We don’t usually like even suggestion-swearing on our socials, but sometimes the occasion calls for it. BL**DY HELL we’re SHORTLISTED for a Press Gazette Future of Media international award!
“The judges were looking for technical excellence, evidence of audience and commercial success and editorial brilliance.” – Press Gazette Future of Media Awards
And on the shortlisting of the BV in the top six:
“Since its launch in 2020, The BV has successfully established itself as a respected digital publication representing the culture and lifestyle of rural Dorset. Through its efficient and profitable operations, continuous assessment and refinement, and a small but dedicated team, it has achieved significant growth and reader engagement.”
No pressure though – we’re only competing with the Sun, the Metro, two different Reach plc projects, and Kyiv Independent …
The first of The BV’s July podcasts – in which we hear all the letters, Jenny interviewing Andrew Livingston on the issues around phosphates in our rivers – and whether its the farmers or the water companies to blame –and Terry meets George Holtby of Holtby & Co in Sherborne.
Editor’s Letter from Laura in which she muses on her optimism for the future, plus all the reader’s letters from June
Farmers can be prosecuted for damaging short stretches of river, but when will water companies be held accountable for their actions? Jenny talks to Dorset farmer and journalist Andrew Livingston.
George Holtby of Holtby & Co in Sherborne previously worked as a porter at Christie’s in South Kensington – the busiest saleroom in the world – where he absorbed knowledge ‘by osmosis’. He ended up in Sherborne by accident, and has now set up for himself in the Old Yarn Mills. Terry hears about how and where he buys, and George’s plans for the future (‘I want to buy better!’).
The BV podcast goes beyond the pages of the magazine, providing you with exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth conversations with our guests. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to take a look at the July issue of the BV here or visit our website to explore the articles and stories featured.
This month, Barry Cuff has selected photographic cards published by Claude Hider of Bridport, all from the 1920s. As well as producing postcards of Bridport and West Bay, he was a prolific recorder of scenes in many of the surrounding villages. He was known for driving around in his open-top Model T Ford, which made frequent appearances in the cards.
This postcard of The Street in Charmouth was never postedThis postcard of Shipton Gorge was posted to Thornton Heath, Surrey, in 1931Perhaps from a seaside holidaymaker, this card of Burton Bradstock was sent to Plaistow, London, in 1926This postcard of the railway at Toller Porcorum was posted to Yeovil in 1934
Claude Hider often took views with people in, unusual at the time, and seems to have chosen images which he knew would sell in his Bridport shop, which he ran until 1952. Most early 20th century photographers would handwrite a location or reference directly onto the negative – after processing it would then appear on the final image as white writing.
The NFU used its summer reception to shine a spotlight on the unique pressures on rural mental health, says county advisor Gemma Harvey
The NFU published the results from its recent survey into farmers’ mental health ahead of its summer reception. Representatives from the UK’s farming charities, alongside almost 100 MPs and peers, attended the reception, which was themed around ‘talking mental health’.
Root causes need addressing NFU President Minette Batters opened the reception with a speech highlighting the results from the survey, which revealed spiralling input costs, unfairness in the supply chain and the increase in rural crime, are having a significant negative impact on farmers’ mental health. Minette said the results make for ‘harrowing’ reading and that it was the responsibility of the NFU to ‘encourage members to talk, and to help them find the services provided by the wonderful charities in this room, should they need it. ‘Farmers are keeping the nation fed during tough times. Stress and anxiety take a toll on our members, which is why we’re focusing on rural mental health.’ The results are supported by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee’s report on rural mental health. Published in May, it calls for DEFRA and the DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care) to establish a new, joint rural mental health policy and delivery team. The NFU has welcomed the report and agrees with the EFRA select committee’s calls for a review of the current emergency funding mechanisms, echoing the need to establish a dedicated rural mental health funding stream.
Breaking the stigma Minister for mental health Maria Caulfield reiterated the need to prioritise mental alongside physical health and noted the particular challenges farmers face: ‘I recognise that farmers face rising costs and uncertainty, which is having an impact. Rural communities have pressures that other communities don’t. ‘Early intervention is needed to make a difference and make access to support easier via local community face-to-face help and digital packages. ‘There is still a stigma around loneliness, but it should be no barrier to asking for help.’ NFU student and Young Farmer ambassador Darcy Johnson echoed the need for farmers to reach out: ‘It’s brilliant that so many people are here today, supporting the issue and willing to talk. This will break the stigma of mental health.’
Access to nature vital ‘Britain’s farmers can provide part of the solution to improving everyone’s mental health,’ Minette said, referring to research which shows that regular access to nature can help improve physical and mental wellbeing. ‘Farming can, should and must play a role in the overall health and wellbeing of our nation.’
Don’t struggle in silence Following the publication of the NFU’s survey results, NFU Vice-President David Exwood called on the government to address the root causes of the issues impacting on farmers’ mental health. ‘While we are starting to see a culture change within our sector, where talking about mental health is becoming more and more accepted, there are still too many farmers and growers simply ignoring the signs and struggling on in silence. ‘I hope today’s event shows there is support out there, as we mark the start of an important conversation. If you or your family are feeling under stress or overwhelmed, start that conversation today.’
Finally we are starting to see fewer and fewer builders on the yard and it’s looking fantastic! Everything now has its place or near enough! The horses are fully settled and loving spending most their time out in the fields!
Freestyle R – Image Luke Perrett Photography
After a very successful Bicton with both Cor Y Taran and Freestyle R finishing double clear in the 2*L we headed to our most local event Nunney International.
Cor Y Taran did a lovely dressage, clear showjumping and withdrawn xc due to the ground being on the firm side. I’m incredibly excited to be stepping him up to Intermediate at his next run at Upton in a weeks time!
Freestyle R and Equador MW were both in the CCI3* at Nunney. Two nice dressage test with room for improvements. Both had a pole SJ and clear xc! Freestyle R has now qualified for CCI4*s and we head to Aston 4* next week!
After a cold and wet spring we are now having a very dry summer and the horses are having to deal with the ground changing from muddy to hard! Icing the horses legs becomes more and more important as we try and prevent any concussion up the legs.
After a very busy move, mixed in with some Big Internationals and lots of abandon events, I managed to have a few days away from the horses to go to Glastonbury festival which I’m very fortunate to live within 10mins of the festival. An incredible weekend watching the best artist from around the world and now I’m really looking forward to getting on with some big summer Internationals!
Grade 13 Points: 7-11 (£21,968- £24,054) – Subject to experience.
Fairmead Community Special School transforms the lives of pupils aged between 4-19 years with additional learning needs (MLD and ASD). The school works in partnership with parents/carers and other stakeholders to develop our pupils in becoming positive individuals who make a valuable contribution to their community.
The post holder will work under the direction of the Headteacher/School Business Manager to provide a clean, healthy and safe environment for the benefit of the pupils and staff of the school. This is a vital role within the school being responsible for the maintenance and security of school buildings. The successful candidate will also need to demonstrate that they have good communication skills to be able to work within a Special School whilst undertaking the requirements of this post with enthusiasm and motivation. The applicant must have a full UK driving licence.
Fairmead School is committed to safeguarding the school community. All job applications must contain the disclosure of any spent convictions and cautions. The school will carry out pre-employment vetting procedures, which include an online search for shortlisted candidates and the successful outcome of an enhanced DBS
Visit the school: Prior visits can be arranged, please contact by email: [email protected]
Rose Engineering, a family-run business based in Dorset, has recently achieved success in the national Family Business of the Year awards. The company was founded in 1986 by Mervyn and Sue Rose, and it specialises in constructing steel-framed buildings, groundworks, and repairs. At the awards ceremony – held in London on June 21st – Rose Engineering was crowned the winner in the South, Southwest & Wales category and also secured a top 10 spot for the national public choice award. Tom Rose Managing Director, says: ‘We are beyond thrilled to have won the award for our region. So much hard work has gone into growing our company in recent years, and to have this recognised at a national awards is just amazing. We’re an ambitious, growing company and I’m looking forward to seeing us grow further in the future. I want to thank the whole of our team for their continued commitment to helping us succeed.’ The Family Business of the Year awards, organised by Family Business United, recognise the hard work and contribution of family businesses. Paul Andrews, CEO of Family Business United, said: ‘Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy. Six million family firms employ around 14 million people across the country – they make a massive impact each and every day.’ The team at Rose Engineering have worked hard to create a quality service and employee focused company. As a highly regarded company in the local area, the award is well deserved. Anita Beaumont, Finance & Marketing, adds, ‘We’re so proud to have been recognised in a national award, we’ve all worked so hard to get here, growing and adapting to make us better at what we do. The judges praised our resilience over the last couple of years, through COVID and Brexit, as well as our commitment to our staff, to quality and our future growth plans.’
I’ve seen these on TikTok and Instagram recently and they looked so good I had to give them a try. Suitably impressed, I found these delicious tacos were quick to make and if I hadn’t thrown some chips in the oven too, they would have been on my plate in a mere 15 minutes. Even my nearly-18-year-old and 16-year-old were impressed, leaving the table with clean plates and smiles on their faces. Every parent of teens knows that’s a rare and definite win. I have also added here my version of a burger sauce, but I’ve kept my ingredients to a set of ratios instead of weights – that way you can make enough for two people or for 200 people, just keep the ratios the same.
Ingredients
For the burger tacos
500g 5% beef mince
1 small onion, finely diced
salt and pepper
Pack of 8 mini flour tortillas
For the burger sauce
3 parts mayonnaise
2 parts tomato ketchup
1 part mustard (slightly less if you are using a strong mustard)
1 part juice from the jar of gherkins.
Finely chopped gherkins to taste
To serve
Iceberg (or other) lettuce
Grated cheese
Heather Brown is a food writer, photographer and stylist. A committee member of The Guild of Food Writers, Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, as well as working one-to-one with clients.
Method
To make the sauce, simply add all of the ingredients in a bowl, season with salt to taste and give the mixture a really good stir. Set to one side.
To make the tacos:
In a bowl, add the onion and the beef mince and mix really well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and make sure the mixture is really well combined (I use my hands).
Roll the mixture into eight balls – each will be just bigger than a golf ball.
Squash (or ‘smash’) each ball into each of the tortillas so that it spreads over the surface, about 0.5cm thick.
On the hob, heat a frying pan until very hot. Add a little oil and place a tortilla on the pan with the meat side down. If you have a large pan you may fit two in! Press down with a spatula and hold the tortilla so that it sizzles in your pan.
Once you get a nice, deep brown colour to the meat, flip to the other side (it only needs a minute on the second side). Check to see if the meat is cooked – if it is still a bit pink, then turn it back to meat side down and press down firmly again until cooked. The meat is thin, so it only takes a couple of minutes to cook, especially when it is pressed into the hot frying pan.
Repeat this process for each tortilla: I used two frying pans and I kept the cooked tortillas in a dish in a warm oven until they were all cooked.
Once cooked, we filled these with lettuce, more gherkins and lashings of the burger sauce. If you want cheese, you can add this to the taco in the pan and let it melt.
