n what is set to be a deliciously depraved take on the holiday season, Twisted Christmas is a selection of eight original micro-plays – indcluding tales of how to buy the perfect gift for your unloved ones, the dark side of Christmas cracker jokes, and why you should never turn your back on a pantomime dame… Influenced by cult classics such as Inside No.9, The Twilight Zone and Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected, Twisted Christmas promises a darkly comic evening of macabre mini plays all with a festive flavour!
Fri 1st December at Wimborne Allendale Centre
Saturday 2nd December Halstock Village Hall
Sunday 3rd December Stalbridge Hall Tickets (£12/£5) and details on artsreach.co.uk
Expert Karen Geary has your winter immunity essentials: how sleep, gut health, stress reduction and movement are bugging you
The kids are back at school, and the weather has started to chill off – all signs that winter bugs are back. Keeping our immune system strong enough to fend off those bugs is a complex interplay of genetics, age, prior exposure and stress levels. However, there are some things we can all do to bolster our defences and make it through the winter season.
Focus on gut health We know that 70 per cent of our immune system lives in the gut; the bacteria residing there is called our gut microbiome and it plays a massive role in our immune response. The broader the range of bacteria, the better that response. This is what we should all do: Eat prebiotic foods (these contain compounds that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria). Bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, onions, garlic, artichokes and oats are all good choices. Also eat probiotic foods (these contain live organisms that may improve the gut microbiome). They can be found in fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and kombucha. Incorporate a diverse range of plants into your diet. Up to 30 different plants a week is ideal – but don’t panic, this includes herbs and spices, not just fruits and vegetables! Do what you can. Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. A diverse and balanced diet can provide essential nutrients for a robust immune system. Reduce sugar and alcohol intake. Both weaken your immune system by depleting your anti-viral defences. If you’re someone who frequently catches a cold after drinking too much, that’s likely why! Stay hydrated. Simply drink plenty of water – dehydration can weaken our body’s defence mechanisms. Take vitamin D until next spring, as it is essential for optimal immune system function. Ideally, get tested before taking a supplement, but even the NHS recommends taking a vitamin D supplement during the winter months. A daily dosage of 1,000 to 2,000iu’s is generally enough to maintain levels for most people. You can find more information about vitamin D here, as well as details on how to get tested. Vitamin C, zinc and vitamin B12 also support the immune system. While these can be taken in supplements, if your diet is poor, no amount of supplementation will help.
Sleep Poor sleep habits can wreak havoc on our immune system. If you’re not consistently getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, you need to work on improving your sleep routine! Sleep habits are highly personal, and it’s a matter of trial and error to find the right routine (find some tips for better sleep in Karen’s Three Surprising Ways To Sleep Better, Apr 22)
Reducing stress If you’re one of those people who always comes down with a cold while on holiday, it’s a clear sign that you need to find ways to reduce stress. Easier said than done in today’s world, but taking 15 minutes a day just for yourself and doing something you love can make a significant difference. It could be enjoying a coffee with a friend, practising yoga, meditating, singing in the shower or simply pottering in the garden. If you are unlucky enough to become unwell, ensure you take enough time to recuperate fully. Rest and recovery is vital. Movement This doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym three times a week or training for a half-marathon! Just a short walk each day can be massively helpful. Even better is ‘NEAT’ (non-exercise activity thermogenesis), which describes how we burn calories when we are NOT exercising – just from breathing, sleeping, eating and cleaning. Here are some ways to incorporate NEAT into your daily routine: Avoid sitting for more than an hour at a time. Get up and do something active, even if it means walking to the next room, going up the stairs or stepping outside for a few minutes of fresh air. In long meetings, consider standing at the back of the room to stretch the legs. For Zoom meetings, turn off your video and do a few sit-ups, jumping jacks or press-ups. They won’t miss you for a minute if there are others on the call. Track your steps. Download a steps app if you don’t have a tracker – you don’t need to reach 10,000 steps a day; just focus on improving from your current starting point and work up to 6,000. There is no silver bullet for keeping our immune system in prime condition, but with small changes to your eating habits, sleep routine, stress management and movement, every little bit helps. Everyone’s immune system is unique, and what works best for one person may not work for another. Tailor your approach to your specific needs and always consult a healthcare professional before you make changes if you have any underlying concerns about your health.
MP Chris Loder welcomes £78 billion support for households and Net Zero adjustments to ease rural transition worries
You may recall that this time last year, the government implemented the Energy Price Guarantee – a cap of £2,500 for the average household on dual-fuel tariffs, to tackle rising bills. A raft of measures was also introduced for businesses and off-grid households, including the Alternative Fuels Payment Scheme and the Energy Bills Support Scheme. Taken together, this package of measures provided – and continues to provide – an unprecedented level of financial support, worth more than £78 billion across 2022-23 and ‘23-24. This winter, we can cautiously expect a return to some degree of normality with our energy bills, as wholesale energy prices have dropped to their lowest level since October 2021. Nonetheless, for those households and businesses struggling to pay their energy bills, support is still available, and I’d be very happy to help should you need any advice or assistance.
Let’s talk the cons Aside from the immediate situation, there are also questions about our long-term energy usage. How resilient is our energy supply? What can be done to minimise the environmental impacts of energy production? How can we reach Net Zero by 2050 without burdening households and businesses in rural areas? The Prime Minister recently announced a new approach to delivering our Net Zero commitment, especially where it would have an unfair impact on rural people. Under the previous approach, new or replacement oil and gas boilers would have been banned from 2026 – a policy with which more than two-thirds of constituents who completed my Rural Energy Survey disagree. The reality is, the previous approach disproportionately affected rural families, businesses and those with low incomes. In my view, this was unjustifiable – especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Moreover, the preferred alternative – heat pumps – come with an average price tag of £10,000, a sum far beyond many household budgets. The wider debate has rarely included an understanding of the consequences. The language of Net Zero has always featured the pros, but very rarely the cons – that is why the Prime Minister has balanced and adjusted some of the immediate initiatives, while maintaining our commitment to Net Zero. I have been clear that the consequences for rural Britain were not adequately understood or balanced, which led to my scepticism with the former policy. In rural West Dorset, 51 per cent of households aren’t on the mains gas grid. Even with a government grant, it would simply not be practicable for these households and businesses to pay for an expensive new heating system. Under the new approach, off-grid households and businesses will only need to install a heat pump if they are intending to replace their current boiler after 2035 – nine years later than originally intended. In addition, one-fifth of all households will be exempt where it isn’t practical or affordable to do so. This is positive for those properties and premises in Sherborne and the wider Blackmore Vale, many of which are centuries old and do not have the right conditions for the installation of a new heat pump. For households and businesses that are able to and want to transition to a heat pump today, grants worth £7,500 – or 50 per cent of the cost of a heat pump – are available under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. We must not lose sight that, per capita, carbon levels in the UK are at their lowest since the 1850s. The UK has also over-delivered on its targets, with the fastest reduction in emissions in the G7. We’ve had the fastest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – down by nearly 50 per cent compared to 1990, while China has increased its emissions by 300 per cent. Taken together, this enables a more pragmatic and realistic route to be implemented in due course by 2050.
I’d be interested to know your views on this, and you can contact me on: [email protected]
Dorset Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce that two more beaver kits were born at the Dorset Beaver Project site this year. Two adult beavers were released into an enclosed area in 2021 – and since then, they have been hard at work creating their leaky dams across the site. In 2022 they expanded their family with three kits – the first to be born in Dorset for more than 400 years. Beavers are social animals that live in small family groups, typically consisting of a dominant breeding pair and two generations of young. So DWT knew there was the potential to see another litter of kits born this spring. We were thrilled to discover a second generation of beaver kits, with two kits recorded so far in 2023. This brings the resident family total to seven beavers (two adults and five kits). The birth of these new kits is an extremely positive sign, telling us the beavers are happy and thriving in their Dorset home. It took some time to confirm the total number of kits, as they spend their first month within the safety of the lodge – an underground chamber and burrow system – before beginning to emerge between dusk and dawn in early summer to explore the wetland surroundings with the rest of their family. Beaver kits are born with the ability to swim but they stay close to their parents as they are vulnerable to predators when young. For the first few weeks, kits feed on their mother’s breast milk, but within six weeks they begin eating leaves, aquatic plants and tree bark – of which there is plenty in their enclosure! Beavers are strict herbivores and never eat fish – a common misconception. The four-hectare enclosed site in west Dorset currently provides ample space for the family of seven, but the trust is working closely with expert beaver ecologists to plan the next steps of the project as the beaver family evolves, to ensure these influential mammals continue to thrive in the magnificent wetland they have created. We are extremely excited to monitor the progress of the beaver family – and we look forward to sharing updates on the adorable kits as they mature! Beavers are known as nature’s engineers and their activities – including wetland creation by building dams and creating new channels – have the potential to increase biodiversity, filter out pollution and slow water flow during storm events. To find out more, and perhaps ‘adopt a beaver’ for yourself or as a gift, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.
Saturday 4th November FREE PARKING ALL DAY Car & Bike Enthusiasts Station Rd 9am – 12noon Meet the Trader at 1855 Sturminster Newton 10am – 12noon
Thursday 9th November Handmade for Christmas at The Workhouse Chapel daily until 24th December 9.30am – 4.30pm
Saturday 18th November Lantern Making Workshop at The Exchange
Friday 24th November Late Night Shopping Event – Various locations 5pm to 8pm 1855 Sturminster Newton One Year Celebration 5pm – 8pm Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mary’s Church 6pm – 8pm
Saturday 25th November Christmas tree light switch on FREE PARKING ALL DAY Anonymous Travelling Market at Market Place and Station Road 9am to 4pm Christmas Market at The Exchange 10am – 2pm Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mary’s Church 10am – 8pm Father Christmas at 1855 Sturminster Newton 11am – 3.30pm Bulgarian Dancing TBC 2pm SNHS Choir in the Market Place 4.15pm Father Christmas in the Railway Garden 4.30pm Lantern Parade from The Exchange 4.50pm Christmas Tree Light Switch On at 5pm Lantern Parade to the Church at 5.10pm Ninebarrow at The Exchange 7.30pm
Sunday 26th November Christmas Tree Festival at St. Mary’s Church 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 29th November S N & H Cricket Club Christmas Bingo at The Exchange. Doors open at 6pm
Thursday 30th November Living Spit – A Christmas Carol at The Exchange 7.30pm
Saturday 2nd December Small Business Saturday FREE PARKING ALL DAY
Car & Bike Enthusiasts Station Rd 9am – 12noon Meet the Trader at 1855 Sturminster Newton 10am – 12noon Christmas Market at The Exchange 10am – 2pm Father Christmas at 1855 Sturminster Newton 11am – 3pm Story time with Father Christmas at 1855 Sturminster Newton at 3pm Los Pacaminos at The Exchange at 8pm
Sunday 3rd December Advent Service at St. Mary’s Church 11am Wednesday 6th December Carols at Sturminster Mill at 6.30pm
Thursday 7th December Vale Pantry Bingo at the Exchange 6.30pm Friday 8th December SNADS Christmas Quiz at The Exchange 7pm start
Saturday 9th December FREE PARKING ALL DAY Car & Bike Enthusiasts Station Rd 9am – 12noon Food Tasting at 1855 Sturminster Newton 10am – 12noon Christmas Market at The Exchange 10am – 2pm Vale Pantry Christmas Bazaar at The Exchange 10am – 2pm Christmas Crafts at Sturminster Newton Library 10am – 12noon Father Christmas at 1855 Sturminster Newton 11am – 3pm Story time with Father Christmas at 1855 Sturminster Newton at 3pm Choral Society Concert at St Mary’s Church 7.30pm
Sunday 10th December Santa Stride at Trailway Entrance from 10am
Monday 11th December William Barnes School Choir at St. Mary’s Church 2pm
Friday 15th December Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra – Christmas Crackers at The Exchange at 7.30pm
Saturday 16th December FREE PARKING ALL DAY Christmas Market at The Exchange 10am – 2pm Christmas Code Club at Sturminster Newton Library 10am – 11am Sturminster Newton Orchestra Concert at The Exchange at 10.45am Father Christmas at 1855 Sturminster Newton 11am at 3pm Story time with Father Christmas at 1855 Sturminster Newton at 3pm Bare Jams at The Exchange Doors open at 7.30pm
Sunday 17th December Carol Service at St Mary’s Church at 4pm
Wednesday 20th December Christmas Memories at The Exchange at 2pm
Thursday 21st December Carols by Candlelight at Sturminster Christian Fellowship 7pm – followed by mince pies. FREE and open to all
Saturday 23rd December FREE PARKING ALL DAY Christmas Market at The Exchange 10am – 2pm One Night of SKA at The Exchange 7.30pm
Sunday 24th December Crib Service at St. Mary’s Church Morning Service at Sturminster Christian Fellowship 10.30am
Monday 25th December A Christmas Morning Service at Sturminster Christian Fellowship 10.30am
Monday 1st January Vintage Car Rally Cars meet from 9am, rally starts at 11am
Good times at Thorngrove: join us for festive fun, Breakfast with Santa, craft sessions, and more! Making memories in our cosy community hub
By the time you read this, for most of us, there is just ONE pay day remaining before Christmas. This means here at Thorngrove we are shifting fully into festive mode! Decorations, gifts, real Christmas trees, and our festive events. It can be a little overwhelming from the retail perspective, but at the same time, Christmas is about making memories, spending time with loved ones, and having fun – and here at Thorngrove, we want to be part of that with you! In October we held our first children’s craft sessions for almost a year – we wanted to send a huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended. They went brilliantly and the creations by the small craftspeople have been shared proudly on our social media. We’re going to ensure we host these during as many school holidays possible as they’re always so much fun, and it’s great to meet so many members of the community.
The half term childrens craft workshops were a huge success!
What else is on at Thorngrove? Our Christmas event for children is Breakfast with Santa, taking place on Tuesday 19th December, with both morning and afternoon (ssshhhh, we can have a late breakfast!) sessions. Join us in The Secret Garden Café as Father Christmas himself will be handing out gifts to every child, and reading a Christmas story too. Tickets will be available vie Eventbrite and should be on sale by the time you read this. Booking by 1st December is essential! Our Christmas Wreath Making workshops are returning – at the time of writing we’re finalising the dates, so keep your eyes on our social media and website for details (or drop in and see us). Saturday 11th November we have a Decoupage workshop hosted by Laura Jackson of Summer Lane Handcrafted Gifts. There are a few spaces left so please get in touch if you’d like to book! You can also pre-order your real Christmas trees from us; visit our website or pop in and see us to ensure you get yours! FREE delivery to the local area around Gillingham too. Our amazing lunch offer in the café has been so popular that we’ve recently expanded it to every weekday – Buy one lunch, get one FREE! Ben and the team in the café are often making little changes, so there’s bound to be something new to try if you want to stop by again – it’s the perfect place for a catch-up with friends and to pick up a Christmas gift this November. We do hope you’ll visit us as the festive season arrives – our small team is working incredibly hard behind the scenes to be one of the best destinations in the area. Our calendar for next year is already filling up too; we can’t wait to share more details with you!
We have a treat in store for you in December – especially if you like dogs, know someone who likes dogs and needs a Christmas present, or if you’re just a fan of Clare Balding! We are lucky enough to be able to welcoming bestselling author, dog lover and official national treasure Clare Balding to Sherborne as she talks about her latest book Isle of Dogs – and shares her love for our favourite family pet in an adventure across Britain. National stories are often told through our politics or our monarchy – but this is a tale of how Britain is shaped by its dogs. Clare Balding has always been fascinated by the impact dogs have on our lives and the way they have shaped Britain across the centuries. She explores the characteristics of our favourite breeds, why we’re drawn to them and what they bring out in us, from how we work to how we live. In this journey across the nation, Clare looks at the many roles dogs fulfil and the history of how they became such an intrinsic part of our lives. From the mysteries of extinct breeds to the ancient dogs still thriving today, she journeys from Battersea to the Orkney Islands via Buckingham Palace, in a moving and humorous tale of loyalty and partnership. She discovers how people care for and train dogs that are as large as a pony or small enough to fit in a handbag, meets British businesses inspired by dogs, and considers why certain breeds have soared in popularity. She also explores our long canine history, rediscovering long-lost working breeds and investigating why it was that our relationship with dogs changed during Queen Victoria’s reign.
Join us to celebrate the launch of Clare Balding’s new book – Isle of Dogs: A canine adventure through Britain
Tuesday, 5th December 6.30pm for 7pm at Cheap St Church, Sherborne Tickets £5, available online here
While ordinary people suffer the impacts of a cost-of-living crisis, Rishi Sunak’s Tories appear to be busy preparing the ground for another one by lifting the cap on bankers’ bonuses. They were capped at 100 per cent of bankers’ salaries in 2014 as a part of efforts to avoid a financial crisis like the one in 2008. In some cases, bonuses of more than 100 per cent can be awarded to top performers and more senior investment banking roles. Finance bosses have long complained about the rules, however, saying that they have had the unintended consequences of pushing up bankers’ fixed pay, and giving them less wriggle room to vary pay due to material poor performance or misconduct. However, as an ex-banker himself, the prime minister will be fully aware of the behaviours that an uncapped reward scheme will drive. While the general idea of rewarding employees who have contributed significantly to an increase in profits for the part of the business they work in seems uncontentious, the sheer scale of the bonuses available in an uncapped system has proved to encourage the kind of excessive, greed-driven risk-taking in the financial services industry that led to the financial crash in 2008 – a crash that is still being paid for by the same ordinary working people who now find themselves in the grip of the cost-of-living crisis. Meanwhile, as Sunak and his Cabinet appear set to line the pockets of the bankers again, there are no proposals to stop banks from showering themselves with the profits from the interest rates rising; the same rates that are crippling workers and businesses alike. In whose interests does this government continue to act?
We start the month, as always, with the Letters to the Editor, before moving on to a slice of seriousness – along with the usual political columns we have the first part of Terry’s interview with Chris Loder MP as he answers the open post bag from this month’s Q&A. Finally Jenny chats to BV columnist and Nutritional Therapist (and podcast favourite) Karen Geary. Just hit play below …
In her letter this month, editor Laura ignores the state of the world, and instead talks about the 700 monthly submissions the BV receives for the reader’s photography pages – and just how much joy they bring to everyone. Following the letters to the editor, we move on to this month’s political columns:
Reflecting on the current seemingly intractable conflict on the Middle East, Simon Hoare MP offers his own route map to an enduring solution
Sarah Dyke MP is advocating for fairness in the treatment of same sex couples for IVF therapy
Ken HUggins of the Green Party bemoans the government’s can-kicking with regards to achieving Net Zero by 2050
Labour’s Pat Osborne says it’s profits for banks – but suffering for ordinary people
In the first part of Terry’s interview with Chris Loder, he talks in more depth around his answers to the reader’s questions sent in last month. Included in his comments are subjects as diverse as access to a local NHS dentist (he’s ‘not convinced the NHS is prioritising this enough’) and planning (‘communities need to assess if the time a Neighbourhood Plan takes to draw up is ultimately time well spent.’)
And finally, Jenny chats to Karen Geary, who has some great and timely tips on how to eat healthily on a tight budget and also how what we eat can help us to stay well in the winter months through flu season.
