Dorset View March 2021

March 2021 Volume 18, Issue 8

Coming out of lockdown:

hopes for the future CALLS TO EXTEND LOCAL PLAN DEADLINE

A reader's Covid story

Roy's kayak challenge for charity Your Independent Local Magazine ISSN 2397-723X (print) | ISSN 2397-7248 (online)

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

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

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Volume 18 • Issue 8 • March 2021

DORSET VIEW

Dear Readers!

I always thought it was a good job February had the fewest days of all the months. The joys of Christmas and New Year are a distant memory and warmer weather feels like it will never arrive.

But, as ever, the seasons roll on and my heart jumps with excitement every time I see a hint of spring. Catkins, daffodils and crocuses are all making an appearance and I’m noticing a little more light at the end of each day too.

This is great news for me – I like an evening walk but, as I live in the sticks, I’m not keen to go marching across fields on my own in the dark after work.

This year, our emergence from winter is made even sweeter as we hope to emerge from lockdown 3.0 at the same time.

As I write, the government has announced that it has met its first vaccination target, and we are all eagerly awaiting news on our roadmap out of lockdown. I hope that, by the time you read this, we will be counting down the days until we can, once again, meet with family and friends and start doing the things we love, even though we know there will likely be some restrictions still in place.

Some local people have been looking forward to lockdown lifting – read their thoughts on page 10. For me, there’s one thing I’m looking forward to more than anything else – a good, long hug with my family and friends.

Ben Pulford managing director ben@mags4dorset.co.uk Louis Pulford creative director louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@mags4dorset.co.uk

Janine Pulford editor editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@mags4dorset.co.uk Karen Wyatt-Epapara deputy editor mags@mags4dorset.co.uk

ADVERTISING Mark Beechey account manager mark@mags4dorset.co.uk Simon Thornton account manager simon@mags4dorset.co.uk Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

Karen Wyatt-Epapara Deputy Editor

The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions in order to fit in with the editorial policy and style of the magazine

Picture of the month

NEWS DESK

LOGISTICS Mike Talbot

A cheerful sight - yarn bombing at Long Crichel

How to contact us

01202 870270 Email: mags@mags4dorset.co.uk Web: www.dorsetview.co.uk Twitter: @mags4dorset Facebook: mags4dorset.news Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ Follow us on FACEBOOK:

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Copy deadline

8 MARCH 2020

Dorset View is independently published and distributed free to homes and businesses in selected areas of Dorset and Hampshire. It is also available by subscription at £40 per year. Views or opinions expressed in Dorset View are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed to be unsuitable for publication. Information about a service does not imply recommendation. All purchases made through this publication are done so entirely at your own risk. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Dorset View and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The company’s privacy policy can be read at www.mags4dorset.co uk

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Council tax increase to boost policing Police and Crime Panel members have approved plans to raise the amount households pay to fund Dorset Police.

The panel was asked for their agreement to increase the precept – the part of a monthly council tax bill that funds policing – by the equivalent of £1.25 a month, based on an average band D household.

This followed a survey carried out by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in which two thirds of Dorset residents said they would be prepared to pay the increased amount.

Martyn Underhill, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Dorset, said, “I’d like to thank the panel for approving these plans but more importantly, I’d like to thank the county’s residents

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

for their continued support, particularly during a time when I know many people are worried about their own finances.

“Dorset Police are on track to recruit their allocated number of new officers. This funding is excellent news for the force – it will mean they’ll be able to recruit over and above this target, deliver a balanced budget and invest in new technology.”

Dorset Police is now predicted to recruit an additional 64 new officers by the end of March as part of the government’s three-year uplift programme and plans to recruit further new officers in 2021/22.

The charge will come into effect across the Dorset and BCP Council areas from 1 April 2021.

More business grants available New applicants in Dorset are invited to apply for the latest round of Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG).

ARG Phase 2, which opened on 12 February, is for businesses which haven’t previously applied for and received the ARG relating to the November 2020 lockdown.

Those businesses which received the November lockdown payment are automatically receiving payment to cover the first six weeks from the start of the January national lockdown.

The criteria for ARG Phase 2 has also been widened to include businesses eligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

The ARG aims to help businesses which have been severely impacted by the January lockdown, regardless of whether they have been legally required to close or not, and which do not qualify for the Local Restrictions Support

Grant (Closed) Addendum.

To qualify, a business must be in the Dorset Council area; must have been open before the January 2021 national restrictions were in place; must have been required to close due to national restrictions that came into force in January and must not have a liability to pay business rates.

Or the business may be eligible if it has remained open during the January national restrictions but has been significantly impacted and suffered a severe loss of income directly as a result of the national restrictions (severe loss is defined as 50 per cent or more, compared to your usual or forecasted income for this time of year).

The round of ARG relating to the November-December 2020 lockdown period is now closed.

See more and how to apply at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ business-grants

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Overall crime continues to drop for Dorset Police The latest figures released by Dorset Police show that there has been a 6.1 per cent drop in recorded crime in the county.

The data, released by the

Office for National Statistics, indicates an overall drop in for the third consecutive quarter and gives Dorset the ninth lowest crime rate in England and Wales.

It is likely that the levels of some types of crime have been impacted by the Covid-19 restrictions. Even with some crime returning to expected levels during the summer months in 2020, the force was still able to focus its attentions on crimes that affect the most vulnerable

members of the community, such as domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation and county lines.

The total number of crimes reduced from 54,387 to 51,088 over the 12-month period, a reduction of 4.3 crimes per 1,000 population.

Poole Hospital improvements begin Work is underway to improve Poole Hospital’s emergency department (ED). It is hoped the facility will then be better suited to the care of patients with infectious diseases once the works are completed in early May. The scheme will also see the improvement and enhancement of the department’s ambulatory care area, enabling the team to see and treat patients quicker, and in a more appropriate environment.

As part of the improvements, the current ED reception and waiting area will be demolished to make room for a new four- bed resus

area, all with isolation rooms.

Currently, as most patients are seen in the hospital’s Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), it is hoped that there will be minimal disruption to patient care during the period.

During the building works there will be no pedestrian access directly into the ED but it will still be open for to walk-in patients who will be streamed to the appropriate area via the UTC. All patients needing to attend the UTC are requested to use the hospital’s north entrance over this period.

Ambulance arrivals are unaffected.

BCP Council to trial alternative fuel Waste collections in the BCP Council area could soon be run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) after the council made an agreement to trial this environmentally friendly fuel in two of its refuse vehicles.

HVO is an advanced renewable and sustainable fuel that offers a 90 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. It is created by collecting cooking oil waste and putting it through a hydrotreatment process, before reusing it in diesel

vehicles. Previously, this oil would have been disposed of in landfill or as hazardous waste.

It can also be used as a drop-in alternative to regular diesel with no modifications or changes necessary to the existing fleet, saving money as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The trial will last one year. It is hoped it will deliver a carbon dioxide saving of around 40 metric tonnes per vehicle and will open up the potential for the fuel to be used within the remainder of the fleet.

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Calls to extend local plan consultation Residents in Corfe Mullen are urgently calling for the consultation period to be extended and the plan delayed.

In Corfe Mullen more than 400 new houses are planned on biodiverse green belt. Areas that would be lost include open fields at Pardys Hill, Haywards Lane, and Broadmoor Road.

Resident, Johanna

Dollerson, said she believed the Dorset Council Local Plan is “deeply flawed,” adding, "In 2019 a Climate and Ecological Emergency was officially declared by Dorset Council.

And the county is recognised as being ‘particularly vulnerable’ to climate change in the local plan.

"Sacrificing green belt

to housing development is a double blow for climate and ecology — increasing air pollution from traffic and waste from households, while destroying forever the significant carbon sink currently provided by its healthy soil, trees and grassland. Natural flood prevention systems would also be lost along with the green belt’s healthy natural watercourses.

"Surrounded by ancient trees, hedgerows and streams, the green belt sites earmarked for development are home to rich, diverse and increasingly threatened wildlife. The plan’s language around protection for these significant natural assets is non-committal. Each ‘protection’ is bounded by the caveat ‘should’.”

Johanna says the plan is being rushed. "Without swift intervention from local people, irreplaceable natural assets for mental and physical health will be lost, the hope of a flourishing future for local young people will be trashed, and the heart of local communities will be changed forever.

"The plan will cover the next

17 years of development across Dorset. To rush such significant development, through a short and poorly advertised public consultation, during the third national lockdown, is at best cynical, at worst a manipulation of the universal exhaustion resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic trauma."

Other areas of countryside earmarked for housing include Dudsbury Golf Course in Ferndown.

The public consultation ends on 15 March 2021 and comments must be made by then. The plan will go through several phases and will include a further chance for feedback on its ‘soundness’. It will also be scrutinised by the planning inspectorate before its adoption.

The plan is available at libraries and online at www. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorsetcouncil-local-plan. There is also a phone line available Monday to Friday 10am-2pm where people can ask questions. Tel: 01305 252500.

Join local campaigners on Facebook @ KeepCorfeMullenGreen

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March in the garden

As we move into more settled spring weather with temperatures changing and the soil warming, it is time to undertake the spring garden planting. New trees, shrubs, perennials, alpines and roses can all be planted after preparing your tubs, beds and borders with compost, soil improvers and fertilisers.

Now is the ideal time to plant evergreens and more tender plants to give them a good chance to establish themselves over summer, before the winter months return.

There are so many wonderful spring and early summer flowering foliage trees, shrubs and perennials to plant. Flowering cherries, ornamental plums and apples, beautiful Japanese Acers, forsythia, magnolias, variegated Pieris, azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias can all provide spectacular splashes of colour and contrast in beds, borders and containers.

Planting out of all vegetable patches and beds with hardy plants such as potatoes and onions can be done now. Be patient with the more tender plants – tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, chilli peppers and sweetcorn – keep those protected until the last frosts have gone.

Woodlands can give customers any advice they require on the preparation and planting of new lawns, and the feeding and weeding required to nurture the grass.

They also now stock a variety of new and native plants to encourage birds, bees, butterflies and insects to create native habitats to sustain garden wildlife.

It is a very busy time of year, but with a little effort, you will be rewarded with a beautiful succession of flowers, fruit and vegetables.

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

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Have your say on £102m sustainable transport infrastructure investment BCP and Dorset councils are working together to transform sustainable travel in south east Dorset.

They want to create a safe, green and healthy transport infrastructure network which will encourage people to make the bus, cycling, walking or even scootering their first choice for local travel over jumping in the car, particularly for short journeys.

The joint initiative offers the opportunity to build this new eco-friendly transport infrastructure using money awarded for this specific purpose, from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).

The TCF Programme is proposing six new sustainable travel routes linking the whole region from Wimborne and Ferndown in the north, Wareham and Poole in the west and Christchurch in the east. Plans include 78km of new cycling and walking routes and bus improvements including bus shelters and reduced journey times.

Now here is your chance to give your feedback on the proposals by visiting TCF’s online public consultation platform haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov. uk/transforming-travel where you can view detailed maps and plans and complete a feedback survey.

Printed copies of the proposals are also available on request by emailing transformingtravel@ bcpcouncil.gov.uk or calling 01202 451451.

Dorset Tourism Awards 2020 was a challenging year for the tourism industry in Dorset but, nevertheless, businesses were recognised in the 2020 Dorset Tourism Awards, which took place online.

The awards were presented at an online ceremony taking place over five sessions on 4 February.

Amongst the top winners was Bournemouth’s Marsham Court Hotel, collecting three Gold awards for Hotel of the Year, Business Events and Wedding Venue of the Year, Dog Friendly Business of the Year and the prestigious Winner of Winners award. Other top winners included The Tank Museum and Nothe Fort.

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law spot by Harold G Walker Solicitors

‘We’re splitting up.

Thousands of trees to be planted

How do I possibly sort out the finances?’

By Rob Price – Family Law Solicitor Depending on how long you have been together, it is highly likely you will have accumulated some assets. It is essential that you get organised and make a list of what assets you have, together with the overall household income and liabilities/ expenditure. Your solicitor can help you with this.

In addition, they will help point you in the right direction of the legal options open to you in relation to your finances.

Some of the options available to you are: Money to get you what you need now when the divorce petition has been prepared. You can apply to the courts to ask for a short-term order, to sort out a short-term financial problem temporarily, before things are finalised.

Periodical payments for you, for your future Regular weekly or monthly payments from your spouse for either you or the children or both.

Please call us and we'll tell you more.

Capital orders The home, money in the bank and all the assets, sole name or joint, all end up in the pot for fair distribution between you.

Lump sum orders • Property adjustment orders In other words, transfer of ownership of the home(s) to your name (or theirs). Subject to fair conditions perhaps. It's all negotiable.

• Order for sale of the home/other assets Again, possibly subject to certain conditions, e.g. repairs to get the best price, to turn into a lump sum, for fair distribution.

Pension sharing order You can get a share of your spouse’s pension. You can get your own pension company to invest in from your share.

Many couples believe that they do not require a legal professional’s help, if they can agree financial matters between them at this stage. This can become problematic further down the line and if you do not have an agreement in place, then it is much more difficult to deal with.

We would always recommend you take legal advice in relation to your finances when separating and often find that the benefit will outweigh the cost.

This column is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

BCP Council is to plant over 10,000 trees across the conurbation this year.

These native trees will provide benefits such as natural traffic noise and pollution buffers alongside wildlife refuges.

Planting is taking place throughout the winter on sites including Iford Meadows, Stourvale Estate, Littledown Valley, Waterman’s Park, Hatchard’s Field, Sterte Esplanade and Bearwood Open Spaces.

Included are 4,000 trees are being planted in North Bournemouth including the reinstatement planting of lost hedgerows at Hicks Farm.

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St Catherine's School set to close

Due to a sharp decline in pupil numbers, St Catherine’s School in Colehill could close this year.

The school comes under the umbrella of Plymouth CAST Multi Academy Trust and Tina Parkes, executive officer said, “We have explored a number of options to keep the academy open but unfortunately, have concluded that St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School should close at the end of the academic year. Our board of trustees has written to the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC), at the Department for Education, to initiate this process.”

Any final decision to close the school will be taken by the Secretary of State for Education.

It’s back to school for police dogs The old Wimborne First School building in School Lane has been put to good use recently, with Dorset Council and Dorset Police working together to train police dogs at the premises.

Two types of training are happening in the school, the first being for general purpose police dogs involving German Shepherds and German Shepherd/Malinois cross dogs that are being trained to search for people and property.

The second type of specialist training involves Spaniels and Labradors, which are being trained to locate substances or objects of interest to the police.

The future of the Wimborne First School buildings is still being considered.

Food for Thought fundraiser Local female singers are getting together to perform an online gala event to raise funds for the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch food banks.

The performers will sing a range of covers and original songs across a wide variety of genres including musical theatre, pop, rock, vintage, blues, country, jazz and soul with a touch of comedy thrown in.

It is hoped the event will raise money for local food banks, which are part of the Faithworks Wessex project, providing food, support and help to people and families that are struggling to live, eat and survive from day to day.

It will stream from YouTube and Hangover Hill TV from 5.30pm on 20 March. Links to the event will be on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and viewers can donate using the donate button. For more information, see http://foodforthought.show

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Local people reveal their hopes for the future

By Marilyn Barber

Nine local people tell us what they are most looking forward to over the coming weeks when lockdown measures are eased.

1. What are you most looking forward to doing when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted?

2. Is there anything you have come to realise in the last year that you will take forward for the future?

These are their responses.

Sir William Hanham, Deans Court 1. Going to art exhibitions again. Whenever I’m in London I try and catch the big shows at the main museums and galleries. Seeing great works of art, sometimes from collections across the world, brought together under one roof always strikes me as something of a once-in-a-lifetime event, and London plays host to some of the world’s greatest exhibitions.

2. During the first lockdown, for a few weeks we experienced a world without cars and aeroplanes constantly deafening us to the sounds of the natural world. I’ll always remember the incredible birdsong and the ability ’to stand and stare', and what we have lost with industrialisation. I hope that in the future we can somehow all experience this again, even for just a few days a year.

Dame Annette Brooke, former MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.

1. I have been very cautious since last March and have not been to a restaurant for over a year. Lunch out with friends would be an enormous treat right now.

2. W ith the return to more freedom there are opportunities for us all to make different choices in the future and I feel these opportunities must be seized in the ‘new’ normal. As an individual there is much more I can do to tackle climate change. I have so valued our natural environment during this last year; I feel an even greater desire to protect it for future generations.

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

Toni Coombs, member of Dorset Council and Verwood Town Council 1. First and foremost seeing my grown up kids and my long distance best friend.

After that taking the holiday I missed last year – we desperately need some sunshine.

2. I will take two things forward – that a crisis brings out the best in some people and the worst in others (thankfully a small minority). The number of hidden vulnerable people in our community with little or no support and how we need to be less self-centred as a society.

Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive 1. I am very much looking to getting out and about with my wife in our new motorhome. It will be great to explore more of the wonderful countryside we have here in Dorset as well as a bit further afield too.

2. I’ve always known what a brilliant business community we have in Dorset but the pandemic has really brought it home. People have been so supportive of each other while under incredible pressure themselves. Bonds forged in adversity are the kind which persist and they will stand us in good stead as we bounce back from the pandemic.

Pete Matthews, the crazy juggler 1. Being a performer, I’ve missed my audience. I cannot wait to get back on a big stage and make an audience rock with laughter.

2. In the first lockdown I built raised planters and an epic restoration of a 50ft 300- year-old cob wall. Working in the garden and building has reminded me how much I love doing stuff like that, and I intend to do more things like that in the future.

,,

With lockdown measures set to be eased over the coming weeks, we asked a number of local people two questions.

Being a performer, I’ve

missed my audience. I cannot wait to get back on a big stage

,,

and make an audience rock with laughter.

Alan Breakwell, a former chief executive of East Dorset District Council 1. I would very much like to venture further than the local area to enjoy the beautiful county we live in and to go on holiday especially cruising when it is safe to do so. As chairman of the Tivoli Theatre I am looking forward to the day when the Tivoli can open its doors.

2. Live for the day and make better use of your precious time and wherever possible strive to make a difference. Being so involved in Wimborne I continue to be amazed at the incredible generosity of people and communities which I have seen in their support for the Tivoli Appeal.

Greg Hoar, marketing manager at Wimborne Model Town 1. Without doubt enjoying live music and performance. Zoom rehearsals and YouTube videos aren’t a patch on the real thing.

2. In lockdown without the hubbub of everyday life, we can all benefit from a support mechanism of people and projects that can continue to make us feel good and motivated. We have enjoyed a quieter pace of life and have had to become more resourceful, patient and accepting of the present situation.

Moving forward maybe we can bring some of these attributes forward, be more mindful of others and not take too much for granted.

Anthony Oliver, former Mayor of Wimborne 1. We look forward to the town coming back to life with the shops opening and people being able to move about more freely.

The re-opening of the Model Town, The Museum of East Dorset, the Tivoli Theatre and most of all The Minster. On the In Bloom front, getting the town back with all the floral displays which have been so much enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. On the Minster front, being able to once again attend and hold services.

2. Taking more notice of nature and the many local walks that we have found during lockdown. Need to make sure we offer more help to those around us, appreciating each other’s company and just taking time to stop and stare.

Linda Thornton co-founder of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation 1. I am most looking forward to enjoying our favourite walk along the South West Coast Path from Dancing Ledge to Chapman’s Pool and having our usual picnic at the Royal Marines Memorial Garden at Emmetts Hill.

2. This last year has strengthened my belief that it is the time spent with the family and friends that we love which is the most precious gift. A continued gratitude towards all the key workers who have got us through this nightmare, and a real appreciation for the little things which I took for granted.

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Pulford Publicity’s

Charity of the Year

Last month we gave you an insight into our Advice Team and the work they do on a day-to-day basis.

This time around, we thought we’d introduce you to life at The Beehive, our adults’ activity and therapy centre.

Many of those we support are currently vulnerable and shielding – some have not left their homes since March 2020. However, we are continuing to provide support remotely, and recently we have reopened The Beehive to provide emergency respite care with a select number of adults in attendance each day, with additional satellite sites to ensure social distancing.

The respite means carers can take a break from providing 24/7 support at home. We host a whole range of activities from arts and crafts to cookery, fitness training, gardening and more.

We spoke to Matt and Jess, two siblings who attend The Beehive, about what their life has been like

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during lockdown. They’ve both been keeping busy and are both excited to return to The Beehive and see their friends and all the staff again.

Matt told us, “The last year has been difficult and boring. I was really happy to come back. I enjoy sitting on the gym ball, playing games, and having fun.”

Jess added, “The last year has been good but I missed my friends.

I was excited to see them again at The Beehive and enjoy colouring, painting, playing snap, singing, dancing, and games.”

We’re doing all we can within the guidelines for those we support but are looking forward to the day when we can get a few more people through the door and help boost their wellbeing once more – until then, Zoom, Skype, Jitsi, and all sorts will get us through!

Cat, and the team at Diverse Abilities

Funding for education in Dorset Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has pledged £3.5 million towards a new University Centre and Rural Business Development Hub at Kingston Maurward, giving young people the chance to benefit from new higher education opportunities.

In addition, the Dorset LEP has committed £1.3 million of funding via the Local Growth Fund to Bournemouth and Poole College for two projects, which will benefit over 10,000 students and 600 staff. The Workstations and Remote Access projects include a major upgrade in IT equipment and the delivery of online teaching, to expand student and staff access to virtual workstations and applications.

The project also includes the replacement of ageing network equipment. This upgrade will support the increasing use of digital resources at the Lansdowne, North Road and Fulcrum campuses and will also support the online delivery of teaching and learning for those on site.

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Top Down Kayak Challenge from John O’Groats to Lands End In what is thought will be a world first, kayaker Roy Beal is going to paddle from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise funds for charity.

Roy will be paddling in a wooden sea kayak and, as well as raising money for charity, he aims to raise awareness of the impact of plastics in the marine environment and to promote outdoor sports safety.

The gruelling 900-mile Top Down Kayak Challenge will begin on 26 May from John O’Groats.

“I believe the route has been completed in the other direction three times,” said Roy, “but to my knowledge this will be the first ‘top down’ attempt and the first time in a wooden sea kayak.”

An experienced kayaker, Roy began sea kayaking in 2013 when he paddled from Seaton to Land’s End in eight days for charity. In 2016, he kayaked from Tower Bridge in London back to Seaton, also for charity – this time it took him 21 days.

Roy is also a support kayaker for endurance swimmers. In total, Roy and his kayak have helped to raise more than £20,000 for good causes.

Without doubt, there will be many difficulties in his next challenge.

“I'll be paddling areas I've never been to and experience can count for a lot,” he said. “The North Sea has its own reputation, as does the Irish Sea. A lot of the Scottish areas can have interesting tidal flows and the Bristol Channel is well known for its potentially nasty currents.

Even inland waterways can have their moments in inclement weather, especially Loch Ness.”

Roy will also have to negotiate 128 locks across five canals and a river. “The North Cornwall and Devon coasts can be hazardous too,” he adds. “It'll be about planning and not taking silly risks.”

Route Roy will kayak the east coast of Scotland to Inverness on the North Sea, before paddling along the Caledonian Canal and across the cold, deep waters of Loch Ness, to emerge on the west coast at Fort William.

He’ll navigate the fast tidal flows of the Irish Sea to Liverpool, then head inland on the River Dee, following the canal networks and their many locks to Sharpness. Roy will then join the River

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

Severn, paddle on to the Bristol Channel before heading down the rugged north coast of south west England to Land’s End, back-tracking one mile to land at Sennen Cove.

Top Down Challenge has two goals 1. Awareness of the impact of plastics in the marine environment “By kayaking the sea, rivers, canals and lakes, I can show the effects of this pollution in all waterways,” says Roy, who will be keeping a log as he goes.

He will be promoting organisations such as Keep Britain Tidy and Clean Jurassic Coast, a Ferndown-based not-for-profit Community Interest Company started by Roy, which carries out litter picks along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Roy also works for the Ocean Recovery Project, part of Keep Britain Tidy. ORP collects hard plastics found in the marine environment, which then get cleaned, shredded and reused for items like picnic benches and fence posts.

With regular beach cleans every week, Roy has found all sorts ranging from 50-year-old washing up liquid bottles to the skeletal remains of fishing line entangled sea birds – a hard hitting reminder of why this challenge is so important to him.

2. To promote outdoor pursuit safety Roy’s second goal is to promote outdoor pursuit safety with Ocean Signal and Plan B Charity. Plan B was set up by the family of Dom Jackson, a kayaker who was lost to the sea in 2017 when he was unable to access his mobile phone when in difficulty.

Plan B, along with Ocean Signal, promotes and educates the importance of carrying a means to call for help whilst outdoors.

Ocean Signal is a leading supplier of life-saving solutions, providing PLBs, EPIRBs, AIS, electronic flares and other safety devices for mariners and outdoor enthusiasts across the world, including the smallest PLB, the rescueME PLB1.

“Whether hiking, trail running or mountain biking, kayaking, paddle boarding or out on a boat or yacht, the outdoor world is a beautiful but unpredictable place and just knowing you can summon help is priceless,” explained Roy. “Anywhere where there is a possibility for injury or changes in weather – are you able to call for help? Mobile phones don’t always have a signal but a Personal Locator Beacon does. Using the designated 406MHz Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, a PLB offers the best chance of survival when things go wrong.”

Ocean Signal has supplied Roy with a rescueME PLB1 and also a rescueME EDF1 electronic distress flare to ensure he has the best chance of survival in an emergency.

While Roy is not specifically fundraising, he would recommend donating to Keep Britain Tidy, Plan B Charity or Clean Jurassic Coast.

You can follow Roy on social media at @top.down.kayak.challenge on Instagram or Kayaking For Charity on Facebook, or at www.dorsetview.co.uk.

For further information or sponsorship opportunities please contact Roy via www.kayakingforcharity.co.uk

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Which Dorset care homes can you trust to care?

“If your family is thinking about a care home for an older loved one, you want your loved one’s safety and wellbeing to be a priority,” says Zita Turner, home manager of Care UK’s the Potteries care home in Broadstone.

Zita, and Jan, home manager of Care UK’s Ferndown Manor care spoke to Dorset View to explain how they’re supporting families through these challenging times.

“Care UK has been delivering care for 35 years, and over 6,500 families across the UK trust us to care for loved ones,” Zita says. “Both of our Dorset care homes deliver a full range of tailored quality care services, including residential, respite and dementia care.”

Jan continues, “Safety is all-important. Our teams wear PPE, and both homes have an infection prevention and control champion to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained.

“New residents must have a negative Covid-19 test before they move in, and we care for them in their room for at least seven days to reduce any further risk,” Zita explains. “After that, your loved one can enjoy a more normal routine. Both homes have a Covid-safe visiting suite so family visits can continue.”

Funding to help with drug and alcohol misuse

Dorset Council has secured £306,713 of government funding to address drug and alcohol misuse. It will support people to access detox and rehabilitation services outside of Dorset where appropriate, as well as improving wraparound support in the local area, such as access to mental health and substance use workers and peer mentors, who are key to working with vulnerable people in treatment services.

The project will work closely with the Next Steps Accommodation Programme (NSAP), through which Dorset Council has also received £1.6m to help people find and maintain safe accommodation.

Call 01202 031372 (Ferndown) or 01202 070394 (Broadstone) to find out more about how Care UK’s Dorset care homes can help you care for your loved one.

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health and care

One third of Covid patients admitted in a month Almost one third of all patients who have needed hospital treatment for Covid-19 since the pandemic began were admitted in January.

Hospitals treated a total of 242,307 patients who were confirmed to have Covid-19 last year, compared with 101,956 in January 2021.

The NHS completed more than six million elective treatments in 2020 despite Covid-19, while hospitals carried out more than two cancer procedures for every patient they treated for the virus. There were more than 18.7 million A&E attendances.

With hospitals still treating over a thousand more patients with Covid-19 during January than they did at the peak of the first wave – and more people with Covid-19 in critical care than for all conditions during the same period last year – NHS leaders urged the public to remain vigilant and follow the official advice on slowing the spread of the virus.

Steps to increase happiness On 20 March, people across the world will be celebrating the United Nations International Day of Happiness. Originally launched in 2012, it aims 'to promote happiness as a universal goal and aspiration in the lives of human beings around the world' and recognises the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to global economic growth that promotes sustainable development and the eradication of poverty.

Gerry Clarke, who began the World Happiness Project alongside Chris Croft, asks, “Who wouldn’t want to bring more happiness into theIr life?”

The World Happiness Project’s aim is to develop an online fellowship of people interested in increasing happiness and improving mental health and wellbeing

in the home, the community and the workplace around the world. Gerry believes that, as the world is now responding to the challenge to tackle climate change, the framework of society also needs to be addressed.

He said, “Now, having set in motion a campaign to address the most important environmental issue in the world today, we seriously need to consider the future of our society and what sort of lives we want to live in our new environmentally friendly, more sustainable new world.”

To help increase happiness, Gerry has a couple of suggestions: Join in the online Global Happy Café monthly meetings, meet likeminded people and learn practical ways of increasing personal happiness and wellbeing whilst at the same time discussing the future

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Gerry Clarke

of society following the Coronavirus lockdown. Visit www.world-happinessproject.com for details.

Join the Action for Happiness movement, an international movement committed to building a happier and more caring society. Find out more at www.actionforhappiness.org.

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

How to avoid fake vaccine fraudsters The UK's vaccine roll-out is offering light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but sadly it is being exploited by cyber criminals.

It is important to be aware of vaccination scams and how to spot them.

Scam emails vary, with some asking for sensitive personal information, while others ask recipients to pay for their vaccine.

Those invited for a vaccination should expect to receive: • A letter – for those who are invited to a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy • An SMS or email – for those who are invited to a local centre, such as a hospital or GP surgery. In some cases, however, you may receive a letter

What to look out for There is no charge for the Covid vaccine, which is available for free through the NHS. The NHS will never ask for: • Bank account, card or other payment details • Banking passwords or PINs • Copies of personal documents to prove your identity, such as your passport, driver's licence, bills or pay slips If you receive a letter but do not book an appointment, you may receive a phone call from the NHS Immunisation Management Service. This call will come from 0300 561 0240

Move more when staying at home

By Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK Getting motivated to exercise outdoors during the cold, dark winter months can be challenging. Keeping physically active while the gyms and sports facilities are closed presents us with

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

a unique challenge. Regular physical activity is strongly associated with a reduced risk of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as improving mental health. Even small increases in physical activity can positively impact on health.

Exercises in your home Find exercises that you can do at home in short bursts of ten minutes or more, at regular intervals throughout the day.

For example, you could try some gentle weight-lifting, using cans of baked beans.

See www.nhs.uk/live-well/ exercise/gym-free-workouts/ for ideas.

Replace your daily commute with physical activity If you are working or studying from home, you may be saving time that would normally be spent on your daily commute.

Instead, you could go for a brisk walk, jog or cycle outdoors or walk briskly around the house, including going up and down flights of stairs.

Don’t be a couch potato Rather than spending your evenings sitting on the sofa without moving much, why not try a few gentle exercises, such as leg raises, while watching your favourite TV

and will be a reminder to book your appointment. The caller will see if you need any help or support but will not book an appointment over the phone.

If you are suspicious If you receive what you believe to be a fraudulent email, be sure to report it. Simply forward any suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

The automated system will do the rest and if it is deemed to be dodgy, the service will take steps to have the site removed.

If you are unfortunate enough to fall for a scam of this nature, please make sure you report it to Action Fraud. show. See examples here: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/ Documents/sofa-workout.jpg Reduce screen time for kids Talk to your children about the importance of staying active and agree on a set amount of screen time each day/week.

Schedule in some time for getting active.

Find hobbies that get you moving If you tend to engage in hobbies that don’t require you to move very much, look for new hobbies that will get you moving, such as gardening, walking, weight-lifting or dancing.

Avoid long periods of inactivity Set a timer to go off at specific times throughout the day to prompt you to do ten (or more) minutes of physical activity.

Any activity is better than none.

You can include a variety of light, moderate and vigorous activities. For example a brisk walk, sit-ups, weight-lifting, gardening or housework.

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

Festival cancelled for 2021 The volunteer directors of Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival are sad to announce that the festival will not go ahead this year. The festival was due to take place on 12 and 13 June, but because of continuing uncertainty around ongoing Covid restrictions alongside additional safety measures, the organising committee Highcliffe Food Festival back in 2015 have decided that planning the event for this year involves too much risk.

Founder Mary Reader said, “We have discussed putting on a smaller event by using only the recreation ground but feel that it would be irresponsible to encourage large numbers of people to come together until the virus is properly under control.

“We do hope that residents and our traders understand the dilemma that we find ourselves in. We would dearly love to be planning our 6th (or 7th!) festival rather than talking about a further postponement to 2022, but we have to take into consideration the health and well-being of our committee, visitors and our bank account.

"There is much determination to carry on by our volunteer committee and so we hope that we can have the continued support from our sponsors, traders and visitors for the future.”

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

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Takeaway – the new eating out

Enjoy this delicious chicken chasseur dish from Flavours School of Cookery.

Chicken chasseur Serves 2-3 Ingredients • 30g plain flour • 3 chicken legs cut into portions • 2 tbsp olive oil • 6-8 baby shallots, halved • 2 cloves garlic • 150g baby button mushrooms • Fresh thyme leaves • 100ml Madeira wine • 200ml chicken stock • 100ml tomato passata • 100ml double cream • 2 sprigs tarragon, chopped Method 1. Coat the chicken pieces with flour, salt, and pepper.

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Once hot, add in the pieces of chicken and cook over a high heat until a golden brown in colour.

3. Remove the chicken and put to one side.

4. Add in the shallots and garlic and cook for three minutes.

5. Add in the mushrooms and fresh picked thyme and cook for a further two minutes.

6. Pour in the Madeira wine to deglaze the pan, then add in the tomato passata and chicken stock. Return all the chicken pieces to the pan.

7. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes.

8. Just before serving, add in the double cream and tarragon.

Gently stir into the sauce.

9. Serve hot with rice or new potatoes.

Getting takeaway food used to be a spontaneous event, usually as a result of being out and about and either being too late to cook, or not having enough time.

Almost a year into the pandemic, our takeaway habits have dramatically changed. While we are in lockdown, and pubs and restaurants are closed, a ‘posh’ takeaway at home is the ultimate indulgence.

It’s not quite the same as going to a restaurant but, with a little care taken with the table setting, the kitchen or dining room table makes a satisfactory venue for a date night. And there’s the added bonus of no cooking or washing up either.

With no customers coming through their doors, hospitality businesses have had to quickly adapt to make ends meet, offering

takeaway or delivery service for delicious meals. Whether you are simply in a lockdown fug and can’t be bothered, or you are planning to celebrate a special occasion, there are now options for you.

From click and collect fish and chips, Chinese, Indian, pizza or Thai, through to an

elaborate three course meal brought to your door you’re bound to find something to suit.

And the best bit – while we’re enjoying our meal, we’re helping to keep our local eateries afloat so we can visit them again in person when we are able.

Dorset View is inviting takeaway outlets to submit a takeaway meal to be sampled in exchange for a review on the Dorset View website.

Any takeaway wishing to place an advertisement in Dorset View will get their review published on the same page as their advert. Ring Simon or Mark - 01202 870270 for details.

Wimborne Drama Productions cancel summer play Wimborne Drama Productions had hoped to stage Sense and Sensibility at Deans Court in July but due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the company has decided to postpone the production again until next year. It had originally been scheduled to be staged in July 2020.

Performances will now be from 14-17 July 2022.

However, before that, audiences have Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero to look forward to. Directed

by Paul Dodman, the production is scheduled to take place at the Tivoli Theatre from 21 - 23 October.

Bowling club hopes to restart

Ferndown Bowls Club are planning their coming summer events, and you are invited to join in.

Bowling is a target sport that can be challenging, played at national and even international level, or relaxing and sociable depending on your level of interest.

It is not just for the retired and can be played by the whole family.

The club is planning to hold two free open days on 18 and 30 April from 10am until 4pm. All are welcome – tuition is provided and you just need to wear flat shoes. There will also be a youth open day on 2 May, with weekly sessions for youngsters from 7 years upwards.

Events are subject to change depending on Covid restrictions in place at the time. All the latest information can be found at www.ferndownbowls. co.uk or by calling 01202 619349.

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Broadstone Players Theatre Company hopes to be back in September The Broadstone Players Theatre Company, which normally stages productions in February, May and November at the Broadstone Memorial Hall, is hoping to resume performances later this year with its annual Plays’n’Chips this September.

Plays’n’Chips are performed in an informal atmosphere, with fish and chips served during the interval in the week and a cream tea at the Saturday matinee.

New members are always welcome to join The Broadstone Players Theatre Company. Contact Mar Godfrey on 01202 678449 or email:honsec@broadstoneplayers. co.uk

A shot from Steel Magnolias which was produced in May 2019

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| 21

Covid heartbreak When Barbara Fowler’s husband, David, was dying of cancer, she didn’t think life could get any worse.

He sadly passed away at the Macmillan Unit in Christchurch on Friday 6 November. No family members other than Barbara were allowed in to say a last goodbye.

She spent the weekend trying to plan his funeral. “It had to be one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. I always thought I would be the first to go,” said Barbara. She and David had been married for 42 years.

When she returned to the Macmillan Unit to collect David’s belongings, the wards were being closed down due to an outbreak of coronavirus.

Between the grief of losing David and the worry about how she would face life without him everything became a blur.

A tickly cough developed, which Barbara took no notice of until it became chesty and she asked the doctor for antibiotics. However, her son-in-law, Paul, insisted she should get tested for Covid-19, which she did. Two days later the NHS sent a message saying she’d tested positive and should isolate for 10 days.

A grieving Barbara had no option but to cancel David’s funeral.

She ached all over, had no energy, her breathing was laboured and she had no taste or smell. Her temperature was so high, she thought she might be Borneo, even though she’s never been there. She took paracetamol and climbed

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

into bed. When she woke, she was sopping wet, as if she’d had a cold bath. Then the hallucinations began.

“I was looking at the ceiling the light. Suddenly out they came one by one – large, black, smiling spiders. They began to build a web ladder and then climbed down. With outstretched legs, they pulled me out of bed and carried me up to the light. We danced around the light fitting singing Ring a Ring a Roses. I was not scared.”

She lost communication with friends and relatives, so they rallied round leaving food parcels, flowers and gifts by the door.

She hadn’t eaten for 10 days and had been in ‘Borneo’ for at least two of those. Her poor dog, Lottie, had resigned herself to using the lounge and dining room to relieve herself.

Barbara on the other hand felt she needed laxatives. She was also checking her oxygen levels with a monitor Paul had given her and the results were worrying. Paul insisted she called 111. An ambulance was sent, and a friend collected Lottie.

Within 15 minutes of arriving at Bournemouth Hospital Barbara was taken to the Acute Medical Ward. After an x-ray and scan, oxygen and blood sugar levels were taken, and she was moved to a private room in Ward 14.

She was monitored and given

blood-thinning injections into her stomach. At last Barbara felt safe.

The following day she was transferred to a six-bed ward where she underwent a procedure to discover more accurately what her oxygen levels were and was warned it would be painful.

“After almost dying with pain, what do you think came on Hospital Radio Bedside?” said Barbara. “’Things Can Only Get Better’.”

She coped with patients calling out throughout the night, one fell out of bed and another tried to get out of bed, almost punching a young nurse in the process.

“Eventually this amazing young nurse brought calm to the elderly lady. I have always loved and respected nurses, but you rarely get to see them working. If I’d had to choose an angel on earth that day – it would have to be her.”

But Barbara’s blood pressure nearly hit the roof when one nurse told her she had to pay £7 a day to park at the hospital.

“Oh boy,” said Barbara.

“I began taking notes… like: ‘I went into hospital with Covid-19 and came out with a bee in my bonnet’.

Three days later Barbara was allowed home.

She still had ‘Mount Everest’ to climb and rebooked David’s funeral.

“Trying to deal with life

without David and then getting Covid-19 makes 2020 the worst year of my life,” Barbara said. “But I’m usually a halffull-glass type of person and I try to count my blessings.

“I think of all the other people out there who are older than me, on their own and living in fear – how frightening it must be for them.”

Her senses of smell and taste have not yet returned.

“My energy is about 85per cent and getting there.

My bladder is still weak, my muscle mass has not returned.

I still have a lung nodule and am awaiting a follow up appointment to check this out.

“I’m playing by the rules.

I don’t get to hug my lovely grandchildren Noah and Isla.

I keep myself to myself and do two small local shops each week. I walk Lottie daily, which helps both of us.

“2020 has been such a difficult year – not just for us here in the UK – but all over the world. I try and look for the good in things. I can only hope and pray that when people in the future look back on this time – that they too will realise – that this is when we woke up to appreciate the important things in life, such as family, friends, and looking after our planet. Without these – life is not worth living.”

To read Barbara's full Covid story visit the guest blog at www.dorsetview.co.uk

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Folk Festival cancelled The Wimborne Minster Folk Festival Committee have announced that the event planned for June 2021 has been cancelled.

In a statement, the committee said, “It is with regret that we have to announce that this year's Wimborne Minster Folk Festival has been cancelled due to the ongoing situation with the pandemic.

“We are hoping we will be able to have some online multimedia performances of both dance and music over that weekend. Watch this space!

“The 2022 Wimborne Minster Folk Festival (our 40th Birthday) will be our biggest and best yet. The dates will be 10 – 12 June 2022.

“May we take this opportunity to say thank to each and everyone of you

for your understanding, patience and support. It is very much appreciated.”

Traders who have paid a deposit and dance sides and musicians who are regularly invited to the event should have received an email to explain how this affects them. Anyone not receiving correspondence should contact webmaster@wimbornefolk.co.uk.

Event tickets will be valid for the 2022 dates, or you can contact the above email or Ticketsource for a refund.

Anyone wishing to donate to help the festival through these times can do so via the website www.wimbornefolk.co.uk.

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| 23

pets and wildlife

Beavers back in Dorset!

A landmark project led by Dorset Wildlife Trust has welcomed beavers back to Dorset for the first time in over 400 years.

The project, led by Dorset Wildlife Trust in partnership with the University of Exeter and Wessex Water, saw the pair of adult Eurasian beavers relocated from Scotland under licence from NatureScot.

This followed several years of preparation, including installing a specialist fence to enclose the site and recording baseline data in the area.

The beavers are now installed in a suitably large site of freshwater habitat, which is not accessible to the public. The enclosure will be monitored and will provide rare, close-up video and photo footage of the charismatic creatures as they explore, make themselves at home and start to influence the landscape.

Dorset Wildlife Trust rivers conservation officer, Steve

Oliver, said, "It’s fantastic to be welcoming beavers back to Dorset. Beavers are magnificent creatures in their own right, but they are extra special because their engineering activities have the potential to bring even more life to a landscape and enable other species to flourish.”

The beavers have been introduced as part of a scientific study and a key focus of the project is monitoring and recording the impact the beavers have on water quality, flooding and other wildlife. Beavers are known as ‘nature’s engineers’ and their activities, including wetland creation through the building of dams, have the potential to increase biodiversity, filter and clean water, and even reduce flooding by slowing the rate of water passing through rivers and streams during storm events.

University of Exeter’s professor Richard Brazier said, “This will contribute to a

Beaver close up © Dorset Wildlife Trust - James Burland

growing body of knowledge and understanding across Great Britain of the impact beavers have on landscapes.

It’s a really unique study for us, to do this in the headwaters of a chalk stream.

“Beavers have been present on the planet for 40 million years or so, so they’re a highly adapted species and know how to manage water resources. We could really learn a lot from them.”

Ruth Barden, Wessex Water’s director of Catchment and Environmental Strategy, said, “We’re keen to better understand the water

quality improvements which this project may provide and recognise the huge natural river engineering potential offered by beaver reintroductions, while being mindful of some concerns from farming and fishing sectors.

“This managed trial offers a great opportunity to collect robust science and evidence to inform future reintroduction projects.”

To find out more about the project and the plan for its future, visit www. dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/ BeaverProject.

When things look bad, there is always hope

By Duncan Reavell, Lynwood Vets Our story involves Bandit, a 17-year old cat. Bandit has multiple chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and arthritis. Despite several episodes of deterioration, he continues to amaze us and keeps bouncing back.

At the end of October, Bandit went into acute heart failure. Fluid had built up in his chest making it hard to breathe. We removed 300mls of fluid (nearly as much as a can of Coke) and he felt much better, but we were faced with telling his owners that he may only have weeks to live.

Despite recovering well following treatment and medication at home, Bandit developed a wound on his paw a month later. Within three days infection had spread up his leg which was extremely swollen, and exuding pus. We were convinced he was going to lose the leg. If the infection took hold it could be fatal, but we had grave concerns how he would cope as a three-legged cat. So we cleaned and dressed the wound, started antibiotic therapy and gave him one final chance.

Following five weeks of regular visits, we are pleased to say Bandit's paw is healing nicely.

We are not quite sure how many lives this incredible cat has used so far but we could not be happier with how he is doing. The photo shows his poorly paw tucked underneath him, something he has not been able to do for some time.

What an incredible chap!

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Speedway legend Ken Middleditch dies

By Marilyn Barber Being a speedway rider is a dangerous pursuit, but local legend Ken Middleditch lived to the age of 95, and his death is being mourned by his many fans.

Born in Lambeth, he lived in Sturminster Marshall and spent the vast majority of his racing career with Poole Pirates.

Inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, he was for so long recognised as Mr Poole Speedway and was proud when his son Neil became team manager.

He was interviewed by Paul Martin on the BBC TV show Flog It in 2008, when he said about speedway, “I enjoyed it. I loved it. I enjoyed the challenge, the travelling, the whole atmosphere was great.”

His first season at Wimborne Road was during 1949/1950 when he scored 15 maximums in only 32 Division Three outings.

Ken took over as the Pirates’ skipper in 1951 and at the end of that season held

aloft both the Third Division championship and the League Riders Championship trophies.

The Pirates were promoted to the Second Division and became league champions for two seasons in a row.

In 1956 Poole went into the top division, but the track was to close that year because of falling crowds and the Entertainment Tax. Ken was to return to racing in 1958 and Poole became founder members of the Provincial League two years later. In 1966 he was team manager for a season, before retiring from speedway. In all, he made 385 official appearances for Poole.

In 1953 he married Bridget Flack and they moved to Dorset, opening a greengrocer’s in Wimborne and then a fish and chip shop. Subsequently they bought Baillie House in Sturminster Marshall, which not only provided an income but a homefrom-home for hundreds of speedway fans.

They turned the three storey house into a bed and breakfast and in the 1970s opened

Speedway rider Ken Middleditch

a salvage warehouse. Ken kept a priceless collection of 30 old bikes and he was never happier than when he was polishing and restoring them.

Sadly, Ken’s wife Bridget died in 2017 and Ken died peacefully in his sleep on 9 January.

Ken’s son, Neil said, “I was honoured to have him as my father for 64 years. At the start of my career as a rider I was always in awe of the respect he got from people around speedway.”

In addition to Neil, Ken leaves a son Steven and three grandchildren.

Ken’s funeral was held on 25 January when Nicholas O’Hara Funeral Directors Ltd took him on a lap of the speedway track at Wimborne Road.

Billionaire Boy car park party Are you craving live theatre? Here's an opportunity to see a live performance, but from the safety of your car.

Canford Park Arena is to be the venue for a touring production of Billionaire Boy, adapted from the novel by bestselling children's author and comedy actor David Walliams. The new Covid-safe car park party production of the show will be staged on Wednesday 14 April.

Billionaire Boy tells the story of 12-yearold Joe Spud, the richest boy in the country.

He has his own sports car, £100k a week pocket money and two crocodiles as pets.

But what Joe doesn't have is a friend. So he decides to leave his posh school and start at the local comprehensive. But things don't go as planned and life become a rollercoaster as Joe tries to find the one thing money can't buy.

David Walliams said he thinks people are craving live entertainment and the show is "brilliant!" and "very imaginative." He hopes it will really entertain families, "I am delighted that they will have the opportunity to see some live theatre again. The show is hilarious and I hope it spreads some happiness in these difficult times."

For tickets and T&Cs visit carparkparty.com

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

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in the home

When did you last have your gutters cleaned?

By Marilyn Barber It is an easy problem to ignore but unfortunately gutters are the first things to be overlooked when it comes to cleaning and maintaining the outside of your house.

Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year, because a gutter clogged with leaves, sticks and other debris can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home.

Still worse, gunked up gutters make nice homes for rodents.

You know it’s time for your gutters to be cleaned when you spot plant growth. And plants will only begin to grow when there’s soil and nutrients in the gutters.

You could clean your gutters yourself, but it is not for the faint hearted, so it is better to call in the professionals.

If you have a leaking roof, you can no longer ignore the signs of blocked guttering. This is because if your gutters are blocked there is nowhere for the rain to drain to. This will cause a build-up on your roof which can eventually leak through into your home.

Overflowing gutters have the potential to cause immense structural problems such as cracking, mould and leaky roofs. In a worst case scenario, dirty gutters can sag and even collapse.

And if you can’t remember the last time you had your gutters cleaned, then it’s certainly time to call in the professionals.

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| 27

in the home / home is where the heart is .

It’s March – time to get out into the garden

By Marilyn Barber The first lockdown was made bearable because people were able to get out into their gardens, with many people developing new horticultural skills.

So what we all want to do now is renew our interest in growing flowers and vegetables.

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

Many people are also eager to mow their lawns, which of course you can now do on dry days.

Vegetables that can be planted in March include spring onions, spinach, peas, shallots, parsnips and early potatoes.

You can also sow herbs like dill, chives and coriander directly

into the ground or in containers.

This is also the time to plant summer-flowering bulbs.

And if you can’t wait to get pruning, you can tackle your bushes and climbing roses.

Late summer flowering shrubs such as Lavateria can also be pruned. However, delay pruning tender evergreen shrubs such as Choisya until April.

The Royal Horticultural Society advises cutting back ornamental grasses, and cutting off old leaves of hellebores that produce flowers from ground level.

Those herbaceous perennials that have become too large for their allotted space can now be divided and planted elsewhere.

Dead head winter-flowering pansies and other winter bedding plants to ensure they carry on to early summer. As daffodils fade, deadhead the

flowers but allow the foliage to die down naturally.

Pots and tubs benefit from topping up with compost, but if there is not much room, replace the old compost.

This month you can plant deciduous hedging plants, shrubs, trees and climbers. You should put in stakes when you plant trees to prevent damage to the rootball or bark.

You can also plant your roses, but avoid areas where they were grown previously for fear of suffering from replant disease.

Evergreen trees and shrubs can be moved at the end of the month, provided we haven’t had another cold snap. Your trees and shrubs will need to be fed with a balanced fertiliser, sprinkling it over the root area before hoeing into the soil surface.

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| 29

motoring / keeping you on the road.

Jeep celebrates 80th birthday 2021 is a special year as the brand marks Jeep's 80th birthday.

The brand launched its first model – the Willys MB – in 1941. This was the first ever mass-produced 4x4 vehicle. Over the next eight decades, Jeep launched more products and built an enduring reputation that is synonymous with off-road excellence.

Constant innovation has seen the brand evolve, with comfort, handling and connectivity now just as important as its off-road capabilities.

The start of its eight decade sees a foray for Jeep into electrification, with the launch of its first plug-in hybrid model in an extension to the Renegade range. As the first

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DORSET VIEW March 2021

vehicle to carry the 4xe badge, Renegade 4xe is the Jeep take on electrification. It offers zeroemission mobility, when driving in full electric mode, coupled with the all-terrain safety of the Jeep eAWD system that activates when needed, giving its driver the best possible balance between efficiency and driving fun.

80th anniversary celebrations are planned throughout the whole of 2021. Dedicated events have been created to involve customers and enthusiasts in a celebration of the brand’s heritage.

The first event was a web conference that saw the unveiling of the new 80th anniversary models,

continuing a long-standing tradition of releasing special edition models to celebrate milestones and achievements in Jeep’s history.

This year, Jeep will also be launching its Jeep Wave programme, bringing owners together in a community and giving special benefits to members. Membership will be included as standard with all new Jeep vehicles purchased or leased in 2021 by retail customers.

Its main benefits include the first three scheduled vehicle services, three years’ roadside assistance, access to a dedicated premium customer service call centre and priority entry to brand events and partnerships. The name, and corresponding logo, were inspired by a traditional greeting between Jeep owners as a gesture of friendship between like-minded people.

The 80th anniversary limited edition series will be available in the UK on Renegade and Wrangler models. Arriving in spring, each 80th anniversary model is based on the bestselling variant, and offers standard safety and technology features alongside aesthetic flourishes that make them stand out from the rest of the

Jeep range.

Although there are many differences between these Jeep SUVs in terms of size and character, they all share an unmistakable look, courtesy of specific design cues, including 80th anniversary badging and low-gloss granite crystal accents; black leather seats with tungsten stitching and 80th anniversary logo; highgloss black interior accents and logo tag on seats and mats. Dedicated alloy wheels complete the exterior look of the new commemorative models.

These models are also packed full of advanced technology and safety features, further enhancing their 4x4 capability. New high-tech content includes 8.4-inch touchscreens, DAB radio and navigation with smartphone integration and UconnectTM services, full LED pack and new ‘Since 1941’ infotainment system screen.

The Jeep Renegade and Wrangler 80th anniversary special series will be available to order from spring 2021, with UK pricing subject to a further announcement. For more information on the Jeep range visit www.jeep.co.uk.

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