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For the love of wood

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Matthew Burt – ecologist, craftsman and renowned furniture maker – still lives a few miles from where he grew up in the Wylye valley

Matthew Burt © Celia Burt

You know that little notice at the end of movie credits: ‘No animals were harmed in the making of this film’ – well, there should have been one at the end of Skyfall, just to reassure fans of Matthew Burt’s beautiful furniture designs that C’s office was not really destroyed when it was blown up in the film.
Matthew, whose studio-workshop is just outside Hindon, made the fittings for the office of the real C, in that iconic, ziggurat-style building on the south bank of the Thames.

Loop table
© Stephen James

He is no stranger to important projects – public commissions include benches for the Courtauld Gallery in London and the Ashmolean in Oxford, and locally, an oak stave altar for Salisbury’s St Thomas’s Church. A recent architectural project for a private client is a massive domed ceiling, made with 5,500 sculpted pebbles of Wiltshire ash, inspired by the kernel of a sunflower.
Matthew is a world-class craftsman with a commitment to constant learning and evolving. ‘I never stop wanting to improve,’ he says. ‘I am 74 and I have no plans to retire. Why would I forego the excitement of possibility that this job gives me?’
But the products of the workshop are not just big projects – they include small furnishing items such as key holders or hall-stands. A pre-Christmas piece by an apprentice a few years ago was a little, stylised pyramidal Christmas tree, made out of diminishing concentric wooden circles – the perfect thing on which to display prettily wrapped sweets or petits fours.

Maker Justin Smith. © Jon Stone Photography

Radical roots
Matthew was born into a farming family in the Wylye valley and is absolutely wedded to the area. He is outspoken, powerfully committed to conserving and protecting the environment and passionate about the importance of preserving real and traditional craftsmanship. He says: ‘We live in Wiltshire, we make in Wiltshire and we get our wood as far as possible from Wiltshire. We make world-class furniture here – where we need support is in selling it to the world.’
His roots are deep – and radical. His great-great grandfather was one of the campaigners who started the Tisbury riots – part of the nationwide Swing Riots when poverty-stricken agricultural workers protested about the loss of work caused by the new threshing machines.

Oak stave altar in St Thomas’s Church, Salisbury. © Andy Marshall
Whirly-gig storage and display, Finback chair with convex Groovy mirror. © Stephen James

They called for ordinary people to get the vote, in the time of “rotten boroughs” when only (male) landowners could do so.
After taking a degree in botany and ecology, Matthew changed direction – influenced by the appeal of a wooden, barrel-topped chest made by a friend – and studied furniture design at Ryecotewood College, run in conjunction with the (long gone but still much-missed) Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas (CoSIRA).
He took the two year course in a year, and served his apprenticeship with master-craftsman Richard Fyson at Kencot, near William Morris’s Oxfordshire home and workshop at Kelmscott.
He and his new wife Celia, his life-long creative partner, bought a cottage in the Wylye valley, where they still live, and he gained his first commission – a new front door for a cousin. He has never been out of work since.

Matthew Burt (left) with maker Rick Long, ably assisted by Medlar. © Celia Burt
Bird & Carter Farm Shop near Wilton. © Joanna Sullivan

Keeping skills alive
Like many craftspeople and makers, Matthew and Celia have often faced financial problems – he says he has never paid himself more than a minimum wage – but their drive and complementary skills kept them afloat. The occasional unexpected wealthy client – a man in an expensive car who came to ask about garden furniture and ended up spending £10,000 – saw their Hindon workshop gradually expand, and by the end of the 1980s they were employing six people. Later they acquired premises in the village where they showcase the work of Matthew and his apprentices and makers, with occasional exhibitions featuring other local artisan makers.
Giving young people a chance to learn an important craft was the initial reason for taking on trainees. Some of the early apprentices, now long qualified, have been with him for nearly 30 years. At present Matthew has two apprentices, eight makers and six senior makers.
‘Keeping skills alive for future generations is my business,’ he says. ‘We are not in the business of education – we are in the business of training, creating skills. Keeping alive artisanal skills is a way of interpreting our times. We can better our lot through our own intelligence and application.’

In the workshop with Makers Matt Tyson and Rick Long. © Stephen James

Fairy anarchy
The business is free of vested interests, says Matthew, who ‘refuses to genuflect towards group thinking.’ He describes this fiercely independent artisan spirit as part of what he calls the ‘fairy anarchy of Britain.’
There you have it – when you look at the work that comes out of the Matthew Burt Ltd workshop, you see wizardry in wood, contemporary design combined with wood working skills that are as old as time. When you meet the man who inspires this creativity and craftsmanship, you might reflect that you are not only talking to an internationally acclaimed furniture designer-maker, but are in touch with an age-old spirit of the woods.

matthewburt.com

Forever fronds

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Meet the couple who have brought an exotic plant world to the village of Spetisbury, growing a pteridophile passion into a living

Jurgen and Elaine Schedler under the original Dicksonia Antarctica which has pride of place in their courtyard – image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

It was a birthday gift from a doting aunt which unfurled Jurgen Schedler’s passion for ferns. His wife Elaine recalls: ‘We presumed he’d spend the £150 birthday money on a racing car experience – instead he bought an Australian tree fern!’
That Dicksonia Antarctica, as is its fancy Latin name, journeyed with them when Jurgen and Elaine moved from London to Dorset. Nearly 25 years later, that same fern reaches over eight feet tall and has pride of place in the courtyard of their small nursery – a specialist haven for hardy exotics.
Crawford Hardy Ferns is Dorset’s only specialist nursery of its kind. The courtyard is planted with rustling bamboos, beautiful ferns and exotic palms from around the world. Up the steps on the garden level, there are even more stunning specimens – plants that you’d expect to find in sunny Spain rather than a rather gloomy Spetisbury!
German-born Jurgen and Elaine, a South African, are clearly a great partnership. ‘We met in South Africa when Jurgen was working as a chef,’ says Elaine. ‘He persuaded me to travel with him to South America and we’ve been together ever since – travelling, working and sharing our passion for plants.’
Since her retirement from the corporate world, Elaine is even more involved in the nursery, managing the admin, website and orders and helping Jurgen tend the plants.

Crawford Hardy Ferns in Spetisbury
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
Jurgen and Elaine’s back garden is their nursery, and visitors are welcome to wander and enjoy the ferns, palms, bamboo and exotic plantsJurgen and Elaine’s back garden is their nursery, and visitors are welcome to wander and enjoy the ferns, palms, bamboo and exotic plants

Bad hair day
The nursery is gearing up for its busiest time of the year, with hundreds of pots organised in regimented rows. Giant ferns are unfurling their coiled fronds after a winter slumber protected in a polytunnel. Here too are hanging baskets draping elegant, feathery foliage in a palette of greens.
Elaine and Jurgen watch their weather apps like hawks. A late frost could be fatal to some of the specimens – in late March many still have their crowns cosseted in protective bubble wrap. Jurgen says tree ferns are hardy to -10ºC, although the foliage may suffer at -2ºC.
Easily rolling out the Latin tongue-twister names, he shows me around, tenderly touching the tactile leaves, some of which are as soft as velvet. The Yucca linearis – an exotic hardy plant with spikes jutting in chaotic directions – is ‘always having a bad hair day,’ he says.
Jurgen also confesses to chatting to his plants. ‘Why not? My babies are good company!’
He holds his ear to the sky: ‘Listen, you can hear them whispering in the wind.’
And, like every doting parent, Jurgen wants only the best for his palms and ferns. He’s a committed pteridophile – someone passionate about ferns – and he has a reputation for occasionally refusing to sell a plant. If he doesn’t think someone will look after it properly, or if it’s one he truly loves, he just won’t sell it!
‘These plants demand patience. Many will only grow about 30cm in 10 years. With a little love, the right kind of care and some time, they will reward your garden with architectural beauty that’s hard to beat.

Tree ferns are one of the oldest plants in the world. Slow growing, they can take up to ten years to grow 30cm of trunk
The nursery is gearing up for spring, with hundreds of pots organised in regimented rows
The curled, new fronds of ferns, which resemble the scroll at the end of a violin, are called fiddleheads

‘It can also be a major investment: some of the more established specimens I have cost more than £1,000.’
This ‘vetting’ of customers goes hand-in-hand with free and very friendly advice. Visitors are encouraged to wander around the nursery or sit in the sunshine in what is essentially the couple’s own back garden. Elaine says: ‘It’s great for people to see the plants growing in situ, to see how big and beautiful they will get.’
Their passion and deep expertise make Crawford Ferns a go-to for landscapers and garden designers. Some trees have taken starring roles in show gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
That’s a positive in a challenging world: small nurseries across the country are closing at an alarming rate. ‘Brexit has made importing plants a huge problem, with increasing red tape and restrictions,’ says Jurgen. ‘I work closely with a nursery supplier who brings my palms from Spain into Bristol for me, and we use a plant supplier in the north of the UK for our ferns. Co-operation among the wholesalers is key.’

Bamboos thrive in moist, but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny spot.

crawfordferns.co.uk

Airwaves and elbow grease

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When Abbey104 lost its studio, the community rallied – and now Sherborne’s radio station is stronger, louder and more local than ever

John Shearing ready to go on air in the Abbey104 studio in Sherborne
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock

‘I only came in for an interview about local football,’ laughs John Shearing, chair of Sherborne’s community radio station Abbey104. ‘That was 2017. I’d just retired. I looked up at the schedule board, saw a few gaps, and thought, I’ve always loved music…’
Like many volunteers, John didn’t plan to become a radio presenter – let alone end up chairing the committee which runs the station.
‘It just evolved. I started doing a Monday afternoon show – Unlimited Music, 2pm to 4pm – and it grew from there. I soon began helping with the running of the station.
‘Then, three years ago, the entire committee stood down. I suppose I thought, well, I’ve got some useful experience…’

The newly-refurbished studio sits proudly above the A30 Yeovil Road

It’s a commitment
That might be something of an understatement. John also chairs the Yeovil & District Football League, a volunteer-run organisation he’s been part of for decades. ‘It’s all about treating people with respect,’ he says. ‘Volunteers want to feel valued. That’s what I brought to Abbey104. We’ve got around 30 presenters, and we’re all volunteers – some come and go, of course. It’s a commitment. You’ve got to prep your show and you have to be there week in, week out. But we’ve built a strong, supportive team.’
Abbey104 is, as the name suggests, found at 104.7 FM – though a new transmitter location means it now reaches far beyond Dorset. ‘On a good day, the FM signal stretches from Shaftesbury to Taunton,’ John says. ‘We only broadcast at 50 watts – half what a new community station would be granted – but moving our transmitter from the Gryphon School to Sherborne Golf Club made a huge difference. We get brilliant support from the Golf Club – and we’re now much more accessible for maintenance. No more waiting for access during school holidays before we can fix a breakdown!’

image – Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

That transmitter move had been on the cards for some time, and was carefully planned. The bigger challenge came unexpectedly. ‘February 2024 – I remember because I was on my way to Bristol – I got the call. We’d been given notice to leave our studio space. We had six months to get out.’
Cue what John cheerfully calls ‘a mad scramble’. They needed a new home – and fast. ‘Finding somewhere suitable for broadcasting, was a challenge, but somewhere we could afford was an even bigger one. Every penny counts. Our income comes from three main streams: business sponsorship, membership fees – we all pay to be part of the station – and outside events: we support everything from fun runs to golf days. And we reinvest every bit back into the station.’
On the day a prospective new home for the station fell through, John spotted a brand new rental listing for a property on Yeovil Road. It was a rather rundown shed-like structure – but he could see it had huge potential, despite needing serious work. ‘Honestly, it was a shell,’ John says. ‘We had to completely strip it – soundproofing, double glazing, new electrics, lighting … everything. We launched a fundraising drive – the Building Blocks appeal – and the response was incredible. Members dug deep. Local businesses donated materials or time. It’s been an absolute community project – we could not have done it without them.’
And now? ‘Now we’ve got our own place, with a proper car park and a location that really works. Looking back, being given notice was the best thing that could have happened!’

Image – Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

Music and a chat
Abbey104’s heart remains firmly local. ‘We try to be part of Sherborne – and beyond. We go out and meet our sponsors and supporters, invite them in for interviews, make them part of what we’re doing.’ From just three or four regular sponsors a few years ago, the station now has more than 30 business partners. ‘That’s what keeps us going.’
So what can listeners expect when they tune in?
‘It’s a real mix,’ John says. ‘Plenty of music – people like music! – but we’ve got talk shows too. There’s the BV’s Podcast Show, of course, and we have a legal advice programme, reminiscence sessions, and lots of guests. We get live bands in too: one group came in the other week and ended up with six new bookings after the show. That’s what we’re about – giving people a platform.’
And John? What’s his favourite part?
‘I do love presenting!’ he says. ‘But I also enjoy looking after our business partnerships. Going out, talking to people, showing them what we do. Most are amazed how little it costs to get involved. We try to make sure it’s good value – and people tend to stay with us.’
Because that, in the end, is Abbey104’s strength. It’s community radio in the truest sense – run by volunteers, powered by good will, and deeply woven into the fabric of Sherborne.
‘We’re not a big operation,’ John says. ‘But we do a lot. And we’re proud of what we’ve built.’

abbey104.com

Fuel prices are going up AGAIN?

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A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.

Q: I read that the Energy Price Cap is due to go up again in April. Does this mean my fuel bills will go up too? I can hardly afford them as it is!

A: You’re right, the Energy Price Cap rose by six per cent on 1 April 2025. This means a household with typical usage paying by Direct Debit will pay £1,849 a year, compared to £1,738 a year under the current Price Cap. But remember: the cap doesn’t limit how much you pay overall, it’s a cap on what you pay for each unit of gas and electricity that you use. So if you use more, you pay more.
Citizens Advice research shows that nearly seven million people are now living in households that are in debt to their energy supplier. We’re particularly concerned about households with children, where more than half of those on low incomes are struggling to afford energy bills.
The government is considering expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme, meaning that a million more low income households would get support. These proposals were out for consultation in February and March but at time of writing nothing definite has been decided.
If you are struggling to afford your energy bills, you should speak to your supplier as soon as possible. They are responsible for helping you come to a solution and agreeing a payment plan that works for both of you. If you’ve fallen behind on your bills, seek advice on managing debt. Energy bill debt is classed as a priority debt, so it’s important to get advice from an organisation like Citizens Advice or Stepchange, which offers free debt advice, as soon as you can.

Our frontline advisors can also help you understand what financial support you might be eligible for, depending on your situation. Additionally, you can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.

Classic & Supercar Sunday shifts up a gear with a new home at Canford School

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Sunday 24 August 2025 | Canford School, Canford Magna, Dorset
Sponsored by Daizun Investments

Canford School

One of Dorset’s most beloved summer events is on the move – and it’s bigger, bolder and more breathtaking than ever.

After three high-octane years at Clayesmore, Classic & Supercar Sunday is relocating to the magnificent grounds of Canford School, just outside Wimborne. The new venue offers even more room to breathe, more beautiful backdrops for your Instagram snaps – plus it brings the South West’s favourite motoring day out closer to fans in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

“Canford is delighted to be hosting this prestigious and exciting event showcasing classic and supercars from across the country. We look forward to welcoming motor enthusiasts of all ages to the school and hope that everyone has a wonderful day.”
Ben Vessey, Headmaster, Canford School

Aperta events rev-off

Expect more than 600 iconic vehicles – from pristine vintage classics to jaw-dropping modern marvels – all gathered in one glorious setting. But it’s not just about the cars…

A full-throttle day out for the whole family

This isn’t your average car show – it’s an experience. A proper day out, with something for everyone:

  • 🏎️ 600+ Classic & Supercars: Show-stopping vehicles, curated to impress.
  • 🚗 Specialist Car Club Displays: Unique, rare collections.
  • ✈️ Spitfire Flyover (TBC): A touch of British aviation heritage.
  • 🎶 Live Entertainment: Music, performance and atmosphere all day.
  • 🍔 Luxury Street Food & VIP Hospitality: Delicious options for every taste.
  • 🎡 Family Zone: Games and activities for kids big and small.
  • 🛍️ Trade Stands & Lifestyle Exhibitors: Discover something new.
  • 📸 Scenic Setting: Capture the perfect memory.
Family fun with mini landrover drive experience

Why Canford?

With its rich heritage, sweeping lawns and convenient central location, Canford School is the perfect setting for this fast-growing celebration of cars and community.

“After three fantastic years at Clayesmore, we needed a venue that could keep up with the event’s growth. Canford offers the ideal combination of scale, prestige and accessibility — especially for our fans on the coast.”
Zander Miller, Aperta Events

📍 Location: Canford School, Canford Magna, Dorset, BH21 3AD
📅 Date: Sunday 24 August 2025
Time: 10am – 4pm

🎟️ Advance tickets are now available – and with demand growing year-on-year, early booking is strongly advised:

📸 Follow @aperta.events on Instagram for the latest car reveals and behind-the-scenes peeks.

POSTCARDS FROM A DORSET COLLECTION: Bloxworth

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This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards sent by the same ‘N’ from Bloxworth, a village just to the east of Bere Regis, in the early part of the 20th century.

Sent on 7th November 1905 to Mr W Simmons in Weymouth – William is listed as 19 in the 1901 census, so 25 when he received this postcard. Fred is his father – though possibly also his little brother, who is officially Frank on the census. Sadly we have no way of knowing who the sender ‘N’ is, apart from the fact they’re a swift walker! Presumably he took a train from Weymouth to Wareham, then walked the six miles home to Bloxworth in 90 minutes:
‘What, not up yet??? Never mind old boy, ?it me tell me. I arrived home safely, got home at 2.30, just hour & half walking from Wareham, not long was it, they were surprised to see me so soon. Dad at Dorchester for a few days rabbiting. All glad you are coming 16th. Just off to Misses Meeting at Morden. Ta ta. N (Please pass this card on to Fred, tell him this is The “Village Blacksmith’s”)

This card was sent 6th July, 1906, just eight months after the first. Frederick Simmons (first recipient Will’s father) was married to Elizabeth (Lizzie, clearly), and it seems that N is not related to the Simmons – he seems to be a friend of Will’s. Can we presume that the ‘old chap’ is N’s father?
I cannot tell you how deeply thankful I am to you, for looking after my old chap so well. Yourself for seeing him safe ‘home’, Lizzie equally as much preparing a good supper. It’s always good to have a good wind up isn’t it?
I wonder if it would be troubling Lizzie, when she is sending for her strawberries, to get my sister a couple of baskets. Will thought she was sending. We thought it no harm to ask. She will be seeing you next week. N.

Sponsored by The Museum of East Dorset

Repurpose the revolution

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Jennifer Morisetti has sparked a grassroots fashion movement in rural Dorset rebelling against fast fashion and our throwaway culture

Jennifer Morisetti – veteran, designer, builder, farmer, needle-woman … and founder of Hawkers Re-Creatives – image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

‘I joined the Navy and spent ten years there,’ says Jennifer Morisetti. ‘Not exactly the obvious route into sustainable fashion, is it?’
Jennifer is the founder of Defashion Dorset, a growing movement that’s tackling fast fashion at a grassroots level – right here in rural Dorset. From her home at Hawkers Farm, near East Stour, she’s building more than a brand. It’s a space for conversation, creativity … and quiet rebellion.
‘I grew up in Dorset – Dorchester, Parkstone, West Parley,’ Jennifer says. ‘When I married and left the Navy we decided to live in Dorset but in the north of the county.’
The farm itself is part of the story. ‘It was semi-derelict when we bought it. It had been a dairy farm, but wasn’t viable anymore.
‘So I began restoring it – the hedgerows, the orchard, the biodiversity. We’ve planted trees, reintroduced habitats, and installed a ground-source heat pump. That sense of regeneration, of making something live again, inevitably runs through everything I do.’
Including, of course, fashion.

All images: Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
A bundle of sari fabrics awaiting repurposing for Jennifer’s Wabi Sabey project: upcycled saris and redesigned clothes for sale – image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

Defashion Dorset
‘I’ve always made my own clothes. When I was 14, I didn’t have money for new things, so I started cutting up old dresses. Granny’s Attic in Bournemouth was my favourite place – 1920s, 30s, 50s dresses … I’d repurpose them while I taught myself how to sew.’
During lockdown, Jennifer looked at the disused milking parlour on the farm and had an idea. ‘We were originally going to turn it into an events space – which it is, of course – but I thought, why not use it for workshops? I can teach other people to upcycle, to sew … just to think differently about clothes.’
That idea grew into Defashion Dorset, an event now in its third year. The term ‘defashion’ came from the group Fashion Act Now (FAN) of which Jennifer is a member: “Defashion is a transition to post-fashion clothing systems that are regenerative, local, fair and sufficient for the needs of communities.” – FAN

The barn is the home of Hawkers Re-Creatives, a hub for sustainable fashion. A free drop-in stitching group runs on Thursdays, from 10am to 12.30pm, when attendees can learn how to mend, make a skirt, upcycle a garment, embroider … or just enjoy the company of like-minded people

So what does Defashion Dorset actually look like?
‘It’s a two-day event here at the farm – Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May this year. There are talks, drop-in workshops, and selected exhibitors. One speaker is bringing knitwear made using wool from Tamarisk Farm in West Bexington alongside samples of cloth dyed using waste bark from Somerset orchards. It’s about using what we already have. Brigitte Kaltenbacher of Beekay Makes will be joining us on Sat 17th, talking about her project to grow flax and make a pair of jeans from the fibre. She will also be demonstrating how to make nettle fibre. That kind of local innovation is so exciting.’
Jennifer’s goal is simple: to inspire.
‘I want people to imagine a local clothing culture. Dorset farmers produce fleeces that often go unused. Why not make use of them? Wear more wool. Buy better. Buy local. Buy second-hand.’
But there’s a harder edge to her passion too – a concern about the scale of waste and its impact.

Jennifer with Lynne Franks (right), who was a guest speaker at DeFashion Dorset in 2024
The barn is decorated with fabric crafts and art projects

Not a dumping ground
‘Over 100 billion garments are made every year. That’s more than the number of people on the planet. Most are made to fall apart. Only 30 per cent of clothes donated to charity shops are actually sold. The rest? Burned. Buried. Or shipped to Ghana to rot on a beach. We’ve got to stop that.’
Jennifer doesn’t just talk. She organises, recycles, and repurposes. ‘I’ve got piles of clothing sorted here – some will be going to Ukraine, some to a new charity shop in Shaftesbury, some to the Wardrobe Foundation. I’m happy to advise people where to send their clothes. I want to keep clothes out of landfill.’
Hawkers Re-Creatives holds a free weekly sewing session at Hawkers Farm – Thursday morning drop-ins where anyone can bring a project or learn something new. ‘There’s no fixed cost – just a donation if you can. We’ve got machines, overlockers, fabric, knitting needles, even a tabletop loom on the way. I just want people to use the space.’

And Jennifer’s calling for some more help. ‘I’d love to run after-school clubs, or get more groups using this place. But I simply can’t do it all myself. Volunteers would be so welcome.’
So what’s next?
‘I’d love to see more hubs like this across the country. There’s already a national Sustainable Fashion Week – Amelia Twine, who organises it, is speaking here in May. Last year, I ran satellite events across Dorset: clothes swaps in Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Sturminster … films and talks … It was full on – but brilliant.’
And for those further afield?
‘Start your own hub! Look up Sustainable Fashion Week. Check the Sustainable Dorset website – there’s a really useful textile hub on there, with lots of listings. Join in. It’s growing.’
For Jennifer, this is more than fashion. ‘It’s about change – the way we think, the way we live. And we can all start with what we wear.’

As well as the workshops and events, Jennifer runs the ‘Wear Me Out’ clothing library of occasion clothes, with a variety of outfits for weddings, parties and special occasions, including handbags and hats

hawkersfarm.org

Four Shaftesbury juniors selected for Dorset Cricket Pathway

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Shaftesbury cricket club is celebrating the selection of four young players for the prestigious Dorset Cricket Talent Pathway. Max Moore (U10s), Jayden Keulemans (U12s), Lucas Bradford (U15/U16s), and Marina Pool (Girls U13s) will represent the county this summer.
Marina makes history as the club’s first junior girl selected for the pathway – Head of Junior Cricket, Tim Bradford, says: ‘Their hard work has paid off, they fully deserve this opportunity. Marina’s success shows we’re heading in the right direction, and we hope it encourages more girls to give cricket a go.’
The club’s junior section has grown rapidly since restarting eight years ago with just six players. Today, more than 70 children attend Friday evening sessions.
Shaftesbury CC’s All Stars Cricket returns in 2025 for ages 5–8, starting Friday 23rd May. Junior training (ages 5–15) begins Friday 18th April. To to get involved, email Tim on
shaftesburycricket@outlook.com.

sponsored by Wessex Internet

Eggs, Anger and Artisan Chocolate

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Shrinking Easter eggs, three buses and a chocolate artist in Wimborne
It’s April, the Easter chocolate’s out (if you can still afford it), and Dorset Council has launched a ‘visionary’ transport plan that gives North Dorset… three Saturday buses. Hurrah?

From grumbles and glorious letters to chocolate-making wizardry, this first episode of the month is warm, witty and quietly furious in all the right places.
(just hit play below to listen)


Editor’s Letter 

Editor Laura Hitchcock reflects on The BV’s national award shortlist nod, the return of the Glanville foals, and a must-read piece by George Hosford on the collapse of the SFI scheme.
“George writes with a barely contained fury that’s impossible to ignore – and entirely justified.”


Letters to the Editor: From Walkers to Farmers

This month’s postbag takes in the White Hart Link, elderly drivers, and the ever-divisive meat tax debate.
✅ Readers heap praise on the Dorset Insider
✅ Farmers ask not to be demonised for raising livestock
✅ Environmentalists say it’s time to face the facts
✅ A walker wonders why Blandford and Sturminster are skipped by a local trail
✅ Margaret F from Milborne Port concurs with last month’s letter writer on the risk of elderly relatives driving longer than they should – but fears there’s no easy solution: “Until we fix rural transport, we’ll keep having quiet crises on country roads.”


The Grumbler: Three Buses and a Vague Promise

This month’s writer of our anonymous column isn’t buying the glossy headlines around Dorset Council’s new transport plan.
“North Dorset gets the long-awaited return of three Saturday services. No weekday buses. No evening buses. No progress. Urban voters see improvements. Rural ones see spin.”
This is rural Dorset’s reality – a county divided by postcode and prioritisation.


Chocolate from Dorset

The Little House’s Easter Egg this year

Dan Crossman and Anna Rakasa of The Little House artisan chocolatiers in Wimborne share the realities of running a luxury business in a time of cocoa chaos.
“Three years ago, we paid £70 for 10kg of chocolate. Now it’s £170.” – Dan
“We matched flavours and colours to women in history – a chocolate homage.” – Anna

From flavour alchemy to corporate commissions in bespoke colours, this duo are flying the flag for creative, sustainable Dorset chocolate – one beautiful Bon Bon at a time.
“We pause production in summer – our workshop isn’t air conditioned, and chocolate is fussy.”

thelittlehousedorset.com



These stories are all based on pieces from April’s BV, available to read here. News, farming, art, food, politics, wildlife, letters, horses – and photography that’ll make you pause.

The BV: Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette) 2024. Free to read, packed with Dorset, and impossible to put down.