat as they are good natured. Bhuwan explains the connection between the restaurant and the regiments. ‘My dad is a Gurkha. And of course we have a lot of people coming from Blandford Camp, where there are Gurkhas. We’re very popular with the Camp!’ Staff member Riya was working as front of house when I visited and is also from Blandford Camp, where her father is a Gurkha. The restaurant feels like an integral part of the Blandford community.

All images: Rachael Rowe

Everyone loves the momos

How many are in the team?

Jaidee, another team member said: ‘We have six front of house staff, four in the back kitchen area, and three delivery drivers.’

The most popular dish?

‘The momos. Everyone loves momos!’ says Bhuwan. Momos are famous in Nepal – a traditional steamed dumpling filled with minced meat or vegetables with spices, and dipped in a hot tomato chutney. Jaidee and Riya both recommended a couple of dishes. ‘Everest Khasi is a really spicy dish and people also really like the sizzlers.’

(Purely in the interests of research, on behalf of the BV Magazine readership I tasted the momos at Namaste Gurkha and can honestly say they were delicious. The dumplings are handmade, and very filling. They instantly brought back memories of my days trekking in the Himalayas.)

Tell me about your suppliers?

‘We shop locally where possible: our meat is from Mato (the Blandford butcher), and our vegetables are fresh and locally purchased too.’ I also noticed Gurkha, Tiger and Cobra beers from Nepal and India.

Your biggest challenge?

‘Starting up in the lockdown! It was very difficult as we could only do takeaways, it’s a small kitchen and we got really busy.’

What are you most proud of?

‘The food! And also our strong connections with the Camp, we do obviously get a lot of customers from there. I also own Solti Grocery in the town.’ If you haven’t visited it before, the Solti Grocery store is on East Street, and a visit is recommended to try some of the Nepalese foods.

It’s packed with interesting produce, and the staff are very welcoming. My personal tip - the bags of spices are great value.

So what’s next?

‘We are always looking at the menu, how we might change it. There’s always something to do.’

namastegurkha.co.uk (order online for takeaway) 11 East Street, Blandford Forum. Opens Tuesday to Sunday 5pm to 11pm.

Some of the Namaste Gurkha team: (from left) Jaidee, Bhuwan Thapa, Riya

Sizzling meat grills fill the restaurant with their sound and smell

The Gurkha thali is typically eaten in households all over Nepal as a hearty dinner. Served with vegetables, daal, rice, naan, pickle and a dessert of gulab jamun with yoghurt - an absolute must-try in the restaurant

A perfect bake for Mother’s Day?

I was reminded of this cake the other day and how many people liked it. It’s wonderfully simple to make but looks brilliantly decadent and tastes amazing! I love to drizzle extra salted caramel across the top; you can find a locally-made (and Great Taste Award winning) Salted Caramel Sauce by A Jar Of – there is also a vegan version if you are dairy sensitive. Heather x

Salted Caramel Cake

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 8oz/225g dark brown sugar

• 8oz/225g butter

• 4 eggs

• 8 oz/225g self-raising flour

Method

For the icing:

• 6oz/170g icing sugar

• 3oz/85g butter

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 jar salted caramel sauce

1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas 5/160º fan. Grease and line two 8” diameter cake tins.

2. In a stand mixer (or large bowl), beat together the dark, soft brown sugar and butter until the mixture becomes slightly pale and fluffy. Add the eggs into the mixture one at a time, beating well between each addition.

3. Gently add in the flour and stir to combine.

4. Tip the mixture evenly between the two cake pans and smooth out the tops so they are flat. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cakes are springy to the touch in the centre and are just beginning to pull away from the edges of the pan. Most ovens cook slightly unevenly so you may need to check the cakes after 20 minutes and rotate in the oven to ensure an even bake.

5. Leave the cakes to cool completely. Once the cakes are cold, remove them from the tins.

6. To make the icing, beat together the icing sugar, butter, salt and half of the caramel sauce, gently at first until combined, and then beat well for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is soft and fluffy. If the mixture is too stiff, add a little milk to loosen and beat well. Add a little more icing sugar if it is too runny.

7. To put the cake together, place one sponge on a cake plate and spoon half of the buttercream over the sponge and smooth out. Then place the second cake on top and repeat with the remaining icing. Drizzle the remaining salted caramel sauce abundantly across the top of the cake, letting it dribble down the sides.

Heathers notes:

• I have sometimes added 200g chocolate chunks with the flour for an even more decadent bake

• You can also make your own salted caramel sauce – see recipe here

Heather Brown is a food writer, photographer and stylist. A committee Member of The Guild of Food Writers, Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, championing Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working one-to-one with clients.

All images: Heather Brown

A breakthrough at long last

Finally, there is light at the end of the Brexit tunnel. A deal over Northern Ireland has been a long time coming.

Clearly, the Windsor Framework is a welcome breakthrough –although it will, of course, be subject to considerable scrutiny and debate. Yet it does offer hope that we can at last move on. Businesses in Dorset have shown admirable resilience during the economic turbulence of the past few years, whether that has been due to Brexit, the COVID pandemic or inflation and the energy costs crisis. However, it is undoubtable that international trade has suffered since Brexit. I hope this new deal will go some way towards stabilising and improving the current strained relations between the UK and the EU. If it succeeds, we have the opportunity to move to a new phase of co-operation on trade, regulation, climate, migration and supply chain issues. It could help cut costs, remove red tape and ease trade friction. The deal must also act a starting shot for the government to sign more trade deals worldwide,

in order to give businesses the confidence to export.

Do remember that Dorset Chamber is on hand to support all businesses on their international trade journey whether new, established or seeking to re-enter markets.

Our team can help with documentation and certification, advice and training. There are many success stories of international trading in Dorset –most businesses see an increase in sales within 12 months of expanding into new markets.

I hope the Windsor Framework paves the way for more ‘made in Dorset’ labels worldwide. It’s mind boggling to think that this June will mark the seventh anniversary of the Brexit referendum of 2016. There have been many obstacles and false starts along the way – let’s hope the light at the end of the tunnel is a bright new dawn for all of us.

Apprenticeship awards

Don’t forget that the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards, working with the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network and sponsored by Superior Seals, are

open for entry until 17th March. They are free to enter and open to all people in Dorset that are either on an apprenticeship programme now or have completed their apprenticeship in the last 12 months. The awards celebrate the hugely important contribution that apprentices well as the personal achievements of apprentices and the impact of the apprenticeship programme on lives. Each finalist, along with three guests, will be invited to an awards celebration lunch on 16th May at Superior Seals Training Academy and will be presented with their trophy by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset on behalf of His Majesty. Each winner will also be profiled in the Dorset Business Focus magazine. Entry is via the Dorset Chamber website.

If you are on or have completed an apprenticeship in the last 12 months or employ apprentices in your business, I’d really recommend entering these awards.

The news on the Windsor Framework this week as been a long awaited boost to the business community, says Dorset Chamber’s Ian Girling

Leading law firm supports Dorset Business Festival

Dorset Business Festival, the first of its kind in Dorset Chamber’s history, has partnered with Lester Aldridge, a leading law firm, as the lead partner.

Dorset Chamber has revealed its partnership with leading law firm Lester Aldridge as more information about a major business festival is revealed. The Dorset Business Festival, which is the first event of its kind in the chamber’s 74-year history, will be held from 10th to 12th October. The three-day event is expected to attract delegates from across the region and will feature a conference, expo and the eagerly anticipated return of the Dorset Business Awards.

Lester Aldridge has committed as the lead partner for the summit.

Ian Girling, CEO of Dorset Chamber, said, ‘We are delighted to have Lester Aldridge as our lead partner for the Dorset Business Festival. As a longstanding supporter of the chamber and a leading local business, they are the ideal partner for this event, which will showcase the success of the region’s businesses and consider the major challenges that they face today. We are confident that it will be a fantastic showcase for Dorset’s business community.’

Lester Aldridge, a full-service law firm headquartered in Bournemouth with offices in Southampton and London, is a Premier Partner of Dorset

Chamber and the first business to commit to the festival, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth town centre. Grant Esterhuizen, Partner at Lester Aldridge, said, ‘We are excited to be a part of the Dorset Business Festival. It will provide a tremendous opportunity to bring the business community together after the turbulence of recent times, and we hope that many other Dorset businesses, organisations and individuals will also participate.’

Additional details about the Dorset Business Festival have been revealed. On 10th October, a conference will be hosted

by presenter and former BBC Breakfast business correspondent Declan Curry. It will feature a keynote speaker and expert panel discussions, with topics likely to include technology and the environmental, social and governance agenda. There will also be networking opportunities. On 11th October the expo will feature stands, presentations and networking, while on 12th October the revamped Dorset Business Awards, which have been on hiatus for four years, will be presented in ten categories following judging by an independent panel of business leaders and experts.

Local hamper firm is for sale

A well-established Dorset hamper business, currently based in Winterborne Whitechurch, is being sold. Due to personal life changes and a wish to pursue a change of direction Cherry

Picked Hampers owner Laurie Griffin is keen to see the business pass to an ambitious and entrepreneurial new owner who can take it to the next level. The

e-commerce business specialises in luxury Dorset food and drink hampers and gifts, and is fully relocatable.

‘There is huge potential for the right person/partnership or company to scale up and increase offerings. Please email info@cherrypickedhampers.co.uk or call 01305 307107 to discuss further details.’

Vineyards is Independent Wine Retailer of The Year

Among the 35 awards from the local family brewery were 18 Dorset charities and community groups who will receive vital funds

The Drinks Retailing Awards were held last month at London’s Dorchester Hotel. Vineyards fought off strong competition from fellow finalists The Good Wine Shop and Reserve Wines, but won the coveted accolade after impressing judges with their product range, customer service, and community engagement. The rigorous judging process is known as the toughest on the awards circuit, and it included a mystery visit and an interview with head judge Nigel Huddleston. Vineyards, owned by Hannah Wilkins and her wife Sadie, offers an extensive wine portfolio and a personalised service, and they have worked hard to make their new premises a real community hub, where locals regularly enjoy tasting evenings and workshops. Hannah says: ‘It feels absolutely surreal

that our little wine shop in rural Dorset has been recognised at such a level. I started Vineyards in 2005, when I was just 24. I’ve been in the trade 25 years, and I can honestly say that this is a career high. I love great wine, I want everyone to enjoy quality wine, I’m passionate about being

independent – and to get this award in 2023, all these years later, with such fantastic national competitors, reassures me that we’re obviously doing something right. I’m not sure when it’s going to start to sink in!’

Good Retail Awards fall in love with Wimborne

Oscar season arrived early in Dorset! Wimborne BID (Business Improvement District), the notfor-profit, business-led initiative to invest money into the local economy has won the Retail District Award in the prestigious Good Retail Awards 2023.

Wimborne BID was awarded this top prize for creating an imaginative Christmas film to market the town, engaging people to support local businesses, and encouraging visits to Wimborne.

The 90-second Christmas film was called ‘Fall in Love with Wimborne this Christmas’ (see right) and featured two people meeting and falling in love in

the town. Each scene was shot in front of businesses in the town, showcasing the range and diversity on offer with around 50 businesses being shown. The judges’ said: ‘Wimborne BID demonstrated a determination to reinvigorate their town. Their brilliant promotional campaign showcased retailers and shared their love for the town.’

Organized by Modern Retail, these awards celebrate retailers who are making a positive impact in their industry and aim to highlight the achievements of those who are embracing creativity and innovation to achieve retail success.

Wimborne BID emerged

victorious over Brighton, Hammersmith, and Worcester BIDs to receive this top accolade at a ceremony held in Birmingham.

Delighted Wimborne BID Manager, Tammy Sleet, says: ‘This creative idea brought positive promotion for the town, showing off the fantastic range and quality of businesses in Wimborne. We are thrilled!’

(from L-R) Wine writer Jane Parkinson, Sadie Wilkins, Craig Durham (Managing Director Buckingham Schenk), Hannah Wilkins and Lucy Britner, Drinks Retailing editor

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