Well, July has been another whirlwind with Love Local, life on the farm and, of course, the pub!
It’s been a very busy month, with all the judging taking place for the 2026 Love Local Awards. It’s never an easy job at this time of year, as everyone is juggling work, holidays and busy lives, so I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our entrants for taking part.
An even bigger thank you goes to our judges, who have generously given up their precious time to travel around and visit all the businesses. The awards simply couldn’t happen without your support, so thank you all.
One of the highlights of the month was the visit from Their Majesties The King and Queen to Blandford Forum on 16th July. Whether you’re a royalist or not, it was a fantastic occasion for the town and a real opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Blandford so special.
I was incredibly proud to be there alongside Tarrant Valley Honey, South Paddocks, Book and Bucket, From Dorset With Love, The Veg Lady and Sweet Pea Florist, representing our wonderful local producers and businesses.
The very first question The King asked us was, “Are you local?” We were delighted to tell him that we all were. It was a wonderful chance to showcase some of the very best produce and businesses Dorset has to offer. It was certainly a long day, but a real privilege and honour to have been invited.
Back on the farm, harvest has raced ahead thanks to the hot, dry weather. By the time you read this, we’ll have finished in record time. It’s amazing how quickly things can change. The weather also reminds us just how much our climate is changing. It’s something we all have to accept and adapt to. Whether you’re farming, running a business or simply looking after your home and family, we’re all learning to work differently to meet the challenges ahead while continuing to support our communities and put food on the table.
Now that the school holidays are here, I hope everyone can slow down a little, make the most of the sunshine and enjoy spending time with family and friends. After such a busy few months, it’s important to take time to make memories and appreciate the little things. Until next month – thank you, as always, for supporting local businesses.
It really does make a difference.
Barbara Cossins
The Dorset Life Community News section is sponsored by Wessex Internet
