A veterinary practice’s vision to create a hub for the farming community in North Dorset is now a reality thanks to Oxbury’s support
From hamsters in cages to bison on trailers, Sturminster Newton Veterinary Practice was feeling the strain from caring for animals of all sizes.
The outdated facilities were struggling to cope with the demands of North Dorset’s thriving agricultural sector and its growing population of domestic pets.
Built in the 1980s, the building was overflowing with colleagues and customers – all competing for the limited parking spaces available at its town centre location. Which is not ideal when you’re a farmer pulling in with a trailer hitched to the back.
With the farming team still meeting in borrowed village halls since Covid, and modern lab and surgical facilities urgently needed to care for larger animals, the message was clear: Friars Moor Livestock Health needed a home of its own.
Land was sourced and purchased in the beautiful Blackmore Vale and a five-year journey began to transform a blank canvas into a state-of-the-art facility – with the farming community at its heart.
“We were very keen to find a place and build a premises that would suit us for the next 50 years,” said Vet and Director, Yoav Alony-Gilboa from Friars Moor Livestock Health, a long-standing practice which was first established in 1957.
“We have quite a lot of intensive dairy farms, including a lot of smallholders with their beloved farm pets – and we try to take care of all of them.”
While the 40-strong livestock team spends most of the day on farms across Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire, the new facility – complete with a surgery and in-house lab – now allows them to treat larger animals needing more complex procedures.
“The farmers were really excited we were moving,” said Yoav. “They know our capabilities are much increased because of extra lab facilities and the fact we can meet here in comfort. We promised them there would be a decent coffee machine – all the things that make farmers happy. Interaction between vets and farmers will be a lot easier.”
Animals started being seen at the new West Stour headquarters towards the end of 2024 – an ambition finally realised.
“There’s been a lot of planning that has gone into this. It took a lot of time to identify the site and be able to purchase it,” explained Yoav about the premises, which now heads up their five other branches in the South West. “This project is huge. We asked for funding from some of the high street banks and they weren’t always that forthcoming and there were a lot of obstacles. Luckily one of our directors has their own dairy farm and had dealt with Oxbury, so suggested we try them.”
When Oxbury’s Senior Relationship Manager Victoria Crisp looked over the Friars Moor plans with Yoav and the team, she knew it was something the bank would want to support.
“We thought this is something really exciting that we want to be involved in,” said Victoria. “Oxbury is a dedicated agricultural bank, but we also support the rural economy and farm service providers. We look at the whole supply chain as there are a huge number of professionals who feed into a successful farming business.
“Having worked with a lot of farms in the South West, we were aware of Friars Moor’s reputation. They’re a great business and a great team and one of the few independent practices left, which strikes a chord with Oxbury being a small private bank – there’s a lot of synergies there.”
After a visit to the Sturminster branch revealed the cramped conditions, Victoria was convinced of the need for a specialist livestock facility and could see how it would benefit farmers in the region.
“We still had to go through all the processes and due diligence, but it was done in a way that was comfortable,” said Yoav who was both surprised and pleased by Oxbury’s approach. “With the help of Oxbury we are set for the future, and we can expand our services and do a lot more.”
As well as the meeting space and large laboratory, there’s also student accommodation for those completing their training with Friars Moor. Students no longer need to search for local accommodation and they’re easily available to go out on site visits with vets.
“Participating in education is something we feel strongly about,” said Yoav. “We can also keep an eye on students and hopefully offer them a job in a few years’ time."
The building is now a centre for learning and development for the whole community. Beef, sheep, dairy and young stock groups meet regularly at the new property and delivery of courses, such as Artificial Insemination, have now been brought back in house. There’s space to discuss herd health plans with farmers to support their productivity and plenty of parking spaces! Farmers can easily drive into the spacious car park immediately off a main road and there’s an accessible route into the building for large animals.
“This will be a great hub for the farming community and other businesses to meet here and to add real value to the sector,” said Victoria.
“Their discussion room is probably one of the most important parts of this to bring the community together. Oxbury is really proud to support the building.”
The Sturminster branch is breathing a sigh of relief that it can now focus mostly on supporting domestic pets and Yoav is thrilled to finally have his own office space.
“Oxbury didn’t interfere with our planning, they allowed us to create what would work for us and allow us to fulfil our dream.
“It’s been a long time coming but we’re pleased with it and we’re looking forward to using the building for many, many years.”