The BV: from the heart of Dorset

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
 
 
 

From Civil war in Dorset to the Napoleonic war, tits on a tightrope and Honeysuckle romps home

In May episode two:
Buying two horses unseen was a risk, but the results are absolutely wonderful, and the season has started well, says Toots Bartlett, National three day event rider.
In Tales from the Vale, Andy Palmer shares tales of rationing and his mum's war
The fascinating history of compassion, bravery and the largest pitched battle in Dorset during the Civil War is told by Rupert Hardy, chair of North Dorset CPRE
Pubs in previous centuries staged a wild variety of events to draw in customers – but they weren’t quite the same as today’s quiz nights and ‘open mic’ sessions, explains Roger Guttridge as he talks about Shroton's village pub
The tale of an innocent Dorset boy who quickly became a man in the horrors of the Napoleonic war is vividly described by Roger Guttridge
Birds living and breeding on the UK’s farmland saw numbers decline by almost a tenth in just five years, says Dorset Wildlife Trust
Blue tits are on a surprisingly precarious tightrope each spring. Nature writer Jane Adams shares the task ahead of ‘her’ Bonnie and Clyde
With his gardening jobs for May, Pete Harcom suggests now's the time to look for optimum siting for plants to bloom
Originally a wildflower from Asia, Europe’s love for tulips meant that some bulbs were worth more than a house during the height of the Dutch craze for the plant, as Charlotte Tombs relates
Life or death foals, DIY one-sided milking, windswept legs, film stardom and “Go Honeysuckle, go!” - it’s another average month at The Glanvilles Stud with Lucy Procter
When Jemima Green was paralysed from the waist down after a car crash, she thought she’d never be able to ride again. She was wrong – she shares her story
Events at a Dorset council meeting made national headlines, but ultimately overshadowed the importance of the vote, says Labour’s Pat Osborne
The Government is punishing the victims of cross-channel trafficking, not the perpetrators, says north Dorset Lib Dems’ Mike Chapman. 

Storm clouds in the pantry, the iron man of Stur and remembering Philip

BV May, Part 1.You asked, and we listened - this month we've broken the magazine into week-sized chunks for you so that it's not such a mammoth two hour listen.
In this first of May's episodes:
The Letter from the Editor
How ‘A Dorset Kitchen’ is so very much more than a recipe book
A wonderful new country life focusing on home-grown produce and beautiful food could have been shattered by the death of a son. But the family have strained every sinew to wrestle good from the tragedy, says Rachael Rowe
Clamping down on rural crime
Rural crimes can be violent, costly and yet are often misunderstood, requiring an entire community approach reports Andrew Livingston
Storm clouds are brewing on the horizon at the Vale Pantry
A growing number of proud pensioners are in tears when seeking help to feed themselves - the Pantry’s Carole Jones spoke to Rachael Rowe
Philip Hart 1958 – 2022. 'I’ll always remember his infectious laugh’
“We are sad to say ‘farewell’ to a community-minded employer, a stalwart of local business, and simply my friend” says Jon Dart
Dorset Chamber auction raises over £11,000 for Ukraine DEC
Swift donations from Dorset businesses lead to a successful auction raising £11,242 for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal
The Iron Man of Sturminster!
‘Forging ahead to restore the past’ seems a good motto for Ian Ring, who owns Newton Forge, the Sturminster-based World Heritage business, and whose work is in demand across the UK. Tracie Beardsley reports in this month's A Country Living
Covent Garden Dance Company Director Matt Brady takes on the Random 19
Matt Brady, Director of The Covent Garden Dance Company, who created Ballet Under the Stars at Hatch House, is celebrating the event’s return this summer, after a three year absence. 
On 22nd, 23rd and 24th July audiences in the beautiful 17th century walled Dutch garden venue just north of Shaftesbury can enjoy an incredible line-up of dancers - many of them Principal dancers from companies including the National Ballet of Ukraine, The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet and Staatsballett Berlin. Xander Parish returns to the Hatch theatre this year dancing with his wife, Anastasia Demidova.
“James Herriott has a lot to answer for”
David Sidwick is about to celebrate his first anniversary as Dorset’s Police Crime Commissioner. He shares his top eight music choices with us as May's Castaway on Dorset Island Discs
 
 
 

Dorset to Newfoundland Swanskin mittens, the award winning oliveer and oh so many foals

April issue out now! Grab a coffee and settle in for your favourite half hour of the month... https://bit.ly/TheBV
Top stories this month:
- chair of Shillingstone Parish Council, Rachel McNamara, saw the events unfolding in Ukraine and like all of us yearned to help. So she packed a bag and headed to Krakow, where she's been providing much-needed help at a refugee station.- A unique heritage project between a Dorset high school and one in Newfoundland has accidentally unearthed a 200 year old pair of mittens, made from previously-thought extinct swanskin - Giles Henschel is this month's castaway - the award-winning ‘oliveer’, who came to his national artisan brand by way of school expulsion, the Army, being deported from Libya with his wife (twice), and Take That ...- in Equestrian, foaling season is underway (of COURSE we photographed beautiful new babies for you) at the Glanvilles Stud, and we welcome rising star in the Eventing world Toots Bartlett with her new column.- Plus Farming, Art, Health, Puzzles, Jobs, Garden ... it's your favourite half hour of the month.