Dorset – the food festival county

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2 August 2024

Discover Dorset’s busy summer food lineup: from cider and seafood to chilli and cheese, Fanny Charles explores the best local flavours this year

Dorset has had a busy summer food festival calendar for many years – and this year the festival diary has got even fuller, with a new event at Shaftesbury joining regular celebrations of the county’s rich harvest of food and drink, seafood, cider … and chillis.
The busy foodie month starts on Saturday 3rd August with the Dorset Food & Arts Festival now based at the Great Field at Poundbury (it was held originally at Queen Mother Square). This year is a special anniversary for the free event, which began in 2012 to celebrate the best of Dorset’s food, drink and creativity, during the London Olympics. It has remained free, and is a great event for locals to renew relationships with food and drink producers and artists – and for visitors to discover some real tastes of Dorset.

Saturday and Sunday 3rd and 4th August – the Great Dorset Chilli Festival, now established at Stock Gaylard, near Stalbridge (it was originally in the grounds of St Giles House near Wimborne). It has some claim to be Dorset’s hottest festival!
Wednesday and Thursday 14th and 15th August – Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, one of the country’s leading agricultural shows, is a wonderful celebration of food and farming across Dorset and a bit beyond.
Saturday 17th August – celebrate the West Country’s best known alcoholic drink at the Dorchester Cider Festival in Borough Gardens. It is a free, family-friendly celebration of the region’s bests cider as well as elderflower infusions, street food and live music.
Sunday 18th August – new this year, EAT Shaftesbury on Park Walk. This is a new date for the long-established EAT festivals which bring outstanding local food and drink to towns across Somerset and Devon.
Thursday 22nd August – Melplash Show on the West Bay showground between Bridport and West Bay, is one of the region’s finest one-day shows, and a great day out for anyone who cares about food, farming and the countryside.

Dorset County Show’s food area and enormous food and drink marquee

Saturday and Sunday 24th and 25th August – Swanage Fish Festival at a new venue, Sandpit Field off De Moulham Road.
Saturday and Sunday 24th and 25th August – Stock Gaylard Oak Fair, celebrating oak trees, woodland, forestry, conservation and lots of local food.

Looking a little further ahead:
7th and 8th September – Dorset County Show, at the showground just north of Dorchester; two days of the cream of Dorset farming and countryside exhibitions and competitions, food, drink and rural life generally.
7th and 8th September – Dorset Seafood Festival, enjoy the best of Dorset’s marine harvest at the Weymouth Peninsula.

Saturday and Sunday 14th and 15th September – Sturminster Cheese Festival, now in its 25th year, a celebration of the region’s cheese tradition, with lots of other artisan food and drink producers, artists and makers, local organisations, children’s activities and live music.
Saturday and Sunday 14th and 15th September – Poole’s Seafood and Sounds Festival in the Old Town and on the Quay; great food and live music.

August issue of The BV – come read all about it!

By

LauraHitchcock

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2 August 2024

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21-year-old jockey Alice Procter faces a major spinal injury after a serious fall – her dad Doug Procter talks to editor Laura Hitchcock about living every parent’s nightmare | Page 4

Amid vanishing Wildlife, Dorset declares a Nature Emergency. Rachael Rowe looks at Dorset’s declaration and the steps it is taking to protect wildlife | Page 6

The art of dry stone walling: master craftsman Tom Trouton talks to Tracie Beardsley about finding a stone’s timeless connection to the landscape | Page 35

From Syria to Shaftesbury – Callum Sutherland talks to the Hammoud family, as they celebrate British citizenship and the home they have found in Dorset | Page 27

In farming, George Hosford looks at how his experiments in bi-cropping and mob grazing have been working, and sees the impact of ‘making room’ for nature | Page 20

Cow Down Hill to the Salisbury Spire Spot

By

LauraHitchcock

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2 August 2024

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Gorgeous, simple route, with a perfect lunch spot half way looking across to Salisbury Cathedral

An old favourite of ours, this is a route we walk regularly and it’s well signed and accessible all year round.
Starting at Cow Down Hill, where there’s easy parking, you promptly abandon the Ox Drove to head up and over the hill and down into the Chalke Valley. Wind your way along from Bowerchalke to Broadchalke, then gently plod back up to the top again. The views make every step worth it!
The odd little ‘tail’ at the far end of the loop is of course entirely unnecessary, but it’s a favourite picnic spot of ours – we perch on the corner of the lane or in the edge of the field, and enjoy the broad views across to Salisbury Cathedral in the distance.
When you’re ready to move on, it’s a simple matter of re-joining the Ox Drove, and a long straight saunter back to the car.

From Attenborough to Affordable Housing | BV Podcast

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LauraHitchcock

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1 August 2024

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Terry chats with Kate Fry, a local wildlife photographer, about her letter from Sir David Attenborough. The Reverend Andrew Gubbins talks with Jenny about some of the challenges facing Dorset’s rural churches – and what he sees as possible answers to those challenges. And Terry has a fascinating and thought-provoking talk with Jez Hughes from the CPRE about what more genuinely-affordable housing in Dorset could look like.

On a recent school trip to a nature reserve, local schoolchildren were fascinated by a snake eating a frog while they were pond dipping. Terry talks to amateur wildlife photographer Kate Fry, who was accompanying the trip and managed to photographed the encounter. The children wrote to Sir David Attenborough to tell him about their experience and show him the pictures, and they were they were thilled when he replied with a handwritten letter, in which he congratulated Kate on her photographs.

Jenny talks with the Rev. Andrew Gibbons vicar of the Okefords benefice, who suggests shrinking congregations, financial challenges and cultural changes in the Church of England are all at the root of the problems facing so many rural churches: ‘Every year we ask “Are people content? Are people confident that the church still has an important place in their community?”

The need for the creation of truly affordable housing in rural communities has long been a topic for heated debate. Terry talks to Jez Hughes, vice chair of Dorset CPRE, about what that might look like for the county
“There are over 10,000 households looking for affordable housing in Dorset, and the council get around 500 requests a month asking for help in finding affordable housing for rent. So there’s a big need across the county. And it’s not just in the big towns, it’s in villages, in local communities. People who may have grown up here, who may want to work here, are finding themselves priced out of the ability to live here. And that’s the challenge we want to meet.”

What’s next after uni?

By

Editorial team

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29 July 2024

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The end of uni isn’t the end: Dorset Mind volunteer Annabel Goddard says it’s OK to be uncertain and take your time to find your path after university Submitting that last assignment might feel surreal, leaving you wondering, “Well, now what?” After years of hard work and dedication, the future might seem daunting. For those navigating this transition, exploring part-time jobs for students on Jooble can be a great way to start.

It certainly felt odd submitting my last ever assignment on a random Thursday back in May. Three years of lecture slides, research, scouring the library and trying to stick to word counts was over with one final click of a ‘submit’ button.
I can’t be alone in sitting back and thinking: ‘well, now what?’ A reasonable response, given the years of hard work and dedication being converted into a single Word document, usually in dissertation format. The enormity of dissertations shrinks over time – the monolith of the first year becomes a wish for an extra couple of thousand words by the end of third year.
But that document doesn’t represent the life you’ve probably only adjusted to in the last year or so, or the friends you made who may well live in opposite corners of the country (or even the world).
The end of uni is an enormous upheaval – and having to worry about what’s next often overshadows the end-of-uni celebrations. One friend may have an itinerary for a six-month trip around Italy. Another may be frantically applying for jobs. Someone on your course has been offered an amazing graduate position at a major PR firm in London…
If you’re looking at everyone else and wondering what on earth there is for you to do now, you’re not alone. It’s hard not to compare, but equally, it’s OK to have absolutely no idea what to do next. In fact, you’re likely in the majority.
After all, you’ve spent the last three years mustering up all your brain power just to get to where you are now – it’s definitely OK to live slowly until you feel recharged.

Take a breath
Why not take give yourself permission to take a break? Maybe take a few nice trips to the beach or countryside? When you’re ready, have a think about what you’d like to be doing this time next year. Once you know where you’d like to be, just start slowly. Hopefully you don’t have to rush into a job you don’t like.
You may decide you simply want to earn some money for the next year – you don’t have to rush into a career path just because you’ve graduated. You won’t regret giving yourself time to think and recover.
If you are like me, you’ll love being outside and exploring the South Coast. If you’ve come to Bournemouth to study, why not get around to actually visiting the places you’ve been meaning to go for the last three years?
There are regular bus links which can take you along the Jurassic Coast and towards Swanage – a few final days out with your house mates, making the most of the area before you leave Bournemouth, possibly for good, will cement your friendships. Studland, Durdle Door and Kimmeridge are all beautiful places to see nature and will all help rebalance your wellbeing before you start thinking about your career path or next move. You may even find some inspiration!
As daunting as it may be, it’s important to remember that the world will always hold a place for you, so enjoy your journey as well as you can – wherever it takes you.

Support for you:  
Visit Dorset Mind for local mental health support and helpful advice
The Samaritans are there to listen 24/7, call them for free on 116 123 
Call Dorset’s mental health helpline Connection for support on 0800 652 0190 

Groundsman | Milton Abbey School

By

Editorial team

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29 July 2024

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40 hours a week (Pay dependent on skills & experience)

Milton Abbey School seeks an experienced and competent Groundman to work within our busy Grounds Team. This will be 40 hours a week, working days will be Monday to Friday all year round.

The successful candidate must have a broad understanding all areas of grounds maintenance, including turf care, and hard and soft landscaping.

The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of standard health and safety procedures within the role of a Groundsman.

You will be part of a friendly and supportive team, and training will be available to enhance skills. Staff also benefit from, annual leave free parking, and free refreshments (including a daily lunch).

Further details may be obtained from our website or from HR on 01258 882306 or email [email protected]. Applications must be submitted on the school’s application form. The closing date for applications is Monday 12^th August 2024. Please note that we are not accepting applications for this position through any employment agency and all applications should be made direct to the school.

Milton Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The appointment will be the subject of an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Additionally, please be aware that Milton Abbey School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. To avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

Please note that our school is a no smoking/vaping site.

Can eating too much protein really cause cancer?

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Editorial team

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28 July 2024

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Experts, including Karen from Amplify Nutrition, challenge current low RDA recommendations, and address the trendy cancer concerns

Protein is a crucial part of our diet, essential for maintaining muscle mass and overall health. Insufficient protein intake can lead to muscle loss, which has been linked to a higher risk of early death. Despite this, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) suggests just 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram (kg) of body weight, per day, (or an easier rough guide of 45g for females, 55g for males). Many experts, including me, believe this is too low.
I recommend consuming at least one to two grammes of protein per kg of body weight daily, depending upon age and goals – and yes, that’s a very wide range. For example, for those who are particularly active, or aiming to build muscle, higher levels might be appropriate. However, this raises an important question: can you eat too much protein?

The protein and cancer link
There’s a hypothesis that excessive protein consumption could increase cancer risk, largely due to its effects on certain cellular pathways which are the ones deeply involved in cell growth and proliferation.
Since uncontrolled cell growth is a hallmark of cancer, it’s suggested that high protein intake might contribute to cancer development – it certainly seems plausible at first glance.

What does the human data say?
Human studies do not support the idea that high protein intake increases cancer risk.
Conducting randomised trials on this topic is challenging and expensive, and animal studies often don’t translate well to humans.
Therefore, we rely on large-scale human epidemiology studies, which tend to discredit the hypothesis that high protein intake is linked to cancer.
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of seven cohort studies found no significant difference in cancer risk between high and low protein intake groups. Another 2020 meta-analysis examining 12 prospective cohort studies also found no association between increased protein intake and cancer mortality.
Re-evaluating the evidence
One study often cited in support of the protein-cancer link was published in 2014 by Levine et al., which used data from the NHANES III health survey. They found that adults aged 50-65 with high protein diets were more likely to die of cancer than those with low protein diets. However, among adults over 65, high protein intake was associated with a lower risk of cancer mortality. This inconsistency suggests the data might be influenced by factors other than protein intake itself, such as overall health and lifestyle differences.

Cancer progression vs. development
It’s important to differentiate between the role of protein in cancer development vs. cancer progression. Even if protein levels do not initiate cancer, it might still influence existing cancer progression. Some studies in mice have suggested that protein restriction could inhibit tumour growth – but these results are inconsistent and not easily applicable to humans.

The role of protein in cancer survival
For individuals with cancer, adequate protein intake is crucial. Protein helps maintain muscle mass, which is often depleted during cancer and its treatment, leading to poorer quality of life and survival rates. Studies have shown that higher protein intake is associated with better outcomes for cancer patients. Current guidelines recommend increasing protein intake for cancer patients to improve their chances of survival.

Does it matter where you get it?
Some studies have investigated whether animal or plant protein has different effects on cancer risk. The evidence does not consistently show significant differences between these protein sources in terms of cancer risk. The real issue may be that diets high in red and processed meats are often low in essential nutrients and high in unhealthy components, rather than the meat itself causing cancer. It’s hard to know.

More is better than too little
The idea that high protein intake could increase cancer risk seems initially logical, but the evidence does not always support this. Instead, getting enough protein is vital for maintaining muscle mass and overall health. Most people do not consume enough protein, and the risks of too little protein – including increased frailty and poorer metabolic health – far outweigh the hypothetical risks of consuming too much. Therefore, it’s important to focus on meeting, if not exceeding, the recommended daily protein intake for optimal health and longevity.
Karen welcomes questions and queries via Amplify Nutrition for personal advice

Seeing the wood for the trees

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Editorial team

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27 July 2024

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Environmental artist Gary Cook explores England’s temperate rainforests – immerse yourself in these watery worlds in his exhibition at Child Okeford

Oak in the bracken – by the river that runs through the temperate rainforest at Cabilla in Cornwall

Since he left Bournemouth University in the late 1980s and worked as associate editor and senior artist for The Sunday Times for 26 years, Gary Cook has come a long way, to arrive back where he started.
Returned to Dorset – he lives in Shaftesbury – he has become deeply involved in the environment, not only around him in the Blackmore Vale, but across the country. His travels with paint brushes and sketch books have recently taken him to Devon, Cornwall, Wales and the Lake District, exploring and recording the mysterious beauty of England’s remaining rainforests.
We all tend to think of the Amazon or the deep, dark, wildlife-rich jungles of central Africa or the Indonesian archipelago when we imagine rainforests – but those are tropical. Our English ones, like the vast and gently dripping rainforest of the Olympia peninsula of Washington State, are temperate rainforests. And they are among the most beautiful and fragile environments in the world, at risk from climate change and other man-made threats. It is estimated that they once covered about 20 percent of the country – now it is less than one per cent.
In his notes on his exhibition of these recent paintings, at The Art Stable, at Gold Hill Organic Farm, Child Okeford, Gary says that there may still be some small remnants of temperate rainforest in Dorset.
His work over recent years has shown a deepening concern for the environment, as he explores our complicated relationship with nature, and the often detrimental impact we humans have.

Autumn mist – morning mist rising from around an ancient oak tree

Hidden messages
Gary, who is an elected member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and the Society of Graphic Fine Art, graduated from Bournemouth in 1987 and was made a fellow of the university in 1999. In part, it was his experience as the Sunday Times artist, during which he won many International awards, that developed his awareness of environmental issues.
He says: ‘I often produced diagrams highlighting environmental problems. In the last decade as a painter, including an environmental message in each piece has been very important to me. For example, oak trees provide the habitat for around 2,300 different species from bats to beetles and lichens to mammals. The names and silhouettes of some of these species are discreetly included in my paintings.’

Edge of the rainforest – twisted oaks in the temperate rainforest at Cabilla

Rainforest remnants
Explaining how the temperate rainforest project began, Gary says he had been reading Guy Shrubsole’s book The Lost Rainforests of Britain, and was struck by the author’s descriptions of the plants to look out for, because they were ‘telltale signs of these magical, enveloping places.’ They include gnarly, moss-covered oak branches: ‘The clue is in the name’, he says. ’They need rain.’
Shaftesbury is surrounded by ancient holloways, of which Dinah’s Hollow on the C13 at Melbury Abbas is probably the best-known. Gary began exploring these deep, damp byways and valleys around the town. There is, he says, a theory that the oaks that grow here may be remnants of rainforests. You may have walked in some of the places Gary has painted, in Dorset or further afield: ’Some of the small tracts I have painted around the country are actually in popular tourist areas.’
The best-known surviving English temperate rainforest is Wistman’s Wood, the extraordinary, atmospheric, ancient woodland near Two Bridges on Dartmoor. Visiting this wood is like walking into a magical landscape that could have been described by Tolkien. It has been a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for 60 years, and has additional protection as part of a National Nature Reserve.
Gary is an elected member of the group of artists working in many different media including wood and stone, who call themselves The Arborealists. He contributes to Resurgence and Ecologist magazine.

The Temperate Times exhibition at The Art Stable continues to 20th July. For more information on his work, and future exhibitions and projects, see Gary’s website
cookthepainter.com

Patrick O’Donoghue

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Editorial team

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27 July 2024

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Patrick O’Donoghue (Ben) passed away peacefully in his sleep on 22 July with family around him.

Funeral will be held at Harbour View crematorium, Lytchett Minster BH16 6AN, on 16th August, gathering at 2pm for a 2:30pm service. Family flowers only please, donations to Dementia UK would be grateful.