The Final Countdown to Cheese!

Cheddar Chat is BACK — and we’re rolling into Season 2 cheesier, breezier, and braver than ever! In this extended season opener, Donald returns with festival updates, behind-the-scenes gossip, and a warm reflection on last year’s delightfully soggy Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival (yes… that weather). From wellies in the mud to sunshine on Sunday, we look back at the moments that made the 2025 festival unforgettable.This episode includes: ✨ A first look at the 2026 Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival ✨ A celebration of our brand-new festival website ✨ What’s coming up in Season 2 ✨ Updates on community fundraising and local projects ✨ Listener Q&A returns!Whether you're a local, a cheese-lover, a festival regular, or someone who just enjoys a bit of Dorset charm in your ears — this episode has something for you.Grab a brew, grab a biscuit, and settle in for the cheesiest podcast in the West Country.

Rain, mud, and more smiles than you could count – the 2025 Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival had it all. In this post-event round-up, Donald relives a weekend of soggy skies, resilient crowds, and plenty of cheddar.Hear highlights from the Cheese Tent, the Real Ale Tent, live music, and the Kid Zone, plus short interviews with Dorset Blue Vinny, Shanty Spirits, Dorset With Love, James Cheese, Yarty Cordials, the North Dorset Beekeepers Association, Shelter Box, the Rotary Club, and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.We also celebrate the festival’s biggest achievement: over £450,000 raised for local charities in the last decade, including this year’s funding of a new minibus for Yewstock School.It was muddy, it was magical, and it was proof that nothing – not even the rain – can dampen the spirit of Dorset’s cheesiest weekend.And with that… Season One of Cheddar Chat is complete! Don’t worry – we’ll be back with Season Two in January 2026, ramping up the excitement as we count down to another unforgettable festival.Until then – stay curd-y!

 The wait is nearly over! Donald brings you the final big slice of Cheddar Chat before the festival gates swing open. From last-minute tips on tickets, weather, parking and dogs, to family fun in the Kid Zone and a heartwarming look at this year’s charity project, it’s everything you need to get ready for Dorset’s cheesiest weekend.📖 Check out the official event programme here: Festival Programme🎶 Expect music, food, crafts, cider, and of course… mountains of cheese. Plus, Donald reflects on ten years of community giving, with over £450,000 raised for local causes.This is the season finale before the mini-slices begin – snack-sized updates recorded live from the festival field. Don’t miss it!🧀 Stay curd-y with us: 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 🌐 cheesefestival.co.uk

This isn’t just an episode — it’s a full-on foodie adventure. Join Donald as he takes you on a mouthwatering 20-minute tour of the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival, exploring the sights, smells, and tastes that make this Dorset’s cheesiest weekend of the year. In this episode, you’ll discover:The incredible cheese producers bringing everything from tangy Dorset Blue Vinney to creamy Bath Soft, traditional Keen’s Cheddar to the iconic Godminster waxed wheel.A world of food and drink makers — artisan fudge, gooey brownies, fiery chilli sauces, small-batch gins, sparkling English wines, ciders, cordials, and more.The sizzling magic of our outside caterers — wood-fired pizzas, lamb burgers, raclette rivers, pancakes, ice cream, and festival street-food that will have you queueing with a smileWhether you’re a cheese purist, a sweet-toothed snacker, or a fan of something stronger in your glass, this episode will leave you hungry — and maybe just a little thirsty.The Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival is more than an event — it’s a celebration of local flavours, community spirit, and the joy of sharing food together. Tickets are just £9 a day (with under-16s free with an adult ticket holder and free carers’ tickets available).🎧 So, press play, take a big bite out of Dorset’s tastiest weekend, and then grab your tickets at cheesefestival.co.uk — because life is always better with a bit of cheese on top.🧀 Stay curd-y with us: 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 🌐 cheesefestival.co.uk

From colourful canvases and sparkling jewellery to woodturning, incense, and even buzzing beehives – the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival is about so much more than cheese.In this special episode, host Donald takes you on a guided wander through the Arts & Crafts Village:✨ Meet Dorset’s artists, illustrators, and photographers 💎 Discover handmade jewellery, crystals, and natural treasures 🪵 Explore wood, metal, and fabric crafts keeping traditions alive 🐝 Visit community stalls supporting local causes 🌟 Stumble upon quirky, unexpected finds that make you stop and smileWith cheeky asides, festival stories, and a warm dose of Dorset charm, this is your audio stroll through one of the most creative corners of the festival.So grab a wedge of cheddar, pour yourself a cider, and join Donald for 10 minutes of colour, craft, and community spirit – all wrapped up in festival fun.🧀 Stay curd-y with us: 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook🌐 cheesefestival.co.uk

Grab your wellies and your cheeseboards – Donald is back with a very special long-range weather forecast for the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival!From sunny spells of cheddar-scented breezes to light showers of cracker crumbs, we’re mapping out the full festival microclimate – including the Real Ale Tent high-pressure zone, a warm front of live music, and the occasional squall of applause drifting across the main stage.You’ll hear about the perfect temperatures for keeping your brie gooey but not runaway, the best times of day to wander the cheese stalls, and a few hints on how to navigate the festival like a true curd connoisseur.IMPORTANT TICKET UPDATE: Early bird prices have now closed, and daily tickets are now £9. Still a bargain for a full day of cheese, music, food, crafts, and family fun – but don’t wait until the last minute. Secure your entry now at www.cheesefestival.co.uk and join us for Dorset’s cheesiest weekend.Mild temperatures, sunny dispositions, scattered samples – and a strong chance you’ll head home with more cheese than you planned (and maybe a new favourite producer too).🧀 Stay curd-y with us:📸 Instagram – @sturminstercheesefest📘 Facebook – @sturminstercheesefest🌐 Website – cheesefestival.co.uk

In this festival-flavoured episode of Cheddar Chat, we’re turning up the volume and the anticipation! Donald gives you the latest scoop now that Early Bird tickets have closed and gate prices are in place—and then dives into the full music line-up for the 2025 Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival.From the funk and fire of All Funked Up to the piano mischief of Matt Black, the weekend is jam-packed with amazing acts across both days. We’ve got Jason & the Alco-Noughts, Chris Payn, Ribble, Jordan Watts, and more—and yes, there will be dad dancing. You've been warned.🎶 Plus: festival survival tips, dog-friendly reminders, and how to get yourself featured on the podcast!📲 Follow us & tag us: Instagram: @sturminstercheesefest Facebook: facebook.com/sturcheesefestival More at: sturminstercheesefestival.com 

Ever wondered why brie melts like a dream, blue cheese smells like feet (but tastes divine), or why we can’t stop sneaking “just one more slice”? In this deliciously nerdy episode, Donald dives into the science of cheese – breaking down what gives cheese its unique texture, taste, smell, and all-round irresistible appeal.From the role of bacteria and enzymes to the chemistry of meltability and why some cheeses squeak while others ooze, we’ll explore everything from lab to lunchbox. There’s even a segment on whether cheese is technically addictive (spoiler: it’s complicated... and delicious).🧀 Packed with fun facts, myth-busting, and a whole lot of cheesy charm, this episode is a must-listen for foodies, festivalgoers, and curious snackers alike.🎟️ Don’t forget – early bird tickets for the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival are on sale now at cheesefestival.co.uk. Save money, skip queues, and enjoy the cheesiest weekend of the year – but hurry, prices go up soon!Because science has never tasted so good.🧀 Stay curd-y with us: 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook🌐 cheesefestival.co.uk

In this extra-creamy episode, Donald takes you on a rich and fascinating journey through the history of cheese – from its mysterious (and slightly accidental) origins in the ancient world to its rise as a global food icon.Discover how cheese travelled from prehistoric pouches to Roman feasts, medieval monasteries, industrial factories, and finally to the artisan stalls we know and love today. Packed with fun facts, historic oddities, and a good helping of dairy drama, this episode is a must-listen for curd nerds, foodies, and festivalgoers alike.🧀 PLUS: Hear how monks helped invent some of your favourite rinds, why cheddar became king, and where you can find moose cheese. Yes, really.🎟️ And don’t forget – early bird tickets for the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival are only available for a short time! Visit cheesefestival.co.uk to grab yours before prices rise.Because cheese isn’t just food – it’s history on a cracker.🧀 Stay curd-y with us: 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 🌐 cheesefestival.co.uk

Music, brie, and a beat you can dance to – what more could you want? In this toe-tapping episode, Donald takes you through the full musical line-up for this year’s Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival! From funky Saturday night vibes to mellow Sunday melodies, get the lowdown on the acts making this year's festival sound as good as it tastes. 🧀🎶🎸 Featuring: • Jason & The Alco-Noughts • Chris Payn • All Funked Up • Jordan Watts • Ribble • Matt Black – The Piano ManWhether you're busting moves or biting toasties, there's something for every cheese-loving listener.🧀 Follow the Fun: 📸 Instagram: @sturminstercheesefest 📘 Facebook: Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival 🌐 Tickets & info: cheesefestival.co.uk