Rose Engineering, a family-run business based in Dorset, has recently achieved success in the national Family Business of the Year awards. The company was founded in 1986 by Mervyn and Sue Rose, and it specialises in constructing steel-framed buildings, groundworks, and repairs. At the awards ceremony – held in London on June 21st – Rose Engineering was crowned the winner in the South, Southwest & Wales category and also secured a top 10 spot for the national public choice award. Tom Rose Managing Director, says: ‘We are beyond thrilled to have won the award for our region. So much hard work has gone into growing our company in recent years, and to have this recognised at a national awards is just amazing. We’re an ambitious, growing company and I’m looking forward to seeing us grow further in the future. I want to thank the whole of our team for their continued commitment to helping us succeed.’ The Family Business of the Year awards, organised by Family Business United, recognise the hard work and contribution of family businesses. Paul Andrews, CEO of Family Business United, said: ‘Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy. Six million family firms employ around 14 million people across the country – they make a massive impact each and every day.’ The team at Rose Engineering have worked hard to create a quality service and employee focused company. As a highly regarded company in the local area, the award is well deserved. Anita Beaumont, Finance & Marketing, adds, ‘We’re so proud to have been recognised in a national award, we’ve all worked so hard to get here, growing and adapting to make us better at what we do. The judges praised our resilience over the last couple of years, through COVID and Brexit, as well as our commitment to our staff, to quality and our future growth plans.’
I’ve seen these on TikTok and Instagram recently and they looked so good I had to give them a try. Suitably impressed, I found these delicious tacos were quick to make and if I hadn’t thrown some chips in the oven too, they would have been on my plate in a mere 15 minutes. Even my nearly-18-year-old and 16-year-old were impressed, leaving the table with clean plates and smiles on their faces. Every parent of teens knows that’s a rare and definite win. I have also added here my version of a burger sauce, but I’ve kept my ingredients to a set of ratios instead of weights – that way you can make enough for two people or for 200 people, just keep the ratios the same.
Ingredients
For the burger tacos
500g 5% beef mince
1 small onion, finely diced
salt and pepper
Pack of 8 mini flour tortillas
For the burger sauce
3 parts mayonnaise
2 parts tomato ketchup
1 part mustard (slightly less if you are using a strong mustard)
1 part juice from the jar of gherkins.
Finely chopped gherkins to taste
To serve
Iceberg (or other) lettuce
Grated cheese
Heather Brown is a food writer, photographer and stylist. A committee member of The Guild of Food Writers, Heather runs Dorset Foodie Feed, as well as working one-to-one with clients.
Method
To make the sauce, simply add all of the ingredients in a bowl, season with salt to taste and give the mixture a really good stir. Set to one side.
To make the tacos:
In a bowl, add the onion and the beef mince and mix really well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and make sure the mixture is really well combined (I use my hands).
Roll the mixture into eight balls – each will be just bigger than a golf ball.
Squash (or ‘smash’) each ball into each of the tortillas so that it spreads over the surface, about 0.5cm thick.
On the hob, heat a frying pan until very hot. Add a little oil and place a tortilla on the pan with the meat side down. If you have a large pan you may fit two in! Press down with a spatula and hold the tortilla so that it sizzles in your pan.
Once you get a nice, deep brown colour to the meat, flip to the other side (it only needs a minute on the second side). Check to see if the meat is cooked – if it is still a bit pink, then turn it back to meat side down and press down firmly again until cooked. The meat is thin, so it only takes a couple of minutes to cook, especially when it is pressed into the hot frying pan.
Repeat this process for each tortilla: I used two frying pans and I kept the cooked tortillas in a dish in a warm oven until they were all cooked.
Once cooked, we filled these with lettuce, more gherkins and lashings of the burger sauce. If you want cheese, you can add this to the taco in the pan and let it melt.
National Milk Records plc is looking for an enthusiastic person to become part-time, self-employed Milk Recorders and Samplers visiting dairy farms in the Wincanton & Dorchester areas. The work in- volves taking individual cow milk samples and updating computerized records.
Hours will vary but the work will take up approximately 4-10 early mornings and afternoons per month and applicants must have their own transport. Perfect work if you enjoy the outdoor life.
English cricket has been in the news for all the wrong reasons again this week, with a report from the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket finding ‘widespread and deep-rooted’ racism, sexism, elitism and class-based discrimination at all levels of the game. As an active member of my local branch of Unite the Union – an organisation that exists to protect and further the interests of working people in our communities regardless of their race, gender, or any other protected characteristic – the findings were simultaneously unsurprising and surprising. Unsurprising because the attitudes and behaviours described in the report are too often reflected in workplaces and in wider society. Surprising because, as proud sponsors of Blandford Girls Cricket for the past three seasons, our branch’s own experience of community cricket could not be more different. The report is encouraging, not just because it shows a commitment from the cricket community to root out racism, sexism and homophobia, but because it also seeks to address class-based discrimination – a form of discrimination that’s rarely even acknowledged as existing. Encouraging too are examples from clubs like Blandford, which are clearly well on the way to ‘getting it right’. It has taken effort, will, time and support, but Blandford’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is now self-evident, not only from the way that its membership reflects the full range of backgrounds of the people of Blandford and surrounding communities, but also from the concerted efforts made by the club to champion inclusion in cricket for under-represented groups such as women, girls, and people with disabilities. And while Blandford Cricket Club continues to create such a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, I’m certain that our branch and other local businesses and organisations will want to continue to sponsor their mission to bring people together through cricket. Pat Osborne, North Dorset Labour Party
This year’s Sturminster Newton Half Marathon –organised by the Dorset Doddlers – takes place on Sunday 6th August. The race starts at 10.30am in Station Road, just outside the Railway Gardens, and the route goes out through Manston, Margaret Marsh, Stour Row and Todber, returning back via Moorside and Hinton to finish on the High School playing field. The lead runners are expected to finish at around 11.40am.
The 5K option If distance running is not your thing, there is also a multi-terrain 5K, which starts just after the half marathon. You will line up on the same start line before making your way along Sturminster’s roads, tracks and footpaths towards Hinton St Mary. After a lap around Hinton, the route will head back through the beautiful avenue of trees before crossing the finish line at the High School. Race Admin will be stationed at the High School. You can enter online in advance for the Half Marathon, and all 5K entries will be taken on the day at Race HQ. All finishers will receive a race memento and a delicious Honeybun Cake! There will also be refreshments and children’s races on the School playing field. Come along and run, or get out and support the runners along the routes. If you live on the route and it is a hot day feel free to come out with your hosepipe and cool them down!
For more information on both races and the whole event, please visit sturhalf.co.uk or call race director Christine on 01258 472010.
Boundary changes and the impact of new fossil fuel regulations on rural areas – a busy month for MP Chris Loder
Chris Loder MP
The Parliamentary Boundary Commission has just announced its final recommendations for changes*. Initially, there was huge disquiet from the Cerne and Piddle Valleys (who did not want to be moved from West into North Dorset). To think that the Cerne Giant was going to be in North Dorset was incomprehensible! But equally, scores of people from Upwey and Broadwey did not want to move from South Dorset! And I know that the thought of Minterne Magna and Sydling St Nicholas being in the same constituency as Verwood – but not Dorchester – was nonsensical. However, the beautiful parishes of Glanvilles Wootton, Ansty and Hilton will all now be welcomed into West Dorset from the next General Election, while it is farewell to Puddletown in the north and Chickerell to the south. It took quite a lot to make the case successfully to the Boundary Commission – both Richard Drax and I constantly made representations on behalf of constituents to change the original recommendations. I was sorry to read the official response of the Liberal Democrats who supported the Cerne and Piddle valleys being moved out of West Dorset; it is duplicitous of their parliamentary candidate to claim on Twitter last week that he was really pleased that Cerne Abbas was staying in West Dorset, when he supported the original proposal tenaciously.
A busy month Since my last column, I’ve met with the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, to discuss the ongoing poor performance of the West of England line. Traversing the Blackmore Vale itself, the line frankly deserves greater attention. In particular, I raised with the Minister the performance of the line’s operators – South Western Railway and Great Western Railway – and the need for better services to and from West Dorset. I’ve also met with the Education Minister, Nick Gibb, to discuss the provision of local education here in West Dorset. I was particularly pleased to raise my specific concerns around the provision of agricultural education, which more often than not does not receive the funding or attention it deserves. Opportunities for land-based education are vitally important, especially in rural agricultural areas, and I am so glad that we have Kingston Maurward College here in West Dorset (one of the main providers for the region). My concern is that land-based education, typically the more vocational and hands-on courses, are not receiving the same attention as more mainstream institutions.
Opinions needed In other news, it may surprise you to know that 51 per cent of properties in West Dorset don’t have access to the gas grid – the highest proportion in the county. The unique infrastructure of the constituency and the sparsity of settlements means that many households have no choice but to use alternative fuels such as heating oil, LPG or kiln-dried logs. In some of the more rural areas like the Chalk valleys and the Marshwood Vale, more than 95 per cent of properties do not have access to mains gas, which puts us in a unique position of rural need. Pending consultation, the Government’s current proposal is to phase out the installation of high carbon fossil fuel heating systems from 2026. I have some reservations about this approach – it needs to better reflect rural needs. The rural voice and lifestyle risk being disproportionately affected. For me to better represent your views, I would welcome your feedback on rural energy and the Government’s current proposals – and what you’d like to see. Please do send your thoughts and comments via my website here: chrisloder.co.uk
‘Tis the season of exams. I was cheered recently when an invigilator described the efforts that go into providing a level playing field for all those sitting exams, whatever their disadvantages or disability – from different colours of paper to C-Pen readers, scribes and interpreters. Nothing, though, to suggest that a student should do anything other than bring their A game and give the thing their best shot. With that questioning spirit in mind, here is a short quiz with some suggested answers: Q: What do the Conservative Government and the recent Glastonbury festival have in common? A: A rather tired line-up giving us a few last hurrahs (and a few notable early departures) … Q: What do government, local and national and English cricket both need to do? A: Embrace a broader, more inclusive and representative approach. Stop ministering to a like-minded, narrow-minded and class-conscious minority. Throw the doors open to talent, energy, commitment and fair-mindedness. Q: (many and various): Where is the credible plan for… … net zero? For a UK response to huge US and EU investment in the technologies of the future? For an effective, balanced strategy for NHS and public sector manpower, pay and conditions, for training and deploying the thousands of GPs we so sorely need? For beating down core inflation? For preventing profiteering by retailers, banks and energy providers? For protecting our environment from self-serving utility companies? For building the houses and communities we need? For enhancing our food security? For providing reliable, affordable public transport? For resolving the mess that is our economic relationship with Europe? I could go on …
Multiple choice section: Is our Army: a) the strongest it has ever been b) getting stronger by the year or c) the smallest and weakest for 200 years? Is the NHS: a) going from strength-to-strength b) brilliant by international comparison or c) worryingly fragile and open to fragmentation and sell-off? Is Brexit: a) a success b) still the right thing to have done, or c) both feet well and truly shot to pieces? The by-elections on 20th July give people across the country the opportunity to put this government on notice. A stronger message MUST follow: not simply ‘must do better’, but that there is no confidence and even less trust in the Conservative ethos of personal freedom (aka ‘look after Number One’ and ‘let the devil take the hindmost’). Theirs has been an historic failure that now needs fixing by the grown-ups on behalf of all of us – and our kids and grandkids. This government is now visibly hunkering down, eking out its last months in power and focusing on the few dog-whistle topics that make the headlines in their safe papers. That isn’t government. It is having us on. Mike Chapman, North Dorset LibDems
With 400 years of history within its walls,Hardy’s Pure Drop Inn – The Crown at Marnhull – would have a few tales to tell. Rachael Rowe reports
The Crown Inn marnhull – All images: Rachael Rowe
If walls could talk, the Crown Inn at Marnhull would reveal more than 400 years of history. Walking into the bar, which dates from the 16th century, feels like a step back in time. And yet this business is very much focused on the future. In the Hardy Room, I met operations manager Ryan Proudley and directors Gemma Proudley and Eric Montgomery (known as Monty). Ryan and Gemma recently got married – the Crown was shut for three days so the entire team could celebrate. ‘I left the Royal Marines after several years.’ says Monty. ‘I was working in bars in Bristol but wanted to set something else up.’ ‘I used to work with Monty in Bristol,’ adds Gemma. ‘I started out at 17.’ ‘We decided to do something together.’ says Monty. ‘We looked at a lot of pubs but they weren’t quite right. Then, in 2015 we found The Crown through Hall & Woodhouse.’ ‘As a bit of context, when we found this pub it had been through 12 landlords in 10 years. It had not been looked after,’ says Gemma. ‘But we saw the potential. We walked in and thought about all the things we could do with the place. And it was a nice village – everyone was really welcoming. We’ve been here eight years now.’ Monty is clearly a history buff, and is fascinated by the inn’s past. ‘The parts of the building under thatch date from the 1500s. It was once part of the estate of Henry VIII. Catherine Parr lived up the road at Nash Court Manor. Nearby St Gregory’s Church is older, 800 years, and was formerly Roman Catholic. There’s a priest hole in the bar area and it’s said there’s a tunnel leading to the church. ‘When we were renovating one area, we found a bill of sale for a tea clipper that ran aground in Poole – the beams throughout the building are from that ship. ‘We also found a stone engraved with the date 1725 in the more ‘modern’ part of the building! And then Thomas Hardy set Tess of the D’Urbervilles here – this is the Pure Drop Inn. So now we have a Hardy Room, with a replica desk and his books – we have really embraced that theme.’
Crown Inn carved stone dating to 1725
Tell us about the team? We have 32 staff. Some are front of house, some in the kitchen, and some are part time or seasonal. We think of them as Team Crown. We make sure everyone has the corporate and front of house training and knows how to greet people. All these little things are very important. Everyone talks about Team Crown.
In charge of Team Crown – (L-R) Ryan Proudley, Gemma Proudley and Monty
What flies off the menu? ‘Our cod and chips!’ Ryan answers immediately. ‘And also our pies. And the chalk stream trout, which comes from Hampshire.’ The team has just added a ‘Dorset shelf’ in the bar where local spirits are displayed. Monty agreed that he had learned a few things about their bar menu items too. ‘When we started out we were told people wouldn’t want cocktails because “it’s rural Dorset”. But we sell loads of cocktails! We’re also very pet friendly and sell doggie ice cream. When the rep talked to us about it, we all thought he was mad. But in fact our second most popular ice cream flavour is Marshwood’s Doggie Vanilla –just behind human vanilla!’
Seared Tuna Niçoise Salad, with pickled fennel, green beans, tomatoes, new potatoes, rosemary and garlic olives, mixed leaves, lemon and dill dressing and boiled egg
Getting involved Team Crown is right at the heart of the community in Marnhull. ‘We provide the catering for Marnhull and Child Okeford lunch clubs once a month and we also look after the cricket teams,’ says Ryan. ‘On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there’s usually a load of cricketers in the garden with a burger and pint. We do well on the cheesy chips, too! ‘During COVID, we just worked hard – we did loads of takeaways which were really popular. And volunteers in the village helped us with deliveries. ‘We also have bed and breakfast rooms which are used by local businesses – the rooms run at 90 per cent occupancy.’
And your biggest challenge? ‘The energy bills,’ Monty is swift to answer. ‘Rising prices are an issue, but energy costs are the worst. Our energy bill was £19k a year – it’s now £100k. ‘So we have looked at where we can cut back – we should have been doing a lot of that anyway. But we also have to look at how costs can be absorbed. We simply can’t pass everything on to the customer. ‘Another challenge is finding skilled staff.’ adds Ryan. ‘It isn’t really anything to do with Brexit – finding specialist skilled staff who want to come here to a rural village is hard. We’ve been lucky in that the staff we recruited have stayed.’ One of the ways that the Crown has attracted staff is to buy a house in the village so workers can live locally but still have their personal space.
What are you most proud of? ‘The journey we have been on and Team Crown. They are not just employees but friends.’
crowninn-marnhull.co.uk 01258 820224 Fri and Sat – 12 to 11pm Sun to Thu – 12 to 10pm Food Service: Mon to Sat 12-2:30pm and 5-9pm Sundays 12-2:30pm and 5-8pm FULL takeaway menu also available seven days a week during food service hours
