The key to plentiful vegetables from your garden are top quality seeds and the best varieties. Barry Cuff spills the beans.
Our plot continued supplying us with fresh produce throughout October. Sunny and mild weather ensured that many vegetables carried on growing. But as heavy rain was forecast early last month we decided to harvest our winter squashes before the deluge. Most of the green material had died back making them easy to find as the patch had been like a jungle previously.
The two Crown Prince plants produced four very large fruits. One plant of Butterfly produced two very large butternut squash. Also harvested were Honeyboat, Sweet Dumpling and Walnut. These varieties will keep in store through the autumn and winter. Another variety (Waltham) failed to produce any mature fruits.
Image Barry Cuff: Barry Cuff ’s squash harvest: two Crown Prince plants produced four very large fruits. One plant of Butterfly produced two very large butternut squash. Also harvested were Honeyboat, Sweet Dumpling and Walnut.
Once again we dug carrots, beetroot and radish as required. We never store carrots and beetroot as we believe they keep better in the ground despite a little slug damage.
Hello Mr Chips
Our first parsnips were made into tasty chips. Over the last few years we have grown Palace which we consider to be the best variety. They are an early variety with a smooth skin and shallow crown. We cut the last of our Fargo cauliflower early in the month and await Cendis which will be ready from mid November onwards. Ironman calabrese has done exceptionally well, providing smaller individual spears once the main head had been harvested.
It has been a bad year for White butterflies and on more than one occasion despite careful checking the odd caterpillar has turned up on the dinner plate! The last of the courgettes and French beans were picked on the 16th.
We started digging a few leeks mid-month as we have four rows which will see us through the winter.
Image by Barry Cuff – Barry’s self-sown Marvel- of-Peru (Mirabilis jalapa)
Because of the sunny days the self-sown Marvel- of-Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) continued to flower. We are not quite sure how this plant arrived on our allotment and we allow a few to flower and seed each year as it’s an interesting plant with marbled, striped and bi-coloured flowers. We have ordered manure for the whole site and expect nine trailer loads to arrive in November. Some busy spade work to look forward to. As we belong to the South West Counties Allotment Association we get a 50% discount on seeds from both Kings and Suttons. Our order was posted a week ago and we expect to receive them anytime now. Both companies supply top quality seed.
“My voice cracked on the high note. I saw my Nan wince. The blood rushed to my cheeks – and a century’s lineage lay shattered on the floor.”
From kitchen-table cast lists to singalong rehearsals in the car, performer, storyteller and stand- up comedian Hannah Maxwell grew up immersed in the family passion for amateur theatre. Now she’s putting on a show about it. Amateur dramatics. The hidden history of many a performance artist. From four generations of leading ladies comes one queer Londoner, sharing a story of return and reconciliation – with her hometown, cultural inheritance and secret love of musical theatre. Her debut show, ‘I, AmDram’ has charmed audiences across the UK and Australia, with five-star reviews Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 and Adelaide Fringe 2020. Now, this November
Hannah heads to Dorset for two performances as part of the Artsreach autumn programme.
Hannah Maxwell will perform live in Piddlentrenthide and Broadoak on the 10-11 and Broadoak on the 10-11 November respectively.
After nearly two years kicking our heels with no Point to Points it’s finally time to pull on your wellies, don coats and jumpers and head up to Badbury Rings for the first Race Day since 2019.
If you are new to the concept of a Point to Point it is a form of amateur horse racing where horse and jockey race over steeplechase fences. It is a great day out in the countryside where you can meet family and friends, watch a fantastic sport and socialise. When you arrive grab a race card and study the form of each horse as they walk around the parade ring.
It’s a super family day you can enjoy a picnic in the fresh air, purchase a variety of food and drinks from the stalls or stroll around the trade stands in the Seasonal marquee selling many great locally- produced gifts and products. There is no better location than the historic Badbury Rings – an Iron Age Hillfort between Wimborne and Blandford – where from the top you have sweeping views out across Dorset. The course at Badbury Rings is rectangular and undulating with an amazing view of the four fences home straight, so you can watch the horses battle it out to the winning line. An amazing way to watch horses who love what they do speeding across the line to applause.
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The Event gates open at 10am, and the first event is the Family Dog Racing at 10.30pm. The Race Card sports six races, starting at noon and running until after 3pm. We have many generous sponsors, and one race is in memory of local jockey Richard Miller who loved racing and winning on the chalk downs of Badbury Rings. The going is currently described as good to soft and the bookies and big screen are there to help bring an extra flutter of excitement to your Day Out! Experience all this and more at the Portman Point to Point on Sunday the 7th November, Badbury Rings, Dorset, DT11 9JL. Tickets can be bought online here or on the day for cash on the gate, £10 per person (not by the car, as per Covid guidance).
Cyclamen, Wreath Making workshops, Gifts for loved ones, and of course, the trees… yes, it’s all on our minds.
Cohle said that ‘Time is a flat circle’ (it’s actually Nietzsche’s doctrine of eternal recurrence – that everything repeats itself and that what happened before is bound to happen again), and the festive season approaches at speeds which feel like they’re faster than ever each year. Last month we talked about the joys that Autumn brings and it hardly feels like we’ve had much time to savour it!
image by Throngrove
A festive normality
It’s important to savour those good moments, and we also previously touched upon a sense of ‘normal’ really feeling like it had returned. The news on tv may imply some possibly difficult times ahead this winter, but our determination to press on safely, and with prosperity, has not waned. We know how important the festive season is to so many people, and how even a humble fir tree in the corner of the living room can bring a sense of togetherness and warmth at the coldest time of year. To some, of course, the end of the year doesn’t mean a great deal – it’s just another month on the calendar, and it’s other times of the year where they celebrate their own traditions. The diversity in our culture is something which makes a community so valuable. We can all gain knowledge and perspective from each other that enriches our own personal lives. If you’re not getting festive soon, we still remain a community garden centre, and we welcome everyone through our gates with experts on hand to provide you inspiration for your seasonal gardening.
image by Throngrove
‘Bah Humbug’ is a phrase that even many of our staff may utter, but we promise you, it’s all in good spirits! There’s an authenticity you’ll find at Thorngrove all year round. We’ll of course be on hand for many of your festive essentials this November and December, so please consider adding Thorngrove on your shopping destination to find something special this Christmas. There will be plenty of treats in the café too, so bring a friend, and savour that moment.
Let’s enjoy the togetherness we have right now, because as far as we’re concerned, it’s never felt more appreciated. Ho Ho Ho!
Animal boarding has been operating on the current site in Stour Row, just outside Shaftesbury, for almost half a century
Branscombe Kennels and Cattery consistently offers high levels of care for the four-legged members of the family. We offer a year-round boarding service for dogs and cats for when you are not able to be there yourself. From single days and weekends to longer stays, we strive to accommodate all requests, and pride ourselves on the level of care we offer. Our facilities are maintained to a high standard, and all dogs are walked around our beautiful field twice a day, weather permitting. We employ well- qualified and experienced staff, and all of them are working towards additional higher-level qualifications.
image by Branscombe Kennels
Grooming
We are also able to offer a highly competitive dog grooming service in our newly refurbished grooming salon. Dogs can be groomed while they stay with us to save you another journey, or can be booked in independently to be pampered whenever they need it. We also offer wash and dry and nail clipping services.
Agility for hire
Our secure exercise and agility arena is now available for hire. The arena is fenced on all sides, has a selection of dog agility equipment and can be hired for 1/2 hour, 1 hour or longer times by arrangement. Currently it is available for bookings starting at 10am in the morning, and, as we have installed floodlights, is also now available into the evening with the last booking at 7pm. We are now also able to offer supervised sessions in the arena as part of your dog’s stay.
image by Branscombe Kennels
All the extras
We also have an area where we sell the food brands that we use on a daily basis for our guests, as well as a good selection of great value raw meats and toys.
We are constantly striving to improve our service. This year we are making significant upgrade; our cattery is undergoing a major refurbishment that will see much of the building upgraded, as well as new heating and lighting systems. We are also installing new heating and lighting in the kennels ready for the winter.
If you would like to book a visit or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01747 838323. You can also visit our website at www.branscombekennels.co.uk, or contact us using Facebook.
You are invited to The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery. This play-within-a-play creates some amazing comic moments that provides brilliant entertainment for a cold winters evening.
Every drama group has experienced the horrors of what can go wrong opening night and the ladies of the F.A.H.E.T.G Dramatic Society are no different, with the possible exception that almost everything that could happen,does.The scenery collapses, cues are missed, lines forgotten, and the sound effects take on a strange note at times, as the ladies present their ambitious evening’s entertainment.
Thursday 25th November 2021 – Saturday 27th November 2021
With landmark global announcements protecting forests, acceleration of green technologies and methane pledges this UN Climate Change conference is focusing on the shift from ambition to action.
The view across Hilton Bottom towards Lower Ansty image: Laura Hitchcock
COP26 is rightly dominating the headlines at this moment. Pre-COP26 70% of the world’s economy was covered by a net zero target and with Australis and India laying out their targets in Glasgow, it is a vital step in limiting global warming.
So how about our industry?
There is plenty in the press about agriculture’s impact but let’s look a bit closer. NFU President Minette Batters set a target for the British farming industry to become net zero by 2040, this is our contribution towards the UK’s ambition of net zero for 2050. Agriculture is uniquely placed to be part of the solution, as both an emissions source and sink. As farmers, we can protect and enhance the carbon reserves already in our soils and vegetation, by modifying some farm practices and better managing out hedgerows and trees.
“…at the same time as reducing our impact on the climate, we must not reduce our ability to feed the UK with high quality, affordable British food”
In addition to these ‘nature- based’ climate solutions, we can help to capture more carbon by growing the raw materials for bioenergy alongside our food production. That food production element mustn’t be forgotten: because at the same time as reducing our impact on the climate, we should not reduce our capacity to feed UK consumers with high quality, affordable British food. Nor should we achieve our climate change ambitions by exporting UK production – or our greenhouse gas emissions – to other countries. So, there is no single answer to this climate problem; agriculture has to manage a real balancing act.
How much of an impact is our food production having on the climate anyway? There is much talk about reducing your red meat intake to help climate change. But British cattle and sheep only account for 5.7% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions from UK beef are less than half the global average. We also mustn’t forget the role that our livestock play in maintaining wildlife habitats, soil quality and the beautiful landscapes we treasure, both here in North Dorset and further afield. There are several activities that would make more of an impact than reducing meat and dairy – green energy, or driving a more efficient car for example, especially as 27% of UK greenhouse gas emissions comes from transport.
Regenerative farming
We have always known this would not be an easy task but as I work across the County it has been incredible to see the innovative and diverse range of measures farmers have employed to make their businesses more sustainable. Regenerative farming has been in the headlines within our industry for some time; the over-arching principle is working hand in hand with the environment and that starts with the soil, all whilst producing high quality food.
I see many farmers embracing this approach, but it is important to remember that a farmer can make just one change within their farming system and still make a huge difference. For example, when arable farmers grow cover crops after harvest, or chop their straw rather than bale it, these actions capture carbon, draw it down and lock it into the soil at the same time as improving soil nutrients and biodiversity – a simple and easy win! Grassland management is at the heart of any livestock farmer’s plans. Allowing species of deeper rooting rye grass and clover to flourish helps improve soil health and increases nutrient cycling, fixing nitrogen in the soil and reducing the need for artificial fertiliser use. This will also help improve the health and productivity of a herd by reducing the worm burden.
Dorset’s iconic rolling farmland is already the scene of a considered indistry move towards tackling climate change image: Laura Hitchcock
With rotational grazing regimes, the cattle graze a small area for a short period of time and then move on, allowing the grass a chance to replenish and put sufficient energy back into the roots. This can improve the soil organic matter and biodiversity. But with every farm being different, even to their neighbours, its important each farmer choose options and farming practices that suit their own system. Herbal leys for example do need planting every few years so there is a cost implication. Making changes to a farming system takes time; soil biology takes time to make up any difference from removing chemical inputs.
Making changes to get to net zero is a journey. Finally, with the COP26 methane pledge in mind, there is a seaweed food supplement to reduce methane emissions from dairy herds being trialled through the University of Nottingham; watch this space to see what our iconic Blackmore Vale dairy herds will be munching on in the future!
As you walk the footpaths across Dorset farmland, there is often more happening around you tackling climate change than you might first realise. Farmers are showing how they are adapting their businesses to reduce agricultural emissions and capture and store more carbon on farmland, all while providing climate-friendly, nutritious and affordable food for people at home and abroad.
