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Greek wines are hot stuff in 2025

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Editorial team
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Once they whispered, now they sing – Sadie Wilkins uncorks the ancient island grapes putting Greece firmly back on the world wine map

A sun-drenched Greek island, waves gently lapping the shore, a glass of crisp Assyrtiko in hand, a plate of grilled sardines on the table … Sounds like heaven, right? Well, let me tell you – Greek wines are not just holiday nostalgia, they’re serious contenders in the global wine scene. And in 2025, they’re hotter than ever!

Native grapes
Greece has been making wine since … forever. Think Dionysian revels, ancient symposia (the original wine tastings, but with more toga action), and Venetian trade routes carrying sweet Malvasia across medieval Europe.
But while the history is rich, the real excitement lies in the modern Greek wine industry. It’s evolving fast, shaking off old stereotypes, and producing wines that can stand proudly beside the world’s best. One of the reasons for this resurgence?
Indigenous grape varieties.
Unlike some regions that have fallen into the Chardonnay-and-Cabernet-only trap, Greece is embracing its native grapes – many of which are delicious, unique and nearly lost to history. Malagousia, once on the brink of extinction, is now flourishing. Robola from Kefalonia is making waves. Xinomavro from Naoussa is proving itself Greece’s answer to Nebbiolo. The list goes on.

The next Santorini?
Speaking of Robola – keep an eye on Kefalonia. This Ionian beauty is quietly rising as a wine powerhouse, with its limestone-rich soils producing some of the most vibrant and elegant white wines you’ll taste. With top-notch winemakers pushing the boundaries, Kefalonia is poised to be the next Santorini in a few years. Mark my words: Robola will be the name on every wino’s lips soon.

A wine for every island
One of the best things about Greek wine? Every island has its own distinct character, and its wines reflect that.
Santorini is all about mineral-driven Assyrtiko, with its crisp acidity and volcanic intensity.
Crete is flexing its muscles with fragrant Vidiano and age-worthy Liatiko reds.
Tinos, a lesser-known gem, is producing boutique, organic wines that are absolutely worth the hunt. The Peloponnese gives us Agiorgitiko, a gorgeously perfumed red with serious ageing potential.
And let’s not forget Greece’s sweet side – Muscats from Samos and aged Mavrodaphne from Patras bring a taste of history with every sip.
Greek wines in the UK – no longer a hidden secret.
Now, I wouldn’t be waxing lyrical about Greek wines if I didn’t believe in them myself. As the UK’s best indie wine retailer (cough if I do say so myself), I’ve been expanding our Greek wine selection every year – and let me tell you, people love them. Whether it’s a crisp, nervy Assyrtiko, a rich and spicy Agiorgitiko or a floral Malagousia, Greek wines are hitting the spot for adventurous drinkers looking for something different but exceptional.

So, if you haven’t yet dipped your toes (or taste buds) into the wonderful world of Greek wine, 2025 is the year to do it. Trust me – your palate will thank you. Yamas!
vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk

Sun gods over the Blackmore Vale

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Editorial team
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CPRE’s Dark Skies adviser Richard Miles delves into the past to discover some remarkable connections hidden in our local landscape

Sunset from Hambledon Hill
Image: Laura Hitchcock

You may be surprised to learn that relics of the late Neolithic – the era of Stonehenge – survive to this day in Dorset, reaching to the edge of the Blackmore Vale. This story relates to Stonehenge, famous for its summer/winter solstice alignment, built into its design around 4,500 years ago.
The Altar Stone and central trilithons were arranged along this solsticial axis, as was the Heel Stone, used for sighting the sun.

When the sun god stood still
Each solstice was important to our distant ancestors: the motion of the sun had an enormous influence on their lives. Few, if any, people these days know what it is like to survive without modern conveniences and comforts. Neolithic folk had virtually none – even their firewood was collected and cut up without the aid of metal implements and burned on an open fire – no woodburning stoves in those days! Long winter nights were particularly hard to survive and people fully appreciated that the sun was both the bringer of light and heat, without which life was impossible. Cultures around the world have worshipped solar deities and the people who built Stonehenge were no exception.
Stone circles such as Avebury in Neolithic Britain were centres for gatherings during the summer and winter solstices, when the days are at their longest or shortest. Around these times, the sun appears to rise at nearly the same point on the horizon for several days in a row.

The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), and it was this “standing still” of the sunrise that early people sought to observe.
While stone circles made excellent venues for communal gatherings, they were not designed to be precise observatories. Accurately tracking the direction of sunrise or sunset required a clear, distant horizon. If a convenient natural landmark aligned with the sun’s position, so much the better. But here in Dorset, the sun at midsummer would rise close to a bearing of 49°, and at midwinter around 129°.
So how did Neolithic people pinpoint these directions so precisely? The answer, perhaps, lies in the very landscape we’ve inherited.

Ball, Bell and Bul
In ancient Dorset, setting up sun temples to worship the sun god and sight the rising or setting sun at solstices appears to have been the practice, thanks to the geography of the North Dorset Downs. The population lived on the uplands and travelled by highways and ridgeways. Valleys were filled with dense woodland. The Blackmore Vale is a good example, with the clue in its name, ‘black’ being its winter aspect. Settlements were situated on or near upland plateaus and vistas stretched to the distant horizon many miles away – great places for sighting the solsticial sun.

Hambledon Hill was the site of a community in prehistory, so where would their sun temple have been located? One contender is Turnworth Clump, a prominent group of tall trees visible from much of the Blackmore Vale.
It happens to lie on Bell Hill in the direction of the setting sun on the winter solstice, as seen from near the centre of Hambledon. From the northern end of the hill, another sightline for sunset on the solstice exists eight miles away, at the top of Ball Hill (see map opposite). Turnworth Clump could also have been used as a sightline for sunrise on the summer solstice, as seen from an obvious viewing point on a spur of Bulbarrow close to Rawlsbury Camp.
Bel, Baal and variants of these names were gods of the sun, light and fire from the first and second millennium BC. I suggest the Bul in Bulbarrow is also linked to the sun god. Finally, Ball Hill lies across from Nettlecombe Tout, another prehistoric community. Seen from there, the sun appears to rise from the northern edge of Hambledon on the summer solstice.

Similar sightlines
How significant are all these sightlines? Were they really used in this way all those years ago? Potential confirmation can be found in the position of another important Dorset hill fort, Eggardon Camp. The map shows a remarkable similarity to the set-up of Hambledon.
Two sightlines exist, one from each side of the Iron Age hillfort towards Hill Barn (next to Ball’s Hill) and Gore Barn high on the plateau above Up Cerne. Looking back from Gore Barn towards Eggardon, the sun set on the winter solstice above a ridge to the north-west of Eggardon called the Bell Stone. Finally, to round off the remarkable parallel, seen from Eggardon, just framed beneath Hill Barn on the skyline eight miles distant is another feature called ‘Ballbarrow’ on the one-inch Ordnance Survey map of 1805.

Conserving and protecting our heritage?
Places like Turnworth Clump, Gore Barn and Hill Barn might well have been temples to the sun gods of yesteryear and, thankfully, half a dozen geographical features passed to us down the generations (highlighted in bold above) have retained the names of these deities.
CPRE Dorset are concerned that these relics of the past are preserved as part of our heritage, but sadly must report that Hill Barn no longer exists! In his evocative 1935 book, English Fabric: A Study of Village Life, Harvey Darton described the inside of the barn, at a junction of the ancient ridgeway and surrounded by tree – but if you look at recent satellite images it has disappeared entirely and looks like any other nondescript ploughed field sewn with grass.

Morey Diane Cornick

By
Editorial team
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01/12/1939 – 15/04/2025

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday 15th April at home, where she wanted to be. 
A funeral service will be held on Thursday 1st May at 12.30 at Harbourview crematorium, Randalls Hill, Lytchett Minster, Dorset, BH16 6AN. 
No flowers or donations. Dress code-smart and bright

For the love of wood

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Editorial team
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Matthew Burt – ecologist, craftsman and renowned furniture maker – still lives a few miles from where he grew up in the Wylye valley

Matthew Burt © Celia Burt

You know that little notice at the end of movie credits: ‘No animals were harmed in the making of this film’ – well, there should have been one at the end of Skyfall, just to reassure fans of Matthew Burt’s beautiful furniture designs that C’s office was not really destroyed when it was blown up in the film.
Matthew, whose studio-workshop is just outside Hindon, made the fittings for the office of the real C, in that iconic, ziggurat-style building on the south bank of the Thames.

Loop table
© Stephen James

He is no stranger to important projects – public commissions include benches for the Courtauld Gallery in London and the Ashmolean in Oxford, and locally, an oak stave altar for Salisbury’s St Thomas’s Church. A recent architectural project for a private client is a massive domed ceiling, made with 5,500 sculpted pebbles of Wiltshire ash, inspired by the kernel of a sunflower.
Matthew is a world-class craftsman with a commitment to constant learning and evolving. ‘I never stop wanting to improve,’ he says. ‘I am 74 and I have no plans to retire. Why would I forego the excitement of possibility that this job gives me?’
But the products of the workshop are not just big projects – they include small furnishing items such as key holders or hall-stands. A pre-Christmas piece by an apprentice a few years ago was a little, stylised pyramidal Christmas tree, made out of diminishing concentric wooden circles – the perfect thing on which to display prettily wrapped sweets or petits fours.

Maker Justin Smith. © Jon Stone Photography

Radical roots
Matthew was born into a farming family in the Wylye valley and is absolutely wedded to the area. He is outspoken, powerfully committed to conserving and protecting the environment and passionate about the importance of preserving real and traditional craftsmanship. He says: ‘We live in Wiltshire, we make in Wiltshire and we get our wood as far as possible from Wiltshire. We make world-class furniture here – where we need support is in selling it to the world.’
His roots are deep – and radical. His great-great grandfather was one of the campaigners who started the Tisbury riots – part of the nationwide Swing Riots when poverty-stricken agricultural workers protested about the loss of work caused by the new threshing machines.

Oak stave altar in St Thomas’s Church, Salisbury. © Andy Marshall
Whirly-gig storage and display, Finback chair with convex Groovy mirror. © Stephen James

They called for ordinary people to get the vote, in the time of “rotten boroughs” when only (male) landowners could do so.
After taking a degree in botany and ecology, Matthew changed direction – influenced by the appeal of a wooden, barrel-topped chest made by a friend – and studied furniture design at Ryecotewood College, run in conjunction with the (long gone but still much-missed) Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas (CoSIRA).
He took the two year course in a year, and served his apprenticeship with master-craftsman Richard Fyson at Kencot, near William Morris’s Oxfordshire home and workshop at Kelmscott.
He and his new wife Celia, his life-long creative partner, bought a cottage in the Wylye valley, where they still live, and he gained his first commission – a new front door for a cousin. He has never been out of work since.

Matthew Burt (left) with maker Rick Long, ably assisted by Medlar. © Celia Burt
Bird & Carter Farm Shop near Wilton. © Joanna Sullivan

Keeping skills alive
Like many craftspeople and makers, Matthew and Celia have often faced financial problems – he says he has never paid himself more than a minimum wage – but their drive and complementary skills kept them afloat. The occasional unexpected wealthy client – a man in an expensive car who came to ask about garden furniture and ended up spending £10,000 – saw their Hindon workshop gradually expand, and by the end of the 1980s they were employing six people. Later they acquired premises in the village where they showcase the work of Matthew and his apprentices and makers, with occasional exhibitions featuring other local artisan makers.
Giving young people a chance to learn an important craft was the initial reason for taking on trainees. Some of the early apprentices, now long qualified, have been with him for nearly 30 years. At present Matthew has two apprentices, eight makers and six senior makers.
‘Keeping skills alive for future generations is my business,’ he says. ‘We are not in the business of education – we are in the business of training, creating skills. Keeping alive artisanal skills is a way of interpreting our times. We can better our lot through our own intelligence and application.’

In the workshop with Makers Matt Tyson and Rick Long. © Stephen James

Fairy anarchy
The business is free of vested interests, says Matthew, who ‘refuses to genuflect towards group thinking.’ He describes this fiercely independent artisan spirit as part of what he calls the ‘fairy anarchy of Britain.’
There you have it – when you look at the work that comes out of the Matthew Burt Ltd workshop, you see wizardry in wood, contemporary design combined with wood working skills that are as old as time. When you meet the man who inspires this creativity and craftsmanship, you might reflect that you are not only talking to an internationally acclaimed furniture designer-maker, but are in touch with an age-old spirit of the woods.

matthewburt.com

Forever fronds

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Editorial team
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Meet the couple who have brought an exotic plant world to the village of Spetisbury, growing a pteridophile passion into a living

Jurgen and Elaine Schedler under the original Dicksonia Antarctica which has pride of place in their courtyard – image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

It was a birthday gift from a doting aunt which unfurled Jurgen Schedler’s passion for ferns. His wife Elaine recalls: ‘We presumed he’d spend the £150 birthday money on a racing car experience – instead he bought an Australian tree fern!’
That Dicksonia Antarctica, as is its fancy Latin name, journeyed with them when Jurgen and Elaine moved from London to Dorset. Nearly 25 years later, that same fern reaches over eight feet tall and has pride of place in the courtyard of their small nursery – a specialist haven for hardy exotics.
Crawford Hardy Ferns is Dorset’s only specialist nursery of its kind. The courtyard is planted with rustling bamboos, beautiful ferns and exotic palms from around the world. Up the steps on the garden level, there are even more stunning specimens – plants that you’d expect to find in sunny Spain rather than a rather gloomy Spetisbury!
German-born Jurgen and Elaine, a South African, are clearly a great partnership. ‘We met in South Africa when Jurgen was working as a chef,’ says Elaine. ‘He persuaded me to travel with him to South America and we’ve been together ever since – travelling, working and sharing our passion for plants.’
Since her retirement from the corporate world, Elaine is even more involved in the nursery, managing the admin, website and orders and helping Jurgen tend the plants.

Crawford Hardy Ferns in Spetisbury
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
Jurgen and Elaine’s back garden is their nursery, and visitors are welcome to wander and enjoy the ferns, palms, bamboo and exotic plantsJurgen and Elaine’s back garden is their nursery, and visitors are welcome to wander and enjoy the ferns, palms, bamboo and exotic plants

Bad hair day
The nursery is gearing up for its busiest time of the year, with hundreds of pots organised in regimented rows. Giant ferns are unfurling their coiled fronds after a winter slumber protected in a polytunnel. Here too are hanging baskets draping elegant, feathery foliage in a palette of greens.
Elaine and Jurgen watch their weather apps like hawks. A late frost could be fatal to some of the specimens – in late March many still have their crowns cosseted in protective bubble wrap. Jurgen says tree ferns are hardy to -10ºC, although the foliage may suffer at -2ºC.
Easily rolling out the Latin tongue-twister names, he shows me around, tenderly touching the tactile leaves, some of which are as soft as velvet. The Yucca linearis – an exotic hardy plant with spikes jutting in chaotic directions – is ‘always having a bad hair day,’ he says.
Jurgen also confesses to chatting to his plants. ‘Why not? My babies are good company!’
He holds his ear to the sky: ‘Listen, you can hear them whispering in the wind.’
And, like every doting parent, Jurgen wants only the best for his palms and ferns. He’s a committed pteridophile – someone passionate about ferns – and he has a reputation for occasionally refusing to sell a plant. If he doesn’t think someone will look after it properly, or if it’s one he truly loves, he just won’t sell it!
‘These plants demand patience. Many will only grow about 30cm in 10 years. With a little love, the right kind of care and some time, they will reward your garden with architectural beauty that’s hard to beat.

Tree ferns are one of the oldest plants in the world. Slow growing, they can take up to ten years to grow 30cm of trunk
The nursery is gearing up for spring, with hundreds of pots organised in regimented rows
The curled, new fronds of ferns, which resemble the scroll at the end of a violin, are called fiddleheads

‘It can also be a major investment: some of the more established specimens I have cost more than £1,000.’
This ‘vetting’ of customers goes hand-in-hand with free and very friendly advice. Visitors are encouraged to wander around the nursery or sit in the sunshine in what is essentially the couple’s own back garden. Elaine says: ‘It’s great for people to see the plants growing in situ, to see how big and beautiful they will get.’
Their passion and deep expertise make Crawford Ferns a go-to for landscapers and garden designers. Some trees have taken starring roles in show gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
That’s a positive in a challenging world: small nurseries across the country are closing at an alarming rate. ‘Brexit has made importing plants a huge problem, with increasing red tape and restrictions,’ says Jurgen. ‘I work closely with a nursery supplier who brings my palms from Spain into Bristol for me, and we use a plant supplier in the north of the UK for our ferns. Co-operation among the wholesalers is key.’

Bamboos thrive in moist, but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny spot.

crawfordferns.co.uk

Airwaves and elbow grease

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Editorial team
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When Abbey104 lost its studio, the community rallied – and now Sherborne’s radio station is stronger, louder and more local than ever

John Shearing ready to go on air in the Abbey104 studio in Sherborne
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock

‘I only came in for an interview about local football,’ laughs John Shearing, chair of Sherborne’s community radio station Abbey104. ‘That was 2017. I’d just retired. I looked up at the schedule board, saw a few gaps, and thought, I’ve always loved music…’
Like many volunteers, John didn’t plan to become a radio presenter – let alone end up chairing the committee which runs the station.
‘It just evolved. I started doing a Monday afternoon show – Unlimited Music, 2pm to 4pm – and it grew from there. I soon began helping with the running of the station.
‘Then, three years ago, the entire committee stood down. I suppose I thought, well, I’ve got some useful experience…’

The newly-refurbished studio sits proudly above the A30 Yeovil Road

It’s a commitment
That might be something of an understatement. John also chairs the Yeovil & District Football League, a volunteer-run organisation he’s been part of for decades. ‘It’s all about treating people with respect,’ he says. ‘Volunteers want to feel valued. That’s what I brought to Abbey104. We’ve got around 30 presenters, and we’re all volunteers – some come and go, of course. It’s a commitment. You’ve got to prep your show and you have to be there week in, week out. But we’ve built a strong, supportive team.’
Abbey104 is, as the name suggests, found at 104.7 FM – though a new transmitter location means it now reaches far beyond Dorset. ‘On a good day, the FM signal stretches from Shaftesbury to Taunton,’ John says. ‘We only broadcast at 50 watts – half what a new community station would be granted – but moving our transmitter from the Gryphon School to Sherborne Golf Club made a huge difference. We get brilliant support from the Golf Club – and we’re now much more accessible for maintenance. No more waiting for access during school holidays before we can fix a breakdown!’

image – Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

That transmitter move had been on the cards for some time, and was carefully planned. The bigger challenge came unexpectedly. ‘February 2024 – I remember because I was on my way to Bristol – I got the call. We’d been given notice to leave our studio space. We had six months to get out.’
Cue what John cheerfully calls ‘a mad scramble’. They needed a new home – and fast. ‘Finding somewhere suitable for broadcasting, was a challenge, but somewhere we could afford was an even bigger one. Every penny counts. Our income comes from three main streams: business sponsorship, membership fees – we all pay to be part of the station – and outside events: we support everything from fun runs to golf days. And we reinvest every bit back into the station.’
On the day a prospective new home for the station fell through, John spotted a brand new rental listing for a property on Yeovil Road. It was a rather rundown shed-like structure – but he could see it had huge potential, despite needing serious work. ‘Honestly, it was a shell,’ John says. ‘We had to completely strip it – soundproofing, double glazing, new electrics, lighting … everything. We launched a fundraising drive – the Building Blocks appeal – and the response was incredible. Members dug deep. Local businesses donated materials or time. It’s been an absolute community project – we could not have done it without them.’
And now? ‘Now we’ve got our own place, with a proper car park and a location that really works. Looking back, being given notice was the best thing that could have happened!’

Image – Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

Music and a chat
Abbey104’s heart remains firmly local. ‘We try to be part of Sherborne – and beyond. We go out and meet our sponsors and supporters, invite them in for interviews, make them part of what we’re doing.’ From just three or four regular sponsors a few years ago, the station now has more than 30 business partners. ‘That’s what keeps us going.’
So what can listeners expect when they tune in?
‘It’s a real mix,’ John says. ‘Plenty of music – people like music! – but we’ve got talk shows too. There’s the BV’s Podcast Show, of course, and we have a legal advice programme, reminiscence sessions, and lots of guests. We get live bands in too: one group came in the other week and ended up with six new bookings after the show. That’s what we’re about – giving people a platform.’
And John? What’s his favourite part?
‘I do love presenting!’ he says. ‘But I also enjoy looking after our business partnerships. Going out, talking to people, showing them what we do. Most are amazed how little it costs to get involved. We try to make sure it’s good value – and people tend to stay with us.’
Because that, in the end, is Abbey104’s strength. It’s community radio in the truest sense – run by volunteers, powered by good will, and deeply woven into the fabric of Sherborne.
‘We’re not a big operation,’ John says. ‘But we do a lot. And we’re proud of what we’ve built.’

abbey104.com

Fuel prices are going up AGAIN?

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Editorial team
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A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.

Q: I read that the Energy Price Cap is due to go up again in April. Does this mean my fuel bills will go up too? I can hardly afford them as it is!

A: You’re right, the Energy Price Cap rose by six per cent on 1 April 2025. This means a household with typical usage paying by Direct Debit will pay £1,849 a year, compared to £1,738 a year under the current Price Cap. But remember: the cap doesn’t limit how much you pay overall, it’s a cap on what you pay for each unit of gas and electricity that you use. So if you use more, you pay more.
Citizens Advice research shows that nearly seven million people are now living in households that are in debt to their energy supplier. We’re particularly concerned about households with children, where more than half of those on low incomes are struggling to afford energy bills.
The government is considering expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme, meaning that a million more low income households would get support. These proposals were out for consultation in February and March but at time of writing nothing definite has been decided.
If you are struggling to afford your energy bills, you should speak to your supplier as soon as possible. They are responsible for helping you come to a solution and agreeing a payment plan that works for both of you. If you’ve fallen behind on your bills, seek advice on managing debt. Energy bill debt is classed as a priority debt, so it’s important to get advice from an organisation like Citizens Advice or Stepchange, which offers free debt advice, as soon as you can.

Our frontline advisors can also help you understand what financial support you might be eligible for, depending on your situation. Additionally, you can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.

Classic & Supercar Sunday shifts up a gear with a new home at Canford School

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Editorial team
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Sunday 24 August 2025 | Canford School, Canford Magna, Dorset
Sponsored by Daizun Investments

Canford School

One of Dorset’s most beloved summer events is on the move – and it’s bigger, bolder and more breathtaking than ever.

After three high-octane years at Clayesmore, Classic & Supercar Sunday is relocating to the magnificent grounds of Canford School, just outside Wimborne. The new venue offers even more room to breathe, more beautiful backdrops for your Instagram snaps – plus it brings the South West’s favourite motoring day out closer to fans in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

“Canford is delighted to be hosting this prestigious and exciting event showcasing classic and supercars from across the country. We look forward to welcoming motor enthusiasts of all ages to the school and hope that everyone has a wonderful day.”
– Ben Vessey, Headmaster, Canford School

Aperta events rev-off

Expect more than 600 iconic vehicles – from pristine vintage classics to jaw-dropping modern marvels – all gathered in one glorious setting. But it’s not just about the cars…

A full-throttle day out for the whole family

This isn’t your average car show – it’s an experience. A proper day out, with something for everyone:

  • 🏎️ 600+ Classic & Supercars: Show-stopping vehicles, curated to impress.
  • 🚗 Specialist Car Club Displays: Unique, rare collections.
  • ✈️ Spitfire Flyover (TBC): A touch of British aviation heritage.
  • 🎶 Live Entertainment: Music, performance and atmosphere all day.
  • 🍔 Luxury Street Food & VIP Hospitality: Delicious options for every taste.
  • 🎡 Family Zone: Games and activities for kids big and small.
  • 🛍️ Trade Stands & Lifestyle Exhibitors: Discover something new.
  • 📸 Scenic Setting: Capture the perfect memory.
Family fun with mini landrover drive experience

Why Canford?

With its rich heritage, sweeping lawns and convenient central location, Canford School is the perfect setting for this fast-growing celebration of cars and community.

“After three fantastic years at Clayesmore, we needed a venue that could keep up with the event’s growth. Canford offers the ideal combination of scale, prestige and accessibility — especially for our fans on the coast.”
– Zander Miller, Aperta Events

📍 Location: Canford School, Canford Magna, Dorset, BH21 3AD
📅 Date: Sunday 24 August 2025
⏰ Time: 10am – 4pm

🎟️ Advance tickets are now available – and with demand growing year-on-year, early booking is strongly advised:

📸 Follow @aperta.events on Instagram for the latest car reveals and behind-the-scenes peeks.

POSTCARDS FROM A DORSET COLLECTION: Bloxworth

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Editorial team
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This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards sent by the same ‘N’ from Bloxworth, a village just to the east of Bere Regis, in the early part of the 20th century.

Sent on 7th November 1905 to Mr W Simmons in Weymouth – William is listed as 19 in the 1901 census, so 25 when he received this postcard. Fred is his father – though possibly also his little brother, who is officially Frank on the census. Sadly we have no way of knowing who the sender ‘N’ is, apart from the fact they’re a swift walker! Presumably he took a train from Weymouth to Wareham, then walked the six miles home to Bloxworth in 90 minutes:
‘What, not up yet??? Never mind old boy, ?it me tell me. I arrived home safely, got home at 2.30, just hour & half walking from Wareham, not long was it, they were surprised to see me so soon. Dad at Dorchester for a few days rabbiting. All glad you are coming 16th. Just off to Misses Meeting at Morden. Ta ta. N (Please pass this card on to Fred, tell him this is The “Village Blacksmith’s”)

This card was sent 6th July, 1906, just eight months after the first. Frederick Simmons (first recipient Will’s father) was married to Elizabeth (Lizzie, clearly), and it seems that N is not related to the Simmons – he seems to be a friend of Will’s. Can we presume that the ‘old chap’ is N’s father?
I cannot tell you how deeply thankful I am to you, for looking after my old chap so well. Yourself for seeing him safe ‘home’, Lizzie equally as much preparing a good supper. It’s always good to have a good wind up isn’t it?
I wonder if it would be troubling Lizzie, when she is sending for her strawberries, to get my sister a couple of baskets. Will thought she was sending. We thought it no harm to ask. She will be seeing you next week. N.

Sponsored by The Museum of East Dorset

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