Dorset Council needs to get out more

It started with an email from Dorset Council. I read the details while sipping my coffee, and I felt my spelling eye focussing on two words that had been misspelt. Irritating at the best of times, but I was saddened to see two of our North Dorset towns spelt Shaftsbury and Sherbourne. And by the council of all people – those who produce our road signs and policies. It’s not difficult! If a satnav can spell the towns in North Dorset correctly, why can’t their own council?

Then, while perusing social media, I chanced across a post from Visit Dorset promoting ‘all the events in May’. If you weren’t already aware of what’s happening in the Blackmore Vale when you read it, you would be forgiven for thinking that North Dorset is an events desert – and incredibly boring. The only thing mentioned (deservedly so) was Sherborne Country Fair (and at least Visit Dorset got the spelling correct …)
But where was the Three Okefords Rally? Where was the cheese racing in Shaftesbury and the Byzant Ceremony?
It was such a missed opportunity to promote the county in an equitable manner. The towns in the north have lots of rural and independent businesses that would benefit from the kind of trade seen in coastal resorts.
Sighing, I moved on … only to read about the new bus routes in Dorset. Touted as ‘connecting the local towns’ there is a massive focus on coastal areas and Dorchester. Yes, there is a bus connecting Gillingham and Sturminster Newton, but Blandford appears to be missing entirely. Why haven’t we got more ambitious plans connecting the north with the centre? Anyone looking at some of these policy decisions would think that Dorset’s most northerly point was Cerne Abbas!

Welcome to the Jurassic Coast!
We are all accustomed to seeing the ‘Welcome to the Jurassic Coast’ signs as we enter the county north of Shaftesbury … and for some people that’s the only part of Dorset that matters. However, there is so much more to this county: some people need to get out more and share the love. Town councils give money to Visit Dorset each year in order to promote their areas and bring in business. But go to the ‘Visit Shaftesbury and Gillingham’ page of Visit Dorset, and find … things to do in Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton. The only thing for visitors to do in Gillingham is a cycle ride?
While none of us want to experience the likes of Canford Bottom on a weekend in July, so many of North Dorset’s rural villages would benefit from extra visitors enjoying the local walking (and subsequent food and drink stops), visiting vineyards, stocking up on goodies from farm shops and exploring niche museums.
Many of our local attractions are run by volunteers and exist on a shoestring budget. A few more visitors would make a big difference to Shillingstone Station, the Blandford Fashion Museum, Gold Hill Museum, the Dark Skies of Cranborne Chase … and more.
If you read Visit Dorset’s list of things to do on a bank holiday, though, everything appears focused on Durdle Door and Weymouth.
What we really need is a sign off the A303 that says ‘Welcome to the Blackmore Vale’ instead of directing everyone straight through to the coast. If people think there’s something worth stopping for, maybe they’ll actually … stop?

A new way?
With North Dorset’s villages now firmly in Dorset Council’s sights as part of its Local Plan for housing, it really would be a good opportunity for some people from the council to get out and about, familiarise themselves with the road signs, the names and spelling of the towns, and actually experience the dearth of infrastructure. In that way, not only would they view this unspoilt corner of Dorset and see what a magnificent part of the world we live in, but a drive on our country roads in winter might convince them that more infrastructure is actually needed to support all those new houses.
I met a councillor from the coastal regions recently who was extremely keen to leave North Dorset in daylight – he was terrified of ending up in a pothole or (worse still) experiencing driving with the lack of street lights. I so enjoyed keeping him talking as the light faded …
We also need local jobs to support all these new builds, and tourism would be a simple way of creating rural employment. North Dorset has a huge foodie scene, with an enviable focus on provenance. Dorset’s not just about upmarket Jurassic Coast restaurants. We have amazing cheese producers, fantastic pubs, and some of the best butchers and growers around. All of that needs a fairer share of focus when it comes to tourism development if North Dorset is to truly thrive – especially in the current climate.
So, Dorset Council, take a detour from the Jurassic Coast and come inland. The Blackmore Vale may not have cliffs and seagulls, but it’s still part of Dorset. And unless Dorset Council starts planning for its specific rural needs, it risks leaving half of Dorset behind.

The Dorset Insider is a no-holds-barred column pulling back the curtain on local affairs with sharp insight, unfiltered honesty and the occasional raised eyebrow. Written by a seasoned parish councillor who prefers to remain anonymous (for obvious reasons), it cuts through the noise to expose the frustrations of grassroots politics, and say what others won’t. Rest assured, their identity is known – and trusted – by the editorial team. Expect opinion, candour and a healthy dose of exasperation …