From Dorset With Love

5 August 2024

In 2010 Chrissy and Karl Regler had just had their second child. Finances were tight, and Chrissy, on maternity leave from the solicitors office where she worked, took a part time job in a pub. When a supplier let them down, she offered to make the pub’s popular chilli jam. ‘They loved it,’ she says. ‘Then they wanted a real ale chutney. As time went on, I started making on a very small scale for people to buy. Finally, we realised that if I sold X number of jars, I wouldn’t need to work at the solicitors anymore.
‘I mean, it was tough. We don’t have luxury holidays. We don’t have expensive cars. And it has definitely been hard with us being married – you’ve got to have a good strong relationship to be able to deal with that!
‘We’ve had lots of challenges – Brexit increased the import costs. We had no glass available for three months last year because it was coming from Ukraine and Russia. And then Spain had major droughts … My job might sound cutesy and domestic, but it’s actually a hard business in which to keep your head above water. Prices change all the time and you’ve got to constantly look at procurement. You’ve got to have the quality of goods coming in, you can’t just buy any old stuff.
‘People ask “why don’t you use Dorset’s strawberries?” – the answer is that there’s nowhere in Dorset that could produce enough. Plus there’s the sheer cost of that premium UK fruit – people wouldn’t pay it.
‘We pride ourselves on being a family brand, we don’t want to charge £6, £7, £8 a jar. We want people to be able to afford to buy from us and have our products on their breakfast tables. We don’t see the point of things being out of reach or only for a treat. We want our product to be an achievable thing.
‘We are SALSA accredited (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) which is a supermarket standard, it means our food safety is a really high level. We supply The National Trust and the RSPB and they both require a high standard of food hygiene. We were stocked in Co-op but we chose to de-list – supermarkets are not for us. They would take £4,000-worth of stock, and then pay you from what they sell. But you’ve made the investment in all the jars, the ingredients, the production … and you’re just waiting to receive that back.
‘In a small business, you wear many, many hats. You’re in charge of your food safety, your accounts, procurement, marketing, sales and your customer service. You’ve got to be able to streamline as much as possible, or you’d go crazy. We don’t want to be a faceless brand. We want to be out there with fellow small traders, to go to a food festival and recognise our stockists – to stop for a chat. We want to be talking directly with the public, to say, “Oh, you can buy it here, here and here”.
Food shows are great. Because people can see that we’re actually normal! We’re ordinary people who sit in on a Friday night and watch rubbish telly!’

Dorsetshire Sauce, the award-winning product that ‘made people take us seriously as foodies’

Dorsetshire sauce
The From Dorset With Love range has grown over the years – the chilli jam is still there, but it sits in a broad range of jams, marmalades and chutneys. Last year Chrissy diversified into table sauces: ‘They’ve gone incredibly well. We also have fruit-infused balsamic vinegars, which are for more than just salads. But our main product is Dorsetshire source. It’s a unique taste – Karl spent 18 months creating it.’
‘We’d started making ketchup and brown sauce,’ says Karl. ‘I wondered why we were buying Worcestershire sauce to add to our products when we could make our own. So I started experimenting.’
‘But without the anchovies,’says Chrissy. ’Basically because we want to have friends – fermenting fish for 18 months isn’t ideal!’
‘About ten years ago I ended up with the right recipe,’ says Karl. ‘It uses 21 ingredients, with 15 herbs and spices – and it won a three star Great Taste Award that year. Out of 10,000 products only 152 got three stars.’
‘From there, Fortnum & Mason picked it up and things started to move,’ says Chrissy. ‘People took us more seriously as foodies. The Hix restaurant chain used it instead of the market leader. The Pig on the Beach uses it, The Salt Pig use it … it’s great for catering to allergies as it’s vegan and it’s gluten free.’
It’s still very much a family business – Chrissy’s brother works in the kitchen (he’s credited with fixing Chrissy’s grainy table sauce issues). Chrissy’s mum has been a staunch supporter from the start, and still helps out where she’s needed: she taught Chrissy to make a good marmalade, and it’s her piccalilli recipe in the jars.
Although they’ve turned away from the supermarket route, Chrissy and Karl are still keen to expand the brand, exploring new markets and products, constantly innovating and testing. But there are certain areas of the business that won’t change.
‘There are food shows that we do every year,’ says Chrissy. ‘Strangely, of all of them, our local Sturminster Cheese Festival is absolutely one of the main ones! It’s popular no matter what the weather is doing. It’s a really good community event, and we always carry back empty trays on the Sunday because we’ve sold out – I don’t think we’ve ever had a bad event there.
‘The shows are where we can really tell people that we’re totally handmade. When a customer speaks to somebody there, they’re speaking to the person who makes it, or who’s packed the box or labelled the jar.’
From Dorset With Love products are stocked in lots of delis and farm shops all over the county (there’s also a stockist in Norway and a butchers in Belgium!) Products are available direct from the website, and of course you can stop and say hello to Chrissy and Karl at Sturminster Cheese Festival in September.

fromdorsetwithlove.co.uk

Chrissy on the stand at the Sturminster Cheese Festival

Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival

Always a major event in the local foodie calendar, this year the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival boasts more than 20 cheese makers, alongside a wide variety of other local West Country food and drinks traders and producers.
From Cheddar to blue cheese, olives to chutneys and cakes to chocolates, there will be something to tempt every taste bud … and let’s not forget the locally-produced gins, ciders and vodkas on offer!
The Cheese Festival will take place on 14th and 15th September from 10am to 5pm at the Recreation Ground, Ricketts Lane, Sturminster Newton.
Advanced Tickets £8
(£9 on the gate) bvmag.co.uk/sturcheesetickets

From Syria to Shaftesbury

Editorial team

4 August 2024

Callum Sutherland talks to the Hammoud family, as they celebrate British citizenship and the home they have found in Dorset

A view of the Hammoud family’s hometown in Syria, taken before the town was besieged
All Images: Ammar Hammoud

Do you know which British scientist won the Nobel Peace Prize for discovering the structure of a DNA molecule? Or how many national parks there are in Great Britain?
When you apply to become a British citizen, you need to know the answers to these questions and many more.
For Ammar and Samar Hammoud, this was the British trivia they studied tirelessly when they took citizenship tests last year. After passing – alongside English writing and speaking exams – they, with their children Malak, Massa and Ahmad, became British citizens at a ceremony in May.
The family fled Syria in 2013 during the country’s civil war.
‘We had to get out of our hometown,’ Ammar says. ‘It was besieged, we had no choice … A lot of our friends died. We suffered a lot and we had an open road only to Lebanon.
‘Our trip was terrifying and exhausting – we were bombed on the road. It was winter and we couldn’t take any [of] our clothes with us, there was no time. We were on a bus and the bombing hit the bus, a lot with us on the road died because of that barbaric attack.’
Four years later, the family came to Dorset as refugees with help from the United Nations resettlement programme. Samar says: ‘The UN said we could go to the US, France or Britain. I don’t know why I chose here, I just had a feeling inside that I feel very comfortable coming here.’
The family was originally told they would be moving to Devon, but were directed to Shaftesbury once they arrived.
‘At the citizenship ceremony, I was so proud to have my family with me,’ says Ammar. ‘It was a very special day. After, we went to eat fish and chips! That day will forever stay in my mind.’
This cherished achievement is something that the Hammoud family has been working hard for since arriving in Shaftesbury in 2017. Ammar describes how difficult the journey to citizenship has been.
‘Before, it was like I was going up, up, up the hill. Now I can sit down and take some rest. It was hard, everything was hard. It’s been difficult – when I came here I didn’t know anyone, I was anxious and worried all the time.’

From left: Anthony Woodhouse, High Sheriff of Dorset, with Malak, Ahmad, Ammar, Samar and Massa, as they receive their British citizenship certificates.

Shaftesbury Refugee Group
In the face of these difficulties, a local charity has been on hand to help since the Hammouds first arrived. The Shaftesbury Refugee Group was set up in 2017 by local residents unhappy with the treatment of Syrian refugees and the lack of local support for them. They have since been supporting Syrians and, more recently, Ukrainians in the area, with whatever they need. The group has been crucial to the arriving families – including, of course, the Hammouds.
‘When I first came to the UK I couldn’t open my suitcase for a month because I wanted to leave,’ says Samar. ‘It wasn’t England. It was just that I wasn’t home. But the volunteers came and sat with us, spoke with us, made us less frightened. That meant that one day I could open my bag. The Shaftesbury Refugee Group was like a bridge that made it possible for us to live here. They provided all the support. Even when I was in hospital to give birth, it was like having my mother with me. It feels like they are our family, not volunteers.’
‘I have this family, the refugee group,’ Ammar adds. ’Now I feel safe. If I have any problem, I know what to do.’
Volunteers and trustees with the charity have continuously supported the family – anything from help studying for the citizenship exams to booking an appointment with a GP. The charity’s information officer Stuart Twiss has supported the family with legal matters, accountancy and simply as a friend to hear their problems. Samar says: ‘Every year he helps us with accounting, because we don’t know the law, everything has been new.’

During hot summers in Syria, Ammar says local families would enjoy picnics in the shallow river to help cool off

And it was vice chair Roz Hanby who initially encouraged the couple to share their Syrian cooking with Shaftesbury. Now, the family runs Hammoud’s Kitchen, a catering service for the local area. Samar says: ‘I didn’t think people would like to taste the food I make but she said we should just try.’
Their business has flourished, selling at the weekly Shaftesbury market and regularly catering for local events. Most recently, Hammoud’s Kitchen featured at the Motcombe Music Festival, selling out rather quickly!
Ammar says: ‘I really like to share my food and my culture, it has made me friends here. People like the baba ganoush, falafel, shawarma and my broad bean salad.’

Ammar’s family farm in Syria produced a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as these apricots, plums, pears, apples and oranges.

A future in Shaftesbury
Over the last seven years, the Hammouds have found that, despite leaving everything they knew and owned behind, Shaftesbury has now become home for them.
‘Shaftesbury people are amazing, very helpful and always smiling,’ Ammar says. ‘I haven’t felt like a refugee here. If anyone asks “where are you from?” I always say Shaftesbury.’
While Shaftesbury has become a perfect place for the Hammoud family to settle, leaving Syria has still been extremely difficult. After 13 years of civil war, their hometown is almost unrecognisable.
While talking about home, Ammar goes through photos on his phone of fruit that used to grow on his family’s farm. Looking through pictures of cherry trees, glowing white raspberries and brilliant yellow pears, he marvels at how juicy and sweet these fruits were. The produce found at Dorset’s supermarkets simply cannot compare, apparently!

The grapes harvest on Ammar’s family farm in Syria, before the war

For Ammar, though, his family’s future is firmly in Dorset – he believes he will never return to live in Syria: ‘If I can go back, I will, but just to sell my land, then come back and buy a house in Shaftesbury.
‘My life in Syria is gone. My friends, father and mother are dead. I don’t have anything there. They killed me when they bombed my house, killed my friends. Even if I am here, my heart is dead. I cannot go back to Syria.’
The painful reality of life back in Syria, compared with the warmth that has greeted them in Dorset, means that Ammar and Samar only see Shaftesbury as their future home.
‘It’s been difficult for the children,’ says Samar. ‘A new language, new friends, new culture. For months when Massa heard a plane, she would hide under the table. Now we just try to support our children and their future.’

Ammar and Samar are regulars at the weekly Shaftesbury market, where Samar’s baba ganoush and shawarma are very popular

North Dorset is now where their children have spent majority of their childhood. All three enjoy Taekwondo, and five-year-old Ahmad says he wants to learn French. Malak, who is just starting her GCSEs, recently received the highest possible award at school for her attitude and grades.
Looking forward, aspirations are high. Malak wants to be either a lawyer or doctor, Ahmad aims to be a policeman and Massa likes the idea of being a teacher. Their parents say that if the children go to university, they would like to move as a family.
‘But when they finish we would come back to Shaftesbury,’ Ammar says. ‘If I leave for maybe a week, I miss it here!’
‘The children feel very confident now, thanks to the support they get,’ says Samar. ‘We are very proud, especially for them – they have good education and a bright future.’

hammoudskitchen.co.uk
shaftesburyrefugeegroup.org

A century of service

Editorial team

4 August 2024

Dorset’s longest-serving councillors – Stella Jones and Robert Corben talk to Rachael Rowe about 50 years of commitment to their communities

Three-time mayor Cllr Stella Jones has served Dorchester town council for 45 years and now chairs Dorset Council

Two Dorset residents are marking a remarkable combined century as councillors. Stella Jones has served for 50 years on Dorset councils, and Robert Corben has just marked 50 years with Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council.
In 1973, a the age of 27, Stella Jones was elected to West Dorset District Council, which she continued to serve until 2019, when she became a member of the new unitary authority, Dorset Council.
She has been a member of Dorchester Town Council for 45 years, and Mayor three times. She has filled many district and town council roles and currently chairs Dorset Council, after the LibDems’ victory in the local elections of May 2024. When she took the chair, she symbolically removed her yellow LibDem scarf as she took the chain of office, demonstrating she wanted to remain non-political in the post. Stella was awarded the MBE in 2016 and continues to volunteer with youth charities.

Changing times
When Stella joined the council in the 70s, local authorities were a very male-dominated environment:’There was a lack of facilities and services for young families – things such as playgrounds and dropped kerbs, where you could get around with a pram,’ she says.
Having served as a councillor for most of her adult life, Stella has worked through challenges with her work-life balance and prioritising her family.
‘It is difficult balancing the role of councillor with that of being a mother and working,’ she says. ‘When my four children were young I had to arrange babysitting, collecting children from school and taking them to after-school activities. As my husband was also a councillor, I relied on good friends to help, and then would help with their children in return. When I went back to teaching I was fortunate that my school, Damers First, was very close to the council offices so I could attend afternoon meetings at the district council and evenings at the town council. It is more difficult for some councillors who live at a distance from Dorchester.
The important part of being a councillor is meeting and helping residents, and this can usually be achieved at a time to fit in with other activities.’
Robert Corben has this year stepped down as councillor in Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council, following five decades of service.
‘I was first approached by Fred Errington, who ran the village shop at the time. He encouraged me to be a councillor. Don Lambert was my first chairman, he ran a garage on Higher Street, and I’ve served under five chairmen since,’ he says.
‘I’ve seen loads of changes. More than 100 houses have gone up in the village in my time. Back when I started, the parish council was far more laid back. Nowadays it feels like it’s hard to get anything done because of all the legislation. It’s totally different from when I started.’
Stella is keen on change: ‘Yes, there have been many changes over the years. There is much more respect from officers and other councillors for women and younger members now. Contact with residents and officers is also much easier, thanks to the internet. Online meetings help enormously with time management and reduce the need for travel.
‘Councils across the country have had to innovate and change the ways they work to deliver significant savings and efficiencies. But there is only so much we can do in the face of large reductions in government funding and increasing demand for services. I would like to see councils being able to raise money locally and then spend it for the benefit of the residents.’

Robert Corben has just marked 50 years with Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council

Big achievements
Members of public have little knowledge of how much work councillors carry out on their behalf. Robert and Stella have both achieved a lot in their half-century of service.
Robert is proud of getting extensions of the village hall and recreation ground pavilion to cope with increased demand. Stella is very proud of simply living up to expectations, and of her work with young people:
‘I am proud that people have faith in me and appreciate what I have achieved, and have re-elected me many times over the 51 years. I am also proud of being mayor of Dorchester three times, and now chairing Dorset Council. And I am proud of involving young people in council issues by setting up Dorchester Youth Council,’ says Stella.
Inspiring future councillors is essential if Dorset is to attract new people to elected roles. During the recent town and parish council elections in the county, only 18 per cent of Dorset’s civil parishes were contested at the polling stations – with no competition, election is by default. Many of the uncontested parishes also had vacancies.
Robert has advice for new and prospective councillors: ‘Do your best. I’ve always done what I think is best for the village. Not everyone will agree with you, but that’s how it is. That’s democracy.’
Stella says: ‘My advice is to keep in touch with all your residents. Listen to their views and visit anyone who contacts you with a problem. We’re here to represent our community and that’s got to be the overwhelming influence in your decision to be a councillor. Stick to your principles and clearly state your views – but don’t talk too much, or people will simply stop listening to you.’

Essential jobs to nurture your garden this August

Editorial team

4 August 2024

Your August garden: prolong blooming, manage watering and prepare for next year’s display with expert advice from Pete Harcom

Help your lavender plants to keep their shape by trimming them after flowering

August’s jobs in the garden:
Even with all the rain we’ve been having, it’s wise to keep a check on your potted plants and hanging baskets – the odd one can often miss out on all the rainfall, but naturally you won’t consider it needs watering after a downpour! The best time to water plants is early morning – this allows the foliage to dry quickly which discourages fungal spores. If you have to water in the evening, it is best to water at the roots and not on the leaves, reducing any fungal problems from wet leaves on the plant and on the soil overnight. However … plants in containers may well need watering twice a day – early morning AND evening!
Keep feeding all your container plants with liquid fertiliser – once a week if possible. Regular feeding and dead heading – especially roses, dahlias and perennials – will help to keep the displays going.
And in a step further than dead heading, sweet peas are at their best this month and they really do benefit from you constantly picking the flowers for vases in the house. It helps prolong the flowering period.
Keep on removing those weeds, as they compete for water and soil nutrients.
Prune all your summer flowering shrubs once the flowers are finished. And trim your lavender plants after flowering too, to help them keep their shape.
This is a good month to remove the long whip side shoots from wisteria, back to approximately 20cm from the main stem (usually to 5 or 6 leaves). This will help control the growth and also encourage flowing next year. Wisteria will need pruning again in January or February.
Now’s the time to plant your autumn flowering bulbs like Colchicum (autumn crocus)
And believe it or not, now’s the time to order next year’s spring bulbs and perennials, ready for this autumn’s planting! Don’t forget your daffodils, tulips and Madonna lilies.
Still looking ahead, start collecting seed from plants you want to grow next year – especially foxgloves, aquilegia, calendula, poppy and love-in-a-mist. Seed from aquilegia is an easy job – the seed pods rattle when they are ready to harvest, and they can be scattered immediately after gathering. Sow them in a shady spot if you need some colour there, or collect them for sowing in the Spring. You can store them in a dry spot in the shed until required for sowing.

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

Editorial team

3 August 2024

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

1855 manager Cheryl Basten with SturAction’s Jacqui Wragg, celebrating their Gold Award

The Boutique, The Emporium and 1855 have all been having a bit of a makeover recently – a smart new sign over The Boutique, with new dark blue paint on the doors and windows of both it and 1855. And we’re pleased to be showing Earth Star, a new piece by local artist Jamie Hart on the front of 1855 – we want to do our part to make the town look attractive.
Inside our shops the stock is as good as ever. Hopefully we may get a little more summer weather yet to encourage shoppers to enjoy buying some of our lovely summer clothes in The Boutique (Sale Now On!) and don’t forget Dapper Chaps.
We must just say congratulations to 1855 for winning a Gold Award in the North Dorset Business Awards – and also to our tireless SturAction staff and marvellous volunteers.
If you’ve not stopped by 1855 for a while, why not use the regular Meet the Traders event on the first Saturday morning of every month? It’s always the same day as the Car & Bike Enthusiasts Meet in town, so you can make a whole morning of it!
The Art Week seems to have stretched on well beyond its official week – the town has been displaying some super paintings in the shop windows. A personal highlight was the totally mad but thoroughly enjoyable Art Race in The Exchange, with artists completing a painting in 20 minutes. The audience voted for their winner, and the pieces were also auctioned off. I urge everyone to come to the next one! In the meantime, don’t forget the vast collection of art upstairs in the Art Gallery above The Emporium.

1855 looking smart with new paint and the mounted Earth Star

In other news …
The Wedding Festival will be back in 2025 – this time at the end of January. If you have a wedding dress in your attic which you would love people to enjoy again, St. Mary’s Church will be looking for more for the fourth exhibition!
School holidays have started but that means the new term is looming closer. Don’t forget the FREE school uniform items upstairs above the Furniture Warehouse. Let the youngsters enjoy their summer freedom but as we move towards September come and see what we can help you with.
We are trying to keep The Furniture Warehouse open on a regular basis – Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4.30pm (plus other times when we have volunteers available). If the door is not open, do always come down to The Emporium and someone will pop along and open up for you. And if you have a few spare hours, would you like to come and join our cheerful SturAction family? Get out the house, meet new people, fill a few quiet hours and immerse yourself in the lovely feeling of giving back. We are always looking for more volunteers to come and join our SturAction family! Please do drop by The Emporium or 1855 for a friendly chat, or email Cheryl on [email protected].

We are often asked where the money raised through SturAction’s shops goes – here’s what your support enabled us to contribute to the Town during July:
Art Week simply would not have happened without you
We have paid a grant to The Blackmore Vale Practice to help fund various national awareness campaigns to keep us all healthy and happy
We are one of the sponsors of the Riverside Festival on 17th August, which aims to give families a cheap day out
We pay for the free car parking on the first Saturday of every month with the aim of bringing people into town to shop and also enjoy the Car & Bike Enthusiasts Meet (and we also pay the insurance for that event).
We have made a grant to The Exchange towards an exciting ongoing project which they hope will draw more people in to the town.
That is just one month’s work for the town by SturAction – it is all about making Stur a good place to live, work and play.

Ready for Rev Offs?

Editorial team

3 August 2024

The ultimate Classic & Supercar Sunday returns to Clayesmore this month, and with more than 650 cars on display it’s set to be a huge day

The Clayesmore Classic & Supercar Sunday returns to Iwerne Minster on SUNDAY 18 AUGUST, showcasing more than 650 of the finest, fastest and rarest cars in the world.
The Rev Offs return… be prepared to be wowed! Last year’s did not disappoint. Set against the backdrop of Clayesmore house, it’s an amazing spectacle when the competing cars line up for the showdown of noise and muscle! The Camaro ZL1 will return – allegedly after some modifications and a trick to bypass the rev limiter – as will the twin turbo Huracan, though it’s had a makeover.
We are delighted to welcome back our headline sponsor, Harwoods, who will be presenting an array of Bentleys, McLarens and Aston Martins.

They will also be exhibiting INEOS this year!
We’re excited to see the New Aston Martin Vantage and the new Bentley Continental GT up close and personal – and we are assured there will be some seriously rare specials car to see.
WATCH THIS SPACE!

Haynes Heritage are making their first visit to the show, bringing a variety of rare cars and restoration demonstrations.
It’s time for the kids to take the driving seat!
The Mini Rovers experience for kids is back – free of charge, thanks to Harwoods – so every child can have a go on this exciting off-road adventure obstacle course (now sporting a patriotic livery from their appearance on Britain’s Got Talent!). Come and have a go in these mini electric Land Rovers and earn a little learner driving licence.
We also warmly welcome Hendy, who will be displaying some fabulous brands, from Maserati to Mokes, and plenty of others in between including Jaguar and Land Rover.

Expect a surprise appearance from a yellow three-wheeler, a display of military vehicles, singing Land Girls … As always, we’ll be rocking out to live music, and as you’d expect there’ll be no shortage of delicious food, with gourmet burgers, wood-fired pizza, gelato and crepes.

Book your tickets now and save ££’s on the gate price click this link to buy now!
https://bit.ly/classicsuper2024

Sunday 18 August
10am to 4:30pm
Adults £14.79, Over 8s £7.75
Clayesmore School
A350 Iwerne Minster
DT11 8LL

Here we go again – Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is back!

Editorial team

3 August 2024

The rural day out is a celebration of community, countryside and tradition – and it’s a feast for the eyes, ears, and taste buds!

While the livestock, pristine rows of tractors and huge farm machinery signal it is very much still an agricultural show, there’s something about the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show that is a lot more – even for those who have never set a wellied foot in a fragrant farmyard.
It’s the sense of community and the passion for the countryside that make it an unmissable event in North Dorset’s calendar.

An eclectic mix that works
The G&S Show spans the generations, from a weather-beaten man giving a terse nod to a neighbour to an excited child leading a calf into the Main Ring for the first time.
Small children in long white coats carefully lead sheep around a ring, seemingly not bothered by the crowds. Others trot ponies through their paces or help parents feed and brush livestock.
Over in the marquees, perfectly-shaped vegetables compete alongside glorious dahlias in a riot of colours as inspirational flower arrangements filled the horticultural tent.

Steam to ferrets
The crowds will be cheering this year as things turn competitive in a big way in the Harts of Stur Main Ring. And when we say big, we mean camel-sized. The camel racing is going to be the hit of the summer, we’re calling it now.
The speed of the Shetland Pony racing team is something to see as they hurtle around the Main Ring – hugely entertaining, it’s worth finding a seat to stop and watch them. And by show day you’ll already be missing the Olympic showjumping – grab a spot ringside, there’s plenty of jumping to see here.
Over in the Turnpike Ring, riples of laughter always accomany the start of the ferret racing – the furry creatures race down drainpipes, and it’s tails out, not the nose, that wins!
And the Terrier Racing is unmissable – regulars aren’t there for the dogs so much as for Harold Galpin’s commentary and the sheer chaos that unfolds.
Over in the steam section there always seems to be someone working on the engines, polishing and making sure the paintwork was gleaming. And what a joy it is to see them rumbling into the Main Ring for a circuit or two.

All the Food
It’s at places like the G&S Show that you realise just how much food and drink is produced in the towns and villages of Dorset. From local beers to the gin distillers’ botanicals there’s a drink for everyone. And you certainly won’t go home hungry – expect hog roasts and ice cream stalls, endless choices at the fudge stand, local sausages and plenty of world foods. Make a picnic from salami, a mountain of regional cheeses and some of the local bread and cakes.

A Grand Parade
The relaxed atmosphere of the day is at times juxtaposed with the strictest formality. Bowler hats in the judging ring, elegantly dressed ladies driving carriages, and pristine white-coated families leading livestock. Some things at the G&S Show have never changed.
The Grand Parade starts at 3pm both days – don’t miss it, you’ll find the showground empties as everyone heads to the Main Ring to see the show’s champion livestock enjoying their moment of glory.
The great thing about the G&S Show is that you never know who you might meet as you make your way round: you’ll bump into old friends and colleagues, local celbrities and for generations of local farming families it’s simply their annual get together.
And if you’ve never been before, be aware you’ll soon be marking the third Wednesday in August on your calendar every year!

Quick show tips:

Advance ticket prices:
Prices increase at midnight on the 7th August!
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children): £41
(Gate price £48)
Adult: £18
(Gate price £21)
Child (aged 5 to 15): £3
Under 5’s go FREE!

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Gates open at 8.30am on both show days. They close at 10pm on Wednesday 14th, and at 6pm on
Thursday 15th August.

Be sure to download your ticket in advance – data signal on show days is always very limited!

Bring some cash because the data signal will be shaky as the showgroudn fills, so contactless won’t be reliable

Polite dogs are of course welcome – they must be on a short lead, and NO dogs are permitted within the livestock areas, or in any marquees.

Bring a picnic! There are three designated areas for picnicking – we just ask that you don’t sit too close to marquees, so as to not block any emergency exits.

Save on plastic – bring your water bottle to the Show! Drinking water points will be available around the Showground, and will be marked on the map.

Embracing the summer

Editorial team

3 August 2024

Thorngrove Garden Centre’s regular update from Kelsi-Dean Buck – who is excited for their biggest ever summer of events, plants and crafts

do not complain about the sun … do not complain about the sun …
We hope you’ve all been staying safe and hydrated during the recent heatwave? We’re doing our best not to moan about the heat: after that horrendous start to the year, and the spring being a total wash out, it’s been nice to have a bit of actual summer!
We are so excited for August and beyond as we will be getting out and about at two of the biggest events in our calendar.
On the 14th and 15th August we will be attending Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, setting up with beautiful plants and meeting all of you lovely people! We will have a fabulous selection of 3-for-£10 1litre pots of West Country grown flowering herbaceous plants, with pack lavender, roses, herbs, gifts, greetings cards and more. That’s not all – we will be running a prize draw on both days. We just had our final meeting to plan our pitch and we’re so excited, it will be our biggest presence ever!
Not only we will be there as Thorngrove, we will be setting up with Employ My Ability (EMA), so visitors can learn more about the amazing opportunities we offer young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Those who know about us already will know how EMA is at the heart of our garden centre and café – if you’d like to know more and meet our staff, grab a leaflet and please come and have a chat.
Looking ahead to September, we are also attending Dorset County Show on the 7th and 8th September, with even more on display. We cannot wait!

Back at Thorngrove
In other news, we are looking forward to hearing the judges feedback on Shaftesbury in Bloom 2024. Thorngrove, our EMA students and day service users play a huge role in this volunteer-led scheme, putting together more than 100 planters which are proudly on display around Shaftesbury. Whatever the outcome, we’re already planning for 2025 and look forward to continuing this annual tradition.
Here at the garden centre we have now revealed dates for our special summer mini garden crafts sessions for children. This month they can make some mini gardens with real seeds, and a whole range of decorations to create a theme of their choice. These are perfect for four to nine-year-olds (though other ages are welcome). Parents go free.

We are of course bursting at the seams with blooms here on site, so do come and have a look for your summer garden additions. Our plant of the month is the wonderful Anemone, and there are a range of multi-buys and special offers. And don’t forget to join our FREE loyalty scheme (exclusive offers going out soon so don’t miss out!).
Have a wonderful month, and we’ll see you soon!

thorngrovegardencentre.co.uk

Vanishing Wildlife – Dorset declares a Nature Emergency

Editorial team

3 August 2024

As the council tackles biodiversity loss, Rachael Rowe looks at Dorset’s declaration and the steps it is taking to protect wildlife

We consider them rare, but they were commonplace in our grandparents day – the hazel dormouse is a good example of shifting baselines

The dearth of insects, particularly butterflies, has been noticeable this year – but not just because the summer has been a damp squib with unusually wet weather. Historically, Dorset has been full of wildlife, its countless hedgerows teeming with life. But are some species disappearing before our eyes?
Following concerns about the global decline in flora and fauna, on 18th July, Dorset Council formally declared a Nature Emergency, indicating that it would prioritise the environment and biodiversity.

What is a Nature Emergency?
Dorset is not the only council to make this formal declaration – several other local authorities are similarly concerned about the dangers to biodiversity.
In the report presented to the council, the declaration recognises that there is a nature emergency:
a. That nature is in long term decline and urgent action must be taken to reverse this, that the UK is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries – in the bottom 10% globally and the worst in the G7 – and with only about half its biodiversity left that it is far below the global average;
b. That a thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous society, that it benefits our physical and mental health, feeds us, cleans our air, moderates urban heat, alleviates flooding, absorbs carbon, makes counties like Dorset beautiful and that its survival and diversity is essential to human life;
c. That the nature crisis and the climate emergency are intrinsically linked and that the impacts of the climate crisis drive nature’s decline, while restoring nature can help to tackle the climate crisis.
Dorset Council’s emerging nature recovery strategy will be strengthened, following the declaration. New Council leader Nick Ireland explains the priorities: ‘We’ll be embedding nature’s recovery at the heart of all strategic plans – including the forthcoming Dorset Local Plan – as well as into policy areas and decision-making processes.
‘We intend to further support and facilitate the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Dorset, working with farmers, landowners, businesses, organisations and NGOs so that there are agreed priorities, opportunities and reportable actions to recover nature across the county. We will also set clear strategic and measurable goals for nature’s recovery by 2030, and its contribution towards mitigating carbon emissions and increasing our resilience to climate change.’

The view across West Dorset from Eggardon Hill

How big is the problem?
The county’s wildlife has been diligently monitored for some time, including by the Dorset Environmental Records Centre and various volunteer groups and charities, and their data shows that biodiversity is declining in Dorset in line with the global reports.
Dorset Wildlife Trust chief executive Brian Bleese says: ‘We’re hugely encouraged that Dorset Council has declared a nature emergency. Most people realise that we are facing a huge global crisis. Locally, we’ve faced serious problems with water pollution. And even in Dorset, rural as it is, one in 40 of all species is no longer in the county, and that includes 20 species of bee.’
The Dorset Rare Plant Register shows there are 17 species that have not been seen in the county since 2000, including orange foxtails and the short-water starwort. Starworts improve water quality, absorbing nutrients and naturally maintaining clean ponds – their disappearance has a follow-on impact on many other species. Variation in species is essential to create healthy ecosystems. Recent work by the Dorset Environmental Records Centre also highlights potential opportunities, such as the 18 farms owned by Dorset Council working to increase biodiversity.

When did you last see a dormouse?
The decline of species such as field voles and dormice from rural areas is recorded in the Dorset Mammal Atlas series of maps. Last year the Mammal Society estimated there to be about 900,000 dormice in England and Wales – down from around 2.5 million in 2000. Mild winters and deer grazing hold some of the responsibility for disturbing their natural habitats, but the complete absence of dormice in parts of Dorset is a signal of a broader, more serious issue, as important species quietly vanish.
‘Some of this is about shifting baselines,’ said Brian. ‘Our “baseline” is how we saw nature when we were younger – over generations that baseline shifts. We all remember how much more wildlife there was when we were young – but our grandparents would remember much more.’

Where to start?
One of the challenges in Dorset is to balance the nature emergency with other government directives such as an urgent requirement to build more homes – and the new government’s changes to the planning system are likely to exacerbate this situation. Under the Environment Act 2021, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) now must deliver at least 10 per cent biodiversity net gain (BNG). There may be opportunities for the public to challenge developers more on protecting biodiversity, beyond the usual token drainage pond on a new-build estate – they could, for example, install living walls (walls covered with plants that grow vertically), bee bricks, bird boxes and green roofs.
There are other areas where the local authority can make a difference to biodiversity.

Though it has minimised its use, glyphosate-based pesticide is still used by Dorset Council to tackle certain invasive species such as Japanese knotweed

Glyphosate – why risk it? Although Dorset Council has minimised the use of glyphosate weedkillers, they are still in use. In a letter to the council before the July meeting, campaigner and TV naturalist Chris Packham urged councillors to ban the use of the controversial chemical:

“I applaud that Dorset Council has a motion to declare a nature emergency … but to continue using glyphosate across Dorset’s urban areas is simply mind-boggling.
“We know glyphosate-based products have the potential to cause significant damage to human health and to the environment – why take that risk? In a biodiversity crisis we need leaders – this is a huge opportunity for the council to lead, and demonstrate that emergency situations require ambitious, bold action.”

Several towns, including Glastonbury, have signed up to being pesticide-free on council land, so there is a precedent. How quickly can Dorset prioritise substituting glyphosates for other, more wildlife-friendly, products?
‘Dorset Council’s existing use of glyphosate is minimal,’ says Nick Ireland. ‘However, that doesn’t mean that as a responsible authority, we shouldn’t seek to reduce or even eliminate its application. Our current deployment of the herbicide is essentially in spraying sealed surfaces (pavements and kerbs) plus the very focused use on certain invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed and others to protect Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
‘We are working to reduce the use through various means such as removing soil and detritus from sealed surfaces, combined with ensuring that when pavements and footpaths are replaced, the new surface is designed to be as weed resistant as possible.
‘Many other authorities in the UK have banned the use of glyphosate only to have to retract to various extents. We won’t issue a ban now because for us it simply is not practical. Please be assured that Dorset Council is dedicated to tackling both the climate and nature emergencies.’
Funding is a significant challenge and local councils currently face enormous financial constraints. This has led to concerns among residents that Dorset Council’s nature emergency declaration, while well-intentioned, may lack the necessary resources to be effective in execution.
‘Dorset Council has taken decisive action by declaring a nature emergency,’ says Nick. ‘We are placing nature’s recovery at the core of strategic plans, policies and decision-making processes. Going forward, all budgetary decisions will now take into account the impact on nature recovery.’
Protecting nature is critical for the future of the planet, for food security and to ensure healthy and sustainable ecosystems for wildlife. And it’s not solely the council’s responsibility – everyone has a small part to play to protect nature and make a difference, whether it is planting some bee-friendly flowers, putting up a nesting box in the garden, or becoming a hedgehog-friendly village. Brian Bleese is a big fan of this collective community approach to small actions: ‘Even in your own small garden, encouraging wildlife can create an essential corridor for nature.’

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