Dealing with Beetles, green credentials, wild salad, antibiotics and the ArchBishop of Canturbury!

In Farming this month, Dorset NFU County Chair George Hosford discusses dealing with beetle, unseasonal weather and confusing, costly messages from the EA. Rising costs due to the Ukraine war combined with dry weather spell challenges for farmers, says James Cossins, while Andrew Livingston discusses big businesses buying productive farmland to promote their ‘green’ credentials may impact rural communities and UK food security   In foraging, Carl Mintern discusses your current May wild salads while out foraging …and forageable flowers, buds and leaves make gorgeous tissanes, and will always perk up your spice mixes. Great Taste is the world’s largest, most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme - and its home is right here in Gillingham. Long time judge Fanny Charles takes us behind the scenes on testing for this year’s Great Taste Awards Rachael Rowe visited Sprout & Flower, a beautiful flowermonger/greengrocer /deli (with ‘the best coffee for miles’) in Mere, and chatted to owner Sarah Collins After a course of antibiotics, Supplements can help - but nutritional therapist Karen Geary explains the cheapest and the best options are readily available in simple recipes Mental Health Awareness Week is 9th – 15th of May. The theme is particularly relevant as we emerge from the pandemic - it’s loneliness, says Izzy Anwell of Dorset Mind. Wayne Winstone has his usual recommendations of two new reads – this time with a local twist – in Book Corner The Archbishop of Canturbury has every right to comment on political decisions – and politicians must listen, argues Simon Hoare MP Fundamental movement is your body’s unthinking, necessary ‘work out’ as you go about your day, explains expert Mel Mitchell