4Dorset April 2013

Dorset’s No. 1 Independent Community Magazine

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www.mags4dorset.co.uk

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April 2013

Volume 10, Issue 9

WAGGY TAILS

EXCLUSIVE Interview with Annette Brooke MP

Animals in search of loving homes STRICTLY ASTROLOGY

with Russell Grant

GEARING UP for Christchurch Food Festival Ashley Heath | Bournemouth | Broadstone | Canford Heath | Christchurch | Colehill | Ferndown | Kinson | Merley Poole | Ringwood | St Ives | Three Legged Cross | Verwood | West Moors | West Parley | Wimborne

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Office: 01202 870270 • Email: mags@mags4dorset.co.uk • Web: www.mags4dorset.co.uk

4Dorset Volume 10 • Issue 9 • April 2013 editor Janine Pulford editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk design director Ben Pulford design@mags4dorset.co.uk graphic designer Daniel Lee design4dorset@btconnect.com account managers Mark Beechey sales@mags4dorset.co.uk Russell Harness advertise@mags4dorset.co.uk Annie Walters advertise@mags4dorset.co.uk company secretary Nick Pulford accounts4dorset@btconnect.com accounts Debbie Payne 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 £25 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.

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EDITORIA

Hello Readers

Contents

It was a hard slog bringing this mag together, not that I want sympathy, but I did have a stinker of a cold for a week and I am sure some of you will have suffered with it too.

It struck on Mother’s Day and plans went rapidly pearshaped. Ben ended up going to my Mum’s to cook her a lovely fish curry whilst I nursed a fever at home. I got a message from Louis all the way from Australia, which sweetened the hot lemon I was drinking. And my husband? He’d forgotten about Mother’s Day and was 80 miles away in France.

Work had to carry on, but luckily I have a university graduate helping me at the moment. Laurence first came to mags4dorset when he was 15 on the school work-experience programme. He now has a university degree in ‘Film’ and is gaining further work experience with our company. His aim is to get a job in London, but in the interim he is adding to his portfolio. One of his assignments was to film a video interview with Dorset’s only female MP, Annette Brooke. You can read part of his interview in this issue and also see and hear the full interview on our website, or on YouTube.

This is a first for mags4dorset.

Horoscopes are another first, by none other than the famous Russell Grant. Turn to page 27 to find out what he predicts for your star sign this month.

Our feature on Highcliffe brings another famous star into your living room and our Christchurch feature might get your mouth watering.

There is a lot going on in this April issue. Do enjoy reading it.

Janine,

Around & About, Competitions 24-26 BCU - Highcliffe & Christchurch 15-17 BCU - Restaurant Review 12 Fitness & Health 8-9 Gardening 20-21 Horoscopes 27 Interview with Annette Brooke MP 4 Motoring 30 Specialist Services 28-29 Waggy Tails Feature 22-23 Write to: The Editor, 1st Floor, King George V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9EN

NEXT COPY CLOSING DATE: 14 March 2013 The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions in order to fit in with the editorial policy and style of the magazine

Editor

Follow us at www.twitter.com/mags4dorset Leave us a comment at www.facebook.com/mags4dorset.news Join the editor www.facebook.com/janine.pulford Visit our website: www.mags4dorset.co.uk Email the editor at: editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk

More sponsors required for Pram Race With Ferndown’s inaugural pram race gathering momentum, the organisers are appealing for more sponsors and the help of qualified marshals to patrol the short route between the Ferndown pubs.

All offers of help can be channelled to the race director Tony Brown on 07515 493 490. Give him a call now and help get those ‘babies’ pushed round the town in June.

Musical Director bows out When Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society stage ‘Bats About G&S’ this spring, it will be the last show for Jean Holt, their musical director for the last 22 years.

A graduate of the Royal College of Music, Jean was for many years Head of Music at St Edwards School in Poole.

Under her baton, the society’s standards have risen to the point where the singing is regarded as the equal of any musical theatre company in the area. Prizes won at the annual Buxton International G&S Festival are evidence of her contribution and include one awarded to Jean herself as Best Musical Director.

Jean says, “I shall be very sorry to leave, as the society has been part of my life for so long. I love the people and I love the music, but it is time for me to look at something new. Perhaps the members will enjoy looking at someone new, too. I would like to thank them for all the happy times we’ve enjoyed and wish them all the best for the future.”

‘Bats About G&S’ features a staged version of Johann Strauss’s ‘Die Fledermaus’ in the first half, and a selection of G&S favourites in the second half. It is at the Barrington Theatre, Ferndown, on 10 May, the Regent Centre, Christchurch, on 17 May, and the Tivoli, Wimborne, on 18 May.

www.digitone.co.uk

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EXCLUSIVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY - CHRISTCHURCH FEATURE

An Interview with

MP Annette Brooke

LJ: You’ve been Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole for over a decade now.

How would you summarise your experiences in the role?

AB: Well, it’s been an amazing honour and privilege. It’s very difficult actually to put into words what a privilege it is to be a Member of Parliament. You have access to so many exciting things and I would say perhaps the very best thing for me is the power of my headed paper. A constituent can come to me, possibly with a very long-standing problem and they haven’t been able to get help anywhere else. A very simple letter on my headed paper actually takes that problem to the top of the pile on somebody’s desk. It doesn’t necessarily solve it, but you get an answer and that’s really important for people.

LJ: What would you say you’re most proud of having achieved in your time so far in office?

AB: There are lots of individual things I think over the time. Early on I managed to campaign for a medal for people who’d been out in the Suez Canal - prior to the main event there. I was very newly elected at the time and I just jumped in with both feet and did things I’d never do today, demanding meetings here, there and everywhere. Eventually, as a consequence of that, there was a special meeting of the Honours, Medals and Decorations sub-committee and I found myself amongst all these eminent retired servicemen and historians to discuss whether the medal should be awarded, and finally it was, which was very exciting.

LJ: In the New Year you were awarded an OBE. How did you feel about that?

AB: I felt very, very proud but I don’t really feel that its an OBE for me because I’ve only been able to do the work that I have done because I’m supported by so many other people who put their trust in me to re-elect me. I feel it belongs to the whole of Mid Dorset and North Poole.

LJ: You’ve also raised a lot of awareness for health issues, particularly the treatment of cancer patients in the UK. What sort of steps would you like to see taken for healthcare in the future of the country?

AB: There are a lot of improvements that we need to make. Resources are scarcer than they’ve ever been and yet we come up with more drugs and more treatments so the demands on resources become greater and greater. I feel that we need to get the best possible care

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and identification at the really local level, get our centres of excellence working well at all levels. An issue I’m involved in at the moment is actually looking at breast cancer treatment for over 70 year olds. This is actually featured in the national papers alongside what we’re doing in Parliament. We’re setting up an inquiry to start very shortly. It does seem that there’s quite a lot of age discrimination in the treatment of cancer.

LJ: You are also currently working on the parks and mobile home legislation to try and balance up the rights of home and park owners. Could you tell us a little bit more about that?

AB: Well this came as a constituency issue in the first place – and this is my favourite bit of being an MP – you find an issue in the constituency you can’t solve locally so you take it to Parliament. Over the space of four years of intense campaigning in Parliament, using every procedure possible, the legislation has just passed through both houses - which is incredible. The main problem that I was actually interested in addressing was what’s called ‘sale blocking.’ The situation at this point of time is that if somebody has bought a park home on a site and wants to sell it, in principle they can do so through an estate agent. However, the site owner has the right to meet the potential purchaser - and one can see arguments for that - but what has happened is that the site owner has interfered and put the purchaser off. For example, something that might have been up, say, for a hundred and fifty thousand pounds - all the prospective purchasers are put off and then the site owner comes back and says “Oh, I’ll give you fifteen thousand pounds for it.” That’s terrible. Very, very shocking, for what tend to be rather elderly and vulnerable people.

LJ: Outside of the office and outside the busy political life, what sort of activities do you have to really relax in your free time?

AB: Do you know I was really worried about this question; it was the most difficult one that I thought you could pose to me. Being an MP is a seven-day a week job in many ways, because when you’re at Parliament working full pelt, you come back and then you’re switching on giving full performance all over the weekend and then it’s back to Parliament. There are recesses where I do work at a slower pace, and it is true to say that I don’t spend much time on my hobbies. I like to go to the gym - I haven’t done that recently, but I will pick that up. I do go shopping a lot - but then that of course is my concern for the state of the local economy. I have

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Annette Brooke with her OBE

Liberal Democrat Annette Brooke has been a Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole for over 10 years. She is also Dorset’s only female MP and has given notice that she will stand down at the next general election in 2015. In an exclusive interview with Laurence Jones, she talks about some of her thoughts on her role as an MP, as well as her plans for the future. a granddaughter who’s probably my biggest interest now.

LJ: And what other plans do you have for the rest of the political year? Any interesting things in the pipeline?

AB: One of the things that I’ve picked up, I’ve been working on it for about a year now, is actually doing something for the hundreds of thousands of people with ME. It really does need a lot of support, there’s so little research being carried out to actually look into the causes – people are just laid up, unable to do anything - as you’ll l know if you’ve got friends with ME, and most of us do have some. So this is a little target I’m setting myself – to have made a significant difference to people with ME in their lives in the next two years. So I’ve only got two years to do that.

LJ: As it’s International Women’s Day today, what are your experiences of being a woman in politics?

AB: Well, I always tell people that I had to develop a thick skin at a rate of knots when I was first elected. I couldn’t quite believe what had hit me in Parliament, with the behaviour in the House of Commons. It’s actually better than it was, even though people still make a lot of comments. It is still a very male culture.

I’m quite devastated that we’ve only got 22 per cent of MPs being female and that there are only seven Liberal Democrat female MPs – that’s just dreadful. I long to have equality of representation in my lifetime, so I guess if there’s anything I can do personally to help us along that route then I would do it.

Annette was speaking to Laurence Jones.

To hear more from her, on her views on the coalition and the environment, check out the full video interview at http://mags4dorset.co.uk/ interview-with-annette-brooke-member-ofparliament-for-mid-dorset-and-north-poole/ Many thanks to Nash Sibanda and Jamie Walsham for working on the video shoot.

If you’ve got a smartphone, you can scan this QR code to watch the interview

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Appeal as chamber floats towards 60th anniversary

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his year marks the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as well as the founding of Wimborne Minster Chamber of Trade & Commerce.

Back in 1953, the newly formed chamber promoted itself with a float in the town’s Coronation procession. It featured a group of 7-8-year-olds dressed in Coronation themed costumes.

As part of its 2013 celebrations, the chamber hopes to reconstruct the 1953 float and has launched an appeal for the

public’s help to establish the identity and whereabouts of the children riding on the original float. Were their families traders in the town? What costumes were they wearing? Is there a forgotten family photo hidden away that might be better than this original? (pictured).

If you can help in any way to compile a comprehensive archive of this unique event for posterity, please contact the president of the chamber, Diann March, 26 West Street, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1JS, mobile 07940 032094.

www.clarity-solutions.com

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April 2013 4Dorset...5

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Environmental issues at the fore Over 1000 schoolchildren in the Poole, Wimborne and Ferndown area have been invited to participate in the Young Environmentalist Challenge organised

by Ferndown Rotary Club.

It aims to give local schoolchildren and students the chance to participate in an active learning experience through investigative research, either at school or at home during the Easter holidays.

All entries must be submitted by 22 April. Judging will take place in May and the winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony on 15 June

in the style of the BAFTAs and Oscars.

The ceremony will be followed by an informal Caribbean evening with buffet and steel band “The response so far has been very encouraging,” says organiser, Gerry Clarke: “The younger children are being asked to use their creative skills in designing a sustainable wildlife garden and older pupils are writing essays and preparing Powerpoint presentations about environmental issues.”

Exciting prizes include a Kindle Fire mini tablet PC and a variety of items to encourage wildlife to visit school gardens. The overall winner will be invited to participate in an exchange visit with the winning student from a similar competition organised by the Rotary Club of Dublin North.

Bournemouth man jailed for burglary

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A man has been sentenced to almost two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to burglary in the Ferndown area.

The court heard how 40-year-old Justin Guy from Bournemouth, broke into premises along Wollaton Road in Ferndown last December and stole jewellery belonging to an elderly victim.

Forensic evidence obtained from the scene led to his arrest and he pleaded guilty to the offence at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 1 March 2013. He was sentenced to imprisonment and ordered to pay £560 compensation to the victim – money seized from him at the time of his arrest – after the police made an application to the judge.

Detective Constable Mark Colborne, of Dorset Police Priority Crime Team, said, “This was a very callous crime. The offender stole items of huge sentimental value, which we have not been able to recover.

“I am pleased that the judge accepted our application and ordered that Guy pay his money to the victim. This illustrates that police will continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to take money from offenders to reimburse victims where appropriate.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and demonstrates that these offences will not be tolerated by the courts and the police.

“Dorset Police Priority Crime Team will continue to target dwelling burglaries and work tirelessly to bring those offenders to justice.”

local

Do you Help shape Dorset’s bus services want to be Residents are being asked to help shape the future of the public transport network in Dorset. elected?

Dorset County Council elections will be held on Thursday 2 May. They not only give people the chance to vote for their local county councillor, but also the opportunity to stand for election themselves.

The county council is made up of 45 elected members across 42 divisions in Dorset. Chief Executive of Dorset County Council Debbie Ward said, “We encourage people from all walks of life to stand as a county councillor. We’re looking for people who feel passionately about the issues that affect residents and are able to put the time and effort into representing their local community.”

You have until midday on Friday, 5 April, to put yourself forward for the county council elections.

For more information visit www.dorsetforyou. com/elections/dorsetcounty or alternatively call 01305 224191.

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orset County Council is consulting with members of the public to find out what their travel priorities are, which will help important decisions to be made about the future of local bus services.

Although the majority of local bus services in Dorset are operated by bus companies on a commercial basis, the county council subsidises many socially necessary bus services through contracts with bus operators.

At the moment, around 11 million individual journeys each year are made by bus in Dorset with about 25% of these being

made on these subsidised services.

Councillor Peter Finney, Cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “We want as many people as possible to complete our questionnaire about how they use public transport.

“Subsidised bus services cost nearly £3m a year and we want to make sure that this money is being spent supporting as many essential needs as possible, while at the same time providing value for money.

“We are continuing to work with bus operators to encourage them to run as many services as possible without subsidy, where

SINGWimborne Around 280 Wimborne schoolchildren took part in SINGWimborne on

17 March. The outreach project was sponsored by the BBC Performing

routes are commercially viable.”

Questionnaires can be completed online or downloaded from www.dorsetforyou.com/ busconsultation, where a list of the subsidised local bus services can also be found.

A separate questionnaire is available for people who use, or are thinking of using, community transport such as community car or community bus schemes.

The deadline for the submission of these surveys is Monday, 15 April 2013.

For further information on the consultation telephone 01305 224535.

Arts Fund together with support from the Friends of Wimborne Minster.

It involved a major new piece of music written by Sam Hanson, Director of Music at St Peters Church.

Girls Only

It’s a knockout

Ferndown Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a social evening and skittles match at the Three Cross pub at Ashley Heath last month.

Teams battled it out, with Girls Only – Nikki, editor Janine and Linda - taking the prize after Janine Pulford from mags4dorset bowled the winning ball.

The project culminated in a service at the Minster, which included an anthem sung by all the participants from Allenbourn Middle School and St Michael’s School.

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April 2013 4Dorset...7

in fitness & health If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. 4Dorset is not responsible or liable for damages which may occur as a result of your use or misuse of the information available on this page.

Charity of the Year

THE OSBORNE CENTRE Dear Readers, Hi, it’s me again, Alan from the Osborne Centre and our branch at West Parley.

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ast month I explained just what MS is, how it can affect your body and the huge part that our physiotherapy suite plays in providing exercise for people whose lives are affected by MS. It is important to maintain a degree of fitness for as long as possible in order to help deal with the condition.

In 2011, due to a wonderful legacy, our branch was able to transform an old, draughty, cold and leaking extension into a modern, well-lit, warm and spacious craft room. Arts and crafts are popular activities at the Osborne Centre, with sessions run by our enthusiastic volunteers. As many as twenty wheelchair users can try their hand at painting, card making, etching, or indeed anything that can help maintain the dexterity in hands and arms.

It can be quite satisfying to complete a project knowing it was your own skills that helped craft a ‘masterpiece’.

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For members who like a challenge we have a Nintendo Wii machine on which they can either test their own skills against the machine or other players. This activity not only helps dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination, it also promotes cardiovascular exercise.

Another form of stimulation, thought by many to be the biggest reference library in the world, is the computer, of which we have several. Members can access the Internet for information, send emails to family and friends or just use them for fun.

This equipment does come at a cost and we are very lucky to have generous and hardworking benefactors who have helped fund it. The committee has also invested in a ‘state of the art’ security system in order to protect the Centre.

Next month: fundraising.

Bye for now Alan Lindsay President Bournemouth and District Branch.

MS Society Tel: 01202 570300 www.ms-bournemouth.co.uk

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in fitness & health - advertising feature -

HOP ON DOWN

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. 4Dorset is not responsible or liable for damages which may occur as a result of your use or misuse of the information available on this page.

To Ferndown Leisure Centre HAVE you overindulged with chocolate and other Easter goodies, leaving you feeling sluggish and unfit? If so put a spring in your step, and get active!

There’s no better place to do it than at Ferndown Leisure Centre. With great facilities and loads of activities to try, there really is something for the whole family to enjoy.

Plus, during April we are offering you 14 days for £25, which gives you the opportunity to have full membership benefits including unlimited use of the gym, swimming pool and exercise classes.

Swim membership is also included in this offer and is great for those who enjoy the water, offering you all the public sessions, masters and coached fitness swim sessions.

General Manager, Andy, explains: “If you’re keen to start exercising, but not quite sure how it will fit into your daily schedule, the 14 day offer is the perfect opportunity to try our facilities, before signing up for a longer term commitment.”

To find out more about the 14 days for £25 offer running during April, please contact a customer advisor at Ferndown Leisure Centre on 01202 877468 or email liambarrett@dcleisure. co.uk

EASTER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME Ferndown Leisure Centre is taking bookings for its exciting holiday programme. View them at www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk, or pick up a programme from the centre.

New activities include:

CRAZY CREATURES

Crazy Creatures offers a whole host of amazing creatures to see, admire and handle including snakes, lizards, and a barn owl too.

Day: Thursday 4 April Time: 9.30-10.30am or 11.00-12.00pm Age: 6-11yrs Cost: Members £4.50 per session Non Members £5.00 per session

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

with Luca Dronyk from South Coast Tigers Basketball Club Millions watched wheelchair basketball during the Paralympics, now is your opportunity to try the sport. Ferndown Leisure is offering a FREE 2 hour taster session of wheelchair basketball in specially designed chairs. Wheelchair basketball is suitable for both disabled and non-disabled.

Day: Tuesday 2 April Time: 9-11am 8-13yrs & 11.15-1.15pm 14+yrs Cost: Free

INTENSIVE SWIM LESSONS

www.smile-team.com

Give your children a boost with their swimming.

Progress is good on intensive swim lessons running during the holiday.

For more information about the centre and other activities available call Ferndown Leisure Centre on 01202 877468 or visit www. dcleisurecentres.co.uk.

Still taking the plunge at 70!

When Alan Thompson began swimming after a back operation in the 1980s, he had no idea what he was getting himself into!

He celebrated his 70th birthday last month and is still working as a swimming instructor at Ferndown Leisure Centre, having started work there in November 1986. For Alan, it seems, age truly is just a number.

Asked about his role, Alan said, “I enjoy working with children, and in the past I’ve taught students from Ferndown First and Middle schools. I’ve worked with a wide age range in my time and I’ve also taught Aquafit and snorkeling classes. It’s been great fun.”

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April 2013 4Dorset...9

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Bikers ride in solidarity

Smoothies,

the final frontier

Year 9 Language students at QE took part in an actionpacked multi-lingual event last month – ‘Frontiers Day’.

One hundred students were invited to participate in the event as a reward for their hard-work and progress in modern foreign language lessons since September. The event was organised by the Dorset-based Enterprise and Skills Company. Businesswoman and entrepreneur, Karen Arnold began the day by giving a talk about the importance of languages in business.

Working as a team to represent France, Germany or Spain, students had to create and market a smoothie drink to become a franchise business abroad.

Through teamwork, delegation and working to deadlines all the students managed to complete their tasks successfully and had a fun-filled learning experience.

Overall winners for the day were Niamh Kitts, Bethany Kirby, Ethan Gould, Dexter Read and Ryan Smith.

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ollowing the tragic death of Ringwood teenager Jade Clark on the A31 on 24 February, a ‘ride out’ in her memory was organised on 9 March 2013.

Over 300 bikes, quads and scooters turned up to take part in the convoy. The bikers rode from Bournemouth’s Springbourne Fire Station to Ringwood along the A338 Spur Road at 30mph.

The bikers joined many others who had gathered at Carvers Recreation Ground

Superfast broadband coming to rural Dorset Rural Dorset is a step closer to having access to superfast broadband.

Dorset County Council

Parking fine

scam East Dorset District Council is warning residents to be aware of a potential scam where people are being asked to pay for parking fines that they don’t owe.

The warning comes after a local woman

in Ringwood for a balloon release in memory of Jade.

Police are still searching for

© Ben Falla

is leading a project to achieve investment of £19 million of public funds to ensure rural communities don’t get left behind. Dorset has around 87,000 homes and businesses, which would not have access to superfast broadband without this project.

Providers are expected to invest a further £19 million of their own resources in the Dorset

network. They have until mid April to bid to provide access to speeds of at least 24Mbps to 95% of businesses and homes across Dorset.

The premises which don’t get access to superfast broadband will get an upgrade to at least 2Mbps, with many getting much higher speeds than that. Currently one in five get just 0.5Mbps.

received a telephone call from a person claiming to be from East Dorset District Council and asking her to pay for an outstanding parking fine. She recognised the call was not genuine and told the caller that she did not have any parking fines to pay.

The council will only contact people about outstanding parking fines by letter and will not call and ask for payment of parking fines over the phone. It is urging people

to be vigilant and not to give personal or financial information over the phone if they receive a phone call of this kind. If in doubt about whether a call from the council is genuine, please call the East Dorset District Council Offices on 01202 886201.

Report any suspicious phone calls or suspected scams to the dedicated fraud line Action Fraud on 0300 1232040 or through their website http://www. actionfraud.police.uk

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the hit and run driver of the XC90 Volvo involved in the accident.

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G&S Society

Art weeks are a hit

Giant humbugs, animated monsters, clay roly-poly birds and drama were just a few of the fabulous arts activities on offer at the Heatherlands and Three Legged Cross Art Weeks.

The activities, inspired by children’s author Roald Dahl, were held during

the half term period and attracted 130 local children and adults at the Heatherlands Centre and 60 people a day at Three Legged Cross First School.

A team of Dorset-wide artists was on hand to help children sculpt, paint, act, play music, dance and try their hand at a range of arts and crafts.

Culture Manager for Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership and Project Coordinator, Tracy Cooper said, “The aim of these projects is to provide half term diversions for young people from the local neighbourhood through the provision of high quality and positive inter-generational activities.

The art weeks play a strong part in bringing the community together.”

cull area in case of problems with either of the proposed cull areas in Gloucestershire and Somerset. DWT is keen to find an effective, long-term solution to the problem of Bovine TB (bTB), but urges the Government to put more effort into an effective vaccine instead of a cull.

Simon Cripps, Chief

Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust, said, “We have a great deal of sympathy for farmers who lose stock as a result of BTB and are acutely aware of the problems this disease causes in Dorset. However a badger cull is not the answer and is likely to make the problem worse by spreading the disease

onto farms previously unaffected.”

The proposed cull area for Dorset is being kept a secret. DWT will not allow badger culling on its nature reserves and is currently planning to vaccinate badgers, using an injectable vaccine as trialed

by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Raise Money

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embers of the Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society were out most nights in December, singing carols at various functions in Bournemouth and Poole. They do this to support Macmillan Caring Locally, and particularly the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital. Their most recent efforts raised £4270 last year, making a total over the last 20 years in excess of £60,000.

The money, which was presented to Macmillan recently, will be used for ongoing refurbishments at the unit.

Badger cull

condemned Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) has condemned a potential badger cull in the county, announced by Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson MP, as a reserve pilot

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Who will get this shining star?

As the weekend for Ferndown’s Relay for Life draws closer, the big question is which team will receive the Charlotte Read Shining Star Award?

The Charlotte Read Shining Star Award is in memory of Charlotte Read who died of cancer in February 2008 aged 18. The Award will be given at this year’s Ferndown Relay For Life to the volunteers with the greatest commitment to the event, held to raise money for the cancer care charity.

The 24 hour relay starts on 29 June 2013 at 12 noon at Ferndown Leisure Centre and will begin with the inspiring Survivors’ Lap of Honour. Cancer survivors will walk the first lap of the course, cheered and supported by the community.

For more information call Tina Raymond on 07765 021555 or visit www. ferndownrelayforlife.co.uk

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Chocolate Marquis

Spicy tomato and Goats cheese Tart

BUSINESS in for a biteCOMMUNITY UNITY - RESTAURANT REVIEW

Horns of plenty

Horns Burger

The

by Russell Harness

Nestling just outside Wimborne, on a quiet country lane, you will find the beautifully presented Horns Inn with the new landlady Lori at the helm.

Claire and I were invited there to sample some of the wholesome freshly cooked culinary delights they have to offer. Being a Wednesday night we arrived early to find a happy band of locals already propping up the bar.

We took a table in the bar and being a dog friendly pub, we took our elderly collie cross Tilly with us. She loves nothing more than a visit to her local pub, and wasn’t disappointed as there is a jar of doggy treats on the fireplace for the four-legged visitors.

I mulled over the menu board with a pint of Firkin Fox for me and a glass of dry white for Claire. Selections made, we didn’t have to wait long for the food to arrive.

I chose the Horns Burger, which was a good sized pattie made of pure beef and adorned with cheese, bacon and onion rings and accompanied by a beautifully flavoured caramelised red onion relish and coleslaw with a side of hand-cut chips. The meat just melted in the mouth, the relish

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gave it a real zing, and the portion was more than enough to satisfy anyone.

Claire being a vegetarian chose the Spicy Tomato and Goats Cheese Tart with jacket potato and mixed salad. The tart was full of flavour and the flavours combined together well, with the strong taste of the goats cheese coming through, all served on a crisp bed of pastry. The jacket potato was cooked to perfection with a crispy skin and fluffy inside, so good that Claire even said, “That was a quality spud.”

For pudding, we both chose the Chocolate Marquis with Vanilla ice cream.

We agreed it was the best pudding we have ever tasted. The deep biscuit base and the creamily textured filling was amazing and really gave you that ‘mmm’ moment.

All in all it was a wonderful selection of freshly cooked food and the surroundings of the newly repainted bar with the quirky cow drawings on the walls made a thoroughly pleasant evening which I would be happy to repeat anytime.

local

CABcolumn Q) I live in a housing association flat and I get my council tax paid because I’m living on the bare minimum. My daughter said she’s heard I’ll have to pay come April. Is this true? I don’t know where I’m going to find the money – I’ve got none to spare after paying my basic bills.

Cannabis

seized

Police executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant shortly after 8am on 7 March 2013 at an address in Ringwood Road, West Moors.

A small purposebuilt cannabis farm was found in the loft of the property. Cannabis plants and several seedlings were seized along with lighting and power equipment.

Inspector Wayne Nock said, “This was excellent proactive police work supported by officers from the West Moors Safer Neighbourhood Team.

“The execution of this warrant sends a strong message that we will take action against drugs

offences and prevent, disrupt and detect such criminal behaviour.

“Our Safer Neighbourhood officers will continue to work closely with patrol officers to keep West Moors safe and proactively deal with information relating to drugs offences.

“I would urge members of the public who may have concerns, suspicions or any information about the misuse of drugs to contact Dorset Police on 101 so that we can take action.”

A 28-year-old man from West Moors was arrested.

Police enquiries are continuing.

A) At the moment, the rules about Council Tax Benefit are set nationally, and are applied in the same way wherever you live. This is set to change.

If you’re of working age and now get all your council tax paid because you’re on a low income, it’s likely you’ll have to pay some of your council tax bill in the future.

How much you will have to pay will depend on the area where you live.

From April 2013, council tax benefit (CTB) will be abolished and replaced by a local means-tested council tax relief scheme called the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

www.newforesthotels.co.uk

If you’re a pensioner, you’ll get the same amount of support as you do under the current Council Tax Benefit rules, as long as your circumstances haven’t changed.

Folk

Festival Returns The annual folk festival in Wimborne Minster will be held over the weekend of 7, 8, 9 June 2013. It promises three days of ‘folk, family and fun’, with the much-loved mix of dance displays, family activities, workshops and stalls returning to the historic minster town’s streets.

In England, local councils will get 10 per cent less money from the government and will have to find savings when they start running their new schemes. Each local council will be able to decide who to give support to. This means there may be big differences in the level of support available in different parts of the country.

To find out more about how you might be affected, check your council website or consult your nearest Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

For more information go to the Citizen’s Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk To contact the CAB ring:

0844 245 1291

or visit Wimborne - Mon, Tues & Thurs 10am-3pm, Wed 9.30am-11.30am, Fri 10am-1pm; or Ferndown Mon & Thurs 10am-3pm www.eastdorsetcab.org.uk

www.thefishinn.net

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

April 2013 4Dorset...13

local

STANDING ROOM ONLY AT NAVITUS WIND FARM DEBATE Hundreds of people turned up to a debate on the proposed wind farm off the Dorset coast last month.

Hosted by Highcliffe Community at the Methodist Church hall, there was standing room only.

The case for the development was put by the Navitus Bay Development Company and the case against came from Challenge Navitus.

Concerned residents raised many questions. These included objecting to the size of the development, its proximity to the coast (demanding that it to be further away), the visual impact, the impact on migrating birds, and the effect on the area’s tranquil natural environment.

Chairman of the meeting, local councillor and Highcliffe Community Association vice chairman Alan Griffiths, said, ”I was astonished at the turnout from local people who wanted to know what effect this massive wind farm could have on them and their families.” He added that the response from Highcliffe was fantastic. “This was the first time that people had the chance to hear the arguments from both sides and get balanced answers from both to their questions. Many were horrified at the proximity and size of the proposed wind farm and wanted to know how to object and protest about it.”

A vote was taken, which was overwhelmingly against the proposed wind farm: 11 in favour; 8 uncertain; 234 against.

Details of the cases made for and against the wind farm and residents responses can be found on the Highcliffe Community Association website http://www.hcadorset.talktalkbusiness.net/index.htm

Communal bin trial success Communal bins in Windsor Road, Boscombe are to be rolled out permanently following a three month trial.

The Council is now looking to extend communal bin trials to other areas. Residents who would like to find out more about the scheme can contact: 01202 451199 or email recycle@ bournemouth.gov.uk.

Christchurch bird-lover spots most species Mrs Eaton of Christchurch won the prize for spotting the most species of bird in her garden, when she took part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch back in January. In recognition of her skill she was presented with a new birdhouse and feeder from Castle Gardens.

In just one hour, the allotted time for the Birdwatch, Mrs Eaton spotted 16 species of bird, including three reed buntings, 56 sparrows and four starlings.

OH MY A TOADSTOOL! Councillors Colin Bungey and Fred Neale thank Fields in Trust and ASDA for their support for the local community

Jumpers jumps for joy A toadstool for children to jump over has sprouted at Endfield Road play area on Jumpers Common thanks to Fields in Trust and the customers and staff of ASDA Castlepoint.

Play sessions Christchurch children looking for something to do during the Easter holidays are invited to free play sessions being held every day. Here are a couple of dates.

Thursday 11 April 10.30am–12noon Mudeford Recreation Ground 1pm–2.30pm Christchurch Quay

Friday 12 April 10.30am–12noon Highcliffe Recreation Ground 1pm–2.30pm Waterman’s Park

Children can come and go as they please. Under eights must be accompanied by an adult. Contact the play rangers on 01202 495025 or 07584 524889 for earlier dates. Or visit www.mags4dorset.co.uk where the events are listed.

www.yafflecare.co.uk

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CHRISTCHURCH HIGHCLIFFE FEATURE - BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY

HIGHCLIFFE including the legendary Mr Selfridge Highcliffe has recently come in the media spotlight with the ITV series Mr Selfridge. Jeremy Piven led the cast as American entrepreneur, Harry Gordon Selfridge, who revolutionized shopping by showcasing trends that were new, exciting and entertaining. For a period in his life, Highcliffe Castle was Mr Selfridge’s home.

Discover Dorset’s treasure

One of Dorset’s undiscovered treasures, Highcliffe Castle is a Grade 1 Listed Victorian mansion set in idyllic cliff-top grounds commanding exceptional views to the Needles.

Its chequered history is told within the Heritage Centre where sparsely repaired State Rooms allow you to imagine the decadence of Lord Stuart de Rothesay’s magnificent country abode.

Topically the Castle was home to Gordon Selfridge between 1916-22.

An exhibition in the Great Hall tells his story.

There are changing exhibitions in the Castle Galleries as well as events and concerts, open air theatre and Scottish dancing. Highcliffe Castle is also a popular wedding and business function venue.

There is a gift shop, tearoom and woodland walks with access to the beach.

From passport photos to printing

A passport and ID photo service is provided by In The Frame as well as greeting card printing.

Also bespoke framing of anything from photographs and posters to sports shirts and medals. Product photography for websites and advertising. In The Frame can print large display canvases from digital images and has a kiosk to print your digital images.

Movie star theme

All day breakfasts are big at the Star Café. This movie star themed café includes pictures of the all time greats like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean. Enjoy.

Look in the Wardrobe

For a wonderful selection of wedding outfits, hats, shoes and accessories come along and see what’s in The Wardrobe. A personal and friendly shopping experience at prices that are our little secret.

Making an impression

Dorset Denture Clinic is leading the way as one of Britain’s first ‘Complete Package’ denture clinics.

“From impressions to completion, we will design, create and modify your dentures to meet your personal needs, ensuring natural looking aesthetically pleasing dentures with optimal fit for maximum comfort.

“We offer a range of dentures, these include different types of acrylic dentures, delicate metal based chrome cobalt dentures, ultra suction dentures and implant retained dentures.

“We pride ourselves on our excellent level of customer care and satisfaction. If you wish to experience this high quality bespoke service please contact us on 01202 272380 for your free consultation.”

www.hearingaid-centre.co.uk

Christchurch Hearing Aid Centre a courteous service “We aim to provide high quality service with kindness, courtesy and patience in a friendly environment.

Our goal is to improve and maintain our patient’s hearing to the highest standard.”

www.inthe-frame.co.uk

www.dorsetdentureclinic.co.uk www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

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BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY - CHRISTCHURCH FEATURE

WELCOME to CHRISTCHURCH

P

rior to the arrival of the Normans, Christchurch was known as Twynham, ‘the place between the rivers’.

By 1125 the name was recorded as Christerce, meaning the Church of Christ.

Christ’s Church was built by the Saxons in the 10th century and the Priory Church was added to the existing site by Ranulf Flambard after the Norman invasion. It’s a cathedral

like building based on three chapellike crypts, the beautiful church with some phenomenal architecture is well worth a visit.

Christchurch is a bustling town with an attractive quay, recreation areas and bandstand. There is much going on throughout the year including a jazz festival, Christmas parade and in May, a fabulous food and wine festival that fills the town with a great mix of flavours.

T

he popular TV chef, James Martin, is to return for this year’s Christchurch Food & Wine Festival when he will be appearing in two demonstrations on Sunday 12 May. The festival’s patron, Lesley Waters, will also be back to demonstrate on Saturday 11 May. This year’s festival runs from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 May. Highlights include the festival market on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May when more than 100 food stalls will line the pedestrianised High Street. A full programme of cookery demonstrations will take place on both days and children will get a chance to try their hands at cooking at the Kids’ Kitchen located in the Priory School.

The second weekend of the festival, on 18 and 19 May, sees the Great Christchurch Bake Weekend.

Keen bakers will again have the chance to show off their skills by entering the competition to find the best cakes and pies in Christchurch.

Jo Wheatley, past winner of the BBC’s ‘Great British Bake Off’ will be on

James Martin back for Christchurch Food & Wine Festival

christchurchfoodfest.co.uk www.clarity-solutions.com

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hand to do the judging and will also be showing off her baking skills.

The full programme for this year’s festival is at www. christchurchfoodfest.co.uk.

www.petsandgrooming.co.uk

CHRISTCHURCH FEATURE - BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY As well as all the events in Christchurch and a thriving tourist industry, the high street is one of the few in country with just one vacant shop. Only last month, Christchurch was said to be bucking the national trend by tapping into the ‘grey pound’ and thus creating a vibrant rather then a struggling high street. Here is a good cross section of the shops you will find in and around the thriving town of Christchurch.

Up to 50% off!

Castles Homehardware introduces a SPRING DEALS magazine with products for the HOME & GARDEN. With up to 50% off prices why not collect a copy in store or phone for a postal one? Castles Homehardware your local store for over 90 years with experienced staff and quality products at sensible prices.

Continental ambience The Coffee Pot is a popular bistro/ coffee house with a Continental ambience. It is well known for its award winning coffee combined with homemade specials and cakes from its adventurous eat-in and takeaway menus that include gluten free choices. The breakfast deals are great too.

www.thecoffeepotchristchurch.co.uk

Local Knowledge and National Coverage Michael Adam are experienced Estate Agents who work for their vendors and offer a high degree of personal service together with local knowledge and National coverage. Contact them on 01202 487587.

Urban Quay Stockists of lifestyle clothing brands, QUIKSILVER, O’NEILL, ELEMENTS, BRAKEBURN and CREW. The summer range also includes Urban Quay’s best selling DUDE shoes, REEF sandals, wetsuits, skateboards, bags and accessories.

25% off initial visit* Thousands of people are in pain and suffering unnecessarily. Stour Chiropractic Clinic are skilled in finding the source of the problem and treating it. *25% off your initial visit with a copy of Stour Chiropractic Clinic’s advertisement.

Quirky gifts and jewellery Krafty Cow stocks quirky gifts and jewellery much of which is unique and handmade. You will also find a wide range of Yankee candles. Come in and have a browse.

Ice Hair Academy With 31 years experience in the hairdressing industry and a former hairdressing lecturer at Bournemouth & Poole College, Sara Hall would like to introduce you to Ice Hair Academy.

Now open in Marlow Drive.

Look no further for your flooring needs Established back in 1947, Christchurch Carpets is still a family run business offering good honest advice and service second to none. Christchurch Carpets offer a free estimating service and free delivery as well as free fitting on selected carpets. With large stocks of carpets, vinyl, and Flotex flooring, as well as boasting the largest selection of new and old Persian carpets and rugs outside of London, there is sure to be something for your flooring needs at Christchurch Carpets.

The Company that Cares allmobility offers a wide range of mobility aids and services helping people stay mobile. “Our specialist shop is based in Wick Lane, Christchurch and we do home visits, servicing and repairs in all areas of Dorset and West Hampshire. We pride ourselves on being ‘The Company That Cares’.”

www.michaeladam.co.uk

www.castles-home-hardware.co.uk

The Christchurch Grooming Parlour “Welcome to our pet shop and grooming parlour in Marlow Drive.

We have been established for over 6 years. We stock a wide range of animal products, some are heavily discounted. Our grooming parlour is extremely popular.” For more info visit www.facebook.com/ petsandgrooming 10% off* with this article!

Thomas & Lucia is well worth a visit.

It has wonderful home and garden accessories and gifts for all. As an official Annie Sloan stockist they sell her full range of Chalk Paint™ as well as lots of fabric. *10% OFF between Friday 10 May and Sunday 19 May on production of this article.

How would better hearing change your life?

Not hearing well can make life very difficult, especially in social situations.

People often suffer needlessly with a hearing loss for years before taking action.

Clarity Hearing Solutions have helped many local residents experience the joy of hearing clearly again.

Call them on 01202 478881 for a free hearing assessment.

www.all-mobility.co.uk

www.thomasandlucia.co.uk

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

April 2013 4Dorset...17

local West Moors Fest

I am on a small committee put together to set up a non profit, community event for all the family, being held at Fryers Field in West Moors on Sunday 23 June.

The purpose of this event is to bring together all the families from West Moors and surrounding towns and villages. It will run from 10.30am to 5pm, and include some fabulous events.

This is backed by the parish council. The committee includes two councillors as well as local business people, and people who live in West Moors. A list of committee members can be found on our website.

Krazy Kev is entertaining throughout the day. Arena events including a ‘Fun Dog Show’, martial arts, dance troupes and more. There will be a Skate Fest, hog roast, beer tent, stalls and bouncy castle.

We would very much appreciate if you can find some space in your papers, website, social media or whatever media you have available to help us promote this fantastic event.

Please visit www. westmoorsfamily funday.co.uk for further information.

We also have a facebook group https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/WMFFD/ and twitter page @ WMFamilyFunday.

Emma Regan West Moors

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Tosca

Bournemouth Pavilion Review by Janine Pulford Directed by award-winning opera producer Ellen Kent, Puccini’s ‘Tosca’ was brought to the stage in Bournemouth and what a treat it was.

Faultlessly performed, it also offered jawdropping backdrops and opulent costumes. These combined with the wonderful voices of Maria Tonina as Tosca, Sorin Lupu as the artist Mario and Vladimir Dragos as Baron Scarpia amongst others, melted into the beautiful music by the Moldovan National Philharmonic Orchestra to leave a lasting impression.

I had to rely on subtitles, but even these didn’t detract from the emotion that the international singers brought to the stage.

Set in Rome, the story is about Tosca, an opera diva fiercely jealous of her lover Mario.

When he is arrested and tortured for shielding an escaped prisoner, she discovers that the lustful Baron Scarpia’s methods of tricking her into plea bargaining are all for his own gain.

The treachery results in a murderous and tragic ending.

Maria’s singing and her performance was outstanding and even brought tears to my eyes at one point, it was so packed with emotion.

As well as internationally renowned performers, the production brought local children to the stage and one young shepherd boy sang a beautiful solo.

My only crit was that the third scene had a very slow beginning, which seemed to drag.

Otherwise a splendid and much loved evening out. Excellent entertainment.

Green Army triumphs!

After a seamless performance and with all of the soloists executing their pieces with flair and precision, Verwood Concert Brass’ A Band scooped 3rd place in the 1st section of the West of England Regional Finals in Torquay.

The band came from behind having not scored

High Performance event beats Top Gear

well in the last two regional finals and there was a real danger of relegation to the 2nd section. Gaining third place meant that the band not only achieved its best ever result at the regional finals, but secured its position in the 1st section.

Both the A and B Bands took part in the competition and few towns could boast as many as 60 musicians and a host of supporters.

There were so many green VCB green jackets that the band was nicknamed the ‘VCB green army.’

The B Band competed

well alongside 20 other bands in the 4th section, but did not find such favour with the adjudicators, despite performing well. But great heart was taken from the fact that the B Band is Verwood’s second band and was competing against many towns’ only band.

The next opportunity to see Verwood Concert Brass A, B and Training Band perform, will be at the Spring Concert on 27 April at The Hub, Verwood. Cost £8. Tickets available from the Hub Box Office.

Not to disappoint the crowds attracted by the postponed ‘Formula 1’ event advertised to take place in The Square, Wimborne Minster in March, an impromptu display (or was it a performanceart event?) was organised instead.

A large white ‘Stig-Bunny’ riding his own shiny bright red child’s racing car hopped along to promote the Easter Bunny Run in West Street.

‘Stig’ himself even turned up for the photo shoot.

Unfortunately he forgot to bring his signature white crash helmet and had to make do at the last minute with an empty upturned white plastic paint pot – the cool dark visor that protects his enigmatic anonymity was quickly rendered by a few deft brush strokes of black. Eat your heart out Jeremy Clarkson!

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

Steven Beeks

Have you been in fear of ‘Silver Steve?’

Have you ever met street entertainer Silver Steve and been in fear of him?

Dorset Police are urging possible victims to come forward after Steven Beeks, a 50-year-old man of no fixed abode, was found guilty in February by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court in Wales and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for rape and assault.

His convictions relate to offences that took place outside of Dorset.

Beeks worked as a street performer in Weymouth during the summer and autumn of 2011.

Detective Constable Steve Dodge, of Weymouth CID, said, “I am taking the unusual step of releasing Steven Beeks’ image into the public domain in the belief that there may be other victims of crime that have yet to be identified by investigators.

“Beeks has travelled extensively throughout the country. He has been of no fixed abode for a number of years and has earned casual income as a street performer – a silver living statue.

“Beeks used an alias of ‘Silver Steve’ and we know he was living in the Weymouth area in the summer and autumn of 2011.

“I would encourage anyone who has concerns regarding Steven Beeks to contact Dorset Police on 101 – we treat all such calls very seriously and specialist staff are on hand to provide support.”

Call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 14:298. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

local

Music at Ferndown Upper School

Music is a vital part of the ethos of any school, and Ferndown Upper continues to provide excellent opportunities for young people to develop their instrumental, vocal and music appreciation skills.

Already this year the school has hosted a day with members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra attended by many other Dorset schools, which focused on A level set works. Another day was spent working with gifted and talented children from Middle schools, culminating in a short performance by the Upper and Middle school students for parents.

The school has a flourishing orchestra, choir and jazz band and provides a range of instrumental lessons delivered by specialist teachers. Concerts are a regular feature of the school calendar and musical productions have been put on every other year. There are a range of exciting trips on offer and plans to start a regional brass band in conjunction with feeder schools.

Music courses in school include both GCSE and A level, alongside grade exams in theory and performing. There have been some notable successes as students build on this strong foundation to become professional musicians in all areas of the music industry.

The school nurtures musical talent and has a thriving music scene. It welcomes applications from musicians at all levels, but particularly those keen to follow the A-level course in the Sixth Form, where some places are still available for enrolment this September.

For more information or to visit the department please contact Director of Music, Clare Whitehead on 01202 871243.

www.fernup.dorset.sch.uk

www.thewarmergroup.co.uk www.mags4dorset.co.uk

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in the garden - advertising feature -

Ashington Garden Machinery Based in Merley, Ashington Garden Machinery is the area’s Atco dealer and has a comprehensive range of products to suit your gardening needs complemented by other leading brands. Visit now for some great offers on Honda and Stihl. Friendly staff are always happy to help you with your purchase or repairs.

www.trehane.co.uk

A Rose by any other name Not all roses are the same! Their size varies, as do their petals, colours and scents.

You might think a red rose, is a red rose. Not so. When it comes to red, the choice is huge. Some can be almost black whilst others verge on the edge of orange, some have elegant champagne shapes whilst others are more like garden roses and of course they come in all sorts of sizes.

If you’re looking for the real WOW factor then Red Naomi is the rose being tipped by florists. A gorgeous deep red with just a hint of fragrance, this luxury, open type rose will last for up to 14 days.

If you prefer a more fluted shape – think champagne glass – then ask for Freedom, a fabulous deep red rose that again lasts for ages and comes in a range of lengths.

If you want your red rose with a bit of a twist then Red Intuition is a must buy with soft flecks of pink against a gorgeous red base.

Passion roses are smaller. These roses are popular with supermarkets appearing in lower priced bouquets. Even so, they are pretty and have a deep red velvety appearance.

Upper Class is a relatively new rose, which opens slowly and lasts well while Red Sky from Ethiopia is another good value for money variety.

If you can’t bear the thought of thorns, the thornless Grand Amore is the one to choose while if it’s scent you’re after then you can’t go wrong with garden type roses like Darcy and Ecstasy … the vase life may be much shorter but the scent more than makes up for it.

www.lewisconcrete.co.uk

The right colour

Intuition

roses represent truth, purity and innocence, while Dark Pink roses symbolise secret love, admiration and joy. Yellow roses mean exuberance, friendship, and happiness while Purple roses are the ones to send if it’s a case of love at first sight, adoration or fascination! Light pink means ‘only for thee’ while Orange roses are the truly passionate ones as they represent intense desire and energy!

The right care Cut flowers need the right TLC to make sure they last as long as possible but you don’t need a degree in biology. Just follow these simple instructions and your roses should blossom and bloom for ages.

• • • • •

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Remove any foliage that will sit below the waterline as this can cause infection.

Never break thorns off … this opens up the stem to infection. If necessary simply snip the sharp points off.

Cut the stems with a sharp knife and at a sharp angle 2cm from the bottom … the sharper the better as this allows more water take up.

Never bash the stems … you destroy the cell structure and they won’t be able to drink.

Always use the flower food provided ... old wive’s solutions like Aspirin, bleach or lemonade will kill rather than cure. As for gin or vodka ... keep it for yourself!

Keep the water topped up and change it after a week, make sure there are no leaves or petals floating in the water.

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

in the garden

Indoor Gardening

thrives

Flower of the month

April - Lavender Lavender is a favourite with gardeners not just for its beautiful form and fragrance but also because it attracts essential pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

It’s considered a romantic flower that most gardeners get the urge to

Ferndown’s Plot Allot

plant in their garden sooner or later.

To successfully grow lavender, it needs to be planted in a warm, well drained soil with full sun and can also do well in a container. It is often planted as an edging plant with roses or grown as an

If you are over 50 and want to learn new skills and meet new people, there is a free 8 week table top gardening course at Fordingbridge Library. Activities will include - seed sowing, window sill containers for healthy eating and propagating plants.

The course starts on Monday, 8 April 2013, 10am-12pm. Open to all abilities, Thrive specialises in gardening for people with disabilities, helping people back into gardening using new methods and tools.

To register please call in or telephone Fordingbridge Library on 01425 657524.

Thrive is a national charity that uses gardening to change lives.

informal hedge. However, lavender does not like ‘wet feet’ as it promotes root rot and ‘dampness’ is often the reason that it doesn’t perform well. It’s a tough plant though and once established only requires regular pruning after flowering in the autumn.

Photo by K Browning Ann Bacon is pictured on the left

T

he 24 new allotment plots at Longham were allocated on 16 March 2013 by the Ferndown Town Council at Haskins Garden Centre.

Peter Henrda, Cllr Jean Read and Cllr Steve Lugg were pleased to announce to a packed meeting that the first 16 on the waiting lists had been allocated the plots of their choice.

The first plot went to Mr and Mrs Bacon who were delighted. Mr Bacon said, “I do the digging and my wife does the planting. We are looking forward to it.”

His wife Ann added, “We have been on the waiting list for nearly three years.

We are going to grow vegetables. We love stews with parsnips, carrots and green veg. So the plot will reduce our bills. We live in a flat and have waited a long time for this.”

The largest plots were allocated by ballot and not everyone who attended the meeting was successful.

However, they were assured by the council that they were at the top of the waiting list and would be allocated plots as soon as more became available.

- advertising feature -

Excellent value for money HOLLY HEDGE NURSERIES is an established, independent plant nursery selling high quality plants at excellent value for money. Situated on the Verwood Road, between Three Legged Cross and Verwood, with a car park alongside for easy access.

The new range of perennials and alpines are all ready to fill up plant borders and rockeries.

There are plenty of traditional garden shrubs and trees available, including many larger sized specimen plants for ‘instant’ gardening. If you need to plant a new hedge or provide screening and privacy in your garden then perhaps the extensive selection of hedging conifers, laurels, bamboos, etc will give you some ideas. Advice and guidance is freely given and a delivery service to help with the larger, heavier loads is also available.

So if you want colour, pretty foliage, evergreen plants or a beautiful ornamental tree for your garden, then now is a perfect time to pop in to see the wonderful selection of plants.

As an extra incentive

there is a Special Offer of

25% OFF ALL PATIO POTS AND BARRELS. Credit cards are accepted and the Nursery is open 7 days a week with someone to assist with your planting needs.

www.sandandgravel.uk.com www.hollyhedgenurseries.co.uk

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

April 2013 4Dorset...21

BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY - WAGGY CHRISTCHURCH TAILS FEATURE

Lottie

Wagging

Zippo Unit 85 Condor Close Woolsbridge Industrial Estate Three Legged Cross, BH21 6SU

3A Edmondsham Road, Verwood BH31 7PA

Pippin Jessie

43-44a East Street, Wimborne,Dorset, BH21 1DX

2 The Granaries, Peddlars Walk, Ringwood BH24 1EZ

HELP NEEDED – here’s a plea from Waggy Tails Rescue, the Dorset animal charity that rescues and rehomes dogs that have been abandoned, neglected or otherwise, and are in need of a new home.

“We are always in need of foster carers,” says founder, Shelagh Meredith. “If you are interested in fostering a dog, whether in the short or long term, please call us on 01202 875000. Applicants must be prepared to travel to meet our dogs.”

Waggy Tails Rescue holds regular presentation days to enable prospective foster carers to meet the dogs.

These are held on the first Saturday of the month at West Parley Memorial Hall, Christchurch Road, West Parley (near Hurn Airport).

Gwen

Jess

136 Alma Road, 9 1AL Bournemouth BH

10 Monmouth Court, Ringwood Southampton Road, BH24 1HE

Dusty

Chip

Whisper

Twinks

Unit 9, Millstream Trading Estate, Christchurch Road, Ringwood BH24 3SB

22...4Dorset April 2013

Unit 9, Millstream Trading Estate, Christchurch Road, Ringwood BH24 3SB

Unit 4, Verwood Industrial Estate Black Hill, Verwood BH31 6HA

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

Victoria Road, Ferndown & King Street, Wimborne

CHRISTCHURCH WAGGY FEATURE TAILS - BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY

If dogs could speak, this is probably what Blue would say about his experience:

Hi! I’m Blue, a small, one-year-old terrier.

You might think I’m a bit scruffy, but that’s my style. Unfortunately I was abandoned and ended up in the pound. It’s a worrying place to be because they can’t keep dogs there for very long.

Luckily, Waggy Tails rescued me and have looked after me very well ever since.

They are trying to find me a new, long term home.

What I would really like is to move in with a family with older children as I am a lively friendly boy who requires lots of stimulation and training.

I also need to be the only dog as I’m not used to living with other animals and I especially don’t get on with cats.

If you’d like to give me a chance to prove what a lovely dog I am, then get in touch with Waggy Tails Rescue.

Lexi Clyde

45 High Street, Christchurch, BH23 1AS

The Oaks Centre, Queen Anne Drive, Wimborne www.doolittlespetsupplies.co.uk

Blue

Luna

To talk to Waggy Tails Rescue about adopting any of their animals, please call 01202 875000.

The next Waggy Tails fundraising event is a Spring Fair on Saturday 13 April, which is being held at St John’s Church Hall, Ashley Road, Parkstone (opposite Waitrose).

There will also be a collection for Waggy Tails on 13 and 14 April at Haskins Garden Centre, Longham.

Waggy Tails will also be collecting in Falklands Square, Poole on Friday, 26 April.

For more information, call 01202 875000 or www.waggytails.org.uk

Jenny

Donations for Waggy Tails can be sent to: Waggy Tails Rescue, 69 Cobham Road, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7QE

Frosty and Noel

Penny’s Walk Ferndown (opp Tesco)

Butch Sponsored in loving memory of Max and Echo

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

73 Victoria Road, Ferndown BH22 0BN

Sam

114 Cobham Road, Ferndown Ind. Estate, Ferndown BH21 7PQ

22-24 Brook Road, Wimborne

Ella

217 New Road, Ferndown BH22 8EF

Jed

Simba

62 Azura Close, Woolsbridge Ind Est, Three Legged Cross, Wimborne, BH21 6SZ

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

155-159 New Road Ferndown, BH22 8EB

April 2013 4Dorset...23

in & around the area

Details were correct at the time of going to print but readers are advised to check before attending.

WHAT’SON 12 April 7.30pm-9pm Ferndown Village Hall. ‘A Beekeeper’s Story.’

A talk to the Ferndown Horticultural Society by speaker Mr Doug White. For further information, call Rosemary on 01202 693689.

13 April 6.45pm–9pm Wimborne Methodist Church. The Orchestra of the Bournemouth Philharmonic Society play in support of the Dorset Blind Association.Tickets £9, Concessions £7.

13 April 2pm–4pm Band Day at the Sovereign Shopping Centre - Bournemouth band Fearne will be in the Sovereign Shopping Centre giving the crowds the opportunity to bop to his folk inspired indie-pop music. Visit www.facebook.com/fearnemusic for more information.

13 April 10am–4pm The Barrington Centre, 37th Annual Stamp and Postcard Day. 26 dealers will be in attendance this year, and stamps, postal history, postcards and ephemera in abundance! Free admission and parking, refreshments available. Call 01202 302273 for more details.

14 April 7.30am–12pm Car boot sale, Stanpit Recreation Ground. £5 Car, £8 Van / Trailer. Buyers FREE! Parking on site.

15-20 April 7.45pm/Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm matinee

‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’, Lighthouse Poole. Heartwarming Northern fairy tale from Jim Cartwright, starring Ray Quinn, Beverly Callard, Duggie Brown and Jess Robinson. Call 01202 781320. Tickets £22.

17 April 6pm/7.30pm

Verwood Over-50s Singles Friendship Club meet at The Hideaway in Verwood. Optional meal at 6.00pm followed by Beetle Drive at 7.30pm. For further info, contact Sue on 01202 887942 or Dawn on 01202 578293.

18 April 7.30pm-9.30pm

Meet the Lions, Moordown Community Centre.

Meet ordinary people doing amazing things through volunteering, and learn how to take part yourself. For more information call 08458 332823.

18 April 8pm–11pm

Verwood Traditional Jazz Club, The Hideaway, Verwood. John Maddocks Jazzmen. Tickets on the door from 7pm. Call Geoff for more details, 01202 822038.

19 April

Bennington Green Golf Day, Parkstone Golf Club.

Team golf event, buffet meal, raffle and auction raising money for Breast Cancer Care. Teams of four, £300. For more info call 01202 766584.

20 April

Melverley get together. If you attended Melverley School in Wimborne at any time, there is going to be a tea party for past school friends to get together. All ages, particularly when Barbara Robinson was principal. For details ring Helen on 01202 825774 or Anne on 01202 872423.

21 April 12.15pm

Freedom Parade led by the Rifles in Wimborne Minster starting from Allenview road car park and proceeding via Hanham Road and East Borough to The Square. A welcome speech and presentation will be given by the Mayor, Cllr John Burden. Parade will march off at 12.45pm and at 2pm the Rifles Band will sound the retreat in the Allenview car park.

24...4Dorset April 2013

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

26 April 7.30pm

Award-winning duo, Tinderbox, are hosting a concert to benefit local charity, Amelia’s Rainbow. The children’s charity - based in Bournemouth - raises funds to create memorable activities and days out for Dorset children (and their families) suffering from terminal or lifelimiting conditions. The concert, at the Regent Centre, Christchurch, will also feature the nationally-revered singer-songwriter Mike Silver, plus well-known local musician, Bob Burke. All the bands are donating their time for the cause. www.regentcentre.co.uk Box office: 01202 499199.

26 April 9am–4pm

Operation Countryside. This free event at Kingston Maurward College, Stinsford from Operation Countryside is open to residents, business owners and others with an interest in rural Dorset. It is aimed at reducing and preventing rural crime. Call 01305 226864 for more details.

7-11 May, 7.30pm-10pm

Lighthouse Poole – ‘Sweeney Todd.’ Poole and Parkstone Productions return to Lighthouse this May with Stephen Sondheim’s gruesome tale of Sweeney Todd. Tickets - £15, Concession £13.50.

Under 15 £5, Family of four £35. Call 01202 781320 for more information.

9 May

Climate change forum - the next open meeting of the Hyde District Climate Change Forum will be at Hyde War Memorial Parish Hall. For more details call Debbie Shepherd on 01425 652508.

10 May–19 May

Christchurch Food & Wine Festival 2013.

12 May

Harbourview Abseil for Diverse Abilities, disability charity - Try a unique abseil this May and complete a 110ft abseil whilst overlooking stunning views of Poole Quay and Poole Harbour. No experience needed. Minimum age 8 years. Parent/Guardian must accompany under 18s. Price: £10 registration fee per person or a team (or family) of 4 can enter for £30.

Sponsorship: To take part, we kindly ask each participant to raise a minimum of £100 plus in sponsorship. Contact Sharon Wells on 01202 718266 for more info.

Competitions

in & around the area

Competing for success at Teenstar Two musically talented teenagers have been given the thumbs up at the Teenstar auditions.

Speaking with the spirits Regent Centre, Christchurch Thursday, 23 May - 7.30pm Tickets £17.50 Concs £16.50 Box Office 01202 499199 A thoroughly modern medium, TJ Higgs brings uniqueness through mediumship to her audience.

Delivering messages from loved ones with the utmost accuracy, compassion and finer detail, TJ leaves her audience in no doubt that she connects with the spirit world TJ’s TV appearances are legendary, including giving live readings on Destiny TV; providing a reading for Prince Charles on Richard and Judy; being the expert medium on ‘Xtra Factor’ on ITV and regular appearances on ‘Psychic Private Eyes’ and ‘Colin Fry Live’.

She is also the psychic detective each month in Fate & Fortune magazine. mags4dorset in conjunction with the Regent Centre is offering a pair of tickets to see TJ’s powers in action. For your chance to win tickets to this unique show, answer the following question :

They’ve got T’PAUwer!

Regent Centre Sunday, 19 May - 7.30pm Tickets £19.50, Concs £17.50 Box Office: 01202 499199 T’Pau are back and ready to rock! Fronted

by Carol Decker, T’Pau won the hearts of the British and international public in the 80s. Since forming in 1986, the band saw success, with a five week No1 spot in the UK charts with ‘China in Your Hand’, and an earlier No 4 place in the US Billboard Chart with ‘Heart and Soul.’ Celebrate their 25th anniversary this year at the Regent Centre. mags4dorset in conjunction with the Regent Centre is offering a pair of tickets to see T’Pau on Sunday, 19 May at 7.30pm. For your chance to win tickets, answer the following question:

Hannah Stienen and Shelby Pumfrey, from Bournemouth and Verwood respectively, have made it through to the Regional Finals of this brand new competition for teens and pre-teens.

Miss Stienen is no stranger to competitions having taken part in the German national songwriting competition ‘Dein Song’, at the tender age of 12. She got through the auditions with an extract of her own song ‘Oh My My My.’ Miss Pumfrey has been passionate about singing from an early age, and entered Open Mic 2010, as well as performing in various events. She impressed judges with her rendition of Cee Lo Green’s ‘Forget You.’ The pair now have to make it through the Regional Finals in Bournemouth on 14 April.

This will be a head-to-head battle, performing in front of a professional judging panel to claim their spot at the National Grand Final, at the O2 Arena in London.

T’Pau is named after a character from which classic 1960s’ American science fiction series?

What kind of boards are traditionally used to talk to the spirits?

www.wimbornepartyvenue.co.uk

How to

enter Send your answer on a postcard stating the name of the competition to mags4dorset, 1st Floor, King George V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9EN, or enter at www.mags4dorset. co.uk. Close date for all competitions unless stated otherwise is Monday, 22 April 2013. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final. Employees of Page & Pulford Ltd and their relatives are not permitted to enter

www.regentcentre.co.uk

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

www.barringtoncentre.co.uk April 2013 4Dorset...25

COMPETITIONS

6

th

Annual Creative Writing Awards

This year’s mags4dorset’s Creative Writing Awards are underway “Last year was a huge success with hundreds of entries flooding in,” said editor and author Janine Pulford. “There were far more than we expected. In fact, because we had included articles and poetry, we found the competition rather unwieldy to administer. It was surprising what a lot of extra work it made in the office by adding two more categories and for this reason, we have decided to revert back to running just the Short Story awards this year.”

The theme for the short story in 2013 is: ‘Stars in your eyes.’ It could be a sizzling romance, the quest for stardom or even about stargazers and their accuracy at detecting asteroids on their way to planet Earth. Let your creativity flow, but keep the story to around 1,000 words.

PRIZES: 1st £150, 2nd £50, 3rd £25. The winning entries will also be published in one of our magazines and will appear on the website, where the magazines can be downloaded. The author will retain copyright of their work.

RULES • The theme must be followed.

• Word length is a guideline, but please keep close to it.

• All content must be your own work and your entry must not have been published, won a prize anywhere else or be entered for another competition at the same time.

• Entries will not be returned, so please keep a copy.

• The correct fee must be submitted.

• Three entries maximum per person.

• No email or handwritten entries are permitted.

• Fill in an entry form. Photocopies accepted.

• Do not put your name on your story but include a title sheet with your name, address, title of story and contact phone number or email address • Close date is Friday, 6 September 2013.

• Entries and fees must be sent to: mags4dorset, 1st Floor King Geo V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9EN FEES One story £4 Two stories £6 Three stories £8

Short critiques by Janine Pulford are offered if required and cost £10 per 1,000 words. This service is only available for stories entered in the competition and critiques will be emailed out after the close date of the competition.

ENTRY FORM

ADDRESS

EMAIL TITLE(S)

If you wish to advertise in this section, complete the form and send to mags4dorset, 1st Floor, King George V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9EN. Free insertions limited to two items per person. Trade adverts must be paid for £30 per item plus VAT, max 25 words.

Name:..................................................................................... .................................................................................................

Address:.......................................................................................................... .................................................................................. .................................................................................. ..................................................................................

Item for Sale (short description max 25 words): .................................... ...................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................

Price:..........................................................................................

Telephone Number:................................................................

DECLARATION: PLEASE CROSS OUT THE STATEMENT THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU AND SIGN THE FORM BEFORE POSTING.

I confirm I am not a tradesperson I am a tradesperson and enclose a cheque for £36 PER ITEM including VAT Signature …..................................................

Date ….............................

TRADESPEOPLE MUST PAY BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD AT TIME OF BOOKING

26...4Dorset April 2013

amateur photographic competition 2013 Sponsored by Ferndown Photographics, 26 Victoria Road, Ferndown

Your chance to win a GE X400 camera worth £79 mags4dorset is running a photographic competition to give local budding photographers the opportunity to produce a front cover shot for 4Dorset magazine.

Rules must be adhered to, otherwise your entry will not be able to win.

Entries will be shortlisted by editor and author, Janine Pulford. Judges are author Carol Rivers and author Ian J Burton.

NAME

mags4dorset

The theme is wildlife and this includes plants and trees as well as animals, birds, amphibians, insects, fish and spiders.

How to enter: Send your photographs to mags4dorset Photographic Competition, 1st Floor, King George V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9EN. Or, email your entry to mags@ mags4dorset.co.uk, headed PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION, or enter online at www.mags4dorset.co.uk.

Rules: There is no age restriction. Entrants may submit a maximum of three photographs on the theme of ‘Wildlife’. Minimum size of prints: 7” x 5” (178 x 128mm) max size 10” x 8” (254 x 203mm). Email submissions must be sent as jpeg images at a resolution suitable for front cover publication, (usually 300dpi).

All entries must be taken in Dorset or Hampshire. Images must not be digitally enhanced and must not have been previously published. Photographs must have suitable captions identifying the date taken and the locality, but with no identification marks whatsoever on the front of the photograph. Photographs will not be returned unless a stamped, addressed envelope with the correct postage is included with the entry. Copyright of the winning photographs remain with the photographer, but mags4dorset reserves the right to publish the images on the front cover and inside the magazine within one year from the date of judging. Also to publish online. The competition is only open to amateur photographers. The close date for this competition is Friday, 30 August 2013. 2nd and 3rd place images will also feature on front covers of 4Dorset Magazine. There is no entry fee.

The judges’ decision is final. Please remember to mark your name and address clearly on your email, or on a separate piece of paper enclosed with your photograph.

FREEADS Proceed with caution when buying privately. mags4dorset cannot accept any liablity for transactions carried out as a result of responding to these freeads.

1 HMV old record 1939 series. Tommy Dorsey with Pinetop Smith collector’s item. £5 Bournemouth, 01202 518720 2 Swan Back Ercol Dining Chairs. Golden Dawn, VGC, £250. Bournemouth 01202 518720 Standard Lampshade. Large white pleated. VGC. £8.

Bournemouth, 01202 518720 Dinner Service. Midwinter (Bulrush). 39 pieces inc 2 tureens, meat plate, 6 off dinner plates, 7 bowls. £45.

Ringwood, 01425 470685 Mobility Scooter, TGA Mystere. Excellent condition.

8 mph, 25 mile range, horn, lights and walking stick bag. £385. Verwood, 01202 823066

Aquatec Bath Lift. With charger 7 battery, very little used. £150 Fordingbridge, 01425 654474 Set of Lawn Bowls. Size 4, excellent condition. £30.

West Moors, 07802 420864 Panasonic Vacuum Cleaner.

Practically new. Pack of extra bags. Lightweight. £45. West Moors, 01202 892283 New quality wardrobe from Phipps. Unused, width 31” x 16” x 6ft. Can be put together to make 3 door wardrobe. £225. Please text only. Verwood, 07814 673315.

Claud Butler Valetta D2 Mountain Bike. Good condition £125 ONO Christchurch, 01202 471485

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

Gents Diamond Back On/ Off Road Bicycle and Ladies Raleigh Town/Country Bicycle, both in excellent condition, hardly used - £40 each, Fordingbridge, 01425 654496 Oak, Upholstered Rocking Chair. Very good condition.

All offers open. Wimborne, 01202 882579 Quality Honey Pine Table. In lovely condition. Attractive, detachable legs. Solidly built. £60 Ferndown, 01202 892298 Two Vango ‘Corona’ Camping Chairs. New, still wrapped. £45. West Moors, 01202 896830 Hoover Whirlwind Upright Cleaner. Nearly new. £50.

Verwood 01202 821613

HOROSCOPES

CHRISTCHURCH FEATURE - BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY

RUSSELL GRANT’S

Monthly Horoscopes

ARIES 21 March–20 April Resist the urge to tear a strip off someone who thinks they are the ‘Be all and end all’ of the office, workplace or community, because things could backfire badly leaving you with egg on your face.

You’re better off channelling all of that restless energy into a creative painting, musical or style project that allows you to show your true flare and individuality. There’s every chance you could look forward to an influx of income in the middle of April. One final note of warning, watch your spending at the end of the month. It could land you in trouble.

TAURUS 21 April–21 May You’ll have to hide your light under a bushel in the opening days of April, thanks to an insecure authority figure.

Never fear; you’ll soon have an opportunity to capitalise on your expertise.

For the moment you need to go along with the program, no matter how foolish it is. Inspiration will strike around the 10th, when you’re at the gym or taking a nature walk. A close relationship with a business or romantic partner will experience some bumps and bruises near the 25th. The two of you will decide whether to make up or break up at this fateful time. Whatever the decision, you’ll feel a tremendous surge of relief.

GEMINI 22 May–21 June Working with a team will be very productive at the start of April. A few power struggles will erupt in the early stages, but those will die down once you develop trust for one another. A friend will urge you to take a creative risk on or around the 10th; it would be wise to take their advice. By venturing into unknown territory, you’ll be able to develop a product or service that makes a huge profit.

You’ve always had a knack for generating brilliant ideas. It’s about time you benefited from this ingenuity. A work assignment will come to an abrupt end in the final days of April, and you’ll wonder why. The truth is that a hidden enemy has made trouble for you.

Never fear; a much better assignment is on the horizon, provided you stay positive.

CANCER 22 June–23 July All eyes will be trained on you in early April. Be sure to look your best, even if you’re just running to the store. You never know whom you’ll meet while squeezing tomatoes at the grocery. A career opportunity will arrive on or around the 10th; this is your big chance to break into an impressive industry. This would also be a good time to take the helm of a political organisation; people admire your ability to get things done. A passionate argument between you and a romantic or business partner will erupt in the second half of April.

Try to voice your dissent without being disrespectful. The remaining days of April prompt you to make up or break up with your lover.

LIBRA 24 September–23 October Don’t give your family too much influence over your personal life in early April. Your first loyalty should be to your romantic partner. If you’re single, it may be because you let your relatives interfere with your personal life. Adopt a more independent stance now, while there are several admirers beating a path to your door.

April warns against frivolous purchases.

Resist the urge to go on a shopping spree, or it will take years to repay your debts. A source of income will come to an abrupt end near the 25th, requiring you to economise at every opportunity. If you make every effort to live within your means, the end of April will be remarkably pleasant. You don’t need lots of money to enjoy yourself.

CAPRICORN 22 December–20 January Resist the urge to suppress a powerful upsurge of emotion at the beginning of April. You need to find an outlet for your anger, even at the risk of starting an argument. An oppressive relative keeps trying to discourage you from accepting a new work assignment. Turn a deaf ear and take the job. Your duties will put you on the path of romance in one way or another over April. Keep your ears open for somebody with a sexy voice. If you already have a relationship, this would be a good time for you and your amour to move to a bigger place. An old friendship will break apart quite suddenly around the 25th. If you’re honest, you can part ways without anger or recrimination.

LEO 24 July–23 August Travel beckons in the opening days of April. This would be an ideal time to schedule an overseas trip to a country that’s off the beaten path. You love exploring places that very few people have visited before. It’s even possible you’ll write the definitive guidebook to your destination.

Head home in mid-April, when career opportunities will abound. A good job related to gourmet food, luxury goods, or cosmetics is yours for the asking. Domestic matters become strained as April turns into May. You will have to cut ties with a relative or roommate whose antics are wreaking havoc with your sanity. Lean on a compassionate friend when guilt threatens your resolve. You need to stand firm with this troublemaker.

SCORPIO 24 October–22 November April gets off to a busy start; you’ll have to pace yourself to avoid burnout. Take it easy at the gym, or you could pull a muscle or strain a ligament.

Gentle exercise is good for you at this time.

The 10th is ideal for finding a new job.

The competition will be fierce. Be sure to emphasise your ability to work independently and solve problems on interviews. An intimate relationship heats up in April. Let your partner lavish you with tender loving care. Usually, you are the one who adopts the nurturing role. A role reversal will be a strange but pleasant sensation. Resist the urge to burn your bridges at the end of April.

You need to maintain good relations with old neighbours, employers, and friends to succeed in the months ahead.

AQUARIUS 21 January–19 February A power struggle erupts between you and a neighbour in the early days of April. You have to decide whether it would be better to move to a different place. The days surrounding the 10th will settle the matter for you. You will find a perfect living situation while visiting a nearby community. Moving into a new housing development allows you to make a fresh start. Beware of abusing your authority around the 25th, or your reputation will suffer. If you’re disappointed with the results of a job, start again. Your colleagues will be willing to help, provided you show the proper respect. Give the most creative member of your team free rein, as their imaginative contributions will be integral to your success.

VIRGO 24 August–23 September Finance and romance do not mix in the opening days of April. Don’t let a lover pressure you into buying something you can’t afford. If you’re single, it may be because you’ve been selling yourself short. Make more time for hobbies that boost your confidence. Join a book club, writing group, or debating society. Money from an inheritance, insurance refund, or legal settlement will finally arrive during April. Put the money in a savings, college, or retirement account, where it will protect you from economic insecurity. A hurtful comment from a lover, neighbour, or relative threatens to derail your progress at the end of April.

Decide whether they are jealous of your achievements. After all, you are a great deal more intelligent and attractive than they are.

SAGITTARIUS 23 November–21 December April opens with a passionate lovers’ quarrel. Your amour will try pressuring you into buying a gift you can’t afford.

Stand firm. If your relationship is worthwhile, it will survive through good times and bad. Single? You will meet someone special around the 10th. Together, you make a very cute couple. Buy some new clothes this month, that accentuate your best features. An embarrassing secret will be revealed in the final days of April. Someone you loved will tumble off their pedestal, and you will feel disillusioned. Retreat to some secluded place where you can lick your wounds in private. It takes time to recover from a shock like this. Fortunately, friends will offer plenty of emotional support when you’re ready to rejoin society.

PISCES 20 February–20 March Early April will trigger an argument about religion, politics, or morality. You don’t approve of a high powered friend’s beliefs. Although you have different outlooks, you do complement each other in important ways. Maybe the two of you should just agree to disagree. An exciting moneymaking opportunity arrives near the 10th. Don’t expect this job to be just handed to you; you’ll have to elbow a few rivals out of the way. A mentor will fall off their pedestal as April draws to a close. This is a sign you need to be more lenient with the people you love and admire. No matter how talented or accomplished somebody is, they are human in the final analysis. The sooner you accept this, the healthier your relationships will become.

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

April 2013 4Dorset...27

Vector Graphics by VectorOpenStock.com

This month we welcome Britain’s most loved astrologer Russell Grant who will be writing monthly horoscopes for 4Dorset. A popular television personality and presenter, he was a regular expert on ‘This Morning’ with Richard and Judy, he also appeared in ‘Celebrity Fit Club’, ‘Kitchen Burnout’, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and presented, among may other programmes, ‘Star Choice,’ a celebrity quiz show based on the zodiac.

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COMPUTER SERVICES Tec Check Ltd

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ELECTRICAL -

T: 01202 880202

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DOUBLE GLAZING

DRAINS

FENCING & GATES

Reliable local company who supply & fit double glazed windows, doors & conservatories Fascias, soffits & guttering • FENSA registered

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DOOR HANGING The Door Hanger Ltd

We supply & fit all types of interior & exterior doors Also general carpentry & joinery Call: 01202 513069 • M: 07941 191855

High pressure jetting, unblocking drain lines CCTV surveys, root cutting, relining, septic tanks, treatment plants, mains connections & soakaways

T: 01202 828081

ELECTRICAL -

PART P REG’D

Activate Electrical

All aspects of electrical work undertaken Fuseboards • Sockets • Lighting • Fault finding Electrical inspection reports • Flat panel TV installations T: 01202 880202 • M: 07956 469174

ROOFING Gregory Adams Roofing

Flat roofs • Tiling • Slates • Leadwork Roofing repair work • Roof cleaning Fully Insured T: 01425 476635 • M: 07831 186160

TV AERIAL & SATELLITE H J Audio Visual

Aerial & satellite repairs/installations Freesat, Freeview, Sky, TV wall mounting, home cinemas & CCTV T: 01425 206352 • M: 07740 345045

WATER SOFTENERS Dorset Water Softeners

Family company based in Ferndown specialising in supplying, installing, servicing & repairs. Salt deliveries & collection. www.homefixers.org.uk 01202 375565 • www.dorsetwatersofteners.com

PART P REG’D

Drains, toilets, sinks & showers unblocked CCTV surveys, drains repaired & relined 24/7 service

Keens Drainage Services Ltd

All aspects of flat roofing including single ply, Slating, tiling, new roofs, repairs and leadwork Established family business for over 100 years T: 01202 882777 • E: davids@bh21.eu

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April 2013 4Dorset...29

in motoring

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C

Crazy Car Questions

by Stephen Turvil

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake

artoon legend Wile E Coyote needs a fast estate car to catch Road Runner - but which one?

I suspect this wolf-like creature – who has spent years chasing that infuriating bird – would love the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake.

Why? Because it has a 5.4-litre 525PS engine that could propel him to 62mph in 4.4 seconds. Much faster than Road Runner. But speed is nothing without control. Fortunately, this bird chaser has an electronic stability programme, which minimises under-steer and over-steer. The former occurs when front tyres lose traction on corners and force cars wide. The latter is when rear tyres lose grip through bends, which can make cars spin. But such problems are rare in the CLS. Its electronic stability programme feels the tyres struggling and brakes (say) a single wheel to keep it in line.

I was lucky enough to test this on a racetrack – on behalf of Mr Coyote - and it works beautifully. It also complements the Traction Control system that minimises wheel spin while accelerating. The Shooting Brake is therefore Wile’s best hope of catching his speedy nemesis. No

wonder he is sharpening his knife and fork.

Wile E Coyote likes to set traps for his prey such as falling rocks, holes in the road, and rope lassos.

Fortunately, this workhorse has plenty of room for equipment, as cargo capacity is 590-litres rising to 1,550-litres when the rear seats are folded flat. But this, of course, cannot prevent the not so bright coyote falling into his own traps.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake also feels beautifully screwed together, so it should be reliable long term and capable of taking a few hits from Road Runner. It has a sky-high equipment specification too which includes: seven-speed automatic transmission, Bluetooth, and a brake pad wear indicator. The CLS also has an attention assist feature that could monitor Wile’s driving for signs of fatigue such as sudden steering movements. If there are no external factors – such as cross winds or kicks from Road Runner - the car would tell him to rest via an audible/visual warning. That could be Road Runner’s last chance to escape the dinner table. Prices start at £83,055. Beep! Beep! stephenturvil@googlemail.com

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