May issue out now! Grab a coffee and settle in for your favourite half hour of the month… https://bit.ly/TheBV
(that gorgeous front cover of ‘Bruiser the hare’ by Graham P Bannister Wildlife Photography)
Top stories this month:
A Dorset Kitchen is so much more than a cookbook. Life could have been shattered by the death of a son. But a local family have strained every sinew to wrestle good from the tragedy, says Rachael Rowe p.4
Storm clouds are brewing on the horizon at The Vale Pantry. A growing number of proud pensioners are in tears when seeking help to feed themselves – the Pantry’s Carole Jones spoke to Rachael Rowe p. 8
Philip Hart 1958 – 2022
‘I’ll always remember his infectious laugh’.
“We are sad to say ‘farewell’ to a community-minded employer, a stalwart of local business, and simply my friend” says Jon Dart
The Covent Garden Dance Co. Director Matt Brady takes on the Random 19 questions ahead of this year’s Ballet Under the Stars at Hatch House p.19.
It heads a section on live performance, with an essential round up of this summer’s open air theatre in Dorset, and Artsreach Dorset‘s ‘must see’ events this year
‘Forging ahead to restore the past’ seems a good motto for Ian Ring, who owns Newton Forge, the Sturminster-based World Heritage business, whose work is in demand across the UK. Tracie Beardsley reports in A Country Living p.15
This month’s Equestrian section (starts p.54) is packed – we have the inspiring story of paradressage rider Jemima Green. Also there’s life or death foals, DIY one-sided milking, windswept legs, film stardom and “Go Honeysuckle, go!” – it’s another average month at The Glanvilles Stud with Lucy Procter, and we have a duffer’s guide to three day eventing as Toots Bartlett gets her season under way.
In local history (from p.64), the tale of an innocent Stalbridge boy who quickly became a man in the horrors of the Napoleonic war is vividly described by Roger Guttridge, and he shares a ‘Then & Now’ of The Cricketers. Rupert Hardy shares the Battle of Hambledon Hill. Starts on p.48
In the Trethowans‘ farming section (from p.84), NFU county chair George Hosford is battling the beetle, unseasonal weather and confusing, costly messages from the EA. James Cossins is worried about war and water, and Andrew tackles the truth behind ‘green credibility’
The Thorngrove Garden Centre ‘Out of Doors’ section starts on p.80 with news from Barry Cuff’s allotment and this month’s garden jobs from Pete Harcom.
Reader’s Photography starts on p.46 – and it’s gorgeous as always.