Well now. I know it’s all very traditional for us Brits to talk about the weather, but really? It’s starting to push its luck now. You wouldn’t think just a little dry spell was too much to ask, would you?
But we made it through the 384 days of January, and February is finally under way. A magazine editor once told me the key to a good issue is ‘something serious, something surprising, and something with cake’. On that basis, if we can swap ‘cake’ for ‘delicious mac ’n’ cheese’ (just trust me – you must: p70), then this month’s BV is a triumph.
It’s funny – I often think that when I grow up, I’ll be one of those editors who themes their issues a year in advance. Wouldn’t that be calm and lovely?
Instead, every month it feels like the entire first third comes together in the final 48 hours.
I swear I do try. It never gets better.
And although we never set out with a theme, some issues just develop a life of their own, dictated by events so big they simply can’t be ignored. This is one of those. Putting it together, we’ve learned more than we ever thought we wanted to know about flooding. I know – there’s a lot.
But there are also lots of genuinely brilliant pictures (which always helps), and it is fascinating. And a bit rage-making. Sorry.
Elsewhere, we have the cheering news that the Government has finally decided that a 73% biodiversity loss probbably is seriously bad for everyone, everywhere, all at once.
So that’s good.
In actual good news, Dorset’s own world champion Ruby White had a very good weekend in Sweden. I won’t spoil it for you.
I also have a feeling that The Grumbler this month (p.17) e’s right, though.
Oh – and the letters page is a bit of a corker too this month. Don’t miss that (What am I saying? Literally everyone flips to the letters first). Oh, and while I have you, flip back and look at that cover again: one sorry-looking squirrel, bits of moss randomly stuck in its whiskers, taking his snack business very seriously (yes, it’s actually just me in publication week).
So if you’re in the mood for something that’s not doomscrolling, dive in. As always, you’ll find proper journalism, photo galleries, columns, community events and opinions – occasionally grumpy, often witty, always Dorset.
Laura x
On pharmacies
Your recent article on the struggles facing rural pharmacies was, if anything, rather generous.
I’m sorry, but if you are a pharmacy, you must provide a service. We are patients, not customers. For many of us in rural Dorset, collecting a prescription is not a minor inconvenience – long queues, repeated trips, prescriptions not ready days later, or being told to ‘come back next week’ simply aren’t acceptable when you’re unwell, in pain, or managing a chronic condition.
I would dearly like to see one of the people making these assessments – confidently declaring that ‘provision is sufficient’ – try living in North Dorset without a car, while relying on regular medication. Only then might they actually understand– patients don’t want to be fed the line that ‘owning a pharnacy is a really exopensive bsuiness’. We’re patients, in need of medication, or advice.
It’s no surprise that so many people are switching to online pharmacies. They are efficient and reliable and after month’s of struggling it’s just a relief. But every person who does so is one less customer causing a demand on our high streets. If local pharmacies continue to offer an unreliable service, they shouldn’t be surprised when people stop using them. It will be the death knell for rural pharmacy care – and it will be one largely of their own making.
Name and address supplied
On The BV’s political bent
Firstly, I just wanted to say how much I missed Ken Huggins in the politics section last month. I’ve never voted Green in my life, but he is thoughtful, measured and often far more challenging than the usual shouty nonsense that now passes for political debate. I hope he’s back soon.
But this does lead me to a bigger question: why on earth does The BV still not have a regular Labour voice in the politics section? Dorset may once have been a Conservative heartland, but we are now a county of every colour. on top of which Labour is the governing party of the country. Their absence feels pointed and wilful – other local papers manage to rustle up Labour contributors when it suits them. Surely it’s not unreasonable to expect the same for a publication with your reach? Isn’t it your job to at least provide every point of view?
John Hannington, Blandford Forum
Firstly, John – thank you for missing Ken. I did too. You’ll be pleased to know he’s back in his usual spot, just three pages on from here.
Secondly, you’re far from the first reader to raise the matter of the Missing Labour Voice in recent months, so it feels right to address it publicly.
The BV firmly holds no political ground. We’re not frightened of difficult issues, but we refuse to lean left or right, and work incredibly hard to ensure our editorial is balanced and neutral. However… We have had no Labour contribution since July 2024. In that time, we have repeatedly contacted Labour’s official bodies – both regional and national – several local councillors, and the South Dorset MP, Labour’s Lloyd Hatton. We’ve received a number of enthusiastic assurances that yes, they would love to contribute… and then nothing. Radio silence – and there’s only so much chasing I’m willing to do.
The space is available every month. It always has been. It seems Labour simply doesn’t value our reach, our engagement, or the quality of content that won us Regional Publication of the Year. So the column remains empty.
John – or any other Labour reader – are you volunteering? – Ed
On Hammoon flood gates
Why will Dorset Council not let the Hammoon residents be in charge of the flood gates as they were previously?
The council will save on costs, instead of paying their own workers to come out to do it, and with locals in charge it’ll actually be shut on time.
Locals will trust the system, and no one who doesn’t know that road will try to drive through when it’s far too deep, preventing the constant need of vehicle and passenger rescues from the already stretched fire service (or the local farmers) from having to be called out to stranded vehicles.
BC, by email
On the floods’ silver lining
In the middle of all that flooding, I saw neighbours checking in on neighbours, tractors towing stranded cars, villagers clearing their road’s blocked gullies and drains, locals standing in the rain in shifts to warn drivers of invisible potholes or to direct through flooded pinch points. No drama, just people getting on with it.
Also a lovely amount of small legs in wellies throughly enjoying themselves. When the water rises, so does the best of rural Dorset.
Name and address supplied
On Visit Dorset forgetting Dorset
Well put. Drive in from Henstridge and be confronted with ‘Dorset. Home to the Jurassic Coast.’
The Blackmore Vale is excluded from the ‘National Landscape’ designation which inevitably opens up funding and support for communities within that network, as well as planning protections.
They used to be called ‘Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’ How dare anyone arbitrarily draw a line that suggests our Vale isn’t outstandingly beautiful. Plus this week you could sail and kayak over much of it!
David Fox, on Facebook
Agree. Places like the Dorsetshire Gap are extraordinary, as are the nearby villages. And where were most of Hardy’s novels set?
Philip Strange, on Facebook
On Wimborne’s ‘Town of Culture’ logo
I have just seen Wimborne’s new ‘Town of Culture’ logo. A huge fluorescent circle and a giant W (presumably for Wimborne. Or possibly the River Allen Monster – Nessie’s baby sister). Either way, it probably cost quite a lot of money.
What baffles me is that Wimborne doesn’t need a logo for its culture, does it? We already have history, music, theatre, art, independent shops, proper pubs, and people who make things and do things. None of it came from a branding workshop.
I’m not against celebrating what we have – far from it. And Wimborne’s GREAT at doing that. I just can’t shake the feeling that this whole ‘culture towns’ thing is jobs for the boys. Snag some funding, design a logo, put on all the events you were going to do anyway, and job’s a good ‘un.
Still, if nothing else, it’s got people talking. Perhaps that’s the point?
Name and address supplied
On rural directions
I recently moved from Bournemouth to Sherborne, and drove to an outlying village where I needed help to find the address where I was to collect a secondhand table (Facebook marketplace bargain). Can I just say, rural directions are a NIGHTMARE for incomers: ‘Go past where the old post office used to be, turn left where the big tree fell down, and if you reach Dave’s tractor you’ve gone too far.’
I don’t stand a chance.
Louise, Sherborne.
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