Letters to the Editor November 2023

4 November 2023

I’m going to avoid the ‘state of the world’ commentary this month. I’m bored with trying to find a positive spin on a basket full of nightmares.
The two alternatives I have half-drafted are rapidly getting equally shouty. And if there’s one thing literally no one needs right now is one more person shouting about Wrong Things from their corner.
So instead, I’m going to talk about some Happy Things. Most people know that Courtenay is a photographer, and many assume that he takes the cover photo each month. He certainly travels the county photographing talented people creating beautiful things.
But the cover shot? No. He’s not allowed – and hasn’t been since Issue 2.
Because that, dear reader, is all yours.
Every month we welcome submissions via our Facebook group and by email. And every month we are inundated with a pop up seasonal art gallery of astonishing photography*.
It’s absolutely joyous.
By deadline day (the Monday before we publish) we will, in an average month, have received more than 700 submissions. These are whittled down to a shortlist of 30 or so, which we then request as high resolution versions. And then comes my personal highlight of publication week; settling down with C and a mug of coffee to go through them all, comfortably bickering for a while over the merits of each picture as we slowly select the 12 which will make the reader’s photography section (unless we make an exception – there’s 13 this month!) – plus the coveted cover shot.
The sheer talent of our local photographers never fails to astonish us. And I know they bring the same joy to every BV reader. But what’s even nicer is the support and appreciation in the group – everyone’s just there to enjoy them, and every submission is welcomed, no matter the subject, the style or the experience of the photographer. From phone shots to macro insects, astrophotography to drone stills – everything’s welcome. We’ve never set a theme, but by accident seem to have fallen into the embarrassment of riches that is Dorset wildlife and landscapes. And honestly? That’s fine by us!
And if you sometimes miss out the photography section .. maybe don’t? You also might just want to flip back and take a closer look at that glorious front starry cover from William Evans, too.

Laura

(*I mean, I do tell C he’s welcome to submit like anyone else … but I also warn him it’s seriously stiff competition out there.)

Is the world uninsurable?
I’m concerned about the impact of climate change on our community, especially seeing the effects of the most recent set of storms with the damaging flooding to many local properties and businesses. Insurance companies already warn that due to climate-related risks, premiums will rise. In 2022, we had £473 million in storm payouts, and high temperatures led to £219 million in subsidence claims last summer. Insured losses from extreme weather have risen by 54% in a decade.
Home insurance prices are at an all-time high, making it unaffordable for some. However, the situation is even more dire for those who cannot afford or access home insurance due to past flooding or a lack of willing insurers.
This leaves homeowners and businesses vulnerable to shouldering the full costs of damage – and it also affects property values in high-risk areas, as potential buyers struggle to secure mortgages on uninsured properties.
As Axa Insurance CEO, Henri De Castries, aptly said, “A 2°C warmer world might be insurable, a 4°C warmer world certainly would not be.” It is crucial that we acknowledge the role of climate change in these challenges and take proactive measures to protect our homes and environment.
L Simmons, Sherborne

Gribbles and Ymps
(In reference to Jane Adam’s Just chuck it out the window! in The BV Oct 23.)
Many moons ago I worked on a tree nursery, one of our major contracts was supplying trees to new road projects, some of which were a species of apple that originated from an apple core in South Somerset – they were planted all over the country.
The origins of Slack Ma Girdle are still unconfirmed; chances are it was from Devon, but we will never know.
Crab apples are direct descendants of the wild apples found in Kazakhstan. Size does not matter but mostly they’re very small, and they are all Malus sylvestris, as opposed to Malus domesticus, domesticated apples (this did make me laugh) which are the descendants of sylvestris but then grafted onto known rootstock, ranging from Dwarf to Standards.
Apple trees grown from seed are Gribbles, as opposed to those grown from grafts which in olde English were known as Ymps.
Every seed from an apple is genetically different from its parent tree, that is the beauty of the apple and why I have 18 new cultivars about to be grown on by Adam’s Apples.
Tim Beer, via Facebook

On Bad Boy Wilf
(Andrew Livingston’s brutally honest tale of dog ownership in the Oct issue of the BV)
I have literally never enjoyed reading anything so much that I know to be 100% true in all my life. I laughed the whole way through!
Linda O’Neill, Facebook

On the kindness of villagers
I was deeply touched by the heartwarming article about Gemma Hampton and her husband Andy’s experience in Hinton St Mary (The BV, Oct 23). In times of adversity, it is often the support and kindness of a close-knit community that shine the brightest. Gemma’s account of the village’s response to her husband’s diagnosis of a brain tumour is a testament to the strength of community spirit. The villagers coming together to create a rota for the family’s help is truly heartening. It is in stories like these that we find the true essence of community – something so often declared as lost.
But it is a place where people rally around one another in times of need, offering their assistance and their support. What a reminder of the goodness that does exist, right outside our doors.
I wish Gemma, Andy, and their children continued strength and resilience as they navigate this challenging journey ahead.
Anna Simmons, Verwood

On Steeptonbill Farm Shop
I enjoyed the recent feature on Steeptonbill Farm Shop and its owner, Steve Gould. It’s great to read about another local business dedicated to fresh, sustainable produce. Steve’s commitment to supporting local growers and providing seasonal items is impressive. It’s essential to support local growers like Steve, who contribute to our community and offer authentic, quality food. It’s businesses like Steeptonbill Farm Shop that make our local community special.
On a side note, I want to compliment your “Meet Your Local” column, which has introduced me to several new local businesses and also had me exploring some previously-unknown villages. Keep up the good work!
F Winter, Shaftesbury

I found this amazing little gold mine of a shop in the summer and went back on Wednesday for fresh veg for a slow cooker stew – it was gorgeous!
Sally Bastian, Facebook

Take a hike
I just wanted to drop a quick note to say thanks for featuring the hike “In the space between Dorchester and Beaminster” in your recent issue. It was a lovely walk in an area I hadn’t explored before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
What I appreciated most was the practicality of the article. Using a proper map, along with the option to download the route, is right up my alley. I like to have a physical map in hand while planning my walks. And even though I don’t walk with an app, having the choice to download and transcribe the route was a bonus for a map enthusiast like me. I’ve bookmarked a few more walks you’ve featured, and I’m looking forward to trying them out when the weather improves. Thanks again for making local walks accessible and enjoyable.
Your magazine has become my go-to for discovering new paths in our area!
Peter Brown, Blandford

What about the youth resources?
I am writing to express my concern about the lack of opportunities and outlets available to young people in our rural area. Living in a rural setting undoubtedly has its charms, but it also presents challenges, especially for our younger residents. After school, there seems to be a significant void in terms of activities and places for them to gather, socialise, and engage in constructive pursuits.
It’s disheartening to hear about the prevalence of drug issues in some of our towns, and it’s clear that many young people are lacking positive alternatives to keep them occupied and motivated.
While uniformed groups are fantastic for those who are interested, they may not appeal to everyone.
I am curious to know if there are any initiatives or plans in place to address this issue. Are there community-driven efforts to create safe and engaging spaces for young people to come together, learn, and have fun? Is there a possibility of securing funding or support from local organisations or authorities to facilitate such programmes?
Heather Baines, Gillingham

Jupiter and its big red spot

Editorial team

3 November 2023

Despite stormy skies, astrophotographer Darshna Ladva captures stunning Jupiter image. Rob Nolan eyes the sky at night this month

As we endure yet another storm sweeping across the UK, stargazing seems an unlikely pastime of late! The whole of October has seen maybe one or two clear skies – I’m really hoping that, as it gets colder, we’ll get some good clear skies to make up for all this bad weather!
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to process any new images this month. However, a dear friend and astrophotographer Darshna Ladva kindly gave me permission to share her amazing image of Jupiter.
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and has a radius of over 43,000 miles – it is 11 times wider than Earth. Its stripes and swirls are actually cold, windy clouds of ammonia and water, floating in an atmosphere of hydrogen and helium.
Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot is a giant storm, bigger than the entire Earth, that has to our knowledge been raging for hundreds of years.
From an average distance of 484 million miles, Jupiter is 5.2 astronomical units away from the Sun (one astronomical unit, or AU, is the distance from the Sun to the Earth) – this means it takes sunlight 43 minutes to travel from the Sun to Jupiter.
In this particular image, the Great Red Spot is clearly visible along with the moon Io – just one of Jupiter’s 90 or so moons! The biggest of the moons are the four Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, discovered in 1610 by Galileo Galilei and Simon Marius.

Lucky imaging
It takes a lot of patience and know-how to successfully photograph planets. Instead of relying on lots of static images stacked together, like a deep sky object image, the process for planetary imaging involves shooting videos – in a process aptly named ‘lucky imaging’ – using a high frame rate planetary astro camera. Between 7k and 25k frames from these videos are then stacked in specialist software to create a more stable and sharper image of the planet.
Darshna images the night sky from London, and has an amazing eye for a great nightscape photo, as well as being a dab hand at planetary imaging! She uses a Skywatcher 127mm Maksutov telescope and the ZWO ASI224 MC planetary camera.
To see more of Darshna’s amazing photography, please look her up on Instagram @nebuladva.

The night sky, November 2023 – Rob’s guide for your stargazing this month:

November is all about Jupiter! The gas giant of our solar system is nearest to Earth this month, so it’s a perfect time to explore it. On 1st November it is at its closest – a mere 370 million miles away!
Now is also a good time to grab your binoculars – choose a clear moonless night and enjoy scanning our Milky Way, the seemingly endless ribbon of star clusters and nebulae.
On 9th November, if you’re around before dawn you’ll be entertained by a dazzling duo twilight show from Venus and the crescent Moon.
Another solar system sibling is at its closest to Earth this month – on 13th, Uranus will be at a distance of 1.7 billion miles (I find the distances involved just to the objects in the outer solar system absolutely mind-boggling!). To find Venus, simply look the opposite way to the Sun.
If you managed to catch a glimpse of the Orionids meteor shower in October, you did well! I saw one shooting star among the patchy clouds! However, on the night of 17th-18th, we’ve got another chance – the annual Leonid meteor shower is set to be a better display than it has been in recent years, with a chance of some bright fireballs. It is caused by fragments of the comet Tempel-Turtle as Earth moves across its trail.
On 20th, look to the first quarter Moon and you’ll see Saturn hanging just above it.
Look to the Moon again on the 25th and the bright ‘star’ seen nearby will actually be Saturn.
The following night on the 26th, the Moon will pass under the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters.
In the build-up to Christmas, as I wrote last month I’m opening up the December image to you all, to put forward your ideas to me as to what celestial object you’d like to see featured in the magazine.
And only if it’s something I’m capable of imaging and can see from our hemisphere, of course!
So let me know what you’d like to see imaged for Christmas. Drop me a message via Facebook or Instagram! I’ve also shared a post on the BV Facebook page.
Until next time, clear skies!

November’s BV Magazine – read it here :)

Laura

3 November 2023

‘I think I have lost my business. How do you recover from this?’ The Sherborne businesses devastated by flood | Page 4
From city chef to Dorset farmer – Julius Roberts is the Instagram sensation working to reconnect a modern audience with their food. He takes on the 19 Random questions | Page 20
If you took a magical mystery tour that began in Swinging Sixties London, went to the potteries in Stoke-on-Trent and to a specialist pottery shop in Stratford-upon-Avon, you wouldn’t expect to end up in Somerset’s hidden village of Shepton Beauchamp, at the home of Dennis Chinaworks and Sally Tuffin| Page 24
‘Sad day for democracy’ as planners ignore neighbourhood plans and approve development on AONB, outside Blandford bypass | Page 6
Meet Dorset craftsmen Chris and Ed – internationally recognised as two of the world’s best under-40 leatherworkers | Page 50
Q&A with West Dorset MP Chris Loder. He offered to answer an open postbag – and here he has answered all the letters that were sent| Page 18
The case of the Spanish oranges: Andrew Livingston considers the UK’s freedom to roam and a misadventure involving oranges and an angry farmer for which he definitely wasn’t to blame | Page 91
Cllr Spencer Flower shares his journey from Gillingham council estate to the award-winning leadership of Dorset Council in his Dorset Island Discs | Page 56
The Dorset Mounties – Riding into the fight against rural crime. Andrew Livingston spoke to one of Dorset’s new rural mounted volunteers | Page 10

Equine Teacher and Assistant Yard Supervisor | Kingston Maurward College

Editorial team

1 November 2023

Permanent

Salary: £21,516.90 – £23,248.40 per annum depending on experience and qualification.

Hours: 38 hours per week depending on course and yard requirements worked Monday – Sunday on a rota basis.

The College is seeking a full-time, Equine Teacher and Assistant Yard Supervisor who is able to work flexibly according to study programme and yard requirements. The successful candidate will possess relevant vocational experience and qualifications in equestrian industry. The ability to deliver high quality teaching sessions in practical and classroom situations is essential as is a teaching qualification.

A flexible and positive attitude is required alongside the ability to challenge and motivate students. The role promises a varied and interesting workload. The role would suit someone who is working in industry and is now seeking a new challenge.

Job Purpose: To plan, deliver and assess equine units at Level 1 to Level 4 as well as deliver practical riding and horse care instruction to learners and to support the Equestrian Centre Manager by undertaking supervisory and practical duties on the yard.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact on Tamzen Hannam, Head of Department on 01305 215000, Option 1, extension 1608 during normal working hours.

To Apply:

This position does not meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route within the UK Visa and Immigration service’s Points Based System. Therefore, KMC will not be able to sponsor individuals who require permission to work to carry out this position.

Please visit the KMC website for a College Application Form and a full Job Description.

We are not accepting Applications from previous applicants.

Applicants for this position must complete an employment application form. CVs may be submitted and will be considered in support of a fully completed application form.

We are not accepting CVs at this stage from Recruitment Agencies

Please return the completed Application Form by email to [email protected] or by post to: HR Department, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PY.

The Closing Date for Applications: Thursday 30 November at 9:00am

Proposed Interview Date: As and when required*

*Kingston Maurward College reserves the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Walking inland from Ringstead Bay | 7.6 miles

Laura

1 November 2023

The pay off on the stunning second half of this Dorset walk is worth the slightly dicey main road crossings of the first half. The views are GLORIOUS, and the silence of the valley behind the headland is wonderful – it’s the land time forgot in the gold rush to the sea.

The path-finding is mostly easy, with a couple of exceptions:

• At the top of the map you can see a pointless ‘extra bit’ in the route. In one field the path through the hedge has vanished – you need to go all the way down the field, through the gate and then back up the other side of the hedge to re-find the path. Annoying, but not far.

The path from Ringstead bay car park - Dorset walks

• You leave the car park and walk back along the road until turning right, steeply downhill, to Upton Farm. On the map at this point the bridleway dips away from the farmyard to work through Poxwell Big Wood. Don’t try it! After floundering around in brambley boggy undergrowth for a while we backtracked and just followed the farm lane around the wood instead.

Crossing the A353 is obviously not to be taken lightly, but both times you’re going straight across so at least you don’t have to walk along it at all. Do take care, it’s fast and busy – there’s just no alternative, it’s the only way to work a circular route here. The bonus is that once you have crossed it the second time, the route just gets better (and better and better …) the whole way back.

And when you’re finally back at your car, you can sit a while and appreciate that view; we strongly recommend having a flask of coffee and a piece of cake in the car waiting for your return.

sunset from the Ringstead Bay car park after a Dorset walk

You could also add in the walk down to the beach, if you were so inclined: it’s half a mile down to the sea (and the subsequent half a mile back up again of course!

Parking: couldn’t be easier off-season, though during the summer months you’ll need an early start to nab a spot in the NT car park (pay by machine, NT members free of course).

Events Assistant | Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society

Editorial team

30 October 2023

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Events Assistant with a eye for detail to join our team at Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural society

Gillingham and Shaftesbury show is one of the best agricultural shows in the South West of England attracting in the region of 25,000 visitors a year. The show celebrates British farming, acts as an educational and entertainments show, and a business networking event for the agricultural industry. In 2022, the society introduced a two day Spring Countryside show taking place over a weekend in late April. The show welcomes over 10,000 visitors and focuses on gardening, spring and being a family event.

The society also owns a subsidiary, Turnpike Events Limited, which operates commercial and trading facilities on the Turnpike Showground. The show ground hosts a wide range of events from April to October including dog shows and caravan rallies.

We are looking for a highly motivated, pro-active individual who possesses excellent communication and time management skills. The applicant must work well under pressure and have the ability to prioritise responsibilities and meet deadlines.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Planning: You will be responsible as part of a team, for the comprehensive planning of two events per annum and the coordination of several others, working within budgets, coordinating with suppliers, and managing timelines to ensure all aspects of the event are on track. You will work closely with the grounds team and section leaders as well as contractors and trade stand holders.
Stakeholder Management: Building and maintaining relationships with contractors, sponsors, trade stand holders and contractors is a key part of this role. You will be responsible for communicating key event information throughout the event life cycle.
Materials Preparation: You will be responsible for preparing and distributing event materials, such as tickets, badges, agendas, and information packs, to ensure a smooth on-site experience for attendees, staff and contractors.
Customer Service: Exceptional customer service is paramount whilst representing Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society. You will handle enquiries and provide support before, during, and after events to ensure attendees and stewards have a positive experience.
Financial Oversight: You will monitor and manage event budgets, negotiate and track expenditure.
Post-Event Evaluation: After each event, you will assist in evaluating feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and compiling post-event reports.
Staying Informed: Keeping up to date with industry trends and best practices is essential to enhance the quality of event experiences we offer.

The ideal candidate:

Previous event management experience is preferred
Have experience working with customers of all different levels of seniority
Must have organisational experience at a professional level
Must have outstanding communication skills
Will be highly efficient and have an organised approach to your workload
Will have the ability to work well under pressure and deal with high work volumes
Will be able to adapt and change priorities according to immediate business needs
Some knowledge of agriculture would be preferred
Must be computer literate with Windows 11 & Microsoft Office
Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator would be of benefit

Flexible but anticipated 8 – 28 hours per week depending on time of year. An approximate guideline to the hours required per week is as follows:

Jan – 10 hours | Feb – 14 hours | March – 21 hours | April – 28 hours

May – 21 hours | June – 14 hours | July – 21 hours | August – 28 hours

September – 21 hours | October – 8 hours | November – 8 hours | December – 8 hours

Please apply with covering letter and CV to: [email protected] with subject line Events Assistant – Your Name

Closing date: 21st November

Interviews from 4th December with a view of the successful candidate starting in early 2024

Salary: £13,260 (£28,900 pro rata)

Sherborne secondhand book, postcard, map and ephemera fair

Editorial team

30 October 2023

Saturday 18th November 9.30am to 4pm

FREE ENTRY

Digby Memorial Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne Dorset DT9 3NL

For more information email [email protected] or call Ed Bailey on 07967 643579

Vining, Tracey

Editorial team

28 October 2023

22/02/1963 – 20/10/2023

Sadly passed away at home with her family by her side after a long illness. she kept smiling and was positive till the end. Grave side service to take place on 7th November at 11 am at Mampits cemetery Shaftesbury .

Sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Carver, Charles Peter

Editorial team

28 October 2023

Formerly of Shaftesbury Dorset. Passed away peacefully in Lincolnshire on 16th October surrounded by his loving family

Aged 94 years

Much loved Dad, Granddad and Great Granddad.

Home at last with his ever loving wife Mary

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