Introducing Melanie Hall | John Randall | Sturts Farm |
 Geoff Pagotto introduces the new NFU South West Regional Director, Melanie Hall who, he finds out, is no stranger to Dorset having been amongst other things a member of the steering group which set up “Chalk and Cheese”, our major source of support in Dorset.  | Celia Messer speaks to John Randall, no stranger to Farm Radio, at the Dorchester Show about his involvement with the show over the years, his writing and his thoughts on successfully showing sheep. |  Sturts Farm lies just outside West Moors in East Dorset. A fully productive agricultural and horticultural enterprise it is run principally for the benefit of the residents, “companions”, who thrive on the opportunity to lead a sociable life whilst making a valued contribution to the community. Ali Grant paid a visit to find out how the place works and to talk to the companions about the effect that being at Sturts Farm has had on their lives.
www.sturtsfarm.com
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Andrew Frampton, Landord (Temporarily) of the White Lion | Dan, part 2 | Ian and Denise Bell’s new farm |
Is there anything our hero farmer Andrew Frampton won’t try. Oscar Wilde, or was it George Benrard Shaw, once offered “Try everything once - apart from country dancing and incest”. Well, Andrew was not going to turn down the chance of running a pub for a while. Margery Hookings gets the whole story down at the White Lion in Broadwindsor. |  Continued from Edition 35, Brigid Hillier carries on her conversation with Dan, perhaps the youngest farmer in the Levels and Moors area. |  Fancy moving farm lock, stock and barrel? Well Ian and Denise Bell, the biodynamic farming couple, had to move out of one tenancy and into a new one. A month on and the dust is just settling. Geoff Pagotto discovered a tired but invigorated couple, full of plans for the future.
www.heritageprime.co.uk
01308 482688
Foxholes Farm
Littlebredy
DT2 9HJ
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Hunt Supporters’ Skittles | Loaders | Robin Page |
| Celia Messes visited a skittles league fixture to hear from the contestants about their determination to keep the hunt supporters’ networks alive and kicking. |  When Al and Nikki Wingate-Saul took over Loaders grocery shop in Sturminster Newton last summer, they decided to leave things as they were for a few months to give customers the chance to get used to the shop’s new owners. But with a passion for fine and loca food - and Al’s family farm just down the road at Lydlinch being well placed to supply the shop with beef - they recently embarked on a complete refit and restock of the shop. Despite the work he’s having to put into the shop, Al also still works on the farm, and Ali Grant visited him at Loaders to find o u t why he’s branched out in this way and what his plans are for the new shop, which as well as changes in stock also include giving it a new name - Holbrooks - named after the family farm.
If you’re a local food producer and would like to see your food being sold in Holbrooks, Al and Nikki would love to meet you at their shop at Market Place, Sturminster Newton . | Outspoken doesn’t seem to quite describe Robin Page. Whatever you may feel about his views there is no doubting his passion for the countryside and rural communities. Celia Messer took the opportunity to interview Robin when he was the speaker at a meeting of the Cerne Sheep Group.
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Holt Agricultural Discussion Club | David Henley | James Webber, Part 1 |
 Ali Grant visited a meeting of the Holt Agricultural Discussion Club to to find out about the history of the group and what the current members get out of it.
Contact: popey1@btconnect.com |  Geoff Pagotto talks to David Henley, principle of Kingston Maurward College, about the developing rôle of the college, its proactive policies and something of his personal commitment. | Continuing with our series of interviews that made up James Crowden’s “Dorset Man” book, here we have the first part of James Webber’s story where he talks about his early days. In his case this means before the First World War! |
