August’s BV podcast – from lockdown dog imports and unregulated rescues to a planning system stretched to its limits, and the voices still shouting for British farming.
Oh – and we turned five. That too.
Editor’s Letter: Five Years of the BV
Laura marks the magazine’s 60th issue with a frank and grateful look back at how it all began – one idea on a hill, one pandemic, two people … and now a nationally award-winning corner of rural media.
“The BV started as a wild idea on a hill. Five years later, it’s better, louder, braver … and somehow still just as scrappy behind the scenes.”
Dog Rescues in Crisis: Josh Heath of Dogs Trust
Jenny speaks to Josh Heath, Senior Public Affairs Officer at Dogs Trust, about their urgent campaign to regulate dog rescue centres – and the serious risks of unlicensed overseas imports.
“Some of these dogs are swept up off the street, put in a van for 30 hours and then dropped off at your door. No assessments. No support. No protection for the dog or the family.”
Josh explains the health risks, behaviour problems, and biosecurity concerns linked to international rescue dogs – and why the UK needs to follow Scotland’s lead with national licensing.
The Dorset Insider: A Local Plan Built on Sand
This month’s anonymous Insider column is a scathing, insightful account of Dorset Council’s presentation to the county’s parish councillors of its Local Plan – and how it’s asking rural parishes to cope with twice the housing, zero details … all presented with a lot of “slopey shoulders”.
“Where there were plans for 25,000 houses, it’s now 50,000. And we don’t even know where the grey belt lands yet.”
From disappearing infrastructure plans to greenwashing gestures, it’s a no-nonsense call for proper answers – and better thinking.
Minette Batters: Farming Needs a Roadmap
Former NFU President Minette Batters – now Baroness Batters – talks exclusively to Laura Hitchcock about why Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show still matters, and why farmers can’t plan for the future without long-term political vision.
“We need a farming roadmap that’s bomb-proof – something that won’t flip-flop with every election cycle.”
She reflects on the morale crisis in farming, and why we need younger voices at the table if agriculture is going to thrive in a changing world.
This episode is based on stories from August’s BV, which you can read here. News, people, places – and beautiful Dorset photography, every single month.
The BV – named 2024’s Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette). Always worth your ears.
