Muscle-bound, shiny and flaunting it – meet the beetle, strutting through Dorset gardens in metallic green lycra like a six-legged bodybuilder
Picture, if you will, Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, gatecrashing a quiet Dorset garden party wearing tight, bright metallic green lycra. Sounds unlikely, I know. Yet that very specimen – muscular, shiny and dressed to impress – is likely roaming your flower beds right now. Meet the male thick-legged flower beetle. With bulging back legs and a metallic suit he struts across flowers like a mini bodybuilder, showing off his impressive quads to any nearby females. She’s less about muscle, more about poise: think skinny-legged supermodel rather than gym-honed athlete. Both sport dazzling emerald-green outfits, making them quite literally summer’s most glamorous couple. They aren’t exactly newcomers to Dorset, but before the 1990s, you’d have struggled to find them. Since then their species has spread across southern England and Wales, even reaching as far north as the Scottish Borders. Now, from May to August, you could find them anywhere with flowers, though oxeye daisies, cow parsley and buttercups are some of their favourites. And they don’t just look good – they’re also excellent pollinators as they traipse and fly between summer blooms in search of pollen. But here’s the twist: you won’t find their youngsters trailing behind them. In fact, they won’t ever meet their offspring. The females lay eggs in the hollow stems of plants such as teasel or wild carrot, and, once hatched, their larvae develop and stay hidden before pupating and emerging next spring as adults – long after their parents have gone.
Female thick-legged beetle, Oedemera nobilis, sitting on a yellow tansy fower,
If you’d like to tempt some into your garden, it’s quite simple. Instead of cutting them back, leave any dead, hollow stemmed plants in the autumn. By leaving them standing until spring, you’ll provide the thick-legged flower beetle larvae – and many other insects – with a safe winter haven.
In March the club was awarded the Most Outstanding Community Support Award in the Sturminster Newton business awards
You may have seen us on social media – we’re the small-town boxing club that keeps punching above its weight. At Sturminster Newton Amateur Boxing Club, we’ve produced multiple national and European champions. And now we’re proud to say we’ve coached a world champion: Ruby “The Pocket Rocket” White, who first stepped into our gym as a shy seven-year-old. But while the headlines might be about medals, our real work happens every night of the week – with more than 200 young people from the local area. Many are struggling in school, facing difficult circumstances, or just in need of a positive place to be. We give them that place.
The challenge grows Boxing builds more than fitness. It creates confidence. It channels aggression. It teaches discipline and respect. Most importantly, it gives young people a safe, structured space to grow – a community, surrounded by coaches who care. All of us are volunteers: between us, we give more than 200 hours of our time each week, entirely unpaid. As we grow, so do the demands – and travel costs, our biggest expense, are spiralling. Competing across the UK and Europe isn’t just about medals: it’s how we give our young athletes the experience and exposure they need to thrive. But without financial support, we simply can’t keep opening these doors.We’re reaching out to local businesses and people to ask can you help? We’ve put together a set of sponsorship packages which start at just £30 a month – or if you’d prefer to make a one-off contribution, no matter how big or small, every penny really does make a difference. Your support doesn’t just back champions – it helps shape young lives. Please feel free to get in touch for a chat on 07817 243101 or sturabc@aol.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this – Shaun
SNABC’s 2024-25 season: 180 Competitive bouts 22 Skills bouts 17 Box Cup Champions 12 Western Counties Champions 3 Boxers on the England Pathway 3 National Runners-up 2 National Champions 1 Tri Nations Runner-up 1 Tri Nations Champion 1 European Champion 1 World Champion “Not a bad effort for a club in Rural Dorset” – Shaun Weeks
Teddy Rocks, the award-winning Dorset music festival dedicated to fighting children’s cancer, has announced a record-breaking fundraising total for its 2025 event, held at Charisworth Farm in Blandford this May.
All photos courtesy of Charlie Raven Photography
This year’s festival raised an extraordinary £164,233, bringing the overall total raised since the festival began to more than £700,000. Every penny goes directly to five charities supporting children undergoing cancer treatment and funding vital research into childhood cancer.
Now in its 14th year, Teddy Rocks is run entirely by volunteers. This year marked a milestone moment – for the first time ever, the festival sold out, a significant achievement at a time when many festivals across the UK are struggling to survive.
All photos courtesy of Charlie Raven Photography
Festival founder Tom Newton said: “2025 was a very special year for Teddy Rocks. It was the first year to sell out and was at a level we never thought possible when this all started back in a pub almost 15 years ago.”
Headliners in 2025 included Punk Rock Factory, B*Witched, Peter Andre and Portuguese Linkin Park tribute act Hybrid Theory, drawing thousands of music lovers from across the country. Family attendance was up by 30 percent following the festival’s win at the UK Festival Awards in 2024, where it was named Best Festival for Families.
Tickets for the 2026 event, which takes place over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd May), are already selling fast. Sales are up 60 percent compared to this time last year, and campervan tickets are already 50 percent sold out.
All photos courtesy of Charlie Raven Photography
Tom added: “The festival is growing and we’re looking forward to planning bigger and better things each year. A huge thanks goes out to all the supporters, sponsors, artists, and volunteers who make this remarkable and special weekend happen every year.”
All funds raised go directly to five incredible charities: Teddy20, Young Lives vs. Cancer, Bone Cancer Research Trust, George’s Rockstars and Alfie’s Wish.
Tom said: “We will never stop fighting to help the children that need our support. By supporting Teddy Rocks you are contributing to the most amazing charities enabling them to do crucial work. This is so much more than a music festival, it’s a real family.”
Tickets for the 2026 event are available now at teddyrocks.co.uk, priced from £22.20 for children (aged 5–15) and £44.40 for adults.
From racing clubs to Pony Club safaris, it’s been tours with tea and snoozy foals (and sausage rolls) for Doug Procter, with one final foal to come
The Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Pony Club Safari!
You’re probably expecting to read that May was notable for a lack of both rain and grass growth … which it certainly was to begin with, but at TGS our grazing woes have been eclipsed by two visits. The first of these was from the Colin Tizzard Racing Club. It coincided with Lucy disappearing to Cornwall to run the 44 miles of coastal path, from Lizard Point to Land’s End, leaving me (Doug) home alone to host our guests. Luckily, the rain – which had finally arrived a few days prior to the visit – had abated by the time the 25 racing club members arrived and tucked into tea, coffee, cake and biscuits laid on by one of our TGS team members, Clare. Duly fortified, the visit began with a tour of the barns as I pointed out our eleven foaling stables covered by the cameras that we watch at night during the foaling season, and the veterinary area with stocks, which ensure that our vet, Paul Legerton, can safely scan the mares without the danger of being kicked.
The Colin Tizzard Racing Club enjoyed a family morning meeting the foals. Image: Courtenay Hitchcock
Grace and the first foal she has helped deliver. Image: Lucy Procter
Then the main event … meeting the foals. As we all walked up the stud, past each paddock, I explained the breeding of the mares and foals and which stallions the mares had visited this year. We ended up in one of our largest fields, Oaktree. It’s ideal for foals with its thick hedges and mature trees providing shelter from both inclement weather and unduly hot sun. Some of the foals were lying down half-way across the field, so I took the youngest visitors for some close-up, snoozy-foal interaction. Meanwhile, the remaining mares and foals went over to investigate the rest of the visitors by the gate, calmly wandering among them. The enjoyable morning was rounded off with yet more tea and cake! Our thanks to Simon Gillet of the racing club for arranging the visit.
Doug explaining the breeding of the mares and foals and which stallions the mares had visited this year to the Colin Tizzard Racing Club. Image: Courtenay HitchcockImage: Courtenay Hitchcock
The safari The next visit was far more daunting … The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Pony Club Foal Safari! This was a visit that had originally been initiated several years ago when Lucy was DC of the branch. Once again I was home alone: this time Lucy was taking a mare to be covered by a stallion called Cracksman – a successful son of the great Frankel, standing in Newmarket at the Darley-owned Dalham Hall Stud. I knew Tea and cake were not on the agenda for these particular visitors, so it was straight into the barns where I was kept busy answering questions – from both parents and children – about all aspects of breeding and foaling. Finally we were on to the really exciting bit they had all come for – the Safari! Once all the Pony Clubbers had been loaded into the back of two pick-ups (think sardines and tins), our son Will and I drove the trucks up the track. Again I provided my commentary on the mares and foals in each paddock as we went, but the best bit was obviously saved for our arrival at Oaktree again. We drove right in among the mares and foals who, having apparently read the ‘be nice and cuddly’ memo, all quickly came over to say hello.
The mares and foals had read the ‘be nice and cuddly’ memo for the Pony Club visit
While the youngest children stayed safely in the back of the pick-ups, others jumped out to get up close to the foals – most of whom were already as tall, if not taller, than their ponies at home. The foals all behaved impeccably: they were very calm and friendly, with only the odd nibble at a sleeve. Finally, it was back to the front paddock for a picnic: I’m happy to report my quality control duties on the sausage rolls were taken very seriously. Our dogs also thoroughly enjoyed the picnic, opting for smiling cutely at the children, with varying degrees of success! Lucy arrived back with the mare and her foal just in time to show the Pony Clubbers the lorry camera: the foal was flat out, fast asleep on the thick straw-bedded floor, with the mare standing protectively over him. Then it was ice-cream all round – Lucy had definitely arrived home at exactly the right moment!
The foals are probably already taller than some of the ponies the children ride
Grace’s foal Our last resident mare has foaled, and she obliged with a daytime foaling. Spotted in the field early enough, by eagle-eyed TGS team member Grace, we were able to bring her into a stable to foal and Grace was able to help with her first foaling. We’re very aware who is Grace’s favourite foal of the season! However, sleepless nights are still the order of the day as we have just had a sports horse, a non-Thoroughbred, mare arrive for foaling, so the cameras are going to stay on at night, with Doug sitting up watching, for another week. Or two … or three … depending on how long before this last mare of our 2025 season decides to give birth.
From fieldwork to Fortnite – childhood has shifted dramatically over the last century, but the childish spirit of curiosity and mischief remains recognisable across generations
Playing conkers in the QE School playground in 1955
Growing up has always been a balancing act between structure and freedom, expectation and imagination. But the nature of childhood – how it’s spent, what’s valued, and when independence begins – has shifted dramatically over the past two centuries. For most of the 19th century, childhood in East Dorset was short and often harsh. Many children worked from an early age, especially in rural families where an extra pair of hands in the fields mattered more than classroom attendance. Education, if it happened at all, was patchy – a luxury for wealthier households, a charitable provision for everyone else.
1st Wimborne Scouts in the 1950s, delivering logs to Wimborne old folk in Burt’s lorry. Photo taken at the bottom of St John’s Hill by Harleston Villas.
Formal schooling gradually became more widespread after the 1870s. By the early 20th century, most children were in school until the age of 14. Lessons focused on the basics – reading, writing, arithmetic – alongside moral instruction and, for girls, domestic skills like sewing. It was education with a purpose: not to broaden horizons, but to prepare children for work. The Second World War brought disruption but also reform. From the 1940s onwards, the idea of education as a right – not a privilege – began to take hold. The school leaving age rose, and new opportunities opened up. Secondary schools expanded, and by the 1960s, further education and training were within reach for many more teenagers.
1960s Youth Club, upstairs in the Church HouseA children’s party in Wimborne’s Congregational Hall in 1962
The way we play But childhood isn’t just about classrooms. The way children spent their free time also changed. Earlier generations had little leisure and fewer possessions. Entertainment was self-made: seasonal games, exploring the countryside, or helping out at home. By the 1950s and 60s, consumer culture had taken hold. Comics, pop records, and branded toys shaped a new kind of childhood – still rooted in the local, but increasingly influenced by national trends.
1952 Wimborne Council School Football TeamQE School’s A Level History class of 1958
Youth organisations, from Scouts and Guides to church groups and sports clubs, offered structure and purpose. They helped young people develop confidence, skills and friendships – and were often the first taste of independence beyond the family.
David Hart in the 1960s, with the salmon he caught on the Stour near White Mill Bridge
Today, childhood looks different again. Longer, in many ways – more education, later starts to working life. There’s less freedom to roam, but more support and safety. Digital life often replaces much of the outdoor play that once defined every childhood in rural areas.
Ferndown Zoo was run by Mrs Sadler from her house in Ringwood Road, now called the Old Stile House. After several animals escaped, the zoo had to close in 1955
Scouts on Poole Station, leaving for the 1957 World Jamboree in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield
Old photographs quietly remind us how much remains familiar, however. Fashions and hairstyles may change, but the energy, curiosity, pride and moments of mischief all feel instantly recognisable. Time moves on, but the look in their eyes tells a story universally understood.
Conservatives managed our decline for the last ten years and people were finally fed up of it, nationally and locally. People wanted change and they voted for it in 2024, relegating the source of their pain to the role of noisy and frustrated spectators. We also now face the headwinds created in the wider world by bad actors like Presidents Putin, Xi and Trump, compounding the homespun decisions and actions of the last ten years. Greatest of these homegrown headwinds is Brexit. There were many good reasons to dislike the EU and to have voted to leave but there were no excuses for leaving in the shocking way we did. With no planning and with political posturing overriding good sense, we agreed almost the very hardest Brexit deal possible. North Dorset’s current MP wrote last month about buyer’s remorse, but in the realm of Brexit there is little realistic chance of sending anything back to the shop anytime soon – and his party was the shopkeeper of our current pain. Unless something changes, our economic fortunes will continue to be held back by that deal. So, the way forward must be to negotiate, and we have started to see the very early glimmers of what cooperation can achieve. Through the very modest improvements negotiated last month, the UK and EU laid down the absolute basics of a useful deal – a micro-deal. It should help our farmers a bit, companies with European supply chains too, and it might just re-ignite the enthusiasm of small companies to start exporting again. As a bonus, perhaps there will also soon be a deal to allow young people to travel and work. Probably the most important result, though, was to establish a new willingness and practical process for future negotiations. Let’s be honest with ourselves: Brexit is not done, and it never will be. The nearest market is always the most important market, so we will always be negotiating with the EU in some way. We need to get used to the give-and-take of negotiation … which brings me to another harsh reality. While the micro-trade deal is a win for pragmatism, it stands in stark contrast to the desires of Conservative and Reform populists. Populists are less concerned by evidence, facts and stable judgement. Populists think in terms of ‘them and us’. Populists are comfortable with confrontation and uncomfortable with consensus. For populists, the micro-deal was a treacherous sell-out, but I have a question: how many populists does it take to change a lightbulb? None. They’re all too busy sitting in the dark, listening to Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage moaning about how bad it is. There will be little real world progress if the fantasists get back into power. Spoiler alert: Liberal Democrats want to go further and be bolder in our relationship with the EU. The quickest path to a stronger economy is to improve our deals with the EU. The UK has much to offer and a huge amount to gain. Our near-term recommendations include creating a bespoke customs deal with the EU that really gets the economy going. Come on Labour, what are you afraid of? Gary Jackson North Dorset Liberal Democrats
L-R: Hugh Lawes (Came Down), Gordon Mutton,Steve Walton and Ray Pugh (all Dorset G&CC), Simon Etherington (Weymouth), Phil Purvis (Broadstone), Peter Brickell (Highcliffe), Dorset Captain John Skinner with Trophy (Yeovil), Charles Foster (Came Down), Gary Edwardes (Bridport), Peter Foster (Dorset G&CC), Nigel Mobbs (Sherborne), Dorset President David Kimberley.
Dorset Golf Captains have successfully retained the Six-County Golf Captains Trophy for 2025, edging out Gloucestershire by just two Stableford points in a tightly-fought contest. The event, held on Monday 19th May at the Dorset Golf & Country Club, saw teams of six pairs from each of the six counties compete in a four-ball better ball Stableford format. The five best scores contributed to each team’s total. Final scores: Dorset 210, Gloucester 208, Wiltshire 202, Devon 190, Somerset 183, and Cornwall 173. Captained by John Skinner (Yeovil), the Dorset side included players from across the county: Gary Edwardes (Bridport), Phil Purvis (Broadstone), Charles Foster & Hugh Lawes (Came Down), Peter Foster, Gordon Mutton, Ray Pugh & Steve Walton (Dorset G&CC), Peter Brickell (Highcliffe), Nigel Mobbs (Sherborne) and Simon Etherington (Weymouth). Top pair of the day was Charles Foster and Nigel Mobbs, who posted a superb 47 points in changing conditions. Originally launched in 2013 as the West of England Championship at Saunton Golf Club, the competition was paused due to COVID. Saunton later donated the trophy to the counties to continue the event under its new name – the Six-County Captains competition – and rotating hosting duties alphabetically among the counties. Dorset won last year’s event at Stover GC. Dorset Golf Captains, who celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021, welcome all club captains from any golf club affiliated with the Dorset County Golf Union. In addition to matches across southern and central England, the group organises several internal events and supports junior development through the Colin Chataway Trophy – an initiative that once included future British Open Champion Georgia Hall.
May was really jam-packed: we had our first three-day-event as well as some event preparations, building up for an exciting June. As I write this we are trucking up to Bramham (Mum’s driving, I’m passenger-princessing) with Basil, The Spice Merchant, where I will be competing for the first time in the national U25 Championship 4s. Eek! We had a fab week at Bicton at the end of May, where Max made his International three-day-event debut in the 2L. Having shown the ground jury his best dragon snorts at the first horse presentation, he kept his head down (literally …) for the duration of his dressage to sit in the middle of the field heading into cross country day. Which is easier said than done when you enjoy observing the fashion choices of all the spectators. And the neighbouring horses. And the riders. Ooh, a tent! MAX! CONCENTRATE!
image Courtenay Hitchcock
With the dressage behind us, I thought he might be surprised by Bicton’s hilly 8.5 minute cross country (most tracks are between five and six minutes long). It’s the biggest physical question we’ve asked of him yet, but he whizzed home clear inside the time – maintaining his usual cheeky grin throughout as he climbed into the top 20. Showjumping on the final day for the first time is always a bit of a question for the horse – will they tear around the showjumping as if they’re still going across country, taking poles with them as they go? Will the testing track have taken all the spring out of their stride, resulting in a slightly “flat tyre” feeling? Or will they come out with a spring in their step, a spook and a dragon snort (hmm… I wonder). Fortunately, he impressed us all with the latter, jumping a lovely clear round to finish in 13th place out of more than 60.
All images Courtenay Hitchcock
I couldn’t be more pleased with how he dug deep for me all week, proving himself as a real three-day event horse! Following Bicton, Max has been enjoying a mini-break in the field (not the Bahamas. I wish.) to allow him time to recover and soak in all he learned before we build up to our June events. Next up for him and Jimmy will be Farley Hall, before we gear up to one of our favourite local events, the BE at Kingston Maurward at the end of June.
Ippo bath day … Do I look pretty now, though?
A clever cross country We’re frequent visitors to Kingston Maurward – mum regularly teaches clinics there, and for those of you who can remember all the way back to our December article, Henry and I rode there as part of the Harry Meade demo evening (the one with the fence of doom!). Their fantastic – it was well presented, with an impressive atmosphere and excellent hospitality. Luckily, I’d finished riding before I tucked into the tremendous food spread (Ok – I seriously need to stop ranking events based on their lunch selections…) Food aside, I’m really looking forward to taking both Max and Jimmy around Kingston Maurward’s cleverly designed cross country track.
Showjumping in front of the impressive main house is great fun (and it makes the riders feel super important), but nothing beats the feel of a “proper” cross country course. Last year we ran through the valley, where they made the most of the natural undulations and asked lots of educational questions on the course. I’m eager to see how they’ve designed the Novice track this year – and I’d better be on my A-game, since Max’s owners (Peter and Suzanne Andrews of Andrews Plant Hire) are actually the title sponsors of the event. Last year they were driven around the whole course behind me and Max … no pressure! Whatever the results on the day, we are excited to participate in an event which is so welcoming for riders, sponsors, owners and spectators. Come along if you’re local (or not!) – you can watch Max and Jimmy doing their “thing” in the flesh (alongside some Olympians and 5* riders, but who gives a monkeys about them, eh?). Right – I’d better go: mum/taxi-driver/article-proof-listener is requesting snacks. Hey, wait a minut. Maybe that’s where I get it from! See you on the other side.
In her speech to the House of Commons, Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out a bold vision of “national renewal”, promising an annual 2.3% real-terms growth in departmental budgets and committing billions to healthcare, housing, defence, and infrastructure. While Dorset is set to benefit from parts of this agenda – including funding for Hospital and academy improvements – the county’s business community remains cautious, waiting to see where this support will land locally.
Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling has shared his candid response to the Spending Review: ‘Although there were measures in the Chancellor’s spending review to be welcomed, concerns from business remain strong. Dorset was once again notable by its absence in major spending announcements.
‘However, there may be opportunities once the small print is examined, in such areas as AI, innovation, research and development funding, transport infrastructure, rail, and training and upskilling young people.
‘It is particularly important that many of the world class defence firms we have in Dorset benefit from the spending uplift in this sector.
“… While she may have splashed the cash today, she must not rinse businesses for it tomorrow.’
Ian Girling
‘It was good to see the Chancellor prioritise affordable housing, as shortages of housing stock and high property prices continue to be a major barrier to economic development in Dorset. We must be able to attract people to this area to support business growth.
‘Dorset Chamber will continue to lobby for business to fight for the county’s fair share and will do all it can to support our politicians, leaders and other representatives in this endeavour too.
‘Finally, Dorset businesses have consistently demonstrated their positivity, resilience and strength over recent years – but many will be concerned about what is coming down the tracks in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget.
‘There must be no more taxes on business faced with ever increasing costs, a difficult labour market and burdensome red tape if the Chancellor is to achieve the growth she so desperately needs.
‘While she may have splashed the cash today, she must not rinse businesses for it tomorrow.’
