Dorset Wildlife Trust have plenty of activities for you to get involved with this April. Join them at their visitor centres at Chesil beach, Brownsea Island, Kimmeridge Bay and Kingcombe or at Lorton Meadows nature reserve to experience the best of Dorset’s wildlife. Easter has never been so ‘eggciting’, with something for everyone to enjoy – you’ll be spoilt for choice! Highlights include Pond Dipping days on Brownsea (Sun 9 Apr), Stream Dipping at Kingcombe Visitor Centre (Tues 11 Apr), a children’s treasure trail looking for clues to solve puzzles in the Chesil Challenge (Thurs 13 Apr) and a Willow Owl Workshop at Kingcombe (Sat 15 Apr). See the DWT website for full details of all events.
In 2021, Brad Jones had a nightmare motorbike crash at Brands Hatch, followed by three weeks in a coma. Now he’s back on two wheels – Steve Keenan reports
Brad Jones at home in Stalbridge with his new cycling passion. All images Steve Keenan
‘I had a highside accident – where the rear end slides then suddenly regains grip and violently flips. I rolled through the gravel, and knew I had broken my collarbone but then I was knocked out, which it turns out was great. ‘The bike had flown through the air and came down on my head and chest: that’s where the bad injuries happened. Luckily, I crashed right outside the medical centre: British Superbikes employ the best medics. They had my visor up after 12 seconds – there was blood pouring out of my head. ‘I was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in London. I had broken the base of my skull, shoulder blade, pelvis, collarbone and five ribs, which punctured my lungs. I was put into an induced coma for three and a half weeks…’
Brad recovering in hospital, with dad Tim and mum Maxine.
Brands Hatch, July 2021 Brad Jones was 23. It was his debut season in the Superbikes Championship riding 1,000cc machines competitively for the first time. He was more used to 600cc bikes. It was, as he says ‘a lot more power, a lot more for me to learn.’ The third race of the season was at Brands Hatch, the closest race circuit to his home in Stalbridge. ‘It was the first race of the weekend, on the Saturday,’ he says. ‘I kept having mechanical issues. Maybe I went into that bend on the first lap a bit too fast. Perhaps it was the cold tyres. I don’t know. It was just one of those things. I do remember vague little bits. I’ve seen the footage. But talking to you now, it’s like I am talking about someone else …’ Brad is now back living with his parents and working as a heating engineer in his grandfather’s business. He’s talking about that crash 21 months ago: ‘I was in hospital for seven and a half weeks. When I came out of the coma, I was asking the same questions all the time, I was all over the place,’ he says. ‘I’ve still got two screws in my pelvis and a plate in my collarbone but physically, I’m 100 per cent recovered. Psychologically, I’m not 100 per cent. I struggle with short-term memory: the doctors said it could take four years.’ Brad is polite, warm and quietly spoken, and is well liked in the local community and racing world. His dad Tim is a mechanic: he raced competitively himself, and Brad caught the bug. He started in motocross aged six, following his older cousin Ollie, and over 15 years worked his way up to the 600cc British Supersports circuit and the fringe of the World Championships.
Pre-crash Brad on his bike
Turning to Superbikes In 2019, Brad came ninth in a field of 25 at Donington Park and received a wild card for a World Championship race in Qatar. But, he says, the reality of getting a place in a World Championship team meant having to secure £150,000 sponsorship each season. ‘The thing that stopped me going on the world stage was money. It was demoralising – but I could see that it just wasn’t going to happen.’ Brad turned to British Superbikes, then the highest level of racing in the UK, with a season of 11 rounds (this year it begins in April at Silverstone and ends at Brands Hatch in October). The pandemic delayed his first competitive season until 2021. Then came two races – and then the crash. Brad’s parents Tim and Maxine were at the hospital daily, as was his girlfriend Courtney. The family was allowed in for an hour a day but only one at a time, so they were allowed 20 minutes each. At times he was partially conscious. ‘One time, he squeezed his mum’s hand and was able to focus but then he was back into a coma,’ said grandad Bob Jones.
Community strength At one stage, doctors told the family that the next 24-48 hours was down to Brad. Only his inner strength would pull him through. Added Bob: ‘I was watching that race live on television. I didn’t think Brad was going to make it when I saw the screens go up around him on the track.’ It was a dark period for the whole family. ‘At the start, there was lots of talk about maybe having to adapt my parents’ home for me,’ says Brad. But the community rallied to help. Cousin Lucy Calvert set up a crowdfunding page with a £20,000 target, helped by selling T-shirts, caps and stickers with the hashtag #KeepFightingBrad. The page eventually raised £40,979 from nearly 1,000 people. The money proved invaluable: instead of having to travel to Poole for NHS physio, Brad could have intensive physio and rehab work at home. He had his teeth repaired, lost seven kilos and was advised to get a therapy dog (he now has a cavapoo called Rufus). By September he was able to walk without crutches. Over the winter of 2021-22, Brad worked hard to regain strength. He struggled to breathe properly and had to go cold turkey on medication – ‘I worked to remain positive but that was the time I struggled mentally.’ He was barred from driving – but he did have an exercise bike at home. And it got him thinking about the possibility of racing on two wheels again … In April 2022, he began riding his pushbike out locally, to Marnhull or Sturminster Newton, as part of the rehab and because it was ‘good for my head.’ Brad had the all-clear from hospital, stepped up the intensity of riding – and entered a race. It was at Thruxton, one of the familiar Superbike tracks. But this time it was all down to pedal power – a one hour Category 3 simple circuit race; first over the line wins, entry fee was £20 and the winner gets a pat on the back. Brad hasn’t stopped cycling since. He’s now risen to Category 2 where the racing is much harder. With his best friend Scott Ridding, an established name in World Superbikes, he cycles all over the country.
Brad with Rufus, his therapy dog
No more engines I met Brad on a Monday, fresh back from two weekend races in Lancaster and Oxford. Oxford was eight laps – 62 miles in total – and Brad did 40 before calling it a day. Could it be that perhaps it’s no longer about winning but being out there, with a friend? ‘Scott and I will talk about Superbikes for 15 minutes, maybe, and that’s it – we just talk about cycling all the time!’ Brad is clear that cycling is a hobby, that he’s not going to make money out of it and that it’s a game. But there’s a light in his eye. ‘I’ve always been competitive. I don’t like being beaten – which helped me in my recovery. This year, I want to win some cycle races. I want to buy a house. And I will go and watch some motorbike racing: I have so many friends that I won’t see unless I go to the track.’ And how would he feel about that? Would he be thinking of a return to the motorbikes? Reflecting on his life before the crash, and where he is now, Brad’s response is thoughtful. ‘I was living the dream. I was working three days a week and racing motorbikes at weekends. My dad was my mechanic and my grandad and nan were coming to watch. ‘Motorbike racing has changed financially even just in the last two years. It used to be £20,000 sponsorship was needed for a good team in Supersports – now it’s £60,000. The way I look at it, things happen for a reason. I had a great time doing it – and I was very lucky to get away with it. I would say I had my bell rung. ‘Now I can still go to work, earn some money, see my mates and ride a pushbike. ‘I’m enjoying doing my own thing. I can even have a few drinks – I never used to drink when I was racing. It’s all new to me. It’s what you’re supposed to do when you are 18! ‘Even now, I see local cars driving around with the #KeepFightingBrad sticker on. The support from everyone has just been unbelievable. I reached the pinnacle of where I thought I could get to and now I am simply grateful to be here. I thought it was the worst day of my life – but it was the best day, as I pulled through.’
Although initial fears around the Poole Harbour oil spill have been calmed, eventual long-lasting effects are still unknown. Andrew Livingston reports
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As I write, it has been 12 days since a ruptured pipeline at Wytch Farm expelled more than 30,000 litres of reservoir oil into Poole Harbour. By all reports the clean-up, overseen by the Poole Harbour Commission (PHC), has been successful. The public are back on the beaches and in the water and no serious harm seems to have occurred to the rare birds of the area. While most of the surrounding population heaves a great sigh of a relief, there is a small community of boats moored, with no purpose till further notice. ‘Let’s hope they clear it up fairly soon. I think we are fairly optimistic.’ Pete Miles, owner of Dorset Oysters, told The BV. ‘We are on stop until further notice really.’ Soon after the news broke of the oil spill from Perenco’s site into Ower Bay, the PHC announced that, with immediate effect, any shellfish harvest could not be retailed, transported or marketed – effectively locking down the local shellfish industry. Testing of the shellfish has been ongoing, but as Pete understands it, no results have yet been announced. ‘The last I heard, a couple of days ago, [they] should be back within seven to ten days … As all these things are when it comes to food – oysters particularly – it’s always precautionary.’
Whole season impact Dorset Oysters is normally 100 per cent self-sufficient in Poole Harbour, but to keep the business going, Pete has been buying oysters in from Jersey. The oysters Pete usually sells aren’t actually wild, they are grown at a sister company, Othniel Oysters, a farm in the harbour. Like all farmer’s crops, there’s a limited window when they can be harvested. ‘It will be worrisome if we can’t get into this year’s stock. What will happen is [they] will keep growing. If we can’t harvest them, then they grow to a certain size and they’re just not marketable. They simply get too big. ‘Once the water warms up and the plankton and the algae bloom then the oysters will grow quite quick … It’ll be a couple of weeks and [then] once they start we need a good, fast turnaround.’ In the short term, all the shellfish fisherman want is to get out to the oysters, cockles and clams to keep their businesses trading.
Long term impact There is, however, a long term danger – not only to the molluscs of Poole Harbour, but the ecology as a whole. Emma Rance has 20 years experience of marine biology and conservation and believes that the monitoring of the shellfish in the harbour will have to continue for years to come. When she heard the news of the oil spill she felt ‘utterly saddened and disappointed’. She says: ‘This should not occur. Oil farms are regulated to operate using the strictest of control measures. We would not expect this to happen. ‘Poole Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world and is home to some rare and protected species ranging from seabed-stabilising eelgrass, beautiful peacock worm beds, a sea bass nursery area, both species of seahorse and many other habitats and species of conservation importance.’ Before setting up her own marine consultancy business, Noctiluca Marine, Emma worked with the Dorset Wildlife Trust and contributed to Dorset Council’s emergency Oil Spill Contingency Plan, with other government agencies and NGOs. ‘There is no full understanding on the long-term impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on the marine environment. Research has shown that this kind of pollution is known to affect species survival, reproduction and ability to function normally plus many other concerns. ‘‘Oil spills can impact habitats, locking the pollution deep into sediments, allowing for slow release over a long period of time.’ Perenco, the owners of Wytch Farm, have set up a claims line for anyone affected by the spill. In a statement, Frank Dy, the general manager at Wytch Farm, says: ‘Any spill is an extremely serious matter and a full investigation will be launched to ascertain what happened in Poole Harbour. It is important to stress that the situation is under control, with the discharge of fluids stopped and the spill is being contained.’
Oil Spill Timeline
26th March Pipeline at Wytch Farm fractures, spilling oil into Ower Bay PHC activates its emergency oil spill plan A major incident is declared and agencies including Dorset Police, Dorset Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, NHS, Environment Agency and Natural England are involved. Fishing, swimming and other leisure activities in the harbour are prohibited.
27th March 7am – More than 100 people were out assessing the shoreline and harbour, undertaking shoreline cleanup. 60-70% reduction in oil sightings in the water from drone footage.
28th March 3pm – 30 slightly oiled birds found in the harbour, reported by RSPB
29th March Clean-up teams recovered 14,000 litres of oil/water mix and approximately 1,500kg of oil sediment. Key stakeholders in the shellfish industry are advised not to market shellfish harvested from Poole Harbour since the oil spill.
30th March A further 31,000 litres of liquid recovered overnight. Oil found washing up on the beaches of Brownsea Island
31st March An estimated 100,000 litres of oil/water mix and two tones of sediment recovered. Excavation of broken pipe begins Oil found washing up on Arne Nature Reserve
2nd April Perenco set up a claims line for those affected by the oil spill 140,000 litres of oil/water mix and more than five tonnes of contaminated beach/soil material have been recovered
4th April Estimated 160,000 litres of oil/water mix and more than six tonnes of contaminated beach/soil material have been recovered People are once again allowed to swim and fish in Poole Harbour
The Thorngrove team are feeling the rush of spring, says Kelsi-Dean Buck, caused by a bit of sunshine and a rush of colour in the courtyard
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Well Spring is finally here! It’s taken its time, though. It felt like we had a stunning Mother’s Day weekend (I actually sat on the lounger in my garden and felt warm!), but slipped swiftly back into a wintery feel in the air… However, as I write this the sun has finally shown up. And I’m happy to report that garden-mode is now fully activated! I’ve not had a garden space to call my own for very long, so I’m actually excited for the arrival of warmer weather and to get out and make use of it again!
Lupin month Thorngrove’s plant of the month for April is lupins. Native to North and South America, there’s over 200 species of these flowering plants which are from the legume family. Often used in garden design due to their showy structural flowers, they come in a variety of colours including pink, purple, blue, yellow, and white. Some can grow up to 5 feet tall, and they do require well-drained soil and full sun to thrive. Don’t forget that lupins are a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Planting lupins in your garden will help attract these beneficial insects and promote a healthy ecosystem in your own garden. Secret Garden Our new menu in the café should be launching soon after this month’s BV goes ‘to print’, so please keep an eye out for that. We’ve been welcoming lots of new faces at The Secret Garden Café and it feels like word has really been spreading about the amazing food we have available. A huge credit goes to Ben and his team in the café for making it one of Gillingham’s highest reviewed cafés on Google. Indoor seating is available of course, but we’ve also revamped our outdoor patio in anticipation for the warmer weather, so please do stop by this spring with friends!
Lunch inside the Secret Garden Cafe
Coming up At Thorngrove this month we’re hosting Children’s Crafts (at time of writing spaces are already filling up so please book to avoid disappointment!). We’ve also announced open days for Employ My Ability, happening May 16th and 17th – book your guided tour today! At EMA we offer vocational qualifications and work experience to young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and Thorngrove functions as a campus for our students. Find out more on our website! employmyability.org.uk/
Like all astrophotographers, the March skies meant that Rob Nolan had an impossible month – but he did capture a stunning nebula in February
Well, its official, it was the wettest March we’ve seen since 1981. Which means it’s the wettest March I’ve ever seen! I don’t think myself or any of my fellow Astrophotographers managed to collect any images last month, and we were all extremely grumpy because of it! We live in hope of some cloudless and moonless nights in April to reinvigorate us and to try and capture some data as the days grow longer and the nights grow shorter. The worst thing about the bad weather, is we all tend to get bored and go and buy more equipment to make ourselves feel better! Never a good thing! My image this month is one I shot back in February, and turned out to be my last nebula shot of winter as we are now giving way to galaxy season again.
The California Nebula A large emission nebula stretching across almost 2.5 degrees of the night sky, the California Nebula (NGC1499) is in the constellation Perseus. It is so named because its shape is reminiscent of the outline of the US state of California on a map. The Nebula stretches about 100 light years across. Despite its huge size and visual magnitude of 6.0, the nebula is still very difficult to observe visually because it has a low surface brightness. However, when photographed using Narrowband filters which pick up hydrogen, sulphur II and oxygen lll emission bands, details come alive on this massive structure. I’m always in awe when zooming in around the high resolution version of this image to see all the different shapes that create this truly stellar nebula. It was discovered by American astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard – renowned for his catalogue of dark nebulae and his pioneering work in astrophotography – in 1884. This image was captured with my 1000mm Maksutov Newtonian Telescope and the ZWO ASI2600MM Pro Astro camera with Narrowband filters and is about 8 hours of data.
The night sky, April 2023 – Rob’s guide for your stargazing this month:
Now that the spring equinox has come and gone, we start to see the nights get shorter; always a sombre time for astronomers! Thankfully though, there’s still plenty of astronomical darkness in April to keep us entertained, clouds permitting! Since the clocks went forward, there’s more chance that we’ll be back home from work and settled as night falls, so now is a really good time to take a look at our three nearest neighbours ton view in the evening sky; Mercury, Venus and Mars. It’s a really good time to try to observe Mercury, which never strays far from our sun and follows a very tight oval-shaped orbit, completing one year in just 88 Earth days. Imagine having to go through Christmas dinner and all the trimmings every 88 days! The fight for the title of brightest object in the night sky this month includes stars from several constellations. Regulus in the constellation Leo, Spica in Virgo and the unmistakable orange glow of Arcturus in Boötes. One of the prominent constellations this month is Virgo, with its Y-shaped appearance, it’s the second largest constellation in the night sky. The glory of Virgo , so named because the pattern traditionally represents a victorious maiden holding an ear corn, lies in the ‘bowl’ of the Y shape. If you scan the upper region with a small telescope at a low magnification, you’ll find this part of the constellation packed with faint, fuzzy blobs. These are just a few of the 2,000 galaxies that make up the gigantic Virgo cluster.
Dates to remember Events to make a note of this month include observing our local neighbourhood, starting on the 11th as brilliant Venus is positioned left of the Pleiades. Wake up early on the 16th to catch Saturn above the crescent Moon before dawn. We’ve got an excellent chance of observing the Lyrid Meteor shower this year on the night of the 22nd to 23rd of April. This is because the Moon isn’t in the way to obscure the display, so it’s definitely one to watch if the clouds oblige! The Lyrids appear to emanate from Lyra – a small constellation named to represent the lyre of Orpheus in the northern sky –as we pass through debris from Comet Thatcher. On the 23rd, look towards the crescent moon at twilight and you’ll see Venus, hanging like a pendulum below the clock face of the Moon. Finally, on the 25th, you’ll be able to observe Mars close to the Moon, next to stars Castor and Pollux. Until next time, clear skies!
It’s now a common cry: ‘Does anyone know of an NHS dentist?’ But why is the lack of NHS dental care such an issue? Rachael Rowe investigates the problem in Dorset
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When was the last time you saw a dentist? Are you even able to access an NHS dentist? With NHS dentistry becoming harder to find – but across the entire country – what is happening to the provision of dental health care? ‘After many many months of searching and calling and emailing different dentists, I am yet to find one taking on NHS patients. I have a severe need to see an NHS dentist as I’m really unable to eat because of the pain which has led to weight loss and other health complications. I am a young adult who doesn’t work currently due to disability and illness and am unable to pay for private dentistry treatment which I have explored too.’ Patient comment, in the Healthwatch Dorset report.
The pink dots show the 93 Dorset dentists registered on the NHS website, highlighting the gap in provision in Purbeck, and the north west, mid and north east of the county.
How many see an NHS dentist? Data from NHS England shows that fewer than half the adults in the South West have seen a dentist in the last two years. If they end up with a problem, chances are they will not be able to access NHS dental care. Healthwatch Dorset has recently published a report on the state of dental access in the county. The recent survey of Dorset’s 93 dental practices found that, at the end of 2022, none was taking new NHS patients. So what is happening and how is care being prioritised? Healthwatch Dorset manager Louise Bate explained what had caused her most concern about the report: ‘Last year when we did this questionnaire there were three dentists taking patients. This year, there are none. It’s getting worse. Even if the contracts are changed, there are no dentists.’ Of the 78 dental practices that responded to the Healthwatch survey, none was taking new NHS adult patients, 17 now only treat private patients and only 18 were accepting new NHS patients if they are children. Seven practices said they were accepting patients with additional needs, and 23 practices had waiting lists, half of which were more than 12 months long.
Dorset’s below average Maps indicate that there are dentists in North Dorset, but they are not taking any NHS patients right now. The South West Dental Reform Group is a network which sets the strategy for NHS dentistry in the west country, including Dorset. Membership includes regional and local staff. Their assessment of future needs in Dorset identified several significant issues for the future of dentistry. For example, by 2028, Dorset’s population will have increased by three per cent – or an additional 23,708 people. While the child population will have decreased by six per cent, older adults (65+) will have increased by 18 per cent, or 35,504 additional people. So, in addition to finding dentists to serve more residents, there will also be a need to provide extra services to manage the complex dental needs of older people. Louise identified a further issue. ‘Because of the way the dental contract is currently set up, dentists see the easiest people to manage – those needing basic check ups. That means it is much harder for people with complex needs to get an appointment.’ How many people can actually get to see a dentist? The SW Dental Reform Group reviewed the data and found that access to children’s dental services in the last year was 48.9% in below the average for England (53%) average. Access to adult NHS dentistry in Dorset is also below the national average at 45.6% (England average 47.1%). That’s a significant gap between those who should be able to see a dentist and those who don’t or cannot.
Testimonial from Healthwatch Dorset report
How is dental care funded? Until April this year, NHS dentistry was commissioned by NHS England. From April, dentistry is under the control of the local Integrated Care System (ICS). Louise is encouraged by this: ‘I’m more positive now the ICS is taking over responsibility. There’s an opportunity to use local incentives. I’d like to see children prioritised; if we don’t, we are setting ourselves up for a generation of dental problems. I’d also like to see better access for vulnerable people.’ With local commissioning of dental services, there are also opportunities to design services to meet the needs of the population. Louise already has thoughts. ‘I’d like to see more joint working with the voluntary sector. For example, people access mental health services because their teeth are problematic. People are unable to eat properly, they become malnourished, and voluntary groups contact us for advice.’ Chief commissioning officer of the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board, David Freeman says: ‘From 1st April we will have a much greater opportunity to work with local people, dentists and other specialists in our area to develop new and different ways of working. We’ve already started this work – from helping children and families with good dental hygiene to designing extra services to meet more complex dental needs, we are developing plans for improvements this year.’
Map shows dental clinics in Dorset that accept children as new NHS patients. None said they were accepting adult patients, unless very elderly or had additional needs.
What can you do now? If you have toothache and don’t have access to a dentist, Louise Bate advises the best course of action is to dial NHS 111 to discuss your needs. ‘And keep looking for appointments, because some NHS slots do come up.’ Clearly, the NHS will be busy working to improve access to dentistry this year. However, there has never been a better time to ensure we all practise good dental hygiene, stop smoking and reduce sugar intake to avoid tooth decay as much as possible.
April is here, and it’s finally time to start getting busy, says gardener Pete Harcom. Warmer temperatures come with lots of garden jobs!
Now’s the time to plant your hollyhocks, foxgloves and other cottage garden favourites for some summer colour
The soil will slowly be warming up, so there is lots to do now! Having said that, watch out for frosts at night, and resist the temptation to sow and plant out too early. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and wait a few days if necessary.
Jobs for April
Sweet Peas can be sown outdoors this month, or you can plant out any autumn-sown ones.
Remember to protect early outdoor sowings with fleece if a frost is warned.
The lawn will need attention from now on, including sowing some fresh grass seed on any bare spots. Aerate the lawn by spiking with a lawn aerator or a garden fork – this can be done a few times per year.
You can purchase lawn aerator spiked shoes that fit over your boots, to do the job (NB you may have to join the Ministry of Funny Walks!).
There is still time to move, divide and plant herbaceous perennials – geranium, Astrantia coronaria, hostas and delphiniums. Don’t forget to check for any couch grass or other weeds within the crown of the plant.
Hydrangea macrophylla can be pruned back by approximately a third now. TIP – plant the cuttings in the ground in a sheltered spot and they will have rooted within the year.
Watch out for aphids, even at this time of year.
Don’t spray with nasty insecticide, just squeeze them between your fingertips. This way, there’ll be a few left for the birds!
Turn over the compost heap using a fork – but be careful, there may be some overwintering hedgehogs or grass snakes in there! Grass snakes sometimes like the warmth and use a compost heap to lay their eggs.
There is still time to prune roses back to hard stems and open up the centre of the bush if possible; this lets air and sun in. Also give them a mulch of well-rotted manure.
Deadhead all the tulips and daffodils to help them put energy into root growth and flowers for next year.
A cold greenhouse will be sufficiently warm this month to start sowing annual and biennial seeds for favourites like foxgloves, hollyhocks, nemesia, rudbeckia and French marigolds.
Order your summer-flowering seeds and bulbs!
Check your outdoor pots aren’t drying out – they can, even at this time of year. Also, now’s the time to start increasing the watering of your house plants.
WHEN the former Kneehigh Theatre director Emma Rice – whose own Wise Children theatre is now based in Frome – took on the challenge of a stage adaptation of one of the best-loved films of all time, there were many who held their breath.
Hanora Kamen as Laura Jesson and Jammy Kasongo as Dr Alec Harvey. Image: Marc Brenner
What would the iconoclastic Rice do with this poignant wartime Noel Coward black-and-white classic, with its famous story of two married people who meet by chance and fall in love. In the event (and unsurprisingly to anyone who knew that first and foremost Rice is a story-teller), the stage version was a triumph, combining the poignancy of the love story with Kneehigh’s trademark anarchic musical fun. It enjoyed a sell-out run in the West End in 2008 and was revived in 2018. Now, a new production is at Salisbury Playhouse, directed by Douglas Rintoul and starring Hanora Kamen as Laura Jesson and Jammy Kasongo as Dr Alec Harvey, with a stunningly multi-talented ensemble of actor-singer-musicians who play all the other parts. Beautifully lit by designer Jessie Addinall, the versatile set is a railway station, Laura’s home, a restaurant, Alec’s friend Steve’s flat and, most importantly, the station tearoom where Laura, with painful grit in one eye, first meets Alec, the doctor who carefully removes the fragment. The chemistry between these two is palpable, and the development of the relationship is convincing. Fanny Charles
Brief Encounter is at Salisbury Playhouse until 22nd April, and then goes on a short tour, including the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and the Yvonne Armaud at Guildford.
AKC, an agricultural consultancy firm based near Devizes in Wiltshire, offer independent strategic and financial advice and consultancy for agricultural businesses – as well as bookkeeping and payroll services for all business types. AKC are engaged with the farming community and know first-hand the impact the current industry changes are having on farmers.
Stewardship application AKC’s farm consultant, James Berry, provides technical and financial advice to farming clients. Farmer Simon Barrett engaged AKC for a farm business review with James, and found the process very simple: ‘AKC provided wide industry knowledge and a huge amount of expertise and experience.’ Simon also noted that James was very patient and personable: ‘he was happy to explain to me again and again, and helped me understand [the different schemes on offer]. It was more than comprehensive, and a very positive experience’, says Simon. It led him to ask James for help with his Countryside Stewardship application this year. ‘Last year I submitted the application for myself,’ he says, ‘but I felt anxious I wasn’t making the most of the scheme.’ After walking the farm with James and identifying how best to apply different stewardship options, Simon felt he attained a far higher level of revenue than if he had completed the application himself. ‘The stewardship application has been of most value to me’ says Simon. ‘Others should compare the price of professional fees with the income brought long term. I encourage other farmers to be brave on fees; be prepared to pay for professional advice, and it will pay dividends. ‘AKC were excellent. There was a mix of skills and a good marriage of financial awareness and breadth of agricultural knowledge. In my experience accountants generally don’t have the depth and technical knowledge of farming, so it was a revelation to have someone bring a better understanding that allowed me to feel more up to the numbers
Free advice As part of the Future Farming Resilience Fund, AKC are working with NIAB and Savills to bring free tailored business advice to farmers in receipt of Basic Payments. This is an important opportunity for farmers to learn about the changes in policy, the impact it will have on their own business and how they can adapt to these challenges. Simon Barrett was left feeling very encouraged by the advice he was given; ‘I learnt a huge amount about the ELMS schemes I could access,’ he says. ‘Also, James shared what is making other farms across the country more profitable.’ Another AKC client agreed the process of the farm business review worked very smoothly. Mark Vaughan Lee, from Dorset, describes his experience in receiving guidance on the replacement of BPS, learning about how they can do things differently, in addition to what they are currently doing. ‘I have been using AKC for ten years.’ He says. ‘They provide an excellent on-farm service and have held my hand throughout the process, especially with the transition and the loss of BPS payments.’
As environmental land management continually develops, AKC are helping clients with: Sustainable Farming Incentive rollout/Animal health & welfare/Productivity opportunities CSS Plus Applications planned in 2023 Slurry Infrastructure Grants Opportunities for landscape recovery (developing working clusters) What makes AKC unique is the array of commercial farm business experience backed up by a professional accountancy, bookkeeping & payroll team –providing clients with an all-encompassed service.
Get in touch to see how we can help you – 01380 724687 akcagric.co.uk
