Eat local, eat seasonal …eat festive!

9 December 2024

Make this Christmas the year you support local producers and make your Christmas tree, Christmas gifts and Christmas table special!

One of Dorset’s most pouplar and creative bakers, Lizzie Crow (aka Lizzie Baking Bird), sells her sweet and savoury products at farmer’s markets, food and drink events and from her bakery near Martinstown. Image © Lizzie Crow

Buying local and seasonal is good for you and your family – and it doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s also good for the businesses you support, for your community – and for the whole area. When you buy artisan, hand-made or welfare-friendly products and crafts, you are choosing original gifts for the people you love and you serve food and drink that is better for the planet, better for the local economy* – and tastes much better than the mass-produced alternatives.
It can also save you money. In the big stores and supermarkets, you often have to buy the quantities they decide – packaged and shrink-wrapped – so if, for example, you only want two apples, you will have to buy six or more. BOGOFs can be tempting – but all too often, particularly with fresh produce, much of it spoils before you actually get to eat it.
It can be very hard to buy a single chicken breast or steak, and dried fruit, nuts and spices for your Christmas cake or pudding often come in bigger bags than you need, leaving you with items you may not use until next year! These dried goods – seeds, nuts, pulses, dried fruit – can often be bought loose in farm or whole-food shops, so you weigh and buy way you actually need.
Here’s a guide to some of the many makers and producers, farm shops and businesses who can supply all your food and drink requirements for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, seasonal parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations … and a few ideas to go under the tree as well!

Turkey and geese
The Chilcott family produce free-range bronze turkeys at their farm at Owermoigne (see this month’s A Country Living)
chilcott-turkeys.co.uk

Kimbers Farm Shop near Wincanton Racecourse is well-known for its turkeys, raised on the family farm, as well as highly rated beef, hampers and a host of farm shop favourites (they have some very funny greetings cards, too).
kimbersfarmshop.co.uk

The Dunning family produce free-range geese for Christmas at Goose Slade Farm (yes, really!) at East Coker near Yeovil. They have been farming sustainably at Goose Slade for more than a century, producing cattle, pigs, sheep and free range chickens and ducks, and selling their products in their well-stocked farm shop.
christmasgoose.co.uk

The national Online Butcher of the Year, Dorset Meat Company, offers build-your-own meat boxes and hampers.

Meat and game
There are still some traditional butchers in our area, including Stuart Pearce at Blandford, Rawston Farm Butchery and Farm Shop at Tarrant Rawston, Else’s in Stalbridge, Parsons Butchers at Sherborne, the Thoroughly Wild Meat Company at Castle Cary, Keatings, dating back to 1906 at Wimborne, and Andrew Barclay at Wincanton. A bit further afield, RJ Balson and Son at Bridport, at nearly 510 years old, is said to be the oldest butchers in the country.
Blackmore Vale Butchery, a family business established in 2006 on the A30 near Henstridge, supplies a wide range of meat and game to local shops, offering only 100% grass-fed and high welfare meat sourced only from small-scale, local farmers they know and trust. bmv-butchery.co.uk
The Online Butcher of the Year, Dorset Meat Company, also in Henstridge, offers a wide range of meats from turkey to goat, as well as locally-sourced deli items, and build-your-own meat boxes and hampers. thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk

Pamphill Dairy near Wimborne, a 150-year old family farm on the Kingston Lacy Estate, sells locally produced meat, alongside dairy, their own ice-cream and a wide range of farm shop produce.
pamphilldairy.co.uk
Farm Girl Sausages, run by Sophie Baker, based at Holt near Wimborne, is a farm-to-fork meat business selling sausages, burgers and other handmade products. farmgirlsausages.com
The Story Pig at Sandford Orcas produce outdoor-bred, free-range Tamworth pigs, a traditional rare British breed; they have a small farm shop and a cafe where much of the food served comes from their kitchen garden. thestorypig.co.uk
Dorset Game Larder, run by Chris Tory, based on a family farm near Badbury Rings, sells locally sourced wild game including pheasant, partridge, pigeon and venison. thedorsetgamelarder.co.uk
Gutchpool Farm between Motcombe and Mere sells Pasture for Life certified 100% grass-fed lamb and hogget, as well as sheepskins, apple juice and more. gutchpool.com

White Lake’s Burrow Mump is a sheep’s milk hard cheese, with a ssweet nutty flavour, and it’s washed in Somerset Cider Brandy

Cold meat/charcuterie
The Real Cure is a family-owned artisan business producing award-winning cured meat products, including wild venison chorizo and salami, coppa and Dorset bresaola on the family farm near Shaftesbury.
therealcure.co.uk
Capreolus, a multi-award-winning business founded by David and Karen Richards at Rampisham in West Dorset, now retailed through Sherborne-based Hunts Food Group, produces a wide range of traditional artisan charcuterie.

Cheese and other dairy
Two of the world’s greatest cheeses, Montgomery and Keen’s traditional farmhouse Cheddar are produced locally, at (respectively) North Cadbury
montgomerycheese.co.uk, and Moorhayes Farm near Wincanton, keenscheddar.co.uk. Another important historic cheese is Dorset Blue Vinny, rescued from extinction by Mike Davies at Woodbridge Farm, near Stalbridge, where his daughter Emily also produces Dorset Blue soups and a selection of chutneys. dorsetblue.com.
The Book & Bucket at Cranborne is a newer name, making some exciting cheeses, thebookandbucketcheesecompany.co.uk.
James’ Cheese at Child Okeford makes several fine cheeses including the rind-washed Francis.
jamesscheese.club
White Lake at Bagborough, near the Bath and West show ground, produces multi-award-winning cow’s, goats and sheep’s milk cheeses – a recent addition is the Great Taste Award-starred Burrow Mump (pictured), named after a famous Somerset Levels landmark, a sheep’s milk hard cheese, with a sweet, nutty flavour, which is washed in Somerset Cider Brandy. whitelake.co.uk
Two delicious ice cream and gelato makers are Purbeck Ice Cream, long established on a dairy farm overlooking Corfe Castle, producing a wide range of flavours, made with local fresh milk and cream. purbeckicecream.co.uk; and Baboo Gelato, founded and made by Annie Hanbury, at Bridport. baboogelato.com
Other dairy producers include the Dorset Dairy Co, based near Stalbridge, thedorsetdairyco.com, and Woodlands Dairy near Blandford, who produce outstanding sheep’s milk yogurt. woodlandsdairy.co.uk

The Oxfords have been baking bread at Alweston since 1911: they have a number of shops, including at Sturminster Newton and Sherborne

Vegetables
We have some exceptional local greengrocers, including Sprout and Flower at Mere and Wincanton Fruit and Veg in Coles Yard, plus two outstanding farm shops – Steeptonbill at Milton Abbas and Gold Hill Organic at Child Okeford.

Bread, cakes and mince pies
There is plenty of good bread, including the area’s longest-established traditional bakery, Oxfords, baking bread at Alweston since 1911, with a number of shops, including at Sturminster Newton and Sherborne, and the Italian-style Lovington Bakery at Wincanton, which is famous for its sourdoughs, ciabattas – and luxury doughnuts!.
One of Dorset’s most popular and creative bakers is Lizzie Crow, aka Lizzie Baking Bird, who sells her original and traditional tarts (the Dorset crab tarts are truly memorable), pastries, sausage rolls, cakes, brownies and other sweet and savoury products at Dorset farmer’s markets, Dorset Food and Drink events and from her bakery near Martinstown. Lizzie’s Christmas specialities – the perfect present with her distinctive style – include mince pies with Grand Marnier. Once eaten, never forgotten … and annually craved!
The Bayside Bakery at Weymouth specialises in brownies – former intensive care nurse Katy Howell changed careers to become a baker and realised that brownies were the best-sellers. She also offers a fun DIY version – make-your-own brownie in a jar! 2024.baysidebakery.co.uk
Coeliacs and those who need gluten-free bakes are well-served locally, with Honeybuns’ ever-creative Emma Goss-Custard producing a wide range of bars and cakes at Holwell, honeybuns.co.uk.
And for those who don’t have the time or can’t make pastry, Dorset Butter Pastry, produced at Crossways, is the answer! dorsetpastry.com

Treats and preserves
One of the country’s finest chocolatiers, Claire Burnet and her husband Andy run Chococo, a now-legendary chocolate business based near Wareham, with a shop and cafe in Swanage (and Winchester, Exeter and Horsham). Founded in 2002, Chococo is renowned not only for the quality of the chocolate used but for Claire’s innovative ideas and creativity in both flavourings and packaging. Christmas specialities this year include a novelty Advent shapes tube, a 12 Days of Christmas hamper, an oat milk Chocolate Penguin and Cascade of Festive Chocolate Selection Boxes.

More than 30 years ago, Giles and Annie Henschel came back from an amazing motorcycle ride around the Mediterranean with a lot of stories – and a passion for the food of the region, particularly the olives and olive oil. The rest is history – Olives Et Al became and remains a leading force in encouraging a taste for olive oil and Mediterranean food generally. Still at Sturminster Newton, still independent and still at the top of their game, the Olives Et Al range now includes many exceptional oils, olives, preserves, sauces and more. olivesetal.co.uk
Based in Weymouth, Mel Gunn and her son Lewis of Relenka Sweet Treats produce a range of artisan fudge, biscotti, cakes, chocolate and other confectionery – all ideal stocking fillers!
Tracey Collins makes her preserves, under the name Ajar Of, at her Jammery in Hazelbury Bryan – jams, marmalades, chutneys, etc, delicious all year round, and exceptionally desirable Christmas presents. Look out for her gift packs too.

Karl and Chrissie Regler have been making their ever-expanding range of From Dorset With Love preserves, chutneys and sauces since 2010, winning county, Taste of the West and Great Taste Awards. Their Dorsetshire sauce is a worthy competitor for the traditional Worcestershire sauce, with its famously secret recipe! fromdorsetwithlove.co.uk

Pomme Blush, an apple aperitif, is
made at Shipton Gorge

Seasonings
You can even season your turkey and trimmings with first class local products – Dorset Sea Salt, with a range of additional natural flavours, is widely available, while George Norbert-Munns markets Stony Groves Kampot pepper, a distinctive and irresistible spice which he discovered when living in Cambodia.
stoneygroves.co.uk

So now you have the main event, the Boxing Day cold cuts and cheese board, the preserves and handmade bakes for presents – you just need …

… Something to drink
Local wines include the award-winning Langham Wine Estate, producing outstanding whites and sparkling wines. Or try a bottle of Little Waddon Vineyards award-winning Col Fondo – the perfect accompaniment to the Christmas feast!
Dorset-based spirits include Wilfred Shon’s Shroton Fair Gin, Fordington Gin, Conker Gin, John and Sandy Tucker’s ‘real British rum’ made with molasses at Black Ven Distillery at Lyme Regis, Weymouth-based The Saddle Stop gin, and Helen Benedict’s Pomme Blush apple aperitif, made at Shipton Gorge.
For a lively and healthy non-alcoholic choice, try one of Emma Davies’ range of Curious Kombuchas, produced in the Marshwood Vale. The former brewer started making her healthy, unpasteurised, fermented drinks because of her own health problems. Her authentically made range includes cucumber, lime and mint, pineapple and ginger, raspberry and turmeric, and a Christmas special, elderberry.
curiouskombucha.co.uk

*Buying from local producers and locally owned retailers makes sense on every level – it supports local businesses and employment, it adds to social cohesion and helps to build a sense of community … and it is a measurable boost to the local economy. The money you spend stays locally. Research over recent years has repeatedly revealed that when we shop locally, for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, around 63p remains in the local economy. This compares with around 40p with large chains and supermarkets. Other research shows that £10 spent with a local independent shop can mean up to an additional £50 going back into the local economy.

Preventing crashes, saving lives

Editorial team

9 December 2024

A Dorset consultant on his DocBike leads the fight against motorcycle accidents across the UK – with action, data, education and innovation

Dr Ian Mew (DocBike) responds to 999 call

Struck by the alarming number of motorbike fatalities on Dorset’s roads, Dr Ian Mew knew that action was needed. Rather than responding to accidents, he realised it would be better to prevent them entirely – and began a mission that has saved countless lives across the county and beyond.
As a consultant in intensive care and anaesthetics at Dorset County Hospital, Dr Mew, who is a member of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance crew (need to add that) and founder of DocBike, has become a leading figure in road safety and life-saving innovation not just in Dorset but across the UK.

How DocBike began
‘As director of major trauma at Dorset County Hospital, I saw patients dying before they even reached hospital.’ Ian says. ‘Joining the air ambulance, I thought I could change that – but motorcyclists still often didn’t survive. The forces involved when a motorcyclist crashes are often simply too great to be survivable. To truly save lives, I realised we needed to prevent these accidents altogether. That’s where DocBike began.
‘When the air ambulance lands in a field, everyone is always really pleased to see us, and they come to say hello. Talking to motorcyclists has always been tricky – they traditionally haven’t wanted to speak to the police, and they’re not that interested in talking about road safety issues. But many are enthusiastic fundraisers for the air ambulance, and I realised that was a way we could get to talk to them.’

Dr Ian Mew is a consultant in intensive care and anaesthetics at Dorset County Hospital, a member of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance crew, and founder of DocBike

Prevention is better
All of the volunteer DocBike riders are serving emergency doctors, paramedics or practitioners who look after critically ill and injured patients as part of their day job, and all have completed an emergency service provided motorcycle response course.
Even bigger than the roadside critical care team is the work DocBike does with its Biker Down programme, teaching motorcyclists how to provide first aid at crash scenes and offering practical advice on avoiding accidents altogether.
‘Data shows that while motorcyclists aren’t always at fault, understanding the risks can reduce their chances of an accident, by up to 80 per cent,’ says Ian.
‘For example, if you are riding a motorcycle on a straight road with junctions on either side, you clearly have right of way. But motorcyclists appear like a dart to someone in a car waiting to pull out – that’s not well understood by a lot of bikers, who naturally assume the car waiting has seen them. So the biker carries on, never considering that they might not have been seen.
‘In Dorset we have been working really hard with motorcyclists to help them understand that although they have the right of way, and people would give way to them if they saw them, other road users may actually not have seen them due to their low profile, and so will just pull out. To avoid an accident, bikers have to be prepared to stop – even though, legally, they have the right of way.
‘We’re careful not to pit road users against each other. We believe in sharing the road. It’s about helping motorcyclists understand it is not necessarily the fault of the car driver, it’s how our brains are built. We’re designed to look out for woolly mammoths and sabre-toothed tigers, not people hurtling towards us on a narrow, fast bit of metal.
‘Because the team attends these crashes and sees what happens, we can work with the road safety partnerships to obtain the actual data and examples of why people crash. That means we can give tips, and ultimately we have reduced bike accidents by 80 percent. We can’t say categorically that it’s DocBike that has caused the reduction in motorcycle fatalities in Dorset, but they have reduced by 50 per cent in the last two years – and that figure has not been seen in other areas where we are not operating.’

Life at the sharp end
DocBike started in Dorset in 2015, and achieved charitable status in 2018. There are now branches in Devon, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Sussex and Cheshire.
Ian first came to came to DCH as a medical student. He returned to finish his training London, met his wife, and they both returned to Dorset as junior doctors.
‘I spent two years in surgery,’ he explains. ‘Then I did some intensive care and really enjoyed it. It’s amazing that the skillset of intensive care can now be taken into people’s houses and to the roadside with the helicopter. It has made a massive difference to patient care.
‘Emergency care is demanding. After being a consultant for 15 years I sometimes wonder why I am still involved at the sharp end. It can be relentless. But being able to make a difference to people who are otherwise going to die … it’s very humbling.
‘However, it is also demanding. You work through the night, miss Christmasses and holidays and it takes a toll on family life.
But it needs to be done, and doing it well at the appropriate time makes a massive difference. The air ambulance takes the hospital’s critical care one step further – being able to go directly to the patient and deal with them, anaesthetise them, give them blood, and then get them direct to a major centre with heart, brain and trauma surgery, saves the patient hours in getting treatment – and maybe their life.
‘I’m really lucky with the support DocBike gets from the ambulance service and the hospital. We all work for the benefit of the population, and it’s sometimes frustrating when the system gets in the way and when funding isn’t there. But we rally around and help each other. That’s lovely … It is a family.’
In 2022, Ian won a special ‘Big Thank You’ award from The One Show, and the late Hairy Biker Dave Myers highlighted the fact that Ian runs DocBike entirely in his spare time.
‘It’s hard – you can easily do another 40 hours a week on top of your NHS job. The problem is the NHS survives because people already donate a lot of time to it. For DocBike, finding volunteers has been a huge challenge.’

Reducing the Risk
When Ian started DocBike, he began with the data: he found that the motorcyclists most at risk of dying on Dorset’s roads were men aged between 40 and 60.
‘When we did our original research in 2016, we combined our own hospital data with police collision investigations. The 40 to 60-year-old men were riding at high speed in rural areas, where, if you got it wrong, it would often result in a fatality.
‘Because we have targeted that over the last eight years, the demographics have actually changed. Now, here in Dorset, that group is less likely to be involved in a crash. So now we’re targeting the younger generation to try and almost “vaccinate” them from an earlier age. We’re also working with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, who write the tests, because the information we learn from road collisions can help to reduce crashes if we can include that in the motorcycle test in the future. It might be something we can engineer out if you are only allowed to ride a motorcycle if you are aware of the things that put you most at risk.
‘DocBike has sponsored a PhD student at Bournemouth University to look into the causes of motorcycle incidents and what can be done to avoid them. The country roads in Dorset are a delight for people to ride. To get the most out of a motorcycle you like everything to be twisty and turny – that’s the fun bit. But there are also hazards.
If you have a crash in a town you tend to be driving at a lower speed so the forces involved are not so great. If you are on a national speed limit road then that tends to be more hazardous if you crash.’

Looking to the future
Space is at a premium on a DocBike motorcycle, so equipment has to be chosen wisely. It also has to be compact, vibration resistant and waterproof. This equipment, small enough to fit on a motorcycle yet robust enough to withstand significant vibrations, is expensive. It currently costs £62,000 to get a DocBike motorcycle on the road, with all the training and kit.
‘Realistically our biggest challenge right now is sustainability. We are entirely volunteer-led and with seven branches across the country, all with their groups of volunteers, being able to deliver full support from people who already work long hours at the ‘day job’ is a challenge. We need staffing to provide that and to have staff you need funding.
‘I now have a deputy national director, also a volunteer, and someone else to run Dorset, so that frees me up to look at things nationally. And I finally get a bit more time to see my wife, which is really important!
‘It is very easy to get home at 7pm, eat and then spend the rest of the evening in the office. Then you go to bed, get up and do the whole thing all over again. Hopefully my life will be made easier by this support.
‘We are also getting a paid staff member. Not only will this help the volunteers operate more effectively, but it will help us have better reach with the motorcyclists we want to engage with. By having this extra support we should bring in more funds, which pays staff and that’s the start of a self-sustaining charity. We’ll then have the capacity to push the successes in Dorset to other parts of the country.
‘We tend to target biker events, as that’s when you can interact with the whole community. Being part of the ambulance service is so useful – this year, because our injury prevention strategy is working so well, DocBike has been sent out to other incidents that haven’t involved motorcycles but where help is needed. If we’re the nearest resource we are still ultimately an ambulance resource. So it’s been good that in Dorset the number of motorcycle accidents have been reduced – we‘re then available to help save the lives of other people.
‘If we can’t fix people after the accident, we need to get to them before they have their crash and see if we can prevent them having an accident. It works so much better – it not only saves lives, it saves demand on the ambulance and hospital services, prevents costly and inconvenient road closures and benefits everyone.’
To donate to DocBike:
docbike.org/dorset
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance:
dsairambulance.org.uk

Spectacular Christmas display in Gillingham for firefighters’ charity

Editorial team

8 December 2024

Once again this December, Marlott Road in Gillingham (SP8 4FA) transforms into a dazzling Christmas wonderland, with a stunning light display raising funds for the Fire Fighters Charity.
The display runs nightly throughout December, up until New Year’s Day. Featuring talking props, a giant screen as part of the entertainment, and intricate decorations, this is no ordinary Christmas display – it’s a festive extravaganza that must be seen to be believed!
All donations go straight to the Fire Fighters Charity, and donations can be made in person via a collection box: card payments are also accepted.
The organisers cover all costs, including time and electricity, ensuring every penny donated goes directly to the charity.
Whether you’re local or visiting, this is a wonderful way to support a worthy cause while enjoying a magical Christmas event. Gather your family and friends to see the lights and help make a difference.
The display illuminates 4.30pm to 11pm every day.

Christmas at the Station

Editorial team

8 December 2024

December at the old railway station in Spetisbury, Dorset, from 10am to 2pm for delicious
seasonal refreshments including mulled wine, mince pies, hot dogs and other festive treats
and the chance to buy some last-minute presents from a range of good quality second-hand railway books (including children’s books), DVDs and other railway gifts.
Live festive entertainment provided by The Quayside Choir (at midday) and Blandford Ukulele Group (at 1pm)
All of this is available for a donation (cash only please) to the Spetisbury Station Project, every penny raised goes towards helping us maintain and improve the station site. If wet, find us in the Spetisbury Village Hall.
More information at
spetisburystationproject.co.uk

Seize the (nice) days!

Editorial team

8 December 2024

It may be midwinter, but Pete Harcom says there’s still plenty you can do in the garden if you happen to get a decent day for pottering outside

While things do slow down in the garden at this time of year, we can still seize a mild day in December and carry out some gardening, to keep on top of things ready for the spring.

Weed and prepare your borders, and if you use the no dig system, you can feed the soil and also improve its structure by spreading some garden compost and/or well-rotted manure and leaf mould over the borders.
Even with the milder winters we seem to get nowadays, it’s a good idea to bring any pots of fuchsias or pelargoniums into a greenhouse or potting shed to ensure protection from frosts (just make sure they are free of slugs and snails!).
Prune your climbing roses and also any tall roses to help reduce wind rock: cut back any old flowered rose shoots to a third of their length. Also check your climbers are adequately tied in and supported.
Leave the hydrangea spent flower heads on the plants as these help protect flower buds that form lower down the stems.
Harvest winter berries on plants (e.g. holly) before the frosts or birds get them if you intend to use them for wreaths or garlands for Christmas displays – just put them in buckets of water outside until you are ready to use them.
Bring half-hardy potted plants into the greenhouse: if you don’t have one, then group them together as this will help protect them from harsh winds and frosts.
Sow seeds of sweet peas and micro greens in the greenhouse.
If you have alpines in the flower borders, it’s a good idea to put some gravel around them to prevent waterlogging.
This month will probably be the last chance to protect with fleece any sensitive plants in exposed spots in the garden
Sow some alpine plant seeds – these can be very easy to grow in a cool greenhouse. Some alpine seeds need exposure to low temperatures before germination (an average UK winter should provide the right temperatures).
Avoid disturbing any large piles of leaves now – they are amazing for wildlife, providing shelter, food and a great nesting spot for hibernating animals such as hedgehogs, small mammals, frogs and countless insects.
Let them sleep!
Hang fat balls and bird feeders around the garden – but please do make sure the feeders are clean and regularly filled.
Lastly, now’s a good time to clean up those gardening tools! Bring them into the shed and clean, sharpen and oil them – then you will be ready for spring!

A whirlwind tour of all that’s coming up in Sturminster Newton this month

Editorial team

8 December 2024

Pauline Batstone shares her monthly round up of what’s happening among the town’s collection of community enterprises and events

Its almost here: Christmas 2024 (where did the year go?) We hope you enjoyed the Christmas Event on the 30th November but there is so much more to come between now and New Years Day! The Real Father Christmas is working even harder than usual to meet as many children as he can in his grotto in 1855 each Saturday before Christmas (pre-book please by calling in, or phone 01258 475612) Be good, because he has a list and checks it every day …
There will be free parking in the town each Saturday leading up to Christmas, thanks to SturAction and Dorset Council.
The 7th December is Small Business Saturday – do come and support our local businesses … and also come and admire the vehicles at the Sturminster Newton Car and Bike Enthusiasts Event which will be making its monthly visit to town, between 9am and 12 noon in the Station Road Car Park.

Get your Christmas Presents in 1855
There will be a book signing by local authors in 1855 on Saturday 7th December (of course the books themselves will be there at any time that 1855 is open – unless they are sold out, so do think about shopping early!)
If you have any thoughts about going to London in the near future, and any interest in science, then treat yourself to Okeford Fitzpaine author Rachel Rowe’s book The Science Lovers Guide to London.
Chris Oswald has been steadily writing away in his Fiddleford farmhouse – and has now produced quite a range of locally-based stories which are all available in 1855.

Mary Van Coller has produced a lovely guide book to Dorset which is being sold in 1855, and 25 per cent of the proceeds is going to support the Air Ambulance (but please don’t forget Mappowder when you do your next edition Mary, a remote village which is especially grateful to the helicopter). Paul Cosway is a Dorset writer who is hoping to make the beautiful area of North Dorset the next Midsummer – a district that people turn to for thrilling crime stories! His books focus on the problems faced by D.I. Ken Jones and his loyal assistant Sergeant Jenny Grace.
We’re also pleased to have Jim Carter’s history of his grandfather’s time in the Navy, Hearts of Steel, in the shop. It is an exciting but sobering read. Life was hard.

More on 1st January
Don’t forget that Stur’s fun doesn’t end on Christmas Day – the Classic Car and Bike event will be back for their annual Vintage & Classic Vehicle Run on the morning of New Year’s Day. It’s the biggest event in their calendar, and once again it will be raising money for the Air Ambulance, and is kindly supported by Harts and SturAction.

A new approach to rural business: Hinton Workspace tackles isolation

Editorial team

8 December 2024

A new “third space” for North Dorset offers a sustainable, community-driven solution which is reshaping rural business for local entrepreneurs

Tucked away in the North Dorset village of Hinton St Mary, Hinton Workspace offers a new, practical solution for Dorset’s small business owners who face the challenges of working in rural settings.
Built around 1880, the workspace building was once the old carpenters workshop for the Hinton St Mary estate. In the late 1990s it was let to a global furniture maker, Poisedale, which continued the carpentry tradition, making furniture there until 2015. Since then, the building has remained empty and near derelict.
Led by Alice Fox-Pitt, the innovative co-working space transforms the disused building into more than just a place to work: it’s a community-focused response to the loneliness and limitations of rural homeworking, providing an affordable and practical alternative to traditional office rental.
‘When you’re looking at renovating and trying to do a business plan for a building like this, it feels completely insane,’ Alice says. ‘The biggest hurdle is just starting, actually – it’s so overwhelming. I’m surprised we weren’t locked up just for the sheer craziness of what we proposed.’
That ‘crazy’ plan made a stunning facility, marrying functionality with aesthetics, while maintaining a deep respect for the building’s industrial roots and rural heritage.
‘I really believe that Dorset business and Dorset entrepreneurs deserve to have a space like this,’ says Alice. ‘It’s not obvious – it’s not until you step inside that you realise what it is. It’s actually almost impossible for us to really showcase what we’ve achieved unless you come!’
Despite the challenges, Alice pushed ahead with the aim of creating a space where Dorset entrepreneurs could work and connect.

A better version
Hinton Workspace is part of a growing trend of regeneration of old farm buildings, giving them a new lease of life. At its core is a focus on sustainability. Powered by solar panels and air-source heat pumps, it operates as close to carbon-neutral as possible. ‘Future-proofing was really important to us,’ says Alice, explaining the environmental considerations behind the project.
The workspace started as an idea addressing a key lesson from the pandemic: the need for social connection and accountability. ‘If we learnt anything from COVID, it’s that we’re not our best selves at home,’ Alice says. ‘As humans, we need accountability, social connection and a reason to brush our hair and get out of our pyjamas. When we step out of our houses, we present a better version of ourselves.’
Drawing on the Victorian concept of a “third space” – not home, not office, but something in between, where the Victorian businessman would have had his club – Hinton Workspace offers exactly that: a welcoming, well-designed space that encourages focus and collaboration.
Larger communal hot-desking areas provide an opportunity for company and networking, while soundproof pods and break-out rooms provide privacy and space for meetings. The Long Room on the top floor can seat 30, and has full digital conferencing facilities.

A YES space
Membership is £225 a month, offering 24/7 access to a range of features tailored to improve productivity. ‘Obviously the kitchen is fully equipped, and there are always pastries and fruit available,’ says Alice. ‘We’ve got the practical office stuff like a printer that prints A3. But it’s more than that. We’ve got an associated dog walker (and dogs are always welcome!). We’re putting in padel courts. We’ve got electric car chargers. We’ve got showers, so you can cycle in. We’ll take your laundry … We’re a “yes” space. We’ve tried to counter all the reasons why you wouldn’t come.’
Unlike traditional office rentals, which can feel just as isolating as your kitchen table, Hinton Workspace encourages community and connection. ‘It’s not intimidating or exclusive,’ Alice says. ‘I hope it’s a place where you can come, feel comfortable, and focus.’ For many, leaving the distractions of home behind and working in a thoughtfully designed space has a direct impact on productivity and creativity.

Alice’s long-term vision for Hinton Workspace extends beyond providing desks and meeting rooms. ‘We want to deliver for Dorset business,’ she says. ‘We’re listening and adapting. How can we help you as an individual, you as a business? What can we deliver for Dorset business? The goal is to build a genuine community of rural entrepreneurs, offering not just facilities but a support network.’
Hinton Workspace is an example of how unused spaces can be re-purposed to meet the changing needs of rural workers.
For business owners in North Dorset, it offers a chance to move beyond isolation and find a better balance between work and life.

hintonworkspace.co.uk

Building champions

Editorial team

8 December 2024

A small town with big punches – how SNABC moved from a scout hut to the world stage, becoming a world-class boxing powerhouse

Amid the unmistakable smell of stale sweat, old wraps and worn gloves, Sturminster Newton Amateur Boxing Club (SNABC) is a place where young athletes don’t just learn how to throw punches – they discover discipline, resilience … and the strength of the community that stands firmly behind them.
Last month, the club joined an elite group of organisations recognised by England Boxing for producing a World Champion in Ruby White. At the heart of this achievement is Shaun Weeks, the founder and driving force behind the club, but it was a moment of deep pride for Shaun’s whole team – and the entire community.
Presenting the award, England’s national coach Mick Maguire said: ’This certificate acknowledges the input and the hard work that happens unseen here at the club.‘
Boxers get their accolades on the day, at every tournament, but people forget the amount of work and sheer dedication that goes on back at the home club … week in, week out, year in, year out.
‘I was out in Colorado with Ruby and the rest of the England team, and I’ve worked with Shaun and SNABC over the last four or five years. Everywhere I go, I see Shaun – he is always there! He’s at every tournament, he’s at the training camps. He’s acting as chauffeur … I’ve driven down from Birmingham to Sturminster tonight, and I tip my hat to him. Just getting in and out of North Dorset is not the easiest thing! It takes real dedication, and that’s what we’re acknowledging.
‘This award is only given by England Boxing to clubs that have produced a World Champion – of which there are very, very few. Sturminster is now in that elite group of World Championship clubs.’
But Shaun is quick to point out it’s not a solo act. ‘This award is for the whole team,’ he says. ‘Ruby gets all the plaudits, and I get a lot of acknowledgement, but there’s nine other coaches here, all unpaid volunteers, all giving up long hours away from their families. That’s why I’ve asked them all to be here tonight – they all deserve this pat on the back.’

World Champion Ruby White (centre) and Shaun Weeks (holding the certificate) with the team of coaches at Sturminster Newton Amateur Boxing Club

Humble beginnings
The club’s story is one of grit and determination. Shaun founded it in 2001, starting out in the town’s scout hut where equipment had to be packed up after every session. ‘The numbers were going up and up,’ he says, ‘but it wasn’t sustainable. I knew we needed a place to call our own.’
The journey wasn’t without setbacks. In the early days, Shaun lost several key members and coaches to a rival club. ‘It left me on my knees a bit,’ he admits. ‘But then I thought, “I managed before, I can manage again”.’
By 2009, the club was thriving, and Shaun began looking for a permanent home. After almost signing on a less-than-ideal location, fate intervened when a local property owner showed Shaun a larger unit on the Butts Pond Industrial Estate in the heart of Sturminster Newton. ‘It already had a mezzanine floor,’ Shaun says. ‘I saw the potential immediately.’
The move was a gamble. The rent was a significant jump from what they were paying at the scout hut – but the club filled out the space, adding facilities and renting unused areas for personal training to ease financial pressures.

Against the odds
The club has now grown into a powerhouse, producing national champions and competing internationally. A highlight came earlier this year when the team travelled to Sweden for the prestigious King of the Ring competition, the largest boxing tournament in Europe.
‘We took ten boxers over,’ Shaun says. ‘Out of those, we picked up three gold medals, two silver and two bronze. It’s a tough competition – there were around 670 competitors from 19 different countries – but our boxers held their own.’
The victories weren’t just about medals: for some young athletes, it was their first time abroad or even staying in a hotel. ‘It’s never just about boxing,’ Shaun says. ‘It’s about giving these kids experiences they’ll carry with them for life.’
But with success comes challenges. Financial pressures mean the club can’t always take as many athletes to international competitions as they’d like. ‘This year, we had to dip into our reserve funds,’ Shaun admits. ‘Next year, we’ll have to be more selective, which is tough when everyone is working so hard in the gym.’

Freddie Norman winning his second gold medal at
King of the Ring

A vision for the future
Despite the obstacles, Shaun has big dreams for the club. ‘We’ve probably outgrown this building now,’ he says. His vision is for a purpose-built facility that could serve as a hub for combat sports across North Dorset. ‘Imagine a space where boxing, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and taekwondo could all come together. That’s the next step for us.’
It’s clear that Shaun’s passion isn’t just about creating champions in the ring but about building a community.
‘We’re a little club,’ he says, pausing before correcting himself. ‘Well, we’re quite a big club now, actually! But it’s all from this tiny place in the back end of nowhere.’
As for the future, the club is already looking ahead to January, when three of its boxers will compete in the England Boxing National Youth Championships. Shaun is also preparing for the day when their brightest star, Ruby, transitions to the national GB squad. ‘We’ll lose her to GB full-time, but that’s always the goal – to see our boxers grow and achieve at the highest levels.’

A community effort
SNABC is clearly more than just a place to train: it’s a lifeline for many. Shaun’s leadership has steered it through challenges, but it’s the collective spirit of the coaches, athletes and community that has made it what it is today. ‘This award,’ Shaun says, holding the certificate with quiet pride, ‘is for everyone who’s been part of this journey. It’s proof that hard work, even in the smallest places, can lead to great things.’

sturabc.co.uk

A Plague of potholes

Editorial team

8 December 2024

Rachael Rowe investigates how a festive protest finally got Belchalwell’s road repaired – and the story behind Dorset’s pothole problem

It took a Christmas tree to finally get a huge crater-like pothole fixed in Belchalwell. The hole had been causing havoc for motorists since last winter and accidents were only avoided because someone placed a large barrier around it.
Although the enormous hole had been reported numerous times, no one had got round to fixing it due to the demand on services elsewhere.
That is, until a helpful resident planted a Christmas tree in the pothole during October and posted a photo on social media. Naturally, the offending photo swiftly came to the attention of Dorset Council. A team was sent to investigate and immediately agreed that it was indeed awful!
The pothole is now fixed and the good people of Ibberton and Belchalwell have a smoother drive. But should it really take a Christmas tree to get a pothole mended? What caused the wait?

A witty local planted this Christmas tree in a longstanding Belchalwell pothole, finally prompting a repair

How potholes got their name
What did the Romans ever do for us? Apart from underground heating, gladiators, sanitation and, yes, the aqueduct, they also created roads. Beautiful, straight roads connecting towns across the Empire started appearing in Roman Britain in an attempt to modernise the place.
Local English tribes were quick to spot that the clay the Romans were using to fix the stones in the new roads was of particular high quality, and the potters soon paid attention. While the English tribes had little use for roads, the potters scooped up clay for their pots, leaving holes behind them … and that is how the pothole was born.
Today, at any time, there are thought to be more than a million potholes in Britain, according to the RAC. Last year was a mega year for potholes with more than 750,000 reported in 2023 by 60 per cent of local authorities (many more holes go ignored and unreported
by the public).
The RAC attended 29,300 breakdown incidents as a result of pothole damage to cars during 2023 in England. The plague of potholes has even driven Rod Stewart to filling in holes himself and considering selling his supercars.
Roads in the UK are so susceptible to potholes because of the wet, cold climate. Traffic levels also increase road wear, adding to the problem as roads are more likely to become damaged and cracked. Increased building, more cars and climate change bringing more adverse weather mean the problem will only increase.

The issues in Dorset
Dorset Council’s highways department, which includes an emergency team and gritting lorries, is constantly working to maintain the road network. The team found time between fixing problems caused by snow and Storm Bert to send a response to the BV Magazine. Councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services said:
‘Every year we maintain our whole road network (2,400 miles), fixing approximately 20,000 potholes across Dorset. At any given time, the number of potholes varies depending on factors such as weather conditions and road usage.
Our team prioritises repairs based on the pothole’s location, size, depth and the category of road it is on. A defect on an A-class road is addressed more quickly than one on a less heavily used road. ‘One of the key challenges is weather conditions – particularly the freeze-thaw cycle. Water enters small cracks in the road surface, and if it then freezes it expands, worsening the cracks and eventually leading to pothole formation.
‘Preventing this requires sealing road surfaces early, but this isn’t always possible across the entire network. The sheer scale of Dorset’s road network also presents logistical challenges. Balancing urgent repairs with preventative maintenance to avoid future damage requires careful planning and allocation of resources. We aim to repair high-risk potholes within 32 hours and complete most repairs within 28 days, whether they are identified by our inspection teams or reported by the public.’

Looking to the future
If potholes are on the increase because of weather conditions and high traffic volume, innovative solutions will be needed. The University of Surrey is conducting a research trial, led by Dr Benyi Can, into thermo-active treatments for roads. Dr Cao is working with National Highways to test using geothermal energy to keep road surfaces at a controlled temperature. Ground source heat pumps are being used to cool roads in summer and warm them in winter.
If successful, the work could provide a cost-effective solution to a significant challenge. Dr Cao says: ‘At the moment, a typical motorway or A-road surface lasts 20 years, but this is likely to reduce as extreme weather increases. By regulating the temperature of road surfaces, they should last significantly longer. Aside from the safety benefits and reduction to car damage, think of the reduction in expensive, inconvenient roadworks.’
In Dorset, the highways team has a busy time ahead. Councillor Andrews says: ‘By April 2025, we will have renewed or replaced more than 120 miles of road surfacing and fixed around 20,000 potholes across our network this year. This approach ensures we address both immediate hazards and long-term road durability, providing better value for money and improving road safety for all users. We appreciate the community’s assistance in reporting issues, helping us keep Dorset’s roads safe and well-maintained.’

To report a pothole in Dorset either go online at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/report-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement or call the 24-hour hotline (01305 221020) for urgent issues.

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