A few weeks ago, I came across a few sentences that have stayed with me: “Winter is here to remind us to rest, to slow down, to find some comfort. Don’t let society pressure you into ‘new year, new you’ – if you feel called to do less, listen to that voice.” It struck a chord (and yes, I’m aware it teeters dangerously into that ‘motivational quote’ territory for some, but stick with me here). Karen Geary (on p.36) is absolutely right this month (to be fair, she’s right most months) – the phrase “new year, new you” reliably awakens my rebellious inner teenager. No thanks. The old me is perfectly and deeply content curled up in the armchair by the fire, favourite mug in hand, alternately napping and reading and watching the birds in the new window feeder.
January, if we’re honest, isn’t the easiest month for grand resolutions. It’s still midwinter – a time in nature for rest, solitude, healing and reflection. Yet, we so often push against the natural rhythms of the season, plunging ourselves into ambitious goal-setting right after the exhausting festive whirlwind.
Little wonder, then, that many resolutions already feel a bit tarnished by the second week of the year.
What if we approached this differently? What if we give ourselves permission to pause, to embrace the slower pace of winter and to simply be? Spring, with its sense of renewal and reawakening, feels like a far more fitting time to turn over a new leaf.
If your resolution is already faltering, perhaps it’s not a failure – just a case of bad timing. Rest now. Reflect. Recharge.
The goals will wait.
As we step into 2025, I hope you take these next few weeks to be kind to yourself, to cherish the quiet moments and to embrace the fact that, like the rest of nature, we too need time to hibernate.
From all of us at The BV, we wish you a peaceful and restorative January, and plenty of happiness in 2025.

Laura x

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
On the morning of Monday 30th December, my 91-year-old mum fell in Roselyn Crescent, Alweston. I would like to send heartfelt thanks to the strangers who stopped their cars and helped her back to her feet – luckily, all she suffered was hurt pride and a wet rear end!
Julie Fox, Alweston.

A huge thank you to Heather Brown for the miracle of her magic Christmas cake recipe! Thanks to a hideous bug, it was decided on 23rd December that I’d be hosting Christmas. We all pitched in with dinner, but the thought of my mother-in-law without homemade Christmas cake… I didn’t dare.
Then I remembered Heather’s “make it at the last minute, no one will know” recipe. THE WOMAN’S A MAGICIAN. She saved me from disappointed pursed lips – I got a ‘lovely!’ instead. Phew!
Anon (for fear of discovery. Ssshhhh!)

A massive THANK YOU to Sadie in the wine column for the tip re. PX Sherry over ice cream affogato. A disastrous dessert was hidden from guests with this trick, and they LOVED it.
Jane P, Wimborne

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy Barry Cuff’s allotment column each month. It’s such a calm, grounding read – like a quiet stroll through a well-tended garden. I never miss it, despite only managing a few tomato plants and a couple of herb pots myself!
I particularly envy his salad selection – the thought of harvesting fresh leaves right through winter sounds wonderful. I’d love to know if Barry has any tips for keeping salads growing over the colder months. Are there varieties he’d particularly recommend for beginners? Can I grow them outdoors? Are there tricks for protecting them in chillier weather?
Claire Potter, Sherborne

On The Grumbler
(Does Dorset Council actually care about the food and drink sector? The BV, Dec 24)
Thank you for shining a light on the glaring oversight of Dorset’s food and drink sector. It’s astonishing that Dorset Council has failed to prioritise such a vibrant and economically valuable industry in its strategy.
As a small producer myself, I’ve felt invisible for years. Dorset Food & Drink could be an incredible asset, but as you rightly said, it’s woefully underfunded and underutilised.
We need councillors who not only recognise the value we bring but also actively support us with funding, events and proper representation on the Economic Growth Board.
Dorset’s food and drink producers deserve a seat at the table – quite literally.
Name supplied, Wimborne

Brilliant. Another council strategy that ignores the people actually making things – unless you count PowerPoint slides and business jargon as output.
I must have missed the Dorset Plan’s section on ‘how to sideline everyone who grows, brews, bakes and preserves for a living’. Perhaps it’s in the appendix? Meanwhile, Wiltshire’s making us look like amateurs.
Dorset Food & Drink should be a crown jewel, not a dusty trinket the council forgot it owned. Wake up, Dorset Council, you can’t eat spreadsheets.
Yours hungrily,
BM, Retired farmer and cheese lover

Your Grumbler raised important points, but let’s not write off Dorset Council just yet.
I agree that food and drink producers need better representation and support. However, the Winter Food Fair at Athelhampton was terrific, and proves there is interest – it just needs scaling up.
Rather than criticising what’s missing, let’s focus on solutions. A stronger DF&D, more events and direct communication between the council and producers could transform a section of Dorset’s rural economy.
This sector is worth fighting for, and with the right investment we could be a model for other regions. Let’s push for action – not just sit and grumble.
RW, Shaftesbury

I agree that Dorset has some fantastic food producers that we should champion and support. Protecting and growing this industry not only helps economically but also helps to preserve traditional foods and production methods used by many in the food industry.
Dorset Council does currently offer support to food businesses through the EU/UK protected food names scheme. If a food producer makes a food that has links to the Dorset geographical area, or perhaps they make a food using a traditional recipe or production method, then they can apply for legal protection of their product; guaranteeing the product’s characteristics, reputation, authenticity and origin and giving protection to the product name from misuse or imitation.
Dorset businesses interested in exploring this should contact Dorset Council trading standards via email, [email protected]
Tim, comment left on the BV website

On the potholes
(A plague of potholes, The BV, Dec 24)
Kudos to the festive genius who planted a Christmas tree in the pothole! It’s sad that it took tinsel and baubles to finally get attention, but at least it worked. While I appreciate Councillor Andrews’ comments, I wonder if the council’s targets – 32 hours for urgent repairs and 28 days for the rest – are more aspirational than achievable? Perhaps we should adopt the ‘Christmas tree strategy’ countywide? If Dorset Council won’t act until potholes are decorated, we’d better start planting pumpkins for Halloween and Easter eggs come spring.
Merry Crater, Child Okeford

While the tree in the pothole was supposed to be amusing, I actually find it infuriating that Dorset’s roads are left to crumble until someone makes a spectacle out of it. A Christmas tree in a pothole shouldn’t be a call to action – regular maintenance and timely repairs should be. Councillor Andrews talks about careful planning, but if Belchalwell’s hole sat there for months, it’s clear the system is broken. It’s not just about aesthetics – potholes damage cars and endanger cyclists.
Belchalwell’s residents shouldn’t have to resort to tree planting to get noticed.
Frustrated in Blandford

Sparkle-less Stur again
Once again, Sturminster Newton’s Christmas lights failed to live up to the town’s sparkling reputation. The dreaded battery-powered lights on the small trees were back, and while the big storms were a challenge, they were dim or not working long before the weather hit (not the main town tree, that was a joy as usual). Every other local town manages to brighten their streets, enticing shoppers with their displays, so why does a town that proudly claims to “Make Stur Sparkle” (and is so brilliant at so many other things) continue to fall short? The little trees on the buildings are the only street decorations and would be fine if they actually decorated!
Here’s hoping next year finally sees Stur shine as it should (and, if memory serves, as it used to).
Name and address supplied

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