The BV: from the heart of Dorset

Antiques Road Trip in Sherborne, Robert Boyle and all the letters

The June BV Podcasts begin, as every month, with this month’s letter from the editor and all the latest reader’s letters. Next historian Roger Guttridge talks to Jenny about Stalbridge's most famous resident, and Terry has a chat with local antiques dealer Craig Wharton about the time TV's Antiques Road Trip came to town.
Letter from the Editor - Laura Hitchcock gladly welcomes June's wooing ways, and celebrates being an overweight middle-aged mum kickboxer.
This month's readers letters include some disgruntled locals unhappy at the coun cil mowing glorious verges during No Mow May
Local historian Roger Guttridge muses on Robert Boyle. The man who gave us Boyle’s Law was also Stalbridge’s Lord of the Manor and carried out his early experiments in North Dorset
Craig Wharton from Sherborne Antiques Market reveals that TV expert Paul Atterbury was the first of the market's 38 dealers to sign up, and talks about how a recent episode of Antiques Road Trip featuring Catherine Southon was filmed in the Market. But on the day, Craig and his partner Philip had tickets for the opera, so they cleared the crew out by 6.30!
Finishing up with the politics round up, we hear from West Dorset MP Chris Loder, plus the current musings from the North Dorset represnetatives of Labour, LibDems and Green party. It's worth noting that we have a strong 'no-party-bashing' rule for the politics columnists, which means they spend their time discussing pressing issues.
 
 
 
Chris Loder
Politics
 

Jane Adams on the dawn chorus and Shaftesbury Indie market’s Jules Bradburn

Wildlife writer Jane Adams grew up in the suburbs, and vividly recalls the first time she shared her morning tea with the waking birds "In the past, I didn’t understand why people got so excited about the dawn chorus. Wasn’t it just a bunch of birds singing ridiculously early in the morning?" Jane sat down with Jenny and they chatted about the early morning birds - and their unreliability when you go to all the effort of getting out of bed to listen!
Roger Guttridge tells the story of Dorset’s first newspaper and the ‘Sherborne Men’ who ‘rode Sherborne’ to distribute it
There’s a major new independent market in Shaftesbury – the launch event had more than 70 stalls, and was a resounding success with almost 6,000 people visiting. The monthly event will boost tourism and trade, says market director Jules Bradburn, who already runs the hugely popular independent Sherborne market which she has grown to 200 stalls. She spoke to Jenny about how it’s going, and about some of the incredible artisans, producers and traders that are finding a new audience.
Jim Bettle makes a living from an ancient craft, fuelling his passion for a more sustainable country. One of very few British charcoal producers, by the end of August he’ll produce more than 35 tonnes of sustainable British charcoal from within his North Dorset woodland 'office'.

Tivoli Theatre’s Charlie North-Lewis selects his Dorset Island Discs

You can’t interview Charlie North-Lewis without a steady stream of name-dropping; his long and winding career is a musical tour through 40 years of popular culture.
Charlie was working at BAFTA in 2002 when he decided it was time to go back to his professional roots after long years managing band tours, and look for a theatre job. ‘I just happened to see the advert. It said: “Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne, Dorset, is looking for a general manager.” I’m sure it said something along the lines of 'knowledge of the area useful' or helpful or something. And I just thought, well, I went to school in Dorset. That’ll do ...’
This month the Tivoli's theatre manager sat down with Tracie Beardsley to choose his Dorset Island Discs – highlights are in the May issue of The BV magazine here, but in this extended edition of the BV podcast you can listen to the unedited full conversation, with all the bits we had to chop out!You can listen to all Charlie's music choices in his Dorset Island Discs playlist here(Apologies for any background sounds - Charlie and Tracie met at the Crown Hotel in Blandford!)

Small shop, big heart – plus all the letters

The May BV Podcast begins, as it does every month, with this month’s letter from the editor and all the latest reader’s letters. Next we hear from our local political party representatives, and their timely commentary on the state of the world. Lastly we have an interview with Carole Jones, who gives us a peek behind the scenes of a social supermarket in North Dorset.
Letter from Laura, the editor
Letters to the editor
Populism in politics always over-simplifies issues. Effective and lasting political change requires active listening across divides, says MP Simon Hoare
Mike Chapman of North Dorset LibDems urges us and the government to do more ... 
Pat Osborne of North Dorset Labour questions whether the coronation of a new monarch should prompt a wider deabte about our British head of state, and the implications for democracy
Ken Huggins of the Green Party says it's time to wake up and see the flood
The Vale Pantry in Sturminster Newton is a new breed of community service, offering food and practical help to those who are struggling. Jenny spoke to Carole Jones to hear its story.

In conversation with Natalie Wheen

In a BV exclusive, our own Jenny Devitt sat down with Natalie Wheen, one of the nation's favourite broadcasters, for a wide-ranging conversation around Natalie's Dorset Island Disc choices. Eavesdrop on their chat as Natalie shares the remarkable stories of how and why each piece of music has stuck in her life (you can find links to the specific pieces that Natalie chooses on the website here)
After a lifelong career presenting music to the nation, writer and radio presenter Natalie Wheen found it a challenge choosing just eight discs. For more than 30 years, she was an ever-present voice on our radios, with weekly shows ranging from presenting classical music on BBC Radio 3, and a broad selection of Radio 4 shows from the arts review Kaleidoscope to The Food Programme. Moving from the BBC to Classic FM in 1999, she was charged with ‘spicing up the repertoire’ – which she did for four hours a week for more than ten years. Her disc choices are a fun, naughty and surprisingly moving wander through the personal stories that have filled her years with the greatest names in the world of classical music.
Lastly, in the final item from April's BV, Terry shares Rachael Rowe's investigation into why there is such an enormous lack of NHS dentists in Dorset.
The BV podcast goes beyond the pages of the magazine, providing you with exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth conversations with our guests. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to take a look at the April issue of the BV here or visit our website to explore the articles and stories featured. 

Lady Carnarvon and Dorset’s poisoned birds of prey

In politics this month, Mike Chapman, for the North Dorset Lib Dems, is looking at the innate risks involved when one party stays in power too long. Pat Osborne, for North Dorset Labour, discusses the need for a clear roadmap for change on climate action. And Ken Huggins from the North Dorset Green Party is calling 'total greenwash tosh' on the government.
The Countess of Carnarvon is our Random 19 guest this month – Jenny chatted to her about her latest book 'The Earl and The Pharoah' - exploring the fascinating life of the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, famous for the discovery of the tomb of the young Pharaoh, Tutankhamun.
Lastly, Terry spoke to journalist Andrew Livingston to hear more on his story about the numbers of birds of prey being posioned in Dorset, following the news that the RSPB say Dorset is one of the worst counties for raptor persecution.
The BV podcast brings you highlights from the latest issue, as well as exclusive extras you won't find in the magazine. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to take a look at the April issue of the BV here or visit our website to explore the articles and stories featured. But don't forget, our podcast goes beyond the pages of the magazine, providing you with exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and in-depth conversations with our guests.

Letters, pigs and the effect of the oil spill

The April BV Podcast begins, as we do every month, with this month’s Letter from the Editor and all the latest Reader’s Letters. This month we then move on to three interviews. Jenny Devitt chats to Giles Simpson, Chairman of the G&S Show ahead of this weekend's Spring Countryside Show. Next Terry spoke to journalist Andrew Livingston as he discusses the current outcomes on the Poole Harbour oil spill. Lastly, we hear from local farmer Lillie Smith as she tells BV listeners about her rare breed pigs
The Spring Countryside Show is BACK! The first show of the year in Dorset’s rural events calendar is this weekend, and Jenny chats to Giles Simpson, the Gilingham & Shaftesbury Show Chairman, about what's in store at Turnpike Showground.
Journalist Andrew Livingston as he discusses the current outcomes on the Poole Harbour oil spill. Although initial fears around the spill were quickly calmed, the long-lasting effects are still unknown. 
For Lillie Smith, it all began with Cynthia. A huge Gloucester Old Spot pig, Cynthia lived on a farm where Lillie, a student at the time, had a weekend job mucking out horses. The young farmer takes a break from her farm in Shillingstone where she lives with husband Morgan, their four children ranging from two to eleven and seven of the rarest of pig breeds, Oxford Sandy and Blacks.
If you're not already signed up to the BV magazine, you can do so here https://bit.ly/SubscribetoTheBV . The BV podcast is based entirely on articles that have featured in the BV magazine – interviews are often exclusive expansions on those features, which are necessarily limited on the page. At the very least you should dip in occasionally to see the gorgeous photography that often accompanies the features!

West End star Joanna Woodward and the reality of farming in 2023

With a growing need for food banks, what effect does food poverty have on a family’s youngest members, asks Dorset Mind’s Marie Glen.
Based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger, the musical adaptation of The Time Traveller’s Wife is scheduled for a West End run at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue this autumn. Joanna Woodward, who grew up in Glastonbury, will play the female lead, Clare. And just for The BV, West End star Joanna this month takes on the Random 19 questions
You dutifully throw your rubbish in your household bin, and put it out on the kerb on collection day. But have you ever wondered what happens to it? Behind every rubbish lorry is a sophisticated team of experts says Cllr Laura Beddow, who holds the portfolio for rubbish and recycling at Dorset Council.
Jenny interviews NFU county advisor Gemma Harvey after Minette Batters calls for a prosperous food and farming sector, delivering a secure, safe and affordable supply of British food.

Local legends you probably don’t know, affordable housing, and the bee-fly

Three interviews for you this week - Jenny chatted local history with Roger, Terry discussed new housing developments and wildlife writer Jane Adams is back talking to Jenny!
Roger Guttridge recalls three local legends: a minister who upset early women’s libbers, Marnhull’s bull-baiting habit and the legendary toad doctor of Pulham
Planning permission was awarded to the Dorset-headquartered AJC Group for a collection of 13 open market homes and eight affordable dwellings (40 per cent). However, the company has an ambition to change the face of social housing, and AJC Group worked with developers Abri to provide 100 per cent affordable housing across the scheme. David Cracklen, director of AJC Group, spoke to Terry about the development.
Wildlife writer Jane Adams is looking forward to her own personal sign of spring – what she says is her Mary Quant of the insect world, the bee-fly. Jane also has a book out this month! Nature’s Wonders: Moments That Mark The Seasons, is published in conjunction with National Trust. You can see the BV review in Book Corner on the website , and Jenny chats to Jane about the book.
If you're not already signed up to the BV magazine, you can do so here https://bit.ly/SubscribetoTheBV . The BV podcast is based entirely on articles that have featured in the BV magazine – interviews are often exclusive expansions on those features, which are necessarily limited on the page. At the very least you should dip in occasionally to see the gorgeous photography that often accompanies the features!
 
 

A rare horse logger, and Lizzo to Quo via Busted with Bonnie

The March BV podcast begins, as always, with this month’s letter from the editor and all the latest reader’s letters. This month we move swiftly into politics, with the contributions from all four local party representatives. Then it's on to this month's Dorset Island Discs - our castaway this month is local shepherd and Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show organiser Bonnie Cradock.Lastly, Tracie Beardsley went down to the woods to meet Toby Hoad one of only 12 working horses loggers in the UK.
In politics, The Windsor Framework isn’t just good news for businesses, says MP Simon Hoare. It shows a return to adult politics and better relationships. Mike Chapman of the LibDems says it's time to stop the hand wringing and resolve the energy crisis. Ken Huggins of the Greens  takes a long hard look at ethical consumerism, and Pat osborne is looking ahead to the 2024 election, comparing the missions versus the pledges of the leading parties.
As event organiser at the Turnpike Showground, shepherd Bonnie Cradock is facing a doubly busy spring, thanks to one over-excited fun-loving ram. From Lizzo to Quo via Busted, her Dorset Island Discs are a suitably personal, eclectic mix.
It may be 10,000 years old, but Toby Hoad believes the ancient skill of horse logging is vital in shaping and saving our woodlands. One of only 12 full-time horse loggers in the country, Toby talked to Tracie Beardsley when she went to meet him and his three sturdy Comtois – Ettie, Celine and Fleur – French mountain draft horses known for their steady and sociable natures.