Ah, the sweet sound of spring in North Dorset: birdsong, lambs bleating, engines revving … and my horse doing the fancy sideways samba because someone’s decided to pass us at 40mph while checking their phone. Here’s the thing: riding on the road isn’t some whimsical nod to countryside nostalgia – it’s often a frustrating necessity. Have you seen the state of our bridleway network? It’s like someone spilled a bag of spaghetti on a map and called it a plan. Disjointed, patchy, and often impassable. My idea of a relaxing hack does not, in fact, include having my horse figure out how to get all four of his legs over a new stile in the middle of what was once a bridleway. We’re all forced to hit the tarmac at some point. So yes, we share the road – but what we don’t share is your steel cage of protection. It’s really not tricky, though we’ve all met drivers who can’t seem to figure out what to do. When a driver slowly creeps up behind us for what feels like a mile, it’s not calming. It’s weird. My horse thinks you’re either a lion or a lunatic – and neither is particularly welcome mid-hack. And don’t even think about beeping. I’m not waving at you to say hi – I’m asking you not to send my horse into orbit. That cheery honk might as well be an air raid siren as far as he’s concerned. Also, while we’re at it (I’m on a roll now – this column is very cathartic): revving your engine to show off your car’s horsepower? Cute. My actual horse remains unimpressed. He’s too busy trying not to die of fright while you overtake within licking distance. It’s not rocket science: pass wide (a car’s width if possible) and slow (as if you’re near a primary school – because you are, metaphorically). Oh, and maybe give a wave back when I thank you. It’s not just good manners, it’s a nod to the fact we’re all trying to survive the same stretch of rural tarmac. I imagine cyclists feel much the same. They too are soft targets in a world of high hedges, deep pot holes, blind corners and impatient drivers. Next time you pass one of us, remember: we’re not ‘traffic’ – we’re people. And some of us are sitting on half a ton of nervous energy with a mind of its own and a strong dislike of surprises. Plus hooves. So next time you see a rider–or anyone soft-shelled and road-bound – resist the urge to test your reflexes or your engine. Just pass wide, pass slow, and carry on. Because trust me: your patience is far more impressive than your exhaust note.
The Grumbler – the open opinion column in The BV. It’s a space for anyone to share their thoughts freely. While the editor will need to know the identity of contributors, all pieces will be published anonymously. With just a few basic guidelines to ensure legality, safety and respect, this is an open forum for honest and unfiltered views. Got something you need to get off your chest? Send it to editor@bvmagazine.co.uk. The Grumbler column is here for you: go on, say it. We dare you.
Voluntary and community organisations across Dorset can now apply for a share of Dorset Council’s £200,000 Youth Grant, supporting projects that deliver activities for young people. Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available for projects that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes: providing positive activities (especially for vulnerable young people) and improving wellbeing across the Dorset Council area. Applications are open until 28th May, with successful bids to be announced on 23rd July. Cllr Clare Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: ‘We’re excited to see new ideas that promote young people’s wellbeing, inclusion and empowerment. Young people will also help assess applications – their voice is key to the decision-making process.’ Last year’s recipients included STEPS Club for Young People, whose grant supported a youth music project, and Relationships Wessex, who offered affordable early intervention counselling.
This episode will stay with you – from a century of stories told with grace by Jim Freer, to George Hosford’s blistering takedown of government farming policy. It’s full of insight, history … and a fair bit of fury.
Also: it’s the final episode with co-host Terry Bennett. You’ll be missed, Terry.
Jim Freer at 100: Halifax Bombers and the Art of Staying Nice
🎂 “Be nice to each other. That’s good advice too.”
Born in 1925, Jim Freer reflects on a century of life – from engineering and war service to marriage, museum volunteering and village fetes. 🎖️ “We took off 34 times – and thankfully landed 34 times.”
From post-war production to RAF mail flights in India, Jim’s story is a calm, thoughtful tour through a remarkable life.
Farming and Fury: George Hosford on the Collapse of Trust
💥 “I can’t process the scale of this incompetence – it takes my breath away.”
Dorset farmer George Hosford delivers a scathing and sharply informed assessment of Defra’s abrupt shutdown of SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) payments:
🌱 “This isn’t just about money. It’s about trust, soil health, food supply and the future of farming.”
George breaks down what sustainable and regenerative farming really mean, why government schemes mattered, and how political short-termism risks undoing decades of progress.
These interviews are based on stories from April’s BV, available here. Dorset people, Dorset landscapes, and the big stories behind our rural headlines – all in one beautiful, free magazine.
🎧 The BV Podcast – twice a month, always worth your ears. Named Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette).
Clayesmore School, a well-respected independent school in North Dorset, has announced it will be joining the Inspired Learning Group (ILG) from 1st September 2025.
With a proud 129-year history, Clayesmore is known for its outstanding pastoral care, innovative LEX personal development programme, and consistently strong academic results across GCSE, BTEC and A Levels. The school’s 62-acre Iwerne Minster campus, home to six boarding houses, provides a rich setting for both day and boarding pupils from Prep through to Sixth Form.
The new partnership with ILG – a leading provider of independent education in the UK – promises to enhance and support Clayesmore’s continued success while preserving the unique character that makes it so beloved by its community.
The decision follows an extensive selection process by the school’s governors. Chair of Governors, Rosie Stiven, said: ‘We are thrilled to be joining the ILG family of schools whose shared ethos of outstanding teaching and learning as well as a focus on kindness and community is so closely aligned with our own.’
Head Jo Thomson said: ‘Visitors to Clayesmore are always struck by the warm, inclusive and unpretentious atmosphere. Inspired Learning Group shares our ethos and vision and I am excited about the possibilities that come with being part of a strong and forward-looking group of schools and educators.’
Amit Mehta, CEO of ILG, said: ‘The acquisition of Clayesmore School is a landmark moment for Inspired Learning Group. This prestigious institution aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering exceptional education while fostering innovation and growth. We see tremendous potential in Clayesmore’s future and are committed to investing in its continued success.’
ILG, which operates a group of independent schools across the UK, says it is committed to preserving the unique character and traditions of each institution it partners with. Clayesmore is the latest to join its portfolio, a move which aims to support the school’s long-term stability and continued development.
The email from the developer was intimidating, to say the least. When it popped into my inbox, I thought there might be an opportunity to have a discussion about the possible new (huge) development in my own small parish. However, the applicants were emboldened, having just been to a forum for developers organised by Dorset Council. So emboldened that they sent me the Powerpoint presentation to peruse, saying they would be back with their plans and bulldozers. It wasn’t an if but a when.
It’s about what’s missing Naturally, I was curious to see what Dorset Council had been discussing with developers, especially now there is a virtual doubling of the housing targets in the county. At first, when I read the presentations, there was nothing I didn’t know already … the targets, the need for affordable housing, sustainable developments and so on. There’s also a council design review team which will look at the plans with developers – and naturally there is absolutely no mention of parish or town council involvement in that discussion. While there was a lot of information about biodiversity, the active transport links section made me smile. I already have questionnaires from developers asking what type of trees I’d like planting on the new development in my village. I’m not interested in whether I’ll have Himalayan birch or maple trees decorating footpaths. I am far more concerned about the local primary schools that are already over-subscribed for September with no visible strategy to sort out placements for new children. Then there’s the main road into the village where the tarmac has buckled as it hasn’t been maintained for more than 25 years: now it’s a trip hazard for older people as well as a nasty surprise for boy racers. The pavements – where they exist – cannot be used by wheelchair users or prams. And that’s when it hit me. I was looking through this presentation, hunting for what were effectively snippets of gossip I wasn’t aware of – but actually, the headline news wasn’t there at all. Despite being fundamental – critical – both infrastructure and population trends were entirely ignored.
A golden opportunity If I ruled the world of planning and had most of Dorset’s developers in one room, I wouldn’t just talk about housing targets and planning processes. What an opportunity to speak to the people who build homes about the type of housing we really need – and the infrastructure necessary to make it happen. With the volume of housing demanded, Dorset needs to ensure we get the right kind of quality development for the current and future population. However … in Dorset Council’s presentation there was nothing about the population trends in the county, or the infrastructure needed to support an increase in people. We really need to integrate these elements into planning to get the right type of housing. If you have ever argued with developers about the need for bungalows, you’ll have an inkling of what’s on my mind. Take one example: Dorset has a much higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over than the national average (Dorset is officially the oldest area of the UK, with 4.27 per cent of the population aged over 85 – a staggering 85 per cent more than the UK average across local authorities). In the next five to ten years, more than half the population of Dorset will be over 60. With the adult social care budget already eclipsing all other aspects of the council funding, right now there’s a golden opportunity to commission adaptable housing, smart use of technology and artificial intelligence that helps keep older people and those with disabilities safe and independent in their own homes. Instead, we are destined for an endless monotony of cheap two-up-two-down terraced monstrosities or luxury homes that no one local can afford. The council seems to pander to developers, when what we should be doing is setting out what we need (and not just hedgehog and lizard houses).
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Meaningful joined-up planning Why couldn’t that meeting be a demand from the council to get some of this infrastructure in place before building begins? Improvements are desperately needed to the A357, and to narrow roads in the towns. Just look at how long it can take to cross Sturminster Newton Bridge or go through Blandford town centre on a Saturday. We need innovative solutions to manage the amount of traffic, and we also need improvements in the public transport network. Many key workers – the ones who need social and affordable housing – work shifts. If you live in a rural village in North Dorset, where new housing is rapidly expanding, there is no public transport at weekends or evenings. If you can’t afford a car, you can’t get to work. Naturally, the council wants greener ways of travelling … but not in North Dorset it seems. There is a huge disparity between what developers ‘think’ we need as infrastructure, and what the local population actually needs. I’m so very tired of hearing about promises for attenuation ponds and allotments. What I want to see is a primary health care service that is properly funded and staffed, so it can do what it is meant to do: keep people healthy instead of surviving on crisis management. When people with mental health problems are shipped into social housing in rural villages there is often no local support network for them. And with so much more housing, why are there still so few opportunities for business development units and local job creation? This should surely be increasing? Above all, I’d like to see meaningful integration between planning, developers, public health, and transport, so we get support services and infrastructure that we really need in North Dorset – something far beyond the council’s tick-box targets for housing.
The Dorset Insider is a no-holds-barred column pulling back the curtain on local affairs with sharp insight, unfiltered honesty and the occasional raised eyebrow. Written by a seasoned parish councillor who prefers to remain anonymous (for obvious reasons), it cuts through the noise to expose the frustrations of grassroots politics, and say what others won’t. Rest assured, their identity is known – and trusted – by the editorial team. Expect opinion, candour and a healthy dose of exasperation …
Two old friends with deep local ties and long-standing military service are once again stepping up to help those in need. Michael Tulloch from Mere and Jeremy Moger from Hazelbury Bryan – who first met at Naval College before both joined the Army – are heading to Ukraine this spring in support of the charity Pickups 4 Peace. Mike says: ‘Jeremy and I had heard a couple of talks given by people who have taken part in the Pickups for Peace (P4P) programme, and with a connection to a Ukrainian refugee, we were inspired to do something to try to to help.’ The small charity was established in 2023 with the aim of providing equipment and humanitarian support to Ukraine in the form of much needed 4×4 pickup trucks loaded with medical and other essential supplies. As of February 2025, P4P has delivered 525 vehicles fully loaded with vital equipment. The second-hand pickup trucks packed with essential supplies are delivered directly to the Ukrainian Army. Once handed over, the vehicles are used to transport vital equipment to the front line and to carry wounded soldiers back for medical treatment. Michael and Jeremy have been working hard to raise funds to buy a Ford Ranger and ensure it is fully loaded with urgently-needed supplies, including generators, medical kits, spare tyres, engine oil, tools and ratchet straps. The five-day, 1,300-mile journey to Ukraine will take them from Dorset through France nd Germany – with a pause to visit Colditz Castle, the Second World War prisoner of war camp which they’ll be driving right past – before continuing through Poland to their final destination in Lviv. They friends have been well supported by local businesses, saying much of what they are taking has been kindly donated by local firms including Martin Richards Agricultural Engineers, C J Cox Ltd, Kings Stag Garage, Harts of Stur, R F Stratton & Co, Crockers Ltd, Hillbrush of Mere, Jeans Electrical, TJS Services Centre Ltd and Gillingham Tyre Services. Michael and Jeremy are also hugely grateful for the individual, personal donations that have helped make the purchase possible – and are hoping that with continued support they may be able to fund and deliver a second vehicle later this year.
It’s easy to sit in a pew on concert night, glass of wine in hand, and let the music wash over you. But behind every polished performance lie weeks of unseen preparation, laughter, effort – and a lot of sheet music. Richard Nye, a Dorset-based composer whose works have been performed internationally and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, is choirmaster of the Gillingham Singers. Here, he lifts the curtain on a typical rehearsal, as the choir prepares for a spring concert of choral favourites and looks ahead to a world première:
Richard Nye conducting the Gillingham Singers -All images Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
As the car pulls up at Wyke Primary School in Gillingham, we can already see chairs being set up in the hall. The weekly practice begins in 15 minutes, so there is plenty of time to get things ready … or so I thought. My daughter Rosie picks up the extension lead for the piano, my wife Heather carries the water bottles, and I carry the music stand. We all have our own bags full of sheet music. As we enter the hall, there are the usual cheery greetings as chairs continue to be arranged. The choir secretary, Carole, shares some updates for our forthcoming concert, including the good news that tickets are now being snapped up. Hilary, the choir chair, rearranges a seat before coming to check that all is well – something she does every week. This evening we end up talking about logistics and how we are going to fit a string group in front of the choir for our next concert. We both very much like the name the new string group have chosen, and now it’s just about making sure plans are in place so that everything goes smoothly on the day. Before I realise it, the clock is showing 7:13pm – we have a tight schedule and need to start singing at 7:15!
image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Rehearsal drills Our rehearsal is a busy one. After a warm-up, which includes stretches and breathing exercises, we run through a pre-planned practice programme. Each week I email the choir with a list of the music we’ll tackle the following week, accompanied by any notes and links to suitable recordings. This regular contact allows members the opportunity to practise at home, and the choir have embraced this approach. It makes such a positive difference. Warm-up over, we begin the practice. Music at the start may be pieces that require some attention from the previous week. A tricky section may need looking at again, or it might be that we all just need to feel we’ve now ‘got it’. We then move on to some challenging works – and those are the tricky moments. Stopping for regular water breaks and a breather, we move forward. David, the choir’s wonderful accompanist, moves from keyboard to the choir’s bass section as we go from piece to piece. The Spring Concert has quite a few unaccompanied pieces this year, and David is a very welcome vocal addition as we run through a madrigal, followed by David Ogden’s wonderful setting of Were You There? The choir are providing all the soloists for this concert, which means we can rehearse complete sections, fine-tuning entries and making sure the balance works for everyone. Our busy practice ends with a warm-down (singing something short that we know as a complete ‘performance’) before tidying the chairs away again and locking up.
image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Long in the planning The week’s rehearsal might be over, but work for the choir continues. The following day the committee meets. This group of members works hard behind the scenes: organising and running fundraising events, planning future concerts, and ensuring that funds are directed to keep the choir running as it should. The Spring Concert in May was planned last year, and as MD I share thoughts on how it might look. Then, with the help of everyone on the committee, we start to build a picture that everyone can see. We are very excited to be including a string ensemble this time, which will accompany us as we sing Fauré’s beautiful and well-loved Requiem. The vocal solos in this work are well within the reach of our singers, and we have some lovely voices in the choir – those moments will be very special.
image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
This planning and support includes everything from organising the music to running the website and social media – and it’s essential, as we are already thinking ahead. In November, the choir will be giving the world première of Stars by Stephen Deutsch. This work for spoken voice, choir and electronics has been composed especially for the Gillingham Singers by Stephen, an American composer living in Dorset, who frequently collaborated with the playwright Peter Barnes, in addition to writing scores for the BBC. This concert will take some planning, and the committee are already working on the venue and logistics. One thing that often comes to mind after a busy practice is how many people have been involved in making it all happen. It’s not just the singing that is very much a team effort. Everyone has a part to play – it would not be a choir without each person being present and contributing – and for me, it’s why choral music-making is such a joy.
The Spring Concert by the Gillingham Singers is on Saturday May 17th at Motcombe Church. ‘Earlybird’ tickets are £10 (£12 on the door) and include a glass of wine. For tickets please contact Carole on 07572 786416 More details can be found at the choir website: gillingham-singers.org Stephen Deutsch’s website can be found at stephen-deutsch.com
Battered but not beaten – Sturminster Fish Bar’s owners on loyalty, resilience and why they’re determined to stay part of the town’s story
A box of cod that once cost £150 now approaches £300 All images: Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
As highlighted by a recent Daily Mail article, Britain’s fish and chip shops are facing unprecedented pressures. Costs have soared, customer spending has dropped, and the industry – long a cornerstone of British culture – is under threat. Here in North Dorset, the story is no different. At Sturminster Newton’s much-loved Sturminster Fish Bar, owners Lee and Yoyo are doing everything they can to keep serving the town without passing spiralling costs onto their customers. Lee and Yoyo, who moved to the UK from Malaysia more than 20 years ago, have run the Sturminster Fish Bar for nearly eight years. With two young children and deep roots in the town, they are fiercely committed to their community – but they are also facing the toughest trading conditions they have ever known. ‘It’s getting harder every year,’ Lee says. ‘Everything we buy – fish, potatoes, oil – it’s all gone up so much. But we can’t just raise our prices to match. People don’t have the money anymore.’ The numbers are stark. In the past year, the price of a 25kg bag of potatoes – the bedrock of any chip shop – has leapt from £5 to as high as £30 at its peak. Although costs have stabilised slightly, they remain three times higher than they were just two years ago. Fish prices tell a similar story. A box of cod that once cost £150 now approaches £300.
Lee owner of Sturminster Fish Bar – image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Walking the tightrope ‘Unitl recently we offered a large cod and three sizes of chips,’ Lee says. ‘But it’s too expensive now. We’re focusing on regular portions, trying to keep it affordable for families.’ It’s a balancing act – one which Lee and Yoyo approach with the needs of their customers front of mind. Rather than drastically raising menu prices, they have chosen to adapt portion sizes and quietly adjust the offering, hoping that by making smaller changes, customers will continue to support them without feeling priced out. ‘We could have put prices up by two or three pounds on everything,’ Lee says. ‘But then people might stop coming. We don’t want that. We want to be fair to everyone.’ One such change is that Lee will no longer serve standard or large portions of chips. It’s not a decision Lee has taken lightly. ‘Often, people order one large chips and share it between three people,’ he says. ‘But I’m already taking a loss on the fish – I can’t afford to lose out on the chips as well.’ By limiting portions to a small – still generous, but only enough for one – Lee hopes customers will each buy what they need, allowing the Fish Bar to cover its costs without sharp price rises. ‘If everyone just buys their own, it spreads the cost fairly. We’re trying to keep things going without hurting anyone’s pocket too much.’ The impact of inflation is not just on supplies. Rising wages – including the recent mandatory increases to the minimum wage – add further strain. ‘Our wage bill went up by more than £100 a week,’ Lee says. ‘At the same time, customers are spending less. They still come, but instead of a big order, maybe it’s just a couple of portions now.’ This experience echoes the national trend. Chip shops across the country are finding that although footfall remains steady, average customer spend has dropped significantly. Household budgets are stretched tighter than ever in 2025, and what was once seen as a cheap treat has become a considered expense.
image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
More than a chip shop It’s a particularly bitter blow for shops like Sturminster Fish Bar, which have become key parts of their community. As well as serving food, Lee and Yoyo provide vital first jobs for many young people in the town – currently the couple employ five teenagers and young adults who might otherwise struggle to find work locally. ‘There aren’t many jobs for young people here, especially after school hours,’ Lee says. ‘We try to give them a start, to help them learn to work. It’s an important skill.’ But with margins squeezed ever tighter, even these opportunities could be at risk if the situation does not improve. Lee has had to think hard about how to keep the doors open without making cuts that would hurt either his customers or his staff. ‘I just want to be fair,’ he says. ‘If everyone shares a little bit – smaller portions, small changes – then nobody has to carry all the burden alone.’ It’s an attitude that has earned Sturminster Fish Bar loyal customers over the years. The quality of their food – consistently praised online and among locals – is matched by the warmth of their service. Despite winning accolades like Best Fish and Chip Shop in Dorset in customer polls, Lee and Yoyo have never sought awards or national recognition. Their focus has always been on looking after their customers – and their staff. ‘I think of them like family,’ Lee says of his young employees. ‘We sit down together, talk together, have staff outings. I want them to feel they belong, not just that they’re working for me.’
In the past year, the price of a 25kg bag of potatoes – the bedrock of any chip shop – has leapt from £5 to as high as £30 at its peak
image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
Part of the town It’s a philosophy that has become increasingly rare in a tough business climate. Many fish and chip shops around the country have already closed their doors, unable to weather the triple blow of rising costs, falling customer spend and labour pressures. Lee hopes to avoid becoming another casualty. He’s kept prices as low as possible, and made those careful tweaks to his menu, all designed to make a fish and chip meal remain an affordable treat rather than a luxury. ‘After COVID, everything changed,’ he says. ‘People don’t have the spare money they used to. When you’ve paid your bills, your mortgage, there’s not much left. We understand that.’ Yet amid the challenges, there is quiet pride. ‘We love it here,’ says Yoyo. ‘The town, the people – this is home.’ If communities across Dorset want to keep their local chip shops alive, supporting them through tough times may be more vital than ever. As Lee puts it: ‘We’re not thinking about making big money. We’re just thinking about staying here, being part of the town.’
Sturminster Fish Bar is open Tues to Saturday, 12-2pm and 5-9pm – 01258 472491 49 Bridge St, Sturminster Newton DT10 1BZ
Sturmintser Fish bar – image Courtenay Hitchcock The BV
A new monthly book event is launching in Blandford – and it promises to be as entertaining as it is delicious. The Last Thursday Lunch Club will take place, unsurprisingly, on the last Thursday of each month, bringing acclaimed authors to town for lunchtime talks about their latest books. The inaugural event takes place on Thursday 29th May at The Stour Inn, Blandford St Mary, with a buffet lunch and first drink included, all in support of the fundraising efforts for St Mary’s Church. The aim? To help preserve the beautiful but beleaguered building – and stop the clatter of dying boilers and tumbling masonry. The guest speaker is Tim Spicer, discussing his bestselling biography A Suspicion of Spies, which charts the extraordinary life of Biffy Dunderdale – a suave, daring spymaster whose real-life exploits helped inspire Ian Fleming’s James Bond. From sinking German ships at just 17 to a lifetime of “licensed thuggery” in British intelligence, Biffy’s story promises to be anything but dull. Tickets are £20 (plus booking fee) and include lunch, a drink, the talk and a book signing. Doors open at 12.30pm, the talk begins at 1.45pm, and the event ends at 3pm. With plans already in motion for future events, and a return of the Blandford Literary Festival this November, it’s clear that Blandford’s literary scene is getting lively once again.
