Now in its fifth year, the Child Okeford Art Trail returns this August Bank Holiday with an inspiring line-up of 22 artists and craftspeople across the village. From Friday 22nd to Monday 25th August, 11am to 4pm daily, visitors can explore home studios, gardens and community spaces, discovering work ranging from ceramics and printmaking to jewellery, painting and sculpture.
Sue Bates’ flower watercolours are an annnual highlight of the trail
At the Old School House, Diane Ablitt will be showing her latest pieces in a newly refurbished studio set within a beautiful garden. She’ll be joined by linocut printer Kathy Clarke and Jo Burnell, whose hand-thrown earthenware pots are decorated in bold, colourful designs inspired by the Dorset countryside. Clock Cottage has seen recent transformation too, where Rob Adams unveils a new studio space. He’ll be joined by Cath Broadway of Elm House Studio pottery and Sue Fawthrop, whose expressive paintings evoke the atmosphere of Dorset’s landscapes and coast. Eleven artists will exhibit together in the Village Hall, where visitors can enjoy homemade cakes, light lunches and refreshments in support of Julia’s House, thanks to local charity SERO. All proceeds from Julie Little’s paintings will also go towards the hospice. New to the hall this year is printmaker Victoria Garland, whose intaglio etchings often feature winter trees etched into copper or steel plates. Also debuting is jeweller Rachel Raine, whose silverwork incorporates ethically sourced stones, fossils and recycled materials, with designs inspired by natural textures and forms. Village resident Kirsty Baird joins artists at the Community Centre with her paintings reflecting a deep love of local life and countryside. With everything from fine art to handcrafted jewellery on show, the trail offers a unique opportunity to meet the makers, explore creative spaces and discover something unexpected in every corner of the village.
North Dorset CPRE’s Rupert Hardy visits Hawtree & Sons Riverside Garage – the family business that’s busily defining rural retail
After the brief COVID-era reprieve, when shoppers turned to their local stores and village shops rediscovered their value, long-term pressures on rural retail have returned with force. Discount chains like Aldi and Lidl have fuelled an ongoing price war. The shift to online grocery shopping favours the giants. This year, steep rises in the Minimum Wage and National Insurance contributions have squeezed margins across the board. And with energy, insurance and other costs rising faster than inflation, many independent retailers face increasingly tough decisions. So what is it that makes a rural shop thrive, rather then simply survive? Larger stores have natural advantages. More shelf space means a broader product range. Some have diversified with cafés, attracting footfall and offering higher-margin sales. Many now prioritise local and sustainable produce – something the CPRE has long championed. Dorset has many high quality local food and drink producers. Some independently-owned village stores can also be run more professionally., which was not the case some years back when too many amateurs bought village shops to run as collectives. Other stores have joined large symbol groups like SPAR, benefiting from the greater buying power and marketing support. A few – like Hawtree & Sons Riverside Garage in West Stour – have done all of the above, and then some.
Seb Hawtree with colleague Lorraine
From garage to flagship The Hawtree family has run the SPAR forecourt store and garage at West Stour since 1988. Today, the second generation – brothers Seb, Paul and Tom – run the business, with Seb leading the team at Riverside and Tom managing their second SPAR store in Marnhull. The Riverside site sits on the A30, surrounded by ten villages without a single community shop. It was the community response during COVID that changed everything: customers rallied behind the store and the Hawtrees responded by offering free deliveries to pensioners and disabled residents. That shift – from a transient, roadside clientele to a loyal, local customer base – proved transformative. In 2023, the family unveiled the newly-expanded Riverside site, now the largest SPAR in the South West. It’s a store that comfortably blends SPAR’s national support with local autonomy – allowing the Hawtrees to fill their shelves with lots of quality local produce such as The Real Cure charcuterie and Wilton Wholefoods. At the same time, SPAR’s own basic range offers a price-point close to the supermarkets – essential in a cost-conscious community. There are also plenty of reasons to linger: fresh bakery items, chiller and frozen food cabinets, a strong ‘food to go’ offer including takeaway coffee and ice cream machines, and even fresh flowers. They don’t do online shopping – but they are active on Facebook. And rather than rivalling the nearby Udder Farm Shop, Hawtrees complements it – the two businesses attract different shoppers.
The store extension which opened in 2023 made Hawtree the the largest SPAR in the South West
Behind the counter Both Seb and Paul previously worked for Waitrose – a grounding that has clearly influenced their customer-first approach. They’ve introduced queue management to keep tills flowing, and Seb is adamant: ‘We treat every customer as a guest.’ That ethos carries through in the shop’s glowing online reviews, which consistently mention attentive, helpful staff. The family briefly ran a café, but now the focus is on broadening the garage offer, which includes a jet-wash, launderette, dog wash and courier lockers. EV charging and DIY car valeting are coming soon. Notably, the petrol prices are competitive. This approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. Hawtree Riverside has twice won the SPAR Convenience Retailer of the Year for the South West, and in 2024 was runner-up in the Countryside Alliance’s Village Shop category. This year they are a finalist at the Forecourt Trader Awards, and they are finalists for the prestigious Retail Industry Awards 2025.
Inside Hawtree Riverside – all images Rupert Hardy
Holding the line Of course, the business faces the same headwinds as other retailers. Staff costs are rising, shoplifting is a growing concern, and they’ve had to become more creative with sourcing to keep prices under control. Solar panels are already helping offset electricity bills. And while a café may return one day, it will depend on improved consumer confidence. The Hawtrees are also exploring the potential for a small business unit on-site – and they haven’t ruled out acquiring another forecourt in the future. It may look like a service station from the road – but inside, Hawtree Riverside is a true village shop in all but name. Rooted in its community, stocked with the best of Dorset produce, and managed with a professionalism that puts many high street names to shame, this is rural retail done right.
Hawtree & Sons Riverside Garage Mon to Sat 6.30am to 10pm Sunday 7.30am to 10pm @HawtreeandSonsSpar on Facebook
While we sleep, another world stirs – with just a little thought, your garden can be a haven for bats, moths, owls and hedgehogs through the night
As night falls and most of us head indoors, a hidden world of nocturnal wildlife begins to stir. From the silent flight of owls to the soft rustle of hedgehogs in the undergrowth, your garden can become a haven for wildlife long after the sun sets. Nocturnal visitors come in all shapes and sizes, including aerial and terrestrial species – from moths, bats and owls, to hedgehogs, foxes and badgers. There’s lots we can all do to support wildlife at night in our gardens and outdoor spaces … even while most of us are fast asleep.
Above and below The UK is home to a fascinating range of nocturnal species. Aerial visitors include bats like the common pipistrelle – tiny and agile – which feasts on midges and mosquitos as they dart through the night air. Moths such as the elephant hawk-moth and the silver Y are attracted to night-scented plants and their visits are essential for pollination, complementing the work of bees by day. Tawny owls may be heard calling from nearby trees, their ‘twit’ and ‘twoo’ marking their presence as they hunt for voles and mice. On the ground, you might spot hedgehogs emerging from their daytime shelters to snuffle through flowerbeds and undergrowth, foraging for worms, slugs and beetles. Foxes often patrol gardens under cover of darkness, scavenging for food or hunting small prey. Earthworms, vital for soil health, also surface to feed on decaying plant matter at night. In warm months, bush crickets and field grasshoppers contribute a soft evening chorus. Each of these species plays its role in the nighttime ecosystem
Planting for the night garden Helping wildlife at night could begin with creating a welcoming, undisturbed habitat and planting species that bloom or release scent at night: common plants like evening primrose, jasmine and honeysuckle all draw in the moths to your garden. White or pale flowers, such as moonflower or white campion, reflect moonlight and are more visible to insects and bats. Native hedgerow plants like hawthorn and dog rose provide berries and shelter. Herbs like thyme and lavender attract insects by day and linger into the evening. These are key to attracting moths and, in turn, bats.
Wildlife-friendly gardening Fresh water is essential for all animals. Leave shallow bowls, clean and refilled regularly, and consider installing a small wildlife pond – even a container pond can make a difference. At night, garden lighting should be subtle and entirely switched off whenever possible. Always use motion-sensitive, low-level warm lights rather than bright floodlights. Artificial light at night (ALAN) can confuse insects, disrupt feeding, and increase predation risks for small creatures. Avoid chemical pesticides and slug pellets, which harm hedgehogs and reduce insect populations vital to bats and birds. Let areas of your garden grow wild, perhaps create log piles and leave undisturbed corners to provide shelter for amphibians, insects and small mammals.
Get closer to the action To observe your garden’s nightlife, try setting up a wildlife trailcam – or even just use a torch with red film to avoid disturbing wildlife. Mount the camera on a tree, pole or wooden stake as close to the ground as possible to get a clear view of your nocturnal visitors. Aim at a clear area, free of wavering vegetation which might trigger it constantly. Reviewing the footage in the morning can become part of your daily ritual – revealing foxes, hedgehogs or even owls visiting while you sleep. This daily connection can foster a deeper appreciation of the natural world around you.
Residents at The Malthouse Residential Care Home in Gillingham Dorset enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food and laughter on Thursday 24th July, thanks to a special spring roll making session led by carers Rattiya and Pat.
Part of the home’s ongoing programme of enriching activities, the hands-on workshop brought a lively buzz to the day. Rattiya began with a demonstration of her own recipe and techniques for creating perfectly crisp, golden spring rolls. Residents watched intently before rolling up their sleeves to try it for themselves.
Spring roll group at the Malthouse
With ingredients ready and workstations set, the room soon filled with the sound of chatter, laughter—and a few cheeky comments. Several residents joked about ‘liking the big ones best’, sparking giggles all round. The afternoon proved that humour and companionship are timeless ingredients.
Rattiya, Pat and rosemary
‘It was such a lovely atmosphere,’ said Rattiya. ‘Everyone really got into the spirit of it, and it was a pleasure to share something a bit different with them.’
Rattiya and Pat
Pat added, ‘It was so nice to see the residents not only enjoying the activity, but also taking pride in making something from scratch. And the spring rolls were genuinely delicious!’
Once cooked, the spring rolls were shared among residents and team members alike, adding to the sense of togetherness. It was a simple pleasure that left everyone smiling.
A warm thank you goes to Rattiya and Pat for taking the time to create such a joyful afternoon—proof once again that at The Malthouse, good food and good company go hand in hand.
It’s the second Wednesday in August, so of course it must be time for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show. After a scorching heatwave for set-up, show day dawned cloudy and overcast – perfect show weather. Dry, warm and not too hot, it was ideal for a full day on Turnpike Showground. From gates opening at 8.30 the traffic flowed steadily, and by lunchtime the aisles were full and the crowds were three deep around the Main Ring for the second jousting tournament.
And what a tournament it was. The Main Ring is spacious, and it takes something special to truly pull the audience in – but the jousting team managed it in style. Four knights battled it out with skill and drama, the bad knight Sir John proving an entire comedy act in his own right (the small boy next to me was utterly beside himself when Sir John cheated outrageously). Laughter, cheering, gasps – it was a shame the first show was at 9.15am and many missed it. The Thursday timings of late morning and early afternoon should mean two deservedly big crowds on the second day.
Another personal highlight was the Heavy Horses. I’ll admit, we’d sponsored the Heavy Horse Village this year without realising it had been completely revamped. Now a purpose-built, large ring with both competitions and demonstrations, it’s just brilliant to wander round – and to simply stop and watch. You can get really close to the horses – head there early to see the prep work for the day; the intricate plaiting is fascinating (stepladders essential for those towering shires) – and then see them in action in the Main Ring. The Ladies Cart, Agricultural and Trade Heavy Horse Turnouts were an absolute spectacle.
The hound parade drew spontaneous applause from the Members’ Area, with the bloodhounds – under the expert control of Wessex Bloodhounds Master Jeremy Whalen – a particularly popular crowd-pleaser.
At the other end of the showground in the Turnpike Ring, the crowd favourites were back: terrier and ferret racing for a dose of pure countryside chaos, the ever-impressive gun dog displays, and the meet-the-hounds sessions that always draw a crowd.
Elsewhere on the ground it was brilliant to see what felt like a lot more agricultural trade stands this year – the G&S is notable for being one of the few rural shows which has firmly held on to its agricultural roots, and it’s lovely to see this part thriving. With harvest already done, they were doing a brisk trade, and all seemed very busy as farmers had the rare chance to spend the day browsing and talking business.
In the main trade aisles (and who doesn’t look forward to the show in part just for the mooch up and down – and up, and down, and up, and down…?), there was something for everyone. Looking for a handmade walking stick? Plus-size jodhpurs? Perhaps a bucket hat with frog eyes… or the obligatory bag of fudge? The answer is yes to all, of course. Well-known brands like Joules and Craghoppers rubbed shoulders with Dorset’s craft artisans, keeping the keenest of shoppers busy and happy.
Food? Everything from vegan curry to local goat burgers to full-on fairground dirty burgers – all eaten picnic-style around the grounds, where families mingled happily. It was lovely to see so many young teenagers roaming in safe freedom too.
The Tigers Motorcycle Display Team brought their own special 8- to 16-year-old brand of thrills to the Main Ring, followed by the Grand Parade – always the absolute show highlight for so many. It’s what it’s all about, after all. More heavy horses than in years past led the way, then making space for the sheep and cattle. The bulls are always unexpectedly huge and imposing, the sheep immaculate (if occasionally wilful – the Texel Show Champion was far more interested in grazing than posing), and the whole ring felt alive with pride and tradition.
The G&S Show remains something special. For more than 160 years it has been an agricultural show, and that heritage is not just preserved but celebrated. With farming firmly at its heart, it’s a brilliant rural day out for everyone – farmer or not.
(TOP TIP – If you’re planning on visiting for Day Two, Thursday 14th August, then don’t forget to download the show magazine here, and screenshot the map and timetable – phone signal on the ground is rubbish once it filles up!)
A penguin in emerald and scarlet – Jane Adams recalls her first magical garden encounter with the unforgettable green woodpecker
A European green woodpecker (Picus viridis)
Can you remember the first time you met a green woodpecker? I say ‘met’, as this is no ordinary bird, and any encounter with one feels strangely special. My own first meeting was in a small, semi-suburban garden during a hot summer in the 1990s. Sitting on a bench with my mum, enjoying a cuppa, one appeared on the lawn. We froze, mugs held in mid-air, staring at this strange but beautiful bird not ten feet in front of us. Though its emerald-green feathers, scarlet cap and black eye patches were impressive, it was its size that really surprised us. I remember telling a friend afterwards, ‘It was huge. Like a penguin!’ They laughed. Obviously, it wasn’t – green woodpeckers are more the size of a pigeon – but they carry with them an aura, a magic, that makes them appear larger than life.
A closeup of a European green woodpecker (Picus viridis) flying above a green field | shutterstock
Fiddlesticks and flapdoodle! No wonder, then, that this bird has held a special place in our imaginations for centuries. The name Yaffle comes from the green woodpecker’s laughing, or ‘yaffling’, call – an onomatopoeic nickname still heard in Dorset and across the West Country today. Country folk also knew them as the rain-bird – said to call more often during humid weather. Whether that’s true, I don’t know. But if you were born in the 1960s or 70s, you will probably recognise him as Professor Yaffle – a carved wooden bookend in Bagpuss, known for saying “Fiddlesticks and flapdoodle!”. He was a wise old bird, with round scholarly glasses who waddled around with an inflated air of superiority. In the wild, you might see them waddling – or bounding, if they’re in a hurry – around meadows looking for yellow meadow ants, which they catch by the hundreds with their long, sticky tongues. After probing the ground with their beaks, they deploy their ten-centimetre tongues like tiny grappling hooks in order to catch the ants. When not in use, their tongues retract and wrap around the inside of their skulls: they are one of only a few birds able to do this. As summer draws to a close, you might spot this year’s fledglings venturing out on foraging trips with their parents. Dorset’s chalk grasslands and unimproved meadows, where anthills are plentiful, make for perfect hunting grounds. Sadly, this type of habitat is becoming increasingly rare: something conservationists are worried could affect the green woodpecker’s long-term survival. That day in the 90s, our woodpecker prodded the grass twice, decided ants were in short supply, and took off in a flurry of green. As it undulated across the neighbours’ gardens like a runaway rollercoaster, we heard its yaffle echo round the cul-de-sac. It was laughing at us, I’m sure of it.
Green woodpeckers enjoy hunting for ants in grass – shutterstock
Regenerative farming is full of trade-offs: leatherjackets love ley fields, birds love the worms and schemes shut before you can apply
The picture below, taken last year, shows a group of cows and calves enjoying one of our herbal ley fields – with Theo the bull, head-down mid-picture. I’m including it because it helps explain how difficult it is to marry the soil-improving value of three or four years of grazed herbal ley with the successful return of the field to the arable rotation. The mix of grasses, legumes and other species in a herbal ley provides a healthy diet for the cows, a vital disease and weed break for the arable crops, a fertility boost from grazing and manuring, and the fixing of free nitrogen by the legumes. All of which are solid pluses. The tricky bit comes when terminating the ley so that a cash crop can be sown. Winter wheat would potentially be the best-paying option – sown in the autumn – which we tried last time this field came out of ley. But the crop was hammered by leatherjackets (the larva of the crane fly, or daddy longlegs). These pests love grass fields. The larvae hatch in early spring and munch away at the grass roots below the surface – barely noticed when the grass is growing fast. But in wheat, the result is large bare patches, which are annoying and frankly a bit embarrassing when your neighbours can see them.
Striking out to harvest oilseed rape All images: George Hosford
The debate Some of those neighbours might suggest this was bound to happen because we insist on direct drilling our crops. But that’s the modern way, isn’t it? Less soil disturbance is high on the regenerative farming list – preserving structure, reducing nitrate leaching, keeping organic matter locked in. However, cultivation – dare I say even ploughing – exposes leatherjackets to the air, where our feathered friends, especially gulls, can feast on them. Gulls can smell freshly-turned soil from miles away. The downside is that they’ll take worms too – which is exactly why we stopped ploughing more than 20 years ago. We had a rather lively debate in the farm office earlier this year about how to get Lower Down field back to arable: Decision 1: Spring or autumn sowing? We chose spring, to let the cows stay out longer into autumn without damaging the pasture – since we were going to destroy it anyway. Decision 2: Which crop? Spring-sown wheat or barley would risk wasting the break effect and might still fall victim to leatherjackets. Peas are no good here – too stony. Linseed’s a loser, and spring rape worse. Beans? They were awful last time … That left oats – maybe with a few beans mixed in. That worked well last year, and if we could claim the new SFI payment for low-input cereal crops, it might even make a profit.* Decision 3: How to sow? To sow two crops together we need the Sky drill. But oats are cereals – would they be hit by leatherjackets like the wheat was? Should we at least consider some cultivation? But if we do, birds will turn over the clods as soon as it’s sown and rolled, leaving an exposed, drying seedbed. Ploughing would bury the turf completely … In the end, we sprayed off the ley with glyphosate and drilled the seed mix directly into the browning turf. The Sky drill did its thing, cutting through and placing the seeds. The dry season hasn’t been kind to the beans, and the oats struggled with competition from some of the herbal ley species that weren’t fazed by glyphosate. Being a bicrop, our weed control options were limited. Watch this space to see what we do next time.
Cows and calves, with Theo the bull (head down) in centre, enjoying one of the herbal leys last year
Meanwhile, on the Stour … Our farmer cluster group finally achieved its long-hoped-for goal of paddling a stretch of the Stour on a beautiful evening. We put in at Bere Marsh Farm, Shillingstone, where the team from the Countryside Restoration Trust had kindly cut a nettle-free path to the water. Simon Jones, our intrepid leader for the evening, provided six Canadian canoes (thanks to Bryanston School, where he’s in charge of canoeing) and got us kitted up. After so long without rain, we weren’t sure what to expect – would we actually be able to paddle anywhere? Reeds, trees and weirs can stop you in your tracks. Sure enough, after Hayward’s Bridge we were straight into a reed thicket. The first couple of kilometres were taxing – fallen trees, thick weeds and overhangs made progress tough. A couple of us had to wade out to help boats through, over or under the blockages.
Swans were another concern – we passed at least six – but all without incident. Just one cygnet spotted, which seemed a little disappointing, though one swan was regally perched on a beautiful island nest. We had a few experts along. The general feeling was that while shade is good for rivers, you can have too much of a good thing – some trees were overhanging the river by 30 feet or more. It’s hard to shake the impression that the Stour is more a chain of stagnant ponds than a flowing river, especially this year. But the water was remarkably clean, perhaps thanks to the dry spell – with no smell or colour at the sewage outfalls. Less rain means less debris washed in from roads, farms and riverbanks (and livestock really shouldn’t be in the river – you have seen what comes out of the back end of a cow, with no warning, right?). There is funding available for fencing intended to keep stock out of rivers.
The local farm cluster canoeing down the Stour
Straw sale surprise Finally, a packed sale room on straw day saw prices rise to near-record levels. More than 8,000 acres of straw from across neighbouring counties went under Greg Ridout’s hammer in a couple of hours. A buoyant milk price and a strong livestock trade helped fuel the bidding frenzy, as buyers moved to secure supplies in what’s shaping up to be a low-yield season.
*We sowed the crop. The scheme closed a few days later – before we pressed GO on the application. Many farmers have been caught out by this sort of thing. It’s the kind of nonsense that destroys confidence in ‘schemes’.
Get ready — Canford Classic & Supercar Sunday 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest, baddest automotive celebration yet. Expect a glorious exhibition of more than 700 of the finest, rarest and most remarkable cars you’ve ever laid eyes on. The Sunken Lawn will be the jewel in this year’s crown – a gorgeously curated display featuring five spectacular vehicles from Bonhams|Cars, including the exquisite 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Sanction III and the elegant 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. Also centre stage: the legendary Lamborghini Miura, a jewel of automotive history on loan from Haynes Heritage.
And there’s more. Harwoods return with engineering marvels from McLaren and Aston Martin, including the striking new Aston Martin Valour – a limited-edition tribute to 110 years of Aston, complete with a manual gearbox and retro-inspired styling – and, of course, the iconic Ferrari F40, a bucket list car for any true enthusiast.
1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso
Have a go Around the wider showground, the crowd-favourite Rev-Off Battle will return with its usual thunder. A symphony of engine noise, carefully curated and perfect for the petrolhead! And for our younger guests, the Mini Rover off-road course promises a big adventure for little drivers. Thanks to Canford School for sponsoring this brilliant feature, where children aged four to ten can tackle obstacles in mini electric Land Rovers and earn their very own driving licence – the perfect family experience. Did we say, the Mini Rovers experience is totally FREE? Have as many goes as you like!
The legendary Lamborghini Miura
You’ll also find the GB3 race car of Reza Seewooruthun on display at the DAIZUN stand. A former Canford pupil, Reza has already claimed titles as Junior Rotax English Karting Champion, stood on the British F4 Championship podium, and brought home a Bronze Medal for Team UK at the FIA Motorsport Games. Now racing in GB3, he’s tipped for the very top – and today, you can get up close to the machine taking him there.
Tickets are on sale now – and they’re selling fast. Don’t miss out. CLICK TO BOOK NOW: ApertaEvents.com
It’s been a quiet few weeks at the Tizzard yard – for the horses, at least. After a couple of months turned out in the fields, the string returned on 14th July: refreshed, recharged … and re-feral. ‘It’s important for them to switch off and just be horses again,’ says Chris. ‘Especially the younger ones – they need that time to grow, mentally as much as physically.’ Since then, it’s been back to the grind: two weeks of roadwork to harden up legs and build fitness the old-fashioned way, followed by the first proper canters last week: ‘They’ve all been up our deep sand gallop now. It rides even deeper when it’s dry, so they soon tire themselves out – I have to say a few of the riders are walking like John Wayne too!’ The work will now ramp up gradually through August. ‘By early September they’ll be doing the full volume of work, just not flat out. Then we’ll start fast work in mid-September, aiming for first runs from mid-October. It’s all ground-dependent of course – Chepstow’s usually the unofficial start to the season, but you’re still watching for quick going at that point.’
The Tizzard team is coming off the back of a strong season. ‘We had 69 winners last year – up from 45 the year before – and we finished 10th in the trainers’ championship. We’re pleased, but we’re always looking to push on. Racing’s like every sport – it gets more competitive every year. If you stand still, you’re going backwards.’
Chris Wald, assistant trainer at Tizzards Racing Yard, with Rock My Way
Open Day returns This month also sees the return of a long-awaited tradition: the Tizzard Racing Open Day, back for the first time since 2018. ‘We’d had a lot of building work after the last one, then Covid hit … I think we just got out of the habit,’ Chris says. ‘But we’ve talked about doing one for a while, and this year it felt right.’ The event, on Bank Holiday Monday (25th August), will offer the public a chance to explore the yard, meet the team, and watch two parades of horses – featuring a mix of established stars and exciting young prospects. There will also be a raffle, plenty of refreshments and a chance to chat with owners and staff. All proceeds will go to a Type 1 diabetes charity – a cause close to the Tizzard family: Joe’s eldest son was diagnosed last year. ‘He’s only two and a half, so it’s been a tough journey – they’re learning to manage it, but it’s obviously a cause that matters to us all.’
Five-year old Defi Nonantais
Horses for sale As the new season kicks off, the team is also on the lookout for new owners – and has five unraced store horses for sale. ‘Joe bought them himself at the store sales – they’re all three-year-olds, unbroken. ‘Whether you’re new to racing or already involved, we’re always keen to talk to people interested in getting involved, from shared syndicate ownership to buying a horse outright. And it’s not just for the super-rich – our racing club is about £1,400 to join, and around £160 a month. ‘The open day is a good chance for people to come and see what it’s really like.’ With a strong staff team, a full yard and a few sore legs already, the Tizzard 2024/25 season is up and running.
