Viewpoint January 2025

Dear Readers!

‘You visit often’ commented the app, which I thought was a bit harsh. I didn’t need my phone to tell me that I had visited this weather website frequently.

In December, Storm Darragh had been raging throughout the country, so I think I could have been forgiven for clicking on weather in Wimborne numerous times during the day.

However, I must admit researching the weather forecast has become a bit of an obsession.

As soon as I wake up, I reach for my phone to check on the forecast so I can plan what I am going to wear.

We’ve always been a nation who talks about the weather with strangers and friends – and anyone else who will listen – and now most of us click on apps to get an hour-by-hour forecast.

Before the internet, we relied on the accuracy of TV forecasts following news bulletins – and a few old wives’ tales.

My mother used to say: “It’s too cold to snow.” I was never sure how that worked.

Before we had meteorologists, ancient civilisations observed clouds, wind and animal behaviour to predict the weather.

The Babylonians used astrology and cloud patterns to predict the weather as early as 650 BC.

Weather patterns can even change history, as we were all reminded in 2024 with the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The Allied invasion was due to take place on 5 June, and it was realised that adverse conditions could break the invasion of the northern French coast.

However, thanks to the work of the chief meteorologist at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, it was postponed to the following day.

So, obsession with the weather is no bad thing!

We wish you all a very happy New Year with blue skies and sunshine.

Marilyn Barber

News 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

VIEWPOINT

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Campaign calls for 20mph speed limit across Dorset

A campaign group is calling for Dorset Council to reduce the county’s default speed limit to 20 miles per hour (mph) in areas where people and motor vehicles mix.

At an online meeting in December, representatives from 20’s Plenty for Dorset and other national speed reduction campaigners spoke to attendees about the urgent need to reduce speed limits.

Dorset Council statistics show there were 364 serious and fatal road traffic casualties in 2022 and 2023. Dilys Gartside, lead for 20’s Plenty for Dorset, spoke at the meeting about one of those fatalities.

“32-year-old Jen lost her life two years ago when waiting in the central reservation for traffic lights to let her cross the road,” Gartside recalled.

“A car driver’s phone had rung shortly before her 4x4 Frontera mounted the central reservation, launching Jen’s

body with such force that it demolished the pelican crossing supposedly there to help her. I had known Jen since birth.”

The likelihood of a fatality or serious injury at 20mph is just 10 per cent. The risk increases to 40 percent at 30mph, and 80 per cent at 40mph.

Dily says: “Statistics clearly show that speed is usually a factor in collisions occurring and, when they do occur, in the severity of injury and outcomes for victims.”

Dorset Council adopted a policy in 2022 that town or parish councils or local ward members can apply to reduce speed limits in their area, but their application must meet strict criteria, such as the area having average speeds of 24mph or below and significant community support.

So far, just five applications were implemented in 2024, in areas including Wimborne town centre, Bridport and

Pimperne. Six more applications are currently going through public consultation.

Instead of this slow, areaby-area approach, 20’s Plenty is calling on the council to adopt the lower speed limit across the county in built-up areas, then decide where higher speeds are appropriate.

The group is also calling on the council to allocate £750,000 – ten times the current allocated budget – towards the cost of implementing 20mph across the county over four years. The campaigners claim this cost would be recuperated through fewer police and ambulance callouts, fewer hospital admissions, and less disruption to traffic.

As evidence, the campaign points to places like Scotland, Wales and London which have adopted 20mph limits

and seen collisions and casualties reduce as a result.

Wales changed its national default speed limit for built-up areas from 30mph to 20mph in September 2023, with local highway authorities able to make exceptions where appropriate. One year on, average vehicle speeds had fallen across the country, and statistics show the number of serious casualties or fatalities had dropped by 23 per cent in the first three months of 2024. However, the change has attracted criticism from some motorists, and local authorities in Wales are reviewing removing 20mph speed limits on certain roads. For more information, visit 20splenty.org.

Read more about the risks of driving on rural roads on page 36.

Map of fatal vehicle incidents between 2018 and 2022 © crashmap.co.uk

Your burning timber questions, answered

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Adam Moran from Linwood Timber, your local timber and firewood supplier, shared and answered the most popular questions the Dorset-based sawmill receives.

Q: How long have you been trading?

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

Q: Where does the timber come from?

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

Q: Is your firewood ready to burn?

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

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

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

NEWS IN BRIEF

Repair cafe celebrates third birthday

Blandford Repair Cafe celebrated its third year of preventing landfill in December. Located in Blandford Scout Hut, customers can bring broken products such as electrical items, bikes, clothes, ceramics and more for volunteers to try to fix – all for free.

The cafe meets from 1.30pm to 4pm once per month. The next meetings will be Saturday 18 January and Saturday 22 February.

Five arrested in Wimborne

Police arrested four men and one woman on suspicion of motor vehicle theft and other offences including modern slavery in early December.

Detectives made the arrests after searching a property in Holt in Wimborne as part of an investigation into the reports of vehicle thefts made in September 2024.

Two of the suspects, a 36-year-old woman from Bournemouth and a 56-year-old man from Coulsdon in Surrey, were also arrested on suspicion of holding a person in slavery or servitude.

All five were released under investigation while further enquiries were carried out.

Grass gifts

Knoll Gardens has gifted grasses to local groups to help create attractive spaces to benefit the community and promote wellbeing.

Kingston Maurward College received ornamental grasses for a winter moon garden designed and created by students, while Wimborne Community Garden received grasses to complement the volunteer group’s sensory garden.

Chair of the Knoll Gardens Foundation, Rowena Jecock, said: “We are very pleased to have helped the development of these gardens and hope the plants we have donated will bring years of lasting interest and pleasure.”

Who will be Dorset’s Town of Culture 2026?

Four towns have made the shortlist to become Dorset’s Town of Culture in 2026: Ferndown, Sherborne, Swanage & Purbeck, and Wimborne

Town of Culture was established by Arts Development Company in partnership with Dorset Council to give a town, village or hamlet in the county the opportunity to strengthen the cultural activity already happening in their area and deepen the relationships between communities, venues and organisations.

A panel of industry experts will choose one town to receive £30,000 of matched funding and support from Dorset Council to spend on a year’s worth of cultural activity, including new and existing creative events and community projects.

The first Town of Culture was Bridport in 2024, and this year Portland and Weymouth were chosen with a joint bid.

David Lockwood, CEO of Arts Development Company, said: “We’ve been bowled over by the initial submissions for Town of Culture 2026. These four towns, each distinct, show clearly the opportunities for using culture and creativity to enhance their towns for their residents. Now the four towns have a chance to develop their plans in more detail, and we’ll work with our panel to make the difficult decision as to which of them will be Dorset Town of Culture for 2026.”

Cllr Ryan Hope, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Customer, Culture and Community Engagement, said: “The four shortlisted towns for the 2026 Town of Culture all bring something different to the table. I’m delighted they have been recognised for their individual culture offers. Dorset is home to some outstanding cultural venues and events, and I am excited to see how the judging unfolds so we can celebrate arts and events which make up the fabric of our wonderful county.”

Winter Wanderland wows Ringwood

Despite the rain, people turned out in droves to enjoy Ringwood’s Christmas lights switch on event on Saturday 30 November. The day also featured a festive market, live music, a grotto and walkabouts by circus performers.

Every year, Ringwood Town Council curates its unique ‘Winter Wanderland’ — a series of festive-themed activities that celebrate the town’s community spirit. The name ‘Wanderland’ is intentional, promoting movement and discovery throughout the town.

This year, the High Street featured over 70 market stalls offering unique gifts and seasonal treats. An unusual art installation filled Gateway Square, adding an extra touch of magic. Crowds eagerly awaited the arrival of Father Christmas on his grand red sleigh.

The event also featured a performance by the Steamship Circus, whose stilt-walking fairies, giant unicycle-riding toy soldiers, and tinsel-clad acrobats brought wonder and excitement to the day.

The Mayor Cllr Rae Frederick said: “We want to thank our volunteers from across the community and our sponsors for your support. We could not do it without you.”

but Christmas lights disappoint residents

Despite the success of Winter Wanderland, Ringwood’s Christmas lights display initially failed to live up to expectations.

In parts of the town, including Southampton Road and The Gateway, the Christmas lights were not put up in time for November’s event.

Residents took to social media to express their frustration regarding the lacklustre displays, describing them as underwhelming, unimaginative and disappointing. One commenter, Audrey Barrett, said: “Very poor Xmas lights in Ringwood this year, very disappointing. Surely the town council can do better than that?”

Meanwhile, Lynda Shelton described the displays as the “worst Christmas lights ever.”

Ringwood Town Council issued a statement on Wednesday 4 December, announcing that they too were disappointed. The council said: “The contractor is being pressed to resolve the deficiencies as soon as possible. The council is looking to its legal remedies under its display contract.”

Ringwood Cllr John Haywood revealed that the council had chosen the same contractor that had successfully delivered the town’s lights for the previous five years. He said: “Naturally, we’re devastated that things currently do not measure up to residents’ expectations.”

Fortunately, the remaining lights were installed by 7 December, attracting more positive comments from residents.

The lacklustre lights © Ringwood UK Noticeboard Facebook group

Santa arrives in style © Trevor Pogson

Ferndown book theft leads to ‘Christmas miracle’

A Ferndown adult social care centre experienced its own “Christmas miracle” after the community came together to replace 20 books stolen from the centre’s charity book sale stand.

For 14 years, Ferndown Plus on Pennys Walk has run a stand where donated books are left for sale outside during the day, using an ‘honesty box’ system. Any money raised goes to charities chosen by the centre’s workers.

But colleagues were left heartbroken on 11 November when administrative officer Carol Jones discovered that someone had taken 20 Christmas-themed books without payment.

Manager Sue Thorne said: “As we’re nearing the festive period, we put out all the books that are Christmas-themed, but unfortunately, as quickly as we put them out, almost all were taken without any donation. We were so upset that someone would take so many books and give nothing.”

Thorne posted a message on social media to alert neighbours to the theft. To her surprise and joy, supporters rallied around and donated a deluge of new books – more than enough to replace those taken.

Thorne added that donations came flooding in soon after the word got out.

“We had so many we were even able to donate some to the local Royal British Legion. We’d like to thank everyone for their donations and kind words.”

The centre raised £1,567 in 2024 at time of writing.

Carol Jones and the stand

St Ives school crowned best in the South West

St Ives Primary and Nursery School was officially named as Primary School of the Year in the South West in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025.

The annual guide ranks over 2,000 schools across the UK. The latest edition was released in early December.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this award,” said Laura Crossley, headteacher of St Ives Primary School.

“It reinforces what we, as a school community, already know: that St Ives is an exceptional school. This achievement is a celebration of the extraordinary efforts of our staff, the unwavering support of our families, and, most importantly, the incredible accomplishments of our children.”

The accolade comes after the school’s most recent Ofsted report back in 2023, which gave the school an ‘Outstanding’ rating.

Crossley added: “Maintaining the exceptional standards recognised in this latest report has remained a top priority, ensuring continued excellence across all areas. St Ives continues to thrive, going from strength to strength, providing an enriching and supportive environment where children and families truly benefit.

“As a community, we are incredibly fortunate to be part of a school that prioritises excellence, wellbeing, and growth. This award is not just an acknowledgment of our past efforts but a motivation to continue striving for the best for our young people.”

St Ives is located in Ashley Heath and is part of the Heath Academy Trust.

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall, Justsocaricatures.co.uk

Fordingbridge event organisers disband

The volunteer group responsible for organising events in Fordingbridge, including the town’s annual festival and the Christmas lights switch on, has disbanded.

Following the success of the town’s festive event on Friday 29 November, organisers Fordingbridge Events Group announced on Monday 2 December that it had decided to break up, due to a lack of volunteer members.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the group said: “It is with regret that, following last Friday’s extremely successful annual ‘Christmas in Fordingbridge Lights Switch On’, the Fordingbridge Events Group (FEG) will be disbanding. All future community events in Fordingbridge will now become the responsibility of and be managed by the Fordingbridge Town Council moving forward.

“It has been a hard decision for the few remaining members of FEG to stop but the reduction in ‘volunteers’ has made the arranging and organising of local events no longer possible by such a small number of people.

“Since it was formed in 2017, FEG has provided a large number of amazing events such as the Summer Festivals, Christmas Events, Jubilee and Coronation events and local drama productions.

“FEG would like to thank all of those within the local community who have attended, supported and enjoyed these events over the past seven years.”

Fordingbridge ward representative, Cllr David Millar, said: “The Events Group have been an incredible group for Fordingbridge. Thanks for all the work you’ve put in over many years. A significant hole to fill.”

Bournemouth One radio announces expansion

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Half a million people are now able to tune into the station via DAB

Bournemouth-based local radio station Bournemouth

One is saying hello to half a million potential listeners as it joins the DAB digital radio platform in Dorset just in time for its first birthday.

The station, which launched a year ago on New Year’s Day, has been granted a broadcasting licence from regulator Ofcom and is now available across Dorset on ‘proper’ radio. It’s a big step forward for the locally owned and operated company. Joining the county-wide DAB digital radio multiplex with six high-powered transmitters means anyone travelling around Dorset can listen in

their vehicles at the touch of a button anywhere from Christchurch to Dorchester, and still hear locally relevant news and information.

To celebrate 12 months of online streaming, the station gave away a smart speaker every day during December. Now it is looking forward to welcoming even more listeners around the area.

Co-founder Sophie Greenwood said: “Our first 12 months online has been so much fun, and so valuable in helping us welcome many loyal listeners, partners and advertisers to Bournemouth One.

“But even though we are now officially Ofcom licensed

to cover the whole county, we remain loyal to the local area and will continue to provide more real and relevant news bulletins, travel, what’s on and local information than all the other live or local stations combined.

“The future of radio is digital, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of changing listener habits as we continue to cover half a million people in the area, now with added DAB.”

Co-founder and CEO Roy Martin added: “Our Ofcom licence specifies we can officially super-serve the whole of BCP, plus our neighbouring towns of Wimborne, Ferndown, Verwood and Ringwood.

“And with traffic and travel

news every 20 minutes from morning till night, along with hourly what’s on information and weather, it’s the perfect listen on the road along with the best songs on the radio.

“It’s also fantastic news for any local businesses who want to target a local family audience, as the service is aimed at 30+ adults living and working locally.

“We’d like to thank all our partners so far and look forward to making new friends in 2025.”

Bournemouth One continues to stream online via BournemouthOne.com and on smart speakers. Just ask any smart device to “Play Bournemouth One”.

Urgent call for volunteer drivers CORRESPONDENCE

If you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity this New Year, then two Dorset groups have issued a call for volunteer drivers.

Two Bridges helps people with health problems and without access to transport get to dental and medical appointments. It covers the Fordingbridge area, including Alderholt, Godshill, Sandleheath, Rockbourne and Martin. In November, the service took its 10,000th client to hospital.

Two Bridges’ Vice Chair Derek Ayling said: “It is so ironic that the busier the group gets, the more it requires help from the public in the guise of volunteer drivers and coordinators. Driver shortages is always an issue!

“One of our drivers, Judy Cochand, joined Two Bridges shortly after retiring. She wanted to lend a hand in the community, and says that she was totally unprepared for how truly worthwhile, rewarding and personally satisfying the job is.”

If you would like to know more or volunteer for Two Bridges, contact Ayling on 07391 804222 or email hippotrain@ btinternet.com.

Meanwhile, Avon Valley Dementia Pals – a small charity which organises lifts and walks for people with early stages of dementia – is also seeking drivers. Operating in the Ringwood and Fordingbridge area, the Pals go for trips on the first, second and (if applicable) fifth Tuesday of every month, usually for a walk by the coast or in the forest, followed by refreshments and conversation at a pub or cafe.

Carole-Ann Carmichael, chair of Avon Valley Dementia Pals, said: “I have been involved with this charity for over five years now and see the huge benefits it has for both the patient and the carer at home.

“If you enjoy walking and chatting, I am pretty sure there will be lots of willing volunteers just desperate to become involved.”

All drivers will be DBS-checked and can claim expenses. To find out more or volunteer your time, contact Carmichael on ccarmichael280860@gmail.com or call 07808 301327.

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

Check your hearing

The festive season is a time for connection and conversation, but for those with undiagnosed hearing loss, it can feel like a struggle to keep up. This New Year, RNID is encouraging everyone to look out for the signs of hearing loss in themselves and their loved ones.  Do you notice someone turning the TV up louder than others prefer? Do they struggle to follow conversations in noisy places like pubs or restaurants, or frequently ask people to repeat what they’ve said? Perhaps they find it hard to hear on the phone, feel like others mumble, or have a partner who thinks they’re not listening. If any of these feel familiar, it might be time to check your hearing.    The good news is that it is very easy to look for the signs of hearing loss in yourself and loved ones and to do something about it. Taking our free simple check at rnid. org.uk can be the first step on your hearing journey. This New Year, let’s keep everyone part of the conversation.

Crystal Rolfe  Director of health at RNID

Friends of Victoria Hospital, Wimborne were invited to decorate a tree for the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, in Sturminster Marshall. Working with the theme of the charity, the tree represented all aspects of the NHS including nurses that were ‘knitted’ and was one amongst many great entries. If you wish to support or volunteer, visit friendswimbornehospital.org.uk.

Two Bridges’ 10,000th client, Christine Sanford-Jones, left, with volunteer driver Judy Cochand

Funding supports refugees in Dorset

Refugees who have fled countries including war-torn Ukraine have begun new lives in Dorset thanks to funding of £100,000.

The Dorset Welcome Fund, supported by Dorset and BCP Councils and community foundation fundholders, made a second round of grants in late 2024 totalling more than £53,000 to 12 groups. A grant round earlier in the year awarded almost £50,000. In 2022, the fund awarded £88,000.

Among grant recipients in the most recent round is Safe and Sound Dorset, which was awarded £4,992 to run a weekly creative group for Ukrainian women at the Royal Arcade in Boscombe.

Dorset Community Foundation Director Grant Robson said: “This time of year is a difficult one to be separated from loved ones, particularly when they are thousands of miles away and living in a war zone, so the work all of these groups are doing to bring people together and show them their communities really do care about them is fantastic.”

New directory gives answers to your questions

Sometimes we have questions, but we don’t know where to go to get answers.

With this in mind, Dorset Council launched a refreshed online directory in December providing the latest information from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors.

The council has been working with Help and Kindness on the updated directory, which includes information on carers’ support, climate emergency, community resources, emergency and crisis support and health and wellbeing.

The directory contains links to advice and guidance on financial support, food and eating well, support after leaving hospital and living at home, physical activities, sport, social activities and events.

Jon Sloper, co-founder and chief executive officer at Help and Kindness, said: “This is a huge milestone in our work over many years with Dorset Council. At Help and Kindness, we continuously gather information and insights about community services and activities that support residents in Dorset.”

Cllr Steve Robinson, Cabinet portfolio lead for Adult Social Care said: “This is an invaluable resource enabling our residents to find the information they need, at the time when they need it, enabling people to stay independent in their own homes.”

Access the directory via helpandkindness.co.uk/ community-directory.

Safe and Sound Dorset’s Ukrainian women’s group received nearly £5,000

Wessex Denture Studio

celebrates Melanie’s milestone

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Melanie Woodall, an experienced dental professional at Wessex Denture Studio, is proud to announce that she has successfully completed her Diploma in Clinical Dental Technology from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

With this qualification, Melanie is now fully accredited to create and provide high-quality dentures directly to the public.

Founded by Phillip Laws, Wessex Denture Studio is a familyrun business established 15 years ago in West Moors, Dorset, and has long been committed to delivering outstanding denture services.

Melanie, who has worked alongside Phillip for over 30 years, completed her apprenticeship in Dental Technology in 1993, and has continued to develop her skills under Phillip’s mentorship. Together, they have built a reputation for excellence, offering personalised care to each patient.

Phillip said: “We are thrilled to see Melanie achieve this milestone.

“Having worked together for over three decades, it’s been a privilege to support her in her career. Her dedication to improving patients’ lives through high-quality dentures aligns perfectly with our values at Wessex Denture Studio.”

Wessex Denture Studio specialises in a range of denture services, offering a free, no-obligation consultation to ensure each patient receives tailored solutions for their needs. The studio works closely with local dentists to ensure comprehensive care and satisfaction for all patients in a welcoming, supportive environment.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit wessexdentures.co.uk or call 01202 861080.

Faster diagnosis for eye patients in Salisbury

Patients attending Salisbury Hospital are now getting faster diagnosis and treatment with sight disorders thanks to new stateof-the-art equipment funded by a donation to the Stars Appeal.

The 3D OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) machine in the Eye Clinic helps diagnose macular degeneration as well as other eye conditions affecting those with diabetes, which can lead to sight loss and requires urgent treatment. It enables patients to be scanned and treated on the same day.

The £37,000 machine is helping around 170 patients a week. It takes scans and photos of the back of the eye in one click, which is speeding up the examination process. It is also helping to reduce waiting times for patients, supporting the Eye Clinic team to diagnose and treat more patients much faster.

It was funded by a generous donation from long-time Stars Appeal supporters John and Ann Kelly in recognition of care that Ann, who has macular degeneration, receives in the Eye Clinic from consultant Uma Thakur and her team.

Wimborne

volunteers

enjoy celebration tea

The Friends of Victoria Hospital, Wimborne organised a celebration tea for their dedicated volunteers at the Little Pickle Café, Walford Mill, on 9 December.

Since relocating to a larger, brighter space, the charity’s shop has seen a significant boost in profits, thanks in large part to the enthusiastic efforts of volunteers.

Other volunteers work at the hospital itself – in the X-ray department and tending the garden. This voluntary help enables greater support for the Victoria Hospital, which is cherished by the Wimborne community.

Cllr Jeff Hart, mayor of Wimborne Minster and a trustee of the Friends of Victoria Hospital, said: “What a great job these shop and hospital volunteers do. They turn up every day and are making a real difference for the patients at the hospital. They are reliable, hard-working, and good fun – thank you, volunteers.”

Entertainment was provided by the Significance Sign Choir who performed a selection of Christmas music.

L-R: Uma Thakur, Ann and John Kelly. Photo by Spencer Mulholland

Ready, steady, run into 2025

By Luke Graham

If your New Year’s resolution is focused on your health, then mobile apps can be a useful tool for helping you track your diet and exercise, as well as providing you with guidance and instruction.

For instance, if your resolution is to start running, then I’d recommend downloading and trying the NHS Couch to 5k app.

The app is designed specifically to help beginners get into running. Through a mix of encouraging recordings and intuitive design, it coaxes users to start moving.

Initially, each session is a mix of walking and running, and the app gradually increases the difficulty until you can run for 30 minutes or more. This app helped me and my wife get more active during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The app suggests trying to go for a run three times a week. This is a good target for beginners, but even going once a week is a good habit to get into. Start off slowly and alternate between walking and jogging – this will prevent injury and allow your body to adjust. Good luck out there!

Make 2025 the year of fitness

-Advertisement featureAre you finding your balance, flexibility and fitness levels are not what they used to be but are unsure what to do about it? You should check out Ferndown Fitness in Pennys Walk, Ferndown. It’s a fitness club with a difference that offers personalised exercise programmes and as much help and guidance as you need from approachable, knowledgeable staff.

They now also offer a wide selection of classes including yoga, chair yoga, balance classes, flexibility and stretch classes, as well as aerobic classes to help with stamina and fitness. They can help you get moving again and get back into exercise at your own pace. So why not pop in or call 01202 855321 to have a chat or book a free guest visit?

My New Year’s resolution? Drink more water

By Luke Graham

You are what you eat, as the old saying goes. Surely that must apply to what you drink as well?

Staying hydrated is important for a properly functioning body. The NHS Eatwell guide says we should aim to drink six to eight cups or glasses of fluid a day, and that can include low-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, and not just water. But water is clean, cheaper and doesn’t contain caffeine like some of these other options.

I know that I don’t drink enough water. I do tend to drink a lot of coffee – it’s essential to help me operate, especially with an infant at home who likes to wake up at 5am – but I also drink a lot of sugar-free fizzy drinks. This habit is expensive, and I could certainly be making more positive health choices.

So while I’m not going to cut out the coffee (I don’t know how I’d edit this magazine without it), I am going to replace the soft drinks with water in 2025.

Are you ready for change?

Are you thinking about getting healthier in the New Year? Going on a diet, taking up a new activity or giving up smoking?

Many of us come out of the excesses of Christmas and jump straight into New Year’s resolutions, setting ourselves tough health goals and even tougher regimes to reach those goals.

We want to be in control, for everything to be perfect. But taking on too much and being over ambitious often leads to failure, leaving us deflated when our perfect plan fizzles out.

The most important thing to remember is that change doesn’t have to be perfect to be worthwhile. Taking small, achievable steps and making steady progress over time is far more likely to lead to lasting success than quick fixes or fads.

Each January, LiveWell Dorset helps thousands of people on the road to a healthier life, supporting them not just for a month, but for as long as it takes. Registering for free, professional help takes two minutes and offers access to resources including 1-2-1 coaching, kick-start slimming club vouchers, smoking quit kits and activity plans. Get ready for real change in 2025: call free on 0800 840 1628 or visit livewelldorset.co.uk.

Step into the New Year with 50-year-old society

For 50 years, the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society (RFFS) has protected the interests of users of public paths.

Formed in 1974, RFFS ensures the reasonable maintenance of footpaths and freedom from obstruction, as well as adequate signposting and waymarking.

The society reminds local authorities of their responsibilities regarding public paths and seeks to foster and maintain friendly cooperation between path users, landowners, local authorities and the community.

RFFS members also participate with councils in surveying, improving and maintaining local paths, as well as devising healthy walks and circular routes which are published in leaflet form. Made up of 13 parishes, the society covers an area of about 160 square kilometres of varied countryside, ranging from quiet water meadows to wind-blown commons, from the edge of the New Forest to the borders of Cranborne Chase. A variety of flora and fauna including deer may be seen; within the New Forest, ponies, cattle, donkeys, sheep and pigs may be met.

Although essentially a footpath protection organisation, RFFS members believe that the best way of maintaining the network in good order is to make good and regular use of it.

A programme of guided walks and social events is published throughout the year in Waymark, a quarterly magazine available online.

Why not step into the New Year by joining some of the varied walks? Many take place on the rights of way in the 13 parishes, but RFFS also ventures to other areas such as the coastline of Dorset and the rural landscapes of southern Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire. To find out more, visit rffs.org.uk.

Take part in Veganuary

According to a survey by Statista, 45 per cent of people make a New Year’s resolution to eat more healthily. One way to do that is to take part in ‘Veganuary’, an annual challenge where participants try to follow a vegan diet during the month of January.

If you’re planning on taking part this year, it’s important to find another source of nutrients such as iron that are typically obtained from eating meat. Dorchesterbased business The Watercress Company have provided this tasty recipe which uses iron-rich watercress for you to try at home.

Vegan Thai green noodle soup

Serves 2 | Prep time: 15mins | Cook time: 20mins

Ingredients

• Thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced or grated

• 2 portions of noodles

• 50g watercress, roughly chopped

• Thai green curry paste

• 1 sweet potato, diced

• 200ml coconut milk

• 200ml water

• Coriander

• Lime

• Cashews

• Vegetable oil

Method

1. In a large pot, heat a small amount of oil and cook the sweet potato until almost soft. Then add the ginger and cook until it becomes fragrant.

2. Add a little more oil to the pan before adding the Thai green curry paste. Stir to coat the sweet potato in the paste, then add the coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil then simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sweet potato is completely cooked through and the soup has thickened. You can add more water if you want.

3. Add your noodles to the pot and once cooked, add the watercress. Cook for 30–60 seconds more, so the watercress softens slightly, then serve.

4. Sprinkle some fresh coriander over the top, a squirt of fresh lime juice, and garnish with cashews.

For more information, visit thewatercresscompany.com

Make your resolution SMART

By Luke Graham

It’s estimated that 80 per cent of New Year’s resolutions fail by the first week of February. This is no surprise, as change is hard, especially trying to make major life changes during the middle of winter.

But some of the reasons resolutions fail can be changed. Many people choose resolutions with unrealistic goals, set their expectations too high, or don’t have a plan for how they will achieve it. Trying to make big changes in one go is more likely to fail than making small, incremental changes.

So how can you pick a resolution you can stick to? It’s simple: be SMART. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. It’s a framework used to make more effective goals and objectives.

Try to pick a resolution that is specific – target a particular area or part of your life for improvement.

Choose something measurable – can you track your progress? For instance, “eating healthier” is hard to measure, but “eating at least one salad a week” is measurable.

Is your resolution achievable and attainable? Is it realistic? Your goal should stretch your abilities but still be possible. Make it relevant to your life. Does your resolution align with your other goals and personal values? Does accomplishing it feel worthwhile to you? If not, it will be harder to motivate yourself to do it.

Finally, time-bound refers to setting a realistic timeframe for your resolution. Have a deadline you can focus on and work towards.

Follow the SMART principle and you may actually stick to your resolution in 2025.

New hobby for the New Year

By Janine Pulford

Hobbyist is a word you hear a lot these days. It’s defined as a person who pursues a particular hobby.

If you are stumped for a New Year’s resolution, why not resolve to become a hobbyist?

Choose something you really enjoy, like cake making, photography, painting, pottery, baking or knitting – the list is endless. Or challenge yourself to do something more physical such as golf, dancing, rock climbing, archery or even axe throwing (yes, it’s classed as an outdoor activity). A hobby is a great way to keep your mind and body active, and by joining a club or group you will meet like-minded people.

New Year’s resolutions started around 4,000 years ago when the ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods to pay their debts and return borrowed objects. These were considered to be the first resolutions.

Nowadays, we keep to the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions in a secular manner.

Choose a hobby for 2025 and make sure it’s something you love. There is likely to be a group for almost everything you can think of. If there isn’t, then why not start your own group?

Make a difference in 2025 with STARS

-Advertisement feature-

Founded as the East Dorset Rape Crisis Helpline in 1988 before changing its name in 2019 to Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services – Dorset Rape Crisis, STARS Dorset currently supports over 1,000 children and adults across the county.

The charity offers free, specialist, one-to-one support to anyone of any age or gender who lives, works, or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.

Its trauma-informed services include: a specialist team providing impartial advice and guidance about the criminal justice processes as well as support with reporting to the police and at court, group-work, and different counselling services providing short, medium and long-term therapy. There is also a dedicated team providing support to children and young people.

All these services are free, so fundraising is vital for STARS Dorset to continue providing them.

This year, STARS Dorset is asking supporters to take a leap of faith and skydive in aid of the charity. Registration is now open with a £50 deposit and a minimum sponsorship target of £495.

The STARS Jump is scheduled for September, and skydivers are invited to join this event or choose their own jump date at any time in 2025. To register, visit goskydive.com/charity/stars-dorset. To learn more about STARS or to self-refer, visit starsdorset.org or email info@starsdorset.org.

Why you should volunteer this New Year

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Giving your time as a volunteer not only makes you feel good, it enables you to take part in activities that you wouldn’t normally encounter in your everyday life.

I have had various forays into volunteering over the years as a trustee and being on the committee of local organisations, but the one that had the most poignant effect was volunteering at a Covid vaccination clinic.

Although I was working for this magazine, I had spare time as there were no local clubs, societies and activities I could attend, so I contacted the Volunteer Centre Dorset to see what help was needed.

I was assigned to St Leonards Hospital vaccination centre and worked there from December 2020 until the summer of 2021.

How else would I have had the chance to become a car park attendant, something that I didn’t have a natural aptitude for as I’m not very good at parking my own car!

The first people attending were very elderly and so it was important that we guided them through the process and were as helpful as possible.

Duties also included sanitising people’s hands, chairs and wheelchairs and generally making people feel comfortable and welcome.

Many people thanked us for standing out in the bitterly cold weather and for giving up our time. We also received quite a lot of gifts of chocolates from both individuals and supermarkets!

The enduring legacy for me of this experience was making new friends, and five of us still meet up regularly.

If you would like to help others and aren’t sure what is on offer, visit volunteeringdorset.org.uk.

There are so many volunteering opportunities at local hospitals, charity shops, clubs, community centres, libraries and churches. Many of our county’s tourist attractions, such as museums and theatres, could not exist without volunteers.

If you haven’t yet made a New Year’s resolution, volunteering is certainly one to consider. Would you like to volunteer for a museum in Wimborne? Turn to page 34.

Top tips for starting your own business

By Sean Kiani

For those daring to break free from the traditional employee mindset, starting a business can be the most liberating — and challenging — journey you’ll ever take.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about financial gain; it’s a way of life. It is fraught with risks, but also filled with exhilarating milestones. Preparation, adaptability, and trusted mentors can help you navigate this terrain.

Build resilience

Being an entrepreneur requires solving problems with creativity, embracing uncertainty, and turning challenges into opportunities. Hope and faith fuel perseverance, while passion and self-belief propel you forward. Surround yourself with positivity and protect your vision from naysayers.

Choose the right structure

Choosing the best business structure is crucial. Sole traders enjoy simplicity and flexibility, but with greater risks. Limited companies offer credibility and liability protection, while LLPs provide tax efficiency and asset security — ideal for scalable ventures.

Protect yourself

In the entrepreneurial world, you’ll face resistance, deceit, and distractions. Not everyone will have your best interests at heart. Success requires sharp instincts, unwavering confidence, and the courage to stay true to your goals.

The thrill of entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. The highs and lows, the thrill of chasing your dreams, and the satisfaction of building something meaningful make the journey worthwhile.

Take the leap, trust your instincts, and embrace the challenges ahead.

Sean Kiani is an independent financial advisor and business recovery insolvency expert.

Time to change careers?

By Luke Graham

The New Year is a time of reflection, which is why it’s often when people consider changing their jobs. Whether driven by a desire for personal growth, dissatisfaction with the current job, or the pursuit of a long-held passion, switching to a new career path is a bold step that requires planning and resilience.

The first step to changing careers is to do a selfassessment. What are your core motivations, values and strengths? This will help you identify jobs that align with who you are.

What transferable skills do you have? Nearly all industries value problem-solving, communication, and adaptability – what examples do you have from your career history to demonstrate these traits to a prospective employer?

The next step is research. What are the main challenges and opportunities in your dream industry? Can you meet people who have your ideal job who can give you advice and guidance?

To boost your CV, find online courses, certification programmes, or volunteering opportunities. These will give you the skills and experience to stand out from the crowd.

You’ll also need to assess your finances. Changing careers may involve a pay cut or a period of retraining –can you afford this?

Despite the difficulties, embracing change and following your passions will ultimately be more rewarding. We spend so much of our lives working that we should all try and do work that aligns with our values. Good luck with the next chapter of your career.

Janine!Thank you,

By Ben Pulford

Wishing you a happy retirement

I don't often put pen to paper for the magazine. I've worked with far more talented wordsmiths over the years, none more so than my dear mother Janine. However, there are times when it is pertinent to do so.

After 21 years as editor of Dorset View magazine, Janine Pulford has put down her pen… well, almost.

Starting her journalistic career as a column writer for the Bournemouth Echo covering West Moors in the mid 90s, it wasn’t long before she was picked up by Viewpoint Magazine in Verwood to become the publication’s editor in 1998.

There she worked until the magazine folded in 2003 when the publishing company went into administration.

Not to be deterred, Janine and a colleague launched a new magazine called Town & Village Times in August

2003. It was an instant hit, with Janine’s reporting of local news resonating with the community.

When Viewpoint Magazine came up for sale a year later, she brought the publication back into circulation. Both magazines became essential reading for so many people in the local area.

Through the years, she has overseen many changes to the magazines. Town & Village Times became Town & Village, then 4Dorset and it is now known as Dorset View

A dedicated editor, Janine understood the importance of serving the community. You would often find her out covering events with her camera, reporting on council meetings and giving a voice to many who felt that they were not being heard.

From helping to save West Moors Library, highlighting plastic pollution by establishing Plastic Free

Ferndown and organising a charity auction for Dorset Mind, to name but a fraction of the good work she has done for the community.

An accomplished writer, Janine has not only kept the magazines stacked with content through her 21 years as editor, but she even found time to write and self-publish six fiction books.

She will now focus more of her time on her passion for fiction writing. But no doubt she will continue to contribute articles for the magazines.

Thank you, Janine. We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you.

Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said: “Wishing Janine a very happy retirement and huge thanks for all your work on the publications that Dorset treasures. These magazines have raised the spirits of residents, supported community groups and enabled businesses to thrive, and your role in that has been so valued.”

Matt Black, Mr Piano Man, said: “So many things that Janine did would have earned her a medal. Her diligence in reporting local events and characters. Her approachable and easy conversation, which opened many doors to many worlds. But the thing I am and will forever be most impressed by was the sheer number of performances of mine she endured in order to give a review of the events – sheer bravery, tenacity, and strength of character right there! Thank you, Janine for gluing the whole community together.”

Linda Thornton, co-founder of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation, said: “Janine has been a great friend to John’s charity for many years, and Pete and I will always be grateful to her for the support and encouragement she has given us. She has really helped us to raise the profile of the JTYAF which has made an important contribution to its success. Above all, she is one lovely lady and now deserves to have time to enjoy an exciting new chapter.”

Tony Brown, president of Dorset Chamber, said: “I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to Janine for her years of service to our community through her work as editor. Her dedication, insight, and leadership have truly made a lasting impact on the publications and on all of us who have had the pleasure of reading them. She will be missed, but her legacy will certainly live on in the pages she has helped shape. Wishing you all the best in your well-deserved retirement!”

Gerry Clarke said: “I have had the pleasure of knowing Janine for more than 20 years since moving to live in Dorset, and during this time I have found her to be a good friend and always a delight to work with. She will be greatly missed by our local community, and I wish her all the best in her retirement, if she can bear to give up the day job!”

Robin Cook, former mayor of Wimborne and former Dorset councillor, said: “I first met Janine when advertising in her publications over 20 years ago, and both she and her team were always incredibly helpful. During that time, she also supported my charity fundraising events with magazine editorials and publishing press releases. Having attended the launch of her debut novel ‘Aggracore’ in 2007, this confirmed what a talented person she is. Good luck in your retirement years, I am sure you will find plenty to occupy your time – enjoy!”

Ian Girling, CEO of Dorset Chamber, said: “We’ve worked with Pulford Publicity for over five years on Dorset Business Focus magazine. It’s always been an absolute pleasure to work with Janine and many congratulations on your achievements in your business. I’d like to say a huge thank you on behalf of Dorset Chamber and, of course, very best wishes for the future.”

Carol Waterkeyn, former editor of Viewpoint Magazine said: “I couldn’t have found a better person to take over the magazine. We kept in touch and have become very good friends indeed. I have returned to work on the magazine on a freelance basis on and off over the years, and I was delighted when Janine and her family took over the magazine business, which has grown a lot from when it started. Janine is a very hard worker and has been a wholly dedicated editor and director of the family firm of Pulford Publicity. She brought her own style and subject matter to the portfolio of magazines.”

Arabella Watkiss said: “Huge congratulations on your retirement Janine and the start of a new journey dedicated to writing books. I had the most wonderful time working at mags4dorset with you, Louis, Ben and the rest of the team and think of you guys often. Thank you for giving me the opportunity and for showing me the writing and editing ropes.”

Anthony Oliver, former mayor of Wimborne, said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Janine for all her support over very many years for all things Wimborne. There has been your support for Wimborne in Bloom, the Minster and, in particular, the sponsorship of the annual Pancake Race. Your coverage of events in which I have been involved over the years, Carols in the Cornmarket and the Annual Save the Children Christmas Parade to name but two, have been greatly appreciated. I have always eagerly looked forward to picking up copies of your publications as soon as they are published.”

Chris Brown, Wimborne Town Crier, composed a special cry for Janine. It reads: Oyez Oyez Oyez

A few words are in order to mark this day

For a woman who has devoted much of her time to counting words

But more importantly measuring what they weigh

So now Janine is calling time upon her many magazine and newspaper roles

And we all admired how she has navigated the ups and downs

Yet always keeping in mind the appropriate goals

Well done, Janine, I stand in awe

At your prodigious achievements

And without doubt we all wish you many more Fair winds I wish to you and thank you for all your diligence

And all your efforts to come are filled with blissfulness

God Save The King & my very best wishes.

Charlotte Geary, musician and singer, said: “Thank you, Janine, for helping me promote my music over the past year or so through the beauty of your articles. Your contribution in promoting my Christmas single will be forever appreciated. Thank you for giving local musicians an opportunity to spread their music.”

Marilyn Barber, news editor of Dorset View and Viewpoint Magazine, said: “When it was announced that my previous magazine – for which I had worked for 30 years –was closing, Janine contacted me to offer me a job. We have worked together for more than five years, and it has been such a happy time for me. Always supportive, I have been impressed with her professionalism and attention to detail. And we’ve forged a friendship, so now meet periodically for coffee and a chat.”

‘Rusty’ Vern Harris, chairman of Verwood Rotary Rustic Fayre, said: “Janine is a lovely lady, it seems we’ve known her forever. Have a happy retirement, but don’t disappear completely!"

Julian Hewitt, Fordingbridge Museum, said: “Janine was the perfect editor. She spotted my occasional mistakes and gave helpful and constructive advice. She was always very approachable, and I always thought of her as a friend. I cannot see her sitting at home in her armchair, so I wish her well in her, no doubt, active retirement. She leaves a great legacy.”

Judi Weedon, clerk to West Moors Town Council, said: “West Moors Town Council would like to wish Janine a very happy retirement. The council office has worked with Janine for many years and she has provided invaluable support to us, always been approachable and happy to help. Over the years, she has taken many wonderful pictures of West Moors which we cherish, as they are a lasting record of the area. Good luck Janine and keep writing."

Mike Parkes, Dorset Council councillor, said: “Janine has been central to local media reporting in the East Dorset area for many years and in particular her contribution to Ferndown has been exemplary. Having been involved in local matters for many years within the town, I have always been impressed with her balanced viewpoints on all matters, which is a rare quality in modern journalism. I am grateful for all the support the local publications have given me personally under Janine’s leadership, especially on the two occasions that I was mayor of Ferndown.”

Jacqueline Moss said: “Lovely Janine! Always ready to help the local community. She has been a professional reporter and editor and a lovely friend to us all. You will be sadly missed Janine.”

Jean Read, former mayor of Ferndown, said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to Janine for all that she has done in the past for me as mayor and for Ferndown in Bloom. I wish you all the luck in the world. Enjoy your retirement.”

Charity of the Year

Dorset Cancer Care Foundation: helping families facing hardship

By Jannine Loveys, fundraising manager at Dorset Cancer Care Foundation

Huge thanks go to Viewpoint Magazine for taking the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) as its partner charity of the year for 2025 and enabling us to highlight our work on behalf of many local families living with a cancer diagnosis.

We are a local charity which steps in to help financially when families are facing extreme hardship because of cancer.

We can only do what we do with support, and our fantastic volunteers, donors, and fundraisers have amazed us in 2024 with their commitment, originality, stamina and even bravery.

All of these people have given up their time to help raise money for other local families who are struggling.

People like Rose Barton, who raised £560 with a cream tea event in her garden in Poole this summer, and our amazing skydivers – including Gordon Lewis, aged 80!

Gordon, along with Denise Rogerson, Fiona Wager, Gemma and Craig Hamblin and Paul Du Lieu launched themselves out of a plane for the DCCF in October, raising £6,000 in the process.

The Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr George Farquhar also fundraised for us in 2024, completing his first ever Run Bournemouth half marathon in October.

The mayor completed the course, his longest run ever, in well under two hours and has signed up to do it all again in 2025.

The DCCF pays the registration fees of all its Run Bournemouth competitors. So please get in touch if you

or your children would like to run on our behalf in 2025.

Our business supporters are essential to the success of the DCCF, and Coach House Fitness in Lytchett Matravers near Poole literally climbed mountains to help us.

The gym’s team of fitness instructors and clients were inspired by the cancer diagnosis of one of their friends to help the DCCF and scaled three mountains in just 24 hours to conquer the Three Peaks Challenge.

Attending our fun events is also a great way to support the DCCF.

Our friendly, monthly, volunteer-led coffee mornings take place at different locations across the county, including Rick Stein Sandbanks. Your £6 entry fee buys you a drink and delicious cake. We also have raffles, auctions, and the occasional famous visitor. So, if you meet up regularly with friends, this is a way to do just that and help local families with cancer.

We also hold curry evenings, bingo nights, a kart racing event, quizzes and even an annual glitzy gala – which will take place at the Hilton Bournemouth, on Saturday 13 September 2025.

Any effort, big or small, as an individual or as a group of friends, will help the DCCF make a difference to Dorset families living with the added pressure of financial stress on top of a cancer diagnosis.

We look forward to bringing you news of our work and events throughout 2025 and hopefully welcoming you to our wonderful local charity.

What is DCCF?

The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation gives nonrepayable grants to Dorset families suffering often severe financial hardship because of cancer. To date we have given over £750,000 to local families to meet costs such as accommodation, replacement household appliances, transport to and from hospital, and childcare. The charity is entirely funded by our loyal supporters – individuals, businesses, and volunteers – and we are always looking for new sponsors and fundraisers to support us. If you would like to be involved with a charity which helps local people, please get in touch for more information, or visit our website at  www.dccf.co.uk to find out about our local coffee mornings, fun events, or how to apply for a DCCF grant.

80-year-old Gordon Lewis skydived in aid of DCCF in October 2024

Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr George Farquhar ran a half marathon for the charity

DCCF holds regular cake and coffee mornings

Volunteers and supporters at a recent DCCF event

Could joining the Rotary be your New Year’s resolution?

By Louisa Hiscock | Verwood Rotary Club

Club members were delighted to host our annual ‘hand out evening’ at The Hub in Verwood at the end of November. This was an opportunity to remember the success of the Rustic Fayre in August and celebrate the record-breaking amount raised on the day with up to £19,000 to hand out. More importantly, it was an evening to hear from all the local organisations, groups and charities who received a donation from the funds raised to support their amazing work in the wider community.

Much of this is voluntary and supporting a wide range of needs and age groups. Many are also reliant on fundraising to do this.

President Peter Campbell welcomed everyone packed into the hall and encouraged all to find out more about Rotary and consider joining us. ‘Rusty’ Vern Harris, chair of the Rustic Fayre, hosted the evening. Club members felt it made all the hard work before and on the day of the Fayre very worthwhile. It was also an opportunity to thank all those who support us in so many ways to ensure everything went well.

Club members also joined in

the fun at Verwood’s Christmas Extravaganza on Ferrett Green on 30 November. We were pleased to help Santa set up his grotto and meet as many children as he could. It was lovely to see how excited all the children were to meet Santa and be able to tell him what was on their Christmas lists! As 2025 gets underway and we think about our New Year’s resolutions, do think about joining our club if you are keen to get more involved in the local community. We would love to hear from you and tell you more about the club’s activities. Contact us on enquiries@ verwoodrotary.org.uk.

Santa at the Christmas Extravaganza

Vern Harris with three reps from Sturts Community Trust

The artist EQ Nicholson

By Julian Hewitt | Fordingbridge Museum

I have often driven past Alderholt Mill and thought that it is a picturesque scene that artists would love to paint. It came as no surprise therefore, to discover that the Miller’s House next to it was once the centre of a vibrant hub of artistic creativity when the designer and painter EQ Nicholson lived there.

Elsie Queen Myers was born in London in 1908 and because she did not like her Christian names, she is always referred to by her preferred nomenclature EQ. Her childhood home was one of wealth and privilege shielded from the everyday pressures of life by the 16 servants employed to look after her mother, father, EQ and her sister.

Her father, Leo Myers, was a novelist and close friend of Virginia Woolf, and EQ was brought up in a house frequented by authors and artists. It was no surprise therefore, that in 1924 she enrolled at the prestigious and fashionable Slade School of Art. Unlike the artists Augustus and Gwen John who were also students there, EQ did not last long. After three weeks, she

and the professor of fine art at the Slade, the formidable Henry Tonks, agreed that neither the Slade nor her would benefit from completing her training and she left. That was the extent of her formal art training.

She went to Paris where she learnt the art of Batik – a technique involving the use of wax and dye on cloth. After returning to England, she worked with Marion Dorn who was an artist and designer producing textiles, wallpaper and hooked rug, ‘sculpted’ carpets. Francis Bacon was another artist at the time who was producing rugs which interestingly were produced by Wilton Carpets.

In 1931, EQ married Kit Nicholson, an architect who designed the modernist studio at Fryern Court near Fordingbridge for Augustus John. Whilst Kit designed the buildings, EQ often designed the interior. In 1939, Kit went off for war service and EQ left for the countryside, eventually staying with her friend Rachel McCarthy at Rockbourne. It was here that she learnt that the Miller’s House next to Alderholt Mill was for rent. She moved in in 1941 with the nanny pushing her two daughters over from Rockbourne in the pram.

EQ found it a struggle at first because she had never had to cook, clean, shop or look after young children. Despite this, over the next 10 years she painted a substantial number of still life subjects as well as landscapes round the mill and on Cranborne Chase. She was visited by artistic friends and family including Lucian Freud. The 20-year-old artist John Craxton came to stay, and between them they created an inspiring atmosphere in the house with paintings on the white painted walls, fabrics designed by herself and her family, and the air filled with jazz and classical music.

In 1948, Kit was killed in a gliding accident. In 1951, EQ moved to cob and thatched cottages first in Bellows Cross then at Boveridge. She continued her painting and gouache, crayon and collage work, but also started making hooked rugs again. She died in London in 1992 at the age of 83.

A fabric design that EQ produced called Black Goose with its stylised wave background is still available today, and her works are displayed in art galleries around the country. When I now drive past Alderholt Mill, I will think of the hotbed of creativity that the charismatic EQ brought to the Miller’s House. I will also wonder if the quince tree, the fruits of which were included in many of her “kitchen” paintings, is still growing against the wall of the house.

The Miller’s House in Alderholt, an artistic hotbed in the mid-20th century

Council to spend £1.2m on restoring Avon Heath

Dorset Council has begun work to restore lowland heathland at a country park just outside Ringwood in a £1.2 million project.

Around 2.5 per cent of the world’s remaining lowland heathland is in Dorset, with a significant portion at Avon Heath Country Park near Ringwood. The park’s unique heathland is home to all of Britain’s native reptile species, including the elusive Smooth Snake, and provides critical nesting grounds for birds like the Nightjar and Woodlark.

With support and funding from Natural England, Dorset Council started the two-year restoration project in December. The work will remove some of the invasive pine trees from

the 210-hectare site. These coniferous trees, originally planted for timber, have spread through self-seeding and now threaten to destroy the lowland heathland by blocking out sunlight that is essential for heather growth.

Cllr Nick Ireland, leader of Dorset Council and Cabinet member for Climate, said: “While removing trees during a climate emergency may seem counter-intuitive, heathlands play an important role in tackling climate change too. Their soils are excellent at absorbing carbon from our atmosphere and locking it away permanently.”

Funding for this project comes from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Pet breeders prosecuted for unlicensed activity

A woman and her father who kept cats in a cage and dogs in a cupboard have been prosecuted.

Ebony Membury (25) and her father Michael Membury (58) of Dorchester, made over £34,000 by illegally breeding and selling pets. They were prosecuted for the unlicensed breeding, advertising and selling of dogs, puppies and kittens as pets for profit.

An investigation by Dorset Council’s Animal Welfare team and Dorset Police found that the pair’s unlicensed activities began in 2019. From 2021, the defendants bred dogs at their home.

Ms Membury contacted Dorset Council to get a licence in July 2020 but failed to provide the correct paperwork or pay the fee. She was warned of the risk of prosecution should she continue her activities without a licence, but Ms Membury assured officers that no further activities would take place until she had a licence. That promise was not kept as the breeding, advertising, and selling of pets continued.

A couple who had seen

adverts for a puppy online, visited the premises in July 2023. They saw puppies in cramped conditions, with howling and barking dogs in a cupboard under the stairs, seemingly in distress. Three cats were also present, with two in a cage. The upset couple left without buying and contacted Dorset Council to report what they saw.

In August 2023, officers executed a search warrant at the Membury home. They discovered dogs housed in small, confined spaces, with one dog wearing an anti-bark collar which had injured its neck.

The pair were ordered to take steps to improve the animals’ welfare, which were met. Dorset Council took the case to court in October 2024, where both defendants pleaded guilty to offences under section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Sentencing took place on 5 December. The court banned them from dealing in cats and dogs for five years, ordered them to pay costs of £8,898, and a victim surcharge of £114 each.

Britain’s rarest snake, the Smooth Snake, can be found in Dorset’s heaths

Festive parade a big success

By Luke Graham

Wimborne’s annual Save the Children parade drew huge crowds in December

After several weekends in which bad weather disrupted and cancelled festive events across the county, Wimborne was fortunate to enjoy clear skies and bright sunshine for the annual Save the Children parade on Saturday 14 December.

The parade featured bands including Quarterjacks of Wimborne, dancers from Footlight Performance Academy and the cast of Queen Elizabeth’s School’s production of ‘Footloose’, colourful characters and floats carrying children from local schools and nurseries. Local groups including Wimborne Mower Club, the Wimborne Militia and Wimborne Community Theatre were represented, as well as societies from the wider areas, such as Ulfhedinn Viking re-enactors from Poole. There were also classic cars, a replica of the Ectomobile from ‘Ghostbusters’, and a convoy of steam engines.

A huge crowd turned out for the event, filling the streets of Wimborne to enjoy the spectacle. The event, which aims to raise awareness and funds for the charity Save the Children, was first held in 1989 and started by the town’s former mayor Margery Ryan.

Images © Viewpoint Magazine

Town Mayor’s Serjant Chris Brown

The Grinch plotting to steal Christmas

Who ya gonna call?

The Ulfhedinn Vikings invading from Poole

Mayor Jeff Hart riding in style

Wimborne Minster clergy

The Quarterjacks of Wimborne

Half-price tickets to visit Monkey World this January

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Monkey World is starting the New Year off with a promotion for all locals to the park –half price entry during January!

From 2 to 31 January, anyone with a BH, DT or SP postcode will benefit from 50 per cent off the entry price to Monkey World. Come and see over 250 primates of more than 20 different species, including the world’s largest group of chimpanzees outside of Africa. Most primates have been rescued from unbelievable cruelty or neglect, but at Monkey World they can enjoy the company of their own kind in safe and natural living environments. Some are even part of breeding programmes for endangered species.

Strictly stars waltzing into Bournemouth

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu are coming to Bournemouth Pavilion in March as part of their brand-new tour, ‘REBORN’.

Amy joined Strictly in 2017 as a professional dancer and reached the final in 2019 with Karim Zeroual. Her other partners include McFly’s Tom Fletcher, Brian Conley and JJ Chalmers.

Combining fun with conservation, half-hourly keeper Q&As are available to explain all about man’s closest living relative. Visitors can see the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Business’ and ‘Monkey Life’, then ‘monkey around’ in the South’s largest Great Ape play area for children with its huge variety of swings, slides, and climbing frames. There are several food outlets available at the park, or visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy lunch in the beautiful surroundings.

Visitors can choose to support the park’s rescue work further by adopting a primate. This means you get an annual pass to the park for a whole year, as well as three magazines a year, a photo, certificate and access to exclusive adoptive parent-only events. For more details, please see the website: www.monkeyworld.org. Alternatively, email apes@monkeyworld.org or call 01929 462537.

Carlos joined the show in 2022, partnering with Molly Rainford where he made the final, and danced with Angela Scanlon in 2023.

‘REBORN’ features a cast of world-class dancers and vocalists and takes audiences on an emotional journey through show-stopping routines. Tickets are from £45 and available at bournemouthpavilion.co.uk.

COMPETITION

Viewpoint Magazine has partnered with Bournemouth Pavilion to offer you the chance to win two tickets to see ‘Amy Dowden & Carlos Gu: REBORN’ on Wednesday 12 March 2025.

To enter the competition, answer the following question:

To enter the competition, answer the following question:

In what year did Amy Dowden join ‘Strictly Come Dancing’?

Spice Up Your Life with museum’s new collection

Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset (MED) is celebrating the era of the Spice Girls, Pokemon and Britpop with its latest exhibition.

Launched in November, ‘I Grew Up 90s’ was curated by collector and cultural commentator Matt Fox and features over 200 objects and artworks from that decade. For those who grew up during the time of Trainspotting and Teletubbies, it’s a nostalgic step back in time.

To find out more, Viewpoint spoke to MED Director Francesca Hollow.

What was the inspiration behind ‘I Grew Up 90s’?

We had previously worked with Matt Fox to bring an incredible Star Wars exhibition to the museum, so when he mentioned he had just created a brand new 90s exhibition we were intrigued. The 1990s are such a fascinating period as, to many of us, it still feels almost too recent to be in a museum. However, as soon as you start to look back you can see how much things have moved on, from technology to toys and everything in between.

The exhibition is such a joyous and nostalgic look back on that decade, we knew it would resonate with people, especially families where parents can

share how they grew up with their children. There are lots of fun interactive elements with dressing up, toys to play with and even an arcade machine.

What are your favourite items in the exhibition?

I was a 90s baby, so I’ve loved seeing so many things which remind me of my childhood. I have to go with the Spice Girls dolls and poster. Growing up, they were just unbelievably cool and unlike other major pop stars (like Britney Spears) they were from the UK. Are there any products from the 90s that you’d like to see become popular again? I’d love to see bath pearls make a comeback. There were lots of different animal shapes, colours and scents, and I remember being particularly excited to own some blue dolphin-shaped ones. What do you hope visitors will take away from this exhibition? I hope it’ll encourage people to recall and share some happy memories from the 90s, from TV to toys, concerts to celebrities. And there are plenty of options in our shop to bring the

nostalgia home with you – I’ve already acquired a troll pencil topper, and I have my eye on a Clueless ‘As if!’ mug.

‘I Grew Up 90s’ runs until 29 March 2025 and entry is included in MED’s standard ticket price.

Grew Up

Spice Girls were all the rage in the 1990s, even in doll form © MED

‘I

90s’ celebrates the era of the Spice Girls © MED

New Amazon Prime show champions Dorset food scene

A new six-part food and travel show was released on Amazon Prime in December all about Dorset’s food and drink producers.

‘A Taste of Dorset’ follows West Country-based chef and food writer Philippa Davis as she goes on a journey exploring the county’s food and drink culture.

In each episode, Davis meets three different food producers, learns about their stories and why they feel connected to Dorset and its community. The episodes culminate in Davis making a family friendly meal or cocktail on location with one of the food producers.

Some of the producers Davis meets include fifth-generation millers to first-time wine makers and from oyster farmers to apple vodka distillers.

The show travels the length and breadth of Dorset and features locations in Wimborne, Sturminster Newton, Weymouth, Beaminster, Chesil Beach, Blandford Forum, Cranborne, Shaftesbury, Bridport, Sherborne and more.

Davis, who has written for BBC Food, Condé Nast, and Dorset Magazine, is also a judge for The Great Taste Awards and has previously presented shows on Channel 5. She said: “I’m incredibly excited to support and champion the outstanding food and drink producers we have here in Dorset. It feels vital, now more than ever, to connect our incredible famers and makers to consumers in order to share their stories and the incredible work they do.”

Tony Hindhaugh, executive director of the show’s production company Planet Eat Media, said: “I was bowled over by the friendliness and passion of every single producer we visited. Dorset is an utterly delicious county and we are delighted to help showcase the incredible food and drink scene they have there”.

To watch ‘A Taste of Dorset,’ go to amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CP9WY6P3.

Go back in time with Wimborne museum

It’s the dream of many to go back in time – and now you can. You could be a Victorian maid, a World War hero or a Roman soldier for a day if you become a volunteer with the Learning and Education team at Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset.

The museum’s new Learning and Family Assistant Rachel Simpson-Fernandes is keen to hear from anyone who can spare a couple of hours a fortnight to support the museum’s burgeoning on-site programme for schools.

Rachel said: “I’m looking for some wonderful new learning volunteers to join my team. No experience is necessary as full training and mentoring is provided. Every session also has a detailed delivery plan that is easy to follow.

“All I need is people with a passion for history, who love the magic of museums and how they enrich children’s lives. And if you fancy dressing up as a Victorian housekeeper or Roman soldier – even better.”

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with the educational team at Museum of East Dorset, please contact Rachel via learning@ museumofeastdorset.co.uk.

Forest Holme Hospice Charity is organising a Strictly Extravaganza, which will take place on Saturday 25 January 2025 at Lighthouse, Poole. The event will see 10 amateur participants, drawn from a public call for entries and teamed up with professional dancers, hit the dance floor with the hope of waltzing off with the glitterball trophy. For tickets visit https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/StrictlyExtravaganza20251.

3 February at 7.30pm. Admission is free with tickets only available at the doors, which open at 7pm. There will be a retiring collection which will benefit Dorset Rural Music School, Youth Music Wessex, and other Rotary-supported charities.

‘Jazz at the Allendale’, organised by Wimborne Rotary, is once again returning to Wimborne’s Allendale Community Centre. The concert, featuring Swing Unlimited Big Band, will be on Monday

Volunteer and become a Victorian maid for a day © Jayne Jackson

Chef Philippa Davis tours the county in her six-part series

Events

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

10–18 January

Broadstone Productions presents ‘Cinderella’ at Broadstone Memorial Hall. Tickets from: ticketsource. co.uk/broadstone-productions.

10–18 January

Bourne Free adult panto ‘A-Ladin’ at The Barrington Theatre. No under 16s allowed. Tickets on Ticketline: 0161 832 111.

16–18 January

All Saints Dramatic Society presents ‘Knight Fever’ at Bournemouth Life Centre in Moordown. Tickets from: ticketsource.co.uk/asds/e-vkeklk.

18–25 January

Verwood Pantomime Society presents ‘Peter Pan’ at Verwood Hub. Tickets from verwoodpantomimesociety.com/ book-tickets or call 01202 828740.

20 January 10.30am–11.30am

Reading Friends group meets at Ferndown Library. Meet new friends and enjoy books. Contact the library for more info.

21 January 8pm Wimborne Civic Society meets at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne for a talk on ‘Dorset Rivers – Downstream Dorset’.

24 January 10am–2.30pm

Stitch4u club for embroidery and textile art, meets at the MS Centre, West Parley. Details at https://astitch4u.com.

24–26 January

Highcliffe Charity Players presents ‘Goldilocks’ at The Regent Centre. Tickets from theregent. co.uk or call 01202 499199.

25 January 10am

West Moors Horticultural Society coffee morning at the Memorial Hall. Contact Sue Hamlett on 01202 871536.

26 January 11am

Guided walk around Wimborne town, starting from the square and lasting approximately one hour. Just turn up.

28 January 7.30pm

West Parley Gardening Club meets at the MS Centre, Church Lane, West Parley, BH22 8TS. David Ennals will talk on ‘Bonsai for Beginners’. Visitors welcome £3. Refreshments available. For further details please contact Rod Darch on 01202 896711 or visit westparleygc.co.uk.

30 January to

2 February 11am–3pm

Snowdrop garden open at 10, Ryan Close, Ferndown, BH22 9TP. Entrance and refreshments by donation to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

1 February 2pm–4pm

Ferndown Arthritis and Friendship Club meets at Ferndown Plus Day Centre. Entertainment and afternoon tea. Door-to-door service. Call for more info: 03303 112793.

3 February 10.30am–11.30am

Reading Friends meets at Wimborne Library.

3 February 7 for 7.30pm

Ferndown & West Moors Philatelic and Postcard Club meets at The Hamworthy Club, Magna Road, Canford Magna, BH21 3AP. Please call Paul Barry on 07932 581791 or email paulrichardbarry@hotmail. co.uk for programme details.

3 February 7.30pm

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

3 February 7.30pm

‘Jazz at the Allendale’ organised by Wimborne Rotary at the Allendale Community Centre featuring Swing Unlimited Big Band. Admission free with tickets only available at the doors, which open at 7pm. Retiring collection for Dorset Rural Music School, Youth Music Wessex, and other Rotary-supported charities.

4 February 2.30pm–4pm Bits & Bytes Computer Club meets in Ferndown library. See neilbarton.co.uk/bnbclub.html.

6–9 February 11am–3pm

Snowdrop garden open at 10, Ryan Close, Ferndown, BH22 9TP. Entrance and refreshments by donation to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

6 February 7.30pm

Verwood and District Horticultural Society meets at Verwood Memorial Hall for the AGM and a quiz. Details on verwoodhorticulturalsociety. co.uk or call Ollie on 07508 577114.

7 February 10am–3pm Poole Leisure Painters meets at Lighthouse Poole. Contact secretary on 01202 693526. 8–9 February 10am–4pm Snowdrop weekend at St George’s Church, Damerham, SP6 3HU. Come and see the snowdrops growing naturally in a Norman churchyard. Refreshments available, plus market stalls.

12 February 6.30pm–9pm Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club meet downstairs in Kinson Community Centre. Full details on bournemouthjazzclub.org.

12 February 7.30pm East Dorset Antiquarian Society meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Wimborne for a talk on 19th century rural life.

14–16 February Colehill Music and Drama presents ‘Tales from the Woods’ at Colehill Memorial Hall.

Real risks of rural roads

Did you know more people are killed on rural roads than on urban highways? A road safety report from NFU Mutual shows there were 107 fatalities on rural roads in the South West in 2023, more than three times the number of fatalities on urban roads.

And this is important to Dorset, because although half of the county is made up of the

conurbation of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, the other half is largely rural.

Nationally, collisions on rural roads are around four times more likely to result in a fatality. NFU Mutual’s analysis of the latest Department for Transport figures show 969 people died on rural roads in Britain in 2023.

The research also showed vulnerable road users remain disproportionately at risk: more than twice as many motorcyclists lost their lives on rural roads (223) than urban roads (88) in 2023. Although motorcyclist fatalities fell in 2023, they remain the most at-risk vulnerable road user group.

And after a fall in the previous two years, cycling fatalities on rural roads increased to 50 in 2023, 35 per cent more than those killed in urban areas.

Horses and their riders are another vulnerable road

user group significantly at risk on rural roads. In a survey of 250 horse owners and riders, NFU Mutual found that almost three in 10 had been involved in a collision on a rural road and 35 per cent had a horse which had been injured or killed on a collision on a rural road. One in four horse riders were uncomfortable riding on countryside roads.

The rural insurer has partnered with the four UK farming unions, Farm Safety Foundation, British Horse Society and Older Drivers Forum to create a Code for Countryside Roads to promote safe, considerate use of countryside highways.

Nick Turner, chief executive of NFU Mutual, said: “Every road death is an avoidable tragedy, and every road user has a responsibility to protect themselves and others, but the disparity in safety between

urban and rural roads and the higher risk shouldered by vulnerable road users suggests that more can be done.

“That is why NFU Mutual has been campaigning for several years to improve rural road safety by raising awareness of the risks inherent to countryside roads, and why we are proud to publish a Code for Countryside Roads to provide a clear guide on how people should use rural roads.

“The Code has been developed in consultation with our campaign partners and based on feedback from over 700 members of the public. It is available to everyone, free of charge, on the NFU Mutual website and we hope it will help steer a course towards safer rural roads for all.”

Members of the public can access, download and print the Code for Countryside Roads at nfumutual.co.uk/ruralroads.

for sponsoring puzzle zone.

Here’s how to solve Codeword. Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number.

To start you off, we reveal the code for three letters.

To solve Sudoku, you need to fill the grid so that each row, column, and three-by-three box of cells contains the digits 1 through 9, without repetition.

Start by looking for rows, columns, or boxes that are almost complete, and fill in the missing numbers. Then use a process of elimination to look for the only possible cell within a row, column, or box where a number can fit.

Good luck and enjoy. Solutions are on page 44.

A special thanks to Codeword Sudoku

Do you still love your ornaments?

By Marilyn Barber newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Most of us do it. We tuck away ornaments in cupboards in order to make space for the Christmas decorations, and then before Twelfth Night we put them all back again.

A golden opportunity missed! As artist and author William Morris said: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” This was his most famous quote which has inspired many interior designers.

As she lives in Austria, she won’t be reading this so I am safe to comment, but practically every shelf, mantelpiece and windowsill in my cousin’s home is filled with tiny ornaments that her children and grandchildren have given her over the years. And she admits that she hates the clutter but doesn’t want to offend anyone by taking them down.

However, if you have returned everything to its pre–Christmas place, maybe it’s time to re-assess the situation.

I’m not suggesting minimalist décor with everything stored out of sight (no point in cluttering your cupboards) but quality over quantity.

A single piece of artwork, a family photograph or a vase of fresh flowers would all complement this look. Just think – no trinkets to dust and not much to shuffle around when you’re cleaning. Second, a clutter-free home is calming and helps keep our stress levels low.

Going from room to room, you can start by deciding what kind of mood and look you want to create. Home accessories give your home personality and character. Whether you proudly display your grandmother’s china in your dining room or hang your favourite family photo over the fireplace, these

Bringing your home dreams to life

-Advertisement feature-

Situated on the Fordingbridge High Street, New Forest Designs is an independent family-run business owned by Barrie and Jo. They offer design and installation of kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and home studies.

One of New Forest Designs’ key differentiators as an independent business is the level of service the team can provide. They understand their client’s needs (and of course their budget), create a design and then provide expert installation. The team

There are three key people in the customer-facing team:

• Barrie is a designer and project manager with over 25 years’ experience.

• Jo is the showroom manager.

• Kate is the senior designer with a diploma in interior design and over 20 years’ experience. All or nothing

Although the company provides a start-to-finish service, they can take on just part of the project if that’s what you need. For example, they can take measurements from architects’ plans or can offer ‘supply only’ if you already have your own team in place. Next steps

There is info and inspiration at nfdesigns.co.uk, but there’s nothing to beat discussing your ideas with an expert. For that, you should visit the Fordingbridge showroom for a coffee and a chat.

accessories are necessary to reflect who you are and what’s most important to your family. It’s the accessories you choose that distinguish your house from your neighbour’s and make you feel like you’re really at home. You could also replace ornaments with house plants that remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it to oxygen, neutralising

harmful chemicals.

The advice for people who need to de-clutter their wardrobes is to take everything out and put them in piles – those you love and wear frequently, garments you haven’t worn for years, items to go to the charity shop, and those to be relegated to gardening duty.

A similar concept could work for ornaments.

A vase from a design by Gustav Klimt given to me by my late husband

Ideas to help sell your home

Are you thinking of downsizing or relocating in 2025? Here are some steps you can take to make your home more attractive to buyers:

Remove personal items

Family photos and children’s drawings make your house feel like a home, but a potential buyer wants to imagine themselves living there, not the seller. Consider depersonalising the space and storing these decorations away before viewings. Create a blank canvas to help the buyer envision their own life within the space.

Deep clean and declutter

When life gets hectic, especially after Christmas, it’s easy to let clutter accumulate. Use the New Year as an opportunity not only to declutter but also give your home a deep clean, including the places you might normally ignore, so scrub those skirting boards, clean the grout, and vacuum under the sofa.

A spotless, clutter-free home not only looks more spacious but also suggests to buyers that the property has been well cared for.

Highlight your home’s unique features

To stand out from the crowd, try to highlight the unique selling points of your property.

Whether that’s the warm fireplace in the living room, countryside views from the bedroom, or the open-plan spaces, these unique aspects help to leave a lasting impression on buyers. Consider moving furniture around to emphasise these elements.  Advice courtesy of housebuyers4u.co.uk.

National Garden Scheme raises over £3m for charity

If you’re looking for garden improvement ideas, then the National Garden Scheme (NGS) could help, and in the process, you’ll help charity too.

NGS gives visitors access to over 3,500 private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands, including 113 private gardens in Dorset. And when you visit a garden opened under the National Garden Scheme, you are helping to fund charities. In 2024, a record £3,501,227 was raised.

NGS Chairman Rupert Tyler said: “As the nation’s health and social care system continues to battle with the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and with deeply embedded systemic challenges, the contribution of the charities that we support has been increasingly vital. Their reach and impact, in cancer and end of life care, in community health and nursing and in particular areas such as people living with Parkinson’s, is immense and we are proud to be a major long-term supporter of them all.”

The scheme relies on the income generated by admission to gardens and through the sale of plants, teas and cake at these sites. Additional income streams include donations, sponsorship and advertising, fundraising events and commercial partnerships.

Locally, Manor Farm at Hampreston will be opened under the NGS on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March. To find your nearest open garden, visit ngs.org.uk.

Manor Farm at Hampreston will open to visitors in March

specialist services

/ who to contact for the service you need.

The Friends of Victoria Hospital in Wimborne said a fond farewell to Melanie Fawcett who left her role after seven years as a trustee for the charity. During that time, she played a key role as a member of the finance committee. Melanie said that she enjoyed her time with The Friends and knew how valued the hospital was to the local community. David Pope, president, thanked Melanie for her invaluable help over the years and wished her well for the future.

Correction

In last month’s issue, in the article ‘Ferndown remembers’, we incorrectly identified St Mary’s Church as St Michael’s Church. We apologise for this error.

Solutions puzzle zone Development digest

Ringwood housing plan

Caspian Developments Ltd has applied to New Forest District Council for permission to demolish the bungalow at 102, Northfield Road, Ringwood and to build three detached houses with new vehicular access and parking.

Fordingbridge plan

Pennyfarthing Homes has submitted a planning application to New Forest District Council for 74 new homes off Whitsbury Road in Fordingbridge as part of its plans to build a neighbourhood of 342 homes.

Replacement homes

New Forest District Council has received an application to demolish a pair of semidetached houses and to erect two pairs of semi-detached houses on the site of 41 and 43 Manor Road, Ringwood.

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The Colour Works Foundation: helping young people build self-belief

By Marilyn Barber newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

A local organisation is working to help those aged 16–24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).

The Colour Works Foundation, based on the West Howe Industrial Estate, uses its very own colour profiling system with young people to raise their self awareness and relationship management skills. Young people are given the tools to develop their emotional resilience and confidence.

It was co-founded in 2017 by Liz Davies and Giles Miskin, who were both experienced in leadership and development training.

The foundation partners with organisations such

as schools, colleges and youth organisations such as The Prince’s Trust and the Spear Programme to deliver workshops.

“We run an eight-week programme with lots of activities based on The Colour Model,” said Liz. “The workshops are designed for between four to 12 young people and are spread over 12–24 hours in either two or three-hour slots.”

So how does this work?

The colour model of behaviour is based on the work of Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, and his notion of ‘psychological preferences’.

This refers to how people interact with and interpret the world around them, where they get their energies from and how they make decisions.

Blue is thorough, knowledgeable, logical, organised and quiet. Red is assertive, driven, fast-paced, ambitious and focussed. Green is thoughtful, warm, approachable, empathetic and calm. While yellow is talkative, positive, sociable and energetic.

Liz said: “People tend to favour one or two colours, and we help them to understand themselves. It also helps them to understand why they struggle with some people. But it is also a tool to help young people identify their strengths.

“We want to support socially and economically disadvantaged young people. We realise that some young people struggled at school.”

Colour Works also supports young carers who don’t always get access to careers advice.

“We feel it’s important to help young people in their career path and relationships. One boy said to me recently that his relationship with his dad had improved since he went on the programme, as he appreciated their differences.”

The foundation has three main goals for the young people who complete the course:

1. Make tangible selfassessed improvements in confidence, emotional selfmanagement, presentation skills, interpersonal skills and employability.

2. Acquire new tools to gain and maintain employment and develop constructive relationships with colleagues.

3. Build a personal development plan to focus on a future of hope and opportunity.

A Prince’s Trust team leader said: “I cannot emphasise enough the huge positive impact Colour Works have on the young people on our courses, many of whom are vulnerable and reluctant to engage with support agencies.

Liz and Giles have a brilliant way of engaging with every participant on the course and helping them to understand their value and skillset.”

For more information on The Colour Works Foundation, visit tcwfoundation.org.uk. They can be contacted on 07305 336 331.

Young people taking part in the foundation’s programme

Liz Davies co-created the foundation in December 2017

RNLI to bring stories of WWII courage to life

A grant of £131,122 has been awarded to the RNLI by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to research and share stories from the Second World War.

Called ‘1939–45: Stories of Courage,’ the project will mark the 80th anniversary of the war ending. It will explore, commemorate and engage a wide range of audiences with the charity’s Second World War story.

The project will help the RNLI find and share stories which might otherwise be lost as the 80th anniversary of the war ending approaches in 2025. The organisation will work with crew, volunteers, supporters and partners to seek out the stories and experiences of volunteers and those rescued by the RNLI during the war.

Over the course of the two-year project, the RNLI will deliver an exciting programme of events across the UK, including an exhibition at Lighthouse Poole, which will run from January 2026 and showcase wartime art and share stories of the country’s Second World War history.

The grant will also fund a dedicated project officer.

Hayley Whiting, Heritage Archive and Research

manager at the RNLI, said:

“We’re delighted to have been awarded this grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“This project will capture incredible rescue stories from the Second World War and information on the lives of the volunteers who carried them out. Without this grant, these stories might be lost

forever so we’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”

Stuart McLeod, director for England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support the RNLI in recording the heritage of the charity during the Second World War. This grant, made possible by the National Lottery players, ensures that the stories and memories of the community can be heard for generations to come.”

The RNLI already has

some stories from the war, from lifeboats taking part in Dunkirk, to crews rescuing downed airmen, both allies and German. Over the course of the war, and excluding those saved at Dunkirk, RNLI lifeboat crews saved 6,376 lives.

The project will run for 24 months, starting from this month. For more information about the RNLI’s role in the Second World War, please visit rnli.org/about-us/ our-history/timeline/19391945-second-world-war.

Margate crew in brodie helmets courtesy of RNLI archive