The BV: from the heart of Dorset

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.

The BV talks to Tim Laycock and gets the inside track on the Council Tax levy

In this episode:
Folk musician, singer, actor, storyteller, historian, Thomas Hardy expert ... Dorset’s Tim Laycock is a man of many talents, and Jenny has his answers to the Random 19 questions.
Terry has been talking to Cllr Peter Wharf as he gets to grips with Dorset Council's additional council tax levy on second homes, and the pros and cons of the arguments surrounding a heated debate.
Reggae, Strauss and Gershwin? It must be Dorset Island Discs. Pauline Batstone has spent a lifetime working with ex-offenders as a probation officer, and spends retirement working for her community
Jenny reads this month's column by wildlife writer Jane Adams, who is missing her early morning alarm call – but feels there may be signs of hope for mavis, as Chaucer named the British song thrush.
The BV podcast is brought to you every month by the wonderful Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt.
All based on articles from the February issue of The BV magazine - never printed, it's only available right here online. Subscribe (it's free!) here https://bit.ly/TheBVsubscribe and receive it direct to your inbox every month**

The legless marshal and complaints about farmers

Terry talks to Steve Tarrant, a north Dorset man who suffered life-changing injuries at Goodwood in 2000. He has recently has been awarded the highest honour in motorsport for his courage and commitment. Previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award have included Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart. SUCH an interesting conversation - I suspect Terry will be back to talk more to Steve.
Jenny talks to farmer and BV journalist Andrew Livingston, who says that thanks to our national newly-sanitised view of Countryfile-d farming, complaints about animal welfare are on the increase. SO interesting hearing Andrew discuss in far more depth than we have space for in the magazine. Also 'rain makes cows look sad'
In this month's A Country Living column, Tracie Beardsley met Richard Lee, Dorset craftsman, founder of Plankbridge and pioneer of a global revival of shepherd’s huts
Rachael Rowe shard the story of the Dorset surgeon who changed the worlds of art and science. The famous Hogarth paintings which hang above the Hogarth Stair at St Barts Hospital in London are undergoing restoration. But what do they have to do with a surgeon from North Dorset?
The day the dam burst! In this month’s Looking Back column, Roger Guttridge describes a disastrous – and yet miraculous – day in North Dorset’s memory when the dam at Gasper Bridge burst and the flood waters rushed through the bomb factory at Bourton, and on to Gillingham, over a century ago.

The BV talks to broadcast legend Henry Blofeld

The February BV podcast begins, as always, with this month's letter from the editor and all the reader's letters - moving on to two interviews; one with the principal of Kingston Maurward college, and the other with Henry 'Blowers' Blofeld.
Letter from the editor, Laura Hitchcock
Reader's letters
Following a local outcry based on inaccurate information, Jenny Devitt speaks to Luke Rake, principal of Kingston Maurward College about the rumours surrounding the cancelation of apprenticeships
Legendary cricket commentator and broadcaster, Henry Blofeld OBE, known amongst his many fans as Blowers and famed for his plummy tones and all-round good humour, invites you to join him in a brand new show, My Dear Old Things - coming to the Exchange in Sturminster Newton in March. Terry Bennett has a chat with Henry to find out about what's in store.Click here to win tickets to one of the shows!

EXCLUSIVE interview with Rupert Hardy and the most haunted house in England. Probably.

Another exclusive interview just for podcast listeners this week - Terry has a fascinating conversation with Rupert Hardy from the CPRE about the 'rooftop vs. field' solar panels debate. Then in Roger Guttridge's column we hear the brilliant story behind the most haunted house in England (allegedly), Sandford Orcas manor. And to finish off we have the wildife and farming sections - the ones everybody asks for :)
Rupert Hardy, chairman of the North Dorset CPRE, takes a long look into the case for solar panels on roofs or in fields - and says 'do not be deceived by the frequently misleading data issued by solar trade associations, whose members are unsurprisingly more concerned with profit than saving the planet.'
In this month’s Looking Back column, Roger Guttridge questions the spooky stories that have long been associated with a Dorset Manor. Mid-16th century Sandford Orcas Manor near Sherborne is among the most exquisite in the county. Google it, however, and it’s not its fine Tudor architecture that makes the headlines but its reputation as a haven for ghosts and poltergeists.
This winter, Dorset Wildlife Trust has been deliberately installing dead trees in a valley near Ansty, says conservation officer Stephen Oliver. ‘This exciting partnership project involved two kilometres of river restoration work on Devil’s Brook, a long watercourse rising in the chalk hills near Higher Ansty and flowing south to join the River Piddle near Athelhampton.'
Wildlife writer Jane Adams is trying hard not to be stuck in the January gloom, and instead to look for the signs of new life 'When I stumble in through the back door and my husband asks if I’ve seen anything on my walk, it’s really no surprise he gets a glare from under my sopping wet fringe.'
Blandford farmer George Hosford abandons the stats and checks his crystal ball to see if his profit calculations will be accurate this year 'It depends on when you sell the grain and when you buy the fertiliser, and whether you have to borrow the money to do so ... A fair bit of number crunching and crystal ball gazing then needs to happen in order to decide the right approach for next season. We have already committed to buy next year’s fertiliser, at eye-watering prices. To leave it longer would have been reckless ...'
Lastly - here’s a horrific notion to get you started for 2023 – should Dorset have a motorway? Farmer Andrew Livingston thinks the unthinkable...

Letters and houses and the state of our world

We start the first podcast of 2023 with all the letters before we listen to what the local experts say about the Dorset property market this year (plus some fascinatingly honest tales of houseselling generally!), and the latest thoughts from all four of our local political representatives.
Letter from the editor, Laura Hitchcock
Reader's letters
Prices may be falling and mortgage lenders nervous – but house hunters are still looking to move. Local experts take a look at the Dorset housing market in 2023
Simon Hoare MP compares our current economic climate of strife with the original winter of discontent.
Mike Chapman of the LibDems looks back at his highs and lows of the last year
Ken Huggins from the Green Party looks for the positives amid a pretty gloomy outlook
Pat Osborne form North Dorset Labour discusses the ongoing strike action.

The coffin in the crypt, a walk in the woods and some Dorset Yuzucello

It’s a perfect half hour’s listening to start the new year – we catch up with the latest political thoughts before Roger shares the tale of the 18th century death that may not have have happened. We explore the winter woodland landscape with Dorset Wildlife Trust, and Jane Adams has some fascinating insight into our winter bees.Lastly, in yet another podcast exclusive, Terry has a chat with the always-interesting Caz from Dorset Food & Drink:
Almost 250 years after the funeral of the young Milton Abbey heir, questions remain about whose “body” was actually buried. 
As winter sets in, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Reserves Ecologist Steve Masters urges us all to go down to the woods today
Wildlife writer Jane Adams is on the lookout for a winter wild bee fix - even in December you can find them, she says
Dorset is known as a natural larder, from meat to dairy and veg to cakes. Caz Richards chats to Terry about the work of Dorset Food & Drink, how they're supporting local producers and businesses - and shares her personal tips on some Dorset-produced highlights!
 

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.