The BV: from the heart of Dorset

This episode will stay with you – from a century of stories told with grace by Jim Freer, to George Hosford’s blistering takedown of government farming policy. It's full of insight, history ... and a fair bit of fury.

Also: it’s the final episode with co-host Terry Bennett. You’ll be missed, Terry.

 

Jim Freer at 100: Halifax Bombers and the Art of Staying Nice

Born in 1925, Jim Freer reflects on a century of life – from engineerin...

Shrinking Easter eggs, three buses and a chocolate artist in Wimborne It’s April, the Easter chocolate’s out (if you can still afford it), and Dorset Council has launched a ‘visionary’ transport plan that gives North Dorset… three Saturday buses. Hurrah?

From grumbles and glorious letters to chocolate-making wizardry, this first episode of the month is warm, witty and quietly furious in all the right places.

Editor’s Letter 

Edi...

Buses, beans and baby groups – March’s second BV Podcast has it all This one’s a quietly powerful listen – tackling public transport failures and the remarkable transformation of a warehouse into a buzzing family hub. We have three very different conversations, all rooted in the same thing: Dorset community.

Pop it on in the background – between the chocolate and the chaos, you might just find yourself unexpectedly inspired.

 

  N...

There’s a lot in this one – from letters on elderly drivers and dodgy photo competition terms to powerful columns on Trump, planning law, and… beavers. (Still beavering away, apparently.)

But the heartbeat of this episode? The awe-inspiring work of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, celebrating 25 years of saving lives. If you think it’s ‘just’ a helicopter, think again.

“We’re essentially bringing hospital-level care to the ro...

Do you know what’s tricky? Making three deeply interesting interviews sound like they’re worth your time, when they’re about ‘eating healthily, loans for home improvements and the old planning vs wildlife chestnut’.  SEE? Don’t tell me your brain didn’t just switch off a bit, because I know it did. 

But hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt have done a brilliant job – it’s an admittedly eclectic mix of three wildly knowledgeable and...

In this first BV Podcast of February 2025, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt dive into some of the bigger issues, from February's BV – from controversial beaver reintroductions to flood management. The anonymous parish councillor known only as the Dorset Insider has a few things to say about dog fouling.

Political Perspectives: Climate Bills, Economic Growth, and Local Voices

As always in Episode 1 of the month, Dorset’s politi...

In this episode of the BV Podcast, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt explore major issues affecting Dorset—from political debates on farming and planning reform to the hidden conservation potential of churchyards.

Edward Morello: From Renewable Energy to Westminster

Terry sits down for an in-depth interview with Edward Morello, West Dorset’s first non-Conservative MP. He reflects on his journey into politics, the steep learning...

In the first BV Podcast of 2025, Terry and Jenny get straight on with tackling some of rural Dorset’s biggest issues. We start, as always, with Laura's Letter From The Editor, in which she provides a small voice of reassurance amid the frantic New-Year-New-You clarion calls. 

Then, as usual for Episode 1 of the month, Dorset’s political voices weigh in:

• Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset, critiques Labour’s early missteps, discu...

In this episode of the BV Podcast, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt delve into inspiring solutions, incredible personal achievements, and innovative ideas that are reshaping Dorset and beyond.

Pothole Prevention: A Geothermal Revolution

Dr. Benny Tsu from Surrey University introduces a groundbreaking geothermal system to prevent potholes. By regulating road temperatures with shallow geothermal energy, Dr. Tsu explains how this...

From housing battles to Christmas trees, the first BV podcast of December is packed! Hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt explore the controversial housing development in West Wincanton to the challenges facing the local food and drink sector—and they dive into the fascinating world of Dorset Christmas tree farming.

Housing Crisis – Growth vs Greenbelt

"Dorset doesn’t need sprawling estates—it needs modest, affordable homes for lo...

From practical advice on scams to thought-provoking discussions on local environmental issues, and talking to a local community nurse – hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt bring you the latest BV podcast

Staying Scam-Savvy

Terry sits down with Rachel Rogers from Dorset’s Citizens Advice, who provides crucial tips on avoiding some of the most common current scams. From investment scams to romance fraud and even sneaky QR code traps...

In this episode of the BV Podcast, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt dive into some of the hottest topics affecting Dorset’s communities. From the housing crisis to farmers grappling with recent policy shifts, there’s plenty to unpack.

Terry and Jenny kick off the podcast with letters from readers – an eclectic mix of perspectives on everything from barn owl chicks to concerns about Dorset Council's “Litter Lotto", as well as...

In this episode of the BV Podcast, hosts Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt bring us conversations with three Dorset locals, each with their own unique story.

Terry speaks with Dr. Michael Fernando, consultant paediatrician at Yeovil Hospital, about his work in Afghanistan. Michael shares how his team navigated complex cultural and logistical challenges to deliver life-saving neonatal training. He reflects on the power of collaboration...

Welcome to the first October episode of the BV Podcast! In this episode, hosts Jenny Devitt and Terry Bennett cover key stories from Dorset.

Covering the most recent political columns, they discuss the economic challenges facing local pensioners and farmers, with MP Edward Morello calling for urgent changes. Ken Huggins explores the issue of electoral reform and political donations.

We also hear from Gary Jackson, who talks about t...

In this episode of the BV Podcast, Terry Bennett and Jenny Devitt explore fascinating local stories from Dorset. Topics include the historical significance of Coker Cloth with Professor Terry Stevens, Jane Adams' adventure with mice in her attic, the alarming spread of Asian hornets with Andrew Livingston, and the inspiring story of James and Lucy Smart’s charcuterie business, The Real Cure, celebrating 10 years of success.

• Co...

As ever for the first episode of the month, we start with Laura's 'letter from the editor'. Then we hear from the local politicans – Terry and Jenny read the latest columns from Ken Huggins of the Green Party, Gary Jackson of North Dorset LibDems and Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset.

In the September BV's equestrian section, Sally Cooper interviewed Charles Church. She asks him about his journey to bec...

This month we hear from farmer Andrew Livingston - frustrated with a new government showing the same poor understanding in their approach to subsisides. Helen Lacey, town mayor and member of the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival committee, fills us in on what's in store for the event this year. 

Terry talks with Phil Silvester, the  chair of trustees of Riversemeet, Gillingham's not-for-profit leisure centre, about the difficultie...

Inside this issue:

After the usual Letter from the Editor, we move straight into the local politicians columns, the first since the General Election...

• Simon Hoare MP talks of feeling 'survivor's guilt'. Ken Huggins of the Green Party is excited by the Green Surge, with more than 2m votes for the Green Party nationwide. Gary Jackson of the LibDems tells of the crisis in Further Education, noting that the sector is currently bot...