A trail of nine stiles …

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5 July 2025

From Marnhull stone to Enid Blyton, Stourton Caundle’s stile trail celebrates community spirit, rural creativity and our local footpaths

The first stile, in Marnhull stone, was made by self-taught stonemason Dean Harris – the stile had been blocked for some time. The new route allows easy access from the centre of the village into the
surrounding landscape

When a broken stile was repaired in Stourton Caundle, it provided local resident Catherine Speakman with a blank canvas: ‘A neighbour of mine re-did one of the old stiles which was in a bad state,’ she says.
‘It was really well done and immediately I thought it would be fun for me and my two girls to go round and paint the local stiles and jazz them up. But then I had the idea that other people might want to take part, so I asked the question on social media and Simon Gudgeon from Sculpture By The Lakes was really interested. That made me think “hang on, this could be quite good …”. Although he was ultimately unable to get involved, his interest gave me the confidence to approach other businesses, and it grew from there.
‘I wanted to make it varied: not only with the type of materials used but also the people involved. So we have stone, metal, wood and also natural plants. The stiles have been designed, made or sponsored by schools, charities, businesses and artists. I wanted to make it really varied in order to attract different people.’
The trail features nine unique stiles and is a brilliant example of a successful community project, as well as providing creative inspiration for other villages who might also be looking for ways to maintain their footpaths.

The Stile Trail was the brainchild of villager Catherine Speakman

The trail
The stiles along the two-mile route have all been repaired and decorated to be unique, and they have QR codes so that walkers can learn more about the businesses or groups behind them. The first one was made in Marnhull stone by Dean Harris Creations, and the structure was built by JST Building Services. Another was designed by Alweston-based Dorset Forge and Fabrication, using their trademark recycled metalwork to create the stile – look for a delightful woodpecker, butterflies and a snail.
A stile leading off Cat Lane was designed by All Saints Primary School in Bishops Caundle, and invites walkers to take a pebble to reflect on their journey. Either side of a bridge, the pair of Village Stiles embody collaborative local creativity – look out for wind chimes and playful chalks encouraging creative art. Countrymen UK created a wood stile which acts like a portal into the countryside. The ninth stile is not yet complete. It will have a theme reflecting the village’s connection with Enid Blyton. The beautiful, tranquil route opens up some of the most spectacular views of the Blackmore Vale.
Trooper Inn landlords Debbie and John are delighted that the route starts and finishes at the pub: ‘It’s opening up people’s eyes to what North Dorset has to offer,’ says Debbie. ‘We come from Poole, and everyone knows about the Dorset beaches, but in the north of the county, it feels as though we are literally Dorset’s hidden secret.’
Walkers’ differing abilities have also been considered, as Catherine says: ‘You can easily split it up. There’s a shorter, mile-long option that takes you up into the fields and back on the road, or you can head further to loop around the lakes and into the older part of the village.
The all-accessible route uses a bridleway that is hard surfaced, so anyone can get up there – this one doesn’t use the stiles, obviously, but you can see the two on the route.’

Dorset Forge and Fabrication’s stile uses recycled metalwork to create artistic sculpture. Look for the woodpecker, the butterflies and the snail

A tricky ask
Catherine planned the routes to suit as many walkers as possible, but the most challenging part of the project was asking people to give their time, expertise, materials …
‘There was absolutely no budget for this – everyone has done everything themselves. I felt bad asking for that, it is crucial times for everybody. Things are tight. I didn’t want to take advantage of people. This was an opportunity for everyone to do something they loved and in whatever way they wanted … They could judge how much time they wanted to put into it.
All of them are individually brilliant.’

Do it ourselves
Steve Harris of BBC Radio Solent opened the trail: ‘Catherine is amazing at blowing Dorset’s trumpet. I think the project is terrific. I’m excited about walking it myself and have brought all the family with me. But just the idea that you can fall in love with and care for your local community and follow that through with the force of will that Catherine has … I think most of the time it’s very easy to look at some of the things where we live that are crumbling or need a bit of love and think “oh, that’s up to the parish or the local council.” But actually, to turn around and say, “you know what, we can do this ourselves” is amazing. And the fact that all these people have turned out today and are supporting the local pub too … long may it continue and be replicated.’
Catherine is understandably proud of what she, and the community, have achieved. ‘I’m proud of what it has become. It is more than I expected and all the creators have been unbelievable.
The village has been so welcoming to the project and together we have made something unique. I’m hoping it can be replicated nationwide.
‘We are not going to get more footpaths, so we need to look after the ones we’ve got.’

To find out more about the stile trail and see the routes, read Catherine’s blog Tess of the Vale here.

A hand up, not a handout

By

Editorial team

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5 July 2025

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It’s not the scroungers: Courtenay Hitchock talks to Carole Jones about the families, carers and key workers all turning to the Vale Family Hub

Volunteer gang at Dorset’s vale family hub

When the Vale Family Hub opened in March this year, we described it as providing ‘help, hope and great coffee.’ That still rings true, but step through the door today and you’ll find a place where lives, not just shopping baskets, are quietly rebuilt.
At a glance, it looks like a social supermarket – shelves of fresh food, volunteers stacking donations, a welcoming café. But spend a little time listening, and you’ll hear countless stories that defy the stereotypes of who needs help in modern Britain.
‘People assume everyone here is living on benefits,’ says Carole Jones, the Dorset councillor who leads the team. ‘But actually, most of the people who come in are working – they are carers, shop staff, nursery workers, delivery drivers … ‘It’s just that wages are low, rent is high and all the bills have gone up. We’ve had an Emergency Services worker whose wife had a baby, and their household income just dropped. Suddenly they were paying £1,200 a month in rent and couldn’t make ends meet. And this is happening everywhere.’

Dorset councillor Carole Jones is leading the Vale Family Hub team of staff and 50 volunteers

Helping people rebuild
The Hub started life as The Vale Pantry, providing affordable groceries for a £7 contribution, and the Pantry still runs today. ‘Last year we spent around £160,000 on food. For every £7 contribution someone makes, the actual cost is usually between £23 and £30.
‘But it means people feel they are paying something, choosing their own food, and keeping some dignity. That matters.’
Since the expansion into the Hub, food is only one part of what’s on offer. Around 400 to 500 families are supported over the year. Some come regularly, others just when disaster strikes – a car breaking down, a job lost, or an unexpected bill.
And some arrive with no idea where to begin …
Carole tells the story of one 86-year-old man, recently widowed, who had never cooked a meal in his life. ‘His daughter brought him in. Now he comes every week for a cooking lesson. And he’s made new friends just by sitting and having a chat. That’s what this place is about – it’s never just about the groceries.’
Many are grappling with trauma. One young mother escaped an abusive relationship in Manchester. She fled south with her children, traumatised and alone. ‘She didn’t know anybody. She didn’t know how to start again. At first, she just came for food. Then the team learned she loved running, and introduced her to the Dorset Doddlers, the local running club. It was the beginning of her transformation.
‘She started volunteering in the café. She was gaining confidence again. Then, literally out of the blue, one of our local business owners came in looking for someone to train and give a job to – someone who just needed a chance. She started work last Monday and she’s flying. That’s the kind of thing people never hear about.’

The Welcome Cafe is open six days a week, 9am to 6pm
(Saturday 8.30am to 3.45pm)

A place to grow up
Children and teenagers find their way to the Hub too. Some haven’t been to school in months.
‘We’ve got a Year 9 girl who hasn’t been to school since February,’ Carole says. ‘We’ve spent weeks just talking and supporting her and she’s agreed to try a fresh start at a new school in September. That’s huge.’
Another boy, Jamie, simply wouldn’t leave the house. The only compromise he accepted was that if he was allowed to come to the Hub, he would also attend school. ‘It’s about tiny steps. We can’t fix everything overnight. But we can start somewhere.’
The team is planning to launch a youth club and also a men’s support group. The need is clear: ‘Last year we lost three men to suicide – all of them local dads. ‘One of them left four young children. His partner is now one of our volunteers … people don’t realise how common this is.’
But many of the volunteers and staff know exactly how it feels to be in crisis. Kim, now the Hub’s manager, first came during the pandemic. ‘She was in a dreadful state’. Then she disappeared. They later learned she’d been in a coma for three months after major surgery. When Kim returned, she came in just to sit and chat. Gradually, she began volunteering. ‘She was like a magnet – people just opened up to her.’ Today, she works full time at The Hub, and is often the first person someone in distress speaks to. Another volunteer, Lizzie, came hoping for help after her family lost everything in a house fire. And then, just before Christmas, her husband died suddenly of an undiagnosed heart condition. ‘They were just getting back on their feet. She has come through so much. And now she’s here helping other people.’
Then there’s Bradley, a young man with learning difficulties who helps out. ‘One day we sent him out to the container to get more baked beans. Half an hour later he phoned – he was lost in the container! It all adds to the fun – he just wanted to help.’

Beyond the Stereotypes
Carole is clear: poverty isn’t always obvious. ‘People think you can tell by looking at someone how much money they have. And you just can’t. We’ve had people in here who look well off – and they’re living on cereal because they can’t afford a proper meal.’
Sometimes, the issues are hidden. Financial coercion is a regular theme. ‘We’ve supported women who don’t have access to the bank account. They’re doing everything they can to feed the children, and he’s controlling the money. That is domestic abuse, and it’s more common than people realise.’
Others arrive simply overwhelmed by cost of living pressures. ‘We worked through a budget with one family who thought they were in crisis. It turned out they had £600 disposable income, but they didn’t know. It’s nice when it’s as simple as helping people get organised.’

The busy Saturday breakfast club is a popular chance for a weekly social outing for many people.

At the Hub, every new person goes through a careful needs assessment. Volunteers look at income and outgoings, find out what’s behind the struggle, and help people with individual needs. Some discover they’re entitled to help they never knew about. Others find practical advice, or just a safe space to breathe. Traditional food banks still have their place – but Carole believes their model is no longer enough. That broader role has been recognised nationally. A June report from Feeding Britain found that while Affordable Food Clubs make a measurable difference to household budgets, it’s their holistic approach – bringing people together and linking them to wider support – that helps build lasting resilience in the face of the cost of living crisis. ‘A food parcel once a week is a sticking plaster. If someone calls in crisis on Friday morning, and the boxes were packed on Wednesday, what happens then? Here, we see people face to face. We understand what’s happening. We can help them work towards something better.’
Sometimes, that means simply being there. Carole tells the story of the family whose dad was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour: ‘Mum had to stop work. Their whole life turned upside down. No six-week food parcel can cover that. They needed help for as long as it took.’

volunteers at Sturminster Newton’s Vale Family Hub

Not what we’re for
Running such a complex operation isn’t cheap. The Hub raises around £350,000 a year – through grants, donations, the café (every cup of coffee, every meal purchased from the Café helps fund the Hub, it’s a hugely important revenue stream which brings in around £1,000 a week) and partnerships.
‘It’s exhausting. I spend hours every day looking for new funding. But I wouldn’t do anything else. And the community support is incredible. We have around 50 volunteers now, and I don’t know what we’d do without them. When you see someone like Lizzie, who has been through so much and still wants to give back – how could you not keep going?’
What clearly unites everyone – volunteers, staff and visitors alike – is the belief that everyone deserves dignity and hope.
‘If people want to change, want to help themselves, we’ll go all out for them. If they just want cheap food, that’s not what we’re here for. But if they want a way back, we’ll stand by them every step of the way.’
valefamilyhub.co.uk
Butts Pond Trading Estate, Sturminster Newton
07968 348481
[email protected]

From Rev-Off thrills to Race Sim skills

By

Editorial team

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5 July 2025

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Classic & Supercar Sunday is fast approaching! On Sunday 24th August, the stunning grounds of Canford School in Wimborne are the new home for one of the South West’s most exciting automotive festivals, an unforgettable celebration of design, power and sound.

‘Classic & Supercar’ … the name says it all. From the rarest vintage icons to cutting-edge hypercars, the line-up is beautifully curated to offer something for every kind of car lover – and then spread across sweeping lawns with riverside views.

New for 2025:
The Sunken Lawn Showcase, where a dramatic natural amphitheatre is reimagined as an exclusive stage for the world’s most exceptional vehicles. Expect rarity, beauty and serious presence, including headline icons like the Ferrari F40.

Also new this year is the DAIZUN Racing Simulator Challenge, where you can go head-to-head with rising British F4 talent Reza Seewooruthun. It’s free to enter – pitch yourself against the region’s fastest and chase a podium spot on the leaderboard.

And if you’ve never seen a Rev-Off before, you’re in for a thrill. These live sound battles between supercars are loud, raucous and pure theatre – and there are two happening on the day.
For younger visitors, the free Mini Rovers off-road course is a standout experience: electric Land Rovers, proper obstacles and the chance to earn their first driving licence.
With live music, DJs, gourmet food trucks, artisan coffee and craft beer, this is more than a car show – it’s a full-day festival for all ages: ‘Come for the thunder. Stay for the spectacle.’
Buy tickets now at apertaevents.com

Letters to the Editor July 2025

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Editorial team

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4 July 2025

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s it just me, or has time developed an alarming habit of folding itself in half when you’re not looking?
All week, every conversation seems to start the same way: ‘How is it July already?’ followed by a sort of dazed blinking and a check of the calendar to make sure we haven’t skipped a month.
I swear it was March about ten minutes ago. The hedges were barely greening up, I was still hunting for my winter gloves, and now here we are – school holidays nearly upon us, the garden trying to become a jungle, and the entire county heading off to shows and fêtes and barbecues.
Maybe it’s the long daylight that does it. Everything feels compressed and stretched at the same time – days that last forever, weeks that vanish without trace. The to-do list never seems to get shorter, but somehow we’ve already had the longest day and you’re wondering where you were when the first half of the year disappeared.
If you’re feeling the same slight panic that you haven’t made enough plans, or achieved quite enough, or generally kept up – please know you’re not alone. I think sometimes, just lifting your head and smiling at the sunshine counts as a win.
So here’s to July, however it managed to sneak up on us. May it be full of small, ordinary pleasures, and at least the occasional day that doesn’t vanish while you’re trying to remember where you put the corn cob forks.

Laura x

PS – Don’t miss the swish new puzzles page. Last month’s tech meltdown triggered a flurry of ‘where’s the crossword/jigsaw?’ emails in my inbox. But we’ve taken the chance for a refresh, and I’m not going to lie – I demanded high fives all round when it actually worked.

On The Last Cut for Local Meat
(The BV, June 25)
Thank you for your thorough and clear-eyed article on the crisis facing small abattoirs. As someone who has spent a lifetime farming, it was heartening to see this issue given the attention it deserves.
People are very quick to talk about “local food,” “rare breeds,” and “sustainability,” but too often they forget that none of those things are possible without a functioning network of local abattoirs. When you close them, you don’t just lose a building – you undermine the whole principle of traceable, low-mileage food production.
It was especially good to hear Lillie Smith’s perspective. Most of us running smaller herds cannot send animals hundreds of miles without huge costs, stress to the livestock and the loss of everything that makes local meat different.
The government must wake up to this before it’s too late. Once these places shut, they don’t reopen.
Sarah M. Dorset farmer

On Inconclusive is not a diagnosis
(The BV June 25)
While I always enjoy George Hosford’s columns, I must take issue with some of his views on TB testing. I understand the frustration around inconclusive results and the upheaval they cause, but the suggestion that the test itself is “utterly useless” isn’t fair. The SICCT test isn’t perfect, but it remains the most reliable screening tool we have at scale.
Removing animals on the basis of any reaction, as George proposes some farms do, risks culling huge numbers unnecessarily – something neither the science nor most farmers would support.
I also think blaming DEFRA for not “properly dealing with the problem” glosses over the real complexity of managing disease in wildlife and livestock. No country has eradicated TB easily, and the idea that there’s a simple, tougher approach that will fix it overnight doesn’t reflect reality.
By all means, we need better tests and more support, but I think George underestimates how far the system has already come.
AL, by email

People who haven’t been through this can’t really understand how demoralising it is. You put years into breeding and caring for your herd, only to be told you’ve got “inconclusive reactors” and you’re closed down again. Even if the next test is clear, the damage is done – to your business, your reputation and your peace of mind.
It’s hard to see a way out when the system feels so blunt and unworkable. George is right: it’s not just the cows that are infected – it’s the whole process that’s sick.
Name and address supplied

On June’s anonymous Grumbler: What she said next shockled no one.
Your line – “When something genuinely important happens, you won’t miss it” – was exactly right. All the shouting headlines are there to distract us so the real decisions can slip past unnoticed. Thank you for saying it plainly.
Thelma N, on Facebook

month. The endless drama and fake urgency are exhausting – with the side benefit of you missing the important stuff. Also, please let’s bring back quiet, intelligent debate where both sides listen and are open to exchanging ideas.
Anne R, Shaftesbury

Absolutely spot on about Gen Z – my teens are so much better-informed than I ever was. They don’t watch 24hr news – they just expect it to be there when and if they feel like dipping in. But they won’t fall for the scams their grandparents never even suspect, and they find their news from numerous sources, rarely the TV. They even fact-check regularly. Don’t dismiss them just because they’re on TikTok.

Your Grumbler is a bout … grumbling. Honestly – the point of 24 hours news isn’t to watch it constantly and see the same stuff on repeat. the pint is that you get on with your life, and dip in when it suits you. It’s the equivalent of watching Netflix on demand rather than being bound by an old TV schedule. Yes please, I say.
Adam F, Dorchester

Bravo Mr Gelfs
Bravo to Tim Gelfs for such a refreshingly blunt first NFU column. About time someone stood up and said what we’re all muttering in the yard – the whole ELMS/SFI/IHT debacle has been a shambles. Keep it coming, Tim. We need more straight talk and a lot less waffle.
Nick W, nr. Blandford

I was glad to see Tim Gelfs’ column in the magazine, saying what farmers have been thinking for years.
We’ve been pushed to change how we farm, spend thousands trying to do the right thing, and then watched the government yank the funding away with no warning. It’s no wonder people have lost faith.
Tim’s right – this isn’t clever policy, it’s chaos. You can’t build trust or long-term improvements if you keep moving the goalposts.
Good on him for speaking plainly. I hope he keeps going – we need more voices like his.
RD, Shaftesbury

On Holy Row to holy wow
I was only thinking about pew-gate a few months agao and wondering if it had ever been resolved – thank you for the update and putting my ind at ease! the church does look lovely and is clearly a more useable, flexible space without the Victorian pews.
I’m sure it’s still a sore subject with some villagers, but I do feel the most important thing is for churches to stay relevant community buildings, not echoing empoty museums. Well done Okeford Fitzpaine for finding a way though and getting it done!
Kathy L, Wimborne

Want to reply? Read something you feel needs commenting on? Our postbag is open! Please send emails to [email protected].
When writing, please include your full name and address; we will not print this, but do require it.

July’s BV is here :)

By

Laura

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4 July 2025

2

Editor’s special picks for July:

Eddy Scott is back in Dorset – and just four months after being blown up and losing two limbs in Ukraine, he’s walking, smiling… and already planning what’s next.
The new Stile Trail is a brilliant example of an entire community pitching in and getting something done – and it sets a roadmap for other villages to follow.
There’s a fascinating interview with Carole Jones about the work The Vale Hub does – and exactly who’s using it (hint: it’s not “benefit scroungers”).
Jess Rimmer’s account of competing at Bramham is a wonderful read – don’t miss the video, and if you’re not smiling by the end, you’re probably dead inside.
The Larmer Tree Project has been quietly getting on with providing astonishing days out for local schoolchildren – entirely free. Frankly, they’re doing something flippin’ brilliant.

We’ve also got a trout farm that’s a national trade secret, the Grumbler fed up over the recycling depot fiasco, Dorset blueberry season, Andrew Livingston back from honeymoon and on his soapbox, and the usual ridiculous amount of amazing readers’ photography.

Not in the newsagent. Not in landfill. Never printed. Always read.
This is July issue of The BV – digital, award-winning and better written.
Dive in

The BV puzzles July 25

By

Laura

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3 July 2025

0

Made by The BV using PuzzleMe"s <a href="https://amuselabs.com/games/crossword/" target="_blank" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: underline;">crossword puzzle generator</a>

Play Sudoku online!

How to Make Your Customs Clearance Process Hassle-Free

By

Editorial team

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3 July 2025

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If you’re shipping goods internationally, whether as an importer or exporter, you already know that getting your shipment from point A to point B isn’t always straightforward. There’s more to it than just boxing up products and handing them over to a carrier. One of the most important pieces of the puzzle is making sure your paperwork is complete, accurate, and compliant. If it’s not, delays, extra fees, and missed deliveries can follow.

This is where customs clearance plays a critical role. Customs clearance is the process every shipment must go through when entering or leaving a country. It involves submitting documentation that identifies what you’re shipping, its value, where it’s coming from, and where it’s going. If you don’t have the right documents, or if the information is inconsistent, your shipment could get held up, returned, or even destroyed, depending on the country’s regulations.

Start with the Right Documents

To avoid that kind of disruption, the first thing you should do is build a solid checklist. Start by identifying which documents are required for the country you’re shipping to or from. At a minimum, you’ll usually need a commercial invoice, a packing list, and a bill of lading (or an airway bill for air freight). These should all match in detail. Things like product names, weights, quantities, and descriptions need to be consistent across every form.

It’s also smart to take time on your declaration. Many customs brokers or shipping companies will give you a template to fill out, but don’t just rush through it. Be specific with your product descriptions. A vague term like “parts” might seem clear to you, but to customs officials, it could raise questions, and that could mean inspections, delays, or extra duties. In some countries, even a small discrepancy can trigger a full review.

Understand the Rules in Each Country

Don’t forget that customs policies can vary a lot depending on the destination. Some countries will accept a simple pro forma invoice; others insist on original, stamped documents. If you’re not sure what’s required, check with your customs broker or freight forwarder before shipping. A five-minute call or email now can save you days of waiting and hundreds of dollars later.

Another common mistake is assuming that if your invoice includes enough detail, you don’t need a separate packing list. But those two documents serve different purposes. The invoice shows the value of the goods for duty purposes, while the packing list helps identify the physical contents of your shipment. Customs agents often use both to verify your declaration, so keeping them separate, and accurate can work in your favour.

Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays

If you’re the importer, your job starts before the shipment even leaves the origin country. Make sure the shipper gives you all the necessary paperwork and information ahead of time. Don’t wait until the cargo is already on route, by then, fixing documentation issues is much harder.

In short, customs clearance isn’t something you want to take lightly. Getting your documentation right, labelling your cargo clearly, and understanding what each country expects are all essential steps in making your shipment process smooth and predictable. A little attention to detail goes a long way, and in the world of international trade, that can mean the difference between a seamless delivery and a costly headache.

103-year-old Valerie enjoys surprise reunion thanks to The Malthouse Care Team

By

Editorial team

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2 July 2025

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Residents at The Malthouse Care Home in Gillingham, Dorset, were treated to a heart-warming outing this week as they visited Madjeston Farm – an experience that held a particularly special meaning for one remarkable lady.

Helen and valerie fishing for guinnea pigs

Valerie, who has lived at The Malthouse since November, hadn’t set foot outside the home since moving in. Anxious about leaving the safety and comfort of her new surroundings, she had preferred to stay close to familiar faces and routines. But with gentle encouragement and the dedicated support of the care team, Valerie found the confidence to venture out for the very first time – and it turned into a day she’ll never forget.

As part of a thoughtful surprise arranged by the team, Valerie was reunited with some dear friends at the farm, including two familiar faces she hadn’t seen in quite some time and had no idea would be there waiting for her. The moment she spotted them was one of pure joy.

“Not bad for 103!” said Jo ’Toole, Activities Coordinator at The Malthouse, smiling proudly as Valerie beamed with happiness.

The afternoon unfolded at a gentle pace, with Valerie and her friends feeding the animals before sitting down together over a cup of tea and a slice of cake – a simple pleasure made all the more special by the warmth and companionship of the day.

Returning home glowing with delight, Valerie shared her excitement. “I can’t wait to go out again,” she said. With her 104th birthday fast approaching, the care team are thrilled to see her embracing new experiences with such enthusiasm.

“This is a testament to the care, dedication and encouragement our team provides every day,” said Debra Wyke, Manager at The Malthouse. “Moving into a care home doesn’t mean giving up the things you love – it’s about finding new ways to enjoy them again, with support tailored to you. We’re here to make sure that every resident, regardless of age, continues to live a full, joyful and meaningful life.”

The Malthouse Care Home remains committed to helping residents live life to the fullest, one wonderful experience at a time.

For more information about The Malthouse, visit www.healthcarehomes.co.uk or call 01747 448580.

A stray cat called Bentley and the ladies who saved Shakespeare

By

Laura

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1 July 2025

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From restoring Shakespeare’s reputation to composing an anthem for a church tower, June’s podcast is all about hidden stories, unexpected legacies and quiet revolutions. It’s a thoughtful listen – and very Dorset.

Editor’s Letter: A Cat Called Bentley

Laura shares the story of Bentley, the anxious, dribbly, slightly battered cat who has joined the household – and the slow work of rebuilding trust.

“Somebody somewhere has hurt him. So we wait. We let him come to us. And that’s absolutely okay, however long it takes.”

The Shakespeare Ladies Club: Rescuing the Bard

Jenny speaks to Christine and Jonathan Haynesworth, authors of The Shakespeare Ladies Club, about the remarkable group of 18th-century aristocratic women – led by the Countess of Shaftesbury – who saved Shakespeare from obscurity: and why it mattered.

“His plays were being turned into pantomimes. They knew that without intervention, the originals would simply vanish.”

“These women sat on the stage itself, forcing the audience to behave – and bringing Shakespeare back.”

The Dorset Insider

Our anonymous parish councillor is back – this time questioning why Visit Dorset’s marketing seems to end at Dorchester, and why the north of the county is constantly overlooked.

“If people think there’s something worth stopping for, maybe they’ll actually … stop?”

Windelstán: Music for a Tower

Composer Richard Nye talks to Laura about Windelstán, the anthem he created for the newly restored tower in Mere – and why he included the sounds of old weather vanes, spiral staircases and bells.

“I wanted the tower to have an identity. A personality. It’s watched the town change for centuries.”

This episode is based on stories from June’s BV, available to read online now here. News, people, places – and beautiful Dorset photography, every single month.

The BV – named Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette). Always worth your ears.