Viewpoint January 2021

Mid January 2021 Volume 45, Issue 3

Back in lockdown:

New Forest donkey © CatchBox 2020

community spirit prevails

Warning to drive with care following death of New Forest donkeys Introducing Pulford Publicity's Charity of the Year

Happy New Year!

Your Independent Local Magazine Established Over 40 Years | ISSN 2397-7183 (print) | ISSN 2397-7191 (online) VERWOOD | RINGWOOD | FORDINGBRIDGE | WEST MOORS | WIMBORNE | FERNDOWN | ASHLEY HEATH | ST IVES | ALDERHOLT

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

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VIEWPOINT

Volume 45 • Issue 3 • January 2021

Dear readers

VIEWPOINT

The New Year started sadly at Pulford Publicity with the sudden passing of the editor’s mother, Sylvia Robinson. She will be missed greatly and I’m sure you will join with me to pass on your condolences.

Looking forward, should we be allowed to travel any time soon in 2021, I shan’t be taking a trip up the Amazon – or embarking on any other expedition for that matter.

My decision hasn’t been based on the dangers I could encounter, but the concern that I would be unable to ascertain I had sufficient equipment.

For it seems to me that any trip out at the moment is like preparing yourself for a mini expedition.

Thoroughly enjoying country walks, with a stop off on a bench for a picnic, my checklist for the journeys seems to be growing.

Each time I venture out, my rucksack is bursting at the seams, packed with items I deem to be necessities.

Apart from hand sanitiser, antiseptic wipes, tissues, a selection of masks, a mobile phone, reading glasses, a purse, pen and paper (you never know when inspiration will need to be recorded) and additional waterproof clothing, there is my new very smart water bottle, and of course sandwiches.

And I am only going on walks around my home town of Wimborne!

Sadly, the items in a backpack are even less accessible than in a handbag, so I still find myself ferreting around trying to find things that have fallen to the bottom.

The roll out of the Oxford vaccine is incredibly good news, so hopefully in the future we will all be able to travel lighter – and be able to take refreshment in our local cafes.

Marilyn Barber

Ben Pulford managing director ben@mags4dorset.co.uk Louis Pulford creative director louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@mags4dorset.co.uk

NEWS DESK Janine Pulford editor editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@mags4dorset.co.uk Karen Wyatt-Epapara deputy editor mags@mags4dorset.co.uk

Frosty morning on the Stour

How to contact us 01202 870270

Simon Thornton account manager simon@mags4dorset.co.uk

Email: news@dorsetview.co.uk Web: www.dorsetview.co.uk Twitter: @dorset_view Facebook: @dorsetview.news Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ

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ADVERTISING Mark Beechey account manager mark@mags4dorset.co.uk

News editor

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions in order to fit in with the editorial policy and style of the magazine

Picture of the month

LOGISTICS Mike Talbot

Copy deadline 22 JAN 2021

VIEWPOINT is independently published and distributed free to homes and businesses in selected areas of Dorset and Hampshire. It is also available by subscription at £40 per year. Views or opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed to be unsuitable for publication. Information about a service does not imply recommendation. All purchases made through this publication are done so entirely at your own risk. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with VIEWPOINT and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The company’s privacy policy can be read at www.dorsetview.co.uk

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

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Goodbye Mum Regent Centre It is with great sadness that Pulford Publicity says goodbye to Sylvia Robinson, the editor’s mother, and grandmother of Ben and Louis Pulford.

Her Italian roots take all the credit for the wonderful culinary skills passed down through the family.

Sylvia was 94 and her health deteriorated quickly between Christmas and the New Year.

She passed away on 2 January 2021.

Daughter Janine paid tribute to the staff at Brook View Care Home in West Moors where Sylvia had resided since October 2019. She added, “Despite all the wonderful care she received, Mum longed for close contact with her family during 2020, but this could not be permitted under the Covid restrictions. She had dementia and couldn't fully grasp why her loved ones could not see her and when they could visit, they were at a distance behind a Perspex window. I am convinced she gave up on life.

receives award The future of the Regent Centre in Christchurch has been secured for at least the next 12 months, following an award of £238,113.

The Cultural Recovery Fund grant comes from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which is administered through

the British Film Institute (BFI).

The Regent joins 200 other major cultural institutions across the UK who have received funding via this grant.

While the centre has had to close its doors once again, it hopes to resume live programming in the spring of 2021.

Mum had a gentle nature and a great sense of humour. We miss her hugely.

“Dad died in 2007, and my sister Lesley passed away in 2014, so Mum had dealt with great losses. Her last moments were peaceful and I am thankful I was able to soothe her brow and hold her hand at the end.”

Sylvia is survived by three children, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren/step grandchildren.

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Films show the future for hospitals

If you would like to know more about the future of Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital you can view video animation films.

Following the reorganisation of NHS services across Dorset, the hospitals now come under the umbrella of University Hospitals Dorset.

The films have been narrated by Dr Isabel Smith, consultant anaesthetist and medical director for strategy and transformation at University Hospitals Dorset. They give an insight into the development of Poole Hospital’s new theatres complex and the development of the new Maternity, Children’s, Emergency and Critical Care units at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Poole Hospital is to become the main centre for planned treatment in east Dorset, whilst the Royal Bournemouth Hospital will become the centre for emergency care.

Debbie Fleming, chief executive said, “We hope these animations provide

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

Support for families this winter Dorset Council has been awarded up to £922,153 Dr Isabel Smith

an easy reference guide on the major construction work about to begin across our hospital sites.”

Dr Isabel Smith, consultant anaesthetist and medical director for strategy and transformation, added, “I hope these videos highlight the bright future for both Poole and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

“However, the investment is not just in buildings, it will be an investment in the future quality of care our organisation can offer to the patients of Dorset and beyond."

The total programme of works will run up to 2026 and form part of the £250m investment in University Hospitals Dorset.

To view the videos, visit the front page of the hospital’s YouTube site or the ‘Investing in our hospitals’ updates section on the UHD website.

from the government’s COVID Winter Grant Scheme to support children and families across the county. Some of the money was used to provide food vouchers to those who needed it, including those who receive free school meals, during the Christmas holidays. The same will happen during February half term.

Help is also available to support families facing fuel poverty this winter.

Support for all residents, including information about accessing food, financial support and help with isolation is available here: news.dorsetcouncil. gov.uk/2020/12/03/winter-help-and-support/

Man jailed for assaults in Bournemouth town centre

A man who assaulted two people with a glass bottle on a night out in Bournemouth has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Matthew Parry, aged 35 and of High Street in Margate, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on 11 December 2020 after admitting two offences of inflicting grievous bodily harm in April 2019.

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Grant to tackle invasive plants A grant of £5,000 has been made available to help fund work to remove invasive plants in the New Forest.

The Love the Forest scheme is part of the New Forest Trust and secures financial support locally through donations and from the millions of people who visit the forest every year.

It has awarded a grant to the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project (NFNNPP), which works to restore and conserve the forest’s special habitats by stopping the spread of invasive non-native plants and raising awareness about the damage they cause to the environment and the economy.

The NFNNPP works with local communities and organisations and is supported by hundreds of volunteers who have helped remove huge swathes of invasive non-native plants, such as Himalayan balsam, from New Forest riverbanks, allowing wild flowers to flourish.

Catherine Chatters, New Forest non-native plants officer, said, “By volunteering with the project, people are able to increase their appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the New Forest, not only its flora and fauna but also the vital role that commoners and their animals perform in the conservation of this very special area.”

Love the Forest works with businesses across the New Forest to raise funds for conservation and education projects, as well as providing grants to local organisations.

Volunteers pull Himalayan balsam from the east bank of the Avon Water

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Pulford Publicity’s

Charity of the Year Hello, and Happy New Year!

We are thrilled to be chosen as Pulford Publicity’s Charity of the Year for 2021, what a privilege. For those of you who don’t know us, here are the quick facts: • We are Dorset’s disability charity, the only organisation in the county supporting children and adults with profound physical and learning disabilities • Our services include a specialist school, respite care for children and adults, 24/7 care in the home, school holiday play sessions for families, an advice team, and so much more • We have managed to run pretty much all of these in one form or another throughout the pandemic to continue our support

motivation to keep you moving during this latest lockdown. It’s a 5k around Poole Park and you can run, walk, dance or jog your way around the course. We’ll be taking all the guidelines into consideration, and early bird entries are open now.

If that’s not your thing, how about taking on Dorset Three Peaks? Trek across Pilsdon Pen, Lewesdon Hill, and Bulbarrow Hill on 19 June.

Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/events to find out more about both of these.

That’s all for this month, here’s hoping we can meet some of you in person soon.

Keep safe and best wishes, Cat and the team at Diverse Abilities

• Each year we provide around 250,000 hours of care, costing us £18,000 per day • For every £1 donated, 84 pence goes back into running our vital services For our first column of the year, we wanted to let you know a bit about some of the events we’ve got coming up over the next few months – remember when we could do events all the time? Our Dorset Neon Run is back on 24 April, and it’s the perfect

EU citizens should apply for settled status EU citizens who live and work in Dorset need to apply for settled status if they wish to stay on in the area after the UK’s exit from the EU. The EU Settlement Scheme is open to all EU citizens who were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, allowing them to continue to live, work and study in the area. The deadline for settled status is 30 June 2021, but eligible EU citizens are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible. After the deadline, EU citizens who have not secured settled status will lose access to the benefits and services they have currently.

The application can be done online www.gov.uk/eu-settled-status Anyone needing assistance with completing their application can get support from specialist help teams at Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Wimborne BID seeks a further five-year term Businesses in Wimborne are being asked to vote on whether they would like Wimborne BID (Business Improvement District) to continue for another five-year term.

The organisation was established in 2011 and renewed in 2016.

A statement from the organisation said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BID has been instrumental in signposting businesses to relevant support, providing information for residents and keeping Wimborne in the public eye. In October, the BID organised a pumpkin trail, and fully funded the shop Christmas trees.

It also produced the annual Christmas video – Wimborne Kindness Stories – to thank businesses that had gone above and beyond during the crisis.

Wimborne BID raises around £100,000 investment into the town through a levy on businesses. Every five years, the business plan is updated and the BID seeks renewal

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

through a further ballot.

The current BID term ends at the end of March 2021, and through January, businesses will be asked to complete a postal ballot on the future of the BID. BID chairman, Martin Pate said, “Our vision is to create a town for businesses now and in the future, with enhanced connectivity, a clean safe environment and the town promoted with events which will help every business thrive. We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is taking priority, but it really is vital for businesses to use their vote.”

James Harris-Hawkins, who owns the salon ‘Head Office’ wasn’t always a fan of the BID. He said, “I always thought that the BID was just part of our running costs.

Over the last few months, though, the BID has been really good. We’ve had loads of support and information, and it’s really shown that as businesses in Wimborne we

Martin Pate

are all a team and a community. As a small business it’s very easy to feel alone so having a port of call to get help has been a real help.”

Businesses receive ballot papers by post. The ballot closes on Thursday 4 February.

If the ballot is successful, each eligible business will pay a compulsory levy of 1.5 per cent of the rateable value of their business property, regardless of which way they voted.

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Christchurch nurses swim ‘The channel’ raising £5,500 Two nurses took a month of early morning swims to raise funds for terminally ill patients.

Clinical nurse specialist Rachel Easton and staff nurse Holly Warren, who support people with life limiting illnesses at the day centre within the Macmillan Palliative Care Unit in Christchurch, have raised £5,500.

Each day before or after work from the end of October last year, they swam off beaches between Boscombe Pier and Mudeford, covering a kilometre between them, with the goal of swimming a total of 34km - the distance between England and France.

Holly, 37 explained, “It’s been a fantastic experience – cold, but fantastic - and we are over the moon to have raised so much money.

“The day centre plays a huge role in many of our patients’ lives, enriching their wellbeing and mental health and providing a crucial connection to their peers. But the pandemic has stopped them from physically attending.

“With Macmillan Caring Locally’s help we have been able to adapt our service so that patients can still get together from their homes using video conferencing.

“We have provided online sessions such as yoga and quiz/chat sessions and we have also bought materials so people can take part in online practical sessions at home.”

Rachel, 43 said, “MCL’s help to establish this online day centre has been invaluable for everyone and we wanted to do something to show our gratitude and also contribute to the charity’s ongoing work supporting both the day centre and the Macmillan Unit.

“It hasn’t always been enjoyable getting changed on a beach, with numb fingers, sometimes in the rain.

“But there have been so many laughs and we once even saw a shooting star.

“I know we’ve both been completely bowled over by the all the support shown to us and people have been so generous. We’ll never forget it.”

Rachel left and Holly having fun in the water

The nurses can still be sponsored at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rachel-hollypalliative-nurses

Clean up after your dog West Moors Town Council has launched a campaign to reduce the incidents of dog fouling in the town.

Dog faeces carry diseases, as well as leaving an unpleasant odour when caught on shoes or wheels of wheelchairs, prams, bikes or scooters.

Dog owners or walkers are reminded to pick up their dog’s waste in bio-degradable bags, which can be put in dog waste or litter bins. The person walking the dog is responsible for cleaning up after it. A fixed penalty notice of £100 can be issued for not picking up dog faeces, which can rise to £1,000 if a case goes to a magistrates court.

Anyone finding dog waste on walkways is encouraged to report it to Dorset Council, after which Dorset Waste will investigate. A dog warden will follow up to assess the severity of the problem and to take appropriate action to solve it.

Report dog fouling to Dorset Council via www. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/environmental-health/ dog-warden-service, call 01202 228770 or email envhealthteamb@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

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Poetry competition results and £525 charity donation

“Congratulations to the winners of our poetry competition held to raise money for our charity of the year 2020 – the MS Society Hub at West Parley,” said editor of Viewpoint, Janine Pulford.

“All the entries were exceptionally good and I’d like to thank everyone who entered. It was really hard to choose the winners.”

Results: Effects of 2020 1st No Goodbye, Stephen Bryant, Broadstone Joint 2nd What I did in 2020…, Mike Lawrence, Wimborne, and Hyperactive in Lockdown, Carolyn Fathers, Poole Litter 1st The Glitter Trail, Sue Millett, West Moors 2nd Twitchers Paradise, Jayne Chick, Wimborne Highly commended: My day at Durdle Door, Louis Stuart Elliot (age 11), France. Louis sent his poem via his grandparents in Ringwood.

Nearly £80 was raised from entry fees and Pulford Publicity Ltd increased the donation to £500.

Winner Stephen Bryant generously donated his prize money, bringing the total to £525. A socially distanced cheque was presented by managing director Ben Pulford in Ferndown to the branch chairman of the MS Hub, Rod Slip in Ringwood.

Rod said, “I am so very grateful to receive such a generous donation which we will certainly put to good use for the benefit of our members.”

LITTER EFFECTS OF 2020 No Goodbye (1st) Stephen Bryant

Sometimes I’m numb and I sit

and stare And think of your last moments

in that chair.

I wonder if through the pain You thought of me and called

my name.

If only… If only, I could have been there I never wanted you to travel that far.

You left me to be my shining star.

The Glitter Trail (1st) Sue Millett Down by the river there’s a trail Of tinsel and golden baubles, Some are bobbing like apples, In a stagnant backwater, Held back by a fallen branch.

On the bankside a black bag, Slumped against a muddy mattress, Lies dying of a gaping wound.

In a million years they’ll puzzle Over fragments of glitter When digging for evidence Of the last Plasticene – the Age That killed most birds and bees Before the evolution of new Litter-eating forms that could Turn the trash back into trees.

online Read all the poems in Dorset View (Dec 2020) www.dorsetview.co.uk

Kenyan links for Fordingbridge Rotary Fordingbridge Rotary has struck an allegiance with the Mugumoini Rotary community in Kenya. Mugumoini civic ward holds one of Africa’s largest slums, with over 500,000 people living there below the African poverty line.

The objectives of the project are to alleviate all the suffering associated with this poverty, including encouraging people to take responsibility, self-help projects, setting up a welfare centre, help with sanitising projects to help the

Ken Charles Onuko

AIDS and COVID problems, while continuing with existing conservation and business start-up activities.

Future envisaged projects include building a library, and a self-help market. The manager/ chairman, who is currently living in Fordingbridge, is Ken Charles Onuko.

Big plans for a small meadow A meadow in the Fordingbridge area has been secured for nature conservation after being bequeathed to the New Forest National Park Authority through the New Forest Land Advice Service (NFLAS).

The half-acre meadow in Godshill borders the open forest. The NFLAS will now look after the meadow. Its plans include hedge laying and coppicing to create thick wild hedgerows, increasing the number of wildflowers and using the site to teach countryside skills and land management.

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

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Fordingbridge Museum

By Julian Hewitt

As many of you know Fordingbridge Museum has not opened in 2020 because of COVID-19.

Museum manager Jane Ireland said, “We have had to make the very difficult decision not to open in 2020. The museum has a dedicated band of volunteers and stewards, many of whom are elderly or have underlying medical conditions. We do not want to expose them or our visitors to any risk.

“This does not mean that we have been sitting at home with our feet up.

Museum volunteers have been holding Zoom meetings to plan for the future and brainstorming exciting new ideas. As well as devising brand new displays and extensively refreshing existing ones, teams have been working in the museum to make it Covid-secure.

“This means that, all being well, we should be on track to open at Easter time next year.”

The museum relies on donations from visitors and fundraising events to keep

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going, so closing and not having events has created a strain on its finances. To make things worse, the whole of the outside of the museum needs to be redecorated. Because of the state of the woodwork it cannot be put off any longer.

Luckily, the museum has been thrown a lifeline by being selected by the Co-op to take part in their Local Community Support Fund. This enables Co-op members to vote for worthy local organisations that will be recipients of a cash grant.

Fordingbridge Museum is a major tourist attraction that attracts thousands of visitors each year and this benefits the whole town. It also engages with the community through an active outreach programme, working with local schools and many other organisations. If you are a Co-op member and would like to support the museum’s bid for a grant, please make certain that you have voted for us by doing

so on your membership website, and encourage your friends to do the same.

If you are not a Co-op member you can become one by applying at co-op.co.uk/ membership.

Another way to help during this difficult time is by becoming a Friend of the Museum. You can do so at a cost of £7.50 a year by ringing 01425 657850 or 01425 654322.

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ringwood news

OBE for Ringwood man Karl Simons, of Ringwood, has been made an OBE in the New Year Honours List.

Karl, who has spearheaded a mental health revolution at Thames Water, has been named an OBE for services to mental health policy.

Karl has pioneered mental health policy reform through his work as Thames Water’s chief health, safety and wellbeing officer.

This work has extended company-wide and nationally, and has attracted widespread praise and recognition from MPs, business leaders and trade professionals.

He said he was “incredibly overwhelmed and emotional” after receiving news of his OBE, and even called the Cabinet Office several times to check it was real.

He said, “Many people still think of health and safety as just physical wellbeing, but good mental health in the workplace is just as important because both body and mind are connected.

“At Thames Water we have worked incredibly hard over many years to create a culture of care – one in which our employees’ mental fitness is as important as their physical fitness to do their work.

“Our efforts continue to create an environment where our people are free to speak openly should they be struggling mentally so we can provide help and support at the earliest opportunity and

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Karl Simons

enable them to remain in work."

Karl built a comprehensive mental health and wellbeing programme at Thames Water, including Time to Talk which gives mental health parity with physical health in all areas of the business, and piloted an initiative which saw 500 members of staff train as mental health first aiders.

He also led the industry in what he calls a “cultural revolution” of mental health destigmatisation and has ensured that suppliers and contractors follow best practice. From this position, he has encouraged the government to legislate on ensuring organisations provide better mental health support and to put in place measures to allow for mental health intervention.

Karl’s efforts have resulted in an 80 per cent decline in work-related illnesses at the company over seven years.

Ringwood News in Brief Neighbourhood Plan for town Ringwood is to have a Neighbourhood Plan.

The designated area proposed would be the parish boundary and the plan would have a narrow focus, concentrating on the town centre, design, climate change, connectivity and possibly housing.

Road scheme Work on the A31 improvement scheme, which was scheduled to start in January to widen the footway in West Street, has been delayed by a month, so that it can be combined with the works required to divert the electricity main. The West Street junction with A31 will close at the start of these works, along with the change in direction of traffic flow at Meeting House Lane.

Snails Lane Ringwood Town Council’s planning, town and environment committee has recommended to New Forest District Council that an amended outline application to demolish outbuildings and to erect 143 properties on land off Snails Lane, Blashford should be turned down. The proposal includes 50 per cent affordable housing and vehicle access from Snails Lane and Salisbury Road.

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ringwood news

Ringwood news in brief Tree to be felled A mature sycamore tree at North Poulner play area is to be felled.

Ringwood Town Council’s recreation, leisure and open spaces committee reluctantly agreed to its removal as it restricts vehicular access and needs regular cutting back. The trunk has grown so wide that the hedge cutting contractor was unable to get his tractor in to machine-cut the hedges. They will therefore have to be cut by the grounds maintenance team using hand-tools instead; a much slower and less efficient process.

However, it will be replaced with two established trees.

Detailed application Following the granting of outline permission, New Forest District Council has received a Reserved Matters application for two detached houses on land of the Ingle, Fryern Court Road, Burgate, Fordingbridge.

Funding for town council The leader of New Forest District Council has told Ringwood Town Council that the support grant for the town in recognition of additional expenditure as a result of the pandemic would be £8,106.50.

Ringwood School collection The Mayor of Ringwood, Cllr Tony Ring recently visited Ringwood School and congratulated them on the volume of tinned goods they had collected for the Salvation Army to distribute.

New Neighbourhood Watch A Neighourhood Watch is to be set up in the Hightown Hill area of Ringwood in the near future.

Election date Elections for Ringwood Town Council and for the county council and the Police and Crime Commissioner will be on Thursday 6 May 2021.

Human Sundial Hampshire County Council has said that the Human Sundial project will start early this year, with a contribution from Ringwood Town Council.

- Advertisement feature -

We are open during lockdown

By Matthew Parker, Solicitor

At Forest Edge Solicitors in Ringwood, we are doing everything we can to support both individuals and companies during these ongoing difficult times, and will remain open during the current lockdown period.

Whilst physical attendance at our office is being kept to an absolute minimum, we continue to promote video or telephone meetings to help you with any problems you may have. If in person meetings are required to sign any paperwork, this is being carried out outside where possible (and the weather allows us) or inside in our COVID secure office, where we have the track and trace QR code set up along with copious amounts of hand sanitiser and face masks for people to use. We are increasing our use of Facebook messenger and WhatsApp to provide alternative methods for people to get in touch.

The main thing to stress is that we remain open to help you when you need us.

House buying and selling We are delighted to announce the arrival of Samantha Tapper as our new full time conveyancer to continue the expansion of this department. She arrives with a wealth of practical experience to help make your move as stress free as possible. Please give us a call if you want to discuss this aspect on 01425 208418.

Employment This remains a busy area for us with all of the ongoing changes taking place, working from home arrangements, the furlough scheme and redundancy situations. We are seeing a sharp rise in Settlement Agreements being proposed and we can offer extremely quick turn around on these documents, as they tend to be time sensitive.

Disputes As we have mentioned in the past, with any dispute, whether that is over work carried out, contract disputes, delivery of goods, neighbour/boundary issues, it is always best to ask for guidance sooner rather than later. The quicker you seek professional help the more likely it is that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved, much sooner and therefore cheaper than delaying, and reducing the stress felt. Any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01425 208418.

Witnessing documents Finally, we are receiving more and more requests for assistance in certifying documentation or acting as a witness on documents at the moment. We can confirm that we are available at short notice to provide this service to you. We have arrangements in place to keep actual contact to a minimum, if it is necessary at all. Again, please call and we can see the best way of helping with this.

Forest Edge Solicitors: “Here when you need us”.

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pets and wildlife / an animal’s eyes speak a powerful language Ponies licking salt in the New Forest, photo by Russel Sach

Rangers engaging with children at Ashurst wild play site

Nature grant for New Forest National Park Authority

Donkeys and ponies killed in the New Forest Forest organisations are urging people to drive with care following the death of three donkeys together on the B3078 Cadnam to Godshill road in mid-December, and four ponies that were killed over the new year on a section of road north of Brook.

After driving over the cattle grids drivers will encounter animals on or crossing the roads and on the sides of the roads.

There is a blanket 40mph speed limit through the forest, with 30mph in the villages. At this time of the year, when daylight is limited and weather conditions vary, drivers should take extra care and adjust their speed. It is important to be aware visibility can be very poor and that that other vehicles’ headlights may impede your view of the road ahead.

All accidents involving a pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep must be reported to the police as soon as possible by law, and within 24hrs at the latest.

Young people are to be given new opportunities to connect with nature in the New Forest.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has been awarded a Green Recovery Challenge Fund grant as part of £2,543,602 funding which has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra). The grant is to be shared by six members of a coalition that comprises YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council and the 10 English National Parks.

With the award, the NPA will be employing a project officer supporting youth projects and two apprentice rangers who will gain six qualifications and work experience with forest organisations. These positions will start in March 2021.

Helen Robinson, lead education and youth officer for the NPA, said, “The newly appointed project officer will seek to bridge a connection to nature and sense of place for young people in local communities by creating public nature sites in residential areas both inside and outside the boundary of the National Park.

It is vitally important that young people have access to nature, many of whom face lockdown without gardens or access to green spaces.

“Using our strong connections with parish and town councils and involving young people in the design and creation of these spaces, our aim is to enable more young people than ever before to access, enjoy and learn about the special qualities of our National Park.”

Bird flu precautions An increase in cases of avian flu means that keepers must now house their birds.

Since December, all poultry and captive birds have been required to be housed under rules issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency to prevent further spread of the disease.

Poultry and captive bird keepers can help prevent avian flu by maintaining good biosecurity on their premises, including: 1. Housing or netting all poultry and captive birds 2. Cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds 3. Reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept and using effective vermin control 4. Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting housing at the end of a production cycle 5. Keeping fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all points where people should use it, such as farm entrances and before entering poultry and captive bird housing or enclosures 6. Minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds More advice can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/ news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zonedeclared

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

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health and care

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Viewpoint is not responsible or liable for damages, which may occur as a result of your use or misuse of the information available on this page.

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Good Oaks

– always there for you As we begin 2021, we all hope that there will be better times, the ability to see those we love and time to make up for the challenges that 2020 brought.

Switch to sweetpotatoes

By Dr Helen Flaherty, Heart Research UK Sweet potatoes make a tasty alternative to white potatoes and they are very versatile.

Unlike white potatoes, sweet potatoes count towards your five a day and they are packed with vitamins and fibre to keep you healthy. Sweet potatoes can be mashed, baked, roasted and boiled in the same way as white potatoes.

Swap your regular baked potato for a baked sweet potato (without butter).

Choose a healthy filling, such as vegetarian chilli, tuna, baked beans or cottage cheese and serve with a healthy salad.

Try switching from regular mashed potato to mashed

sweet potato. Or make your mash with 50 per cent white potatoes and 50 per cent sweet potatoes, adding a splash of milk or low-fat crème fraiche and a pinch of nutmeg before mashing. Mashed sweet potato makes a great topping for shepherd’s pie or fish pie, or you can serve it alongside a roast dinner.

Ditch your deep-fat fryer and switch from chips to sweet potato wedges, baked in the oven. Cut your sweet potatoes into wedges (keep the skins on for extra fibre), toss them in a small amount of oil and add some dried herbs and/or spices, such as Cajun spice mix, cumin or paprika. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of reduced calorie crème fraiche.

At Good Oaks East Dorset, staff understand that times will not be easier immediately, and that for some, things are always tough.

The team prides itself on always being there - in the good times and the bad, and 2021 is no exception.

Experts in providing companionship, support, empathy and professionalism, the team provides you with whatever you need to stay safe, cared for and independent in your own home.

This New Year, they want you to feel better, to know that they will always be there for you and your loved ones and that together, they can make 2021 a positive and great year.

For further information call Good Oaks on 01202 065261.

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| 17

BUSINESS | COMMUNITY | UNITY / real people, real news, local advertising.

Community spirit alive and well

2020 was a year that saw communities pull together, proving that people really are still there for each other. Volunteers are helping those shielding or self-isolating to get vital food and medicinal supplies, and providing some human contact.

Shoppers are supporting local businesses that have adapted so they can still provide goods and services to their customers during lockdowns.

Many businesses adversely affected by the restrictions have still gone out of their way to help others. For example, hardworking frontline staff at Foxes Moon Care Home, often too tired to shop and concerned that they might bring COVID-19 back into the setting if they ventured out, were able to order supplies for their personal use, alongside the home’s commercial order.

Jean Lubbock, of Foxes Moon Care Home, said, “We are very grateful to our suppliers for supporting our staff. A big thank you to A David, Bidfood, DW Gillett and Ocean Hunt.”

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

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r a e y w Ne

By Karen Wyatt-Epapara

BUSINESS | COMMUNITY | UNITY

new you!

Now we’re into 2021, it’s time to take stock of your New Year’s resolutions.

Now we’re into 2021, it’s time to take stock of your New Year’s resolutions.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll have made some resolutions as a knee jerk reaction to Christmas overeating and inactivity out of habit and a side helping of guilt.

Whether you found the restrictions of 2020 hard, or whether they gave you time to regroup, centre and move forward with your personal goals, the arrival of a new year is the perfect opportunity to take stock and start afresh.

With the country back in lockdown again, it is most important to be kind to yourself and do whatever you need to get through to better times.

While setting goals is a positive way to start the year, it is best to focus on the thing that is most important to you – would you like to get fit or lose weight, take steps to live a healthier lifestyle, start that project you’ve been dreaming about or upskill to take on your dream job?

Your goal can be big or small, as long as it resonates with you. Start small and don’t try to change everything in one go – it’ll be easier to create and maintain new habits if they’re manageable for you and you don’t have to rearrange your whole life to accommodate them.

Living more healthily, especially after the indulgences of Christmas is a

common goal. Never does a plate of vegetables look more appetising than after a few days of holiday gluttony!

Start by aiming for your five a day and you will soon find you get back into a better pattern of eating. Bulking out your meals with vegetables is a good way to reduce calories and adding a portion of protein will help fill you up too. If you would like to lose more weight than the few Christmas pounds put on, it’s worth shopping around to find a diet plan that suits you. Most work on the same premise – fewer calories in than energy expended – so you’ll need to look for one that includes food you like and has the level of support that works for you.

Exercise can help improve your overall health, both physical and mental. You can’t beat getting outside for a walk or run but, when it gets dark early and you don’t want to step outside without numerous layers of clothing, it’s easy to make excuses. Committing to an online class or gym slot can be a great motivator, and also means you have access to professional support in the guise of a personal trainer or class leader.

Why not try a new look?

Track suit bottoms, hoodies or pyjamas may be the lockdown go to for many, but there is something about putting on clothes that make you feel good about yourself and doing your hair that lifts your mood and leaves you ready to face the day with confidence and your head held high.

Or think about those long held dreams that you’ve not been brave enough to chase.

What can you do to put yourself on the path to achieving them?

Any step you take will get you a step closer to your goal.

2021 is here for the taking – what are you waiting for?

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verwood news

New transmitter for community radio station Verwood-based community radio station Forest FM has added an additional transmitter to better serve Ferndown and the surrounding area.

The station, which is run entirely by volunteers, switched on its new transmitter just in time for Christmas.

Listeners in Ferndown can now tune in on 98.9 FM. Since it started in 2006 as Verwood FM, Forest FM has expanded its reach and gained many listeners in the Ferndown area. As the signal hasn’t been perfect, OFCOM approved an additional transmitter specifically for the town.

Station manager, Steve Saville said, “We’re so pleased that local residents can now hear us on their portable radios in their kitchens and of course in their cars whilst driving around the area. We’re

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also moving with the times and we’re available online and via smart speakers. We’ve always included clubs, groups and musicians from Ferndown on the station and we would like even more people to join in with us. Sadly, so many local stations have been swallowed up by large corporate radio companies but Forest FM is committed to providing truly local radio run by local people.

“We would like to thank Dorset council for facilitating the new transmitter site.

“98.9 FM is right next to Radio 1 on the FM dial and of course we will be retaining our 92.3 FM transmitter in Verwood.”

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verwood news Consultation on reduction of intake to Hillside First School The number of children admitted to Hillside First School in Verwood could in the future be reduced from 60 to 30 children.

Wimborne Academy Trust has undertaken a consultation process on this issue as it says there has been a reduction in the number of young families living locally.

The change would mean that Hillside would have one class per year group instead of two.

At present there are 90 school places in Verwood each year for children wishing to attend a church school, and a further 60 places for families who wish to choose a nondenominational education.

If the proposed changes take place, there will be just 30 places available at a non-church school per intake.

A reduction in the number of school classes at Hillside will also result in decreased funding for the school, and an inevitable reduction in the number of teaching and support staff, which could lead to the deterioration of the school’s provision.

Verwood news in brief Verwood Town Council

During lockdown Verwood Town Council offices are closed to the public. However, the authority is still taking calls and emails and food bins, glass bins and dog waste bags can still be collected.

To contact a member of staff between 9am and 1pm, phone 01202 82088 or email towncouncil@ verwood.gov.uk.

Moors Valley Country Park remains open

Following the national lockdown announcement on 4 January, Moors Valley Country Park and Forest remains open for local exercise only, with new guidelines in place.

The car park is open but with reduced capacity. If this capacity is reached, the car park will be closed temporarily.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive before 10.30am or after 2pm to avoid the busiest times.

Some play areas are open as are the toilets, but the visitor centre is closed.

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| 21

foodie news / most of us are sorry for what we said when we were hungry.

Are you game to reduce your carbon footprint?

Baked cod, From cauliflower and chorizo Mornay crumble Try this delicious, comfort food recipe – perfect for a lazy supper or after a long, wintry Sunday afternoon walk.

Ingredients 1 head of cauliflower cut into florets ½ chorizo ring, sliced 250ml double cream 140g Cheddar or Gruyere cheese, grated 1 cod fillet, chopped into large chunks 50g parmesan 50g breadcrumbs 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped

While some people are taking on the challenge of eating a vegan diet for January, others are keen to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint without giving up meat.

Choosing game meat is one way to achieve this. It is more flavoursome and naturally produced from British sources. It is harvested in the wild and is lean, protein-packed, characterful and nutritious – especially when compared with your average supermarket meats, according to game specialist Wild and Game.

Comparing game meat against common supermarket meats especially highlights the health and weight loss benefits of game.

Pheasant, for example, has 27.1g of protein per 100g while chicken has just 20.1g – and while chicken contains 1.5g of fat per 100g, pheasant contains 1.2g. Pheasant also contains more than three times the amount of selenium, an essential

mineral for the immune system.

It’s a similar story with other game meats. Venison is much leaner than beef, has a third as much cholesterol and is lower in calories, while partridge has 25.8g of protein per 100g compared to chicken’s 20.1g, and 0.43g of selenium per 100g compared to chicken’s 0.1g.

Steven Frampton, co-founder of Wild and Game said, “It’s usual for people’s minds to turn to healthy living in January. We’re passionate about the benefits of eating game, which include sustainability, low food miles, and multiple nutritional benefits. Game is a perfect part of a New Year’s diet for many reasons – including weight loss, working out (because it’s a lean source of protein) and also just making your mealtimes more interesting and enjoyable.”

See wildandgame.co.uk for recipe ideas.

Method 1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

2. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and blanch the cauliflower florets for 3-4 mins until al dente.

3. Drain and set aside.

4. Heat a non-stick frying pan and cook the chorizo slices for a couple of minutes to brown, then remove from the pan using a slotted spoon, leaving the oil behind.

5. Pour the double cream into the pan and bring to the boil.

6. Add in the grated cheese, stir until melted and smooth, season with salt and pepper.

7. Put the cauliflower in a baking dish with the fried chorizo and raw cod pieces.

8. Pour the mornay sauce over the cauliflower and then generously sprinkle with the breadcrumbs, parmesan and parsley.

9. Bake for 30 mins until the top is golden and piping hot.

Venison taco bowls with chimichurri For the chimichurri 100ml olive oil A handful parsley finely chopped A handful of coriander finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves – measure unchopped and then finely chop them 1 red chilli, finely chopped 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 1 tsp sea salt For the seasoning 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp smoked paprika Half a tsp chilli powder 1 tsp sea salt Freshly ground black pepper - a few grinds, about half a tsp Everything else 4 little gem leaves, finely chopped 2 Wild and Game venison steaks Olive oil Half a red onion, finely diced 8 small tacos (often sold as taco mini wraps)

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Method • Pre-heat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius, gas mark 7.

• Push each tortilla into a hole in a muffin tray: concertina the edges of the tortilla to fit it in, so it resembles a flower. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes (check after 3 to be sure they aren’t burning) then remove and leave to cool.

• Mix the seasoning ingredients and sprinkle on the steak. Leave at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

• Meanwhile, make the chimichurri by combining all the ingredients in a bowl and mixing thoroughly.

• Lightly oil a grill pan and place over a high heat until very hot, then add the steaks and grill for 3 minutes, turning once. Then turn the heat down low and continue cooking for 6 minutes, turning once. Remove from the pan and rest for 5 minutes.

• Finely slice the steaks on the diagonal. Stuff lettuce into the tacos, then top with the steaks, chimichurri and diced red onion.

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around & about

Tivoli panto rescheduled Panto performances at Wimborne’s Tivoli of Jack and the Beanstalk have been rescheduled for April following the announcement of the current restrictions – oh yes they have!

The new dates are: Tuesday 13 April, 2pm, rescheduled from Thursday 31 December 2pm.

Wednesday 14 April, 2pm, rescheduled from Friday 1 January 4pm.

Thursday 15 April, 2pm, rescheduled from Sunday 3 January 2pm.

Friday 16 April, 2pm and 7pm (adult) rescheduled from Saturday 2 January 2pm/7pm.

Saturday 17 April, 7pm rescheduled from Monday 4 January 7pm – plus additional 2pm performance added.

Ticket holders were to be contacted and were asked not to contact the ticket office as they will receive correspondence in due course.

The performances in April will still be to the Covid-secure seating plan with special measures in place throughout the theatre to ensure you can enjoy your visit as safely as possible.

Join the Global Happy Café What we all need at this time is something to cheer us up.

So why not join the next meeting of the Global Happy Café on Monday 1 February?

Lord Richard Layard will be asking ‘Can we be Happier?’ and well known author Suzie Pawelski will be joining from Philadelphia introducing the topic of ‘Happiness Together’, an appropriate subject in the run up to Valentine's Day. To join the Zoom Global happy Cafe Meeting, just go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88302360790?pwd=eWdYd01kSHB4 bktZNzN3T1BzZnIrUT09 The meeting starts promptly at 7pm GMT, however you are welcome to login slightly earlier if you wish.

And if you would like to find out what made the audience happy at the last meeting, download a recording on www.world-happiness-project.com.

You can also download the Action for Happiness Calendar for Happier January at: www.actionforhappiness.org/media/954757/january_2021.jpg - Advertisement feature -

Keep creating at home The latest lockdown does not mean that you have to stop creating at home or put your latest project on hold, and may even give you the opportunity to get started on a crafting adventure.

Customers of Created by You can still access beautiful and modern fabrics and crafting materials using the shop’s click and collect service.

Products available include fabrics, yarns, haberdashery, children’s craft sets and takeaway pottery boxes to paint at home and return to be glazed and fired. The experienced staff are still on hand to offer advice and any help you may need.

Orders can be placed via the website or telephone and can be collected at a pre-arranged time or sent via post.

Visit createdbyyou.co.uk to see the full range and to place an order, or call 01425 501806 to arrange a collection or postal delivery.

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motoring / keeping you on the road.

Advice on driving in rain and floods Winters in England have, in recent years, tended to be rather wet and, in the light of that, road safety association GEM Motoring Assist is urging motorists to ensure they – and their vehicles – are ready for the potential challenges of driving in winter.

GEM chief executive Neil Worth answers questions specifically relating to driving safely in times of heavy rain and flood.

Q. Why can it be dangerous to drive when it’s raining?

A. Rain causes your tyres to lose traction. When the road gets wet, the rainwater mixes with the dirt on the road surface, making everything slippery and causing your tyres to lose grip on the road. Large areas of surface water can lead to aquaplaning, where a layer of water is trapped between your tyres and the road surface. This means it’s suddenly impossible for you to accelerate, brake or steer.

Rain also makes it difficult for you to see when you’re driving along. Using dipped headlights when it’s raining will not only help you to see, it will greatly increase the chances of other drivers seeing you.

Q. What’s the maximum depth of water I can drive through safely?

A. Driving through any depth of water can be dangerous.

Even just six inches – or 15cm of water – will reach the bottom of most passenger cars. Above this depth you can lose control or stall the engine because water can be sucked into the exhaust or washed into the air intake.

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Q. How can I reduce the risk of stalling?

A. If you are driving a manual car, press the clutch down slightly at the same time as pressing the accelerator. This will help the car move along slowly and should keep water out of the exhaust pipe. Stay in the same gear throughout the flood. In an automatic car, you can consider keeping your foot on the accelerator while using your lowest gear, but control the speed with your footbrake.

Q. What if I stall in a flood?

A. Don’t attempt to restart the engine as you will risk severe damage. You’ll need to remove the injectors or plugs to get rid of any water – so the best thing to do is to get out of your vehicle and wade to higher ground, especially if the water is rising. Then call your own breakdown recovery provider.

Q. What should I do after driving through water?

A. You’ll need to make sure your brakes are effective – dry them by applying them gently and taking it easy for a few miles after the flood.

GEM has produced a video on driving, wet weather and floods, which is available on https://www.motoringassist. com/driving-in-floods/

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motoring

New electric vehicle chargepoints to be installed in Dorset Two locations in both Wimborne and Verwood are amongst 44 new electric vehicle charging points which will be ready to use from February.

In total there will be 44 new points in Dorset-council owned car parks.

Re-charging your electric car The fast (22kW) chargepoints, using 100 per cent renewable energy supplied by Statkraft, will enable drivers to charge their electric vehicles whilst visiting the county’s towns.

The fast chargepoints are well suited to town centre car parks for drivers who want a quick ‘top up’. Vehicles can also be fully charged at the chargepoints. This normally takes between two and four hours from empty, dependsing on the vehicle’s battery capacity.

It is cheaper to charge an electric vehicle than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. To fully charge, for example, a Nissan Leaf (40kWh model), would take less than two hours and cost approximately £12.50p. Normal car parking charges will apply whilst charging.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Cabinet portfolio holder - Highways, Travel and Environment, said, “Providing drivers with more chargepoints for their electric vehicles is an exciting step towards our commitment to becoming carbon-neutral. It also helps make life easier for motorists who are seeking more environmentally friendly methods of travel.”

Joju Charging are installing the chargepoints in January and February. Once active, the chargepoints will appear on Zap Map. The car parks are: • Langton Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DZ • Fairfield long stay, Dorchester, DT1 1QW • Wollaston Field, Dorchester, DT1 1EQ • Gas Lane, Gillingham, SP8 4AT • Holmbush, Lyme Regis, DT7 3HX • Bell Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8AP • Coldharbour, Sherborne, DT9 4HA • Old Market Yard, Sherborne, DT9 3HR • Potters Wheel, Manor Way, Verwood, BH31 7AQ • The Hub, Verwood, BH31 7QE • Rempstone Centre, Wareham, BH20 4NX • West Bay Road, West Bay, DT6 4EL • Governor's Lane, Weymouth, DT4 8DD • Lodmoor, Weymouth, DT4 7SX • Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, DT4 7DW • Swannery, Weymouth, DT4 7TY • King Street, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1EA • Westfield Close, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1ES Work at the sites is planned to start in January 2021, when SSE and Western Power Distribution will begin installing new electrical connections.

The installation and management costs of the chargepoints will be met by Joju Charging and their funding partners, Gronn Kontakt (owned by Statkraft). In return, Dorset Council receives a profit share generated by each chargepoint for the next 15 years.

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| 25

in the home / home is where the heart is .

Make changes to your home in 2021 The start of a new year is a time for new beginnings.

During the lockdowns of 2020 many of us have been tidying our homes, de-junking, and wielding a paintbrush on occasions. Maybe this time indoors has made us realise it’s time for change.

According to a renovation

report by Money.co.uk, 65 per cent of us have decided to invest in our homes this year.

Eurocell Home, a manufacturer, distributor and recycler of UPVC window and door systems looks at how you can create a stunning living space.

Creating an open space Many homeowners aspire to indoor-outdoor flow.

Bi-fold doors have become increasingly popular; they can create a stunning finish to a range of home styles and, with a wide selection of colours and frame sizes to choose from, can create a wow factor.

Bi-folds let natural light flood into your living space and can often make smaller homes feel larger, providing you with low-maintenance luxury of modern living.

Increase the floor space For many, increasing the floor space of your home is highly desirable, whether attached to the house, or as a separate space in the garden.

Fitting a conservatory is a popular option, as it increases the space within your home and

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

creates a statement. French doors are beautifully suited to conservatories and make an impressive entrance to your garden or a seamless transition through your living space.

A same level extension or lean-to can accommodate an extended kitchen or living room with a large glass frontage, and suit an open plan living space.

Home office If you are working from home, creating a home office can help to separate work and home life. A desirable home office would include lots of natural light, whether that be from a skylight, patio doors or a big window. Add personal touches to your home office – decorate it in a style you like, install good lighting and find a way of separating your office from your home life.

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in the home

Top tips to prevent burglary While no-one would like to think they are inviting thieves into their home, the following tips can help deter would-be burglars.

• Shut and lock all windows at night and when you leave your property • Lock all front and rear doors at night. For UPVC doors with a multipoint lock, lift the handle to lock it and remove the key • Do not actively promote the fact that you’re going on holiday, especially on social media • Keep keys out of sight and not in reach of windows and letterboxes • Leave a light on so your home looks occupied if you are going out for the evening. Timer switches can be useful for turning your lights, radios and other appliances on at a set time if you are not due back until after dark • Lock side gates and keep ladders and garden tools in a locked shed • Have an intruder alarm system with visible alarm box installed by an approved contractor. Consider fitting security lighting • Use door chains and spy holes to check who is at the door Record the details of your property such as serial numbers for electronic goods on the Immobilise website (https://www.immobilise.com/)

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in the home / home is where the heart is .

New hope for first-time buyers The government’s Help to Buy scheme, designed to help first-time buyers on to the property ladder, is changing soon, offering fresh opportunities to would-be home buyers in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset.

Introduced in 2013, Help to Buy enabled purchasers to put down just a 5 per cent deposit on a newly-built home, with up to 20 per cent of the full cost of the home being funded by a shared equity loan, which is interest-free for the first five years, says Persimmon Homes.

Originally aimed at both first-time buyers and existing homeowners, the new equity loan scheme will be limited to those new to the housing market from April 2021.

From 1 April, the new Help to Buy programme lets eligible first-time buyers borrow up to 20 per cent of the cost of a new Help to Buy home from the government.

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

How Help to Buy works: • You pay a deposit of 5 per cent of the purchase price of your new home when contracts are exchanged • You take out a repayment mortgage of at least 25 per cent of the purchase price of your new home • You are not charged interest on the loan for the first five years • Interest fees start at 1.75 per cent and rise each year in April by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) plus 2 per cent • You pay a monthly management fee of £1 for the life of the equity loan

The equity loan is secured against your property in the same way as a repayment mortgage. You must repay the equity loan when you sell the home, pay off your repayment mortgage or reach the end of your equity loan term. But, you can repay all or part of the equity loan any time before then.

To find out more about the updated Help to Buy programme, visit www. persimmonhomes.com or download the Government’s official Help to Buy guide - www.gov.uk/government/publications/ help-to-buy-equity-loan-buyers-guide Customers must arrange their own independent financial and legal advice.

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Rise in PPE litter The COVID-19 epidemic has created another epidemic - of PPE litter.

According to a YouGov poll commissioned by the CPRE (The Campaign to Protect Rural England), over 38 per cent of adults in England have seen more litter near to where they live since March 2020 and over 76 per cent have noticed more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) being littered.

There has also been more evidence of fly tipping.

The poll also revealed that over three quarters of the English public agree that the government should be taking more action to tackle litter, including 33 per cent who strongly agree government should be doing more.

Sophie Colley from Litter Free Dorset said, “It has been disheartening to see littering behaviour increase in Dorset following lockdown however, despite this, communities and organisations have come together to tackle issues across the county. Numerous litter picking groups and individual litter heroes helped clean our beaches, beauty spots and green spaces.

A campaign was launched to target BBQ litter as well as messages spread to encourage people to responsibly dispose of their PPE. Thank you to the individuals across Dorset who work so hard to keep Dorset beautiful.”

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VIEWPOINT January 2021

Revised toll application from Sandbanks ferry The planning inspectorate has received a revised toll increase proposal from the Sandbanks Ferry Company following feedback from local councils.

The company submitted a toll increase application in February 2020, to which a consortium of local councils – Dorset, BCP and Swanage Town – submitted a counterproposal in November.

In response, the ferry company offered its own revised proposal. The response acknowledged that income will need to be generated in order purchase a replacement to the current ferry, The Bramble Bush Bay, proposes a simple structure of annual increases to provide greater clarity for passengers and promotes environmentally friendly travel by proposing a freezing of pedestrian and cyclist tolls for 12 years.

The revised application proposes an initial increase of 50 pence per journey for cars in 2021 followed by planned, small annual increases, taking six years to reach £5.50 per journey.

It also proposes that no class of toll would be increased by 50 per cent or doubled immediately and seeks to ensure that costs for local residents regularly travelling by car are offered at an increased discount level of up to 32 per cent on single ticket prices.

Motorist jailed for causing collision A motorist has been jailed for six months after admitting responsibility for a collision in east Dorset that claimed the life of an 84-year-old man.

Harvey Amey, 21 and of Victoria Gardens in Trowbridge, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on 11 December 2020 after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to causing death by careless driving.

The collision involving four vehicles occurred on 28 May 2018 near Badbury Rings between Blandford and Wimborne.

Amey was driving from Blandford towards Wimborne when he overtook a car towing a caravan. He rapidly approached a stationary line of vehicles behind a car waiting to turn right, and collided with the last car in the line before swerving right into the path of a Renault Clio, which was travelling in the opposite direction. The Clio was caused to spin into a fourth vehicle.

There were three generations of a family travelling in the Clio. The driver’s father, Raymond Pike, sustained fractured ribs and a collapsed lung and was taken to hospital for treatment. He sadly died in hospital on 12 October 2018.

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