A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.
Q: ‘I have been claiming housing benefit for several years but I recently received a letter from the government telling me that I have to make a claim for Universal Credit. What should I do?’
A: The following means-tested benefits are ending and are being replaced by a single means-tested benefit called Universal Credit:
Tax credits: Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Benefits such as PIP and Attendance Allowance are not affected by this change. The process is known as ‘managed migration’ and the letter you have received is called a ‘migration notice’. You’re not alone, most households claiming tax credits and no other means-tested benefit have already been contacted. The government says that, over the coming year, it plans to issue migration notices as follows:
From April: Income Support claims and Tax Credits with Housing Benefit claims
From June: Housing Benefit only claims
From July: income-based Employment and Support Allowance with Child Tax Credit claims attached
From September: Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance claims
The government has also said that, from August onwards, it plans to contact people who are claiming tax credits but who are over state pension age to ask them to apply for either UC or Pension Credit (depending on the make-up of their household). To continue receiving financial support you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date given in your letter. This is three months from the date the letter was sent out. You should make a claim online via the government website – you need to create an account to make a claim. You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account or you’ll have to start again. If you cannot claim Universal Credit by the deadline date, you should contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline on 0800 169 0328 as soon as possible. You may be able to get more time to make a claim if you have a good reason, but you must request this before the deadline date on your letter. There is lots more information about this process on the government website www.gov.uk.
If you need help to make a UC claim, contact the Citizens Advice Help to Claim Service either online here or by phone on 0800 144 8 444.
It’s not jingoism or an idle boast – these days British cheese-makers are doing brilliant and exciting things (and we still have the best Cheddar)
A wedge of Dorset Blue Vinny – perfect for every picnic Image: John Grindle
The French used to make the finest cheeses in the world, but they have largely stood still in recent years. The Swiss consistently hit top marks with their ancient Gruyere, the Spanish manchego at its best is world-class, the Italians make sumptuous, runny, smelly cheeses and arguably the world’s finest aged hard cheese (Parmesan). But for a combination of tradition, innovation and outstanding quality, Britain is now in the vanguard of cheese. Many years ago, when my daughter had recently moved to California, we all went to Napa Valley and dropped in at the Dean and DeLuca delicatessen. The first thing that caught our eyes was a lavish display, in the glass-fronted cheese section, of farmhouse Cheddars – centre stage, Montgomery’s and Keen’s. We laughed and explained to the baffled cheesemonger that we lived about three miles from one and two from the other, in the middle of what was the “Cheddar triangle” which also included Westcombe. Twenty years on, it’s a magic circle that has extended to include many new and brilliant cheese-makers around our region. Within about an hour’s drive of Sturminster Newton – itself once home to a important cheese factory – you can find the famous unpasteurised traditional Farmhouse Cheddars made by James Montgomery at North Cadbury, the Keen family near Wincanton and Tom Calver at Westcombe, and the ancient Dorset Blue Vinny revived near Lydlinch. But there are also new cheesemakers producing exciting and successful cheeses. These include Marcus Fergusson’s award-winning, washed-rind Renegade Monk and other cheeses made at Feltham’s Farm near Wincanton, Peter Morgan of The Book & Bucket Co at Cranborne, producing exceptional cheeses, including the Great Taste-starred Shakespeare and Hardy’s, and James McCall, who makes the delicious washed-rind Francis and other cheeses at Child Okeford. Further into Somerset, you find Jonathan Corpe of Somerset Water Buffalo with his exceptional mozzarella, made on the farm at Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil. Roger Longman at Bagborough, close to the Bath and West showground near Shepton Mallet, produces a string of top cheeses – from the milk of cows, sheep and goats – under the White Lake Cheese brand he launched in 2004 at his family farm. He recently won the Best English Cheese prize at the British Cheese Awards for his gorgeous, ash-covered, pyramidal Tor goat’s cheese.
The Best English Cheese – the ash-covered, pyramidal Tor goat’s cheese by White Lake Cheese
Something old … something blue Mike Davies revived the almost-extinct Dorset Blue Vinny more than 35 years ago at Woodbridge Farm near Stock Gaylard. The ancient cheese is mentioned in some of Thomas Hardy’s books and there are some rather disreputable stories attached – it is said that to achieve the distinctive blueing, some makers would drag mouldy horse harnesses through the milk, or store the maturing cheeses next to the farmer’s dirty boots to encourage the mould to grow! More seriously, it was usually made by the farmers’ wife, using milk left over after the cream had been skimmed off for butter. After the Second World War, Blue Vinny (and no, it doesn’t have an e) became increasingly difficult to source and opportunists even sold other blue cheeses under the Dorset name. In the early 1980s, Michael Davies resurrected the cheese, using a 300 year old recipe. He started in the farmhouse garage and used the kitchen pantry as a maturing room, apparently turning the walls, floor – and even the cornflakes – blue with mould. He was soon given an ultimatum by his wife: move out to the old cow byre or else! In 1998, he was the first food producer to be awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status, and the Davies family are the only producers of Dorset Blue Vinny. Today, Mike, his daughter Emily and the team continue to make the cheese in the same old cow byre. From early on, Emily wanted to work on the farm, but she had to find a way to create an income for herself. Returning one cold, wet, winter’s day from Frome Farmers Market with a lot of unsold Blue Vinny and feeling understandably miserable, she went to see her god-mother, a professional cook. Together they came up with an idea to use the unwrapped, partially cut and therefore unsaleable cheese. The result of their experiments was the first Dorset Blue Soup – pear and Blue Vinny. Trialled at subsequent farmers markets, it proved a hit with customers. Other flavours were developed and Dorset Blue Soup became an additional Woodbridge Farm product. Interestingly, in addition to the farm’s own self-service shop and local delis and farm shops, it is stocked in the Waitrose store at Gillingham. But Dorset Blue Vinny is still at the heart of the Davies family farm – a cheese with a long heritage, that can stand comparison with other traditional blue cheeses (and that some of us think is better!).
Ellie Bealing, being presented with her award by Ted Allen, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset
Ellie Bealing, a Year 11 student at King Arthur’s School in Wincanton, has been named ‘Young Person of the Year’ at the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards. Ellie faced tough competition from other outstanding young individuals across the county, including athletes, volunteers, artists and leaders. The awards celebrated the significant impact these young people have made through their dedication, leadership, and inspiring achievements. Sponsored by Bridgwater & Taunton College, the Young Person of the Year category awards a young person who demonstrates exceptional dedication and achievement, serves as an inspiration to others, and exemplifies the best qualities of Somerset’s youth. Philippa Huggins, a teacher at King Arthur’s, nominated Ellie for the award. ‘Ellie is quite simply an outstanding young woman. She is a very proactive member of King Arthur’s School, she’s Head of School and sits on the school council, representing the student body both formally and informally. She represents the school and Somerset as an elected member of the Youth Parliament. She’s a member of the British Youth Council and has campaigned to highlight the disparity of experience between young people in Somerset vs other, less rural areas linked to available opportunities and transport links.’
North Dorset CPRE’s Rupert Hardy travels through the enigmatic past of the Iron Age fort and its mythical connection to King Arthur
Badbury Rings in Dorset. Image: Rupert Hardy
Badbury Rings, the multivalliate Iron Age hill fort close to Wimborne, is one of the greatest ancient monuments in Dorset, and a favourite for family walks around its ramparts. However, not everyone is familiar with its fascinating history. There is evidence of both Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements nearby, with bronze weapons found in close proximity. An intriguing find was the Badbury Stone, a large block of sandstone capping a barrow, excavated by 19th century antiquarians. Part of this sandstone was cut off as it had some strange markings, believed to be carvings of Bronze Age axes. The stone became known as the ‘Badbury Stone’ and was moved to the British Museum. The only other example of these carvings within the UK is at Stonehenge. However, the hill fort was built by the Iron Age Durotriges tribe, who inhabited most of Dorset around 600-500BC. The Roman conquest of Britain began in 43 AD and Badbury Rings was likely occupied by a legion under the command of the future emperor Vespasian. There is little evidence of a battle between the Romans and the Durotriges – a few ballista bolts were found at the site of the temple the Romans built there, but that is all. Probably the Durotriges did not see the merit of fighting a well-disciplined legion! A mile from Badbury Rings, just outside Shapwick, the Romans built the town of Vindocladia, which became the second largest in the county after Dorchester. It was only discovered during the dry summer of 1976, when the outline of the Roman fort became apparent during the extended heatwave. Vindocladia was excavated in 2013, but has now been returned to farmland. Badbury is reported to be haunted – in the 1970s, archaeological students fled their camp when they were disturbed by ‘the clash of metal, foreign voices and the sound of marching men’.
Battle of Mount Badon The Rings were abandoned under the Romans, but re-occupied in the post-Roman period, as security declined with the departure of the last legions in 407 AD. The battle of Mount Badon was believed to have occurred around 500 AD between Celtic Britons and Anglo-Saxons, and it was first mentioned in a book by the 6th century monk, Gildas, who chronicled the agonies of the Britons after the Romans left. It is very difficult to confirm anything during the Dark Ages, when so little was recorded, but Gildas credited the battle as a major and rare victory for the Britons, stopping the encroachment of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms for at least a generation, possibly two. Later, King Arthur became a legendary figure, aided by Sir Thomas Malory and his book Le Morte d’Arthur, and then again in the 20th Century, thanks to Lerner and Loewe’s musical Camelot. The identification of Badbury Rings with the Battle of Mount Badon was more recently reported in the 19th century by the eminent Dorset historian John Hutchins. Another historian, Roy Carr, suggested that the Saxons were held off from crossing Bokerley Dyke, further east, by the threat of an army in the west, perhaps stationed at Badbury Rings. Badbury is, however, one of three sites regularly suggested as the location of this battle, with sites near Bath, and another Badbury in Wiltshire, also recognised as contenders.
Who was Arthur? The earliest text linking the Arthurian legend with Badon comes from the 9th century Nennius’s Historia Brittonum, which identifies Arthur as the British leader. Who was this Arthur in real life? Was he a Roman soldier – it is a Roman name – who stayed on to fight the Saxons after the Legions left? Gildas does not mention Arthur, but he concludes that Ambrosius Aurelianus, a late Roman leader who was the second son of the Emperor Constantine, was the key figure. Some historians suggest Arthur may have been Aurelianus’ son.
Arthur Leading the Charge at Mount Badon by George Wooliscroft Rhead and Louis Rhead. From Tennyson’s Idylls of the King: Vivien, Elaine, Enid, Guinevere, 1898
The legend One legend suggests that the Saxons had been defeated further north and pledged to return home. Instead they broke their promise and landed at Torbay. They terrorised their way eastwards until they arrived at Mount Badon and built a fortified position. Arthur hurried south to give battle. Nennius says that Arthur killed 940 Saxons “by his hand alone” – some exaggeration surely. Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur was a reworking of existing legends into tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere and the Knights of the Round Table. It is highly probable there is a strong link between the historical and fictional figures. There is a legend that Arthur lives on as a raven in the woods covering the ancient citadel, and that a golden coffin is buried somewhere in the area. On the mount Of Badon I myself beheld the King Charge at the head of all his Table Round, And all his legions crying Christ and him, And break them. In his epic poem, Lancelot and Elaine, (above), Tennyson wrote about King Arthur and Badon, where Lancelot recounts how he fought with Arthur. Did the battle occur here? Frankly none of the three main contenders have exceptional claims, although it was clearly somewhere in south west England. In 2013 an archaeological dig was organised at Badbury Rings and late Roman artefacts were found, dating from AD 480-520, so the Rings were occupied at the right time: making it a plausible claim. If you are proud to hail from Dorset, then take heart in the legend, take it as true and let your imagination take hold as you stroll across the ramparts!
Award-winning ensemble Opera in a Box is returning to the South West this June with the mischievous fairytale opera, Hansel & Gretel. Performing in Dorset for one night only, this production is part of the summer programme by the touring arts charity Artsreach. Say goodbye to your preconceptions about opera and join this exciting ensemble for an unforgettable evening that will leave you spellbound. First performed in 1893, Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel retells the timeless fairy-tale of two siblings lost in the forest. Follow Hansel and Gretel as they discover a house made of gingerbread and fall into the clutches of a wicked witch. As a touring company, Opera in a Box aims to bring opera to as wide an audience as possible, breaking down preconceptions about the genre with fresh and exciting productions. The company brings together young and talented individuals to create innovative and gripping theatre. This production features singers who have also performed with Bath Opera, Bristol Opera, and Welsh National Youth Opera, in venues from The Theatre Royal, Bath to Glyndebourne. ‘Opera in a Box have clearly succeeded in their mission to bring the opera genre to as wide an audience as possible,’ says The Bristol Magazine about their 2022 production of “Carmen.” Performing in English, eight singers and musicians will create an immersive experience for all the family, full of music, magic, and of course, gingerbread! Follow the adventures of Hansel & Gretel at Lytchett Matravers Village Hall at 7pm on Sunday, 30 June. Further information and tickets are available from 07795 467666 or online at artsreach.co.uk.
A much-loved sister to the doughnut, Churros seem as though they’re probably just as fiddly to make. But in reality, Churros are a breeze! It’s a simple dough that doesn’t need to be kneaded or proved: ingredients-to-tummy can be just 30 minutes. Total dream! Churros originated in Spain and Portugal, but variations on the recipe are common in Mexico too. Some versions of the Churros recipe are very similar to a choux dough, including egg for the rise. I have chosen to create my version from a dough risen with baking powder instead, to make the recipe even easier. Many Churros are served hand-in-hand with a bowl of something delicious to dip into (chocolate sauce, salted caramel etc) but here, cinnamon is king! It’s present both in the dough and in that sugar liberally coating the outside.
Ingredients
50g butter
1tbsp caster sugar
1tsp baking powder
1tsp cinnamon
300g plain flour
250ml boiling water
Plus you will need:
caster sugar and cinnamon for coating
flavourless oil for frying
Method
Pour the boiling water and the butter into a jug and stir until the butter has melted.
Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon to a large bowl, and mix well.
Pour the water and butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir well to combine. The resulting dough should be quite sticky, but still a little firm. If it is too wet, it will struggle to hold its shape when piped. If it is too firm, you will struggle to squeeze the dough through the piping nozzle! To rectify, add a little extra flour to the former and water to the latter.
Leave the mixture to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
IPour oil into a saucepan to a depth of 6cm. Heat the oil to around 180ºC (please be careful – hot oil causes nasty burns. Do not leave oil on a hot stove unattended).
While it’s heating, get a wire rack ready with some paper towels underneath to catch excess oil drips. In a bowl, mix some caster sugar and cinnamon to dredge the cooked churros.
Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a wide star piping tip.
Once the oil is hot, pipe the dough direct into the pan in strips. Fry the churros for a few minutes until brown and crispy.
Once cooked, remove them carefully from the pan with tongs and place on the wire rack to cool. You might need to fry the churros in stages, so as not to overcrowd the oil.
Once all the churros have been cooked, coat liberally with the sugar and cinnamon mixture … and swiftly devour!
Calling all artists! Julia’s House is seeking creative designs for the mermaid tail-themed sculpture trail that will be installed across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole next year. The Great Tail Trail will be a free, family-friendly walking trail through the towns, parks and coastline of South Dorset, encouraging residents to re-discover the places they love. The public art spectacle is also expected to attract thousands of visitors from outside the area. Artists are now invited to submit mermaid tail designs that resonate personally or take inspiration from local heritage, landmarks, natural beauty, or the impactful work of Julia’s House. There will be approximately 40 sculptures displayed at key locations across BCP from 5th April to 1st June 2025. Each mermaid tail will be 1.8m high and must stand out in a crowd. Each sculpture will be sponsored by a local business or organisation, offering a fantastic opportunity for artists to showcase their work. Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House, says: ‘Artists can let their imagination run wild and celebrate what’s important and meaningful for them. We hope to have a real variety of different designs, themes, creations and colours that will stand out on the trail next year. It’s going to be an amazing spectacle – each artist’s design is going to be seen by thousands of people!’ The closing date for design submissions is 1st July 2024. After submission, the designs will be shortlisted for sponsors to choose their preferred artwork for the mermaid tail sculptures. Artists can paint their sculptures in their own studios or in a shared painting space, allowing them to meet other artists involved. All sculptures must be completed by 16th December 2024. Visit greattailtrail.co.uk to download an Artists’ Pack.
William Fox-Pitt bids a quiet farewell to 5* Eventing – Jenny and Terry read Sally Cooper’s interview as she talks to Dorset’s own Olympian about his reasons for retiring, (‘To be honest, the biggest difference in lifestyle will be accepting that perfection is no longer essential … That “pretty good” is now perfectly fine.’), his plans for training and breeding, his love for his chickens … and his thoughts on what his children may ride: ‘I’m certainly not buying them in outside yaks – they can jolly well ride things that I produce at home!’ *See the full article, including Williams answer’s to the Random 19 Questions, plus photographs of William in his yard here
This month The BV has been awarded the prestigious NMA’s Regional Publication of the Year 2024. Terry sat down with Laura and Courtenay Hitchcock to talk about award’s night, and just what the award means to the pair who started the BV in 2020. *See the full article about the Regional Publication of the Year award win here
Jenny chats to Gay Pirrie-Weir, the county’s best-known, longest standing and most prolific theatre critic, who talks about this summer’s open air theatre season. She shares her favourite locations, the best theatre companies to look out for, talks about the proliferation of outdoor Shakespeare … and the peacock participation. All with the sporadic assistance of Kate the Cat! *See Gay’s full guide to this summer’s open air theatre in Dorset here
Semley’s third community music festival will take place in early July on Church Green, with it’s usual ambitious plan to bring outstanding musicians who represent a broad range of musical influences to a tiny rural community. The festival starts on Friday 5th July with music from 7pm to 11.30pm, and then continues from noon until midnight on Saturday 6th July with a packed programme of musicians, reflecting a wide variety of genres from jazz and Brazilian salsa to R&B. Semley Music Festival is a not-for-profit community event. and the organiser’s aim is to involve all ages and backgrounds, whether as volunteers, audience or participants, to offer a rich variety of cultural experiences and the opportunity to develop creative skills. Several local village schools will host samba drumming workshops run by the Brazilian band for a performance to launch the festival. Local charity Seeds4Success will be hosting stalls selling items they have made, running art activities for children and helping with hospitality for guests. Proceeds from the festival will be donated to the charity, which helps young people to access programmes that develop practical skills, enhance education, improve employability, conserve the natural environment and strengthen the local community.
