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Click here or toggle down for August 2008
John Holman explains the changes here on Farm Radio.
Click on the bale to listen
ANNOUNCEMENT
Seminar - Peter Josling explains the virtues of garlic extract, AllicinMAX
Presented by Steve Stapleton of Wincanton Wholefoods
The Balsam Centre, Wincanton, October 7th at 6.00pm
Tickets £10 to include a finger buffet and a complementary pack of AllicinMax capsules worth £7.45
As space is limited it is advisable to book early. Contact Steve on 01963 31005
Click on the bale to listen
(30/09/08)
Animal Transportation Regulations
Following a stint as an examiner, Caroline Woolley contributes a piece about the challenges presented by the qualifications in regard to animal transportation required by the EU.
Click on the bale to listen
(25/09/08)
Jacky Brayton and Brian Shirley of Wraxall Vineyard
Colleen Jackson visits two people, Jacky Brayton and Brian Shirley, who are new to working on the land and are making a great success of their venture.
Wraxall Vineyard, Wraxall, Somerset, BA4 6RQ Telephone: 01749 860331
Click on the bale to listen
(25/09/08)
Richard Phelps of Southern Counties Fresh Food
Beef is selling well, but in these troubled financial times people sometimes cut back on life's luxuries - is a prime cut of beef one of those luxuries? Richard Phelps managing director at Southern Counties Fresh Foods in Langport tells Geoff Pagotto his strategy for tackling a fickle market place.
Southern Counties Fresh Foods Ltd. The Abbatoir, Langport. TA10 9HG Tel: 01458-254545
Click on the bale to listen
(24/09/08)
Farming in the Lim Valley
An exhibition of farming in the Lim Valley has been on show at Lyme Regis (as advertised on Farm Radio). Staged by retired vet Graham Davies and retired fisherman Ken Gollop, both volunteers at the town's museum, the exhibition has generated so much interest it might go on tour around the area. Margery Hookings spoke to Ken to find out what inspired them to set about their task.
Click on the bale to listen
(19/09/08)
Announcement
2008 Dairy Show, October 1st., 2008 at the Bath and West Showground
The South West Dairy Farm Business of the Year Award 2008 is organised by the Royal Bath & West of England Society and will be presented at the forthcoming Dairy Show, sponsored by Dairy Crest and NatWest.
Six finalists have been announced: W E & J M Jones from Crediton, Devon, R Gibson from Tiverton, Devon, I J Tuckett from Newton Abbot, Devon, J Davis from Shepton Mallet, Somerset, N G & S Loder from Sherborne, Dorset and R & M Parker from Sturminster Newton, Dorset.
For more information:
If you thought you’d not heard much from Farm Radio’s Caroline Woolley lately, that’s because she’s been keeping herself very busy with a new project. She’s been writing articles for the International Sheepdog News for a while now, and over the past 18 months has also been developing her own website, full of information and advice about the care and training of sheepdogs.
So how and why did this self confessed technophobe become a webmaster? Ali Grant visited her to find out.
Click on the bale to listen
(16/09/08)
Announcement from the GM-Free Dorset Campaign
UK GM-FREE BEACONS
SUNSET 20th SEPTEMBER 2008
Beacons, which are at once symbolic of national danger and universal human hope, will be lit simultaneously all over the UK at
sundown on Saturday 20th September. Campaigners will be using the event to highlight the current issues regarding genetically modified organisms, as well as celebrating the passage of another year free of commercially grown GM crops in the UK, a right sadly not afforded to countries where GM contamination is now widespread.
If eating food free of genetically modified organisms, and protecting our environment from irreversible genetic pollution is something that concerns you, PLEASE JOIN US.
The 3rd annual Dorset GM - Free Beacon/bonfire will be lit by local ethnobotanist and author, Anna Lewington on one of Dorset’s most beautiful highspots (with the kind permission of the landowner)
at Stags Barn at the top of Bulbarrow Hill Nr Blandford in North Dorset. Grid Reference; ST792 056 An information tent will enable you to access current independent information and learn about the work of the GM - Free Dorset Campaign.Local GM- Free refreshments will be available from The Farmyard Picnic Café.
(The gathering will go ahead whatever the weather so best bring an umbrella just in case! The site will be reasonably well lit, with one portaloo on site, all dogs must be kept on leads)
100 Years of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation
This year sees 100 years birthday celebrations for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. The BASC is the largest and oldest shooting organization in the UK. It’s been defending shooting and conserving wildlife habitats since it’s inception in 1908. With around 130,000 members shooting as a sport is extremely popular and the BASC is the recognised responsible organization providing help, advice and firearms guidance. Gamekeeping, deer stalking, gun dog training and wildfowling are also areas of interest but its key role is firmly fixed around training. A position that has remained constant over the last 100 years as regional director Jamie Stewart explained to John Burgess.
Also listen to BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) - YOUNG SHOTS
Click on the bale to listen
(15/09/08)
Brymore School Open Day
A new school year has just begun for children all over the country. All of them will be settling into a new class, and many will be getting used to a new school. And for those who’ve just started at Brymore School in Cannington, they’ve got a whole new way of life to get to grips with too. Not only will many of them be boarding, but they’ll be learning a whole range of agricultural and other skills, in addition to the usual school subjects. Boys come from all over the country to have a Brymore education, and Ali Grant spoke to parents of pupils past and present at the school’s recent open day, to find out what makes the place so special.
Previous items about Brymore School on Farm Radio:
Graham Harvey speaks to Bernard Sellick of Brymore School at the Melplash Show, 2004
Margery Hookings visits the Brymore School stand at the Melplash Show, 2006
Pieces made by Brymore pupils for Future Farming Voices
2 part "as live" discussion with pupils, parents and staff at Brymore School
Click on the bale to listen
(15/09/08)
Martin Biss at Kingcombe
Two centuries ago Lower Kingcombe was a thriving hamlet on the banks of the River Hooke, with perhaps 80 inhabitants. By 1985 the population had shrunk to three and most of the buildings were ruins. However, as a result of the very conservative farming methods of the Wallbridge family, the 600-acre Lower Kingcombe estate had been preserved as if in a time warp, and after a tremendous fund-raising effort much of it was acquired at auction in 1987 by The Dorset Wildlife Trust and other individuals and bodies pledged to conserve it.
Margery Hookings talks to Martin Biss, one of the trustees of the Kingcombe Centre, during a country fair to mark the 20th anniversary of the environmental study centre.
Click on the bale to listen
(11/09/08)
Holly Farm
It is true that life never stands still and neither does farming and being prepared to change and think outside the box has saved many a farm from going to the wall. This was certainly the case for Rob and Liz Hembrow, the owners of Holly Farm near Stoke St. Gregory, who while recognising the financial needs of farming also wanted to get their work/life balance right. After managing a demanding herd of best beef cattle, the couple eventually turned their attention to alternative sources of income, including growing and processing straw for thatching and offering holiday lets.
James Harrison went to hear their story.
Click on the bale to listen
(11/09/08)
The Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival has been cancelled due to the poor condition of the field following the excessive rain of the last few days.
11/09/08
Sturminster Newton Mill
On the banks of the River Stour in Sturminster Newton, almost hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the town, lies an historic working mill. It is open to the public from Easter through until the end of September. There's also a Milling Weekend during the Cheese Festival on the 13th. and 14th. of September.
Joss Vining met up with Peter Loosemore, Chairman of the Mill and Museum Society and Mill Supervisor and discovered that this ancient site is well worth a visit. So, if you're coming to the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival (click here to hear a trail for the Cheese Festival), why not combine your visit with a short walk down to the mill.
www.sturminsternewton-museum.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(05/09/08)
Melplash Show - Cattle Judging
As I was in the "Chalk and Cheese" tent for most of the day, I didn't have much of a chance to get out and about at the Melplash Show. However, I did make sure that I got to the cattle judging and I managed to snatch interviews with Colin Hutchins whose young Angus bull swept all before him (figuratively that is!) and Lorraine and Steve Blomfield whose Simmental heifer was reserve champion.
Click on the bale to listen
(04/09/08)
Saturday and Sunday, 13th and 14th September
Entry 10am to 5pm £3 per adult, children under 14 free
Car parking free
Click on the bale to listen
(03/09/08)
Coming Soon - An interview with sustainable building methods expert, Rob Buckley of Dorset Centre for Rural Skills
In the meantime, here is a list of courses being run by DCRS in September
Thurs. & Fri. 11th & 12th - Straw Bale Building - £185 Two days of practical building under cover at DCRS with Rob Buckley. Students will build and example straw bale house while learning the theory of this efficient method of sustainable building.
Fri. 19th. - Welding Day - £88 Anyone can weld! Practical skills in the workshop with arc, gas and MIG welding.
Sat. & Sun. 20th. & 21st. - Greenwood Furniture - £185 Design and make your own hazel chair.
Sat. 27th. - Lime Day - £95 Learn to mix and apply lime plasters, mortars, renders and lime washes. Lime allows your building to breathe and absorbs carbon. It is used for traditional renovations and new sustainable builds.
Sat. 27th. - Blacksmithing Day - £88 A practical day in the forge for beginners. Make and take home your forged metal work.
Sat. 27th. - Earth Paints, Plasters and Pigments - £75 Find out how to source natural materials like clay, lime and milk and make finishes for low impact decorating. Taught by The Natural Decorating Company.
More information and booking: www.dorsetruralskills.co.uk
(03/09/08)
Poem by William Percy Withers - "Memories"
Somerset folk singer George Withers - the uncle of Farm Radio's Margery Hookings, reads "Memories", a poem by his late father William Percy Withers, 1894-1970. Percy fought with the North Somerset Yeomanry in World War I where he saw service in the Somme and lost many dear friends and comrades. When the war ended, Percy took up a farm tenancy in Barton St. David, Somerset, before moving to farm at Donyatt, near Ilminster, in 1920.
Further poems from William Percy Withers:
"The Mendip Hills", "Farewell to Pottery Farm", "The Things I Love", "Yet Another Spring Song"
Click on the bale to listen
(02/09/08)
Would you like to see the name of your enterprise/business/organisation here . . . ?
Contact us to find out what we can offer.
Phil Clarke's Community Archæology Survey
Phil Clarke is spearheading a community archaeology survey in the parish of Stoke Abbott for his PhD.
With the co-operation of farmers Robert Bowditch and George Wyatt, Phil and a small band of volunteers are sifting through thousands of years of history on 50 acres of land not far from the Roman hill fort of Waddon Hill. It’s a project he hopes will be extended eventually across the Marshwood Vale – providing he can generate enough interest from local people to take part. And funding from a philanthropist wouldn’t go amiss either as Phil struggles to manage the project alongside his part-time consultancy work. On an unusually hot summer’s day, Margery Hookings meets him to find out more.
If you would like to get involved in the community archaeological survey, contact Phil on 077 345 29001 or e-mail.
Click on the bale to listen
(02/09/08)
NEWSFLASH (01/09/08) Farm Radio has been shortlisted in the EDF Energy London and South of England Media Awards 2008.
The station is up against BBC Radio Kent in the radio news/current affairs programme of the year category.
Judges assessed more than 250 entries from Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, London, Surrey and East and West Sussex.
Claire Byrd, head of regional media relations at EDF Energy, said: “The judges were really pleased with the number and quality of entries for these awards. “Some categories were a real pleasure to judge. There was a superb standard of work submitted, making some of the shortlists very hard to select.”
Farm Radio representatives have been invited to the awards ceremony, which takes place at London Zoo on October 23.
John and Pauline Bale at Highway Farm
John and Pauline Bale were the third generation to work on the family farm in Mosterton bought by John’s grandfather just before the war. Together with John’s brother, the couple tried to make ends meet with their dairy herd. But with 2 families to support and all their children going their separate ways, they decided to sell up and try something new. So seven years ago John and Pauline moved to Highway Farm at Bridport, where they now run a successful business comprising fishing lakes, B&B and holiday accommodation, and arts and crafts workshops. Ali Grant visited Highway Farm as a felt making session was coming to an end. But first of all John told her more about how their lives have changed since leaving the old family farm.
Pauline’s charity cook book costs £5 and is available by phoning her on (01308) 424321, or contact them by e-mail at info@highwayfarm.co.uk. For more information about Highway Farm’s accommodation, fishing lakes or arts courses, go to www.highwayfarm.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(01/09/08)
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Ex
cereal grower Martin Green is the 3rd generation
of his family to farm at Down Farm just outside Sixpenny
Handley. More recently his 260 acres has been turned over to
sheep grazing as part of the countryside stewardship scheme,
which aims to return the land to the original downland flora
and fauna. But his interest in conservation and the
environment goes much wider, as he’s also an archaeologist.
Over the years he’s made dozens of exciting and important
historical discoveries on his land and other parts of
Dorset. One of these was so exceptional that an episode of
the BBC’s Meet the Ancestors was made about it. Keen to
share his discoveries with others, he set up a museum about
30 years ago, where school groups, archaeological societies
and other interested people can arrange to go and look at
his amazing collection of age old artefacts. Ali Grant and
her family went along to take a look, and found out how
Martin first became fascinated by fossils.
"A
Landscape Revealed: 10,000 Years on a Chalkland Farm"
by Martin Green, Tempus.