We love pairing a vintage postcard with a photograph taken in the same spot today. This month Barry has selected Dewlish
Sponsored by The Museum of East Dorset
Home Blog
Dewlish: Then & Now
A year in wild moments
From bluebells to beeches, Jane Adams explains how simple nature journaling can reconnect us to the quiet magic unfolding on our doorstep
Do you ever wish you could remember when you last heard a cuckoo? Or the exact date the bluebells bloomed last year?
For years, I scribbled these things down on scraps of paper and stuffed them into drawers, thinking I would remember.
Obviously, I never did.
Then I discovered nature journaling.
The best thing about nature journaling is that you don’t need any special skills. It’s not about what you know, it’s about what you notice. It gives you a reason to slow your thoughts and pay close attention to the world around you – something so many of us struggle to do as we bustle through our busy lives.
By noting things down, you begin to notice small things. The way a wild bluebell droops to one side. Its subtle, sweet smell. How ridiculously green the leaves of beech trees are when they first emerge. Over days, months and years, small observations grow into a record of something bigger.
Don’t worry, just begin
How you choose to journal is up to you. Some people like to write things down or take photographs, others make sketches or audio recordings. The beauty is there is no right or wrong way: it’s whatever will fit into your life.
It’s probably worth mentioning that nature journaling isn’t a new, trendy fad, people have been doing it for millennia. The naturalist Rev. Gilbert White was keeping a record of nature on his Hampshire patch back in the 1700s. The Natural History of Selborne, his published journal, is still a top seller. But you don’t need to be a monied vicar to have a go: just arm yourself with a cheap notebook, or a free nature journaling app on your phone, and you can start straight away.
Journal about a place you know well, somewhere you visit regularly. This could be your garden, a balcony, a nearby park, maybe a favourite footpath or green space. Be sure to concentrate on and record the small things. Crouch down and look at a tiny flower (the flowers of Germander speedwell – like tiny blue jewels – are a highlight at this time of year), or study some Lilliputian lichen on top of
a fence post.
Don’t worry if you don’t know what you’re looking at (though you could try to identify it when you get home) because identification isn’t the point. It’s about your connection to nature and to the seasons. It’s about knowing that the cuckoo sang on 1st of May last year, that a blackbird nested in your garden in 2019 and that you found a slow worm in the compost heap in 2015. It’s a comforting confirmation of nature’s resilience and determination, even amidst the ever-present challenges of climate change.
It’s also an important reminder that we’re part of something bigger, something still unfolding – and those tiny, seemingly insignificant things that connect us to the natural world really do matter.
How to start a nature journal:
Pen and paper: Any notebook will do – small is good (especially if you’re journaling outside and want to pop it in your pocket!). Watercolour sketchbooks are great if you’re drawing (you could also sketch from photos once at home, if that’s easier).
Digital tools: Try the free Encounter app developed by nature writer Melissa Harrison, as a digital alternative. You can log what you see on your phone, as well as where you saw it and when, and add photos. It also includes helpful daily posts on seasonal nature to spot, and tips on nature journaling.
encounter-nature.com
Suggestions of what to journal: time, date, is it cold or hot, windy or calm … describe, draw or photograph what you notice. Get close up and use your senses. If it’s an insect or flower, what could it be? Take a guess if you don’t know. How do you feel? Are you stressed after a bad day, or calmed by being outside?
POSTCARDS FROM A DORSET COLLECTION: Bere Regis
This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards sent from Bere Regis 40 years apart – the first in 1911, and the second was sent in 1952.
Sent on 13th November 1952 to British Columbia – I suspect they’d disapprove of the Bere Regis traffic in 2025!: Hope you are having a nice birthday. A lovely day here & you are in my thoughts so much. Went to church … & again later, it is so nice he’s here for Easter (?) & for your birthday. Such a tremendous lot of traffic through here these days & such a noise!!
Hope you are all well – Love to all D. 13-4-52 BR
This card was sent to Mrs Wilding on 17th April, 1911, and the writer appears to have had problems with their pen: it’s quite the puzzle to read (Postcard presented upside down so you can have a go yourself!):
Dearest F,
Many thanks for letter & Easter card. All news when I come, will be early next week & then can tell you all. Charlie has been ill I think its a bit of congestion of the lungs … hope soon … … right, I may hope. I can (swing him drone?!) has 32 . … her office on? Much love to all, just dinner time. G… you dear. Hope you all all well. Helen Dell
Sponsored by The Museum of East Dorset
Buckland Newton CE Primary School Shines in Outstanding SIAMS Inspection
Buckland Newton CE Primary School is celebrating the outstanding outcome of its recent Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS), which praised the school’s Christian vision, inclusive ethos and inspirational leadership.
Carried out on 1st May, the inspection found that the school lives out its Christian foundation in a way that enables both pupils and staff to flourish. At the heart of this ethos is the school’s vision: “Let your light shine – on everyone, everywhere, every day” (Matthew 5:16). The report commends this vision as a powerful, deeply embedded influence across all aspects of school life, inspiring aspiration, compassion and inclusion.
Key strengths identified in the SIAMS report include:
- Inspirational Christian leadership that ensures all strategic decisions reflect the school’s vision
- A biblically informed ethos that encourages every individual to shine and support others in doing the same
- A strongly inclusive and nurturing environment, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), creating a real sense of belonging
- Collective worship that is both meaningful and valued, promoting spiritual reflection and a sense of community
- A highly effective Religious Education (RE) curriculum that builds deep understanding and respect for a range of faiths and worldviews
Headteacher Phillip Sales shared his pride in the findings:
“We are delighted with this SIAMS report that shows our school is a flourishing church school. It is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils, and the strength of our school community. We are especially proud that our Christian vision is recognised as being so clearly lived out in everything we do.”
The report also praised a number of innovative initiatives at the school, including its ‘Big Question’ approach to spiritual and ethical reflection, the integration of RE with home learning and community engagement, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing and personal development.
Buckland Newton CE Primary is part of the Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust (SAST), a multi-academy trust made up of 18 schools across Dorset and South Somerset. Sarah Willoughby, who leads the Trust’s Church School Flourishing programme, added:
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with and support Buckland Newton. Inspiring, impressive and inclusive are some of the many adjectives used to describe this amazing church school and I know that they will continue to shine their light, both within their own school and beyond.”
With just 95 pupils, Buckland Newton CE Primary School continues to make a big impact, offering a rich, inclusive and faith-led education that resonates far beyond the classroom.
Ditch the miracle diets
Expert Karen Geary’s round-up of popular weight-loss approaches – with straight-talking pros, cons and why habits always beat hacks
The sun’s out, you ate too many Easter eggs, and you wouldn’t mind losing a few pounds before summer … But when the media is full of miracle fixes and conflicting advice is everywhere (we’re looking at you, TikTok), how do you know where to start?
My advice? Choose something you can stick with for at least eight weeks. You’re ideally looking for something that becomes a lifestyle shift, not just a quick fix. Scroll to the end for my top tips, but first, here’s a breakdown of popular diets:
Calorie Controlled
What it is: The classic ‘eat less than you burn’ approach. You track everything you eat, often using apps, to stay within a daily calorie target.
What it’s great for: It’s flexible – no foods are off-limits as long as you stay within your calories. It’s evidence-based and works if you’re consistent.
Watch outs: It can become tedious, and it’s easy to under-eat or choose low-calorie but low-nutrient foods.
Quality matters, not just quantity.
Weight Watchers / Slimming World
What it is: There are a number of commercial group programmes available, all using a similar system of points or ‘free foods’, with weekly weigh-ins and community support.
What it’s great for: Ideal if you like structure and accountability. The social aspect helps many stay motivated.
Watch outs: You won’t learn much about nutrition itself, and some plans encourage highly processed ‘diet’ foods over whole foods.
Fasting (in all forms)
What it is: From 16:8 intermittent fasting to 5:2, Fast 800 or alternate-day fasting, the approach is the same. You simply limit when or how often you allow yourself to eat.
What it’s great for: Reduces mindless eating and can naturally lower calorie intake. Emerging research links fasting to cellular repair (autophagy) and metabolic health.
Watch outs: It’s not magic – if you overeat in your eating window, results stall. It’s not ideal if you have blood sugar issues, high stress or a history of disordered eating.
Modified Mediterranean
What it is: A plant-forward diet with healthy fats (like olive oil), fish, whole grains, and moderate portions of dairy and meat.
What it’s great for: Supports heart health and gut microbiome diversity thanks to fibre-rich, polyphenol-packed foods. It’s also sustainable and flexible.
Watch outs: Portion control still matters for weight loss. It’s easy to overdo bread, pasta and wine if you’re not mindful.
Nordic
What it is: Similar to Mediterranean but suited to northern climates – think root veg, berries, oily fish and whole grains like rye and barley.
What it’s great for: Seasonal, local eating with a focus on nutrient density and gut-friendly fibres. Great for sustainability, metabolic health, and supporting a healthy microbiome.
Watch outs: It can be higher in carbs. Like all diets, successful weight loss depends on portions and balance.
Low Carb
What it is: Reduces carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and sugar in favour of protein, healthy fats, and non-starchy vegetables.
What it’s great for: Helps stabilise blood sugar, control appetite and often leads to quick initial weight loss.
Watch outs: It’s not a free pass to eat unlimited cheese and bacon! Focus on lean proteins and plenty of veg for fibre.
Ketogenic
What it is: A stricter form of low carb – typically under 20-50g of carbs daily – pushing your body into ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel. High fat, moderate protein.
What it’s great for: Can lead to rapid fat loss and reduced hunger. It’s also being explored for effects on mental clarity, mood support, and conditions like chronic fatigue and neurological health.
Watch outs: It’s hard to sustain, socially restrictive and can lead to nutrient gaps if not well-planned. Not ideal for everyone, especially long-term, without supervision.
Low Fat
What it is: Limits dietary fat, focusing on lean proteins, whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
What it’s great for: Encourages plant-based, lower-calorie meals. Still effective for weight loss when based on whole foods.
Watch outs: Healthy fats are essential! Avoid the ultra-processed low-fat products which are packed with sugar.
Finally … There’s no one-size-fits-all magic wand. The best diet is just the one you can stick to, that nourishes you, fits your lifestyle and doesn’t make you miserable.
Start simple, stay consistent and remember – healthy bodies are built on habits, not hacks.
My top tips
(whatever diet you choose):
- Don’t skimp on sleep – a tired brain craves sugar.
- Walk everywhere – daily movement matters more than gym sessions alone.
- Drink your water – daily, aim for 35ml per kg bodyweight (around two litres).
- Stick to three meals a day – try to
- avoid grazing.
- Protein with every meal – aim for palm-sized portions.
- Half your plate = veggies – more plants, means fewer processed carbs.
- Aim for 30g fibre daily – it keeps you full and supports gut health.
- Ditch the snacks – especially those sneaky late-night ones.
- Limit alcohol – it’s just empty calories and disrupts fat metabolism.
- Be boring – consistency beats variety when dieting (I have Greek yogurt and apple every day!).
- No food three to four hours before bed – you’ll have better sleep and digestion.
- Enjoy a treat meal once a week – but skip that ‘cheat day’ mindset.
by Karen Geary, Nutritional Therapist – follow on @AmplifyNutritionalTherapy
Listening, learning and delivering
I hope you had a wonderful Easter. We didn’t quite get the glorious sunshine I might have hoped for, but at least it didn’t rain the whole time! Bradpole put together an Easter egg trail for the kids, which was great fun, despite the drizzle, and Cerne Abbas did a brilliant job with an Easter egg hunt on the school playing field despite the mud. The sun did at least shine on the Lyme Regis Easter Bonnet Parade, and I was proud to wear a hat fashioned by my extremely talented wife. There was a huge turnout, both in participants and spectators, and I was hugely impressed by the amazing millinery on display from people of all ages.
I also nipped in to the Dorset Food and Drink Festival at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, which had so many of our amazing local producers displaying.
In other news …
With fast approaching local elections across the border in Devon, I spent some time supporting LibDem candidates in Sidmouth at the weekend, as well as visiting residents in Sherborne to hear their views on what improvements they would like to see in the town.
I also had the opportunity to meet with the English Heritage team responsible for looking after Sherborne Old Castle. We discussed their plans to move to a ‘free to visit’ model, and increase opening times. However this will be reliant on them being able to recruit local volunteers. If it is something you might be interested in getting involved with, please get in touch with them.
On planning
The Housing Minister, Baroness Taylor, visited Poundbury last week, and I joined the estate team and representatives from the Duchy to discuss responsible house building. With Labour’s 1.5 million housing target and Dorset earmarked for a significant increase, it is incredibly important that where we do build new houses we build good, sustainable, environmentally friendly, attractive – and, above all, genuinely affordable homes. It is also vital that any development comes with the necessary infrastructure (GPs, schools, dentists) and doesn’t just increase the burden of Dorset’s already-stretched services.
Edward Morello
MP for West Dorset
New bus services roll in for North Dorset – just weeks after local backlash
In March, The BV was the only news outlet in the county to report on a damning House of Commons inquiry which ranked Dorset among the worst-served areas in the UK for rural transport – exposing how threadbare bus networks are deepening social inequality. The situation hit closer to home in April, when we reported that Dorset Council had unveiled its much-vaunted Bus Service Improvement Plan – and conspicuously overlooked North Dorset, the county’s most underserved region.
The public reaction was swift and vocal. The BV’s inbox filled with letters, and our anonymous Grumbler column echoed the mounting frustration: rural communities, already isolated, were being left even further behind.
Now, just weeks later, Dorset Council has announced a suite of improvements to North Dorset’s bus services – including more frequent routes, better links to rail services, and the long-awaited return of a full Saturday timetable.
New services take effect Saturday 24 May
From next weekend, the CR2 route (Shaftesbury–Gillingham) will operate half-hourly across most of the day, six days a week, offering easier connections to the CR3 (Sturminster Newton–Gillingham) and improved access to Gillingham railway station. The CR3 itself gains Saturday services and a retimed weekday schedule, linking villages like Marnhull and Motcombe more effectively with both local towns and rail connections.
Residents will now be able to reach Sherborne from Shaftesbury in under an hour via a combined bus-and-train journey – with return trips in just 45 minutes, making day trips and commutes far more viable.
A new £1 Gillingham Town Ticket also offers unlimited local travel for a day, encouraging greener choices for quick hops around town without the car.
Cllr Derek Beer (Shaftesbury) praised the changes, calling them ‘vital for a thriving, connected community’, adding: ‘These improvements make travel easier, more frequent, and better linked with rail services, creating a seamless transport network. Strengthening links between buses and trains helps residents move around Dorset without relying on a car.‘ South Western Railway’s Andrew Ardley said the improvements will open up Shaftesbury and its surroundings to travellers from across the south.
Officially, it’s down to funding and forward planning. Whether by strategy or spurred on by a small storm of rural indignation, the wheels of North Dorset’s public transport are, at last, turning in the right direction.
Dorset County Show donates nearly £16,000 to local charities
The Dorset County Show has made generous donations totalling £15,938 to two important Dorset charities: Julia’s House and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).
Julia’s House, which offers vital practical and emotional support to families caring for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, received £8,469.27. The donation will help the charity continue its work supporting families in their own homes, in the community and at its hospices.
Martin Edwards, CEO of Julia’s House, said:
“Every child in our care who is facing a short life diagnosis deserves the best possible support. This is what the Julia’s House nurses and carers can provide as well as looking after the siblings and parents through everything they experience. Thank you to everyone involved in the Dorset County Show for raising these vital funds so this can continue.”
With farming at the heart of the County Show, £7,469.27 was also donated to RABI, a national farming charity supporting agricultural families across Dorset and beyond with financial, emotional and practical help.
Zoe Gascoyne, Regional Manager of RABI, said:
“I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all who have supported the show with the donation to the RABI. Last year alone, we helped over 1,500 farming households across England and Wales along with 12,000 farming people with our cost of living one off grants. Whether it’s financial, practical or emotional support you feel you need, the RABI is here for the farming community. Support from the RABI is confidential, non-judgmental, and the helpline is open 24hrs, we understand farming isn’t 9-5.”
Chairman of the Show, Jason Bowerman, added:
“All of us at the County Show are proud to have raised so much for such significant charities that reach so many residents of Dorset. The work that both Julia’s House and RABI are vital. The support of those contributing particularly to the Charity Night is greatly appreciated. We hope the money donated can assist families and farmers across the County.”
The Dorset County Show returns on 6th & 7th September near Dorchester, once again showcasing the very best of rural Dorset. Visitors can look forward to highlights including Paul Hannam’s Stunt Show, Atkinson Action Horses, alpacas, local food and drink, and plenty more.
Tickets are on sale now – with Early Bird pricing available until 25th June – https://bvmag.co.uk/CountyShowEarlyBird
Under (water) pressure
As part of my volunteer Water Guardian duties, last weekend Mrs Jackson and I took part in the national Water Blitz citizen science survey of the nation’s water bodies. Our test kits were issued by Dorset Wildlife Trust and we measured nitrate and phosphate levels in the stretch of the Stour I patrol in Gillingham. I hope to see the full picture across the country very soon, but the single measurement we took by the railway bridge near the sewage treatment works showed high levels of nitrate and moderate levels of phosphate. Taken at that location, after a few dry days, these levels are likely to come from agriculture and sewage treatment. The shame is that I expected these sorts of readings: such is the state of our general expectations of our rivers these days.
Last week there was a well-meaning summit of water industry players who discussed how to restore river health and increase customer trust. In the same week the water industry lobby organisation, Water UK, issued a statement on the same subject of restoring trust. The main recommendations of both were to expose data to greater scrutiny and set up yet another body to independently measure sewage overflows into our rivers and seas.
I suspect that we have long held the view that water companies marking their own homework using dubious data has generally been a bad idea, proven by the many scandals of sewage dumping, dry pumping and poor corporate behaviour. There is work here to restore trust, but it’s much more likely to come from rigorous, joined up oversight and transparency by a rigorous and joined up independent regulatory system.
The Labour government tasked Jon Cunliffe to lead the Independent Water Commission to review and recommend the way forward for regulating the industry: he will report in June this year, but the National Audit Office (NAO) submitted their homework on this subject ahead of time on 24th April. The resulting report pointed to a range of problems.
The Environment Agency issues regulations and targets for rivers and water bodies – but takes no account of the costs and impact on customers. OFWAT regulates water companies individually – but no one is taking a national view of water supply, or of sewerage assets.
Given that there are more than 30 massive schemes to be delivered in the next ten years for new reservoirs and strategic water transfer schemes, costing tens of billions of pounds, someone needs to look at that big picture and make sure we – and the environment – get good value.
While regulators are under the microscope elsewhere for being too strong and standing in the way of growth, the water industry regulators badly need a shakeup. They are not nearly strong enough. Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for this for years, and we want to see OFWAT replaced by a Clean Water Authority that also deals with the wider regulatory problems above. Now at last it seems that change may be coming. Water pressure works.
Gary Jackson
North Dorset Liberal Democrats
