It’s the most wonderful time of the year!…yes, people usually say that at Christmas, but for us at Thorngrove, it really does ring true as we move deep in to Summer! We see the culmination of results from earlier planting, and there’s no getting around it, this time of year is the most diverse when it comes to choices for your garden in terms of flowers and their colour. The Roses are of course taking centre stage right now, but the variety on display with the bedding plants, in the glasshouses, and the shrubs.
Thorngrove
We often see a huge surge in demand from customers as they take advantage of the good weather, and especially given the new found appreciation for our gardens over the last year, now more than ever we have people coming to Thorngrove wanting advice on how they can make their garden space, baskets or planters the best they can possibly be. Our staff have also been working hard to fulfil orders from our larger customers, providing 100s of planters, baskets, and barrels for spaces in the local and wider communities. All meticulously put together by hand with the quality and expertise you can expect from our staff.
“Even though this can one of our busiest times of the year, I really enjoy it because there’s so much pride to be taken in seeing the plants leave the glasshouses and go out into the courtyard. Especially after the late arrival of the warmer weather. We had extra work to do to make sure we didn’t lose many plants to the extended period of cold weather we have in may” says Glasshouse assistant Diane Francis.
Chris Francis Thorngroves Glasshouse Manager
The hot weather did finally arrive which means the plant watering has increased on site. A huge undertaking when you consider the size of Throngrove. Don’t forget to water your own plants as they’ll be using water more. Every day if there’s been no rain, early in the morning or early evening are the most efficient times for this.
So as we say, it IS the most wonderful time of the year at Thrognrove, it’s all hands on deck. Stop by and see the results of out work for yourself, enjoy lunch at The Secret Garden Café, and say hello to staff who would love to hear about your Summer garden.
Thorngrove Garden Centre, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset. SP8 4RE – 01747 822242
We have recently celebrated #ThankATeacherDay. This gives us all the opportunity to reflect upon those teachers who made the difference to our lives while we were at school and who helped direct us along our chosen paths.
It also allows me, both as your Member of Parliament but also as a parent to thank again the teachers and support staff in schools across North Dorset and local colleges who have so magnificently risen to the occasion and delivered learning and inspiration to our young people during the most challenging of circumstances of Covid. Many of us feared we might ‘lose a generation’ in educational terms. Any such fears can be put to rest.
Thinking back to my teachers I consider myself spoilt for choice. Mrs Lord and Mrs Watkins who fostered my love of history. Miss Fitzgerald, a fiery Socialist from Port Talbot who taught RE and with whom I debated our respective politics. Sister Cecily a nun so sweet and benign she made Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music seem positively wicked. But perhaps it was Mrs Driscoll my diminutive Mrs Pepperpot infant schoolteacher who identified me as being a ‘butterfly brain’. I would flit from one thing to another, to one end of the classroom to the next, poking my nose in, finding out what was going on, asking questions.
She told my parents that she was worried that I would never settle long enough to anything to see it through, and that I must ditch my scattergun approach for a more Exocet mindset.
I mention this because last week my eldest daughter Imogen asked me what the most important issue was to me in politics? It’s not as easy question as might first appear. I gave some consideration to my answer and replied that it was whatever was important to the person who contacted me at the time.
Now I realise that might sound an airy-fairy answer. There are of course things which are of intense importance and interest to me, but a MP is not an elected single issue pressure group but a representative of, and facilitator for, the views, needs and aspirations of all who are fortunate enough to call North Dorset home.
Let me give you an example; over recent weeks I have organised meetings with Ministers and constituents to discuss the export of fishing bait and the production of charcoal, met with our local NFU to discuss a wide range of farming issues, chaired a panel discussion on neurological services post Covid, visited the wonderful The Real Cure to hear about their recent expansion and future plans, volunteered at the Sturminster Vaccination Centre, visited Wyke School in Gillingham, taken part in a Climate Change discussion with residents of Alderholt, visited Blandford Town Council’s food waste reduction initiative, spoken to 30 constituents at Advice Surgeries, and hold a number of meetings regarding a proposed solar farm development. All this while trying to help the people of Northern Ireland by dint of my Chairmanship of the NI Select Committee.
Perhaps having a butterfly brain (I never did become a single issue Exocet) paid off – each of these varied issues were THE important issue to the people or organisations raising them with me, seeking my views or needing my help. Therefore, they had to be important to me. What I do know is that I can only do my job because of the abilities my teachers identified and fostered in me and encouraged me in.
Teachers find seeds and create plants of variety, beauty and utility. I give thanks for my teachers, my children’s’ teachers and all of those sculpting the futures of our next generation.
Good eating is about following the 80/20 rule. It is just not possible to eat right all of the time, but it is entirely possible to eat extremely well most of the time. Here is some food for thought.
Things to steer clear of or consider more closely
‘Fat free’ or ‘gluten free’
The problem with anything that is ‘free from’ normally means that the product needs to be padded out with stabilisers, emulsifiers, preservatives, additives and sugars to be palatable and look ok. Maybe one day I’ll write a whole article about processed foods but the short version is that they play havoc with your natural gut flora, and often contain synthetic additives that may have endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic effects. Emulsifiers may be partially responsible for digestive issues, eg constipation, bloating and diarrhoea. Preservatives have been linked with allergic reactions, headaches and migraines and hyperactivity in children to name a few. Choose products with the fewest amount of ingredients on the box.
Shutterstock
Rice cakes
Popular when watching calories, rice cakes are very high on the glycemic index with a GI of over 70; – a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar, so your blood sugars rocket and then drop rapidly. They actually make you feel hungry more of the time, so can have the effect of encouraging you to eat more. An alternative are oatcakes. They raise blood sugar more slowly, keeping you feeling fuller for longer – even better if you add some high protein peanut butter.
Juices
Despite what you may see on Instagram, nutritionists don’t drink their fruit, they eat it. Some of the ‘healthiest’ shop bought or freshly made juices contain more sugar than a can of soda. Eating fruit provides the added benefit of fibre – much needed for the gut and slowing the rate at which sugar gets absorbed into your bloodstream. Vegetable juice is a better choice, ideally home made. A commercial ‘veg’ juice can contain high amounts of fruit sugar. Try cucumber, celery, lemon and ginger, but again remember the fibre, so a blended ‘smoothie’ may be even better. Eat your food, don’t drink it.
Agave syrup
This used to be a fashionable low carb sweet option, low on the glycemic index and ‘natural’. Unfortunately it is high in fructose, too much leading to insulin resistance, weight gain and even fatty liver. I can’t really recommend any alternatives, but at a push, stevia is the lesser of the sweetener evils. As for the agave, stick to the tequilla version only!
Some milk alternatives
That trendy barista oat milk you like? Take a good look at the label. Stabilisers, acidity regulators and seed oils are there to make it foam but in return can give you IBS symptoms. Some brands also add sugars to sweeten the milk. If you need to ditch the dairy, try Plenish, Rude Health or Rebel Mylk, all of which contain the very minimum of ingredients.
“Heart Healthy” Spreads
In our fridge, we have butter and we have ‘olive oil’ spread (less than 20% olive oil). Guess which one the nutritionist eats? Take a good look at the ingredients listed. Bean and seed oils are extracted by industrial processes at very high temperatures using solvents to extract the oil, which is then deodorised (because it smells awful), then bleached, then chemicals added to give it colour. Those “heart healthy” spreads then have chemical treatment added to make the oil hard but spreadable. Industrial seed oils raise our omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios, characteristic of a western diet and linked to many chronic inflammatory diseases. If you are concerned about cholesterol, 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day helps raise healthy HDL and lower LDL. Dip your bread in it Mediterranean style……
And some things I do recommend from time to time…….
Dark chocolate
I frequently ask my clients to eat 85%+ dark chocolate on ‘prescription’ instead of their favourite candy bar. Dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, magnesium and iron amongst others. Heart healthy, the high flavanol content is great for brain health. 2 squares a day is my recommendation.
Minced beef (grass fed only)
Always a great freezer standby, the nutritional profile of grass fed (not organic), beef is very different to grain fed beef. A good source of heme iron, once a week is sufficient. Make your own burgers rather than the shop bought ones (which have additives) or an old fashioned chilli con carne. Support your local grass fed beef farm who will have traditional agricultural regenerative practices. It’s not the cow, it’s the how.
Ice cream
Full fat milk, cream and egg yolks are all healthy choices in moderation and therefore a good dessert option. The sugar is unfortunate but once in a while it’s fine! I’m a big fan of a weekly treat as you are more likely to stick to good eating the rest of the time. Again, avoid products with extensive additives and unpronounceable names on the carton. Dorset’s Purbeck Ice Cream or Baboo Gelato (the sorbet) are both superb and are additive free.
Beer
Whilst beer is high in calories and a good way to gain weight, it is a fermented product that we humans have been consuming for many years. Fermented foods are good for gut health – just don’t drink the entire six pack to yourself! Even people who are sensitive to grains can often tolerate the occasional beer. Cheers!
In the digital BV this month (if you’re in a hurry you can read the July issue of the digital Blackmore Vale by clicking here https://bit.ly/BVJulyFS )
We’re thrilled to announce we have woo-ed global bestselling author Tracy Chevalier to be our Random 19 guest!Yes, yes, she who wrote Girl With The Pearl Earring. Didn’t know she lived in north Dorset? You may have passed her in the supermarket!
Tracie has been looking into what can be done about the poor behaviour of a small group in Gillingham’s skate park
Andy spoke to award-winning local folk duo @Ninebarrow
Rachael’s looked at the story behind the overgrown verges on our roads this year, and also discovered exactly what a ‘Social Prescriber’ does (with thanks to Liz at Gillingham Medical Practice).
Tracie’s been talking to Jack & Jake about working in Dorset’s HIghest Office in the first of our new series ‘A Country Living’.
Plus all the usual columns: Andrew from Westleaze Farm is sharing his insider thoughts on the new Clarksons Farm show on Amazon Prime. Vet’s Voice with @Damory Veterinary Clinic, Wildlife from Brigit Strawbridge and @Dorset Wildlife Trust, Local History with Roger Guttridge, and 100th birthday cards & scary bee allergies both feature in Andy Palmer’s Tales from the Vale.
This issue *may* involve kittens. Just saying.
Front cover this month is that magnificent hovering barn owl by Tom Belcher at Dorset Rural Photography.
Don’t forget: we’re NEVER PRINTED. The only way to read us is right here online:
Shakespeare’s ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL At Old Wardour, Wiltshire.
After the rip-roaring success of Twelfth Night, Troubadour Stageworks is back and bigger than ever with this summer’s outdoor tribute to the bard!
All’s Well That Ends Well is a love story that just can’t seem to go quite right. One-sided affection, kidnapping, disguise, this play has it all. Grab a picnic, grab a bubble and join us at Old Wardour House, Wiltshire, for this rollicking Shakespeare comedy.
This is an outdoor performance.We recommend that you bring blankets/chairs/cushions etc. and are welcome to bring a picnic. Come prepared for the weather with warm coats and waterproofs etc, as the performance will continue come rain come shine! We ask that you don’t bring umbrellas as these can obscure the view for other people in the audience.
Troubadour Stageworks was founded in 2017 with the aim of creating a stage in any space, and in so doing, supporting heritage venues and enabling emerging creatives to make exciting new theatre. Our Shakespeare shows are known for their original music, creative adaptations and unusual staging.
Do you have fundraising experience and good communication skills? The successful candidate will be responsible for developing fundraising across Dorset and help the bereaved children and young people we support.
Requirements:
Experience of corporate and community fundraising
Experience of organising fundraising events
Excellent communication and networking skills
Excellent organisational skills and time management
Good presentation skills
Excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and Database work)
Closing date: 23rd July 2021
Further details and application form available from:
Dorset’s level of local radio and television coverage has been a serious concern for many people, myself included.
Whilst Dorset contributes around £45 million per year to the BBC through the licence fee, the apparent lack of attention to Dorset is not acceptable and it’s time to challenge it. I met with the new Chairman of the BBC a few weeks ago and have hope that common sense will soon prevail, and Dorset will get its fair share.
It was a pleasure to help with deliveries at the Sherborne Community Kitchen at the start of the month. I last visited at the end of March to mark their first year of helping local people around Sherborne and the surrounding villages and this week participated in a delivery run taking healthy, nutritious meals to those who need it the most.
The work they do is incredible and I pay tribute especially to Jill Warburton.
It has been a pleasure to hear the church bells ring out both near my Westminster office and here in West Dorset. It is imperative that we get our churches back up and running to provide the spiritual support that is needed so badly. To do my bit to help, I was elected churchwarden at Bishop’s Caundle Church in late May and look forward to helping get our churches open and welcoming again.
My belief we should criminalise ‘livestock worrying’ was underscored tragically last week, with the very sad death of Gladys the pregnant cow on Eggardon Hill – the other side of Beaminster – because of a dog chasing.
Grazing of chalk downlands like Eggardon is vital to preserve such unique ecosystems and farmers should not have to face the tragedy of losing much-loved animals because of negligent and careless members of the public who don’t control their dogs.
