The Dorset Meat Company, renowned for its grass-fed meats and artisanal British cheeses, has triumphed at the Butcher Shop Of The Year Awards
Focused on a farm-to-fork ethos, the Dorset Meat Company, based in Henstridge, prides itself on its partnership with small-scale, family-run farms that adhere to traditional animal husbandry methods. Nick Somper, Founder of the Dorset Meat Co., expressed his delight at the recognition, hailing it as a testament to the whole team: ‘This prestigious national award is recognition of the dedication of the wonderful Dorset Meat Company team, as well as a real testimony to the work of all our amazing farmers, growers and producers. Their grass-fed, sustainable and ethically-raised produce allows our customers across the UK to enjoy the best food. ‘We believe strongly that small-scale farming is better for the farmer, the animal, the local ecology, and also for the consumer. We advocate that we all eat less meat, but to ensure it’s of the very highest quality and is produced in a way that respects nature, the environment and the animal. Eating meat from animals that themselves have only eaten a natural diet of grass, and wildflowers rich in vitamins and minerals makes sense. It’s a healthy choice to make.’ The Dorset Meat Company’s commitment to healthy, ethical, and sustainable food productionmeans they work with farms which prioritise natural and biodiverse environments, ensuring that the animals are raised without being rushed, which in turn enhances the texture and flavour of the meat. It is this high-integrity farming that is the heart of the Dorset Meat Company’s values. By cultivating relationships with these smaller, more traditional farms, the company makes it possible for their customers to make ethical and informed choices about the food they eat.
Not all steak and chops In addition to the butchery, Dorset Meat Co. also offer an impressive range of prepared meals, crafted by professional chefs in Dorset, delivering convenience and taste straight to the dinner table. Delivering across the UK five days a week, It’s not just locals who can enjoy the finest West Country produce. But, despite the name, the Dorset Meat Company isn’t just about meat. Their product range extends to an impressive selection of British artisanal and farmhouse cheeses, crafted by award-winning independent cheesemakers from the West Country. Their selection of outstanding deli items is equally impressive, featuring Dorset charcuterie, smoked salmon, home-made pies, and a variety of organic, home-made goods such as Dorset Sea Salt, bone broths, and a plethora of Mediterranean pastes and pestos. thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk
We need a fee earner to join our busy Residential/Commercial Conveyancing Team. We have regular new client work as well as a huge amount of repeat business. The position would be based mainly in our Sturminster Newton office. To apply please send a covering letter and your CV to our Practice Manager Vanessa Howell [email protected]
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Show chair Nicki Ralph is glad Dorset County Hospital Charity is Charity of the Year – her gravely ill husband ‘would not be here without them’
Dorset Tractor Run 2022
Dorset County Show has announced that its chosen Charity of the Year is Dorset County Hospital Charity, which is running a £2.5m Capital Appeal to assist with funding enhancements to the planned new Emergency Department (ED) and Critical Care Unit of Dorset County Hospital. The decision to support the hospital holds personal significance for Nicki Ralph, Chair of the County Show. Her husband, Nic, experienced total kidney failure and sepsis last year. He spent almost three weeks in a coma, with 11 of those days on life support. Nicki says: ‘This truly is a cause close to my heart. My family are indebted to the incredible support the hospital gave my husband who, without a shadow of a doubt, wouldn’t be alive today without their unstinting help.’ Show stalwart Nic, 67, is now recovering well at home, and is aiming to do some fundraising himself for the hospital once he is fully recovered. Simon Pearson, Head of Charity for the hospital, highlighted the overwhelming demand faced by the Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, with over 50,000 people treated annually despite its original capacity of 22,000 attendances. To support the fundraising efforts, the Dorset County Show has planned several events. The annual Tractor Run is scheduled for Sunday, June 25th – tractors of all ages, sizes and makes will travel from Cheselbourne to Piddletrenthide and back (see image above). Additionally, a Dorset-themed Charity Night will take place on Wednesday, August 30th at the Showground, featuring music, bingo, and a bring-your-own food event. The Show itself is on the weekend of September 2nd and 3rd, and will be showcasing the usual county show mix of giant vegetables, prize cows, Dorset crafts and foods, monster trucks, axemen in action and hoe-down music. It’s a line-up with something for everyone! dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
This month, North Dorset CPRE’s Derek Gardiner looks at our rivers, which have become the latest rural planning application hurdle
Algal blooms consume oxygen from the water, undermining the river ecosystems and habitat
“Getting a complete overview of the health of our rivers and the pollution affecting them is hampered by outdated, underfunded and inadequate monitoring regimes. It is clear, however, that rivers in England are in a mess. A ‘chemical cocktail’ of sewage, agricultural waste, and plastic is polluting the waters of many of the country’s rivers”. This was the opinion of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee in its report published in January 2022. The main sources of pollution outlined in the Committee’s report are agricultural pollution (affecting 40 per cent of water bodies), sewage and wastewater (36 per cent) and run-off from towns, cities and transport, referred to as urban diffuse pollution (18 per cent). According to Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, the quality of water in English rivers is “flat-lining”, with the farming and water treatment sectors being the main polluters. One of the major concerns is the excessive concentration of nutrients which causes algal blooms. These consume oxygen from the water, in the process undermining the ecosystems in rivers and the surrounding habitats. Nitrogen and phosphorous are naturally present in the environment – in low quantities, they are necessary nutrients. However, the high levels of nitrates found in sewage, agricultural run-off, nitrogen-based fertilisers and manure pose a problem requiring active management to resolve. Since the UK left the EU, the Water Framework Directive (WFD), an important mechanism for assessing and managing the water environment, has been revoked. It has been replaced by similar legislation so that the UK continues to fulfil its reporting requirements under the new legislation.
Planning standstill Following a landmark European Court ruling in 2018 (the Dutch Nitrogen Case, commonly known as Dutch-N), the government agency Natural England issued advice directing councils not to approve developments that would add to the nutrient pollution in watercourses in protected habitats, where the site in question is already judged to be in an “unfavourable condition”. In other words, the level of phosphorus and nitrogen in the watercourses should not increase (“nutrient neutrality”) as a result of such developments being built. Figures provided by the Chief Planner, as of March 2022, showed that 74 local planning authorities have received nutrient neutrality advice from Natural England across 27 catchments, amounting to 14 per cent of England’s land area. In these areas, the granting of planning permission has been delayed until appropriate mitigation can be secured. According to the Home Builders Federation (HBF), this has led to proposals for an estimated 100,000 homes being put on hold. HBF companies have had to spend anything between £5,000 and £25,000 in order to procure works privately to mitigate potential nutrient pollution from new housing development.
The high levels of nitrates found in sewage and agricultural run-off require active management
Impact on Dorset On 16th March 2022, Natural England notified Dorset Council of its updated advice for development proposals that have the potential to affect water quality, resulting in adverse nutrient impacts on internationally-protected habitat sites. This advice applied to the catchments of five habitat sites which together cover a large part of the Dorset Council area. The advice was that Dorset Council should “carefully consider the nutrients impacts of any new plans and projects (including new development proposals) on habitats sites and whether those impacts may have an adverse effect on the integrity of a habitats site that requires mitigation, including through nutrient neutrality”. The catchment areas within Dorset that this relates to are: Poole Harbour nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient deposition Somerset Levels and Moors phosphorus nutrient deposition River Avon phosphorus nutrient deposition Chesil and The Fleet nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient deposition River Axe phosphorus nutrient deposition The problem of nutrient pollution is particularly pronounced in Poole Harbour. In a letter from Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Council Dorset Council, to The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Cllr Flower wrote “An upgrade of phosphorus removal at all wastewater treatment works over 250 population equivalent within the catchment, as originally suggested through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB), would easily provide the reduction needed to achieve the target limit for phosphorus input to the harbour. This would therefore remove the need for phosphorus neutrality, enabling development to continue”. The current draft of the LURB proposes that upgrades to wastewater treatment works serving 2,000 or more population equivalent should be the target. Cllr Flower has requested that this be reduced to 1,000 population equivalents. “This would help in both unlocking significant amounts of housing development and delivering against other environmental priorities. These significant benefits can be realised with a targeted and proportionate approach. This would aid in reducing phosphorus deposition to a level that enables favourable status to be achieved, help meet other government targets on the environment, and the delivery of new homes to restart.”
Restoring rivers to good Ecological status is a complex challenge requiring cross-sector collaboration. The Environment Agency says: “There are multiple influences on river water quality in England. To make significant improvements will require investment from the water and farming industries and individual behaviour changes. We must continue to tackle a legacy of Victorian drainage systems, historic lack of capital investment in agriculture, sewerage and road infrastructure, and insufficient maintenance of that infrastructure … The changing climate and growing population make targets harder to reach.”
One of Britain’s most distinguished painters, Philip Sutton RA, celebrates his 95th birthday in October. Ahead of that milestone, Sladers Yard, the contemporary gallery at West Bay, has a major retrospective of his work, running to 8th July. Next month, The BV will have an interview with the Dorset-based colourist, talking about his life and his joyous approach and love of the natural world.
The Magic Field by Philip Sutton
The exhibition of more than 100 works includes never previously exhibited paintings and work released for the first time by his family. Showcasing 65 oil paintings, 25 works on paper and 21 ceramics, the collection represents one of the most comprehensive assemblages of Sutton’s art. There will be an event at Sladers Yard on Friday 9th June at 6pm when Philip Sutton will be in conversation with Maureen Murray. Numbers are limited and tickets will be essential. Tickets £6 – Please call 01308 459511.
Milton Abbey is seeking an organised, efficient and enthusiastic individual to support the Head of Admissions who will contribute to the day-to-day management of the admissions.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and positive person, with excellent communication skills and a high level of attention to detail and accuracy in their work and capable of dealing confidently with a range of people and situations, and able to work independently and as part of a busy team.
The successful applicant will be required to assist in ensuring that all admissions enquiries are handled professionally, courteously, efficiently, and effectively.
The department can become very busy, therefore the capacity to work effectively under pressure in a busy office is a must. You will work in a supportive team and full training will be given.
The successful applicant will ideally have previous administration experience, be a great team player and will relish the opportunities and challenges of working in a school environment.
Further details may be obtained from our website or from HR on 01258 882306 or email [email protected]. Applications must be submitted on the school’s application form. Closing date: Friday 23rd June 2023 with interviews to follow shortly thereafter.
Milton Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The appointment will be the subject of an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Additionally, please be aware that Milton Abbey School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. To avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.
Please note that our school is a no smoking site.www.miltonabbey.co.uk Registered Charity No 306318
The joy was four ‘foaled’ at The Glanvilles Stud in May, and Lucy Procter explains the fascinating feet corrections (plus Honeysuckle is pregnant!)
It’s a tough life for a horse on The Glanvilles Stud All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
The photos on my phone are revealing – muddy gateways and rain-soaked horses in early May but dry fields and sun-soaked horses by the end of the month. What a difference a few weeks make! During the first week of May we were contemplating bringing the youngstock – that had been living in a barn all winter and only turned out in mid-April – back inside as the rain was so constant and the ground so saturated. It stopped raining eventually though, we moved all the stock onto new grazing, and we have now managed to repair most of the damage caused by numerous hooves on that un-seasonally saturated ground. May has been a busy month at TGS, with four foals born, six mares visiting stallions in six days, three AI covers, two foals requiring foot extensions, five foal microchips, daily scanning, and an entire yard of horses that are still stabled overnight.
Giselle’s warmblood filly foal, 35 minutes old, trying to work out how to get her very long legs to stand.
As the weather slowly warmed up, the four mares who were all due at the end of May started to foal early. The first, a resident showjumper, producing a leggy, black colt foal in the first week. A few days later another warmblood and a visiting thoroughbred decided to foal simultaneously. It was one of those evenings when I was relieved to have three of us in the barn to help proceedings. They were swiftly followed by the last of our own mares, Molasses, who gave us a lovely tall filly overnight on 14th May. Just two more mares to foal and then we’ll be done for the season – and back to enjoying something like a more normal sleep pattern. However, three of these four foals were born with slack hind pasterns, which results in them rocking back onto their heels with their toes pointing skywards. This type of problem is often not disastrous, though; with expert vet and farrier attention and carefully restricted turnout, the condition usually improves to the point that later in the summer we will be looking at a bunch of foals trying to remember which ones had to have early intervention.
CSH Dior, long-eared, long-legged, warmblood filly out of Giselle three weeks after her first attempt at standing
Two of the foals have been helped to strengthen and straighten with lateral extensions glued to their feet to hold the foot in the correct position as they put weight on it. I will never cease to be astonished by the immediate transformation effected by these little shoes, but they cannot be left on more than a few weeks as, just like a human child, a foal’s foot grows and changes shape very quickly. The third foal’s hoof problems were less dramatic and, after two weeks of restricted turnout, the farrier rebalanced her hoof with careful trimming and the foal is now standing with her hind feet square on the ground.
A great before and after photo showing one of the foals wearing their first corrective shoe, with the other hoof still to be done. Image: Lucy ProcterCosmic Diamond’s Brave Mansonnien filly Cress, with Sambac following – lots of identikit bay foals this year and once they’re weaned it can be tricky to identify them without mothers unless we get to know them well. They are microchipped in their first month as a failsafe!
On the track Recent weeks have seen some pleasing results. Having previously raced over hurdles, after some bad luck and two seconds, the 7yo TGS-bred Triple Trade rounded off his first season chasing with two wins on the bounce for trainer Joe Tizzard. His younger sibling, the 6yo, TGS-bred Nine Graces – in training in Ireland with Barry Connell – followed up her first win in February with another nice win over hurdles in April. The 4yo Tique, whom we had foaled for owner Heather Royale also made May a winning month, crossing the finishing line in first place for the first time, in a National Hunt Flat race for trainer Seamus Mullins. Although all these horses are in the ownership of others, we follow all the graduates of The Glanvilles Stud, and we are delighted when they win.
Lady Stanhow’s strong (and curious), month old, Jack Hobbs filly.
But the month was again dominated by the recently retired and greatest of all The Glanvilles Stud graduates, Honeysuckle. Not only was Doug up at The Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards to collect Honeysuckle’s fourth Leading Hurdler Mare trophy, but social media was alive with news of her confirmation of being in foal to the Irish stallion, Walk In The Park. Despite having optimistically booked a hotel room for us both to stay in Doncaster, I was left watching the foaling cameras overnight rather than living it up at the awards evening – and next morning it was me driving a mare to stud. Well, someone has to hold the fort back home!
