Dorset View April 2022

April 2022 Volume 19, Issue 9

Karol Swiacki, Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine

Cause of the Year

local knowledge | local reporters | local news ISSN 2397-723X (print) | ISSN 2397-7248 (online) Broadstone | Christchurch | Colehill | Ferndown | Merley | West Parley | Wimborne | Ashley Heath | Bournemouth | Canford Heath Kinson | Poole | Ringwood | St Ives | Three Legged Cross | Verwood | West Moors

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

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Picture of the month

Volume 19 • Issue 9 • April 2022

DORSET VIEW

Dear Readers!

It’s been a while since I wrote an editorial in Dorset View and the world has changed significantly – not only through the pandemic, but also with a vile and unnecessary war raging in Ukraine that is seeing wanton destruction and loss of lives for no sane reason.

We have details in this issue of the aid effort for the Ukrainian refugees in our area.

I was able to speak to a mother in Kyiv, sheltering with her family in her bathroom during a bomb alert and this brought home to me the inadequacy of the human race to do anything about the leader of a country who is hell bent on destroying the families, homes and the history of another nation. The full interview is on the dorsetview.co.uk website. A small extract is on page 7.

On a much lighter note, we have a Spot the Bunny competition. Yay! It’s been a while since we had one of those, and the prize is for a super-yummy chocolate egg from Chococake in Wimborne. Get counting those elusive bunnies and remember to look out for the right rabbit. See page 25 for a picture.

Nearly everyone at Dorset View is back working at the office now and we look forward to getting out and about and seeing familiar faces once again at the many events we are involved with.

Everyone at Dorset View sends best wishes for a pleasant Easter and for peace to settle once more in Ukraine and throughout the world.

Peace Out.

Ben Pulford managing director ben@dorsetview.co.uk Louis Pulford creative director DD 01202 233441 louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

NEWS DESK 01202 870270

Janine Pulford editor janine@dorsetview.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk Karen Wyatt-Epapara deputy editor karen@dorsetview.co.uk

ADVERTISING 01202 816140

Mark Beechey account manager DD 01202 941465 mark@dorsetview.co.uk Simon Thornton account manager DD 01202 941470 simon@dorsetview.co.uk Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

DESIGN TEAM

Janine Pulford

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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

LOGISTICS Mike Talbot

Magnificent glossy ibis photographed by Sharon Towning at Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch

How to contact us

01202 870270

Email: news@dorsetview.co.uk Web: www.dorsetview.co.uk Twitter: @dorset_view Facebook: dorsetview.news Pulford Publicity, Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ Follow us on FACEBOOK:

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Copy deadline

13 APRIL 2022

Dorset View 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 Dorset View 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 Dorset View 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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Chief Constable vows to make streets safer

Working to prevent homelessness

Dorset Chief Constable Scott Chilton has vowed to make Dorset the safest area in the country.

His plans to achieve this aim include tackling criminals on the roads coming into Dorset, targeting organised criminals who prey on young and vulnerable people and ensuring the force has robust and streamlined investigation processes to get those who need to be taken off the streets behind bars as quickly as possible.

Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “We are committed to bringing more offenders to justice and our communities will see a more visible and proactive police force in Dorset. I will be putting more officers on our streets, be responsive to calls for service from our public and ensure we are more accessible through mobile police stations, neighbourhood surgeries and dedicated enforcement

BCP Council is joining other areas across England to help tackle homelessness across the country.

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teams out in the community.

“We also need to provide a quality service to victims and put them at the heart of everything we do.

“I know our communities want to see action against anti-social behaviour and street level drug dealing, so I am investing in county lines enforcement teams and neighbourhood enforcement teams to be continuously pursuing those bringing drugs into our county through proactive and targeted action.”

The government has pledged that rough sleeping should be prevented or minimised whenever possible, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has announced that it will be joining a number of other areas across England in tackling homelessness.

A new government strategy includes a set of measures by which local authorities can work with the Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI) to track progress, shedding a light on successes in homelessness prevention and areas for improvement whilst improving how data is collected. This will align with the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping strategy.

In 2021, there were 29 people recorded as sleeping rough in the BCP Council area, compared with 25 in 2020 and 72 in 2019.

Cllr Hazel Allen, portfolio lead member for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, said: “This new approach will provide a clear means of tracking progress.

The current annual street count is a useful measure, but only provides a snapshot in time and we need to be able to look at a wider set of data to understand experiences of rough sleeping. We must improve and adapt our services accordingly in order to prevent rough sleeping in the first case and ensure that if someone does end up on the streets it is very brief, and they do not have to sleep rough again.”

Alongside Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the other areas involved in testing the new approach are London, Manchester, West Midlands and Newcastle.

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Pulford Publicity’s Cause of the Year We’re not far away from holiday season, which for our beautiful Jurassic Coast means a massive increase in visitors. It also means more litter. Why on earth anybody would want to visit such a stunning area and leave a mess is one of life’s mysteries.

After a winter of cleaning

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the beaches after the storms, it becomes rather dejecting clearing up after the minority of visitors who think it’s okay to litter, especially after the hard work the many litter picking groups have put in, not just CJC. It’s hard to understand their mentality but we are proud of

our World Heritage Site and we want it look nice for the visitors who care. It’s difficult to see why some beach goers feel it is okay to leave their plastic bottles, food packaging and even broken tents and deck chairs – especially as they walk past a bin as they leave the beach.

Stopping some of these plastics at source would be a great help. Instead of buying water in plastic bottles, we should encourage everyone to bring a reusable bottle they can fill with tap water and even refill it at the many drinking water taps found at most beaches (most cafes will also top them up).

CJC will be on the beaches this summer – we will be

picking up the detritus left behind and we will also be advising the visitors about the effects of littering. We will be engaging with as many as possible in a positive and friendly way and offering them bin bags for their litter.

We will also be patrolling the harder to reach beaches with our boat Sea-Rex. This will enable us to carry any litter away safely without the need to lug heavy bags along steep and narrow paths.

To do this we need your help. Please, if you can spare a few pounds, click the donation link on our website and help us.

Roy Beal www.cleanjurassiccoast.uk

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Don’t underestimate the spirit of the Ukrainians Exclusive by Janine Pulford Interview conducted on 3 March 2022 On the day it was reported that Kherson was the first major city to be taken by the Russians in their attack on the nation of Ukraine, I spoke with Tatiana* who lives in Kyiv.

She was introduced to me

by Cllr Paul Hanson Graham from Ferndown Town Council who put a motion forward at a full council meeting to help with the aid effort for Ukraine.

It was passed unanimously.

Tatiana only had a few minutes to talk, as there was the threat of bombing and loss of communication.

She spoke with insuppressible optimism despite the situation in Kherson. “It’s only temporary. We have the advantage. We defend our cities and our spirits are high.”

She lives on the first floor in a block of flats with her grown up children.

“We don’t go to a shelter.

We stay in the bathroom of the flat, all together.” It has become a way of life for the family.

I asked if she was thinking of fleeing. “I prefer to stay here. It is my country and if you flee, you don’t know where you’re going.

“It’s scary to realize what’s going on for both Russians and Ukranians. We don’t know when it is going to be over and the uncertainty is killing me.

“It’s difficult to stay calm and cheerful, but it helps to be cheerful.”

She talked about her cat Loshi, pet rat Chicka, and an ant farm. They help keep her smiling despite the bombings, the food rations and shortage of medical supplies.

Tatiana is certain that in Kyiv, the heart of Ukraine, there are enough troops to defend it.

“We will not let the Russians take our city. All our people are united to protect Ukraine.”

Then she said the words

we all recognise in this tragic war, “We are a peaceful nation and we want peace all over the world.”

She thinks it will only be a matter of time before Russia retreats, “The invasion of Ukraine has united the whole world. Nobody wants war. In Ukraine, we have the power to joke, our spirit is still high.”

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Loshi

It was an emotional interview and what I took from Tatiana’s brief conversation was, that if optimism can win a war, it will be the Ukrainians who show the world how it is done. * Name changed to protect identity

Read the full interview at www.dorsetview.co.uk

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Helping people from Ukraine

A local group set up to help people from Ukraine forced to leave their homes has seen a massive response from Dorset residents.

Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine was established

by Karol Swiacki when Russia invaded Ukraine. The group quickly gathered momentum as people donated items, time, and money for the millions who have been forced to leave their homes and belongings in order to flee the war and reach Poland for safety.

The group has been operating out of warehouses at Castlepoint, Hurn Airport and Poole, and there have been local collections by individuals and organisations in other towns including Wimborne, Ferndown and Verwood, which are then added to those at the main storage facilities.

While national charities have been encouraging financial donations rather than items, the

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group is still accepting both.

Karol said: “Thanks to my connections in cities and towns, and with charities on the border between Poland and Ukraine, I’m getting direct requests for urgent aid. For example, we spoke to a children’s home who needed lots of bottles, formula, and blankets. And that’s where we can help – thanks to the incredible donations from everyone here, we can pack a lorry with exactly what they need and get it over to them.”

Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine has a team of over 100 volunteers who have been working around the clock to sort, organise, and pack the lorries so only items that are really needed are sent over to Karol’s network of contacts, refugee centres, and children’s homes. All donated items that aren’t needed on the front line are sorted and sold locally, with over £5,000 already raised toward

Volunteers at the Castlepoint warehouse

financial aid for transport and supplies for refugee centres.

Karol added: “We now have lorries leaving Bournemouth to Poland and Ukraine several times a week.

“Contacts in Poland are regularly updating us on the latest items and support required, from children’s clothing, milk bottles and toiletries, all the way through to sanitary products, and medical care equipment.”

Transportation is one of the biggest costs for the humanitarian mission which is where most of the financial contributions will be going.

Karol said: “Every pound, every hour, every donation really does make a huge

difference to the lives of those that have been torn apart by this awful war. We have been absolutely blown away by the enormous help given by people in Bournemouth and Dorset. Thank you.”

If you would like to help, either by volunteering your time, or donating items, please visit https://timecounts. org/bournemouth for information. The website is updated daily with the latest needs and items required.

If you’d like to donate money, visit the new crowdfunding page https:// www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ bournemouth-to-ukraine

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NEWS IN BRIEF £1.7million funding for BCP Council

BCP Council has received additional funding which will be used for litter management, additional cleaning of toilet facilities and an extended park and ride ahead of the tourist season.

New trustees needed

Dorset Community Foundation is seeking new trustees. To find out more, visit www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/vacancies or call 01202 670815.

Lake Pier toilets open

Toilet facilities at Lake Pier in Poole have been refurbished. All toilets and utilities have been refitted and a disabled toilet and baby change room added.

New president for Probus Club

Town and parish councils consultation Dorset residents are invited to comment on the Dorset Council’s draft recommendations in respect of changing: parish/town boundaries; the number of parish/town councillors; a town or parish council’s name; dividing a parish/town council into wards and grouping with other town/parish councils.

This public consultation is open until 23 May. You can view the initial submissions received on the council’s website. The final recommendations will be published and agreed by full council in July 2022.

Brian Quist has been elected present of Ferndown Probus Club and will serve in the role for one year.

Campaign to bring tourist to Dorset

Visit Dorset has launched a campaign to encourage visitors back to Dorset during spring and summer. Its aim is to provide support to hospitality and tourism businesses that were hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blind Association funding

Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown has donated over £3,000 to its 2021 Charity of the Year, The Dorset Blind Association.

Holes Bay regeneration

The work to construct a new cycle and pedestrian route along Rigler Road, through the proposed Holes Bay regeneration site and past the Hamworthy Football and Recreation grounds has been completed.

Free fraud flyer

Partners from Dorset Police, national Cyber-crime specialists, Citizens Advice and Dorset and BCP Trading Standards have all worked with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Age UK to produce a flyer that gives simple, clear advice from trusted sources, on how to stay safe and get help should you become a victim of fraud. The flyer is available at Citizens Advice offices across Dorset and is also being distributed through Victims Support and Trading Standards. A downloadable version is also available from the Citizens Advice Dorset website.

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law spot by Harold G Walker Solicitors

Effect of trusts and age-contingent gifts on your inheritance tax free allowance

By James Rust, Private Client Solicitor, HG Walker Each individual benefits from an inheritance tax free Nil Rate Band (NRB) of £325,000. If you own your own property, and this is used as your primary residence, and you wish to leave this to lineal descendants such as children or grandchildren, you also benefit from a further inheritance taxfree Residential Nil Rate Band (RNRB) of up to £175,000. These thresholds are transferrable between spouses, on the condition that the first spouse to die left their estate to the surviving spouse in its entirety. If the first spouse left cash gifts or gifts of significant value, then the remaining value of the thresholds is transferrable but not the full amount.

When deciding what to do with your residuary estate there are various options available, but there are also various tax implications that should be considered.

For example, if you decide to leave your residuary estate, which includes

your main residence, to beneficiaries by way of a discretionary trust written into your will then, effectively, you are passing ownership of the property to the trustees and not lineal descendants and as such you forfeit the benefit of the RNRB, reducing the amount of inheritance tax-free allowance available to your estate.

The same applies should you choose to specifically gift your property to a named individual with an age contingency, such as 21 or 25 years. The beneficiary does not have an immediate right to the property and as their interest cannot vest in them until they reach the specified age, the property is held on trust by the executors and trustees of your will, effectively passing ownership to them until the beneficiary reaches the specified age. The result is the same as above; the tax-free RNRB is forfeited and the inheritance tax-free allowance available to your estate is reduced.

Law Spot is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

Viewpoint

Abbie, receiving her prize from Pulford Publicity’s Ben Pulford, with participating retailers

£500 voucher winner spreads cheer The winner of a £500 prize given by Dorset View’s sister magazine, Viewpoint, created a buzz of excitement in Ringwood on 11 March.

Abbie Collings from Bournemouth arrived at Oasis Musical Instruments with her husband John and dachshund Hugo to receive £500 of shopping vouchers from the magazine owner to spend in Ringwood, after being drawn as the prize-winner in the Viewpoint mid-February competition. She spread her winnings between six different retailers: Oasis Musical Instruments £250, Allum & Sidaway Jewellers £50, Avon Valley Framing £50, Crow Farm Shop £50, Sassy’s £50, W Patterson Butchers £50.

For the full story and more competitions to enter visit www.dorsetview.co.uk

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Second consultation for Keyhole Bridge

Growing a town from nothing When pupils at Witchampton First School were given 20,000 pieces of Lego to use for construction in Science Week, they built a town.

Working to the theme of ‘growth’ they designed and created a unique town, which included houses, vehicles, roads, trains, airports and woods.

Headteacher, Jo Hancock, said: “With the theme of ‘growth’ our children were able to grow their own town out of nothing.

“They all loved building with Lego and it taught them many lessons including the importance of communication and collaboration.

“The children designed and planned their parts of the creation and either on their own or with others built them.

“It was fun to see the whole thing coming together and watching the children become totally absorbed in it.”

Measures to prioritise walking and cycling at Keyhole Bridge on Whitecliff Road in Poole are out to public consultation again.

In August 2020, the authority introduced an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to prioritise walking and cycling on Whitecliff Road at Keyhole Bridge. It could run for up to 18 months, however a decision was made to withdraw the measures on 1 March 2021. A ruling published by the High Court found that the consultation period ended earlier than had originally been indicated and that the council should operate a further 40-day consultation running to 8 April 2022.

To take part in the consultation, visit: haveyoursay.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/keyholebridgereview

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Talented orchid grower and junior member of the Bournemouth Orchid Society, Izzy, age 10, won the Colin Carter Trophy for the novice class and the Delia Hudson Memorial Cup for the best Coelogyne orchid at the society’s spring show at the Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne.

The next show will be on 24 September.

Contact Chris Broomfield on 07712 479056 for details.

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Join Dorset Beach Clean

The Great Dorset Beach Clean – which takes place from 2-10 April – will see 16 beach cleans, hosted by local organisations and community groups, taking place along the Dorset Coast, from Lyme Regis to Christchurch.

Last year’s 2021 Great Dorset Beach Clean saw over 300 volunteers take part. A total of 165 bags of rubbish were collected including tyres, buried rusty lobster pots, tents, oil drums and a gazebo.

If you would like to join in with this year’s Great Dorset Beach Clean check out Litter Free Dorset’s social media platforms to stay updated and find a clean near you.

Facebook - @ LitterFreeDorset; Instagram - @ litterfreedorset; Twitter @LitterFreeDrst

SCARF day marks Mental Health Week

Cracking idea

An aspiring young inventor won a model-making workshop for her class in a national competition.

Freya Jones, aged 10 and from Highcliffe, entered the competition run by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in partnership with the studio Aardman.

Freya’s winning idea was for a ‘lit bag’ – a bag that automatically lights up when opened, so its contents can easily be found.

The class, at Highcliffe St Mark Primary School, met members of the Aardman team, which is behind iconic characters such as Wallace and Gromit and Morph, and had fun bringing the characters to life.

Children at Hayeswood First School have been wearing scarves as part of ‘wear your scarf to school day’ to mark Children’s Mental Health Week.

Safety, caring, achievement, resilience, friendship’ – or SCARF – are important themes in the school’s wellbeing and personal, social health and economic (PSHE) curriculum.

Andrew Turrall, executive headteacher, said: “On the day, children were invited to wear a favourite scarf in school. They took part in special activities to help them remember and celebrate SCARF’s important values.

“We also used the day to raise funds for Dorset Mind, a local charity that educates, challenges mental health stigma and inequality, and promotes recovery by empowering individuals to develop resilience.”

Spring gardening

Thankfully spring has now arrived with a riot of colour from spring bulbs; cherry, plum and apple blossom; beautiful red, green and golden new foliage on all the trees, shrubs and perennials; and sweet scents filling the air.

It’s a very busy time now in the garden, with seeds to be sown and beds and borders to prepare for new spring planting.

Vegetable plants and seeds can all be planted out now for bumper crops in just a few weeks. Potatoes, onion sets, peas and beans can be planted directly into the garden, while tomatoes and other more tender plants will fare better in a greenhouse or bright and airy window sill.

All trees, shrubs, roses, climbing plants and perennials can now be planted out as the threat of frosts passes with each warm spring day.

Take time to prepare for planting, digging in compost and adding fertiliser and watering any new plants well to give them the best possible start for the new season ahead.

Lawns old and new can now all be weeded and fertilised to produce a lush green carpet to be enjoyed all summer long. Weeding and feeding can easily be done with combined treatments. Seed bare patches now, after raking and preparing.

A visit to your local nursery or garden centre is always worthwhile as they will now be fully stocked with a huge range trees, shrubs, perennials, roses and seasonal plants for every garden. They also will have the composts, fertilisers and feeds to get the best from all your garden plants.

Woodlands has experienced staff to help you with your plant purchases, planting tips and after care.

So don’t delay, get off the sofa and out into the garden now and see all the wonderful new spring flowers trees and shrubs to stimulate all your senses.

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

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Petition for cremators at Poole Crematorium A petition launched by a retired businessman urging BCP Council to install cremators at Poole Crematorium is backed by local people and funeral directors.

The authority recently announced that the crematorium is to be closed from 14 March for 22 weeks with services resuming from the first week of September.

It is spending £559,000 refurbishing the facility at Gravel Hill, but the refurbishments do not include cremators.

Bodies are currently transported across the conurbation to Bournemouth after the committal.

Tony Reeves, who lives in Broadstone, believes families want their loved ones cremated at the same place where the committal occurs.

He said: “The crematorium’s cremators were decommissioned two years ago and despite the council having budgeted a vast amount of money for upgrading, the costs will not include a new cremator.

“It is an upsetting situation for many families to see their loved ones being driven to Bournemouth, as they believe that the final journey should end at the crematorium where the service is held.

“Bournemouth Crematorium is already the second busiest in the country and it seems incredulous that the council does not seem to be looking to the future.

“Furthermore, Poole Crematorium covers a wide area, across the Purbecks and as far west as Blandford and Dorchester.

“It is absurd that a town the size of Poole would not have its own crematorium, but instead would just have a large service chapel.

“The money the council intends to spend on decorating and upgrading

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

would be far better spent on installing cremators.”

Anne and Martin Wells of St Leonard’s agree wholeheartedly. “We were shocked some years back when the ovens finally packed up or became inefficient, that they were never replaced and families have been very upset learning at the end of the funeral services in the Poole Chapel that the bodies of loved ones then have to be transported to Bournemouth with or without family and friends.”

Anne said, “It’s a total disgrace, especially at the time of deep grief to all families.”

She and Martin explained that not everyone attending a funeral is familiar with the area and more upset is caused after the service when people then have to find Bournemouth Crematorium.

They added, “Some have got totally lost and not found it, resulting in more upset. On four occasions of which we know, they have returned to join the wake an hour or so later.”

Anne said that councillors needed to take note of the upset caused over many years. “It’s about the send off for the loved one, not the décor,” she said. “BCP have it very wrong.” She said that replacement of the ovens should have been top priority and should still be top priority.

The couple also voiced concerned that land at Poole Crematorium could used in the future for housing as there had been rumours about this for some years.

Nick Douch, managing director of Douch Family Funeral Directors, which has

Tony Reeves

seven branches in Dorset, said: “It really makes no sense to have a crematorium with no cremator.

“The families we look after often become upset when we tell them that.

Everyone we speak to cannot understand why the cremators have not been replaced.

“And as there seems to be plenty of money available for refurbishment it is peculiar that it is not being spent on a cremator.”

Anthony O’Hara, of Nicholas O’Hara Funeral Directors, which has three branches in East Dorset, said: “All our branches are outside the BCP area, but most of the families we look after consider Poole as their crematorium.

“People like to think that the place where they have the cremation service is the final resting place of their loved ones.

“It is disappointing and frustrating that there are no plans to install a new cremator.”

Heidi Lund, of Eden Funeral Directors in Ringwood, said: “Poole Crematorium is a vital part of the local community, and it is so important that the cremators are replaced.

People living locally should be able to have access to a crematorium that serves them fully, and offers them a choice at their time of need.

We sincerely hope that the situation changes as soon as possible to allow those who want to use Poole Crematorium to be able to do so.”

Councillor Mark Anderson,

portfolio holder for Environment and Place, BCP Council said: “As previously announced, we are currently underway on a phased programme of improvements to Poole Crematorium which begins this month. Further enhancements for Poole Crematorium will be considered as part of phase two, which unfortunately had to be delayed due to Covid.

The significant refurbishment currently underway will see the facilities continue to serve residents as a welcoming ceremonial and memorial location on reopening whilst phase two business plan options are fully developed and brought forward for formal consideration.

“No decision on the future of the cremators has yet been made - and will only be considered once phase two has been completed and reviewed - but it is entirely incorrect to suggest that we have no plans whatsoever for these services to return in the future.”

As far as the crematorium becoming a potential site for housing – Cllr Anderson said: “Poole Crematorium won’t be replaced with housing.

Poole Crematorium is situated within 400 metres of the Site of Specific Scientific Interest on Canford Heath and would be extremely difficult to redevelop away from its current purpose.

The phased improvements plan was approved by cabinet in order to maintain the crematorium as a high-end ceremonial and memorial location for years to come.”

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Cllr Anderson further explained: “Dorset as a county is currently served by two other working crematoria; one at Weymouth and a private crematorium on the Poole border. Additionally, New Milton crematorium is due to open soon just across our county border in Hampshire and close to the area many of your readers live in. There are also crematoria in Yeovil (Somerset) and Salisbury (Wiltshire) that serve North Dorset residents.

“We of course understand the importance our residents place on the right time, place and space to grieve during times of bereavement. This is exactly why we have begun the much-needed improvements to Poole’s crematorium and why we continue to make sure Bournemouth Crematorium remains a welcoming location for services and cremations,” he said.

Campaigner Tony Reeves said, “The petition I have put my name to is urging the council to commit to installing cremators and I also urge everyone to put their signature to this petition.”

Sign the petition at: https://savepoolecrem.org

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pets and wildlife / an animals eyes speak a poweful language.

Stop illegal puppy selling Over the last couple of years, dog ownership has escalated but people should be cautious when buying a new pet, according to advice from Dorset Council.

Dorset Council Trading Standards and Environmental Health Teams are working together to raise awareness of the multi-million-pound puppy breeding trade that is happening right under our noses.

With more people working from home, dog ownership has become more attractive. This lucrative market means that puppies are being sold from unlicensed breeders, too often without any consideration for the welfare and environmental needs of the puppy.

An unlicensed puppy breeder is someone who does not have a dog breeding licence but who earns more than £1,000 per year from selling puppies.

Dorset Council has updated its website facilities to allow users to check if breeders are licensed, to report unlicensed breeders, and tips on knowing what to look for and check when

buying a puppy, including: • No puppy should be sold under the age of eight weeks and the puppy should be microchipped • Always see the puppy with its mother • Never buy/collect a puppy from service stations, pubs, car parks or any public area – the puppy should be in the home of the breeder • If your puppy is advertised with a ‘passport’ this could mean they’ve been imported • Check whether your puppy has been vaccinated and has been socialised before you take them home • Buying from an unlicensed breeder could mean that your puppy may not have the right medical records and could have hereditary health issues which could lead to heavy vet bills in the future Find out more about best practice when buying a puppy – https://www.rspca. org.uk/adviceandwelfare/ pets/dogs/puppys

Dogs on lead season in force Dogs must now be kept on leads across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in areas including Canford Heath, Hengistbury Head, Turbary Common, Corfe Hills Heathland, Ham Common, Talbot Heath and Bourne Valley.

The season began on 1 March and will continue until 31 July, during which time owners must take steps to limit any disturbance to protected wildlife in heathland areas and nature reserves across the BCP area.

Rules state that dogs must be kept on short leads of no more than two metres from March to August each year and all year around livestock.

Alternative sites, parks and greenspaces are available across the area where dogs can be off lead at all times.

BCP Council is also

taking additional steps to reduce the impact of dog waste on local nature reserves.

Rangers have been utilising biodegradable red chalk spray to highlight areas where dog poo has been left out to fester, demonstrating problem areas to other dog owners and aiming to encourage people to be responsible.

- Advertisement feature -

Donation in memory of Ellie Lynwood Vets was very grateful the wonderful Minni, Margaret for the recent generosity of Miss donated a syringe driver, Margaret Neville, who donated panoptic opthalmoscope equipment to the practice. and echocardiography table Margaret lost her beloved which I use almost every day miniature Dachshund Ellie to an for ultrasound scanning cats’ unusual respiratory illness at the and dogs’ hearts, making height of the Covid pandemic, the procedure faster, more on the same day that she herself informative and improving their had to be admitted to hospital. comfort. These kind donations Margaret wished something take us beyond the essential positive to come out of a sad level of equipment offered by occurrence, for the benefit most general practice vets, of other pets in the future. allowing us to offer our clients The equipment recently and their pets a little extra to arrived and will be utilised at enhance our service to them.”

Lynwood’s Bournemouth and Wimborne branches. This includes a surgical suction device, examination light and rhinoscopic biopsy and retrieval forceps.

Duncan Reavell, clinical director at Lynwood Vets, said: “We are all the more grateful for Miss Neville’s generosity, this actually being the second time she has donated equipment.

Eight years ago, after the Margaret Neville and donations loss of her first Dachshund,

16 |

DORSET VIEW April 2022

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health and care

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Dorset View 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.

Adult care Kidney transplant provision to be split waiting list grows Adult social care services in Dorset, which are provided across the whole county by Tricuro, are to be split between two providers in the future.

Dorset Council is to end its current contract with Tricuro and is creating a new company, Care Dorset.

However, BCP Council is to remain with Tricuro.

Cllr Karen Rampton, portfolio holder for People and Homes, BCP Council, said: “We remain fully committed to continuing the good care services that Tricuro provide for the residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. By collaborating with Tricuro, we have new opportunities to expand and develop services to provide the best care possible for our residents and local communities.”

Dorset Council says it is working closely with the regulator and all stakeholders to ensure Care Dorset is set up correctly and meets the required standards.

The transfer of care service to the new company will happen later this year but will not be before October. Dorset Council residents will continue to receive the same level of care by Care Dorset and residents who currently receive care are being contacted directly about the changes.

Members of Tricuro staff who support Dorset Council residents will transfer to the new company without changes to their existing employment contracts.

Cllr Peter Wharf, portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health, Dorset Council, said: “We are in the process of ensuring we can continue to provide high quality social care to our residents, while also achieving the best possible value for money.”

Tricuro was set up in 2015.

One of the very serious downsides to the pandemic was the drop in kidney transplants with operations dropping by a third.

Currently, in Dorset, there are 37 patients waiting for a kidney transplant. Nationally, the figure is more than 4,600.

Kidney transplants have been the hardest hit area of organ transplantation throughout the pandemic, with deceased donor transplants down 22 per cent and living donor transplants down 60 per cent – an overall drop in kidney transplants of 32 per cent in 2020/21, compared to 2019/2020.

Living donor transplantation opens up opportunities for patients waiting for a kidney transplant by minimising the time people need to rely on dialysis and by offering patients who wait the longest the chance of a successful transplant. These are likely to be those who are most difficult to match, are particularly ‘sensitised’ (which means they have higher levels of antibodies which could cause their body to reject a transplanted organ) or are from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background.

However, the majority of kidney patients will still be saved by a deceased organ donor. It is more important than ever to tell your family about your organ donation decision to help those on the waiting list.

Even though the law around organ donation has now changed to an opt out system, families will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead.

For more information, or to register your organ donation decision, please visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 or register it via the NHS app.

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| 17

health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity .

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Dorset View 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.

AECC celebrates £4.5 million investment A building structure to house a new rehabilitation centre at AECC University College has been completed, and this stage in the development of the centre was celebrated with a Topping Out ceremony on 10 March.

The ceremony involved putting the final brick into the outer building of the new clinical rehabilitation centre built by local firm Mildren Construction Limited.

The new 754 square metre building marks a significant investment of £4.5million which will form an important part of the university college’s clinical service offering to the community.

When complete, the centre will house nine treatment rooms and a large multizoned physical rehabilitation space. It is designed to be environmentally friendly, utilising sustainable materials in the build, using heat pumps and featuring a green roof, solar panels, bat boxes and bird boxes.

The new building is part of a broader programme of developments; to upgrade

other areas of the university campus, develop of new patient services, provide new jobs, and increase the number of students studying health degrees, particularly aimed at filling local workforce gaps.

Professor Lesley Haig, vice chancellor of AECC University College, said: “This is a state-of-the-art facility and a flagship development that will make AECC University College one of the national leaders

in health sciences education and care – with its heart in the community of Boscombe.

Through our facilities, the community receives access to practising clinicians across a wide range of healthcare professions, and our students get to learn and practise with cutting-edge technology.

This provides a truly inspiring environment in which to deliver excellent education, clinical care and applied research.”

Professor Lesley Haig, AECC University College at topping out ceremony ©AECC University College/Finnbarr Webster

The act of caring is powerful

By Bluebird Care

18 |

DORSET VIEW April 2022

Caring has many meanings and can be seen in many different forms.

Caring for your loved ones is based on a different relationship to caring as part of a professional role for someone who is not part of your family.

If you give unpaid support to a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems, you are a carer.

Being a caregiver is one of the most important and personally rewarding roles a person can do in their lifetime.

Caring provides benefit for others, gives us a feeling of being needed, provides us with a purpose and is fulfilling for our relationships. Care is not easy and presents challenges that can be stressful, but working through these tough times can

be rewarding. There is support out there to reach for when needed – you are not alone.

Being a professional carer or caring as a family member holds quite a responsibility.

It can be difficult to fully gain understanding about what you are being held accountable for.

Training and commitment within the health and care sector will help you gain an understanding and also ensure you are working within the law which holds you accountable when caring for others.

The pressure of caring for someone can feel enormous but once you have accepted that responsibility, the feeling becomes an honour. You don’t need to have previous experience.

So why not reach out today and see what you can do?

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health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity .

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Dorset View 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.

Hospital courtyard Increase in eating transformed disorders during pandemic End of life patients and their families can now enjoy a serene and private space at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

The Butterfly Garden, funded through the Alan Miller Will Trust, involved the transformation of an unused courtyard into a tranquil area.

Accessible even on a hospital bed, the garden has scented shrubs and plants that patients will be able to smell, with slightly enclosed areas for privacy.

The name ‘butterfly garden’ was chosen as butterflies are recognised in healthcare as a signal for a difficult conversation, and as a method of communicating that a patient is coming to the end of their lives, is receiving end of life care, or has recently died.

20 |

DORSET VIEW April 2022

Dorset HealthCare’s eating disorders service has experienced a surge in demand since the beginning of the pandemic.

The referral rate in 2021/22 to the service increased by 53 per cent compared to the same period in 2020/21. Referrals have increased mostly among children and young people under 19, showing a rise of 76 per cent in the past three years. The service now receives on average 100 referrals per month.

Designed to help people, and their families or carers, overcome a range of eating disorders, the service supports all ages from across Dorset.

Referrals to the service can be made through a GP or any health or social care professional. Self-referral and parental referral are also accepted.

The trust provides a number of evidence-based treatments, tailored to the needs of the individual, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and family based therapy (FBT).

Treatment currently takes place on an outpatient basis, mainly online

but with a number taking place face-to-face at sites in Poole and in Dorchester. For those who require day care or inpatient treatment, this is provided at St Ann’s Hospital in Sandbanks, where a new stateof-the-art £8 million development is currently being built to support more local people from 2023.

Service manager, Karen Law, said: “A person’s chances of overcoming an eating disorder are far greater if they can quickly get the treatment that will address the factors that contribute to it. It is vital that sufferers, and those caring for them, are aware of the support available and seek help.”

For more information about the Dorset All Age Eating Disorders Service and its support offer, visit www.dorsethealthcare. nhs.uk/eatingdisorders or call 0300 019 1771.

Nationally, eating disorders charity BEAT can be contacted via its helpline on 0808 8010677 or visit www.beateatingdisorders. org.uk for more information, support and resources.

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health and care

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Dorset View 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.

Ride for men’s health The Bournemouth & Poole Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride aims to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men’s mental health on behalf of its charity partner, Movember as part of a larger, world-wide event.

During the event, Distinguished Gentlemen in over 900 cities across 110 countries ride their classic and vintage style motorcycles in dapper and distinguished style. This year, it will take place on 22 May. The local ride is the largest in the UK outside of London.

The launch event will take place on Sunday 3 April, 1pm-4pm at the Brewhouse & Kitchen in Southbourne, and everyone, biker or not, is welcome to find out more.

Globally, one man commits suicide every minute, and three out of four suicides in the UK involve men. The suicide rate in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is 30 per cent above the national average in England.

In the UK, one in eight men will be diagnosed with

prostate cancer in their lifetime. Currently, the NHS estimates that there are 14,000 men undiagnosed due to the pandemic.

The ride aims to get men talking about these issues. It is funded by business sponsors and supported by volunteers so all money raised goes directly to the cause. In 2021, despite the pandemic, it raised £32,000.

Anyone wishing to take part or help out in any way is invited to the ride launch.

For more information contact Ian at Bournemouthpooledgr@ gmail.com

Free Wellbeing Sessions BCP Council is helping businesses, people and communities bounce back from the pandemic. As part of this scheme, Surviving Minds Foundation are offering free access to their renowned Woodland Wellbeing sessions delivered in ancient woodland near Dorchester.

Activities include: • Shinrin Yoku - the practice of wellbeing through being immersed in nature, or ‘forest bathing’ • Wood lore and stories of the woods and trees • Ancient Woodland skills • A brew and a chat by the campfire Come as a staff team or as an individual joining like-minded colleagues. Reconnect with nature, friends and yourself.

For more information visit our website:www. survivingmindsfoundation.comor look on Googlemaps for Surviving Minds Foundation for directions and reviews.

AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust teamed up with local NHS staff to run sessions for local school pupils at Oak Academy as part of Children’s Mental Health Week. Students learnt new skills and met AFC Bournemouth female players Helen Corbin and Jade Bradley.

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| 21

WIMBORNE

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

Serles House to be sold

By Marilyn Barber newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset, formerly the Priest’s House Museum, is to sell Serles House in Victoria Road, Wimborne.

Described by Alan Titchmarsh as ‘one of the ten best gardens in Great Britain’ it was the home of Ian Willis who died suddenly on 5 October 2020 at the age of 68.

Ian Willis Ian bequeathed the residue of his estate, including Serles House, to the Priest’s House Museum Collections Trust, a charity operating separately from the main board of the museum. Part of its remit is to add to or rationalise the existing collection, and to ensure that the collection is appropriately managed.

The Trust has concluded, following a feasibility study, that it would not be viable for Serles House to become part of the museum offering. The property will be sold with proceeds from the sale used to ensure the museum’s collection will benefit in the longer term.

Ian bought Serles House in 1981 and set about transforming the garden, which had a huge amount of artefacts including a bronze Bog Pool Frog, cannons dragged up from the Solent, old chimney pots and a terracotta rabbit.

He opened up his garden to raise funds for the National Gardens Scheme Charitable Trust.

The Collections trustees have appointed a filmmaker to document the story of Ian and his home to create a lasting record of this interesting and unusual feature in the town.

There is an exhibition celebrating the life of Ian Willis in the Museum of East Dorset.

22 |

DORSET VIEW April 2022

Vision Wimborne seeks new chairman Report and photo by Marilyn Barber newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

An organisation that aims to improve life for people living in Wimborne Minster and the surrounding areas is hoping to attract a new chairman.

Vision Wimborne, a charity, is the umbrella organisation for Dial-a-ride, Dreamboats and the Youth Café.

It was established in 2000 and for some years has been under the chairmanship of Pat Hymers, who would like to relinquish the post at the annual meeting in October.

She added that Vision Wimborne would also like to Pat Hymers attract more committee members.

Pat is proud that that the organisation has also been responsible for a number of initiatives such as a speeding pledge and anti-plastic bag campaign.

Dial-a-ride provides transport to anyone with disabilities who finds it difficult to use existing transport and who lives within a fivemile radius of Wimborne town centre or lives in St Leonards or St Ives. More drivers are needed so if you can help, contact 01202 880699.

Pat has been at the helm of Dreamboats since it was launched in 2000 and is handing over the chairmanship to Charlotte Greening in May. Meetings of Vision Wimborne are also attended by representatives from other organisations including Wimborne in Bloom, Wimborne Civic Society and Dorset Cyclists Network.

“It would be good if anyone interested in taking over as chairman of Vision Wimborne could join the committee as soon as possible so they can see how the organisation works,” said Pat, who added they have just two committee meetings a year plus an AGM. She added that the charity also hopes to attract someone who could produce a newsletter.

Contact Pat Hymers on 01202 883442 if you would like to join Vision Wimborne.

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BUSINESS | COMMUNITY | UNITY

Easter in Wimborne As we head towards spring, and the weather starts to warm, you may be thinking of things to do over the Easter break.

Wimborne has plenty to offer, with lots of opportunities to get out and about whatever your interests.

If you would like to observe a Christian Easter, there are a number of services at Wimborne Minster: Thursday 14 April, the Eucharist of the Last Supper at 7.30pm; Friday 15 April, Good Friday Devotion at 12noon; and Sunday 17 April, Dawn Eucharist at 6.30am.

If your idea of Easter involves chocolate, why not join an Easter egg hunt? On 12 April, there will be an Easter Egg-Stravaganza, 10am-1pm at the Museum of East Dorset.

There will be crafts, stories,

a garden activity trail and an Easter egg prize. Or head to Kingston Lacy, which will be holding Easter egg trails from 9-24 April. Tickets for both cost £3 per person. For a chance to win a luxury Easter egg, see the Dorset View competition on page 25.

To stock on delicious goodies and fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, for your Easter Sunday meal, you could visit to the Minster Market at the Allendale Centre on Fridays, 8am-2pm, or the monthly Farmers’ Market, which this month takes place in the Square on Easter Saturday.

If antiques or crafts are your thing, head to Walford Mill, where you can meet local makers, and see the latest exhibitions. Handmade Wimborne makes a return to the Allendale Centre

on 10 April while, if you fancy yourself as a bit of an antiques buff, head to Grandma’s Attic, also at the Allendale on 18 April.

For something with more of a historical flavour,

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Dean’s Court, the home of the Hanham family, will be hosting tours of the house, grounds and walled kitchen garden on various days in April. See www,deanscourt. org/openings for details.

Visit www.dorsetview.co.uk for more local news

| 23

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

WIMBORNE

White Hart reopens - Advertisement feature -

New landlord Sharon Applin and her team would like to welcome you back to this friendly, vibrant and historic 16th century pub and restaurant in the centre of Wimborne.

The pub has been a hub for locals and visitors alike and the team are excited to see its customers again.

Sharon said: “Our aim is to provide you with an enjoyable experience in this olde worlde pub.

“Our new menu caters for all. We have introduced a children’s and senior citizen menu and we source all our ingredients from local, established and recognised suppliers. We are also introducing some different drinks to the bar, whilst keeping your favourites.

“We will be reopening the outside kitchen ready for the warmer days and evenings, and making the beer garden a welcoming and relaxing area.

“Well-behaved dogs are always welcome” Guest singers and bands will be performing at the White Hart in the coming weeks and the team will also be celebrating the Queen's Jubilee.

Sharon is a local lady, living in Wimborne, and is passionate about giving people the best possible experience when they are dining or simply popping in for a drink and a chat.

The team is ready and waiting to meet you.

For more details, visit www.thewhitehartpubwimborne.co.uk or email info@thewhitehartpubwimborne.co.uk

24 |

DORSET VIEW April 2022

Grand Day Out at Wimborne Model Town

A recent TV appearance in Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out lifts the curtain on Wimborne Model Town’s 70th anniversary season which starts at 10am on 2 April.

With a developing new model of the Model Town, an extended crazy golf layout and a refurbished home for the Wareham Bears, the popular charity visitor attraction is looking forward to reopening after months of hard work by its committed volunteer force.

“The Model Town is marking seven decades of family fun with the position of the new mini town reflecting our original life-size location back in 1952,” said manager Nick Clark.

Sir William and Lady Ali Hanham will open the proceedings and Chris Brown the town crier and members of the Wimborne Militia will be in attendance to ensure a tumultuous welcome when the gates open.

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Spot the Bunny competition!

BUSINESS | COMMUNITY | UNITY

Win a luxury Easter egg with a dinosaur theme Are you a chocoholic? Do you love Easter treats? If you fancy getting your hands on a fabulous and decadent Easter egg, you could be in luck because Dorset View’s Spot the Bunny competition is back.

Dorset View has teamed up with Chococake – an independent shop, cake maker and café – in East Street, Wimborne, to offer the chance to win a luxury Chococo milk chocolate dinosaur-studded Easter egg.

This 175g egg is made from 45 per cent Venezuela origin milk chocolate with a white and milk chocolate mottled effect finish, studded inside with dark and white chocolate mini dinosaurs and ammonites.

For your chance to win this super Easter egg, all you have to do is look through the advertisements in this issue of Dorset View to find the escaped bunnies that look identical to this one:

(there is no need to count this one).

How to enter Start spotting the bunny now and when you see one, add it to your list and write down which advert you found it in. When you’re sure you’ve found them all, send the total to Spot the Bunny Competition, Dorset View, Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ with the names of the adverts you found them in, and your name and address, or enter online at www.dorsetview.co.uk.

Closing date is Monday 11 April 2022, so don’t delay.

The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd or Chococake are not permitted to enter. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final.

Personal details will be stored securely and will only be processed to determine the winner of the competition.

The winner will be announced in the magazine and their name and phone number will be passed to the shop for the purposes of allocating the prize.

The winner must be agreeable to be photographed for Dorset View collecting their prize from Chococake in Wimborne.

It would be lovely for the winner to receive their egg before Easter, but this cannot be guaranteed. Good luck! please mention DORSET VIEW when you contact our advertisers

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| 25

foodie news / if music be the love of food, play on...

Easter Bunny biscuits Children will enjoy making these buttery biscuits for family and friends over the holidays. They could also wrap them up as Easter gifts.

Ingredients • 125g softened butter • 75g caster sugar, plus 1-2 tbsp for sprinkling • 1 egg, separated • 200g plain flour, sifted • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon • ¼ tsp mixed spice • Zest of 1 lemon • 75g currants • 2 tbsp milk

Cook's tips

The biscuits can be stored in an airtight container for two or three days. Freshen homemade biscuits, by placing them in a warm oven for three or four minutes.

Recipe from www.waitrose.com

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar together, using a wooden spoon or electric hand whisk, until pale and fluffy.

2. Beat in the egg yolk, reserving the white.

Then, using a round-bladed knife, gently stir in the sifted flour, spices, lemon zest and currants. Gradually stir in the milk until the dough starts to come together – you may need slightly less, or a little more, milk.

3. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured worktop and knead gently until smooth.

Roll out to about 5mm thick then cut out the biscuits using a rabbit-shaped cutter, a 7.5cm round cutter, or shape of your choice.

4. Place the biscuits on two or three greased baking trays and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven. Whisk the reserved egg white very slightly, brush lightly over the biscuits then sprinkle with sugar. Return to the oven for a further five minutes, until just golden. Remove and place on a cooling rack.

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foodie news

Know what’s in your food

From April 2022, new legislation will require large businesses with over 250 employees to display calorie information for the food and drink that they prepare for customers to eat immediately.

In the past, food and drink from places such as cafes, restaurants, pubs and takeaways were not required to display nutritional information. This made it difficult for consumers to make informed and healthier choices about the food they were buying.

There are some exemptions, but any business covered by the regulations will need to display accurate calorie information at the point where a customer chooses their food. Information can be provided on physical menus, online menus, or labels.

The changes are part of the government’s strategy to tackle obesity. Having access to accurate calorie information about food and drink ordered will make it easier for consumers to make healthier food choices for themselves and their families when eating out.

Dorset Council Trading Standards will be working with businesses to help them to better understand the changes needed.

If you find something you feel is false or misleading please contact Trading Standards by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival features celebrity chefs The Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival will be back this summer. Taking place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June, the event will be held throughout the village centre in Lymington Road and on the Recreation Ground.

There are already more than 120 traders booked in, covering artisan food and drink and a huge range of crafts from The Little Craft Shack.

The cookery theatre will feature celebrity chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli (12 June) and the very popular Dorset-based Lesley Waters (11 June).

Leading local chefs will also be taking part throughout the weekend in a marquee on the Green.

Two music stages will offer a wide range of performances and there will be plenty for all the family with children’s craft workshops,

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a treasure hunt and the return of the ‘Grow Your Own’ tent featuring Highcliffe in Bloom.

The event aims to support Plastic Free Highcliffe and it is hoped that as much waste material as possible can be recycled.

Printed programmes will be available in late April but for more information see www. highcliffefoodandartsfestival.co.uk

Visit www.dorsetview.co.uk for more local news

| 27

around & about /

Any change in Government guidelines can affect details on this page – please check with the venue for the latest information

Events The details of the events below are accurate at the time of going to press but will be subject to any government regulations in place at the time of the event. Check before travelling. Send in details of your events to: newseditor@ mags4dorset.co.uk

2 April 7.30pm

Wimborne Choral Society will sing Mozart’s Requiem and Duruflé’s Requiem in Wimborne Minster.

Soloists soprano Jacqueline Foan, contralto Elizabeth Denham, tenor Michael Aitkenhead and bass Jonathan Prentice. Tickets from Square Records, High St, Wimborne or from Sophie Milhofer at milhofer@talktalk.net or 01202 603569.

3 April 9.30am-12.30pm

Craftroom clearout and indoor car boot sale in the Druitt Hall, Christchurch. Free entry, refreshments available.

3 April

Simply Aston Martin at the National Motor Museum Beaulieu.

Tickets from www.beaulieu.co.uk.

6 April 12 noon

9 April 1.30pm

16-18 April

6 April 12.15-1.15pm

9 April 2.15pm

17 April 9.30am-12.30pm

Ron Taylor will talk on ‘A Journey down the Stour’ to members of Ferndown Probus Club at Dudsbury Golf Club. Contact Alan Stevens, secretary 01202 876826 www.ferndownprobusclub.org Christian Aid lunch at Wimborne Methodist Church, King Street, Wimborne. Bread, cheese, fruit, tea/coffee. An inspiring fiveminute talk at 12.45pm.

6 April 7.30pm

Ferndown French Circle meets in the Longham Room, the Barrington Centre, Ferndown with a talk in French by Bob Mizon, MBE FRAS BA, about the Astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817) who became an expert in comets. Contact the secretary on 01202 526918.

Oddfellows Friendship Society at Three Legged Cross Village Hall.

Quiz and raffle. Soup and sandwich £4. For more information contact Julia (social secretary) on 01202 772624.

The Dorset branch of the World Ship Society presents shipping of Portland Harbour and Anchorages with Paul Dallaway at the Heatherlands Centre, Ferndown.

Email info@shipsdorset.org

9 April 8pm-9.30pm

Renaissance by John Law Music at Christchurch Priory. Tickets from www.christchurchpriory.org/ boxoffice/21697

10 April

Choirs in Spring by Poole BID and Absolute Music. 16, 11am-1.15pm outside Hotel Du Vin; 17, outside Bonmarche 11am-1.15pm, and 18, 11am-2.30pm outside Oriel restaurant.

Indoor car boot sale in the Druitt Hall, Christchurch. Free entry, refreshments available.

17 April 10.30am

Easter Egg hunt in Hamworthy Park.

18 April 12noon-5pm

Easter Family Fun Day at AFC Bournemouth, Vitality Stadium.

Details 01202 726300.

23 April 10am-4pm

7-9 April

11 April 2.15pm

Bonny Sartin, who was in The Yetties, will give a talk entitled Dorset my Dorset to West Moors Horticultural Society at West Moors Memorial Hall. Contact Sue on 01202 871536 for details.

Poole Vikings Model Club is holding a Model Show at Parkstone Grammar School, Sopers Lane, Poole, BH17 7EP. 25 clubs from all over the south.

Admission £4 for adults and £1 children. Parking is free and refreshments are available. For more details contact Ian Domeney email: ianwithsandra@yahoo. co.uk.

7 April 7.30pm

15 April 3pm

23 April 10am-3pm

Wimborne Musical Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors at the Tivoli Theatre. Tickets from box office 01202 885566, www. tivoliwimborne.co.uk or outside box office hours 01202 659425.

The Ferndown & District Historical Society meets in the Conference Room at the Barrington Centre, Ferndown. Visitors are welcome at £3 including refreshments.

Simply Audi at the National Motor Museum Beaulieu. Tickets from www.beaulieu.co.uk.

Good Friday Bun Walk from Wimborne Minster to Pamphill where buns grow on bushes! Ending with a short act of worship at St Stephen’s Church, Kingston Lacy.

Dorset Family History Day at St George’s Church Hall, Darbys Lane, Oakdale, Poole, BH15 3EU. Admission is free and parking is available.

Flower celebration at Salisbury Cathedral Originally intended to celebrate the anniversary of Salisbury Cathedral’s foundation in 2020, Celebration: A Festival of Flowers is finally taking place from 10-15 May. Alongside grand displays celebrating the Queen’s long life and reign, ‘rainbow’ arches reference the pandemic and the contribution made by keyworkers and volunteers across the country, who have supported their communities during these difficult times.

Other designs echo the magnificent early English Gothic building with material from the cathedral library incorporated into a series of displays interpreting the Theatricum Botanicum by John Parkinson, James I’s royal apothecary and chief botanist to Charles I. This 17th century treasure will be on display alongside the arrangements that explore its content. The Queen is known to have a strong interest in homeopathy. It is interesting to reflect what she might make if this marvellous volume.

Centrepieces of the event are the replica of the Queen’s coronation robe made from purple pampas grass, gilded dried foliage and ferns, and a large display re-imagining Royal Nursery in pastel colours that dominates the West End. For those looking for an extra special experience, tickets to a preview evening, as well as exclusive tours with a designer are available on the Salisbury Cathedral website.

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

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around & about - Advertisement feature -

For the Love of Music Bournemouth GaSP – Gilbert and Sullivan Productions – is delighted to announce that its spring tour, featuring songs from musical theatre and the Savoy operas, is ready to bring a smile to every face.

Called For the Love of Music, it has a theme of love and laughter, with light-hearted songs for all to enjoy.

What better anthem for love in all its forms than ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, the show-stopper from Carousel?

Another blockbuster is ‘Get me to the Church on Time’ from My Fair Lady, whilst we salute the music of Gigi to toast ‘The Night they Invented Champagne’. Watch out for the likely lad who – from Me and My Girl – is ‘Leaning on a Lamp Post’.

The Gondoliers brings

Italian sunshine to ‘When a Merry Maiden Marries’ and The Mikado showcases another bride in ‘Three Little Maids from School’. Pirates of Penzance provides much merriment with cowardly policemen and burly brigands whilst ‘All Hail Great Judge’ from Trial by Jury features a judge with an eye for pretty bridesmaids.

For the Love of Music is at The Allendale Centre, Wimborne on Wednesday 4 May, the Barrington Theatre, Ferndown on Thursday 5 May and The Spire, Poole on Friday 6 May. Curtain up at 7.30pm.

Downton Abbey back at the Regent The long-awaited sequel, Downton Abbey: A New Era, will be showing on the big screen at the Regent Centre on its national release date, with 58 screenings from Friday 29 April until Thursday 19 May 2022. The new film sees the Crawley family go

on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess’ newly inherited villa.

Tickets are £7.50, £7 Concessions. Visit www. regentcentre.co.uk or call the box office on 01202 499199.

Tickets £12.50 from www. ticketsource.co.uk/ bournemouthgasp, by phone 07565 134842.

By post, call for details.

Booking fees may apply.

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around & about /

Any change in Government guidelines can affect details on this page – please check with the venue for the latest information

REVIEW:

Hypnosis,

Broadstone Players Theatre Company, Broadstone War Memorial Hall

By Marilyn Barber This theatre company has been mindful of the pandemic and so chose a play with a cast of just three.

This, of course, is a challenge for actors as they have more lines to learn.

However, the cast – in what is described as ‘a mesmerizing thriller with plenty of twists and a liberal dash of comedy’ – really came up to the mark, needing no prompts.

It told the story of Gordo, a hypnotist who encounters a policeman during his stage act with extraordinary repercussions.

Chris Hugill’s experience with a number of local theatre groups was displayed to the full as Gordo, and he gave a totally convincing performance as the hypnotist – and no, the audience in the hall didn’t all fall asleep!

Andrew Murton got under the skin of the senior CID officer, one moment mild mannered, and the next unscrupulous.

The part of Helen, his wife, was in the very safe hands of Sali Pike, despite it being only her second full length play for the company. She put plenty of energy into the part, and clearly enjoyed all the subterfuge.

The split stage set was excellent – well done designer Peter Watson – with the action seamlessly switching from one room to another.

The choice of play was good, with the ending difficult to predict.

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

Little Shop of Horrors at the Tivoli, Wimborne Wimborne Musical Theatre are to present comedy horror sci-fi musical, Little Shop of Horrors, at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne from 7-9 April.

Set in the 1960s, it tells the story of doo-wop, and Motown – and includes Seymour, the assistant at Mushnik’s several well-known tunes, including Flower Shop in Skid Row, New the title song, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, York, who becomes an overnight ‘Skid Row’, ‘Somewhere That’s sensation when he discovers Green’, and ‘Suddenly, Seymour’ a strange and exotic plant. He plus no less than 16 other songs. names it Audrey Two, in order to Tickets are £16 for adults and impress the lovely Audrey, the shop £14 for concessions and can be assistant he’s secretly in love with. booked at www.tivoliwimborne.

However Audrey Two has a mind co.uk or call the Tivoli box office of its own, and grows into a badon 01202 885566. Performances tempered, foul-mouthed carnivore are at 7.30pm each evening plus a with an insatiable appetite. Seymour 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 9 April. has to feed it to stop his prized plant from wilting, but how far is he willing to go, to get the girl of his dreams?

The music, which tells the story through the lyrics, is composed in various styles – 1960s rock and roll, Cast of Little Shop of Horrors

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motoring

Action on catalytic converter thefts Police officers from Dorset have taken part in dedicated days of action to tackle catalytic converter thefts.

Neighbourhood policing teams were involved in a range of activity to raise awareness and crackdown on offenders.

The initiative saw officers join representatives from the Environment Agency, BCP Council and Dorset Council to visit scrap dealers in the area, while traffic officers also carried out a number of proactive stops of vehicles across the county.

A multi-agency initiative to encourage more forensic marking of vehicles, which began in May 2021, has resulted in a reduction in catalytic converter thefts.

For example, just two incidents were reported in January this year in Dorset, compared to 98 in May 2021.

Dorset Police says it remains committed to tackling the issue, which can cause considerable expense and inconvenience for victims

as offenders target the precious materials contained in catalytic converters.

Neighbourhood Inspector Adrian Thompson, of Bournemouth police, said: “We have continued to work with our partners and local businesses to raise awareness of this crime and offer advice on how members of our communities can help protect themselves from becoming victims.

“There are things like locks or guards that are available from dealerships to protect catalytic converters and simple steps such as parking close to a wall or fence and in well-lit overlooked area can also assist.

“For those who sadly do become victims, forensically marking their catalytic converters make them harder for thieves to dispose of and can help us trace and catch offenders.

“Finally, we would urge anyone who believes they witness a catalytic converter

theft to report it as soon as it’s happening. If a crime is in progress, dial 999.

Otherwise, you can contact us with information at www. dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police. uk or by calling 101.”

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A police officer visits a scrap dealer during the operation

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motoring / keeping you on the road.

Tough mobile phone laws now in place Spring checks for your vehicle Winter’s cold weather, icy road conditions, and ice prevention measures such as grit and salt can all put extra wear and tear on your car. To keep your car running in tip top condition, it’s important to make regular checks, and ensure your car is equipped for the new season ahead.

Clean under your car During winter, your car will have picked up a layer of salt and grime that can cause corrosion on your car.

Getting under it with a hose or going to the car wash will remove potentially damaging residue.

Battery health Batteries can deteriorate quickly in cold temperatures. If it takes a few extra seconds to start your motor, or if your battery is more than four years old, consider getting it tested and, if needs be, replaced.

Check your tyres The minimum legal tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm – check yours meet the requirements to maintain your safety on the roads. You should also asses the overall condition of your tyres, and be sure to also check tyre pressure regularly.

Make sure you can be seen Check all the bulbs are working, including brake lights and indicators.

Clean the bulb casings so they are not dimmed by dirt.

Top up fluids Topping up oil and coolant is a quick job that could save you time and money as you’ll be lessening your chances of breaking down. With spring showers common, screenwash is essential to prevent dirt build up on your windscreen from spray off the road.

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

Brake health Brake pads need to be clean to operate properly – and after a long winter picking up grit and salt, they may not be at peak performance. It’s a good idea to have your brakes checked by a professional.

Change your wipers If your wipers are in poor condition this could affect visibility. The small cost of a replacement is definitely worth being able to see the road more clearly.

Laws relating to the use of mobile phones while driving in England, Scotland and Wales were introduced from 25 March 2022.

The new rules ban drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, check time or other notifications, unlock the device, play games or scroll through music playlists.

It was already illegal to use a hand-held device to send a text or make a call while driving except in an emergency. It was also illegal to use a phone whilst stationary in traffic or at traffic lights, as this is still considered driving.

Anyone caught using a hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence.

You are allowed to use a mobile phone when you are safely parked, with the engine off and the handbrake on.

You may not use your phone in any other driving situation, including when you’re stationary at traffic lights or queueing in traffic.

The only exception to this is if it’s an emergency and it would be unsafe or impractical to stop, in which case you may call 999.

Drivers will be able to use their phones to make a contactless payment at a payment terminal for goods or services as long as their vehicle is stationary and the item being paid for is provided at the same time, such as paying for a car park or drive-though coffee. Drivers should check the Highway Code and gov.uk to find out more details and prevent misunderstandings.

Using a hands-free kit still risks you being distracted while driving and you could still be prosecuted for not being in control of your vehicle – this offence carries a £100 fine and three penalty points.

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LOFT LADDERS

CORRESPONDENCE To express your opinion or ideas about the community send your letters to letters@dorsetview.co.uk

Blind voters face exclusion from the electoral process

Correction

Representatives of Nuffield Hospital would like to correct information put forward by organisers of the petition against plans for land at Talbot Village.

The petitioner stated that the Nuffield Hospital plan contains a four-storey car park and would involve more than 1,700 staff.

However, the representatives say that at present there is not an application available for public use and there are no plans for a multi-storey car park.

The number of jobs the new hospital will offer is still to be decided.

They add they are nearing the stage where they will be able to share their plans.

December competition winners Congratulations to the competition winners from the December issue of Dorset View (Vol 19, issue 5): Sleeping Beauty at the Tivoli – Fiesta Matthews, Bournemouth and Olga Barratt, Poole Concerts at the Tivoli – Vivien West, Verwood

East Dorset Indoor Bowls Club

The EDIBC was formed in 1977 and has enjoyed good support with membership over 400, but Covid has hit our membership hard. I am throwing out an invitation to past or new members, or anyone wishing to give bowls a try to come along to our purpose-built club situated next to 2 Rivers Meet sport centre on Stony Lane South, Christchurch.

The club has six rinks with electronic scoreboards and a licensed bar offering refreshments before, during and after games. We operate local, county and national competitions as well as friendly leagues and, in the summer months, there are weekly league games for those not wishing to play outdoors.

For beginners, we can offer coaching or taster sessions to learn the rules and skill of the game.

They can then move into the Cygnets, which is set up to help members to continue playing before progressing onto competitive play. It is a good way to exercise with easy walking and a sociable atmosphere.

EDIBC is determined not to let the Coronavirus beat our club and game, so please take up my invitation – contact us, you can be sure of a warm welcome.

Tel: 01202 483317. Alan Mason EDIBC

u3a celebrates 40 years

One hundred and fifty years ago, the Ballot Act of 1872 decreed that everyone had the right to vote in secret. Despite this, four in five blind people in 2021 said they were still unable to vote independently and in secret.

The figures speak for themselves – blind and partially sighted voters are too often being denied the right to a secret vote, and the Elections Bill, currently moving through the House of Lords, will only make this worse.

Voting is a fundamentally visual process. Under current law, introduced a generation ago, every polling station must have a device to make voting possible “without any assistance” for voters with sight loss. The Elections Bill is getting rid of this guarantee, meaning that it will become a postcode lottery for blind and partially sighted people as to what equipment they can expect when they go to cast their vote.

This move by the Government goes against all aspirations around levelling up for disabled people in society. We urgently call on the Secretary of State Michael Gove and Parliamentarians to maintain existing provisions to enable an independent vote for blind and partially sighted people.

Sign RNIB’s petition and join the organisation in calling on the Government for change to the Elections Bill at www.rnib.org.uk/ campaigning.

Sophie Dodgeon Head of Policy and Public Affairs RNIB (The Royal National Institute of Blind People)

Let’s learn, laugh and live together in a friendly informal environment. The u3a celebrates 40 years of being a national movement which supports people in their ‘third age’ to continue their learning and interests. If you have time on your hands and you want to take part in social and creative interests, you might consider joining a local u3a group.

There are no formal qualifications or exams to pass, and there is no upper age limit to joining, the only criterion is that you are not working full-time or raising a family.

Members of each u3a group draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other.

There are 16 groups throughout the county, with several in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole area, which you can join for a small annual fee.

In Poole, in 2022, we have over 100 classes running, together with walks, talks and trips. So please, come and join in.

For more information go to www.pooleu3a.org.uk and for the national movement, go to https://u3a.org.uk/ Geoff Miles Poole u3a group

Poole Passion play

The Poole Passion play is back. Footsteps, a brand-new play written and directed by Ann Balaam, will be staged in April. The play follows a group of tourists or pilgrims who have travelled to Jerusalem to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. The mixed group all have their reasons for being on this trip of a lifetime and they share their stories with each other. While they are touring with their guide, the events of over 2,000 years ago seem to unfold in front of them and they, with the audience, are carried along with Jesus and his followers. You will meet familiar and not so familiar participants in the life of Jesus.

Conical Sphere will be immersing us all in both modern and ancient Jerusalem and surrounding countryside. Be a part of the Sermon on the Mount; see and hear about his miracles of faith. Walk in his footsteps and be there at the end and at a new beginning. The play is performed in St Peter’s Church, Parkstone, BH14 0NN from 5-9 April starting at 7pm. To book your tickets ring the ticket line on 07719 173378 or book online at www.poolepassion.com.

You will be assured a warm welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.

Clive Balaam Chairman, The Poole Passion

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF ALL PAID FOR ADVERTISEMENTS Pulford Publicity Ltd (“the Publisher”) reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertisement without notice or explanation.

Whilst the Publisher will endeavour to represent the best interests of the client in undertaking client’s instructions, it is fully understood that it is the agreed responsibility of the client to supply Dorset View accurate copy details of the advertisement(s) to be placed and any alterations to the copy must be received prior to copy date.

Guarantee of insertion cannot be given and the Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement or by the total or partial failure, however caused, of publication or distribution of Dorset View. In no case shall the total liability of the Publisher for any misprint, error or omission exceed the price charged by the Publisher for that advertisement. The Publisher shall not be liable for any damage or loss save as stated and, in particular, the Publisher shall have no liability to the Advertiser in any circumstances for any claim for damages to, loss of, or costs in respect of any anticipated profits, revenues, business opportunities or for any other indirect or consequential loss.

Claims for any error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement must be made within 10 days of publication to the Administration

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

Department.

Advertisers are requested to check their advertisements after the first insertion. The Publisher will not be responsible for any errors on subsequent insertions, which have not been advised to them.

Cancellation of an advertisement must be advised in writing 21 days prior to copy date.

Unless agreed otherwise in writing by the Publisher the terms of payment for credit accounts are 10 days from date of invoice. Any discount, which the Publisher may have agreed with the advertiser will be forfeited in the event of failure by the advertiser to meet these credit terms. All rates quoted are subject to VAT at the current rate in force at the time the advertisement appears.

Copyright of advertisements produced wholly by the Publisher belongs to the Publisher. Advertisers may not reproduce such advertisments without the Publisher’s written consent.

Full details of copy dates are obtainable direct from Dorset View and/or its representatives. The placing of an order for an advertisment shall amount to acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

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in the home

Spring cleaning the eco-friendly way

By Karen Wyatt-Epapara

There’s nothing like bright sunlight streaming through the windows as we move into spring to fully highlight any cobwebs and dust that have accumulated through the darker winter months.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons why people like to do a spring clean as the weather warms up – it’s certainly made me want to throw open the windows, let some fresh air in and get scrubbing!

However, I do notice that using lots of standard household products really dries my skin out, so I can’t help but wonder what they must do to the environment.

This year, I’ve been investigating eco-friendly ways to get the cleaning done.

Choose re-usable Instead of disposable paper roll or cloths, I’ve been using washable ones. My set has eight cloths, so I can rotate them easily and, once they’ve been used for a heavy-duty

task, they go straight in the washing machine. For messier jobs, I’ve taken a leaf out of my grandmother’s book and kept old clothes for rags and toothbrushes for cleaning grout instead of throwing them away. For jobs where paper works best, such as cleaning glass, I’ve used old newspaper, which can then be recycled.

Non-toxic and biodegradable products Check labels to make sure the products you are buying are made from natural ingredients and are independently verified as being ‘green’. You can also use many of the ingredients in your cupboard as cleaning agents. For example, a small bowl of baking soda will absorb strong smells in a fridge or cupboard, or mixed to a paste is a good cleaning agent.

Vinegar is great for removing limescale, especially in a kettle – just remember to boil it a couple of times before you make your next cup of tea!

Make the most of the outdoors Air dry your washing, and hang out rugs or soft furnishings to air them out. You’ll save money and electricity by not running a tumble dryer.

We’d be interested to hear your tips and hints for environmentally friendly cleaning. Write to us at letters@dorsetview.co.uk.

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in the home / home is where the heart is .

Home improvements for spring

With the weather getting warmer, and the evenings lighter, you may be thinking about DIY projects to get your teeth into this spring. It could be that the recent storms have caused some minor damage that needs to be assessed and fixed, you have some wear and tear that needs attention, or you’re planning a larger project – an extension, new deck or interior revamp.

It’s wise to give your home a post-winter check up to see how it has fared through the colder months. This can include: Damaged or missing roofing If you can do so safely, and the weather is suitable, you can venture up onto the roof to check for missing or damaged tiles or roof flashing, either of which can be the cause of leaks. Alternatively, you can go into the attic space to check for daylight showing through – depending on the type of roofing you have, this could indicate where you may have damage.

Clear gutters Keeping your gutters clear will prevent water from running down the outside walls and possibly finding its way in through wall cavities and gaps in the brickwork,

which can cause damp and mould.

You can do this job yourself with a tall ladder and garden hose, or employ a gutter service provider to do it for you.

Exterior painting If your house needs painting, spring is the ideal time to do it. Dry days, when the weather is cool, are the best conditions for drying paint. Once temperatures climb higher, paint will dry more quickly, which can compromise its adhesion, and make it less durable.

Improve your insulation If your attic is in need of improved insulation, now is the time to do it. You’ll avoid having to work in a hot space and reap the benefits of keeping your home warmer once the cooler seasons return.

Money donated to people in fuel poverty Thanks to generous donations from residents in Dorset, over £75,000 was raised to help older people struggling to stay warm over winter.

Dorset Council, working closely with The Dorset Community Foundation and Citizens Advice, launched an appeal earlier this year asking people to donate any winter fuel payments they did not need to help others to afford to heat their homes without scrimping on food.

According to government estimates, there are 19,000 people in Dorset living in fuel poverty – this means they cannot afford to heat their home.

As energy prices continue to rise, more older people would have been left cold in their homes and exposed to risks arising from their body temperature dropping too low. However, thanks to the generous donations, more vulnerable older people in need

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DORSET VIEW April 2022

will be able to stay warm.

The funds have been allocated to Citizens Advice who are distributing Surviving Winter grants to those households who are in fuel poverty.

Cllr Laura Miller, cabinet member for Customer and Community Services at Dorset Council, said: “Winter often places additional pressures on households, especially families and vulnerable older people.

“But thanks to the generous donations from Dorset residents, more people in need have stayed warm this winter.

“Working with Dorset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal, individual grants of up to £200 have been distributed for people who face the choice between eating well and keeping homes warm.”

Energy project manager at Citizens Advice, Kate Pryce, said: “As energy prices continue to rise, we are very concerned

about older people being able to afford to heat their homes.

We are really grateful for the donations received which has enabled us to keep helping those households who are struggling to heat their homes.”

As well as the donations, Dorset Council was awarded over £2million from the government’s Household Support Fund to help vulnerable households across the county in need of financial support. This enabled one-off winter energy vouchers of £200 to be allocated

to 3,500 households in receipt of Universal Credit with limited capability for work, or earnings below the free school meals threshold by the end of 2021.

Citizens Advice energy advisers can help those who might be eligible for a grant. Email energyadvice@ cabnet.org.uk or leave a message on 01929 775500.

If you need support and want to talk to an adviser, please contact Citizens Advice Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848.

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in the home Get your garden ready Start work on your garden while it is still in a mostly dormant state, so it will be looking tip-top as the weather warms. Be wary of the potential for late frosts though, and don’t put out seedlings that will not fare well in cold weather until you’re sure the risk has passed.

Plan ahead If you want to outsource a job, small or large, it pays to plan ahead. Contractors and builders are in high demand, and some building materials are in short supply, so book in soon to make sure you get the help you need, when you need it.

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