The Dorset Life Podcast

Editor's Letter: The moments that remind us what really matters Laura reflects on the unexpected power of ordinary human kindness – from emotional family reunions on TikTok to the thoughtful letters arriving in the Dorset Life inbox. "The headlines tell us what divides us, but to me, most of the time, the important stuff is still there, connecting us."   The Toad Doctor of Dorset "He realised ther...

This month's podcast features two of the best conversations we've recorded in a long time – one simply delightful, the other genuinely thought-provoking. If you've never dipped into the Dorset Life Podcast before, may I boldly suggest this might be an excellent place to start? Jenny heads to Scarlet's stable to meet land agent and long-distance walker Roger Sewill. It's a wonderfully atmospheric c...

From fire engine funding battles to a fierce defence of rural England (by way of a silk loom), April’s podcast is rooted in Dorset but tackling questions that go far wider.   Editor’s Letter: Who do we trust to decide? Laura reflects on a growing unease – not just about what decisions are being made, but how, and whether the data behind them still holds up. “Communities are increasingly angry that...

From potholes swallowing tyres to planning promises unravelled – by way of a Cornish forger whose story refuses to stay buried – March’s podcast has a few unexpected turns along the way.   Potholes and the Price of Keeping Dorset Moving After one of the wettest winters on record, Dorset’s roads are showing the strain – with pothole reports up 92% and thousands of defects logged. “Nearly 10,000 hig...

From secret Dorset saboteurs preparing for Nazi invasion to the 19th-century TB tests still dictating modern farming,  February’s BV podcast is a deep dive into two stories that will linger long after you’ve listened.   TB Testing and the Farming Treadmill 'We’re not getting anywhere – and arguably it’s getting worse again.' Dorset farmer George Hosford is in conversation with Jenny, taking apart...

It’s the first BV Podcast of the year, and Jenny Devitt’s pulled together a trio of conversation starters from the January issue – from Dorset Council handing over public loos like they’re Christmas cast-offs, to the unexpected emotional power of a well-meant thank you. Editor’s Letter – No pom poms this year Laura Hitchcock skips the usual New Year rallying cry and offers something more honest in...

Land, bees, housing – and a festive rant from 1874 It’s the final episode of 2025, and it’s a belter. The Frustrated Farmer returns: George Hosford says “If you don’t care about the land, you shouldn’t own it.” This month, George is angry – and rightly so. As public support payments disappear and corporate investors quietly sell up, a new crisis is brewing: farmland is being snapped up by those wi...

“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. Then it’s on to the climate. Don’t switch off – this isn’t doom a...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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 remin...

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...

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 ri...

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 you...

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 bri...

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 mi...

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 Episo...

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...

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...

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...

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 nee...

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...

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 Coun...