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New Year, new hopes, old fights

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Simon Hoare MP looks ahead – can Labour steady the ship, will devolution reshape Dorset, and how a misguided Reform Party threatens farming

Simon Hoare MP

Let me begin by wishing you, your families and loved ones a very happy New Year. I hope you had an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas. For those with family descending I trust it was not too overwhelming and for those on their own, I pray you were okay.
My sincere hope for 2025 is that we have a year of calm here in the UK, and one of positive moves to peace internationally. Turning to the latter first, can we dare hope that a new regime in the USA will provide a new impetus to end the loss of life in Ukraine and in the Middle East and to enduring peaceful settlements? Let us hope, too, that the new Syrian regime is not merely a leap from pan to fire but something different, which respects the dignity of human life and rights.
Here at home, even its most ardent supporters admit that the Government has got off to a rocky or patchy start. Bewilderment at Labour’s lack of preparedness to govern has quickly turned to exasperation that the Government has failed to road test policy ideas before launching them. Filling the gap of ignorance with bluster and bravado is no way to govern.
For the sake of all of us in North Dorset, we can only hope that Keir Starmer has made a New Year’s resolution to govern better. There is one sign of a shift in gear, in the realm of reform to Adult Social Care. This issue somewhat dominated PMQs last autumn, and indeed I called on the Prime Minister to find a lasting settlement through cross-party working. Recent briefings from No10 suggest that such an approach is currently being worked up. It will, undoubtedly, delay the vital reform by a year or so, but I think most people would prefer Westminster to get it right rather than meet an artificial deadline.
A mayor of Wessex?
Where Dorset led (in its delivery of a Unitary Council) others are now being propelled to follow, spurred on by the Government’s publication of its English Devolution White Paper. In the Commons I welcomed the Government statement of intent and the direction of travel. Larger councils have the potential to make significant savings while also improving service delivery and strategic outlook. Some form of combined Mayoral authority focussed on Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset is certainly on the horizon. While the devil remains in the detail, there is some considerable merit in the proposal, given the close synergies of the three counties. I shall work to ensure we achieve the very best deal for Dorset.

Dorset farms
Given the importance of farming to both the North Dorset economy and environment, I will continue to resist the imposition of the Family Farm Tax. On the topic of agriculture I want to debunk any idea (proposed solely by themselves, I might add) that Reform is “the party of UK farming and farmers”.
It simply is not.
In fact, it is the opposite. Reform and its Farage-vanity-trips leader have advocated for a no-deal Brexit with the EU (cutting off vital UK food export markets), argued for a race to the bottom in terms of environmental and animal welfare standards and continue to trumpet for a trade deal with the US that would open our markets to a flood of unfettered cheap imports of chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef – injurious to public health (look at the US salmonella etc rates) and a hammer blow of fatal proportions to our UK livestock sector.
For Reform to now describe itself as “The Farmer’s Friend” is akin to Herod applying to lead the NSPCC!

Mouldy tenants?

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A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.

Q: ‘Damp and mould has built up in our home over the winter. I’ve been chasing our letting agency but nothing has happened and I’m worried about how this might affect our health. Our tenancy agreement isn’t up for six months, what can I do?’

A: Mould is a fungus that grows anywhere that warm damp air hits a cold surface, such as window frames. There is information on our website which will help you work out what type of damp you have, who is responsible and what you can do about it. You should also take a look at your tenancy agreement for specific mentions of repairs and damp.

You’ve definitely done the right thing by reporting the issue to your letting agency. It’s not always easy to work out the cause of damp and mould. Your landlord might well suggest that something you’re doing is contributing to it: but your landlord will be responsible if it’s being caused by structural problems or disrepair such as a leaking roof or bad insulation. Your landlord is also responsible for fixing a damp problem if it’s making your home unsafe to live in or if it’s affecting the health of anyone living in the property.
Condensation can contribute to damp and mould. One of the best ways to prevent condensation is to keep homes well-heated and well ventilated. If you’re finding it hard to insulate and heat your home, check our website to see if you’re eligible for support.

To make sure you’re not contributing to a damp problem, it’s best to avoid drying clothes on heaters, blocking air vents, or using portable gas heaters. However, showering, cooking, and laundry are things everyone expects to be able to do in their homes. If the property can’t be heated and ventilated adequately to cope with daily living activities, then it’s the property that’s the problem..
If your landlord is responsible for the damp in your home, but doesn’t do anything about it, there are steps you can take, like reporting them to the local authority. As a last resort, you might decide you just want to leave the property but getting out of a tenancy agreement early can be difficult.
If you’re feeling stuck, speak to your local Citizens Advice or call our Advice line on 0800 144 8848

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Troglodytes troglodyte – the king of the birds

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Wildlife writer Jane Adams greets one of the UK’s feistiest, loudest and most industrious birds as he survives winter before building a harem

The male wren, Troglodytes troglodyte, may provide nests for up to six (or more!) females in a season, helping to produce 30-plus fledglings

I’m filling the kettle when a movement outside catches my eye – a wren. There it is, busy at work, coaxing a miniscule spider from its sticky web spun across the window frame.
The wren’s rotund body, with its chestnut-brown speckled feathers, is so tiny it weighs less than a pound coin. One of our smallest birds, it’s also the UK’s most common.
Usually, all you’ll see of a wren is a blur at the edge of your vision. It doesn’t skulk, it is just constantly on the move: wrens are busy and hard to keep up with. You might not see them that often, but you’ll certainly have heard them. Their high-pitched warbles – surprisingly loud for their diminutive size – can often penetrate even the most overcast of winter days.


Watching my visitor through the window, I can’t help but admire its defiant posture. With what looks like a permanent scowl and a fearless demeanour, the wren almost dares you to challenge it. I once heard them described as a cross between a mouse and an animated walnut – so small, so up for a fight!
When spring arrives, fighting will definitely be high on the agenda. Male wrens fiercely defend their territories from rivals while also wooing passing females. And beneath that tough macho exterior there’s a surprisingly good homemaker … Males build several nests within their territories, showing each one to a female, hoping to impress with their DIY skills. By the end of the season, one male may have provided nests for up to six (or more!) females and helped to produce 30-plus fledglings.

Male wrens fiercely defend their territories from rivals while also wooing passing females

For January, though, survival must be my visitor’s chief concern. On cold winter nights, when temperatures plummet, wrens will often huddle together in holes or bird boxes for extra warmth. In Norfolk during the viciously cold winter of 1969, researchers found sixty-one wrens hidden in a single bird box.
Fingers crossed, my bird has some friends.
In some cultures, the wren is known as the King of Birds – such a lofty title for this little fella. Legend has it that during a contest to see which bird could fly the highest, the wren won by perching on the wings of an eagle.
With white-tailed eagles back in the south of England, who knows? Anything’s possible …
So keep your eyes peeled!

Struggling Millstream asks for help

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Editorial team
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Millstream Theatre has, for more than a decade, been a beacon of creativity and inclusion for adults with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions. Based at the Museum of East Dorset in the heart of Wimborne, this remarkable group offers its members a platform to express themselves through drama, storytelling, and performance.
The impact of Millstream Theatre’s work is evident in the glowing reviews from audiences and critics alike. Their original cabaret show, In Harmony, received high praise during its tour last summer. Mark Tattersall, Director of Dorchester Arts Centre,says, ‘Having never seen Millstream Theatre perform before, I didn’t know quite what to expect – but In Harmony absolutely blew me away…. it was the tremendous humour and sheer joy of the play that made it sparkle!’ Such performances not only entertain but also challenge perceptions, showcasing the talents and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals.

Under threat
The benefits of participating in such inclusive arts programmes are profound. Engaging in theatre can enhance communication skills, boost self-esteem, and provide a sense of belonging. For many members, Millstream offers a unique opportunity to connect with others in a supportive environment. One participant shared, ‘I’ve looked around and Millstream is the only group that’s perfect for me.’
However, Millstream Theatre’s vital work is under threat due to financial pressures. The costs associated with professional facilitators, support workers and guest artists are substantial. While members have agreed to contribute through subscriptions, many face financial challenges, making it difficult to sustain the necessary funding. The directors have initiated an application to Arts Council England, but this process is lengthy, and immediate support is needed to keep the workshops running.

Can you help?
Theatre groups like Millstream play a crucial role in promoting diversity and disability inclusion in the arts. By providing a platform for neurodivergent artists, they enrich the cultural landscape and foster a more inclusive society. Supporting such initiatives not only benefits the participants but also enhances the community’s cultural fabric.
Local businesses and individuals have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Sponsorship or donations can help ensure that Millstream Theatre continues to provide its invaluable services to the community. Co-director Tony Horitz is asking for help: ‘If any local company would like to sponsor Millstream, enabling us to keep our workshops running and capping costs to those who are struggling financially, we’d love to hear from you.’

For those interested in supporting Millstream Theatre, please contact: Tony tony.horitz@icloud.com or Tam Gilbert tam@persuasionarts.co.uk if you are able to help.museumofeastdorset.co.uk/millstream-theatre

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Racing highs, weather lows

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Chris Wald reflects on December’s challenges and triumphs on the yard, and looks ahead to the Tizzard team’s path to The Festival

Four-year-old Alexei ran an impressive win of a novice hurdle at Taunton – he is now unbeaten since joining the Tizzards

The good form of the yard continued into December and two horses at opposite ends of their careers provided early highlights of the month. The 11-year-old Le Ligerien won the veteran’s race at Lingfield, thus gaining the ninth win of his career, while an exciting four-year-old called Alexei ran out an impressive winner of a novice hurdle at Taunton – he is now unbeaten in a charity race and two novice hurdles since joining us in the summer having previously run on the flat in Germany.
Christmas is a busy time for anyone working in the jump racing industry, and it is no different for the staff here. While it is difficult to give much of a break with so much racing on at this time of year, we tried to give people a chance to get home and see their families, with some having Christmas Day off but working New Year’s Day, and vice versa. Due to the generosity of the owners in the yard, the tack room is always well-stocked with mince pies and chocolates at this time of year, which is much appreciated by all the staff! We were less busy than other years on Boxing Day, with just the four runners at Wincanton, and it was great to get a winner with Pedley Wood in front of a huge local crowd.

All images © Courtenay Hitchcock

A new Tizzard
A few days before Christmas, Joe and Rachel welcomed a baby boy, Harry, into the world. Their first child, Tommie, is now two and Joe has already given them the nickname of The Tizzard Boys… Watch out!
It’s a fitting time for a horseracing birth: the New Year starts with every horse’s birthday on 1st January. Not that any of them were actually born on this day! It is the same for all racehorses, all around the world, making it easier to categorise races with them all becoming a year older at the same time (when a horse turns ten it becomes eligible for Veteran’s races, for example).

New recruit Etna Bianco on the gallops


The main feature of January so far has been the disruption that the weather has caused, with both freezing temperatures and heavy rain causing lots of meetings to be abandoned. Last weekend was particularly frustrating, with Sandown and Wincanton frozen off on Saturday, both meetings where we had strong chances in some valuable races. Then, on Sunday, myself and travelling head lad Richie made the three-hour trip to Plumpton with two horses, only for the meeting to be called off less than an hour after we arrived due to waterlogging. Needless to say, a quick fry up in the stable lad’s canteen was required before loading up and heading home again!

Meanwhile Reggie and Kim had a similar experience at a snow-covered Chepstow which was abandoned after the first two races, only an hour before our horse was due to run. In both cases the owners were also already at the races – they are the ones who lose out the most, having spent a lot of money to get to that point, sometimes with a lack of alternative races for their horses to run in.

Running in a bumper
The newly-turned four-year old’s who were broken in during the summer as three-year-olds continue to build up their work, and some have already been up to Larkhill point to point course for a ‘racecourse gallop’. We will get them all back there over the next few weeks for more serious bits of work, with the aim of running in a bumper (a flat race for future jump horses) in the spring if they are showing us they are ready. It is exciting to see these horses progress through their careers and can be one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Looking to The Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of Jump racing, running over four days in March. It is every trainer, owner and jockeys’ ambition to have a winner there. The entries for some of the major races close over the next few weeks, and the further we go through the season the more attention turns to The Festival. For the select group of horses we have who have targets there, it is likely that they will only run once, maybe twice, more between now and then, so the pressure for these horses to perform is increased. Excitingly, there are also some horses, such as some of the novice hurdlers, who could earn their right to go there with just one good performance over the next few weeks.
Happy New Year to all BV readers – hopefully the weather turns in our favour and we’ll see you at a racecourse soon!

Sixpenny Handley | POSTCARDS FROM A DORSET COLLECTION

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Editorial team
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This month Barry Cuff has chosen two postcards from Sixpenny Handley, both sent in 1913, the year before the First World War began.

Sent to Elsie Carter in Salisbury – Elsie is on the 1911 census, so we know she was 17 and an apprentice ladies outfitter when she received this card, living at home with her parents, two brothers and a sister. ‘Dad’ was Joseph Carter, 69, a tailor. ‘Uncle Henry’ is perhaps George Henry Phillips, who lived in Sixpenny Handley with his eight children, probably at The Hollow as pictured. The only adult Amy in Handley in the 1911 census was a 23 year old Amy Enna Alford, a domestic servant at ‘The Cottage, The Coppier, Handley’ – an address which no longer exists.
‘Dear Elsie, please tell Dad that the horse called Reuben, which was ill when he was here, died last Sat. love from all Amy. … It is Uncle Harry in the picture’

This postcard was sent by an apparently keen photographer in August 1913 to Mr Walter Butcher of Shelbourne Road in Bournemouth – we know from the census that he was 21, unmarried and a milk carrier.

Handley, Salisbury, Thursday. ‘Dear Walter, this is a view of Handley all out at the top of Handley Street. I hope you will like it. Ever so many thanks for the nice cards I received from you and thank you so much for the Photo Bits this morning. I have just had a long letter from Mrs Whitestone this afternoon. I hope you are well, and your dear mother and all the rest. with love from [unreadable]

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Is it your year for the Couch to 5k?

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The Dorset Doddlers’ next – very popular – Couch to 5k course starts this month. These courses have helped many want-to-be runners ease themselves into the sport through excellent coaching, friendly club members and by making it a bit of fun!
No previous running experience is required: just a desire to get a bit fitter, to meet some new people and to bring a positive, can-do attitude – especially as they train in all weathers!
You will be supported and coached every step of the way – “No one is left behind, and no one is too unfit”.
The sessions start at Sturfit in Sturminster Newton at 6.45pm every Monday, and the course lasts for 10 weeks.
It is not too late to sign up, even though the course officially started on 6th January*.
The Dorset Doddlers was formed in 1983 by a small group of friends and now has more than 150 members. There are weekly hills sessions in Shaftesbury on Tuesday evenings through the winter – fancy running (walking!) up the iconic Gold Hill? – which switch to summer runs around the county when the clocks change (mysteriously starting and finishing at pubs, usually…). Thursday evening fitness sessions are from Sturfit in Sturminster Newton, making use of the local small roads and trailway. All sessions are taken by qualified club coaches and are tailored for runners of all abilities.

*More information can be found on the Doddlers’ website dorsetdoddlers.org

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Is it the year of the egg? |Farm Tales

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Pessimism, promises and poultry: Andrew Livingston asks if 2025’s lofty food and farming goals may already be slipping through our fingers

When you return to work in January – not that farmers ever really stop… – you can soon forget that it is a shiny, fresh new year. The festivities get left behind, New Years’ resolutions begin to get dusty and forgotten and we all slowly return to just getting on with our lives. My own healthy eating plan has already gone out of the window, but I’m still (mostly) dry for January!
For the poultry industry, 2025 is supposed to be a big year. Many of the major retailers made a promise in 2016 – the question is, will they keep it?
Nine years ago, Aldi, ASDA, Iceland, Lidl, Morrisons and Tesco all stated that at the end of 2025, all the whole eggs sold in their stores would be from cage-free birds. It’s a promise which is looking very unlikely to be kept … it’s all gone a bit too quiet.
Hats off to M&S who have only sold free-range eggs since 2002, and Waitrose hasn’t sold any caged eggs since 2001.
The promise was made in what was frankly a completely different world: pre-pandemic, pre-inflation, pre-war in Ukraine and pre-bird flu. Each of these have put great strain on the industry.
While the volume of free-range eggs sold in the UK went up another 7.8 per cent last year, 22 per cent of all the eggs sold in the second quarter of last year were raised in colony cages: that’s around 220 million dozen a year.
Colony cages replaced the old battery cage system in 2012, and on average a colony cage holds 80 hens. It has a screened-off area for laying, a scratch mat and low perches. Hens don’t leave the cage until they go to slaughter.
I will be interested to see the public’s reaction if the 2016 promise isn’t kept … though I doubt that the public really cares. Most of the public wouldn’t know the difference between caged or barn-kept birds, or even what organic really means.
The reaction will be interesting nonetheless, as there are bigger promises to be broken in the near future. The NFU pledged five years ago that UK farms would be carbon neutral by 2040. A quarter of the time has gone and little progress has been made.
I hate to be nihilistic, and I know it’s important, but … Donald Trump is back in America and far-right movements are gaining power across Europe. Are we wasting our time on the climate change debate?
Please don’t think that I am a climate change denier (don’t come for me, I wash my plastics). I just worry that we are going to be one of the only countries banging the Net Zero drum while everyone else prioritises other matters.
I’ve done it again. I’ve gone all pessimistic. All I’ll say is, looking at the current global situation and the history of the last five years, should we concentrate on our food security rather than climate change? Or should we be concentrating on animal welfare rather than food security?
It’s a moral dilemma and I don’t have an answer. It’s a Venn diagram of a multitude of factors and we need to find the sweet spot in the middle. I don’t know where that sweet spot is, but I do know we aren’t there yet.
Planning officers need to start granting permission for chicken sheds to grow the nation’s free-range flock … without them, we’ll never stop selling caged eggs on our supermarket shelves.
Sorry. Nihilistic, pessimistic, depressing… Happy 2025! I need a stiff drink after all that. I suspect my Dry January is about to get a little wet.

What’s on show in 2025?

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Fanny Charles looks ahead to what’s coming this year

January is an odd time in the art world – some galleries carry their December/Christmas exhibitions over into the New Year. Others – such as Bournemouth’s Russell Cotes Museum and Gallery – are closed, for necessary maintenance work or other reasons. And it’s not a time when you necessarily want to venture far from the warmth of your home or the demands of the job, so here is a brief look at some of the interesting exhibitions in the first half of 2025, from big London shows to local galleries.

Laurence Edwards at work in his studio

For fans of the great early Italian Renaissance artists, the National Gallery has the exhibition of the year – Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350, This milestone exhibition marks the gallery’s 200th anniversary with a rare reunion of 14th-century Italian paintings. The 100 or so works on show will showcase the pivotal role of Sienese artists in Europe’s artistic landscape. Highlights include Duccio di Buoninsegna’s Maestà panels and Simone Martini’s Orsini Polyptychi.
– 8th March to 22nd June.
Staying at the National Gallery, we find there is more to Mexican art than Frida Kahlo, wonderful though she was of course. The UK’s first exhibition of work by Mexico’s leading 19th century artist – Jose Maria Velasco: A View of Mexico – celebrates his paintings of Mexico’s landscapes and industrialisation and the 200th anniversary of UK-Mexico diplomatic relations.
You may recognise his painting called (in translation) Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, an iconic view of two of the massive ancient structures which dot the Mexican landscape.
– 29th March to 17th August.
The Royal Academy at Burlington House in Piccadilly has an exhibition of Victor Hugo’s drawings. Best known for his massive novels, including Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hugo was also a poet, politician and artist. His drawings, many made while he lived on Guernsey, include imaginary castles, monsters and seascapes.
– 21st March to 29th June.

The Royal West of England Academy in Bristol has its biennial open 2025, with the theme of Paper Works, and an important exhibition of work by Paule Vezelay, a pioneering modernist, born in Bristol, with an international reputation.
– 25th January to 27th April

Paule Vezelay’s Living Lines at the Royal West of England Academy at Bristol

The Russell-Cotes on Bournemouth’s East Cliff is one of the most beautiful museum buildings in the country, with a fascinating display of the many collections of Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes as well as a changing programme of exhibitions. The current show is Artists in Purbeck: Spirit of Place, a revelatory survey of the artistic heritage of this spectacular part of Dorset, with its dramatic coast and landscape and its history of quarrying and stone-carving. The artists, painters and sculptors featured include Mary Spencer Watson, Brian Graham, Mark Gertler, Augustus John and Paul Nash. – Returning from 21st January to 16th March, after the New Year closure period.

Southampton City Art Gallery has an exhibition from its important permanent collection that tells the story of western art from the Renaissance to the present day. Featured items include works from the 17th century Dutch, French and Italian baroque, French Impressionists, 20th century British art, Surrealism and the St Ives-based abstract artists. – From 23rd February

Sladers Yard at West Bay follows the Christmas-New Year mixed show, Radiance, with Restless Earth – paintings, prints and ceramics by leading gallery artists, including Anthony Garratt, ceramicist Adela Powell and resident furniture designer-maker Petter Southall. The spring show is a solo exhibition by the Poole-born and West Dorset-based Philip Sutton RA. Now in his 90s, this remarkable artist has a career spanning seven decades including paintings and drawings from his years living on Fiji. The new show is Portrait of the Artist, 70 years of self-portraits and the places where they were painted. – 15th March to 11th May

Messums West, based in the magnificent medieval Tithe Barn at Tisbury, has a wide range of exhibitions and events, including Landscape Painting Today, from 11th January to 24th February, Contemporary Danish Ceramics from 1st March to 4th May and Dressed for the Woods, a retrospective to mark Nicola Hicks’ 65th birthday, celebrating one of the most significant sculptors of our time, from 8th March to 4th May. Further ahead, there is an exhibition by another outstanding contemporary sculptor, Laurence West, from 26th July to 29th September.

Gladiators, a panel from the exhibition coming to Dorchester

If you have been captivated by the blood and glamour of the amphitheatre in Gladiator II, you will be fascinated by Gladiators of Britain at Dorset County Museum. The exhibition explores the history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain, and will include finds from Maumbury Rings in Dorchester, originally a Neolithic henge which was transformed into an amphitheatre by the Romans. This is followed by Jane Austen: Down to the Sea, celebrating the 250th anniversary of her birth and exploring the influence of the sea in her novels.
– Gladiators of Britain, 25th January to 11th May
Jane Austen: Down to the Sea, 14th June to 14th September

Shaftesbury Arts Centre’s gallery has a regularly changing programme of exhibitions, mostly on for a fortnight, but the 2025 opening show – Welcome 25 – is on until 1st February.
It is followed by the Spring Open, from 5th to 22nd February, and the arts centre art group’s annual exhibition from 26th February to 4th March.
The gallery is open most days and is always worth a visit. The standard of work on show – paintings, prints, ceramics, photography and more – is consistently high.

Hauser & Wirth at Durslade Farm, Bruton, is the Somerset outpost of a global contemporary art group, bringing world-class art to our area. Past exhibitions have included Elisabeth Frink, Henry Moore and Phyllida Barlow, in a beautiful rural setting, with a garden designed by Piet Oudolf. This year’s shows include An Uncommon Thread, featuring 10 contemporary artists living and working in the UK, highlighting the transformative power of unconventional media, using unexpected painting surfaces, adapting formal craft traditions and repurposing discarded products into compelling works.
– 8th February to 27th April.

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