Letters to the BV Editor March 2022

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6 March 2022

On Mr Loder & the sea eagle
I, like so many others, was shocked and appalled by our MP Chris Loder’s comments on social media around the death of the Sea Eagle this month. I am staggered that a man so connected to a rural community, who has until this month made such a name for himself as an advocate of animal welfare, could be so astonishingly ill-informed.
The original comment – basically that he would not support the police using time and resources investigating the killing of unwanted birds of prey instead of drug crime – was badly done, and contained a number of factual errors.
The drugs team is entirely unrelated to the wildlife protection team, and the birds were not ‘introduced’ to Dorset, they flew here of their own volition from the Isle of White.
Are politicans now to choose which crimes are to be investigated? Can the police not do both? Should the Dorset Police Rural Wildlife & Heritage Crime Team be disbanded then?
And if there are not resources to do both, then surely that is his failing as our local representative to ensure the police are properly funded to do so?
Mr Loder then compounded his error by seemingly supporting his case by sharing an article from The Scotsman, in which the only unbiased facts seemed to be from the RSPB
“What’s being said about [sea eagles] attacking livestock is inflammatory and people are basing their opinions on what they perceive to be the case rather than reality.”
Commissioned Report 370 on Sea Eagle Predation on lambs in the Gairloch area was commissioned after farmers and crofters complained of high lamb mortality.
Within the study area in the radio-tagged flocks, no lambs (including both tagged and non tagged lambs) were taken by white tailed eagles.
Surely local sheep farmers have more trouble with uncontrolled off-lead dogs than they do with birds of prey?
Mr Loder appears to have upset the rural police, many wildlife organisations (Mr Packham was one of many outspoken in his disapproval), farmers, and he sadly made the national press with his ill-informed views. His suggestion that local residents may be concerned for the safety of their domestic pets is frankly alarmist.
I congratulate Dorset Councillors Laura Miller and Byron Quayle for publicly reprimanding him for his comments. Perhaps it’s time the Conservatives need to reconsider who is representing this nature-bound, agriculturally-important constituency?
Dr Charles Mathews, nr Sherborne
(there was also a heated discussion on Facebook here around Mr Loder’s comments)

Sherborne’s CCTV
I was disappointed to read a statement from Sherborne Town Council following their meeting on February 21st indicating once again that CCTV would not be supported in the town. In a town with barely any Police presence and increasing crime and antisocial behaviour, residents and business owners are now being forced to spend hundreds of pounds installing their own CCTV to protect themselves and their businesses.
The Town Council quote a figure of £130,000 for six cameras. I find this sum ludicrous. Just recently it was reported that sixty CCTV cameras are being setup along the French coast at a coast of £170,000, all with live 24hr feed.
Surely, as a bare minimum working practice, at least three quotes should be obtained before spending public money?
Of course, all of us would rather we had more Police on the streets but that simply isn’t going to happen any time soon and in the meantime I and others are no longer able to walk home alone after dark for fear of attack. Not only would CCTV help to deter and convict criminals but it can also be used to trace missing persons, important in a town with a high population of young and elderly people.
Mary Carr, Sherborne

Stur’s Little Mermaid Panto
I had to write and commend the SNADS group for the Little Mermaid production – specifically for the special ‘relaxed’ performance. We attended with my daughter, who is autistic, and it was utterly wonderful. It was admittedly chaotic, loud and frankly rather mad with an entire audience of ‘free thinkers’ enjoying the liberation of responding how they chose. It was brilliant to see so many who are often excluded from live theatre deeply enjoying the show. Above all it showed the amazing professionalism of the cast – no matter what was going on out in the seats, the show went on with gusto.
Bravo, SNADS – and thank you.
Jenny G, by email

On Noc’s Dorset Island Discs
Thank you BV for shining a spotlight on our amazing local councillor Nocturin Lacey-Clark. I have always respected and admired his integrity and his unstinting work and support for our community. But I never really knew ‘the man’ rather than ‘the councillor’. What an inspiring story, and such an asset for our town.
Mary White, Blandford

What a terrific selection of tracks that Nocturin Lacey-Clarke selected. I have to admit, I never expected to see Korn or Talking Heads featured in a rural Dorset magazine – but it’s all the richer for it! Fascinating inisght into the Blandford councillor, too – I get the feeling the town are lucky to have him representing them.
Martin Grey, Verwood

How brilliant it is to have the ability to hear the music being talked about in your Dorset Island Discs!
I do love the way you include videos in your pages – where they are pertinent and helpful – and it works especially well when reading about music you do not know or cannot place.
I would expect the original ‘Desert Island Discs’ radio format to lose something without the ability to listen too, but I am enjoying the new series immensely!
Iris Altrincham, Wimborne

Access to cash
Which? Magazine recently asked readers to write to their local paper to support their campaign to highlight the impact of lost access to cash in their community. The two following are representative of the letters we received, all of which began “I’m concerned about my ability to access cash in my local community….”

The number of free cashpoint machines has decreased in Blandford, which is 6 miles from where we live.
Tescos is the most convenient for us, but they have recently reduced from two to one – and that is sometimes temporarily closed. Lloyds Bank is the nearest alternative.
We still need to pay cash for certain items such the newspaper, as well as others who help us with occasional shopping etc.
James Hamilton-Brown, email

I am disabled and can no longer drive, so having cash in my purse is crucial in my local rural community or if I am taken out by some kind soul.
I am also concerned about the ability of criminals being able to knock on the door and demain my card and card number.
In a rural and sparsely habited situation I need to feel secure – and a bit of cash in my pocket can be very reassuring.
Paula Andrews, by email

From Facebook this month:
Our most-commented post on Facebook this month was on last month’s story that the increase in second homes combined with rocketing property prices mean tough decisions must be made for planners wanting to house modestly-paid key workers. The Leader of Dorset Council, Spencer Flower, has instigated a radical proposal, potentially looking at an entire new town:

“I think it would better if a proportion of houses being built around current towns such as Wimborne and Blandford were actually sold at a price people on low incomes or single salaries could afford to buy. More affordable housing is needed even if that included housing such as tiny houses or sustainably built out of wood etc.”
Anne Biggs

Time to take a look at renovating the decaying buildings in town centres and sadly neglected buildings with very very greedy owners just sitting on them. Turn them into realistic affordable/ starter homes/ single person homes for working class local people.
Susan Colings

What about all the existing developments being built? Why are they not affordable for local people? We already have another town built in west Dorset, Poundbury. Why are they not affordable houses for local people?
Andy Angler

“The council don’t want to pay anymore for low paid jobs – however the people doing them can no longer afford to live in Dorset – so they are losing their minimum wage labour. They have to be housed somewhere because otherwise the council will go bust trying to afford to pay Teaching Assistants, Admin Assistants, Care Workers, Cleaners etc. all those people saying no thank you! You have kids right? You are going to get old? You will at some point need someone being paid minimum wage. Where is fitting to live for those people doing those jobs? A tent? Remember – those people kept the country going.”
Mary Seer

Garden jobs for March | 2022

By

Editorial team

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6 March 2022

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Don’t rush to buy tender plants from garden centres until the spring frost is over, warns Sherborne gardener Pete Harcom.

The clocks will go forward on 20th March – spring is finally here! March can be a cold month though – it could be late April or even May before night time frosts are over.

By far the most effective tactic in the war against slugs lies in enrolling their natural enemies: the birds, frogs, toads and other animals that will happily devour slugs as a tasty tidbit. Make a home for slug-eating wildlife and you’ll see populations of this arch nemesis plummet accordingly. Ponds support more wildlife than any other garden feature. The simplest ponds are made from little more than a sunken tub, bucket, or even an old kitchen sink. Dig a hole for your container then sink it into the ground so the rim lies at ground level. Add some sand or clean gravel to the base of the container for pond- dwelling insects. Now pile some stones in one corner of the miniature pond to help frogs and toads clamber up and out. Finally, lower a couple of pond plants into the water. If possible, fill your new pond with rainwater.

Tips for your summer preparation

Annual flowers can now be sown (from March onwards). Rake soil to a fine tilth on a dry
day. Watch the weather forecasts for frosty nights and protect if necessary with cloches or horticultural fleece or net curtaining.
Be careful – whilst the garden centres have huge displays of annuals and bedding plants at this time of year, it may be best to wait until late March before you purchase too many tender plants (eg fuchsias and pelargoniums) unless you have good frost protection such as cloches or a cold greenhouse.
There is still time to lift and divide large clumps of border perennials and take basal cuttings.
Keep an eye on weeds and take them out with a hoe or similar. Then cover all bare soil patches and around shrubs with a good thick layer of mulch or garden compost.
March is the last chance to plant bare rooted trees and shrubs. Now the soil is warming up, shrubs will soon begin to grow and get established.
Mow lawns carefully now, as soon as weather permits, and re-seed any bare patches in the lawn.

What you should be pruning

This is the traditional time to prune bush and shrub roses. Prune bush roses hard – they can take it! Cut back Cornus (dogwood) for more colourful stems next year.

Garden wildlife

Slug pellets are a real problem for hedgehogs and frogs – they eat the snails and slugs that have been killed by the slug pellets. Try alternative slug and snail killers such as crushed egg shells around your special plants, or try creating a wildlife pond – this will encourage wildlife in general, but particularly frogs, birds, slowworms and beetles, and these all help to keep slug/snail populations down.
Hedgehogs will be emerging from hibernation around now.
If you can, try to clean up the inside of any bird nest boxes before the garden birds start exploring!

by Pete Harcom at Sherton Abbas Gardening

How a local businessman has helped people in North Dorset for over 400 years.

By

Editorial team

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6 March 2022

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Thousands have been helped by the William Williams Trust – and yet very few seem to even know it exists to help them. Rachael Rowe spoke to the Trustees of the 400 year old charitable Trust.

The Trust was originally to be used to fund annual apprenticeships for two boys. These were chosen annually, in rotation from the three towns. They were given maritime apprenticeships and two sets of clothing. They were either apprenticed to a seafaring vessel or to a shipwright

“I wonder what William Williams would have thought if he had known his trust fund would still be around 400 years later.” Helen Lacey is a trustee of the Charity of William Williams, and explained how the actions of one Blackmore Vale businessman have supported thousands of people in Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum and Sturminster Newton. And yet, how many of us have heard of the Charity of William Williams?

Who Was William Williams?

We actually know very little about William Williams. He lived in the 16th and early 17th centuries, but all records were destroyed in the 1731 Great Fire of Blandford. The loose knowledge we have is that William Williams was a businessman who traded in cloth between the three towns of Blandford, Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury (these three towns are linked to the charitable Trust and funding allocations). All we really know about him is what is in his will. He died sometime between 1621 and 1623, during the reign of James I. Helen poignantly added: “We don’t even know where he is buried.” Another trustee who has researched the history, Joe Rose, tells me: “William Williams built up a fortune by trading cloth with America. He was one of the first to do so. His will shows he gave four trustees instructions to use £750 and invest it in property and land. One of the trustees was the MP, Sir Thomas Freke, indicating William Williams was well connected.”

How the Trust was Formed

William William’s Will stipulated that money in the Trust was to be used to fund annual apprenticeships for two boys. These were chosen annually, in rotation from the three towns. They were given maritime apprenticeships and two sets of clothing. They were either apprenticed to a seafaring vessel or to a shipwright. After two years, the Trust paid for the apprentices to work within the three towns for a further two years.

What does the charity fund do today?

The Charity of William Williams operates on the same 1621 footprint today, using the ancient geographical boundaries of Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton, and Blandford Forum of 400 years ago (if you plan to apply and aren’t sure whether you live within the boundary, there’s a checklist on the Trust website).

Today, boys are no longer sent up the rigging. Instead, the Charity of William Williams awards grants to support further education, such as assistance with university fees, apprenticeships, or transport costs to places like Kingston Maurward for agricultural courses. They also provide funding for tools for apprenticeships and training. As Joe explained: “If you are an apprentice mechanic, your tools are going to be very expensive.”

Mature students are also eligible to apply for funding. Trustees work closely with local schools; during the pandemic, the Charity of William Williams supplied schools with laptops.

Another clause in the Will of William Williams enables the trustees to help in incidences of hardship. Jo outlined an example where a local family had been able to get an oven replaced.

*When William Williams created his Trust, James I sat on the throne of England*

A multi-million fund

In 1621, £3000 was invested (roughly £867,000 in 2021), which returned an annual income of £140. Today, the charity has assets worth around £9million, producing income used to award grants – that’s a significant reason you won’t see major fundraising campaigns locally.
The charity manages the property and investments used to award grants. Chair of the Trustees, Robert Cowley, outlined recent spending:

“We made a total of 173 grants last year. That included 85 educational grants worth £121,500. However, educational and general ‘relief of need’ grants were down 25% from previous years. We have to assume this is because of the pandemic, but how that will have impacted on our grant-giving is complex.” Robert also explained the role of trustees: “The trustees feel privileged to have the care of such a power for good in the three old parishes. Our assets still include some of the properties given by William Williams nearly 400 years ago, and they are still providing a resource for those in need of the assistance he offered.”
I’m wondering what led this local businessman to create this opportunity in the first place. Joe has a view: “I like to think that someone gave him a chance in life to achieve something. And I think that’s what made him feel morally obliged to repay the debt.”

The trustees believe many local people could be eligible for a grant and want to raise awareness of the opportunity. If you plan to find out more about the William Williams Trust and see whether you could be eligible for funding details are on the website.

“The object of the Charity is to apply income received to relieve either generally, or individually, persons resident in the area of benefit (being the ancient parishes of Blandford, Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton) who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress. In addition, to assist persons in or entering any trade or profession.”

by: Rachael Rowe

It’s the season for choosing – and making a start on the sowing | The voice of the allotment

By

Editorial team

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5 March 2022

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Barry Cuff shares what’s happening on an allotment you might expect to be bare in January, along with an annual potato trip.

Allotments suffered badly from the mid month gales during February; chicken houses, sheds, polytunnels and greenhouses were all damaged or destroyed. Sturminster Newton allotments suffered considerable damage from the storms. But plot holders, like farmers, are a resilient lot. When you are at the mercy of the weather you simply ahve to take the rough with the smooth, and come back fighting. On our own plot damage was restricted to 3 broken panes of greenhouse glass, and some newly-leaning purple sprouting broccoli!

Still harvesting

By the end of February we were still harvesting parsnips, carrots, leeks, purple sprouting romanesco, sprouts and winter radishes.
Our first chicons of Witloof chicory were cut mid-month from roots lifted back in November.
Both areas with green manure (see box below – we use Phacelia and field beans) look well, and these will be dug-in during March. Our entire plot, apart from the green manure, has had farmyard manure applied over the course of the winter. Digging will continue into March as the last crops are harvested. Some areas will not be dug – these will be planted later with brassicas, sweetcorn, legumes and cucurbits (squash, pumpkin, courgette etc).

The seeds of this year’s harvest
We have now sown – in the greenhouse – red and white cabbage, lettuce and onions, all in plug trays for planting out later. The peppers sown in January are doing well in the bedroom window!

A double row of broad beans were planted out on the 23rd, and look well so far. We grow half a line each of two varieties; Witkiem Manita and Masterpiece Green Long Pod. These should crop over a long period.

With very few frosts our garlic is growing well (planted November and January).

General housekeeping

All our carry-over seed has been tested for germination, and any packets with low vigour and germ discarded. Most open packets keep well as long as they are stored correctly.

The grass paths have been cut twice this winter as there has been little frost to check growth.

What is ‘green manure’?

Green manures are fast- growing plants sown to cover bare soil. Often used in the vegetable garden, their foliage smothers weeds and their roots prevent soil erosion. When dug into the ground while still green, they return valuable nutrients to the soil and improve soil structure.

Increasing numbers of households are looking to grow their own vegetables and fruit due to the rising cost of living. This is reflected in a growing list of applications for plots on the two sites at Sturminster Newton. If you’d like to add your name to the list, contact Barry on 01258 473280

by Barry Cuff

Is Hardy’s ‘Vale of Little Dairies’ a place of brutality?

By

Editorial team

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5 March 2022

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Since the BBC’s Panorama episode investigating dairy farms in the UK was released, the debate has raged on between animal rights groups and those in the agriculture sector, says Andrew Livingston

The farming community is strongly opinionated that the episode ‘A Cow’s Life: The true cost of milk’ (click the preview image below to view the programme on iPlayer) does not give a balanced view or fairly depict what farms are really like in the UK.
Vegan animal rights activists, however, have stated that the programme has shone a light on the true living conditions of the cows that produce the milk that fills our shops and supermarkets.
Both sides of the argument have only been able to agree on one thing – that the treatment of the cows and calves shown in the programme is barbaric.

Lack of balance

The hour-long show released on Valentine’s Day predominantly shares hidden camera footage from one farm in Wales. The staff on the farm are seen kicking cows whilst down, hitting them in the face with shovels and moving them across the farm by lifting them on their hip pins.

Despite the horrific footage, what has infuriated farmers is what they see as a lack of balance.

“I thought it wasn’t good, it didn’t show our industry and the dairy industry in a good light.” said James Cossins, NFU representative for dairy farmers in Dorset.

With a 300 cow dairy and arable farm of his own, Cossins is adamant that scenes like these are not the norm.
He told the BV: “If that is commonplace then… well, there’s no way that I want to be part of the industry if that’s the way people treat animals.”

A vegan view

Some animal rights groups agree that this isn’t the norm. Francine Jordan, an employee at The Vegan Society and host of The Vegan Pod, holds such notions.

She states: “Fortunately, the extreme animal cruelty shown in the documentary will not be how all cows are treated on farms in the UK.
“However, the reality is the practice of running a dairy farm is cruel. Whether it’s intentional or not, all dairy cows are seen as money-making commodities.” One individual who would wholeheartedly disagree that his cows were just there for the money would be local farmer Richard Foot.
When watching the programme, Foot, who recently sold his 200 cows due to staffing issues since Brexit, had to turn it off due to the thought that his cows “ended up somewhere like that”.
The 61-year-old from Caundle Marsh went on to add: “Why’d they want to show that when it’s a very small percentage of farms?“ It’s that tiny percentage that ruins it for all those who are doing good, hard work and producing high-quality food with very high standards of welfare and the environment.”

BBC bias

This is not the first time that the BBC’s coverage of agriculture has come under fire from farmers. Over recent years, the broadcaster has continually blamed agriculture for raising methane gases – even though the number of cows and cattle is currently less than it was in the 1950s (9.36 million now compared to 10.6m in 1950).

In 2018, farmers accused another documentary on dairy farming of misinterpreting the facts to mislead
its viewers. ‘Disclosure: The dark side of dairy’ showed how dairies in Scotland send 5,000 calves a year to Spain to be fattened and slaughtered.

The documentary used footage of poor transport conditions for the calves; even though it was obvious by their ear tags that none of the animals depicted was sent from Scotland. Uproar from the agricultural community caused the BBC to heavily edit the online version, but the damage had already been done. As soon as the episode aired, P&O Ferries banned the transportation of calves from Scotland to Ireland, the route they would have previously used when shipped to Spain to be fattened for slaughter.

Is there an excuse?

If the practices on the farm in Wales are not the industry norm, what went wrong for these animals, to be subjected to this abuse?

A Cows Life suggests that issues stem from the supermarkets – simply, we buy our milk too cheap, causing the farmer to be paid little for their produce. Although both Cossins and Foot agree that milk is bought too cheaply, they both state it’s not an excuse.

James Cossins said: “I think what we saw has a lot to do with training and managing. More money perhaps helps to improve facilities, but from what I could see, improving facilities wouldn’t have stopped them doing everything they were doing,”

Richard Foot agreed: “Regardless of what you are getting [paid], if you can’t look after your animals properly, you shouldn’t have them… Why should a cow or a calf or a pig suffer like that because you can’t afford to look after them?”

Can regulation help?

But who ensures standards are met? Currently, in the UK, the Red Tractor Assurance Scheme ensures farms meet a plethora of standards; they state that their ‘logo means that the food you buy has been responsibly sourced, safely produced and comes from crops and animals that have been well cared for’. In the Panorama episode, the farm in question is a Red Tractor farm.

So why was the farm not up to standard on its animal welfare? Richard Foot says he wasn’t surprised.

“I think Red Tractor needs to be sorted out. I think they drive up our farm drive, they look at the state of the farm and they [just] mark the farms on what they see.”
James Cossins agrees that Red Tractor isn’t working for the protection of the animals.
“They almost seem to pick things that are not so important. When they could just look at animal welfare.”

After the show, the Welsh farm in question had its membership terminated. However for the animals and the industry, the damage had already been done.

For vegans, in their view, whether a farm is Red Tractor assured or not makes no difference. Jordan states that no matter how well they are cared for “they are killed against their will. “It’s tempting to believe that the animals we eat lived happy, healthy lives and experienced no pain or fear.

“Unfortunately, the sad truth is that all animals raised for meat, dairy and eggs – including those labelled free-range or organic or well cared-for – are used and abused, with many ending up in the same slaughterhouse.”

by Andrew Livingston

Parent and Family Support Advisor

By

Editorial team

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1 March 2022

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Wincanton based, to support the families of:

Wincanton Primary School

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School

King Arthur’s Community School

The post initially is a temporary, part time, term time only post (subject to funding)

Hours: 18.5 per week (term time only)

Salary: Grade 12 – Point 19, £13.20 per hour (Actual gross salary £10,728 per annum)

We are looking for a PFSA to help support the families of the Wincanton area. If you have knowledge and experience of:

working with families and children
accessing services for families and children
supporting parents with parenting classes
emotional coaching and well-being
Early Help Agenda
Team Around the School

If you have the ability to:

Relate to a wide audience of people
Able to support yet challenge
Contribute to professional meetings
Demonstrate excellent safeguarding practises
Organise your own time and work remotely effectively

We would like to hear from you.

The TLC (Tower Learning Community) is a collection of schools that serve the Wincanton and Bruton area. It is made up of nine primary schools and two secondary schools stretching geographically from Milborne Port to Upton Noble. This post will focus on the immediate area of Wincanton and be hosted at Wincanton Primary School.

Application forms are available from the Wincanton Primary School website wincantonprimaryschool.co.uk/vacancies/ and should be accompanied with a letter of application demonstrating your experience to date.

If you wish to discuss the post further do not hesitate to contact Mr. Graeme Wilson at Wincanton Primary School – 01963 32132 or email [email protected]

Closing Date: Wednesday 23^rd March 2022

Interviews: Week of the 28^th March 2022 – TBC

The Random 19 with Singer-songwriter Beverley Craven

By

Editorial team

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28 February 2022

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Beverley Craven has sold over four million records in her career, and is best known for her 1991 UK hit single Promise Me.

Beverley fell in love with the north of Dorset visiting her father, who lived near Dorchester for many years.

In 2018 she announced the
Woman to Woman tour, but it was put on hold when Beverley was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and lymph node surgery. The tour, with fellow British singer-songwriters Judie Tzuke, Julia Fordham and Rumer is now back on the road – see it at the Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth on 5th November this year.

1. What’s your relationship with the Blackmore Vale (the loose North Dorset area, not us!)?

My Dad, who passed away recently, lived in the village of Puddletown on the river Piddle (which has always amused me). And before that he lived in Dewlish for many years.

2. What was the last song you sang out loud in your car?

Can I cheat? Only I prefer to sing in the shower (the accoustics are better!). I think it might have been ‘I Can’t Stand The Rain’.

3. It’s Friday night – you have the house to yourself, and no work is allowed. What are you going to do?

I would start with a long bath – deep and hot – followed by a large vodka & tonic in my dressing gown and slipper socks, semi-reclined on my bed, probably binge-watching a nice series on Netflix. And being very happy – I love being at home on my own with the dog.

4. Who’s your celebrity crush?

I’ve never had a thing for celebs. I couldn’t understand why the girls at school either liked David Cassidy or Donny Osmond; Really? Both were far too virtuous and clean-living for me!

5. What’s your comfort meal?

Something involving mashed potato – I am Queen of Mash – with gravy or a cheese sauce and lots of veggies, followed by a crumble (I like to make apple and mango with warmed Ambrosia custard) and then a cup of chamomile tea.

*This goodest of girls is Lizzie, Beverley’s third Staffordshire Bull Terrier, though she’s quick to point out that she adores ALL dogs; “it’s just some owners I can’t stand”*

6. What would you like to tell 15yr old you?
To read ‘Desiderata’. That marriage is not a good idea, except for tax purposes. That everyone is flawed and to be myself.

7. What was the best thing before sliced bread?

Sliced ‘Soreen’ malt loaf!
(I think you’re cheating here – pretty sure that came after sliced bread… Ed)

8. Tell us about one of the best evenings you’ve ever had?

I’d like to say performing at the Royal Albert Hall, or meeting the Queen at the Royal Variety Show; maybe being presented with a Brit Award by Kim Wilde, playing Wembley Arena and chatting to Princess Diana, or being backstage with Audrey Hepburn at a Unicef gala. But sadly, it would be
an evening from my teenage years… probably a swimming club disco when I’d just discovered the wonder of fancying boys.
Or being in a room full of musicians when I was a struggling songwriter and jamming into the early hours.

9. The best crisps flavour?

Depends on what you’re drinking, doesn’t it? You can’t go wrong with ready salted in my opinion.

10. And the best biscuit for dunking?

No contest – without doubt it’s the Cadbury’s milk chocolate finger. Nibble off a bit at each end to reveal biscuit, stick one end in your tea and suck really hard, like it’s a straw, until you can feel the tea on the tip of your tongue (it will be a bit cold by the time it’s made its way up the finger). It melts in your mouth like a little piece of chocolaty heaven!
(This. Is. Genius. – Ed)

11. Your top three most-visited, favourite websites (excluding social media & BBC News!)?
• Wetransfer (I’m always sending audio files to other musicians)

• Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration

• Zara.

12. What’s your secret superpower?

I know when people aren’t telling the truth.

13. Your favourite quote? Movie, book or inspirational – we won’t judge.

John Lennon; ‘Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans’.

14. Cats or Dogs?

Dogs!! Lizzie is my third Staffie (or fourth if you count ‘Rastus’ the Staffie we had when I was growing up). I adore ALL dogs (it’s just some owners I can’t stand).

*Beverley with her daughters – from left to right Connie, Beverley, Mollie & Brenna*

15. Chip Shop Chips or Home Baked Cake?

Again, ‘Queen of Sponge’ – I make a mean coffee cake. The trick is not to overwork the mixture once you’ve added the flour, and even self-raising requires half a teaspoon of baking powder. Just saying.

(*taking notes* – Ed)

16. What shop can you not pass without going in?

Conran on Marylebone High Street, but I rarely buy anything, I just harrumph when I look at the prices and think, it’d be much more satisfying to find something lovely in the bric-a-brac section of a charity shop…

17. What’s your most annoying trait?

According to my children I make a clicking noise in the back of my throat when it’s itchy. They tell me I also take ages to answer a question (because I’m thinking about it!) and that I often don’t finish a sentence.

18. A penguin just walked in the door wearing a panama hat. Why is he here?

It’s a trick question Batman! Obviously K.G. Bird has come back for his top hat and umbrella…

19. You have the power to pass one law tomorrow, uncontested. What would you do?

Thank GOD you asked me this question!!
I would ban modified exhausts. Oh, hang on a minute, they’re already illegal, aren’t they? But
the police never seem to take any action, do they? Hmmm…
Why do these noisy numbskulls need to draw attention to themselves by annoying everyone else? Have they got minuscule… er, brains?

Interview by: Laura Hitchcock

SSAPC SORTOUT

By

Editorial team

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28 February 2022

0

SSAPC SORTOUT

At Yeovil Football club site

Sunday 13th March

South Somerset Agricultural Preservation Clubs sort out.

The annual event, which gives people a chance to shift unwanted agricultural equipment, memorabilia and books.

For information:

D Fox: 01935 822845

B Jones: 01935 824523

Have you ever explored from Martin Down? 9.5 Miles | Dorset Walks

By

Editorial team

-

27 February 2022

0

This route is a personal favourite of ours, a beautiful route at any time of year. These images are from last summer – but we last walked it to check it just two weeks ago. It was January, and the day was grey, cold and damp, and cionsequently so were the pictures. So I thought I’d cheer your viewing with a little much-missed summer sunshine instead. Same route, just six months earlier!

Starting out with easy parking in the less well known Lower Car Park
at the back of Martin Down, enjoying easy paths across diverse Dorset landscapes, climbing the ridge for fantastic views and staying with it before moving into woodlands and descending back across the AONB. Your feet barely touch a road, it’s all well-signed footpaths and bridleways.

The routes we feature have always 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.

To follow this route using the Outdooractive App, please find the route here.

All images Laura Hitchcock

The first climb from the car is the worst; it’s not steep but it does just Keep. Going. Up. But what’s not
to love about walking past Toby’s Bottom? Do keep an eye on the map in Boulsbury Wood; detour slightly to Mear’s Pond for a quiet pause. When you reach the summit of Pentridge Hill, have a quick explore through the pine trees to appreciate the views on the other side of the hill before moving on.

Important Note:

If the weather has been wet then do take our alternative, one mile shorter variation here which has a diversion around the corner near Boulsbury Farm. As the track passes through a large pig unit it follows a narrow track which is often unpleasantly filled with slurry. It is impassable after wet weather.

The view from the top of the first climb up Blagdon Hill – you can just make out the car park half way to the horizon.

As you leave the woodland behind it’s impossible not to stop at this stile for a minute to absorb the surprise view that has opened up across Tidpit Common Down.

Surely I’m not the only one to get the urge to charge up this path with arms flung wide? Be ready for that gorgeous forest you’re about to head into.

Old forest, tall new trees.

One of my favouirite holloways, is as you leave Boulsbury Wood.