5 minute read
Letters
Why not support home-grown food?
Why are we not supporting home grown in this unstable world? As a Dorset farmer’s daughter and wife, a few weeks ago in Catering Magazine, I was sad to read it welcoming in the Australian larder that the British Government signed us up to back in December. We British farmers knew very little about this trade deal that the Government was signing us into and it goes against everything that we are trying to do. We should all be asking our own citizens to eat and support local food. Yes, Australian farmers produce excellent Wagyu beef and their lamb is also very good, but no better than the home-reared meat of the farmers right here on our doorstep. At Rawston Farm, we carried out our own survey last Easter to discover that imported lamb was more expensive than our local English option. It makes no sense to choose the imported option. Yes, our fruits are not as exotic as our Australian cousins, but when British apples, pears, raspberries and strawberries are in season, they are some of the best in the world. What other things do we produce in the UK that are forgotten in these strategic trade deals? Sugar beet and awardwinning wines for a start. And as the home of whisky, why are we importing that too? The Government says prices are lower and the supply chain better, but flying food and drinks 9,445 miles and then paying our own farmers to re-wild and plant trees rather than cultivate food is ridiculous. Food from home is the safest choice to feed the population in the wake of Brexit, Covid and now the war in Ukraine. We are faced with the strong possibility of running out of sunflower oil as Ukraine is one of its’ biggest producers and this is just one example. Producing food on home soil from some of the most talented farmers, fishermen and food producers in the world is not only safer and more sensible, it’s morally and ethically responsible to the people of the UK.
Barbara Cossins Blandford
Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk
Please come and enjoy our fundraising garden parties
This year we have two charity events to raise funds for the MS Centre at West Parley, Dorset Cancer Care at Poole and for Wimborne Scouts. As usual each event includes a brass band attraction. Over the past 10 years ‘Brackenwood’ has raised more than £20,000 for local charities and hospitals and has also beens shortlisted for the Daily Mail National Gardens in 2016. On Sunday, June 26, we have a Garden Party with Cream Tea and Cakes, starting at 1pm. Attractions will include: Brass In Harmony Classic British Bikes on display Lakeside walk Fernery Tombola Arts & Crafts Plants. There is easy parking, wheelchair access and dogs on a lead are welcome. This is in aid of the MS Centre at West Parley. On Sunday, July 24, we have another Garden Party with Cream Tea and Cakes from 1pm. This will be in aid of Dorset Cancer Care at Poole and Wimborne Scout Group. Attractions will include: Bournemouth & District Concert Band Lakeside walk Fernery Tombola Arts & Crafts Plants Brackenwood is located at God’s Blessing Green, Holt, Wimborne, BH21 7DD. (It is near Stewarts Garden Centre, Broomhill). For more information, please contact me on 01202 885685.
Fay Clifford
West Parley
by Lorraine Gibson
Not content with breaking one world swimming record, Oly Rush, turbo-swimmer extraordinaire, aka the Human Fish, has made history by becoming the first person to swim round the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. The massive achievement that saw the Poole plasterer swim 60 miles, non-stop through shark-filled waters was anything but plain sailing. Prior to flying out, he said he realised it was a huge challenge and that sharks were consideration. “We’re doing all we can to mitigate the risks,” he said. On the constant 27C temperatures he added: “I won’t have a wetsuit so will need to apply sun cream throughout and I’ll also have to take on water during the swim.” Oly did it in the end, but boy did he earn his title. “I got round but it was absolutely brutal,” says the clean-ocean campaigner whose swim was to raise money to fund his cause. “It was so, so difficult. It took me to some very dark places and I literally wanted the ocean to swallow me up.” The ocean failed to oblige and he completed the 95.5km swim in 36 hours and 59 minutes before walking from the sea to board an ambulance to be assessed then taken to hospital. Oly, who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for environmental charities and was partnered by Plastic Free Cayman and Project Planet, is now a bit of celebrity on the island. “I was never going to quit, but it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he admits. “My food plan went out of the window after four hours and there were channels I had to swim through alone because the support kayaks couldn’t get through.”And the sharks? “There were no major incidents during the swim, it was just extremely tough. “I went to hospital mainly to address dehydration. “My tongue was so swollen I could hardly drink. The pain in my shoulders was pretty intense but after some strong pain relief I was able to settle down and rest. Ever the eco-warrior, Oly said: “The important thing was to raise awareness about sea pollution and we’ve raised lots of money, too. “It is too early to say what I’ll do next, but I’ll continue to raise awareness about sea pollution and no doubt when I get home I’ll be on beaches clearing them of plastics.” Last year Oly swam around the Isle of Wight in a record time. Visit his His Go Fund Me page at gofundme.com/f/ bsywxj-charity-swim-aroundgrand-cayman?qid=3a6b5a71 df5eaed21f1b1383b3f1ae25
Picture: MAGGIE JACKSON THE DORSET OPER A
MMXXI I
The home of Country House opera in South West England featuring renowned soloists and full orchestra
Marquee Bar | Picnics | Formal Dining
Giacomo Puccini MANON LESCAUT
25, 28, 30 July at 19:00 | Matinée 27 July at 14:00 Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart THE MAGIC FLUTE
26, 27, 29 July at 19:00 | Matinée 30 July at 14:00 Sung in English with surtitles
