A stunning circular walk from Wardour Castle | 8.3miles

By

-

6 July 2023

This lovely circular route starts and ends from the beautiful Wardour Castle. It takes interesting and varied paths across farmland, with a couple of spectacular ancient holloways and a beautiful cathedral-like forest too.

The castle itself is owned by English Heritage, but the car park is free and open all year round. It can be busy in summer, but we’ve never seen it full and if you time it right the castle will still be open and you can pop in for an ice cream from the shop when you finish!

Much of the route is across the folded countryside typical of the Dorset/Wiltshire border, with steep wooded valleys and surprise wide views.

Not much beats a cathedral of a pine forest on a hot sumemr’s day

The castle itself is open 10am til 5pm in the summer months (closed in winter), and if you want to explore, entry is £7.50 per adult (free for EH members). It’s a lovely place to visit – we’ve been taking our children since they were babies: english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-wardour-castle/

The route travels down three different ancient holloways

Though there are some steep ups and downs, none are very long and the walk isn’t too strenuous. It is well signed – though a few paths suffered from waist-high nettles when we walked it in June. A decent stick may be required! – and it’s lovely to come out of the fields into the quiet lanes of Ansty and Swallowcliffe (the ancient Swallowcliffe yew shouldn’t be missed).

swallowcliffe ancient yew tree — The Swallowcliffe yew tree

(You may potentially be interested to note that about three-quarters of the way round, a very short detour will take you via the Compasses at Ansty for a cheeky pint!)

The final stretch back to the castle is a grand and dramatic close to the walk, with astonishing views across the valley to the castle itself.

All the Dorset Walks we feature have been created and walked recently by ourselves, so you know you can trust them – we aim for unpopulated routes with as little road and as many views as possible! You can always see the route and follow it yourself via the free Outdoor Active app – see all our routes here.

JUNIOR CONTRACTS MANAGER | Rose Engineering

By

Editorial team

-

4 July 2023

0

This is a progressive role in a growing family business based in the beautiful Dorset countryside. Assisting the current Contracts Manager in the daily management of all our projects, liaising with clients, suppliers and site workers. Working on projects from small repairs works to large scale new builds in the industrial and agricultural sectors.

This is an amazing opportunity for someone who thrives on working in a fast-paced and varied working environment.

Please apply in writing with CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Area Coordinator (Dorchester/Bridport) | NMR

By

Editorial team

-

4 July 2023

0

If you enjoy the outdoor life, NMR have a great opportunity to work within a Farming environment

Salary: £22,560.23

Holidays: 33 days holiday including bank holidays

Excellent Benefits

The Area Coordinator will be responsible for delivery of a full milk recording service to approximately 40 farms within the Dorchester/Bridport area. You will need to live within close proximity to the areas mentioned, as this role involves visiting the farms and collecting event data about individual cows and sometimes taking milk samples.

Full time hours averaging a 37 hour week Monday-Friday, the daily and weekly hours will have some flexibility to suit the business needs, daytime farm visits and working from home, with early mornings and late evenings. You will be provided with the relevant equipment to undertake the role, including a company van.

For more details & how to apply, please visit our careers page: www.nmr.co.uk

Closing date: 17/07/2023

Kendell, Marion Eve

By

Editorial team

-

4 July 2023

0

Taken from us suddenly on the 18th June

A much beloved and adored mother and grandmother. Enormously missed by Julie, Dave, Marcus, Darrion, Heather, Andrew, Pendy, Juliet and a large number of very dear friends.

Gone too soon but never forgotten. Rest in peace, our beloved xx

Perundal, Peter Michael

By

Editorial team

-

4 July 2023

0

7th August 1947 – 23rd June 2023

After a short illness, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

A so very much loved father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be missed by his family and all his very many friends.

Donations in Peters name if desired to Parkinsons UK

A seaside bus route, worried farmers and the skinny on good snacking

By

Laura

-

3 July 2023

0

Four interviews to round up June’s podcasts – and they couldn’t be more varied! Rachael Rowe talks about how to make the most of the £2 bus fare in Dorset, Terry visited Oliver’s Coffee shop in Sherborne, A note of gloom from farmer Andrew Livingston and brilliant first interview with Karen Geary our resident nutritional therapist – who is endlessly fascinating.

Thanks to a nudge from a local villager, Rachael Rowe tried a trip under the new £2 bus fare cap. Terry finds out that she hasn’t been on a bus since moving to Dorset, and has now discovered a new method of adventure! Environmentally and economically, opting for the bus is a great idea – and Rachael points out that there are a lot of routes included in the scheme, not just to enable a weekly shop but also for days out to the coast and the New Forest too!

On a visit to Oliver’s Coffee Shop in Sherborne, Terry chats to owner Jane Wood in this month’s Meet Your Local – discovering the century of history still visible in the cafe’s decor, as well as finding out more about Jane herself as she lets us behind the counter to hear about the current challenges and what’s happening in the popular coffee shop on Cheap Street.

The UK’s first post-Brexit trade deals begin amid agricultural industry concerns and severe labour shortages. Jenny talked to farming columnist Andrew Livingston about the real effect on our supermarket shelves. He suggests that it’s not even so much about supporting British farmers as much as it is an issue around animal welfare. UK farmers are held to high standards, but the latest trade deals allow for a concerning flexibility in welfare of animals raised in other countries.

Nutritional therapist Karen Geary is a regular BV columnist, and she spoke to Terry about how her time living in California lead her into a later-life career switch. In her first appearance on the podcast we not only discover she has a brilliantly contagious laugh, but find out that her patients usually turn to her as a last resort, when they’re frustrated with the lack of solutions elsehwere. This month she’s looking at snacking – and what might be a good strategy for a balanced diet and losing weight.

The BV podcast goes beyond the pages of the magazine, providing you with exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth conversations with our guests. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to take a look at the June issue of the BV here or explore the website to see the articles and stories featured.

Rescuing 40,000 animals, TV’s Salvage Hunter in Sherborne, and a lack of listening in the food industry

By

Laura

-

30 June 2023

0

Three fascinating interviews this week – Jenny chatted to Kevan Hidges of ferne Animal Sanctuary about it’s fascinating and inspiring history and work. Terry dropped in to Molecula Antiques in Sherborne, after he spotted Karyn Speed on an episode of Salvage Hunters. Lastly, Jenny sat down with John Farrand of the Guild of Fin foods, who had some things to say after the government’s recent Farm to Fork summit…

Jenny’s interview with Kevan Hodges of the Ferne Animal Sanctuary looks back at the last 80 years, from the shocking (to modern minds) need for a sanctuary in wartime Britain (an estimated 3/4 million pets were euthanised at the start of the war), to reflecting on the fact that Ferne has saved around 40,000 animals.
They have up to 200 dogs a year surrendered to them, and the same for cats – the vast majority of whom they need to rehome – but the livestock they take in finds its forever home at Ferne. The Sanctuary receives around 10,000 visitors a year, and they’re keen for more!
(You can find them at ferneanimalsanctuary.org – we’re especially keen to find a home for lovely Amber the lurcher!)

Terry visited the Old Tarn Mills in Sherborne to talk to Karyn Speed of Molecula Antiques, who appears on TV’s Salvage Hunters. She invited Terry into the surprise interior of Molecula, where the old industrial factory unit is laid out with a stunning display of their modern 20th century design, Molecula’s speciality and passion: “the attitude used to be that ‘antiques were more than 100 years old’. And we used to go to antique fairs with 1950s, 1960s furniture – the looks we used to get from some of the dealers! They were like ‘this is NOT an antique, I grew up with ths stuff!’. But we were ahead of our time, it’s never been more popular!”
She talks Terry through some of the items on display, and talks about her time on Salvage Hunters.
See Molecula’s website molecula.co.uk

Jenny talks to John Farrand about the work of the Guild of Fine Food, including their Great Taste Awards – many will recognise the iconic black and gold logos. The guild also runs the world cheese awards, and works with the nation’s smaller food and drink businesses. The organisation has become a powerful voice, representing the smaller producers and retailers at government level, is present on a DEFRA steering group… though John points out they’re not always listened to. He talks to Jenny specifically about the government’s recent Farm to Fork summit – and the lack of representation through the fact that ‘those in power only consult with those in power’. He points out that the necessary nimbleness and sharp, innovative thinking is present within the multitude of smaller businesses across the country.
See more about the guild on their website gff.co.uk

Agricultural/Land-based Engineering Teacher and Course Tutor | Kingston Maurward College

By

Editorial team

-

28 June 2023

0

Salary:

£21,902 – £34,542 per annum (pro rata for part-time) dependent on skills and experience.

Hours:

37 hours per week, Monday – Friday with flexibility to meet the business needs.

Part time hours will also be considered with a minimum of 22.2 hours per week worked over 3 days.

The role:

The Agriculture department at KMC boasts a 280ha commercially run mixed farm (dairy and sheep) and provides opportunities for staff and learners to work with a variety of machinery across arable, grazing and parkland. The application of practical to theory lessons is endless across the agricultural curriculum and current teachers are keen (and encouraged!) to get their learners working practically as much as possible.

With a growing student body, clear industry links to local farming communities and exciting changes in course delivery (including a new suite of University level courses in our purpose built HE centre) our Agriculture department is committed to the development of young farmers in the South West!

For this teaching role, we are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated agricultural engineer, who will have the ability and desire to deliver high quality, inspiring lessons and practical teaching sessions across various levels of agricultural learners within our workshop space and specialist teaching areas

Suitable applicants should be competent in their understanding and ability with the following topics:

Key workshop practices including housekeeping and maintenance; using hand and power tools, safe use of workshop equipment, fasteners and the assembly and reassembly of machinery engines/components.
Operating, maintaining and servicing a variety of transmission systems in land-based vehicles and machinery.
Key principles of fabrication, joining and welding techniques for land-based machinery.
Maintaining and testing a range of electrical system types and components in land-based vehicles and machinery.
Understanding hydraulic system circuit types and components, with an ability to dismantle, inspect and reassemble hydraulic systems in land-based vehicles and machinery.

The role promises a varied and interesting workload!

A flexible and positive attitude is required alongside the ability to challenge and motivate learners. The successful applicant will have plenty of vocational experience as well as being able to demonstrate excellent communication, administrative and organisational abilities in order to perform the role successfully.

The role would suit someone who has worked in industry and is now seeking a new challenge.

Teaching qualifications and an agricultural (or similar) qualification at degree level are both desirable. A strong emphasis on staff development and CPD within the college will guarantee your professional development during your role.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Wayne Clarke on 01305 238231 – Option 1 – Extension 1115 during normal working hours.

To Apply:

Applicants for this position must complete an employment application form.

CVs can be submitted, but will only be considered in support of a fully completed application form.

We are not accepting CVs at this stage from Recruitment Agencies.

Once you have completed your application, either email your digital copy to [email protected] or post to:-

HR Administrator
Kingston Maurward
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 8PY

Closing Date:

Wednesday 19 July 2023 at 9:00am

Interview Date:

Thursday 27 July 2023

SECRETARY / PERSONAL ASSISTANT | Chris Loder MP

By

Editorial team

-

28 June 2023

0

Chris Loder member of parliament for West Dorset is seeking to appoint a secretary/personal assistant.

The position can be Dorchester or London based and is full time.

For more information or to apply with CV and cover letter, please contact:

[email protected]