The BV: from the heart of Dorset

First beaver kits born in Dorset for 400 years, Dorset summer foraging and the Winterborne Kingston dig

In this week's episode we dip into the wildlife and farming sections, along with a fascinating article from the health section on why you're never too old to keep on moving - and a personal trainer isn't such a stupid idea even if you're in your 70s or 80s:
The latest Winterborne Kingston dig reveals the lifestyle and habits of our Dorset forebears more than 2,000 years ago, says Roger Guttridge
When she was young, wildlife writer Jane Adams was told ‘you can’t hear bats’ –  and believed it for 30 years ... But you can.
Trail cams have now captured sightings of the first beaver kits born in Dorset for more than 400 years says Hazel Ormrod from Dorset Wildlife Trust; for two weeks it was thought there was only one.
A favourite spring flower is a surprise forage in August, and expert Carl Mintern has the real reason for those pucker-up sour blackberries right next to the sweet ones
Understanding biennials has led to a nostalgic flower patch full of scent and colour, says flower farmer Charlotte Tombs
Ragwort is a menace to all animal owners, says Andrew Livingston – but he suspects his passion for picking the poisonous plant isn’t popular with conservation groups
Dry crops aren’t always a good thing, says fifth generation farmer James Cossins, as he explains late night combine harvesting and reducing the fire risk
Too old? Absolutely not, says expert Mel Mitchell, as she explains why you should never stop – and why it’s never to late too start
Great skin is rarely about what you put on it, says nutritional therapist Karen Geary – instead try looking  at what you’re eating

A parrot rescuer, London expats running a thriving Dorset store and an award-winning sausage business

In this week's episode:
Laura Beddow is a Dorset councillor, a parrot rescuer, and dreams of an itinerant life playing her viola around a campfire with a cider in her hand. She shares the tracks of her years in Dorset Island Discs.
‘Don’t sell the sausage. Sell the sizzle.’ Sophie Baker is managing to do both –  brilliantly – with her award-winning sausage business, reports Tracie Beardsley in this month's A Country Living
This month Rachael Rowe met Jen Daly and Ken Peet – London expats who are the proud owners of the thriving Cerne Abbas Stores – in Meet Your Local
In the local politics round up, all four voices have something different to say. Simon Hoare MP considers the change in the way we consume our news has lead inexorably to a political fatigue. Ken Huggins of the Green Party considers the relevance of a recent Hollywood film, Mike Chapman ranges his thoughts from lurching politics to the cost of living crisis, and Labour's pat osborne considers Blandford's own drop in the ocean.
In this month’s Then and Now, Roger Guttridge visits Halstock to share the macabre story of how a pious Dorset girl came to lose her head

Women fighting, and chef Mark Hix and his Poundland habit

Lead story this week is the visit to Dorset of the two Tory leadership contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - Fanny Charles was on the spot to ask their thoughts on pertinent rural issues such as farming and housing.
In the month we saw the Lionesses lift the European trophy, Rachael Rowe has spoken to three North Dorset women who have become national champions in their traditionally-male sports.Mark Hix, chef and restaurateur, braves the random 19 questions and reveals a love of a good bargain (eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Poundland are his top shopping choices!).

Connemaras, Dorset chanterelles, and our ‘ugly, slug-loving splodges’

BV July '22, Part 3.
In the third and final July episode we have the Equestrian, wildlife and farming sections:
Is the Connemara simply the best pony? Local breeder Kate Walters explains their appeal and introduces a couple of Connemara superstars
Last month one curious foal stole our hearts with her naughty leap inside a small pen after a ruptured bladder operation – Lucy from Glanvilles Stud shares her story 
Three day eventer Toots Bartlett shares how her new boy Equador MW showed his Aston Martin tendencies but Freebie slowed to miss out on his second International win. 
Some of Dorset’s coastal creatures play an important national role in our coastal biodiversity, explains Hazel Ormrod from Dorset Wildlife Trust
Why did we stop eating the fat hen, wonders expert Carl Mintern, who is celebrating the season for finding the jewel in the mushroom-foraging crown
When was the last time you saw a toad in the garden? Writer Jane Adams raises the alarm call for our endearingly ugly, slug-loving splodges
The 1950s green ‘wonder foam’ for flower arrangers is not actually green at all, says flower farmer Charlotte Tombs
The transition from the EU’s Basic Payment Scheme is likely to result in a big loss to the Dorset economy, says NFU county advisor Gemma Harvey
Fifth generation farmer James Cossins says it’s time to explore new (old) ways to maintain cattle feed through the summer
The disconnect between consumers and the food on their plates has arguably never been wider – Andrew Livingston suggests that social media can help

The Random 19, Dorset Island Discs and a sozzled servant

BV July '22, Part 2.
In this second of July's episodes:
Maggie Ollerenshaw, the acclaimed British actress, takes on the Random 19 questions
Maggie Ollerenshaw, a proud Mancunian now resident in Stalbridge, is perhaps most famous for playing comedic Northerners, particularly in the sitcoms Last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours 
“The best guitarist that I have ever seen live” - Dorset Island Discs with Philip Coward
Philip Coward is chairman of Hillbrush, sits on the Royal Warrant Holders Association executive committee and has been a Mere councillor for 46 years
The alchemy of the glassblower
The Venetian art of glassblowing is little changed in 800 years. Edwina Baines visited Emsie Sharp’s studio in Child Okeford to interview the Murano-trained artisan
Local politics round up:
North Dorset Labour’s Pat Osborne laments the undermining of rigts to peaceful protest. North Dorset Green Party’s Ken Huggins shares his thouhts on Boris Johnson, written before the PM resigned.And North Dorset Lib Dems’ Mike Chapman refelects on recent events in Westminster, with a bleak reference to America's second Amendment.
Blandford Hospital and the Case of the Sozzled Servant
Roger Guttridge finds the cottage origins still visible within Blandford’s hospital, and discovers the very first patients
The ‘fat old woman at the toll-bridge’Roger Guttridge shares the second part of his dive into the Thomas Rackett Papers

More Roman Mosaics, holidaying on a Dorset Housing Estate and it’s early rise in the Bread Shed

BV July '22, Part 1.
In this first of July's episodes:
The Letter from the Editor, Laura Hitchcock
Second mosaic at Hinton St Mary leads to a history re-write
Archaeologists have discovered a second mosaic at the site of Hinton St Mary’s iconic Roman mosaic pavement – almost six decades after the original discovery – and it is challenging everything we thought we knew.
New reserve is a tribute to Angela Hughes
The Countryside Regeneration Trust is keeping alive the legacy of a pioneering Dorset farmer and conservationist
North Dorset housing estate becomes top holiday destination
Residents on a new housing development in Okeford Fitzpaine are working together to create a welcome for their African guests
Letters to the Editor
A new additon to the Podcast - but they're one of the most well-read pages in the magazine, so it feels right to include them
Early rise in the bread shed
It’s a baker’s dozen of working hours for David Mirus, perfecting his sourdough before Wimborne awakes. Tracie Beardsley reports in A Country Living

Hares, Racket Papers, Hayfever and good book choices!

BV June '22, Part 3.
In the third and final of June's episodes:
In Farming, hares don’t seem to become an issue, reflects Dorset NFU county chairman George Hosford, but beavers (and, surprisingly, Jeremy Clarkson) pose far tougher questions – and there don’t seem to be any easy answers.And as the pig crisis is ignored, the poultry crisis deepens and the supermarkets refuse to budge, Andrew Livingston fears a difficult future for farming
Wayne Winstone shares this month's choices in book corner
In Local History, Roger Guttridge starts his look into the Rackett Papers. The Rev. Thomas Rackett is famous for his interest in science, archaeology and antiquaries but did he neglect his churchgoers? 
And in Health, Karen Geary looks at the foods that will help if you're suffering with hayfever

1984 the greatest year? Looking for strawberries and honey and the adorable speckled bush-cricket

BV June '22, Part 2.
In the second of June's episodes:
“I consider 1984 to be the greatest year of music” Luke Rake, Kingston Maurward College's Principal and CEO, also chairs the Dorset Local Nature Partnership. This month he was our castaway for Dorset Island Discs - and revealed a darker, LOUDER side. By day, he’s a mild-mannered college principal. By night, he‘s a rock-playing guitar man with torn-off sleeves ...
Open Q&A with Simon Hoare
Simon Hoare MP offered to answer an open postbag – and you didn't disappoint. If you're wondering what the North Dorset MP thinks of Partygate, the availability of an NHS Dentist, the fact his party seem set against flexible working from home, second-homing in Dorset and which of the Nolan Principles he feels Boris Johnson adheres to, then we have the answers.
Local politics round up
Following Simon's piece we have the thoughts of our other political commenters - from North Dorset's Labour, Liberal and Green Parties.
Out in the wild
Heading up the out of doors section, expert forager Carl Mintern reminds us not to ignore the weeds when you look for the strawberries and honeyFlower farmer Charlotte Tombs is marking World Bee Day withs ome astonishing facts - along with some sobering statisticsJane Adams introduces us to the frankly adorable speckled bush-cricket, and Pete Harcom has your garden jobs for the month.

Walks and card games in Durweston, supercars, and Tom Robinson 72 and still rocking!

BV June '22, Part 1.
In this first of June's episodes:
The Letter from the Editor, Laura Hitchcock
Walks and card games in Durweston are helping one family settle in
Adrian and Marie Fisher in Durweston have welcomed three generations of one Ukrainian family. Adrian shares how they are settling into life in Dorset
North Dorset offers a welcome
A local committee has been quietly working to help settle refugees – one family at a time – from all parts of the globe, reports Rachael Rowe
Local teenager’s event attracts 120 supercars worth £120,000 to £1.2m!
A student from Clayesmore School has surprised and captivated supercar owners with his creative meet-ups. Rachael Rowe reports
Tom Robinson - 72, and still got it
Tom Robinson, songwriter and broadcaster, will be at The Exchange later this month. Editor Laura Hitchcock spoke to him about his 50-year career as a musician, as a broadcaster and as an activist.
Internationally bestselling author Natasha Solomons takes on the Random 19 questions
Natasha Solomons is the author of five novels, including Mr Rosenblum’s List (set in Dorset) and The Novel in the Viola, which was chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club. Her latest book, I, Mona Lisa, is just out in paperback
A greener goodbye
In a remote barn in Dorset, with pigeons and podcasts for company, Sophia Campbell is quietly revolutionising funerals with her reusable coffins and environmentally-friendly farewells, Tracie Beardsley reports

Dealing with Beetles, green credentials, wild salad, antibiotics and the ArchBishop of Canturbury!

In Farming this month, Dorset NFU County Chair George Hosford discusses dealing with beetle, unseasonal weather and confusing, costly messages from the EA.
Rising costs due to the Ukraine war combined with dry weather spell challenges for farmers, says James Cossins, while Andrew Livingston discusses big businesses buying productive farmland to promote their ‘green’ credentials may impact rural communities and UK food security
 
In foraging, Carl Mintern discusses your current May wild salads while out foraging …and forageable flowers, buds and leaves make gorgeous tissanes, and will always perk up your spice mixes.
Great Taste is the world’s largest, most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme - and its home is right here in Gillingham. Long time judge Fanny Charles takes us behind the scenes on testing for this year’s Great Taste Awards
Rachael Rowe visited Sprout & Flower, a beautiful flowermonger/greengrocer /deli (with ‘the best coffee for miles’) in Mere, and chatted to owner Sarah Collins
After a course of antibiotics, Supplements can help - but nutritional therapist Karen Geary explains the cheapest and the best options are readily available in simple recipes
Mental Health Awareness Week is 9th – 15th of May. The theme is particularly relevant as we emerge from the pandemic - it’s loneliness, says Izzy Anwell of Dorset Mind.
Wayne Winstone has his usual recommendations of two new reads – this time with a local twist – in Book Corner
The Archbishop of Canturbury has every right to comment on political decisions – and politicians must listen, argues Simon Hoare MP
Fundamental movement is your body’s unthinking, necessary ‘work out’ as you go about your day, explains expert Mel Mitchell