Knock down ginger isn’t much fun for the vulnerable

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22 February 2022

Monthly news from the various North Dorset Police Teams. This month’s news from Shaftesbury’s PC Rob Hammond

Shaftesbury’s policing team has a new sergeant, and PC Rob Hammond says the team have been focusing on anti-social behaviour by youths.

The Shaftesbury team have undergone some changes this year with the departure of the popular PCSO Phil Dibble. He has gone to join Wiltshire Police as a PC, and we wish him luck.

This leaves me (PC 740 Rob Hammond) & PCSO 5382 Su Leatt as your neighbourhood team. Another change is the departure of our supervisor PS 731 James Francis – he has moved to the youth offending team based in Verwood.
Joining the teams as Sergeant Francis’ replacement is Police Sergeant 1404 Matt Bradley, who comes to us from CID.

Gillingham & Shaftesbury had reports of youth related ASB. Officers were out visiting locations known for youths congregating. One intoxicated youth was found unconscious & getting colder by the minute after being left by his ‘friends’ in Shaftesbury (fortunately some other youths located him). An ambulance was called, the youth kept warm & details of his parents gained who were also contacted.

Once it was ‘knock down ginger’…
Lately we have been focusing on antisocial behaviours (ASB) mainly by youths who seem to think knocking on doors and running away is fun. It’s an old game, but it’s not fun at all for the person who could be vulnerable inside. We have identified some of those responsible, and these have been referred into the youth offending process.

After several reports of this vehicle driving dangerously over recent weeks, officers found it driving around Shaftesbury in the middle of the night with no lights on. Unfortunately when officers put their blue lights on, the driver didn’t want to talk and sped off from them. It didn’t take long to locate it abandoned nearby. Driver is believed to have no documents and as such their car was seized

Taking illegal cars off the road

Noisy cars and document offences have also been a focus recently. The rural teams regularly seize non-insured vehicles in order to make the roads safer; we try to highlight these on our social media feeds, along with regular updates on all our activities.

Teams from Shaftesbury & Gillingham, supported by officers from FSG, PDU (and of course the dog) executed an MDA (drugs) warrant at an address in Gillingham. One male was arrested and is assisting us with our enquiries. Ref 55220012411.

For details on your local team’s future engagements please refer to our website. As always, if you wish to contact us follow the links. You can report non urgent matters via 101, and remember if you see a crime in progress or a person in danger call 999.

The names we farmers get called… | Farm Tales

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22 February 2022

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…are often predictable and not always flattering. But a new term has appeared which reflects modern green thinking, says Andrew Livingston.

Farmers get called a lot of names – and they’re not always nice: yokel, yeoman, crofter.
Even Worzel Gummidge still!
But a term I recently heard was that we are Carbon Stewards. Well, that’s a step up, and pretty fitting with the current fight with climate change.

Any good carbon steward worth their salt will have to know their way around their dirt. You really can’t get away from soil… it is quite literally everywhere! Still to this day, in the 21st century, I don’t believe we know everything about the earth underneath our feet. On a basic level, soil is made up of five ingredients – minerals, organic matter, living organisms, gas and water.

As I stated last month, ploughing is now seen as an archaic practice; the breaking of the soil releases carbon dioxide into the air. Now, arable farmers are being instructed to plant what is called a cover crop to introduce more carbon into the ground – a process called carbon sequestration.

Enrich the soil by doing less

Cover crops are designed to feed the earth rather than the farmer and his customers. Predominantly, when cover crops are grown to the required height, rather than being harvested, they are killed in the field so their matter can feed back into the soil. Richer soil health is not only better for the environment, but it can also increase the health and yield of your cash crop.
Additionally, the roots of the cover crop help trap and hold moisture – which can later water any nearby growing plants and vegetation, rather than having to use an irrigation system.
Finally, cover crops add important nutrients such as nitrogen into the soil, improving the growth of your harvest crop that sow into the ground next.

How they’re used

There are two main types of cover crops; ‘catch’ and ‘companion’. The first aims to catch and store as many nutrients, water and carbon dioxide into the ground before your next crop comes in. Companion crops will be grown alongside your cash crops, with the added benefit of attracting pollinators to the cash crop. With the constant reduction of pesticides being used on farms, farmers are also beginning to grow ‘sacrificial’ crops for pests such as insects and birds to eat. Think of it as placing a McDonalds next to a Michelin Star restaurant to keep the general riff-raff out!

The downside

The issue with cover crops is it is hard to see where your profit is coming from. It’s unusual to plant a crop to just kill it where it stands; you wouldn’t rear a lamb to have it slaughtered and left in the field. Some farmers are admittedly slow to take to cover crops. With margins on farms being so tight, it’s understandable that they don’t look to the future by protecting their soil. It’s not that they don’t want to take on that mantle of ‘carbon steward’, it’s more that they are worried that fighting for your ground doesn’t put food on the table or the shops. Thankfully, the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is to have funding for farmers who look to nurture their soil. Also, some water companies are offering grants for farmers’ cover crops to help trap nitrogen in the soil.

(play the short video above with sound UP to enjoy a Purple Tansy cover crop in Dorset last summer)

Maybe it’s time to try something completely different?

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22 February 2022

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You might find something you’ll love. I did, says Mel Mitchell, who was dubious about enjoying an ‘aerial hoop’ fitness class.

*Instructor Fran Drake demonstrates the Aerial Hoop*

As you may remember I spoke about trying new forms of exercise in some of my previous articles. This week I had the pleasure of trying an aerial hoop class.

I was asked by a friend and fellow fitness instructor ‘so, when are you coming to my aerial hoop?’
Me being me and always up for trying something a bit different, I booked in. If I’m completely honest it’s not something I ever saw myself doing – mostly because I have as much grace as a hippo on a sandcastle.

I was reassured though that this didn’t matter, and to give it a go anyway. I’m definitely glad I did.

No grace required

Aside from the fact that I might not have looked terribly graceful, I certainly had fun trying.
I went to class as a complete beginner, not knowing what to expect.
With great direction and lots of encouragement from Fran and the fellow attendees, I had my first few moves perfected (sort of). Needless to say, I may need a bit more practice before my circus debut.
I have in the past heard comments about aerial hoop being classed as a form of exercise. Well,
Fran is now the second aerial hoop instructor that I have met, and the amount of strength and control that these ladies have developed is unreal. It just goes to show that strength and fitness doesn’t have to come from your usual forms of exercise.
For those of you wanting to get into fitness, but wanting to maybe get into something a bit different then I would definitely recommend that you give it a go.
It is a fantastic form of cross training which builds strength and flexibility as well as improving balance and core stability. All while having fun hanging from a hoop doing your best cirque du soleil impression!

Instructor Fran Drake says

“I get asked a lot ‘what is a good age to start circus arts?’ The answer is any age! I also hear a lot of people who flat out refuse to try because they are ‘too old/not fit enough/not strong enough/flexible enough’. Barbara, 66, has been training for three years. Lisa, now 52, had no previous gymnastics or dance but has been aerial training for five years. Circus is for every age.”

Come and learn how to defy gravity with Phoenix Aerial hoop classes at Sturfit in Sturminster Newton. Wednesdays 5pm and 6pm, Fridays at 5:30pm. Class is £10.50 – simply book online here.

What to do if your summer holiday is cancelled?

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21 February 2022

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A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues. This Month: what to do if your summer holiday is cancelled?

Q We are hoping to book a holiday abroad this summer but we are worried it might get cancelled and we can’t afford to lose that much money. What can we do to protect ourselves?

A: This summer, many of us will be looking to book that sunny getaway we’ve been dreaming about for the past two years. But things aren’t completely certain so here are some top tips to help you maximize your chances of getting away and, if you can’t, ensure you get refunded:

Check the cancellation conditions. If you have to cancel your holiday because you’re unwell or self-isolating, you may not be entitled to a refund. If the cancellation is because of a national lockdown, you should get a refund but it may take longer than normal to process.
Check the local entry requirements. You might need a negative test before you fly and may need to self-isolate on arrival. If the destination country imposes new restrictions after you book but the flight is still going, you may not be entitled to a refund because you no longer want to travel. Keep in mind that the UK vaccination programme is much further advanced than many countries so they might not re-open at the same pace and in the same way as the UK.
Make sure you understand the entry requirements to the UK when you return. The rules for people who have been vaccinated may be different to the rules for those who have not been vaccinated. Also, things can change quickly and may not be the same when you return as when you booked.
Pay by credit card if you can manage the repayments. If you put at least the deposit on a credit card, the full amount of the holiday costing more than £100 and up to £30,000 is protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. If you don’t have a credit card, pay by debit card rather than by cash, cheque or bank transfer. If things go wrong you can ask the bank to do a chargeback — even though this is voluntary on behalf of the bank, it often works.
If your holiday is cancelled, you may be offered refund credit notes. Some refund credit notes are guaranteed and offer a refund, but they all have time limits. So, make sure the travel agent is protected by The Travel Association (ABTA). Make sure to use the credit notes or claim the refund before the expiry day. You don’t have to accept a refund credit note for cancelled package holidays which must be refunded in full by law within 14 days. And, if your flight is cancelled by the airline, you should be refunded within 7 days.

For more help and support, take a look at our advice on holiday and transport or contact our consumer helpline. You should also check the government website advice on foreign travel and on returning to the UK.

Keeping poultry can be ‘fowl’ through winter bird flu season | Voice of a Farmer

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21 February 2022

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A surge in people keeping their own poultry during the lock-down egg shortage could be why ‘bird flu’ is spreading from wild to domestic fowl, argues James Cossins

A Rawston Farm turkey. Two interesting turkey facts for you: only male turkeys gobble, and their poop identifies their gender (a male’s poop will be shaped like the letter J, while the female’s is more spiral-shaped!)

Here at Rawston farm we are all about producing and sourcing local. We don’t just rear our own beef; we also rear own Christmas turkeys for the butchery and shop.

We were pleased with the quality of our turkeys and have received positive feedback from customers. This is what gives me great pleasure in rearing our own turkeys – it is of huge concern
to us that we ensure a good Christmas dinner for you.
But rearing turkeys does have its challenges: one night we had a visit from Mr Fox who beat us to the birds’ evening lock-up and sadly took five turkeys as an early Christmas dinner. Greedy!
The winter is a challenging time for all poultry producers – and hobbyists should be aware too.
During covid, with a national shortage of eggs, many people wanting their own eggs bought chickens and ducks.
Bird flu (also known as avian influenza) is rife at this time of year. This year has been the worst the UK has seen, with currently 80 outbreaks across the country, and it’s not only in wild birds but also domestic birds. With current bird flu regulations, DEFRA advice is to keep all poultry inside or netted to prevent wild birds from coming into contact with poultry and to prevent wild birds from using the same food and water source. Please look at DEFRA’s website for more information.

Guarantee of high quality

As an Arla Milk producer we get regular audits from independent vets to look at our cattle from a health and welfare prospective.

This ensures that all Arla’s milk can be sold with a guarantee of high standards. As a producer we keep records of any health problems that may occur.
All medicines we use are recorded on a computerised system. Our own vet from the Damory Vet Practice has worked out our total medicine useage for the last year and determined whether our usage has changed and also how we compare with the other dairy producers within the practice. Our audit takes place next week and we are hoping that we meet their necessary requirements to continue with our Arla milk contract.
In the past vets have been helpful in advising where we can improve on any particular issues that we face. They are keen to see records where we have had the cows independently scored for mobility (for example, is there any lameness present) and the overall appearance of our cattle. Let’s hope for a positive outcome!

Winter feeding

We do out-winter some animals on a forage crop and bales of straw and silage. So far, this winter has been kind to them, apart from the wet period over Christmas.

We always try to choose free draining fields with hedges for shelter and often they can be in a more healthy environment than animals kept inside buildings through the winter.

As we move through February the days are finally getting longer, and hopefully there will no more bad winter weather.

by James Cossins

Sponsored by Trethowans – Law as it should be

Senior Lettings Advisor Required | Lodestone

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21 February 2022

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We are looking for a Senior Lettings Advisor to replace our lovely Rosa who is relocating overseas this Spring. The new team member will work across all three of our offices in Bruton, Shaftesbury and Wells.

The successful candidate will:

Have experience of lettings and is ideally ARLA quailified or working towards their qualification.

Love meeting with and talking to people every day.

Be really well organised and proactive, with a hunger for building our lettings business.
Have brilliant IT and digital skills for this fast-moving sector.
Have a driving license, plus own form of transport.
Be available to work Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:30

You will be working collaboratively with our Sales and Marketing teams and will have the opportunity to let some fabulous houses across Somerset and Dorset.

Think you or someone you know would fit the bill and would like to be part of our forward-thinking, young, dynamic agency?

Please email our Managing Partner [email protected] or call our office on 01749 605099

Five (easy) ways to kick-start your healthy eating

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21 February 2022

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When winter drags and you crave comfort food, it’s many of us turn to convenience carbs. But healthier options are simple, says Karen Geary.

Sweet potato fries with sea salt in a metal bucket – shutterstock

Swap mash for root veggie mash

Mixing up winter vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and swede into a mash with a dash of olive oil can bring a wider variety of veg into your diet, more nutrients and will help you feel fuller and satisfied for longer. White potatoes when mashed release their sugars quickly which will make you hungry sooner.

Swap rice for cauliflower rice

Curry night? Swap white rice for cauliflower rice. Blitz raw cauliflower in the processor or chop finely into rice-sized pieces. Spread out on a baking tray and bake on 180 deg C until dry and slightly charred (about 30 mins). You need to stir it every now and then to make sure it dries and browns evenly.

Cauliflower is a cruciferous veg, very low in calories, high in fibre, vitamins and minerals and has one of my favourite nutrients, choline which supports our metabolism and also a healthy nervous system amongst many things. If you hate cauliflower, try quinoa instead, a fantastic source of protein.

Swap chips for celeriac or sweet potato chips

Chopping celeriac or sweet potatoes into chips, massaged with olive oil, salt and your favourite spices (I like hot paprika with a touch of cumin), bake in the oven fast – they take about 20 minutes on 190 deg C and are hassle-free.

Swap potato crisps for kale crisps

This sounds a bit new age California, but if you have some kale hanging around in the bottom of your fridge, strip the leaves away from the stalks, massage the leaves with olive oil, spread on a baking sheet and bake on a low heat, eg 120deg C for an hour or so until they are dry (they shrink a lot!).

Sprinkle with salt and enjoy. Another great way to get your cruciferous vegetables into your diet, high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals and none of the additives that you get from a bag of crisps.

Swap flavoured yogurt for Greek yogurt or kefir

A lot of the fruity yogurts are ultra-processed and aimed at dieters because they are low fat, but instead are loaded with sugars, preservatives or emulsifiers which can give people an upset stomach.

Switch from low fat yogurt to Greek yogurt – it is high in protein and fat and will keep you fuller for longer.
If you don’t like the consistency of Greek yogurt – give kefir a go. It is one of the best fermented foods for gut health around.
Add stewed apple and cinnamon and you have a lovely dessert or an indulgent breakfast. Your gut will thank you for it.

by Karen Geary, a Registered Nutritional Therapist DipION, mBANT, CNHC at Amplify

Part-time Carer / PA required

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21 February 2022

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Part-time Carer / PA for busy mother in wheelchair East of Shaftesbury.

Cheerfulness, good humour and flexibility more important than qualifications.

This is a very varied role, with housekeeping tasks, admin, meal preparation, minor personal care, trips out and dog walks all included. Children are uni age and above, but life is busy, and adaptibility is essential. Afternoon hours. Strictly non smokers.

References required

Please contact 07790 524 241 for more details or a chat.