Mosaic, a Dorset charity founded in 2007 to support bereaved children, has launched a major fundraising appeal to continue supporting children struggling with the death of someone close to them. The charity provides qualified counsellors who help children and young people understand and manage their grief and anxiety. However, the increasing demand for Mosaic’s services has outstripped its ability to provide free access to counsellors. The charity urgently needs to raise £100,000 this year to maintain its support services amid rising costs and dwindling funds. Jo Revill, Mosaic’s CEO, says, ‘This is the crunch point for us now. We’ve seen a 47 per cent increase in the number of children and young people being referred to us for help this year. We want to continue to exist for Dorset’s children. The services we offer can transform a child’s life, and their life chances, but we cannot be sure of meeting that need if we can’t raise the money.’ Teachers from primary and secondary schools across Dorset refer children to Mosaic for counselling support and advice. Last year, the charity provided counselling to 412 children and young people – this number is likely to be substantially higher in 2024, with extra help also going into school in peer support. Nearly half of the referrals involve children or young people who have lost a parent. It costs £350 to provide comprehensive counselling for one child or young person, including family support, over several months. Karen Parnell, Chair of Trustees, says, ‘I’m incredibly grateful for the support our family received from Mosaic when my husband died. It had a profound impact on my children during a very difficult time. The specialised counselling and peer support provided my daughters with a safe space to express their feelings, share their experiences and connect with others who understood their loss.’ She added: ‘We hope that our communities can really get behind us in this challenging financial period to help us raise funds so that all the children and young people who need our help can receive it. There is so much more for us to do as a charity and we’re lucky to have very dedicated individuals – staff, volunteers, trustees and counsellors – who make all the difference.’
Child okeford will once again be opening its doors this August for the annual Art Trail, showcasing 21 talented artists and craftspeople across four venues, exhibiting in their own homes, studios and community spaces. All the venues are located within walking distance of the village centre, and visitors can view and purchase a varied collection of arts and crafts. Exhibiting in the Community Centre is Martin Brierley – a painter who works in oils on board, inspired by land, sea and sky. Also ceramicist Gaynor Waring – she works in various clays and uses smoke-firing methods to create beautiful objects rooted in the landscape – and Karina Gill, a notable Dorset silverware and jewellery designer. Local plein air oil painter Rob Adams will be at Clock Cottage with artist Sue Fawthrop. Diane Ablitt will be exhibiting at the Old School House. She is an artist who likes to strip an image of unnecessary detail, keeping a strong design and creating flat poster-like pieces. She will be joined by Kathy Clarke who uses Reduction Lino Printing: cutting away the Lino after each colour is added to the reverse impression of the design. There will be a group of 13 artists in the Village Hall, where local charity SERO (raising money for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice) will be offering refreshments, homemade cakes and sandwiches throughout the four days. Their member Julie Little creates affordable paintings in various media with all profits going to SERO. Also in the hall will be Sue Bates – a talented watercolour artist who uses no pencil before she paints, Rachel Chenery who will be showing her stoneware pottery and Diane Mary Alice will return with her paintings inspired by the Dorset countryside and her upcycled children’s chairs. With such a wide variety of artists, from painters to jewellers, photographers to potters and much more, there is something to interest everyone. The trail provides an opportunity to meet local artists in person in their creative worlds and discover new and surprising aspects of their work.
Friday 23rd to Monday 26th August 11am to 4pm daily Follow Child Okeford Art Trail on social media to see more artist profiles and more information about the trail
The Martin family at Deverel Farm hosted a farm walk in July – conversation centred on crop rotation, control of fixed costs and diversification
Dorset FCN have been busy this summer, with plenty of activities to bring our local farming community together. Alongside our regular Walk & Talk events around the county (see dates for the upcoming ones in the poster below), we have held two wonderful farm walks. The first at the Crutchley’s family farm at Nettlecombe near Bridport. We met on the most idyllic evening to explore the farm nestled under Eggardon Hill. We looked at the dairy, and a lively discussion centred around stewardship schemes and the diversification of redundant farm buildings.
Our second walk was courtesy of the Martin Family, at Milborne St Andrew. The farm is all arable, and we discussed machinery needs and how to keep fixed costs down. The farm is close to a Wessex Water borehole, and the family works closely with the water board. With much of Dorset acting as a catchment for phosphates and nitrates, hearing first hand how farmers can help was very useful. And a quick note for non-farmers when they’re out and about – as harvest gains momentum, please be patient with the increased farm traffic on the roads. We hope for a fine month for both the farmers and holidaymakers alike. Farming is testing at the moment and myself and our volunteers are always here to listen and help when required. – Bec Hill
FCN is here for you. The confidential, national helpline is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm and volunteers provide free, confidential support to anyone who seeks help: Call 03000 111 999
Dorset Mind volunteer Annabel Goddard takes a minute to appreciate how furry friends enhance our lives and affect our mental health
August is an animal lover’s dream – we celebrate both International Cat Day on the 8th and International Dog Day on 26th. While most of us need no excuse to give our furry friends an extra treat or cuddle, it’s worth reflecting on why we love our pets so much – and the importance of their company in aiding our mental health.
Routine It doesn’t matter if you’re a cat or a dog person, or even a rabbit or fish person – our pets need, and often demand, attention. Dogs need to be walked, fed, sometimes groomed and definitely loved daily, for example. By having to attend to our pets we find ourselves unconsciously in a regular routine and getting outside and active – which benefits humans too! We often work our lives around theirs, in the best way possible. But by looking after your pet, you are in fact looking after yourself too.
Connection Our pets love us back. Companionship from animals can be a massive tool in reducing loneliness, and even helps ease grief and depression. Service animals play a huge role in many lives, especially for those who may not be able to get by without them – for example guide dogs for the visually impaired or anxiety dogs in schools.
Support Dogs have been “man’s best friend” for centuries – having one is almost guaranteed to help you get through difficult times. Many pet owners, me included, often feel as though their pets understand their moods better than humans do. Support from a pet can feel less emotionally demanding, especially if you don’t want to talk about your feelings. Pets care for you in their own silent ways and intuitively know when to comfort you. There for you Many of our childhood pets have taught us amazing things about love and loyalty. It’s true to say that you never forget your first pet – they are simply cherished family members. My first cat, Nicholas, would lie on my lap when I was only four years old, and I have remained a cat person ever since. Cats are particularly helpful with anxiety – if you’re lucky enough to have a cat that loves to sit on your lap, I guarantee you often take a moment just to listen to their purr and feel their warmth. They can be very calming when they want to be!
Giving a pet a home If you’re considering getting a pet, you don’t have to buy a puppy or kitten. Sadly, there are plenty of unwanted animals, and adopting a rescued animal is a great idea – but do your research and make sure you find a reputable charity or organisation. Initially it can be difficult to navigate their needs, which, like ours, can be physical or emotional – being able to see your pet grow towards you and settle in can be so rewarding. It will feel amazing to be the one who gives an animal a second chance at life, and your new pet will love you for it. Our pets play a crucial role in our well-being. They provide us with routine, connection and unwavering support. The lessons of love and loyalty they teach us are invaluable, and the bond we share with them is irreplaceable. And let’s not forget the simple joy and fulfilment that comes from living with an animal. By giving a pet a home, we not only improve their lives but also enrich our own in countless ways. Celebrate this month by showing your pets extra love, and perhaps opening your heart and home to a new furry friend in need.
Support for you: First steps towards support should be to speak to someone – a trusted friend, family member, professional or your GP Visit Dorset Mind for local mental health support and helpful advice The Samaritans are there to listen 24/7, call them free on 116 123 Call Dorset’s mental health helpline Connection for support on 0800 652 0190
If you’ve never watched an Art Race, you’ve been missing out! During July the Stour Hall at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton became a challenge arena – twelve artists with very different styles each set out to create a picture in just 20 minutes, watched by an audience free to stroll around and see the works develop. The viewing was helped along by music, a bar, fresh-cooked pizzas and the chance to chat and compare opinions with the rest of the audience. The observers voted for their favourite work, and the four top scorers competed again in a Grand Final. Finally, a well deserved winner was chosen – Claire Gillies will now have an exhibition of her work in the Bibbern Gallery at The Exchange. The remaining three runners-up will share an exhibition at the same venue, which is also the well-used café as well as the bar for all evening shows at The Exchange. It was a real challenge for the artists, fascinating for the audience, and a great social night out, with the chance to buy all the art created during the evening as well. The event was held to raise funds for The Exchange, and there will be another Art Race on Friday 28th February next year.
The winning work by Clare Gillies
Coming soon Meanwhile the next fundraiser for The Exchange is on 25th September, when three-time Olympic medal winner William Fox-Pitt, who has just coached the Japanese Olympic team to a first equestrian medal, getting Bronze in Paris, will be talking about his remarkable career in eventing and his decision to retire from 5* level events.
George Hosford looks at how his experiments in bi-cropping and mob grazing have been working, and sees the impact of ‘making room’ for nature
‘We haven’t seen grass like this for a very long time on this field – something to do with being flooded four or five times over the winter perhaps, borrowing fertility from upstream?’
Some weeks ago our experimental area of bi-cropped wheat with crimson clover looked like the image below. The clover, sown at the same time as the wheat last autumn, had become rather dominant. A week later it rained heavily, and pretty much the whole lot laid over. Once the clover finished flowering and started to die back, some of the wheat managed to stand up again. However, the early clover dominance will have depressed the potential yield of the wheat – which is the part we get paid for – and it is far too late now for the wheat to throw up more tillers to fill in the gaps. The difficulty with minority interest cropping like this is that there is not much guidance available for seed rates etc, so there is quite a lot of guesswork. The wheat/clover bi-crop last year went the other way: we used a less vigorous white clover which ended up so lacking in vigour that there was barely any there at all by spring. The reason for bi-cropping is to see if we can move away from traditional mono-cropping, which can have poor outcomes for soil and environmental health. We are growing the wheat for Wildfarmed, a new company dedicated to growing and baking healthy food which does not degrade the environment, and making it widely available on the high street – their bread is available in Waitrose and M&S. The wheat has no chemicals and limited nitrogen, plus it always has a crop partner. Diverse families of roots in the soil foster a broader range of mycorrhizal and other organic activity. One way of doing this is to keep an under-storey going through several seasons – it keeps the soil shielded from hot sun and heavy rain, the clover fixes its own nitrogen, some of which can become available to the following crop as the clover dies and regrows. A good under-storey can also shade out weeds. Diversity is one of the five guiding principles of soil-focussed regenerative farming, which, thanks to the great god Gabe Brown from North Dakota, can be summarised as follows:
Minimise soil disturbance. Minimising physical and chemical disturbance to the soil prevents damage to the micro-flora and fauna that form the soil ecosystem
Keep the soil covered
Maintain living roots in the soil
Maximise plant diversity
Reintroduce livestock
Gabe has recently added a sixth important element, that of context – by which he means that when you apply these principles to your land, you should also consider the context: your soil type, location, altitude, aspect etc. Gabe’s book ‘Dirt to Soil’ is considered by many to be the regenerative bible – it’s a great story, and full of useful guidance.
The bi-crop of clover looked wonderful when in flower, but its dominance has depressed the yield of the wheat – which is the profitable part of the crop
Theo living his best life Out here in the herbal ley fields, the cows are happily munching away in their mobs – mob grazing is short duration, high density grazing with a long grass recovery period. You move the cattle every day, and then leave the grass to recover for up to 100 days, depending on the time of year. The cows have got very used to being moved on to fresh grazing every day, and don’t hesitate to let the world know if we are late! This year’s rainy spring has led to vigorous grass growth everywhere – a very early hay cut was taken in places, and even parts of the river meadows have been mob grazed this year to force the animals to graze it properly. The system is working well, with the lightweight Kiwi-designed electric fence easy to move, and a network of water pipes across the fields with quick release push-fit fittings so that it is straightforward to empty and move the troughs daily. There are a number of advantages from mob grazing. We see fewer flies bothering the animals, as fresh grazing every day moves the cattle off yesterday’s dung pats, where the flies congregate. Fresh grazing also reduces the pressure from intestinal worms, as a 50-day cycle between the grazing of any single part of the field helps to break the worm life cycle. This means less wormer is needed, the chemicals in which, when present in the dung pats, can kill the flies and beetles on which many species like the rare greater horseshoe bat thrive. Also, some of the herbs which the animals are grazing have a natural anthelmintic effect (discouraging or killing intestinal worms). Mob grazing, which leaves around a third of the pasture behind, allows the plants to regrow far more quickly than traditional grazing which takes nearly all the herbage, because enough leaf remains to enable plenty of photosynthesis. As plants are grazed down, their roots also die back, and therefore they take even longer to recover and regrow, both under and above the soil. As you can see from the picture below, Theo the bull enjoyed his favourite six weeks of the year with a mob of cows and their calves. The pretty one in the foreground is one of his daughters from last year, out of cows with a certain amount of Belgian Blue in their genes. The pairings gave us two calves this year with freckles and a white line along the spine, a little reminiscent of the rare breed Gloucester cattle.
Theo the bull enjoying his favourite six weeks of the year with a mob of cows
We need to be smarter A fascinating seminar with local grain merchant Bartholomews, held at the Hall and Woodhouse brewery, not only fed a group of farmers with a very fine cooked breakfast, but also provided vital intelligence on the current grain markets. An essential event in the farming year, this meeting, presented by grain trader Edd Britton, gave us much useful information which will help us to navigate the minefield that is the world wheat market for the next few months. The weather in the US and Russia (both major world wheat producers) has been a very influential factor recently, with quite violent up and down swings in grain price over a short period of time, making rational sales decisions very tricky. His graph (below) shows how the balance between import and export of wheat in and out of the UK has altered over the last ten years. Since 2012 we have overwhelmingly been a net importer, for several reasons. Firstly the good old (un)reliable British weather, followed closely by the bioethanol and starch plants up north which take a great deal of grain, sucking it in from a wide area and helping keep the market buoyant. However, if prices rise too far, these plants will close for a while until things calm down.
how the balance between import and export of wheat in and out of the UK has altered over the last ten years.
Then there are the generally lower levels of production as farmers commit more land to environmental schemes: taking (usually poorer) land out of production in exchange for payments of public money for public goods like wild flower headlands and wild bird food. Housebuilding also has some effect, taking land out of food production for ever, and then there is the contentious issue of organisations like the Dorset Wildlife Trust, in conjunction with Natural England, purchasing land with Nutrient Neutrality money, paid by housing developers in exchange for planning permission. Please see my blog here for a full account of my day out with the DWT as they celebrated the revolutionary purchase of Lyscombe Farm, which, by reverting it to 100 per cent nature with no food production, will somehow unlock the building of 3,700 new homes in the Poole Harbour catchment, in which the farm sits. As you will see, I am not convinced: either by the wisdom of this in terms of value for money, or whether any actual improvement will occur in Poole Harbour as a result of this purchase. Is this where I should be banging on about the importance of looking after our home-grown food supply? There has to be room for food production to thrive, we have a growing population and some of the best soils and weather climates for food production anywhere in the world. But without care for soils and nature, healthy food production will become increasingly difficult. Weeds and insects become resistant to chemicals, which all too often wreak collateral and unintended damage elsewhere … so we must learn to be cleverer.
A common spotted orchid found in a wildflower margin miles from any other orchids
Life finds a way On the left is a common spotted orchid found in a brand new site – on a wildflower margin miles from any other orchids. It is approximately 14 years since Traveller’s Rest was intensively farmed, and we are seeing some interesting plants showing up on our oldest margins. I am reliably informed that the tiny orchid seeds, almost dust-like, will have sat in the soil for decades, waiting for the right conditions to return to enable germination. They then need the right mycorrhizal conditions to develop, to connect the seeds with the right nutrients in the soil. They have endured so many years asleep, through generations of evolving human activity, only to return to life when government schemes pay farmers to rein back a bit on the intensive farming. We have to make room for nature in and around our main food production, and this little flower shows it can work.
L-R: Dave McRobbie, Anthony Woodhouse and David Lakins
Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) has invested in Holidaymaker to enhance its guest engagement technology for the hospitality industry. Dorset firm Holidaymaker launched its guest experience app in 2020, aiming to help hospitality brands increase revenue, boost brand loyalty, and encourage repeat business. With H&W’s investment, the company is poised to revolutionise guest interaction in the sector. Anthony Woodhouse, Chairman of Hall & Woodhouse, says: ‘We feel strongly about backing Dorset-based winners and enabling entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential. ‘Holidaymaker was an obvious investment for us due to its work in the hospitality sector. ‘It is an exciting time to be working closely with Holidaymaker, as it looks to grow and push the boundaries of what can be achieved in the sector. ‘We are eager to see what learnings we can apply to our own business through this partnership.’
With H&W’s support, Holidaymaker has evolved from a guest experience app to a comprehensive software platform, allowing parks to market directly to their guests and owners. Anthony Woodhouse also serves on the Holidaymaker board in an advisory role. Holidaymaker CEO David Lakins says: ‘Having Hall & Woodhouse’s backing has provided us with the foundation to take the next steps to grow the business and expand our offering. ‘We are incredibly excited to have Anthony’s great insight, experience and guidance on the board, and his company is the perfect match, sharing innovation, passion and culture.’ ‘Holidaymaker is currently developing a new app for H&W,’ co-founder Dave Mc Robbie added. ‘It will offer personalised communication, providing information on menus, dining offers and local attractions. Guests will also be able to book tables, accommodation, and browse other pubs in H&W’s estate across the south.’ Anthony added: ‘Holidaymaker has a really interesting product with a strong management team. We believe in the team’s vision to provide technology that delivers innovative solutions for the hospitality sector. We feel fortunate to be part of the team’s journey to achieve this ambition.’
The RiversMeet swimming pool is heated by air source heat pumps
In the middle of Gillingham there is a shining light of environmental excellence: the leisure centre known to all as RiversMeet, where investment in green technology has been all-embracing. The pool and changing rooms are heated by air source heat pumps, roof mounted solar panels generate almost all of the building’s electrical energy requirements and all of the lighting is modern and low consumption. The management team has created a culture of sustainability that is wholly admirable. In the past two years, energy consumption has been cut by 50 per cent and carbon emissions by no less than 92 per cent. RiversMeet has just been certified with a category A property energy rating – the whole of North Dorset can be proud of the example being set. What is more remarkable is that RiversMeet is owned by the community, operated on a not-for-profit basis by a team of professionals overseen by a board of volunteer Trustees drawn from the community.
A unique asset The main centre on Hardings Lane, RiversMeet Active, was created on the back of strong community support and District Council funding in a rebuild programme from 2008 to 2010. In 2023, RiversMeet Performance was added as a new high-performance training and fitness centre located on the Brickfields Industrial Estate – perhaps more well known locally as ‘the old Legends nightclub’! This facility was enabled by considerable support from Dextra and lies alongside the centre’s gymnastics and soft play centre. RiversMeet is a unique community asset – there are no other wholly community owned-and-operated facilities of this kind in Dorset, and very few nationally. To succeed in these tough times, a health and leisure centre operating as a charity – with the many constraints that brings – has to be extraordinary and a valuable asset to its community. RiversMeet provides a great deal for its members: High performance training, gymnastic and broad range of fitness facilities A range of health and wellbeing resources A well-managed swimming pool for year-round use Flexible spaces for events and recreational activities A trained, professional team to support and enable a range of activities A place just to meet, enjoy a coffee and relax
The town’s growing RiversMeet’s business model is also based on delivering considerable value back to the community through: Physical education, rehabilitation and stimulation for those whose health demands it Affordable access for all ages and abilities through a flexible, no-contract membership plan Employment and advancement opportunities for young people in the town and volunteering opportunities for those with the time and skills to help take RiversMeet forward As a welcoming space for all manner of community, group and individual interests As a facility offering membership deals, advertising and sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, large and small Gillingham town is set to grow fast through the developments already under way and others in the offing. Demand for amenities like RiversMeet will grow too as we realise more and more just how important exercise and recreation is for our health and wellness. To keep up, RiversMeet needs to do three things – improve the resilience of some of its core systems, to modernise and upgrade its facilities and equipment, and it needs to build capacity both in the extent of its offering and the capability of its people. There are plans in hand for renewal and growth, and they now depend on the successful pursuit of grants, financial support and local fundraising. RiversMeet is the centre of the community of Gillingham. It is a vital asset and a provider of essential services. Frankly, RiversMeet is amazing.
Mike Chapman, Trustee The Gillingham Community and Leisure Trust Ltd
It’s the first time that Atkinson Action Horses will be performing in Dorset
If you’ve ever marvelled at the incredible horses featured in TV favourites like Poldark, Victoria or Peaky Blinders, you’ll be wanting to grab yourself some tickets for Dorset county Show. For the first time ever, the UK’s premier equestrian performance team, Atkinson Action Horses, will be coming to Dorset, thrilling spectators in the main ring on both days. Under the expert leadership of Ben Atkinson, the team promises to deliver an unforgettable display of high-energy, breath-taking and death-defying equestrianism – it’s guaranteed to impress. Ben Atkinson’s journey into the world of equestrian stunts began when his father moved from dairy farming into equestrian and never looking back. Ben rode in his first display as an 11-year-old and has been performing internationally since he was 16. The synergy between the horses and their riders is nothing short of spectacular, promising an unforgettable experience for all at this year’s County Show. James Cox, the Show Organiser, shares his excitement: ‘Atkinson Action Horses are unlike anything you have ever seen when it comes to equine displays. Prepare to be stunned – we certainly have been! This isn’t just the first time Atkinson Action Horses have attended the County Show – it’s the first time they’ve ever appeared in the county. We cannot wait: it’s set to be an absolute show stopper.’
Not all horse play In addition to the Action Horses, the County Show is delighted to welcome the IMPs Motorcycle Display Team to the main ring on both days, plus Tomahawk Throwing and Alpaca Competitions! The exciting acts will be entertaining the crowds along with the more traditional features of a county show – livestock exhibitions, food and drink marquees, showjumping, the Heavy Horse Village, Axemen displays and a vintage Steam Section.
Pawsome news! New this year is the County Show’s first ever ‘Fun Dog Show’. Kindly organised by St Giles Animal Welfare, there will be a class for everybody’s best four-legged friend: loveliest lady, waggiest tail, best biscuit catcher, the most appealing eyes and the best talent. Being an agri show, DCS know just how important the young handlers are, so there’s also a special ‘under 16s’ class to show off their winning handling skills.
7th and 8th September Dorchester, DT2 7SD Car parking is free at the Showground, walk from Dorchester or catch the FREE Shuttle Buses
