Turning 100, farming fury and a fond farewell

This episode will stay with you – from a century of stories told with grace by Jim Freer, to George Hosford’s blistering takedown of government farming policy. It's full of insight, history ... and a fair bit of fury.

Also: it’s the final episode with co-host Terry Bennett. You’ll be missed, Terry.

 

Jim Freer at 100: Halifax Bombers and the Art of Staying Nice

Born in 1925, Jim Freer reflects on a century of life – from engineering and war service to marriage, museum volunteering and village fetes.
💬 “Be nice to each other. That’s good advice too.”

From post-war production to RAF mail flights in India, Jim’s story is a calm, thoughtful tour through a remarkable life.

 

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Farming and Fury: George Hosford on the Collapse of Trust

Dorset farmer George Hosford delivers a scathing and sharply informed assessment of DEFRA’s abrupt shutdown of SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) payments – calling it a disaster for trust, long-term planning, and British food production.
🌱 ““You're never farming for today – you're always farming for tomorrow, next year, five years down the line.”
🌾 “This isn’t just about money. It’s about trust, soil health, food supply ... the future of farming.”

💥 “I can’t process the scale of this incompetence – it takes my breath away.”

George breaks down what sustainable and regenerative farming really mean, why government schemes mattered, and how political short-termism risks undoing decades of progress.

 

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These interviews are based on stories from April’s BV, available online now. Dorset people, Dorset landscapes, and the big stories behind our rural headlines – all in one beautiful, free magazine.

🎧 The BV Podcast – twice a month, always worth your ears. Named Best Regional Publication in the UK (ACE Awards) and Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette).