The DOMVS Almanac_issue #2_Spring 2021

THE 

DOMVS 

ALMANAC 

At Home in Dorset 

# 002 

Spring 2021

Welcome to The DOMVS Almanac 

ALMANAC noun [ C ] (also almanack) a handbook, typically seasonal, that includes 

information for the year such as important days, weather, traditions, tips and nature. 

We are proud to present issue two of The DOMVS 

Almanac, which brings to you our highlights of living 

in Dorset. With each new season, we will share with 

you the hidden gems of our beautiful county, from our 

favourite countryside walks and the best places to go for 

the freshest seafood, to one-of-a-kind shops that aren’t 

to be missed and inspiring local creatives. Read on to 

find out how to make the very best of your home, your 

garden and your mind, body and soul. 

From the purveyors of the most scrumptiously tasty 

treats, to the most talented designers, decorators, 

and stylists, we’ve partnered with independent Dorset 

businesses who are incredibly passionate about where 

we’re from and what we do, and we’re all here to help 

you feel at home in Dorset. 

To discover more about the beautiful Dorset home 

pictured here, read on...

Eight bedrooms | Four entertaining spaces | Tennis court | Natural lake | Approx. 6.24 acres | £2,250,000 

Upwey, Dorset | Contact Tim Grainger: 01305 757300 

Historic home, exclusive living 

Approx. 8.5 acres | Outbuildings and paddock | Successful kennels | Five-bedroom home | Guide price £1,395,000 

Portesham, Dorset | Contact Tim Grainger: 01305 757300 

Rural living, income potential 

In association with 


domvs.co.uk 

domvs.co.uk 

3 4

Our Partners 

Inside this Season 

Our partners comprise some of the best producers 

Dorset has to offer, all independent businesses founded 

and located in Dorset, brought together to promote not 

only each other, but the glorious lifestyle and products 

our unique county has to offer. 

3, 25 & 49. Dream homes from DOMVS 

7. Sculpture by the Lakes: FORM Exhibition 

9. Real nappies for good from Loving by Nature 

29. Get a taste for Langham Wine Estate 

31. Relax mind, body and soul at Medusa Apothecary 

33. Eat chocolate, save the world with Chococo 

We are always looking for exciting and innovative 

new partners, so if you fit the bill and would like to be 

involved, please get in touch. 

11. Introducing Mr Fish 

13. Time for cake with Dorset Ginger Co. 

37. Discover your inner mermaid with Dorset Dips 

39. Take a seat at the table with Cameron Furniture 

Director 

Polly Greenway 

15. Mind medicine from Primrose’s Kitchen 

17. Wild new styles at Foxy by Design 

41. Moving tips to take care of your brood from NEST 

42. Create beautiful spaces with Purbeck Candles 

Almanac Secretary 

Lucy Cole 

lucy.cole@domvs.co.uk 

19. Spring skin solutions from Sarah Dale Aesthetics 

21. Indulge yourself with Rosemary Rogers Catering 

43. 1968accessories; stylish and supportive 

45. Save the world one roll at a time with Naked Sprout 

On the Cover (and above) 

Custom House Quay, Weymouth Harbour, courtesy of 

EBIKE CAFE @ Deheers. Visit ebikecafe.co.uk 

Editorial & Design 

Charlie Ryan 

charlie.ryan@domvs.co.uk 

23. Go Dutch at EBIKE CAFE @ Deheers 

27. Introducing Laura Evans Artist & Printmaker 

47. Sammie McFarland in search of tranquility 

51. DOMVS presents an opportunity not to missed 

5 

6

Top Form 

FORM - The Sculpture Exhibition; a unique event coming to Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorchester 

‘FORM - The Sculpture Exhibition’ at Sculpture by the 

Lakes near Dorchester will feature some 200 pieces 

of both indoor and outdoor sculpture from some of the 

country’s top sculptors – making it one of the biggest 

sculpture exhibitions in the UK. 

This impressive new event will feature more than 100 

large-scale outdoor sculptures installed across the 

sculpture park’s stunning 26 acres of lakes, rivers, 

gardens and woodlands. Among the breathtaking works 

to be displayed will be pieces by globally-celebrated 

artist Philip Jackson, known in particular for his many 

public commissions, such as the Bomber Command 

Memorial in London’s Green Park and the statue of 

Bobby Moore at Wembley Stadium. Also featuring will be 

Adam Binder, a previous winner of the David Shepherd 

Wildlife Artist of the Year award and a member of the 

Society of Wildlife Artists; and Gill Parker celebrated for 

her equine and wildlife sculptures forming part of many 

public, private and royal collections. 

Bronze sculpture artist Nicola Godden will be adding 

another exciting element to the festival. Her most recent 

large, bronze sculpture, ‘Icarus’, was created for the 

Olympic Village for London 2012, and she is now working 

on a new, large-scale ‘Falling Icarus’ sculpture for ‘FORM 

- The Sculpture Exhibition’, where the finished piece 

will be displayed publically for the first time. As the 

grounds play host to large outdoor works, the Sculpture 

by the Lakes indoor exhibition spaces - The Gallery 

by the Lakes and The Retreat - will come alive with a 

wide variety of gallery sculptures, including pieces by 

Paul Harvey, celebrated for his sought-after sculptures 

of birds; the subtle, pared-back animal sculptures of 

Stephen Page; and the abstract works of Mark Beattie. 

The park and botanic gardens will offer visitors 

wonderful woodland and garden walks around the lakes 

and alongside the River Frome. There will also be the 

opportunity to explore the indoor exhibition areas 

(which, combined, make up the largest gallery space in 

the county), and stop for drinks, lunch or dinner at the 

award-winning café. 

Some 14,000 visitors are expected to flock to this rare 

event, where art-lovers will not only be able to view a 

wide range of sculptures in a stunning, natural setting, 

but also purchase the exhibits, which will range in price 

from £1,000 to £300,000. The event has been curated 

by Simon Gudgeon, an acclaimed sculptor and owner 

and founder of Sculpture by the Lakes at Pallington near 

Dorchester. Simon said: 

“The way sculpture interacts with its environment, 

changing with the light, the weather, the seasons, means 

that where you experience it is vitally important. Putting 

large scale sculptures in a museum or gallery diminishes 

their power, but in a beautiful, natural environment, that 

power is restored; they come alive. That was one of the 

reasons I started Sculpture by the Lakes many years 

ago, and why I am putting this event together now. This 

is something I have been thinking about for years now, 

and I am thrilled to be seeing it come to fruition. It is a 

rare and special opportunity for sculpture-lovers to see 

and enjoy the works of some of the best sculptors from 

across the UK together in one place for the first time. It 

is going to be truly spectacular.” 

Alongside ‘Form – The Sculpture Exhibition’, which 

runs from 30th March - 16th May, will be ‘The Garden 

Festival’, taking place in the final week from 12th - 16th 

May. This five-day event will feature more than 30 

exhibitors, showcasing everything to do with the garden, 

from plants to tools to garden furniture. Alongside the 

exhibits will be expert talks and tours of the stunning 

park with its botanic and kitchen gardens, which were all 

created by head gardener and co-founder of Sculpture 

by the Lakes, Monique Gudgeon. Monique has said: 

“As our many visitors have told us over the years, 

visiting Sculpture by the Lakes is as much about the 

gardens and the beauty of this setting as it is about the 

sculptures. The two go hand in hand; I have designed this 

landscape to best showcase the sculpture, just as Simon 

has been inspired by this setting in the work he has 

produced. It seemed right that a gardening event would 

sit well alongside a sculpture exhibition here, reflecting 

our twin passions and celebrating everything that makes 

Sculpture by the Lakes so special.” 

Tickets for ‘FORM – The Sculpture Exhibition’ will be 

priced at £12.50, which is the standard price of entry 

to Sculpture by the Lakes. For more information visit 

gallerybythelakes.co.uk/form 

7 

8

Real Love 

Charlotte 

Loving of Loving by Nature on 

why we need more real nappie shops 

Since opening my shop doors two years ago, I have been 

pleased to see many more cloth nappy shops either in 

the pipeline or opening up all over the UK. The main 

driver in my opening Loving by Nature was to spread 

the word about reusable nappies and provide accessible 

advice for anyone wanting to make the switch. I can’t 

claim to be the first cloth nappy shop to open though. 

Nappy Ever After in Hackney and Plush Pants in Oxford 

have been open for several years, as well as Naturally 

Baby in Leamington Spa. There are also a number of 

small stores that have always stocked one or two cloth 

nappy brands, although not their main focus. 

The reason I think we need more bricks-and-mortar real 

nappy shops in the country is simple. Whilst online retail 

is brilliant, immediate and accessible, I truly believe that 

if we want reusable nappies to become mainstream, we 

need to be able to see them up close, in the flesh, in real 

life stores across our towns and cities. This isn’t to say 

that using cloth is complicated, but there is no denying 

that when faced with all the options online, it can be 

dizzying and confusing without being able to see how 

things work in real life. Personally, I am a very touchyfeely 

person and always feel nervous before clicking 

‘buy’ online when I haven’t any prior experience of the 

product. With something as seemingly alien as cloth 

nappies, buying online can seem all the more risky – 

especially for first-time parents. 

With a physical shop, we are able to open our doors 

to anyone passing by, which also means that people 

who weren’t necessarily looking to reuse might find us 

too. This is vital if we are to break through the barriers 

of what is considered ‘normal’ and get real nappies 

on more bums across the country. At the moment, if 

you want to use real nappies, which thankfully more 

and more people do, you need to be quite active 

and determined in seeking out sources online and 

researching and finding groups you can attend locally 

for advice and support. 

It has been great to see many supermarkets jumping 

on board and stocking some popular real nappie brands 

recently. While they might be able to offer knock-down 

prices that a small shop never could, what you can’t get 

from the supermarket, however, is specialised, informed 

advice from someone truly passionate and experienced 

in what they are talking about. This means someone 

buying their first cloth nappies from a supermarket 

may end up ditching the idea if they find they don’t get 

on with the particular brand they’ve been trying. So, 

while cloth nappies in supermarkets is a fantastic step 

in the right direction, I would still urge anyone keen 

to give cloth a try to seek the advice and support of 

your local, independent distributor. What you also get 

from a specialist shop is the opportunity to return if 

something isn’t working for you. You’ll get more tailored 

advice, the chance to keep learning as you go, as well 

as the opportunity to become part of your local cloth 

nappy community, should you wish. Plus, they’ll be a far 

greater variety of options available to you. 

Cloth nappy focussed shops are still a rarity, although 

with the soon-to-open Friendly Eco in Bristol, the Real 

Nappy Café in London and The Nappy Workshop in 

Surrey, plus more and more popping up at markets and 

events around the country all the time, I am hopeful that 

sometime in the near future we may have one in every 

town – I would love to open more myself! That said, it is 

not an easy gig. Reusable nappies are no cash cow, and I 

can assure you that anyone doing this is doing it for the 

passion, because they truly believe in the need for it, 

and not because they want to make their millions. If we 

can make enough to keep a roof over our heads, we’re 

happy to keep providing this much-needed service to our 

communities - and the environment. 

Loving by Nature is open from 10am to 2pm, Tuesdays 

to Saturdays and can be found at De Danann Centre, 27 

London Road, Dorchester, DT1 1 NF. You can also find out 

more online at lbndorset.com 

9 

10

When the Boat Comes In 

Introducing ‘Mr Fish’, Kevin Hanger; fresh, local fish direct to your door 

You could say I’ve always loved the sea, from fishing 

as a boy to enjoying spearfishing around local areas 

and further field later in life. Having spent 22 years 

working in the building industry, I found myself looking 

for a change. Someone told me when you do what you 

love you’ll never work again, so I followed my dreams 

and, three years ago, became a commercial fisherman. I 

invested in a boat, took and passed all the qualifications 

to become a captain, and never looked back. Even the 

early mornings and 12-hour days can’t put me off! 

My boat, Shearwater, is docked in Weymouth Harbour, 

and I primarily fish for bass and shellfish. All my fish 

is sustainably line caught and, although I sell to the 

market, I find it most rewarding to sell fish to my fellow 

Dorset residents. 

You can contact me via Facebook at facebook.com/ 

MrFishDorchester, via Instagram at @mrfishdorchester 

and on 07841 878334. Orders are always welcome and 

you’ll receive the freshest fish delivered to your door. 

11 

10

Sugar and Spice 

All things nice: The Dorset Ginger Company’s ginger drizzle cake 

Ingredients: 

For the cake: 

• 60ml Dorset Ginger Co. Extra Strong 

• 200g/7oz softened butter 

• 200g/7oz caster sugar 

• 200g/7oz self-raising flour 

• 3 medium eggs 

• Couple of cubes of crystalised ginger cut into small 

pieces (optional) 

For the ginger icing: 

• 2 tbsp Dorset Ginger Co. Extra Strong 

• 200g/7oz icing sugar 

• Couple of cubes of thinly sliced crystalised ginger 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Line and 

grease a 1lb loaf tin or a 20cm/8” cake tin. 

2. Place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and 

beat until light and fluffy. 

⁣ 

3. Whisk in the eggs a little at a time. If the mixture 

starts to curdle, add 1 tbsp of flour. Use a metal spoon to 

fold in the rest of the flour. 

4. Add the 60ml Dorset Ginger Co. Extra Strong and stir 

well. Add the chopped up crystalised ginger at this point, 

if you are using it. 

⁣ 

5. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin. Bake in the 

centre of the oven for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer 

inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. 

⁣When it’s risen, golden and shrinking from the tin, 

remove the cake from the oven and prick it all over with 

a cocktail stick at least 20 times. 

⁣ 

6. Drizzle it with more Dorset Ginger Co. Extra Strong. 

Allow it to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then carefully 

remove it from the tin and transfer to a cooling rack. 

⁣ 

7. Once the cake is completely cool, mix up the 2 tbsp of 

Dorset Ginger Co. Extra Strong with enough icing sugar 

to make a thick paste. Drizzle this over the cake, then 

decorate with thinly sliced crystalised ginger. 

dorsetginger.ltd 

13 

20

Soul Food 

Founder of Primrose’s Kitchen, Primrose Matheson, shares her top mental health hacks 

The state of our mental health defines us. It mobilizes 

or demobilizes, which is why staying on top of it is 

so important. As someone who has always found it 

hard to stay motivated during the winter months, I am 

constantly exploring methods, foods and techniques 

which can be actioned at any time of the year. Here, I 

talk about some of them in order of their importance in 

my own life. 

Cold water 

Having grown up on an island, the sea has always been a 

big part of my life, and swimming in it very normal. The 

feeling one got from those swims was always uplifting, 

recalibrating and refreshing. Skip forward and I am now 

living on Dartmoor. Whilst only 40 minutes from the 

sea, it is no longer possible for me to enjoy a daily dip, 

so I have been looking for other ways to incorporate 

the power of cold water into my life. Up until the end of 

October (just before my son, Wolf, was born), my partner 

and I would go to a favourite river spot in the morning 

and dunk ourselves before facing the day. I have always 

found river water even more punchy than the sea due to 

its lack of salt, which has a warming effect on the skin. 

More recently, I have been fully embracing the Wim 

Hof Method and swapping the river for cold showers 

accompanied with deep breathing. Wim Hof’s belief 

system, with which I fully resonate, is that, over time, 

our relationship with the world we live in has changed. 

Our lifestyles have disconnected us from the natural 

environment. Because of this disconnection, our ageold 

survival mechanisms are no longer triggered and 

we’ve lost touch with our inner power. His method is 

about reconnecting with nature, ourselves, and others. 

Alongside his love of the cold, Hof has developed a 

breathing technique which, he claims, helps with a huge 

array of dis-ease due to its anti-inflammatory effects in 

the body. Where there is inflammation, there is usually a 

lack of oxygen. This is similar to the ancient practice of 

yogic breathing techniques known as pranayama, which 

has shown to decrease stress, lower blood pressure, 

and improve immunity. Hof claims utilising cold therapy, 

breathing techniques and one’s commitment can 

positively help grant us increased energy; better 

sleep; reduced stress levels; heightened focus and 

determination; increased willpower; and a stronger 

immune system. I can definitely vouch for this, as can so 

many of his disciples. 

Incline walking 

Over the last five years, I have really become addicted 

to a good incline. I wanted to understand why it feels 

so much better to walk a shorter distance uphill than 

a longer distance on the flat. Whilst I believe there is a 

mental satisfaction in overcoming the challenge of an 

incline and reaching the top of a hill - like a metaphor 

for the challenges we face in our lives - I feel there is 

also a physical reason why I like it. In discussing this 

with a serious running friend of mine, I learnt that uphill 

walking uses the same motor patterns as running. It 

places an intensity on the cardiovascular system that is 

almost equivalent to running, and higher than walking on 

flat terrain. This increased intensity leads to improved 

heart and lung function with a decreased risk of the 

development of heart disease. If, like me, you are not 

a fan of running, this is the perfect middle ground, so I 

encourage you to find a good hill near you. 

Food as medicine 

First things first; keeping your blood sugar level stable is 

the first step to maintaining a good mood and reducing 

the likelihood of feeling tired, irritable, and depressed. 

To do this, we must eat regularly and choose foods that 

release energy slowly. Serotonin is often talked about 

in relation to making us feel happy, but it also helps 

regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit 

pain. About 95% of your serotonin is produced in your 

gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is lined 

with one hundred million nerve cells - or neurons - so it 

makes sense that your digestive system also guides your 

emotions. The function of these neurons and, therefore, 

the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, is 

highly influenced by the billions of “good” bacteria that 

make up your intestinal microbiome. These bacteria 

play an essential role in your health, helping you absorb 

nutrients from your food and boost your immunity. In 

short, when it comes to diet, anything we can eat to 

support a healthy gut is going to help us feel good on all 

levels. 

Kefir and sauerkraut provide beneficial bacteria to 

support your gut. Gut bacteria needs fibre to flourish; 

apples and peas are excellent examples, providing good 

insoluble and soluble fibre. Chicory, which makes a great 

addition to salads, provides prebiotics to feed the good 

bacteria. Fatty acids from high quality hemp and olive 

oil provide potent anti-inflammatory effects to support 

gut health. One of my favourite snacks is almonds, and 

studies show almonds possess probiotic qualities. In 

addition, Vitamin D is crucial for brain development and 

health, so incorporating Vitamin D-rich foods into your 

diet is a great idea. These are foods like egg yolks, oily 

fish and nettles, which help regulate mood and stave off 

low feelings. Interestingly, people living in areas of the 

world in which they eat a more traditional, varied diet 

including plenty of fermented and no processed foods 

show a lower rate of mental illness such as depression. 

When it comes to health hacks, I think it is best to keep 

them short and simple, so they are memorable and easy 

to implement. These are my go-to mood enhancers and 

feel-good optimizers. The only addition I would make 

to the above is not to forget to interact with others. 

We create great things when we come together as a 

collective and by being a community. Remembering you 

are part of a whole is key. We are not on our own. We all 

have a valuable role to play in the great plan of life, even 

if we might feel like we haven’t yet discovered what it is. 

To find out more about Primrose’s Kitchen, visit 

the website at primroseskitchen.com, or find us on 

Instagram at @primroseskitchen and on facebook at 

facebook.com/PrimrosesKitchen 

15 

16

Wild Thing 

Take a walk on the wild side with 

Foxy By Design 

Stepping out of the darkness and into spring makes 

this one of our favourite times of year. Our spring 2021 

collection is a true reflection of this, full of bright colours 

and exotic animal prints. Conjuring images of tropical 

climates, sandy beaches and crystal clear blue skies, with 

zebras, leopards, parrots, you name it, this season we 

have it. All guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, it’s 

just what we need right now. 

Use the code FOXYLOVE to receive 10% off your entire 

order. For foxy tips and to shop the collection, visit 

foxybydesign.co.uk 

Window Dressing 

Misty Glass Dorset sheds a whole new light 

At DOMVS, we’re lucky enough to sell some of the 

most beautiful homes in Dorset, many of them historic 

or listed buildings. When in need of a little TLC, the 

restoration or replication of period features within older 

homes often requires the specialist skills of traditional 

craftsmen - enter, Misty Glass Dorset. 

Misty makes stunning stained-glass panels for windows 

and doors and has installed them in properties 

throughout Dorset. Having started her business on the 

dining room table of her home in Weymouth, Misty now 

works in her own studio, where the views across the sea 

towards Portland fill her with inspiration every day. 

After 20 years spent renovating properties with her 

husband in Oxfordshire, Cornwall and France - where 

they spent eight years converting a traditional barn into 

a fabulous home - Misty and her family returned to 

England to work on a Victorian property in Weymouth. 

The gift of a stained-glass course for her birthday 

changed everything. 

Misty now has a wonderful workshop filled with every 

colour and texture of glass you could think of. Her 

hand-made, bespoke works hang in the window letting 

in beams of kaleidoscopic colour. “I love glass, I can get 

totally lost in every detail. Then, after soldering all the 

lead together, I get to enjoy the magic of being the first 

person to hold it up to see how the light brings it to life.” 

Misty takes commissions for replacing stained glass as 

part of renovations, and creates bespoke door plaques. 

To speak to her about your stained-glass project or 

ideas, email mistyglassdorset@gmail.com or call 07756 

466868. You can see all her latest work on Instagram at 

@mistyglassdorset 

17 

18

Spring Skin Solutions 

Enjoy more choice when you visit Sarah Dale Aesthetics 

Spring has well and truly sprung and hopefully, by the 

time you read this, we will be open for business once 

again. It’s been a tough few months for us all, but here 

at Sarah Dale Aesthetics (SDA) we have tried to use 

our time wisely by creating new services which offer 

convenience and flexibility for our clients. We have 

invested in two new machines to ensure we continue to 

bring you the most advanced skincare and non-surgical 

treatments in the area. 

Our new online shop, launched this January, has proved 

extremely popular. Clients have found the service quick 

and efficient, and it has attracted the attention of lots 

of new customers who, having found us, have since been 

making enquiries about our treatments. You can find the 

shop at sdaonlinestore.com 

Our clients are increasingly looking for long-term skin 

health and pro-aging solutions. Healthy skin looks 

youthful and boosts confidence. With advanced, ethical, 

and non-surgical treatments, the body can regenerate 

itself naturally, rather than results only being achieved 

by a more aggressive approach, such as surgery or the 

use of injectables. Our clinicians work with clients to 

develop bespoke treatment plans, encouraging them 

to think about skin health as part of a wider lifestyle 

choice, looking beyond the quick fix and, instead, being 

excited about long-term results. 

Among other things, clients want to repair damage from 

the past, particularly sun damage and red veins; reduce 

lines and wrinkles; and improve the appearance of 

scarring, stretch marks and cellulite. Skin rejuvenation 

results using our ever-popular Intense Pulse Light (IPL) 

laser and Nd-Yag continue to delight clients, whilst many 

others return regularly for the wonderful Venus Freeze 

and Lipofirm face and body treatments. Results include 

lifting and tightening, stimulation of collagen production, 

muscle tightening, and fat and cellulite reduction. 

Our IPL permanent hair removal system is a gentle, 

non-invasive treatment that can be used on all areas of 

the body for both men and women. Sarah (owner and 

founder of SDA) comments: 

“Demand for this service remains high and, despite 

the challenges of the last year, we want to provide our 

clients with the safest and most effective results. Our 

new medical grade, high-power Diode Laser has recently 

arrived in the clinic. This most innovative device delivers 

fast results and is safe for all skin types with minimal 

sensation. This new machine joins our other laser 

technologies to offer the best solutions for your skin and 

unwanted hair concerns.” 

Our third new offering is the award-winning Dermalux 

Tri Wave, a medical LED light treatment for face and 

body. It’s another great solution for skin rejuvenation, 

acne, eczema, redness, dermatitis, open pores and so 

much more. We have a portable version of this device, 

the Dermalux Flex, available and have been hiring this 

out to clients who have continued their treatments in 

the comfort of their own homes. Please contact us for 

pricing and hire options. 

All our clinicians offer complimentary consultations. 

Check out our website to find out more, or follow 

us on social media for special offers, skin care 

recommendations and education. We look forward to 

welcoming you to our clinic soon. 

sarahdaleaesthetics.com 

facebook.com/sarahdaleaesthetics 

E. info@sarahdaleaesthetics.com 

T. 01305 269220 

19 

25 20

Let Them Eat Cake 

Rosemary Rogers’ invites you to try her Chocolate Drip Cake 

Throughout the year, I make birthday cakes for the staff 

of various businesses in Dorchester. One of the enduring 

favourites is the Chocolate Drip Cake. I thought it would 

be fun to share the recipe and ask you to send photos of 

your creations to rosemarywdt2@gmail.com. I’d love to 

hear your thoughts on the recipe too, which is adapted 

from one by Mary Berry. 

Tips for success: 

• When you open the door and place the cake tins 

inside, the temperature of your oven drops. To 

counteract this, turn your oven on in good time, so 

the entire oven can reach the correct temperature 

before you need it. 

• Use exact measurements for ingredients. 

• Using room temperature eggs will mean the yolks 

and whites combine more easily, ensuring an even 

bake. 

• Check your raising agent. If it is old it will not have 

enough oomph. 

Ingredients: 

For the cake: 

• 225g softened butter 

• 225g caster sugar 

• 4 large eggs 

• 225g self-raising flour 

• 2 level teaspoons baking powder 

• 2 tablespoons of good quality cocoa powder 

For the butter icing: 

• 200g unsalted butter 

• 400g icing sugar 

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 

• 2/3 table spoons cold water 

For the chocolate ganache: 

• 150g dark chocolate, chopped 

• 100g butter 

1. Pre-heat your oven to 165˚C. Prepare 3 x 6-inch 

loose-bottom cake tins by lightly greasing them, placing 

a circle of baking parchment on the bottom, and lightly 

dusting the sides with flour. 

2. Place all the cake ingredients into a mixing bowl and 

beat for two minutes. 

3. Divide the mixture equally between the three tins. 

Place the tins on the centre shelf of the oven and bake 

for 25 minutes. 

4. Remove from the oven and leave to rest in the tins 

for five minutes, during which time the cakes will shrink 

from the side of the tins. Turn the cakes out onto a 

cooling rack. 

5. To make the butter icing, sieve the icing sugar and 

cocoa powder into a mixing bowl and stir to combine. 

6. Add the butter and approx. a tablespoon of cold 

water and beat using a whisk until combined. Gradually 

add more water as required to loosen the mixture to an 

easily spreadable consistency. 

7. Once the cakes are cold, use a knife or spatula to ice 

the top of one cake layer. Carefully place the second 

layer on top and ice it, then place the third layer on the 

top and ice that one. 

8. Finish by icing around the outside of the cake, then 

place in the fridge to cool while you make the chocolate 

ganache. 

9. To make the ganache, put the chopped chocolate and 

butter into a glass bowl and heat slowly either over a 

saucepan of shallow, boiling water or VERY carefully in 

the microwave. Stir regularly and be careful not to burn 

the chocolate. 

10. Once melted, stir the mixture one last time to 

combine, then pour the melted ganache onto the top of 

the cake. Use a knife to push it gently over the edge to 

create the drips. 

11. When it comes to decorating your cake, let your 

imagination run wild! Berries, biscuits, individual 

chocolates and slabs, shards or shavings of chocolate all 

make excellent toppings. Store your cake in the fridge 

until you’re ready to serve. 

facebook.com/RosemaryRogersCatering 

21

Go Dutch 

EBIKE CAFE @ Deheers would like you to 

meet the Knaap two-seater 

Spring is in the air, and EBIKE Cafe @ Deheers on 

Custom House Quay, Weymouth has just become 

the very first local partner of the coolest and most 

innovative eBike in the cycling market. The Knaap twoseater 

eBike out of Amsterdam provides more people 

than ever before with the opportunity to use cycling for 

physical and mental health and wellbeing. 

The brand new Knaap two-seater, pedal-assisted eBike 

can carry up to 28-stone (180kg). This means that 

any type of rider, young or old, large or small, can now 

enjoy cycling with all the physical and mental health 

benefits associated with outdoor exercise. The Knaap 

bikes provide a powered motor in the rear wheel to 

give a level of assistance that helps the rider reach a 

maximum speed of 15 mph whilst gently spinning the 

pedals, meaning that almost anyone, of any level of 

fitness, weight and ability can ride these bikes. 

The great benefit of the Knaap bikes, in particular, 

is that they are road legal for carrying two riders, 

meaning commuting back into work could soon look a 

lot different. They have the largest battery in the eBike 

industry; enough to carry one rider over 80 miles and 

two riders north of 30 miles at speeds of up to 25 kmh. 

Knaap Bikes were recently awarded the ‘Innovation 

from a Newcomer’ in Cycling Industry BikeBiz Awards, 

voted for by UK independent cycle retailers. The bikes 

have been described by industry insiders as “The most 

Instagramable bikes ever” and, in one glance, you can 

see they have combined retro with supercool, to appeal 

to every age group. They even say, “If Steve McQueen 

was alive today, you could see him riding one of these.” 

If you’re looking for a cool ride around town that’s as 

good for your street cred as it is for the environment, 

then the EBIKE Cafe has the answer. With its clean lines, 

urban style and impressive features including a unique 

two-seater base, the Knaap bike has taken the eBike 

market by storm, grabbing the attention and custom of 

some of the world’s leading sports stars, leisure brands 

and entertainment names. Peter Claxton, Co-Owner of 

EBIKE Cafe, tells us more: 

“We are really excited to be teaming up with Knaap 

Bikes and giving our customers the chance to own one 

of the world’s coolest eBikes. I know the bike is going 

to be a big hit locally, among both our die-hard cycle 

enthusiasts and our customers looking for a stylish and 

environmentally-friendly way of getting around.” 

Combining the best qualities of traditional and electric, 

this Dutch brand is cornering the market of cool with a 

bike that answers the needs of the new eBike generation 

wrapped up in a tough urban shell. 

Key features: 

• Battery large enough to carry one rider 86 

miles/140km or two riders over 30 miles 

• Battery recharges from zero to full in 6 hours 

• Five levels of pedal assist with seven-speed gears 

• Superwide 20” x 4” tyres give unparalleled stability 

and ride comfort 

• Long length saddle designed for comfort for two 

riders, with rear seat foot pegs 

• Fully road legal with 25 kmh limitation 

• Zero emissions 

• Price tag of £2,299 and available in Matt Black and 

Space Grey 

To “Meet the Dutch” eBike taking the world by storm 

and book a test drive* of a Knaap Bike, please contact 

Peter or Josephine at the EBIKE Cafe, Weymouth on 

01305 786839. 

EBIKE CAFE @ Deheers is open seven days a week, 

from 10am to 4pm, on the ground floor of Deheers, 9A 

Custom House Quay, Weymouth, DT4 8BG. Find out 

more at ebikecafe.co.uk 

*Please note all store visits and test drives will be organised in line 

with the Public Health England Covid Guidelines. 

23 

24

Brand new home | Four bedrooms | Three bathrooms | Two reception spaces | Garden and garage | £695,000 

Charminster, Dorset | Contact Tim Grainger: 01305 757300 

Contemporary living, village location 

Six bedrooms | Two bathrooms | Two reception spaces | Kitchen/diner | Garden and garage | Offers over £600,000 

Charminster, Dorset | Contact Greg Carter: 01305 757300 

Period home, village living 



25 

domvs.co.uk 

domvs.co.uk 

26

Light and Shade 

The natural journey of Dorset contemporary 

artist, Laura Evans 

In the back of The Picture Frame Workshop in 

Wareham, you’ll find the studio gallery of Laura 

Evans, contemporary abstract artist and printmaker. 

Having worked for ten years as a consultant within 

environmental archaeology, Laura fell in love with 

printmaking after taking part in a day workshop run by 

a local artist. It was here that she discovered the fine 

art technique of ‘collagraphy’, which involves building 

up a printing plate from materials, and knew she had to 

pursue it. 

What is a collagraph? 

In short, a collagraph is a form of printmaking, which 

involves building up a printing plate like a collage 

with materials such as seeds and paper. The plate is 

then hand-inked, buffed to remove excess ink, and 

pulled though an etching press under dampened 

paper, resulting in an image being printed on the 

paper. It is impossible to ink the plate the same way 

every time, making each print unique. 

Fast forward to 2016, when the previous owner of the 

framing shop suggested – while framing some of her 

workshop pieces – that Laura apply for a Purbeck Art 

Weeks Bursary. Laura’s successful application led to her 

being awarded the full bursary, which enabled her to buy 

much-needed printmaking materials and push forward 

with her career. 

Following her first successful Purbeck Art Weeks 

exhibition at Rollington Barn, Laura took her collagraphy 

further by developing a way of printing on fabrics, and 

thus created her first lampshades. The fabrics used - all 

unique and handmade by Laura - are a labour of love. 

The fabric has to be washed and ironed multiple times 

during the process. The inking and printing of the plate 

can take several hours, and the printed fabric then takes 

up to a week to dry. It is then adhered to a special shade 

backing and transformed into a beautiful lamp. 

In the winter of 2016, Laura was invited by Sophie Dixon, 

owner of Seasons Green, Corfe Castle, to take part in an 

exhibition and display her prints and lampshades 

together for the first time. Following this (yet another 

success), Laura enlisted the help of a local woodturner 

to create beautiful and unique bases for her lamps, 

made from locally-sourced Dorset wood and finished 

with brass fittings and custom-coloured cords. 

In late 2018, Laura discovered painting and, in 2019, had 

her work accepted into the South West Academy of Fine 

& Applied Arts Open Exhibition at Exeter Castle. Later 

that year, having seen her work, the new owner of The 

Picture Frame Workshop, Jon Brooke, offered Laura the 

opportunity to share the shop space with him. Delighted, 

Laura spent Summer 2020 gradually setting up her 

gallery space (having been delayed by the pandemic). By 

September, she had a fully working studio too. 

Now working from the very shop that helped kickstart 

her career, Laura knows the true meaning of coming ‘full 

circle’. Thrilled to be part of Purbeck’s thriving artistic 

community, she is looking forward to welcoming people 

to her studio gallery and running printmaking workshops 

this summer. 

Laura offers a bespoke design service, creating colour 

match samples and working with clients in their 

homes to create beautiful lampshades and cushions to 

complement existing decor. All of Laura’s fabrics are 

handprinted in her studio, where she creates original, 

bespoke pieces for the home. She is currently working 

on designs for handprinted upholstery fabric. Influenced 

by her background in environmental archaeology, 

Laura’s paintings are inspired by textures, colours, 

shapes and the movement of the landscape around her. 

Her work is an emotional response to this environment, 

an attempt to express the sense of connection between 

land, sea and the forces between them. Laura often 

uses mixed media – oils, acrylics, pastels and mark 

making – to create the shapes and forms she sees in the 

landscape. Her gallery features the work of other local 

artists and makers as well her own paintings and prints. 

To find out more about Laura and her work, visit her 

website at lauraevansartist.com or find her on Instagram 

at @lauraevansartist and Facebook at facebook.com/ 

LauraevansArtistPrintmaker 

27 

28

From Bud to Bottle 

Fiona Wright offers a mouth-watering insight into the sparkling world of Langham Wine Estate 

Tell us about the back story of Langham Wine Estate. 

How and why did you get started in the wine business? 

Langham Wine Estate began its life as a passion 

project of the father of our Managing Director, Justin 

Langham; he’d planted a small hobby vineyard. Justin 

took this idea and developed it, choosing to plant vines 

at Crawthorne Farm, which is one of the farm sites that 

makes up the Langham Agricultural Enterprise. The 

vines were planted in 2009 after much research into 

which site would be best to plant on and which grape 

varieties would work best. 

What is it about your Dorset location that makes for an 

award-winning sparkling wine? 

Our site at Crawthorne Farm has a number of benefits. 

Hedgerows and trees all around the vineyard provide 

natural shelter from the prevailing south-westerly winds, 

and a habitat for a diverse range of animals. The native 

buzzards provide one of the best deterrents to small 

passerine birds that eat the ripe grapes. The field where 

the vines are planted is on a south-facing slope, which 

not only ensures maximum sunlight exposure, but also 

aids drainage of cold air during early spring, reducing 

the likelihood of frost damage to young shoots. The 

vineyard sits on layers of Jurassic and Cretaceous chalk 

and limestone strata, the same as those in areas of the 

Champagne region of France, which is obviously one of 

the most famous sparkling wine regions in the world. In 

the Aube region of Champagne, in Sancerre and Chablis, 

they have Kimmeridgian and Portlandian soil, names 

which may sound familiar to us here in Dorset. So our 

terroir really is perfect for growing the classic grape 

varieties that have historically done so well in France; 

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. 

What is your winemaking style? 

At Langham, we make our wine in the ‘Traditional 

Method’, the same way they do in Champagne, where 

the second fermentation - to create the bubbles - is 

done in the bottle. We follow a low-intervention style 

of winemaking, meaning we try to add as little as 

possible and let the grapes sing for themselves. If we 

were to make a comparison to France, our winemaker, 

Tommy Grimshaw, aims to emulate the smaller growerproducers 

of Champagne rather than the big Champagne 

houses. We don’t use commercial, lab-grown yeasts to 

ferment our wines, instead we use the natural yeasts 

that are found on the grapes and in the winery. This is 

a riskier and slightly slower method of fermenting, but 

we have found, over the past few years, that using this 

method helps to produce a much more complex product. 

We also don’t fine or filter our wines at all, which means 

that they happen to be veggie and vegan friendly. 

Another way in which we differ from a number of 

producers in the UK at the moment is our use of oak. 

Some wineries will use 100% stainless steel tanks 

for their ferments, but we also use old oak barrels to 

ferment some of our juice. By using our range of oak 

barrels from Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux, we 

can add yet another layer of complexity to our wines. We 

don’t make our wines to a specific recipe, but instead 

create as many different parcels of wine from our 

harvest. The winemaking team then do a lot of tasting 

from each individual barrel and tank, and then decide 

what proportion of each will go into making our five 

different sparkling wines. The juice that is fermented 

in stainless steel will bring fresh, crisp fruit flavours, 

whilst the oak-fermented juice will take on some subtle 

characteristics from the barrels, plus it will be exposed 

to a bit of oxygen, which will soften the flavours. This 

works particularly well here in England where we have a 

cool climate and are producing fruit that has quite a high 

acidity. Another way we soften and round out the acidity 

is by putting all of our wines through a process called 

malolactic fermentation, which converts tart tasting 

malic acids into softer lactic acid. All of these processes 

go towards making the best quality, most complex, 

honest products we can from our site. 

Do you have a favourite wine from the Langham range? 

My personal favourite at the moment (it changes 

dependent on the day/mood/season!) is the latest 

incarnation of our Culver Classic Cuvée, which has 

just been released. Our two classic cuvées, Culver and 

Corallian, are both a blend of the three grapes we grow, 

but each has different proportions. The Corallian is 

Chardonnay dominant, with just a touch of the two black 

grapes in the blend; whilst the Culver is Pinot Noir and 

Pinot Meunier dominant with just a bit of Chardonnay 

in the blend. This latest incarnation of the Culver has 

such an exciting, expressive flavour. On the nose, you 

get delicious floral notes, along with hints of buttery 

croissants and raspberry jam. It’s an amazing example of 

the complexity that our winemaking and vineyard teams 

can achieve through all their hard work. I am a big fan of 

pizza and deli boards, and this wine goes really well 

with those kinds of foods, whilst our Corallian would be 

perfect with some fresh Dorset seafood. 

What is the most rewarding thing about your job? 

I would say, for me personally, seeing all the hard work 

and dedication that goes into each bottle and being 

able to share that story with consumers. We are such 

a small team here at Langham and everyone pitches 

in and helps out. It’s amazing to see the journey of 

our products from the tiny buds which appear in April 

through to harvesting the grapes in October, then 

bottling the wine for its second fermentation the 

following summer. It’s a long process full of nail-biting 

moments to create a bottle of exceptional sparkling 

wine, and it’s a joy to be able to share that process and 

passion with our customers. 

Are you open for tours and tastings? 

We reopened for tours and tastings on Wednesday 14th 

April and are so happy to be back. Our on-site café has 

reopened for lunches and picnics as well, so you can 

enjoy a full day out when you come to Langham. 

How/where can people buy your wine? 

Our wine is available to purchase direct from our 

website at langhamwine.co.uk and we deliver anywhere 

in the UK. We also sell our wine in a number of amazing 

local farm shops and independent wine stores. You can 

follow our wines’ incredible journey from bud to bottle 

on Facebook at facebook.com/langhamwinery and on 

Instagram at @langhamwinery 

29 30

Good for the Soul 

Press your reset button at Medusa Apothecary, Dorchester 

At Medusa Apothecary, we believe there is no time 

like the present when it comes to becoming more 

sustainable, ethical and in-tune with the elements 

that make up the environment in which we live and 

the substance of our being. During the first lockdown, 

we created ‘The Elements’, Medusa Apothecary’s 

signature therapies. Created out of love just for you, 

‘The Elements’ have been designed to ground, rebalance, 

energise and instil an ultimate sense of well-being within 

your very core. Your journey begins with the selection 

of an affirmation rune that will be interwoven in your 

therapy and drawn onto your body in magical tree 

essences. A hand-blended mix of herbs is then smudged 

to purify you, the tools and the space. All elemental 

therapies are tailored with pre-blended oils and essences 

to your affirmation and chosen element. At the end 

of your journey, all treatments are concluded with a 

bespoke mix of herbs and flowers in a tea infusion. 

Earth - to ground and centre. 

A clearing of barriers between body and earth to 

ground you and make you feel more present and ‘in the 

moment’. We begin with an exfoliation of the legs 

and feet followed by a full body mud mask, wrap and 

weighted blanket (like a great big muddy hug). After 

showering away the mud, you’ll enjoy a full body 

massage to pummel away your stresses and strains. 

Air - like walking on fluffy clouds. 

This bespoke treatment will revitalise your legs and feet. 

By using a combination of hand-blended products, we 

will cleanse, tone and nourish your pins and tootsies, 

leaving you feeling like you’re walking on air. The Air 

treatment includes a brisk body brush followed by a salt 

scrub up to the glutes. After the scrub, your feet will 

enjoy a nourishing treatment with heated booties. This 

will conclude with a lower body massage with a specially 

selected blend of ‘air’ infused oils. 

Fire - to clear the dead wood. 

If you’re seeking an invigorated version of yourself, this 

will help you shed your yesterdays and emerge anew. A 

brisk full body scrub (mixed just for you with a unique 

recipe of essential oils) to buff away dead skin cells is 

followed by a hot stone massage to nourish, tone and 

centre. 

Water - to reshape and hydrate. 

A blissed-out upper body treat. Wash away your stress 

with an Ayurvedic hydro-dhara essential oil infusion 

trickled slowly onto the scalp, followed by a divine Indian 

head massage to erode the troubles that ail you. Our 

targeted facial massage will lift and smooth, using our 

West Country-created lotions and potions to nourish and 

rebalance. This wonderful facial treatment is topped off 

with a blow dry to make you look as fabulous as you feel. 

Spirit - love your beautiful self. 

Spirit is a full mind, body and soul treatment. We 

smudge to remove any negativity before realigning your 

chakras to encourage a smooth flow of energy through 

your body’s meridian pathways. You will experience a full 

body massage using rose essentials oils, crystals and 

the healing power of touch to realign, comfort and uplift. 

A truly blissful experience help you to realise a more 

beautiful you. 

In line with the WEF’s ‘Great Reset’ (the rebuilding 

of society and the economy in a more sustainable 

way following the COVID-19 pandemic), we at Medusa 

Apothecary are doing everything we can to ensure 

we make minimal impact on our environment while 

adhering to pandemic restrictions and maintaining the 

highest standards of health hygeine. Our hair salon 

uses products that are ethical, have recycled and 

recyclable packaging and are concocted with crueltyfree, 

‘nasty’-free, organic and biodynamic ingredients. 

We are also a proud member of the Green Salon 

Collective, meaning we recycle our hair clippings to help 

clean up petrochemical spills; compost our aluminium 

foil and colour tubes to create new metals; and our 

colour waste is spun into its different compounds and 

repurposed. When it comes to the PPE required during 

all treatments, we use only compostable hair gowns, 

gloves and cleaning materials. 

To book your treatment, please call 01305 260888 or 

email orders@medusa-apothecary.co.uk and we will be 

delighted to curate a treatment plan just for you. To 

find out more about all the treatments we offer, visit 

medusa-apothecary.co.uk 

31 

32

A farmer stands next to a cocoa sapling in Leuser National Park, Sumatra 

The Jungle VIPs 

Chococo Co-Founder, Andy Burnett, explains how chocolate is saving Sumatran orangutans 

Since December 2018, Chococo has been proudly 

supporting the work of the Sumatran Orangutan Society 

(SOS). Fellow Dorset-based business, Lush, has been 

supporting SOS for many years. They kindly allowed 

us to adapt their orangutan soap mould to create a 

chocolate version, which we christened ‘Tuan’, meaning 

‘Sir’ in Malay. For every chocolate Tuan sold (and 

Tuantoo, his vegan counterpart), we send £3.50 to SOS, 

who have recently confirmed that our contributions 

to them have now funded a total of 5,401 cocoa tree 

seedlings to be planted in Sumatra. 

By supporting the work of SOS, we are helping them 

re-forest areas of rainforest destroyed by illegal palm 

oil plantations. While Chococo never has or will use 

palm oil in our chocolate, it is, sadly, present in a lot of 

industrially produced chocolate. There are only c14,000 

Sumatran orangutans left in the wild, and we simply 

cannot stand by and watch the disastrous effects this 

intensive monoculture is having on both their habitat 

and the climate. Re-wilding by planting trees is a global 

challenge for which we are all responsible, and we want 

to do something positive to help. 

As SOS say, “Orangutans spend their lives in the trees. 

Deforestation is the greatest threat to their survival, 

so protecting and restoring their habitat is absolutely 

crucial. We are working with frontline partners to 

protect the last standing forests in Sumatra, and restore 

damaged ecosystems. The ecosystem restoration 

programme is operated by our partners, the Orangutan 

Information Centre (OIC), with a team of local staff and 

farmers. The restoration sites are located within the 

Leuser ecosystem, a protected area, and are repairing 

damage to the forest caused by illegal activities – 

primarily the clearing of forest for oil palm plantations. 

As well as restoring lost habitat and reinforcing national 

park boundaries, these projects engage local people 

in grassroots conservation action. Strong roots in the 

community are absolutely essential for this work to 

succeed, and the groups we work with have become the 

guardians of the forests, protecting the ecosystem from 

future threats.” 

The damage that is done to the local ecosystem is 

captured in this quote from a local farmer who is now 

one of the guardians of the forest, “When the forest 

was replaced with oil palms, the water dried up for 

miles around. Since embarking on the restoration of the 

ecosystem, our rivers have returned and we 

can once again hear bird song. We are committed to 

protect Leuser from any further damage.” - Pak Baron, 

Protectors of Leuser. 

We are helping the team at Bukit Mas Permaculture 

Centre (BPC) on the edge of Leuser National Park in 

the north of Sumatra to plant cocoa saplings. This 

100-hectare, formerly an oil palm plantation, is now in 

the hands of conservationists and permaculture experts. 

The oil palm trees have been cut down, and work is 

well underway to turn this piece of land into something 

wonderful. Bukit Mas, which means ‘golden hill’, is being 

re-planted with indigenous tree saplings and important 

cash crops such as chillies, aubergines and other 

vegetables. In the nursery are more exotic crops such as 

patchouli, ylang-ylang and now cocoa, for local farmers 

taking part in OIC’s permaculture training programme. 

Planting cocoa trees is just part of a wider project by 

SOS to work with local communities. As the health 

and prosperity of the people of Sumatra are linked 

to the fate of the forests, SOS aims to develop both 

conservation action plans and sustainable livelihoods. 

The planting of cocoa saplings provides a long term 

additional income stream for local farmers, and helps 

discourage the destruction of forests for the short-term 

profit of growing palm. 

This is also a long term project for Chococo. It takes 

five years for cocoa trees to mature enough to produce 

cocoa pods. Only then can the pods be harvested for 

the beans inside, which, once fermented and dried, 

are processed and turned into chocolate. According to 

the OIC team in Sumatra, orangutans love the taste 

of freshly picked cocoa. They break open the pods to 

expose the sweet, white flesh surrounding each cocoa 

bean, which tastes like citrussy lychee - we can confirm 

it is indeed delicious. We look forward to continuing to 

build relationships with the SOS team, their partners 

and farmers, and to being able to buy cocoa beans from 

them to make officially orangutan-approved chocolate. 

To learn more about SOS and to support their work by 

purchasing your very own chocolate Tuan, please visit 

the Chococo website at chococo.co.uk 

You can also find us on Instragram at @chococochocolates 

and on Facebook at facebook.com/ChococoChocolates 

33 

34

Solid Gold 

Chococo Goldies from Chococo Co-Founder 

Claire Burnet 

Serves four to eight. 

Equipment: 

• 22cm square cake tin lined with greaseproof paper 

Ingredients: 

• 200g plain flour 

• 1 tsp baking powder 

• 1/2 tsp sea salt, crushed 

• 200g light soft brown sugar 

• 175g unsalted butter, melted 

• 2 large eggs, beaten 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

• 140g gold chocolate buttons (or white chocolate 

buttons if you can’t get gold) 

• 50g dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa solids), chopped 

• 25g cocoa nibs or chopped nuts e.g. pecans/walnuts 

(optional) 

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C 

2. Melt the butter in a bowl in the microwave (in short 

bursts to prevent burning) or in a pan on a gentle heat, 

then set aside to cool. 

3. Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl, add the baking 

powder and salt and stir to combine. 

4. Add approx. 80% of your chocolate buttons and nibs/ 

nuts to the mixture and stir in. 

5. In a separate large bowl, whisk the cooled melted 

butter and sugar together by hand using a balloon whisk. 

6. Add the beaten eggs and vanilla extract to the butter 

mixture and whisk by hand until all blended and slightly 

lighter in colour. 

7. Add the flour to the wet ingredients and gently fold in 

using a wooden spoon or spatula. Do not beat or work 

this too much - gently does it! 

8. Pour the batter into your prepared tin. Sprinkle the 

remaining chocolate buttons and nibs/nuts on top of 

the batter and gently press them in using the back of a 

metal spoon. 

9. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. A skewer 

should come out mostly clean, but if you prefer a firmer 

more cake-like consistency, cook it for a few minutes 

longer. 

10. Leave to cool before cutting into slices. It will make 

12 to 16 slices depending on how hungry your hordes are. 

For more tantalising Chococo recipes visit chococo.co.uk 

35

Big Dippers 

Tessa Kelly extols the ethereal wonder of 

open-water swimming 

I truly believe in the healing power of nature and the 

magic that the sea and cold-water swimming bestows on 

our mental and physical health. The moment you bravely 

take the plunge into cold water your focus has no choice 

but to be exactly on that moment in time, releasing all 

other thoughts and worries into the waves and bringing a 

rare, salty sense of perspective and freedom. It provides 

the invaluable chance to breathe, reset and connect with 

your beautiful surroundings when life gets overwhelming, 

as it often does. It is the ultimate mindfulness practice, 

away from the screens, struggles and anxiety of 

everyday life. 

The sea and open water swimming have helped me 

overcome so much. I started Dorset Dips with the desire 

to share the experience in the hope it might provide 

release for other people too. I love to explore the 

amazing Dorset coastline and am proud to call it home. 

It’s a pleasure to share my favourite swim spots with 

likeminded dippers and meet up with them in the cold 

water. We are spoilt for choice here in Dorset; from the 

long, sandy stretches at Weymouth, Bournemouth and 

Swanage, to the winding roads that deliver us down to 

Eype, Seatown and Burton Bradstock, and the beautiful, 

hidden bays of Kimmeridge, Warbarrow, Lulworth and 

Worth Matravers. When I’m in the water, each one feels 

like the most special place in the world. Every time I 

swim, I decide on a new favourite. 

Last year I was proud to become a Mental Health Swims 

host. This amazing community of volunteers offers peer 

support groups and cold-water swims in safe, nonjudgemental 

environments across the UK. Our Mental 

Health Swims group is free to join and meets at 9am on 

the first Saturday of every month in front of Cafe Oasis, 

Bowleaze Coveway, Weymouth. All dippers are welcome 

to stick around afterwards for a piece of cake and a quick 

beach clean - to give a little back for our swim. The aim 

is simply to enjoy a dip with company, and there’s no 

pressure to get or stay in for any length of time. All are 

welcome whether a swimmer, bobber, diver, toe-dipper or 

starfisher - the sea doesn’t judge! 

All swimmers are responsible for their own safety, so 

it’s vital to know and stay within your limits. The most 

important aspect of open water swimming is to stay safe 

and respect the sea at all times. It is a force of nature 

and, much like our moods and feelings, is sometimes less 

welcoming than others. Do your research, join a group, 

and know your limits so you don’t put yourself or others 

around you at risk. My top tips for swimming adventures: 

• Be prepared; check the weather, tides and entry/exit 

points in advance 

• Never swim alone if inexperienced, and always let 

someone know where and when you’re going and when 

you get out 

• Wear a brightly coloured swim hat and tow float to 

ensure you can be seen 

• Never dive in; enter the water slowly until you have 

control over your breathing and have acclimatised 

• Lay out warm, dry and easy-to-put-on clothes in the 

order you’ll put them on, ready for when you finish your 

swim 

• Know your limits; start slow and small 

• Enjoy! Nothing beats that sparkly, post-swim moment 

when it feels like there’s glitter running through your 

veins - and the obligatory cake that follows 

In the summer months when restrictions are lifted, I 

will be offering free coaching and ‘introduction to cold 

water swimming’ sessions for anyone who would like 

to have a go, but doesn’t know where to start, or would 

like some company to begin with. If you’d like to ask any 

questions or join our Mental Health Swims group for a 

dip, please contact me at tessa-kelly@outlook.com or 

via the @dorsetdips Instagram. You can also check out 

mentalhealthswims.co.uk for details of all the Mental 

Health Swims meets around the country and the amazing 

community they’re building. 

37 

38

Man of the Woods 

Spotlight on: Jason Cameron Furniture 

Grange Gallery is home to the workshop of renowned 

bespoke furniture maker and designer, Jason Cameron 

of Cameron Furniture. Together, Jason and his wife, 

Esme, built their Cedar Barn to house Grange Gallery, 

Cameron Furniture, and Esme’s art studio. Jason has 

been located on site for over 20 years. His clientele 

ranges from individual private clients to interior 

designers, and he has worked with royalty on several 

occasions. 

Cedar Barn provides Jason with the perfect set-up to 

host and consult with clients, showcase his furniture 

and homeware collection, and design and manufacture 

in his workshop. He designs and produces his own line 

of high-end bespoke furniture and a range of homeware. 

Jason’s work is influenced by the strength and simplicity 

of Japanese design and architecture, the Art Deco 

movement, and the works of Le Corbusier, Rennie 

Mackintosh and Gerrit Rietveld. Jason is regularly 

commissioned to design and make one-off pieces of 

fine furniture, often influenced by his signature style or 

working specifically to a client brief. He is renowned for 

his highly skilled craftmanship, his unique, contemporary 

style and his use of modern and traditional techniques. 

We’ve take the opportunity to speak to Jason about his 

inspiration, his craft, and what a client can expect when 

commissioning a bespoke piece of furniture: 

How did you become a furniture designer and maker? 

I was inspired by my father, who worked from his 

workshop in the garden making rocking horses and 

furniture. I studied Product Design, BA (hons), at 

Birmingham City University. After applying to The 

Princes Trust, I was awarded a start-up grant to set 

up my own bespoke furniture design and manufacture 

business, and I have been doing it full time ever since. 

What do you enjoy most about being a furniture 

designer and maker? 

I love working with wood and enjoy the variety and 

diversity that my work brings. I do feel privileged to 

be able to design as well as make. Each client brief is 

different, which is refreshing, as I enjoy tailoring each 

piece to fit with them. As well as furniture, I really enjoy 

designing and making my range of homeware products. 

The challenge of where design meets functionality is 

something I relish. 

What can clients expect from the commission process? 

Commissioning a piece of bespoke furniture is an 

incredibly special journey for both client and maker. It 

is a very personal experience during which a client’s 

vision is realised and turned into reality. As a designer, I 

am able to collaborate with my clients, or I can interpret 

their ideas and requirements. The result is a unique, 

individual piece of custom furniture that a client can 

proudly own, and that future generations can enjoy for 

years to come. 

Jason’s work is available to purchase at Grange 

Gallery or online at cameronfurniture.co.uk To book 

a consultation with Jason to discuss a commission, 

please email info@cameronfurniture.co.uk or call 01929 

553942. 

Cameron Furniture, Grange Gallery, Grange Road, 

Creech, BH20 5DG 

39 

40

Nurture, Educate, Support - Together 

NEST explains how to help the whole 

family enjoy a stress-free move 

Moving house can be daunting for anyone, especially 

when you have little ones in tow. Here at NEST, we 

are passionate about supporting families and working 

alongside each and every client to ensure we find a 

solution which is right for you. If you have a house 

move coming up or know someone who does, then 

hopefully the following tips will help. As an Early Years 

Consultancy, we look after the whole family, so we feel 

it is really important to first mention a little top tip for 

parents and carers: 

• Be sure to make your bed soon after arriving in your 

new home (whatever time of the day it is), so you 

know you’ve got somewhere comfy to go at the end 

of the day. There is nothing worse after a full-on day 

of unpacking than suddenly remembering you have 

to find the bed sheets and make the bed before you 

can relax. 

Here are some tips to make the transition of moving 

house easier on your little ones: 

• If you are able to decorate the house before moving 

in, it is worth sorting your child’s room as a priority 

to ensure they have a welcoming, safe space to which 

they can retreat. 

• Before moving house, introduce a room spray 

or scent, so when you do move, your child’s new 

bedroom will have the same familiar, comforting 

smell as their old one. 

• The same goes for your little one’s bed as your own; 

it’s always worth prioritising getting their bed ready 

for them, especially if they still take daytime naps. 

• Prepare an easily-accessible bag of toys for the 

children to keep them occupied on moving day. 

• If you know someone who can look after your 

children for the day or take them out for a walk, 

book them in. Not only will it provide children with 

a distraction and the full focus of at least one adult, 

but it will also offer you some respite time. 

• If your little one attends nursery, school or a 

childminder and it is feasible for them to attend on 

• moving day, then this is always a good option. 

• If your child is old enough to understand what is 

going on, provide them with honest, age-appropriate 

information to make them feel involved. 

• Be prepared for routines to go out of the window and 

don’t be hard on yourself if this does happen. You will 

soon be able to pick them up again once everyone’s 

settled in. 

NEST is a private Early Years Consultancy Service 

offering bespoke support to families with children aged 

0-5 years. NEST works closely with you and your family 

in a nurturing and non-judgmental way to support you in 

your child’s early years. NEST is proud to have a strong 

ethos ensuring every family receives a service which is 

confidential, informative and exclusively tailored to their 

individual needs. 

If you would like to chat with NEST about making a 

more tailored moving plan to suit your family, please 

don’t hesitate to get in touch via our website at n-est. 

co.uk or by phone on 07825 308570. You can also find 

us on Facebook at facebook.com/NESTchildren and on 

Instagram at @nest.children 

Beautiful Spaces 

Experience a new way of life with Phaedra 

Radstock’s award-winning Purbeck Candles 

Beautiful Spaces by Purbeck Candles; almost a year 

in the making, a concept conceived during the first 

lockdown, when our homes became even more central 

to our way of life. This stunning range of candles and 

diffusers was created to enhance specific areas of 

our living space. A collection of fine fragrances for 

the home, each blend has been carefully crafted using 

pure essential oils. The first four blends include Living 

Space; this could be the area of your home where you 

congregate, entertain (a concept we will, hopefully, be 

able to enjoy again soon) or simply where you feel most 

relaxed. Alternatively, choose from Pamper Space, 

Serene Space or my favourite, Cosy Space. 

Released in early March 2021, the Beautiful Spaces 

range is available to buy online, where you can also learn 

more about our range of natural home fragrances and 

keep up to date with new releases by subscribing to our 

mailing list. Visit purbeck-candles.co.uk 

41 42

Styled for Good 

Style and charity from owner of 

1968accessories, Caroline Gray 

Based on the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, 1968accessories 

specialises in handmade, contemporary fashion jewellery 

and accessories. Launched in March, my new collection 

of make-up bags has been created in support of 

domestic abuse charity ‘SafeLives’. 60% of all sales of 

the make-up bags will be donated directly to the charity. 

This project came about due to what happened on 23rd 

March 2020; my birthday and - far more seriously - the 

start of lockdown. For most of us, the year that followed 

has been a tough one for one reason or another. One of 

the most shocking things to have come to light since 

then, however, is the steep rise in domestic abuse. A 

year that has been simply boring for some of us has 

been frightening and dangerous for far too many more. 

In April 2020, I started to make face masks for care 

workers, and by the summer, was also selling them 

online. I try hard to operate 1968accessories as a near 

zero waste company, reusing any scrap fabric I can, 

which is how the idea for the charity make-up bags was 

born. With the help of my mum, all the fabric scraps 

left over from the making of face masks were turned 

into new lengths of patchwork fabric. My decision 

to turn them into make-up bags was inspired by the 

heartbreaking reality that women so often use makeup 

to hide the visible signs of abuse. I chose to support 

‘SafeLives’ charity as they help all victims of domestic 

abuse including men. You can visit their website at 

safelives.org.uk 

More details about this project and SafeLives can be 

found on my website at 1968accessories.com/blog. On 

a positive note, I look forward to seeing you in the shop, 

where you can enjoy 20% off your first order by using 

the code ‘Dorset’ at the checkout. 

43 

22

Roll with It 

Meet Naked Sprout, the Dorset-based company saving the world one roll at a time 

Based on Portland and delivering to your door, Naked 

Sprout is the first company in the UK to offer naked and 

unbleached bamboo toilet roll. Reducing deforestation, 

their soft, sustainable toilet rolls provide an eco-friendly 

alternative with no unnecessary packaging. 

Normal toilet roll contains numerous chemicals including 

bleach, BPA, formaldehyde, de-inking agents, chlorine 

dioxide, sodium sulphide, sodium hydroxide, sodium 

sulphate, anti-slime agents, filler, adhesives, wet 

strength enhancers and more. It poisons waterways, 

damages the environment and is bad for human health 

and wildlife. 

The Naked Sprout solution is simple; zero bleach, zero 

plastic, zero chemicals. Their plastic and chemicalfree 

toilet roll is made from 100% natural unbleached 

bamboo with absolutely no additives. Passionate 

about offering a sustainable alternative with less 

environmental impact, Naked Sprout plans to make a 

difference. By making a small everyday change to the 

products we buy, like toilet roll, we can all help make a 

difference. 

“At Naked Sprout, we saw the damage regular toilet roll 

has on the environment. We are passionate 

about offering a sustainable alternative with less 

environmental impact. Together we can make a 

difference.” Tom Whelan, Founder 

Why bamboo? 

• Fastest growing plant in the world (Guinness World 

Record) 

• Absorbs five times more carbon dioxide than trees 

• Produces 35% more oxygen than trees 

• Requires no pesticides or fertilizers 

• Grows naturally - only needs rainwater 

• Harvestable within four-six years. Trees take 30-60 

years to mature 

Keen to do as much as they can, Naked Sprout 

have partnered with ‘Just a Drop’, a charity that’s 

transforming lives - one box of Naked Sprout toilet roll 

at a time. Each box sold gives a child in Kenya access 

to safe water at school for one year. By supplying safe 

water to a school, children are able to stay in school and 

receive the education they deserve. Frequently, children 

have to walk for hours to fetch water to bring to school, 

resulting in missed lessons, dehydration and fatigue. 

In over 30 countries ‘Just a Drop’ transforms lives by 

implementing sustainable clean water, sanitation and 

hygiene solutions. Supporting over 1.5 million people 

worldwide. 

Details 

• 100% virgin sustainable bamboo 

• No chemicals, bleach or plastic 

• Same cost per sheet as leading brands 

• Free delivery 

• Extra long rolls - 300 sheets 

• Soft 3-ply 

• 9, 24 and 48-roll boxes available 

For more information and to buy online, please visit 

nakedsprout.uk You can also find them on Facebook at 

facebook.com/nakedsprout.uk and on Instagram at 

@nakedsprout.uk 

45 

36

Rest Assured 

Sammie McFarland explains the 

importance of a little regular R&R 

Over the last 12 months and more, we have all been on 

a roller coaster of change and adaptation. ‘Familiar’ and 

‘routine’ may have been harder to achieve. For those 

of us who are creatures of habit, it has been a steep 

learning curve. A common trend of discussion has been 

lack of energy. It is natural to think about increasing 

sleep to combat low energy, but have you considered 

the power of rest, and did you know there are different 

types? Think of rest as a battery recharge. 

We have all been powering through the weekly pandemic 

challenges with our brains continually ticking, busy 

considering how we can overcome the next hurdle. We 

have asked our bodies - and our minds - to continually 

adapt, morph and pivot. It is a lot. How often do you pop 

your mobile phone on charge throughout the day? Have 

you considered your body might benefit from the same? 

Restorative activities and rest contribute to balanced 

wellbeing. Prioritising a recharge can improve energy 

levels and quality of sleep. Rest can be passive or active. 

By practising both, we can work towards a truly rested 

state. 

Press ‘pause’ - plan short rest breaks in the day, stroll 

around the garden while the kettle boils, listen to bird 

song or music that you find relaxing. 

Brain dump - take those thoughts out of your head and 

pop them in a notebook where you can revisit them if 

needed. 

Tune out - it is okay to retract into your shell now and 

again, close your eyes, switch screens off, hit the mute 

button, or use noise-cancelling headphones in busy 

environments. 

Get creative - the process of creativity can be 

energising, get back to basics and make a mood board 

from scraps of pretty things that inspire you. 

Restorative movement - change the focus to wellbeing 

rather than fitness and enjoy movement that nourishes 

both body and mind. 

Be authentic - stop people-pleasing and start expressing 

yourself authentically. Answer honestly when asked how 

you are. 

Reconnect - with nature, community, spirituality. Feel 

the dewy grass beneath your toes, walk barefoot in the 

sand, laugh with friends (even if it must be on Zoom) and 

allow time for self-reflection. 

Let’s look to shift our focus and achieve a balanced 

wellbeing that extends beyond shape and size. 

*Please discuss ongoing concerns with your doctor. 

Sammie Mcfarland is a Pilates & Wellbeing Coach; 

Holistic Core Restore® Coach; Sports, Scar & Pregnancy 

Massage Therapist; and a Core Fascial Release Therapist. 

To find out more, please visit sammiemcfarland.co.uk or 

find her on Instagram at @sammiepilatesandcore and on 

Facebook at facebook.com/pilatesandcore 

47 

36

Solid Investment 

Associate Director of DOMVS Lettings, Debbie Turner, on why 2021 represents an unparalleled 

opportunity for investing in property 

Example kitchen 

Example reception room 

Brand new home | Four bedrooms | Three bathrooms | Garden and garage | Central Wareham | £825,000 

Wareham, Dorset | Contact Alison Owens: 01929 555300 

Historic town, contemporary living 

49 

domvs.co.uk 


The property market today is one with unparalleled 

opportunity for those wishing to let their 

property. We merely need to analyse a few key metrics 

to gain a better understanding of this unique and 

unprecedented environment. 

Massive decrease in available properties to let 

At DOMVS, we have seen an average of 76% decrease in 

available properties on the market to let, based on the 

same period last year. This has had a colossal impact on 

the rental market, given the unprecedented demand of 

people looking not only for a new home, but also a new 

lifestyle – and not just in our lovely county of Dorset, but 

across the UK. 

Dynamic shift in demand 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our society has 

experienced a dynamic shift in culture as more and more 

people have found themselves working from home. As 

businesses evolve and adapt, they experience a shift 

from an office-based culture to a remote environment, a 

theme expected to continue for the foreseeable future. 

Family pressures 

As one can imagine, this undoubtedly creates 

unexpected pressures on the average family, who 

naturally seek out more space and tranquillity to cope 

with this seismic shift in their day-to-day lives. Dorset, 

51 

with its beautiful beaches and rolling countryside, offers 

an attractive option to many. Naturally, this has driven 

up the demand for homes. 

Specific need for NHS workers – can you help? 

Dorset is also home to the Dorset County Hospital. Due 

to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dorset has seen an increase 

in the number of lettings enquiries from NHS staff 

working in the hospital and accompanying services. 

These NHS staff members are now also having to 

compete for what few properties there are available. 

Many of our NHS clients have had to leave their families 

behind while they wait to find suitable accommodation 

and have had to take up temporary residences while 

waiting and hoping for appropriate properties. 

Contact me 

If you can help – or know anyone else who has a 

property to let – please contact me. Equally, if you 

are thinking about buying a property for investment 

purposes, DOMVS can advise you on every aspect 

needed to ensure the outcome is successful for you. My 

name is Debbie Turner, I have over 30 years’ experience 

in the field, and I will do everything I can to ensure your 

experience of letting a property is a good one. Please 

call 01305 835300, email debbie.turner@domvs.co.uk or 

visit the DOMVS website at domvs.co.uk/lettings

READY WHEN YOU ARE 

If you’ve been thinking of selling or letting, talk to us today 

Mid & North Dorset: 

01305 757300 

Purbeck & East Dorset: 

01929 555300 

South & West Dorset: 

01305 835300 

domvs.co.uk 

In association with

The DOMVS Almanac_issue #2_Spring 2021

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