EXCLUSIVE interview with Mike Burks, Alice Plunkett on roast dinners and octogenarian craftsmen...

It's a perfect half hour's listening this week - we start with TV presenter Alice Plunkett answering the Random 19 questions. Then, in a podcast exclusive, Jenny has interviewed Sherborne's Mike Burks on his Dorset Island Discs choices. Lastly Tracie met up with the two 'retired' craftesmen who have established an entirely new career, and MP Simon Hoare discusses Levelling Up here in the south:

• Answering this month's random 19 questions is North Dorset resident Alice Plunkett, one of the leading horseracing presenters for ITV. A former eventer and National Hunt jockey herself, Alice has also been the Radio 5 Live equestrian correspondent and has hosted equestrian events for Eurosport, Sky Sports and Horse and Country. Alice is married to top eventer William Fox-Pitt, and they have four children.
• It’s 35 years since Mike and Louise Burks opened Sherborne's Castle Gardens – now their Christmas displays are a staple of the region’s festive calendar. Jenny Devitt spoke to Mike to find out about his choices as December's castaway on Dorset Island Discs
• In a tiny village in Dorset, talented 84-year-old Peter Thomas and 70-year-old Trevor Ball are keeping the old man well and truly out - both are supposedly retired and now work happily every day on their “addiction’’, woodturning and stick dressing. Although they never intended to set up a business, both men now have a hugely satisfying and successful second career. 
• Westminster policy has a habit of ignoring the less populated rural areas of the country, says MP Simon Hoare, and it's time to discuss Levelling Up in the south.