‘I’ll always remember his infectious laugh and wicked sense of humour’
“We are sad to say ‘farewell’ to a community-minded employer, a stalwart of local business, and simply my friend” says Jon Dart.
Philip pictured with his wife Wendy at his retirement party in 2019
Philip was born in 1958, growing up in Sturminster Newton where he attended primary school before moving on to Blandford upper school. Enjoying a brief spell as a Tesco management trainee, Philip joined the family business in 1979, which was then a successful agricultural steel fabrication and hardware business. He soon set to work steering this well- established business in a new direction, turning it into a thriving country department store before taking over directorship from his father Eddie in the early 90s. I first met Philip when I was working at the original Blackmore Vale Magazine. He would turn up at the office with visuals for adverts that he’d cut and pasted together (usually to a completely different shape than the advert he’d booked). Luckily, we seemed to be on the same wavelength, and I was able to decipher his ideas and turn them into what he was after. As I got to know him better, we’d spend more time chatting and partaking in some light-hearted banter, which was the first time I experienced his infectious laugh. It was during these chats that he would always enquire about ‘how the family were doing?’, a phrase that will forever remind me of Philip. At the time I was new to parenting and he took great delight in my lack of sleep, stories of leaking nappies and basic ineptitude at being a parent. And it was clear that family played such an important role in Philip’s life. Proud of his father and grandfather’s lineage in the family business; besotted with Wendy, his wife and childhood sweetheart; his sister Linda and his two sons Johnathan and Graham and their families. And also his extended family, which is what he called the employees that worked with him. He surrounded himself with everything that made him happy.
Philip receiving his honorary achievement award at the 2019 Excellence in Housewares Awards
‘He didn’t make a fuss’ So how did I end up becoming part of Philip’s extended family? I very nearly didn’t. He’d sent me an email, and right at the bottom he’d made a passing comment that they were looking for someone to do their marketing, which I intially missed. But that was the way with Philip. He wasn’t showy, he didn’t make a fuss, he just went about running his business in his own unique style. I can still remember my first day – the London 2012 Summer Olympics had just come to a close, the sun was shining and Philip was there waiting to greet me in the car park. The pride he had in showing me around and introducing me to everyone confirmed I’d made the right choice. Although a shrewd and successful businessman, full of ideas and visions to better the business, Philip always had time to talk and would bend over backwards to help you. His infectious laugh and wicked sense of humour could diffuse even the tensest of situations (it could also get him into trouble on occasions). That laugh never failed to put a smile on your face, but for all of his joviality, Philip was also a much-respected pillar of the local community, providing employment to a rural area, initiating and contributing to local events and supporting local charities with vigour and passion.
Philip with his wife Wendy, and sons Johnathan (far left) and Graham
Another fond memory was seeing Philip bestowed with an Honorary Achievement Award in 2019 for his hard work and dedication to the housewares sector and for taking his family business into its 100th year. It was an honour to have known Philip as a friend, and to have worked for him. I shall miss him immensely, as I suspect will anyone who has had the good fortune to have known him.
A growing number of proud pensioners are in tears when seeking help to feed themselves – the Pantry’s Carole Jones spoke to Rachael Rowe.
Image Gareth Jones
The Vale Pantry, the social supermarket in Sturminster Newton, has been running since November 2020 and is highly successful. However, over the past few weeks, the team are seeing a growing trend as they receive new requests for help. The cost of living is affecting many, but life is getting significantly more precarious for our more vulnerable members of the community.
The requests keep coming. Carole Jones and her team started the Vale Pantry in Sturminster Newton with 100 clients. That quickly rose to 150, but today there are 240 families on the books. In the last couple of weeks, the team has seen a significant rise in requests for assistance. Carole said: “This last week we have had an unprecedented number of new applications. Around 70 per cent of them now come from pensioners – who have never asked for help before in their lives. So many are proud and have been in tears about asking for help – it’s incredibly sad. “It was a surprise to us about the number of people of retirement age who are on pensions or working and unable to make ends meet. And older people always feel guilty about it as they think someone else is worse off than them.” The Pantry has looked at ways of making sure there is room for everyone who needs it. For example, clients who are beginning to return to work have access on a fortnightly basis. The end of the month before people are paid is the time of heaviest demand. In the last week of April, the Pantry received 12 new applications; and requests continue to flow in. That’s a five per cent rise in a week. Just imagine if things continue to rise at that rate.
The Tipping Point Many of us are checking prices right now and have noticed the rise in costs everywhere. Most of us are looking at ways to cut back on spending. So what is tipping people over the edge? Carole has seen the plight of people stuck on contracts. “We have people who have looked at cancelling subscriptions such as Sky or mobile phones to cut back. However, they found they are on a contract that they cannot get out of, and that is leading to more debt. There is no leeway. And then there are people who are on a meter for their energy supplies for all kinds of reasons, including previous debt. Those people can’t change their tariffs, so the bills are higher. One family had a bill of £180 for nine days. And come October, it will be worse. It’s a perfect storm.” There are also reports of people not being able to afford the basics. For example, families have reported to Carole that they have received notification that they can no longer access NHS dentistry in Sturminster Newton. “A parent told me they can’t afford £36 for each child to have a check-up at the dentist.”
Image Gareth Jones
How to Help the Situation The team are looking at tips for people to save energy. Carole continued: “For example, a slow cooker uses significantly less energy than a four ring hob- and you have a one-pot meal.” The team already receive generous donations of fresh vegetables from Gold Hill Organic Farm during the growing season. Carole is also working to help Ukrainian refugees settle in the area. “We have pledged to support all the Ukrainians who need our help.” She is looking ahead to the colder months. “It will be a challenging year. We are pulling all kinds of threads of help together. Ideally, I’d like our own citizens’ advisor who can work with people to see what benefits they might be eligible for, such as free school meals for children. It would also be nice to have a hardship fund.”
How can readers could help Carole is clear. “If people can set up a standing order for a regular donation, it would help us a lot. We are now a registered charity, so we can claim gift aid. Our running costs are £3,000 a WEEK at present. People think everything is free, but we have to buy in the food. If I could raise our revenue to £4,000 or 5,000, it will help us support more people in need and be able to plan ahead.”
To find out more about Vale Pantry, either to register for help or to donate, contact www.valepantry.co.uk/ or call 07968 348481.
This year’s Dorset Art Weeks is bolder and brighter than ever with more than 250 exciting venues showcasing local talent. Edwina Baines gives a preview of her favourites.
Dorset Art Weeks runs from 14 – 29 MAY 2022 The return of the Dorset Art Weeks new style printed Directory, with full venue information, alongside an improved Dorset Art Weeks App, and details on the DAW website, is good news for us all. Artists will be looking forward to opening their doors again and larger venues are hosting group shows. With 257 venues it is impossible to give you more than a snapshot preview of the delights on offer – but to whet your appetites I have visited and chatted to artists from the six different County regions outlined in the Directory. I hope this helps with route planning!
Felice Hodges exhibition is in the stables of Abbey House, Witchampton Image Edwina Baines
Felice Hodges (East) The drive from Blandford or Wimborne takes you through rolling countryside – and a visit to Felice’s exhibition in the stables of Abbey House, Witchampton will be well worth the journey. An American, who was brought up in New York before moving to the UK, Felice’s parents were collectors; thus she was exposed to art at an early age. She works in acrylic paints as well as inks, chalks, pastels, charcoal and collage. The abstract works emerge from a joyful yet thoughtful, sensitive feel for colour.
Felice Hodges works in acrylic paints as well as inks, chalks, pastels, charcoal and collage. “I like to challenge myself a lot, it’s constantly evolving.” – Image Edwina Baines
“I’m a big fan of pink, an underused colour in art,” she told me with a laugh, “I like to challenge myself a lot, it’s constantly evolving.” Certain motifs reappear and there is a degree of spontaneity but serendipity may also play a part in a splash of ink. Without doubt, Felice is in complete control of her media.
John Goodliffe (North East) John is a sculptor working in Purbeck Marble, Shaftesbury Greensand and Portland Stone. His brother sent him off on a sculpture course on Portland, which precipitated his journey into understanding the geology and history of his materials. On show during DAW will be a range of sculptures in and around John’s lovely garden in Iwerne Minster. With views across to Preston Hill, this is an ideal location to view the work in a natural setting and admire the power and beauty of each piece. John showed me the various forms of stone with which he works: each has different properties and lends itself to various designs.
Local sculptor John Goodliffe from Iwerne Minster was sent on on a sculpture course on Portland by his brother, and has never looked back – Image Edwina Baines.
For example, a piece of Greensand was being turned into a pair of lizards, the colour and form of the stone lending itself to these reptiles; whereas the harsher beauty of the Portland stone was suited to more geometric designs and finer detail. Also in the beautiful village of Iwerne Minster (which boasts a pub and a village shop) are painters Saskia Darell and Kim Pragnell.
Claire Cameron creates small stylised sculptures of dogs from her home in the Purbecks. Image Edwina Baines
Claire Cameron (Purbeck) Claire Cameron will take commissions to make a ‘pawtrait’ in clay to capture the personality of your pet in a unique sculpture. She also produces small stylised sculptures of dogs set on a scene of your choice, for example Kimmeridge, Durdle Door or Corfe Castle. She told me that “being able to combine my passion for ceramics with my love of dogs, means that each sculpture is an absolute privilege to make.” In a beautiful 19th century barn at Creech near Wareham, Claire is joined by Caroline Slark, (Kezmee Studio glass) and Ted Edley (The Dorset Copperfish). The latter is known for his truly unique metalwork sculptures and TV appearances on ‘Salvage Hunters: The Restorers’. His works will also be on show in the FORM exhibition at Sculpture by the Lakes.
Vanessa Bowman works from her studio in Cattistock. Her vibrant still lifes and whimsical landscape illustrations have adorned numerous magazines, notebooks and greetings cards. Image Edwina Baines
Vanessa Bowman (North West) Vanessa’s studio is nestled at the top end of her lovely garden in the centre of Cattistock village. From here she paints in rich detail the simple beauty of her everyday surroundings observed in the garden or whilst out walking with her little white terrier. The vibrant colours of her still lifes and whimsical landscape illustrations have adorned numerous magazines, notebooks and greetings cards; a huge range of which will be on sale at special prices alongside her prints and original oil paintings. An assortment of her favourite jugs, vases, shells and knick-knacks (most of which have been collected in flea markets over the years), line the studio shelves and feature in many works. Cattistock boasts a pub and a dear little village shop with a delightful café – of which I can give a personal recommendation.
Podi Lawrence in her studio in Fortuneswell. Podi has been a professional portrait and andscape painter for fifty years. Image Edwina Baines
Podi Lawrence (South) If you venture across to Portland then ensure you make a stop at Podi Lawrence’s Art studio in Fortunesewell. Her studio doubles as a gallery where space is shared with textile artist Antje Rook. Podi is a portrait and landscape painter but she also runs classes and annual Greek painting holidays in Kalymnos. She told me ”I have been teaching since 1988 and whatever their level, I love to help people on their creative journey. I still learn new ways and I’ve been painting professionally for at least fifty years.” She welcomes guests and is happy for them to browse and chat about her work. Six further artists also will be exhibiting at ArtSpace82 in Fortuneswell and there are six other venues to visit on Portland.
At Barbara Green’s home, with its stunning views across to Charmouth, Lyme Bay and the sea, visitors will enjoy a mini art trail full of Barbara’s colourful, lively paintings, prints and etchings through the garden before entering the house and gallery. Image Edwina Baines
Barbara Green (West) The turning to Whitchurch Canonicorum off the A35 at Morcombelake will lead you to Manscombe Abbey and on the slopes of the Hardown Hill, to Barbara Green’s delightful house and garden with stunning views across to Charmouth, Lyme Bay and the sea. Barbara is a regular contributor to Dorset Art Weeks and before entering the house and gallery, a mini art trail full of Barbara’s colourful, lively paintings, prints and etchings will guide the visitor through the garden. She is inspired, “… from walks along the coast and through the countryside of Dorset making sketches which capture the essence of the places seen. The constantly changing colours and textures of the area, the weather, the buildings and the people are all captured in my paintings.” We are indeed lucky to have this patchwork of talent across Dorset so let’s make the most of the forthcoming weeks!
Thank you, Gillingham I would like to send my sincere thanks to three very kind Gillingham people. On Wednesday morning 6 April I was cycling along Queen Street and had an accident which resulted in me being taken to hospital via ambulance – I had sustained a broken elbow. The care, kindness and response from Rose Love, Susannah (resident of Queen Street) and a construction worker from nearby was superb. I need to extend my heartfelt thanks to them. Kathleen Holden, Zeals
On low carbon farming I agree with James Cossins column (BV April issue, p74). that we need to take food production in the UK seriously, not rely so much on imports, and that food shortages are an ever increasing danger. However in one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries we have to take the regeneration of nature seriously too. Intensive farming, with a high reliance on fertilisers (also discussed in George Hosford’s excellent column in the same issue), have degraded soils to a dangerous level over the last 70 years and made agriculture a major source of carbon emissions. Using this system we may have less than 30 years of top soil remaining to feed ourselves. An integrated approach is both possible and desirable which produces low carbon agriculture, restores soils, combines growing crops with rewilding marginal land and caring for hedgerows and secures the UK’s food supply. It won’t happen if we keep making all the same old mistakes. The Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill could provide us with that approach. Google it and ask your MP and local councillors to support it. John Marsh, Sherborne.
Neither the climate crisis nor the biodiversity collapse will wait for more favourable socio-political conditions for us to take a grip on our future. Whether we like it or not, it’s essential to support a global transition towards sustainable food systems, within which organic farming and other agroecological approaches are key. The latest IPCC report says that global temperature is likely to increase by more than 3ºC in the coming decades. Severe harvest failures will become common. The UK is already one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries – in the bottom 10% globally and last in the G7. The grim reality is that we have prioritised food above the environment for the last 60 years. There is much talk of the need to intensify food production, but one third of food produced globally is going to waste. Just 55% of the world’s crop calories are directly eaten by humans; 36% is used for animal feed and 9% for industrial use. We need fundamental change in our diet, our food system and our consumption, not just ‘more food’. The UK’s reliance on imported feed, fuel and other inputs are being magnified through the lens of Putin’s war but these issues within our food supply chain are not new. We need systems that rely on less intensive use of increasingly scarce inputs in large part derived from fossil fuel resources. Continued intensification will undoubtedly create an even greater long-term threat to UK food security, as our overall agricultural capacity will be undermined and irretrievably diminished. Peter Walker, Shaftesbury
The Podcast What a terrific idea the new podcast is – thank you so much! I love the BV, and look forward to it every month. It stands head and shoulders above other ‘free magazines’ for its intelligence, humour, and sheer interesting content. However – I am 73, and am not ashamed to admit that I do not love reading on my iPad for any length of time. Two days ago I wasn’t sure what a ‘podcast’ was (turns out it’s no different to an audiobook, really). But I have just spent a lovely afternoon baking in the kitchen, catching up on the April issue (I was one of those caught out by your technical issue last month). The podcast is the answer! I can now flip through the magazine to enjoy the stunning photography and art, and read the pages I love most. And now I can have the rest of it read to me! The voices you have selected are perfect (well done Jenny and Terry!), and on top of which, I achieved bonus points with my grandson when I told him on the phone ‘hold on while I pause my podcast’. Thank you BV team! Mary Grey, Wincanton
Book corner I have finally acted upon my monthly impulse to write and tell you (a fact which I am sure you already know) how excellent Wayne Winstone’s book choices are every single month. He never fails to lure me in with his choices and descriptions, and those that I have purchased have fulfilled his promises perfectly. I have found new popularity as the giver of perfect books for gifts, I have discovered new authors for myself, and every month my ‘To Be Read’ pile grows a little. How refreshing it is to find intellligent, thoughtful recommendations that are not simply the latest ‘big hits’, but rather a quiet, thoughtful look at one or two truly well-written titles that in my own experience have always been worth seeking out. It’s one of the must-read pages I flip to first. Thank you! Karen Shaw, Wimborne
Learning how to read I have noticed on your Index page that you encourage people to use the ‘clickable’ page numbers. I had ignored this advice for a while – I am 76 years old, I think I know how to turn the pages of a magazine – even a digital one. But last month I did not read the whole magazine in one go, as usual, and instead came back to it a few days later. I remembered I had stopped at the antiques, so I tried out the index clicking. Well. I now feel immensely clever. Because now I can really read the magazine the way I’ve always wanted to by using the index – the editors letter, then the letters page, the local history and Tales from the Vale, and then a check in with the deaths page. Back to the news, and then I can turn the pages as I wish until I reach the puzzles for a coffee break. It’s a marvel. Apologies for not catching on sooner. I am rather aware you have been saying this for many months! Gwen Hines, Wincanton (you’re not alone, Gwen – but I’m so glad you’ve worked it out. It’s such a big magazine most people take well over half an hour to read us so it makes sense to dip in and out – you do have a whole month til the next one, no need to rush it! – Ed)
“Bruton makes its bid for this years most confusing road signs…” Shared with us on Twitter by the Mayor of Bruton, Ewan Jones
For those days when you want something sweet with your coffee, but you don’t quite want a big slice of cake, these little biscotti are the perfect treat. Traditionally biscotti are a little Italian biscuit, baked twice to make them wonderfully crisp. They are literally designed to dip into your coffee (or hot chocolate, of course), and they make a lovely not- too-sweet treat. I’ve used pistachios and cranberries here, but you can substitute those ingredients for any dried fruit or nuts. I have made these simply with whole almonds and a little almond extract, and they are delicious with a freshly made espresso. Heather x
Ingredients
200g Plain Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
200g Caster Sugar
50g Ground Almonds
200g Pistachios
100g Cranberries
2-3 eggs
a little white chocolate
Preheat the oven to 160º fan/gas 3.
Grease and line a baking tray with baking parchment.
In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, sugar, ground almonds,pistachios and cranberries.
Gently beat together the three eggs. Add this to the dry mixture until you form a soft dough. This will likely take all three eggs, but you don’t want the dough to be too sticky. You can also add a little almond extract or vanilla extract here if you wish.
Place the dough onto the baking tray and pat or roll into a large rectangle about 1cm high. It doesn’t need to be too perfect and can taper at the sides slightly.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes and then remove from the oven and leave on a cooling rack to cool.
Reduce the oven temperature to 145º fan/gas 2.
Once cool, gently remove from the baking parchment the baked dough and then using a serrated knife, cut the baked dough rectangle into 1 cm slices. Place the slices back onto the baking tray, cut side facing up.
Bake in the oven again for a further 20-30 minutes until slightly golden and crisp. Once baked, transfer to a cooling tray.
If desired, melt the white chocolate and drizzle over the cooled biscotti to finish.
Heather Brown is on the committee of the Guild of Food Writers; a home economist with a passion for Dorset’s brilliant foodie scene. Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, championing Dorset’s food and drink businesses, as well as working with her food industry clients
100% employee-owned Rubicon recruitment consultancy – one of just four in the UK – has traded successfully for 40 years.
Rubicon’s founder and current MD of Rubicon People Partnership, Lloyd Banks commented: “Supporting local businesses with recruitment solutions for 40 years from May, we’re also about to celebrate Rubicon’s first year of 100% employee ownership.” With a combined experience of over 130 years of recruitment industry experience, Rubicon’s senior management team have reflected on the changes they’ve witnessed:
• “Employee’s expectations have changed. A competitive salary used to be enough to entice a ‘talented’ candidate. Candidates we speak to, especially millennials, now expect much more. Those employers embracing flexible working, as well as a suite of attractive benefits, ‘out-recruit’ and ‘out-retain’ their competitors.” Jessica Comolly-Jones, Director. • “Tech has become a gamechanger. Securing a physical presence at local events used to be of paramount importance. Now it is secondary to an appropriately targeted social media and web presence.” Terry Porter, Director. • “Paper based applications, multiple-paged Thursday newspaper supplements, job centre careers fairs etc. have given into online applications/inductions/tests, website pre-selections and video interviewing.” Tina Perry, Director.
The 2022 market When asked about the challenges hiring managers face today, Lloyd said “post Brexit and Lockdowns, the availability of ‘talented’ people significantly reduced, and employers continue to struggle to find talented people at many levels, and in many sectors. Job seeker numbers are increasing, many individuals don’t have the experience, and/or skills, and/or qualifications, and/or attitudes necessary to meeting employers’ needs.”
Fourteen of The Blandford School staff set off to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge this month – climbing and descending the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in under 24 hours. Their challenge officially began with the ascent of Ben Nevis at 1pm on Wednesday 20th April. In glorious weather the team reached the snow- covered peak at 1:45pm, before returning to the bus and travelling to Scafell Pike in the Lake District.
The 14-strong team that completed the 3 Peak Challenge
The second 978m climb started at midnight; it was tricky with a howling wind most of the way up. The team kept close together to ensure everyone stayed safe, but successfully completed the trip just after 5am. The third climb was Snowdon – and another glorious day for the final 1,085m climb, but the team didn’t begin until 10:21am. The time looked very tight, so the team decided to split up and allow colleagues to complete the mountain at their own pace, with the hope of some being able to get to the top in under 24 hours, and others being able to make it up and down. The first four members of the team made it back to the car park at 12:51pm. They were quickly followed by two others, all completing the challenge just inside the 24 hours. The rest of the team successfully made it to the top and back down again. Trip organiser, Mr Niall Clinton (Head of year 7 and 9) commented “It’s been a real team effort from both the climbers and the members of staff who helped with the organisation of accommodation, travel and fundraising. The student body have been supporting our efforts and credit needs to go to our Senior Students, including our prefect team, for this. We are so pleased that we’ve been able to raise money and awareness for two such worthy causes.” Everyone involved would like to say a huge thank you to Riverside Travel for the use of their bus, and everyone who sponsored the event; so far over £2,700 has been raised for the two charities (Blandford Foodbank and MYTIME Young Carers). https://gofund.me/67260be6
Rural crimes can be violent, costly and yet are often misunderstood, requiring an entire community approach reports Andrew Livingston.
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For over two and a half years Police Constable Sebastian Haggett has been deterring and solving rural crime in Dorset, including many ‘Hot Fuzz’ moments such as hiding in bushes for poachers. In North Dorset, a lot of the Rural Crime Team (RCT) time is spent hunting poachers who engage in the illegal activity of hare coursing, whereby individuals trespass on private land with vehicles and dogs to chase, catch and kill brown hare, causing serious damage to land and crops. Speaking with the BV magazine, the 31-year-old police constable explained why North Dorset is a prime location for hare coursing. ‘“’The north and east of Dorset see increased levels of activity because of the large flat open fields favoured by brown hare.’ For two years now, Operation Galileo has been in effect nationwide to clamp down on hare poaching; the operation involves sharing intelligence between different forces. PC Haggett states that Dorset police works closely with Hampshire and Wiltshire. “In January 2022 we conducted a joint evening operation with Hampshire and Wiltshire Police which saw the arrest of two individuals for poaching and a vehicle seized in Dorset.
New laws include jail time New laws have recently been emplaced to further clamp down on the illegal activity. The changes, which came into effect on the 28th of April, mean that poachers found guilty can now face up to six months in jail. Nine days prior to the changes in law, three men from Essex and one from Cambridgeshire pleaded guilty to the charges of trespassing in the pursuit of game after being caught by the Rural Crime Team in North Dorset. In total, the four men were fined £3,255 in the Poole Magistrates Court on April 19th. “We are committed to working with our rural communities as well as our national and local partners and take reports of this nature seriously. In this case, we were able to detain the offenders at the scene and subsequently bring them before the courts.” Since 2020, there has been a 20% reduction in rural crime. The Dorset Constable believes that this is due to much better cooperation with more than just other police forces. “In the case of fly-tipping, we work with the Council to share intelligence on top offenders. I can’t go into the specifics of the tactics being used, but we are seeing positive outcomes from that effective working partnership.” Constable Haggett went on to explain the difference in working within the RCT as opposed to the neighbourhood units. He said: “In the RCT our base is to look at agricultural, heritage, wildlife and waste crime. However we will sometimes investigate other elements if our ‘core offenders’ are involved in that area of criminality. This allows us to disrupt and deter those repeat offenders.”
Sharing their stories Under 20% of the UK population lives in rural areas and that, coupled with the fact that only 1.7% of the UK workforce is in agriculture, contributes to a lack of public awareness of crimes that affect the countryside. Despite this, PC Haggett believes that there is a growing awareness of rural crime and its effects. He went on to say: “there is a growing number of Rural Crime Teams being created nationally, charities such as Crimestoppers are running rural-crime-specific campaigns, and there is even a university course around rural and environmental crime. “We are keen to share the stories of farmers to help increase public awareness of rural crime. On Facebook we have used #ruralcrimestories to publish stories allowing the victim to share with members of the public what had occurred. One of the important roles of the Dorset Rural Crime Team is to prevent crimes from occurring in the first place. The four men arrested and charged in Poole in April were caught due to a report from a civilian who noticed suspicious activity. “It is important to report all incidents of rural crime, but also any suspicious incidents. The latter often remains unreported, but is important; they can be the ‘final piece’ in the puzzle we need to take action against a suspect.
Partnership with farmers “Intelligence is the lifeblood of our work, telling us who is causing the most harm and where these incidents are happening.” Constable Haggett and the rest of the team also work with farmers to help ensure that everything is being done on farms to prevent thefts from occurring. “Should a farmer want to have a free crime prevention survey they can get in contact. I would also advise any rural business or farmer to make sure they are signed up to Farmwatch so they know what is happening locally – this may include suspicious vehicles to look out for.”
Rural Crime Stories:
“I want to remain anonymous because I don’t want poachers to know this is me talking and target my land in the future. The truth is, I must speak out and I am glad to have this opportunity to do so. The modern day ‘poacher’ is not trying to feed their family. They used to drive across my crops night after night, destroying hedges, gates and anything else that came into their path. They did so under the cover of darkness, their acts shielded by the remoteness of the farm.
Dorset Rural Crime Team
My fields had become a playground for the most barbaric and pointless crimes where they would film their activities, sharing them live to others who would be betting on the outcome – what dog will get the kill? How long will it take? Who will get the deer with the biggest antlers? It wasn’t just about the economic loss. It was truly barbaric how some of these animals were killed. When it was at its worse, in my frustration, I blamed the authorities and felt helpless.
Rural Crime Stories:
“I am a sheep farmer. I often do a 14 hour day with early starts, seven days a week… I am always ‘on call’ to tend and look after my livestock. I have been a victim to livestock theft on a number of occasions. How does that make me feel? Angry, to tell you the truth. When you spend a good portion of your life rearing livestock, to have them stolen feels personal – this job is part of everything I am. I think sometimes people don’t understand rural crime, especially those not involved in the agricultural sector. That’s why its so great to be able to highlight ‘our side’ of the story. The last time I had sheep stolen the police put out a public appeal on social media. I read some of the comments and it shocked me. One suggested the crime hadn’t happened, that this was just an insurance claim because the offence timeframe was wide. I think they didn’t realise that whilst I count my sheep on a regular basis, I cant count them everyday! If you owned hundreds of sheep in a field, would you notice 20 missing straight away? Likewise people always suggest investing in crime prevention; of course it’s important but I think people need to understand how this is difficult for farmers. The idea that a farmhouse is situated in the middle of its land is not always a reality. Farmers often have fields dotted in multiple areas, making watching over it difficult. Likewise, securing all the access points to stop vehicles is both costly and difficult, especially if you are a tenant farmer and the land you are investing in is not yours!
I can strive for strong perimeter fencing, but what I can’t do is turn our fields into a fortress. Not only is ease of access important for farm vehicles, its also important to keep bridleways and footpaths open so others can enjoy the countryside. In the past I have had secure metal gates simply rammed by suspected poachers, and fences have been cut. When this happens, I wake to find my livestock all over the place, walking in roads and causing a danger to road users and themselves. Its important we share our stories and talk about it. It’s important people understand. When we understand it, we can tackle it.
Swift donations from Dorset businesses lead to a successful auction raising £11,242 for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.
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Items donated for the auction bids included signed AFC Bournemouth shirts, VIP tickets to the Bournemouth Air Festival, holidays and hotel stays, surf lessons, a laptop, signed cricket bat, an Audi A5 cabriolet for the weekend, lunches, dinners, afternoon teas, fashionwear, events tickets, hampers and more. Chamber CEO Ian Girling said: “The money raised will help save lives and relieve the suffering of people fleeing this horrific war. It is easy to feel powerless in such situations but this is a way of really making a difference.” TV personality Martin Roberts and Dorset businessman Paul Tansey met at a refugee camp while on separate mercy missions delivering medicines, supplies and emergency relief. Martin, star of TV’s Homes under the Hammer, and former chamber president Paul spoke at an emotionally charged opening of bids in the auction.
You’re not the same guy Paul, chief executive of the Intergage Group, travelled to the border to deliver aid after linking up with the From Bournemouth to Ukraine charity. He told of his experiences at the border with some ‘heroic’ volunteers helping refugees and risking their lives to drive aid into Ukraine, as well as some horrific stories of children travelling alone to Poland and others dying overnight while queuing at the border. He added: “You’re not the same guy when you come back after seeing those lives in bits. “What Dorset Chamber has done really does matter and really will make a difference.” Martin added “I saw children exactly like my son and daughter who had lost absolutely everything. It just strikes you in the face. People are crossing the border not knowing anything about what is ahead of them and what the rest of their life holds. “They arrive at the refugee centre and are wrapped in so much love and support – and that is where what we are doing makes so much difference. “it will help save lives but also lets them know that the world hasn’t forgotten about them.”
