The Pocket Rocket, Hen homing, and Somerset’s silicon valley of cheese

As the first episode of the month, it's of course the front section this week – starting as always with Letter from the Editor, then the lead feature stories and this week we've added the current political thoughts (because the way things are, if we wait another week on those they'll be irrelevant!):

• In her letter from the editor, Laura (like us all) is considering the ever-more-worrying cost of living, especially its impact on local independent businesses – and what the BV, as a community resource, is trying to do to help.

• The Pocket Rocket is European Champion! Tiny teenage boxer Ruby Else-White from Stalbridge has won her first European title.

• Do you have room for some girls? Haidy Mansfield talks about the current hen rescue situation in the UK – and she has a hen rehoming day this month.

• For three consecutive years, the Supreme Champions at the Virtual Cheese Awards have come from within five miles of each other, between Templecombe and Wincanton!

• Politics is not a soap opera. A serious sense of purpose and a united, dedicated application has returned, says Simon Hoare MP, who has just one simple word for his constituents.

• It’s time to grab the opportunity and place the environmental agenda back on the top of the To Do list, says North Dorset Green Party’s Ken Huggins.

• The ringmaster has changed, but it’s the same old Tory circus with a worrying downgrade of climate policies, says Labour’s Pat Osborne.

• A general election could re-energise the tired parade of the same old faces and develop a national consensus, says North Dorset Lib Dems’ Mike Chapman.

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