ISSN 2397-723X (print) | ISSN 2397-7248 (online)
Broadstone | Christchurch | Colehill | Ferndown | Merley | West Parley | Wimborne | Bournemouth | Canford Heath
Kinson | Poole | Ringwood | Three Legged Cross | Verwood | West Moors
I have decided to kick up a stink.
When was the last time you trod in dog muck?
For me, it was a few months ago and the real insult was when I tried to wash the offending matter off the sole of my trainer with a hose pipe and it sprayed all over my face. This took me back to my childhood when poor Mum had to constantly wipe dog muck off our shoes with newspaper. She never used a hose pipe and I can understand why. With four kids, hardly a week went by without one of us slipping in poo.
Luckily the pavements have got cleaner since those days and responsible dog owners generally pick up after their pets. Being a former dog owner, I know it isn’t always straightforward to poop scoop and sometimes the odd poo goes ‘missing’ especially if your pet has run into the distance to do his business. But the poo I trod in was right in the middle of the path, where I did not expect to see it. My powers of observance have improved dramatically since then.
Another pet hate of mine is when responsible dog owners pick up their pet’s poo, tie it neatly in a bag then hang it on a tree! Can someone who does this, please explain the reasoning behind this unusual practice.
Moving on, this magazine is full of news and articles including the Muddy Dog Dash, which looked great fun because of the muck! A hose pipe would have been handy.
Inside this issue are two brilliant competitions. One worth nearly £1,000 and one worth £100. Do enter both, you never know, you might win.
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Despite challenging windy conditions, over 200 volunteers worked tirelessly to clear marine litter from Dorset beaches during the 34th Great Dorset Beach Clean on 6 and 7 April.
Much of the litter was brought in by recent storms and common items found included fishing gear, hard plastics, and nurdles, with some more unusual discoveries such as brooms, a fridge, and even the occasional shoe.
The effort put in by volunteers resulted in the removal of hundreds of kilos of litter from the beaches. Particularly noteworthy was the removal of 104kg of litter in just two hours from Kimmeridge Bay.
An important event, the Great Dorset Beach Clean extends beyond just the physical clean up. Many of the participating groups collect valuable data, which is shared with organisations like the Marine Conservation Society
and Surfers Against Sewage. This data plays a crucial role in informing government policies aimed at reducing litter and protecting marine environments. The success of the 34th Great Dorset Beach Clean stands as a testament to the ongoing
dedication local community groups show in preserving Dorset’s beautiful landscape.
If you have attended any of the events this year or took part in your own clean-up, please tag @litterfreedorset in your photos and use the hashtag #GDBC24.
A local woman in her 20s has been charged with causing death by driving without due care or consideration while unfit through drugs, causing death by due care while over the prescribed limit, using a motor vehicle or trailer in a condition likely to cause danger of injury and failing to stop after an accident. She is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday 3 June 2024. The collision involving a red Vauxhall Corsa and a bicycle happened on the night of 4 October 2023 on Julians Road, Wimborne. The cyclist, 40-yearold James Raeburn, sustained serious injuries and sadly died at the scene.
Purewell Electrical has been supplying the local community with new appliances for over 65 years.
They are delighted to be able to share this experience with their customers helping them to find the right new machine or appliance.
It’s no secret that price is important to everyone, so the Purewell team will happily check their prices to find the best solution to help you make your decision, as well as offering an instore Price Match.
More important than price though is value – when you shop with Purewell Electrical you get a chance to see, touch and feel the product, as well as taking advantage of the wealth of experience available to make sure that what you are buying is the
right product for you, and not just something that will do the job (or, worryingly, perhaps not even that).
When a Purewell Electrical van is parked outside your house, you can be confident that your appliance is being installed by a friendly Purewell professional and not left outside the front door for you to struggle with.
If you have any questions about what you’ve bought, or maybe about what you want to buy, call the Purewell team of experts – there’s no need for generic emails and chat bots, instead the Purewell experts will help you out to ensure you get the most from your appliances.
Ironically, one of the most valued resources in Ferndown for vulnerable individuals and families has been asked to leave its premises by Care Dorset
The eviction notice was served on Ferndown Community Support CIC, (FCS), which has run a food bank and other much-needed services from the kitchen at the back of the town’s Day Centre since 13 April 2022.
Founder of the food bank, Hannah Hobbs-Chell, said the eviction notice had come as a “huge shock. It poses a severe threat to the critical services provided to thousands of vulnerable individuals and families in our community and has left Ferndown Community Support in a state of uncertainty and urgency.
“Without immediate intervention, the food bank will be forced to cease operations, leaving countless individuals without access to essential food supplies.
“We are appalled at the
decision of Care Dorset, and of the actions of Dorset Council, and despite us trying to engage and offer solutions, they have so far refused to engage with us.”
The vital community food bank serves not only Ferndown but many other areas of East Dorset.
Hannah said: “Through partnerships with local businesses, volunteers, and generous donors, the food bank has distributed thousands of pounds of food annually, making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbours in need.” She also named a range of other services offered including the UK’s first and only medicine bank, hygiene, baby and data bank, as well as events and school holiday cooking clubs for free.
Trustee director Tony
Brown added: “Care Dorset and Dorset Council state they want the space back to provide cooked meals at lunchtime. We have offered to provide those meals for them, and suggested they use an outside catering company. Both options would be considerably more cost effective than opening up the kitchen (which we estimate will cost in the region of £60,000 per year to operate), and importantly would also allow us to stay too.”
A Dorset Council spokesperson on behalf of Care Dorset said: “Having no kitchen space means we’re unable to provide the people we support – in most cases people with dementia – a hot, nutritious meal. They’re required
to bring a packed lunch.
“It is also denying the people we support an opportunity stay in contact with life-skills such as food preparation and cooking.
“We really appreciated the proposed solutions
Ferndown Community Support put forward. The Exec Team considered each offer very seriously but concluded, sadly, that we simply couldn’t move forward with any one of them.”
FCS is appealing to the community, local authorities, and stakeholders to come together to find a solution that will allow the food bank to continue its operations uninterrupted.
To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/ save-ferndown-food-bank
Anthony Woodhouse became Dorset’s next High Sheriff at a ceremony held on Sunday 25 March 2024. The office is an independent and non-political position appointed by the monarchy for a single-year term. High Sheriffs play an increasingly active role in promoting the voluntary sector within their communities and highlighting the work of often unsung heroes.
Anthony Woodhouse said: “I feel honoured to step into the role of High Sheriff for Dorset and am excited for the year ahead. I look forward to educating myself on the judicial system, discovering amazing people doing amazing things, and thanking those people who work so hard helping and supporting others.”
This area of law is about overall fairness based first and foremost on your respective financial needs. Doing the next right thing so that you can both move on with your lives. The courts consider a number of factors, to be found in Section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. One of those is resources and earning capacity.
We take a good look at your respective incomes and also the future earnings potential too, from qualifications, experience, the opportunity of any to retrain if possible, or the limits as a result of full time or part time childcare. All of this may have a significant bearing on capacity and need for at least a shortterm maintenance payment for you to get back on your feet.
Consider and enquire whether you may be eligible and if so whether this will help to get you back on your feet and back into the workplace or boost your existing income.
Are you cohabiting with a new partner? This may or may not have an impact on your future income needs.
Future asset prospects?
Are either of you due a gratuity? Inheritance? Don’t be alarmed if you’re a beneficiary of a will of someone who is very much alive because a will can be changed so this is not relevant.
If financial solutions to a separation are worrying you, please do contact us for a free half hour chat to discuss your options.
YMCA Bournemouth’s biggest fundraising event of the year was launched on 18 April at Barchester’s Parley Place Care Home.
BIG Sleep Easy will take place on Saturday 12 October to raise money towards YMCAB’s work to support vulnerable people across Dorset.
To date, BIG Sleep Easy Bournemouth has raised over £130,000 to support homeless individuals locally and beyond.
BIG Sleep Easy invites colleagues, friends and teams from local businesses to take part in a night sleeping outside, with participants constructing their own shelters to protect themselves from the weather. This helps raise awareness and gives a greater understanding about the challenges faced by homeless people.
It is estimated that 1,095 individuals are considered homeless across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation.
“No one should be sleeping on the streets in the 21st century, this is a great cause,” said Ian Girling CEO Dorset Chamber.
To find out more contact Sheena Dayman at 07824333505 or email sheena.dayman@ymcabournemouth.org.uk.
You can donate to YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2024 at https://justgiving.com/campaign/ymcabbigsleepeasy2024.
Thomas Betteridge, 18, of Southsea in Portsmouth was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on 5 April, having previously been found guilty at a trial at the same court of manslaughter and possessing a bladed article.
He received nine years in custody, with an extended licence period of a further three years.
Lennie Hansen, 18, of Waterlooville, is due to be sentenced on 3 May after admitting a charge of possessing a bladed article.
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday 5 August 2023 in Bournemouth Square.
Hansen had brought the knife with him to Bournemouth on the night of the incident and had hidden it behind a bench due to the heavy police presence in the vicinity. After an altercation broke out in The Square, Betteridge retrieved the knife and used it to stab his victim.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of MCIT, said: “The extremely sad death of Cameron Hamilton is another shocking demonstration of the truly devastating consequences of someone choosing to carry a knife and another young man’s senseless decision to use it.
“We remain steadfastly committed to doing all we can to work with our partners and communities to raise awareness of the awful impact of knife crime and take firm action against those found to be carrying knives on our streets.
“Our thoughts will remain with the family and friends of Cameron Hamilton, who have suffered the most unimaginable loss as a result of this heinous crime, and I again want to thank them for the support they have given throughout the investigation and court process as well as the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout what must have been an extremely difficult few months.”
Applications are again invited from voluntary groups and charities that help asylum seekers and refugees to build new lives in Dorset.
Dorset Community Foundation’s Welcome Fund, which is supported with contributions of £50,000 from Dorset Council and £30,000 from BCP Council as well as from Dorset Community Foundation fundholders is offering grants of up to £5,000. Dorset Community Foundation grants manager Ellie Maguire said: “The activities we’d like to fund should focus on supporting wellbeing and getting refugees and asylum seekers involved in community activities.” They could also provide practical items such as clothing, bedding or mobile phones.
New groups established for less than six months can apply but will only be eligible for a maximum grant of £2,000.
Getting muddy and having fun whilst raising money for charity was top of the list of things to do at Upton Country Park in March.
Over 400 people and 200 dogs took part in the Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s second ‘Muddy Dog Dash’ on Sunday 17 March and raised an incredible £15,000 which will support patients and families facing a life-limiting illness across East Dorset and Purbeck.
Participants and their four-legged friends took on the muddy 2.5km or 5km obstacle course across fields and woodland, consisting of exciting obstacles including ramps, tyre runs, wiggle poles, tunnels.
Director of Fundraising Tom Goodinge said: “We couldn’t have wished for a better turn out, there was such a great atmosphere. It was fantastic to see so many runners, dogs and families supporting the sell-out event. The weather also didn’t disappoint, the sun
shone all day on a very muddy course.
“We were delighted the event was opened by Ted the celebrity pooch from BBC’s Mortimer & Whitehouse’s ‘Gone Fishing’ programme.
“This event would not be possible without the incredible support from our volunteers, staff and sponsors - Barratt Homes, Care South, Capital Barriers, PHP Vets, South Coast Mini Marquee Ltd, Hot Radio, Nurturing By Nature, VetSmiths, Wessex Water and Marshalls.
“Without their help and support the event wouldn’t have been the huge success that it was.”
Anyone interested in learning about next year’s event can register their interest now. Spaces are limited and fill very quickly.
Hundreds of RNLI supporters attended an event on 6 and 7 April when Eric’s Legend, a magnificent £2.5m Shannon-class lifeboat, (launched in 2021), was on view at the RNLI HQ in Poole where the names of 10,000 people had recently been added onto the sides of the self-righting relief vessel.
Supporters who had sponsored the names of their loved ones gathered from all over the country and from abroad to the launch of Eric’s Legend memories.
Helen Pearce travelled from the Netherlands to see the name of her father Bob
‘Skip’ Pearce, formerly of the Royal Navy, memorialised on the starboard side of Eric’s Legend. Helen was joined by her daughter Georgina from Reigate. Yachtsman Martin Cheyne made the journey from Harrogate. On the port side of
the lifeboat were the names of three people close to him who had recently passed away: his mother and RNLI supporter Catherine Cheyne; fellow yachtsman Ron Chivers, and Eric, the father of one of Martin’s close friends. Martin said the event “had been an emotional experience.”
Local yachtsman, Nicholas Pulford, saw his name alongside that of his late father, Eric William Pulford. Sponsor, Janine Pulford, said: “It seemed fitting for Eric to be included on Eric’s Legend. He would be proud to know his name is on the side of the lifeboat and even happier to have his son’s name beside his. They can enjoy being back on the sea together wherever Eric’s Legend is launched around the coast.”
Being a relief lifeboat, Eric’s Legend is moved
from station-to-station around the country as and when cover is needed.
The lifeboat is named after Eric Cass, a generous RNLI supporter who, with his wife Jean, previously funded a lifeboat at Dungeness. Following Eric’s death in 2018, Jean decided to provide funding for a second lifeboat, which has been named Eric’s Legend in her husband’s memory.
Finally, the gardens are coming alive with spring flowering shrubs: azaleas, rhododendrons, flowering crab apples, cherry trees and a host of other perennials, roses and flowers.
Some pruning of early spring shrubs can be carried out for new growth and vigour.
Cornus, forsythia, ornamental willows, and roses may all benefit from a cut back now.
Lawns and grass areas can now be re-seeded, fed and weeded.
Prepare all your summer baskets and patio pots ready for bedding plants which can be planted during May for summerlong colourful displays.
Visit your local nursery for geraniums, begonias, fuchsias, lobelias, verbena and many more.
Wildflower meadows
can be re-seeded or over seeded to increase flower variety and quality.
Vegetable plots should now be planted with your favourite vegetable plants: beans, tomatoes, courgettes, chillies, peppers and salad crops. Choose warm, sunny positions for the best results and cropping.
After some early May activity your garden space should be ready for a bright colourful, fruitful summer.
This summer people will be able to enjoy splashing around in the paddling pool at Littledown Park in Bournemouth.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, the free-to-attend attraction is open during the summer months. Other park features include a large lake packed with wildlife and a children’s play park with swings, climbing frames, and a slide. There is also a miniature railway run by volunteers which opens Wednesdays, Sundays and bank holidays from 11am-3pm with rides costing just £1 per person. The park also has a cricket pavilion, a one-mile running route, outdoor toilets and free parking for up to three hours seven days a week.
A pop-up café with outdoor seating will be situated nearby. Furthermore, Lookout at Littledown Bar provides a more casual al fresco dining
experience for those wanting to enjoy a meal and a drink overlooking the park.
The running of the paddling pool is to be managed and operated by BH Live, in partnership with BCP Council.
The park and children’s
play area are open yearround. Paddling pool opening dates will be announced in the coming months.
Opening hours for both the paddling pool and pop-up café are weather-dependent and may be liable to change.
Ferndown u3a Open Day
24 May 10am-12pm
The Barrington Theatre
No longer working full time?
Looking for social activities and learning opportunities?
Then Ferndown u3a is for you.
Come along to Ferndown u3a Open Day and meet with other local members and group and class leaders. This year there are 98 different classes ranging from art, coach trips and bridge to astronomy, walks and music. There is something for everyone, all for around £1 per week. Do come and join.
People in West Moors who experience loneliness and memory loss can now take advantage of a new facility.
Jolly Days West Moors – which is organised by In Jolly Good Company - runs from 2pm every second and fourth Wednesday.
The group’s first session, held at West Moors Guide Hall, saw around 20 local people enjoy activities provided by Yoga practitioner Suzanne Greenwood and In Jolly Good Company co-founder and musician, Kate Sheridan.
Sarah Rampton, who set up the company in 2019, said: “Our
mission is to help people both with and without memory loss, and I think that this first session was a great success. Through Jolly Days, people make new friends, keep mentally and physically active and try new things.
“We’d also like to invite and encourage others to join, and it’s very simple to do. We ask people and carers that’d like to take part to get in touch so that we can ensure our service meets their needs.”
The group’s new session has been financially supported by Talbot Village Trust.
In Jolly Good Company also runs Jolly Days sessions in Wimborne, Blandford, Wimborne St Giles and Shaftesbury, as well as ‘Step Outside’, a gardening-focused allotment group at Kingston Lacy. www.injollygoodcompany.com.
- Advertiser’s announcement -
Dance is a well-known mood booster and wellbeing activity and Pavilion Dance South West offer classes to get you moving, smiling and healthy for the season ahead.
Whether you’re looking for salsa, Latin, Afro, ballroom, rap, musicals, Bollywood, burlesque, belly dance, lyrical jazz, contemporary, ballet, mature movers, Parkinson’s dance, a spot of Charleston in vintage jazz or West Coast swing there’s a style waiting for you. And the classes take place in sunny studios by the sea.
Weekly classes run from 15 April to 19 July. Standard onehour classes are £7.
Discounts available with 6- and 12-week ticket bundles. Located in central Bournemouth in the Lower Gardens behind the Pavilion Theatre. Visit www.pdsw. org.uk for more details.
The Say Aphasia charity provides support groups across the UK for people with aphasia; a language and communication disability caused by a brain injury like a stroke.
The charity’s latest group has opened in Bournemouth. It runs every Monday from 10am to 12pm at Westbourne Tower Care Home, Westbourne.
Aphasia affects over 350,000 people in the UK but is little understood or known about by the public.
Say Aphasia is the only aphasia charity set up by people with aphasia for people with aphasia; helping them to adapt to their new way of life and regain their independence and confidence.
Aphasia occurs due to injury to the brain such as a stroke.
It affects access to language, resulting in difficulties following conversations, speaking, reading and writing.
People’s language can be affected to different degrees so not everyone’s aphasia looks the same. Imagine for a moment not being able to verbally order a coffee or ask for a bus ticket. This may be what life could look like for someone with aphasia. Aphasia is a lifelong condition and means that the person living with aphasia, their friends and family will need to adjust to a new way of communicating to overcome barriers.
This may mean having to write or draw things instead of speaking. Due to the damage in the brain, people with aphasia may
find it difficult to process conversations as quickly as before. Aphasia frequently results in loss of employment and a reduced social network, leading to isolation.
Say Aphasia are always looking to welcome new volunteers to help out at drop-in groups. Training and support is given.
Many members of Say Aphasia have minimal social interactions, so having a regular drop-in group to
meet others with similar experiences of living with aphasia, vastly improves their mental health and wellbeing. As a volunteer, you can help members to communicate with each other, help to organise activities, or teas and coffees. Say Aphasia offers a warm welcome to volunteers. To find out more contact hello@sayaphasia.org or fill in the application form at https:// www.sayaphasia.org/forms/ volunteer-application-form
Residents and guests at Moors Manor Care Home in St Leonards enjoyed an afternoon with a live music performance. Bourne2Sing from Ringwood performed a selection of classical and pop songs. Bourne2Sing has established itself as one of the area’s leading Male Voice choirs with a popular repertoire. The hospitality team at the home provided a spread of sweet treats for guests to enjoy during the show.
Bob Bailey, leader of the Bourne2Sing said: “It has been a great pleasure to meet so many people, having an opportunity to chat with the residents following our
singing performance; our group always look forward to coming to the home.”
General manager, Gemma Chalkley said: “Our residents and guests had a wonderful day singing along with the wonderful performers. We do our best to provide a wide range of activities and entertainment at Moors Manor as part of the lifestyle enrichment programme for residents, and this was one of our favourites.”
Moors Manor, run by Barchester Healthcare, provides residential and dementia care for 66 residents from respite care to long term stays.
NHS England will launch a new attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) taskforce alongside government to improve care for people living with the condition. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “We have recognised that more needs to be done to ensure people can get a timely diagnosis and importantly, that all of their needs are addressed.”
The World Health Organisation defines ADHD as being a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning. Around one in 20 children are estimated to be impacted by ADHD globally.
Guy Deacon is an inspiration to those suffering from Parkinson’s disease as he travelled from his home in Dorset to cross some of the toughest terrain on the planet.
Guy’s year-long journey included driving across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, Western Sahara, across the Sahel in Mauretania and Senegal, and across the Namib Desert which has some of the world’s highest sand dunes. Guy also tackled some of Africa’s trickiest jungles and the mighty Congo rainforest. The terrain took its toll on Guy’s VW Transporter, with him breaking down on numerous occasions in the middle of nowhere, from getting stuck in the mud in waterlogged jungle tracks, to losing the suspension and clutch several times and having to get parts flown out to Africa. Add illegal checkpoints, extortion, contaminated fuel and lack of services and this
was a huge undertaking.
As a sufferer from Parkinson’s disease – the fastest-growing neurodegenerative illness worldwide with no known cause or cure – Guy had very little use of his hands, difficulty moving his limbs and poor spatial awareness. He often had to stop to sleep, or appeared drunk with slurred speech when his medication ran out. Guy wanted to show that life doesn’t have to end with a Parkinson’s diagnosis and that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.
Guy’s incredible journey is published in the book ‘Running on Empty’, and there will be a C4 Documentary following later this year.
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has helped Dorset couple, Arthur and Wendy, who were filmed for World Parkinson’s Day (11 April) to raise awareness of their story, show how Parkinson’s can impact people and let others know there is vital local support available for anyone who needs it.
When Arthur and Wendy moved to Dorset, Arthur was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease aged just 53.
Arthur’s condition has changed over time and Wendy found herself caring for her husband.
They joined a local support group, and someone there mentioned Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. On Arthur’s first visit to the LewisManning Hospice Care day centre, he was nervous and Wendy stayed with him but they soon felt at ease.
Wendy said: “All the staff and the other patients were very friendly. Straight away Arthur was quite a chatterbox and quickly made good friends with three others. They were nicknamed the ‘Four Musketeers’ because they get on so well together.”
Since then, Arthur has been a part of LewisManning Day Hospice and has benefitted from good company and care, including complementary therapy and creative art sessions.
Arthur attends every Wednesday, which helps Wendy, who is his fulltime carer, with some much-needed respite.
After many years of caring for Arthur full-time, Wendy has recently also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
They each experience different symptoms and have different ways to manage these.
Wendy said: “Parkinson’s is different with everybody that you talk to. Mine was shaky from the start, but Arthur’s is not so shaky so often, it’s more rigid.”
Arthur said: “This shaking business really annoys me because I try hard not to shake.
“You worry a lot about what you look like, but here at the hospice, you don’t have to.”
On Parkinson’s Awareness Day, Wendy and Arthur raised
awareness of their story. The short film can be watched at : https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ezcT4fv-ddc or at www.dorsetview.co.uk
You can support LewisManning Hospice Care to continue delivering extraordinary care to patients like Wendy and Arthur today. Visit https:// www.justgiving.com/ lewismanning
One of the most spectacular insects in the UK, stag beetles, are quite harmless.
Male beetles can look scary as they have huge antlers, which are actually over-sized mandibles, used in courtship displays and to wrestle other male beetles. They are also big beetles measuring from 35mm75mm long and tend to be seen flying at dusk in the summer looking for a mate. Some people may get scared by their size, but they are harmless and if you take the time to watch them, they will bring joy. The females are smaller around 30-50mm long with smaller mandibles.
The People’s Trust for Endangered Species love to hear where Dorset View readers have seen stag beetles. You can do this by taking part in the Great Stag Hunt online at www. stagbeetles.ptes.org where you
can map your sightings of this threatened species. In some parts of Britain they are extinct, although they are relatively widespread in the South.
You may feel it’s too early to spot a stag beetle as they only emerge for a few weeks in the summer, starting around midMay. However, on the website it
mentions that over 100 stag beetles have been recorded so far this year. Whilst digging your garden, you may be more familiar with the beetle in the grub or larval stage.
The fully-grown stag beetle larva can be up to 110mm long. They’re fairly smoothskinned, have orange head and legs and brown jaws. They are nearly always found
below ground and can be as deep as half a metre down.
Larvae feed on decaying wood under the ground. Adult beetles can’t feed on solid food; they rely on the fat reserves built up whilst developing as larva. They can use their feathery tongue to drink from sap runs and fallen soft fruit.
Next time you see a stag beetle or its larvae, take the time to marvel at their beauty.
Itchy skin problems are incredibly common in dogs and cats
It is important to take seriously the distress caused by feeling itchy which can be as stressful as chronic pain. Without treatment pets can develop infections, or scratch themselves so badly to cause wounds.
Effective treatment exists for the vast majority of itchy pets. The priority is to identify and avoid what is causing the itch, and top of the list is flea infestations. Fleas can be difficult to spot as they are tiny and like to hide away from light. Another common cause is skin allergy. It is common to blame pet’s food for this, but only about 15% of cases are related to food allergies. The majority are from environmental allergens:
in spring and summer it is often pollens, in autumn mould spores, and if all year round then house dust mite allergy is very common. Often it is a combination of many allergens, a problem known as “atopy”.
If the allergen cannot be avoided, effective medications exist. Steroids are powerful and cheap but there are significant risks of side effects if they are used at a high level for a long time. Recent medical advances have found safer treatments however these often come at a considerably higher cost. Ointments, shampoos and oil supplements in the food are very helpful supportive treatments to reduce the doses of drugs.
We have had such a lot of visitors at the garden this month which has been super.
Our first visitors weren’t coming so much to see what we get up to but more to rescue us. Due to the sad demise of our first greenhouse, we had to amend the paving area and along with this we decided to change the placement of our wheelchair-friendly raised beds… but this was easier said than done.
However, Wimborne firemen came to our rescue and came in to shift the incredibly heavy beds for us to create a much neater accessible area. We are so grateful to the men who helped and really appreciate their time… and muscles.
Then one Monday evening we were visited by Wimborne Beavers, another delight. As many of you know, a very large ash tree had to be felled in the wild area of the garden and while this was done, the bug hotel had to be dismantled.
The trusty Beavers came along, armed with all sorts of wondrous bug-friendly material, and put it back together in spectacular fashion – so a huge thanks to them for their hard work and enthusiasm. Finally, we had not one but two schools visit us: Year 3 Dumpton students came followed by Year 1 & 2 students from Pamphill First School. After their visits, which were filled with laughter, excitement and energy, we at the garden were left with: several beds dug over; sunflower seeds planted in homemade newspaper eco-friendly plant pots; beautifully decorated stones to add to the Sensory Garden and all our fallen branches cut up into useable twigs for the development of our new Heugalbed. Without exception, the children really got ‘stuck in’ and I think they enjoyed being in the garden as much as we enjoyed having them. Good times!
The Southern England Town Crier Competition scheduled to take place in Wimborne on 6 May has been cancelled.
Wimborne town crier Chris Brown said the reason was that only a small number of entrants had applied to take part.
He said: “I am hugely grateful
to those who did commit. I humbly apologise to all who were looking forward to this and who offered their support as volunteers. I am also very grateful for the time, funding and support offered to me by the two financial sponsors Wimborne Minster Town Council and the Wimborne Business Improvement District.
“The current title will now amalgamate again with the Wareham Town Crier Competition which is taking place on 13 July 2024 and I urge all who compete and enjoy the spectacle to attend Jacquie Hall’s wonderful competition there.”
Wimborne BID is working with JPS Communications to supply radios to businesses so that they can communicate with each other. So, if a person is caught shoplifting, for example, businesses can alert each other and deny them entry to further premises in the town.
Wimborne BID applied for a grant from Police Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, and getting this has allowed the BID to offer businesses a subsidy for the radios. Any Wimborne BID levy payer is eligible.
BID manager, Tammy Sleet, said: “Businesses are increasingly worried about crime, and in particular, theft. We are working with the police at every level - from the Police Crime Commissioner, to the Neighbourhood Policing Team. The radios are another string in our bow to make it clear that business crime will not be tolerated in Wimborne.”
Being hosted in Germany, the UEFA EURO 2024 competition kicks off in Munich on Friday 14 June and ends with the final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July. Would you like to back a team in this competition and cheer it on its way as well as get a chance to win £100? If so, select the team you think will win. You can check below to find out which advertiser on this feature has been randomly selected by Dorset View to support your favourite team. Read opposite to find out how the winner of this competition will ultimately be chosen. You never know, it could be you.
Avon Valley Framers – Ukraine
Avon Valley Framers back Ukraine in the draw, a team that has overcome immense challenges. Led by their captain Andriy Yarmolenco, they aim to surprise with their unwavering spirit in their quest for EURO glory..
Eazy Garden – Portugal
Eazy Garden stands firm with Portugal, led by the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo. With attacking prowess and tactical finesse, Portugal aims to dazzle. Eazy Garden will no doubt be happy to have one of the greats on their side! As Portugal strives for glory, blending flair and determination on the field.
Cozy Stoves – Switzerland
Cozy Stoves rallies behind Switzerland, a team known for precision and resilience. Led by former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka, they promise sturdy defence and swift counterattacks. In a tournament of giants, Switzerland’s knack for upsets could spark fireworks. Cozy Stoves will hope for warmth from their team’s fiery performance.
Dan Wood Plumbing – Netherlands
Dan Wood Plumbing proudly supports the Netherlands in the draw, renowned for Yohan Cruyff’s Total Football legacy. Under captain Virgil van Dijk’s leadership, they promise a blend of skill and strategy. With a history of thrilling matches, will Oranje’s fluid play flow to victory in EURO 2024?
The Broadstone Cobbler – Denmark
The Broadstone Cobbler has drawn Denmark, led by Christian Eriksen’s resilience and skill. They look to cause an upset, with a fearless spirit and solid teamwork, Denmark is usually in the last few matches of any competition. Broadstone Cobbler will hope the Danes show their inner Viking strength, and just maybe show a repeat of their 1992 upset and triumph in EURO 2024.
Ebblake Autos – England
Ebblake Autos revs up for England, will it finally come home? Led by Harry Kane, with a blend of youth and experience. Ebblake Autos will have the whole country behind them as we all anticipate the roar of the Three Lions, hoping for a memorable journey at EURO 2024. Is this the year the European championships come home?
Highcliffe Coach Holidays – Germany
Highcliffe Coach Holidays has drawn Germany, masters of precision and tactical brilliance. To be led by Joshua Kimmich, they always promise efficiency and attacking flair. Highcliffe Coach Holidays will look forward to seeing the German machine in action. Will they add their 4th European title and their first since 1996?
Tiien – France
Tiien will have absolutely no complaints after drawing France, led by the widely accepted best player in the world in Kylian Mbappé, his lightning speed and skill looks set to light up the Euros once again. With a squad absolutely filled to the brink with stars, they promise elegance and goals. Tiien will fancy their chances for Les Bleus to triumph at EURO 2024.
Avon Beach SUP – Spain
Avon Beach SUP stands strong with Spain, masters of possession and quick passes. Led by their experienced striker Álvaro Morata, they promise artistry in motion. Avon Beach SUP will no doubt fancy their chances with this draw as they anticipate the Spanish flair on display, hoping for a surge of success in EURO 2024.
The Barn – Croatia
The Barn stands tall with Croatia, led by 2018 Balon d’Or winner Luka Modric’s midfield artistry. With a blend of flair and tenacity, Croatia promise thrilling moments on the field. The Barn will watch the Vatreni’s passion and skill with interest. Will it lead them to glory in EURO 2024?
Forum Jewellers – Belgium
Forum Jewellers sparkles with support for Belgium, no longer dazzled by the wizardry of Eden Hazard although his legacy is appropriately carried on by Kevin De Bruyne’s and his own magic on the field. Always a squad of stars in recent years, Forum Jewellers will be happy with this draw and hope to see the Red Devils go straight for EURO 2024 glory.
Websters Family Butchers – Italy
Websters Family Butchers proudly stands with ‘2020’ winners Italy. Led by forward Cirro Immobile with his eye for goal and finishing ability with either foot, they will certainly look to be in and amongst it at this summer’s tournament. Italy could be one to look out for at EURO 2024, can they bring it back to Rome?
Disclaimer: Team rankings taken from FIFA world rankings correct as of 16 April 2024. No responsibility can be taken for any subsequent changes.
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By Alex CengiPrepare yourself for the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 Championships, a thrilling event for football enthusiasts and casual fans alike.
Dorset View has curated a special competition to celebrate this occasion and add an extra layer of excitement. The highlight? You stand a chance to win £100 to spend at one of the advertisers featured on this page. One lucky winner will be able to indulge in an exciting shopping experience.
Here’s the game plan: All 12 local businesses have been put into a random generator, which has assigned each business a potential UEFA EURO 2024 winner from the top 12 seeded national teams going into the tournament. It’s up to you to choose who you think will win. Will the draw be on your side? Brace yourselves, knowing that each goal scored on the field could lead to a rewarding win off the field.
Should your chosen team claim the championship, your entry will be placed into a prize draw. Picture the excitement of hearing your name announced, knowing you’ll receive £100 to spend at the business supporting your selected team. It becomes more meaningful than just cheering on from the sidelines - you could be the one celebrating in style.
In the unlikely event that no one predicts the winning team (though, can it truly happen?), all entries will be entered into a draw. You will be able to cut the tension with a knife, as Dorset View selects the first fortunate entry, ready to enjoy a £100 treat at the retailer showcasing the shirt of the triumphant team, regardless of their initial choice. It’s an opportunity for unexpected victories and potential rewards.
Let’s buckle up and immerse ourselves in the excitement of EURO 2024, and who knows? You could be toasting to victory with a £100 shopping spree. Everyone at Dorset View will also be excited to see who emerges victorious.
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The deadline for entries is 17 June 2024. Enter online at www.dorsetview.co.uk. The prize draw will take place following the tournament’s conclusion in July. Please be advised that the £100 voucher will remain valid for 30 days from the date of issue and can only be utilised at the retailer displaying the flag of the winning team. No change will be given. Should the voucher go unused in-store, its value will be £0.001p. There will be no cash alternative offered. The editor’s decision will be final, and employees of Pulford Publicity are ineligible to participate.
Get set to score big, both on and off the field, with the UEFA EURO 2024 Competition - your chance to transform the summer’s biggest football tournament into a delightful prize.
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Two of the six tennis courts adjacent to King George V Playing Fields have been closed due to health and safety concerns.
With a thriving tennis club, the closure of the courts has impacted on the ability of Ferndown tennis players to enjoy the sport they love.
A petition to get all six courts back to “buzzing activity” has been started by campaigner Lisa Murphy and within a week it gained over 160 signatures.
She said: “The KGV charity was established to look after our recreational community areas, in partnership with Ferndown Council, to provide us with a good sports culture. However, the current condition of one third of our facilities not only limits opportunity for play but also hinders the development and growth of aspiring athletes in our community.
“According to Sports
England’s Active Lives Survey (2019/20), regular participation in sports like tennis can contribute significantly to overall physical health and mental wellbeing. Yet, without proper facilities, we are being denied these benefits.”
Campaigner Jane Lewis said: “Everyone deserves access to play safely on quality sports facilities.”
Refurbishment will not only restore all six courts but also ensure they meet the safety standards set by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) as Ferndown is an LTA registered venue with league matches being played there.
The town clerk/ administrator for Ferndown Town Council/King George’s Field Charity said: “The management committee for King George’s Field Charity is currently exploring the costs and possible funding streams in respect of the two tennis courts which
require resurfacing.
“The charity’s trustees remain committed to providing access to high quality open spaces and recreational facilities for the residents of Ferndown, working with stakeholders and interested parties to deliver sustainable and inclusive opportunities for our community. An update is anticipated in the near future.”
The campaigners are looking forward to hearing the update but are sceptical. Jane said: “We have done the leg work and obtained quotes for the refurbishments of the rundown courts, but as yet KGV Charity won’t communicate with us. The other four courts were refurbished in 2020 and even they are beginning to deteriorate due to lack of maintenance.”
You can add your name to the petition at: https:// chng.it/HMcc9WsCjV
Trustees of the Friends of Wimborne Hospital, working in partnership with Dorset HealthCare, have bought an acre of land next to the hospital.
The purchase, fully funded by the Friends, means that it will be possible to expand the hospital in future.
Planning permission has been granted to increase the total number of car parking spaces to 105. This will include cycle parking, 15 spaces for the disabled and new electric vehicle charging bays.
Chris Lawrence, Dorset HealthCare’s director for Estates and Facilities, said: “We are delighted the Friends have secured this extra land, which gives us the option to expand the range of services available at the Victoria Hospital and create new facilities as required.”
Anne Salter, chairperson
of the Friends said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the land for the future of the hospital.
“This has only been made possible by the generosity of local people who value the ease
of access and the quality of care provided at Wimborne hospital.”
To contribute to future projects visit: www. friendswimbornehospital. org.uk
Because of a lack of candidates there will be no elections on 2 May in a number of towns and parishes in east Dorset.
These are Alderholt, Chalbury, Colehill Hayes, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, Cranborne Crichel, Edmondsham, Ferndown Ameysford, Ferndown Links South, Fernndown Stapehill, Gussage St Michael, Holt Parish, Furzehill, Holt, Horton, Pamphill, St Leonards and St Ives East, St Leonards and St Ives South, St Leonards and St Ives West, Verwood Dewlands North, Verwood Dewlands South, Verwood Stephen’s Castle, Verwood Three Cross, West Moors, West Parley, Wimborne Minster East Wimborne Minster Town, Wimborne St Giles and Witchampton.
It is the same sorry story across west and north Dorset.
Flavours unleashed: Food Fest
Local – 25 and 26 May 2024!
Coinciding with Christchurch Food Festival, which is held at Christchurch Quay, Food Fest Local will see Christchurch High Street come alive with food stalls, live music, and food courts. Visitors to the town can enjoy the local food offerings from the restaurants, cafes, and bars in the town centre. Food stalls are set to be ‘popping up’ over the weekend showcasing a real taste of Christchurch. A collection of tasters, spirits, jams and chutneys, artisan foods, makers and bakers will be appearing, along with live music from local artists. The aim of Food Fest Local is to encourage visitors to spend time enjoying the local businesses and food stalls in the town centre alongside visiting the quay to enjoy the Christchurch Food Festival. To find out more visit https://www. foodfestlocal.com or follow @ChristchurchBID on social media.
No this isn’t a party political broadcast but some advice on how to have a more environmentally friendly party. So, if you’re planning a sit down meal as a celebration and you want to help the environment, here are a few tips on how to make everything ‘greener’.
Switch up the menu
Find caterers who purchase local produce and ask them to choose salad, fruit and vegetables that are in season. You could opt for a vegan meal instead of meat and two veg. It will certainly be a talking point. Vegetables and fruit look super appetising when presented properly and are incredibly tasty. Okay, it might not go down well with everyone and if you have a family of big meat eaters, don’t try the meat-free option on them. You could still choose a meat-free starter, or offer the vegan menu as the main choice, with meat eaters choosing the optional menu. You could also ask your caterers to use free-range eggs and sustainably sourced fish or free-range meat.
If you have a buffet, avoid paper cups and paper plates, which are often wax or plastic lined. Use normal crockery. It feels nicer and can be used time and again.
Ban environmentally unfriendly balloons. Either choose latex biodegradable balloons, which break down more quickly, but may still cause harm to animals that eat them during the breaking down process or opt for a different solution. Use bunting and banners made of paper or fabric. Streamers, paper flowers and paper chains are pretty and can be recycled as long as they don’t include metallic elements. If you want glitter, opt for biodegradable glitter. Normal glitter has a terrible impact on the environment. Biodegradable glitter, which claims to be 100% plastic-free, is made from regenerated eucalyptus cellulose that is responsibly sourced.
The most important thing is to enjoy yourself, but if you can care for the environment at the same time, that’s even better. Your party will be remembered for all the right reasons and others may want to follow in your footsteps, which will help to make the world a better place for future generations.
Congratulations to the winner of the free coffee and cake for two competition in Dorset View, February. Mrs Roots from Tuckton chose to spend her voucher at the Cliffhanger Restaurant in Highcliffe. The answer was: Oxford.
The Food Standards Agency is running a campaign to advise people with milk, egg, fish or shellfish allergies, or those who care for people with these types of allergies, to always check the label on vegan and plant-based food as it may not be safe to eat.
Foods marked as vegan or plant-based are not guaranteed to be free from products of animal origin and could contain allergenic ingredients. This is because a vegan label is not a food safety label so risks remain of cross-contamination in manufacturing and production processes that might mean vegan or plant-based food is not safe for some people to eat.
Do you know the difference between a ‘free-from’ and ‘vegan’ label? A ‘free-from’ label guarantees the product doesn’t contain the named allergen. To use this label, food businesses must follow strict processes to ensure the allergen isn’t present. However, these rules don’t apply to vegan or plant-based products, which means there could be a chance of cross-contamination with allergens such as milk, eggs, fish or shellfish.
Do you have an allergy to milk, eggs, fish, or shellfish? Do you eat vegan food to help manage your allergies? Vegan food isn’t always safe for people with these allergies because of potential crosscontamination during manufacturing and preparation processes.
For peace of mind always check for precautionary allergen labels such as a ‘may contain’ statement. This will help prevent an allergic reaction.
The Food Standards Agency advises: never assume vegan or plant-based food is safe for people with certain allergies. Don’t take the risk. Always read the label.
More information can be found on the Food Standards Agency’s website. Visit https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/vegan-foodand-allergens
In conjunction with Condor Ferries and Hotel de France, Dorset View is offering the chance to win a three-night break in Jersey sailing from Poole
All you have to do to be in with a chance to win this incredible prize is to read the Jersey article opposite and answer this question:
Enter online at www.dorsetview.co.uk or send your answer to the address on page three.
Closing date is 28 May 2024. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd, Condor Ferries or Hotel de France 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. The winner will be announced in the magazine. Their name, email address and phone number will be passed to the venue or the promoters for the purposes of allocating the prize.
1. The prize-winner can only book the hotel and ferry tickets between the following dates:
1 June and 23 July 2024, or 4 September and 31 October 2024 at off peak times.
2. Prize is for 2 adults and a car with a 3-night stay with breakfast in Hotel de France (one room).
3. The winner can stay longer on the island but any further accommodation required will have to be booked and paid for separately. Extra ferry fares if applicable will have to be booked and paid for separately. Any extension of stay does not form part of the prize.
4. Usual Condor Ferries T&Cs apply. Visit www.condorferries.co.uk to find out more.
5. Photo ID is required to board the ferry. A passport is ideal. See Condor Ferries website for more details.
6. This prize cannot be redeemed for cash. Its cash value is £0.001p.
7. Travel insurance is recommended.
8. No responsibility can be held by Pulford Publicity Ltd, Condor Ferries or Hotel de France if you are unable to take up your prize.
9. The prize is not transferable.
10. Competition closing date: 28 May 2024.
What to expect on your 3-night break
The idea of sailing to an archipelago in the English Channel is alluring. We are fortunate in Dorset to have Condor Ferries on our doorstep in Poole to transport us within a few hours and for a reasonable cost to such a destination – the beautiful Channel Islands.
Travelling with Condor Ferries is leisurely. You can get up and walk around whilst moving at speed to your destination. There is food available and an onboard duty-free shop selling alcohol, tobacco and perfumes at discount prices, as well as some fashionable gifts.
When you arrive in Jersey, the 4-star Hotel de France and Spa offers luxurious rooms with some affording stunning views across the capital and out to sea. Breakfast, brunch, a la carte, afternoon tea and dinner menus are all available. There is free parking, an exclusive Healthhaus fitness centre and Ayush Wellness Spa at this relaxing hotel. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the island.
If you haven’t yet been to Jersey, a three-night break is an ideal way to discover the island. There are wonderful sandy beaches generally within a 15-minute drive from wherever you are, German war tunnels, castles, museums, stunning botanical gardens, a wine estate and distillery offering tastings, the famous Jersey Zoo and seven heritage sites. And if you don’t want the expense of taking a car, you can go on foot and hire a bike in Jersey and explore the network of cycle paths. But if shopping and entertainment is more your thing, then vibrant St Helier won’t disappoint and there is a minibus shuttle service from Hotel de France to take you there.
The free-to-enter family event on Saturday and Sunday 8 & 9 June will have something for the whole family.
There will be over 90 hand-picked food and drink traders, and 60 craft stalls curated by the Little Craft Shack offering products by creative and talented local artists. With plenty to see, taste and buy you will be spoilt for choice.
What else is included? Local Legends Food Theatre, award-winning authors, local cookery schools, local chefs, activity tent for the children, Kids Kitchen, music and back by popular demand is Dorset celebrity chef Lesley Waters, working alongside award-winning Jetty proprietor Alex Aitken and there will be a chance to book into a special lunch at the Cliffhanger Restaurant with Lesley.
Access to the festival will be easier with MoreBus’s new timetable, so leave the car at home. For more information check out Facebook, Instagram and website www.highcliffefoodandartsfestival.co.uk
Mark your calendars for Saturday, 15 June as the Ferndown and Parley Rotary Club gears up for another Fete on the Field. This annual event has become a highlight of the Ferndown community calendar, and it’s all thanks to generous sponsors.
A day of family-friendly fun, with free entry for all. Explore a vibrant array of stalls offering everything from arts and crafts to mouthwatering sweets, cakes, and fresh market produce.
There is something for everyone with children’s face painting, funfair rides, mesmerising falconry displays, music, dance performances, and dog shows.
Hungry? No problem! Indulge in a wide variety of refreshments from diverse catering stands, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every craving.
Don’t miss the chance to marvel at a stunning display of classic, custom, commercial, and agricultural vehicles. And for the first time, Hendy Kia will have a Trade Stand showcasing their latest models alongside the timeless classic cars.
Looking for a day packed with laughter, excitement, and community spirit? Fete on the Field is where you want to be, don’t miss out on Ferndown’s unforgettable community event. Visit www.ferndownandparleyrotary.org/ feteonthefield for more information.
Calling spice lovers, and connoisseurs of all things deliciously daring! Get ready to melt into a frenzy of flavour at the 2024 Cheese & Chilli Festival, set to spice up the weekend of 18 and 19 May at Parley Lane in Christchurch.
Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary adventure as the red carpet is rolled out (or maybe it’s more of a cheesy yellow?) for an array of cheeses that’ll make you feel ‘grate’, and chillies that’ll set your senses on fire!
The event provides a gastronomic extravaganza where guests can indulge in a symphony of cheesy wonders, live cooking demonstrations, and can watch chefs turn up the heat before their very eyes!
‘Shop till you drop’ for all things deliciously unique.
Great family day out with games, music and more, and last but certainly not least the
popular chilli eating contest. Think you can handle the heat? Come down and join the chilli eating bravado.
Simon Stewart, event organiser, said: “Get ready to spice up your summer and join us for a weekend of food, fun, and fiery flavour!”
Visit www.
cheeseandchillifestival.com for ticket prices. Children under 16 – FREE.
Step back in time at Southbourne’s Fisherman’s Walk with Shake & Stir vintage festival on 22 and 23 June. Celebrating its 10th year, the extravaganza promises vintage music, fashion, and classic cars spanning the 1920s to the 1970s.
Two days of tunes, from rock & roll to jive bunnies, with live music and evening parties. Saturday’s lineup includes the Fifinellas, Billy Fury tribute Andy Kennett, Little Dave & The Sun Sessions, and Mr Phil Haley & His Comments headlining. Sunday brings Paula Pitman, Mark Keeley as Elvis, and Peter Gill’s Jerry Lee Lewis.
Don’t miss DJ sets by Dynamite Dave, Andy Shailer, and Crazy Rhythm Jukebox. Enjoy Resonate and Sounds Like Fun choirs, plus the Singing Historian with wartime classics from a vintage WWII jeep.
To top it off, catch the Sunday Fashion Show by Here Comes the Sun, and the Vintage King and Queen competition. Managing director Mandy Polkey of Stir Events is super excited, saying: “We’ve got workshops, dance classes, fairground fun, and classic cars in Fisherman’s Walk!”
Come on down for a weekend of time-travelling fun through vintage culture in Southbourne. Grab your dancing shoes and get grooving.
Details were correct at the time of going to print. Send information about your events to newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk
1, 3 and 4 May
West Moors Drama presents Worth a Fortune at the Memorial Hall. Tickets www. westmoorsdrama.co.uk, on the door and from Dixon Kelley.
Until 6 May 9.30am-4pm
Poole Leisure Painters Spring Exhibition, The Gallery Upstairs, Upton Country Park.
2 May 7.30pm
Verwood and District Horticultural Society meets at Verwood Memorial Hall www. verwoodhorticulturalsociety.co.uk or call Ollie on 01202 827622.
3 May 6pm-8.30pm
Lecture by Sir William Hanham at the Museum of East Dorset.
7 May 2.30pm-4pm
Bits & Bytes Computer Club in Ferndown library. See https://www. neilbarton.co.uk/bnbclub.html.
8 May 6.30pm-9pm
Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club meet downstairs in Kinson Community Centre. Full details on www. bournemouthjazzclub.org
8 May 7.45pm
East Dorset Antiquarian Society meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Wimborne.
11 May 7.30pm
Vivamente Voices concert at Wimborne Minster Church. Tickets from www.vivamentevoices.co.uk/ events-1/cest-la-vie-musicale
11 May 9.45am
West Moors Town Council litter pick. Meet at the council offices.
11 May 10am-12noon
Coffee morning in aid of Wimborne in Bloom at Wit’s End Corner, 34 Park Lane, Wimborne Minster.
11 May 9am
Christchurch and Highcliffe Rotary Club charity walk from the Cliffhanger Restaurant in Highcliffe. Go to the JustGiving page to create a team.
12 May 7.30pm
Ferndown French Circle meets at the Centre, Barnes Road, Ferndown BH22 8XH. Enquiries 07552 074135.
12 May 11am-4pm
Waggy Tails presents Dorset Dogs Festival in Poole Park.
13 May 7.30pm-10pm
Bournemouth Folk Dance Club meets at the Annunciation Church Hall, 218 Charminster Road. www.bfdc.club
13 May 7pm-9pm
Bournemouth Ukulele Social Group free sessions at The Commodore BH6 3TD Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne.
15 May 9.30am
Ferndown Arts Society meets at The Barrington Centre.
15 May 1pm
Alan Pulton Music Words and Pictures at Bournemouth Library. To book call 01202 126750 or email: heritage library@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
18 May 12noon-2pm
Wimborne Repair Café at the Methodist Church.
18 May 10am
Plant sale at West Moors Memorial Hall.
18 and 19 May 11am-4pm
RNLI in West Quay Road opens its doors as part of the Poole Lifeboat Festival.
19 May 11am-5pm
Wimborne open gardens.
20 May 10.30am-11.30am
Reading Friends group at Ferndown Library.
20 May 10am
Wimborne Minster WI meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Lewens Lane. Further info call Jill Haywood 01202 888194.
21 May 8pm
Wimborne Civic Society meets in the Quarterjack Suite at the Allendale Centre for AGM and a short talk
22 May 6pm-7pm
Wimborne War on Waste litter pick starting from the Fair Trade Shop.
23 May
Quiz night at Wimborne Town Football Club in aid of Dorset Mind. Call Rachael on 01202 122002.
23-25 May 7.30pm with Saturday matinee
Wimborne Drama Productions stage Still Alice at the Tivoli Theatre. Tickets from 01202 885566 or www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk
24 May 2pm
‘Nige’s Famous Folk’ at Bournemouth Library. To book call 01202 126750 or email: heritage library@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
24 May–2 June
Broadstone Art Society exhibition at the Youth Centre, Moor Road, Broadstone.
25 May 10am–3pm
Artisan Makers Market at Wimborne Community Centre.
25 May 7.30pm
New Tottenham Singers at Blandford Forum Parish Church. Tickets from Parish Office or Eventbrite.
25 May 7pm–8.30pm
Verwood Choral Society songs from the musicals at Verwood Methodist Church. Tickets from any member of the society or on the door.
25-27 May
Battle for Wimborne includes a military camp at Julian’s Bridge and events on the Minster Green and at the Museum of East Dorset.
25 May–9 June
Dorset Art Weeks, 260 venues. dorsetartweeks.co.uk.
28 May 7.30pm
West Parley Gardening Club meets at the MS Centre, West Parley. Contact Rod Darch 01202 896711.
31 May 7pm
Broadstone Music Series at Broadstone URC. Tickets www. broadstonemusicseries.info or on the door.
Providing entertainment since 1970, this theatre group decided that people shouldn’t have to wait until Christmas to enjoy pantos, so they staged this entertaining production to bring colour to what has been a wet and miserable winter and early spring.
With 12 main characters and an ensemble of six actors who had multiple roles, it is impossible to highlight every actor; however, there were some stand out performers.
Jemma Cable never disappoints and was an excellent choice as Aladdin as she always adds so much sparkle to her performances. Her duets with Princess Jasmine (Selina Rumbold) were superb.
I’ve seen Lee Neal in many roles, but never before as the dame. However, he was so good that it may be a role
he will reprise in the future.
Duncan Sayers was a lively ‘children’s friend’ as Wishee Washee, and helmets off to Phil Evans and Ron Kite who at times almost stole the show as the inept police officers.
Gerry Carroll elicited plenty of boos as Abanazar and Mikaela Buckby displayed her impressive vocal chords as The Genie of the Lamp.
Other performers putting in well rounded performances were Pam Mizon, John Bounds, Julia Wass, Hilary Baker, Tracey Nicholls, Jenny Jalie, Barbie Brinkman, Scott Price and Richard Close, with David Waller producing the music.
Directed by Suzi de Villiers, credit must also be given to the set and costume designers. It was clear that a huge amount of work had gone into producing this spring panto.
Last year Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary recorded 457 collisions involving deer. Of these, 114 were attended by their Humane Animal Dispatch volunteers (HAD).
The incidents peak in November, but the second highest month is May.
According to The British Deer Society, it is estimated that annually the number of deer killed or injured on UK roads is likely to exceed 40,000 and may well be nearer 74,000. Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVC) present one of the main causes of mortality among wild deer populations in the UK.
A high proportion of deer which are hit by cars are not killed outright: many must be put down at the roadside, while others escape to die later of their injuries.
Yearly, UK DVC cause substantial damage to cars and numerous human injuries and fatalities.
The deployment of a HAD ensures an animal does not suffer unnecessarily, and the dispatch is managed as effectively and humanely as possible. All HADs are experts on deer management, which
If you see a deer cross the road ahead, take care as there may be more following
enables police to have the right resource at the right situation, giving confidence to police, animal welfare organisations and the public. Highest-risk times tend to be sunset-midnight and the hours shortly before and after sunrise. Here is some advice.
• During peak danger periods or on roads where hitting a deer is a possibility, drive with caution and be on the lookout for deer near the road.
• Be aware that more deer may well cross after the one you have noticed.
• After dark use full beam when there’s no opposing traffic. But, when a deer or other animal is noted on the road, dim your headlights. Startled animals may ‘freeze’ rather than leave the road.
• If a collision with the animal seems inevitable, then hitting it while maintaining full control of your car is the safest option. The alternative of swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road surface could be a lot worse. Motorcyclists are at particular risk when in direct collisions with animals.
• Only brake sharply and stop if there is no danger of being hit by following traffic, and use your hazard lights.
Visit The British Deer Society website for information on the different ways to report a DVC, and what to do in the event that you hit a deer: https://bds.org.uk/informationadvice/issues-with-deer/advice-for-drivers/ For drivers in the New Forest, the hazards become more numerous as there are free roaming ponies and cattle as well as deer. At certain times of the year there are pigs as well. So drive with extra caution when in the New Forest.
UK car production rose again in February, up 14.6% to 79,907 units, according to the latest figures published at the end of March by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It was the sixth consecutive month of growth and best February performance since 2021, with nearly all volume manufacturers posting uplifts, driven by output for the domestic market which
grew 58.0% to 20,658 units, an increase of 7,585.
Volumes for export, meanwhile, rose 4.6% to 59,249, representing a rise of 2,615 units, with three quarters (74.1%) of all cars made in the month shipped overseas. The European Union received by far the largest proportion of exports (59.9%) followed by the US (14.8%), China (7.1%), Australia (3.3%) and Turkey (2.3%). Volumes to all these markets apart from Turkey (-20.3%) rose, led by the US up 95.6%.
Production of electrified vehicles (battery electric, plugin hybrid and hybrid) maintained its recent level, representing more than a third (36.3%) of all output in the month. Factories turned out a combined 29,038 units, up 6.0% on the year before, and with two thirds (67.3%) of these models built for export evidence of the need to ramp up UK battery production and electric vehicle supply chain capabilities.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Another
month of growth for UK car production is welcome news, reflecting strong demand at home and around the world for the latest British-built cars.
“The industry is transitioning from internal combustion engine cars to electrified vehicles, building on the massive investment commitments made last year. The UK industry faces stiff competition, however, as global competitors seek to secure new models and technologies so a commitment to our industrial competitiveness, from all political parties in this likely election year, must be maintained.”
To date in 2024, UK car production is up 17.8% at 162,904 units, the best start to the year since 2021. However, with major manufacturers recently announcing the end of production of some long-running models as they gear up to make new electric variants, production volumes may be more variable in the months ahead.
BCP Council says that despite its financial constraints it is funding a number of events this year, but would welcome the support of businesses to ensure others take place.
Events being funded by the council in 2024 include Bournemouth Air Festival, Arts by the Sea (in conjunction with Arts Council England), Bournemouth’s Christmas tree Wonderland, Poole’s Christmas Maritime Light Trail, Poole Quay Fireworks in August and on 5 November, and New Year’s Bath Race.
BCP Council also contributes to Christchurch’s Christmas lights in association with Christchurch Town Council who fund the festive events.
The council is also working with businesses and external event
Lewis-Manning Hospice Care opens the House Clearance shop at 288 Lymington Road, Highcliffe: the house clearance and recycling services help fund hospice care for those with life-limiting illnesses across Poole, Purbeck, East Dorset, and West Hampshire. For a free quote on house clearances, visit lewismanning.org.uk/houseclearance or call 01202 086051
Additional Wimborne gardens open day: visit the town on 19 May to visit 11 open gardens from 11am-5pm. Pay £5 at the first garden to cover the visit. Here are a few addresses to start you off, 41 Julians Road, 4 Redcotts Road, 47 Blind Lane and 38 Beaucroft Lane. A second Open Gardens event will take place on 30 June.
organisers to enable several other events to go ahead including Dream Machines (Bike Night), Quay for my Car, Mini Steam on the Quay, Beating of the bounds, D-Day 90th Anniversary, visit of El Galeon, and many other externally delivered events which support the overall offer for the area.
Businesses and organisation interested in supporting or organising events in 2025 should contact events@ bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Jurassic Coast hike: keen walkers and explorers are invited to join Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, and take on the Jurassic Coast Challenge, over the weekend of18 and 19 May. Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/ jurassic for details.
Raise money for Dorset Mind: Dragon Boat Race at Sherborne Castle Country Fair on 27 May. Enter a team of up to 20 to help your dragon boat across the river. Entry to the fair is included in your sign-up fee at www. dorsetmind.uk
Langside School in Poole marked Purple Day by holding a tea and cake event for parents to attend raising £200 for Epilepsy Action: the event was held in memory of Hazel Thomas, who passed away last year. Hazel was the lead nurse at Langside School and specialised in epilepsy nursing and training others across the county.
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Are you affected by hard water?
Hard water is formed when rainwater percolates through rock that is rich in calcium and magnesium. On the south coast there is an abundance of limestone, which is why so many households suffer from the damaging effects of limescale. What’s the damage?
Unsightly water marks that accumulate on shower screens, tiles, and kitchen sinks are caused, but there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes.
Over time, as hard water passes through household appliances fitted with heat elements, such as washing machines, hot water cylinders, boilers and kettles, the scale will build up on the element. This will decrease the efficiency of the appliance and ultimately shorten its life. Other fixtures like shower valves and taps will also become affected.
When you’re spending money on home improvements like a new bathroom, kitchen or boiler, it really does make sense to protect your investment by fitting a water softener in your home.
What is a water softener?
A water softener is a clever device that is connected to the incoming mains water supply. It removes the calcium from the water and sends it down the drain before it has a chance to wreak havoc in your home. Glass and tiled surfaces stay shiny, taps and valves work as they should and your appliances operate at optimum efficiency with a much longer life span.
AquaTight can help!
AquaTight offer a comprehensive range of quality water softeners to suit your needs and budgets. Call Danny on 07534 373236 to talk through some options.
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Wooden Gate Makers have been making and fitting quality made to measure gates and garage doors for 24 years.
Phil started the business and was joined by his sister Claire six years ago. They and their team pride themselves on giving a friendly, personal service.
They can provide a no obligation quote by taking details over the phone or email and coming out to take exact measurements just before starting your order to ensure a perfect fit! They aim to deliver a stress-free experience and provide you with gates and doors that will fit perfectly and are built to last.
All products are made using traditional methods of joinery, in their workshop in Poole. You are welcome to visit and see their products being made, ask any questions and take a sample of timber.
Wooden Gate Makers have an excellent reputation, with over 570 glowing reviews on Checkatrade.
See our advert on page 46 for our contact details.
We are a local company based on the Ferndown Industrial Estate and feel privileged that we have served the local community for over 30 years, priding ourselves on being able to offer expertise and trade skills to the highest standard whilst offering great value for money.
We believe it is important to
guarantee this to our customers, to ensure they can trust us with their home improvement needs. We do not operate any pressure selling techniques and therefore have found over the years that most of our business is now sourced from recommendations or previous customer list.
Our customers are offered the opportunity to view our products in our showroom situated on the Ferndown Industrial Estate. We believe this assists our customers hugely with viewing our high-quality products in person to help make the important decisions for the works they require.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to our customers by offering honest and professional advice in choosing the right product at the start and through to completion of the works no matter how big or small, always giving respect to our
customers and their properties. Therefore, creating a stress-free experience for our customers.
Fensa certification and a CPA insurance backed guarantee are offered in addition to our own comprehensive guarantee to give extra peace of mind.
We only offer PVC-U, composite and aluminium products of the highest quality with an installation service to match, using our own qualified installers.
The services we provide are PVC-U windows, doors, fascia and soffits, cladding, guttering, conservatories, aluminium windows and doors and composite front doors.
Should you wish to receive any product information or advice please feel free to contact us.
114 Cobham Road, Ferndown Ind. Estate, Ferndown, Dorset, BH21 7PQ.
TEL: 01202 877 977 EMAIL: sales@selectpvcu.com
www.selectpvcu.com
We could all be found guilty of the word ‘sustainable’ tripping off our tongues, but most of us will admit that our knowledge is sadly lacking in many respects. At Dorset View, we decided to do a little research to find out more and to simplify what can be a very technical subject.
Everybody knows that we must move away from the use of fossil fuels –but what are they?
Fossil fuels are materials containing hydrocarbon formed naturally in the Earth’s crust from dead plants and animals that are extracted and burned. The main fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas.
Instead of burning fossil fuels, we can get power from five major renewable energy sources: solar energy from the sun, geothermal energy from heat inside the earth, wind energy, biomass from plants and hydropower from flowing water.
The welcome news is that during this cost-of-living crisis, solar panels will cut your electricity bills. Not only that, but they will reduce your carbon footprint and you can receive payments for the extra energy you generate.
Quite simply, solar electricity panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use in your home.
The Energy Saving Trust, which was founded as a government-sponsored initiative in 1992, explains that a solar PV panel consists of many cells made from layers of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon. When light shines on this material, a
flow of electricity is created.
The cells do not require direct sunlight to work and can even work on cloudy days, but the stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is generated.
An unshaded, south-facing roof is ideal for maximum electrical output. East or west-facing roofs could still be considered, but north-facing roofs are not recommended. A system facing east or west will yield around 15-20 per cent less energy than one facing directly south.
Solar PV panels are considered ‘permitted developments’ and often will not require planning permission. However, there are exceptions so it is best to check with your local planning office for guidance.
The amount you pay for your solar PV system will be influenced by the size of the array and will be affected by any difficulty with access to your roof.
Costs are also affected by whether you choose panels or tiles and whether you opt for building-integrated panels or choose panels that sit on top of your roof. Panels on top of the roof are the cheapest option, while tiles are the most expensive for the equivalent system.
Modern LED bulbs use 80 to 90 per cent less energy than a traditional lightbulb. If you replace all the bulbs in your home with LED lights, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 35kg (50kg in NI) a year. This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by driving your car around 145 miles. Source: energysavingtrust.org.uk.
Carbon emissions and energy usage can be reduced by making sure we’re not using more heating than we need. Investing in modern, easy to use controls is a good way to make sure you’re only using heating when necessary. For a central heating system, you’ll need a timer or programmer, a room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves. Systems
are available for all types of heating system, including electric storage heaters. The Energy Savings Trust says the average household generated 2,690kg of carbon dioxide (C02) from space heating and hot water heating in 2020. By 2050, we need to reduce this to just 140kg per household.
Continued on page 45
Continued from page 43
Consider swapping your old boiler for a heat pump
For a more sustainable heating system, switch to a heat pump. Heat pumps are powered by electricity and are much more efficient than gas boilers. There are ground source and air source heat pumps.
Ground source pumps transfer heat from the ground outside your home to heat your radiators or underfloor heating. Air source pumps transfer heat from the outside air to water, which heats your rooms via radiators or underfloor heating.
Both can heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for your hot taps, showers and baths.
Heat pumps can provide
significant savings over traditional heating systems, due to their low running costs. A ground source heat pump can reduce energy bills by 53 per cent compared to a new gas boiler.
Increase your insulation
Over half of the energy consumed in the home is used for heating, so making sure the walls, roof, and floors in your home are insulated, will cut back on heat wasted.
For a quick fix, insulate any exposed hot water pipes, along with your hot water cylinder if you have one. Insulating the building itself will make a bigger difference, making your
home warmer in winter, and lowering your energy bills.
Insulating your walls is a good place to start as around a third of the heat lost from uninsulated homes escapes through the walls. Homes with a cavity wall are the easiest to insulate, while older homes will require solid wall insulation.
Loft insulation should be 270mm thick. Check yours is in good condition and top it up if necessary.
Another way of reducing your carbon footprint is limiting your food wastage. It’s estimated that around one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption is wasted. Using the food you buy makes economic as well as environmental sense. In addition, eating locally grown, seasonal produce will result in fewer ‘food miles’ clocking up, and you’ll be getting maximum nutrients too.
Saving water is another way to save on your household bills. Keeping the water hot is expensive. Heat it wisely.
Cold water costs too. Water is intrinsically linked to energy. Water companies need to treat and pump water into homes. Scottish Water for example is the largest user of electricity in Scotland . Source: energysavingtrust.org.uk. Don’t allow the tap to run when you brush your teeth, switch it on and off. Fix a dripping tap or sticky ballcock in the lavatory.
You can also reduce your energy use – and carbon emissions – by changing how you use your appliances.
Reduced usage, alongside choosing Eco modes, lower temperatures, and airing clothes on a line instead of using a tumble dryer, for example, will reduce energy consumption. When replacing an appliance, choose a model with a high energy efficiency rating that meets your needs and budget.
Any feng shui expert will tell you how this ancient Chinese practice uses energy forces to harmonise individuals with their environments.
By following the feng shui way, you should be able to bring a sense of wellbeing into your home. I have looked at the colour green to find out how it can help improve energy within the house.
Green is said to represent stability, serenity and fertility. It is said that painting walls green will attract happier energy into your home. When used in feng shui, the colour is thought to attract money and abundance.
We have recently tested this theory by painting our home office green. To begin with the only abundance we noticed was an increase in the number of mice our cat was bringing into the house. It wasn’t quite the result we were hoping for but read on to find out what happened next.
First though, let’s explore
another way of bringing green into your home along with some natural energy. Introduce some plants. Tall plants with round or smooth leaves are ideal. Some types of palm leaves are said to not only bring natural energy but help cleanse the air. Choose palms that are not so pointed and softer rather than those with sharp leaves. Avoid yuccas. If possible, place the plant pots off the floor to enhance their uplifting impact.
I have tried many and various plants in my life to enhance my home and they do have a soothing effect. They are pleasing to look at, and of course they grow using natural energy. They are beneficial if you can remember to water them regularly and dust their leaves. Be wary of getting plants that will outgrow your room because it can be upsetting if you have to get rid of these over-sized members of the
family. Another consideration to be aware of is your pet. Some plants can be poisonous to cats and dogs, so check before you buy. You don’t want to try and improve your home at the expense of Fido or Kitty. Back to the home office.
My husband has now had great success with seedlings,
which have sprouted and are growing abundantly on the shelf in our ‘green room.’ It’s a positive, if not overpowering result. By next month we might be searching for homes for our excess of tomato, cucumber and chilli plants. Perhaps our next venture will be market gardening.
