Our re-elected MP Simon Hoare has praised North Dorset voters for not falling for Labour and Lib Dem election promises – but the Labour and Lib Dem candidates between them received more votes than he did. In reducing Simon’s 2019 majority by 93% this time, most voters clearly remembered the past 14 years of scandal-ridden Conservative chaos, corruption and incompetence. Worryingly, almost a third of the North Dorset electorate opted not to vote this time. No doubt many of them are disillusioned with the way the First Past The Post electoral system fails to provide a parliamentary voice for the majority of us. Simon was chosen to represent North Dorset by just a third of those who voted: likewise, Labour gained their landslide victory with just a third of the national votes. The new All Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections focuses on three key areas: replacing First Past the Post with a proportional voting system, eliminating dark money from politics and countering disinformation in public debate. Good luck to them in their search for an electoral system that works better for everyone. Labour hasn’t made a great start so far, especially with the clumsy scrapping of the automatic winter fuel payment for pensioners. Revelations about various donations and services they’ve received have left them open to the criticism that they are no better than the Tories in that respect. Labour actually declared more donations during the general election campaign than all the other parties combined. It has increasingly strong ties with the financial sector, and before the election campaign it received a £4m donation from a tax-haven-registered hedge fund with shares in fossil fuels, private health firms and arms manufacturers. This surely raises questions about what influence such donors hope to get in return. The one topic that unites a majority of us is a growing concern for the environment and the worsening effects of the changing climate, and here there is a glimmer of hope. The new Foreign Secretary’s recent speech demonstrated a clear ambition to urgently address these issues. However, actions as ever speak louder than words, and we wait to see what actions the government actually takes. Ken Huggins North Dorset Green Party
Is it time to import, asks Andrew Livingston, as welfare standards force British chicken farmers to cut stocking density
It was only in April of this year that I wrote in the BV of the mounting pressure for legislation to change the stocking density of chickens on British farms (See Cluckonomics here – possibly one of my finest headlines – Ed).
Since then it’s all changed. Interestingly, however, it wasn’t led by the government. It is the supermarkets who have changed the game. Just to recap: as it stands at the moment, the law states that you can have a maximum of 38kgs of chickens per square metre in a housing unit. However, the majority of the main poultry producers in the country are only stocking their shed to 30kgs per square metre. It’s pretty boring maths, but it has huge ramifications for the amount of chicken that we can produce in this country. The move from 38kg to 30kg is a reduction of around 20 per cent – so that’s around a fifth of the poultry grown in this country gone from the market. As a nation we aren’t eating less chicken, so where is it going to come from? The simple answer is to just build a fifth more chicken sheds to grow the birds in. But it is nigh on impossible to get planning permission for poultry housing, due to the perceived effect of the environmental damage that growing the birds causes (a debate for another column, I’m afraid). So, perhaps we should bin off eating 20 per cent of our chicken dinners? Nice idea, but not going to happen. To me, poultry is the fastest and most efficient meat to provide protein. The only meat that is more efficient is insects (I wrote about bugs as food back in 2021 here!), but I still don’t think we are ready to stomach it! The real answer? Imports.
We can’t do it I attended the Poultry Meat Conference at the beginning of September (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a conference where we all sit around and talk about poultry meat), and the 30kgs number was the big talking point. Everyone had an opinion to share. Around 200 of us were sitting in a swanky hotel, waiting for the first speaker, when the chairman of the event – who happens to also run one of the largest producers of chicken in the country – told the room: ‘As an industry, we now can’t be afraid to import chicken.’ I thought it odd that a poultry producer would want to encourage poultry producers from across the world to get an invite into our market and trade …. as the saying goes, it’s a bit like turkeys voting for Christmas! He suggested that the UK should import the chicken for all of our frozen breaded chicken needs. At first, I hated it: ‘My kids aren’t eating Polish chicken nuggets!’ I thought (but thankfully didn’t scream out mid-conference). But then I realised. I had finally given up the dream. As a nation, we can’t have the highest welfare standards for our animals, be completely carbon neutral and have huge forests and estates that are left for nature and biodiversity, while trying to be self-sufficient. We simply can’t do it all. We are too densely populated. So I concede – start importing the meat. But let’s make sure we leave the best bits to be farmed here in Britain. I don’t need to have lamb chops from New Zealand, but, if you want to mince up their rubbish meat, then maybe I’ll squish some on a stick in the summer and do some Kiwi lamb koftas. Then, in a few years time, once the technology has taken another leap forward and food becomes more efficient to make, we’ll be food secure and self-sufficient and we can tell the foreign muck to go home. Either that or we’ll all be eating British grasshopper kebabs.
Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s Music and Drama Group is thrilled to announce their highly anticipated autumn show, Rehearsal, an original dark comedy with a supernatural twist, written by the talented local playwright, Steve McAuliffe. The show will run for three nights, 17th to 19th October, promising an unforgettable experience that blends humour, chaos and a touch of the unworldly. Set in the crumbling remains of a once-grand theatre, now slated for demolition, Rehearsal follows the tumultuous behind-the-scenes drama of a group of mostly washed-up actors attempting to pull together a play. However, the production quickly descends into disorder and, spookily, ghosts of former performers start to make their presence known, adding a sinister, surreal twist to an already chaotic situation. Rehearsal is a must-see for anyone who loves theatre and enjoys the thrill of dark comedy. The cast, directed by Joni de Winter, features an outstanding group of local talent, who bring McAuliffe’s quirky and flawed characters to life.
Friday night special As a special treat, Friday night’s performance on October 18th will include a post-show Q&A session with Steve McAuliffe in person, interviewed by Joni De Winter, and promises to be an invaluable experience for theatre enthusiasts.
Tickets for Rehearsal are £12.50, and available from shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk, or from the Shaftesbury Arts Centre box office on 01747 854321, 10am to 12.30pm (not Sundays).
A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.
Q: ‘I want to make a will but I have no idea where to start or how to make it official.’
A: It’s very important to make a will because there are rules which dictate what will happen to your money, property and possessions after you die – without a will they may not go to the people you would have wanted. It’s a good idea to ask a solicitor to draw up or at least check your will. This is because it’s easy to make mistakes which could cause problems after your death. A solicitor will charge for their services, but they should tell you how much their help will cost before they start working with you.
Make a plan Before you approach a solicitor, you should think about what you want to include in your will. Things to think about:
How much money and property you have
If any of your possessions are especially important to you
Whether you want any of your money or possessions to go to specific family or friends after your death
What you’d like to happen to the rest of your assets, including whether you’d like to leave any gift to charities.
If relevant, you should decide who should look after any children who are under 18.
Who will sort out your estate and carry out your wishes, as set out in the will. These people are known as the executors.
Make it legal For a will to be valid, it must be made by someone who is 18 or over and ‘of sound mind’ – meaning someone who is capable of making and understanding decisions. It must be drawn up without any pressure from another person and must be made in writing and signed by the person making the will, in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the document in the presence of the person making the will. Lastly, it should be dated.
As soon as the will is signed, dated, and witnessed, it is complete. It should then be kept in a safe place: at home; with a solicitor or accountant; at a bank; or at HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
Vulnerable pensioners, hospitality and farming sectors are all in need of help – West Dorset MP Edward Morello calls for urgent change
edward Morello
In an effort to plug the black hole in public finances left by the previous government’s economic mismanagement, the new government has made the indefensible decision to strip pensioners of their winter fuel payments. This will directly impact more than 20,000 residents of West Dorset. The decision to do so means that many vulnerable people will be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter. West Dorset is a wonderful a place to live, and understandably many people choose to retire here – but many of our fellow residents rely on that £300 winter fuel payment to soften the impact of energy bills that have increased by 34 per cent in the last decade. I have voted against this decision, and will continue to push the Chancellor to reconsider. In the meantime, I would strongly urge anyone affected to see if they are eligible for pension credits. It is a somewhat convoluted application process, but if you are eligible then it means you will continue to receive your winter fuel payment.
The local economy With the arrival of Autumn it is worth reflecting on the extremely wet summer we have just experienced, and the significant knock-on impact it has had on two of West Dorset’s most vital sectors – hospitality and farming. Early indications are that this year’s harvest is down 15 per cent on 2023, and hospitality takings are as much as 25 per cent down. As a result of high taxes, the cost of alcohol in pubs and restaurants means many of us choose to stay at home rather than going out. Hospitality is one of the largest employers in West Dorset, and I will be pushing the Treasury to look at what measures can be taken to reduce the operating costs for the sector. At the same time, the NFU is reporting the farming budget was underspent by more than £300 million last year – in no small part due to bad management by officials – and that the Treasury might use this as an excuse to reduce the current spending. With basic farm payments set to disappear, far from being reduced the farming budget needs to dramatically increase if we are to protect our rural food producers. Please do contact me on: [email protected]
North Dorset has recently joined on a trend involving specialised lighting to enhance artworks or their designated areas within the house, drawing attention and improving functionality.
These fixtures bounce light on prized possessions and complement and warm the country-style interiors, making the place more beautiful. Light fittings can be rather important, as people who live in this beautiful neighbourhood do not hesitate to invest in very beautiful pieces of art.
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The Charm of Accent Lighting in Rural Dorset Homes
Wall sconces are accent lighting forms that create a warm atmosphere that relates well to the décor of North Dorset houses. Such light fixtures serve the dual function of illumination and enhancement of the house’s features. Apart from aesthetics, these lights also enhance the mood of the room by using wall art, pictures, lighting features and many more. These light fixtures enhance the room’s overall look and complement the decor. A few of these features can be strategically combined with other ambient lighting tools, such as wall lights, allowing for a more even distribution of light around the room.
Accent lighting is most effective in living rooms, corridors, and dining rooms, where it sets a welcoming mood. For instance, in the living rooms, such lighting can be used for accents hanging above the fireplaces and other walls, accentuating art. At the same time, the corridors turn into exhibition halls, lit up with well-planned lighting schemes, narrating stories in your home through well-placed photographs and other forms of art. Check a wide range of picture lights collections to choose the designs that match the beauty of your house.
Choosing the Right Style for Your Home
It is important to procure the correct type of lighting design to complement the surrounding rural design. When designing lighting in a rural home, it is always best to use lights that will help create a rural feel.
Things to bear in mind while selecting styles:
● Purpose: Fixed or adjustable. Where do you want to accent the artwork, and how much mobility do you need to position the fixtures? For the latter, however, multiple adjustments are provided, making it possible to “aim” a camouflaged socket from different sides.
● Finishing touches: Stick to the ethnic-themed furniture and decor, but choose accessories like a distressed finish or aged brass. Such touches will accentuate the decor’s beauty and uniformity across the entire living area, particularly against the back of standard furniture and decor types.
● Proportionality: Observe that the size of the fixtures is about the size of the work of art and that of the room. Well-proportioned lighting makes the design more presentable and also, in some way, preserves the overall correspondence in the design.
Popular Finishes for Lighting Fixtures in Dorset Wholesale Supplier
Some of the finishes are in accordance with the older Western-style houses that are mostly situated in the countryside areas of North Dorset. The use of brass andantique finishes is common because they bring warmth and timelessness, which suits the county’s historical nature. These options integrate well with other antique home styles and can elevate the status of spaces.
Though some of these homes may need to retain the transformation of the period-fitted homes, sleek, contemporary finishes with straight-edge details may be more suited for modified Dorset homes.
Those who want to add a bit of contemporary design to the overall appearance without covering it in too much might find options like matte rail black or polished chrome useful. While some may select to go for contrasting tones or patterns, as in the case of the fixture with the wall where there is an insert fixture against the wall, think of the desired look as a result of the general design and its effect.
Contrast is primarily a statement that is highlighted and stands out, while blending creates a softer and more harmonious sense.
Benefits of LED Lighting
For accentuation purposes,LED fixtures have some other advantages, especially for homeowners who desire to accentuate their artwork. This is very economical, as one is able to light up his home without having to spend too much on energy.
Advantages of LED Lighting:
● Energy Efficiency: As opposed to conventional lighting, LED lighting consumes less electricity, which helps beautify the enclosed areas with less use of resources.
● Longevity: The long life span brings a reduction in the rate of disposal. This saves you money over the years and brings about less environmental pollution as fewer products end up in landfills.
● Warm Lighting Options: LED lights do not lose the rustic feel of country homes and remain warm in colour. The soft colour helps get used to the area and creates a sense of comfort and belonging. Besides accent lighting, additional elements such as table lamps or even overhead lighting should be included to increase the inviting warmth of the room.
Best Places to Find Lighting Fixtures in Dorset
North Dorset has a number of local shops for sourcing accent lights. There are small lighting shops in the area and specialists who can provide great help with equipment selection that best matches your house design. Their knowledge and experience will help you make the best possible choices of fixtures that suit your design.
Furthermore, internet shops have a great variety of designs, so one does not have to struggle to find the right pieces to beautify the room. Design lovers with such expectations are catered to fully saturated ‘bespoke’ lighting facilities that are efficient in terms of applying stylish lighting components and meeting appropriate light levels for desired activities. Outdoor lights may also be considered to carry the beauty of your house to locations outside your home that have the same lights to act as a supplement to the interior.
A special evening hosted by the Stars Appeal Fundraising Committee at The Rifles Museum in Salisbury raised more than £27,000 for Salisbury Hospital’s charity. Over 250 guests attended the Late Summer Soirée on September 12th, alongside hospital staff who act as charity ambassadors, committee members, and Stars Appeal president, the Earl of Pembroke. Stephen Oxley, Chairman of the fundraising committee, said: ‘We thank all those who made donations and pledges. It is only through generosity like theirs that the Stars Appeal can continue enhancing care for local people at the Hospital.’ Throughout the evening, guests heard moving stories from Stars Appeal Ambassadors Dr Tracey Parker and Dr Jim Baird, and Patient Ambassador Adrian Abbott, who shared how the charity’s projects supported his recovery from a cardiac arrest. Neal Riley explained how the Stars Appeal Benson Suite, a space for families who have lost a baby, supported his family during their loss. The soirée also focused on the charity’s latest initiative: providing 36 ‘by your side’ sleeper chairs for vulnerable or end-of-life patients to have loved ones stay comfortably by their side. Funds from the event will contribute to the £1 million the Stars Appeal aims to raise this year. starsappeal.org
Balancing individual responsibility and government effectiveness, MP Simon Hoare argues for a ‘smart State’ that fosters independence
During the recent General Election campaign, I suggested that an issue that would need serious consideration is the role of the State, and the debate surrounding our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Too often, politicians are characterised as being either of the Left and therefore in favour of a BIG State or from the Right where a small state is preferred. To paint such strictured pictures gives the lie to the assumption that the State is static. It is not. Tide-like, it ebbs and flows: actively interventionist when required, passively observatory when it can be. Governments – in my view erroneously – often define their success in terms of the amount of legislation they bring to the Statute Book. A casual perusal of the many bookcases in Parliament shows that the volume of laws greatly increased following 1945 by comparison with earlier years, and this has shown no real sign of abating. So, perhaps our first responsibility as citizens is to want Government to do less, but do it better? Give more time to considering legislation and its impact. Get it right first time. Make the weather The principal role of the State is to keep the country safe and defended. However, from most people’s perspective it is the provision of services and support systems, those things with which we engage most regularly, that are dominant in their evaluation of the effectiveness of the State. And I think the key word here is effectiveness. It is not a question of Big or Small State, but its effectiveness or, as I increasingly prefer to call it, Smart State. The full arsenal of AI and digital is going to have to be deployed. There will be transitional hurdles to face and surmount … but that is nothing new. The Britain of the mid 21st century is going to need a State that is fleet of foot. In order to get there, it is also going to require politicians of all party persuasions to once again take up the responsibility of making the policy case for X, Y or Z, rather than merely being a cowardly echo chamber of inbox and social media. Politicians need to have the courage to ‘make the weather’ in order to ‘turn the dial’. Lloyd George, Atlee, Thatcher, Blair … they all did so. They cannot be a closed chapter. Infantilise the nation Which brings me to our rights and responsibilities. Too often, the narrative has focussed on ‘I know my rights’ and ‘what I am entitled to’. We have a – correct – presumption that the State will help rather than hinder us. It will provide protections and the famous welfare ‘safety net’, below which none can fall. But it must always provide this as a springboard, from where people are able to improve things through resilience, independence and self-sufficiency. I hope the PM will stick to his pledge to reform welfare to ensure that work always pays. He will face internal and external opposition, but not from most sensible-thinking people in the country. The State-authored, welcome and necessary interventions during COVID and the cost of living crisis has, however, encouraged a loss of individual independence and a greater reliance on the State to solve problems perfectly within our own control and competence. The State cannot, and should not, do everything. To try to do so leads to the infantilising of our fellow citizens and a dependency culture becoming ever more embedded. Why try to stand on our own two feet when the Government will do it for us? Our ‘rights’ are, in my judgement, enhanced when we accept and deliver our responsibilities. We do have responsibilities and the State should not create an atmosphere where we can shirk them. To create a one-way street of expectation is profoundly unhelpful. I shall be returning to this theme in a subsequent article.
Surgeries On a housekeeping point, I have diarised a list of Advice Surgeries held on Fridays across the constituency. If you have an issue or problem with which you think I can help please email me: [email protected]
Get ready for some ghostly fun as the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne celebrates Halloween and half-term week with its special Spooks and Spectres Museum Trail! From Saturday 19th October to Saturday 2nd November, visitors of all ages can become ghost hunters, track down spirits and uncover some of East Dorset’s spookiest local legends. Alongside the haunted trail, junior visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, including colouring, crafts, and dressing up in spooky costumes. Aidan Hill, programming officer for Museum of East Dorset says: ‘It’s been brilliant researching the ghosts of Wimborne. I’ve talked to lots of local businesses and it seems Wimborne is still very popular with inhabitants from its past! ‘The Oddfellows pub in Church Street has a poltergeist called George, a pint-pulling prankster who gets up to mischief behind the bar. The ghost of Granny Snow, the last resident at No 9 on the Green before it became a tearoom, is known to rattle many a teacup and rearrange the kitchen! ‘And of course, the museum itself has its own resident ghost! There have been reports of strange murmurings at the bottom of the main staircase, a man being seen surrounded by newspapers in our second-hand bookshop and books being thrown off the shelves during the museum restoration a few years ago. ‘There are so many spooky local stories that adult visitors can enjoy, and our ghost trail will appeal to children of all ages as they can join in the spooky hands-on history activities!” The Spooks and Spectres Trail is FREE to all paying visitors, with children under four gaining free admission. Entry prices are £5.50 for children aged 5 to 16 and £12 for adults, with family tickets available. And a ticket grants 12 months of free re-entry to the museum.
