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Wessex Water court case should worry us all

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Ken Huggins North Dorset Green Party

Question: if you pay someone to do a job and they don’t complete it, should you be able to refuse to pay the whole bill? If you think ‘Yes, of course!’ then you might be interested in the recent small claims court action by Wessex Water against Caroline Dennett, one of Dorset’s hardest working and most inspiring environmental campaigners. Caroline has been refusing to pay the sewage treatment element of her water bill, on the basis that Wessex Water has obviously failed to adequately provide that service.
Unusually for a small claims court hearing, Wessex Water chose to have a Barrister present their case. The judge was complimentary about Caroline’s presentation of her own defence, and she was sympathetic to Caroline’s arguments. She also refused to award costs against her, but ultimately had to conclude that she had no option in law other than to uphold Wessex Water’s claim for payment of the withheld money.
So we consumers have no redress when our water company fails to adequately provide the service we pay them for. And because they have a monopoly, there are no alternative suppliers we can turn to. Unless and until the industry is properly regulated, the UK’s water privatisation rip-off will continue. More than 70 per cent of UK water company shareholders are now foreign interests. Wessex Water itself is 100 per cent owned by a Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate. The ten privatised water companies established in 1989 were effectively debt free – they now have debts of more than £60bn, while over £80bn has been paid out to shareholders. And all the while, sewage has increasingly fouled our precious watercourses and beaches. If more of its customers temporarily withheld payment for the waste treatment part of their water bills, the pressure might encourage Wessex Water to fulfil its contract with us. What do you think ?
Some farming methods also cause gross pollution of our waterways, for example factory farmed chickens. But here, fortunately, we consumers do have a choice. Cheap chicken doesn’t pay for the huge damage it does to our environment – damage that one way or another we all pay for. So we can choose not to eat it, can we not?
Ken Huggins
North Dorset Green Party

Gillingham student delivers powerful Articulation speech

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Tucked into the rolling chalk and flint-filled fields near Salisbury is an iconic art institution. NewArtCentre was once known simply as Roche Court – Roche Court Sculpture Park is a commercial gallery set in the rolling Wiltshire countryside. Early in February, three Gillingham School students and one teacher wound their way there, travelling through frosted valleys, sparkling in the winter sun, to Roche Court – which, since 1958, has championed young and emerging artists and is now a gallery full of art and exciting sculpture, placed carefully into the Wiltshire parkland.
The Articulation Prize was founded in 2006 by Roche Court’s Educational Trust and later became part of the National Gallery’s education programme. This prestigious public speaking competition invites 16 to 19-year-olds to deliver a ten-minute presentation on a work of art, architecture, or an artefact. For students at Gillingham Sixth Form, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with art, articulate its significance, build confidence, and explore issues that matter to them.

Can’t Help Myself
In January, Gillingham held its internal heats, with seven students – who have been developing their public speaking skills through the Sixth Form’s innovative enrichment programme – delivering presentations on a diverse range of art. Topics ranged from the Nye Bevan Memorial Stones in Wales to Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Wrapped Reichstag installation. There were stand-out speeches by Beth R, who explored gender and society through the knitted installation Non-Binary Code by Ben Cuavas, and Adam C, who tied art with history and politics in a moving speech about the sculptures at Soviet Memorial Treptow in Berlin, making listeners think about the way society remembers war and sacrifice, providing a poignant reminder of current events in Ukraine.
Travelling to Roche Court in February, however, was Gillingham School’s winner, Katie B, whose heartfelt, personal response to the installation Can’t Help Myself by Chinese artists Sun Yuang and Peng Yu had moved some of the judges to tears. Can’t Help Myself became a viral hit across social media: a giant robotic arm, more commonly seen in a car manufacturing line, installed inside a large perspex room or box: it writhes and dances as it tries to mop up its leaking hydraulic fluid, coloured red and with the viscosity of blood. Katie used this artwork to boldly tackle topics of authoritarianism and migration, exploitative labour practices and mental health and isolation.
Teacher Lydia Richards aid: ‘As Katie stood in the gallery space at Roche Court, it was wonderful to see a young person feel their own power and speak so passionately and persuasively.
‘She was commended by the adjudicator for her stirring words and “clear passion for social justice” which was met by a spontaneous round of applause by the audience, clearly moved by her performance.
‘As a teacher, it is moments like these which really count. The moments when you see the true purpose of education – not just grades and academic achievement, but helping young people find their voices, so they are ready to be the artist of their own lives, to go out and sculpt and shape the world … perhaps into something better.’

NewArtCentre is open 7 days a week and is free to visit, but they ask you to book ahead if possible: sculpture.uk.com
Gillingham Sixth Form is still accepting applications for this September gillingham-dorset.co.uk or contact the school office to arrange for a visit 01747 822 222.

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Tea loaf

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Images: Heather Brown

This simple and not-too-sweet loaf bake requires no fancy equipment – just a little time to steep the dried fruit before a nice slow bake. It’s the perfect way to use up dried fruit that’s still in the cupboard after Christmas, and it’s delicious with some salty butter (try Meggy Moo’s award winning butter, churned from the milk from their herd in Shroton) and maybe a little jam (for a delicious local one try From Dorset With Love, or you could make your own using my recipe from last September’s BV. I’ve also been told it goes really well with some strong cheddar or a little blue cheese.

Ingredients

  • 350g dried fruit (your choice of sultanas, currants, raisins etc)
  • 300ml boiling water
  • 3 tea bags (English breakfast or Earl Grey work well)
  • 200g soft brown sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 275g self-raising flour
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 1 egg
  • Some demerara sugar to sprinkle on top
Images: Heather Brown

Method

  1. Steep the tea bags in the boiling water for at least 10 minutes, then discard the tea bags.
  2. Pour the tea into a big bowl and mix in the soft brown sugar, cinnamon and the dried fruit. Stir well so the sugar dissolves and the fruit is covered. Leave for at least two hours (or overnight) for the fruit to soak up all those lovely flavours.
  3. Pre-heat the oven to 130º fan (gas 3). Line a 2lb loaf tin (10cm x 21cm, 7cm deep) with baking parchment or a loaf tin liner.
  4. Into the fruit and sugar mixture, mix the flour, lemon zest and the egg and stir until completely combined. Pour this mixture into the loaf tin and sprinkle the demerara sugar over the top.
  5. Bake in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, until the skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the tin for 15 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely (I have to admit to never waiting long enough before impatiently cutting a slice and smothering the still-warm cake with butter …)

Frustrating times for Rawston Farm

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Red tape, red tractor, and no red cards … James Cossins has had a winter of TB testing, audit headaches, and a well-earned break at AFC Bournemouth

Ploughing in the 1960s at Rawston Farm

The sun is finally shining and with spring just around the corner we can hopefully look forward to some better weather – and better fortune for us at Rawston Farm.
The dreaded TB testing cycle came round once again in early February: as the majority of the 700 cattle were inside the testing was easier, but did still take up almost four days. The result was not so pleasing though with one beef animal being a reactor and four milking cows becoming inconclusive, despite the fact that 60 days earlier they had passed the dreaded gamma test. So once again we had to send cattle off to the abattoir for TB reasons. The results all came back negative, and now we have to wait until we test again in 60 days time – much to everyone’s frustration.
Having talked about our TB nightmare here in The BV and on the podcast (if you missed it you can listen to James in the January podcast here, he starts at 28:35 – Ed), I have had a number of farmers contact me who are in the same position: the odd reactor being found but no direct evidence of the disease. All we know is that the animal may have been exposed to the disease in one form or another.
I am currently expecting a visit from a government official to hopefully give us some constructive advice as to the way forward.

Red Tractor
We have had our annual Red Tractor audits for milk, beef and crops. A lot of paperwork has to be updated and assembled for these visits, which normally last four or five hours each. Fortunately the assessors are always from a farming background and have a good understanding how a farm works. At the end of the audits we did have a few non-compliances – mainly on updating records, which we have now rectified. Red Tractor is currently under review, with many food producers calling for updates, feeling it has lost sight of its original purpose.
I personally believe there should be better labelling on foods, showing that certain standards have been met and that the food was produced and processed in Great Britain. I also believe that many consumers still do not understand what the Red Tractor logo stands for.
Other food labels have appeared over the years, many claiming to represent higher standards then Red Tractor – and therefore commanding a premium price. Labelling will become ever more important as we face a growing influx of imported foods, often coming with little or no information on their origins or production standards.

Ploughing has moved on in the last 65 years, and in 2025 it’s slightly more high tech

Tax rumbles on
The farming industry’s frustration with the Government over the inheritance tax issue certainly isn’t going away. A recent delegation from the farming industry went to meet the Treasury with some counter proposals – which would have raised at least the same amount of taxes – involving taxing the land when it is sold, instead of when it is inherited. The proposal was not even listened to, much to farmers’ frustration.
Last month I spent a day with a number of fellow farmers in Bournemouth Square, meeting the public. We spoke to several hundred people, and all had a positive response to our concerns about the family farm tax. We talked about how food supplies could be disrupted if farms had to be sold off to pay taxes, and we discussed the very real possibility that the land would then be bought by investors or companies who wanted to offset their carbon, such as airline companies.
I’m a fifth generation farmer, and we have a sixth and seventh generation keen to continue. As a family, we’re seeking advice on how to reduce our tax burden to keep the farm viable for the future. It seems strange – almost ridiculous – that ‘working the tax system’ is the government’s own recommendation for lowering the amount of tax we’ll pay!

In other news
The weather will hopefully bring a busy month for all farmers and growers – we have so many jobs to carry out in dry weather such as sowing crops, spreading fertiliser, preparing grass fields for cutting or grazing and hopefully turning out some cattle to grass!
On a very positive note my son Henry and I have watched some really entertaining football matches at AFC Bournemouth recently – especially the most recent FA Cup game which lasted nearly three hours, with extra time, penalties and a lengthy VAR to sit through.
Let’s hope their successful run continues!

Playing a dangerous game

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Editorial team
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As Trump unsettles NATO and offends allies, Simon Hoare MP looks at the strained special relationship and why the West must remain united against Putin

Simon Hoare MP

Many people will have had a hope that the second Trump administration might have been different from his first. That a greater sense of calmness and ‘grown up’ politics would be to the fore … Any vestige of that hope was shattered in the Oval Office and the disgraceful treatment of the Ukrainian President.
If that is how this Administration treats its allies, then God help us all.
Of course, this came hot on the heels of the vice president’s sermon on free speech and democratic liberty delivered at the Munich Security Conference. An arrogant speech? Undoubtedly. Ill-advised? 100 per cent! Cowardly? Without a shadow of doubt.
I say cowardly because I do not think he would have the spine to make the same speech in Beijing, Tehran, Moscow or Pyongyang. There is a lot of conspiracy theory speculation circulating currently concerning Trump’s status with the Russian authorities. I am not a conspiracy theorist.
What I do know, however, is that with the President’s tactic of let’s-unsettle-NATO-and-offend-our-neighbours-and-allies, the only person who benefits, in geopolitical terms, is Dictator Putin. Russia always benefits when the West is divided and uncertain.
We are certainly that at the moment.

It’s not me, it’s you
We will all be familiar with the idea of the Special Relationship between the UK and US. It has been strong and enduring. It can be, as it has been, special without there being continued agreement on every subject (for example the Suez, Grenada and – initially – the Falklands). It does, however, need to be based on an enduring trust: and that I believe is now eroded significantly.
Many of us recognise that classic relationship conversation—“we want different things,” “we’ve changed,” “we’re not who we were X years ago.” Let’s hope it’s not the case, but the UK and US may be heading for a similar heart-to-heart. Just because it’s lasted doesn’t mean it’s built to last forever.
Many North Dorset homes and hearts were opened to Ukrainians following Putin’s unprovoked and unwarranted invasion. I well remember seeing the tsunami of generosity at Sturminster’s Exchange as I helped pack donations of clothes, food and bedding. It was deeply heartwarming.
It remains as clear today as it did those three long years ago: to end the fighting is easy – Russia has only to withdraw her troops and respect the sovereign boundaries of Ukraine. Contrary to the Trump ‘philosophy’, the moves cannot only come from Ukraine, and I cheered when President Zelensky stood firm against the White House Bully Boys.
The House of Commons has responded magnificently (with the exception of the Trump/Putin hero-worshipping Reform): a laser-like focus on stronger defence policies, increased defence spending, total support for the Ukrainian people and vocal opposition to the Russian regime.
Our Prime Minister (with whom I have many policy disagreements) has led the international response, carrying on that role which his predecessors had. As we move forward he will have both my support and that of my Party in pursuit of the core principles we all share.
Failure to do so would play into Putin’s hands and humanity would be the loser.

Simon will be holding an advice surgery in Gillingham on Friday, 14th March at 3pm. For more information and to make an appointment, please call 01258 452585 or email simon.hoare.mp@parliament.uk.

Wessex Group raises £5,000 for Marie Curie

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Editorial team
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Wessex Group has donated £5,000 to Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end-of-life charity, following a year of dedicated fundraising efforts. Each year, employees of the Shaftesbury-based company select a charity to support, committing 12 months to raising funds through a variety of initiatives – including challenges, bake sales and the company’s annual Christmas raffle.
The donation was presented to a Marie Curie representative, marking another successful year of fundraising for Wessex Group, which has a long-standing commitment to supporting both local and national charities. Tracey Martin at Wessex Group said: ‘We are delighted to support Marie Curie and contribute to the incredible work they do. Our teams have come together to raise funds in a variety of ways, and it has been inspiring to see the generosity and enthusiasm from our staff.’
Over the years, Wessex Group has supported numerous charities, including local organisations such as The Brave and Determined Company, who provide access to essential counselling services, and BooBs, Shaftesbury’s breast cancer awareness charity. Kara Frampton at Marie Curie expressed gratitude for the donation, saying: ‘We are incredibly grateful for Wessex Group’s support. These funds will help us continue to provide essential care and support to those who need it most.’
Marie Curie provides vital end-of-life care, offering nursing services, hospice care, bereavement support, and information services to people living with terminal illness and their families.
Wessex Group, based in Shaftesbury, has been providing expert trade services for over 60 years, offering fire and security, electrical, building, and maintenance services across the South of England.

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Hanford RDA celebrates 50 years of life-changing riding sessions

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Pupils, staff and ponies came together last month at Hanford School to mark a major milestone – the 50th anniversary of the Hanford Group RDA (Riding for the Disabled).
To celebrate the occasion, Hanford’s younger pupils surprised the RDA volunteers with a specially-baked cake at the end of their weekly riding session. The event recognised the incredible work of the Hanford Group RDA, which has provided life-enhancing riding experiences for children with special needs for five decades.

Theo and Guy
The group, led by Chief Instructor Sandy Millard, has been running sessions at Hanford since 1974, welcoming children from Yewstock School in Sturminster Newton, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum. Each term, a group of around ten children take part, with RDA volunteers guiding two dedicated ponies, Guy and Theo, on rides around Hanford’s beautiful grounds.
Sandy, who has been involved with the group for 38 years, explained the impact of these sessions: ‘It is so uplifting for the children to be on a pony – the beams on their faces are so rewarding for us volunteers. They’re always so eager to ride that our biggest challenge is encouraging them to get down at the end! Their teachers tell us it’s the highlight of their week.’
Each ride is supported by three volunteers per child, ensuring a safe and engaging experience. The ponies, stabled alongside Hanford’s own riding ponies, are also cared for by the school’s dedicated stables team and receive plenty of attention from the pupils.
Charley Pearson, head of riding at Hanford, said: ‘Riding is at the heart of life at Hanford, and we see daily how much our pupils benefit from being around and riding ponies. To be able to share this with children from the wider community is something we truly value.’
Hanford Group RDA also held an afternoon tea party for around 35 past and present coaches, volunteers and friends, and enjoyed an afternoon of tea and cake as well as reminiscing and sharing old photos.
The Hanford Group RDA is always looking for volunteers – no riding experience is required, just a willingness to help, enjoy the outdoors and support children with special needs.
To get involved, contact Sandy via Hanford School Office: office@hanfordschool.co.uk or 01258 860219.

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HR Officer | Milton Abbey School

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Start: April 2025

We are seeking to appoint an HR Officer who has the technical knowledge and experience of the full range of HR requirements consistent with a small independent school employing just over 100 staff.

The role will be based on our school site working 40 hours a week year round with remuneration dependent on experience and skills but likely to be in the range £30-35k.

The successful applicant will: 

• be responsible for all stages of an employee life cycle – from recruitment to exit

• act as liaison with the school’s external payroll provider

• largely autonomously manage routine HR matters such as staff absences (sickness, maternity, paternity), flexible working requests

• provide HR guidance together with procedural and administrative support to school senior managers including occasions where contentious HR mattersarise such as disciplinary procedures  

• be the owner of all HR filing and administration records and processes including the Single Central Record and related safeguarding checks 

You will be part of a friendly and supportive team, and training will be available to enhance skills.  Our staff also benefit from free parking, free refreshments, and a free three course lunch during the school term time.

Experience of school HR processes and an understanding of the Single Central Record would be desirable, but full training will be given a successful candidate whose experience has been gained in sectors other than education.

Further details may be obtained from our website or from HR on 01258 882306 or email hr@miltonabbey.co.uk. Applications must be submitted on the school’s application form.  The closing date for applications is Wednesday 2nd April 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Please note that we are not accepting applications for this position through any employment agency and all applications should be made direct to the school. 

Milton Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  The appointment will be the subject of an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.  Additionally, please be aware that Milton Abbey School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. To avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the search and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern. 

Please note that our school is a no smoking/vaping site. 

www.miltonabbey.co.uk                                               Registered Charity No 306318 

Hall & Woodhouse Expands Chef Apprenticeship Programme to Train More Future Leaders

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Editorial team
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Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) has more than doubled the capacity of its chef apprenticeship scheme, adding 36 new places through partnerships with two additional colleges. The leading family brewer is now working with Bournemouth and Poole College and Exeter College to offer new apprenticeships in hospitality and catering, building on the success of its existing programme with Chichester College.

Hall and Woodhouse Chef Apprentices Chichester College

The first intake of 12 Level 3 (Senior) Production Chef Apprenticeships will begin at Bournemouth and Poole College on 25th February 2025, followed by a second cohort of 12 in the autumn. Exeter College will launch its own 12-place apprenticeship course in September 2025.

Apprentices receive professional training and hands-on experience throughout the 12-month course, which is specifically designed to complement their roles as Head or Sous Chefs at Hall & Woodhouse. The programme focuses on crafting dishes from H&W’s handcrafted menu, using carefully selected ingredients and maintaining the company’s high culinary standards.

Dean Livesey, Director of HR at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We are thrilled to extend our apprenticeship programme to even more chefs across the south. By working closely with respected forward-thinking colleges, we are delivering the required skills to boost employability, develop our future leaders, and shape the future of the hospitality sector.

“Providing our chefs with access to the apprenticeship course enables great people to earn at least the Real Living Wage and develop their skills. Our apprentices are equipped with all the tools they need to grow confidently in their roles and fast-track their progression. Of the 26 apprentices that undertook the Chichester course in 2024, nine have already received promotions.”

The innovative programme was first developed by H&W in collaboration with Chichester College and launched in February 2024. This year, Chichester College will also provide an additional 12 Level 3 (Senior) Production Chef Apprenticeship places.

Abi Dalton, 29, from The Plough in Southampton, has been Head Chef for almost a year. She initially joined The Plough as a Sous Chef and was quickly promoted, thanks in part to the apprenticeship scheme, which built on her previous hospitality experience. Now leading a team of five, Abi is responsible for managing a busy kitchen.

Anthony Woodhouse Chef Apprentice Chichester College

Commenting on her role, Abi said: “I love being part of the team at The Plough. The support I receive from my General Manager and wider team back at the Hall & Woodhouse Brewery is second to none. I am proud to be running the kitchen and to have helped play a role in the pub achieving a record-breaking level of sales last year.

“My skills and experience far outweigh what I would have learnt by only being in a classroom. H&W is committed to my learnings beyond my apprenticeship—if I ask for support, I receive it. I have already undertaken in-depth training on Food Hygiene Standards from our in-house trainer, with further support planned for my team.”

Hall & Woodhouse continues to invest heavily in the development of its people. The company was recognised in 2024 as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work (Big Companies category). In addition to its chef apprenticeship programme, H&W runs brewing and engineering apprenticeships, management and leadership development courses with Institute of Management and Leadership qualifications, and sponsors future leaders through degrees and MBA programmes.

For more information on H&W’s apprenticeship programmes, visit www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk.

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