The BV: from the heart of Dorset

“It’s not always visible – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

This month’s podcast starts with Dorset’s hidden poverty – the kind no one likes to talk about, but far too many are living with. Help & Kindness CEO John Sloper explains why it’s everywhere and invisible – and how small, local action makes the biggest difference.

T...

Digs, Disputes and Dorset’s Future Planning battles, Saxon skeletons, public transport woes and a fox-hunting fallout – this month’s podcast covers 1,300 years of rural life, and why the next few weeks could shape the next 30.

 

Editor’s Letter: Not Quite Pumpkin Season Laura reflects on the sudden turn from drought to downpour, the return of green fields, and feels a quiet mourning for al fresco breakfasts and picky teas. Plus, sh...

August’s BV podcast – from lockdown dog imports and unregulated rescues to a planning system stretched to its limits, and the voices still shouting for British farming. Oh – and we turned five. That too.

Editor’s Letter: Five Years of the BV

Laura marks the magazine’s 60th issue with a frank and grateful look back at how it all began – one idea on a hill, one pandemic, two people ... aand a now a nationally award-winning corner...

It’s a summer feast in this month’s podcast – clear water trout, painted stiles, and the life-changing work of a small but mighty Dorset hub.

Editor’s Letter: When July Sneaks Up on You Laura reflects on the time-warp that is early summer – one minute you’re reaching for winter gloves, the next, the garden’s a jungle and the fetes have begun.

“Everything feels compressed and stretched at the same time. Days last forever, but week...

From restoring Shakespeare’s reputation to composing an anthem for a church tower, June’s podcast is all about hidden stories, unexpected legacies and quiet revolutions. It’s a thoughtful listen – and very Dorset.

Editor’s Letter: A Cat Called Bentley

Laura shares the story of Bentley, the anxious, dribbly, slightly battered cat who has joined the household – and the slow work of rebuilding trust.

“Somebody somewhere has hurt him...

From building your dream home out of straw to Dorset Council’s proposed cuts to day care centres, to a fledgling crow who briefly took the internet by storm. May's podcast is as Dorset as ever – practical, thoughtful, and full of heart.

Editor’s Letter: May is the Real New Year

Laura welcomes the season when the long socks are finally left in the drawer, blue glows in the woods, and offers a reminder that now is the time to begin a...

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.

 

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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...