This recipe started out as a bit of an experiment but has now become a reliable go-to if I am looking for something summery and floral – the matcha tempers the rose with some earthiness. I use Polly’s Petals for all my food grade edible powders and petals: not only are they locally-based on Portland but they have such a beautiful range. If you don’t usually buy matcha, you can get loose matcha powder in most supermarkets or health food stores – just make sure it is not the kind in tea bags! I have used Stork margarine – I was looking for something light and airy and this baking margarine lends itself to that. It also happens to be naturally dairy free.
Preheat your oven to 180º fan/gas 6. Grease and line an eight inch square baking tin.
Beat the caster sugar and margarine well together until light, fluffy and pale in colour (this will take two to three minutes with an electric mixer). Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating really well between each.
Add in the flour and the matcha powder and gently mix with a large spoon, making sure not to knock out any of the air you have just beaten in.
Carefully pour this batter into the cake tin and smooth into the corners. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes – the sponge needs to be springy to the touch and be slightly pulling away from the edges of the tin.
Once baked, leave the cake to cool.
To finish, mix together the icing sugar with some cold water, adding very little at a time, until you reach a thick, drizzly consistency. Stir in the rose powder.
Cut the cooled cake into squares and drizzle it with the icing, sprinkling with dried rose petals to finish.
Wildlife-friendly gardening has an impact: DWT’s Jack Clarke takes a closer look at how your green space can help local species thrive this August
The earlier spring generation of holly blue feeds on the flower buds and berries of their namesake tree, but the summer generation seen in August relies more on ivy Image: John Bridges
Large or small, your garden or green space can make a real difference to local wildlife – the way you choose to care for your garden really does matter! Collectively, wildlife-friendly spaces, no matter how small, act as mini stepping stones across our towns and villages, helping wildlife find food, water, shelter and places to breed. Even the smallest space like a window box can encourage and support a variety of fascinating insects, contributing to a thriving ecosystem. In August, look out for the beautiful hummingbird hawk moth. It’s a summer visitor from southern Europe and north Africa, and its numbers vary year on year depending on weather conditions. With its hovering flight and long tongue, this amazing daytime moth is sometimes mistaken for a small exotic bird, hence its name. Cinnabar moths are also ‘out and about’ this month. Their larvae are one of many species which rely solely on the leaves and stems of ragwort for food. Ragwort flowers are an amazing pollen and nectar source for many insects, including butterflies, beetles and solitary bees. Often stripped from fields and paddocks, ragwort can pose a health threat to grazing livestock. But in a garden or wild space it is an amazing food plant, supporting more than 200 species – so please do think before you ‘weed’! Also on the wing this month is the holly blue butterfly. In Dorset, it is warm enough for them to have two generations a year, so the ones we see now are the offspring of the adults you might have spotted in the spring.
The hummingbird hawk moth is a regular summer visitor to the south of the UK. Image: Dave Appleton
Shake some heads Top nectar sources for insects in August include succulent sedums, tasty marjoram and colourful rudbeckias. If you spot gaps in your borders, pop in a few perennials like salvias or asters which will provide sources of pollen and nectar through late summer and into autumn. And do deadhead plants in pots or baskets to keep the flowers coming. Some roses, such as Rosa canina and Rosa setipoda, will produce hips if you don’t remove all the spent flowers. This will give you a much-enjoyed splash of colour through the winter but could be a genuine life saver for hungry birds and small mammals. Many earlier flowering plants, such as foxglove and sweet William, will have set seed by now – it’s a good idea to collect and save some for future sowing. Choose a dry day and just shake the seed heads into a paper bag. Seed will keep for several years if stored in a cool dry place, but if you have too much, remember to share with friends! Not all seeds will store well though – for example yellow rattle, sometimes known as the ‘meadow maker’, is best sown fresh between now and the end of the year. For more wildlife-friendly gardening advice, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-friendly-garden
After the usual Letter from the Editor, we move straight into the local politicians columns, the first since the General Election…
Simon Hoare MP talks of feeling ‘survivor’s guilt’. Ken Huggins of the Green Party is excited by the Green Surge, with more than 2m votes for the Green Party nationwide. Gary Jackson of the LibDems tells of the crisis in Further Education, noting that the sector is currently both underfunded and woefully ignored. Lastly, Labour’s Guy Perkins seeks to reassure non-Labour voters, explaining how experts and experience lie at the heart of the new government.
Next, Show Organiser James Cox sits down with Terry to talk about this year’s Dorset County Show. It’s the county’s traditional end-of-harvest celebration of the countryside. James talks about how, post-covid, the County Show was re-invented to breathe new life into the 170-year-tradition. In the 2024 show he’s excited about the display of horsemanship from the Atkinson Action Horses. The Imps Motorcycle Display Team will be roaring their way around the main arena, always a crowd favourite. And there will be some brand new sections – visitors can meet 50 alpacas, and the fun dog show is sure to meet with everyone’s approval. Is your dog up for best catcher, waggiest tail or prettiest rescue? And labeled as Dorset’s biggest larder, this year’s Food & Drink area is the biggest yet, with more than 60 stands in the food hall, while outside there’s plenty more plus hot food and live music under the festival flags. dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
Mosaic, a Dorset charity founded in 2007 to support bereaved children, has launched a major fundraising appeal to continue supporting children struggling with the death of someone close to them. Jenny talks to CEO Jo Revill about the charity’s work to provide qualified counsellors for children and young people struggling with grief. mosaicfamilysupport.org
August’s BV can be read here … grab a coffee and jump in to the Dorset-ness. News, opinion, people, wildlife, art, farming, what’s on, horses … and frankly stunning photography. Did we mention it’s FREE?Why *wouldn’t* you want a flick through?Frankly, it’s so jam-packed with Dorset goodness, it’d be rude not to.
(*don’t forget, we’re proud to be purely digital. The only way to read us is right here online!)
The BV is the ‘glossy’ rural monthly digital magazine from Dorset, this year awarded ‘Best Regional Publication in the UK’ (Newspaper & Magazine Awards)
Wildlife writer Jane Adams explores sundews – Dorset’s carnivorous plants – and Darwin’s fascination with their deadly allure
The rare great sundew
In a letter dated 1860, the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin wrote to a friend, “… at the present moment, I care more about Drosera than the origin of all the species in the world.” It would be reasonable to assume Darwin was writing about a rare exotic bird, or maybe a species of tortoise … but no, he was actually getting worked up about a carnivorous plant, more commonly known as the sundew. Carnivorous plants have always fascinated me. When I was a child, I was given a Venus flytrap and fed it live prey with tweezers. I remember watching as its hinged leaves closed around each struggling fly that buzzed for a while – and then went ominously quiet. While I’m glad I’ve moved on from this gruesome hobby, I’m still amazed at how a rooted plant has evolved to entice, ensnare and ultimately devour another living creature for extra nutrients. Surprisingly, Dorset is home to three native species of sundew: the round-leaved, oblong-leaved and the rare great sundew. Though far from common, all three species like the moist and infertile soils of Dorset’s boggy lowland heaths. Look for them growing quite close to the ground (their maximum height is 20cm), where their red-tinged leaves sparkle in the summer sunshine, making them easier to spot. If you do come across one and kneel for a closer look, you will also notice hair-like structures on each leaf adorned with a droplet of liquid ‘dew’. Drawn by this deadly glistening lure, insects soon become stuck in the sticky glue. Then the sundew wraps its leaf around the prey, secretes digestive enzymes – and the unsuspecting insects are turned into a nutritious soup. As Darwin exclaimed, ‘By Jove, I sometimes think Drosera is a disguised animal!’ Is there a triffid lurking right under our noses in Dorset, albeit in a minuscule form? It’s an intriguing thought.
The round-leaved sundew
Ancient sundew folklore: Woodpeckers use the dew to harden their bills Dew from the plant, known as a source of youth and virility, can be used in anti-aging potions The plant can be used as a love charm because it has the power to lure and entrap its prey
Team Rimmer’s July adventures and a behind-the-scenes peek at the meticulous competition prep, including a top-secret luxury shampoo tip
Mattie (The Real McKay) enjoys his plaiting session ahead of Dauntsey Park Horse Trials – All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
How is it August already?! I don’t know where the time has gone – when we’re in full swing dashing from event to event, the weeks just fly by. In July, Team Rimmer has been to Aston-le-Walls, Upton House, and most recently Dauntsey Park Horse Trials. We’ve had some highs: Sir Henry Hall obtained his 3*L qualification at Aston and Jimmy finished in the prizes at Dauntsey. But we also had some lows – Elsa and I took an unlucky tumble at Dauntsey when we landed a bit too steeply from a hedge. Fortunately, we are both absolutely fine, so it’s onwards and upwards! We were busy getting all the horses and kit clean and ready for Dauntsey when Courtenay paid us a visit for this month’s photos – he managed to grab a sneaky peak into what it takes to prepare five horses for a day’s competition! A huge amount of mostly-invisible preparation work goes into each event, so I thought I’d put together a little ‘A-Z’ (yes, OK, it’s an A-F!):
A is for ‘Always clean the stud-holes before you get to the event!’ When competing on grass, we screw studs into our horses’ shoes to prevent them from slipping – essentially, we turn their ordinary shoes into football boots! They often get small stones and dirt in their stud-holes, so we make sure they are cleaned out the day before to avoid any last-minute stress.
B is for Braids – I’m cheating now, they’re actually called plaits. Our horses are plaited for all three phases, which requires sectioning the mane into chunks, plaiting it down, and rolling them up into little bobbles. We often do the plaits the day before, especially if we have an early start. Then to make sure they stay tidy overnight, lots of them wear Lycra ‘hoods’ which make them look a bit like Batman!
C is for Clothes – well, tack, but close enough (I know, I’m stretching it here!). If you think your wardrobe is extensive, you should see that of our horses … they have saddles, bridles, boots, numnahs (the saddle blanket that goes between the saddle and the horse’s back) and girths – all of which require cleaning and packing into the horsebox the day before.
From top left: Team Rimmer’s box of studs | Plenty of storage required when you’re taking five horses | Jess with the team’s portable tack room | as well as the horses, the box has to be a home-from-home for Team Rimmer humans too
D is for Dirt! The day before an event, all the horses have a scrub-down with my favourite luxury shampoo of choice: none other than a bottle of Fairy Platinum! I find this works particularly well on the grey horses, especially Max, who seems to enjoy finding the muddiest patch to roll in …
E is for Essentials. In all the chaos of packing their special competition tack, we also have to pack all the everyday items: plenty of hay and water and rugs to keep them warm if needed. Each horse also has their own passport, which shows all their vaccinations, required every time the horse travels. They even get passport stamps when visiting Internationals, just like us!
A is for ‘Always clean the stud-holes before you get to the event!’
F is for Food. Last but definitely not least. Mum and I also need to make sure we have plenty of supplies for the day – mum has a soft spot for a chocolate brioche, whereas I will happily tuck into a sausage roll at five in the morning! Granny brings her legendary egg sandwiches (seriously, she’s known for them!) which keep us going until we get home, and owners often bring yummy picnics too. It’s no small task getting everything ready to go – until now we’ve done a pretty good job of not forgetting anything major, but I’ve heard plenty of stories of people, saddles and even horses being left behind!
Jess with her Willberry Wonder Pony – the charity supports vital research into osteosarcoma and grants equine-related wishes to seriously ill people and their families
Elaine Gough has been fundraising for her nephew, 16-year-old Alfie O’Neill, all his life. Alfie has cerebral palsy, severely affecting his mobility – he relies on his wheelchair, and he constantly needs both equipment and therapy, which is what the family raise funds for. Alfie lives with his Mum (Elaine’s sister Pauline), his dad Dan and his sister Maisie.
‘We all love him so much,’ says Elaine. ‘He is such a character and has a heart of gold – and nothing ever phases him.’ Elaine took the extreme step of a wing walk on Friday 26th July at Henstridge Airfield: ‘I had a lot of family and friends turn up to see me do it, it was an amazing experience! Even better that I was doing it for my nephew. ‘Everyone at the Airfield and all the wing walk people were amazing, so reassuring, and they were so pleased we were doing it for Alfie. Elaine’s Justgiving Wingwalk page is still open here
The official Clayesmore Classic & Supercar Sunday show magazine is here!
From just over 150 cars at what was a remarkable first show in 2021, the Clayesmore Classic & Supercar Sunday has swiftly grown to be one of the leading car shows in the south. This year, there will be more than 700 beautiful classic and supercars on display in the grounds of Clayesmore School.
We’re thrilled to present this year’s official show magazine, designed to enhance your experience at what’s set to be the biggest and best Classic & Supercar Sunday yet.
What’s Inside?
The show magazine is a treasure trove of information. You’ll find essential info like the map and itinerary so you don’t miss the Rev Offs or the spitfire flypast. There’s an exclusive feature on the showstopping cars not to be missed – all hand-picked by our team of car enthusiasts. Get ready to see, amongst others, a Ferrari F12 TDF and a Ferrari F12 N-Largo, a Ford GT, a twin-turbo Lamborghini Huracan and an Aventador SVJ, a McLaren Speedtail … and also the new Bentley Continental GT Speed and the new generation Aston Martin Vantage from sponsors Harwoods!
Finally, our sponsors have been a vital part of making this event possible, and we’re pleased to include notes from them, sharing their passion for cars and their support for our event.
The Clayesmore Classic & Supercar Sunday is more than a car show – it’s a celebration of automotive artistry, a gathering of enthusiasts, and a family-friendly day full of fun. Grab your official show magazine, get involved, and be part of this spectacular event.
We look forward to seeing you there. Get ready to rev your engines!
As founder Lloyd Banks retires, the new joint managing directors of Rubicon People Partnership lead with a focus on culture and innovation
Jess Comolly-Jones and Terry Porter (right), joint managing directors at Rubicon People Partnership, with Lloyd Banks who is stepping down after 24 years. Image: Andrew Diprose
Jess Comolly-Jones and Terry Porter have been appointed joint managing directors of Rubicon People Partnership, taking over from founder Lloyd Banks, who has stepped down after 24 years. In 2021, Rubicon became one of the UK’s first 100 per cent employee-owned recruitment consultancies. Jess, 38, joined as a trainee in 2005, working her way to commercial director. Terry, also 38, joined a year later and advanced to director of operations. Lloyd, 62, said: ‘Both Jess and Terry have very different skillsets and work very well together. Passing the baton to them was a no-brainer. ‘They’re inheriting a solid and successful business and have the energy and the motivation to take it forward. ‘After a lifetime of work I’m now looking forward to focusing on travel, whisky, cigars and motorcycles!’
It’s all about the team Poole-based Rubicon employs 37 people and has an annual turnover of more than £12 million. Future plans include expanding across the UK and new initiatives such as the relaunch of Rubicon Executive. Terry says: ‘As an employee-owned business, we’re fixated on culture. If you culturally align and your morals fit, then we’re onto a winner… It’s why the retention and average years of service of our team are so high. The employment industry has changed radically since Jess and I initially joined. ‘We’re looking forward to adopting new tech – new software coming in will be a game-changer for us.’ Jess says: ‘Attracting talented individuals from outside the industry with transferable skills and the right attitude, then developing, supporting and growing them, has been the recipe for our success. ‘It really is all about the team. We are constantly evolving and both Terry and I are excited for the future.’
Rubicon places temporary workers, contract and permanent employees in various sectors including technical, manufacturing, logistics, commercial and executive/C-suite positions.
Anisa Kazi is a Healthcare Assistant at Marie Curie Hospice, Bradford.
This photo was taken in October, 2023.
Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, urgently needs volunteers to organise supermarket collections in Shaftesbury and Gillingham. By co-ordinating just a few collections annually, volunteers can help Marie Curie raise essential funds and awareness to continue providing expert care and support. Marie Curie offers specialised end of life care in people’s homes across Dorset, as well as free information and support services. Kara Frampton, Marie Curie community fundraiser for Dorset, says: ‘The volunteers will set dates, find collectors, bank the money and thank participants. Full training and ongoing support will be provided.’ A single collection in Dorset can raise more than £400, enough to fund 17 hours of vital nursing care for someone with a terminal illness. Kara says, ‘Every day I hear about the incredible impact Marie Curie has had on families during the most challenging times.’ Last year, Marie Curie cared for more than 44,000 people across the UK through hospices and home nursing visits. Over the next five years, the charity aims to double the number of people it supports.
To learn more about volunteering or other ways to support Marie Curie, contact Kara Frampton at [email protected] or call her on 07712 691510.
