George William Lewis Jr refuses to be pigeonholed. A novelist, fashion muse and actor, the Dominican born (but Florida raised) artist slips between his various pursuits with consummate ease. But it is his work as solo artist Twin Shadow which really stands out. Through his five previous LP’s, Lewis Jr has cycled through electro-indie pop, gospel, soul, minimalist pop, RnB and experimental pop in a manner at times thrilling but often chaotic. His sixth album Georgie, however, is the first time he has settled into a sound and a mood with its own distinct identity, and in doing so has produced one of the years finest records so far. The experimentalism is still there, but it is restrained and contained in such a way that it serves the songs rather than defining them. From the first bars of opening track Totally Blue, the stripped-back arrangement of traditional church organ and modern auto-tuned vocals creates a soundscape which manages to feel both familiar and new. Elsewhere, Good Times features a lead electric bass reminiscent of the opening of 9-9 (from R.E.M.’s 1983 debut Murmur), Geor(g.i.e.) reinforces its classic 1980’s credentials by making tasteful use of an effect best describe as ‘stretched cassette tape’, and Headless Hero employs a Paper Kites-esque guitar arpeggio against clashing synths to excellent effect. While at times the lyrics here offer little more than standard pop fare (“But how come when I’m thinking of you now it’s only the good times”, “As soon as you leave me and I’m out of time will you do it tenderly”, “You know the cost, we know the reasons why, oh why”), they are delivered with such conviction, and with such beautiful melody, that this does little to lower the enjoyment of listening through such a rewarding set of songs. 4/5 stars.
Matthew Ambrose presents Under The Radar on Tuesday evening at 7pm on Abbey104. Broadcasting on 104.7FM and online at abbey104.com.
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance celebrated its 25th anniversary on 21st March. In that time, they have flown more than 29,000 missions and saved countless lives. To honour this important milestone, and to show my gratitude for the dedicated service of their members, volunteers, and supporters, I have laid down an Early Day Motion in Parliament so that the whole House can recognise their hard work. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance survives entirely thanks to the support and donations from our community. However, demand for their help now outstrips the amount they raise each year. Last year they were called out 3,000 times, compared with 800 missions in 2016. If we are to keep this vital and life-saving service, we will need to help them raise more money going forward. I will do everything I can to help. This week also marked another milestone as I submitted my 400th written question. Being a Liberal Democrat and having campaigned hard on the issue it will come as no surprise that the question was about sewage! In this case, I asked what the Department for the Environment was doing about sewage discharge at Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Depressingly, despite what we all know about the amount of sewage in our rivers and beaches, I discovered the Environment Agency is not currently pursuing any enforcement action against the water companies in the Lyme and Charmouth area. It’s something I will be raising with the Environment Agency. My last act before heading to the Liberal Democrat autumn conference in Harrogate was to speak in the debate on protections for coastal communities. West Dorset is proudly home to the world-famous Jurassic Coast. However, like many coastal and rural communities, we are often overlooked by London governments and suffer from gross under-funding compared with urban areas. One of the proposals we are lobbying the Government about is the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Coastal Communities to help ensure a better deal for areas such as ours, and to address the funding imbalance so that we can get the vital services we need. Edward Morello MP for West Dorset
For a small rural town, Sturminster Newton is attracting some seriously big literary hitters. This June, Damien Lewis, Tracy Chevalier, and Natasha Solomons are among the headline acts for the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival – a ten-day celebration (6th to 15th June) of books, words, ideas, and community. Now in its sixth year, Stur LitFest continues to grow, with a packed 2025 programme including over 20 events, from scenic walks and author talks to a writing competition and cultural activities celebrating both local and international voices. There’s international flair too – the festival will be part of a UK book launch by Australian writers Jonathan and Christine Hainsworth, whose research has uncovered the story of Susanna Ashley-Cooper, 4th Countess of Shaftesbury, who championed the original (and uncut!) Shakespeare plays in the 1740s.
Other programme highlights for 2025 include:
Damien Lewis, military historian and author of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare bringing to life daring SAS escapes
Internationally acclaimed author (and North Dorset resident) Tracy Chevalier on Venetian glassmakers and Sturminster artist and suffragette Mary Lowndes
Adventurer Jessica Hepburn, the first woman to run the London Marathon, climb Everest and swim the Channel
Rachel McLean and Tess Burnett, award-winning crime writers with a West Country twist (Rachael will be discussing How to Find a Dorset Location to Dump a Body, which is always useful to know)
Greg Duncan on his family’s links to the French Resistance
Lorraine Gibson delving into the glitzy fashion of Elvis Presley in what would have been his 90th year
The programme also honours local legends Hardy, Barnes and Young, celebrates new writers, and includes a special event aimed at welcoming the local Bulgarian community. Tickets and full programme: sturlitfest.com
From a burgage plot to the woman who installed plumbing– looking back at the evolving centuries of stories of Wimborne’s historic museum
1912 – Coles Ironmongers: note the the old stationery shop has now been incorporated into the whole frontage.
As readers of The BV will know, the museum on Wimborne’s High Street has always been more than just a building. It’s a place where East Dorset’s stories live on – from grocers and ironmongers to wartime friendships and Victorian silks. And while the name above the door may have changed, the spirit inside remains deeply rooted in the town’s history.
Biggest on the High Street The house itself dates back to the late 1200s, when it first appeared as a “burgage” plot – land leased by the Lord of the Manor to a local burgess (one of the town’s wealthier residents). It’s believed today’s building may sit on an even earlier structure, though no evidence has been uncovered … yet. By the 1500s, a one-storey hall house fronted Wimborne’s main street. Over the next century, it grew: wings were added, a large central fireplace built and the entire structure was raised two storeys between 1625 and 1675. A map from this era shows it as the largest building on the High Street after the Minster. In 1687 Stephen Bowdidge took on the lease, and his son John moved in. When Stephen died in 1694 his will carried a threat of disinheritance for his son if he failed to provide a legacy for his sister Elizabeth. But by 1709, John Bowdidge had run up considerable debts and was forced to sell the lease on the house. Thomas Barnes, a local cheesemonger, moved his business in, paying ten shillings, the equivalent of a week’s wage, for his part of the house. Over the next three centuries, this High Street landmark moved through a number of incarnations – the building has always been a constantly evolving space of business and domestic life. In 1746 Christopher King took over the lease from the Barnes family, and he and his wife Elizabeth opened a shop selling wool, velvets and imported silks. The Kings enclosed the front courtyard and also installed sash windows on the first floor of the south wing. When Christopher King died, he left his business interests in the property to Elizabeth, who swiftly had a new kitchen built and a new lead water pump and plumbing installed! Elizabeth was succeeded by her and Christopher’s son, William, and on his death in 1790 the lease was taken on by William Butt, a draper and grocer. He lived and worked in the building until 1825, and under his care the house once more underwent extensive renovation, creating more living space on the first floor and additional business storage.
This image is undated. However we know it was taken after 1883, as Coles is now the name over the door of the ironmongers, but, as the stationery shop (on the left) is still boarded up, it must be before the death of John Low in 1901
The Low empire In 1837 William Low took on the lease of the main building and ran his stationers, bookshop, printing and tobacco business from the north wing (the south wing continues to be identified as a separate property). The former courtyard area became a grocer’s shop. The Lows built up a family empire: an 1846 tithe map of Wimborne shows William Low owning the main house, garden and orchard as well as other plots of land down to the river. The 1851 census lists William and his three sons in the household, all in different parts of the family business: William Low (64) bookseller and grocer William Low (34) printer John Low (29) grocer Edmund Low (20) bookseller Jane Woodford (9) niece William’s second son John inherited the estate on his father’s death in 1871. For reasons no one knows, the following year John Low closed the stationers business in the north wing, with instructions that the shop should not re-open in his lifetime. The same year, Thomas Coles – who had married John Low’s niece, Jane – took on the lease of the main premises and opened Coles Ironmongers. By the 1881 census, only the Coles family lived in the building, and in 1883, Thomas Coles bought the main property outright. The Coles name would remain on the building for more than 70 years.
1937 – Coles ironmonger’s shop decorated for the Coronation of George VI. The display won first prize
The Priest’s House Interestingly, it was only in 1889 that the term Priest’s House first appeared on an Ordnance Survey map – and even then, it referred only to a part of the building. There’s no historical evidence of any priests living there, and the name has always been more evocative than accurate! In 1901, John Low – the original owner of the stationery shop – died. In the same year, Tom Coles (junior) married Blanche Cox, the butcher’s daughter. They took over the stationer’s shop – and they found all the old original stock still inside, including a large collection of Valentine’s and Christmas cards. Tom expanded the family’s ironmongery shop into the old stationer’s premises. Tom and Blanche’s daughter Hilda was born in 1907. During the 1930s, Barak Abley opened a gentleman’s outfitters in the separate south wing building, and his daughter Mary became a firm and lifelong friend of Hilda Coles. They both served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service in Invergordon, Scotland during World War Two.
1962 – this photo was taken shortly after the Priest’s House was converted to a museum. Hilda Coles is standing on the pavement
A new chapter In 1953, Tom Coles died, and Hilda took over the family ironmongers. Less than a decade later, in 1962, the building began its newest chapter – as a museum. Hilda Coles, known to all as Mick, closed the ironmonger’s and offered the ground floor to Wimborne Historical Society. Some locals were unimpressed. “What Wimborne needs,” they insisted, “is more shops – not a dusty old museum.” But Hilda had vision – and conviction. On opening day alone, more than 1,000 people came through the doors. Many exhibits were curated from the old shop stock – thanks to John Low, the museum has one of the finest collections of Victorian Valentine’s cards in the country – and a vast collection of local artefacts that had long been waiting in storage for a museum of their own. Through the decades, the museum has grown – both in scope and in stature. In 1990, three years after Hilda’s death, a major restoration added ten exhibition rooms. In 2012, National Lottery funding enabled the creation of the Hilda Coles Open Learning Centre, with its tea room, study space and collections storage.
1962 – When The Priest’s House Museum opened, it was just three rooms of the house
Museum of East Dorset After 300 years of being split up and owned by different families and businesses, in 2020 the town house was finally reunited. It also underwent yet another modernisation, bringing the museum into the 21st century with purpose-made, museum-grade display cabinets, environmental controls and improved access for the disabled. After a full-scale £1.8 million revitalisation – again, largely funded through grants and national support – the museum reopened as the Museum of East Dorset. The new name, like the refurbishment, was thoughtfully chosen. As chairman of the Board of Trustees David Morgan explained at the time: ‘Letting go of the name Priest’s House Museum was a decision we came to after a great deal of consideration. While it was well known – even well-loved – locally, it did not resonate outside the town and the religious connotations were confusing visitors. ‘The name Museum of East Dorset reflects the museum’s collections area, and celebrates its important role curating, celebrating and sharing the history of the wider region.’ That broader scope is key. The museum’s collections now include more than 35,000 items – from archaeological finds to rural craft tools, period clothing to childhood toys – all gathered from across the towns and villages of East Dorset. It’s not just a Wimborne story … it’s a regional one. Today, the Museum of East Dorset is a blend of its long heritage and modern engagement. Its new logo – an echo of the old Coles signage – and dark green walls echo the house’s past while embracing its future. In Wimborne, a house that began as a simple burgage plot 800 years ago continues to serve its community – just as it always has.
I see Dorset Council has unveiled its latest grand plan for public transport, complete with “exciting” projects, a “real opportunity” to improve services and even a shiny new electric vehicle trial. There’s talk of environmental goals, visitor benefits and “vital first steps” towards a zero-emission fleet. All very visionary.
But there’s rather a disconnect between the council’s triumphant language and the underwhelming actual provision for rural North Dorset. It’s essentially a bold headline backed by … three Saturday buses and vague promises. While Weymouth will see buses every 15 minutes, Dorchester gets an upgraded weekend link and even Bridport’s connections are improved. North Dorset – with our scattered villages, ageing population and deeply limited transport options – is gifted the long-awaited return of three Saturday services on the CR2, CR3, and CR6 routes. That’s it. No weekday services. No evening buses. No real progress on the “accessibility” or “connectivity” the council has assured us are priorities. And as for the single electric minibus pilot … there’s no word yet on where it’ll actually operate, but I think we’re all fairly certain that it won’t be humming between Sturminster and Shaftesbury any time soon. This, apparently, is what ambition looks like in the north of the county. Of course, urban centres need functioning public transport too. But the disparity is galling. North Dorset residents were vocal during the public consultation for the county’s Local Transport Plan. I believe better buses were the number one request. And yet, the latest Bus Service Improvement Plan offers them little more than a pat on the head and a Saturday ride into town – as long as they don’t plan on staying out too late. Councillor Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services, says the council wants to do more – that they’re working hard to ssecure fairer funding and that Dorset received the fourth lowest revenue allocation in the South West. Fair point. But this doesn’t explain the internal prioritisation decisions. The council still chooses to funnel what funds it did receive into a handful of high-profile towns, leaving the rest of the county peering wistfully from behind the hedgerows. It’s also hard to ignore the optics. Urban voters see improvements: rural ones see spin. And everyone sees the headlines – ambitious! sustainable! electric! – which, when set against the reality of living in much of North Dorset, feel more like a marketing campaign than meaningful policy. This matters. Not just for convenience, but for community. As The BV reported last month*, a functioning, fair public transport system isn’t a luxury – it’s the lifeline that lets non-drivers access work, education, healthcare and social connection. It’s what makes rural living viable for the young and the elderly alike. So yes, the new plan might tick some boxes. It might look good in Westminster reports and social media posts. But for much of North Dorset, it’s not a vision of progress. It’s a stark reminder of what we’re missing – and how far we still have to go. In the meantime, set your alarms early. The Saturday bus waits for no one.
The Grumbler – the open opinion column in The BV. It’s a space for anyone to share their thoughts freely. While the editor will need to know the identity of contributors, all pieces will be published anonymously. With just a few basic guidelines to ensure legality, safety and respect, this is an open forum for honest and unfiltered views. Got something you need to get off your chest? Send it to editor@bvmagazine.co.uk. The Grumbler column is here for you: go on, say it. We dare you.
Yes, Castle Cary Choir really is that old – and they’re celebrating in style. The choir’s anniversary celebrations begin with a home-ground concert at All Saints Church, Castle Cary, where they’ll be joined by the Wincanton Silver Band on Saturday 12th April at 7.30pm. The concert is in aid of the church, with tickets priced at £10, available from Bailey Hill Bookshop, the Market House Information Centre in Castle Cary, or online via Ticket Source on the All Saints website castlecaryallsaints.org.uk
Saturday 31st May at Sherborne Abbey, where the choir will be joined by three professional musician friends: Tom Toomey (guitar), Marta Fontanals-Simmonds (soprano) and Adelaide Brown (flute). Proceeds will support the new Maple Ward Breast Cancer Unit at Yeovil District Hospital, with tickets (£10) available from the Abbey Parish Office and Bailey Hill Bookshop. A retiring collection will be split between the Abbey and Maple Ward. As ever, the choir’s programme spans genres – from musical theatre and original compositions by Musical Director Martin Emslie, to traditional choral works, sacred music and specially arranged spirituals. Castle Cary Choir is a four-part community choir and a registered charity. They are always pleased to welcome new members in all voice parts – no choral experience or sight-reading ability required. Rehearsals are on Mondays at the Methodist Church, North Street, Castle Cary, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. castlecarychoir.org
This recipe is my version of a Shakshuka recipe. Traditionally this is a simple dish of spicy tomatoes with onions and peppers, with some eggs baked into the top. I have taken the liberty of embellishing it with a number of delicious extras, making it into a wonderful, lazy brunch dish, perfect for a long, sunny Bank Holiday weekend … Heather
Heat the oven to 180º fan/gas 6, and line a tray with baking parchment.
Cut the potatoes into small bite-size pieces and cut the tomatoes in half. Place on the tray and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until beginning to brown.
While the potatoes and tomatoes are roasting, chop the onion, pepper, mushroom, bacon and chorizo into small pieces.
In a large frying pan on a medium/high heat, drizzle a little more oil and add all the chopped ingredients. Fry until everything has softened well and the bacon begins to get crispy. Remove from the heat until the potatoes and tomatoes are ready.
Once the potatoes and tomatoes have roasted, take them out of the oven and add them to the frying pan. Return the mixture to the heat and stir. Drizzle in the balsamic vinegar and honey and stir, then add the passata and stir well.
Once everything is bubbling, reduce the heat and make dips in the top of the mixture with the back of a large spoon. Crack the eggs into the dips in the tomato mixture. Put the lid on the frying pan and leave the eggs to cook – they will take about 3-4 minutes.
Serve with warm, crusty bread, avocados and fresh coffee.
This long-term sounding government is turning out to be just as short-term-thinking as its predecessor, and it’s got people on an irritated edge. Combined with broader world events, there’s a general jangling of nerves. From the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, through renewed fighting in Gaza, to the ongoing European conflict in Ukraine, global events are causing anxiety and concern. Closer to home, the Spring Statement has needlessly left us feeling uneasy about the financial future and pondering on the Government’s mixed messages. The changes to welfare are a particular area of the government’s contradictory decisions. I say “yes, absolutely” to the dignity of work and purpose and that as many people as possible should be able to secure the benefits of employment and make their contribution. Nevertheless, the eligibility changes jar with earlier decisions to raise employers’ national insurance contributions that are slowing up hiring and drying up the very job opportunities those previously receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) or incapacity benefit are meant to find. I was speaking to people on their doorsteps last weekend in Gillingham and heard specific examples of the impact cuts to PIPs will make. An ex-nurse was keen to work, but her experience indicated employers unwilling to adjust their expectations, even amid skills shortages. While the increase in the National Living Wage is welcome, especially the higher percentage rise for younger workers, taken together with the increased National Insurance contributions the effect is to apply the handbrake to hiring. There are other ways than employers’ national insurance contributions to finding the revenue for public services. Liberal Democrats suggest increasing taxes on the social media and tech giants, but digital services taxes seem set to go down, not up, to be more Trump-friendly and tariff-avoiding. Elsewhere – and highly relevant to our rural area – the sudden scrapping of the Sustainable Farming Initiative added another layer of uncertainty for farmers. Once again, the government said one thing and did another. Pre-election, Labour was the ‘friend of agriculture’ and stressed the sector’s importance for health and food security. Sadly, the debacle of inheritance tax on family farms and now this additional blow to incomes and more sustainable agriculture gives completely the opposite impression. Overall, I have the sense of pent-up energy in the economic engine: wanting to get on and grow, but the tyres are spinning because of incoherent and self-defeating policy. In these nervous times, the Liberal Democrats in North Dorset stand for stability, compassion, and a commitment to fairness. We believe in a strong economy that works for everyone, a social safety net that protects the most vulnerable, and a government that acts with integrity and intelligence. Gary Jackson North Dorset Liberal Democrats
On a crisp, sunny morning, Shaftesbury’s RotaKids, supported by Shaftesbury Rotary, took to the water for their very first sponsored swim – held at Coombe House. Cheered on by parents and headteachers from both schools, the young swimmers powered through an impressive 350 laps of the 25-metre pool. In total, 25 children took part, raising more than £450 for local charities nominated by the RotaKids. Special mention goes to Abbey Primary School pupil Alex Biro, who raised an outstanding £140 single-handedly. Shaftesbury is fortunate to have two thriving RotaKid Clubs – one at Shaftesbury Primary and the other at Abbey Primary. Open to children aged seven to 12, RotaKids are elected by their peers to make a difference in their communities, while building confidence and leadership skills. The clubs are sponsored by Shaftesbury Rotary and the two often work together on joint events. The Rotary team extend their thanks to Darren Harte and the Coombe House staff – especially lifeguard Adam – for generously giving up their Sunday morning to oversee the event, and to first aider Howard for being on hand throughout. Thanks also went to Brave and Determined (BAD) for providing refreshments from their coffee trailer, raising funds and awareness for their own cause in the process. Coming Rotary dates for the diary include the Family Fun Run in Shaftesbury on 6th April, and the North Dorset Cycle Ride on 18th May.
