A couple of days after we published our September issue, Courtenay and I were on our way to our biggest boy in Seattle.
It feels no time at all since we were teaching him to eat with a spoon. And yet, now he’s flying us across the world to visit him in the city which he and his wife call home.
It was wonderful to spend some time with them: the simple act of having dinner in their home was special, and we finally met his cat (anyone remember Mochi? She’s the cat who fell out of the fouth floor window?).
While we were in Seattle the Press Gazette’s Future of Media conference was on in London. We were shortlisted for a major award, to be announced at the evening dinner, but it was a little far for us to pop back, so we asked features writer Tracie Beardsley to attend for us, reassuring her there was almost zero chance we could win.
We were in the middle of a busy midday Seattle sidewalk when Tracie’s message came in … The BV is officially the Regional News Site of The Year!
You can see the faces we responded with. We did a big whoop-jig (me), high five (C), stupid grin (both of us), we-must-message-the-kids (simultaneous) excited fluster right there in the middle of the street.
These particular awards are a Big Deal in news media. The FT, Telegraph and Sky News were all big winners on the night. But in the one regional category, we smashed it: ‘The BV is serving a clearly defined rural audience, delivering great news content through a well designed, easy to use, technically strong and commercially sustainable model.’
That’s US!
We’re still beaming, can you tell?
Want to reply? Read something you feel needs commenting on? Our postbag is open! Please send emails to [email protected].
When writing, please include your full name and address; we will not print this, but do require it.
Sycamores
I am wondering if anyone else has noticed a lot of our sycamore trees have very brown dead leaves on them. With our elm, ash and some oak trees disappearing because of disease, I am hoping nothing like this is affecting the sycamore.
H Rawles, by email
Farmers and biodiversity
I’ve been farming in North Dorset for many years, and I’ve watched debates about our environmental policies with great interest. It troubles me to hear some folks dismiss our efforts to stop the decline in wildlife and plant life as foolish. The truth is, our land, and the creatures that live on it, are in trouble. If we don’t look after them, who will?
From where I stand, taking care of our land isn’t just about today’s yield; it’s about making sure there’s a tomorrow for farming too. We need bees to pollinate crops, healthy soil to grow them, and good water management to keep the land from drying up or flooding. Hedgerows and old trees aren’t just scenery—they help stop the soil from washing away and provide homes for creatures like barn owls that help keep pests in check.
The idea that modern farming means using up every bit of soil until there’s nothing left is outdated and harmful. We farmers know better than anyone that you can’t keep taking without giving back. We need to work with nature, not against it.
Environmental concern isn’t just politics or an agenda. This is about making sure our grandkids can farm this land like we have. We can’t let short-sighted decisions in trade and politics stop us from doing what’s right for our farms and our future.
We need policies that actually support what we’re trying to do out here. It’s not just about money – it’s about making sure the way we farm today doesn’t ruin our chances tomorrow.
Name and address witheld
The B&SV Hunt
On the 25th September the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hunt were, yet again, holding up traffic on the A30 near Henstridge. This is a busy road and traffic moves at speed.
Hunts are trying to convince us that they are genuinely following a trail – but if this is the case then surely they would want to keep the dogs and riders well away from A roads?
I know a number of people locally are sick and tired of the problems caused by them and feel that more needs to be done to address the situation. I hope the authorities take proper action before there is a serious accident.
Name and address withheld
The Henstridge A357 issue
With reference to your excellent article ‘David vs Goliath’ (The BV, Sep 24). The question of the suitability of the A357 and the ever-continuing expansion along its length in both North Dorset and South Somerset is a long standing one.
It is patently clear to all except those under pressure to meeting housing targets that the A357 is not designed for either the type of traffic or the volumes it is now be subject to.
It is to be noted that in the North Dorset District Plan 2011, when referring to housing expansions in the vicinity of Sturminster Newton and Stalbridge, there appeared the comment ‘The A357 is a road of inadequate standard’ and the plan directly stated that it should not be subject to substantially increased volumes of traffic.
And yet the volume of traffic on the road since that time has increased enormously.
With the plans for new houses along its route and an Aldi with 100 car parking spaces, the trend is clearly set to continue: much to the detriment of those who live beside the road, as I do in Newton, Sturminster Newton, and of course to the very nature of the villages, most of which are conservation areas. I would suggest that putting massive volumes of traffic and lorries onto unsuitable roads is hardly preserving the area’s character and beauty.
Jeremy Squire, Sturminster Newton
On Labour’s plans
The recent decisions by the Labour Party demand attention. Every adult understands the need to balance our budget and not spend money we don’t have. However, I question the Chancellor’s methods during this economic challenge.
It seems the main focus has been on reducing support for pensioners, like cutting the winter fuel allowance and adjusting pensions. Is this really the best and only way we can fix our economy?
We’re losing about £5.5 billion every year to unpaid taxes – not regular PAYE workers but bigger entities that work hard to evade paying their fair share.
Then there are those on Universal Credit who seem to manage a number of holidays a year … I truly believe in a Welfare State that supports those in need, it’s the mark of any decent evolved society. But if we’re serious about fixing our financial problems, we need to be fair and make sure everyone contributes, not just pensioners. You can’t pick and choose who to pressure without losing trust.
I hope the chancellor will look for broader solutions that don’t just burden the elderly and vulnerable.
F Scott, Sherborne
Hinton St Mary help
I’m reaching out to seek your reader’s assistance with a project I am currently involved in, alongside SAVE (Save Britain’s Heritage charity). We are focusing on a particular cottage in the village of Hinton St Mary – there is a photograph (opposite) and the below description for your reference:
“This cottage is so unloved that we do not even know its name, however its reference number with the District Council is 2/89/3337 for anyone interested in rescuing the building, which in the meantime sits and deteriorates.
In 1989 there was a planning application to convert the cottage into two residential units, it was refused on appeal however, on the grounds that the roof material should remain as thatch.
Planning Department, North Dorset District Council, Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford, Dorset”
I am trying to ascertain the current address of this cottage and whether it is still actively in use. Any information your readers could provide, or directions on where I might be able to find this information, would be immensely helpful.
A. Fitch, by email (*please send any replies to [email protected])
