Resident Elaine Greensmith, Colten Companion Kate Seck and Trustees Zilla Brown and Jane Palmer posing in front of the beautiful quilt depicting Sturminster Mill.
Newstone House Care Home in Sturminster Newton has raised £2,441 (and one penny!) for Sturminster Newton Heritage Trust following a year-long partnership in 2024. The trust, which oversees the town’s iconic mill and museum, collaborated with the care home to bring local history to life through events, talks, and a successful Christmas fair. Newstone House, built on the site of the town’s former creamery, played host to a series of afternoon events celebrating Sturminster Newton’s heritage, engaging both residents and the wider community. To mark the success of the fundraising efforts, Home Manager April King and resident Elaine Greensmith presented a cheque to Heritage Trust Trustees Jane Palmer and Zilla Brown. With another charity partnership ahead for 2025, the care home is now setting its sights on surpassing this impressive total in the year ahead.
Born in Ipswich but raised in Oklahoma, and fed an eclectic diet of music ranging from Parliament to Neil Young from a young age, Bartees Strange was always likely to bend genres. But rather than combining multiple elements to produce a unique sound, he has always tended towards a more ‘jukebox’ approach when piecing together his albums, with limited success. But on Horror, his third studio LP, Strange has perfected the art of breaking genre altogether: creating an album which feels more like an expertly crafted mix compilation than a solo record. And while there is a nod towards a concept with a strong lyrical theme (“I get scared of erasure ‘cause it just seems to happen”, “Don’t fear what’s comin’, our blood’s the connection to truth”, “Buckle my knees, for miles afraid of the open road”), the record never feels restrained by its nominal theme of facing ones fears.
The reference points and frequent sharp turns into new sonic territory make the album feel much shorter than its 42-minute running time and satisfy the listener with every new hook. Hit It Quit It opens with a classic Motown drum fill, before blending disco vibes with a four-to-the-floor rock chorus reminiscent of erstwhile Croydon nine-piece Do Me Bad Things. Wants Needs starts like classic Foo Fighters before settling into a hard rock / RnB hybrid. Lie 95 combines Prince’s vocal delivery with an MGMT-style big indie chorus and throws in some Neil Young (“Mining for a heart of gold”), just for good measure. But the highlight of the album draws on much more subtle influences. Baltimore is pure, understated Americana, with an arrangement reminiscent of Cold Roses-era Ryan Adams combining with a melody which would have felt at home on David Ramirez’ high point, 2015’s Fables. It provides the solid perch around which the rest of this stunningly surprising record can spread its wings and fly. The first great record of 2025.
Matthew Ambrose, DJ at Abbey104
Matthew Ambrose presents Under The Radar on Tuesday evening at 7pm on Abbey104. Broadcasting on 104.7FM and online at abbey104.com.
The Dorset Insider is a no-holds-barred column pulling back the curtain on local affairs with sharp insight, unfiltered honesty and the occasional raised eyebrow. Written by a seasoned parish councillor who prefers to remain anonymous (for obvious reasons), it cuts through the noise to expose the frustrations of grassroots politics, and say what others won’t. Rest assured, their identity is known – and trusted – by the editorial team. Expect opinion, candour and a healthy dose of exasperation …
The conference room was soon packed as Dorset’s parish and town councillors flocked into a recent meeting about the forthcoming changes to planning law. While old friends and colleagues were happy for the opportunity to catch up with each other, most councillors were there to assess the impact of the coming changes on their own patch – and how they would have to communicate that to local residents. Dealing with the occasional nimby is one thing, but almost all residents share genuine concerns about how new housing will affect their towns or villages – and particularly its infrastructure. The Dorset Council representatives seemed to have had a talking to from the Deputy Prime Minister’s office. Planning rules are about to be streamlined to make it easy for homes to be built: just how easy that is would reveal itself later. Most Dorset residents understand the desperate need for truly affordable housing in the county. The average Dorset wage is £28,000 and the price of the average home is 12 times that sum. And it’s precisely because Dorset property is so expensive that more homes are required. The current housing target for Dorset is 1,793 units a year – which is about to rise to 3,219 annually. That means that over the next 17 years, Dorset should see an additional 54,725 houses being built. And if no effort is made to reach these targets, the big bad baggy-green-trouser-suited wolf from Westminster WILL intervene. It’s clear that council staff and councillors are under huge pressure to deliver on this ambition. And hopefully it will mean plenty of choice for those looking for affordable homes.
Difficult conversations While some of the more smug parish councillors sat listening, claiming they lived in an AONB so were not allowed to build anywhere (don’t be so sure, mate), others were more concerned about the necessary supporting infrastructure. We heard from a beleaguered councillor faced with 2,000 units on the edge of a small village. Another area had social housing built … and people from the West Midlands had been ‘shipped in’ to some of the homes. We heard real concerns about the non-existent public transport which maroons those living in rural villages unless they can drive. On top of this, at least one new settlement of 10,000 people will be required in each county: where in Dorset will that land, I wonder? With devolution and the super council seemingly inevitable, if one local authority of a group cannot meet its housing targets, then it must look to others to try to provide a solution. This means a lot of difficult conversations between neighbouring counties and conurbations. Dorset currently has its prescribed five-year housing supply – but only until October this year. The clock is ticking. As an aside, I noted that among all the talk there was scarcely a mention of the Nature Emergency declared by Dorset Council last year. When talk evolved to Neighbourhood Plans it became clear that even if a community has one, it would need to be reviewed.
We need a Plan Some parishes without a plan wondered whether there was even any point, given the time it takes to go through the process. And does anyone take them into account anyway? Recent developments in the Blandford and Pimperne area have shown that neighbourhood plans mean nothing at all when a big development is on the way. Neighbourhood planning is essential in order for communities have a strategy, but it’s a highly specialist job. Parish councillors are expected to lead the plan process, but it’s very time consuming. And as we try to encourage more diverse parish councils (we desperately need to move away from the stereotypical retired white middle class male), we hit the issue that many new councillors have jobs. While they bring a wealth of knowledge, their time to work on major projects is obviously limited.
And then there was more However, the biggest surprise was yet to come. After a long day of “chats” with the council and various helpful council officers, I had one more meeting in the diary: a team of local developers wanted to engage with the parish council to discuss their plans. Knowing we already have three developments progressing in the village, I was hoping this latest one would be a slow burn – even if just to avoid the chaos on our narrow roads and to help us manage demand for housing from locals. How wrong I was. We sat stupefied as a well-developed plan was presented for 94 houses on prime agricultural land (in a village of just 1,300 people), almost as a fait accompli. The developers are already talking to the council planning teams, and swiftly marching ahead. Not a single member of the council was anticipating 94 more houses on top of what we have already had to absorb. Clearly there has been no discussion with the local GP surgery or the school, both of which are creaking at the seams. As a council, we now need to fight for the best deal we can for the parish in terms of infrastructure, which is fragile. What might help is if local communities were properly represented. Parish councillors need a seat at the table from the start – not just a flyer, a website link, and a last-minute public “consultation”. Even a phone call or zoom meeting with the planners would help. At least then, with an increasing tide of new developments reshaping rural Dorset, we can prepare our communities and feel like we have a say. Instead, parish councils are sidelined in major developments, treated with far less respect or status than they should have. It might also encourage new councillors to come forward for public service in a county where there were gaps of up to 25 per cent on newly-elected parish councils last year.
Six trays of broad beans have been moved outside to harden off. All images: Barry Cuff
Thanks to the miserable weather, very little groundwork was carried out in preparation for the spring. Even during the drier spell at the beginning of February the lack of sunshine coupled with low temperatures meant there was little drying out of the soil – and just as it became workable on the 19th we had more rain, putting us back to square one again. We had a good harvest though, so we’ve still been cropping parsnips, carrots, leeks, sprouts, broccoli, forced chicons, winter radish and salad leaves. From our store we’re still eating oour own potatoes, onions and winter squash, and in the freezer we have peas, broad beans, French beans and the last of the sweetcorn. The work we did manage to achieve this month: Broad beans: We’ve put six trays of young plants outside to harden. Fruit: Pruned the gooseberry and currant bushes, and the pear trees. We also cut down the old autumn raspberry canes to ground level. Mulched everything with manure, and weeded the strawberry patch. Greenhouse: We washed the glass. Plot work: On the 19th we spread manure on all the empty areas vacated by harvested vegetables, and all around the brassicas. Potatoes: We planted two Jazzy potatoes in a tub for some early new potatoes. Preserved – We had a chutney-making session. Seeds: We sowed lettuce and red cabbage in plug trays. We also sowed trays of mixed spicy leaves and an agricultural pea (to eat in salads as young sprouts). Sweet peppers: We pricked these out into individual pots.Six trays of broad beans have been moved outside to harden off. All images: Barry Cuff
Barry Cuff grows more then 30 different types of fruit and vegetables each year on his allotment
Talking of seed We grow more than 30 different vegetables on the plot and in the greenhouse, and all are raised from seed. It is admittedly becoming expensive, but it is still good value. Stored correctly, most vegetable seeds will still germinate well after two or three years, some even longer (this year we are using cabbage seed bought in 2021!) We test most carried-over seed to ensure it is still viable, and any with a germination rate below 50 per cent is discarded. We have found that French beans do not perform well after the first year, but contrary to advice given parsnip will perform well providing it was above 90% germination rate when packeted. Our Allotment Association is able to buy seed from Kings Seeds at a 40 per cent discount. Because we have a large plot and grow a wide range of vegetables, our seed bill is around £60 this year. The majority of packets are bought from Kings, with a few from Fothergills and Thompson & Morgan. There are some good value packets to be had from Wilko and CountryValue.co.uk. We always look at their displays and end up buying a few! The majority of our veg are started in plug trays, seed trays or small pots, using a good quality multi-purpose compost. Carrots, peas, parsnips, beetroot, spring onion and winter salads are all sown direct into the ground. We now need some decent March weather so that work on the plot can start in earnest!
With longer days on the horizon, it’s time to sow, plant, prune, and mulch – but Pete Harcom says don’t be fooled, frosty nights aren’t over yet!
March is the month to plant some colourful anemone coronaria tubers – but note that they need particularly well-drained soil, so be sure to add some grit to the soil to avoid water logging
The clocks will go forward on Sunday 30th March … spring is finally in the air, but be careful, it can be late April or even May before night time frosts are finally over. If the weather allows and the soil is not frozen, this could be a good time to prepare a flower bed or even create a new one. Make sure to incorporate plenty of good compost if the soil is in any way impoverished. Consider the siting of the bed when you plan the plants (how much light will they get here?). Also consider the edge of the border – does it need some defined edging? Once the border is prepared, annual flowers can be sown from March onwards: just rake the soil to a fine tilth on a dry day. Watch the weather forecasts for any frosty nights, and protect it if necessary with cloches or horticultural fleece. It’s often best to be patient and wait until late March before you purchase any tender plants like fuchsias and pelargoniums unless you have some good frost protection ready for them like cloches or a cold greenhouse. Keep an eye on weeds – take them out now with a hoe or similar, before they sart to spread. Cover all bare soil patches and around shrubs with a good thick layer of mulch or garden compost. Also take the opportunity to top up your potted plants with a layer of mulch or compost. March is your last chance to plant bare rooted trees and shrubs. Prune any bush and climbing roses quite hard, back to strong stems, with a sloping cut, no more than 5mm away from a bud.
Slug off Now’s the time to plant your summer-flowering bulbs such as lilies and gladioli. If you’re tempted by some anemone coronaria tubers, note that they need particularly well-drained soil, so ensure grit is added to the soil when you plant them to ensure that drainage is good and to avoid water logging. Divide your hostas now, before they come into leaf, and also any hellebores and polyanthus-type primulas after they finish flowering. Keep deadheading the winter-flowering pansies – they will carry on into the spring and even to early summer, if attended to frequently. Also deadhead your narcissus (daffodils) as they fade, but leave the foliage alone to die down naturally. Check whether any of your pots need watering – even at this time of year, they can dry out, especially those that are sheltered by eaves or balconies, as they can miss out on any rainfall. Hedgehogs will be emerging from hibernation around now: do remember that slug pellets are poisonous for hedgehogs, and frogs too, as they eat the snails and slugs that have been killed by the slug pellets. Lastly, if you can, clean up the inside of any bird nest boxes early this month, before they move in!
Pauline Batstone shares her monthly round up of what’s happening among the town’s collection of community enterprises and events
The Marketplace is the new name for the furniture recycling part of Stur’s quartet of community benefit shops. It’s had a bit of a makeover with new signs in the windows to brighten up the old bank facade. Not only that, we have some fantastic pieces of newly donated furniture, loads of mirrors, cushions and so many bags – of all types – ready for a new home. Pop in and see us whenever you are in town and hopefully we will have something you like! The Boutique is running a March Madness clearance sale – ANY FIVE ITEMS FOR £10! What a bargain! Come and fill up your bags with lots of fabulous goodies. March Madness will be hapenning until the 15th March. And if you’re in Stur it’s basically obligatory to go for a potter around the Emporium – it’s tricky to leave without something you definitely didn’t know you needed.
Free school uniform Upstairs in the Marketplace we have a large selection of pre-loved school uniform all completely FREE OF CHARGE. Please do come and help yourselves – and of course if you have any uniform in good condition that you no longer need, please bring it in to add to our collection.
We are longstanding fans and advocates of Apprenticeships for both apprentices themselves in terms of a great career opportunity with training as well as the benefits for employers as brilliant way to recruit talented and motivated people. My daughter hugely benefited from undertaking an apprenticeship programme a couple of years ago and my son is hugely enjoying and benefiting from his apprenticeship programme that he started last September after leaving school.
I am pleased to say that the 2025 Dorset Apprenticeship Awards are now open for entry. The awards, supported by the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network and sponsored by Superior, are completely free to enter and open to all employers and apprentices in Dorset. There are five categories:
Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprentice of the Year
Level 3 (Advanced) Apprentice of the Year
Level 4 or 5 Higher Apprentice of the Year
Degree Apprentice of the Year
Supported Internship of the Year
Having run the awards for several years, it has been absolutely inspiring to hear the stories and success of so many people from a whole range of backgrounds. For many, the apprenticeship programme has literally been life-changing, giving people the opportunity to learn, grow and develop their skills and confidence. We have also worked with so many great employers who have given people great opportunities and progression through the apprenticeship programme.
You can enter online and as I say, the awards are open to all apprentices and employers in Dorset. Finalists and their family, friends and employers will be invited to a special awards ceremony attended by the Lord Lieutenant and local dignitaries on Thursday 15th May.
If you are an apprentice or employ apprentices, I would really recommend you enter the awards. Visit dorsetchamber.co.uk for more information.
Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, editor Laura spoke to the ultimate insider Joe Tizzard: from festival memories to Gold Cup predictions, he shares his tips, insights and one horse that just might cause a surprise
Joe Tizzard
Few names in National Hunt racing carry the same weight as Tizzard. For decades, the family’s Venn Farm Stables in Milborne Port – perched on the North Dorset/Somerset border – has been synonymous with success at the highest level, producing some of the sport’s most beloved stars. Now at the helm, Joe Tizzard is carving his own legacy, blending the wisdom of his father Colin with his own formidable experience in the saddle. Joe’s journey in racing began in the shadow of greats. As a teenager, he cut his teeth just 15 miles from Venn Farm at the powerhouse Ditcheat yard of Paul Nicholls, before making an immediate impact as a jockey. He tasted Cheltenham Festival glory early, winning the 1998 Foxhunter Chase on Earthmover as an amateur. That same year he turned professional, quickly establishing himself as one of the most promising young riders in the sport. By the end of the 1998/99 season, he had been crowned Champion Conditional Jockey – the first major accolade in what would become a decorated riding career.
And then there was Cue Card But it was in partnership with the superstar Cue Card that Joe truly etched his name into racing folklore. Together, they stormed to victory in the 2010 Cheltenham Champion Bumper, marking the beginning of a glittering career that saw them land 16 wins – including eight at Grade 1 level – and amass more than £1.4 million in prize money. With horses like Thistlecrack and Native River joining coming in Cue Card’s wake, the Tizzard yard became a dominant force in the 2010s, culminating in Native River’s memorable Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph in 2018. After hanging up his jockey’s boots in 2014 with more than 700 winners, Joe stepped seamlessly into the training role alongside his father. When Colin retired at the end of the 2021/22 season, Joe took full charge – and wasted no time in making an impact. A seven-figure prize money season in his first year as sole trainer proved he was more than ready for the challenge. Now, as he continues to build on those foundations, all eyes are on his stable for this year’s Cheltenham Festival. With the biggest event in jump racing fast approaching, Joe Tizzard sat down with editor Laura – who was on a mission to get the inside track from a man who knows Cheltenham like the back of his riding boots…
What makes Cheltenham different from every other racing festival? ‘I think Cheltenham is just different. It’s the most competitive of the festivals: it’s certainly what every trainer aims for. There’s always Aintree and Punchestown, but I’d have to say it’s that competitiveness – everybody wants to be winning at Cheltenham.’
Joe’s favourite memory of Cheltenham – sucking up the moment on Cue Card after winning the Ryanair Chase Grade 1 at Cheltenham Festival on 14th March 2013. Image: Lajos-Eric Balogh/turfstock.com
What’s your best Cheltenham memory? ‘That’s got to be Cue Card winning the Ryanair, closely followed by the Bumper. But the Ryanair … you know, we knew we had him right. All I had to do was steer him, and just get that right. And I knew I was coming to the end of my riding career, so I was able to get the job done on him, but then sit back and really enjoy the walk back, coming down the walkway and back in. ‘I really managed to enjoy that … It’s probably the only time I’ve ever been able to take a deep breath and suck in what it’s all about.’
If you could only watch one race this year, which would it be? ‘The Gold Cup. For me, it’s just the absolute pinnacle in my mind. ‘I think Galopin Des Champs is going to go win a third Gold Cup this year, and he could be very impressive doing it. ‘But I think that the whole build-up and the tension and the celebrations afterwards … I just don’t think there’s anything quite like the Gold Cup.’ Which horse could surprise people at this year’s festival? ‘One of mine, probably: First Confession in the Albert Bartlett. Whether he’s good enough or not … we’ll find out. But I think he’ll run a big race, and I think he’s got an each-way chance at 40 to one, so he could just frighten a few people. I think he’s a lovely horse.’
What’s your best piece of advice for a first-time festival-goer? ‘My first piece of advice is to get there early, and beat the queues to get in! But make sure you go and just sample everything: go and be out the front for the first race to witness the roar. Make sure you go to the Guinness Village and soak up a bit of that atmosphere in there, and then get yourself around the winners’ enclosure for when a horse comes back in, especially for the big race of the day. ‘You know, I find the atmosphere makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as soon as I walk in the place. It’s just got this energy. ‘But go and enjoy it all. Get the full experience, and be sure to get down the front so you can get up close to the horses.’
Among the worst-served areas for rural transport, a House of Commons inquiry hears that failing bus networks are widening social inequality.
Rural Bus stop
For rural Dorset, public transport isn’t just inconvenient – it’s non-existent. Villages once served by regular buses now sit isolated, residents struggling to reach jobs, schools and healthcare. Those without a car face impossible commutes, rising costs, or a growing sense of being left behind. A House of Commons Transport Committee hearing on 26th February laid bare the stark reality of failing rural public transport networks, exposing the deepening link between poverty and poor transport access. Among the witnesses was Silviya Barrett from Campaign for Better Transport, who identified Dorset as one of the worst-affected areas in the country: ‘The places that were specifically poorly connected in the north-east were Northumberland and County Durham; and Dorset and Devon in the south-west,’ she told MPs.
No Buses, No Opportunities In Dorset’s rural villages and market towns, the decline in public transport is widening social inequality. Low-income families, young people, and older residents without access to a car find themselves increasingly trapped – unable to reach work, education or essential services. Paul Milner from CPRE, the countryside charity, described the growing transport poverty across rural England. ‘I see huge amounts of rural housing development, many with much-needed socially affordable housing elements. But why are we building houses in places for people who cannot afford cars, in places where there are no buses or train services?’ he asked. His concerns were echoed by Professor Karen Lucas, an expert in transport-related social exclusion: ‘There is definitely a joint issue around social deprivation and poor public transport. Those two things are absolutely linked.’ The collapse of rural bus services has not happened by accident. According to Stephen Frost, Head of Transport Policy at the Institute for Public Policy Research, government policy over the last decade has prioritised cars over public transport – a move that has pushed more people into car ownership and hollowed out rural bus networks. The Government asked ‘Where do we predict that we are going to need more capacity?’ and decided it is in cars, it is in road expansion, and it is therefore making places more attractive to reach by car.’ But this shift away from public transport creates a vicious cycle. ‘As people then buy cars because those places become more attractive, it undermines the viability of public transport, which is then removed from villages and towns, and people increasingly move out of those villages and towns, as do services and other things, towards more urban areas,’ Frost said. The impact is then felt most by the lowest-paid. ‘Badly affected are low-paid workers, especially shift workers and non-paid carers, because they have a lot of travel responsibilities for escorting their children and other people around,’ said Karen Lucas ‘Young people not in employment, education and training see the cost and especially availability of transport as a barrier to them taking up any of those activities: and particularly low-income households with children.’ For shift workers in Dorset’s tourism and hospitality industries, irregular bus services mean long, expensive commutes or missed work opportunities. Meanwhile, carers and parents juggling multiple responsibilities find their travel time and costs spiralling out of control.
We know it makes sense Beyond the social cost of lost bus services, the committee also discussed the economic damage caused by poor transport links. ‘There is much evidence on the economic benefit of buses, particularly by the Confederation of Passenger Transport,’ Silviya Barrett said. ‘Public transport, specifically buses, produces much higher returns on investment compared with road investment. For buses, it is a return of £4.55 for every £1 spent, whereas road investment it can be as low as £1.10 or even a negative value for money if we take the full externalities of road schemes.’ This means that investing in buses provides better economic returns than road expansion, reducing congestion and boosting local economies by making it easier for people to reach work, education, and businesses. The committee also heard that improved bus services help keep money in rural areas, rather than funnelling wealth into larger urban centres. ‘Local buses help to spread growth,’ Barrett explained. ‘Rather than attracting all investment to the centre of cities, they support local economies in the suburbs and in towns, where people can make shorter local journeys and spend in their local economy instead.’ Despite this, rural bus services continue to be cut, while investment in roads and car infrastructure remains the priority. Without a fundamental shift in funding, Dorset’s rural economy will remain constrained – and those without a car will continue to be left behind.
Every Village, Every Hour One solution discussed by CPRE’s Paul Milner was the Every Village, Every Hour scheme, which would guarantee a minimum rural bus service to prevent entire communities from being cut off. In Switzerland, every village of at least 300 people is guaranteed an hourly bus service from 6am to midnight, seven days a week. It is successful, with hugh occupancy and low subsidies. Switzerland, unlike the UK, is prepared to spend more on rural public transport due to the cultural importance of rural villages, and a tradition of using subsidies which are “justified as political acts of solidarity” to equalise service provision across cantons**. The CPRE believe that limited public transport in rural areas isn’t a given, or a natural side-effect of living in the countryside. Silviya Barrett also argued that buses should not be an afterthought: ‘Buses are an essential public service. They need to be treated as such and they need to be funded as such.’
You need buses for fares The hearing discussed the impact of the recent fare cap increase from £2 to £3, with concerns raised about affordability in urban areas. However, Silviya Barrett noted that ‘in rural areas, £3 can still be very good value compared to the prices there might have been before.’ But as Dorset residents know all too well, an affordable capped fare means nothing if there isn’t a bus to use it on. Without urgent investment in rural bus networks, communities will remain cut off—isolated not by distance, but by a failing system that leaves those who cannot afford a car with no options at all.
