4Dorset March 2013

Dorset’s No. 1 Independent Community Magazine

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

FR

EE

SHOW TIME

March 2013 Volume 10, Issue 8

EXCLUSIVE Woofability’s Sunny brings smiles

Clarice Armstrong, Studio One © DW Portraits

Performing Arts that will get you off to a flying start

chance to

WIN

an

Easter

egg in our BCU Wimborne Feature

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

www.carpetsandbeds.com www.carpetsandbeds.com www.carpetsandbeds.com

www.mdfabrication.co.uk

www.yafflecare.co.uk

www.theringwoodaesthecclinic.com

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

4Dorset Volume 10 • Issue 8 • March 2013 editor Janine Pulford editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk design director Ben Pulford design@mags4dorset.co.uk graphic designer Daniel Lee design4dorset@btconnect.com account managers Mark Beechey sales@mags4dorset.co.uk Russell Harness advertise@mags4dorset.co.uk Annie Walters advertise@mags4dorset.co.uk company secretary Nick Pulford accounts4dorset@btconnect.com accounts Debbie Payne 4Dorset is independently published and distributed free to homes and businesses in selected areas of Dorset and Hampshire. It is also available by subscription at £25 per year. Views or opinions expressed in 4Dorset are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed to be unsuitable for publication. Information about a service does not imply recommendation.

All purchases made through this publication are done so entirely at your own risk. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with 4Dorset and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher.

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EDITORIA

Hello Readers

Our exciting news, following on from the launch of our redesigned website last month, is that 4Dorset’s sister magazine, Viewpoint, has expanded into Fordingbridge and Alderholt. We are proud to be able to reach another 5,000 homes and businesses with our publications. This is only made possible by the hard work and dedication of our employees and the support shown by local businesses.

Spring feels as though it has sprung, with daffodils now out in their multitudes. Our very first daffodil came out on 10 February, which was really early, and it made a poignant splash because it was the one I had planted on our dog’s grave at the end of last year.

My editorial assistant for many years, Kris, moved on to a new job nearer home last month. We were very sorry to lose him, but he has promised to come back and help when he can – that’s dedication for you and we look forward to seeing him now and again.

The magazine, as you will notice, is a business community unity special, with three features in this vein.

Wimborne, Performing Arts and the Barrington Centre.

We choose to provide these features to connect readers more closely with local businesses and help create a thriving community spirit. mags4dorset is also sponsoring Ferndown’s first ever Pram Race – see page 5 to find out more.

I’ve released my third novel. Anchovy Tree is a comedy and you can download it now from Amazon in ebook format.

And finally, we have some brilliant competitions this issue and a great old favourite – spot the bunny! Also, keep the photos coming in - see page 25.

Will speak again next month,

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

Contents Around & About 26 BCU - Barrington Centre 27 BCU - Performing Arts 23 BCU - Easter in Wimborne 15-18 Fitness & Health 12-13 Gardening 8 Motoring 29 Specialist Services 30 Write to: The Editor, 1st Floor, King George V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9EN

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

www.selectpvcu.com

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March 2013 4Dorset...3

Dorset’s new Chief Constable Debbie Simpson has been confirmed as the new Chief Constable of Dorset Her appointment was approved at a meeting of the Dorset Police and Crime Panel on 7 February, 2013.

Miss Simpson, the current Acting Chief Constable of Dorset Police, was put forward as the preferred candidate following an interview board headed by Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill in January.

Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said, “I am delighted to have been formally appointed as the Chief Constable of Dorset Police.

“Since joining the

Households across Dorset to pay more for policing The Dorset Police and Crime Panel has supported its Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposed precept for 2013/14

Debbie Simpson

force I have been hugely impressed by the high performance of the force and the commitment of all the staff, officers and volunteers.

“I am acutely aware of the challenges that are ahead in what is a very uncertain time for the police service as a whole and I am committed to delivering to the residents

of Dorset the best policing service possible.

“I look forward to working with Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver the operational policing part of his manifesto and, in doing so, to work towards our shared vision of a Dorset that is safer for all of our communities and visitors.”

It will increase by 1.95% equating to £183.51 for a Band D property – a rise of £3.51 on the current year. Households across Dorset will pay an extra 7p per week.

The commissioner, Martyn Underhill said, “I welcome the fact that the Police and Crime Panel has supported my precept proposals. This allows me to set the overall budget and funding for the force. The budget I will now be setting will secure the recruitment of another 12 police officers, increase the number of special constables, the extension of mobile data and improve support to victims.

“Police officer recruitment in Dorset has been suspended since June 2010. Although overall numbers are set to fall further as funding continues to decline, recruitment of new officers is important to bring in new blood and allow for balance within the workforce.

“My decision to recommend raising the precept has not been made lightly. The 1.95% option represents the best balance between sustaining the force and seeking to limit the impact on council tax payers.”

A new intake of 12 police officers will be recruited in June 2013. This will result in a net reduction of 38 officers, rather than the originally anticipated reduction of 50 from the force.

The commissioner added “With the potential extension of the government’s austerity cuts to 2018, Dorset Police could be faced with not having any police officers with less than eight years service. The profile of the force would become unbalanced making the workforce unstable.

There is also a danger that the force will become less representative of the community that we are policing with a risk of losing vital skills and leadership potential that new officers can bring.”

Dramatic 3G opening

by AFCB Ace MEMORABLE TEAM PHOTO: Rossgarth Youth Football Club players with (standing behind from left) Cllr Lucy Clark, chairman of East Dorset District Council (EDDC), Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of EDDC, Cllr Simon Gibson, mayor of Verwood, Matt Tubbs, AFC Bournemouth and Mike Fry, chairman of Verwood Arts & Leisure Association (VALA)

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AFC Bournemouth’s striker, Matt Tubbs, opened a stateof-the-art 3G all-weather sports pitch in Verwood on 27 January, 2013.

The pitch will provide a football and rugby smallsided match and training facility and is one of three new facilities being provided in Verwood following successful negotiations by the council to sell Verwood Leisure Centre to Morrisons for an extended supermarket. The sale has funded a new state-of-the-art 50-station gym extension being built at Verwood Hub and a new sports hall, which is under construction at the Emmanuel Middle School for use by the school and the public.

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Martyn Underhill

local

local

Big Babies

Photo by Laurence Jones

under starting orders

Left to right, Councillors Jean Read, Tony Brown and Liz Norman with Shaun Flynn, the Chairman of the Ferndown Chamber of Commerce

ready? e th t a m a pr ur yo ot Have you g

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f not, you still have time to enroll a team in the first ever Ferndown Pram Race in aid of charity. It will take place on Saturday, 29 June 2013 and forms part of a week of festivities in the town.

You’ll be up against competitors like Bomber Command, Cool Running’s, Les Moules, Trolley Dollies and the Silly Army.

With a number of pit stops along the way, your drinking skills will be put to the test as each stop requires the whole team to down a pint of liquid refreshment, including the ‘baby’.

The final details have yet to be confirmed, but the proposed route is: start at the Old Thatch at 1pm, stop at the Pure Drop, the Night Jar, the Barrington

Centre and the White Heather. The race is expected to finish by 3pm and spectators are encouraged to cheer the competitors along the route. Prize-giving will take place in Penny’s Walk.

On the day of the Pram Race, Ferndown will be hosting a French Market and a Farmers Market.

The event is being organized by the Ferndown Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Ferndown Town Council and the charities being supported are King George V Playing Fields and the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

The first sponsor of the Pram Race is mags4dorset, but the organisers are looking for more sponsorship of this exciting event get in touch today if you can help.

To put up a team call Tony on 01202 912182 or 07515 493 490.

For more details visit the Ferndown Pram Race page on Facebook.

www.clarity-solutions.com

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March 2013 4Dorset...5

www.garagedoorscrappage.com

local

GB’s

Great Big Year 1 Wimborne Girls’ Brigade Company enjoyed a huge balloon launch and a ‘Great Big Party’ to kick start the organisation’s 120th year and to make it one to remember.

Girls’ Brigade (GB) was started in 1893 in Dublin, Ireland.

GB groups have now grown throughout the world, providing rewarding, stretching and positive opportunities for children and young people, between the ages of 4 and 18, to grow and develop in confidence and skills in a Christian environment.

1st Wimborne GB will be celebrating throughout the year with lots of different ‘Great Big’ exciting events. New members welcome. For further information visit www. wimborne.gb.net/ or contact Jazz Adams 07977 246912. st

Can you cut it?

www.dorsetforyou.com

Firefighters across the county are looking for new recruits to join the on-call crew. Local residents are being asked to consider a career as an on-call (retained) firefighter. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, 19 of Dorset’s 26 fire stations are crewed by on-call personnel who live and work nearby. For more information visit dorsetfire.gov. uk or call 01305 252690.

Prosecution over unsafe imports from China An importer has been ordered to pay out more than £9,000 for distributing faulty power cable devices, following an investigation

by Dorset County Council’s trading standards service.

At a trial at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on 5 February, A One Distribution Ltd of Bury, Lancashire, was found guilty of three offences under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations 1994 of having caused the supply of an unsafe uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

An uninterruptible power supply is designed to be plugged into the mains. The user can plug items, such as computers, into it to protect from a sudden loss of electricity.

A One Distribution Ltd had imported the item from China and it was sold by a third party to a consumer in Dorset. But the consumer found that its plugs could easily fall out of the sockets and alerted trading standards.

The company was fined £2000 for each of the three offences and ordered to pay £3334 costs plus a £15 victim’s surcharge.

Richard Herringshaw, Dorset County Council’s principal trading standards officer said the case illustrated how important it is for importers to ensure that all the goods that they sell are safe.

Anyone who thinks they may have bought an unsafe item should contact Citizens Advice on 08454 040506.

Local businesses wanting advice can call the council’s trading standards service on 01305 224702.

www.digitone.co.uk

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March 2013 4Dorset...7

in the garden mags4dorset sponsors sunflower competition and gives prize for business too

Join the Ferndown bloomers

(From Left) Jean Read with Ferndown In Bloom Winners 2012: Frances and Norman Jeffs with Haskin’s Andrew Stevens

The members of the Ferndown in Bloom Committee are inviting any Ferndown residents who would like to consider joining the voluntary committee members to help steer, support promote, and possibly even judge the 2013 competition to get in touch now.

Cllr Jean Read, who has represented the town council at the independent

committee for four years said, “We would welcome anyone who could join the small friendly committee that meets around six times a year with the support of our long term sponsor Haskins Garden Centres.

We are always open to new ideas to help make our town more attractive and continue the success of the competition.”

The categories this year have yet to be confirmed, but will include best front garden, best retail/ commercial/public house

and it is hoped to introduce a photography category. mags4dorset is once again sponsoring the sunflower competition. The publishing company will also give a prize of a half page business profile to the winner of the business category. More details about the competition will be announced shortly.

To find out more email ferndowninbloom@ymail. com or phone Shirley Cowan on 07890 645205.

Get sowing March is here with the promise of some sunny days. It’s the month for sowing seeds, a general tidy up and essential pruning.

Pruning is not only therapeutic for plants, but gardeners as well – getting rid of all that dead wood and preparing for new growth. You need to remove dead, diseased or damaged stems from roses.

Shrubs and climbers will also need pruning to encourage good, healthy growth.

Seed sowing should be at the top of your ‘to do’ list. Some seeds can be sown direct into the ground, such as vegetables,

whilst some prefer to be in seed trays and a slighter warmer environment, such as a greenhouse.The bigger the seed the deeper it needs to be in the soil to germinate.

“

TOP TIP: Vinca, which is part of the periwinkle family, provides ground cover. The small sky-blue flowers appear in spring and Vinca will grow in most soil types. It is also a perfect plant for winter hanging baskets. It does spread quickly, so plant where you need plenty of colourful ground cover.

”

New Chair for Wimborne in Bloom A new chairman for Wimborne in Bloom has been elected for the first time in 20 years.

Richard Nunn was voted in at Wimborne in Bloom’s annual meeting on 28 January 2013. He succeeds Anthony Oliver MBE who felt the time was right to take more of a back seat. Anthony stands down on a high note after the town won gold in the National Small Town title of Britain in Bloom last year. It also received silver gilt in the regional competition. Anthony thanked everyone for all the help and support he’d been given since Wimborne in Bloom’s inception in November 1992.

Richard Nunn said, “I must convey the very sincere thanks of the current committee members, and their predecessors, to Anthony for his unwavering leadership and both Anthony and Christine for their sheer hard work over the last twenty years. Taking Wimborne in Bloom from its inception, through an illustrious two decades, to the ultimate

Wimborne in Bloom, National Small Town title winners in Britain in Bloom 2012 (Anthony Oliver on right holding framed certificate, Richard Nunn on left holding framed certificate)

achievement of a national RHS Britain in Bloom title is quite remarkable. What an example – and an almost impossibly hard act for anyone to follow.”

Spring Show www.sandandgravel.uk.com 8...4Dorset March 2013

West Moors Horticultural Society’s spring show is on Saturday, 23 March in the Memorial Hall in Station Road, West Moors. The classes are for flowers (especially daffodils), floral art, homecrafts and handicrafts. The show opens at 1.30pm and closes at 4pm, refreshments available. No charge for admission.

If anyone is interested in showing (as it is an open show) schedules can be obtained from Sue Hamlett on 01202 871536.

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local

Council tax increase for 2013 East Dorset District Council is considering an increase in its element of the council tax for 2013/14. It will be the first rise in three years.

Councillors have been asked to consider a council tax rise of 7p per week, (1.95%, which is within Central Government’s ‘capping limit’ of 2%.)

The recommendation was due to go to full council on 25 February as 4Dorset went to print.

The proposal in Christchurch would amount to a 6p per week increase for a band D property and would also be the first increase in three years. It will go for approval on 26 February.

Christchurch Council’s part of the council tax is around 11 per cent and East Dorset District Councils’s is about 12 per cent of the total amount raised in the borough and the district respectively. The majority is raised

by Dorset County Council, with around 11 per cent going to Dorset Police Authority and 4 per cent to Dorset Fire Authority.

Good news for bus pass holders People over 60 and disabled people who travel on buses in East Dorset can continue to travel for free all day.

East Dorset District Council’s Resources Committee unanimously approved the renewal of all-day travel for the over-60s and the disabled using concessionary bus passes until at least October 2016.

Although the national scheme limits concessionary bus travel to start after 9.30am, East Dorset residents with bus passes have been allowed to also travel before 9.30am.

This arrangement was due to expire in April but councillors were keen to keep the pre-9.30am, all-day validity of the pass and voted to retain it.

The cost of the all-day scheme is estimated at approximately £36,000 per year but dropping it would have meant paying £27,000 for replacement bus passes. The net cost of continuing is therefore only £9,000 for 2013/14.

From 1 April, Dorset County Council will take over the responsibility for bus pass applications from the district and borough councils with a new centralised system. Residents needing to renew their pass will be invited to reapply or automatically sent replacements through the post. There is no need to take action now unless you have moved since being issued with your current bus pass. Contact your local or borough council in this respect.

www.smile-team.com

www.shorefield.co.uk

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March 2013 4Dorset...9

BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY - WIMBORNE FEATURE

Dorset Funeral Plan’s record year Sales of the Dorset Funeral Plan were up 15 per cent last year as people tried to shield their loved ones from the costs involved.

Nick Douch

T

he average age of those taking out the product has also come down as more prepare for the inevitable.

The struggling economy has left people with less in their pockets and more are taking control of their funeral costs so their relatives won’t be left with a bill.

In 2012 The Dorset Funeral Plan enjoyed its most successful year since its introduction in 1999.

The product is incredibly flexible and allows people to organise and pay for their own funerals.

It is localised to Dorset and was introduced by the Douch Family Funeral Directors, which have seven branches across the county.

The plan is one of very few that can include woodland burials, a major area of growth within the industry.

It remains highly competitive compared with national plans and has the advantage of being local.

The plan was introduced because funeral costs were rising and there was clearly a market for those seeking to organise their affairs.

Now it is a hugely popular product and last year’s growth is expected to be replicated this year.

While the Dorset Funeral Plan was introduced in 1999, the family funeral firm has been offering similar for many decades.

Nick Douch, managing director of the Douch Family Funeral Directors, said: “Funeral costs do rise – for example the Church of England costs have risen by over 50 per cent in the past year.

“And also we are finding that because of the economy, parents want to help their children financially and one way is by organising their own funeral so they don’t leave a bill.

“The funeral plan is very flexible and there are many advantages because it is geared to Dorset.

“Also, payments to the plan do not count as savings and so are not taken into account when care costs are being means tested.

“By paying up front – either in a lump sum or in instalments - inflation is avoided and it also gives peace of mind and saves family members many difficult decisions.

“Each plan is organised by one of our independent funeral directors.”

10...4Dorset March 2013

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local

Students’ hard work pays off Congratulations to students from Ferndown Upper School (FUS) who have scooped the Company of Year 2013 award in the Enterprise Challenge. They also received Best Marketing Award, Best Finance Award and Best Managing Director award at the presentation ceremony in February.

Over the last few months, FUS had taken part in the Enterprise Challenge and were up against strong competition from other schools in the area. Mentored

by The Warmer Group, the students had five months to come up with products or services and then sell these ideas to the public in a bid to win awards.

The young entrepreneurs at FUS named their company inFUSed Group.

They decided on the idea of personalised photo frames with customers being able to choose the colour and design of their photo

frame. Another product was handmade and environmentally friendly cushions.

These were made from recycled t-shirts, and included attractive cartoons and logos. However, by far the most successful initiative was the students’ photography service at Plowman’s Garden Centre. They took pictures of children and their families with Father Christmas and printed them off on the day, which was the real success and enjoyment of the competition.

The students from the participating schools along with local business leaders gathered for the final to celebrate the awards for the most enterprising, entrepreneurial and successful students.

The inFUSed Group were relieved that all their hard work had paid off and the students said, “We have been inspired for the rest of our lives.”

www.fernup.dorset.sch.uk

www.thewarmergroup.co.uk

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March 2013 4Dorset...11

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

Charity of the Year

THE OSBORNE CENTRE Dear Readers,

Photographs by Kay Browning

Hi again from the Osborne Centre and our branch at West Parley.

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L

ast month I told you about the facilities available to people whose lives are affected

by MS, and also about our eight wheelchair adapted vehicles that transport our members to and from the centre.

This month I’d like to tell you about our physiotherapy suite but, before doing so, I should briefly explain about multiple sclerosis (MS) which is a neurological condition affecting at least 100,000 people in the UK. Normally in a healthy body, a substance called myelin protects the nerve fibres in the central nervous system. This helps messages travel quickly and smoothly between the brain and the rest of the body.

Living with MS, the body’s immune system which normally helps fight off infection mistakes the myelin for a foreign body and attacks it leaving scars known as lesions or plaques. This damage disrupts messages travelling along nerve fibres causing them to slow down, become distorted, or not get through at all. Depending upon which area of the nervous system is damaged, symptoms can be many and wide-ranging.

Invariably, if or when the condition worsens, physiotherapy plays a huge part in keeping joints and muscles loose and free for as long as possible.

As with any long-term health condition, it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain physiotherapy from the NHS on a regular basis.

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At our centre, after an initial assessment, approximately 60 members each week have programmed supervised treatment carried out by qualified physiotherapists, either as part of a group session or on a one-to-one basis. As with every department within the centre, experienced volunteers supplement the professional team ensuring the smooth running of a fully equipped very busy department. In addition, yoga, pilates and tai chi classes are run weekly.

Next month: arts and crafts.

Bye for now

Alan Lindsay President Bournemouth and District Branch.

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

in fitness & health Mollie Benson from Ferndown is an inspiration to us all. At the grand age of 90, she still visits her local gym, Ferndown Leisure, not once, but twice a week to keep fit and enjoy a bit of socialising.

Gym twice a week at 90!

- Advertising feature If you are in- any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. 4Dorset is not responsible or liable for damages

Spring into Action

which may occur as a result of your use or misuse of the information available on this page.

Spring is here and it’s time to get up, get out and get active!

There is a fantastic offer in March at Ferndown Leisure: a three month fitness membership, which gives full membership benefits including unlimited use of the gym, swimming pool and exercise classes. To help each member make the most of their visits, they are invited to take the ‘kinetika journey’ – a series of five one-to-one appointments with a qualified fitness instructor, who will explain how to use the equipment, discuss fitness goals and devise a personalised programme.

General Manager, Andy, explains: “If you’re keen to start exercising on a regular basis, but not quite sure how it will fit into your daily schedule, a short term membership is just what you need.

It offers excellent value for money and a perfect opportunity to use the facilities, find time in your weekly routine and get into the habit of working out, before signing up for a longer term commitment.”

To find out more, please contact Liam at Ferndown Leisure Centre on 01202 877468 or email liambarrett@dcleisure.co.uk

Easter Holiday Programme Ferndown Leisure Centre is taking bookings for its exciting holiday programme. View them at www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk, or pick up a programme.

Swim Academy Due to a number of children progressing through the Swim Academy, Ferndown Leisure Centre currently has spaces available in stage 1 and pre school classes.

For 13 years, Mollie and her two friends, Pam Morrell (72) and Pam Prendergast (78) both from West Moors have met up almost every week to work out.

Mollie said, “We were all sent to the gym under a scheme called ‘Doctor’s Orders’ in 2000 and we each follow our own programme according to our physical abilities.”

Their trainer, Jo Sinclair has been their mentor over the whole 13 years.

“I would recommend the gym to anyone,” adds Mollie. “We enjoy the physical exercise and the staff are very good and advise us about what to do and what not to do.

Afterwards, the three of us look forward to a coffee and a social get together.”

Manager Jason Knight said, “We think its fantastic that the little group started 13 years ago and are all still coming here. They are lovely people. Not many people of Mollie’s age are still using the gym, but she just goes to prove, that you are never too old.”

As well as visiting the gym twice a week, Mollie loves knitting and knits hats for premature babies at Poole Hospital.

p L-R Pam Morrell, Mollie Benson, Jason Knight, Linda Whyman, Pam Prendergast and Jo Sinclair

www.kingsleycarehomes.com

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

March 2013 4Dorset...13

local

Democracy In Action

by Laurence Jones

Congratulations to Moya Dunne from Ferndown Upper School (FUS) who was re-elected as a Member of the UK Youth Parliament for Dorset on 14 February, 2013.

The UKYP enables politicallyminded young people between the ages of 11 to 18 to represent young people in their area to the government, over a wide range of issues. Along with other students in the area, Ferndown Upper School pupils took part in the elections on 7 February.

As they were led to the ballot boxes, deputy head Nigel Harris, explained the intricacies of the voting process to the Year 9 pupils.

It was then time for them to cast their vote to elect their candidate for Dorset. Stations were set up to enable privacy, mirroring the adult voting process.

Headmaster Alex Wills said, “Ferndown Upper School has been doing this every year for

14...4Dorset March 2013

the past six years. The school has had three MYPs in that time, and has always had a strong tradition of participating. It is important to model the democratic process in school, as we really need to get young people voting, so that they know what to do when they are eighteen.”

John Wilson, Chairman of Dorset County Council added, “I am delighted to support the school, and am particularly pleased that young people are taking part.

Education factors in the process of casting a vote, and this is a positive contribution to the needs of young people in the area. It’s not a pretend event, but a real democratic process with real ballot boxes, and a real focus on democracy – and that’s what its all about at the end of the day. The opportunity to debate at the Annual Sitting with John Bercow as the speaker is a great experience.”

Congratulations also go to James Jones and Lloyd Hatton, who were elected as MYPs. James Morphakis, Natasha Glendening and Eve Laird secured places as Deputy Members.

Flipping BRILLIANT!

by Laurence Jones Young and old alike braved the cold weather to celebrate Shrove Tuesday at the annual Wimborne pancake race. There was something for everyone as hardy competitors battled it out for victory, balancing stamina and hand-eye coordination as they raced round the minster, pans in hand, flipping pancakes like no tomorrow.

Harvey Camp claimed victory in the adults’ category for the second year in a row, narrowly beating Scott Taylor for the coveted

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decorative plate from the Walford Mill Craft Centre. Meanwhile, Georgie Pike won gold in the toddlers’ final, whilst Charlie Allen and Charlie Bonnington claimed first place in the 5-11 and 12-18 categories respectively. Ruby Luff from Streets Meadow took no prisoners in a triumphant final race to win in the wheelchair category, receiving a sack of wild bird food.

Anthony Oliver, co-ordinating the event, thanked all those who entered and announced next year’s event would take place on Tuesday, 4 March 2014.

WIMBORNE FEATURE - BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY

Your chance to win a chocolate egg worth £20!

BUNNIES ON THE HOP!

Breaking news @ mags4dorset...

Rabbits have escaped in the Wimborne feature, and are causing mischief all over the advertisements. Can you help us track them down?

T

he wonderful reward for finding these little scamps has been donated by the Square Corner in Wimborne - a scrumptious whole Belgian milk chocolate egg filled with a selection of fine English and Continental milk, dark and white chocolates. It’s decorated with a flower and ribbons and displayed in a presentation box; price in the shop £20.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this delicious prize, is to search through the adverts in this this feature, and keep a look out for the bunnies, identical to the one shown on this page (which doesn’t count).

Make a list of the adverts in which they appear and write down the total number of bunnies you have found and... Oh wait! We have just had a bit more news from Thumper, he says two wayward bunnies have escaped into the rest of the magazine and are hiding out in the adverts. You will have to seek them out too and say where you found them.

DUMPTON IS BUZZING

There is a buzz amongst the pupils at Dumpton School in Wimborne.

The all new Design and Food Technology Department is being used at all levels in the school, as is the relined, covered swimming pool and the outdoor classroom.

The 40 PC ICT Department has also been upgraded and the four resurfaced tennis courts are now visible from space!

Last summer the school said goodbye to 41 Year 8 leavers who moved on to Canford, Bryanston, Clayesmore and Queen Elizabeth’s armed with an impressive 20+ scholarships.

CHOCOLATE FOR EASTER

The Square Corner, Wimborne’s long-established chocolate shop, offers a range of quality Belgian and English chocolates, Easter eggs, novelty chocolate characters and Easter message

bars. This year there are lots of new chocolate goodies, many of which are hand-packaged in-store for a truly unique gift.

Easter cards also available.

WERE YOU ON WIMBORNE CHAMBER’S CORONATION FLOAT IN 1953?

Wimborne Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and to mark the event, members want to recreate the chamber’s 1953 float and enter it into the town’s Coronation procession.

The chamber is appealing for anyone who rode on its float to get in touch. Also, if anyone has cine footage, or forgotten family photos they can share to help with this ambitious project, call Chamber President, Diann March on 07940 032094 or send/take your information to John March, 26 West Street, Wimborne, Dorset.

www.johnmarchfirearms.co.uk

List them all and send your answers to: Square Bunny Competition mags4dorset First Floor King George V Pavilion Peter Grant Way Ferndown Dorset BH21 7RU Alternatively, enter at www. mags4dorset.co.uk. The first correct entry drawn after the close date will be the winner. The editor’s decision is final. There is no cash alternative.

Employees of mags4dorset and their families are not permitted to enter.

Every effort will be made to present the chocolate egg before Easter, but this cannot be guaranteed. Closing date is 18 March 2013. The winner must be available to collect the prize from The Square Corner in Wimborne and be photographed being presented with the Easter egg. Good luck!

www.dumpton.com

Here follows an advertising feature on Wimborne, do use the advertisers and tell them that you saw them in this mags4dorset Business Community Unity feature.

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

March 2013 4Dorset...15

BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY - WIMBORNE FEATURE

STARTRITE SPECIALIST

Based in Wimborne for over 36 years, the Shoe Tree is a Startrite children’s fitting specialist and also stocks men’s and ladies’ shoes and slippers. Special customer loyalty cards available.

www.wimbornechiropody.co.uk

WEDDINGS, EVENTS AND PARTIES

“At Honeybrook Farm we can cater for all your event and party requirements. We are also licensed for weddings. We are now offering Honeybrook as a venue for corporate and private events throughout the year.

“Call Jenny 01202 881120 to discuss yor event plans.”

JEWELLERY SPECIALISTS www.honeybrookfarm.org

www.thecaravancompany.com

16...4Dorset March 2013

Portique is an independent family Jewellers established since 1971.

“Formerly of Bournemouth, we are now situated along East Street, Wimborne Minster,” says Neil Harkness. “As a member of the National Association of Goldsmiths, Portique takes pride in maintaining high standards of customer care and satisfaction. We specialise in fine quality diamond jewellery, as well as carrying a strong range of precious coloured stones and pearls. We also deal in second-hand and antique jewellery and silverware, as well as pre owned Rolex watches. We offer a comprehensive rethreading, repair and valuation service, with all work carried out by highly skilled crafts people. Good prices paid for Gold & Silver.

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP

“Let us help you put a spring in your step in time for the coming seasons.

Gift vouchers available for a Mother’s Day treat so book now and make someone’s day,” says Wimborne Chiropody.

LEADING SUPPLIER OF TOURING CARAVANS

The Caravan Company is the UK’s leading supplier of used touring caravans offering over 250 secondhand caravans always in stock at unbeatable value for money prices.

All makes, models, types and styles of touring caravans for sale. These vary from two berth to family caravans and twin axle caravans.

FREE CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT ON EASTER SUNDAY Get yourselves ready for a family fun Easter Sunday lunch at the Horns Inn, Colehill, just on the outskirts of Wimborne with Jamie Jigsaw. Enjoy your lunch with Jamie at your table with close up magic and balloon modelling with a spectacular grand finale show outside at 2pm. Lori and her team will be on hand to give you an Easter to remember whether you are young or old. Come and join in the fun and prepare to be amazed.

Lunch bookings essential.

WIMBORNE FEATURE - BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY

LET US HELP

Woodhouse Lettings is an established independent company dealing solely in lettings and offers a range of services to suit individual needs, together with competitive rates and complete dedication.

MUSICAL MAGICAL JOURNEY

Come and Join Jo Jingles on his musical magical journey every Thursday morning (term time) at Colehill Methodist Church, Lonnen Road BH21 7AT. Classes are age specific, fun, upbeat and a wonderful way to introduce children to music.

Not to be missed! www.jojingles.com/poole - Liz 01202 739444, liz_jojingles@btopenworld.com

INTERIOR SPECIALISTS

Wimborne Interiors Ltd offer the highest quality soft furnishings using top of the range fabrics including Zoffany, Colefax & Fowler and Jane Churchill. Handmade curtains, roman blinds, valances / pelmets, voiles, bespoke headboards and bedcovers, along with the finest re upholstery service.

“Let us revive your favourite pieces of furniture - a thorough inspection with repairs as required, new seat pads if necessary and new cover. We also have a wide range of wallpapers, Zoffany paints, roller and vertical blinds, curtain poles and tracks. Come and see us at the shop in The Square, Wimborne, or we offer a home visit service at a time to suit, bringing our expertise directly to you,” say Wimborne Interiors.

SEWING, KNITTING, HABERDASHERY

Whatever you’re sewing or knitting Golden Hands can help. They have a large range of colours and types of wool in stock with patterns and haberdashery accessories. Sue and Jenny are on hand to help.

SHOPPING GUIDE TO WIMBORNE LAUNCHED

Shoppers looking to buy goods in Wimborne can benefit from a new Shopping Guide for the town.

Compiled by EDDC’s Tourism Service the guide lists the full range of local shops and food outlets. With a handy fold-out map to locate each shop and a list of the wide range of quality cafes, tearooms, pubs and restaurants for that all important break, the leaflet is a must have for everyone who enjoys some retail therapy.

The Tourism Service staff at Wimborne TIC were instrumental in developing the publication and the new leaflet is available to pick up, free of charge, from the Centre in the High Street.

www.kitchenstyle.co.uk www.mags4dorset.co.uk

March 2013 4Dorset...17

BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY - WIMBORNE FEATURE

Business success story

FLAGSHIP STORE RAISES STANDARD

Costa Coffee in Wimborne was opened in February 2007 and has just undergone a major refurbishment

T

Sarah Wellstead (centre) and her team

18...4Dorset March 2013

he Wimborne store was opened by local Costa franchisees Mark and Jane Brown. At the time it was their third Costa store and the business has now grown to 11 locations throughout the area, from New Milton in the east to Bridport in the west.

The Wimborne store is the company’s flagship.

It originally occupied 1-3 Crown Court and in 2010 was extended into No.4 to provide additional customer seating.

The store has just been fully refurbished to include fresh new furniture, lighting and decor, new customer toilets and a larger counter; the latter gives room for one more coffee

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

machine and one more till to speed up customer service.

The store was originally managed

by Ally Higgs, who in 2011 handed over the reins to Sarah Wellstead and her team, (pictured), who continue to provide great coffee and a warm welcome to all the customers.

Ally is now Area Manager and has overall responsibility for the dayto-day operation of all 11 stores in the business.

Sarah and her team have received very positive feedback from regular customers about the refurbished store.

They look forward to continue to greet locals and visitors alike to enjoy the new surroundings and as ever Costa’s great food and coffee.

Competitions

Competition

The following is one of the highly commended poems chosen by the judge, Louise Lee, from the entries in the mags4dorset’s creative writing awards 2012. (Yes, you will recognize it from last month, but the last few lines were missed off in error).

Blackberries for Tea - Mrs Ann Ford Life’s passing has been good, sweetening the years with honey’d memories.

I remember how, dressed all in white, my ruffled apron starched, I passed my tender childhood: laughed with friends, played with my dolls, And mourned beloved pets. Grand times we had, with hoop and skipping-rope – La! All those buttons on our Sunday boots: Our catechism – Grace – the evening payer…

And in September, blackberries for tea, picked in the sunshine They were golden days. Always the sun shone, bright in the cloudless skies.

Then, somehow, time slipped by, so quietly we didn’t hear it pass, and there we were – Young ladies! Upswept hair, and croquet games, sedately played with faded maiden aunts: Gentlemen callers, dancing till the dawn, horseless carriages, husbands, babes – And war came as a scythe, to reap those gallant boys who bravely marched away.

A widow now, I had my health, two sons, a lovely daughter, and I lived for them.

The dark days passed with votes for women, short skirts, Eton crops, And childhood games revived. My babies grew from teens to twenties.

Wedding bells and flowers for John, for Betty and for little Tom. Suburban ‘semis’, motor cars and trains, babies, toddlers, smiling up at me.

Weekend visits to the countryside, And blackberries for tea, picked in the sunshine.

1939 – yes, the sun shone, but bright September took my boys from me, One for a sailor, one to a soldier’s grave. Betty was widowed too.

Our Tom came back, older and wiser.

Sad, how our peace was won.

6

th

Annual Creative Writing Awards

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

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

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

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

be downloaded. The author will retain copyright of their work.

RULES • The theme must be followed.

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

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

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

• The correct fee must be submitted.

• Three entries maximum per person.

• No email or handwritten entries are permitted.

• Fill in an entry form.

Photocopies accepted.

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

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

Entries will be shortlisted by editor and author, Janine Pulford. Judges have yet to be announced.

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

ENTRY FORM NAME

ADDRESS

EMAIL

TITLE(S)

- Advertising feature -

www.dorsetwatersofteners.com

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

March 2013 4Dorset...19

EXCLUSIVE

BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY - WIMBORNE FEATURE

by Janine Pulford

SUNNY brings smiles

Many readers will know from following our regular columns in 2012 by Magsie, the golden retriever, that Woofability is the local charity that provides assistance dogs for the disabled.

F

ounded by Andy and Jenny Clarke, in 2009, Woofability has been working hard training dogs over the past three years and the charity is now forging partnerships between these beautiful, skilled animals and disabled people in the

area.

I had the pleasure to meet Tracey Feltham from Alderholt who has been successfully partnered with a Woofability assistance dog.

Tracey is only in her early forties, but has suffered with back problems for the past 15 years and in 2003 underwent spinal fusion treatment. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a long-term condition that causes chronic pain all over her body and a heightened and painful response to pressure.

She also has calcification around her right hip.

Even simple things like bending to pick up something she’s dropped can be unbearably painful. And walking distances isn’t an option, she has to use a wheelchair.

“I’m lucky that I have a loving family,” says Tracey. Her children Lauren and Louis are now teenagers. “The worst part of the condition is that I’ve never picked up my son and done normal things with him,” she says.

And though her husband,

Colin is very supportive and in her own word, “Wonderful,” Tracey was finding that coping with so much pain on a daily basis, was giving her very little to smile about.

Enter Sunny. A two-and-a-half year old golden retriever with special powers.

The partnership between Sunny and Tracey began last December and Tracey’s life has turned around. She said, “I can’t believe the difference Sunny has made. She helps with simple things like bringing me the mail, fetching the newspaper, helping to load and unload the washing machine and helping to undress me at night. If I drop something, she picks it up and she is very gentle, extremely well behaved and goes everywhere with me.

When we go to the bank, she presses the entry pad to let me in and if I stop for a coffee, she will even take my purse to the

counter to pay. She is amazing.

“Having Sunny has also taken the pressure off my husband considerably. He used to ring me throughout the day to check I was all right, but now he knows that Sunny’s looking after me.”

The golden retriever has fitted in well with the family, but her main focus is Tracey and I observed how attentive Sunny was. Even when at rest, she seemed to have that sixth sense to know exactly when Tracey needed her.

“She bonded with me really quickly,” says Tracey, “She is such a poppet and part of the family, but if I do have any worries, however small, I just ring Woofability. They are so helpful.

Andy and Jenny are very inspirational people.”

Woofability provides other support too and covers the cost of Sunny’s vet’s bills and her food.

As I got up to leave, Tracey dropped her glasses on the floor and true to her breed, Sunny retrieved them for her.

“That’s the wonderful thing about Sunny,” Tracey beamed as she took her glasses back.

“She makes me smile.”

Sunny helps Tracey take her socks off

I’ve emptied the washing machine, mum

To request a partnership with an assistance dog, contact Woofability today. Ex forces people who are registered disabled are also encouraged to apply. Woofability always requires volunteer dog walkers and socialisers. For more information call 01202 814643 or email jennywoofability@ gmail.com The next major fundraising event for Woofability is a Black Tie Ball at Bentley’s Restaurant in Ferndown on 29 March 2013, sponsored by Mums Behaving Madly. To book your table call 01202 814643.

20...4Dorset March 2013

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

in for a bite Following the mags4dorset Recipe Competition in 2012, here is another tasty offering by one of our readers, Michael Chappell from Poole. The recipe won him £20 and publication in 4Dorset Magazine. Editor, Janine Pulford, said, “We tried this recipe out on everyone in the office and they loved it.”

Diamond Bread Pudding Serves 12

Ingredients 500g wholemeal bread 400g mixed fruit 300g brown sugar 200g suet (vegetarian if required) 3 eggs 2 teaspoons mixed spice 2 teaspoons ginger

Method

1. Wet bread (not soak), squeeze out water, place in a large mixing bowl. Break up bread and add the fruit, sugar, suet, spices. Mix 3 eggs separately, then add to mix. This should be well mixed. Grease a 30cm x 4cm deep, flat pan. Place in the mixture, levelling it out.

Sprinkle with sugar over the top.

2. Place in centre of

preheated oven set at 200 electric or gas mark 4 for 45-50 minutes lowering for final 10 minutes, should fruit be browning too quickly. When cooked take out of oven and leave to cool.

3. Turn out and the slice in portions. In order to keep for long periods freeze. This can be microwaved.

4. Pour over custard or eat with ice cream as a dessert.

www.thefishinn.net

www.tiienbroadstone.co.uk www.mags4dorset.co.uk

March 2013 4Dorset...21

local

Mayor of Christchurch at St Joseph’s

L-R Nikki Tucker, Karen Milner and happy customers

Food Festival Salt and Vinegar Education Trust cookery days launched scoops first ‘plaice’ The first in a series of Christchurch primary school cookery days run by Christchurch Food Festival Education Trust and sponsored by Christchurch Rotary Club has taken place at St Joseph’s Primary School.

All seven primary schools in the borough will be visited

by Food Festival President Mary Reader with a team of local chefs to show the children some healthy recipes and, in many of the schools, get them to cook for themselves.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Peter Hall, visited St Joseph’s to see for himself how the pupils benefit from their hands-on involvement in cookery. He said, “It’s great to see how much enjoyment the children get out of actually cooking something themselves and how much they have learnt in a short space of time. Many of them have tasted things that they have never tasted before and to have the experience of chefs here is an added bonus.”

Mary Reader, who is also a trustee of the Education Trust, said, “We are very grateful to Christchurch Rotary for sponsoring these school activities. It’s very important for children to learn at an early age how important it is to cook healthy food and these cookery days really show them how tasty healthy food can be.”

L

ocal fish and chip shop, Salt and Vinegar in Ferndown, has been crowned ‘Best Newcomer’ in the National Fish and Chip Shop Awards announced on 24 January, 2013. Opened in 2010, the shop was judged on everything, from the quality of the food to the standard of customer service.

Owner Karen Milner, who runs the shop with Nikki Tucker, said, “We are honoured to have received this award – these are the Oscars of the fish and chip world. It is fantastic news for all of us – and it feels really good to be acknowledged.”

The awards took place at the Lancaster hotel in London, with around 700

people in attendance – we knew we were in the top three, but to win has been brilliant. Upholding standards has been key to our success.”

As well as providing a great portion of cod and chips, ‘the people of Ferndown’s most popular choice,’ the shop also takes pride in its home-made tartare sauce and fishcakes.

in Scout Community Week last year. There were some hugely inspiring projects and young people who attended and I look forward to seeing an even bigger and better Scout Community Week in June this year.”

From 3–9 June 2013, hundreds of Scout groups will once again participate in a week of community action aimed at improving their local area, raising funds and highlighting Scouting’s need for more adult volunteers.

Scouting around Parliament Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole met Broadstone Scouts at a unique event inside the Houses of Parliament to celebrate the success of Scout Community Week, which took place in May last year. They were joined by other Scouts from across the UK. Annette said, “I was delighted to meet Broadstone Scouts in Parliament to show them around and to say a big thank you for taking part

Healthy grant

www.rhosygilwen.co.uk

22...4Dorset March 2013

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, welcomed an announcement by the Health Minister, Dr Dan Poulter MP, that Poole Hospital would be one of 100 hospitals around the country to benefit from a new £25million maternity unit fund.

Poole Hospital will receive a £40,000 grant

to fund four additional birthing pools. The hospital currently has two pools on their low risk birth facility, which are in great demand but only available to women with the lowest risk pregnancies. However, birthing pools on the High Risk Delivery Suite would allow women with higher risk pregnancies the option to give birth in water too.

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

Annette said, “I welcome the Government’s announcement that new funding will be available for Poole Hospital to improve its maternity provision.

However, this does not obviate the need for the longstanding plans for a new maternity unit in Poole which offers level 3 services for Dorset as a whole to be implemented.”

WIMBORNE FEATURE PERFORMING ARTS - BUSINESS COMMUNITY UNITY

let the

e per formancbegin

Studio One

(Dorset’s Centre For Performing Arts) Students are trained by qualified teachers in Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern/Jazz, Acrobatics, Musical Theatre and Singing; and examinations are with the Royal Academy of Dance, British Theatre Dance Association and the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts.

Studio One’s next production ‘Strictly Musicals’ is at Pavilion Dance on 3, 4, 5 & 6 April.

Anyone Can acT This acting school offers drama classes for children aged 4-17 years.

Your child will grow in confidence, make new friends, learn to perform in front of an audience and join in the fun.

eMpTy spaCe

Tots & Tiddlers

Music & Movement Classes For Pre-School Children on Tuesday mornings at Holt Village Hall and Wednesday mornings at Verwood Memorial Hall.

Established in 1981, these classes are run by Denise Booth, Principal at Studio One (Dorset’s Centre for Performing Arts) and her staff.

Tots & Tiddlers Classes have a strong emphasis on basic motor skills, social integration, and general enjoyment of the singing and dancing. It’s also a great way for parents and minders to meet others – with coffee and home made cakes each week raising funds for Julia’s House!

Classes run through term time only.

- venue space in Tuckton

Around 50sq m, toilet and kitchen facilities ideal for rehearsal space, kids’ parties, workshops, classes, corporate training – affordable prices. Block booking discount. Tables and chairs available.

Clients get 10% discount on refreshments from Mocha Turtle coffee shop when using the venue.

Contact Rosie 07952 129281

www.lacombe.co.uk

www.anyonecanact.co.uk

www.lacombe.co.uk

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

March 2013 4Dorset...23

http://tinyurl.com/aeglu9n

Competitions mags4dorset

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

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

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

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

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

Images must not be digitally enhanced and must not have been previously published. Photographs must have suitable captions identifying the date taken and the locality, but with no identification marks whatsoever on the front of the photograph. Photographs will not be returned unless a stamped, addressed envelope with the correct postage is included with the entry.

Copyright of the winning photographs remain with the photographer, but mags4dorset reserves the right to publish the images on the front cover and inside the magazine within one year from the date of judging. Also to publish online. The competition is only open to amateur photographers. The close date for this competition is Friday, 30 August 2013. 2nd and 3rd place images will also feature on front covers of 4Dorset Magazine. There is no entry fee. The judges’ decision is final. Please remember to mark your name and address clearly on your email, or on a separate piece of paper enclosed with your photograph.

They will rock you at the Regent Centre

Regent Centre, High Street, Christchurch, Sunday, 28 April, 7.30pm Tickets - £16.50

www.regentcentre.co.uk

The Bohemians re-enact the glory days of Queen including the Craziness of the 70s and the Magic of the 80s proving themselves to be the most dynamic and exciting Queen Tribute Band currently touring. They have performed all over the UK, Europe and the World at football stadiums, festivals, theatres and other prestigious venues.

www.wimbornepartyvenue.co.uk

mags4dorset in conjunction with the Regent Centre is offering a pair of tickets to see The Bohemians on 28 April. All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer this question:

What was the stage name of Queen’s lead singer?

Fit and Famous

Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, 7.30 pm 26 April 2013 Tickets - £22.50 The UK’s top male stripper act is back with a brand new show and tour for 2013 - ‘The Dreamboys Fit And Famous’ at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on 26 April 2013.

An action packed two hour show from start to finish, these boys will have you begging for more! Over 18s only.

www.barringtoncentre.co.uk

mags4dorset in conjunction with the Pavilion Theatre is offering a pair of tickets to see The Dreamboys in Bournemouth on 26 April. All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer this question:

What is the name of the Dreamboys’ new tour?

HOW TO ENTER:

Send your answers on a postcard, stating the name of the competition clearly on the postcard to mags4dorset, 1st Floor, King George V Pavilion, Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9EN, or enter at www.mags4dorset.co.uk. Close date for all competitions unless stated otherwise is Monday, 18 March 2013. There is no cash alternative. Separate entries must be sent for each competition, otherwise entries will be null and void. The Editor’s decision is final.

Employees of Page & Pulford Ltd and their relatives are not permitted to enter.

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

www.regentcentre.co.uk

March 2013 4Dorset...25

in & around the area

Hon treasurer required Ferndown Community Association, which runs Ferndown’s Barrington Centre is looking for an honorary treasurer. This voluntary position involves overseeing the financial aspects of this busy centre including the presentation of accounts to the general management committee. Details from Brian Sutton, General Manager, on 01202 894858.

WHAT’SON Shortmat bowls with free membership - Saturdays

Verwood Shortmat Bowling Club is offering free club membership to under 18s as part of a national ‘Bowls, The Sport For All’ campaign. This new junior section, open to youngsters aged 10 plus, will be run on a Saturday morning 10am–11.30am at the Youth Centre on the Emmanuel School campus.

Bowls will be provided. Contact Mike Poulter on 01202 826568 for further details and to book a place.

9 March 7.30pm

All Star Charity Concert in aid of St Mary’s Church, West Moors with the sensational Bournemouth Youth Handbell Team and the spectacular Southern Union Chorus. Venue: West Moors Memorial Hall, Station Road. Tickets - adults £8, children £4 including refreshments. Tickets from Jim Selby Quality Butchers or call 01202 871616 or 01202 890098 or on the door.

26...4Dorset March 2013

12 March - 2pm

Have a laugh with the U3A. Verwood University of the Third Age (U3A) will be entertained by guest speaker the Rev’d Timbrell at the local United Reformed Church. Well known for his humorous talks. Non members welcome. Call Jeanette on 01202 814008 for details.

16 March

Art and Skills of Wildlife Photography, a relaxed and informative talk by professional wildlife and landscape photographer Mike Read at Moors Valley Country Park. www.moorsvalley.co.uk or contact the Rangers on 01425 470721.

30 March from 10am

Shillie Bear Hunt at Shillingstone Station. Find 20 pictures of Shillie Bear, answer a question and enter a prize draw for a big chocolate egg.

Draw takes place at 3.30pm. Entry £1 with free Cadbury’s crème egg included.

31 March - 10.30am

Easter Remembrance Service at Harbour Lodge, Harbour View, Woodland Burial Ground, Lytchett Minster in association with Forest Holme Hospice. Free of charge.

3 April

Great South West Walk – starts in Poole. This is an event to celebrate the South West Coast Path Association’s 40th Anniversary with a walk of the entire South West Coast Path. Broken down into a relay of 56 legs, people can take part in individual days (or half days) through to making a walking holiday of it. Each leg will be guided by local experts. You cannot turn up on the day, you must register in advance. Please contact the South West Coast Path Association on 01752 896237. Full information, including legs and dates of the walk at www.GreatSouthWestWalk.co.uk

6 and 7 April 10am-12 noon, 12 noon-2pm and 2pm-4pm Open days at Braeside Bowling Club, Braeside Road, St Leonards near Ringwood. All welcome – bowls and shoes provided. Preferably book to avoid disappointment call John on 01425 476754 or Bob on 01202 829414 or turn up on the day. Bowling on an allweather outside surface.

100% of the door money to local or children’s charities meaning they can continue their support of Julia’s House. www.littlepicklesmarkets. co.uk

16 April - 2pm

Verwood U3A April monthly meeting will be ‘The London Paralympics: An Illustrated Talk’

by Cathy Balfour, Games Maker at Verwood United Reformed Church, refreshments, non-members welcome http://www.verwoodu3a. org.uk/

20 April 2012

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

9 May

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

12 May - 10am-3.30pm

Big Baby Show - Little Pickles is launching the first Little Pickles South Coast Baby & Toddler Show at the Littledown Centre, Bournemouth this spring.

Entrance will be £1 per family and Little Pickles will be donating

www.mags4dorset.co.uk

26 May - 3pm

Bournemouth Symphony Benevolent Fund’s annual concert will take place at Lighthouse, Poole with dynamic Welsh conductor Owain Arwel Hughes.

The benevolent fund responds to request for financial support from musicians affected by illness or injury, enabling a quicker return to work than might otherwise be the case. Tickets £9-£31. Box office 0844 406 8666.

22–29 June

Ferndown Festival - Strawberry Fayre at the Barrington Centre, Ferndown. Pram Race on 29 June, also French Market/Farmers’ Market. More details coming soon.

14 July - 10am–5pm

Dragon Boat Race, Poole - Diverse Abilities Plus and Poole Hospital Charity are offering you the chance to participate in a unique opportunity to race in traditional Chinese Dragon Racing Boats.

Minimum age 12, those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Ideally, teams will consist of 17:- 16 rowers and 1 drummer although this is not essential. Team entry £170 (£10 per person) and you are also required to raise a minimum of £750 sponsorship per team, which will go to both charities in an equal split. Register by 11 June 2013. sharon.wells@diverseabilitiesplus. org.uk

in & around the area

The

BARRINGTON CENTRE Book your event with Ferndown Community Association Looking for somewhere for your meeting, activity, family gathering or dance? The Barrington Centre (opposite Tesco) at Ferndown has function rooms at competitive rates. Adjacent parking, bar and catering available. Call in to look around, click onto www.barringtoncentre. co.uk or telephone 01202 894858 for details.

Nothing to see!

Everything to hear!

Lyric is the first invisible hearing aid. It is worn for up to 4-months at a time, while you sleep, exercise, shower and talk on the phone. It is said to be ‘the contact lens for your ear’ – for more details call Digitone, the only centre in the South of England able to supply the new Lyric hearing aid.

When did you last have your hearing checked?

Clarity Hearing Solutions run a drop-in hearing advice session every Wednesday morning at the Barrington Centre. The experience and expertise offered by the Clarity team has helped many local residents rediscover the joy of better hearing. Pop in any Wednesday morning for a relaxed chat with Heather.

Bits & Bytes Computer Club This club gives everyone the chance to come and ask questions about computers.

People even bring their laptops along to discuss their problems. It is facilitated by Neil Barton from Barton’s IT Services Limited and meets twice a month in the Barrington Centre. A great way to solve your IT problems.

www.clarity-solutions.com

www.bartonsit.co.uk

Raffles Using local suppliers where possible, Raffles Restaurant at the Barrington Centre, has a new cosy area in its modernized café. Serving hot meals, scones, cup cakes, take away food and a newly introduced range of special coffees.

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March 2013 4Dorset...27

coffeee break fiction Last year’s entries in the mags4dorset Creative Writing Awards were so outstanding that as well as the winner of the short story competition, the judges, Carol Rivers and Martin Baum, chose two highly commended stories. Here is one of them: ‘In Sickness and in Health’ by Phyllis Higgins from Frome.

SHORT STORY highly commended

In

SICKNESS and in

HEALTH

BY PHYLLIS HIGGINS As I said to What’s His Name on Saturday - or was it Sunday - life’s... life’s something or other.

As I said to What’s His Name when I saw him on Saturday life’s very odd these days.

The older I get, the stranger it seems to become. For instance, my wife, Jane, has suddenly taken to hiding every day objects away for no apparent reason I looked for the shoe polish the other day and it wasn’t where it should be. Jane was out at the time and I had to search all the kitchen cupboards before I found it.

I suppose I should have mentioned this to her, but when you’ve been married for thirty years, you can forgive the odd lapse.

When you love someone, you don’t want to embarrass them or make them feel that you’re criticising them.

It’s not the only time she’s done something like that. Recently, I was looking for the bread to make a sandwich and that wasn’t where it should be either. I was starving because it was three o`clock and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. I don’t know why I didn’t have lunch. I remember going upstairs to do something and the next thing I knew I was feeling famished.

Sometimes I’ve caught Jane looking at me in a questioning sort of way. Once I asked her why. She quickly changed her frown to a smile and gave me a hug. Not just any hug, but one she might have given me if I’d just come back from being away for six months. I like it, of course, but it’s puzzling behaviour.

Last Friday, or it may have been Thursday, she acted strangely. I’d gone to the shops to buy a bottle of milk. When I got back she surprised me by flying at me and flinging her arms around my neck. I saw there were tears in her eyes. She told me they were tears of relief that I’d come home safely.

‘But I’ve only been to the shops,’ I said.

‘Did you think aliens had kidnapped me off the High Street?’

‘I was so worried. I phoned everywhere I thought you might be. No one had seen you. Anyway, where’s the milk?’

She had me there. My bag was empty. I remember going into the Co-op. Perhaps the magazines had distracted me and I had forgotten to buy a bottle.

‘I’ll go back again.’

‘No! No! Stay here and I’ll use powdered milk for our tea.’

28...4Dorset March 2013

Next day, Jane suggested making an appointment for me to see Dr Vine.

‘What do I want to see him for?’

‘Just for a check up. Your memory’s not so good lately, but they have drugs now that can help. I’ll come with you.’

Reluctantly I agreed to see the doctor.

Maybe I could have a word with him about Jane’s odd behaviour.

I forgot all about the appointment until the day came. When we set off in the car, I was sure Jane was driving me to a dental check up, so I was surprised when we arrived at the doctors’ surgery.

Dr Vine asked me all sorts of questions that I thought I answered quite well. So you can imagine what a shock it was when he said that he suspected I might be developing Alzheimer’s disease.

‘I’ll arrange for you to have some more thorough tests. Don’t worry too much. We have lots of drugs and therapies in our arsenal these days that can help.’

The word “Alzheimer’s” kept echoing inside my head. It was all I could think about. I don’t even remember Jane driving me home. I collapsed into my chair.

Other people get Alzheimer’s, not me.

It was terrible, terrible.

Then I stopped thinking about myself and thought of Jane. The burden of caring for me would fall on her. If I got bad, I probably wouldn’t know anything about it, but she could end up looking after a dribbly, child-like man, someone who looked like her husband, but didn’t act like him. I might become cantankerous, or even violent.

She brought me a cup of tea. As I stared at her putting it gently down beside me, I couldn’t stop a tear running down my cheek.

She smiled at me. ‘Don’t worry, love, whatever happens you know I’ll always be there for you.’

Suddenly her arms were around me and we held on to each other for a long time.

After our embrace I felt a lot better and wiped away my tears.

‘I could do with a cup of tea. Are you going to put the kettle on, Jane?’

She smiled a weak smile and pointed at the cup on the table and gave my hand a squeeze. A new phase of life is opening up for us. Heaven knows what the future holds, but it’s a comfort to know that Jane will be with me every step of the way.

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

Teak Veneer Dining Table 4’ 7” long, extends to 6’0”. inc. 2 upholstered chairs, matching carvers.

Very good condition. £70.

Verwood, 01202 826148 Pine Table + 8 chairs 3ftX7ft with pads. Excellent condition. £250. Verwood, 01202 813500 (DAY), 01202 825924 (EVE) Parker Knoll 2-Seat Settee, Terracota. Very good quality. £100 o.n.o.

Ferndown, 01202 875774 Liteway Mobility Scooter Dismantles for car use. Very good quality, lightly used. £300. Ferdown, 01202 875774 Artists Easel (Desktop) £10, Persian Style Rug £10.

Christchurch, 01202 479612 2 Seat Settee, Green Good condition. Nominal, £5.

Please collect. Verwood, 01202 824936 Ikea Wooden Cot. £30.00 ono, Mothercare Mattress. £10.00. Christchurch Mobile 07967 729116

Power Reclining Easy Chair, Celebrity Grey, Parker Knoll Easy Chair, Floral. Both good condition. £50 + £35.

Verwood, 01202 826320 Yamaha Keyboard Plus Stand As new, £180. ½ Price £90 o.n.o Matsui Portable 7” DVD player.

Hardly used, £10.

Wimborne, 01202 886611 Piano, Ducat Willmot upright. Buyer collect. £80.

Verwood, 01202 813697 20 jigsaw puzzles – 1,000 pieces £5, West Moors 01202 890097 Loads Car Boot Items.

Lamps, duvet, bric-a-brac, stools, frames, black board, 2 new speakers & more. £25.00 the lot. Ringwood, 01425 471682 Golf Irons. Hippo 3-9 + P/W S/W Hippo stand bag, all as new + L/hd driver 10.5 + Hippo driving iron, all graphite + putter S/hd. £65.00 ovno. Ferndown 01202 870795

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

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in motoring

www.abacusvanhire.co.uk STEPHEN TURVIL has been writing our Southern Safaris for many years and readers have enjoyed them immensely. But 2013 is time for a change and because Mr Turvil has got such a lot of cars lined up for test drives, he has changed tack slightly and will be giving readers an insight into how the cars perform and what they have to offer. He might also suggest, in his inimitable style, and under the heading Crazy Car Questions, who might be best suited to drive them.

CRAZY CAR QUESTIONS

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

by Stephen Turvil

Rallye Sunseeker moves to October

INDIANA JONES wants a prestigious estate car to whisk his priceless antiques away from glory hunters and into museums - but which one? I suspect he goes weak at the knees for the top of the range Volkswagen Passat Alltrack. Why? Because its cargo capacity is 603-litres rising to 1,731-litres when the rear seats are folded flat. That is far more than some of its competitors so there is plenty of room for the Arc of the Covenant. And this estate has a few more tricks up its sleeve. Dr Jones – as an optional extra – could have the Cargo Management System which would enable him to section-off parts of the boot and restrain his antiques with belts. This could complement the optional net that lies flat on the boot’s floor but lifts so that small items can be held beneath. Perfect for treasure.

Now, Indiana Jones spends lots of time being chased by men who want to steal his treasure. Here the Passat Alltrack 2.0 TDI 4MOTION DSG could help too. As such it produces 177PS which is enough to propel his valuables to 62mph in 8.9 seconds. That is pretty fast. It also has six-speed auto transmission to make life easy but Jones could select every gear manually - without a footoperated clutch - by sliding the gear stick forwards/backwards. And there is more. Despite having a fair turn of speed this diesel load-lugger averages 47.9mpg. Trips to the fuel station are therefore rare which saves Jones enough money to buy new leather jackets – and new leather hats – and new whips.

The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack has four-wheel-drive which could help the antique hunter park on soft surfaces, feel safer on slippery roads, and escape huge circular boulders. This emphasises its rock-solid handling and comfortable ride that make driving more fun than finding the Holy Grail. It has plenty of equipment too. Highlights include climate control, which regulates the airconditioning and the heater to maintain a pre-defined temperature in the cabin.

The Alltrack also has automatic windscreen wipers, an electric parking brake, and built-in touch-screen sat-nav. All from £31,355 or the equivalent in ancient pottery. What better vehicle to keep his missions “all on track”?

RALLYE SUNSEEKER this year will move to October. The annual event is normally held at the end of February, but for the first time this year, it will be held on 18 and 19 October.

Another major change after 25 years in Bournemouth is that the event will be based in Poole where, for the last three years, the town has hosted the Friday night start on the quayside.

Rick Smith, Rally Director said, “We are delighted with the opportunity to take the event to Poole for 2013, but must give thanks to the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, who with Bournemouth Council, and others, have for the last 25 years worked with us to produce and deliver a high quality event for the South of England. The move to Poole will enhance and further develop our event that will allow us to provide competitors and spectators with something new and innovative.”

The event itself will once again have 60+ Stage Miles for the competitors to attempt, and of course the ever-popular Somerley Park stage will once again play an integral part of the spectator attractions on the Saturday. The start and finish will be at Poole Quay and with innovations such as an ALL DAY party on the quay during the Saturday, as well as Centralized Servicing, the event is already shaping up very well. New additions such as an All Areas Rally Car Pass, Souvenir Rally Programme, and many more new features are yet to be announced.

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March 2013 4Dorset...29

specailist services CARPET CLEANING

DECORATING

FENCING

FENCING

GARAGE DOORS

LOCKSMITHS

INTERIOR DESIGN

TILING SUPPLIERS

30...4Dorset March 2013

STAIR PARTS

PLUMBING

WINDOW REPAIRS

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www.ringwooddental.co.uk

www.dorsetwindows.co.uk

www.centralkitchens.co.uk