It’s a mixed package for the first of the October podcasts. After the usual start with the letters, we delve straight into the politics columns. Then Jenny has a fascinating conversation with Dorchester Literary Festival’s co-organiser Janet Gleeson, and Terry talks to Pauline Batstone who’s currently in Bridport … the one 11,000 miles away in Tasmania!
Letters. As usual we start the month with the letter from the editor, in which Laura looks for the goodness of humans – and shares an only-Laura tale of four cheeses – as well as all the BV’s reader’s letters.
In politics this month, newly-elected MP for Somerton and Frome, whose consituency encompasses the western end of the Blackmroe Vale, sets out her plan of activity for the coming months. Ken Huggins from the Green party looks at Dorsets first COP – and the inspiring positivity surrounding the event. Labour’s Pat Osborne is raising an eyebrow at the rising NHS waiting list – and looking at the far-reraching consequences of them. West Dorset MP Chris Loder has launched a campaign to make the stretch of A30 between Sherborne and Yeovil (a stretch he calls an ‘unofficial racetrack’) safer.
Jenny sat down withDorchester LitFestorganiser Janet Gleeson to look at some of the highlights of this year’s much-anticipated festival, with a round up of authors from Victoria Hilsop returning for a third visit to first-timer Lemn Sissay, one of Janet’s personal favourite poets. Together they discuss the appeal of non-fiction authors at literary festivals, how unpredictable the success of any talk can be … and also to hear about the nuts and bolts of running such a large, popular literary event.
Lastly, Terry chatted to Cllr Pauline Batstone who is currently 11,000 miles away – just outside Bridport, near Weymouth. I’ll leave her to explain how…
On the edge of Milton Abbas is a haven of local, fresh and sustainable produce – Rachael Rowe meets the man who grows it
Steeptonbill Farm Shop in Milton Abbas – All images: Rachael Rowe
There’s something about the award-winning Steeptonbill Farm Shop that makes you want to start cooking. Whether it’s the freshly dug artichokes and beets or the vibrant display of squashes, I’m resisting the urge to reach for my cookery books and make the most of the seasonal produce. Owner Steve Gould says: ’I’ve been here for 15 years. Previously I was in the public sector for 28 years. What I aim to do is support the small local growers so they can carry on growing high quality food. We only do seasonal here – you won’t find green beans from Kenya. Look at these artichokes and chard! I dug them up this morning. You can’t get fresher than that.’ Or can you? He hands me a couple of fresh eggs, still warm, just collected from the farmyard next to the shop. Hens run loose in the yard – free range at its finest. The squashes outside the small shop are eye-catching with their autumnal flashes of orange and golden yellow. Naturally, Steve has grown them. ‘I don’t use any pesticides or chemicals. I just use the ducks, they love the slugs and snails! ‘I wish in my lifetime I could get everyone to enjoy good food.’ The shop in Milton Abbas is open seven days a week, and Steve works at the shop when it’s open. Andrea, who lives in the village, helps with their busy social media channels. Steve delivers the fresh produce to restaurants and pubs across Dorset. ‘I go to Dorchester, Cattistock, Portesham, Weymouth and Abbotsbury. Some chefs like to come here and dig their own parsnips, artichokes and leeks to show how fresh and local they are. When I’m not out delivering or needed in the shop, I’m working on the farm. ‘It’s so important to know where your food comes from. We are what we eat. Take this beet – I planted the seed. I watched it grow. I looked after it. I know the life it has had in the soil. I know its history and where this food has come from. Can you say that about what you get in supermarkets? The supermarkets are killing us growers. When we’re gone, we’re gone.’ Steve is irate about the cost of potatoes. ‘Last year British spuds were £5 to £7 a bag. This year they are £26 to £28! It’s because potatoes need to be stored cold to stop them chitting. The growers told the supermarkets that they need to put the price up by £1 a bag to meet the costs of the energy for cold stores. The supermarkets refused to increase the price so the spuds were used as animal feed – and the price increased.’
Raw local honey is always a best-seller
Pork and marmalade sausages Steeptonbill Farm Shop is packed with local produce. There’s bread from Oxford’s Bakery, un-homogenised milk from Meggy Moo’s, Purbeck ice cream and cheeses from Yeovil. What are his most popular lines? ‘This local raw honey. And more local honey from near Blandford. I sell loads of it, it’s so good. Of course, all these producers are local people. I spend most of my money in Dorset and so do they. It all helps the local economy.’ The colourful stand full of Haribo and marshmallows stands out like a sore thumb from the ethos of local food but there’s a simple reason for its presence. ‘That’s the tuck shop for Milton Abbey School just down the road. They’ll come up here and clear that out!’ There are also chillers full of tempting meat and meat products – Steve raises his own livestock on the farm. ‘I used to have 280 pigs! I have my own breed. I take a Saddleback sow and cross that with a large white pig. Then I cross with a Landrace so they get a long back. Then I use a Danish Duroc breed that gives lovely marbling to the meat. ‘My pork and marmalade sausages are really popular,’ he says. In his spare time, Steve is a judge of rare breed sheep at local shows. He is also an active member of the community in Milton Abbas. ‘I’m a parish councillor and my portfolio includes flood awareness and footpaths. I’ve also been involved with the local play-park, where a group of us fundraised for new facilities. We all need to be community players.’
Steve Gould with some of the vegetables he grows
A vocal campaigner Even with such an apparently successful business model, Steve still struggles with one big factor. ‘A lack of customers. During Covid we had 600 people a day here, as everyone got out and about and enjoyed shopping locally. But that has really gone down as people have gone back to the supermarkets. It’s also the pressure that farmers are under with the price of feed and fuel. ‘I’ve known several local farming colleagues who are really affected psychologically by the stress. ‘I am most proud of my knowledge of what I grow and my expertise in helping people to eat healthily. I love helping people to enjoy food. A lady asked me recently how to cook a leg of pork – she wanted to stop eating ready meals. But all she had ever used was a microwave. I talked her through what she needed to do and she really enjoyed it.’ ‘During Covid Steve really stepped up beyond all expectations to help people,’ Social media expert Andrea says: ‘What he has achieved is truly inspirational. He is a voice for farming and high quality produce.’
Find it: Steeptonbill Farm, Milton Abbas, DT11 0AT Mon to Sat 9am to 5pm Sundays 9am to 4pm Facebook: steeptonbillfarm
Two months into the job, the LibDems’ Sarah Dyke takes a moment in her first column to look back – and to outline her plans for the future
Sarah Dyke
It has been just over two months since I was elected as the new MP for Somerton and Frome – a whirlwind experience but also the honour of a lifetime. I would like to use my first BV column as an opportunity to reflect on my first few weeks in office, and to set out my aims. I am determined to stand up for our area and to fight to ensure my constituents get a fair deal. Since being elected I have been active throughout the constituency. I held a village tour earlier in the summer where I met with as many people as I could and listened to their concerns, both local and national. I will be holding regular surgeries and you can also get in touch by writing to [email protected].
Hit the ground running On my first day in Parliament, I pressed the Secretary of State for Education on the RAAC crisis and I also raised the deep local concerns over the lack of NHS dentists and GP appointments by writing to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. I have asked for a meeting with the Secretary of State to discuss these issues and to hear about the steps his department is taking to resolve the shortage. Everyone should be able to access an NHS dentist if they need one – and no one should be forced to pay hundreds of pounds for private care. The Liberal Democrats have called for proper workforce planning for health and social care – including provisions for dentists and dental staff – to be written into law. I believe this is crucial in order to provide the level of overall care people in Somerset (and everywhere else) deserve.
Healthy water I also want to use my position to campaign on the state of our natural environment. I am seriously concerned about the health and welfare of our rivers, which have been massively polluted over recent years. Our natural environment has to be something that we can all take pride in, and I will fight for this to be the case. I have written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to urge him to support Somerset Council’s bid to introduce modular water treatment units at wastewater treatment works. This project will help to unlock vital housing in Somerset while ensuring that our natural environment is protected. Finally, can I take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who supported me at the recent by-election? I will continue to work hard for our local community and to be your voice in Parliament.
The Somerton and Frome constituency may be a Somerset one, but it naturally overlaps with the Blackmore Vale area, stretching as it does north of Sherborne to Milborne Port and Henstridge up to the A303 and Wincanton.
More than 600 bikes took part in the annual motorcycle ride-out on Sunday, 24th September in aid of the life-saving charity
The 2023 Docbike Ride Out finish point at Henstridge Airfield
Despite facing challenging weather conditions, more than 600 motorcyclists turned up to support Docbike’s annual ride-out, participating in one of three different routes of 30, 35, and 40 miles, all culminating at Henstridge Airfield on the Dorset/Somerset border. Local riders Dr Ian Mew and Critical Care Paramedic Mark Williams led separate convoys through Dorset’s country roads, while Sussex Regional Lead John Allsopp guided Bridgewater’s convoy through Somerset’s scenic routes. At the finish line, the riders received a warm welcome at Henstridge Airfield despite the damp grey day. The venue featured a fantastic display of exhibitors, food, music by DJ Paul Brady, and the announcement of the grand raffle winners – featuring incredible prizes donated by local Dorset businesses.
Docbike’s Dr Ian Mew (left) and Sussex Regional Lead John Allsopp
Not just funds As well as raising vital funds, the event serves as an excellent opportunity for the DocBike and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance teams to talk to motorcyclists, spreading awareness of their life-saving work and how bikers can up-skill their ride, along with sharing how to keep other injured motorcyclists alive until the emergency services arrive by attending a free BikerDown course. Dr. Ian Mew, co-founder and trustee of DocBike, expressed his gratitude for the remarkable support received during the event. ‘We’re blown away by the support of this year’s ride out. DocBike receives no funding from the Government and relies on the generosity of the public to continue our life-saving work, so we’re thrilled to have raised such a fantastic amount which will help towards our ever-growing operational costs. The funds are much-needed by the charity, but Ian says the support received from the motorcycling community means even more: ‘We’re working to reduce motorcycle collisions and provide life-saving critical care to anyone who needs it (not just motorcyclists). We’re incredibly grateful to every single person and organisation for their continued support. ‘We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part, to our wonderful team of volunteers and marshals, to the exhibitors and caterers, and the businesses and individuals who donated incredible raffle prizes. Also to the High Sheriffs of Somerset and Dorset, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Dorset Freemasons, West Bay Snack Shack and Will Badman Photography for helping to make the day such a success. ‘Finally, special thanks go to Henstridge Airfield clubhouse and owner Geoff Jarvis, The Churchill Arms in Alderholt, Bridgwater Community Hospital, West Bay Harbourmaster, Bridport Town Council and Dorset Council for hosting the start and finish points of the event.’
Yesterday evening the excellence and innovation of Dorset businesses was celebrated at Dorset Chamber‘s prestigious Dorset Business Awards, marking the vibrance, resilience and success of the Dorset business community.
From across the whole county, business leaders, entrepreneurs and experts gathered to celebrate the finalists – and to discover who was awarded the prize of being ‘Best in Dorset’ at that they do. Congratulations to all the winners:
West Dorset MP Chris Loder calls for average speed cameras to cut accidents and improve road safety on Sherborne-to-Yeovil A30
In recent times, the stretch of the A30 which connects Sherborne to Yeovil has been the site of numerous road traffic accidents. In July, an 11-year old was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following a crash; in the same month, there was a serious two-vehicle collision involving an 80-year old near to Bradford Road; and only last December, a fatal crash took place on this same stretch of dual-carriageway. This stretch of the A30 – known locally as Babylon Hill or Yeovil Road – urgently requires road safety improvements to mitigate the high number of incidents we have recently experienced and will continue to experience if nothing is done.
Dangerous junctions Anyone from North Dorset travelling on this road will recognise the hazards. The four mile long dual-carriageway has a speed limit of 70mph – the same as a motorway – but does not have the same safety features. It is peppered with junctions, not slip roads, that connect the villages of Bradford Abbas, Nether Compton, Over Compton and Trent to the A30. These junctions have been the site of many accidents. Apart from signage, the road doesn’t have static speed cameras or technology to monitor speeding offences. Instead, the safety of road users is dependant on police mobile speed units (and the capacity to deploy them). Speeds in excess of 120 mph have been recorded on this stretch of road over the years, which can cause totally avoidable deaths. Since I was elected in 2019, I’ve met with many residents at meetings, on the doorsteps and at surgeries to hear their concerns about the A30. In particular, the parishes of Bradford Abbas, Nether Compton and Over Compton – which are either bordered or bisected by this stretch of road – have shared their wish for measures to address excessive speeding. Their demands are warranted: joining or exiting the A30 via a minor road junction is hazardous, especially at night.
A clear action plan Road safety in West Dorset is firmly on my agenda following fatalities on this stretch of road, the A3066 and the nearby A35. Only last year I lost one of my best friends from primary school in a fatal accident on the road from Sherborne to Dorchester – I am very aware of the impact accidents have on victims, their friends and families. In 2021, I established my A-Roads taskforce to work closely with National Highways and Dorset Council to improve road safety across the constituency. It meets quarterly to address recent issues on our roads. In April, I raised the matter of West Dorset’s situation with the Roads Minister Richard Holden. I am now of the view that the best clear action comes in the form of average speed cameras on the A30 between Sherborne and Yeovil. Piecemeal measures are not enough, this road has become a hotspot for avoidable accidents and an unofficial racetrack between the two towns. I will be writing to the Highways Department at Dorset Council – which is responsible for the road – to voice my concerns and to set out my justification. Average speed cameras use Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) technology to record a date and time stamp between two cameras to calculate a motorist’s average speed. In practical terms, it would mean that the A30 would have two cameras installed at least 200 metres apart, deterring speeding motorists and improving road safety in the long-term. I would be interested to hear your views on this, and if you would like to share your views with me, you can email me at: [email protected]
Presented with Motorsport UK’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, the ‘legless marshal’ looks back at 25 years at Goodwood and calls himself lucky
Steve Tarrant at Goodwood – Image: Graham Pengelly
“Give me Goodwood on a summer’s day and you can keep the rest” is the famous line from British racing driver Roy Salvadori. And, having just completed 25 years of visits as a race marshal, as a spectator and now as a photographer, I have to say I agree. During that time I really have experienced the highs and also the lowest of lows of motorsport – and the British weather – along the way. Back in 1998, I was present when the Goodwood circuit re-opened to historic motorsport. I watched as the pit building re-emerged from the mists of time – literally – to the sound of racing engines, the smell of Castrol R racing oil, and the excitement of competition. Coming five years after the start of the Festival of Speed, this bold attempt of showing racing life as it was during the circuit’s previous operating period (1948 to 1966) was a challenge.
Steve with Nicolas Minassian, French sportscar and single seater driver. Image: Richard Betts
Keep going back My own life was turned upside at Goodwood two years later, when I was involved in a fatal accident at the Festival of Speed, held on the Goodwood House estate, in 2000. I was struck by the Lotus 63 travelling at 140mph. The owner and driver John Dawson Damer died at the scene and my fellow marshal Andrew Carpenter died later of his injuries. I was lucky to stay alive but I received major injuries, including the loss of my leg. And yet the place keeps on drawing me back. There I feel I experience the best of people – and of cars. I have been so lucky to have made many friends from this association; some in person, some more long distance, but all with the same passion and desire to enjoy and share the Goodwood experience. From world champions like nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen and F1 world champion Jenson Button to the current stars of rallying, circuit racing, and motorcycling, I have been able to talk with them all. One of the most special moments for me was speaking with Sir Jackie Stewart – so gracious with his time and so knowledgeable when talking about racing at the circuit during its original era. The recent Goodwood Revival was held in glorious weather (not your average September in England), and while it was actually too hot for the de-mob suits, military uniforms and vintage frocks that many of the crowd normally wear, there were still plenty of hardy souls that stuck with it, seeking shade wherever they could, and cooling drinks on a frequent basis. While dressing in period clothing is not compulsory, so many do that you risk standing out from the crowd for the wrong reasons! I always come away from that meeting with a real feeling of how life was at Goodwood, back in its heyday.
Read more about Steve, his work as a motorsport marshal and his award from Motorsport UK in the February 23 BV here
Farmer James Cossins reflects on a challenging harvest season, battling constant rain, drying crops and managing farm inspections – and fire
Harvesting looked a little different in the 1960s at Rawston Farm
Thank goodness we managed to complete our harvest in the sunshine in early September – the end of one of the most difficult harvests I can remember. We were so spoiled by last year’s harvest, when the dry heat meant no drying of stored crops was needed and the only worry was preventing fires in fields and on machinery. This year has been completely the opposite, with barely two dry days put together. We started in July with our winter barley crop in reasonable condition and reasonable yields. Then we moved on to our oilseeds, where we had quite variable yields and most of them needed drying. Harvesting wet crops isn’t ideal, but if we had left them any longer, all the tiny seeds would have been on the ground after the strong winds and heavy rain we experienced. We then started cutting our spring malting barley, hopefully destined for the brewing market. Once again, harvesting in poor conditions, we had to dry the crop in the barns. One of the key specifications of growing malting barley is the percentage of the seeds that will germinate. Ideally you want 98 per cent germination, but quite often the maltster will accept 96 per cent. If the barley is left out in the field for too long with constant rain showers, the amount of moisture present the seeds decide it is time to germinate, and you will lose your malting premium (which this year could be as much as £70 per ton over the feed barley price). So we decided to cut our barley and dry it in the store. So far, the barley has passed the required tests, but not much has left the farm yet. The wheat crop, which is mainly grown for feeding livestock, also had to be dried. With the standing crop getting closer to the ground with every storm, combine harvesting was a big challenge for both the operator and the combine. We finished harvest with our beans in early September, and by this time the sun had decided to come out with some warmth so no drying was needed. In the end we had an average harvest on yields, but an expensive one in the process. During the busy harvest period we also had to fit in a 60 day TB test – with again a disappointing result of two reactors in the milking cows, with the abattoir results not showing TB lesions. So we have go through the same process in another 60 days, hoping to go clear next time. We have had to sell some beef cattle to an isolation unit for fattening as we were becoming overstocked again, and with calving having started in August, we needed some space for our calves. Some of these beef animals were sold at a discount to the TB-free cattle price but we had very little choice.
An arsonist targeted the last load of straw of the year at Rawston Farm
Inspections At Rawston Farm we have also had a number of audits from Red Tractor, Food Standards Agency, Arla and the Rural Payments Agency. They all came at weekly intervals, fortunately, as they can be very time-consuming! I always hope that shoppers appreciate what British farmers go through to make sure that their food is produced to the highest standards, especially when it comes to animal welfare. As consumers, everyone should be looking for the Red Tractor logo so that they can be assured the food they buy is produced to a high standard. I’m quite sure that many imported foods do not go through such rigorous examination.
Fire at Rawston Sadly our last load of straw for this year didn’t quite make it to the barn, as you can see from the photo below. It was targeted by an arsonist – but at least it was only one load, and no one was hurt. With this year’s barely in the barn we have already started sowing next year’s harvest – grass seeds, oil seeds and some barley are now in the ground and the cycle is starting over again.
This month Barry Cuff has chosen a couple of colour postcards of Sturminster Newton – and we can see the backs as well as the fronts! Both were sent by people visiting Stur while on holiday.
Have you got over the loss of your dutiful daughter yet? Ella & I went to Okeford Hill yesterday, there is a splendid view to be got from there. It was fine yesterday but it is raining today. Auntie & I are going to Sturminster Common if it clears up this afternoon. I saw your cousin Rebecca in Okeford yesterday. We had tea with her. She is (Tom’s?) daughter. Bye-bye. With love, Elsie.’
This one was sent by ‘A’ to a Miss Bailey in London, September 1907. It reads: ‘DW. Had a lovely drive in a trap to this place today, Sunday. Just four of us. We stayed at the Swan Hotel. Had a splendid tea. It is about 12 miles from Sherborne, country lanes all the way. I have just finished tea, and am just off for a walk. I wish you was here, I should enjoy it so much better. I will write tomorrow, yours, A. We are leaving at 8.30.’
