Letters to the Editor May 2025

2 May 2025

Spring is my favourite. No contest.
There’s a particular moment – somewhere around mid-April – when Dorset just … exhales.
The hedgerows start frothing white with blackthorn, and then burst into green like someone flicked a switch. Bluebells flash their electric blue in every patch of woodland and roadside copse, while swathes of wild garlic carpets shady lanes in a lush, smelly haze of white. The fields of oilseed rape seem to hum with sunshine and the kind of scent that makes your head spin if you drive through with the windows down.
The mud finally retreats. The long socks go back in the drawer. And suddenly those deliciously long evenings stretch out ahead, filled with the promise of barbecues, last-minute beach trips and Saturdays that don’t require seventeen layers It’s not just the weather.
Spring makes everything feel lighter – conversations, to-do lists, even the news (just a smidge). It’s like the year’s turned a corner and remembered how to be hopeful again.
So if you’re feeling a bit more buoyant than of late, a bit more inclined to dawdle on a dog walk, pull over for a photo of lambs in a field, go wild and sleep with the window wide open … you’re not alone. Spring’s doing what spring always does: reminding us to look up, breathe in and say yes to things again.
And honestly, doesn’t this feel far more like the real new year? I said back in January that we shouldn’t force grand resolutions into the middle of midwinter – a season that’s really about rest, not reinvention. Spring, though? Spring is (quite literally) made for turning over new leaves. Now’s the time to start things. I swear there’s energy in all that fresh air.
And if, like me, you’re itching to get out and about again (we finally ARE! The knee is healing – walks are officially back on the weekend plans!), the county’s show calendar kicks off this weekend with the Spring Show near Dorchester.
We’ll be there (that’s us, top left) – do say hello if you spot us!

Laura x

On The green farming dream lies in tatters
(The BV, Apr 25)
George Hosford has put into words what so many of us in farming have been quietly shouting into the void. His piece was honest, measured, and devastatingly accurate.
As someone who has spent the last five years painstakingly shifting our family farm towards regenerative practices – inspired and supported in no small part by the promises of SFI – I feel utterly betrayed. Like George, we’d been navigating the maze of applications, jumping through the ever-changing hoops with genuine belief that we were contributing to something bigger: food, yes, but also biodiversity, soil health, water quality.
To have the rug pulled so abruptly is not just financially destabilising, it’s demoralising. DEFRA has crushed momentum and killed trust.
Farmers like George – and those of us following his lead – aren’t asking for handouts. We’re asking for the stability and clarity to do what the government itself encouraged.
Name and address supplied

I would like to thank George Hosford for his characteristically articulate and painfully necessary column in last month’s issue. I’ve farmed in Dorset for nearly 50 years, and I’ve rarely seen a policy decision as short-sighted and ill-conceived as the abrupt shutdown of the SFI offer.
The government claims to support ‘public money for public goods’ – yet the moment it begins to work in practice, they abandon it. Farmers are not fools. We understand change takes time. But to promote a scheme, persuade us to adapt our methods, and then pull support with no warning? That’s not just incompetent – it’s a betrayal.
George speaks for a whole generation of thoughtful, forward-looking farmers who care deeply about both their land and their legacy. The tragedy is, this government clearly does not.
MC, by email

On Stranded: Dorset is one of the worst in the country (The BV, Apr 25)
I love living here in North Dorset, but having moved from a town within the M25 20 years ago I have always been astonished at the lack of public transport. My children have both passed their driving test now as we see this as the only way for them to access most job opportunities – but this is not always possible, and young people can’t always afford this, or to run a car. If you can just about afford this it still reduces your take home pay, having to pay out for a car you can barely afford and keep on the road plus the insurance and petrol, which further cuts into the young people’s ability to ever live independently and have a life. Many years ago I did not have a car and I found that the buses were at the wrong time or not at all – they did not seem to cater to anyone who has a job, just for people who are retired and can go out at any time. I found that I could not take my children where they needed to be or get to appointments and finally I had to get a car again. As always I am angry about the government not looking to the future and investing in people, as they should: they would then reap the rewards later, instead it is all ‘what can I get now’.
Lynn Close

Buses are needed for the young people here but also the elderly who may not feel comfortable driving anymore. Having a robust public transport system means a more connected county, more jobs, more business for towns.. the positives are overwhelming.
Su Naz Geyik

Human ingenuity
Surely a civilised society should be capable of meeting human needs while also protecting the environment for future generations – with the right blend of ingenuity and commitment.
Barbara Humphreys, Shaftesbury

On the White Hart Link
I couldn’t agree more with Judith K’s comments on the White Hart Link. Like her, I was excited at the idea of a proper long-distance trail for North Dorset, but when I looked closer, I couldn’t believe what it manages to miss.
Stalbridge and Blandford are crying out for visitors to enjoy their town centres, yet the trail skirts round them. And to leave out the hill forts – some of the most iconic features of our landscape – is just baffling.
It feels like such a wasted opportunity. A trail like this should celebrate the heart and history of North Dorset, not bypass it. I realise it’s a tricky job to create such a route, and impossible to please everyoine, but I really hope the route can be revisited and improved in the future.
Roger S, Stalbridge

Jim Frear 100 – image by Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

Happy 100th Jim
(‘Be nice to people – it’s infectious’ The BV, April)
What a joy it was to read about Jim Freer. What a life – full of courage, humour, wisdom and warmth.
If I can be even half as sharp, thoughtful and kind-hearted at 100, I’ll count myself lucky.
Liz Hartley, The Tarrants

Jim sounds like the kind of man we all wish lived next door. Modest, funny and still curious at 100 – a proper example of a life well lived.
I hope when I hit a century, I’m listening to Chopin and making the young ones laugh too.
Frank Mitchell, Blandford

On The Tack Room
I just wanted to say how good your equestrian coverage is. Jess Rimmer’s eventing yard diary is unmissable – full of humour, honesty and the glorious chaos of real horse life.
I’m not a mad racing fan, but I tuned into Chris Wald’s column simply because it was about horses… and now I wouldn’t miss it. I’ll admit it’s far more interesting than I expected – insightful and very readable.
The feature on farrier Abby Bunyard last month was excellent – beautifully written and so interesting. And while I’m at it, a special thank you to Courtenay for the photography. His images never fail to make me stop and linger – please do let him know how much they’re appreciated.
What was wonderful is that all of this came to me on the back of the new Tack Room newsletter, which led me to The BV. We’ve long been missing proper equestrian coverage in Dorset – you’ve absolutely nailed it. More please.
Jane Arliss, nr Sherborne

(The BV Tack Room is our exclusive, monthly round-up of the equestrian stories. We know you’re busy (horses don’t muck out themselves), so we’ve made it easy – just the horse bits, straight to your inbox, once a month. Sign up here – it’s FREE!)

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Dorset’s angry pom-pom who stole 100,000 hearts

Editorial team

2 May 2025

There’s always that one person, isn’t there? The one that stops to move an earthworm from the pavement. The one whose dog isn’t picture perfect, and has breath that could strip paint at ten paces. The one who goes to the shop for dog food and returns with two fancy rats, returned to the shop for being ‘a bit bitey’ (just me?).
I long ago accepted and embraced the fact that I am, in fact, that person.
I’ve fostered a parrot with an ASBO, taken in a tortoise found loitering roadside and I’ve successfully rehabilitated a seagull with a broken wing – of course his name was Steven.
And I’ve long loved corvids.

Norse myths and witchy tales aside, they’re incredible creatures and their intelligence is fascinating. Similar in many ways to parrots, but without the ‘look at me, I’m a beautiful, needy dilettante’ attitude. They belong, of course, in the wild, flying free: I would never even hope to have one as a pet. How could you? They’re iconic wild birds, and should always be afforded the respect to remain so.

Enter Lazlo
Beware ex-husbands bearing gifts.
Mine turned up last weekend with a tiny baby crow, found on the ground at a local Dorset campsite, and watched for several hours by a lovely couple from Belgium. His sibling didn’t make it, and at dusk the couple carefully scooped him up and took him to the campsite bar, where the ex-husband said ‘I know someone who might help…’.
My teenager and I are mid binge-watch of What We Do In The Shadows, so the small bird was duly named Lazlo and installed in a spare budgie cage. Naturally, I crocheted him a little nest, and the feeding schedule commenced.

Lazlo proved to be an engaging little chap. Not afraid to shout for his supper and not averse to a cuddle. I sought advice from wild bird rescues (overrun with fledglings this time of year) and the consensus was that I’d hand rear him with a view to a gradual garden release once he was fully grown and much stronger.
I was preparing his breakfast when he lurched out of his little nest towards the kitchen sink. To hand was a fetching Portmeirion flowerpot and I plopped him into it to prevent any free-diving into the washing up. He looked so ludicrous I took a short video – which I then stuck on TikTok under the username @shoutylazlo. The video (above)howed him with his little velvet head stuck out of the pot, looking exceptionally grumpy, and emitting a loud RAAAWK when the promised breakfast took too long to materialise.
I have not TikTokked before. I use other social media for work and to post my many and varied craft failures: TikTok has always seemed to me the scrolling-pit from which I would not return.
I was right. Within 24 hours, Lazlo’s video had more than 100,000 views. People all over the world were heavily invested in this small bird’s story. Comments like ‘Lazlo is me at breakfast time’, ‘Lazlo in The Pot of Shame is giving me LIFE’ and ‘I hope one day I get an Angry Pom-Pom like this’ came pouring in. ‘The time-out pot. He is FURIOUS!’
So far, so much fun – the only time I’ve gone viral before was moaning about people leaving litter on a beach. For whatever reason this little fellow had captured the attention of the Algorithm Gods, and I could see a social media career ahead of him.
Sadly, it wasn’t to be. Lazlo died after three days with me. I don’t know why – he seemed fine on his last feed – but the odds of survival for wild baby birds are slim. Should I even have taken him in? He may never have lived his fullest, wildest life after being raised in captivity, but doesn’t every little life deserve a chance?
A sad ending then.
But maybe not …
Many TikTokkers commented that they’d donate to their local rescue in Lazlo’s name. And when Lazlo appeared on editor Laura’s TikTok, she recognised the mad bird rescuer lady, and asked me to write this, so I can share some info on what to do if you ever find a wild baby bird.
The simple answer is leave them, usually.

Lazlo, still grumpy: this time about being in a budgie bath

What to do
Fledglings spend time on the ground – closely watched by their parents – as part of their development. The exception is if they’re injured or if the parents don’t return. You can carefully examine a small bird and then return it whence it came: it is a myth that parent birds reject babies that have been touched by humans.
Caring for a corvid isn’t for the faint-hearted (chopped raw baby mice, anyone?) and nine times out of ten you should contact your local wild bird rescue charity who will always help and advise. It’s not like Disney, they probably won’t grow up to be your magic familiar. And they frequently die, which is horribly upsetting.
But this one little bird made a significant impact on an awful lot of people – me especially. I’m now in touch with country-wide corvid rescues to see how I can help and get more involved.
So well done, Lazlo, you angry little pom-pom. Raaawk in peace.

By Laura Beddow

May’s BV is right here

Laura

2 May 2025

This month’s BV is packed with stories you won’t want to miss – from Dorset’s angry pom-pom crow who stole 100,000 hearts, to chip shops caught between a cod and a hard plaice. Meet Jackie Potts, the UK’s ultimate Supergroom, delve into Wimborne’s wartime years, and uncover hidden gems in postcards from Bere Regis and Dewlish. Plus, our secret parish councillor returns with a warning: tick-box planning won’t build Dorset’s future.

Spring’s big weekend is back!

Editorial team

29 April 2025

Back for its second year, the Dorset Spring Show is quickly establishing itself as a springtime favourite. Organised by the experienced team behind the Dorset County Show, this year promises even more attractions, entertainment and rural fun. With a new home on a working farm offering sweeping countryside views and extra space to explore, the 2025 event is shaping up to be bigger, busier – and even better. More than 10,000 visitors are expected on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May at the new Birch Lane Showground near Puddletown.

They’re coming for the packed programme of events, local food and drink, artisan shopping and good old-fashioned rural entertainment. With the sun forecast to shine and the new showground’s panoramic Dorset views providing a stunning backdrop, it promises to be an unmissable weekend for the whole family.

A weekend of country fun

The entertainment line-up reads like a perfect family day out. Titan the Robot – the 8ft-tall, talking, joke-cracking, crowd-pleasing giant – is coming to Dorset as the headline act. Equal parts street theatre and special effects show, Titan’s act combines voice, music and motion in a way that has delighted audiences from Glastonbury Festival to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Whether dancing, singing or gently mocking the crowd, Titan brings something completely unexpected to a rural show

In the main arenas, you can see the unmissable Heavy Horse Logging demonstrations, the adorable chaos of Shetland Pony Racing, and the delightfully bonkers Dog Parkour.

The freestyle BMX stunt team – sponsored by The BV – returns by popular demand to deliver heart-stopping aerial tricks, while for a slower pace, visitors can hop aboard a nostalgic steam engine trailer ride or get up close with vintage tractors and working farm displays.

Of course, no Dorset show would be complete without a nod to our feathered friends. The Poultry Tent, with its extraordinary array of breeds, promises to be a colourful and noisy highlight.

Show organiser James Cox summed up the excitement: ‘The team have worked incredibly hard to make this the best Spring Show yet. The new site, set on a working farm, captures the spirit of spring perfectly. And with such a great forecast, it’s the perfect way to spend the weekend.’

Eat, drink and shop

Foodies are in for a treat, with the largest food hall yet showcasing a mouthwatering range of local produce, street food and award-winning craft drinks. From hand-crafted cider and honey to sizzling artisan street food, the show’s passionate support for local producers shines through at every turn. There’s plenty of space to unwind too. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, soak up the live music, and perhaps enjoy a pint from one of the many local brewers

And with more than 150 stalls dotted across the site, there’s plenty to browse – from home and garden essentials to rural crafts and countryside clothing.

Easy to find, hard to leave

Set just five miles from Dorchester, the new showground at Birch Lane is a picturesque working farm with easy access and ample free parking. A free shuttle bus service will run from Dorchester and Poundbury across the weekend, perfect for those wanting to enjoy a local beer or cider without worrying about the drive home.

Gates open from 9.30am to 5pm each day, and advance tickets are still available via the show’s website. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and check the timetables to make the most of the busy show schedule.

Plan Your Visit

See the full show guide here

Birch Lane Showground, Puddletown, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LN

9.30am to 5pm both days

Free parking and free shuttle buses from both Dorchester and Poundbury

Adults £16, children £2.50, family £35. Available online and at the gate – advance prices end 2nd May

dorsetspringshow.co.uk

CRANBORNE PETTY SESSIONS, April 12th, 1906 BRUTAL CONDUCT OF A STEPMOTHER | Then & Now

Editorial team

28 April 2025

We love pairing a vintage postcard with a photograph taken in the same spot today. Now, alongside the postcards, we’ll feature a newspaper article from the same time and place – a little glimpse of life when the card was posted.

Wimborne Street in Cranborne, before the first world war. Adams the bootmaker is the shop on the corner, and the Fleur de Lis still had a square corner

Sarah June Selwood, wife of a farm labourer, of Blagdon, Cranborne, was charged with assaulting and ill-treating Frank Selwood, aged nine, her stepson.
She pleaded guilty. John Knapman, the boy’s schoolmaster noticed bruses on the back of his hands.The boy said his stepmother had beaten him with a stick. On further examining the child, witness found his arms literally covered with bruises, also the calves of his legs and other portions of the body.
One of the legs was entirely out of shape owing to the illtreatment the boy had been subjected to.
Witness drew the attention of the Chairman of the school managers (the Rev. A. R. Poulton) to the matter, and he decided to inform the police.

Wimborne Street in 2025. Adams is still recognisable, now the WVS Charity Book Shop & Sewing Room, but the Fleur de Lys (currently closed) has had its corner angled

As it came on to snow he suggested to the boy that he should go home during the dinner hour, as he might have a difficulty in finding his way, but he said he was afraid to do so, as his mother would beat him. Witness had given the boy food on several occasions, and some of the children had also given him food.
P.S. Davis stated he examined the boy on the 15th. On the left arm were three large bruises, one on the elbow and forearm, and three on the left hand, which was much swollen and discoloured. On the right leg were two very large bruises; the left leg discoloured, swollen, and out of shape. The right leg had like bruises, as had also other portions of the body. The bruises had evidently been caused by a large stick.
There was slight cut on the head and marks of blood on the shirt. The boy said his mother beat him with the stick his father drove the bull with. The prisoner said she had beaten the boy, as he was very bad; he had torn strings of his sister’s clothes, told lies, and was dirty.
She admitted rubbing pepper into his face and also serving him as she would a cat or dog.
The boy slept in a room alone. The bedding was in a filthy, rotten state.
Inspector Notton, NSPCC, gave evidence of a corroborative character, and stated the woman said she beat the boy as he had stolen food from the schoolchildren and torn his sister’s clothes. She was willing he should be taken away, and the boy was removed to the Workhouse, where he increased two pounds in weight in three weeks. He was about 10lb lighter than he should have been, being 41lb. The boy in the course of his evidence stated he had often dry bread for breakfast, whilst the four children of the defendant had bread and butter and tea. Sometimes he was sent to school without food.

Water Street, Cranborne, before the first world war

She had hit him across the naked back with a stick, also on his arms and legs, and he had a cut on the eye which she did with a knife.
When living at Brixton Deverill she peppered his eyes, put a red hot poker on his hands, and hung him up to the ceiling by his thumbs. His father was kind to him.
William Selwood, the father, was called, and said he had complained to his wife respecting her ill treatment of the boy and he had thrashed her for it. He was away nearly all day to work, and he should be pleased if it could be arranged for the boy to be sent away under someone’s care.
A neighbour, Hester White, said she had heard the boy screaming on several occasions, and had seen him shut out of doors on some bitter cold days. Defendant had told her she had cut his nails down to the quick to make them bleed. Dr. Magrath bore out the statement made as to the condition of the
boy and said the punishment inflicted was cruel and injurious
to his health.

Water Street in 2025. The white house at right angles to the street on the far right is the same house on the right of the old postcard

The house and children were in a filthy condition. The children did not appear to have been starved. The Bench did not think further evidence was necessary. The schoolmaster was recalled, and said the boy had been good at school, and had never had occasion to discipline him.
The chairman said there was no doubt the defendant had inflicted great and unnecessary cruelty on the boy. The Bench sentenced her to six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labour without the option of a fine, the court fees being remitted.
Arrangements have been made to send the boy to a home in London.

attb: DORSET COUNTY CHRONICLE AND SOMERSETSHIRE GAZETTE

sponsored by The Museum of East Dorset

Gentle hike with quiet country lanes round Dewlish

Laura

27 April 2025

This is a lovely, solitary Dewlish circular walk in Dorset. Ever-changing scenery from woodlands to broad fields, and plentiful hills, but none of them very long, or very steep, making for an easy-going route through the folded Dorset National Landscape

When we visited Dewlish to capture the ‘now’ shots for this month’s Then & Now feature, we were so struck with the quiet peace of the surrounding countryside that we opted to return for this month’s hike, plotting a route that circumnavigates the village. Half way between Dorchester and Blandford, Dewlish sits comfortably in the valley through which the Devil’s Brook runs. The landscape here is just as folded up as the rest of rural Dorset – like someone crumpled up the tablecloth – but the hills are not so steep as those in the west of the county, nor so high as those in the north or south, making this a lovely, not-too-taxing afternoon’s hike.

At the start point there is a wide verge which has space enough for two or three cars (do be careful not to block any gates). Failing that, park in the village itself and join the route at the nearest point.

The vast majority of the route follows bridleways, and navigation is very simple – much of it felt like ancient green lanes. A field or two had been planted and the farmer hadn’t left a path clear – we simply watched the app and stuck carefully to the public route.

A handy bridge allowed us easy crossing of a traditional Dorset bourne

Unusually for us, there is a fairly length road section: however it’s a very quiet back lane, and only one car passed us on the whole length.

The lane section of the Dewlish circular walk Dorset was as quiet as we could have hoped

As you walk along Pound Lane at the back of Dewlish on the final mile of the route, you come to a junction of field entrances and tracks. A bridlepath takes off to your right (not yours), a footpath to the left (also not yours) and you are faced with two potential tracks: take the right hand one, going straight on (we had to duck under a rope) and NOT the one that veers left and down towards the river!

Each month in The BV Magazine, we share a new Dorset walk through the beautiful countryside, under our ‘Take a Hike’ series. We walk and create every route ourselves — you can explore all our previously published Dorset Walks here, plus many more personal routes with downloadable GPX files on our OutdoorActive profile here.
We’d love to hear your feedback if you try one — and don’t forget to send us your photos!
All images © Laura Hitchcock.

Tree Planting for Nature’s Sake

Editorial team

27 April 2025

Tree by tree, species survival project manager Seb Elwood is helping restore woodland across Dorset. He tells us why it matters more than ever

The UK has 13.2 million hectares of woodland, covering just 13% of the country’s land area – only 1% more than 30 years ago. Half of this consists of non-native plantations, leaving just 6.5% of our forests as native woodland. Worse still, only 7% of this native woodland is in good ecological condition. This fragmented and degraded landscape contributes to species decline, flooding, poor soil health and a warming climate.
The main drivers of deforestation over the last century have been intensive agriculture, logging and infrastructure – 65% of the UK is now used for agriculture – mostly treeless. Only 3.3% of farms practise agroforestry, and it’s typically limited to hedgerows or isolated trees. Non-native plantations, mining operations and the construction of roads, railways and housing developments have all taken their toll.
Deer also present a major problem. Both native and non-native species have expanded largely unchecked, with an estimated two million now in the UK. Without natural predators and with limited culling, deer browsing halts tree regeneration and reduces biodiversity. Overgrazing leads to crop damage, the spread of ticks, road accidents and degraded woodland habitats.
At the same time, we import vast amounts of wood while disease and climate change put existing trees under stress. Ash dieback and Dutch elm disease have wiped out large areas of woodland – faster than we can plant resistant replacements. Invasive insects such as processionary moths and leaf miners are rapidly defoliating trees, leaving them ever more vulnerable.
From the Atlantic rainforests to the Caledonian pinewoods and broadleaved woodland we need to restore a diverse range of woodland types across the country. Ancient woodlands that have been felled must be regrown, orchards should be replanted and we need a significant shift toward management and creation of wood pasture.

Happy Bottom nature reserve © Tony Bates

They’re the good guys
Trees are excellent carbon sinks – though not as efficient as wetlands or seagrass, they remain a powerful tool for climate resilience. Tree roots stabilise and aerate soil, reducing compaction and aiding water filtration. Combined with their leaves and branches intercepting rainfall, trees are among the best methods we have for flood prevention.
As global temperatures rise, planting trees in urban areas could also be key to cooling towns and cities. Studies show tree cover can lower temperatures by up to 8°C. It’s also beneficial on farms, providing essential shade for livestock during heatwaves.
Trees also support our human wellbeing. Woodland structures are rich in fractals – natural, repeating patterns found in fern leaves, pine cones and seashells – which have been shown to reduce stress by 60% just from looking at them. More broadly, time spent in nature has been proven to ease anxiety, lower blood pressure, and support physical and mental health.
Woodlands also support a vast amount of biodiversity, with thousands of species. Oak trees alone support 2,300 species – 326 of which are entirely dependent on oak for their survival.

A 200 year plan
At Dorset Wildlife Trust, current tree planting projects span three key sites. At West Holme nature reserve near Wareham, a 2.4-hectare native woodland is being planted to connect two isolated woodland blocks, while smaller pockets of trees will aid seed dispersal. At Lyscombe nature reserve near Dorchester, planting focuses on native species currently absent from the landscape, including elm and black poplar. And at Happy Bottom near Wimborne, existing hedgerows are being thickened with new trees.
Once in the ground, saplings quickly begin to establish, and the emerging vegetation creates habitat for small mammals: we soon see predators like kestrels, barn owls and foxes return to hunt. Bats use nearby hedgerows as corridors to forage.
Fast forward 50 years, and a once-bare patch of land will be alive with mature rowan, hazel and elder. Tawny owls roost on high branches, spotted flycatchers dart for insects, and purple hairstreak butterflies flutter around the oaks. Dormice nest in the hedgerows. Fieldfares and redwings arrive in autumn to feast on berries.
After 200 years, the trees reach full maturity. Buzzards nest in ancient oaks. Badgers dig setts in the softened soil below. Fungi flourish on fallen branches, feeding the larvae of stag beetles. Goat moths bore into trunks, while silver-washed fritillaries glide through the bramble-edged rides. Lichen and moss hang from branches, softening the canopy and cloaking the woodland in green.
By protecting and restoring existing woodland, and creating new habitat where it has been lost, we can give struggling species room to recover. Instead of being confined to fragmented green corridors, wildlife will once again move freely through a connected and diverse landscape.
Woodland cover in the UK must increase – quickly. We must create a more complex landscape that can support an abundance of species diversity.

The no-laxative guide to eating for smooth moves

Editorial team

25 April 2025

Why your poo matters more than you think – expert Karen Geary explains how small food changes can make a big digestive difference

If you have ever visited a nutritionist, one of the first things they’ll likely ask about is your poo. It may not be your average dinner table conversation, but it’s a crucial indicator of digestive health.
At its simplest, if you’re not going at least once a day, your digestive system might not be functioning optimally. If you’re struggling to go at least three times a week, or it’s hard to poo, you are likely dealing with constipation.
Constipation isn’t just a nuisance – it can have long-term health consequences. With more than 40,000 colorectal cancers diagnosed in the UK each year, and an increasing trend among younger people, prevention is key. Research suggests that more than 54 per cent of cases could be preventable, with diet playing a major role.
While lifestyle factors like movement and hydration play a role, nutrition is fundamental for keeping digestion regular. Here are ten evidence-based nutrition strategies to help prevent and relieve constipation naturally:

Increase fibre gradually
Fibre adds bulk to stools and supports bowel movements, but a sudden increase can cause bloating. Aim for 25–30g of fibre daily from whole foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while increasing intake slowly.

Prioritise soluble and insoluble fibre
Both types of fibre support digestion. Soluble fibre (found in oats, flaxseeds, and apples) absorbs water and softens stools, while insoluble fibre (in whole grains, leafy greens, and nuts) adds bulk and speeds up transit time. Don’t just rely on grains for fibre though – plants should be your primary source. Aim for at least seven cups of vegetables a day.

Stay hydrated
Fibre needs water to work effectively. Without enough fluid, it can have the opposite effect and make constipation worse. Aim for at least 1.5–2 litres of water a day, more if you are consuming high amounts of fibre.

Include magnesium-rich foods
Magnesium acts as a natural muscle relaxant, supporting bowel movements. Foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds and dark chocolate provide magnesium.
Incorporate fermented foods
A balanced gut microbiome aids digestion. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and miso all contain beneficial probiotics that promote regularity by improving gut bacteria diversity.

Foods for natural constipation relief
Yes, we’re starting with prunes: Granny knew what she was talking about. They contain sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol that draws water into the intestines, softening stools and making them easier to pass. They also have insoluble fibre to add bulk.
Kiwi fruit is rich in fibre and contains actinidin, an enzyme that speeds up digestion and promotes regular bowel movements. Studies suggest eating two kiwis a day can improve stool consistency and frequency. Apple provides both soluble and insoluble fibre, helping retain water in the stool while also adding bulk. Apples also contain pectin, a type of soluble fibre that supports gut motility. Figs are packed with fibre and contain ficin, an enzyme that aids digestion by helping break down food more efficiently. Dried figs are particularly effective for improving stool consistency. Ginger stimulates digestion by increasing gastric motility (the movement of food through the digestive tract) and reducing bloating. It helps relax the intestinal muscles, allowing for smoother bowel movements. A cup of ginger tea before bedtime may help restore bowel regularity. Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that assists in breaking down proteins and supporting overall digestion. It also has a high water and fibre content, making it a gentle natural laxative. Herbal Teas such as marshmallow and hibiscus can help soothe the digestive tract and support hydration. Marshmallow tea has mucilaginous properties that coat and soothe the gut, while hibiscus tea provides mild digestive stimulation.

Add flax or chia seeds to your breakfast
Flaxseeds and chia seeds are rich in fibre and omega-3s, which help lubricate the intestines. Soaking chia seeds in water can create a gel-like consistency that eases stool passage.

Limit processed and low-fibre foods
Ultra-processed foods, refined grains, and excessive dairy can slow digestion and contribute to constipation. Swap white bread and pasta for whole grain alternatives and include more whole foods in meals.

Consume healthy fats
Fats help keep stools soft and promote gut motility. Include sources like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and fatty fish in your diet to support digestive health.

Time your caffeine intake wisely
Coffee can stimulate bowel movements, but too much caffeine may dehydrate and worsen constipation. If you find yourself relying on coffee to go, make sure you’re balancing it with adequate water intake.

By making simple dietary changes, most cases of constipation can be improved naturally. If symptoms persist despite these strategies, consulting a healthcare provider can help identify underlying causes and appropriate interventions.

Hungry yet, Westminster?

Editorial team

24 April 2025

Open Farm Sunday on Rawston Farm 2023 – images Courtenay Hitchcock The BV

I can’t believe that we are already in April. Where has the time gone? The start of 2025 has been an exceptionally busy time for Love Local already.
Sponsors Blanchards Bailey will At our next networking session on 10th April, sponsors Blanchards Bailey will talk us through the new employment laws introduced this year – essential knowledge for both business owners and employees. From National Insurance changes to the rising living wage, navigating these updates has been a minefield. Managing cash flow in 2025 is no easy task with the ever-increasing costs of running a business.

Coming to a farm near you
On a brighter note, the Love Local Trust Local team will be back at Dorset Spring Show this year – do come and say hello if you’re attending! We’ll be showcasing some of Dorset’s brilliant food producers and highlighting why supporting British – and especially local – food matters now more than ever. You’ll find us in the demonstration tent on both days, with fantastic producers ready to chat, share their stories and answer your questions. We were thrilled by the support last year – let’s make this one even better!
We must send a big thank you to our loyal supporters Blanchards Bailey, who are once again sponsoring our attendance at the event. We’ll have some tasty nibbles for you to try – and hopefully a few new things to learn and take away too. The show takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend (3rd–4th May), and we’ll be sharing more details soon.
We’re also looking forward to hosting Open Farm Sunday again on 8th June here at Rawston Farm. It’s a brilliant opportunity for local people to come and see what’s growing and happening on the farms around them – farms are open across the country, and you can find the one nearest you here.
If you some to Rawston you’ll be able to explore your local food supply chain, find out how we grow corn for bread and beer, watch the cows being milked and learn where that milk goes – into butter, drinking milk and cheese. It’s a great family day out and a valuable chance to see where your food really comes from.

It’s bonkers
It’s never been more important to keep growing food here in the UK. In today’s unstable world, relying on imports is a dangerous game – especially with climate change, shifting politics and muddled legislation in the mix. Successive governments have failed to recognise just how critical our own food security is. The fact that we only produce half of what we eat in England is nothing short of a scandal.
Thankfully, British consumers seem to be waking up (unlike our politicians). More people are getting behind their farmers and recognising the value of homegrown food – and that gives us hope. Opening conversations and inviting the public onto farms is a vital part of that food conversation.
Everyone should understand how their food is produced, where it comes from and also just how high British standards are. Our farmers are among the best in the world – which is why everyone wants to eat our meat. Here’s the absurd part: farmers can often get a better price by exporting than selling meat to feed their own country.
It’s bonkers.
We should be eating more of our own food. Somewhere along the line we’ve lost our connection to local, seasonal, proper food. Many people aren’t feeding themselves well – and plenty wouldn’t even know how to peel a potato, let alone where it was grown. Education is key. And at Love Local Trust Local, we’ll keep championing better labelling, clearer information and stronger support for our farmers. We’ll keep telling people what’s grown and made here in Dorset – because that’s how we protect the future of British food.

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