Let itbee spring

By

-

14 March 2026

As spring gathers pace, Dorset’s gardens begin to fill with tawny mining bees, hairy footed flower bees and colourful nomads emerging from winter

The common carder bee, one of the commonest of our native bumblees

Bees are a welcome sign that spring has arrived – or, at least, is just around the corner. Most people are familiar with bumblebees and honeybees, but these are only a small fraction of the 270 or so species of bee that can be found in Britain. Some bees live in social colonies, while others lead solitary lives. A surprising number of bees are parasitic – laying their eggs in the nests of other bees.
Spring is a good time to study bees and there are several excellent online resources available. The Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland (Falk and Lewington) is an indispensable book for anyone wanting to extend their knowledge of these fascinating insects. Find out more online at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website: Bumblebeeconservation.org
Dorset Wildlife Trust Conservation Officer,
Hamish Murray, is sharing his guide on which bees will be buzzing around between March and May …

Tawny mining bee
One of our most distinctive bees, the female is particularly striking, with dense reddish-brown hair covering most of her body while the head and legs are black. Like all mining bees, these are solitary insects with each female digging its own nesting burrow, typically in light soils. The distinctive burrow entrances (looking a bit like worm casts) are a good clue that mining bees are present in an area. Tawny mining bees are found over much of England, and are frequently seen in gardens, even in urban areas.

Ashy mining bee
With 68 species recorded in Britain, Andrena (mining bees) is our largest genus of
bees. Many species are difficult to identify but from mid-March, the grey and black ashy
mining bee is easy to spot as it collects pollen from a variety of wildflowers. As with many
spring bees, dandelions are a favourite foodplant: if you want to encourage bees (and other insects), it’s certainly worth leaving some of the showy yellow flowers to grow in your garden.

Grey-patched mining bee
Another large and attractive mining bee, this one has foxy-brown hair on the thorax and a shiny black abdomen. Closer inspection might reveal the small patch of grey hairs on the side of the body which give this bee its English name. This is a late spring species, found in Dorset gardens during April and May. A carefully cultivated patch of lesser celandine in my front garden attracts many spring insects, including this mining bee.

Garden bumblebee
In a recent poll to find Britain’s favourite insect, bumblebees came top. Early spring is a
good time to see bumblebees as this is when the queens emerge from hibernation to look for a suitable site to build a nest and lay their eggs. Of the seven widespread and abundant species of bumblebee found in Dorset, the garden bumblebee can be distinguished by the yellow lines at the front and back of its black thorax. This species also has a noticeably long tongue which it uses to feed on primroses and other early spring flowers.

Gooden’s nomad bee
There are around 30 different species of nomad bees in Britain. As their name suggests, they do not build their own nests, but lay their eggs in the well-stocked burrows of various mining bees. The wasp-like Gooden’s nomad bee is one of the most colourful and widespread of this genus, often occurring in large numbers around the nests of their unwitting hosts. Look out for the bold yellow-and-black striped body, orange legs and yellow spots at the base of the wings.

Red mason bee
Unlike their mining relatives, mason bees build their nests wherever they can find a suitable ready-made hole, whether it’s in the mortar of an old wall or in a specially made ‘bee hotel’. Having found a suitable hole, mason bees collect wet mud from which they construct their nest cells. Once completed, the nest entrance is capped with a mud plug, allowing their young to develop in safety over the winter.

Common carder bee
One of the commonest of our 20 or so native bumblebees, the common carder can be found in a wide range of Dorset habitats from suburban gardens to sea cliffs. Unlike the familiar striped bumblebees, carder bees are a uniform gingery colour. Although common, carder bees are one of the earliest bees to emerge in the spring, they can be seen right through the summer and well into the autumn.

Hairy-footed flower bee
The name of this distinctive bee arises from the long, feathery hairs on the legs of the male. The dark females look quite different to the buff-coloured males, but both sexes are very active fliers and have a characteristic high-pitched buzz.
In my garden, hairy-footed flower bees are particularly attracted to comfrey and lungwort.

Visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Take on the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge

By

Editorial team

-

14 March 2026

0

Walkers, joggers and runners are being invited to take on one of the South West’s biggest endurance events when the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge returns on 16th–17th May 2026.
The event follows a spectacular route along Dorset’s World Heritage coastline, beginning at Corfe Castle and passing through Swanage, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door before reaching Weymouth. Those tackling the full distance continue past Portland Bill and Chesil Beach before finishing in Bridport.

Take on the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge

Participants can choose from several distances depending on experience and ambition, including the full 100km challenge, as well as 76km, 58km, marathon, 25km and 10km options.
The route includes major rest stops every 10–15km with food, drink, medical support and marshals along the way. While some participants take part for personal achievement, many use the event to raise money for charity. Up to 700 charities are supported through the challenge each year, ranging from national organisations with local branches – such as Mind and Cats Protection – to Dorset-based charities including Weldmar Hospicecare and Diverse Abilities.
With its dramatic scenery, demanding climbs and celebratory finish line in Bridport, the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge has become one of the UK’s most popular endurance events – and a major fundraiser for charities of all sizes.
More information and entry details are available at ultrachallenge.com.

The BV community news section is sponsored by Wessex Internet

Steele Raymond expands with new brand

By

Editorial team

-

13 March 2026

0

South Coast law firm Steele Raymond has unveiled a new brand and website as it continues a period of expansion across the region, alongside the growth of its partnership and specialist legal teams. The firm says it has nearly doubled the size of its partner group in recent years, strengthening expertise across key practice areas as demand has grown from businesses, developers and private clients across the central south.

A new office in Poundbury brings the firm closer to clients across Dorset, alongside its long-established base in Bournemouth, while maintaining what it describes as a single-firm approach across its locations. The expansion reflects wider demand for legal advice as the region continues to see growth in housing development, business investment and commercial property. For regional firms like Steele Raymond, that means handling everything from land deals and planning agreements to business sales, restructures and employment disputes.Managing Partner Jennifer Rogerson said the growth reflected the role regional firms play in supporting local economic activity:
‘When a regional firm grows in this way, it creates more capacity for projects that shape our communities. You can see it in real outcomes resulting in growth that is intentional and grounded in the relationships we have built over many years.’
Alongside the expansion, Steele Raymond has maintained its long-standing position in The Legal 500 guide, where it has held Top Tier status for more than 20 years.
The latest rankings recognise eight practice areas, including Top Tier positions for Commercial Litigation, Commercial Property, Residential Development and Corporate & Commercial. Other specialist teams, including Contentious Trusts & Probate, Employment and Family, are also strongly recommended.
Chairman and Head of Corporate Tim Stone said the firm’s focus remained on providing clear commercial advice to clients: ‘Whether it is a sale, funding round or group restructure, clients choose us because of our extensive market experience and ability to bring clear commercial direction at the right time.’

British Under 18 Taekwon-Do champion returns to teach

By

Editorial team

-

13 March 2026

0

‘I loved it, and it was my life. It was absolute life.’
As a teenager in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Taekwon-Do wasn’t a hobby for Chris Ryu – it was everything. Training daily, competing nationally and internationally, he became British Under 18 Taekwon-Do Champion in 2005. By 17 he was already a qualified instructor.
Then he walked away.

An injury, a new relationship and a fallout with a club meant the sport that had shaped his youth slipped into the background. He kept a connection to it, but it was more than two decades before he returned fully to the mat.‘I had a long break,’ he says. ‘But I always missed it.’
Today, he is back. At the end of 2025 Chris launched Unity Taekwon-Do, a new North Dorset-based club that has attracted 62 students already.
Unity now runs classes in Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury and Gillingham, as well as sessions within Sandroyd School.
‘Our youngest student is three and our oldest is 64,’ says Chris. ‘We’ve built a bit of a family unit at the club – there’s lots of actual families that train together, too.’ He has even finally managed to convince his wife to try Taekwon-Do herself. ‘Just a few weeks ago I got the pleasure of presenting her with her first belt, after 23 years of being together,’ says Chris. ‘There was a moment in the grading where I gave an order and she replied, “Yes, sir.” That was a little bit strange. I don’t get that at home!’
The intergenerational mix is deliberate. While martial arts are often seen as something primarily for children, Chris is keen to challenge that assumption. ‘A few weeks ago during class I saw someone who was 12 years old teaching someone who was 64. It felt like a really special moment.’
The benefits for older bodies go beyond strength, he says: ‘Keeping fit, keeping active, keeping joint mobility – that’s the obvious bit. But there’s also the social aspect. Belonging to something. Being welcomed into a club. It’s nice. And we try to encourage that.’
He is currently training to deliver Choi Kwang-Do, a version of Taekwon-Do adapted for older bodies, removing harsher movements and focusing more on circular motion, balance and mobility. An over-50s class is planned.
The club’s early growth has surprised him.
‘We’re five months in and we have 62 students. I’m blown away, actually.’
Chris is well known locally for his IT and web development work, and he previously opened a STEM education centre. That background is evident in the running of Unity, down to the digital lesson planning tool he has built. ‘We have a formal lesson plan for every single lesson. Everything’s structured. Students can even see that in advance if they want to prepare their minds for what they might have to do later on,’ he says, explaining that this can be particularly helpful for those with autism spectrum disorder.

Everyone’s different
Chris holds multiple safeguarding and autism-related qualifications, and says lessons are adapted around individual needs.
‘We’ve got boisterous confident kids, but also shy students, those who struggle with attention, we have students who don’t speak,’ he says. ‘Our lessons look different to different students, but we work with them on that individual level. Sometimes that might mean a one-to-one with a senior student, or simply getting them to hold a pad for someone – it’s a very easy way of building some social contact.’
That individualisation extends to physical ability. Standards are fixed, but execution is judged technically rather than athletically.
‘Everyone’s different shapes and sizes,’ he says. ‘We have a set criteria they need to pass at grading and there are no exceptions. But one person’s side kick might be waist height, someone else might be head height. It doesn’t matter. Did they side kick correctly? Did they chamber? Did they pivot? That’s the important bit.’

One of Unity’s junior Taekwon-Do classes at Sturfit in Sturminster Newton

A modern club with big plans
Although Unity is not formally tied to a single governing body, Chris has trained across multiple major Taekwon-Do styles. He holds black belts in two systems and is working towards a third: ‘I wanted not only to get a black belt in all three, but also unify them into one syllabus.’
His aim has been to combine those different schools and approaches under one roof – though for most students that complexity sits quietly in the background. What they experience is a traditional martial arts club that competes regularly and invests heavily in equipment. The group is entering several competitions over the coming months, and a minibus has already replaced the original van as numbers have grown.
Unity uses reaction-testing equipment and kick paddles that measure striking power and feed data into an app. Chris has also published a children’s book, and is currently developing a mobile game aimed at reinforcing the life skills taught in class. Perhaps it’s no surprise that he reflects his software and systems background with an unusually digital approach for a local martial arts school. Affordability has also been a priority. Membership starts from £25 per month, with no sign-up fee, and licence and personal accident insurance included. Even the dobok – the formal Taekwon-Do uniform – is embroidered in-house to keep costs down.
Looking ahead, Chris is determined to secure a permanent, fully matted martial arts centre in Sturminster Newton. The aim is not a single-club Unity headquarters, but rather a shared space hosting multiple martial arts disciplines, alongside daytime sessions for older adults and other exercise classes. ‘I think we might then start to see the creativity,’ he says, recalling the more dynamic, acrobatic elements of Korean training he experienced in his youth.
For now, though, his message is simpler.
‘Just give it a try,’ he says. ‘Even if you tried it before and didn’t like it, just try it again. Maybe you just didn’t enjoy that club, or you didn’t enjoy that teaching style, or that style of Taekwon-Do. We’ve had lots of students return after a long break – and they’re really loving it.’
And after more than 20 years away from the mat, he understands that feeling.

For more information or to contact Chris direct, please see Unity’s website unityma.co.uk

Open Day at The Exchange

By

Editorial team

-

13 March 2026

0

What do you know about The Exchange? Could it be Fake News? Last month we asked the question ‘What happens at The Exchange?’ – and the answer was ‘more than most people think!’.
But there are lots more questions about The Exchange – some as simple as ‘What is it?’. The Exchange calls itself a ‘community and arts centre’. What is that? Can one building be both? Who built The Exchange? Who pays for it? What does it do for Sturminster Newton? And North Dorset? Is there anything there for me?
Why should I bother about it anyway?

There are lots of answers to these questions – but how many of them are the right answers?
The best answer of all is to come and find out for yourself! You may be new to the area and know nothing about The Exchange. You may have been inside, but not seen much. You may even have been told things about The Exchange that are just not correct. Or you may simply want to find out more. Whichever it is, there will be answers on Saturday April 11th.
Between 10am and 2pm, The Exchange will be having an Open Day. There is no charge to come in – there never is! – and there will be plenty going on. Find out what goes on inside every week: from music and exercise to dance, you can watch and even join in with. Pick up information on all the regular classes and activities.
Hot drinks at the café will be half price, with home-made cakes on sale. The café is also the art gallery, and Kirsty Baird – whose work will be hanging on the walls – will be there to talk about what she does. There will be guided tours of the building so that visitors can hear what goes on, see where it happens, walk the stage, see the lights, and learn some local history. Trustees, staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and make you welcome. And there will be free parking across Sturminster Newton all day.
There will be NO fundraising on the Open Day – but we will happily sell tickets for coming events! And there is plenty going on in March – please do look at the website or get hold of a brochure.

The BV community news section is sponsored by Wessex Internet

Assistant Clerk of Works | Charborough Estate

By

Editorial team

-

13 March 2026

0

Contract

Full Time
Permanent
Salary according to experience

Qualifications

The successful candidate is likely to have a qualification in building construction and/or project management and/or experience in the sector.
Key requirements include a strong knowledge of health and safety, technical skills, and experience in construction.
Training can be provided where required.

Team Information

We have a maintenance team of four, comprising a clerk of works, foreman, experienced plumber/maintenance person and a junior.

The estate is a traditional rural estate including:

Extensive heritage property
Portfolio of residential properties
In-hand and let farms
An expanding number of commercial lets
Farm buildings and farm infrastructure
Private water supplies

The maintenance team undertakes much of the routine maintenance across the estate, supported by contractors as required – particularly for larger projects.

Primary roles for the clerk of works include:

Project Oversight
- Supervise refurbishment and building works.
- Ensure compliance with standards and regulations.
- Maintain risk assessments and safety documentation.
- Manage contractor performance and tender processes.
- Act as estate representative on-site.
Maintenance Management
- Plan and deliver annual maintenance schedules.
- Manage reactive repairs and keep records.
Budgeting & Financial Control
- Prepare and monitor project budgets.
- Source quotes and manage contractor costs.

Reporting & Communication
- Provide progress updates to estate management team.
- Advise on technical issues and timelines.
Estate Infrastructure
- Oversee roads, drainage, and utilities.
- Coordinate emergency response for essential services.
Quality Assurance
- Inspect works and manage snagging.
- Ensure high standards before handover.

The Role

The estate Clerk of Works is transitioning to working part time. We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and energetic individual, with experience in the sector, who can work unsupervised to support the Clerk of Works and undertake all day-to-day management of the team’s responsibilities. For the right candidate there is likely to be an opportunity to secure promotion to the Clerk of Works role within a few years.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Practical, hands-on experience of all aspects of property maintenance.
An ongoing willingness to support and mentor the team.
A willingness to work with and assist other departments including the in-hand farm, forestry team and gamekeeper.
The ability to work with and manage third party contractors.
The flexibility to assist with and/or manage a range of estate projects such fencing, landscaping, etc.
Attention to detail to deliver projects to a high standard.
The diligence to complete appropriate administrative tasks and record keeping.

A team player with a love of the countryside and appreciation of the function of rural estates is essential.

A detailed understanding of the health and safety implications of their work and an ability to recognise and manage all areas of risk is imperative.

The successful candidate

Please direct all applications and enquiries to the agent:

Christopher Jowett
The Estate Office
Charborough Park
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 7EN
[email protected]
07973 840381

Apprenticeship funding opens to Dorset firms

By

Editorial team

-

12 March 2026

0

Dorset businesses will be able to access new apprenticeship funding from 1st April as the council opens applications for its Apprenticeship Levy transfer scheme.
The programme allows the council to pass on unspent levy funds to local employers to help cover the cost of apprenticeship training.

A wide range of sectors across the county have already benefited from the scheme. Previous levy transfers have supported roles including teaching assistants in Bridport schools, stonemasonry apprentices in Weymouth, health and social care workers, police constables, accountants and leadership and management trainees.
Employers are now being encouraged to review their training plans and speak to apprenticeship providers ahead of the new funding opening.
Mia Pearson, Dorset Council’s Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning Consultant, said apprenticeships play a key role in building skills within local businesses: ‘Apprenticeships are more than training – they’re an investment in the future of our local economy, helping employers grow, innovate and retain talent.’
Levy transfers allow larger organisations to share unused apprenticeship funds with smaller employers, helping more businesses invest in workforce development while addressing skills shortages across the local economy.
Businesses interested in applying can contact Dorset Council on [email protected] to discuss eligibility and the application process ahead of the April launch.

Dorset showcased at Westminster

By

Editorial team

-

12 March 2026

0

Dorset’s food, drink and heritage were promoted in Parliament at the end of February during a special Westminster showcase hosted by the county’s two Liberal Democrat MPs.
The event, branded ‘Dorset Day’, took place in the Jubilee Room at the Houses of Parliament on Monday, 23rd February – several months ahead of the county’s official Dorset Day on 1st June.

The Dorset producers with the Mayor of Wimborne (front left) and a member of the Wimbortne Militia.
Image: Vikki Slade

West Dorset MP Edward Morello and Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Vikki Slade invited seven local producers to take part in a Dorset-food (and heritage) focused showcase at Westminster.Representing the county were East Street Deli, Chococo, Sea Sisters Cannery, Oxfords Bakery, Black Ven Distillery, Goose & Badger coffee and Cerne Abbas Brewery.
The event gave MPs and peers the opportunity to sample Dorset produce and speak directly to business owners about the challenges facing the hospitality and food and drink sectors.
Mr Morello said the aim was ‘to showcase some of the fantastic food and drink producers from our beautiful patch as well as highlight the many challenges facing the sector’.

Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset, and Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.
© Vikki Slade

He said hospitality businesses were facing ‘crippling business rates, the hike in employer National Insurance contributions, sky-high energy and input costs, and the ongoing cost of living crisis’.
Tourism brings an estimated £320 million a year into his West Dorset constituency and the hospitality sector employs more than 5,500 people locally.

Edward Morello MP and John Tucker of Black Ven Distillery © Edward Morello

Vikki Slade said: ‘Dorset truly shone in Westminster. When we champion Dorset in Parliament, we champion local jobs, sustainability and the future of our high streets and rural communities.’
Also attending were the Mayor of Wimborne and members of the Wimborne Militia, the 17th-century re-enactment group, who travelled to London to represent Dorset’s heritage.
While Dorset Day itself is officially marked each year on 1st June, parliamentary showcases of this kind are commonly used by MPs to promote their constituencies and connect local businesses directly with policymakers.

Gurston Ascent 2.0 is back!

By

Editorial team

-

12 March 2026

0

Mark your calendars: Gurston Ascent 2.0 is returning to the iconic Gurston Down Hillclimb this summer! This is your chance to experience some of the UK’s most exciting supercars and performance machines as they tackle the hill – up close, without the pressure of racing or timing sheets.
The event at Broad Chalke is all about community: spectators can wander the paddock, get close to the cars and chat with the drivers. From roaring V12s to precision-handled supercars, each ascent is a spectacle, made even more thrilling by the atmosphere. It’s a perfect family day out with local food, trade stands and a welcoming environment for all ages.

Open-Access Paddock – Get up close to the incredible lineup of Ascender machines.
All Action Hill Runs – Enjoy non-stop runs up the historic hill.
Exhibitor Stands – Discover a range of premium brands and exclusive merchandise.
Food Trucks & Drinks – Enjoy a wide selection of street food vendors, or bring your own picnic to soak up the atmosphere.
Free Public Parking – Convenient on-site parking will be available.
Charity – a portion of all general admission sales will be donated to the local Stars Appeal, supporting their work at Salisbury District Hospital.
Gates Open – 9.30am to 5pm

Earlybird spectator tickets are available now at 25% off until 31st March – don’t miss your chance to secure the best value for a day that promises excitement, engines, and unforgettable moments.
After 31st March, standard tickets will apply, so book early to guarantee your place on the hill.
Whether you’re a petrolhead, a casual visitor, or just looking for a unique summer outing, Gurston Ascent 2.0 is a celebration of cars, community, and the joy of driving. Come join us and be part of the action!
gurstonascent.co.uk

The BV community news section is sponsored by Wessex Internet