The BV: from the heart of Dorset

Eggs, Anger and Artisan Chocolate

Shrinking Easter eggs, three buses and a chocolate artist in WimborneIt’s April, the Easter chocolate’s out (if you can still afford it), and Dorset Council has launched a ‘visionary’ transport plan that gives North Dorset… three Saturday buses. Hurrah?
From grumbles and glorious letters to chocolate-making wizardry, this first episode of the month is warm, witty and quietly furious in all the right places.
Editor’s Letter 
Editor Laura Hitchcock reflects on The BV’s national award shortlist nod, the return of the Glanville foals, and a must-read piece by George Hosford on the collapse of the SFI scheme.“George writes with a barely contained fury that’s impossible to ignore – and entirely justified.”
Letters to the Editor: From Walkers to Farmers
This month’s postbag takes in the White Hart Link, elderly drivers, and the ever-divisive meat tax debate.✅ Readers heap praise on the Dorset Insider✅ Farmers ask not to be demonised for raising livestock✅ Environmentalists say it's time to face the facts✅ A walker wonders why Blandford and Sturminster are skipped by a local trail✅ Margaret F from Milborne Port concurs with last month's letter writer on the risk of elderly relatives driving longer than they should – but fears there's no easy solution: “Until we fix rural transport, we’ll keep having quiet crises on country roads.”
The Grumbler: Three Buses and a Vague Promise
This month's writer of our anonymous column isn’t buying the glossy headlines around Dorset Council’s new transport plan.“North Dorset gets the long-awaited return of three Saturday services. No weekday buses. No evening buses. No progress. Urban voters see improvements. Rural ones see spin.”This is rural Dorset's reality – a county divided by postcode and prioritisation.
Chocolate from Dorset
Dan Crossman and Anna Rakasa of The Little House artisan chocolatiers in Wimborne share the realities of running a luxury business in a time of cocoa chaos.“Three years ago, we paid £70 for 10kg of chocolate. Now it’s £170.” – Dan“We matched flavours and colours to women in history – a chocolate homage.” – Anna
From flavour alchemy to corporate commissions in bespoke colours, this duo are flying the flag for creative, sustainable Dorset chocolate – one beautiful Bon Bon at a time.“We pause production in summer – our workshop isn’t air conditioned, and chocolate is fussy.”thelittlehousedorset.com
These stories are all based on pieces from April’s BV, available to read online here. News, farming, art, food, politics, wildlife, letters, horses – and photography that’ll make you pause.
The BV: Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette) 2024. Free to read, packed with Dorset, and impossible to put down.

Have a coffee, find a friend

Buses, beans and baby groups – March’s second BV Podcast has it allThis one’s a quietly powerful listen – tackling public transport failures and the remarkable transformation of a warehouse into a buzzing family hub. We have three very different conversations, all rooted in the same thing: Dorset community.
Pop it on in the background – between the chocolate and the chaos, you might just find yourself unexpectedly inspired.
 
 
No Bus for 10 Years – and No Plan Yet
Jes Hughes of Dorset CPRE explains why Dorset’s public transport system is one of the worst in the UK – and why it’s dragging down everything from job opportunities to mental health.🚌 “If public transport were a species, it would be classed as highly endangered.” – Jes Hughes🌍 “Without a car, living in rural Dorset is well nigh impossible – and the system is quietly eroding community life.”
He calls for shared car schemes, stronger government investment and a joined-up council approach that takes rural needs seriously.📉 “Public transport returns four times more value than investing in roads alone – so why aren’t we funding it?”
 
 
The Vale Family Hub – More Than Just a Food Pantry
Cllr Carole Jones shares the inspiring story of how a modest food pantry in Sturminster Newton became the main Family Hub for North Dorset – now supporting over 360 families with affordable food, mental health help, and everything from homework corners to domestic abuse support.💬 “If someone’s in food poverty, that’s not the problem – it’s a symptom of something else going wrong.” – Carole Jones☕ “Come in. Have a coffee. Watch the kids play. Find a friend. We’re here for everyone.”
It’s an extraordinary achievement – 24 vital services, open six days a week, funded almost entirely by local donations and grant-writing graft.
 
 
Chocolate, Climate and Cocoa Chaos
As cocoa prices soar, local chocolatier Johnny Baxter of Dorset Chocolate reflects on why quality chocolate is under threat – and why some small makers are already disappearing.🍫 “We’ve seen the price of cocoa quadruple – and it’s not just the weather. It’s traders, plantations, and fear.” – Johnny Baxter⚙️ “We’re not cutting quality – we’re creating new things instead. Fudge, caramels, local cream. We’re makers. That’s what we do.”
Despite market chaos, Johnny remains determined to keep Dorset’s chocolate-making tradition alive – and maybe even reimagine it.
 
 
These interviews were based on articles from March’s BV, which you can read for free online here. People, politics, farming, food, wildlife and plenty of Dorset spirit – all packed into one beautiful magazine.
The BV: Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette) 2024. If it matters to Dorset, it’s in here.

25 Years, 3,000 Missions: The Dorset Air Ambulance

There’s a lot in this one – from letters on elderly drivers and dodgy photo competition terms to powerful columns on Trump, planning law, and… beavers. (Still beavering away, apparently.)
But the heartbeat of this episode? The awe-inspiring work of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, celebrating 25 years of saving lives. If you think it’s ‘just’ a helicopter, think again.
“We’re essentially bringing hospital-level care to the roadside – and it’s made possible by ordinary people giving a fiver a month.”
🎧 Tune in while you tidy the kitchen or walk the dog – your brain (and your heart) will thank you.
Powered by People: Laura’s Letter from the Editor
Laura Hitchcock opens with reflections on the turquoise-tinted national protest against uncredited AI use – and celebrates how this month’s issue was quite literally built by human generosity and connection.🧠 “AI is just a tool. The real debate isn't about what it can do – it’s what it should do.” – Laura Hitchcock
 
Letters to the Editor:
From the heartbreaking to the hilarious, the letters this month cover:✅ The last bank leaving town – and the isolation it brings✅ Elderly drivers – and how to have that conversation✅ The real cost of ‘free’ photo contests✅ Greenwashing land grabs✅ Calls for more from Mike H’s musical memoir🔥 “Taking away the keys is taking away their independence – but safety has to come first.” – Joanna Spencer
 
Political Perspectives:
Simon Hoare MP warns of NATO instability in a new Trump era, urging the UK to hold firm against bullies.🗣️ “To end the fighting is easy. Russia has only to withdraw her troops.” – Simon Hoare
Ken Huggins tackles the alarming Wessex Water case, where a campaigner was sued for withholding payment after repeated sewage failures.💧 “If you pay someone to do a job and they don’t do it – should you still have to pay?” – Ken Huggins
Gary Jackson explores military readiness, Trump’s performative politics, and why Europe must ‘smell the coffee’.⚠️ “A virtual presence is an actual absence.” – Gary Jackson
Edward Morello celebrates Dorset’s overlooked heroines – and calls for more visible tributes.🗿 “This is not just about stone and metal. It’s about the stories we choose to tell.” – Edward Morello
 
Feature Interview: 25 Years of the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance
Charles Hackett, CEO of the DSAA, joins Terry to reveal what it really takes to run this life-saving service. Spoiler: it’s a lot more than a helicopter.🚁 From 0 to nearly 3,000 missions a year, the DSAA is now a flying ICU, operating 19 hours a day and funded entirely by donations.🌟 “We’re essentially bringing hospital-level care to the roadside – and it’s made possible by ordinary people giving a fiver a month.” – Charles Hackett🎯 “One of the biggest ways people can help save lives is learning CPR – it makes a vast difference.”
The Dorset Insider: Build, Baby, Build
This month’s anonymous column lifts the lid on the chaos brewing in Dorset planning policy. With 54,000+ new homes on the way and pressure from Westminster, local voices are being pushed aside.🏘️ “Parish councils are sidelined in major developments, treated with far less respect or status than they should have.”🛠️ “Neighbourhood plans mean nothing when a big development is on the way – but we’re still told to make them.”💬 “A field of 1,300 souls, now facing 94 more houses. The GPs and schools can’t cope, and no one asked us.”
These interviews and features were based on articles from March’s BV – available now. Read the full issue for more voices, news, arts, farming, horses, and your favourite local chaos – beautifully photographed and 100% Dorset.
Did we mention it’s free?
📰 The BV: named Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette) in 2024. You’d be mad to miss it.

A very boring BV podcast (that isn’t)

Do you know what’s tricky? Making three deeply interesting interviews sound like they’re worth your time, when they’re about ‘eating healthily, loans for home improvements and the old planning vs wildlife chestnut’. SEE? Don’t tell me your brain didn’t just switch off a bit, because I know it did. 
But hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt have done a brilliant job – it’s an admittedly eclectic mix of three wildly knowledgeable and informative guests. But just press play in the kitchen while you do the washing up, or you take the dog for a walk. Because this is such a great episode – even if it IS about the downside of too much vitamin C (ick), council-backed affordable home loans (interesting AND super-useful) and where and how we’re building in Dorset (so. much. to. say).
 
Can Food Really Prevent Colds?
Nutritional therapist Karen Geary is always fascinating as she shares her expert advice. This month she's looking at how to support your immune system through what you eat. From gut health and fiber intake to the role of Vitamin C, Zinc, and Vitamin D, Karen explains how small changes can make a big difference in keeping winter colds at bay.
💡 “70% of your immune system resides in your gut—so if you're not taking care of it, you're missing a huge piece of the puzzle.” – Karen Geary
She also busts common myths about supplements, revealing why many over-the-counter vitamins don’t work as advertised – and what to look for instead.
The Grumbler: Are Green Policies Just Land Grabs?
This month’s anonymous Grumbler column takes aim at government environmental policies, calling out the contradictions between expanding Heathrow Airport while pushing carbon offset schemes that take farmland out of food production.
🔥 “We should be growing food, not exporting our emissions with bad offset schemes.” – The Grumbler
The column questions whether the government is prioritizing PR-friendly initiatives over real climate solutions and what that could mean for rural communities.
 
 
Low-cost council-funded loans to help with those much-needed home improvements
CEO Emma Lower of Lendology explains how the social enterprise lender is helping homeowners secure low-interest loans for home improvements – from solar panels and heat pumps to insulation, double glazing and roof repairs.
🏡 “Unlike traditional lenders, we offer the same interest rate to everyone – so more homeowners can afford to go green.” – Emma Lower
With local councils backing these loans, they are able to offer exceptionally rates and bespoke terms, so that more Dorset residents can access funding to make their homes warmer, more energy-efficient, and better for the environment.
 
 
Wildlife vs. Housing: Can Dorset Have Both?
In a deeply interesting interview, Imogen Davenport of the Dorset Wildlife Trust discusses how housing developments can coexist with nature – but only if environmental planning is a priority from the start.
🏡 “in the old system, our local authorities argued successfully that because of the green belt around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool, the heathland around them, our significant areas of National Landscape, our highly protected Jurassic Coast, various other ancient hill forts and protected sites … together add up to be something that makes it significantly difficult to deliver these housing numbers. And that had been accepted, which is why our numbers were that much lower. So it’s not to say we can’t, but it’s where these houses can go without causing damage.” – Imogen Davenport
She highlights why bad planning leads to unnecessary environmental damage and how better green infrastructure, protected green spaces, and smarter site selection can create wildlife-friendly communities.
 
 
 
These interviews were based on articles found in February's BV, which can be read here … grab a coffee and jump in to the Dorset-ness. News, opinion, people, wildlife, art, farming, what’s on, horses … and frankly stunning photography.
Did we mention it’s FREE?
The BV is Dorset’s go-to magazine – named ‘Best Regional Publication in the UK’ (ACE Awards) and ‘Regional News Site of the Year’ (Press Gazette) in 2024. Brimming with Dorset’s people and places, it’s too good to miss!

Beavers, Floods and Poo – February’s BV Podcast

In this first BV Podcast of February 2025, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt dive into some of the bigger issues, from February's BV – from controversial beaver reintroductions to flood management. The anonymous parish councillor known only as the Dorset Insider has a few things to say about dog fouling.
Political Perspectives: Climate Bills, Economic Growth, and Local Voices
As always in Episode 1 of the month, Dorset’s political voices take the stage:
Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, tackles the loss of local bank branches, condemns night parking charges, and raises alarm over Gen Z’s shifting views on democracy.
Ken Huggins of the Green Party criticizes the government’s stalling on the Climate and Nature Bill, urging for bolder climate action and citizen involvement.
Gary Jackson of the Lib Dems argues that economic growth requires consistency and strategy, not political slogans.
Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset, praises the resilience of rural high streets while highlighting the need for fairer business rates and better local support.
"Democracy is only safe if each generation understands its value. We need to protect it—before it’s too late." – Simon Hoare
The Beaver Debate: Environmental Hero or Farming Menace?
Dorset farmer George Hosford returns to share his balanced perspective on the controversial reintroduction of beavers. He explores their potential to reduce flooding and filter water, but also raises concerns about the impact on productive farmland.
"If beavers are going to grow in number, we really need a way of managing them. Otherwise, we’re just creating conflict between conservationists and farmers." – George Hosford
He stresses the importance of finding a sensible middle ground, where beavers can be part of the solution without threatening farmers’ livelihoods.
Dorset Insider: Who Let the Dogs Out?
This month’s Dorset Insider column tackles the ever-present problem of dog fouling. The anonymous parish councilor humorously – and candidly – explores the challenges of keeping public spaces clean, calling for:✅ Stricter penalties and enforcement✅ More bins and better waste management✅ A culture change in responsible dog ownership
"If you step in it, you’re not just unlucky – you’re part of a village-wide epidemic. We need to get serious about dog fouling." 
 
Your Letters: Night Parking, Festive Gonks, and Violins
Listeners weigh in on:✅ Night parking charges – Seen as a threat to local hospitality and community life.✅ The controversy over Christmas gonks – Sparked debates about inclusivity and tradition.✅ A heartwarming memory from a retired violinist – Reflecting on the joy of music and craftsmanship.
 
 
These interviews were based on articles found in February's BV, which can be read here … grab a coffee and jump in to the Dorset-ness. News, opinion, people, wildlife, art, farming, what’s on, horses … and frankly stunning photography.
Did we mention it’s FREE?
The BV is Dorset’s go-to magazine – named ‘Best Regional Publication in the UK’ (ACE Awards) and ‘Regional News Site of the Year’ (Press Gazette) in 2024. Brimming with Dorset’s people and places, it’s too good to miss!

Who is Edward Morello, West Dorset's first LibDem MP

In this episode of the BV Podcast, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt explore major issues affecting Dorset—from political debates on farming and planning reform to the hidden conservation potential of churchyards.
Edward Morello: From Renewable Energy to Westminster
Terry sits down for an in-depth interview with Edward Morello, West Dorset’s first non-Conservative MP. He reflects on his journey into politics, the steep learning curve of Westminster, and his work on the Foreign Affairs and National Security Strategy Committees.
He also shares his stance on key local and national issues:✅ Inheritance Tax for Farmers – Why he believes the recent changes are unfair and must be reworked.✅ Planning Reform – The need to prioritize affordable homes while protecting Dorset’s landscape.✅ Local Government & Devolution – The risks of centralizing power and how Dorset’s councils are under strain.✅ Renewable Energy – Why the outdated electricity grid is holding back green energy projects.
"Farming isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. If we don’t fix this tax policy, we’re jeopardizing the future of family farms." – Edward Morello
Are Solar Farms the Future?
With Dorset seeing more large-scale solar farm proposals, Morello argues that poor infrastructure forces developers to build on farmland rather than utilizing better locations. He suggests investment in the UK’s energy grid would allow cleaner, more strategic renewables without sacrificing prime agricultural land.
"We need renewable energy—but farmland should be for food, not solar panels." – Edward Morello
Living Churchyards: Weeds or Wildlife Havens?
Are churchyards becoming overgrown, or are they vital spaces for biodiversity? Rachel Rowe investigates the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Living Churchyard Project, which helps communities balance conservation and maintenance.
Volunteer Anna Aubrey explains how simple strategies—like varied grass lengths, composting, and bird boxes—can turn graveyards into thriving wildlife corridors.
"Churchyards hold centuries of history, but they’re also a hidden haven for nature—we need to manage them with both in mind." – Anna Aubrey, Dorset Wildlife Trust

47 Healthy Cows Slaughtered - James Cossins' TB heartbreak

In the first BV Podcast of 2025, Terry and Jenny get straight on with tackling some of rural Dorset’s biggest issues. We start, as always, with Laura's Letter From The Editor, in which she provides a small voice of reassurance amid the frantic New-Year-New-You clarion calls. 
Then, as usual for Episode 1 of the month, Dorset’s political voices weigh in:
Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, critiques Labour’s early missteps, discusses the potential impact of devolution on Dorset, and fiercely rebukes the Reform Party’s stance on farming.
Ken Huggins of the Green Party champions imagination as a tool for change, urging Dorset residents to focus on solutions over anxieties.
Gary Jackson of the Lib Dems laments the delayed social care reforms, calling for better planning and investment in Dorset’s future.
"While we may disagree on policy, we all share one essential thing—the land we live on. Let’s imagine and create the future we truly want." – Ken Huggins
The Housing Debate: Who Decides Dorset’s Future?
The latest Dorset Insider column from our anonymous Parish Councillor explores the bureaucracy and broken systems behind local planning decisions, with concerns swiftly rising about local knowledge being overlooked.
"If Dorset’s strategic councils are formed at a regional level, will local voices still be heard? Or will decision-making become detached from those it affects most?" – The Dorset Insider
Dairy Farmers vs. TB Testing: A System Under Fire
Dorset dairy farmer James Cossins shares the recent harrowing experience of TB testing when 47 seemingly healthy cows were slaughtered due to test inaccuracies. With no visible TB lesions found, James calls for urgent investment in better diagnostics and a viable vaccine.
"Sorting 47 animals onto lorries for slaughter was one of the saddest days I’ve had in my long lifetime of farming. Seeing our stock bull of eight years destroyed for nothing was gut-wrenching. The system is broken ... We’re testing and culling healthy cattle while waiting on a vaccine that’s always ‘five years away.’ It’s a waste of animals, time and taxpayer money." – James Cossins
And we finish with your Letters: 
BV readers weigh in on Dorset’s crumbling roads, the council’s neglect of Dorset's food and drink sector, and the underwhelming Christmas lights in Sturminster Newton.
Dorset’s food and drink producers should be a crown jewel, not a dusty trinket the council forgot it owns." – BM, retired farmer and cheese lover
 
These interviews were based on articles found in January’s BV, which can be read here … grab a coffee and jump in to the Dorset-ness. News, opinion, people, wildlife, art, farming, what’s on, horses … and frankly stunning photography.
Did we mention it’s FREE?
The BV is Dorset’s go-to magazine – named ‘Best Regional Publication in the UK’ (ACE Awards) and ‘Regional News Site of the Year’ (Press Gazette) in 2024. Brimming with Dorset’s people and places, it’s too good to miss!

Potholes, Para Jiu Jitsu, and Dorset’s Innovative Workspaces

In this episode of the BV Podcast, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt delve into inspiring solutions, incredible personal achievements, and innovative ideas that are reshaping Dorset and beyond.
Pothole Prevention: A Geothermal Revolution
Dr. Benny Tsu from Surrey University introduces a groundbreaking geothermal system to prevent potholes. By regulating road temperatures with shallow geothermal energy, Dr. Tsu explains how this eco-friendly approach could eliminate potholes caused by freeze-thaw cycles – saving millions in repairs and improving road safety.
"We’re thinking: why not regulate the pavement temperature year-round to stop cracks from forming in the first place?"
Paul Skivington: Para Jiu Jitsu World Champion
After a life-altering motorbike accident ended his army career, Paul Skivington didn’t just overcome the odds – he shattered them. Paul became the UK’s first World Para Jiu Jitsu Champion, winning double gold at the Abu Dhabi Championships in 2024. His story of resilience and determination is nothing short of inspirational.
"Jiu jitsu has literally changed my life. It’s almost 100% sparring, but without the heavy contact—it’s about skill and strategy."
Hinton Workspace: A New Era for Rural Working
Alice Fox-Pitt unveils Hinton Workspace, a state-of-the-art co-working hub in Hinton St Mary. Designed to counter the challenges of home working, this innovative space offers flexible solutions for local businesses, complete with eco-friendly facilities, breakout spaces, and even dog-walking services.
"We’re creating a ‘yes space’—somewhere people can thrive, feel productive, and enjoy their work environment."
DocBike: Saving Lives on Two Wheels
Dr. Ian Mew discusses DocBike, a Dorset-based charity that equips medical professionals with motorcycles to provide faster roadside care for accident victims. The initiative has already reduced biker fatalities in the county by 50%.
"The last thing we want to do is dampen anyone’s spirit. By promoting safer riding, we’re helping motorcyclists enjoy their bikes while staying out of harm’s way."

Dorset food fights, housing plans and Christmas trees

From housing battles to Christmas trees, the first BV podcast of December is packed! Hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt explore the controversial housing development in West Wincanton to the challenges facing the local food and drink sector—and they dive into the fascinating world of Dorset Christmas tree farming.
Housing Crisis – Growth vs Greenbelt
"Dorset doesn’t need sprawling estates—it needs modest, affordable homes for locals who actually want to live and work here."
Fanny Charles investigates the West Wincanton Development, a proposed 650-home project that’s sparking debates about balancing housing needs, greenbelt preservation, and community infrastructure. While some see it as an opportunity for affordable homes and modern amenities, others fear the loss of farmland and the strain on local resources.
Fanny discusses the importance of brownfield development, ensuring affordable housing provisions, and holding developers accountable for promises like green spaces and biodiversity net gains. The episode highlights the need for local voices in planning decisions to prevent short-sighted urban sprawl.
Food and Drink Sector – Overlooked and Underfunded?
"Dorset’s food and drink producers are invisible in the council’s plans—yet they’re the backbone of our local economy."
This month’s anonymous Grumbler column asks Does Dorset Council care about its thriving food and drink sector? Dorset’s producers are celebrated for their quality and innovation, yet critics argue that they’re underfunded, overlooked, and absent from local growth strategies.
With Wiltshire’s food fairs serving as an example of success, the call for better support, events, and funding for Dorset’s producers rings loud and clear. The podcast emphasizes the sector’s potential to boost economic growth and tourism, provided the council invests in the right strategies.
The Secret Life of Christmas Trees
"People don’t realize the sheer work involved—each tree gets 10 touch points a year to create that perfect Christmas shape."
Pete Hyde reveals the magic (and hard work!) behind Dorset’s finest Christmas trees. From trimming techniques to pest management and needle retention secrets, Pete shares tips on picking and caring for the perfect tree this holiday season.
He also reminds listeners why real trees are a greener option than artificial ones—and how buying local supports Dorset’s economy while reducing environmental impact.
These interviews were based on articles found in December’s BV, which can be read here … grab a coffee and jump in to the Dorset-ness. News, opinion, people, wildlife, art, farming, what’s on, horses … and frankly stunning photography.
Did we mention it’s FREE?
The BV is Dorset’s go-to magazine – named ‘Best Regional Publication in the UK’ (ACE Awards) and ‘Regional News Site of the Year’ (Press Gazette) in 2024. Brimming with Dorset’s people and places, it’s too good to miss!
 

Spotting scams and Buffy the Dorset nursing legend | BV Podcast

From practical advice on scams to thought-provoking discussions on local environmental issues, and talking to a local community nurse – hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt bring you the latest BV podcast
Staying Scam-Savvy
Terry sits down with Rachel Rogers from Dorset’s Citizens Advice, who provides crucial tips on avoiding some of the most common current scams. From investment scams to romance fraud and even sneaky QR code traps in parking lots, Rachel highlights how to stay vigilant in an increasingly digital world. Her advice? Always think twice, verify sources, and don’t let pressure tactics sway you!
Dinah’s Hollow: A Road Controversy
Next, Jenny delves into the ever-ongoing debate over Dinah’s Hollow, an ancient Holloway in North Dorset. Fanny Charles updates us on the controversial plans for tree felling and slope stabilisation aimed at preventing landslips. With a hefty price tag of £8 million, the proposed project has drawn local opposition, citing its impact on biodiversity and the area’s historic character. As Fanny explains, alternative solutions, like the Red Rock proposal, could potentially address all the safety concerns with less environmental damage and lower costs.
Buffy Wareham: A Nursing Legend
This month also marks a major milestone as Buffy Wareham, a practice nurse at the Blandford Group of surgeries, celebrates 50 years in nursing. Buffy reflects on her journey from training in 1970s London to her current role in Dorset. Through anecdotes of resilience, adaptability, and compassion, she shares insights on how the field has evolved—and why she’s still passionate about it today.“You have to be interested in people, and you have to be kind. Good qualities like listening are so important. Sometimes, people just need to see a familiar face and know someone is there for them.”
These interviews were based on articles found in November’s BV, which can be read here … grab a coffee and jump in to the Dorset-ness. News, opinion, people, wildlife, art, farming, what’s on, horses … and frankly stunning photography. Did we mention it’s FREE?
(We’re proudly 100% digital, so the only way to read us is right here online.)
The BV is Dorset’s go-to magazine – this year named ‘Best Regional Publication in the UK’ (ACE Awards) and ‘Regional News Site of the Year’ (Press Gazette). Brimming with Dorset’s people and places, it’s too good to miss!