United for growth: Chambers come together in North Dorset

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11 July 2025

On one of the hottest evenings of the year so far, more than 60 business owners from across North Dorset’s market towns gathered on 10th July at Hinton Workspace near Sturminster Newton to explore a shared ambition: to work more closely together and build a rural business voice bigger than the sum of its parts.

The event – initiated by Shaftesbury Chamber and quickly embraced by Gillingham and Sturminster Newton Chambers – marked the first step towards a united network of local chambers, with representatives from Sherborne and Blandford also attending.

Heads of Chambers Barry Von-Clemens (lilac shirt), Virginia Edwyn-Jones (speaking) and Pauline Batstone addressing the first gathering of the North Dorset Chambers at Hinton Workspace

Alice Fox-Pitt, who hosted the evening, said:
‘We welcomed over 70 people to Hinton for an evening driven by one shared goal: to elevate North Dorset businesses, and strengthen the ties that hold our local community together. It really was something special.’

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who has long championed rural business, gave a wide-ranging and passionate speech celebrating the role of enterprise in sustaining local life.

‘For too long, Dorset Council has been concerned with what I call the “Southern Smile” – Weymouth, Portland, Christchurch, Poole… and north of Wimborne, apparently we’re all too busy hunting, shooting, milking and country dancing to be noticed,’ he said. ‘But you are absolutely vital.

‘Approximately 65% of North Dorset residents are either at, or well over, the age of retirement – and we cannot afford our rural areas to become, effectively, the largest open-air nursing home outside of Eastbourne.

More than 70 rural Dorset businesses gathered at Hinton Workspace to network and connect

‘In every step and turn of this constituency I find innovation, investment, enterprise and enthusiasm. That’s the danger if we don’t attract and keep working-age people.

‘We need investment – in digital infrastructure, in roads, in schools – so that the next generation can take up the job offers you’re creating.

‘I think entrepreneurialism is now seen as something of a slander. Profit has become something almost to be embarrassed about. The private sector is something to be tolerated rather than championed. But we all know that without a vibrant private sector, there can be no successful and reliable public sector. It’s the Corporation Tax, it’s the Business Rates, it’s the National Insurance and it’s the Income Tax that pays for our much-needed nurses, doctors, teachers, police, army…’

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who has long championed rural business, gave a wide-ranging and passionate speech celebrating the role of enterprise in sustaining local life

He also called for more pride in what local businesses are already achieving:

‘We need to champion, far more proudly and with far more confidence, the absolute importance of business in North Dorset.’

The message of interdependence was echoed by others in the room. Sturminster Newton mayor Pauline Batstone spoke of the value in unity:
‘We can still operate as independent chambers, but working closely together, speaking with one voice. This is about creating a thriving rural economy – and jobs for our young people.’

Councillor Virginia Edwyn-Jones, mayor of Shaftesbury and chair of Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce, echoed the call for unity:
‘North Dorset has so much to offer – terrific businesses, skilled people and a strong sense of community. But to thrive, we need to make sure our voice is heard. That means working more closely than ever with our neighbouring towns to build a shared vision for the rural economy as a confident, collaborative hub of innovation and enterprise.’

Friars Moor veterinary practice director Yoav Alony-Gilboa put it more bluntly:
‘If we don’t support each other, we’re all doomed! We’re all deeply connected – and this is why events like this are brilliant.’

Basil goes to Bramham

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Editorial team

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11 July 2025

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Jess Rimmer relives her U25 Championship 4* debut with Basil at Bramham

This month has actually been, dare I say it, a bit quieter for Team Rimmer! We’ve ticked off our spring aims, jumped some relatively formidable fences and have spent the remainder of June reflecting, recalibrating and building on what we’ve learned as we head into a busy summer.
Max and Jimmy enjoyed runs at Farley Hall, where Jimmy flicked his toes for an impressive 24 dressage, and Max proved himself as Mr. Consistent with a double clear and 5th place. He kept up his tidy streak at Kingston Maurward with another double clear, this time finishing 4th in the Novice – a great result for his owners, who also sponsored the event!
I wrote my last article while en route to Bramham, where we were heading to compete in the 4*S U25 National Championships. Eek!
With the rest of the month being relatively quiet, I thought we could debrief properly on Bramham’s excitements – I’d quite like to relive it all again and again, so what better way than to put it in writing!

The Spice Merchant (Basil)
Image: Courtenay Hitchcock

We’re doing this
For those who are unfamiliar, Bramham is a prestigious venue: possibly one of the biggest cross country tracks on British soil (with the exceptions of Badminton and Burghley, of course). It’s somewhere I’ve always dreamed of going, so to have the opportunity to actually compete there was a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment! All thanks to the Portman Ladies Syndicate, Alex Munn, Mum, William and of course BASIL!

Jess’ friend Alex Munn, Basil’s owner and previous rider, giving him a post-training pep talk. Image: Jo Rimmer

So – what does it take to get to an event like this? Although Basil and I have both competed at this level before, it’s not as simple as just popping an entry in. To get to each level (or height/difficulty), horse and rider combinations have to complete enough “minimum eligibility requirements” or MERs at the levels below. That meant we had to achieve three 3s with MER results (for the stat-lovers, a MER is a sub-45 dressage, 16 show jumping penalties or less, and a clear XC with no more than 30 time penalties). But with only a handful of 3s in the run-up to Bramham, there wasn’t much room for error – we basically couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong. Which, as anyone in the horsey world knows, is rarely the case!
But somehow, with the help of mum and the team at Fox-Pitts, we managed to tick off our three 3*s – not only with MERs, but also with double clears (oh, jeez, we’re actually doing this..!).
It felt like such a distant dream, and then suddenly it wasn’t. We pulled out of the yard with horse, tack and Chateau Rimmer all packed up … and then reality properly hit.

Basil the goofball
Image: Courtenay Hitchcock

Suiting us fine
I can safely say that Bramham lived up to all our expectations. The amazing atmosphere, the beautiful setting, the famous Thursday night party – it was all just SO COOL! AHH!
Basil, the composed competitor that he is, settled in very quickly. We had a training session with William on Thursday evening in the walled garden, ahead of our Friday dressage. I was very lucky to have William there all week, guiding me through the event – he is known as the King of Bramham, so hey, I’m learning from the best! He warmed me up for my dressage on Friday, where Basil tried really hard for a middle-of-the-field test. I’ll take that for our first go at that level!

Another “pinch-me” moment: I walked through the shopping stands and spotted a photo of Max and I in the LeMieux stand.
I stopped to grab a pic before I noticed the guy behind the counter looking at me like some crazy stalker… clearly I am unrecognisable without those flattering turquoise leggings!

We then set out on a course walk – when I left, I said to mum: ‘I hope we have some big jumps’. Don’t worry, I got my wish!
Although imposing to look at, it was a bold track which really rewarded positive, forward riding – and that suited us just fine. Don’t get me wrong, I still had butterflies in my stomach, but now they were more out of excitement than fear.

William Fox-Pitt with some last-minute advice for Jess: ‘You’ll go in that big main arena for the first go at this level. Realistically, you’ll have two down. You have to be ready for that’.
Image: Jo Rimmer

You might have four down
The show jumping phase, on the other hand …
Lots of people find show jumping less nerve-wracking than cross-country.
Technically speaking, it is safer, because the jumps fall down and when it goes wrong it’s far less likely to go REALLY wrong.
But that’s what I find so difficult – you have to be such a perfectionist, especially at this level, and it’s the rider’s job to get everything right in order to help the horse clear the fences.
There is such a small margin for error, and in the past I know I have put far too much pressure on myself in this phase.

Walking the course – spot mum!
Image: Jess Rimmer

However, my whole team couldn’t have been more supportive, and William’s words are the ones which really stuck with me: ‘you’ll go in there, in that big main arena, for your first go at this level. You might have four down, you might go clear. Realistically, you’ll have two down. You have to be ready for that’.

It was such a brilliant reminder that this event was always supposed to be a challenge, and that I mustn’t be too harsh on myself if it’s not absolutely perfect. I must’ve somehow managed to channel my inner “Mr Cool” William … We jumped clear! Honestly, there aren’t many words to describe the excitement, joy and relief I felt on landing after the final fence.
It lasted for all of ten minutes, before I realised I had only a few hours before heading out onto that cross country course …
Those hours of concentrating, watching and discussing with fellow competitors seemed never-ending. Nobody talks about how draining it is being ‘in the zone’ for SO long!

‘He jumped an epic clear, of course, and I would totally do it all again if I could’
Image: Courtenay Hitchcock

Finally it was our go. A course like that gives me such a wicked combination of adrenaline, focus and fun – there isn’t another feeling like it, especially with a partner-in-crime like Basil. He jumped an epic clear, of course, and I would totally do it all again if I could!
We finished a very respectable 12th in the U25 Championships, but most importantly Basil and I gained confidence – not only over those bigger fences, but also in our training, our system and most of all, in each other.
It sets us up really well for our next event – Aston 4* this weekend. See you on the other side!

Record agri stands set for G&S

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Editorial team

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11 July 2025

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Farmers and rural businesses across Dorset and the South West are preparing for one of the region’s most anticipated agricultural gatherings: the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show.
Returning to Turnpike Showground on 13th and 14th August, The two-day event offers a mix of demonstrations, advice and networking for farmers and rural businesses.
This year’s show will be presided over by Baroness Minette Batters, Wiltshire farmer and outgoing president of the National Farmers’ Union, whose leadership has brought farming issues to the forefront of national debate. Her involvement underlines the show’s standing as a key date in the agricultural calendar.

Rural networking in person
This year more than 75 agricultural trade stands will be on site, offering farmers the chance to engage directly with machinery dealerships, agronomists, insurance brokers, livestock vets, land agents, milking equipment suppliers and many others. From cutting-edge precision technology to practical advice on everything from succession planning and diversification to disease control and grazing management, the show remains an important opportunity for rural professionals to stay ahead in a changing sector.
Show organiser Cat Harris said: ‘We’re excited to have more agricultural trade stands than in recent years, with still two months to go, proving that the G&S is a firm favourite for farm trade and rural networking.’
This enthusiasm reflects a wider trend: according to an NFU survey in late 2023, more than 60 per cent of UK farmers said in-person shows remain among their most valued ways to source trusted information and new ideas. In an era of rapid change, from post-Brexit regulation to rising input costs, many farmers see events like Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show as a vital opportunity for sharing knowledge and exploring new opportunities.

Not just business
Beyond the trade stands, livestock competitions will be a highlight, showcasing top-class sheep and cattle from across the region. The Grand Parade at 3:15pm each day brings together the finest prizewinners in a traditional spectacle of farming pride.
Visitors can also enjoy a strong line-up of heritage and entertainment. Terrier racing, gun dog demonstrations and a vintage tractor and steam display offer a glimpse into traditional farming methods and rural crafts
For families, the main ring will feature the drama of medieval jousting and the high-octane Tigers Motorcycle Display Team, offering a spectacle that appeals to all generations.

Tickets and full details are available at gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk

Live the life you choose with empowering dementia support

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Editorial team

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11 July 2025

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Life with dementia looks different for different people, and it can be hard to know where to find reliable advice and expert support that enables you to continue living life to the full.

Stimulating activities to support people living with dementia И Somerset Care Group.jpg

For many people, the time to seek some help comes when an individual’s dementia care needs can no longer be comfortably or safely managed at home.
Whether you’re seeking support to remain independent in your own home, or considering moving into a care home which can support you to live well with dementia, the most important thing is that you receive the support you need to live the life you choose.
Here are the key benefits and considerations for the three main dementia support options:

Dementia-friendly care homes
Care homes for dementia fall into two categories. ‘Dementia-friendly’ care homes can support those with low-level dementia care needs to live as independently as possible within a residential setting, whilst ‘specialist dementia care homes’ provide expert care and support for those whose dementia symptoms are more advanced, or who need additional help to stay and feel safe.
All of Somerset Care’s care homes are dementia-friendly and able to support those with mild dementia symptoms to live the life they choose.

Specialist dementia care homes and respite breaks И Somerset Care Group

Specialist dementia care homes
Specialist dementia care homes will seek to support the passions and interests of residents living with dementia, as well as provide tailored care which meets their needs.
This person-centred approach to dementia care enables those living with dementia to find enjoyment and expression, and continue to lead a fulfilling life.
Specialist dementia care homes, like Grovelands in Yeovil, have highly-trained, expert dementia care teams, and dedicated dementia care suites which provide safety, security, stimulation and
reassurance for people living with more advanced dementia symptoms.
A specialist dementia care home is a good option for those who are worried about their dementia symptoms progressing: their expert team will be able to adjust the amount and type of support they receive, within the same, familiar setting.

Animal therapy to provide comfort and reassurance for those living with dementia И Somerset Care Group

Expert dementia support at home
If you don’t yet feel ready to make the move into a care home, it is worth considering specialist dementia support which can enable you to stay in your own home for longer. This could include home care visits from specialist carers to support you with personal care or daily household tasks, or perhaps experiencing a snapshot of life in a dementia care home through day care visits or a respite break.
Ultimately, the right dementia care is whatever meets your needs, helps you manage your dementia symptoms, and stay safe and well.

Find the right help
Whether you have a dementia care option in mind or aren’t sure where to start, our friendly, expert enquiries team can talk you through the various care solutions available, and provide the information you need to make an informed decision about dementia support which meets your needs.
somersetcare.co.uk/dementia

No appetite for food security

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Editorial team

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10 July 2025

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Seventy years after the end of rationing, politicians still fail to value food security as farms face crippling taxes and chronic under-investment

The Fourth of July is best known as American Independence Day – few people remember or know that it is the same date that wartime rationing finished in 1954. It was a significant date for the nation, but as Father Time has ticked away, there are fewer and fewer people who remember just what food shortages were – and how they affected the whole country.
I am so tired of the past few decades, with succesive governments merely paying lip service to the words ‘food security’. In fact, this current government even had the words Food Security is National Security in its manifesto.
Actions speak louder than words, though. Some of the Labour policy is good, particularly that around protecting our high welfare and food standards on recent trade deals. I just hope that, as times moves on, lower standard products don’t creep their way onto our shelves. But there seems to be very little political appetite for real food security with domestic food production.

Remember the food
With the unrest in today’s geo-political world, and the inevitable threat to food production from a changing climate, food security should be far higher up the pecking order of government policy. It was Winston Churchill who said: “Food security is the front line of any nation” as he faced the reality of a nation starving during World War Two.
Our modern problem is the lack of long-term investment in the industry. It is the bedrock which could give us a thriving domestic food industry. The planning system puts up too many barriers and costs, and then there is government policy. A real cut in the agricultural budget announced in the chancellor’s spending review does nothing to inspire food production. Local policymakers working on nature and landscape recovery have to be reminded they need to include food production.

IHT rumbles on
Then there’s the government policy on inheritance tax: it is not only choking the industry but preventing large-scale investments. Why would you put money into a business only to see it heavily taxed when it passes to the next generation?
Ironically, inheritance tax has caught the older generation in the eye of the storm, with no clear way out. This is the same generation that helped their forebears bring the country out of rationing – and later embraced modern agricultural techniques to deliver the food security we have enjoyed for more than 50 years.
Now, after years of being told to “keep your assets until you die,” they are, in some cases, facing tax bills well in excess of a million pounds. Ask yourself: should this generation, people who have spent their lives feeding the nation, have to spend their twilight years worrying about this policy – many seeing the break-up of the family farm as the only way out?

A slow wheel
So what does the industry need? Confidence – confidence in government, in the marketplace, and in the consumer. I fear we only have one of these at the moment.
As I write this, it’s been reported that another 200 dairy farmers were lost in the past year.
The reporter asked why, when milk prices appear fairly stable. The real reason is a chronic lack of investment, driven by poor returns and poor policy over more than a decade, which has left farmers with little faith in the future. Agriculture is a very slow wheel to turn – decisions made today can take years to bear fruit.
I only hope policymakers realise this before it becomes impossible to steer that wheel back towards food production.

Tim Gelfs, Dorset NFU chairman

Spetisbury Station Project’s summer tea party

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Editorial team

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10 July 2025

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Volunteers have been hard at work sprucing up Spetisbury Station ahead of our Railway 200 Summer Tea Party on Sunday 13th July. In the June sunshine, the team weeded, mowed, swept and planted fresh blooms, and even installed a new sign on the old station building.

From 10am to 2pm, you’re invited to explore this beautifully-kept heritage site as we mark 200 years of modern railways in Britain and 165 years of Spetisbury Station. Enjoy live music by the Blandford Ukulele Group (12.45–1.45pm), browse second-hand railway books and gifts, and learn about the station’s rich history.
Pimms, teas, coffees, scones and cakes will be on offer, with proceeds supporting the Spetisbury Station Project.
Entry is free, but donations (cash only) are very welcome. If wet, festivities move to Spetisbury Village Hall!
Find out more at spetisburystationproject

Silver jubilee celebrations for Friends of North Dorset Womens Refuge

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9 July 2025

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The Friends of North Dorset Womens Refuge celebrated 25 years of supporting the refuge with a lunch party at Motcombe village hall, attended by members of the Friends group and representatives of organisations and groups that support the charity’s work.

Sara Jacson is pictured at the anniversary lunch at Motcombe village hall, cutting the birthday cake made by her grandson Jack

Founder Sara Jacson, who cut a birthday cake made by her grandson Jack, recalled the growing awareness in the late 1990s of the need for a refuge for women in North Dorset. There was no money, she said, but both the former North Dorset District Council and Purbeck District Council wanted to help.
The fledgling organisation applied for funding from the government’s Safe Communities scheme and on 2nd January 2000 they received money to set up the refuge. The charity Friends of North Dorset Women’s Refuge (FNDWR) was founded that year to support the residents and their children at the refuge and make their lives a little better.
Sara recalled a meeting with the senior housing officer at North Dorset District Council: ‘With tears in his eyes, he said: “I cannot imagine what it is like to leave a place you have felt safe and loved. Sara, we will make this as good as we can, but we cannot sustain this level of support.”
‘So here we are now, 25 years later. Everybody here has helped in some way – toys, food, money, hampers. Some knit or sew. You all do wonderful things for us. Everybody helps in some way.
‘We need £1,000 every month to provide what is needed.’
The Friends of North Dorset Women’s Refuge welcomes financial donations to help to provide bedding, cutlery and crockery, fresh fruit, support for relocation costs, when families go into permanent accommodation, and funds for outings and parties.

fndwr.co.uk

A summer of events and new faces in Sturminster Newton

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Editorial team

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8 July 2025

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Charity Auction and Preloved Fashion Show
There’s a special evening planned at the Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary on Saturday 2nd August –
a Charity Auction and Preloved Fashions Catwalk Show to raise funds for SturAction and Home Start Blackmore Vale.
Tickets are available from 1855, The Emporium, or by email (contact details below). Your ticket includes:
A Dorset Deluxe grazing supper from Black Cat Catering, with a complimentary glass
of fizz
A bar stocked by Dike & Son and run by volunteers
A Preloved Fashion Catwalk, featuring outfits from The Preloved Boutique and Dapper Chaps, including stunning wedding dresses and suits
Dorset desserts (brownies and berries)
A Charity Auction with fantastic lots donated by local businesses – including a month’s subscription to The Hinton Workspace, Dorset food and pamper hampers, and a Dorset Tipples drinks hamper
Live music and a DJ throughout the evening
All the models are volunteers from community shops, the Girl Guides and friends of the organiser, with hair and makeup generously donated by local professionals. Most outfits will be for sale on the night. All the profits from the Evening will be donated to Stur Action and Home Start Blackmore Vale If you’d like to book tickets or donate a prize, please email: Caroline on [email protected].

Sturminster Newton Arts Weeks are now underway – this year for two full weeks, so you have longer to visit and enjoy the work of local artists showcased in shop windows across town.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the North Dorset Photo Competition. The exhibition at The Exchange is coming to an end, but plans are in hand to display the photographs elsewhere, including in the House of Commons later this year – a wonderful way to share the beauty of our part of Dorset.

New Shops Opening Soon
Stur’s independent shops continue to thrive, with only two premises currently empty – and SturAction already brimming with ideas for at least one of them! A warm welcome to:
Green Lake Studio Crafts, opening officially on 12th July in Station Road. Weldmar Hospicecare Charity Shop, opening soon. Forgotten Frowns Aesthetics and Beauty, just opened on the corner of Church Street. Community Connections charity shop, reopening shortly at Stour Connect on Bath Road, complete with its café.

Looking Ahead
In keeping with Stur’s enthusiasm for sustainability and upcycling, plans are taking shape for a fun evening of Strut, Swap, Style on 1st October, celebrating all our wonderful charity shops. More details will follow soon.
Car & Bike Meets
The Car and Bike Enthusiasts Meet is growing every month – join them on the Rec on the first Saturday of each month from 9am to 12pm, with free parking courtesy of SturAction. On 6th September, the meet will feature craftspeople from 1855 demonstrating their skills (and possibly a few gin makers too – watch
this space …)

Supporting Our Community
At its most recent meeting, the SturAction Board agreed funding for:
Sturminster Newton Boxing Club, supporting their work with young people
Community Connections, to improve the outdoor seating area at the café
The Riverside Festival on 16th August,
offering an affordable afternoon and evening out for families
To keep these brilliant projects going, SturAction relies on donations of saleable goods – and, most importantly, volunteers. If you can spare a little time to join this friendly team, especially in the Market Place shop, your help will be hugely appreciated. If you would like to get involved, email Jacqui at [email protected] – your skills (and friendship) will be very welcome.

Gurston Ascent: a brand new automotive event arrives in Wiltshire

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Editorial team

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8 July 2025

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A brand-new highlight on the automotive calendar is coming to the South West this summer. The Gurston Ascent, an unmissable celebration of performance, engineering and driving passion, takes over the iconic Gurston Down Hillclimb on Sunday 20th July 2025 – and everyone is invited.

Set in the stunning Wiltshire countryside, Gurston Ascent brings together an incredible variety of cars – from exotic supercars and precision-built hillclimb machines to immaculately modified performance cars from across the UK. Every vehicle is road-legal, but far from ordinary.
Spectators will enjoy the rare chance to see these machines unleashed on the hill in a series of untimed, non-competitive demonstration runs – no trophies, just raw speed, sound and spectacle. Whether it’s a roaring V12, a turbocharged track weapon or a perfectly engineered hot hatch, there is something here for every enthusiast. The Ascent is the ultimate leveller: whether a high-powered supercar or a fully built ride, there is nowhere to hide on the hill.
Special guest driver Abbie Eaton, professional racer and Grand Tour test driver, will also be taking part. Crowds can watch from the hillside as she conducts her own runs up the hill – a rare opportunity to see her in action up close.

More than a hillclimb
Beyond the action on the hill, the event features paddocks packed with metal not often seen at an average car meet, curated static displays and a display area dedicated to interesting road cars. Visitors can browse a carefully chosen selection of automotive trade stands and specialist exhibitors offering everything from detailing products to performance upgrades. Quality food and drink vendors will be on hand, along with welcoming spaces to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Tickets are £20 per adult, with under-16s going free, making Gurston Ascent a great day out for families and fanatics alike.
Parking is free, and the hill offers exceptional spectator viewpoints, so no one will miss a moment of the action. Whether drawn by the drama of a hillclimb launch, the gleam of carbon fibre, or simply a brilliant summer Sunday out, Gurston Ascent promises something truly special.
Book now at gurstonascent.co.uk and be part of Wiltshire’s newest automotive tradition.