July’s BV is here!

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7 July 2023

We have a long slow delicious read full of treats for you this month.

Child Okeford’s most famous resident celebrates his 75th birthday. He started life as a simple holiday purchase in Blackpool, but the little yellow hand puppet became a national treasure.

Editor Laura has fulfilled a lifetime ambition interviewing renowned ethologist, passionate conservationist and inspiring activist Dr Jane Goodall – who answers this month’s Random 19 questions. Spoiler alert – Lord of the Rings and a controversial biscuit-dunking policy lay in store.

A retrospective at Sladers Yard gallery celebrates the remarkable career of Philip Sutton RA – an artist who has never followed fashion. Fanny Charles interviewed the 94-year-old painter who lives in Dorset and looked back at his life’s work

Sophie Giles swapped working on an industrial estate for life as an island girl – Tracie Beardsley met Brownsea Island’s youngest ranger, and hears how working on the land has entirely transformed her life.

On the first day of his first archaeological dig, CPRE’s Rupert Hardy made a major – though grisly – discovery and uncovered a sad mystery.

All this plus you could win tickets to the Cheese Festival, farming, wildlife, food and drink featuring the Crown at Marnhull, Smash Burger Tacos and officially the best wine retailer in the UK.

Come on now, where else would you get all that for FREE?

Agriculture Teacher | Kingston Maurward College

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Editorial team

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6 July 2023

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To teach and assess across the Agriculture curriculum, providing specific support for the development of the Agricultural provision at KMC. This role may include Higher Education teaching and course tutor responsibilities dependent on experience.

£21,902 – £27,273 per annum which is points 4b – 9c on the academic salary scales dependent on skills and experience.

Part-time or full-time contracts available. 7.4 – 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday with flexibility to meet the business needs.

We are seeking a motivated person to join our team in the heart of Dorset. The role promises a varied and interesting workload, teaching a range of livestock, machinery, agri-science and associated units, with the potential to collaborate with our Farm Manager to support the college farming calendar commitments within planned teaching sessions.

For more information and to apply: https://www.kmc.ac.uk/college/vacancy/agriculture-teacher/

WIN a cheese lovers delight at the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival!

By

Laura

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6 July 2023

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* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *

Brimming with excitement for a perfect blend of crafts, food, music, and more? Or are you simply mad for cheese? Whatever tickles your palate, we have a treat for you! We are so excited to announce our latest competition – you can win a pair of tickets to the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival.
But hold on, that’s not all! You will also win a £40 voucher for The Exchange in Sturminster Newton.

Now how’s that for a cheesy treat?!

For those not familiar with this cheesy extravaganza, Sturminster Newton is situated in the heart of the Blackmore Vale, referred to by Thomas Hardy as ‘The vale of little dairies’. It has a long history of dairy farming and was home to the largest calf market in Europe until 1998.

The Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival, taking place on the 9th and 10th of September 2023, is more than just an homage to the beloved foodstuff – it’s a community celebration of local artisans, live music, real ale and cider. This year, there is a keen focus on sustainability, with efforts made to reduce reliance on mobile generators and recycle all waste produced during the event.

Your winning spree doesn’t stop at the festival gates. You will also be treated to a £40 voucher for The Exchange, a vibrant arts, entertainment, and business venue, and a community hub situated on the site of the former calf market.

How To Enter

To be in with a chance to win the pair of tickets to the Cheese Festival (the winner can choose the day they’d prefer to attend), just answer the first two options in the widget box below – choosing whether to opt in or out of subscribing to the BV and the Cheese Festival’s newsletter list. There are more chances to win by completing the other entry options if you so wish – they’re entirely up to you! The closing date for this competition is 18th August 2023 and only entries received on or before that date can be included. The prize will go to the first three randomly chosen entries. Good luck!

So, don’t delay – enter now and get ready for a weekend filled with food, fun, music and – most importantly – cheese!

Important Information

Gates for the Cheese Festival open at 10am and close at 5pm.
Please note, much as we love dogs they cannot enter any of the food tents due to Hygene Regulations – that being the case we would really recommend that you leave your pet at home. If you do bring your dog it must be kept on a lead and cannot be taken into any of the food marquees. Please do not bring your dog and then leave it in the car!

So what are you waiting for? Enter the competition now and grab the chance to be part of this fantastic event. We can’t wait to see you there!

Terms and conditions apply.

A stunning circular walk from Wardour Castle | 8.3miles

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Laura

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6 July 2023

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This lovely circular route starts and ends from the beautiful Wardour Castle. It takes interesting and varied paths across farmland, with a couple of spectacular ancient holloways and a beautiful cathedral-like forest too.

The castle itself is owned by English Heritage, but the car park is free and open all year round. It can be busy in summer, but we’ve never seen it full and if you time it right the castle will still be open and you can pop in for an ice cream from the shop when you finish!

Much of the route is across the folded countryside typical of the Dorset/Wiltshire border, with steep wooded valleys and surprise wide views.

Not much beats a cathedral of a pine forest on a hot sumemr’s day

The castle itself is open 10am til 5pm in the summer months (closed in winter), and if you want to explore, entry is £7.50 per adult (free for EH members). It’s a lovely place to visit – we’ve been taking our children since they were babies: english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-wardour-castle/

The route travels down three different ancient holloways

Though there are some steep ups and downs, none are very long and the walk isn’t too strenuous. It is well signed – though a few paths suffered from waist-high nettles when we walked it in June. A decent stick may be required! – and it’s lovely to come out of the fields into the quiet lanes of Ansty and Swallowcliffe (the ancient Swallowcliffe yew shouldn’t be missed).

swallowcliffe ancient yew tree — The Swallowcliffe yew tree

(You may potentially be interested to note that about three-quarters of the way round, a very short detour will take you via the Compasses at Ansty for a cheeky pint!)

The final stretch back to the castle is a grand and dramatic close to the walk, with astonishing views across the valley to the castle itself.

All the Dorset Walks we feature have been created and walked recently by ourselves, so you know you can trust them – we aim for unpopulated routes with as little road and as many views as possible! You can always see the route and follow it yourself via the free Outdoor Active app – see all our routes here.

JUNIOR CONTRACTS MANAGER | Rose Engineering

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Editorial team

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4 July 2023

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This is a progressive role in a growing family business based in the beautiful Dorset countryside. Assisting the current Contracts Manager in the daily management of all our projects, liaising with clients, suppliers and site workers. Working on projects from small repairs works to large scale new builds in the industrial and agricultural sectors.

This is an amazing opportunity for someone who thrives on working in a fast-paced and varied working environment.

Please apply in writing with CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Area Coordinator (Dorchester/Bridport) | NMR

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Editorial team

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4 July 2023

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If you enjoy the outdoor life, NMR have a great opportunity to work within a Farming environment

Salary: £22,560.23

Holidays: 33 days holiday including bank holidays

Excellent Benefits

The Area Coordinator will be responsible for delivery of a full milk recording service to approximately 40 farms within the Dorchester/Bridport area. You will need to live within close proximity to the areas mentioned, as this role involves visiting the farms and collecting event data about individual cows and sometimes taking milk samples.

Full time hours averaging a 37 hour week Monday-Friday, the daily and weekly hours will have some flexibility to suit the business needs, daytime farm visits and working from home, with early mornings and late evenings. You will be provided with the relevant equipment to undertake the role, including a company van.

For more details & how to apply, please visit our careers page: www.nmr.co.uk

Closing date: 17/07/2023

Kendell, Marion Eve

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Editorial team

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4 July 2023

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Taken from us suddenly on the 18th June

A much beloved and adored mother and grandmother. Enormously missed by Julie, Dave, Marcus, Darrion, Heather, Andrew, Pendy, Juliet and a large number of very dear friends.

Gone too soon but never forgotten. Rest in peace, our beloved xx

Perundal, Peter Michael

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Editorial team

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4 July 2023

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7th August 1947 – 23rd June 2023

After a short illness, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

A so very much loved father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be missed by his family and all his very many friends.

Donations in Peters name if desired to Parkinsons UK

A seaside bus route, worried farmers and the skinny on good snacking

By

Laura

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3 July 2023

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Four interviews to round up June’s podcasts – and they couldn’t be more varied! Rachael Rowe talks about how to make the most of the £2 bus fare in Dorset, Terry visited Oliver’s Coffee shop in Sherborne, A note of gloom from farmer Andrew Livingston and brilliant first interview with Karen Geary our resident nutritional therapist – who is endlessly fascinating.

Thanks to a nudge from a local villager, Rachael Rowe tried a trip under the new £2 bus fare cap. Terry finds out that she hasn’t been on a bus since moving to Dorset, and has now discovered a new method of adventure! Environmentally and economically, opting for the bus is a great idea – and Rachael points out that there are a lot of routes included in the scheme, not just to enable a weekly shop but also for days out to the coast and the New Forest too!

On a visit to Oliver’s Coffee Shop in Sherborne, Terry chats to owner Jane Wood in this month’s Meet Your Local – discovering the century of history still visible in the cafe’s decor, as well as finding out more about Jane herself as she lets us behind the counter to hear about the current challenges and what’s happening in the popular coffee shop on Cheap Street.

The UK’s first post-Brexit trade deals begin amid agricultural industry concerns and severe labour shortages. Jenny talked to farming columnist Andrew Livingston about the real effect on our supermarket shelves. He suggests that it’s not even so much about supporting British farmers as much as it is an issue around animal welfare. UK farmers are held to high standards, but the latest trade deals allow for a concerning flexibility in welfare of animals raised in other countries.

Nutritional therapist Karen Geary is a regular BV columnist, and she spoke to Terry about how her time living in California lead her into a later-life career switch. In her first appearance on the podcast we not only discover she has a brilliantly contagious laugh, but find out that her patients usually turn to her as a last resort, when they’re frustrated with the lack of solutions elsehwere. This month she’s looking at snacking – and what might be a good strategy for a balanced diet and losing weight.

The BV podcast goes beyond the pages of the magazine, providing you with exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth conversations with our guests. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to take a look at the June issue of the BV here or explore the website to see the articles and stories featured.

*** THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED ***

How To Enter

Important Information

* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED *