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4DORSET
September 2019 Volume 17 Issue 2
Broadstone Christchurch Colehill | Ferndown Merley | West Parley Wimborne Ashley Heath | Bournemouth Canford Heath | Kinson Poole | Ringwood | St Ives Three Legged Cross Verwood | West Moors
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4DORSET September 2019
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Picture of the month
Volume 17 • Issue 2 • September 2019 This issue is also available online at www.mags4dorset.co.uk
Hello Readers!
MAGS4DORSET Ben Pulford managing director ben@mags4dorset.co.uk
When we left our idyllic offices at King George V Pavilion, which overlooked the playing fields, and offered spectacular sunsets, I was resigned to a town centre office with views of rooftops, security fencing and heavily logoed shop rears. I didn’t expect to have close encounters with nature. It was with some surprise that when looking out of my window recently, I noticed a squirrel charging up and down a nearby oak tree with leaves in its mouth. It did this for two days and made quite a mess on the ground below with fallen leaves and twigs dropping as it worked. I decided to find out what it was up to. Craning my neck from the base of the tree, I was able to see it building a nest, or drey. Now in all my years, I have never seen a squirrel do this and felt quite privileged to have a ringside seat of all places, from my office in the centre of Ferndown. Not only that, on the same day as I had this close encounter with nature, I happened to look skywards and see a buzzard circling overhead. It made me wonder what other creatures are occupying our town centres (and please don’t say rats as I think that will open up a hornet’s nest!) I look forward to hearing what fascinating creatures you have seen in your town centre. I hope someone says hedgehogs. This month I have welcomed Louise van Wingerden as my new assistant. Some of you will remember Louise being involved with the magazines some years ago using the pen name Louise Lee. She has made an impact with her contributions in this issue, so please enjoy.
Janine Pulford Editor
Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@mags4dorset.co.uk
NEWS DESK 01202 941469 Janine Pulford editor editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@mags4dorset.co.uk Louise van Wingerden assistant editor mags@mags4dorset.co.uk
DESIGN
01202 233441
Louis Pulford creative director louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk
Matt Jaquest graphic designer
ADVERTISING 01202 816140 Mark Beechey account manager DD: 01202 941465 mark@mags4dorset.co.uk Russell Harness account manager DD: 01202 941466 russell@mags4dorset.co.uk Simon Thornton account manager DD: 01202 941470 simon@mags4dorset.co.uk Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.
LOGISTICS
The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions in order to fit in with the editorial policy and style of the magazine
Mike Talbot Alexandra O’Neill
In safe arms © CatchBox
How to contact us Enquiries: 01202 870270 Advertising: 01202 816140 Brightbox Designs: 01202 233441 Email: mags@mags4dorset.co.uk Web: www.mags4dorset.co.uk Twitter: @mags4dorset Facebook: mags4dorset.news Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ Follow 4DORSET MAGAZINE on FACEBOOK:
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Copy deadline
13 SEPT 2019
4Dorset is independently published and distributed free to homes and businesses in selected areas of Dorset and Hampshire. It is also available by subscription at £40 per year. Views or opinions expressed in 4Dorset are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed to be unsuitable for publication. Information about a service does not imply recommendation. All purchases made through this publication are done so entirely at your own risk. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with 4Dorset and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The company’s privacy policy can be read at www.mags4dorset.co uk
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Box clever for YMCA
Jeremy Lawson of Tempus Investors, 2018 Sleep Easy
Hope for the homeless
Have you ever slept in a cardboard box? Sometimes a piece of cardboard is all a homeless person has for an overnight shelter to fight off the weather and keep them warm. The YMCA’s Big Sleep Easy aims to raise funds by giving individuals and teams the chance to find out what making a shelter out of a cardboard box and sleeping in it is really like, while raising money at the same time. The event was launched by YMCA Bournemouth with a Thai buffet at Tiien sponsored by the most successful fundraiser last year, Lester Aldridge. Matthew Barrow, managing partner, said, “We all found it incredibly tough. It gave us a tiny glimpse of how hard it must be as a way of life. Homelessness is something that could happen to anyone and we are happy we are able to support such a worthwhile and effective project. If you are considering taking part this year, we’d really encourage you to do so – we’ll certainly be there!” The Big Sleep Easy will be held at Bournemouth Sports Club (Chapel Gate) on 16 November. Last year 98 participants raised a record-breaking £25,000. For more details call Sheena Dayman on 07824 333505 or email fundraising@ ymcabournemouth.org.uk
By Louis Pulford Welcome to the official journey of the ‘Hope For The Homeless’ team, for the YMCA Big Sleep Easy 2019. We are a group of friends who have come together to fundraise by taking part and building the best cardboard shelter we can and ‘surviving’ inside it until morning. Our motto is 'Home is where the heart is' and in this time of social divide, everyone deserves a place for the heart to thrive. Consisting of Ellie Martin, Joe Hussey, Andre Mogg, Katie Bishop and Louis Pulford from BrightBox Designs / MAGS4DORSET, our team has set a target of £500.
Individual members have also set their own personal goals to smash that target out of the playing field. We are looking for donations and support for the main event in November and hope to participate in additional fundraising events which are in the planning process. Monthly updates will be given in this magazine and feedback is welcome from readers about the homeless situation, fundraising ideas and insights. If you have any questions/ideas contact Louis on louis@ brightboxdesigns.co.uk. To donate go to virginmoneygiving.com and search for the person you wish to sponsor.
Hope For The Homeless team
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4DORSET September 2019
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Unauthorised development of the green belt halted Jubilant residents cracked open the bubbly when a controversial planning application was thrown out. The Oaks garden centre has long attracted criticism for misery inflicted on neighbours in Merley. Piles of rubbish, unauthorised businesses, noise, pollution and loud parties feature at the oncetranquil green belt site.
Things came to a head when Aaron Adams moved from The Clock Garage and started selling cars at The Oaks early in 2018. When planning officers failed to act, The Oaks Action Group – Merley Residents against the
Desecration of the Green Belt – was formed. Mr Adams applied belatedly for planning permission but when the application finally came before BCP Council’s committee, members voted unanimously to
throw it out. This followed the committee’s unanimous decision in July to refuse an application for a car wash on the site. Representing TOAG, Sharen Green told the August planning meeting of BCP Council that The Oaks was largely open green space 25 years ago but had been surreptitiously tarmaced over piece by piece. “It is our fear that the plan is to cover over the whole site so that it can no longer be deemed green belt,” she said. “To accept this proposal would be to
reward this bad behaviour.” Members spoke of the poorly managed site where all kinds of unauthorised activities take place, including car-breaking, running a bus company and the dismembering of protected trees. Cllr Ann Stribley called for an environmental impact assessment in a bid to get the site cleaned up. She also asked for all the unauthorised hardstanding to be removed. Some TOAG members got together after the meeting to toast their second victory in two months.
Paramedic attack: man sentenced
A man who pleaded guilty to ‘Assault by beating of an emergency worker.’ has been sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay £100 in compensation for assaulting Dorset paramedic James Ryan. Mr Ryan from SWAS NHS Foundation Trust was subjected to a brutal attack in the back of an ambulance when trying to treat the patient for a head injury, after the man had taken an unknown substance. As part of the ongoing awareness campaign #Unacceptable, James wanted to share his story. He said, “It was really scary. My glasses were knocked off and I was pinned down helplessly under the full
weight of this man, getting punched.” He was also thrown around the back of the ambulance before being rescued. It took four police officers to pin the patient down due to his druginduced strength. James urged anyone who goes through the same to “report it to the police and your senior teams. If we act together against this type of violent behaviour we will get through to people – this is just unacceptable.”
Ken Wenman, chief executive of South Western Ambulance Service said crews and control staff work in extremely difficult circumstances and are often under threat of attack or abuse. “We will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that our staff are protected and those responsible for such attacks are prosecuted,” he said.
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Green light for major development at Parley Cross By Marilyn Barber
For nearly a decade, West Parley residents have dreaded the day planning permission would be granted for a major new development on the field at New Road, a site which had been allocated as part of the East Dorset District Council Core Strategy. That day came on Wednesday 31 July, when Dorset Council’s Eastern Area planning committee granted permission for hundreds of houses, a supermarket, a link road, public open space including a SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green space), allotments and a care home.
Housing
A packed meeting at the Allendale Centre heard that Wyatt Homes was to receive outline permission for up to 386 properties – up to 19 per cent of which would be affordable - and a supermarket which would be just a little smaller than that of Waitrose in Wimborne. An Eastern link road was also to be constructed. The opposition to the development has been well documented in this and other publications over the past few years, and the residents who turned up to the meeting were still clearly unhappy with the scheme, particularly fearing that traffic congestion at the West Parley crossroads would be exacerbated. The link road must be fully operational before the opening of the foodstore or the occupation of 50 per cent of the new homes. The application received 209 letters objecting to the proposal, and none in its support. Resident Tom Blyth said, “I don’t object to the new houses, but with so many other food stores nearby I don’t see the need for another one. Any new supermarket could affect the viability of those in Ferndown.” Chairman of West Parley Council, Cllr Philip Bamborough, said he was concerned that the new Eastern link road through the estate with traffic lights and pedestrian islands would contribute to a ‘stop start’ tailback onto New Road South. He added, “Undoubtedly there will be a conflict between estate traffic going to the new houses and proposed store, offices and shops, versus traffic just wanting to Land use and building height plan drive through the estate to get to Hurn and (key extracted for magnification) the A338. “This council together with its neighbour BCP has declared a ‘climate emergency’. Frankly these proposals just worsen the problem, especially with pollution levels unacceptably high at Parley Cross traffic.” Cllr Shane Bartlett said, “We need every bit of affordable housing we can get.” Cllr Mike Dyer said, “The scheme works well and there are a lot of things to like.” Cllr Alex Brenton said that one of the advantages of having a food store in the development was that people wouldn’t always have to get into their cars in order to buy provisions. “Creating a village may be the way forward,” she added. The application was granted with eight councillors voting for approval, with one against and one abstention.
The SANG
The proposal for change of use of the land east of Parley Lane for a SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) allotments and a play area received unanimous approval. The committee agreed that it would be appropriate development in the green belt. Access will be from Church Lane. Contributions through a Section 106 legal agreement for the development include: An education contribution of £5,880 per eligible dwelling; local health contribution of £24,000; Longham Road double roundabout contribution of £156,234, Ringwood Road/New Road junction contribution of £92,802; SANGS contribution of £179 per flat and £263 per house, SAMM contribution of £179 per flat and £263 per house and a contribution of £130,000 to Parley Sports and Social Club.
The care home
Also approved by nine votes to two was an 80-bedroom care home to the north of the residential area, which could provide 70 new jobs. Parish council chairman Philip Bamborough said he thought the design was ‘hideous’ but Councillor Shane Bartlett contended that now and certainly in the future there is a tremendous demand for care provision.
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4DORSET September 2019
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New local authority faces funding challenges Despite significant savings having been achieved over recent months as a result of Local Government Reorganisation, Dorset Council is forecasting an overspend for this financial year of £7.1m on directly controlled budgets, and up to £5.5m on funding for schools and education. This is mainly due to a growing demand for the following services: • Support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The number of children requiring an Education, Health and Care Plan has risen by 67 per cent since 2013, but there has only been a seven per cent increase in funding. • The rising number of children taken into care to keep them safe from immediate risk of harm. Costs range between £3,000 and £8,250 per week. There has been an increase in these placements in the first three months of this financial year. • Social care support for vulnerable and frail older people and people with disabilities. The authority says extensive work is underway to address the forecast overspend and to deliver a balanced budget by the end of the financial year. This work includes: • Continued reduction in staffing and associated costs as a result of bringing six former councils together. • Work to improve social care services provided for adults and children while reducing costs. • Development of a council-wide transformation plan for 2020-24, which will identify new ways of delivering council services - for instance, with greater use of digital technology.
Put your running shoes on You can help a Dorset charity to make children’s wishes come true at Bournemouth Marathon Festival.
Round Table Children’s Wish relies on donations and sponsorship to help children with life-threatening illnesses. The charity is hoping that runners in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival, to be held on 5 and 6 October, will sign up to support the charity. Places are still available. It costs £30.50 to register for the Supersonic 10k, or you can pay £36.75 to sign up for the Bournemouth Half Marathon. Please contact Clare at clare@rtcw.org.
In addition, the council has reserves of around £29m – an improved position since the 2019-20 budget was agreed in February thanks to savings made by all six former councils. The minimum recommended level of reserves for Dorset Council is £14.5m. This means there are sufficient reserves available to cover additional budget costs this financial year if required. Since the creation of the new council on 1 April this year, significant savings have been reinvested into council services: • Reduction in the number of councillors from 204 to 82 has produced £400k in savings. • Reduction in the number of senior manager roles, and in staffing costs for areas where there is duplication and overlap like finance, HR, and IT is anticipated to achieve savings of £5.2m in 2019/20 and £10m in total. • Savings have been made on insurance, audit fees and other activities where the council now only pays for one organisation rather than six.
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law spot
BCP Council working to save our planet
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney and why is it recommended to have one? by Gaynor Cooke, Head of Wills and Probate, Harold G Walker Solicitors
GAYNOR COOKE
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which allows you (the Donor) to choose a person or persons that you trust to make certain decisions on your behalf. Granting an LPA gives you peace of mind to know that should you be unable to manage your affairs and/or look after yourself through mental or physical illness or general frailty then a person of your choosing will be able to manage your affairs and/or your welfare on your behalf. There are two different types of LPA via which you can appoint attorneys to act on your behalf in relation to your health and welfare, and/or your property and financial affairs. You can only set up an LPA while you have the mental capacity to make decisions. If you become mentally unable to make your own decisions, the Courts will appoint a Deputy to work on your behalf. A Deputy works very much like an Attorney but has the added complexity of strict Court oversight and involvement (which results in inevitable extra costs and delays for you in the long run). We believe everyone over the age of 18 should set up an LPA as it will give you complete peace of mind to know that if your health does decline you can rest in the knowledge that someone of your own choice, someone you trust, will be looking after your affairs for you.
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4DORSET September 2019
BCP Council has declared a climate emergency and pledged to make its operations carbon neutral by 2030. It will work with the wider community to look at how early the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region can be made carbon neutral, ahead of the UK target of 2050. Members of the council have also called on Westminster to provide the powers and resources to help make the 2030 target possible, and agreed that BCP Council should work with governments worldwide to determine and implement best practice methods to limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees C. Cllr Felicity Rice, Cabinet member responsible for Climate Change & Environment, said, “By declaring this climate emergency for BCP Council, we are making a formal commitment to doing all we can to achieve the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. We are not simply declaring a climate emergency – we are agreeing to the production of a 10-year plan with quantifiable targets and actions required to achieve them. This is a hugely ambitious target and a challenge that cannot be underestimated, but we must look now at how we go about reversing decades of global environmental decline as a result of human activity. “We believe that by working together with businesses and the community, including establishing a citizen assembly, we can collectively bring about change that will ensure Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole play a meaningful role in tackling climate change.” A full report outlining the actions and including clear quantifiable milestones will be submitted to Full Council in December.
Results of 2019 firearms and ammunition surrender
D
orset Police have confirmed that 82 items were handed in during the firearms and ammunition surrender between 20 July–4 August. These were: Air rifles 16. Air pistols 14. Shotguns 11. Rifles 1. Handguns 2. Ammunition 30 lots. Components 6. Pyrotechnics 2. Blank firing weapons 2. CS/”Pepper” spray 2. Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said, “Dorset does not have a serious problem with gun crime and remains one of the safest places in the country. However, I’m glad to see that these items have now been brought into the police so they can be safely destroyed, rather than running the risk of them ending up in the wrong hands.”
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Run for local young people and other news from the JTYAF
Expedition Maroon Eagle, checked in, ready for take-off – destination Ghana
H
ere at the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) we’re really grateful for this opportunity to bring you up to date with our news. Huge thanks to MAGS4DORSET for their continued support. The 10 Air Cadet Junior Leaders selected for this JTYAF funded trip to rural Ghana will be spending three weeks supporting communities living in poverty. Working alongside Village by Village, a local charity, the 2019 expedition aims to complete the building of the John Thornton Presby
Junior High School in the village of Obom. This school has been adopted by the Ghanaian government with funding and provision of teachers for at least 10 years. In next month’s column we will be able to update you on their achievements. The JTYAF was also delighted to contribute towards the cost of a trip to the International Space School Educational Trust, at NASA USA, for a group of five students from Victoria Education Centre. Many of the students have life limiting conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the majority
MAGS4DORSET
Charity of the Year John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation
are wheelchair users. This trip guaranteed that their disabilities do not affect the opportunities that are open to them and enabled them to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. If you’d like to help us to make a difference to local young people’s lives, there’s still time to sign up for the Bournemouth Marathon Festival. This takes place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October with distances ranging from the Kids Kilometre to a full Marathon. We’d love to have you on the team. Our Christmas Bingo will not be quite as energetic! Tuesday 3 December at the Cumberland Hotel. Tickets are available on our website at www.jtyaf. org together with more information about the work we do. Linda Thornton JTYAF
News in Brief Poole power station – The private sector-led development for the former power station site in Poole has stalled and so BCP’s Cabinet has agreed to look into acquisition of the site with support from Homes England and the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (DLEP). BIC’s future – a feasibility study is to be undertaken to look into the future of the BIC, which was built in 1985. Options include the refurbishment or replacement of the centre to re-imagine it for the next 30 plus years.
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Conservative Cabinet dissolved Following what has been exposed as ‘unlawful cabinet structure’ at Ferndown Town Council, the political set up led by the Conservatives was overturned on 22 July. The Conservatives took control of the council in May this year. At an Extraordinary General Meeting on 29 July, Cllr Hanson Graham described the cabinet manoeuvre as a “deceitful political stitch-up.” He requested a full independent report and said he believed it would be a good idea if Cllr Mike Parkes stood down. Cllr Parkes had been the leader of the cabinet-run council since being voted into the position in May. At the EGM, the council reverted to a committee-run system and most of the six committees were agreed on the night. Following the meeting, Cllr Mike Parkes said, “I won’t be standing down from the Town Council as the Conservative group acted collectively with the best of intentions based on local advice and guidance given following the local elections in May. Had any of the group been aware that this would have put the council
in an unlawful position then it would not have pursued the revised governance model. Sadly, this poor advice has distracted attention from the positive work that all members of the Town Council are undertaking within the town.” Mayor, Cllr Julie Robinson, said that following concerns being raised, relating to previous advice that the council had received, members had sought professional legal advice. As a result, the council had resolved to return to the committee system of governance. “The council would like to assure the community that it is working hard to maintain and improve the beautiful environment that we are privileged to live in, and will endeavour to deliver services and listen to the community for the benefit of all Ferndown residents,” she said. The next full council meeting is on 9 September, 7pm, at the Barrington Centre. The result of a recent by-election was: Anne Miller, Independent Voice for Ferndown Residents 202 votes (elected). Roland Jenkins, Independent Links Ware Resident 112.
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4 stone 8 pounds lighter thanks to Slimming World Sheila Scott struggled with her weight for years, which left her feeling miserable, self-conscious and at risk of serious health problems. After shedding 4st 8lbs with Wimborne’s Tuesday Slimming World Group, and keeping it off for four years, she is a different woman. She joined the group five years ago when she Before needed a knee replacement and though she had tried lots of diets in the past, nothing had really worked. “I was thrilled when I managed to get onto Livewelldorset's weight management referral scheme to attend the group free of charge for 12 weeks,” said Sheila. “When I first stepped into Louise’s class my confidence was low and I was quite nervous but I needn’t have worried. The group was full of support and since I’ve joined I have made some wonderful friends.” She was amazed at just how many foods she After could eat in unlimited amounts and soon realised she could fill up on amazing everyday meals, like spaghetti Bolognaise, curries, chillies and roast dinners. “My favourite meals at the moment include chicken tray bake, cottage pie and red wine chicken with celeriac mash. I’ve never felt like I’m missing out as I still enjoy “naughty” things each day too within the plan. "Within the year I was thrilled to have lost 4 stone 8lbs and I have kept it off ever since, and dropped from a size 20 to a size 10/12. “What I love most about my weight loss is I am so much healthier and more confident. I am able to keep up with my grandchildren, and I enjoy trips out and of course being able to buy lovely clothes. Plus I now help out in the group on the social team each week, which I love. It’s so vitally important to stay with the group for the fantastic support on offer. Thank you Slimming World.” Louise Seddon’s gold award-winning group runs on Tuesdays at the Community Learning and Resources Centre in Wimborne. Taster sessions are offered. If you would like to find out more, just turn up or call Louise on 07902 566149. Livewelldorset offers free 12-week referrals if you are eligible. Log onto their website to see if you qualify.
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Ferndown’s Plastic Free Champions!
Plastic Free Ferndown has now handed out plaques to 15 Ferndown businesses that have become Plastic Free Champions. All have replaced or removed at least three items of single use plastic from their business. The latest is The Hungry One run by Ian McCreadie. The café uses metal cutlery, paper bags, paper straws and paper cups instead of plastic.
Each business has been verified by the national award winning charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) that supplies the awards. As well as these champions, there are a number of community allies supporting Plastic Free Ferndown. Friends of Uddens & Cannon Hill Woodlands is the most recent. This local conservation charity has volunteers who clear
litter in the woodland and recycle it where possible. They also do what they can to minimise the use of single use plastics by using ceramic mugs, not plastic; tap water not bottled water; and are careful to use teabags without a plastic content. There are 12 further community allies in Ferndown. If you would like to become a champion or an ally, get
in touch with community leader Janine Pulford on 01202 870270 or contact PFF on Facebook. She said, “Our campaign is growing daily. Ferndown should be proud of its achievements. We will let residents know as soon as the town has achieved plastic free status at which time we hope to hold an event that everyone can join in with.”
Ferndown Florist, Nicole
MAGS4DORSET, Ben Pulford
Fernhill Dementia Care, Gina Smith, Colten Care
Ferndown Pharmacy, Sharon Pharoah
Xerocad, Stuart Fleetham
New Forest Tree of Life, Claire Brooks
Pooltime Pro, Gemma Dixon
The Bay Tree, Debbie Brooke
The Flying Teapot, Luke Armstrong
Eazy Garden, Tom Clark
Kiteleys Solicitor, Samantha Linford
Beacon Café, Paul Craddock
AE Jolliffe & Son, Vince White & team
Pennys Café, Paula Jones
The Hungry One, Ian McCreadie
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4DORSET September 2019
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health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity .
New programme to tackle domestic abuse
Dorset Police have partnered with domestic abuse charity The Hampton Trust to launch an innovative new programme. Dorset Police data shows the number of domestic crimes increasing year on year. In the 2018/19 financial year, offences linked to domestic abuse accounted for 12.5 per cent of all crime in the county. In a scheme commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, perpetrators of domestic abuse in the county will attend two full-day Cautions and Relationship Abuse (CARA) workshops as part of a conditional caution
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issued by police, in turn part of the wider Dorset Domestic Abuse Strategy. The first of its kind in the UK, CARA workshops are an early-intervention method designed to target low-risk offenders and work with them to prevent reoffending and ensure victim safety. Of those who attended workshops, 94 per cent reported a change in attitude towards their partner, while 91 per cent felt it assisted with issues in their relationship. Chief executive of The Hampton Trust Chantal Hughes said, “CARA is designed to intervene far earlier than has ever been done in criminal justice before, with the aim to make our communities safer and ease pressures on front line services.” The workshops use a mix of educational and therapeutic techniques to help offenders understand domestic abuse while at the same time recognising and managing their behaviour. For more information on CARA and the work of The Hampton Trust visit www. thehamptontrust.org.uk
4DORSET September 2019
When you need a friend A local group is working to help people who don’t have any family or friends nearby or who are unable to leave the house through mobility issues. Wimborne and Colehill Befriending Service is a self-funded charity whose volunteers try to alleviate this isolation by visiting for a cup and tea and chat on a regular basis. Volunteers give up an hour or two each week to make someone’s life that little bit brighter. The group matches volunteers and clients with similar
People are invited to take part in the Forest Holme Great Hospice Hike on Sunday 29 September from 10am. Guided by a professional walk leader, this scenic circular hike of approximately seven miles takes in some of Dorset’s most beautiful views beginning at Heath Green Road in Studland. Registration costs £15, which includes a goody bag and certificate, and participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50. For more information and to register contact Charlie on 01202 670644 or email fundraising@forestholmehospice.org. uk. Pictured are young participants during last year’s event.
interests or backgrounds, so there is never a shortage of things to chat about. All volunteers are DBS checked and carry identification so clients can be sure of the person who is visiting them. If you have some time on your hands and feel you would like to be involved as a volunteer or if you live in the BH21 area, are feeling isolated and would like to see a friendly face on a regular basis please get in touch. Email – wimbornebs@ royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or telephone 07736 825378
What an inspiration! 12-year-old Poole girl Verity Warner has raised £680 for Lewis-Manning Hospice by organising a bake sale. Neighbours and passersby stopped to purchase cakes. Well done Verity.
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health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity .
Close shave raises over £1,000
Jane Burkin, one of PramaLife’s Memory Lane leaders, raised a total of £1,010.50 by undergoing a head shave. The funds will be used towards supporting people with dementia and memory loss. PramaLife now manages 11 Memory Lane Groups across Dorset - working with over 334 people who attend these activities each month.
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Back to Sports Which sport are you into at Ferndown Leisure Centre? Jump into Gymnastics Gymnastics is a fantastic sport for all ages and sessions are developed through close links with British Gymnastics. If tumbling, rolling and jumping is your thing, then gymnastics is for you. Trampolining Whether you enjoy bouncing in the back garden and want to improve your skills, feel like trying it for the first time, or are looking to improve. Sessions are run by highly qualified staff to ensure it’s safe and fun so you can enjoy bouncing and learning new skills. Sessions are developed through close links with British Gymnastics. Badminton Badminton is an easy sport to learn and can be a very social game. The speed of the shuttlecock also makes this one of the quickest of the racket sports. It can be played at any pace, making it enjoyable for all ages. Qualified coaches, David and
Arran, will help develop your skills and get a love for the game. Dancing With a Stagecraft approach, join Amy for a mixture of dance, drama and singing. Squash Ferndown Leisure’s squash coaches are passionate about getting families playing, so this is the ideal opportunity to learn how to play or improve your skills. Both squash and racketball (same court, bigger racket, bigger ball) can be enjoyed from 5 years to adults. An assortment of racket and ball sizes will help ease you into the sport, so pick up a racket and give it a go. Learn to Swim If you can swim, you can enjoy all of the exciting activities that the water has to offer. Ferndown Leisure offers lessons for all ages taught by qualified teachers who work to Swim England’s Learn to Swim Pathway in all sessions. For more information on any of these sports please contact Ferndown Leisure on 01202 877468.
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Increasingly popular alternative to residential care Lorraine Maher, Bluebird Care care manager, explores the increasingly popular alternative to residential care. Live-in care has several advantages over residential care. At home, individuals have access to personal comforts and their community. Routine can easily be personalised. We all know how important it is for people living with memory problems to have their own personal routine and habits upheld and not a daily routine that has been created to support the needs of many. Bluebird Care aims to have one care professional with you for several weeks providing one-to-one attention. On their breaks, a full handover to another care
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4DORSET September 2019
professional by a supervisor who knows you will ensure this transition period runs seamlessly. Bluebird Care is a national provider of home care with each office run by local individuals or families who believe in providing personalised care for loved ones. If you are considering live in care, the first step is to contact your local office and a member of the Bluebird Care team will arrange an initial no-obligation visit giving you the opportunity to ask all your questions face-toface. Call 01202 977200 for more details.
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health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity .
Louis Ross Foundation makes a difference The Louis Ross Foundation has made its eighth round of donations since the charity was set up in memory of the 17-year-old Canford School pupil, who died tragically in a skiing accident in 2015. Four donations totalling £6,126 have been handed out as follows: £2,000 to five-year-old Charlie. With quadriplegic cerebral palsy, severe gastro-reflux requiring tube-feeding and sensory processing disorder, Charlie and his family face many difficulties. The funding will help send this family on a tailor-made holiday to ‘Give Kids The World’ in Florida. £2,000 went to Mosaic, the Dorset charity
supporting bereaved children and young people. £2,000 to The Red Lipstick Foundation, a Hampshire-based charity offering help and support to families who have been affected by suicide or sudden death. Finally, £126 went to 15-year-old Charlie, a pupil at Montacute Specialist School in Poole, to fund his place on the school’s Bronze D of E activity. The charity has now donated almost £68,000 to worthy causes.
Mental health course A Mental Health First Aid course is being held at Turbary Resource Centre in Ferndown over two Saturdays – 28 September and 5 October, from 9.304pm. A light lunch will be provided. It will teach participants to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues; to provide help on a first aid basis; to effectively guide others in the right direction towards support and to improve self-awareness and
understanding of one’s own wellbeing. There is a cost involved in this training but subsidies are available. Volunteers are welcome to apply. There are only 12 spaces on the course and if you are not allocated one, you will be offered one on a future course. Book via www.nhfaengland.org. For further information contact Sue Sutherland on 07866 692528.
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Independent Hearing Services Independent Hearing Services Ltd is owned and run by Ray and Marianne Jones, Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers and Fellows of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists. The business was established in 1988 and is based in Ferndown but Ray and Marianne specialise in home visits, meaning that clients have no concerns regarding parking and never need to waste time in a waiting room. Home visits and hearing tests are provided free of charge and the couple are committed to finding the right aid to suit each client, based on individual
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considerations of comfort, style and budget. Marianne and Ray have been looking after the hard of hearing for more than 30 years and pride themselves in offering high quality hearing care with honest, reliable and compassionate treatment. A full aftercare service is included. If you have any concerns regarding your hearing please call Independent Hearing Services on 01202 861522 to discuss further or to book a free hearing test. Flexible appointments are available.
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health and care
High Sheriff visits catering charity The Crumbs Project’s newly appointed chairman, Peter Jones welcomed Dorset’s High Sheriff, Philip Warr and several other distinguished guests to a tour of the charity’s training facility and an Italian inspired lunch prepared by Crumbs’ mixed ability trainees. Based in Bournemouth, The Crumbs Project offers vocational training for adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues, or those recovering from stabilised addictions and brain injuries. Through a mix of practical skills training and work experience, trainees learn fundamental skills in catering, hospitality, administration and housekeeping. The High Sheriff of Dorset, Philip Warr said, “It has been a humbling experience
visiting The Crumbs Project to see the trainees in action- they have done a superb job at creating a delicious meal for us. I was also very impressed with the professional training facility here at Crumbs, which offers trainees the opportunity to learn within a commercial catering environment.”
L-R, Craig Thatcher, Peter Jones, Keith Randall and Philip Warr
Wimborne Rotary has made a donation of £2,000 to Faithworks Wessex which runs five foodbanks locally including the Wimborne Foodbank. The other foodbanks are at Christchurch, Poole, Southbourne and Blandford. Pictured at the Wimborne Foodbank is Rotary president, Neil Hutchinson, Rotarian Darryl Reach, Sharon Keenan, co-ordinator for Wimborne Foodbank, Nick Bold, Life Centres project manager for Faithworks Wessex, together with some of the foodbank volunteers.
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Retirement property - Why buy when you can rent? Renting in later life can be an unfamiliar choice to many, especially those who have always owned their own property. More and more people are realising that the rental option is an attractive lifestyle alternative to buying. By selling up and downsizing you can release funds to enjoy in your retirement or perhaps help family. Services and maintenance of the property and development are taken care of within your rent so the stresses and burdens of maintaining your own home are gone. And by renting on an assured ‘lifetime’ tenancy you can keep the same level of security as owning your own home but with the freedom to choose where and when to move. Girlings Retirement Rentals have retirement properties to rent nationwide, with many available in Dorset or perhaps you are planning to move further afield? Girlings customers Pauline and David Harpin are enjoying all the benefits of living in a retirement development and discovering the advantages of renting since they moved back from Spain to settle in Homeport House, Southport last year.
David says, “We’ve been very happy since we moved in, the flat is plenty big enough for us – and as neither of us is in great health, the lift up to the first floor is very useful. There are regular coffee mornings in the communal lounge, and we’ve met lots of nice people.” Pauline says, “The apartment was available on an assured tenancy which was a big factor in the decision as it means we can stay as long as we like. I can’t fault the service from Girlings, the communication was excellent. We collected the keys and moved in to the property straight away, there were no hiccups.” Girlings, the UK’s leading specialist in renting retirement properties, can help with your next move, leaving you to relax and enjoy the independence and freedom of renting in later life. Call free on 0800 525 184 or visit www.girlings.co.uk to discover properties available in your area and find out more about renting.
Pauline and David
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| 19
education / the future relies on what we learn today.
Grammar school entrance test date is fast approaching by Louise van Wingerden
T
he test date for 2020 entry to the Bournemouth and Poole Grammar Schools is set, as usual, for the third weekend in September, which this year falls on Saturday 21 September. One test is taken for all four schools in the Consortium, which consists of Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Poole Grammar and Parkstone Grammar. This means that children whose parents want them to be considered for more than one of the Consortium schools do not have to take multiple tests. Entrants must register to take the test by noon on Friday 6 September 2019. We can consider ourselves lucky in Dorset to still have these selective schools, which are a great force for social mobility and therefore of considerable benefit to our local communities. Most grammars were abolished during the 1960s and 70s, when they were either closed or amalgamated with other local schools to form comprehensives. During this time the number of state maintained grammar schools in England dropped from 1200 to 163, but by simply taking no action the remaining establishments managed to hang on until they finally regained official approval with the recent endorsement of Theresa May (herself an ex-grammar school pupil). In recent years, thousands of new places for grammar school pupils have been provided and this expansion is set to continue. Of course, selective schools are not for everyone. The main aim for all young people should be that they become wellrounded citizens and find something they enjoy doing, which if they are lucky will form
the basis of a career. Regardless of which school a child attends, he or she will thrive with the right attitude to learning and the help of supportive parents. For academically motivated students, grammar schools can offer the opportunity to learn at a higher level, in an environment of like-minded pupils. They prove their worth by consistently achieving impressive results, not only in the academic sphere but also in sports and other extra-curricular arenas. This perception of improved educational opportunities offered by the grammars means there are thriving tutoring services on offer in the local area to improve students’ understanding of the subjects tested – currently English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning. For an able child however, tutoring shouldn’t be necessary. It can actually be a very rewarding process for parent and child to simply work through practice papers together (beginning well in advance of the test date so that the process is relaxed and enjoyable). The practice papers familiarise students with the format of the test and help bring them up to speed (most Year Six students will be able to answer the questions, but the trick lies in learning to complete them in the limited time available). The test taken for our local schools is set in a multiple-choice format, and the schools do their best to make the experience as stress-free as possible. All the necessary information for those interested in applying to these valuable local institutions, as well as links to some free practice papers and information on where to buy more, are available on the Consortium schools’ websites.
Dorset teenager played at Wimbledon Toby Samuel, 16, a pupil at The Bournemouth Collegiate School, made his Wimbledon debut in June after being granted a wild card just two days before the tournament. For his achievements, Toby, who since he was 10, has ranked first for Great Britain in every age group, was able to play in the Wimbledon Junior Championships. Toby said, “When I found out I’d been given the opportunity to play in the main draw, I was just so excited to go out there and give it my best.” Toby started to play tennis at St Leonards and St Ives tennis club at the age of just three. Toby in action A Dorset swim champion who had signed with AFC Bournemouth football academy, tennis has always been Toby’s favourite sport. Although he didn’t win in either the singles or doubles tournaments Toby said he was glad of the opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the world. He hopes to return to Wimbledon next year.
Praise for St Michael’s Middle School St Michael’s CE Middle School at Colehill, which is part of Wimborne Academy Trust, has received an ‘excellent’ rating in a recent SIAMS – Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools. Headteacher, Ron Jenkinson, said, “At St Michael’s we pride ourselves on having high academic aspirations for our pupils combined with providing a well-rounded, creative and spiritual education. “This fantastic inspection result is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff and students.” Inspector Lizzie McWhirter, who visited the school at the end of June, said children are inspired to achieve well, and staff are relentless in ensuring pupils enjoy school and are passionate about meeting their social and well-being needs. She noted how St Michael’s supports a school in Sudan, works with local charity Routes to Roots and is a Dorset eco award winner.
Pupils with WAT chairman of Trustees John Dickson, headteacher Ron Jenkinson and Wimborne Academy Trust CEO Liz West
Perfect weather, mischievous monkeys and active apes made this year’s Variety The Children’s Charity trip to Monkey World in Dorset a big success. Nearly 200 children from Bethany and Linwood schools in Bournemouth, Beaucroft School in Wimborne, Mark Way School in Andover and St Edwards School in Poole enjoyed a fascinating day observing the antics of the rescue centre’s residents. For more information about Variety contact Frances Cornelius francesaaa@aol.com. Photo by Hattie Miles
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education / the future relies on what we learn today.
Student’s fast track to long jump success Alfie Why, 14, a student at St Edward’s School in Poole, won first place in long jump at the English Schools Athletic Association (ESAA) Track & Field Championships after realising his talent just three months beforehand. Alfie’s journey began after a Dorset school competition in which he won the first-place prize, despite never having competed in long jump before. It was after this that he was invited to compete in a regional level long jump competition, where he also won first place. Alfie now ranks as the third best long jumper in the country for his age and is a member of the Dorset County Athletics Squad. Alfie said, “Going from a school competition to the Dorset County Athletics Squad in a matter of months was an unbelievable experience
for me. When I entered for the long jump competition, I never expected this to be the outcome.” As part of the 32-strong Squad, he won the competition with a jump of 6.65 metres – 23 cm longer than the second place athlete. St Edward’s allowed Alfie time off school to compete and also contributed to the cost for him to travel and enter in the ESAA competition. Michael Antram, headteacher of St Edward’s School, said, “The whole of St Edward’s School are incredibly proud of Alfie’s achievements in such a short space of time.” Having no previous experience with athletics and long jump, Alfie is now a member of Bournemouth Athletics Club and plans to continue competing in long jump competitions.
Private schools in our local communities By Louise van Wingerden Some of us might consider independent schools to be bastions of privilege, far removed from the everyday realities of the communities where they are based, but these days that view can be far from the truth. There are many independent schools in Dorset and these benefit the community in various ways. Apart from supporting our businesses and services, they employ local people, and often open their impressive facilities to the public. For example, Talbot Heath in Bournemouth has a new multi-million pound STEAM Hub – opening on Friday 13 September – which has been conceived to help pupils think across the important disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths. The Hub also includes gallery and exhibition space which will be made available to the local business community and a swimming pool which, as well as being used by staff and pupils, will be home to Poole swimming club. Independent schools are sometimes criticised on the basis that although they are registered as charities and therefore receive tax benefits, they do little to justify their charitable status. However, in fact only 75% of private schools are charities and there is a tendency for new ones not to set themselves up in this way. And all private schools save the government paying for the education of their pupils – according to the 2018 Annual Report on Education Spending in England, the cost of state education is £4,700 for each primary school child and £6,200 for each child at secondary school. Whether or not private schools are
registered as charities, many become involved in local community projects. One illustration of this is Canford School in Wimborne, which has an extensive community outreach programme including sponsorship of the Bourne Academy (previously King’s High School) in East Howe. For more than 10 years Canford has offered its time, expertise and support to the Academy free of charge - all of which has proved invaluable. Dumpton School, also based in Wimborne, has a thriving science exchange programme with Hampreston School, has provided the local Rotary Club with a venue, and makes its accessible minibuses available to the Green Island Holiday Trust, which provides holidays to disabled residents of Dorset and Hampshire. And Moyles Court School, which is situated in the heart of the New Forest, near Ringwood, is also entwined with its local community. In fact, the school recently arranged a visit from Agister Jonathon Morelli, who explained to pupils how the Forest is run and taught them how to enjoy and respect it and all the animals that graze within. Independent schools, then, are an integral part of the communities in which they are situated, earning the fondness and respect of those who live in the area. They can also be more accessible than you think. Reduced fees are often available in the form of scholarships, bursaries or a mixture of both. Details of such help can be found on the websites of each institution or by contacting them directly.
Meaningful activities for young people Alfie Why with his first place medal
A total of 83 young people taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) completed a sponsored walk from Boscombe Pier to Hengistbury Head. The following week they participated in work in the local community. NCS is a government scheme, administered locally by Bournemouth-based charitable housing association BCHA, created for all 15-17 year olds with courses taking place during the autumn and summer holidays. It offers meaningful activities without impacting on educational timetables. A few of the teenagers are pictured.
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Great British Beach Clean
Wimborne Minster – Portrait of a Town
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is appealing for people to adopt a beach and lead a clean-up and survey during this year’s Great British Beach Clean between 20 and 23 September.
D
uring last year’s event, volunteer cleaners picked up over 600 items of litter for every 100m of UK coastline surveyed. Just short of 15,000 volunteers took part – double the number in 2017. A total of 494 beaches were cleaned, an increase of 155 on the previous year. “Cleaning so many individual beaches last year was a fabulous achievement by our volunteer cleaners and organisers,” says Lizzie Prior, MCS beachwatch officer. “But we know that it’s only the tip of the iceberg.” She said there were hundreds of beaches that had never been cleaned and surveyed. Data collected by volunteers from the 25 years of MCS-led Great British Beach Cleans has been instrumental in the introduction of the 5p single-use carrier bag charge, the ban on microbeads in products like shower gels and toothpastes, the commitment to a Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland (and the consultation on one in England and Wales), and a ban on plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in England from next year. “This year we’re appealing for more people to adopt a beach and become one of our army of beach clean organisers,” says Lizzie Prior. “It’s an absolutely vital role because the more beaches we have litter data for, the clearer the picture we will have of where it all comes from and what needs to be targeted next.” To become a Great British Beach Clean organiser, find a beach you want to clean, sign up and register it at mcsuk.org/beachwatch and MCS will provide you with all the help you need. The Great British Beach Clean will be sponsored by the Ocado Foundation, the charitable arm of the online supermarket, to the tune of £300,000 as part of the Environmental Pillar of its ‘Ocado Way 2020 Vision’. Locally, Dorset Wildlife Trust is highlighting the worrying presence of nurdles on Dorset beaches saying these tiny beads of plastic have been found in their hundreds of thousands at Kimmeridge Bay alone. Nurdles are small plastic pellets 3-5mm in diameter which, when melted together, are used by industry to make plastic products. The lightweight nurdles can escape into the environment, spilling into rivers and oceans during transportation. It is thought that billions are lost in the UK each year. They pose a huge danger to wildlife, as they
– by Alan R Bennett
can be easily mistaken for fish eggs and swallowed by MCS beach cleaning crew seabirds, fish and even crabs and lobsters. They can also
Nurdles at Kimmeridge © DWT
soak up the toxins from their surroundings, which then accumulate in the tissues of the animals that eat them. If you are appalled by this invasion of nurdles and can’t wait to get going on a beach clean, Dorset Free Litter and Sea is asking everyone to do a ‘2-minute beach clean’ when they are visiting a beach in Dorset. There are 10 beach cleaning stations in the county, including one at Studland, which provide bags and litter pickers. You can also take part in the Great British Beach Clean with Dorset Wildlife Trust on 20 to 23 September. Visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/events
Help mammal conservation by recording roadkill
Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling on volunteers to record sightings of mammals, dead or alive, as part of its annual Mammals on Roads survey. The data helps conservationists to see changing population trends and identify where conservation action is needed and for which species. PTES is asking anyone using Britain’s roads to record and submit sightings via the free Mammals on Roads app – available on both Apple and Android smartphones via Google Play and the App Store. You can also see and post updates on social media using #MammalsOnRoads David Wembridge, mammal surveys coordinator, said, “Mammals on Roads began over 18 years ago, and though no-one likes seeing roadkill, recording such sightings every year tells us how wild mammals are faring in the surrounding landscape. For example, thanks to the many volunteers who’ve submitted records over the last two decades we found out that hedgehog numbers are plummeting. Now, we’re doing everything we can to help this species, but we wouldn’t have known they were in trouble without volunteers helping us.”
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Book review by Marilyn Barber If you love the town of Wimborne Minster and want to know absolutely everything about it and the people and organisations that go into making it such a vibrant community, this 350-page volume crammed full of facts and colour photos is a must for your bookshelves. It gives an account of nearly two years in the life of the town, beginning on 1 January 2017 in the Square at midnight, and ending in August 2018 with the wedding of former ‘Brief Encounter’ film actress Margaret James to Rob Cave in the Minster church. Events featured include the Pancake Race, the Southern Town Crier Competition, the Civic Thanksgiving service, the General Election, Wimborne Minster Folk Festival and the Wimborne in Bloom Duck Race. There are interviews with prominent local folk such as Sir William Hanham, custodian of Deans Court, Eddie Howe, AFC Bournemouth manager, Laurence Hewitt, Wimborne Town Clerk, Malcolm Angel, founder of Wimborne Literary Festival and local councillor Robin Cook. Alan deals with such local subjects as housing and the property market, as well as marking major news events that occurred during those months including the Manchester Arena bombing, the Grenfell Tower fire and the Salisbury poisoning. Available from many local outlets, this is one book that you will want on your coffee table.
Stoat © Paul Bunyard
Wild rabbit. © Paul Bunyard
An absorbing read, as Callum at MAGS4DORSET discovers © CatchBox
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foodie news
Award-winning chef is back! Local lovers of Indian food will be delighted to hear that award-winning chef Alam has returned to Cinnamon in Victoria Road, Ferndown. If you’re looking for great Indian cuisine, your taste buds will be in for a treat at Cinnamon with a new menu including Alam’s award-winning dish, classic staff curry, perfected over the last 19 years. “It’s truly delicious,” says a smiling Alam. “I wish everyone could try it just once, my mouth waters just thinking about it.” The reason it’s so good is because of a secret, lovingly crafted garam masala mix and the lucky people of Ferndown don’t need to travel far to taste it. They can even order a staff curry, or any other curry on the menu, and get the food delivered to their
door, ready to eat. Returning to the town he loves, Alam is greatly enjoying catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones. This means more to him than the awards he’s won. “There is nothing better than seeing people enjoying my food and it feels great to be back. This is my home and I love the people here.” Wednesday night is banquet night, and at lunchtime you can enjoy an express lunch platter for £9.95. Don’t delay, call in and say “Hello” to Alam; you will get a very warm welcome. He says, “I have personally put together a menu that has something for everyone, so please, come and enjoy a delicious meal at my place, you won’t be disappointed.”
‘Best before’ and ‘use-by’ dates When consuming food, the use-by date is important. Food with a use-by date goes off quickly, even if it looks and smells fine and has been stored correctly. Food should not be eaten after the use-by date has passed. If freezable, it should be frozen up to the use-by date. It can then be defrosted and eaten at a later date, but should be eaten quickly as it will go off rapidly. For the use-by to be a valid guide, you must follow storage instructions. The best before date is about quality. Food will be safe to eat after this date but its flavour and texture might not be as good. The best before date appears
on a wide range of frozen, dried, tinned and other foods. The best before date will only be accurate if the food is stored according to the instructions on the label. Shops can sell food once the ‘best before’ date has passed, however, selling food past its ‘use-by’ date is a criminal offence. Dorset Council Trading Standards would like to know if you find someone selling food past its use-by date. To report something to Trading Standards or for advice about goods or services you have bought, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.
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around & about / what’s happening in your area.
what’s on
this month Details were correct at the time of going to print but readers are advised to check before attending events
Now until 6 September
Paint Freedom – art exhibition by Bob and Roberta Smith at Shire Hall, Dorchester. Free with valid Museum Annual Pass. National Trust members get £1 off entry, and there is free entry to the museum for Arts Fund Members. For more information visit shirehalldorset.org or call 01305 261849.
4-28 September 10-4pm
Poole Leisure Painters Autumn Exhibition, Monday to Friday Wimborrne Resource and Learning Centre, 41 - 44 King Street, Wimborne BH21 1EA visit www,pooleleisurepainters. co.uk.
6–8 September
Poole Blues Festival, Poole Quay. Details 07802 656570.
6–8 September
Swanage Folk Festival with concerts at venues around the town. Plus workshops and music sessions in local pubs.
7-8 September 2-5pm
The Secret Garden and Serles House, 47 Victoria Road, Wimborne. Unusual plants. Bygone age fantasy. Admission £3.50, children free.
9 September 2.30pm
West Moors Horticultural Society illustrated talk ‘The Gardens of Singapore’ by Christine Bennett at West Moors Memorial Hall. More details: Sue Hamlett on 01202 871536.
9 September 2-4pm Get to know your Ipad at Fordinbridge Library. Also 16 and 23 Sept. Book on 01425 657524 or www.hants.gov.uk/ shop.
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10 September 7pm
At Ringwood library, Jane Fox, a professional genealogist specialising in Victorian and Edwardian Society, discusses the life and history of the female inebriate in Victorian England. Tickets £5, book on 01425 474255 or at www.hants. gov.uk/shop.
10 September 7.30pm
Andrew Leeder will talk to Broadstone Horticultural Society about ‘Container Gardening’ at the War Memorial Hall, Tudor Road, Broadstone. Visitors very welcome. Membership is £5 which gives you a discount at a number of nurseries. For more information tel 01202 695873 or 01202 697241, www. broadstonehortsoc.blogspot. co.uk.
13 September
Rock for Heroes. Tunes from across the eras in celebration of Help For Heroes performed by a full live rock band, superb singers and comedy at the Barrington Theatre. Expect to hear covers from your favourite bands, including Dire Straits, Status Quo, Queen, David Bowie, Bryan Adams and many more. Tickets from the box office: 01202 894858.
14 September 2.15pm for 2.30pm
The Dorset branch of the World Ship Society will hear a talk on the story of Stoker James Hancock by Kevin Patience at the Broadstone Community & Arts Centre, 21 Dunyeats Road, Broadstone.
4DORSET September 2019
14 September noon-4pm
15 September 3-6pm
Wimborne Horticultural Show, Allendale Community Centre. Classes in fruit, vegetables, flowers, cookery, floral art and photography. Good plant stall and raffle. Schedules available from the Allendale Centre from the first week in September. Details from general secretary on 01202 887006.
14 September 11am-4pm
Community Fair at Holton Lee. A fun day out for all the family with stalls, games, activities, hot food, cream teas, donkeys, alpacas, live music and more! All proceeds to Livability Holton Lee.
14 September 1.30pm Verwood Horticultural Summer Show at the Memorial Hall. Entries invited from non members. Telephone Leigh Craig on 01202 821666.
14 September 2-3.30pm
Baby and Children’s nearly new sale at Broadstone Methodist Church, Lower Blandford Road, supporting the SPRING charity at Poole Hospital.
14 September 2.30pm
John Smith talks about the four Roman Emperors who ruled in succession in the year following the suicide of Nero, and their connections to Lake Farm Roman Fort (located near Wimborne Minster). At the Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth. Open to all, suggested donation of £3.
Friends of Wimborne Library garden party in the Jubilee Garden at the rear of Wimborne Town Hall, 37, West Borough. Live music, fun plant quiz and raffle. In the Council Chamber if wet. Members free, guests £2.50.
15 September 10-4pm
The Dorset Art Fair & Free Expression Arts festival. A truly all encompassing arts event, free entry, set in the picturesque riverside town of Blandford Forum (DT11 7AD). Including original art work, exhibitions, workshops, food, entertainment and more. www. free-expression.com.
15 September 12.30-4pm
Craft Fayre at the MS Centre, Church Lane, West Parley. Entrance 50p, many stalls and coffee, tea and cakes.
17 September 7.30pm
Dorset Family History Society talk by Les Mitchinson on Non Conformity – the road to Toleration at St George’s Church Hall, Darby’s Lane, Oakdale, Poole. Doors open 7pm. Meetings £2 to include refreshments Everyone welcome. Contact 01202 785623.
17 September 7.30pm
Bournemouth Electronic Organ Society present concert of popular music by Pete Shaw at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Wimborne. Visitors very welcome. £6 payable at door. Info: 01202 895254.
19 September 2pm
Ringwood U3A at Greyfriars Community Centre Phil Holt: ‘Controlling 9/11’. Phil will give a step by step understanding of the events of that fateful day from an Air Traffic Control viewpoint giving insight to the outcome.
21 September
Ringwood Carnival, entertainment on the village green from noon, processions at 2pm and 7.15pm, fireworks at 9.30pm.
21 September 9am-1pm
Wimborne Farmers’ Market, The Square.
22 September 11am-6pm
World of Love Festival, Kings Park, Boscombe. Language games and children’s activities.
25 September 11am Somerley-Borne Golf Trophy. Somerley Park Golf Club versus Wimborne Town Football Club. Details Tony Grant on 07802 667262.
25 September 2pm
Verwood in Tune presents Steve Hubble on keyboard at Verwood Hub.
27 September 2.30-4pm
BSO Dementia Friendly Cake Concert for people living with dementia and their carers at St Mary’s Church, Ferndown. Free entry. Details 01202 872050.
27 September 6-8pm
Skate party at Fryer Field, West Moors. Free event with music and pizza.
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around & about
A chance to win a family ticket to Beaulieu There will be fantasmagorical Chitty-themed fun this October half-term at Beaulieu with activities to celebrate the much-loved musical film and a last chance to see the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition. A Chitty trail will lead visitors around the attraction from 27 October-3 November, where they can hear storytelling in Palace House and join in with Chitty themed crafts. A Chitty reconstruction can be seen in action as it is driven around the grounds of the attraction and a set of cards collected from Living History characters around the site. It is also the final opportunity to see the Chitty exhibition in the National Motor Museum, which includes an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious, Lord Scrumptious’ rare Austro-
Daimler 27/80 Prince Henry, the original Child Catcher carriage, the wonderfully inventive machines of Rowland Emett, original film artwork and Chitty memorabilia. Chitty October half-term activities are included in a general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which includes entry to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear featuring new cars from the latest series, On Screen Cars, Palace House, the Secret Army exhibition, Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345. mags4dorset has teamed up with Beaulieu to offer two family tickets as competition prizes. For your chance to win a family ticket to Beaulieu in time for the October halfterm, all you need to do is answer the following question:
Q. How many years is it since the musical film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was released? Enter online at www.mags4dorset.co.uk or send your answer to Beaulieu competition at the address on page 3 of this magazine. Closing date is 30 September 2019. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity and the Beaulieu Motor Museum are not permitted to enter. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final. Personal details will be stored securely and will only be processed to determine the winner of the competition. The winner will be announced in the magazine and their details will be passed to the venue or the promoters for the purpose of allocating the prize.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
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around & about / what’s happening in your area.
Joe Brown returns to the Tivoli Joe Brown is so popular with Tivoli Theatre audiences that he is to appear for two nights – 5 and 6 October. This year he is celebrating an incredible 60 years in showbusiness. He’s passed through more genres and vagaries of the music industry than you can shake a stick at. And he’s still here, with the same haircut and a youthful effervescence (at a mere 78) and still selling out shows across the UK. Joe Brown’s first group was a skiffle group, until
he heard Little Richard, then rock ‘n roll was the only way. The Beatles supported him and George Harrison became a lifelong friend. Joe’s first big hit saved his life – it took him off on a solo tour (otherwise he’d have been in the car crash that killed Eddie Cochran). Several big hits later he was established and Joe Brown and The Bruvvers became a 60s household name. Joining him on this year’s tour is a brand new band and long-time stalwart
Be inspired to sing Have you always wanted to sing with a choir? If so, now is your chance. InSpire and Poole & Parkstone Productions are holding their first InSpired to Sing community choral workshop in September. Spend the day singing as part of a massed choir as you workshop. The day will conclude with a public performance. Tickets for the performance are free with donations gratefully received for Ehlers-Danlos Support UK. The workshop takes place on Saturday 28 September at The Spire, Poole Methodist Church, High Street, Poole, BH15 1DF. Cost is £15. Under 18s are welcome but must be accompanied by a participating adult. Book online www.pandp.org.uk/buy-tickets or telephone Clare on 07956 996656.
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Phil Capaldi. Joe always puts on a great show. The music is drawn from all over, some rock, some instrumental, a touch of gospel, some banjo and fiddle.
A feast of plays in Broadstone September brings you the chance to enjoy three plays plus a meal of fish and chips – what is there not to like? Broadstone Players Theatre Company will be performing their annual Plays ‘n Chips performances over the first two weekends of the month. This is the time when the audience sit around tables and watch three one-act plays, enjoying a fish and chip supper in the first interval and a raffle during the second interval. At the matinee, a Dorset cream tea is served rather than fish and chips. Plays ‘n Chips are a long standing and very popular item on the Broadstone calendar and this year take place on Friday 6 Saturday 7, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 September at 7.30pm. There will also be a matinee at 2.15pm on Saturday 7 September. Tickets are £10.50 including the supper or cream tea. You can reserve your seats by email to honsec@ broadstoneplayers. co.uk or phoning 07944 257928. Tickets are also on sale from Broadstone News and Wimborne Tourist Information Centre. The performances take place in Broadstone War Memorial Hall theatre.
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Chance to hear tales of top mountain bike rider Professional downhill mountain bike racer Greg Minnaar is to appear at the Regent Centre, Christchurch at 7.30pm on Tuesday 15 October. Three times UCI Downhill World Cup Champion with 21 World Cup race wins and multiple podium positions, Greg Minnaar, who races for the Santa Cruz syndicate, is unarguably one of the greatest mountain bikers in the history of the sport. In this brand new show, presented by Speakers from the Edge, Greg, who was born in South Africa, takes audiences on the journey of his incredible enduring racing career and the story of his life. He covers everything from the early days of riding enthusiasm to his rise to the very top, the bikes that helped get him there and the teams behind the legendary rider! Mags4Dorset has teamed up with the Regent Centre in Christchurch to offer two tickets to see Greg Minnaar on Tuesday 15 October at 7.30pm.
For a chance to win, all you have to do is answer the following question. Where was Greg Minnaar born? Enter online at www.mags4dorset.co.uk or send your answer to Regent Competition at the address on page 3 of this magazine. Closing date is 20 September 2019. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity and the Regent Centre are not permitted to enter. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final. Personal details will be stored securely and will only be processed to determine the winner of the competition. The winner will be announced in the magazine and their details will be passed to the venue or the promoters for the purpose of allocating the prize.
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Accomplished choir grows in strength Dorset Police Male Voice Choir, a registered charity, was established on 4 July 1995, celebrating its 21st Anniversary in 2016, when it was privileged to sing at the American Embassy in London as part of their Independence Day celebrations. Having started with just six members, the choir now numbers 50. From these small beginnings, the choir has grown, not only in numbers but also in reputation, with the quality of its singing and breadth of repertoire. The choir aims to promote male voice singing whilst providing enjoyment for its members, supporters, audiences and the wider community. Whilst the choir has a number of retired police officers within its ranks, there are unfortunately no longer any serving police officers. Notwithstanding this situation, the choir is proud to represent Dorset Police both within and outside the county. The choir, based in Bournemouth, is led by musical director Dr Jane Oakland along with the choir’s accompanists Lisa Timbs and Sue Stein. Jane Oakland has been the choir’s musical director since 2009 following her return to the UK from the Netherlands, where she sang
primarily with De Nederlandse Opera, but also with Nationale Reis Opera, Groot Omroep Koor and Vlaamse Opera in Antwerp. Since then, Jane has completed a PhD, researching career stress for professional musicians. The choir has performed throughout Dorset in many concert venues in recent years, having also performed widely in many parts of the UK and internationally in France, Guernsey, Jersey, Ireland and the United States of America. During the past 23 years the choir has helped to raise in excess of £300,000 for local, national and international charities and through its concerts, given numerous young local musicians the opportunity to perform, sometimes for the first time, in public. The choir is currently recruiting new members and anyone interested should contact the Secretary at: secdpmvc@btinternet.com or visit dorsetpolicemalevoicechoir. co.uk
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around & about / what’s happening in your area.
Macro and beyond
Kiefer Sutherland
If you have an interest in photography why not join Wimborne Camera Club which meets at 7.30pm St Michael’s Church, Colehill. On 9 September, Sue Sibley will talk about ‘Camera Club and Beyond’. There is a club competition on 16 September and Robert Harvey will talk about ‘Small is Beautiful – Macro in the Natural World on 23 September. The SAPA League battle against Wareham takes place on 30 September. Further details on www. wimbornecameraclub.org.uk/
02 Bournemouth, 3 August
Italian job for business community The first event to be hosted by AFC Business in conjunction with a match staged by AFC Bournemouth has taken place. Almost 70 business people attended the Al Fresco Evening before the Premier League club’s penultimate pre-season friendly against Italian Series A giants Lazio. The next AFC Business event is Breakfast at Vitality Stadium, on 4 September.Contact aysia.smith@afcb.co.uk for details.
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Review by Janine Pulford Kiefer Sutherland at 02 Academy Bournemouth? Could this be the famous movie star from The Lost Boys, Flatliners, Young Guns and all the other great films I grew up with, playing at a local gig? The venue was rammed and when Sutherland - yes it was him - rocked up with guitar in hand and wearing a cowboy hat, all his movies flew right out of my head. This was the new singer/songwriter Sutherland, silverlining his superstar career as a musician. Starting strong, the catchy country tunes included: Something You Love, Reckless and Me, Shirley Jean, Faded Blue Jeans, Not Enough Whiskey, Truth in Your Eyes and Open Road – a homage to all the drivers who get Sutherland and his accomplished band to gigs. With songs fuelled by his gritty voice, there was nothing not to like. He connected with the audience, explained the background of most of his songs and was genuinely appreciative that people came to see him. His apology for not writing many love songs was easily forgiven when he sang I’ll Do Anything – inspired by a Bridget Jones movie. Influenced by Cash, Nelson and Kristofferson among others, Sutherland is a passionate musician. And though he may not make his mark in quite the same way as they did, he’s already found the history books as an actor, director and producer. And hey, he’s clearly a talented musician, loves what he’s doing and seems to be living the dream.
Catch Kiefer Sutherland on tour. He’s in Southampton on 14 October. It’s a rare opportunity and worth grabbing with both hands.
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New police role for Sarah Multi-award winning chef Sarah Ali Choudhury, who worked for this magazine for a while, has embarked on a new and exciting career.
Council’s £7m Christchurch property purchase
Sarah with Chief Constable James Vaughan
South Somerset District Council has purchased Unit D1 at Christchurch Business Park for more than £7 million, following advice from UK law firm Shoosmiths. The purchase of the 68,327 square foot modern industrial unit for £7,050,000 forms part of the council’s investment strategy by providing it with an income to protect its future. It is rented to established tenant Kondor Limited, a marketing and distribution partner for Samsung. The Council says it is focused on finding value within a competitive market to meet its current £2.2 million income shortfall to continue the provision of essential public services. The property was chosen by as an investment with potential for capital growth, due to a supply and demand imbalance in the Solent industrial market, whilst supplying it with an income stream in the meantime.
She has become an independent advisor to Dorset Police, a first for someone from an ethnic minority. She explained how this came about. “I had joined the Army Covenant programme and went to an Employer Recognition Scheme event where I chatted to the Lord Lieutenant, Angus Campbell, Martyn Underhill, the Police Crime Commissioner and James Vaughan, the Dorset Chief Constable. “Mr Vaughan told me that people from ethnic minorities didn’t become involved with community events and they were hoping to do something about this.” Sarah added they were working on a project to help people in Dorset realise they could go to the police if they have concerns. “I will be working with the police to build a bridge to help restaurant owners with issues they face,” she said. An event is being held on Thursday 26 September to raise awareness about modern slavery in locations in both East and West Dorset. Restaurant owners who would like to attend can get details of the venue at www.sarahalichoudhury.com. Sarah was born in Bournemouth to a father from India and a mother from Guyana. Her husband is from Bangladesh and they have four children. “This is the most exciting part of my career. Dorset Police have given me an opportunity that is exciting on every level,” said Sarah.
Team building with Sarah Sarah Ali Choudhury was also very excited about her exclusive team building cookery class with the UK's oldest national triservice military charity, SSAFA. It took place outdoors with army veterans in a forest school located in Dorset. The opportunity came about through the British Armed Forces Covenant programme where Sarah is part of their Employer Recognition Scheme. She taught veterans suffering from PTSD to make a chicken curry, sabzi and tarka dal. Visit www.mags4dorset.co.uk for more local news please mention 4DORSET Magazine when you contact our advertisers
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motoring / keeping you on the road.
Don’t be a TOS53R Did you realise that the owner of a vehicle can be fined up to £100 if rubbish is seen being thrown out of a car window – and this includes cigarette butts.
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The roadside litter campaign, ‘Don’t be a TOS53R’ launched in Dorset last year, was designed to send a hardhitting message to drivers and their passengers that our roads are not a network of litter bins. New rules that came into force in April last year mean that local authorities can fine the owner of a littering vehicle without having to prove who threw the rubbish. Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison OgdenNewton said, “The mindless act of tossing plastic bottles and fast-food wrappers out of car windows is doing damage to our environment and our wildlife.” Billboards, bus shelters and vans across Dorset have displayed the ‘Don’t be a TOS53R’ message within the last year. It is also on show at the McDonalds Drive Thru in Ferndown, which has an average of over 6,700 cars a week that pass the sign. Daniel Heath, business manager at McDonalds said, “The war on litter shouldn’t be cleaning up our streets, but more importantly people cleaning up their act, and this campaign is displaying the message exactly as it should be told!” Litter picking costs the UK £1bn to clear litter every year, and when tossed from vehicles can cause accidents and injure our wildlife. Cigarettes are the most littered item in the world, with 75 percent of smokers reporting that they dispose of cigarettes on the ground or out of a car.
What happened when the frog parked on double yellow lines? It got toad away. Someone complimented me on my driving the other day. They left a note on the windscreen saying ‘Parking Fine’. It made my day. What snakes are found on cars? Windscreen vipers. A father is washing the car with his young son. After a moment the little boy asks, “Could we use a sponge instead?” Why did the motorcycle stay at home? It was two tyred. Why did the undertaker drive so slowly? Because he wasn’t an overtaker.
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motoring
Motorcyclist sentenced for driving whilst disqualified Motorcyclist Gavin Collett, 36, of Ashley Road, Poole, who was the target of a police road safety operation, has been disqualified from driving for 60 weeks and sentenced to four weeks in prison. A suspended sentence order of five months in prison for previous driving offences was Gavin Collett also activated, meaning Collett received a total sentence of five months and four weeks. Collett was a target of Dorset Police’s Op Dragoon, which is aimed at motorists who pose a high risk to other road users. On Tuesday 9 July officers received a report that a motorcyclist had been seen riding in a careless manner on Penn Hill Avenue in Poole. The motorcycle was registered to the defendant, who had previously been banned from holding a driving licence until 2 March 2020. The witness obtained a photograph of Collett and his motorcycle while he was stationary. Officers arrested Collett at his home on Thursday 11 July. Police Constable Sean Todd, of Dorset Police, said, “We will continue to target those who pose a high risk to other road users through repeat offending. “These efforts rely on information received from the public and I would urge anyone with information about motorists suspected of committing offences to contact us at www.dorset.pnn. police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. If a crime is in progress, dial 999.”
Staggering statistics If you are caught using a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving or riding, you’ll get an automatic fixed penalty notice three penalty points and a fine of £60. If your case goes to court, you may face disqualification on top of a maximum fine of £1,000.And yet people are still using mobiles whilst driving – and causing collisions. New research from Kwik Fit reveals that over 2.7 million drivers have had a collision or veered off the road in the last two years because they were distracted by their mobile phone. Of these drivers, just over one million had collided with another car while their attention was diverted from the road. A further four per cent of motorists, some 1.8 million drivers, have been involved in a collision in the last two years because another driver was
distracted by their phone. A quarter of motorists admit to reading texts when driving, while one in five confess to sending them. Texting is just one of the distractions from phones - the most common reasons people give for using their phone at some point while driving are to take a call on speaker (44 per cent) make a call on speaker (41 per cent) and use the GPS or satnav (40 per cent). Kwik Fit found that men are more likely to use their mobile while driving than women, with 1.7million men having had a collision or veered off the road in the last two years while distracted by their mobile, compared to 970,000 women. Drivers aged 1834 are six times as likely to have read a text while driving, and almost 13 times more likely to have sent a text, than those 55 and over.
L-R Ian Price, Hanson Contracting UK, Tanya Ruseva, Dorset Council, Jim Stewart, Dorset LEP and Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council
Major works to Blackwater Junction signals Although the nine-month scheme for major improvement on the A338/ Blackwater Junction were completed in July, motorists could still face delays as a new scheme for signal improvements has started on the B3073.
T
he scheme aims to: improve the on and off slips to the A338; improve cycle and footpath facilities on the B3073; increase junction capacity by widening the road to create an additional lane; ease congestion; improve traffic flow; increase journey time reliability and improve connectivity. Jim Stewart, chairman of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership said, “The start of these works at Blackwater West marks another important milestone and forms a key part of a series of economy-building upgrades along the busy B3073 corridor that will create better journeys, particularly for local businesses around Bournemouth Airport and Aviation Business Park.”
There will be no work on the main A338 Bournemouth Spur Road. The use of advanced temporary traffic signals will keep disruption to a minimum, as they will mimic the existing layout. Cllr Andy Hadley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, BCP Council, advised, “Drivers should try to plan ahead if they can, allowing extra time for journeys, finding alternative routes or travelling during off peak periods when delays will be minimal.” The B3073 Blackwater West Signal Improvements are scheduled to last until spring 2020. Road users are advised to sign up to the A338 travel blog or check @ TravelDorset on Twitter for updates.
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in the home / home is where the heart is .
Converting your loft In Seven ‘easy’ steps By Louise van Wingerden ‘Don’t move, improve!’ is an oft-quoted mantra and converting a loft space can be an excellent way to increase the square footage of your home. It also provides an excellent opportunity to clear out all those items that might have accumulated over the years – children’s old exercise books, unused ornaments, surplus Christmas decorations, or purely sentimental objects.
Only you know what lurks above your head in your loft space – or indeed, you might have forgotten until you finally get all of it out into the light and wonder why you ever kept that collection of old tat. No major home improvement project is straightforward, but it can help to plan ahead and break the necessary work down into manageable steps.
Step 1 DO YOUR RESEARCH It’s important that there should be enough head height in your extra room or rooms, and you’ll need to make allowance in your calculations for the installation of more substantial floor joists, plus insulation and plasterboard. You’ll also need to consider where the stairs are going to go, as they take more space than you might imagine, and you'll require a minimum of two metres headroom over them.
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Step 2 PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT OR PLANNING PERMISSION? Often, a loft extension will count as permitted development (work that you are allowed to carry out in your home without gaining planning permission). Trainee architect Charlotte Jaquest, from Bryan Tomlinson Associates, says that permitted development allows for 40 cubic metres for terraced houses or 50 cubic metres for semi- and detached houses of new roof space allowance, as long as there are no roof projections on the front elevation. However, always seek professional advice for your individual project, before you get started. The planning department of your local council are a useful starting point. You can also check with them to see if there are any specific loft conversion rules for your area. Sometimes, special provision must be made depending on where you live. For example, bats are protected by UK law and in certain areas you’ll have to have a preliminary survey to see whether you have bats in your belfry (or rather, loft) and if this is found to be the case you’ll have to take avoidance action. If your loft conversion turns out not to fit within the permitted development criteria, you’ll need planning permission. For this you have to submit a planning application to your local authority, who will either approve it, refuse it, or approve it with conditions. You’ll have to pay a fee and you’ll need professional drawings. It is best to seek advice from the planning authority itself, a local architect or a building surveyor, as this will give you a better chance of success. Once the application is submitted, you might have to wait weeks or months for approval, so be patient. And if it’s refused, don’t despair – you have the option at this stage of amending your drawings to fit in with the requirements of the local authority and reapplying, or even of appealing against the decision.
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in the home
Step 3 GET YOUR PLANS DRAWN UP At this stage, consider what you want from the space. You might not need an architect if your loft conversion falls within permitted development and your plan is simple (if you only want one extra room, for example) but if you want to build more than one room, or to include an en-suite bathroom, an architect might be able to help you make the most of your space. What you will definitely require, whether or not you need planning permission, are calculations from a structural engineer to specify whether, for example, you need additional joists for the new floor or steel supporting beams to bear the roof weight. Builders need these figures to work with –
because you won’t want your roof to collapse or for your perfect new room to fall through the ceiling of the space below. Be aware that when you convert your loft space you’ll need to think about smoke alarms in the hallways and on the landing, as well as fire doors (on all floors if you’re creating a three storey building). Also, a new bedroom will need a ‘means of escape’ window. There are many minor matters to consider too, including such details as where you want to locate light switches in the new space and how many power sockets you’ll require. A good builder should be able to advise on all of this.
Step 4 BUILDING CONTROL If you need planning permission, you need building control in addition and even if you don’t need planning permission, you’ll still need building control. You can get this done by the council or employ a private company and, of course, you’ll need to pay a fee. The inspectors will visit your property at regular intervals to ensure that the work is being carried out in accordance with the regulations. At the end of the job, the building inspectors will sign off the work and issue you with a certificate to say that it’s been done satisfactorily.
Step 5 FIND A BUILDER TO CARRY OUT THE WORK Personal recommendations are useful, as are builders with a long history of working in the area, who have a reputation to maintain. Always get a written quotation for the work – in fact, three quotes would be ideal as there can be considerable variation between prices. Once you accept a written quotation, the builder should not deviate from the agreed cost. There are many factors to consider beside price. For example, is the builder a one-man band, or does he work with a large team? This can be important if you want the work to be carried out within a reasonable timeframe. The best builders are often booked up well in advance, so try not to be in a hurry to get your work done. Once you get your well-constructed new room or rooms, it will have been worth the wait. Of course, you don’t need to have one building firm to do all the work – you can employ plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, decorators and so on separately, and project-manage the loft conversion yourself. This usually saves money but can be quite timeconsuming and necessitates someone being at home a lot of the time to let the various workpeople in and out. Continued on page 38 Visit www.mags4dorset.co.uk for more local news please mention 4DORSET Magazine when you contact our advertisers
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in the home / home is where the heart is .
Continued from page 37
© Bryan Tomlinson & Associates
Step 6 THE WORK BEGINS! Luckily, most of the structural work can take place before the stairs are put in, as long as the builders are happy to access the loft either from outside (you’ll have scaffolding erected if a dormer window is being fitted) or from a loft ladder. It’ll still be noisy but at least the mess and dust will be contained up to this point. Once the stairs go in, the loft space is more exposed to the elements so be aware that it might be colder downstairs for a while (you might have already fitted your insulation and plastered the new space in advance but work will still need to be done on the stairwell and the landing ceiling, part of which will be cut away to fit the stairs). Also during this busy time, be aware of pets – are they safe, might they be frightened of the tradespeople, could they escape if doors are accidentally left open? If any of these issues might be a factor when your building work is taking place, consider sending the pets to friends or family to be looked after in the daytimes
Step 7 A lovely new space This really is the exciting bit – a whole new area of the home to get furnished and decorated. You’ll even need to choose a new light fitting – such fun! (A word of warning here – you’d be wise to choose carpet over other choices of flooring for the loft conversion because otherwise, unless you’ve had the floor soundproofed, it will be noisy in the downstairs rooms.) Oh, and don’t forget, if you find that after all you can’t part with those items you wanted to clear out back at the beginning of the loft conversion process, provision should be made for plenty of storage space under the eaves. Back to the drawing board…
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in the home / home is where the heart is .
Your gardening jobs for this month Hopefully the weather will still be warm enough in September so we can continue to enjoy relaxing in the garden – but there is work to be done too, plenty of it!
These are just a few jobs to consider: Your herbaceous perennials should be divided, not only to keep them healthy, but to multiply your stock. If you have cold frames and greenhouses, they need to be cleaned out ahead of autumn sowing and growing. September is also the time to think about spring – so plant your daffodils, crocus and hyacinths for glorious colour. If you continue to feed and deadhead hanging basket and container plants, they will often keep going until the first frosts. And the deadheading continues for your annuals and perennials. Pruning is such a satisfying activity, so attend to any late summer flowering shrubs and climbing roses. And as far as roses are concerned, control powdery mildew by spraying shoots covered with the white fungal growth with fungicide. Prevent the disease returning in the future by ensuring soil doesn’t dry out. Give evergreen hedges a final cut to keep them looking good until the spring. Clip lavenders lightly with a pair of shears after they’ve finished flowering to remove spent blooms. You will then need to prune them again in the spring, removing around one inch of growth. Spread a 7.5cm layer of leaf mould, manure or garden compost around rhododendrons and azaleas. If mowing the lawn is your least favourite garden job, then the good news is that towards the end of the month grass growth starts to slow down. You should therefore raise the height of your mower
Accept any help you can get
blades to cope with this. September is a good time to take cuttings of plants such a half-hardy perennials and tender shrubs, which might not make it through the winter. If you have gaps in your garden, autumn is a good time to plant trees and shrubs, allowing the roots to become established before the ground freezes.
Family-run garden centre judged best in the south Stewarts Garden Centre in Christchurch has gained this year’s Garden Centre Association award for the Best Destination Garden Centre, competing with 50 of the top centres. The centre also gained the top award for its Environment and Community contributions and is a National Finalist in the Ruxley Rose Competition for Best Plant Area. Terry Head, retail and marketing director at Stewarts said, “The centre was top in 2016 and was second place last year and so it’s great to be first again. We are also pleased that our determination to increase recycling reduced our waste to landfill by 54 tons with materials including cardboard, plastic and paper.”
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The family-owned Stewarts Garden Centres can claim to have opened the first dedicated garden shop in 1955 at their Ferndown Nursery and can trace over three centuries in horticulture back to 1742.
Terry Head with members of his winning team
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specialist services / who to contact for the service you need. BRANDING
BUILDING SERVICES
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
DECORATING
DISABILITY PRODUCTS
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4DORSET September 2019
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
CARPET CLEANING
CHIMNEY SWEEP
COMPUTER SERVICES
DECORATING
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
ELECTRICIAN
ELECTRICIAN
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specialist services FENCING
FENCING
GARDENING SERVICES
LANDSCAPING
FENCING
HEATING SPECIALISTS
LANDSCAPING
PLASTERING
TILING SUPPLIERS
GARDENING SERVICES
LANDSCAPING
MAINTENANCE
LOCKSMITH
PLUMBING
ROOFING
TREE SURGERY
TREE SURGERY
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specialist services / who to contact for the service you need. TREE SURGERY
WINDOW REPAIRS
VINYL BUY & SELL
WINDOW REPAIRS
Letter of the Month Cary connection
LOCAL NEWS
Dead 'in and over' the water until autumn The Twin Sails Bridge from Poole to Hamworthy is to remain in an upright position after experiencing a second technical fault. The bridge has been operating on one lifting ram following removal of the bearing and large pin earlier this year. A new pin is being manufactured and is due to be fitted this autumn. Julian McLaughlin, Director for Growth & Infrastructure, said: “The current situation is most unfortunate but with two faults on the same side of the bridge we have no choice but to halt its operation until repaired. We have a duty to maintain and protect the structure of the bridge.” The council has a legal obligation to keep the channel open for boats, so the bridge will be left in the upright position. In the event of strong winds it will be lowered but remain out of action and re-lifted when conditions improve. Poole Bridge is still operating and the traffic lights at Blandford Road and Rigler Road in Hamworthy have been changed north to south to help manage traffic flows in the area until Twin Sails is back in service. The Sandbanks chain ferry from Poole to Studland, which suffered a fracture to one of the drive shafts and had to be suspended on 12 July, is not expected to resume service until October.
My sister - who lives in Hamworthy - has just sent me a copy of the article from Page 4 of the August issue - ‘Piece of First World War History revealed’. I am also a native of Hamworthy but am presently living in Barrow in Furness in Cumbria - just five minutes along the road from the shipyard where Submarine AE2 was built. I have been researching the story of Submarine AE2 and John Pitt Cary for many years and recently contributed to a book (published in 2015) ‘Australian Submarines - A History’ by Australian author Dr Michael White. It is possible that a study of the items referred to in the article and now lodged at the Imperial War Museum might require us to revisit some parts of that book. My congratulations and thanks to Graham Crabb for recognising the importance of the items and sending them to the Imperial War Museum.
I have taken the liberty of copying the Article to Dr Michael White, George Malcolmson - the Archivist at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport - and to Gus Mellon in Australia - who also contributed to Michel White’s book. Your readers might be interested to know that there is a Memorial here in Barrow to HMAS AE2 and her crew and to her sister submarine, HMAS AE1 and her crew, lost in tragic circumstances off Papua New Guinea in September 1914. I attach a photo of the Memorial with Commander Henri Nord-Thomson, RAN at the unveiling in May 2013 and which, coincidentally, is to be rededicated in a ceremony in Barrow on Saturday 14 September this year. Barrie K. Downer Barrow in Furness Submarines Association
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4DORSET September 2019
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InCorrespondence Alienating a large portion of the population
I am one of those, like many older people, who does not own a smartphone. Last year, we went to Hengistbury Head, a favourite walk of ours, although due to illness we had not been for some time and found ourselves unable to park as it was by phone only. There was an alternative car park mentioned, but as we did not know where it was, we were unable to use it. Due to our age, and dislike of technology, the authorities are causing further problems for a large portion of the population, and alienating it further. Brian Fagan Corfe Mullen
Dorset is up with the times
I am so pleased to see more car parking machines locally where one can pay by contactless card, or by using a PIN. I dislike the machines where you have to phone and register as they are long-winded and the calls are expensive to make. I have visited France several times over the past few years and it is so easy to park there using a card. At last Dorset is up with the times - I rarely have enough coins as parking is so expensive! Sue Bossom Bournemouth
Independent a Voice for Ferndown Residents strengthens
Our candidate Ann Miller comfortably won the 18 July Links ward by-election. Including all independents, there are now 8 Independents and 9 Conservative councillors elected to Ferndown Town Council. We hope that any further by-elections will tilt the balance in the Ferndown Residents’ favour. Following our victory the mayor has agreed to work with Ann to implement the policies put forward in our election manifesto. Our opinion was that the Heatherlands estate was neglected and we are pleased that the mayor will be working with us in an effort to change this. I understand a regular surgery will be held at the Heatherlands Centre with Ann. I have been invited by the mayor to attend. This is what our group is aiming for, an unbiased, transparent cross-party council that represents residents, not party politics. At the EGM on 24 July, I asked Cllr Mike Parkes the ex-leader of the cabinet to resign. He has stated in Viewpoint Magazine (Vol 43 Issue 10) that his group acted with the best of intentions. We do not agree, we believe the intention was to silence elected independent councillors and gain full control of the council. I have formally requested an independent enquiry be brought to investigate this matter and am pleased to report that the mayor has passed this to the Dorset Council monitoring office to proceed with an investigation. We are also pleased to report that this unlawful cabinet was brought down after legal advice was sought. After dissolving the cabinet, a committee system has been put in place and although some members voted in favour, it has appeared the new committee membership is politically biased in favour of the Tories. This is not acceptable to our group and a motion will be required to balance the structure of the committee membership if this cannot be resolved. We are proposing an increase to the task and finish group deciding the future of the Barrington Centre. We propose that four members – three from our group and one independent – are added. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who voted for us in the recent elections. We are making progress. With your support we will endevour to return democracy to our town council. Cllr Hanson Graham Spokesperson for Independent a Voice for Ferndown Residents
Don’t ignore those who are not on the Internet
With reference to your excellent article on cashless parking. This is just another example of those in authority who seem to be under the impression that only those who are on the Internet matter, and those who are not can just be ignored! It would be nice if a little thought was given to those more senior citizens who do not wish to become computer experts late in life. With regard to the point about parking: I think that many people, like myself and my wife, will simply spend their money in out of town shopping complexes where parking is free and simply stop visiting town centres altogether. Perhaps when the high street businesses start losing trade they can bring pressure to bear to ensure that visitors to their towns have a choice of how they pay for parking. Mr W G Green West Moors
Horrific air gun attacks
As the UK’s largest cat charity, Cats Protection is always horrified to learn of cases where cats have been injured or killed after being shot with an air gun. Sadly, we regularly receive reports of horrific cases across England and Wales where cats have suffered agonising injuries – often fatal – as a result of the indiscriminate use of air guns. Cats that survive frequently sustain life-changing injuries, such as limb amputation or loss of an eye. A 2016 Cats Protection survey of vets found that 46% of reported incidents result in fatalities. Many of your readers may be shocked to learn that air guns are unlicensed in England and Wales, meaning they can be legally owned by anyone over the age of 18. This is in contrast with Scotland and Northern Ireland, which both have laws in place to regulate who can own an air gun. It can therefore be no coincidence that over 90% of the air gun attacks on cats reported in the press in the UK are in England and Wales. Cats Protection is determined to change this, and our petition calling on the Government to introduce the licensing of air guns in England and Wales has gathered over 110,000 signatures. Your readers can help by signing at www.cats.org.uk/airgunspetition We’d also ask anyone with any information about shooting incidents to report them to either the police, RSPCA or RSPCA Cymru in Wales. Jacqui Cuff Head of Advocacy & Government Relations Cats Protection
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