Dorset View October 2024

Dear Readers!

I’ve always liked October. The ‘back to school’ vibes of September are over. The sweltering heat of summer is replaced by crisp, cool autumn and the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot, but it’s not as wet, cold and dark as November.

It’s also the month of Halloween, which has emerged as my daughter’s favourite holiday. She loves dressing up and getting sweets, so of course she is a fan of trick-or-treating. It helps that we live on a lovely estate where people are fully onboard for Halloween, covering their houses in epic decorations and offering plenty of sweets to the ghosts and ghouls knocking on their doors.

DORSET VIEW

Ben Pulford managing director ben@dorsetview.co.uk

Louis Pulford creative director louis@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

Janine Pulford director janine@dorsetview.co.uk

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

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Luke Graham editor luke@dorsetview.co.uk

Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Jecs Davies journalist & social media creator jecs@dorsetview.co.uk

I am worried about the sugar intake, so to curb her sweet tooth, we have told her about the Switch Witch. If you offer half of your trick-or-treat stash to the Switch Witch, she will visit overnight and swap your chocolates and chews for a present.

The Switch Witch was a big success last year, leaving my daughter a book and a small toy in exchange for her sugary tribute. Of course, the Switch Witch kindly leaves the sweets in a convenient location, ready for Mum and Dad to eat after bedtime.

If you’re looking for exciting Halloween events for your children, turn to p34, or see the advert for Discovery Village’s Trick or Treat Adventure on the inside back cover.

Luke Graham

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Ben Atkinson and his Action Horses wow crowds at the Dorset Show © Dorset View

Paralympic success for Jack Eyers

A man who started his canoeing journey in Wimborne won a Silver Medal in the VL3 Canoe Race at his first Paralympic Games.

After setting a new Paralympic record for the VL3 race during the semi-final, 35-year-old Jack Eyers was narrowly beaten in the final by Ukraine’s Vladyslav Yepifanov.

Members of Poole Harbour Canoe Club and Wimborne Paddlesport were ecstatic to hear the news. Jack started his paddlesport journey with the club in 2015, developing as a paddler at both Lake Pier and

Riverside Wimborne.

The Canoe Club Chairman Vince Boon said: “His determination and skill were quickly recognised, and our coaches helped him link to the British Canoeing talent pathways — the rest is history.”

After the final, Jack said: “The goal was always to start paracanoeing and become a Paralympian. I have done Europeans and World Championships and now a Paralympics. I’ve got the set.”

Jack became the first amputee to be crowned Mr England in 2017.

Popular air festival grounded for now

August saw the last Bournemouth Air Festival funded and organised by BCP Council, and the future of this popular event remains uncertain.

An estimated half a million visitors attended the festival from 29–31 August, which featured flyovers by an RAF Typhoon, two Swedish fighter jets, and more.

Despite its popularity, the council had already decided to no longer organise the air show due to financial challenges.

Cllr Millie Earl, leader of BCP Council, said: “This is reflective of the unprecedented financial pressure that local authorities are facing up and down the country and the difficult decisions we have all faced to prevent cuts to services.”

BCP Council is now talking to potential operators to take over the event. According to Earl, a future operator may skip holding the festival in 2025 to allow more time to plan for 2026.

Jack with his medal © Paddle UK

August’s aerial escapades © CatchBox

Consultation opened on Canford incinerator

The Environment Agency is asking residents for their say on a proposed waste incinerator in Canford Magna.

Energy company MVV Environment Ltd has applied to build the incinerator in Canford Resource Park which would burn up to 260,000 tonnes of waste each year to produce electricity.

To build the incinerator, MVV needs planning permission from BCP Council and an environmental permit from the Agency. To get the permit, the company must show they will put measures in place to protect human health and the environment and explain how they will prevent or minimise any risks identified, such as emissions or odours.

Residents have until 27 October to make comments about the application. To comment, visit consult.environment-agency.gov. uk/psc/bh21-3bw-mvv-environment-limited.

Three neighbours in Poole have shared a £1m prize in the People’s Postcode Lottery. One of the winners was Amy House, pictured with husband Tom (far left) and lottery ambassador Matt Johnson. Amy, a 40-year-old NHS worker, plans to spend some of her £250,000 on a campervan, a holiday to California, and a new front door.

Weather fails to dampen

Wimborne Militia’s fighting spirit

Photos and report by Marilyn Barber newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

The miserable weather on 7–8 September didn’t dampen the gunpowder of Wimborne’s Militia.

The town’s red-coated re-enactment group of 1685 welcomed visitors to a special, free family festival to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

A military encampment came to life in a field just outside the town with a host of historical societies and experts from all over the country joining the event. Visitors had the chance to experience the sounds, sights and smells of 17th century life.

Cllr Chris Brown, Town Mayor’s Serjant for Wimborne Militia and the man who came up with the idea of reinstating a town militia 25 years ago, said: “It was wonderful to see the living history depicting skills and aspects of life as would have been lived on these very fields hundreds of years ago.”

Due to rain, the Sunday morning events were cancelled. However, in the afternoon there was a formal recognition of an Austrian arm of the town’s militia, set up by former Wimborne resident and Wimborne Militia member Kingsley Longfoot.

A blessing of the Austrian militia standard was carried out by the rector of Wimborne Minster Canon Andrew Rowland on the Minster Green.

Cannon at the ready

Life in a 17th century tent

Preparing to fire

Alex Compiani, Battery Commander

Chris Brown with Mayor Jeff Hart

The troops needed feeding

A shop full of goodies

Lord-Lieutenant retires after 10 years

Angus Campbell CVO retired as Dorset’s Lord-Lieutenant in September after 10 years in the post of the Sovereign’s representative in the county.

He welcomed HM Queen Elizabeth to Dorset twice as well as most members of the Royal family on 43 occasions. He has supported numerous charitable organisations as patron, and presented many with The Queen’s, and latterly The King’s, Award for Voluntary Service, as well as several businesses with The Queen’s/ King’s Award for Enterprise.

During his time as LordLieutenant, he launched the Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented in partnership with Dorset Community Foundation.

Prior to his political career, Angus Campbell served for many years in the Army Air Corps before he became the leader for North Dorset District

Council, and later leader of Dorset County Council.

The new Lord-Lieutenant is Michael Dooley, who has practised as a consultant gynaecologist in London and Dorset as well as to the Royal Family and the London Olympics, and as the team doctor to the British Equestrian Federation; he is also a visiting professor to Bournemouth University.

Southbourne rower sets sights on 2028 Olympics

The 2024 Olympics closed on 11 August, and now a local rower has set his sights on the next games which will be held in Los Angeles from Friday 14 July to Sunday 30 July 2028.

Tom Walker, 18, from Southbourne has been helped with his training costs by an award of £1,000 from Dorset Community Foundation LordLieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented. This is supported by Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals.

The youngster, who has been rowing at Christchurch Rowing Club for five years,

is one of the rising stars of the Beach Sprint event, which will make its debut at the Los Angeles games. It involves head to head racing where competitors run to their boats before slaloming around buoys and then rowing back to the beach and leaping out to sprint for the finish line.

Tom made his debut for the Great British team in the European Beach Sprint Championships in Poland in June and came back with a bronze medal in the under-19 solo after a dramatic sprint finish.

Rower Tom Walker won a bronze medal in Poland in June

Angus Campbell

law spot by Harold G Walker Solicitors

To marry or not to marry? Cohabitee agreements

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By Rob Price, Associate, Family Law Solicitor

Divorce statistics

Since 6 April 2022, the fact of no fault can be applied to the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage. This is a good thing. The days of fruitless blame are over. We can agree that it just isn’t working out and file for divorce like proper adults.

Of those who married in 1987, 44 per cent are now divorced. Some marriages work. Some don’t.

We are now left with an awful lot of couples who live together that are not only unmarried but intend to keep it that way.

Cohabitation agreements

What is not publicised anywhere near enough is the different legal rights afforded to married couples rather than cohabitees. These differences can be seismic, especially regarding property rights.

If you and a partner are considering NOT getting married but instead living together, consider coming to see us to acquire a legally binding agreement to protect your respective financial contributions to, for example, the house that you are buying together.

This is called a cohabitation agreement and is a legally binding contract that you and your partner have between yourselves prior to moving in together, or even afterwards, to show how you intend to divide everything if you decide to separate in the future.

Cohabitee separation agreements

If you and your partner have decided to separate, we can help you prepare a cohabitee separation agreement. Much like a divorce settlement,

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

this agreement will include intention of full and final settlement of assets, as well as solid shared care arrangements of any children. Come and see us if this applies to you, so you can have peace of mind.

Junior chess club

A new chess club for seven to 12-year-olds is to start at St Mark’s Church Hall, West Parley. It will take place on Saturday mornings during October, November and December. Visit ferndownjuniorchess.co.uk or email graham7morris@gmail.com for details.

Crime survey

The Hampshire and IOW Youth Commission has launched their Big Conversation Survey for 2024, to find out what people aged 14 to 25 think about policing and crime. Log onto survey. alchemer.eu/s3/90712447/ Youth-Commission-BigConversation-2024 to take part.

Poole dance teacher wins award

The head of a Dorset dance school has won ‘Most Inspiring Principal’ at a national award ceremony.

Leanne Dade, from Poole, is the owner and principal of Footlight Performance Academy. The academy was founded by Leanne’s teacher Nina Thompson over 30 years ago, but after retiring last year she handed over the reins to Leanne.

Leanne received the award in August during the Dance Business Labs Awards Night. She said: “I was extremely honoured to receive this award, I had big boots to fill after Nina’s retirement but she certainly taught me well and gave me the amazing tools to continue running Footlight Performance Academy.

“The competition at the Dance Business Labs Awards is high and to win this award in the first year of owning the school was amazing. I’m truly blessed to have such amazing supportive staff and parents who nominated me for this award.”

In their comments, the judges said: “This winner shows how this principal really goes above and beyond for their staff and pupils. She seems to add something special with all the extra training, wellbeing work and opportunities for staff and pupils.”

To learn more about Footlight Performance Academy, visit footlight-dance.co.uk.

Indian summer?

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By Paul Webb, Dorset Water Softeners

Another month has passed, and I am wondering where did summer go? One minute I am beach ready, the next I am looking for a jumper.

In our typical British outlook, we will all try and convince ourselves of a late ‘Indian summer’. I have no idea where that term comes from, but I have heard it every year since I was a child, and that, as some unkind family members have pointed out, was a long time ago.

We had better talk about water before I go off on a long reminiscence about the music and TV of the 1980s.

We have been incredibly busy across the South, not only installing water softeners but also servicing existing units. This takes me and my team into some amazing homes and businesses. We have worked in a lot of hotels and pubs this year. If you think you have problems with scale, imagine the issue in a 50-room hotel.

Here’s a useless fact you didn’t ask for: the average adult uses 140 litres of water per day. It turns out in a hotel, the average person doubles their usage of water, which doubles the scale problem.

When we are on holiday, long showers are the order of the day. When you consider that the average family home in Dorset will have taken in about 70kg of calcium through the water main each year — and according to my customers, most of it ends up on the shower screen or in the kettle — you can see that Dorset hotels have a real problem if they do not have a water softener. The solution is only a call away; we can help with new water softeners, servicing, drinking water solutions, boiling taps and salt deliveries.

A quick reminder for the close of summer. This year, we chose to support DocBike, which is a great charity. If you see these guys around, go and chat with them. They held their end of year ride-out on 21 September, their main fundraising event, where we provided marshalling and helped to pull out raffle tickets. Please support them by visiting www.docbike.org/dorset.

Leanne at the awards ceremony

Dorset housing target condemned

Campaigners have criticised the housing target for Dorset. In a statement, Dorset CPRE said the Government is setting totally exaggerated and unrealistic targets for BCP and Dorset Councils.

A new formula announced on 30 July would require an additional 93,000 homes in the area over 15 years. The build rate in Dorset would need to double to achieve this.

The charity claims that the plans could result in the obliteration of BCP’s remaining green belt and threaten Dorset’s exceptional environment.

Beach scheme protects 118 people

More than 100 children and vulnerable people who were lost on beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole this summer were reunited with their families and carers thanks to LV=Kidzone.

The safety scheme run by BCP Council and sponsored by LV= operated from 1 July to 1 September. Over those 63 days, the scheme helped to unite 118 lost people with their group in an average of just eight minutes.

The Wimborne Duck Race raised £1,800 on Saturday 24 August. Held to collect funds for Wimborne in Bloom, the 24th annual race saw 1,000 rubber ducks swimming down the River Allen. The winning duck, 763, crossed the finish line behind the Rising Sun pub in around 15 minutes.

Your burning timber questions, answered

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Adam Moran from Linwood Timber, your local timber and firewood supplier, shared and answered the most popular questions they receive.

Q: How long have you been trading?

A: Linwood Sawmill began in Linwood, New Forest more than 12 years ago, milling beams and cladding for local people. Our sawmill is now only 10 miles away from the original saw shed.

Q: Where does the timber come from?

A: We source all our sawmill and firewood timber from sustainable sources, which means the woodlands are well cared for by forestry managers ensuring re-planting to provide a valuable resource for nature and future generations. We are ‘Grown in Britain’ certificate holders, which shows our commitment to the British timber industry.

Q: Is your firewood ready to burn?

A: Yes! We kiln dry all our own firewood using the offcuts (biomass) from our sawmill operations. We regularly test our firewood to ensure it meets the 18 per cent moisture content target we set. We are also ‘Ready to Burn’ certificate holders.

Q: Do you have a shop where we can visit you?

A: Yes, we have a merchant store located at Bosley Business Park in Hurn. We have all our firewood and lots of timber on display.

Mayor’s Musings

At the by-election in August, the people of Wimborne Minster elected six new councillors to the Town Council. But what does this role involve? Here are some answers: Why do people want to do this role?

I think there are several reasons: to give something back; to find out more about the town; to support individual interests, and a genuine desire to improve the life of residents, visitors and workers in Wimborne.

How much time is involved?

There is a mandatory full council meeting monthly at 7pm on Tuesdays. Then there is membership of five committees, such as Finance and Governance or Planning and the Environment. Individual councillors give as much time as necessary – in my case, about two days a week.

What do councillors actually do?

As well as attending a host of meetings, councillors follow up on any resident’s concerns by working with council officers, visiting sites under discussion and raising specific issues at council meetings. They also work with groups in the town such as Planet Wimborne, the Twinning Associations or Wimborne in Bloom.

What are the Town Council’s responsibilities?

Town councils are the tier of local government closest to their electorate and best placed to serve local communities. They give views, on behalf of the community, on planning applications and other proposals that affect the town; alert relevant authorities to problems that arise or work that needs to be undertaken, and help the other tiers of local government keep in touch with their local communities. They also provide several services directly, such as parks, cemeteries and grant allocations.

Where’s the fun in all this?

Councillors enjoy several aspects of the role: working with the local community; representing interest groups and advancing local projects; working with a group of like-minded people; witnessing improvements to services and the locality; delivering better services and responding to local concerns and views.

To find out more about your local councillors, visit www.wimborne.gov.uk.

Jeff Hart

Mayor of Wimborne Minster

Garden guru returns to Wimborne

Local people will be able to learn what life is like behind the scenes for a top garden writer and RHS judge when Tamsin Westhorpe visits Wimborne in October.

Last year Tamsin — who is a judge for RHS Chelsea Flower Show, podcaster, lecturer and former editor of The English Garden magazine — raised £900 for Wimborne Community Garden when she visited the town for a sell-out talk.

Having started her horticultural career at the age of 17, spending time as a parks’ gardener and green keeper, Tamsin is passionate about being hands on in the garden. Her aim is to demystify gardening. She was one of the first female gardeners for Bournemouth Parks Department.

Tamsin has been listed in the Telegraph’s top 100 most influential female gardeners in this country.

The talk will take place on Friday 4 October from 7.30pm–9.30pm at Beaucroft College Hall, School Lane, Wimborne, BH21 1HQ. Tickets cost £12 and are available from https://bit.ly/WCGEvening.

Tamsin Westhorpe will give a talk entitled ‘Life as a Garden Writer’

New MP Vikki Slade speaks to Dorset View

Report and photo by Luke Graham

When I spoke to the Liberal Democrat MP Vikki Slade in early September, it sounded like she was having a busy day.

“From a security briefing this morning through to interviewing staff for my team of caseworkers, I’ve just had a two-and-ahalf hour meeting with the leader and chief executive of BCP Council and other MPs,” she said, adding that her inbox had over 900 unopened emails. “I expect it will slip over the 1,000 mark if I don’t get on to it.”

But such is the life of a new MP.

Following attempts in 2015, 2017 and 2019, Slade was finally elected to the seat of Mid Dorset and North Poole in July’s General Election, defeating the incumbent Conservative candidate Michael Tomlinson, who had been MP since 2015. She won with a majority of 1,352 — or 2.7 per cent of votes.

Slade has been a councillor since 2011 and prior to the election had been leader of BCP Council on two occasions from May 2019 to September 2020 and from May 2023 until July this year. Has all this experience prepared her for the transition from councillor to Westminster MP?

“I thought I’d be better

prepared,” she revealed. “It’s a completely different animal.”

She admits that she was “utterly terrified” the first time she spoke in the House of Commons.

“I’m used to standing up in the Council chamber and going on for ages. That didn’t faze me in the slightest, but this was just a different thing altogether. Possibly because it’s been so long in the making.”

It’s a very humble and honest response, and Slade is making sure she is maintaining contact with her constituents. For instance, she recently visited the Quarter Jack Park estate in Wimborne to listen to homeowners’ concerns about the development. Slade then presented their issues to the developer, Barratt Homes, in a meeting.

“They were open to the concerns I raised, and they made a few commitments to me on those issues,” she said.

One of Slade’s top priorities now she is in Westminster is special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In

September, she spoke in the House of Commons to call for government action on the SEND funding crisis facing councils.

“I’ve got a child who has additional needs,” she told me. “Through that education process, and with my role at the Council, I’m aware of how difficult it is for so many people and for local authorities.”

Her other priorities include cost-ofliving and environmental issues. But having spoken to thousands of voters during the election, what are their priorities?

“I knocked on probably 10,000 doors. Issues relating to the NHS and social care were the most common, as well as dentists and GPs,” she said. “Those things are filling up my inbox. [My job is] partly shining a light on them, and partly brokering conversations between organisations.”

The journey to MP has been a long time coming for Slade. She now has five years to make her mark and deliver for the people of Dorset and Poole. Fingers crossed for her.

Vikki Slade and Cllr Andy Todd visiting Quarter Jack Park in August

Charity’s training scheme nominated for global award Veterans invited to tea and toast

Military veterans and serving personnel are invited to join a monthly meeting in Dorchester offering support and an opportunity to socialise.

Jozek Stanko set up Tea and Toast in March last year at the Dorchester Army Reserve Centre. It has become a regular monthly occasion with around a dozen regular attendees.

Jozek, a caretaker and mental health first aider at the Centre, said: “I assist veterans and serving soldiers and give advice and support where needed.

“I set up Tea and Toast for

veterans of all three military services to come onto the site, meet up for a couple of hours, have a chat and just make sure they are all fine.”

Volunteers from charities such as the British Legion regularly come and give briefings on what support veterans can apply for.

Tea and Toast for veterans and serving personnel is held every third Wednesday of the month, from 10am to midday, in the upstairs main bar of Dorchester Army Reserve Centre. Entry, refreshments and parking are all free of charge.

Dorset-based charity SAMEE (Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship) has been shortlisted for a prestigious global award.

The charity, which helps disabled people start their own businesses, has been selected from 522 nominations from 90 countries around the world for a Zero Project Award 2025. SAMEE is one of only five UK-based entries to reach the shortlist this year.

Sam Everard, CEO and founder of SAMEE, described the news as “incredible”. She said: “I cannot believe that a small charity like ours has reached the global shortlist.”

The Zero Project aims to promote innovative solutions for the inclusive employment of people with disabilities.

The focus of SAMEE’s nomination was its Supported Self Employment Internship, which provides training, mentoring and work placements for people with disabilities to help them develop the skills needed to run a business.

Everard said: “We already have seven people on the internship, many with complex neurodivergent challenges.”

The winners of the Zero Project Award 2025 will be announced on Tuesday 3 December – the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

First Tea and Toast meeting in March 2023 © Jozek Stanko

Twilight Walk raises £20k for hospital

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is timely for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity to announce that an event held earlier this year raised £20,734.94 for its Breast Unit.

In May, hundreds of people across Dorset came together for the annual Twilight Walk to support those affected by breast cancer. The money raised will go towards the purchase of a specialised device to help diagnose and treat breast cancer patients.

Consultant Breast and Soft Tissue Surgeon Mark

Tatterton, ambassador for this year’s Twilight Walk, thanked participants for taking part and colleagues and patients who helped to arrange it.

He said: “The acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment is an important investment for the future to ensure we can provide the highest levels of breast cancer care across Dorset in our hospitals.

“I also believe the event helped achieve our second aim of continuing to raise the awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment.”

Dorset landmarks to turn pink for breast cancer awareness

Wimborne Minster is one of five places in Dorset which will be illuminated in pink in October. It’s all part of Pink Champagne Breast Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat Team’s way of marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This annual global event aims to highlight the importance of routine screening to detect breast cancer early. It is now the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally.

Pink is the defining colour of breast cancer and the

campaign. Throughout the world and the UK, buildings can be seen lit up in pink during the month of October to raise awareness.

These landmark places in Dorset will be illuminated on the following dates:

1 October, Sherborne Abbey; all of October, the Big Wheel at Bournemouth Pier; 12 and 13 October, Wimborne Minster; 19 October, The Priory at Christchurch and 25 and 26 October, Corfe Castle.

Members of Pink Champagne will be present at most of these sites to talk to people about breast cancer. On 4 October, the team will also bring along their dragon boat to the Big Wheel at Bournemouth Pier.

Pink Champagne hope that people will visit to see the illuminations and help spread the message further by sharing and posting photographs. The team, based at Hengistbury Head, is a group of 40 to 45 women who have all had breast cancer. You can read more about them at pinkchampagne.org.uk.

Cancer survivors from Pink Champagne will attend the illuminations

Charity of the Year

Candles on the Green returns to Wimborne

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is excited to announce the return of their poignant event, ‘Candles on the Green’, which is set to illuminate Wimborne Minster on Saturday 16 November from 6pm to 8pm.

This event invites the community to come together to celebrate, remember, and reflect on their loved ones.

Attendees can dedicate a message on a candle, which will be displayed on the Green adjacent to Wimborne Minster, creating a magical spectacle.

The evening will begin with the Boscombe Salvation Army Band, who will set a reflective and heartwarming ambiance with their performance outside the Minster. Inside, the local choir Cantilena Voices and the popular Rock Choir will provide additional musical delight, enhancing the event’s uplifting atmosphere.

A suggested donation of £6 per candle will help fund Lewis-Manning’s Bereavement and Family Support services, ensuring that essential support continues to be available to those in need within the community.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Events Fundraiser Anna DuRose said: “We are delighted to bring this magical event back to Wimborne for its second year. It offers a wonderful opportunity for the local community to reflect, celebrate, and remember their loved ones while supporting our vital Bereavement and Family Support services.

“Special thanks to our headline sponsor, Care South, for their continuous support of our Candles events, and also to sponsors Douch & Small Funeral Directors and MJP Law. We’d like to express our appreciation too to The Rock Choir, Cantilena Voices and The Salvation Army Band for their brilliant support of this event.”

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care will also be hosting ‘Candles on the Lake’ in Poole Park on 19 October and ‘Candles at the Bandstand’ in Swanage on 26 October. Anyone wishing to take part is urged to pre order a candle at lewismanning.org.uk/candles. Candles will also be available to purchase on the evening of the event.

A new residential care home near Sandbanks with views over Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island has opened. Cutting the ribbon at Marjorie House was the Mayor of Poole Cllr Pete Miles together with Chris Kean, chairman and Simon Bird, CEO of Care South.

Cancer choir releases new music video

A community choir based in Bournemouth and Poole, set up to support people recovering from cancer or affected by the experience of cancer in their family, has released a new music video.

Rising Voices Wessex has recorded a version of the 1957 folk song ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. The music video, released at the end of August, features the choir’s musical directors Wendy Morrow and Mark Anstead.

Rising Voices Wessex came about following a Living Well with Cancer conference in

Dorset in 2012; the Poole choir was formed in 2013 and the Bournemouth choir in 2015.

The choir aims to improve the wellbeing of people adapting to a cancer diagnosis.

The choir currently has over 100 members meeting weekly for rehearsals and holds performances throughout the year.

For more information about the choir, visit risingvoices. org.uk. To watch the music video, visit youtube.com/ watch?v=c9-PJkL92Vk.

Bon appetit! Charity helps Dorset get cooking

Local charity The Friendly Food Club, which helps people to find cheaper ways of cooking, is using funding from Dorset Council and Waitrose to equip community groups to run cookery courses.

Liz Guilmant-Cush, CEO of the charity, said: “Every day we meet people who don’t know how or lack the confidence to cook, from teenagers unable to use tin openers to recently bereaved older people who are dependent on microwave meals.

“For the past decade we have been providing cookery workshop sessions across Dorset. The Get Dorset Cooking training means that we are able to equip community groups to

run their own workshops, so that together we can get as much of Dorset cooking as possible.”

The training is ideal for, but not exclusive to, foodbanks and pantries, community, patient, youth and other community-led groups.

Community groups are shown how to run their own cooking sessions safely. Followup resources and support is available to ensure groups can launch out in confidence.

The next training will take place in Wimborne on 10 October. Further dates will be confirmed throughout the autumn. Find out more at thefriendlyfoodclub.org/getdorset-cooking or email hello@ thefriendlyfoodclub.org.

A Get Dorset Cooking training session in Dorchester

Music night to raise funds for breast cancer

An evening of music featuring a performance by a member of Jools Holland’s band will be held on 11 October at The Hamworthy Club in Canford Magna to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now.

The event is being organised in memory of Beverly Nash, who recently died from the disease. Her husband, Derek, is a renowned saxophonist and has been a member of the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra since 2004. Derek will be playing on the night, alongside the local group Changing Colours.

The evening will also feature a prize auction, licensed bar and a dancefloor. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £15 on the door. To book tickets, email susanwatkiss@gmail.com.

To donate to the Beverly Nash fundraiser for Breast Cancer Now, search on justgiving.com. The fundraiser has raised over £7,500 at time of writing.

Smokers, get your free Stoptober quit kit

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feature-

‘Stoptober’ is a stop smoking challenge that takes place every October across the UK. Research shows that if you can stop smoking for 28 days then you’re five times more likely to quit smoking for good.

Stoptober is an ideal time to stop smoking as you’ll join thousands of others battling to break the hold that tobacco has on their lives and, if you are an adult smoker living in Dorset, you can claim free support to quit from LiveWell Dorset.

LiveWell

offers a choice of two fantastic quit options:

A free vape kit

The new nationwide campaign Swap 2 Stop encourages smokers to make the switch to vaping, which is less harmful than smoking tobacco. Once you have your free vape kit, you can access support independently, whenever you need it, with online coaching videos and a quit app to track your progress.

A free quit package

This is a fully supported stop smoking package, where the LiveWell team will help choose a kit that works for you: nicotine replacement patches and gum, a one-day Allen Carr seminar, or 1-2-1 coaching and ongoing help to guide you through the quitting process.

Visit www.livewelldorset.co.uk/stoptober or call free on 0800 840 1628.

The event is being held in memory of Beverly Nash

Golden years? How to look after your money in retirement

By Luke Graham

One of the challenges in retirement is managing your finances. Without a regular wage, you may need to rely on a fixed income such as a pension or using your savings. Here is some advice for looking after your finances in retirement.

Set a budget

Retiring means you are likely living on a lower income, so your spending may become tight. Planning a budget of your incomings and outgoings, including your bills and food shop, can help you track and reduce your spending.

Put your savings to work

If you are fortunate enough to have savings after a lifetime of employment, make sure it is earning as much interest as possible. Old accounts may be paying as little as 0.01 per cent, or one penny for every £100 in savings. Use an online comparison website, such as Money Saving Expert, to find accounts paying 4–5 per cent.

Trace old savings and pensions

In the UK, there are millions of forgotten pensions and bank accounts containing an estimated £89 billion, according to the asset-tracing website Gretel. To check if you have any lost accounts, use an online resource like Gretel, My Lost Account or gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details.

Check your entitlements

Are you claiming all the benefits you can? There are a huge range of potential benefits or discounts available to the elderly, and many go unclaimed. For instance, the government estimates around 800,000 pensioners are not claiming pension credit, even though they are eligible. Services such as Age UK and Citizens Advice can

help you check to see whether you are missing out on money owed to you.

Warm up your home

If you’re worried about heating your home over winter, check to see if you are entitled to any energy grants to cover the cost of getting a new boiler or installing insulation.

Think about the future

It’s a touchy subject, but it’s important to consider what you would like to happen after you pass away. Make sure your will is up to date. Consider setting up a power of attorney for a trusted friend or relative who can help if you become unable to manage your finances. And if your estate (your property and savings) is worth over £325,000, then you may need to think about inheritance tax. Gifting small amounts of money to friends and family can help reduce the size of your estate – although strict rules apply. It may be worth speaking to an independent financial adviser to help plan your estate. For further advice about finances, call the Money and Pensions Service on 0800 138 7777.

Keep happy, healthy and warm in retirement

By Janine Pulford | janine@dorsetview.co.uk

One of the great challenges this winter will be to stay happy and healthy during the dark, cold months despite the fact that fuel bills are set to rise and the winter fuel allowance for many pensioners has been removed. This may sound bleak, but if you look upon these negative aspects as an opportunity to face new challenges, it will help keep your mindset healthy. Here are some ways to avoid extra costs while looking after your health.

Exercise – walking is free

A total of 30 minutes walking a day increases cardiovascular fitness, strengthens bones and helps reduce excess body fat. It makes you feel invigorated, and walking costs nothing except your time. If you want to make new friends, you can even join free health walks led by trained volunteers. Ideal for beginners, just turn up. You will need to complete an online form before your first free health walk in East Dorset. Dogs are not allowed. Visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/easterndorset-health-walks-1 or call the Health and Activity Team on 01425 480811. Short 30-minute walks are on flat ground or gentle

slopes. Longer walks may include steps, moderate slopes and uneven surfaces.

Walks in Dorset start at various locations, from Moors Valley Country Park in the east to BHLive Leisure Centre in Corfe Mullen in the west. Check details online.

BCP Council runs health walks too at Highcliffe Castle, Steamer Point Nature Reserve, Upton Country Park and many more locations. Visit BCP Council’s website for details. A wheelchair-friendly walk takes place on Sunday at Poole Park from The Ark Café at 2pm.

If you can’t leave the house for any reason, you can check out free Fitness Studio exercise videos by following this link: nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/.

For more free health and wellbeing advice and services such as help with losing weight and stopping smoking, visit livewelldorset.co.uk.

All this is terrific news for those wanting to keep fit without any cost, but as well as walking, you may want to work out at a gym, fitness or leisure centre where you can use exercise equipment to help achieve peak fitness.

Keep warm by going out

Keeping your body warm is key to staying healthy, but as costs spiral there will be elderly people who turn off their heating to save money and this can be dangerous. Hypothermia can happen in as little as 10 to 15 minutes indoors when it’s really cold, so keep the heating on if you can. Alternatively, you could go out during the day and let someone else provide the heating.

You can visit a ‘warm space or place’ in your local community where you can drop in and stay warm. You will be made welcome and refreshments are often free. To find out more visit helpandkindness.co.uk/

-Advertisement featurewarm-welcomes-in-dorset/warm-spaces-and-places.

Some warm places locally are Bearwood Community Centre on Friday morning; Kinson Community Centre on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and Allendale Community Centre, Monday–Sunday. There is also Cuppa and Company at the following libraries: Wimborne on Monday morning; Upton on Monday afternoon; Verwood on Tuesday afternoon; Corfe Mullen on Wednesday afternoon and Ferndown on Thursday afternoon. And don’t forget Chilli Tuesday at Canford Magna Parish Church, where you can warm up with hot food in the afternoon and evening. There are many more venues listed online. Tips on how to stay warm in your own home:

• wear extra layers of clothing

• sit with a hot water bottle if you are going to watch TV

• have a warm drink; my favourite is hot milk with a blob of butter dropped on the top

• invest in thermal underwear or ask someone to buy you some for Christmas; M&S sell a cosy range

• pyjamas and a fleece dressing gown are good investments

• use a hot-water bottle or wheat bag when you go to bed to warm your feet up

• wear socks in bed

• electric blankets are cost effective but must always be used as per the manufacturer’s instructions and never with a hot water bottle

If this article gives you inspiration, and helps you look after your health throughout the gloomy winter months as you enjoy your retirement, let me know. And if you have any tips on keeping warm, send them to luke@dorsetview.co.uk.

Wait is over for homes at The Old Market Village

Recently shortlisted as one of the UK’s best retirement schemes in the Housebuilder Awards 2024, The Old Market Village in Wimborne is delighted this month to welcome its first homeowners.

Set within generous grounds close to the Dorset countryside, The Old Market Village features state-of-the-art facilities designed to offer a full and varied retirement, including a spacious homeowners’ lounge, multi-function room, on-site bistro and well-maintained landscaped gardens.

The properties are full of thoughtful features – so you can live in style and comfort, while feeling safe, secure and supported. Each property features clever designs and considerations that make life that little bit easier as you get older.

But it’s not just about the bricks and mortar. At The Old Market, you will be entering a warm and welcoming community. It has a number of fantastic communal areas where you can spend time with family and friends – old and new. You’ll be part of a vibrant community where neighbours soon become good friends.

The Old Market retirement village offers two Retirement Living PLUS options to choose from:

• Market House, for over-70s, with a mix of 68 one and two-bedroom lowmaintenance apartments.

• The Old Market Gardens, for over-65s, offering a range of 32 spacious bungalows each with two double bedrooms and 10 of these will be threebedroom chalet-style bungalows.

With high demand for these beautiful bungalows and apartments, now’s the perfect time to arrange an appointment with McCarthy and Stone’s friendly sales team where you can review property plans, prices and secure your perfect new home.

To find out more, call 0800 882 1837 or search mccarthyandstone.co.uk/ the-old-market-village.

COPD support group marks 15th anniversary

Report and photo by Luke Graham

For the past 15 years, patients from across Dorset suffering from asthma, emphysema and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung disease) meet at a monthly support group in Ferndown.

Founded and run by Warren Brown, the Ferndown COPD Support Group provides advice and support to those suffering from the condition and their carers. The group has had members join from across the county, and from as far as Southampton.

Warren and his wife Dee set up the group in October 2009 after he was diagnosed with emphysema and realised there was a lack of support in the area for residents with COPD. For 15 years, Warren has run the group and ensured members who live alone receive regular home visits, even as his own health problems have progressed; he now has moderate-to-severe COPD. Glynis Smith, a now-retired

respiratory nurse specialist, helps him run the group.

Glynis said: “What I have realised is that this group of patients are the forgotten group, they are always very humble and as the disease deteriorates, they struggle to carry out activities of daily living.

“I feel very privileged to be able to help Warren with his group.”

The group not only shares health advice, but also provides information on issues such as claiming benefits. Warren is currently encouraging members to apply for pension credit ahead of the winter fuel allowance cut.

Group member Marie Hammond doesn’t have COPD, but attends with her husband who does, and says she values this service.

“The information provided on things apart from COPD is very useful,” she says.

“I go from here to my friends and tell them all

I’ve learned. You learn about all sorts of things you’ve never heard of.”

Perhaps most importantly, the group is a source of friendship and comfort. Alan Edgar, who has been coming to the group for over two years, says he values the group’s shared understanding of COPD, saying that it makes him feel he is not suffering alone.

“You are surrounded by people facing similar problems,” he explains. “Glynis and Warren are fantastic at giving us information.”

Warren and Glynis expressed their gratitude to Ferndown Day Centre, who let the group use a room at no cost on the first Thursday of every month from 3pm–5pm. People with a respiratory disease and their carers are encouraged to join the group. For more information, call Warren on 07747 672100.

Warren Brown, sitting in the front row in a red shirt, and Glynis Smith, standing, run the group

Future farmers and vets receive vital grants

A total of 15 young people from across rural Dorset have been awarded grants to help them pursue careers in agriculture, animal welfare and conservation.

The grants came from the Student Support Fund. Managed by the organisers of the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show, the fund helps students pay for tuition fees, equipment or transport costs. Now in its fourth year, the fund has awarded a record number of students with grants totalling £6,000.

Among this year’s recipients is Georgia Angel, 21, from Margaret Marsh in north Dorset. She was awarded a grant to support her further education and will now go on

A Wimborne-based pet sanctuary is looking to rehome Pickles, a 12-year-old Terrier Cross. According to Waggy Tails rescue, Pickles is a little anxious at the sanctuary, but loves being outside and enjoys a stroll around the garden. He likes a slow leisurely walk and enjoys the company of other dogs when walking but would prefer to have a home of his own. If you can offer Pickles or another dog a forever home or a foster home, please contact the charity on 01202 875000.

to study at the Bristol Veterinary School.

Another recipient is 16-year-old Toby Portnell, from Mere. He will use his grant for transport and equipment for his course in Level 3 in Livestock and Agriculture. He said: “I’m keen to own my own farm. I already work in a dairy farm part time and have a 40-strong herd of my own sheep.”

Matthew Price, chair of the Student Support Fund, said: “There is a huge amount of positivity about these youngsters and many display a great work ethic.”

Applications for the 2025 Student Support Fund open in March 2025. To find out more, email studentsupport@ gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk.

Unleash your pup’s potential with Dogs Trust’s Dog School

-Advertisement feature-

Dogs Trust believes every dog has the potential to be perfect, which is why they offer a nationwide Dog School training programme. Known for engaging and interactive sessions across four locations in Dorset, Dog School is the perfect place for both puppies and older dogs to learn and grow.

The comprehensive fourweek courses cover popular topics such as recall, walking on a lead, mouthing/chewing, and toilet training. You can expect fun and engaging sessions, expert advice, and practical training for a low-cost fee of £70. Dog School also offers discounted rates for those eligible.

Whether you’re training a new pup or correcting an older dog’s pesky habits, these sessions aim to provide you with the support you need to care for your canine.

For more information, visit www.dogstrust. org.uk/dog-advice/dog-school. Dogs Trust can’t wait to see you and your pooches at its upcoming sessions.

Grant winners with Student Support Fund organiser Sue Harris

From seed to success: Neil Lucas celebrates 30 years at Knoll Gardens

Interview by Janine Pulford

If someone asked you what Ferndown is famous for, you might say “a zoo*,” because specialist ornamental grasses may not be the first answer that springs to mind.

Well, that is about to change.

Knoll Gardens, with a postal address in Wimborne, but which falls firmly within the Ferndown Town Council parish boundary and is proudly regaled during the town mayor’s Civic Day, is home to one of the most renowned ornamental grass growers in the UK.

Neil Lucas, whose family purchased Knoll Gardens 30 years ago as a tourist attraction, has not only developed the gardens into a spectacle appreciated by horticulturalists and those wanting inspiration for their own gardens, but he has specialised in ornamental grasses of which there are hundreds of varieties.

When I visited Neil for a chat, he was excited to tell me: “We have just named a new garden selection called Pennisetum Black Arrow.”

The new variation was first seen in Knolls’ two-acre nursery and is now, along with many other varieties, available to purchase. The fountain of grasses has a gorgeous crop of leaves crowned with a flourish of bottlebrush-like flowers that turn almost jet black when the dew falls.

A passionate gardener, Neil said: “I had no idea I would become a grass specialist when Mum and Dad took on

Knoll Gardens, but we gradually moved away from the touristy side and turned the business into a specialist nursery for ornamental grasses whilst developing areas in the gardens each year. More wow and less work is our gardening style.”

Both his parents have now passed away and Knoll Gardens is a limited company run by directors Neil Lucas and Ross Humphrey. In 2008, Neil founded the Knoll Gardens Foundation, to further the understanding of the relationship between Knoll’s naturalistic style, the gardens’ wildlife and the wider environment.

Surveys are an important part of the Foundation’s work and include moth, butterfly and bumblebee surveys.

Neil said: “A recent bumblebee survey revealed the tiny Green-eyed Flower Bee in the gardens. As the environment changes, the wildlife changes.”

And with Knoll Gardens being sandwiched between Ferndown and Wimborne – towns which have seen major developments and loss of countryside in recent years – Knoll Gardens provide a haven of tranquillity for wildlife. “We have owls and nightjars that visit,” he said.

Neil Lucas was awarded 10 gold medals in successive years at the Chelsea Flower Show for his ornamental grasses, but due to the business being so demanding these days he said: “It is not possible or practical to do Chelsea Flower Show at the moment.”

The gardens, which are developing all the time, are open to the public Wednesday to Saturday. Neil assures me that the next generation of gardeners “will be looked after by Ross Humphrey,” who has supported Knoll Gardens for much of its journey with the Lucas family.

As well as the public opening times, Neil opens the gardens for one day every year for charity in aid of the National Gardens Scheme and recently received an award for 30 years of participating in the scheme.

The stunning gardens and water features may well inspire you to add to your own garden

and when visiting you can find a choice of ornamental grasses and flowering perennials for sale and ready to take home. Neil also holds Grass Masterclasses, and the next one is on 17 October when participants can enjoy a tour of the garden as he imparts some of his knowledge and experience gained during his 30 years of living and working at Knoll. Visit www. knollgardens.co.uk to book. Something exciting to note is that Neil Lucas will be an International Guest Judge in Seattle next February at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. No doubt a spectacle to behold. Perhaps he will bring back some photographs for Dorset View We would love to publish some when he returns home. Meanwhile, the next time someone asks you what Ferndown is famous for, you can instantly reply: “specialist ornamental grasses.” And if they don’t believe you, take them to Knoll Gardens so they can see for themselves.

* Ferndown Zoo, with many animals including lions, Ajax and Leonora, closed in 1954.

Neil Lucas with the recent Dorset NGS award © White Sheep Projects

© Knoll Gardens

Why not dine out this Christmas?

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

An email from a colleague was just the trigger I needed to persuade me that it was time to book a Christmas meal for a group of very long-standing friends.

I must admit that when it landed in my inbox with the subject of ‘Secret Santa’, I did a double take as I didn’t feel I was finished with summer. Surely I didn’t need to think about Christmas yet?

However, it certainly isn’t too early to book your festive meals out, and I’m glad I booked our meal in plenty of time as I was able to get the one evening the seven of us could agree upon.

With different dietary requirements, eating out rather than putting the burden on a host makes much more sense. Apart from the fact that it is relaxing for all, it also makes for a fun event when we can get out of our uniforms of jeans and trainers and wear something more interesting that has been lurking in the back of our wardrobes.

And with cooking a meal being a daily chore for so many people, it is so good to let someone else do all the hard work.

When the staff of Dorset View get together just before Christmas for a meal in a pub, it gives us the chance to talk about things other than editorial content and copy deadlines!

If the thought of catering for the family on Christmas Day — think endless lists, supermarket queues and a fraught Christmas Eve and morning — fills you with dread, why not book a meal in a restaurant, pub or hotel instead? Getting out of the house during the day will mean you don’t have to stress over cooking for hours on end and feel exhausted by the end of the day.

So, what are you waiting for? Book those meals now.

Food Festival draws the crowds

There was plenty of opportunity to support local businesses at Wimborne Food Festival on 14 September.

Instead of traffic in East Street, tables and chairs were the order of the day where visitors enjoyed alfresco dining, free samples, drinks and Keating’s butchers kept a barbecue on the go.

A short stride away in Willow Walk, stalls promoted local companies, and demonstrations in the cookery theatre produced free food samples. Long queues formed at the Greek Kiosk street-food stall and pancakes with fruity fillings from the Friendly Food Club and watermelon ‘lollies’ on a stick from fresh.fruit.shack were quick alternatives.

On Minster Green, a stall celebrated the renewal of the town’s status as a Fairtrade Community.

A healthy crowd attended throughout the day to support the inaugural food festival around the town, organised and sponsored by local businesses.

Tammy Sleet, Wimborne BID manager, said: “The aim of this new festival was to showcase and celebrate the great food

and drink offerings that this town has on offer. Wimborne has really kicked the trend in terms of the high street struggling.

“It’s such a vibrant town with so many independent shops,” she added, “There has been such a buzz in Wimborne.”

Wildlife photo exhibition opens

Dorset Wildlife Trust is hosting a free exhibition near Weymouth to celebrate the extraordinary talent and creativity of local photographers.

The Trust launched its 2024 photography competition in May and received hundreds of photos showcasing the county’s dazzling wildlife and wild places.

A selection of the best photos from the competition will now be displayed. Visitors can also buy photographs and canvases, with profits going to Dorset Wildlife Trust.

The exhibition at The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre, by Chesil Beach, opened on Thursday 26 September and runs until Sunday 20 October, from 10am to 4pm. Entry to both the centre and the exhibition is free.

Toadstools captured by photographer Louis Pulford will be featured in the gallery

The Friendly Food Club kept visitors fed

Macarons from the demo tent

April Garrett (11) with fresh.fruit.shack’s melon on a stick

Stalls on Willow Walk

A barbecue on East Street

Report and images by Janine Pulford

Ghouls to gather in Dorchester

Those of a nervous disposition are warned to stay away from Brewery Square in Dorchester this Halloween or be ready for a fright.

On 31 October from 5.30pm to 8pm, Brewery Square will attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of ghosts in one location. To break the current record of 560, people are invited to come along and join the army of the undead.

Tara Bailey, centre manager at Brewery Square, said: “Halloween is one of the highlights of the Brewery Square event calendar and what better opportunity to have another go at this world record breaking attempt. Last year, we came so close to breaking the record, but we're determined to make history this time.”

Follow Brewery Square on social media for more details.

© Moors Valley

Prepare for a scare at Moors Valley

The forest at Moors Valley will be transformed this Halloween as all manner of creepy creature and gruesome ghoul descends upon the wooded landscape.

Visitors to the new ‘Halloween at Moors Valley’ illuminated trail this autumn will get the chance to explore a secret cemetery haunted by a ghostly undertaker and surrounded by lost souls, or attempt to dodge thunderstorms, wicked witches, horrible highwaymen and larger-than-life spiders.

Taking place from dusk to darkness on 25 October to 3 November, this spooky, family-friendly trail will offer visitors the perfect Halloween surprise.

Natalie Crabb, recreation ranger manager for Forestry England at Moors Valley, said: “We are really excited about our amazing new illuminated Halloween trail and can’t wait for our visitors to see it.

“It’s a perfect Halloween outing for all the family with lots of ghoulish experiences, fun and surprises to encounter as you wander through the forest.

For more details, visit moors-valley.co.uk. Tickets cost £16 for adults and £12 for children (age 16 and under). Sessions available from 4pm to 9pm.

There’s something strange in the neighbourhood © Dorset Bays

Events

Details were correct at the time of going to print. Send information about your events to newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk.

2 October 7pm

The Fireside Theatre presents psychological thriller ‘Night Must Fall’ in Verwood. Call 01202 820689 to say if you’re coming. 2,9,16 and 23 October 2pm–5pm Edmondsham House gardens open for NGS.

3 October 7.30pm Verwood and District Horticultural Society meets at Verwood Memorial Hall.

3–5 October 7.30pm 2.30pm matinee on Saturday. Ferndown Phoenix Musical Theatre presents ‘Annie’ at The Barrington Centre. Book via ticketsource.co.uk/phoenix.

3 October 7.30pm–9.30pm Tamsin Westhorpe talk at Beaucroft College Hall. Tickets from https://bit.ly/WCGEvening.

5 October 2pm–4pm Ferndown Arthritis and Friendship Club meets at Ferndown Plus Day Centre.

5–6 October 10am–3pm Open Weekend at Dorset Family History Society’s Treetops Research Centre, BH15 3AJ.

5 October 11am–12.30pm

Wimborne Community Theatre coffee morning at Wimborne Methodist Hall.

7 October 10.30am

Reading Friends meets at Wimborne Library.

7 October 7.30pm

Wimborne Gardening Club meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Lewens Lane.

8 October 10am–3pm

Poole Leisure Painters meet at Lighthouse Poole.

9 October 6.30pm–9pm

Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club meet downstairs in Kinson Community Centre.

9 October 7.30pm

East Dorset Antiquarian Society meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Wimborne.

10 October 7.30pm

Ringwood Natural History Society meets at Greyfriars Community Centre, Ringwood, BH24 1DW.

11 October

Black Sheep Band play at a barn dance at Holt Village Hall. For tickets, email tracie@ferndown.biz.

11 October 6.30pm

Two talks on climate change and protecting the environment at St Mark’s Church, Highcliffe, BH23 5AA. Tickets: £10, students £5. Email parishoffice@ stmarkshighcliffe.org.uk to book.

11 October 7pm

An evening of music to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now at The Hamworthy Club.

12–19 October

Planet Wimborne Green Festival.

12 October 10.30am–12noon

Win on Waste Wimborne at Wimborne Methodist Church Hall. Visit winonwaste.org or call 07771 705662.

13 October 6.30pm

Waggy Tails Charity Auction Night, Hamworthy Club. Details at waggytails.org.uk.

13 October 11am–12.30pm

Wimborne War on Waste litter pick, starting at the Fair Ground Shop and finishing at Hanham Road car park.

14 October 7.30pm

Ferndown & West Moors Philatelic and Postcard Club meets at The Hamworthy Club.

15 October 8pm

Wimborne Civic Society meets at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne for a talk on Dorset Heroines.

18 October 10am for 10.30am start

Wimborne u3a meets at Wimborne Methodist Church for a talk by Alan Jenkins on ‘The Royal Visit that Went Wrong’.

19 October 7.30pm

Dorset Chamber Choir presents ‘Peaceful music for our Busy World’ at St Hubert’s Church, Blandford Road, Corfe Mullen. Tickets from choir members or on the door or online.

19 October 10.30am–11.30am

Win on Waste Corfe Mullen at St Nicholas’ Church Hall. Visit winonwaste.org or call 07771 705662.

19 October 10am–1pm Canford School Arboretum open for NGS. Visit www.ngs. org.uk for information and booking, which is essential.

20 October 11am–12noon

Guided walk about Wimborne Minster. Starting in Square.

21 October 10.30am–11.30am

Reading Friends group meets at Ferndown Library.

21 October 10am

Wimborne WI meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Lewens Lane. For further information, call Jill Haywood on 01202 888194.

23 October 10am–2pm

RSPB Field Trip to Durlston Country Park. Call 01425 652864 or visit group. rspb.org.uk/newforest.

REVIEW Private Lives

Bournemouth Little Theatre Club, Bournemouth Little Theatre

By Luke Graham

This production of Noel Coward’s 1930 comedy was an absolute delight, featuring a warring couple, put-upon spouses and a very grumpy French maid.

‘Private Lives’ is about bitter divorcees Elyot and Amanda, who separated five years ago. They have married new spouses and are on their respective honeymoons. Unfortunately, they’re in adjacent rooms at the same hotel in the south of France. Will seeing one another rekindle their old love, or just give them the chance to air out old, petty grievances?

Elyot and Amanda must carry the show. They have the most stage time and get all the best lines. Fortunately, Bournemouth Little Theatre cast Topher Lynn and Daisy Norton in the roles, and both are excellent. Topher is especially good, with a fantastically expressive face, impeccable comic timing and hilarious mannerisms. I’ve never seen someone make the act of eating brioche and drinking a cup of coffee so funny! Daisy matches him beat for beat as the vivacious Amanda.

The rest of the cast are

also very good, though their characters aren’t given as much to do by the script.

Lauren Killham plays Sybil, Elyot’s new wife, who spends much of the play sobbing over her awful husband. Sam Sheppard has a great physical presence as Victor, Amanda’s partner. He and Lauren get to have a very entertaining row at the play’s climax.

The 1930s era is faithfully depicted, with lush art deco stage design and glamourous costumes.

I especially liked Elyot’s James Bond-esque white suit in Act I.

Applause to a brilliant cast, ably directed by Barry Gray.

REVIEW Plays ‘n’ Chips

Broadstone Players Theatre Company, Broadstone War Memorial Hall

By Luke Graham

The Broadstone Players hosted their annual evening of plays with a fish-and-chip supper at the interval through September. This tradition has been running for over 30 years.

Audiences came from as far as Christchurch and London to see Plays ‘n’ Chips, which marks the start of the company’s autumn season and gives new members a chance to try out acting and directing. The trio of one-act plays this year featured two new directors and two new actors.

The first play was the comedy ‘Death of a Gerbil’, about a man who dies before he was meant to. First-time director Kurt McLeod also starred as inept guardian angel Rodney, alongside the excellent Chris Hugill, Sue Gibson and newcomer Debbie Southern.

Next up was ‘Room to Let’ written by local author Malcolm L Miller, a bawdy comedy about a pair of hopeless roommates tasked with interviewing two potential lodgers. Sue Gibson stole the show as landlord Marilyn.

The evening ended with ‘The Mazarin Stone’, an adaptation of a Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Stella Henney brought stage presence and charisma to the role of Mrs Watson.

The company’s next production will be ‘Lucky Numbers’, from 19 to 23 November.

Dorset County Show 2024

The two-day agricultural show near Dorchester was a gloriously muddy affair. Heavy rain on Saturday 7 September turned the show fields into a bog, but Sunday was much sunnier and dryer. There was a huge range of stalls to browse, food to sample, and farm animals to admire. In the arena, there was plenty of entertainment, including Imps Motorcycle Display where children as young as five showcased their motorbike skills. Despite the weather and mud, it was a very fun day.

Children navigating the mud

Heavy horses were on show

Green Festival goes wild

President of Dorset Wildlife Trust, Dr George McGavin, will be headlining this year’s Planet Wimborne Green Festival at ‘It’s a Wild Life – Tales from Television’ on Sunday 13 October at Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne at 5pm.

George is an explorer, author, lecturer and TV presenter, and one of the UK’s leading authorities on the natural world. He’s the author of numerous books, with a particular focus on the insect world, and has several insect species named after him. After teaching biological and human sciences at Oxford University for 25 years, he has used his expertise on television to present documentaries including ‘Oak Tree: Nature’s Greatest Survivor’, the BBC’s ‘Lost Land’ series and ‘Ocean Autopsy: The Secret Story of Our Seas’. He is a regular contributor to ‘The One Show’. Doors open at QE School at 4pm, with George’s talk at 5pm. There will be refreshments, stalls to browse

and the opportunity to buy a signed copy of his latest book, ‘The Good Bug’.

Tickets are available online via www.tickettailor.com or by cash payment at Wimborne’s Fair Ground shop.

There are a whole host of green-themed activities and events during the festival week 12–19 October. The programme is available from the East Dorset Information Centre and Fair Ground shop.

Black Sheep Band will be playing at a barn dance at Holt Village Hall on Friday 11 October to raise funds for Wimborne Community Theatre. The theatre group, which relies on grants, donations and fundraising is planning a major production for 2025 focusing on what home means for people living in the Wimborne area. To purchase tickets, contact Tracie BillingtonBeardsley via email: tracie@ferndown.biz or call 01202 888174.

Dr George McGavin.

Photo by Lois Wendon

Cliff Top Music Festival defies the rain to rock on

Report

and

photos by Luke Graham

Locals ignored the wet weather on 7 September to attend a retro festival in Highcliffe.

Many attendees to the Cliff Top Music Festival, which celebrated the 1970s, made the extra effort and dressed in their best retro fashion to suit the occasion.

The event on Wharncliffe Road was dry for the first few hours, but when the rainclouds burst, visitors simply opened their umbrellas or donned rain ponchos and carried on dancing to the music.

Among the acts were musician Susie Kimber and her soul band and headline tribute act The Sound of the O’Jays. Bournemouth dance

troupe Jitterbug Jive got the crowd on their feet and taught a simple dance move.

For children, there were trampolines, facepainting, a Punch and Judy show, and baby goats.

There were also a wide range of stalls selling sweets and toys or raising money for local causes, and food and drink vendors kept the crowd fed.

Mandy Polkey, managing director of festival organisers Stir Events, expressed her gratitude to the sponsors, support team, volunteers and

local groups that helped with the event.

She said: “The Stir Events CIC team and our volunteers worked tirelessly to make the Cliff Top Music Festival a great success, despite the heavy rainfall. It was heartwarming to see visitors embracing the weather, dancing in their vibrant 1970s' outfits with umbrellas in hand.”

This was the second year of the Cliff Top Music Festival, and I can’t wait for its return next year.

Is that Mr Punch? Oh yes it is

Making a fashion statement

Grooving on the grass floor

Going back in time

Susie Kimber and her band performed 70s classics

Jitterbug Jive

A warm welcome at Wimborne’s Reading Friends group

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Not only are the people attending Wimborne Library’s Reading Friends group interested in books, but they are also keen to support and enjoy local magazines.

This was clear when I accepted an invitation by Reading Befriender Liz Williams to come to their September meeting to talk about my career and our magazines, Dorset View and Viewpoint. Coffee, tea and biscuits are also provided at these meetings which are free to attend. They offer people the chance to join a light-hearted chat about reading and language, to meet new friends and have fun in a supportive and easy-going environment. It must be stressed that this isn’t a book club whereby people have to read a prescribed book.

Liz said that at the August meeting they had looked at the history of John of Gaunt and the local connections to the man who was both the son of a

king and the father of a king.

The people attending were all very familiar with our magazines and said they were so important for the community.

“They keep me informed about what events are coming up,” said one.

Another woman who had moved to the area relatively recently said: “It enabled me to discover groups I was interested in, including Wimborne Gardening Club which was in the listings.”

Another member said: “I was so pleased to see the local Olympic girls on the front of the September edition of Dorset View. I was a young athlete and such recognition is special as it recognises achievement.”

“Local magazines give us a snapshot of the community,” said another attendee. “I also like to see any planning stories and competitions for children run by local councils.”

But it isn’t just the editorial and photos they considered

to be important, as they like to see the adverts too!

Liz, who used to work at the library, and is now a volunteer, is passionate about what libraries offer communities.

“When my children were young, it was always the first port of call, and it is again for my grandchildren, who love it,” she said.

“And it’s all free. There are activities for all ages, including those for children during school holidays.”

Rhymetime with interactive singing and rhyming session for children up to five years old takes place every Friday from 10.15am–10.45am during term time. [I’ve taken my children to this and highly recommend it – editor]

Other events include the Councillor’s Surgery on the last Saturday of the month from 10am–12noon.

The Reading Friends meetings take place on the first Monday of the month, from 10.30am–11.30am

upstairs in the library in Crown Mead. There is a lift for those with mobility problems.

The next meeting will be on 7 October and it promises to be hugely interesting, as the library subscribes to an ancestry website and Liz is going to book two computers so that people will be able to look at censuses.

“It will be like the TV programme ‘Who Do You Think You Are’” said Liz. No need to book, just turn up.

In September, the BBC reported that since 2016 more than 180 council-run libraries have closed or been handed over to volunteer groups.

That is why the Friends of Wimborne Library are encouraging people to join them. The organisation has talks with reduced ticket prices for members and social events. They also offer coffee and biscuits in the library on the first Saturday of each month and all are welcome. Membership is only £5 a year.

Just three of those attending Reading Friends in September, with Liz Williams, second from right, and Marilyn Barber centre

Greener ideas for your home

Throughout September, nearly 40 homes across Dorset opened their doors to the public to teach residents about living more sustainably.

Homeowners who took part in the fourth annual ‘Dorset Greener Homes’ event on 14, 15, 21 and 22 September gave visitors advice and answered questions about eco-friendly energy solutions such as solar panels, battery storage and heat pumps. They also provided low-cost ideas such as wildlife-friendly gardens or using natural, recyclable building materials.

The event is organised by Dorset Climate Action Network (DorsetCAN). Many of the homes are available to visit all year round by appointment. Go to www.dorsetgreenerhomes.org to learn more and see videos of some of the homes.

Warning: don’t bin that battery

By Dorset Council Trading Standards

Binned batteries and electricals containing batteries caused more than 1,200 fires over the last year, and many local authorities say the problem is getting worse. Dorset Council Waste Services are urging people to remove batteries from devices before binning them and to recycle them at the correct places.

Batteries in bins can cause fires in both collection vehicles and at facilities where the vehicle contents are delivered to. These fires can be challenging for fire services to deal with, and they endanger the lives of staff working on lorries and at waste plants.

In addition, it is estimated that 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away last year as opposed to being recycled. Valuable raw materials in batteries such as nickel, zinc, cadmium and lithium can be recovered and turned into new products. For example, the lithium collected from batteries could power thousands of electric cars.

If your electrical item contains batteries, they may cause a fire if not recycled properly, so don’t bin them. If possible, remove the batteries from your electricals and recycle them separately. Batteries can be recycled at many local retailers, household recycling centres, or you can put them in a small plastic bag and leave them on top of your recycling bin on collection day. If you can’t remove the battery, then recycle the whole item at your local household recycling centre next time you visit.

Common household batteries include lithium-ion ‘button’ batteries from watches, hearing aids, toys, etc. as well as standard barrel-type batteries such as AAs and AAAs.

‘Button’ batteries should never be left in reach of small children; if swallowed, they could badly injure or kill a child. Smaller batteries can be inserted into places such as ears and noses, causing serious injuries for children if undetected.

By taking care of batteries and recycling them properly, we can prevent fires, help recover valuable material and keep our young children safe.

Green homeowner John Tassell discussing his home battery system

Debunking mortgage myths

Buying a property is no mean feat. There are several challenges from finding the right property, saving up for a deposit, to choosing a reliable solicitor. But common mortgage misconceptions are making this challenge even harder for homebuyers.

According to research by housebuilder Barratt Homes, which is currently building developments in Wimborne, Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Swanage, these mortgage myths could be preventing many people from owning their own home.

Tammy Bishop, sales director at Barratt Homes Southampton Division, said people looking to buy their first home, as well as those wanting to upsize or downsize, are frequently confused about the options available to them.

She said: “The most common myth is that you need to save thousands of pounds for a deposit. But actually, there are now several schemes that allow you to buy with much less.

“For example, Skipton Building Society’s Track Record Mortgage, designed for renters, uses their track record for paying rent to work out what they might be able to borrow. There’s no deposit required for this mortgage and no completion fee.”

Other alternatives include rent to buy schemes, where you move into a property and pay rent. This money can then go towards a deposit to buy the property.

Also, many new build developers have schemes in place to enable first-time

buyers to purchase a home with a deposit of just five per cent of the property’s value, compared to the 10–25 per cent deposit that is typically required.

Another common myth, according to Barratt, is that mortgage lenders are very strict about issues such as employment history or tax records.

Tammy said: “While these factors are significant and do influence borrowing capacity, most lenders are flexible and take into account your personal circumstances.

“Some examples of this are how they recognise different types of income like overtime or bonuses, or how they consider any current commitments you may have, like personal loans or credit.

“Some lenders will lend you more if you choose to take your new mortgage over a longer term (typically up to 35 years), as this makes the monthly payments more affordable.

Finally, Barratt claims it is also a myth that lenders

will meticulously scrutinise your financial statements and spending history.

“In fact, rather than delving into an exhaustive analysis of your financial history, lenders prefer to focus on only three key aspects: your income, regular expenses to assess affordability, and ensuring you are living within your means,” said Tammy.

“Typically, lenders only examine the previous two or three months of statements. If,

within this limited timeframe, your financial metrics align with the lender’s criteria, you can become eligible to secure a mortgage.”

If you are considering moving or buying your first home, it is advised to speak to a qualified and regulated mortgage adviser who can answer any questions about mortgages and help guide you along this journey. Websites like unbiased.co.uk can help you find a local adviser.

CARPET

CARPET

AND

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 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.

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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.

CORRESPONDENCE

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

Garden guardians [Response to ‘Heroes of the plant world’ from August’s issue]

Being a keen gardener for many years, I have found this year very challenging with the explosion of slugs and snails, probably due to the very wet time we’ve had. I have learnt from bitter experience there are plants to avoid if I want to have a nice garden. Your list of heroes are mine too. I’d like to add the following: osteospermum, fuchsia, geraniums, calceolaria, poppies and herbs of all kinds. I was told busy lizzies were too but sadly mine have been well chewed, so I’ll avoid them in future.

Regards Judy Day

Crafting is lots of fun

A poem by Eleanor Green:

Crafting can be so much fun For someone old or someone young.

A ball of wool, oh what joy, A soft toy will delight a girl or boy. A pot of glue and pieces of paper, Think what you can do then make it later. Give me the things no use to you, Then get them back recycled and new! Think before you throw anything away, Give it to me, I’m always ready to play!

My days are filled with lots to do, It’s never ending when you’ve got a pot of glue! Eleanor runs The Creative Happiness Club, an arts and crafts group that meets every Monday afternoon, 2pm–4pm, at Kings Park Care Home, 14 Church Road, Ferndown, BH22 9EU. Contact green. eleanor2@gmail.com for more details.

Hendy expands Poole car dealership

-Advertisement feature-

Hendy Group, which celebrates its 165th birthday this year, has expanded its state-of-the-art, multi-brand dealership in Poole with

the addition of the Peugeot and Citroën marques. This will be the first time that these two iconic French brands share a

showroom in Dorset.

The expansion is part of Hendy’s long-term strategic growth plan and further consolidates the group’s partnership with the Stellantis vehicle manufacturing group, which also includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep and Vauxhall.

Hendy acquired the

existing Vauxhall showroom in Poole in September 2023, adding the Fiat and Abarth brands in February this year. Alongside a comprehensive range of passenger cars – including the latest plug-in models –the Poole showroom will also display and service Vauxhall light commercial vehicles.

The dealership on Poole Road in Branksome