In this issue:
In 1963 an astonishing Roman mosaic was found at Hinton St Mary. This month, the Archaeologists are poised to pen a new narrative after this year’s dig at the site has found a SECOND mosaic – and debunked a few long-held theories about the Romans who live there.
One North Dorset housing estate has become a top holiday destination, and residents in Okeford Fitzpaine are working together to create a welcome for their African guests
David Mirus from The Old Malthouse Bakery- Wimborne is our subject in A Country Living. The artisan baker sells 250 sourdough loaves every Saturday from his bread shed.
Maggie Ollerenshaw, the acclaimed British actress, perhaps most famous for playing comedic Northerners in the sitcoms Last of the Summer Wine and Open All Hours, takes on the Random 19 questions
Our Dorset Island Discs castaway this month is Philip Coward – chairman of Hillbrush, he sits on the Royal Warrant Holders Association executive committee and has been a Mere councillor for 46 years
Blandford Hospital and the Case of the Sozzled Servant – in this month’s Then and Now, Roger Guttridge finds the cottage origins still within Blandford’s hospital and discovers the very first patients
In equestrian this month, local breeder Kate Walters explains the appeal of #Connemara ponies, and introduces a couple of historical superstars. Lucy from The Glanvilles Stud shares the story of last month’s adorable foal with a ruptured bladder (fret not – there’s a happy ending this time). And Toots Bartlett catches us up on her month, with new boy Equador MW showing his Aston Martin tendencies.
In Trethowans farming section, we welcome new NFU county advisor Gemma, who’s written a serious and insightful piece on the coming impact of the agricultural transition and the National Food Strategy. James Cossins is considering herbal leys on the farm to counteract the effects of climate change, and as the disconnect between comsumers and the food on their plates has arguably never been wider, young farmer Andrew Livingston explains how social media can help.
Plus all the usual – local politics, letters to the editor, the popular local hike (this month it’s 10 miles in the Cranborne Chase) and health sections, the stunning reader’s photography (as always) and eight pages of jobs. Really, why wouldn’t you have a flip through?