Category: Rural Matters

The Rural Matters section is a special section sponsored and reserved for the local CPRE.

The CPRE or Campaign to Protect Rural England is a charity set up to help protect the rural countryside.

In this section you will find articles mainly by Rupert Hardy, Chairman, North Dorset CPRE. There are ocaisonally guest writers but always from the CPRE.

We like that the subject matter is wide and varied, from dark skies, to planning, hedgerow maintenance to Fingerposts.

Always something new and always interesting to read. The CPRE’s main aim is to help make the countryside a better place for us all to live.

Local History

St Basil’s mysterious,extraordinary font

The allure of a mysterious Saxon font in Toller Fratrum’s tiny church has fascinated artists for a century, says CPRE’s Rupert Hardy n 1934, the...

Editorial team - 12 September 2024

Property law and finance

Is this the way forward?

Community Land Trusts offer hope for Dorset’s housing crisis, creating lasting, affordable homes in protected landscape, says Rupert Hardy Housing was a major campaign issue...

Editorial team - 6 August 2024

Dorset community news

Dorset’s affordable housing crisis?

Dorset CPRE conference criticises government targets, calling for 1,300 homes a year and increased investment in social rent to meet local needs The provision of...

Editorial team - 5 July 2024

Dorset Farming

The forgotten art of hedgerow life cycles

With new incentives for sustainable farming, hedgerows are crucial – Andrew Livingston talks to hedge expert John Calder ‘Hedges are the single most important ecological...

Editorial team - 5 July 2024

Local History

Badbury Rings: King Arthur’s greatest victory?

North Dorset CPRE’s Rupert Hardy travels through the enigmatic past of the Iron Age fort and its mythical connection to King Arthur Badbury Rings, the...

Editorial team - 22 June 2024

Property law and finance

Is it consistent with policy?

Secretary of State calls in controversial plan for 490 homes outside Blandford – to the delight of North Dorset CPRE Felicity Buchan, Minister for Housing...

Editorial team - 8 May 2024

12 3...9 Page 1 of 9

Bucked in the Yarn

Editorial team - 11 September 20240

Three small Somerset villages had a huge impact on global exploration and trade – Rachael Rowe talks to Professor Terry Stevens “Nothing much ever happened...

Blackmore Vale What's on

Wimborne’s new feast of a festival

Editorial team - 10 September 20240

Wimborne is set to celebrate ‘food, glorious food’ with a brand-new food festival on Saturday, 14th September: events, tastings, demos and talks will be...