Allendale Magazine | Spring 2021 by Dorset View

@ the heart of the community

Deans Court Stew Pond Wareham Bears come to Town

Magazine

ALLENDALE

The

Apr - June 2021, Issue 9

Piers Copeland’s Olympic Dream Wimborne Boxing Club wins ‘Clubs in Crisis’ award

01202 887247 • info@theallendale.org www.theallendale.org • Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1AS

THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Contents

The Road Ahead…

A Stew Pond at Deans Court

Piers Copeland

Wareham Bears Arrive Milk Machine

Wimborne Boxing Club

Award-winning Wimborne Community Food Supply

Vet’s Corner

18 Police News

Allen Valley Milk

QE news

TIC & Museum

On call Firefighters

Wimborne in Bloom

BID

Green Festival

Kyleigh in Print

Society Lottery

What’s On @ the Allendale 13

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Community Food

Regular Hirers

Regular Activities

Minster Market

Events

Mr Kyps Events

When it is time to write the editorial, I can usually be found sitting with hands poised over the keyboard, contemplating life at the Allendale – the journey we have taken over the previous three months and the road that lies before us – and deciding what thoughts I would like to share with you. On this occasion, the answer is shining back at me like a beacon in the night. As the phone calls and emails keep on coming and the diary fills once again, we are all fully absorbed in the excitement and anticipation of bringing activities and events back to life once again at the Allendale Centre. From party planners that have been waiting patiently for the opportunity to celebrate those key life events with friends and family - 50th wedding anniversaries, 40th birthdays, christenings or weddings, to children’s activity groups that cannot wait to have a roomful of youngsters brimming over with that palpable excitement that just isn’t the same on zoom calls. From the talks and meetings of organisations that have been put on hold and reorganised uncountable times to the big event bookings of celebrities that have been unable to do what they love best and engage with live audiences for over a year now. From the weekly Minster Market to the vibrant, varied exercise classes that we all hope will help shift a few of those additional lockdown pounds! All of these things and so many more are what keep the Allendale Centre at the heart of the community and we cannot wait to throw open the doors once again and bring these bookings off the pages of the diary and into reality. For 2021 especially, life should be about looking forward and - even though it may still not be a straight road ahead and there may be more twists and turns to travel - there is hope and optimism and excitement and positivity in bucketloads spreading throughout our community and that is something to grab hold of and be truly grateful for. We will be able to open the Allendale Centre to the community once again when the government’s roadmap reaches Stage 2. We know that will be no sooner that 12th April – and we know it may also be later than that. Until that day arrives, please continue to take care, keep following the guidelines and stay safe. We (still!) can’t wait to see you all again!

ALLENDALE

The

@ the heart of the community Editorial team Jane Sorrell Tanya Cripps

Magazine

Tanya Cripps, Centre Manager

DESIGN, PRODUCTION AND SALES Production Manager Ben Pulford ben@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

Gary Cox

Lead Designer Louis Pulford louis@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

Cover image © Mark Parris

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Deans Court and the Saxon ‘Stew’ By Malcolm Angel

Drawn to Wimborne Minster since my youth, I finally moved with my wife and young family into the pleasantly winding East Street in the mid seventies. Then as now this busy shopping thoroughfare boasts two rivers - the smaller being the Wim, which has been diverted from the Allen at the bottom of Mill Lane. This typical chalk stream gurgles towards us between lush green banks before disappearing under the pavement – then remarkably is seen no more as it flows beneath the opposite line of shops. Just a few paces further along, we begin the gentle rise of Arrowsmith Bridge with its forged iron arrows marching smartly across the much broader river below. This is the Allen and being a chalk stream, like the smaller Wim, is rich in fish and waterfowl and a delight for townsfolk and tourists alike – even the occasional otter puts in an appearance. Unlike the Wim however, which has disappeared from view, the Allen affords us an idyllic view downstream where it laps the wall of the Rising Sun Inn before finally becoming hidden by tree cover. However, both waterways are indeed shortly to reunite just a few hundred yards downstream, forming one river again on their way towards a hidden link with Wimborne’s ancient past – the function of which predates the Minster that dominates the town today. Significantly, the reunited river is heading in the same direction as Deans Court Lane, which on glancing west from the railings above the Wim can be seen turning left opposite the 4|

junction with the High Street. This ancient lane, as the name suggests, leads to the magnificent Deans Court, the home of the Hanham family for nearly 500 years; while the river, now one again, runs through the grounds where, masked by a tree line, it passes an oblong one acre pond lying almost midway between its verdant banks and the house. This enchanting stretch of what would appear to be still water is flanked by magnificent trees, and makes a fine setting for the historic house in its well manicured grounds. However, in Saxon times it served a more practical purpose which gives a clue to Deans Court’s antiquity. For the pond is in fact a Romano Saxon stew pond which served Wimborne’s double monastery, constructed around 705AD by Ine, the King of Wessex. This vast building was for the use of both monks and nuns and was administered by the king’s sisters, the princesses St.Quinberga and St.Cuthberga. Indeed, Abbesses administered the monastery throughout its entire life until its sacking during the Viking raids in 1015. Stew ponds, however, are not that uncommon and were often used by monasteries to store live fish ready for eating, supplying the monks and nuns with food during the winter months.

Some have gone of course but others like this Wimborne treasure are still very much with us. Wimborne’s ‘Stew’ is well looked after and well maintained with its hidden inlet and outlet of clean water still being moved by the force of the faithful river which keeps its secrets well as it flows serenely nearby. But what about the proximity of the house to the pond, and how does it relate? The nearness is significant and food for thought as Deans Court’s high quality stone foundations are in fact the same age as both the monastery and its stew pond – that’s over 1300 years old by the way - which reinforces the belief that a house of some significance, possibly a royal residence, exists within and below Deans Court’s present structure. The King’s royal residence stood close by, looking down from Pamphill to the north west… so could this house which stood next to a vital food source for the monastery – putting it most surely within its defensive walls - have been the fine home of the sainted princesses? The river knows - it was there then as it is today, but it keeps its secrets well.

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Wimborne athlete with Olympic ambitions By Ian Kennedy

With the deferred Olympics now scheduled for July, one Wimborne Athletic Club runner is watching developments with a keen interest. 22 year old Piers Copeland had a breakthrough year in 2020, placing third in Athletics Weekly’s 1500m UK rankings. In the Diamond League meeting in Doha in September he was fractions of a second outside Olympic qualifying time. Piers has more to do but he has a chance of Team GB selection for Tokyo, being one of the athletes who made the British Athletics Olympics Futures Academy in December. In 2008 Piers started to attend Wimborne Athletic Club sessions from QE Leisure Centre. For more than 30 years the coaches there have covered all aspects of athletics and

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the club also has an active roadrunning section. Piers worked in the squad of young endurance runners who still train around Pamphill, Badbury Rings and Cannon Hill on Saturday mornings. On mid-week winter evenings they can often be seen tearing it up along Wimborne’s streets. Initially Piers’ focus was on cross-country and by the end of his first season he had his first win. The following year he turned his attention to the track, claiming a county championship for the first time. Piers, and younger sister Grace, went on to make short work of most of the Wimborne AC middle distance club records. Grace had been the first of the pair to qualify for an English Schools’ Athletics Championships,

in 2014. Drawing inspiration from this, and hooking up with coach Bob Smith, Piers progressed with a renewed vigour. Piers chose Cardiff Metropolitan University for his degree. It has one of the best indoor athletics tracks in the UK and he had already established himself ‘on the boards’ there. It had been indoors at Cardiff where Piers claimed his first international vest when in February 2016 he won the 800m on his international debut. In 2019, whilst still only 20, he raced at the Anniversary Games at London’s Olympic Stadium, breaking the 4 minute mile - this was just a week after having taken silver in the 1500m at the European Under-23 Championships in Sweden. In May 2020 Piers signed up for the ‘virtual’ Roger Bannister Mile; he made the front page of Athletics Weekly, winning in 4:02 minutes racing along the pavement from near the Fox & Hounds at Canford Bottom. His finish line was in Hampreston only metres away is Hampreston First School, where the pancake race, many years earlier, had given him his earliest taste of a race win! In 2020 Piers was competing in meetings across Europe and recorded wins in Poznan and Dortmund. In August he broke the British under-23 record for 2000m. The fastest British 2000m runner of all time is Steve Cram; Piers is listed seventh, ahead of Steve Ovett, Seb Coe and Mo Farah. In 2021 Piers set his sights on the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland. Qualifying was achieved with wins on consecutive weekends. In the first race he secured a place in the UK’s top 20 ‘All Time’ list for 1500m indoors. At the British trials he won again. On 4 March Piers headed off to Poland. Some 51 athletes were vying for a place in the final. He knew that a top two place in the qualifying heats would guarantee passage to the final. His heat was the fastest for a 1500m in the history of the European Indoor Championships and Piers’ time was also faster than that of the winners of the other qualifiers. In the final Piers lined up with the best athletes in Europe. He finished a highly creditable 5th, on what was his debut at senior level for Team GB. Piers is now aiming to secure that Olympic qualifying time. Go Piers! Go Wimborne!!

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Allen Valley Milk - back at the Allendale!

• Now available from refrigerated vending machine outside the Centre - ready to be enjoyed whether the Centre’s open or closed! • Fresh, free range, pasteurised milk delivered from Wimborne dairy • Beautiful, creamy taste • Reusable, 1 litre glass bottles available for £1 - or bring your own containers • Milk £1 a litre - don’t compare to supermarket milk, this is a completely different experience • Card payments for milk now accepted • Use within 3 to 4 days - if you can resist that long... • Reduce food miles, reduce plastic waste, buy local, enjoy!

Wareham Bears arrive in Wimborne By Greg Hoar

Wimborne Model Town opens its doors for the 2021 season on Monday 12 April subject to the prevailing government regulations. With last summer’s experience of devising and organising a safe distance route around the vintage 1/10th scale buildings of central Wimborne in the 1950s, trustees and volunteers at the charity attraction are anticipating a regular stream of visitors as lockdown restrictions are lifted. This year, The Wareham Bears will be an eagerly anticipated new feature. Rescued from their most recent home at the Blue Pool in January, the Model Town’s new furry friends www.theallendale.org

have been adjusting to their new surroundings in a refurbished exhibition room overlooking the site’s one acre garden. Set up for public display by Mary Hildesley in 1981, the dressed and playful bears were a firm favourite in Wareham for many years before setting off on their travels to Wilton House in Wiltshire and thence to Wookey Hole in Somerset. The call back to Dorset proved hard to resist and they returned to the Blue Pool in 2012. Visitors to the Model Town will be able to see the bears in many different dioramas, including shopping, fishing, playing rugby and at horse play in the very grand stables building. Rumours

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abound that the bears may be planning a little extension to their activities so it is worth keeping a sharp eye out on the Quiz Trail route. Supported by a Tea Garden, Crazy Golf, interactive hands-free model railway and Wendy

Street play area, the miniature 100 plus shops and buildings have never been such an attractive proposition to visit. www.wimbornemodeltown.com greghoar@wimbornemodeltown.com |9

THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Fitness and Friendship at Wimborne Boxing Club Wimborne Boxing Club provides a friendly, welcoming environment for entire families to come and learn a new sport, get fitter, build confidence and, for those that wish, go on to compete. We coach a large range of ages from 4yrs upwards and we are also very proud to have a fantastic amount of female boxers, both as keep fitters and as competing boxers. In February 2020 we took a squad of 8 girls to Sweden to compete in a competition and came back with 5 gold medals and a silver. We have coaching programs in local Schools, including Corfe Hills, Q.E. and Allenbourne Middle where we run voluntary sessions to make the sport more accessible for the schools’ students. Boxing isn’t just a sport though; it teaches life lessons and continues to help and support so many people going through their battles. Boxing provides a focus not only for fitness but by encouraging a disciplined

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approach to diet and nutrition. With so many youngsters consumed by social media and online gaming, Wimborne Boxing Club actively encourages physical activity and also provides real social interaction to keep members engaged and interested. Recently we won the ‘Clubs In Crisis’ competition with Made By Sport, who were looking to support Grassroots sports clubs around the country that were doing great work in their community. After submitting a video documenting our Female boxing project ‘Girls In Gloves’, we were picked as one of 3 national winners to receive a cash prize to help support the project. We were also featured in the Daily Mail. The club takes the time and

effort to build individuals’ confidence while also encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves both mentally and physically. The coaches promote resilience through an emphasis on individual improvement and a growth mindset of responding positively to setbacks. The club has also created a community atmosphere through social events and an established calendar of activities. Overall, being a member of Wimborne Boxing Club makes you feel part of something that is growing and progressing and that each and every member helps in that process. www.wimborneboxingclub.co.uk info@wimborneboxingclub.co.uk

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

THE TRUE MEANING OF COMMUNITY My name is Rev Karen Franklin and I am based at The Lantern Church in Merley. When I am not there I spend quite a lot of my time at the Allendale Centre as part of the Wimborne Community Food Supply team, my role is to offer pastoral and practical support to many of the people who receive help from the food supply. I meet with or telephone people on a weekly basis, sometimes more if needed, to support people who are often in a time of crisis. When I began offering this service, I presumed there would not be much poverty in Wimborne; it is known for being a reasonably wealthy area. Unfortunately, I was wrong and in recent months things have become worse as the pandemic has hit people hard. There are more and more people, many with families, losing their jobs and at one point the wait for Universal Credit was over 10 weeks, leaving them with no money at all for that time. Pastorally, the need is even bigger. Nearly everyone I speak to is suffering with loneliness and isolation, which does not discriminate on age or sex but affects everyone I work with right now. I offer a listening ear and when they want it, a prayer. I give each of them the opportunity to talk to me and for many I am the only person they speak to each week. The issues people struggle with are varied but include those who have recently lost their jobs, who are ill, who are carers, who are homeless, who are pregnant, who have age related health issues, who have experienced a family break up and many more. For some these issues were there prior to Covid and have deteriorated but for most, these issues have arisen because of the virus. Another common factor is that nearly all of the people I support are finding for the first time in their lives that they need to ask for help, which is often difficult and embarrassing, until they realise just how friendly and supportive the team at the food supply are! The one need they all have in common is the need for a listening ear, someone who tries to understand www.theallendale.org

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and help. As well as pastoral care, I am able to give practical help and advice, often signposting them to other agencies that can offer more specialised help. We help in practical ways too, which have included a pair of winter boots and a warm coat to keep a homeless man dry, or a dehumidifier for a damp flat. I hope that I have been able to give you a little bit of insight into the pastoral side of the work at Wimborne Community Food Supply and as I end, I just want to let you know a little bit about what we got up to at Christmas last year. Firstly, I want to express a huge thank you to many of you for your extravagant giving; because of our donations we were able to provide a Christmas lunch for 300 people on

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Christmas day, each one delivered to them in their homes the day before. Your kind donations of presents ensured that we were able to give a Christmas present to each and every one of the people that uses the Wimborne Community Food supply, for the children I’m glad to say we were able to give them a few presents each. For one family this Christmas who were waiting for benefits the food and presents we gave them was all they had so without your generosity they would have had nothing for themselves or their children. So, I want to say a particular thank you to all of you who have donated and continue to support the work of the Wimborne Community Food Supply - it really does make a huge difference.

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Wimborne Community Food Supply receive award from the High Sheriff When the Covid pandemic started last March, we were all entering unknown territory. For many people the situation was even more serious. Our elderly and otherwise vulnerable population were limited to staying at home and many people suffered a devastating loss of income. The Allendale Centre already hosted a community fridge and so the management team at the Café@theAllendale decided to build on that and create a community food facility to support those in need. Thanks to help from local community organisations (Poole Food Bank and The Friendly Food Club among others), local pubs (special mention to the Olive Branch and Hall and Woodhouse in general) and a team of wonderful, dedicated volunteers, the operation was successfully launched. At the peak we were providing around 700

meals a week to our own list of “customers” and supplying the Town Council’s Resilience Group in support of their own efforts to manage the crisis. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly delivering food either on foot or by car and serving those who were able to come and collect provisions themselves. Additionally, they took delivery from our suppliers to stack shelves and sort food into batches for the various chefs and cooks to produce the meals, soups and desserts for distribution. In recognition of this amazing effort, which has now lasted over a year, the group have received recognition from The High Sheriff of Dorset in the form of a certificate. It is customary for the High Sheriff to make awards during his/her year in office to highlight exceptional work undertaken in the

community. Whilst these awards are normally reserved for the emergency services and similar organisations, special achievements by volunteers in the community are also recognised. This has been deemed to be such a case and everyone involved

is incredibly proud to be honoured in this way. They are all “local heroes” and we should be delighted for them all. A truly amazing achievement and, once again, the true meaning of community.

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival - 2021 A FESTIVAL NIGHT IN! On the 11th and 12th of June this year plans are afoot for a totally new festival experience. Covid-19 has led to the cancellation of the live festival that takes over the town of Wimborne in the 2nd weekend of June each year. However, the committee members have gone to the drawing board and put together a plan for two concerts to be held online. The aim is to have all the feel, variety and entertainment of the festival 14 |

we know and love, packed into an online format. Some of your favourite folk artists will perform live along with dancers, art, comedy and so much more. The Friday night will have more of a comedy focus, with rumours that the fabulous Les Barker has agreed to headline! Saturday will focus on traditional folk music and dancing. More information plus the full line up will be available in due course on the

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival website (www.wimbornefolk.co.uk) and our Facebook page. The concerts will both be accessible in real time from Facebook, YouTube and the Festival Website. Put the 11th and 12th of June, 7pm– 10pm, in your diaries now for Wimborne Minster Folk Festival Online and get ready for a fantastic festival night in!

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

A Puppy is for Life, not just Lockdown! There’s been a huge increase in the demand for puppies during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. It’s been revealed that one in four people undertake no research at all before getting a new pet which leads to new owners being unaware of their specific requirements and needs, potentially causing welfare and behavioural concerns. This can also lead to many pets having to be re-homed. Impulse buying potentially puts the health and welfare of animals at risk, so it’s important to spend time researching both the breed and type of pet that would fit your lifestyle. You need to find a reputable breeder who has looked after both the mum and pups appropriately.

Choosing a puppy responsibly

Allen Valley Milk’s Cow of the Quarter Name: Princess Breed: Holstein Friesian cross Age: 8 Average milk yield per day: 42 litres Princess lives up to her name; she prefers to do things her own way and as you can see in the photo, she wasn’t keen on the paparazzi when she was coming out of the milking parlour.

• Buy from a reputable source - your vet, kennel club or trustworthy online breed forums can recommend reliable and responsible breeders. The breeder should always supply you with relevant paperwork including pedigree registration papers, health screening certificates (conducted by a vet) and a written medical history, including vaccinations and worming. • Always ask to see the puppy’s mum and siblings which can help you see their temperament, general health and welfare. • Avoid puppies raised in kennels as they will have had little time to socialise and may have missed out on important social growth stages. • Don’t buy a puppy (or other pet) online and stay away from breeders who offer multiple breeds of pet - these could be puppy farmers who have little/no interest in the pets they sell. Think carefully before rushing out and buying a puppy, it’s a lifetime commitment and please do contact us for advice on local breeders and help with your new pet. www.vetsmiths.co.uk hello@vetsmiths.co.uk 01202 119988

Spring is coming… Wow, what a variety of weather we have been having this year so far! From snow, ice, wind and rain to brilliant sunshine and blue skies. Luckily, our ladies are all tucked in the barns with their warm, dry beds, away from the wild weather. Whilst the cows are inside, we must regularly scrape up their manure to keep the sheds nice and clean. This job is done by a tractor with a scraper implement which is pulled along the floor collecting up the manure. It is scraped into grated concrete drainage ditches which feed into our big storage tank called a slurry lagoon. But this is not the end for this fabulous resource! The slurry is pumped out of the tank and spread onto the fields as a fertiliser, preparing them for the girls return as soon as the ground has firmed up and the weather has improved. We all look forward to that day each year! Follow the Farm on Facebook and Instagram. Find us at Allen Valley Milk on Facebook and @allenvalleymilk on Instagram. www.theallendale.org

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DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER? Did you know that almost all of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire stations, including Wimborne, are crewed by on-call firefighters? On-call firefighters are paid professionals who do the same work as their wholetime colleagues. However, unlike wholetime firefighters, they are not based at the fire station but have other jobs and commitments, responding to emergencies only when their alerter goes off. On-call firefighters come from every walk of life; from parents looking for work while their children are at school to directors of companies.

What they all have in common is self-reliance, confidence, respect, enthusiasm, team spirit and a willingness to be ready for anything when they are alerted to an emergency. To be an on-call firefighter you must: • Be at least 18 years old when you join us (you can apply once you are 17½) • Live or work near the fire station so you can respond quickly • Have a good standard of physical fitness • Have the right to work in the UK

All the information you need – from advice on how to get fit to guidance on the application process – can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/on-callfirefighters While Wimborne isn’t actively recruiting at the moment, you can still lodge an expression of interest for future vacancies. Equally, you may know someone who lives in an area where the fire station is recruiting, so why not encourage them to take a look?

Hello from the East Dorset Neighbourhood Policing Team Another coronavirus lockdown is certainly impacting us all. The policing team are working hard to support the NHS and reduce the spread of the virus. We have been on foot patrol across the section, responding to your reports of breaches of the regulations and following the approach of engage, explain, encourage and enforcing the rules. I am glad to report that our community is making a huge effort to keep to the regulations. Please keep an eye on your vulnerable neighbours. If you have any concerns they may be being targeted by anyone trying to exploit them please report it. Whilst we continue to receive reports of rogue traders cold-calling on the vulnerable, lockdown has seen criminals seek to fraudulently exploit people by phone or through the internet. We have seen an increase in acquisitive crime over the last couple of months, specifically catalytic converter thefts and theft from motor vehicles. Hondas and Toyotas are specifically targeted for catalytic converter thefts. Two arrests have 18 |

been made and investigations are ongoing. Our crime prevention advice is, where possible, park please the rear of your vehicle close to walls or fences in a well-lit area or even better in a locked garage. Always ensure you remove all your valuables and lock your vehicle. We have been clamping down on anti-social behaviour. Unfortunately, we are seeing some young people breaching Covid regulations on a frequent basis. Two persistent offenders have been charged with multiple criminal offences in our community and one has received a criminal behaviour order. We cannot publish further details of this due to restrictions imposed by the courts on youth crime. We are seeking to improve the way we engage with our community. Traditionally we would visit community groups and hold street corner meetings and cops at the shops. During lockdowns we haven’t been able to do this. We are always enhancing our online capability. You can keep up to date

with the team through social media on Facebook @EastDorsetPolice and Instagram @EastDorsetPolice alongside the Dorset Police website www.dorset.police.uk. If you are a part of a community group that has moved online during lockdown and might benefit from contact with the local neighbourhood policing team please send us a message at WimborneColehill-NPT@Dorset. PNN.Police.uk - we’d love to join the conversation!

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WIMBORNE MUSICAL THEATRE

Wimborne Musical Theatre was formed in the 1960s by a group of musical theatre enthusiasts who wanted to pass their love of the medium on to local audiences and indulge their passion while doing it. In the early days, and as Broadstone Light Operatic Society, the company mixed pure musical theatre, with productions such as Brigadoon and The Pajama Game, with light operatic and G & S favourites such as HMS Pinafore and Die Fledermaus. The company had evolved over the years with a move to the Tivoli Theatre as their main performance venue and the significant decision to change the company name to Wimborne Musical Theatre but the original aims of the society remained the same. Several of the founding members have kept their interest in the Society, although not in a performing capacity, and it is good to still have their expertise. The company goes from strength to strength and over the years we have been joined by some very talented and enthusiastic members of all age groups, which has enabled us to retain standards for which we are renowned. In the past few years we have attained amazing accolades for musicals, namely Anything Goes, Crazy for You, Sister Act, 9 to 5 and The Wizard of Oz. Hopefully, if musical theatre is once again able to get back into theatres, we are scheduled to present an entertainment show entitled ‘Westenders’ in October at the Hub in Verwood and in November at the Minster Theatre, Allendale Centre, Wimborne. Moving forward our next major production is ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’ which is scheduled for April 2022 at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne. If you are interested in joining this friendly group, please visit our website www.wimbornemusical.co.uk or contact Sylvia Walpole by email; sdwalpole@ icloud.com or call 07973 285334. www.theallendale.org

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GET THOSE TOES TAPPING! My name is Zoe and I run Tappy Toes in Wimborne and surrounding areas. I started dance classes myself at the age of 3, trained professionally as a dancer and then spent most of my 20s and 30s dancing in shows onboard cruise ships, in casino and cabaret shows around the world! I’ve been teaching ballet and dance to children for the past 10 years and I’m really excited to bring these fun and engaging baby, toddler and pre-school dance classes to Wimborne and the surrounding areas. Tappy Toes run AWARD WINNING, active dancing classes for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Our baby, toddler and pre-school dance classes are specifically designed to instil a lifelong love of dance and movement into your little dancer. Come and release some of those endorphins with us! Get your little one moving in a Tappy Toes dance class near you. Classes starting in April at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne and nearby areas.

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Tappy Toes baby, pre-school and toddler dance classes can improve your child's:

MOTOR SKILLS • SOCIAL SKILLS • MUSICALITY • CONFIDENCE • POSTURE • CO-ORDINATION We look forward to getting you and your little ones dancing soon! Classes starting in April! Monday mornings @ The Allendale Centre, Wimborne. Contact Zoe for more details: zoe@tappytoes.com 07957 148960 www.tappytoes.com/toddlerclasses-wimborne www.facebook.com/ tappytoeswimborne www.facebook.com/groups/ tappytoeswimborne www.instagram.com/ tappytoeswimborne/ www.twitter.com/tappytoesltd | 21

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FLexercise with Tanya Tuesday mornings at the Allendale Centre

If you are wanting to improve your overall fitness, health and wellbeing, come along and try Tanya’s fun and friendly exercise class. This unique class is part exercise, part dance but all fun! inclusive to all ages, abilities and fitness levels • an opportunity to meet new friends • 2020 non-dance brand Community Fitness Winners • work to your own ability • choreographed to motivational music

The FLexercise system is a proven exercise format (founded in 1930 by Mary Bagot Stack and originally called the Women’s League of Health and Beauty). All choreographed to great uplifting music, this low impact, safe and effective class includes exercises and movement to improve posture, balance, coordination and strength, lots of stretching to improve flexibility and easy to follow dance steps to move every part of the body. For more information and to book, please contact Tanya on 07818060639 or email tanya.dominey@btinternet.com

Local Model Railway Group hope to resume meetings The Central Southern O Gauge Group (CSGOG) of railway modellers were meeting monthly at the Allendale Centre… until the Covid-19 pandemic struck. With the partial lifting of restrictions in the Autumn we managed to hold a colour slide presentation in September, whilst adhering to the government safety guidelines at the time. This unfortunately proved to be a ‘one-off’, as tighter government restrictions came into force, so we have been unable to meet since then. Despite this setback, many members continued to build some impressive models at home, including locos, coaches, wagons, buildings and a short road bridge (see photo). The CSGOG have always had a good relationship with the Allendale Centre since we first started meeting in the Quarter Jack Hall many years ago. But with the change in booking requirements from other users, the Allendale Management have asked the CSGOG to move into the larger Minster Hall when our meetings reconvene. Visitors of all ages and experience are welcome at our meetings (usually 22 |

the second Wednesday of each month). At the time of writing we are not sure when this will be, but a quick check on our website will give details then this happens. Looking further ahead, we are optimistic that our Annual Exhibition, to be held on Sunday 24th October,

will be able to go ahead. There will be several layouts, trade support is already booked and Café @ the Allendale will be open for refreshments. Further details: www.csgog.org or email: david.churchill4@btinternet. com

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Regular Clubs and Activities @ the Allendale MONDAY Tappy Toes Dance Weekly 9am

Play Sportz (term time only) Weekly 9.30am & 10.30am

E. Dorset Parkinson’s Tai Chi Weekly 11.30am

Happy Patchers Monthly 1.30pm

Dance Away Weekly 1.45pm

Wimborne Horticultural Soc Monthly 2pm

Gordon Fearn Tae Kwon Do Weekly 4.15pm

((Bounce)) Weekly 6.15pm & 7.15pm

E Dorset Family History Grp Monthly 7.30pm

The Arts Society Monthly 1.30pm

TUESDAY FLexercise Weekly 9.15am & 10.15am

Play Sportz (term time only) Weekly 9.30am & 4pm

Stagecoach Weekly 4.15pm - 7.15pm

Wessex Astronomical Society Monthly 7.45pm

WEDNESDAY Shining Stars Weekly 9.45am

Over 50s Lunch Club Monthly 12.30pm

Age UK Dementia Group Weekly 1.30pm

Strictly Tea Dance Monthly 2.30pm

Gauge O Group Monthly 7.15pm

((Bounce)) Weekly 7.30pm

Shamanican Drum Circle Monthly 7.30pm

Dorset Youth Marching Band Weekly 7.30pm

Juliet Yoga Weekly 6pm

THURSDAY Funba Weekly 10am

Claire Matthews Pilates Weekly 10.30am & 11.30am

Golden Oldies Film Club Monthly 1.30pm

BEAT Weekly 4pm

Destined2Dance Weekly 7.30pm

Play Sportz (term-time only) Weekly 4pm

FRIDAY Minster Market @ the Allendale Weekly 9am

SUNDAY Wimborne Quaker Meeting Weekly 10.30am

For more information on our regular clubs and activities, please call us at the Allendale on 01202 887247 or go online to www.theallendale.org All details correct at time of going to print. Subject to change and government restrictions. 24 |

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QE CORNER

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Looking Forward to Looking Back - Amy Stevens (year 9)

Facetime with my teacher - Gracie Turner (year 9)

First lesson is maths. I know Miss will make us turn on our cameras but my room is a tip! I really don’t want all my classmates to see my bedroom this messy. What will they think? I bet they would laugh – call me unorganised and that. I have 2 minutes until I need to log on. I could set a world record time for cleaning a bedroom. No. It is no use; I might as well deal with the fact that it's too late, my teacher will think a dump truck just came and emptied out the shelves of Primark onto the floor! Whatever. I bet half the class are just like me right now, and I know full well that the other half of the class couldn’t care less – they are probably calm as a bull in a china shop. Only just woke up, rolled out of bed, and melted into their desks, still in pyjamas! Could never be me though. Oh no! It's time to log on… ‘Good morning Gracie!’, cheered Miss. How can all these teachers be so happy? It's barely 9am! It's weird, I now know my teacher’s forenames, what their homes look like and all. It’s a new perspective of teachers - they do more than just marking and teaching. They lounge about their homes, take their dogs for walks, and have a family of their own, who are doing their work in just the other room. Just like me. There is always one pupil who is the bravest, the first to turn their cameras on, and answer all the questions so the others are obliged to do so. These pupils should be given an exceptionally large prize when schools reopen. Nonetheless, there are many kids who are the complete opposite. Who will come up with every excuse under the sun to get out of answering the teachers? ‘Sorry Miss, my camera doesn’t work!’ or ‘I would Sir, but my Wi-Fi just went out, so I didn’t hear the question’. The possibilities are endless. But for now, it's maths; time to go and learn the index law with algebraic expression, whatever that means. Wish me luck! www.theallendale.org

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The streets stood silent and desolate, as people sheltered from the invisible enemy that stalked and sought destruction. The homes people usually spent so little time in became prisons, where families crammed into every room. The nation’s life was stolen, paused, a whole year lost. The only thing that kept everyone going was the desire to hear the announcement that their country was free of the threat that had snaked so easily into their lives. The hope that everything would be back to normal soon. People craved the little things. The festivals, the crowded rooms. I looked out my window, silently hoping I’d see children playing, or the pleasant conversation between neighbours that used to be so common, but there was nothing. The world had turned black and white, so still. Only the birds taunting me. I was so tired of all the announcements, following all the rules when really that was the last thing I wanted to do. Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives. Stay alert, control the virus, save lives. Hands, face, space. They were all just words, but our whole country was living by them. The uncertainty loomed over everyone, a weight no one could lift. The news was so full of the war. So full of the soldiers that had become drowned in the fight, armed only with their brains. The once indestructible, powerful country I used to live in was on its knees, sinking lower and lower into a seemingly endless sea of the disease that had struck us so powerfully and so rapidly. The end was so near, but so far away. Other people were so near, but so far away. The only people who seemed real to me were my family. Technology was the only thing I talked to. One day this would be a memory. One day we’d enter the new normal. One day society would stand tall once again. We all had to keep our faith, because that was the only thing lighting up the endless void we had been trapped in. Our world would make it through this. *** I’ve been thinking about the pandemic that first struck us two years ago. No one would ever have guessed then that in 2022 it would lead to us thriving more than we did before. It’s crazy. I guess what doesn’t kill you does make you stronger. I’m happier than I’ve ever been before. This year has been wild. I’ve been to so many festivals and gigs, watching gold confetti flutter down so many different stages. My friends have become closer than ever with me, we’ve had so much fun together. I’ve been on amazing holidays thanks to the money we saved from lockdown, surrounded with beautiful light blue oceans and tall palm trees. It’s like coronavirus never happened! School is normal, the term ‘bubbles’ hasn’t been used in ages. The bustle of the city has returned, and the neighbourly chats are back. I’m almost jealous of all the free time I had back then, life’s going so fast now it seems alien to be bored. I always have something going on, some event. Everyone has become so grateful of the freedom and we’re all having as much fun as possible. I never thought that I liked crowds, or busy places, but I’ve realised how reassuring it is, with everyone around you smiling and laughing, it’s contagious. If I could say anything to my past self, I’d tell her to spend her free time well, because it won’t be back for a while! I’m so glad it’s all over though, and I’m glad to be able to say one sentence: I survived Covid-19.

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Discover local beef & lamb at Minster Market @ the Allendale SOUTH HOUSE FARM at Lytchett Matravers was established in 1998 by Stuart and Sandra Kingston-Turner, selling top quality beef and lamb which they rear themselves. Animal welfare is paramount and animals graze clover rich permanent pasture in the traditional way - yes, locking in all that carbon! Angus and Hereford beef cattle are the stars of the show; these hardy cattle finishing to a high standard on grass. They are native breeds with a quiet nature. The Poll Dorset sheep are a close second, with lambing twice a year. Poll Dorsets are also a hardy breed and thrive on the rolling slopes of the village. There is a small butchery selling aged beef and lamb, preparing meat to the highest standards, cut to the customer requirements. Half lamb boxes and beef selection boxes are a popular choice. South House Farm is at Minster Market @ the Allendale Centre in Wimborne on a Friday morning. Come and take a look when normal service resumes.

Bags of Character

Kay’s Bags 4 You are made up of an eclectic mix of handmade bags and purses to suit many occasions and situations. The styles may be made in a colourway chosen by the customer, making it personal and unique, or can be chosen from the current items already made up and ready to go. We are now pleased to introduce new additions to the home-ware items such as aprons, doorstops, oven gloves and cushions. Please contact Kay on kay426@btinternet.com if you would like to chat through what is available. When Minster Market @ the Allendale commences once again, why not come along and see the stand? www.theallendale.org/minstermarket-the-allendale

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MUSEUM and TIC RESTORED

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In December 2018, the Priest’s House Museum closed its doors to begin the ma jor renovation work to improve the building’s accessibility and to ensure it was preserved for many years to come. In June 2019 Wimborne Tourist Information Centre also closed its High Street doors and relocated temporarily to the Hilda Coles Open Learning Centre. Forward to 2020 and it was all due to reopen with a big celebration in late spring. As we’re all too aware nothing went quite as planned last year. The enforced closure meant more time to put the finishing touches to this mammoth project. July 2020 saw the new East Dorset Information Centre returned to the High Street to great acclaim.

In October, the rebranded Museum of East Dorset was ready to welcome its first visitors. The museum is now fully accessible, for the first time, with a lift to the first floor galleries and levelled flooring throughout. The Grade II listed building has been faithfully restored and many striking and unusual features have been left on display for visitors to see. Downstairs, you can find out more about the history of the house and the people who lived there from the 1600s till the 1960s. Discover more about life

Will Wimborne be in Bloom? It is now just over a year since we held our last fundraising event, the ever popular Wine and Wisdom Fun Quiz Evening in the Allendale Centre on 6th March 2020. A fortnight later came the first lockdown and as we all know others have followed. As I write this piece for the next edition of the Allendale Magazine dates for the gradual lifting of the restrictions which we have all endured during the Coronavirus Pandemic have been announced and perhaps some form of normality will return by the summer. But will life ever get back to what it was and will we be able to run events as previously? For the present we just cannot tell. Wimborne in Bloom has suffered just like many other charitable organisations but without our events it is difficult to see how we will be able to provide the number of floral displays that have adorned and beautified the town over the last 28 years. www.theallendale.org

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in the local area through a number of themed galleries on the first floor. The £1.8m Revival Project was made possible by a £982,200 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, along with partnership funding from Trusts, Foundations, local councils, organisations, businesses and members of the local community. There is a varied programme of events

coming up including virtual talks and workshops along with a comprehensive learning pack available to download. Keep an eye on the website for details of opening: www. museumofeastdorset. co.uk. Both the museum and TIC are very much looking forward to welcoming you back in 2021.

We will do our best and hope that we might be able to provide some colour during the summer and perhaps even organise an event or two… so it’s watch this space for news of our Open Gardens Day and the Duck Race - will they be able to take place? You can keep up to date by accessing our website: www.wimborneinbloom.org.uk Donations towards our work are particularly welcome and can be made by contacting either Richard Nunn (01202 888793) or Anthony Oliver (01202 888703). Copies of the lovely Blooming Wimborne Book are still available at £4.95 each from Anthony Oliver.

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The Double Whammy by Tammy Sleet, Manager, BID

Discover the joy of papercutting By Kyleigh Orlebar As a local papercutting artist I’ve turned adversity into positivity by embarking on creating and crowdfunding my first book. Ordered to shield during the first lockdown, I found I was unable to work from my beloved riverside shop, Kyleigh’s Papercuts in Mill Lane, Wimborne. This meant I was unable to take orders for finished framed commissions and the door was also closed on my popular papercutting workshops. Instead I have pivoted the business to selling digital templates which can be printed off at home to enjoy the meditative relaxation of papercutting. I’ve also turned to virtual workshops via Zoom. After a brief spell back in the studio at the end of last year, I (like so many others) once more found myself ordered to shield by the government. This time however, there is an added dose of creativity as I am diving headlong into creating and writing my first papercutting template book. I have set up a Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/kyleighspapercuts) where fans get an access-all-areas to my entire book journey and support me at the same time - they even get access to exclusive templates of designs that will eventually feature in the finished book. Top tier patrons will also have the opportunity to become beta readers and get their name in the printed craft book. I am so looking forward to returning to my little yellow shop in Mill Lane, Wimborne once the lockdown is lifted, resuming my papercutting workshops as well as continuing work on the book. 32 |

The dictionary definition of “whammy” is “a thing with supernatural power, especially that brings bad luck”. The Covid 19 pandemic has been catastrophic and in Wimborne we have all been blown away by the resilience and spirit of our local businesses. In the face of chaos and uncertainty they have remained positive and come through for our communities every single time. From offering free meals over school holidays to the children of struggling local families to making sure that we have the supplies we need - we should all be proud of our community. At the end of December, the Brexit transition period ended in a most dramatic way with many fearing that a trade deal would not be achieved in time. The new regulations and associated costs have created another barrier that has only added to the Covid crunch. One such business is Fishcove Aquatics, a successful, family-run business in King’s Court. The owner of the business, Duncan Jones, says that they have loved being in Wimborne over the last two years, but that Brexit has caused challenges that threaten the future of the business. Duncan imports live fish and plants from eight EU countries. His suppliers from four of those countries are no longer confident to send stock to the UK and the costs of doing so are prohibitive. It was February before Duncan could get a single fish into his shop following Brexit. During the last year, Fishcove Aquatics has grown a consultancy, installation and maintenance part of the business which has gone from strength to strength. As a business that’s allowed to stay open during lockdown, the more transmissible variant of the virus means they can no longer carry out house visits. “As a family business, we just can’t afford to catch the virus and shut for ten days,” said Duncan. “Footfall is through the floor because the other shops are closed and I can’t just turn off the lights and close because of the livestock.” Online sales have been a lifesaver for Fishcove Aquatics allowing them a small but significant income during the pandemic. This is a similar story across the board with businesses that embrace online showing a better resilience to the pandemic. During the first lockdown, almost a year ago, Wimborne BID partnered with e-commerce platform ShopAppy to provide an online shop that businesses could use for free. Customers can browse any shop on the platform and buy from any using one checkout. BID Chairman, Martin Pate says this digital shop window will benefit every business: “Just like when you’re visiting Wimborne and may pop into a shop that you pass while you’re there, people visiting ShopAppy for one business will be able to see all the shops on the site and shop with any of them. It will help people support our local businesses even if they can’t get out”. Dorset LEP have helped with funding the ShopAppy platform across five towns in Dorset. To visit Wimborne’s ShopAppy site, go to: shopappy.com/wimborne/wimborne. www.theallendale.org

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Wimborne Spring Green Festival 17–24 April

Successfully launched in 2019, cancelled in 2020 and re-imagined for spring 2021, Wimborne Green Festival is back – and coming to a screen (very) near you. An inspiring green-themed programme of online events will include films, nature and wildlife

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talks, children’s craft sessions and more – all designed to encourage and equip us to live more sustainably and build a more hope-filled future. Just like spring greens, Wimborne Spring Green Festival will do you good! Keep a look out on our Facebook page – Wimborne

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Green Festival – for further programme and booking details as they become available. It is hoped that in the autumn, 16-23 October, Wimborne Green Festival will return in its original face to face form. This is, of course, subject to government advice. Watch this space!

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Allendale Centre

Events Listing

May Sunday 2nd Monday 31st June

Grandma’s Attic Grandma’s Attic

10am 10am

Wednesday 23rd

Rod Hughes

Afternoon

Sunday 27th

WDCA Craft Fair

10am

Grandma’s Attic

10am

August Sunday 29th September Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th Wednesday 15th Thursday 16th Saturday 25th

Wimborne Horticultural various Society Flower Show An evening with Paul Merson and Matt Le Tissier Rotary Big Band Charity 7.30pm Jazz Concert Bournemouth Orchid 10am Society Show

info@grandmasatticfairs.co.uk info@grandmasatticfairs.co.uk Tickets from Gullivers Bookshop and online at ticketsource Stall information available soon from www.theallendale.org info@grandmasatticfairs.co.uk www.theallendale.org www.theallendale.org/box-office www.theallendale.org www.theallendale.org

October Saturday 2nd

Amanda Owen

Afternoon

Sunday 17th Saturday 23rd

Handmade Wimborne Wimborne Rotary Craft Fair Central Southern Gauge ‘O’ Group Annual Model Railway Exhibition 20-1 Big Band Evening Grandma’s Attic

10am 10am

Tickets from Gulliver’s bookshop and online at ticketsource kyleighspapercuts@gmail.com www.theallendale.org

10am

david.churchill4@btinternet.com

7pm 10am

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Tuesday 2nd

Michael Portillo

Afternoon

Wednesday 3rd Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th Saturday 6th

An Evening with Phil Tufnell

Sunday 24th Saturday 30th Sunday 31st November

Saturday 13th Friday 19th Saturday 20th Thursday 25th Saturday 27th December Friday 3rd Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th Monday 27th

Dorset Team Winter Fair

10am

Tickets from Gullivers Bookshop or online at ticketsource www.theallendale.org/box-office dorsetteam@outlook.com

Fleetwood Bac Wimborne in Bloom 10am Charities Fair Bad Manners Westenders – Theatre show An Evening with Frank Bruno Art & Craft Fair

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Coldplace

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Dorset Team Craft Fair

10am

dorsetteam@outlook.com

Handmade Wimborne

10am

kyleighspapercuts@gmail.com

Dirty DC

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*NHS Blood and Transplant Services meet here regularly – visit blood.co.uk to register and book *Children’s holiday activities to be confirmed – see www.theallendale.org *Over 50s Lunch Club and Golden Oldies Film Dates to be confirmed – see www.theallendale.org 36 |

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