27th July 1942 – 5th April 2025
Rachel Hosford (Cook) of Durweston.
Passed away at Forest Holme Hospice, Poole, after a short illness, aged 82.
Much loved wife of Jonny, and greatly missed by Martha and Ben, and grandchildren Hector, Eliana, William and Thomas
Widespread dissatisfaction with the state of British politics has doubtlessly contributed to the relative success of Reform. Instead of addressing that situation however, both Labour and the Tories have tried to win back voters by adopting policies that lean towards Reform ideology. Their biggest mistake has been to row back on policies aimed at addressing global warming, thereby failing with government’s most important duty, which is surely to protect the lives and wellbeing of citizens.
Kemi Badenoch has declared that achieving Net Zero by 2050 is impossible without a significant drop in our living standards and bankrupting us. Yet the CEO of the Confederation of Business Industry has stated that last year the Net Zero economy grew by 10 per cent and added £83bn to our national income.
What we cannot afford is to sideline action on global warming. The consequences of carrying on with fossil fuel business-as-usual would be devastating. We are already seeing increasingly severe weather patterns develop, with prolonged periods of flooding and drought for example, impacting the ability of farmers to produce our food. Longer term consequences include disasters like rising sea levels as ice caps melt. Arctic air temperatures are rising faster than the global average, and so the massive Greenland icesheet, for example, is particularly vulnerable to global warming. It is kilometres thick, covers 80 per cent of the island … and has been steadily melting for the past 27 years as global temperatures rise. It contains enough water to eventually raise global sea levels by seven metres. In the UK that would wipe out whole farming areas, including Norfolk and Lincolnshire. Talk about a drop in living standards …
While our contribution to climate change is much smaller than that of, say, China, we are responsible for a share of China’s emissions because so many of the things we buy are manufactured there.
China has identified the clean energy opportunities and installed more renewable energy generation last year than the rest of the world combined – eight times more than America and five times more than Europe. Renewable energy creates jobs, cleans polluted air, and lowers energy bills. That’s what we have to gain – and can’t afford to lose.
Ken Huggins
North Dorset Green Party
Just don’t call her a female farrier – Abby Bunyard never set out to break barriers, she just forged her own path by refusing to accept them
Not many people can say they knew their calling at six years old – fewer still can say they stuck to it. But Abby Bunyard isn’t most people.
‘I was lucky that when I was younger, my sister used to ride,’ she says. ‘She’s four years older, so I was always dragged along, and was always around ponies. The farrier at the yard asked me what I was going to be when I grew up, and I told him I was going to be a farrier. He said, “Come find me when you’re big enough.” So I did.’
Dorset-born and raised, Abby grew up in Stalbridge while her father, a Navy man, ‘floated around the world’, as she says. ‘Mum and Dad had an agreement: it was his job, and the kids would stay rooted. Every time Dad came home, it was like Christmas. Sometimes we got four a year! We were lucky.’
Those early years around ponies lit the fuse. By the time she left her all-girls school – which viewed her ambitions with what we might politely call raised eyebrows – she was already fixed on her goal.
‘It wasn’t a career they really understood,’ she says. ‘But I’m fairly bloody-minded, and people telling me I couldn’t do it just drove me towards it, really. It was my passion. It was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be able to make a difference in an animal’s life – the biomechanics, the structure … I could see all the things that we humans were asking of these animals and I thought we needed to give back. The more comfortable we can make them, and the more efficient in their work we could make them, the better they would be and the happier they’d be.’
The UK is the only country where farriers must legally be qualified and registered, so she entered the UK’s formal apprenticeship system. At the time, the Hereford School of Farriery was the only college offering the training. Abby joined a class of 34 of whom only two were women – and the other only lasted a year. ‘She was Spanish: away from home in a male-dominated industry, doing a hard physical job in a different language … it was tough.’
Abby, however, didn’t flinch.
‘I definitely had to work twice as hard. But I had an exceptional boss – so many people told him taking me on was a terrible mistake, but the more people told him that, the more determined he was!’
Even so, it took time to find her place. ‘It took a week before anyone even spoke to us at college. I don’t think they knew what I was. Was I a threat? A joke? A random? No idea. But I went into it to become a farrier. That’s all that mattered.’
The day she walked on stage to receive her qualification from the Worshipful Company of Farriers, she received a standing ovation. ‘I cracked them,’ she says.
In 2025, things are different: ‘It’s 100 times better now.’
But Abby hasn’t once in her 30-year career considered quitting. ‘No. I genuinely haven’t done a day’s work in my life. I get up and do my hobby. I’m a farrier. That’s it. It’s a way of life. I adore it.’
The day job
There’s no such thing, Abby says, as a normal farrier’s day: ‘I have absolutely no idea where we start and where we end! I train apprentices – someone gave me a chance, so I owe it forward. We get in the truck at 7.15am, and we laugh all day. We tag team so no one takes all the strain, and each horse we shoe, we discuss. Nothing is ever shod the same – it’s individual to the animal’s needs at that point in time. What needs to be done today might not be what’s needed in four weeks’ time.
‘The phone starts going Sunday night – “Any chance?” or “I forgot to book in…” or “can you just …” Monday morning the trucks are stocked and you have your list. But though you’ve got the horses’ names, you don’t know what’s changed in the last four to six weeks. Has it done more work? Less? If it has done less work than normal, why? Is the client OK? It’s not just about the horse. While you’re shoeing the horse, if the shoe pattern or wear has changed, you assess why is that changed? What has changed? Why has it changed? Was it changed conformationally? Is it uncomfortable due to biomechanical disruption? Every horse is unique, and each one demands thoughtful, individualised attention‘
But it’s never just about the horse. You walk onto a yard and say, “Hi, how are you?” and that starts the whole job.
Someone tells you Aunt Hilda’s died or the kids are sick or work’s gone crazy, and you suddenly know why the horse hasn’t been ridden as much or why its wear pattern is different.
You have to be fluid. You’re a farrier, but also a counsellor, a mind reader, a biomechanics geek. It’s holistic. It’s art.’
And then there was Edna
‘The best thing about this job is the difference I make,’ she says. ‘Big or small. When you walk a horse up and see it landing laterally – putting more medial strain on, because it will have a secondary medial landing – but if you then shoe that horse and walk it up and it lands flat, the entire limb or biomechanics of that animal are now in tune. I’ve made a massive difference … What’s more important? The laminitic pony that’s keeping a child with cancer alive because they can see their pony, and it’s just got to be okay? … or the not-100-per-cent-conformationally-sound animal that’s got to stay sound through a five star event?
All of those things matter. You’re not just treating the animal. You’re helping the person attached to it stay afloat.’
Sometimes it’s about the rider. Sometimes, it’s about the horse … and sometimes, it’s both.
‘There’s an older lady I visit, I do trims on her elderly pony. She always comes out with a teapot on a silver tray, proper biscuits … you can’t miss that trim. I cannot miss that trim. Because she gets up every day for that pony.’
One of Abby’s most memorable cases was Edna the injured pony: ‘Edna was a massive achievement. She got her rug caught in the fillet strings, and it severed through part of a deep digital flexor tendon. The owner just didn’t have a pile of spare money to spend on it, so my apprentice and I fabricated a pattern bar shoe, and the clients kept her in the box for six months. There really wasn’t much hope for her … but now, she’s out doing Pony Club stuff! We didn’t do it all by the book, but the owners listened to us, and it was such a great result.’
Be the best me
Today, Abby is not only a highly respected working farrier, but president of the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association – the first woman ever to hold the title. ‘I didn’t go in to become president,’ she says. ‘I just realised one day I was sitting around grumbling about things I didn’t understand. So I decided to get involved. The more I learned, the more I realised what the Association could do. Soon I was treasurer, and the Association needed help getting back on its feet.
As treasurer, with a group of 12 other people, I made a hell of a difference. It was fantastic. And then I was made vice president … and when they put the president’s chain on at the AGM, the weight of that … I just thought, “Oh my God. What, what have I done?” I could feel the weight of its history.’
The president’s chain is 125 years old, and has the name of the founder of the BFBA engraved on it, as well as every president since. One year in and Abby is already making an impact: she is determined that the Association is the backbone and strength of leading the industry, and is pushing for greater inclusivity, accessibility and openness. Abby has never identified herself as a ‘woman in a man’s world’ And she resists being labelled a ‘female farrier’. ‘That pisses me off,’ she says. ‘I’m not a female farrier.
‘At no point – aged six, 14, 21, 32 – have I thought I was a female farrier. I’m a farrier. I don’t want to be the best female anything. I want to be the best me. That’s what matters.’
Being a farrier is so much more than shoes on horses. It’s also anatomy, diagnostics, mental health … and for Abby it’s long-haul travel too. The British Association is the crème de la crème of the farriery world and she has lectured on and shod horses all over the globe – Belgium, Geneva, Australia, New Zealand and the US.
She is currently working toward the highest professional qualification in her field: the Worshipful Company of Farriers Fellowship. There are only 52 fellows in the world. Fewer than a dozen are women, and none, until now, from Dorset.
‘It’s not a doctorate, but it’s the pinnacle in our profession. I’ve done the practical, I’ve just got the thesis to finish. It’s a whole new learning curve – writing isn’t my comfort zone – but I strive. I strive. I can’t see how I can train apprentices without continuing to learn myself. Otherwise you remain stagnant. And that is not good for animal welfare.’
Eyes wide open
And she’s not done yet. Abby is also the driving force behind Focus. A decade ago, it was an international farriery competition with three gazebos and a burger van. Held at Stoneleigh, home of the BFBA, for 42 years, Abby says every farrier in the world wants to compete there: ‘It’s the farriers’ mothership. And now we have 18 international teams of farriers, the best in the world, competing to be the international winner. Alongside that, it’s now the biggest international educational trade fair in the world. We have about 70 trade stands, a lecture theatre, a demo area, a members’ area … We had 1,800 people through the door last year – bear in mind, there’s only 2,500 farriers in the whole of the UK. I stopped in the doorway, just for a second, and looked around, soaking it up. The noise, the energy – it was bloody epic. That was our team … We built that.’
So what advice would Abby give someone considering farriery?
‘Eyes wide open. It’s hard graft. But it’s rewarding beyond words. You learn every day. The skills are vast – the science, the communication, the precision. And the life it gives you is incredible. You’re not stuck in an office. You’re outside, doing something real. And yes – you can make a good living. The United Kingdom’s farriery qualification will allow you to shoe all over the world. But it’s not a nine-to-five. It’s a total way of life.’
Abby’s already thinking about the next client, the next horse, the next puzzle to solve. For her, it’s not about being the first, or the best, or the most awarded. It’s about doing the job – and doing it properly.
Top tip for horse owners?
‘Pick out your horse’s feet. Twice a day! Regardless of where they have been. Animal welfare. That’s my hot tip.’
Abby
Students at Sexey’s School were treated to a high-energy live performance and a powerful discussion on mental wellbeing last week, thanks to a visit from Somerset band The Entitled Sons.
The rising stars – four brothers Charlie, Rafferty, Billy, Laurie (who allow dad Graham to play the bass and ferry them around) – are known not only for their music but for using their platform to raise awareness of mental health. Alongside their set, they delivered a heartfelt talk urging students to open up about their emotions, support one another, and challenge the stigma still surrounding mental illness. They spoke candidly about the pressure of social media, the value of real friendships, and the importance of embracing differences.
One parent shared how deeply the message resonated at home: ‘My stepdaughter had an amazing time experiencing a live performance and was deeply moved by their speech. She came home and opened up to her father about her feelings, which led to a really positive conversation about mental health over dinner. The band’s words inspired her to speak up and seek support, which is such an important message for young people.’
Headteacher Steve Clayson said: ‘We’re incredibly grateful to the band for taking time out to visit. Their performance was fantastic, but more importantly, their message truly connected with our students. These kinds of conversations are essential if we’re going to normalise talking about mental health.’
Sexey’s School has placed a strong emphasis on wellbeing in recent years, ensuring students feel safe and supported. The band’s visit offered an authentic and accessible way to encourage open dialogue – and proved just how powerful music and shared experience can be. What began as a school concert turned into a catalyst for change – one that will echo far beyond the day itself.
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The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society has named a new President – and she’s no stranger to championing British farming. The Right Honourable Baroness Minette Batters, a Wiltshire farmer, political campaigner and former president of the NFU, has taken on the honorary role ahead of this summer’s Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show.
Baroness Batters – now the 86th President in the Society’s long history – brings with her a formidable track record of national leadership. As the first female president of the National Farmers Union from 2018 to 2024, she steered British farming through Brexit, the pandemic, and pivotal policy reform. Now a crossbench peer in the House of Lords and recently appointed to lead DEFRA’s farm profitability review, she continues to influence national food and farming strategy at the highest level.
Taking up her new role as President of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, she said:
“I hope I can continue the legacy of those that have been President before. They’ve all done an amazing job.”
Based just over the Dorset border in Downton, where she runs a 300-acre mixed farm, Baroness Batters is a passionate advocate for the farming community. Her appointment is expected to bring new visibility to the Society’s education work – particularly its Student Support Fund, which helps local young people access land-based training and careers.
She added that in her new role she was most looking forward to hosting the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show which takes place on 13th and 14th August.
“It’s my local show so I’m just feeling very privileged to be involved. In this challenging economic climate, our county shows offer great value for money and a wonderful day out for the whole family.
The future is about being relevant to the customer, people who have grown up with the Show and attracting newcomers.”
Now a registered charity, the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society has been a cornerstone of the community since 1860. Its annual Show – held at Turnpike Showground in Motcombe since 1993 – draws thousands of visitors and over 1,300 livestock entries, with a growing focus on heritage, education and innovation.
“Programmes like Clarkson’s Farm have brought farming to a new audience,” said Baroness Batters. “When I left the NFU I was so pleased to see how popular farming as a job that’s respected has become with the public. It’s second to nursing. The highest rating it’s ever had.”
Soupy dinners, a lorry full of mice and a dreamy back end – Basil begins his first season with Jess Rimmer with power, promise … and carrots
I’m writing this from my horsebox in a very sunny, bustling lorry park at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park. The atmosphere is just brilliant – it’s the first international of the 2025 season and home to the prestigious 4* Grantham Cup. Many combinations are using this run as a preparation for Badminton 5* in May – as you can imagine, the standard is sky-high!
So, what am I doing here this weekend? I’m here with a new character for you all to meet: The Spice Merchant, known to his friends as Basil (or Baz, Bazman, Big Baz… you get the idea!).
Basil and I are participating in the 3* short, and it willl only be our third time out competing together. He is a brilliant horse, more special to me because of the story behind him.
A good friend of mine, Alex Munn, bought Basil as a 7-year-old BE100 horse. They flew up the levels together and competed in some of the most prestigious events – Bramham, Blenheim, Millstreet and Hartpury – representing Alex’s home country South Africa.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of both Alex and the Portman Ladies Syndicate, I’ve now taken over Basil’s reins – and it’s a full-circle moment, as Alex and Basil began their own eventing journey together at Fox-Pitt Eventing, and they were based here for two years.
Lesson time
It’s a bit of a ‘finding out’ weekend for us, actually: firstly, we’re seeing which bits of the lorry do (or don’t) work, which areas have/haven’t been eaten by our newly-resident mice (!), and which parts of the drinks fridge need/don’t need restocking (Gin? Tick! Bubbly? Tick! Fresh water? Errr … nope.)
Lorry antics aside, it’s also an important weekend for getting to know Basil. I’m learning his ‘buttons’ and how to get the best tune from him, as well as finding out more about his personality and his particular likes and dislikes. So far, I’ve discovered he likes his dinner pretty much to the same consistency as soup, he loves having the inside of his ears scratched, and he sees grazing time as his own personal ‘Man (horse) vs Food’ challenge.
That big ole core
His incessant appetite leads me nicely into my topic for this month. Basil, although an established top event horse, is a bit of a unit in his build – think less Mo Farah, more Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. In studs. He has the most immensely powerful back end (one I can only dream of having…), but that does mean he finds the stamina side of things more difficult. It is such a balancing act with horses – working to increase and maintain a high level of fitness, while at the same time protecting and preventing against potential injuries.
We are incredibly lucky that the setup at Wood Lane is mindfully designed for keeping top competition horses in their physical prime. With access to an abundance of hacking as well as the onsite gallops the horses are able to have a varied, little-and-often approach to their fitness regime. Not only this, but we are also only a short lorry journey away from the South West Equine Water Treadmill, run by the very lovely – and very knowledgeable – Fred and Lisa Ford. Basil has been making weekly visits since his arrival last month.
The water treadmill is a brilliant tool in our arsenal – it has huge benefits for horses and it’s very much as it says on the tin. It’s a big, sturdy treadmill not terribly dissimilar to those which you or I would run on (actually, not me, if I could possibly avoid it), except it’s horse sized, obviously, and it also fills up with cold water at the same time (yeah, I’m glad it’s for the horses, not the riders).
The water provides resistance as the horse walks forward on the treadmill at a controlled speed – usually walking – encouraging them to strengthen their musculoskeletal system while putting minimal strain on their legs and feet. It’s about the only time the horse is working harder than us for a change! The treadmill has masses of therapeutic potential and it is currently influencing the way many in the equestrian world approach injury rehabilitation. But for Basil it’s being used as a fitness aid, to help really tone up that big ole core of his! The stronger the horse the less likely they are to injure themselves.
The fun begins
Ok, so back to the here and now. Thanks to the help of William, Jackie, Lisa and Fred, Basil is fit and ready to go – we completed our dressage this morning, so now onto the fun part!
I’ve walked the cross country course twice already – once with William and once with mum – which is why there are currently a hundred butterflies swarming in my tummy (excited ones, I might add!). The track is testing but not unfair, and none of the questions are ones Basil hasn’t seen before.
It is slightly more nerve-wracking when I remember I don’t actually know Basil particularly well yet – but he is such a dude, and I have the utmost confidence in him. I’ll do one final course walk on my own in the morning, just to get into the right headspace, before my showjumping at 10.42. I head out of the start box just under an hour later, so will be all done in time for lunch (we might not be doing winter dressage any more, but my priorities still haven’t changed). See you on the other side!
[PS: He was amazing! He made incredibly light work of it, as we knew he would, and jumped a super double clear. Big smiles, big pats and some extra carrots in his tea, I reckon!]
You can follow Jess on @jessrimmereventing
Self-funded, locally backed and racing for Team GB – Roanna and Megan are taking grassroots triathlon to the European stage on their own terms
When local triathlete Roanna Warren first entered a middle-distance race with her friend Megan Casebow, they didn’t exactly expect to end up wearing the Team GB tri-suit.
But this May, the pair will represent Great Britain at the European Triathlon Championships in northern Spain – Roanna racing in the aquabike event, and Megan taking on the full middle-distance triathlon.
It started with a casual post-race comment. ‘After the event, Megan said, “You know, you can use your time to try and qualify for GB,”’ says Roanna. ‘I had no idea. There are rules, obviously – the race has to have over 1,000 competitors, and you have to finish within the top 20% of your age group winner to be eligible. But once you’ve got a time that fits, you can register your intent to qualify on the European Championships website, submit your application … and then wait for the email.’
Roanna submitted her times for the aquabike – a swim-bike format that drops the run – while Megan went for the full middle-distance triathlon: a 2km swim, 90km bike, and a half marathon to finish. The aquabike event covers the same swim and bike course, but without the punishing final leg.
‘I’d been struggling with my running due to injury, so the aquabike was a better fit for me,’ Roanna says. ‘We train together, and it made sense to enter an event where we’d actually be racing at the same time – we start the swim together, bike the same route, and then I’m done while she heads out for the half marathon!’
This year’s European Championship takes place just outside the city of Pamplona, at the Alloz Reservoir – a mountainous, scenic location that promises not just competitive racing but also challenging terrain. ‘It’s a lake start, with a hilly bike course that ends in Pamplona,’ Roanna says. ‘Megan’s run then loops around and through the city: It’s going to be an incredible experience – and exhausting!’
The tide is turning
It’s an extraordinary achievement. But unlike most elite sports, qualifying for Team GB in amateur triathlon doesn’t come with sponsorship deals or national funding – it’s entirely self-funded.
‘There’s no pot of Team GB money for us,’ Roanna says. ‘You qualify, you wait, you get the email … and then you pay for your own kit, your flights, your accommodation, your race fees, your bike transport – it’s all down to you.’
And it’s not cheap. ‘Even the official GB tri suits are, frankly, silly money,’ she says. ‘But we found last year’s kit on sale for £30 – you can wear previous season’s kit for up to two years. This year’s is £150, so we grabbed the bargain. You’ve got to get creative!’
They’ve also had support from local businesses helping them get to the start line. ‘Offcamber, the Blandford bike shop, have been just brilliant – they’ve sponsored both of us. They gave us jerseys and offered cost-price on anything we needed. They even offered cost-price bikes, which is just a bit too tempting!’
Roanna’s also been supported by local firm Chat-Com, two-way radio specialists, who contributed towards her kit – and Megan by estate agents Woolley & Wallis.
‘It’s really meant a lot,’ Roanna says. ‘To have local businesses want to back women in the sport – it’s powerful. Cycling and triathlon are still very male-dominated, and sponsorship often reflects that. Even in big sponsorship teams, there’ll be a photo of six men and two women – that kind of tokenism is everywhere.’
But the tide is slowly turning. ‘There are brilliant things happening – like the Bristol Rally, which is run by a woman who makes sure her events are 50/50 men and women. She holds back half the tickets to keep it balanced – and the events always sell out. It proves there’s demand, there’s no reason for it to stay so male-dominated.
‘I believe in the power of bikes to build confidence, resilience and community. Seeing more women out riding, adventuring and supporting each other is what it is all about for me.’
Training for the European Championships is, of course, relentless – and juggling it alongside running a business and raising two kids? As Ro puts it: the struggle is real. But the pair have had the support of their local cycling community – ‘The North Dorset Tri Club are lending us aero helmets. One of the guys at the cycling club even wrote me a full training plan,’ says Roanna. ‘It’s things like that – people giving their time and expertise – that have made this feel possible.’
And with eyes tentatively on the World Championships, it’s clear that Pamplona might not be the end of the road.
‘To be honest, I’ve just been focusing on this race,’ Roanna says. ‘But I’ve managed to pull together a team of 12 women to ride Chase the Sun in June – it’s 205 miles in one day, from Minster-on-Sea to Weston-super-Mare. You start at sunrise and race the sun to the other side. I’m so excited to have a group of women taking it on together.
‘But right now, I just want to give it my all, represent GB, and show what women in grassroots triathlon can do.’
Roanna is also behind this summer’s GTRB Wild Weekender – a women’s MTB and gravel cycling festival with camping, yoga, wild swimming and more. 29th–31st August, tickets start at £22.
Follow Ro on @girlsthatridebikes
After a short break, Marston Music is back with a vibrant 2025 programme of concerts and events.
Kicking off the season on Saturday 3rd May at 7.30pm, accordionist Paul Hutchinson and clarinettist Karen Wimhurst bring their irresistible fusion of chamber, folk and jazz to Marston Church. Paul, one half of the celebrated Belshazzar’s Feast, is a BBC Folk Award nominee, while Karen is a widely commissioned composer for theatre and chamber music. The duo have performed together for over 20 years, including their acclaimed Pub to Pulpit tour. Expect wit, warmth and exceptional musicality.
As part of the Frome Festival, Monday 7th July sees a unique world music performance from banjo virtuoso Kate Griffin and Matchume Zango, a Mozambican master of the timbila (a traditional wooden xylophone). On Wednesday 9th July, celebrated singer-songwriter Daisy Chapman returns, accompanied by violinist Sue Lord, for an evening of beautiful harmonies and atmospheric piano-driven songs. Rounding off the season on Saturday 29th September is the Good Habits Band – an energetic cello, accordion and percussion trio promising a lively, joyful evening. This concert is supported by Somerset’s Take Art. Set in a stunning location just over a mile from Frome’s Sainsbury’s, Marston Church is known for its exquisite acoustics and relaxed, welcoming vibe. Enjoy a drink with your view before and during the interval.
Tickets and more details marstonmusic.co.uk.
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Buses, beans and baby groups – March’s second BV Podcast has it all
This one’s a quietly powerful listen – tackling public transport failures and the remarkable transformation of a warehouse into a buzzing family hub. We have three very different conversations, all rooted in the same thing: Dorset community.
Pop it on in the background – between the chocolate and the chaos, you might just find yourself unexpectedly inspired.
Jes Hughes of Dorset CPRE explains why Dorset’s public transport system is one of the worst in the UK – and why it’s dragging down everything from job opportunities to mental health.
“If public transport were a species, it would be classed as highly endangered.” – Jes Hughes
“Without a car, living in rural Dorset is well nigh impossible – and the system is quietly eroding community life.”
He calls for shared car schemes, stronger government investment and a joined-up council approach that takes rural needs seriously.
“Public transport returns four times more value than investing in roads alone – so why aren’t we funding it?”
Cllr Carole Jones shares the inspiring story of how a modest food pantry in Sturminster Newton became the main Family Hub for North Dorset – now supporting over 360 families with affordable food, mental health help, and everything from homework corners to domestic abuse support.
“If someone’s in food poverty, that’s not the problem – it’s a symptom of something else going wrong.”
– Carole Jones
“Come in. Have a coffee. Watch the kids play. Find a friend. We’re here for everyone.”
It’s an extraordinary achievement – 24 vital services, open six days a week, funded almost entirely by local donations and grant-writing graft.
As cocoa prices soar, local chocolatier Johnny Baxter of Dorset Chocolate reflects on why quality chocolate is under threat – and why some small makers are already disappearing.
🍫 “We’ve seen the price of cocoa quadruple – and it’s not just the weather. It’s traders, plantations and fear.” – Johnny Baxter
⚙️ “We’re not cutting quality – we’re creating new things instead. Fudge, caramels, local cream. We’re makers. That’s what we do.”
Despite market chaos, Johnny remains determined to keep Dorset’s chocolate-making tradition alive – and maybe even reimagine it.
These interviews were based on articles from March’s BV, which you can read for free online here. People, politics, farming, food, wildlife and plenty of Dorset spirit – all packed into one beautiful magazine.
The BV: Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette) 2024. If it matters to Dorset, it’s in here.
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