Viewpoint March 2025

Music maestro Matt Black with News Editor Marilyn Barber © Your Voice

Dorset Podcast

VIEWPOINT

Dear Readers!

Even if you’ve never watched the TV soap — and I haven’t — you probably have heard the theme tune which goes ‘Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours’.

And it is so very, very true.

In February, I was just about to go for a meal followed by a visit to the Tivoli when I heard a terrifying whooshing noise.

The next thing I knew, a torrent of water was rushing down the stairs from the bathroom, flooding the landing and dripping through the lounge, hall and kitchen ceiling.

I panicked and rang a neighbour to find out where the stopcock was — something I should have been aware of. She rushed round and we eventually located it, but it was too stiff to turn. We contacted another neighbour who used a wrench to turn it off.

It soon became clear that a pipe under the hand basin had split.

The first neighbour — and I won’t embarrass her by giving her name — located a plumber with a 24-hour service and searched cupboards to find suitable receptacles to catch the fast-flowing water. In no time at all, bowls of all descriptions plus a plastic cool bag she found in the understairs cupboard were in position as were towels, whilst I spent time on the phone to the plumber and then my insurance company.

She then stayed with me until the plumber had finished the work.

Another neighbour brought me a cup of tea and two Bakewell tarts.

I must admit that I went into serious panic mode and was very shaken when I realised that, if I had left the house five minutes earlier, I would have returned to find it was no longer habitable.

I’ve lived in my house for 22 years, and so I know my neighbours. If you’ve recently moved into one of the new developments — and there are many in the area — make sure you look out for the people living on your road.

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

Ben Pulford managing director

ben@dorsetview.co.uk

Louis Pulford creative director louis@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

Janine Pulford director

janine@dorsetview.co.uk

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

NEWS DESK

01202 233441

Luke Graham editor luke@dorsetview.co.uk

Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Jecs Davies

journalist & social media creator jecs@dorsetview.co.uk

Rebecca Smith pre-press administrator rebecca@dorsetview.co.uk

ADVERTISING

01202 816140

Mark Beechey account manager DD 01202 941465

mark@dorsetview.co.uk

Simon Thornton account manager DD 01202 941470

simon@dorsetview.co.uk Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

DESIGN

Dexter Elliott graphic designer designstudio@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

LOGISTICS

Mike Talbot

A robin bathing in a back garden © Pat Poole

Verwood Rotary welcomes first corporate member

It’s a new era for Verwood Rotary Club as it is now offering corporate memberships to help local businesses connect and serve the community.

The club inaugurated its first corporate member, Georgina Snelling of Summers Insurance, on Tuesday 18 February at its 37th Charter Night celebrating the branch’s founding in November 1988.

Snelling attended the event with husband David and parents Adam and Sarah Wrixon. She said joining the Rotary was a good experience: “I joined because of the Business Network and getting our name out there in the local community, but also giving back, so it’s really good to feel like you’re involved in the community.”

Rotarian Louisa Hiscock said: “Local businesses can now join our club as corporate members with the benefits this brings of being part of such a hugely respected and trusted international organisation.

“It also gives the opportunity to connect with other local businesses

and help in the community. Our club has also set up the Verwood Business Network for local companies to meet monthly.”

Rotary is an international organisation first founded in 1905 to encourage friendship and charitable work. Verwood Rotary Club organises events including the annual Rustic Fayre on August Bank Holiday Monday, raising thousands of pounds for local causes each year.

Rotary Club celebrates turning 37, page 16.

Community clubs face closure

Community clubs for the elderly in Ferndown, Wimborne, Blandford, Ringwood and beyond are set to close.

For years, Brendoncare has run clubs offering activities including kurling, exercise and quizzes for older people across the UK. But in February it announced that, due to financial challenges, all its clubs in Dorset and the New Forest, alongside some clubs in Hampshire, face closure. Brendoncare was unable to confirm which clubs will close or when.

Volunteer Sarah Elliott, who helps run four clubs in Ferndown, described the decision as “terrible”.

“We are so concerned for our groups,” Elliott said. “A lot of our members are widows or may have family who don’t live locally. This is a place where they can come and make friendships and connections.”

Elliott’s daughter, Amy, is concerned what impact the loss of the clubs will have on its members. She said: “My grandfather suffers from anxiety, and these clubs are his lifeline. Without them, I fear he will become lost in isolation, stripped of his purpose and identity.”

Brendoncare is working to find alternative options or other organisations who can take over running the clubs. If you can help, contact Brendoncare on 01962 852133 or email clubs@brendoncare.org.uk.

L-R: Rotarian David McGregor with Adam Wrixon, Georgina Snelling, Sarah Wrixon and David Snelling © Viewpoint Magazine

Pancakes and culture for Wimborne Minster

Report and photo by Marilyn Barber

What a day for Wimborne. Not only were there huge crowds for the annual Pancake Race, but it was announced that Wimborne had been awarded Town of Culture 2026.

After four years of being held within the Minster church because of bad weather, the Pancake Race took place outside, with competitors ranging from tots to wheelchair racers, and from schoolchildren to adults racing around the church, tossing their pancakes at each of the four corners of the building.

The event was sponsored by Viewpoint Magazine and Dorset View

More photos and results in April’s issue of Dorset View

Maurice from Piccolo Mondo practising before the race

The final chapter: 40-year-old bookshop closes in Fordingbridge

An independent bookshop in Fordingbridge has closed its doors after 40 years of trading.

In early February, The Fordingbridge Bookshop located on Salisbury Street announced it was going to shut down. The last day of trading took place on Saturday 22 February.

Writing on social media, the owners said: “As many of our regular customers will know, we have taken the difficult decision to close the shop at the end of February. Sorry for those of you that we haven’t managed to tell personally.

“Whilst not an easy decision to make, we are sure that you recognise and understand that the high street has changed, along with shopping habits.

“We know for many, as it is for us, this will be sad news

as the bookshop has been in the town for over 40 years. We have enjoyed the last 12 years, being part of the community, chatting and spending time with you.”

Several residents expressed their sadness about the closure. Responding to the Facebook post, Peter White said: “Very sad news. The Fordingbridge Bookshop has served the town so well. Always helpful to me and my family whenever we went in to order/buy books we wanted over the years.”

The news is another blow to the Fordingbridge high street; the bookshop was the second business to announce its closure in as many months.

In January, Italian restaurant La Lambretta declared it will close on Saturday 29 March.

Moors Valley cuts carbon emissions

Visitors to a popular tourist attraction at Ashley Heath are now able to contribute to the campaign to reduce waste.

Litter Free Dorset has launched a returnable cup scheme at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest. In partnership with Dorset Council, Forestry England and sustainable drink ware specialist Circular & Co, this initiative will promote re-use and enable people to reduce waste generated by single-use cups.

Visitors to Moors Valley can now enjoy their hot drinks in returnable cups that are borrowed at point of sale and can be returned to food and drink outlets on site.

The scheme has the potential to save over 200,000 single-use cups per year, with an annual carbon emission reduction of around 20 tonnes.

Karl Prince, country

parks manager at Dorset Council, said: “This innovative scheme introduces a simple, convenient and modern way of implementing a reusable cup solution and helps us to reduce waste.”

Currently most takeaway drink cups – including those marked compostable or biodegradable – will be sent to incineration with general waste, since they require very specific industrial composting processes that are not yet widely available.

Americano or cappuccino? Order yours in a reusable cup © Moors Valley Country Park

Hundreds of iconic Dorset fingerposts in need of repair

In the last eight years, Dorset CPRE Grant Scheme has paid out £22,337.50 towards the restoration of 160 traditional fingerposts in the county.

The fingerposts are a legacy of the early road system. In 1773, the General Turnpike Act made it mandatory for trustees to put up signs informing the traveller of the distance to the closest town.

Of the 1,300 or so fingerposts thought to exist in the 1950s, just 717 survive today. Many were lost in the Second World War as they were removed in 1940 to deny guidance to an invading army and were not replaced. Some of the originals have been repaired using nontraditional materials or lettering, and others need attention.

The local authority no longer has a remit to repair them, and both Dorset National Landscape (formerly Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Dorset CPRE are keen to support local ‘Fingerpost Champions’ to save these signs from extinction and restore them to their former glory. Hundreds of signs have been renewed by parish and town councils, community groups, and individuals.

Dorset CPRE award grants of up to £200 per post for people wanting to restore fingerposts using the correct materials as set out by Dorset National Landscape. Match funding is not required and there is no application form, but they ask that requests come from a parish council representative (or similar), with a summary of the fingerposts that need repairing, their location(s) and estimated costs. To find out more, contact info@dorset-cpre.org.uk or call 0333 577 0360.

Fingerpost restoration in progress

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall, Justsocaricatures.co.uk

Bon appetit! Wimborne Food Festival to return

Residents can look forward to a second serving of Wimborne Food Festival later this year.

The festival was held for the first time in 2024, and featured tastings, talks and demonstrations, alfresco dining and live music around the town.

Wimborne BID has confirmed the event will take place again this year, on Saturday 20 September. Locations will include Willow Walk near Waitrose and East Street and a farmers’ market in the town square.

Ione Crossley, BID director and co-owner of Salamander Cookshop said: “In 2024, the first Wimborne Food Festival celebrated the outstanding range of independent local food and drink businesses in our lovely market town, and their local suppliers. This year we hope to see the festival grow and continue to promote Wimborne as a place to visit and enjoy.”

To take part in the festival as a stall holder, speaker, or cooking demonstrator, email Wimborne BID via office@wimborne.info.

Last year’s festival attracted lots of visitors © Wimborne BID

NEWS IN BRIEF

Digital champs

Dorset Council now has a total of 50 volunteer digital champions working across the county. They hold face to face sessions in libraries and community centres for anyone who has a technical problem or needs help with a digital device or getting online. People can find out where their nearest digital champion session is by calling the council’s digital hotline on 01305 221048.

Community award

Home-Start Wessex received a Community Support Award at the Bournemouth Business Awards 2025 in recognition of its positive impact on the local community. If you can commit to two to three hours each week to help as a family support volunteer, please contact heidi@ homestartwessex.org.uk.

Hillview art studio bids farewell

For many years, visitors have enjoyed art events at Hillview Studio in Linwood. From Friday 11 to Monday 14 April, there is a final opportunity to see the open studio and purchase ceramics, glass, paintings, sculptures and wood turnings, including many items at clearance prices, before it closes forever. Opening times are 10.30am to 4.30pm. The location is between Red Shoot Inn and Appleslade Car Park (What3words address: Suspended Purifier Breath).

New Forest council tax

New Forest District Council set their portion of the 2025/26 council tax at £205.77 per year, per household (for a Band D property) at their Full Council meeting on Monday 24 February 2025. This means the average household in the area will pay an additional £5.98 a year, an increase of 2.99 per cent, compared to last year’s council tax.

Battery powered rugby club

Ellingham and Ringwood Rugby Club just turned a little bit greener

Thanks to funding from Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency (RACE), the local rugby club has installed a new battery system that will help power the club’s facilities and make the club more sustainable.

The battery will assist the club in reducing its reliance on the national grid during peak times by storing energy generated by the club’s existing solar panels, which were sponsored by Smart Home Technical.

By using clean, renewable energy, the battery system is not only helping to lower operational costs but also contributing to Ellingham and Ringwood’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

“We are incredibly excited to be progressing this project,” said Club Treasurer Matt Windsor. “The photovoltaic panels and battery installation align with our vision of a greener future while enabling us to continue providing a fantastic environment for our players, volunteers, and supporters.”

RACE Treasurer Bryony Robinson said: “We are delighted to be able to support projects like this, helping organisations in Ringwood to take steps towards a lower carbon future. This is only possible due to the dedication of our volunteers and the kind donations we receive from members of the public.”

RACE is a charity dedicated to taking actions that help the environment and biodiversity, while Ellingham and Ringwood Rugby Club has been part of the local community since 1966.

Man dies in car collision near Ferndown

The A31 was closed in all directions on Saturday 22 February following the death of a 43-year-old driver in a single vehicle collision.

Dorset Police received a report at around 8.45pm of a collision on the Ameysford Roundabout along the A31 near Ferndown Industrial Estate involving a white Peugeot 308.

The driver of the vehicle who was from West Sussex was sadly pronounced dead after sustaining serious injuries.

Road closures were put in place to enable officers to carry out a detailed examination of the scene.

Police Sergeant Richard Stroud, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the man at this difficult time, and we have specially trained officers supporting them.

“This incident occurred on a very busy stretch of the A31, and I understand there were a number of motorists in the area who may have seen what happened.

“I would ask any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to please come forward.

“Also, I am keen to hear from anyone who may have captured any dashcam footage to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email at scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250 026 244.

Introducing

Viewpoint Magazine’s publisher Pulford Publicity is excited to announce the launch of a

The publisher of Viewpoint Magazine and Dorset View, Pulford Publicity, has released the first episode of their brand-new podcast.

Your Voice | Dorset Podcast aims to share stories from the people of Dorset and learn how they help their communities and make life in the county so special. New episodes will be released monthly.

The first episode, released in February, features local music legend Matt Black sharing his story with Viewpoint Magazine’s News Editor Marilyn Barber. In the podcast, Black talks about his life and career as the ‘Piano Man’, his love of performing, and his experience of alcoholism.

Your Voice | Dorset Podcast is produced by this magazine’s Creative

Director Louis Pulford. Below, Louis shares some behindthe-scenes information about the new venture.

What is the podcast all about?

The podcast is purely about the people of Dorset. My philosophy is that the people of Dorset are a vibrant, diverse, fascinating and interesting bunch of folks. Like most places you visit the world over, people can be awesome and inspiring! There are so many good people out there in this county, and I personally just want to hear their stories and share them with the people of Dorset.

Where did the inspiration for the podcast come from?

From the people themselves: the individuals who drive Dorset forward and make it a beautiful place to live. The

podcast is my way of saying thank you to the community.

Can you give us a teaser about future episodes of the podcast?

We have musicians, artists, charities, businesses, sports people and more – a broad spectrum of backgrounds. They’re coming on to share anecdotes on their experiences of Dorset, telling us about their history and talking about their views.

Upcoming episodes feature Ferndown Community Support, which runs a food bank and larder and lots of services helping the people of Ferndown, and local musician Polly Morris who even plays a song for us.

If you’d like to share your story, why not reach out to us? Send an email to podcast@dorsetview.co.uk.

Where can readers find the podcast?  Our readers – who we hope will become regular listeners – can find episodes on our website dorsetview.co.uk, our YouTube channel @YourVoiceDorset, or on podcasting platforms such as Spotify, Amazon, and Apple.

Episode 1 of Your Voice | Dorset Podcast is available now. If you would like to share your story on the podcast, email podcast@dorsetview.co.uk.

Local music legend Matt Black speaks to Marilyn Barber in the studio

Entries open for Dorset Apprenticeship Awards

Local employers are being urged to nominate their star trainees for the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards with the deadline being 30 March

Dorset Chamber has joined forces with the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network, with sponsorship from manufacturing firm Superior.

Entries have opened in five categories – including for a newly created Supported Internships award.

Dorset Chamber has invited nominations from members and non-members for the annual competition. The categories are:

• Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprentice of the Year

• Level 3 (Advanced) Apprentice of the Year

• Level 4 or 5 Higher Apprentice of the Year

• Degree Apprentice of the Year

• Supported Internship of the Year

The awards ceremony will take place at Superior in Ferndown with HM Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Michael Dooley on 15 May.

Dorset Chamber CEO Ian Girling said: “Apprentices are a fantastic way to both recruit and train people, and they make an invaluable contribution to the organisations they work for.”

Entrants must be undertaking an apprenticeship programme or have completed a programme within the last 12 months. They should be Dorset residents and working in Dorset, although their employer may be based outside of Dorset.

Visit dorsetchamber.co.uk/dorset-apprenticeshipawards-2025/ for more details and to enter.

Last year’s winners

“What light through yonder window breaks” – Shakespeare

By Julian Hewitt | Fordingbridge Museum

I am writing this from my dining table looking out at the garden through large, double-glazed patio windows. The word ‘window’ is derived from the Old Norse Vindauga, meaning wind’s eye. The Romans developed the technology for making glass for windows in 100 AD, although it would have been thick, opaque glass that let the light in but was not clear enough to see through. Before that, windows had been unglazed openings covered with hides, fabric or wood. Roman glass windows would have been rare and confined to the very wealthy. In Great Britain, glass windows were introduced into ordinary homes in the 17th century. For some people, expensive glazed windows were used to show their extreme wealth and power. In Derbyshire, the 16th-century Hardwick Hall was built by the wealthy Countess of Shrewsbury who is known as “Bess of Hardwick”. She incorporated so many windows

that it gave rise to a saying: “Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall.” These windows are mullioned windows that had a vertical support made of stone to give the windows strength and allow for a thinner rectangular shape.

From 1696 to 1851, a window tax was collected by the government. This was introduced as a more popular way of raising money than income tax. The more windows a building had, the more tax was paid. It was criticised at the time as a tax on light and air and is said to have given rise to the saying “daylight robbery,” although there is no evidence to support this. Contrary to popular belief, there was no widespread blocking up of windows to avoid the tax. Blind windows had been used for some time for aesthetic reasons, as can be seen to the right of the gates to the old workhouse building in Fordingbridge.

Early glass windows were

made by blowing glass then spinning it to create a large disc up to five or six feet in diameter. The better-quality thinner glass was cut from the edge of the disc, whilst the pontil mark in the middle of the disc, where the blowing tube was broken off, was the cheapest, known as a bullseye. Older crown glass made like this can be identified by the ripples, distortion and bubbles in the glass.

At first, only small pieces of glass could be made, and these were held together by strips of lead to make windows. These still survive in Tudor buildings and churches. In the 1950s, Sir Alastair Pilkington invented the technique of floating glass on molten tin to make large panes. Today, most large sheets of plate glass are still made this way.

Sash windows were developed in the late 17th century. Ropes and counterweights allowed both top and bottom halves of the window to be opened and

these became widely used in Georgian times. In Yorkshire, horizontal sliding sash windows were popular and are still to be seen on many buildings.

Bay windows also became popular in the late 17th century. These gave extra space, a better view and often somewhere to sit. A good example can be seen in Provost Street in Fordingbridge. This is the oldest shopfront in the town.

An oriel window is a bay window that doesn’t touch the ground. An excellent example is at Laycock Abbey; William Henry Fox Talbot’s photo of this small window in 1835 is now celebrated as the world’s earliest surviving paper photographic negative. In WW1, hinged casement windows became popular, and they are often used instead of sash windows today. Most modern windows use double glazing which was patented in America in the 1930s.

“Give me a window, and I’ll stare out of it.” – Alan Rickman.

A blind window on the right-hand side of this building

The bay windows on the oldest shopfront in Fordingbridge

Would you sponsor a pony?

Report

and photos by Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

A charity that helps children with special needs or disabilities to go riding is urging businesses to sponsor a pony

Green Cottage Riding for the Disabled Association, which offers free sessions for youngsters from five to 17 years old at its centre in Three Legged Cross, is hoping businesses will come forward to sponsor a pony.

Gill Clark, who is one of seven trustees, said: “We provide sessions for 24 children with a variety of special needs and disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism and many complex learning and development disorders.”

It is so popular that there is always a waiting list.

“Children get so much from the

sessions as they relate to the ponies that never answer them back or judge them. And as well as getting fresh air, they make new friends,” Gill said.

“Children relate to the ponies that never answer them back or judge them.”

She added that they manage to raise the £10,000 running costs through donations and legacies, and this money goes towards the upkeep of their very special ponies.

However, the cost of keeping the ponies has risen with horse feed, farriery, veterinary care and insurance all increasing significantly.

Hence the launch of the new Sponsor a Pony initiative, with five different options being available.

There is £1,800 for full annual sponsorship of one pony; £1,000 feed sponsorship for one year; £850 vaccination and medication sponsorship for a year; £700 pony shoes sponsorship for a year; or £500 pony rug sponsorship.

In return, Green Cottage offers publicity opportunities.

“We work with businesses to ensure they achieve value for their sponsorship,” said Gill.

As well as funding running costs, Green Cottage also needs to buy new ponies, as they retire in their 20s. These ponies need to be calm and able to live outside, as they are not stabled.

The charity currently has 30 volunteers, but they always need more.

“People don’t need to be horsey, but they need to be fairly fit, patient and kind,” said Gill. “And they can give us as little or as much time as they want. We are open on Thursdays from 8.30am to noon and they can come any time. We have a very friendly team. It’s lovely to see the children together, and after a few weeks, even the non-verbal ones can say a few words.”

Three people are needed for each rider – one to lead and two side walkers. Someone is also needed to help children to mount the pony.

If you would like to sponsor a pony or become a volunteer, email info@greencottagerda.org.

verwood news

Allotment site deemed unsuitable Rotary Club celebrates turning 37

By Louisa Hiscock, Verwood Rotary Club

We recently celebrated the ‘birthday’ of our club with club members and guests. This was at our annual Charter Evening to mark the founding of our club in 1988. This year, the inauguration of our first corporate member, Georgina Snelling from Summers Insurance, made it even more special. The plan is always for the club to continue supporting and serving our local community for many more years.

Our annual Big Band Dance with live music from Swing Unlimited is rapidly approaching on Saturday 29 March from 7.30pm in Verwood Memorial Hall. Tickets are still only £13 and there will be a licensed bar. All funds raised are for the Helix Centre in Verwood (President Peter Campbell’s chosen charity). Please help us raise funds for this great local facility for those with a learning disability whilst enjoying a lovely evening out. Tickets to be purchased in advance from club members or give Vern a call on 01202 824005.

Looking ahead, we have our first Race Night on Saturday 17 May at Verwood Memorial Hall which promises to be a great evening of fun. This is followed by a midsummer concert we are hosting for the Dorset Police Male Voice Choir at Verwood Methodist Church on Saturday 21 June. This local choir are renowned for their amazing performances to raise funds for charity – look out for tickets on sale soon for both events.

Our membership may have changed since 1988, but our enthusiasm remains strong. If anyone would like to join our club as an individual or corporate member, there is always room for more! Contact us on enquiries@verwoodrotary.org.uk or have a look at our website or Facebook.

Following a public consultation, Verwood Town Council has decided the proposed location for new allotments is unsuitable and is looking for alternatives.

In November, the council responded to requests from residents for more allotment space and identified a possible site belonging to Dorset Council, which could be transferred to the Verwood Town Council.

The council launched an online survey to find out whether the community was in favour of allotments being created on the site at Black Moor Road in Ebblake.

The consultation closed at the end of January, and in late February the council announced its conclusion.

Writing on social media, Verwood Town Council said: “The Town Council would like to thank everyone who responded to the consultation. Councillors have taken note of the number of people expressing an interest in renting an allotment but in the light of detailed information available to them, have also concluded that the land at Ebblake is not a suitable site. The council will continue to look for an alternative allotment site.”

Verwood Town Council initially estimated that oneoff costs to develop the site into an allotment would cost up to £45,000, with yearly maintenance of around £2,000. The search for a suitable site continues.

The proposed allotment plan

Charity of the Year

Daring activities to help Dorset families

By Jannine Loveys, fundraising manager at DCCF

Whether you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift with a difference or have always wondered what it feels like to stand on top of a moving plane, the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation offers a range of

ways for you to say I love you and enjoy thrilling experiences, all while supporting Dorset families with cancer.

Say: “I love you, Mum” Mother’s Day (Sunday 30 March) is just around the corner, and we are giving people the chance to donate to the DCCF in a loved one’s name.

Whether you are showing your appreciation to the maternal figure in your life, or wish to give a gift in memory, all donations will go directly to help local families pay for items such as utility bills, transport to and from hospital treatment and much needed short breaks.

It’s easy to donate and you can also post a message to the loved one who has inspired your gift to us. Please visit justgiving.com/

campaign/mothersday2025honouryourmum.

Daredevils wanted Our fundraisers will be descending 100m from the iconic Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on Saturday 28 June.

The abseil starts at 10am, is open to people of all ages and doesn’t require any training or special skills.

You can do it with friends and family or alone, and you’ll be rewarded by stunning views across Portsmouth Harbour – as well as a huge sense of accomplishment.

We are asking our abseilers to pay a deposit of £30 and raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. For more information and to secure your spot, please email hello@dccf.co.uk.

Join a thrilling Wing Walk What could be more exhilarating than soaring above the countryside atop

the wings of a biplane?

Viewpoint Magazine’s daredevil Creative Director Louis Pulford has already expressed interest in wing walking for the DCCF. Will you join him?

Our wing walkers will be asked to pay a £100 deposit and raise a minimum of £750 in sponsorship. For more details, please email charitymanager@dccf.co.uk.

You don’t have to take part in a daring activity to help Dorset families with cancer.

You can donate, volunteer, fundraise, or even attend one of our fantastic coffee mornings or other fundraising events. For more details, visit dccf.co.uk.

Platinum anniversary for disability charity

Diverse Abilities, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, is hoping people who have been involved with the disability charity will come forward with their memories.

The charity was started in 1955 by Phyllis Edwards. Her daughter was born with cerebral palsy, and the only option she had of support was to send her daughter away. Edwards didn’t think this was good enough and set out to offer support more locally.

Francesca Potton, community fundraiser, said: “We are really looking forward to hearing memories from the local community. 70 years is a long time, especially for a local charity, and we are so grateful to everyone who has been involved and we know there must be

some great stories to tell.” Memories will be shared on the Diverse Abilities website, at a reunion event later this year, and in a specially printed supplement.

If you or someone you know has a memory to share, you can share it online at diverseabilities. org.uk/memorymakers, or by emailing fundraising@ diverseabilities.org.uk. Alternatively, call the fundraising team on 01202 718266.

© The Wing Walk Company

Can you brave the heights? © Spinnaker Tower

A photo from the 1970s

Probus donation to Cancer Research

At their monthly meeting in February, the Probus Club of Wimborne were entertained with a talk from Ringwood’s Robbie Forrester-Addie who recounted a fascinating career as an airborne photographer taking shots of test aircraft for the RAF often flying alongside at speeds over 300 mph.

Robbie is also a very active

supporter of Cancer Research and, as a result of the money donated by Probus for his talk, £80 was donated to the charity.

Probus meets monthly for lunch and a talk at the Broadstone Golf Club.

Intended for retired men, more details can be obtained via wimborneprobus.org.uk. New members are always welcome.

The Rockbourne Fair committee presented a record-breaking total of £62,081 to the Stars Appeal during a special presentation held outside Imber Ward at Salisbury Hospital. The money was raised at the 2024 Rockbourne Fair at Salisbury racecourse.

Christmas tree collection raises £64,800 for charity

Residents who paid for their Christmas tree to be collected and disposed of in January raised a record sum of money for three Dorset charities.

A total of £64,800 was raised for Diverse Abilities, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care and Julia’s House after around 29 tonnes of trees were collected from homes and businesses around the area.

Most of the trees were recycled by Eco Sustainable Solutions, the Parley-based recycling and renewables company, into 96 cubic metres of woodland mulch – equivalent to about 1,920 wheelbarrow loads.

The amount raised from this annual ‘treecycling’ initiative increased by more than £7,000 from last year.

Bryony Hammond, Eco’s marketing executive, said:

“We’re pleased and proud to play our part in raising a record amount for three very deserving local charities.

“It’s one of the most worthwhile community initiatives we’re involved in, not only generating muchneeded funds for charity but also disposing the Christmas trees sustainably by turning

them into woodland mulch.”

Francesca Potton, community fundraiser for Diverse Abilities, said: “We are really grateful to Eco for their continued support.

“Treecycling continues to be one of our main fundraising initiatives every year, allowing us to fundraise sustainably and raise money to support children and adults with disabilities in the Dorset area.”

L-R: Katie Thompson and Laura Maidment from Julia’s House, Eco’s Bryony Hammond, Fiona Harwood from Lewis-Manning, and Francesca Potton from Diverse Abilities © Andrew Diprose

Looking

for fun things to do this Easter?

Here are some of the highlights in Ringwood!

PREVIEW Ghost: The Musical Ringwood Musical and Dramatic Society, The Barn

This Easter, Ringwood Musical and Dramatic Society (RMDS) will be staging a production of ‘Ghost: The Musical’ at The Barn in Ringwood

‘Ghost: The Musical’ is a stage adaptation of the iconic film from 1990 starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. It is a timeless love story with a supernatural twist.

Sam and Molly are deeply in love, but tragedy strikes when Sam is killed. However, he returns as a ghost, determined to protect Molly from danger and communicate the truth. Molly is the grieving girlfriend who refuses to believe that her love has been taken away. In desperation, Sam turns to an eccentric psychic, Oda Mae Brown, to reach out to Molly from the afterlife.

With memorable songs, and an emotionally charged storyline that explores themes of love, loss, and the supernatural, this production is sure to leave audiences spellbound.

RMDS has been producing musicals, plays and concerts since 1911. ‘Ghost: The Musical’ joins the society’s long list of annual Easter musicals which has featured many large-scale shows such as ‘Showboat’, ‘Hello Dolly!’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Anything Goes!’, ‘South Pacific’ and ‘Kiss Me Kate’.

This production will feature a talented local cast, with Jo Bower starring as Molly, Tom Andrews as Sam, Lucie Evans as Oda Mae Brown, and Tom Buxton as Carl, Sam’s close friend with hidden motivations.

‘Ghost: The Musical’ will be performed at 7.30pm from Wednesday 16 April to Saturday 19 April, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday.

You can book tickets online via ticketsource.co.uk/rmds or in person at Greyfriars Community Centre.

easter in ringwood

Let’s go on an egg hunt!

Looking to go to Easter-themed activities this April with your little ones? There are a few options to choose from.

On 4 April, Bright Sparks Creative Learning will host an Easter Eggstravaganza at Yarnley House Care Home for children aged seven and under from 9.50am to 10.40am and 11am to 11.50am. There will be free snacks and drinks, and a chance to meet the residents. Book via bookthatin.online/brightsparkscreative.

On Wednesday 9 April from 10am to 12noon, you can join Going2Giggle’s Emma and Dude the rabbit for a stay-and-play session at Trinity United Church in Ringwood. There will be Easter activities, arts and crafts, and refreshments. Children cost £10, siblings are £5, and adults are free. Book via 07598830658 or email going2giggle@gmail.com.

Little Bear Woods on Wattons Lane is organising an Easter egg hunt in its forest setting from 10am to 11.30am on 14, 16, 18 and 19 April. Aimed at all ages up to 16 years old, there will be hot cross buns on the fire and more fun Easter activities. This costs £12 per child. If you need a day’s worth of entertainment, Little Bear Woods is also holding Easterthemed holiday clubs from 9am to 4pm on 8 and 15 April. This costs £34.50 for the day. Book via littlebearwoods.co.uk.

Chance to win tickets to a night of comedy at The Barn

After you’ve had your fill of Easter eggs, head for a night of cracking comedy at The Barn in Ringwood on Friday 25 April, where The Coastal Comedy Club will be joined by ‘Mock the Week’ regular guest Gary Delaney.

The double Sony Award winner has appeared on ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘Richard Osman’s House of Games’, ‘8 out of 10 Cats does Countdown’, and much more.

Delaney’s the only comic ever to have got two gags in the same top 10 for Dave’s TV Funniest Jokes from the Edinburgh Fringe.

Opening The Coastal Comedy Show will be Laura Lexx, a multi award-winning stand-up star who has appeared on ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘Pointless Celebrities’ and ‘Roast Battle’. Experienced comedian Tom Deacon rounds out the evening’s trio of talent.

Hosted by Coastal Comedy’s Adrienne Coles, The Barn is sure to be rocking with laughter.

Over 18s only. Doors open 7pm for 8pm start. Book via thebarnringwood.co.uk.

COMPETITION

We have two tickets to give away for this fun-filled evening of comedy. To enter, simply answer the following question: On what TV show was Gary Delaney a regular guest? Enter online at www.dorsetview.co.uk or via a postcard to the address on page 3. Over 18s only. Closing date is Tuesday 22 April 2025. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd are not permitted to enter. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final. Personal details will be stored securely and will only be processed to determine the winner. The winner will be announced in the magazine. The winner’s name and address will be passed on to Coastal Comedy for the purpose of allocating the prize.

Ringwood Fabrics (formerly Brian’s Fabrics) has been trading on Ringwood High Street for 50 years. Angela Cork, the current owner, took over the shop in 2002 and since then it has gone from strength to strength. Customers come from all over – some as far afield as Dorchester, Fareham and Devizes. There is a loyal, local base of customers, some of whom remember the shop from 1975.

The shop has been likened to an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ selling all manner of fabrics, haberdashery, wool and much more. They also offer a curtain making service. Next time you’re in Ringwood, pop in and take a look.

Gary Delaney headlines The Coastal Comedy Club on 25 April

Pedal car grand prix revs up

If you have free time this Easter, you could start working on a home-made race car to take part in the annual British Pedal Car Grand Prix in Ringwood. After being cancelled last year, the team behind the event have announced it will return in 2025 on Sunday 13 July.

The grand prix, which sees racers zoom through the town centre in home-made pedal cars, was established in 1987 and has been held almost every year since. It was cancelled

at late notice last year due to financial challenges.

Organised by the Ringwood & District Round Table, the event is free to attend but costs around £10,000 to put on and does not receive funding from the local or district council.

To avoid another cancellation, the organisers are seeking sponsorship from local businesses. If you would like to help ensure the race goes ahead, email pedalcargp@ ringwoodroundtable.co.uk.

Fun at The Furlong

The Furlong shopping centre has arranged two weekends of Easter-themed fun and activities for visitors

On Saturday 12 April, there will be a family fun day from 11am to 3pm in The Furlong courtyard. There will be an Easter craft igloo filled with drop-in crafts and activities for children of all ages, as well as cosy bean bags for parents to relax on. There will also be face painting available.

The event is free to attend with no booking required.

The following weekend on Saturday 19 April, there will be an Easter-themed artisan market, featuring talented local crafters from around the New Forest selling a wide range of high-quality products, crafts, consumables and gifts from a selection of hand-picked local artisans. Market stallholders can be found in The Furlong courtyard and at Ringwood Gateway from 10am to 4pm.

The following month, The

Furlong will host a sustainability themed eco fair on Saturday 10 May from 10am to 3.30pm. The fair is a chance to support local shops, meet conservation groups, and discover sustainable products from ecoconscious businesses.

For more details, visit thefurlong.co.uk/whats-on.

Bunny Girl days don’t last forever

By Janine Pulford

Was it still possible to be a Bunny Girl at the age of 65, or had I reached a ‘What’s up, Doc?’ moment?

I must have been 11 when it all started, and Bobby arrived. I soon learnt how to be a Bunny Girl at our family home in Surrey, and though Bobby lived outside in a large run, it was not escapeproof. After disappearing one night, it was rumoured that the butcher up the road had shot him. We never knew for sure, but there was a skinned rabbit in the shop window the next day, which caused great distress. My parents quickly substituted Bobby with a new rescue rabbit. She was a loving bunny who, sadly, was attacked by a rat and never recovered. I vowed never to have a rabbit again.

But once a Bunny Girl, it was hard to switch off, and in 2013, after a huge gap allowing for marriage and children, I rescued another rabbit. His name was Frosty, and he came from Waggy Tails Rescue in Dorset. I did loads of research, and this resulted in me rehoming another bunny, Pip, because I discovered rabbits are gregarious and need company. Neutering/spaying is important if you don’t want to get overrun.

Frosty was a sprightly eight-month-old and Pip was four years his senior, so considerably more mature than her toy boy. Even so, they became inseparable and would mirror each other when in their large run. They loved creating burrows together, taking it in turns to dig and push out the soil.

I won’t pretend rabbits are cheap to keep, because they need a hutch, a run to stretch their legs, plenty of hay, straw, sawdust and of course a balanced diet. They live for around 10 years in captivity.

Pip passed away in 2021 and not long afterwards, Frosty joined her. Although I missed them hugely, the time had come for common sense to prevail. My bunny days were over. At the age of 65, I couldn’t see myself cleaning out a twitchy nosed friend into my mid 70s.

So if you’re thinking of becoming a Bunny Girl or Bunny Boy, do take into account a rabbit’s long lifespan (rats and shotguns excluded). They make wonderful pets provided you can devote the love, time and energy to them.

You can rescue a neutered/spayed rabbit at www.waggytails.org.uk.

Dorset horse owners, can you rehome a pony?

If you need a companion pony for your horse or are thinking of owning a horse or pony in the future, then you could help a Devon-based equine charity.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary based at Newton Abbot announced it was at full capacity in February and is looking to rehome around 50 non-ridden ponies this year.

By rehoming a pony, you will open a space at the sanctuary and extend a lifeline to another equine.

Head of Sanctuary Care Sally Burton said: “There are many horses and ponies in critical need of our help, but until we have the land and resources to care for them responsibly, we simply can’t bring all of them in. This highlights the urgent need for equine carers to rehome ponies on loan with our team’s support and advice.”

While the sanctuary’s ridden horses and those in training tend to be more popular, the importance of companion ponies shouldn’t be overlooked.

“As herd animals, all equines require companionship to thrive. In the wild, their natural instinct is to live in groups, and this social behaviour is crucial for their safety and physical and emotional wellbeing. The absence of a companion can lead to stress, loneliness, and challenging behaviours,” added Burton.

Gillian Gratton, the sanctuary’s welfare and rehoming coordinator, said: “Our Sanctuary at Home scheme gives ponies the chance to live in a home environment where they can get the one-to-one care they need, while still being supported and retaining life-long sanctuary with us.”

Carers can keep a pony for as long as they choose, with low or no rehoming fees, no registration costs and potential help with veterinary costs for some conditions. Carers also receive unlimited free access to advice and support, with training and care from the charity’s experts.

Gratton said: “By rehoming a pony, our carers are directly supporting the sanctuary’s mission and allowing us to rescue more horses and ponies in serious welfare situations.”  For more information on the Sanctuary at Home scheme and the equines available, visit mareandfoal.org/rehoming/#horses.

Frosty (left) and Pip in their run ©CatchBox

Blisland Boo Boo is looking for a caring home as a companion pony

Rare species found in New Forest

A total of 36 rare species were identified in the New Forest during surveys undertaken by Wild New Forest last year as part of the Species Survival Fund.

The surveys were completed at 10 sites, mostly around the northern and southern fringes of the New Forest National Park.

“In total, about 860 species were recorded during the surveys, including 370 animals, 265 plants, and 225 fungi,” said Prof Russell Wynn, director of Wild New Forest.

“This might sound like a lot of species, but it only represents about five per cent of the total number of animal, plant, and fungi species estimated to occur in the New Forest, which is recognised as an international biodiversity hotspot.

“Encouragingly, there were 150 records of 36 priority species that are classified as nationally rare or scarce. Many of these

are relatively familiar and widespread here in the New Forest, such as goshawk, raft spider, and wood cricket.

“There were some surprising discoveries, including a new species of fungus for Hampshire, a new pine marten hotspot revealed using trail cameras, and a pond full of Hampshire purslane – a nationally rare aquatic plant that is almost wholly restricted to the New Forest.”

Your views needed before 20 April

Concerned about wildfires and unauthorised beach camping at Studland, Dorset Council is proposing two new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) – with people being asked their views.

The PSPO on open land would control the lighting of fires particularly in areas of open heathland. It addresses issues of anti-social behaviour related to starting fires in grass, heathland, and forest areas.

The order includes provisions against placing, throwing, or dropping items likely to cause a fire, lighting fires, barbeques (including disposable ones), Chinese lanterns, fireworks, or using items that cause a naked flame or pose a fire risk.

The Dorset Beach PSPO would extend the control on camping on Studland Beach. This measure is in response to issues of ‘wild camping’ on Dorset beaches, which have led to increased nuisance complaints, property damage, rubbish accumulation, human waste, and destruction of natural habitats.

The current orders, covering other locations in the Dorset Council area, are set to expire in June this year and are likely to be

extended for another three years.

The consultation closes on Sunday 20 April.

To share your views, Dorset Open Land (2) PSPO consultation can be found at consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/c-e/olpspo and Dorset Beaches [Studland] PSPO consultation can be found at consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/c-e/studland.

The council is concerned about ‘wild camping’ on places like Knoll Beach

The raft spider is rare in the UK but is widespread in the New Forest

Creative Happiness Club celebrates first anniversary

Report and photos by Eleanor Green

An arts and crafts group in Ferndown has been helping members have more fun and make new friends for the past 12 months

Looking back over last year, my most memorable achievement, the one that stands out the most, is certainly setting up my very own arts and crafts club.

March 2024 was the launch of the Creative Happiness Club. For some time, I had wanted to develop a social group based on arts and crafts. I envisaged a weekly club that was free of charge, available to everyone, of any gender and ability, and it had to be in a safe, inviting environment.

For many years, people had been offloading their unwanted arts supplies to me, and I knew I could put them to good use.

I spent time searching for an appropriate venue in the Ferndown area. It had to be free, safe and welcoming. I approached the local library, community centre, church — everywhere I could think of.

Just when I thought it was never going to happen, Kings Park Care Home welcomed my newly formed Creative Happiness Club.

When I started the group, I hadn’t realised just how much our weekly sessions would improve people’s lives in many ways. I’m so pleased that I persisted with my idea, and I look back now with a happy heart.

Members of the club have taken on a wide range of projects, from making lavender bags and pin cushions, to paper mache tealight holders, quilling, paper folding and decoupage.

Christmas time meant card making, wrapping paper printing, and knitting small stuffed snowmen and mini-Christmas jumpers, just to name a few of the club’s creations.

Aside from crafting, we often have short, light-hearted talks and musical interludes. Some members are happy to just sit and have a friendly chat, tackle a word search, or do some colouring. All equipment is provided free of charge, alongside refreshments at around 3pm.

In March 2025, the club celebrates its first anniversary, and we will definitely mark the occasion with something memorable.

The future looks bright. The club is still evolving with new projects intended to put a smile on everyone’s face. This year, I intend to organise occasional lunches out, and we have started a monthly visit to a local pub.

On our first visit to The White Heather in Ringwood Road, Ferndown, the pub was very

inviting and made everyone feel welcome.

The singalong and pub games were enjoyed by our group of 10 fun-loving ladies, and some of whom got to exercise with a shimmy and a shake to the lively music. We all went home with a contented feeling and looking forward to the next pub outing!

The Creative Happiness Club meets Monday afternoons (except bank holidays) from 2pm to 4pm at Kings Park Care Home, 14 Church Road, Ferndown and at The White Heather every second Monday of the month. For more information, contact Eleanor via green.eleanor2@gmail.com.

Members of the Creative Happiness Club working on crafts and art projects

Challenge yourself on the Jurassic Coast in May

-Advertisement feature-

Ready for an unforgettable adventure?

Walk, jog, or run the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge along a spectacular World Heritage coastline on 17–18 May. Whether you’re an experienced runner, an occasional jogger, a seasoned trekker, or just enjoy walking — there’s a challenge for you.

The organisers of the Ultra Challenge will provide support and hospitality — with marquee rest stops, lots of food and drink, support teams, and a lively welcoming atmosphere — to ensure you have everything you need to push yourself further.

There are starting points in Corfe Castle and Weymouth, with distance options of 25km, 50km, 75km and a full 100km featuring 2,300 metres of climb — and all with stunning views. There is a new Weymouth marathon route, and a family-friendly 10K in Bridport.

Sign up and ‘do it’ for yourself — or support a charity of your choice; this event is part of the ‘Ultra Challenge Series’, which raised over

£10m for 600 charities in 2024. Whatever distance you choose, and however you take it on, there will be a finisher medal and t-shirt, a glass of fizz, a well-earned meal, and an amazing sense of achievement. Join the Ultra Challenge and do something special in 2025.

For details, visit www.ultrachallenge.com.

Book your beach hut now

The weather is gradually warming up, so now is the time to book a beach hut for the coming year as they are available on the stretch of coastline from Sandbanks to Southbourne.

One-week hires are now available at beaches in Bournemouth and Poole for the first time in five years. Beach hut users will now have even greater flexibility when hiring a hut for short-term use – with the ability to book multiple huts for various durations.

All the prices can be viewed on BCP Council’s online booking system.

Customers without internet access will still be able to call the Resort Information Team and book by phone.

People can now also take advantage of same day bookings – these will be offered as walk-ins on a first come, first served basis in selected locations and will not be bookable online. You can only hire a daily hut in person at the Tourist Information Centre at Bournemouth Pier Approach.

For more details and to secure your spot, visit our online booking system. If you need help with booking over the phone, call the Resort Information Team on 01202 123 800.

Rural farming show confirms 2025 dates

A popular agriculture show has announced when it will take place this summer.

The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, an annual celebration of rural life, will be held once again on 13 and 14 August at the Turnpike Showground in Motcombe.

Visitors can expect to

see attractions including livestock parades, agricultural and countryside exhibits, equestrian events, vintage vehicles and steam engines, live bands, a funfair and more.

Last year’s event featured a Shetland pony race, trained camels and a livestock competition.

Organiser Cat Harris said: “Last year, the racing camels were a huge hit, and we will soon be revealing the exciting line-up for 2025. Watch this space to find out what animals may be coming to the Turnpike Showground this year.”

The show raises funds for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury

Agricultural Society to help support farming and the countryside.

Tickets are on sale now. Visit gillinghamandshaftesburyshow. co.uk for details.

REVIEW Worst Wedding Ever Wimborne Drama Productions, Tivoli Theatre

By Marilyn Barber

I fear I am going to run out of superlatives about this production as it was so good.

I’ve said it before about Wimborne Drama Productions, and I will say it again, this is amateur theatre

at its very, very best.

Written by Chris Chibnall, who penned so many TV hits including ‘Broadchurch’, the play tells the story of parents whose idea of a perfect wedding is not the same as

that of the bride and groom.

Huge accolades go to this stunning cast, who all deserve a big round of applause.

Tracie Billington-Beardsley has so many different characters under her belt, and she was just perfect as the interfering mother-in-law Liz who wanted a perfect wedding for her daughter. She injected not just humour into the part, but pathos as her backstory was revealed.

The company will miss Rob Cording-Cook, as he is moving from the area. He put so much humour into the part of the groom Scott, teaming so well with Jo Eva Edington as Rachel, the bride-to-be.

It was good to see Gary Paine in a major role as the bride’s father Mel, as he proved how adept he is at comedy.

Michelle Barter was hilarious as the bride’s sister Alison, whilst

David Beddard-Banks had fun as the quirky vicar Graham. Calum Hearne is a good character actor, and he shone as the feckless brother of the groom. Band members and neighbours were played by Kira Bradford and Suzanne Viney. And last, but by no means least, Tony Feltham, who has been with the company for many years, absolutely nailed it as Mike, Alison’s ex. Tony certainly added to the play’s wow factor: not only did he act, he came on at various points in the story to deliver an appropriate song, adding so much to the fun and mayhem.

Director Tracey Nicholls has every right to be proud of this production.

From 22–24 May, Wimborne Drama Productions are staging ‘Calendar Girls’. You won’t want to miss that.

Gary Paine, left, and Rob Cording-Cook

Sheep handlers as young as five showed off their flock at the livestock competition last year

Free street art exhibition to showcase best of graffiti

An art exhibition showcasing the best of street art, graffiti, and pop art is coming to Bournemouth in late March.

Organised by a group of street artists called The Raw Wall Collective, the two-day exhibition will bring together a collection of work from local and UK-wide artists.

There will be an event to meet the artists on Saturday 29 March between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Then on Sunday 30 March there will be a public viewing from 11am to 4pm.

The exhibition’s curators said: “We want to make art accessible to everyone. This exhibition is a celebration of colour, creativity, and the boldness that defines street art.

“We’re excited to bring something different to Bournemouth and give the public a chance to connect with art in a meaningful way.”

The free exhibition will be held on the first floor of The Avenue shopping centre in Bournemouth.

Film awards night this April

An awards night to celebrate creativity and storytelling is being held at the Allendale Community Centre at 6.30pm on Friday 4 April.

Film Expo South’s Short Film Script Competition Awards Night will be a fun-filled evening with music, awards, talks, a film screening, and networking opportunities with professional cast and crew.

This year, the competition – which was founded by Gillian Tully in 2015 – saw an increase of 50 per cent of scripts with entries coming from as far away as Canada and the

REVIEW Inspector Bumble

Broadstone Players Theatre Company, Broadstone Memorial Hall

By Marilyn Barber

As the name suggests, this particular police officer was inept. From tripping over the body of the murder victim, Lord Mason, to shooting the family dog, Inspector Bumble (Jeremy Mills) just never seemed to get things right.

So much so, that his boss Chief Supt Regan (Patrick Dardenne) appointed his subordinate DS Fox (Helen Kuster) to be the officer in charge of the case.

This was the world premiere of this light-hearted play written and co-directed by Malcolm Miller – the other director was Mar Godfrey.

Four people are living in the mansion, plus Tania the maid (Kerri Widley).

Denise King put in a spirited performance as the ‘grieving’

widow Lady Mason, whilst Lesley James was suitably flirtatious as Christine Rice Davies.

Chris Kemp kept his cards close to his chest as Sir Henry Snape, the family solicitor, as did Andrew Murton as his colleague Julian Potter.

It was clear all the actors and the production team had put a lot of work into this production and well done to them. However, for me it didn’t fulfil the promise of being ‘hilarious’.

The play got a good reception from the audience, but I must admit that for me it wasn’t one of this company’s best productions – but we all have different senses of humour.

The Players’ next production will be ‘The Devil at Midnight’ which was written by Brian Clemens who created

US as well as the many UK entries. The aim is to film four of these winning scripts.

Organisers are still looking for sponsors to help support the winning scriptwriters move into production.

For more information, please contact the team at info@dorsetfilmoffice.com.

Tickets for the event are available from theallendale. org/what-s-on.

‘The Avengers’ and ‘The Professionals’. It runs from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 May, and it has been labelled as ‘unsuitable for children’.

Britain’s Got Talent winner coming to Ringwood

Sydnie Christmas was the sensational winner of ‘Britain’s Got Talent 2024’, where she was able to win over the notoriously tough judge, Simon Cowell, who declared: “That was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. 11 out of 10.” And as part of her 2025 tour, she will be performing at The Barn in Ringwood on Sunday 12 October.

Following her victory on the show, Sydnie released her debut album ‘My Way’, which reached number one on iTunes in both the UK and US.

After performing for King

Charles at the Royal Variety Performance last year, Sydnie embarked on her debut solo headline tour, performing at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues. Now she’s following that with a set of dates around England, Scotland and Wales, including a visit to Ringwood.

Sam Coombes, venue

manager at The Barn, said: “We are so excited to bring such a well-loved star to our stage. Sydnie has become a huge household name in such a short space of time, and with meet and greet tickets available, we are so proud to be welcoming her to Ringwood.”

Visit thebarnringwood. co.uk to book.

Museum scoops silver award

The town of Wimborne Minster should be extra proud of its award-winning museum.

The Museum of East Dorset won silver in the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ category at this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards held in February.

The museum was applauded for its access improvements which now include a British Sign Language video tour, braille books and a variety of disability aids which are free for visitors to borrow.

The museum team has worked closely with

Dorset Blind Association to ensure the premises and displays are as accessible as possible to all with impairments and disabilities.

Museum Director Francesca Hollow said: “This is a great accolade for our small team who all work so hard to offer a fantastic visitor experience to visitors of all abilities.

“The feedback we received from an independent appraisal is so valuable and we’ll be making further improvements throughout this year based on the report recommendations.”

Museum of East Dorset curator Rob Gray, centre, picked up the award

Events

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

15, 22, and 29 March 10am

Junior Chess Club for ages six to 14 years at Ferndown Library. Visit ferndownjuniorchess.co.uk or email graham7morris@gmail.com.

17 March 9.50am for 10am

Wimborne Minster WI meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Lewens Lane. Call Jill Haywood on 01202 888194.

18 March 8pm

Wimborne Civic Society meets at the Allendale Centre, Wimborne.

19 March 7pm

Auction of promises at Wimborne Town Hall to benefit the mayor’s charities.

19 March 7pm

The Fireside Theatre present ‘Trap for a Lonely Man’ at 3 Crescent Road, Verwood. Call 01202 813565 to book.

22 March 9am–3pm

Plant sale, raffle and spring fayre at Cherry Tree Nursery.

22 March 10am–5pm and 23 March 10am–4pm

Wimborne Railway Society’s golden jubilee exhibition at the Allendale Centre. Admission: adults £8, family £10.

22 March 2pm

Freedom of Wimborne Minster to be conferred on 280 (NATO) Signal Squadron in the Square.

23 March 11am

Guided walk around Wimborne town, starting from the Square and lasting approximately one hour.

25 March 11am–12.30pm Spring-themed Messy Church in the Wimborne Minster.

25 March 6pm–8pm

Diverse Abilities Modern Calligraphy Workshop at Patch Bournemouth, 1st Floor Bobby’s, Bournemouth. Visit diverseabilities. org.uk/events to book.

27 March 6pm for 7pm start

Charity Quiz Night in support of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation at the Barrington Centre, Ferndown.

29 March 10am-4pm

South West Really Useful Family History Show at Kinson Community Centre, BH10 7LH.

29 March 12noon–4pm

Wimborne Gardening Club spring show at the Allendale Centre.

29 March 1.30pm

West Moors Horticultural Society spring show at the Memorial Hall. Contact Sue Hamlett on 01202 871536.

29 March 7.30pm

Verwood Rotary’s annual Big Band Dance with Swing Unlimited at Verwood Memorial Hall. Tickets £13 on the door or call 01202 824005. Proceeds go to charity.

29 March 7.30pm

Wimborne Choral Society presents Brahms German Requiem at Wimborne Minster church. Tickets from Square Records, from 07802 589662 or on the door.

31 March 7.30pm

Orchestra to play at St Aldhelm’s Church in Branksome. Tickets from staldhelmsorchestra.co.uk.

Throughout April

Discover Wimborne – a month of activities.

2, 9,16, 21 and 23 April 2pm–5pm

Edmondsham House, BH21 5RE, open under National Gardens Scheme.

2 April 7pm

The Fireside Theatre present an evening of two one-act plays at 2 Strathmore Drive, Verwood. Call 01202 976532 to book.

3 April 7.30pm

Ferndown & District Historical Society meets at The Barrington Centre.

3 April 7.30pm

Verwood and District Horticultural Society meets at Verwood Memorial Hall. Visit verwoodhorticulturalsociety.co.uk or call Ollie on 07508 577114.

4 April 10am–3pm

Poole Leisure Painters meets at Lighthouse Poole.

5 April 2pm–4pm

Ferndown Arthritis and Friendship Club meets at Ferndown Plus Day Centre. Call for more info 03303 112793.

7 April 10.30am–11.30am

Reading Friends meet at Wimborne Library.

7 April 7.30pm

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

9 April 6.30pm–9pm

Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club meet downstairs in Kinson Community Centre. Details on bournemouthjazzclub.org.

9 April 7pm for 7.30pm

Canford and Merley WI meets at Merley Community Centre, Harrier Drive. For details, call Hazel on 07780 705702.

10 April 7pm

West Moors Town Council annual town meeting at St Anthony’s Church, Pinehurst Road.

11–13 April

Sherborne Travel Writing Festival.

12 April 10.30am–4.30pm

Fordingbridge Rotary’s eighth annual model railway exhibition at Avonway Community Centre. Tickets: adults £7, children over six £1. Proceeds go to charity.

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

Knit a Forget-Me-Not for dementia campaign

If you enjoy knitting, here is your chance to put your skills to good use.

The Museum of East Dorset is supporting Dementia Action Week which takes place on 19–25 May with a Forget-Me-Not campaign.

The museum in Wimborne would love crocheters and knitters to grab their needles and knit some woollen ForgetMe-Not flowers, which are the symbol of the campaign run by the Alzheimer’s Society. They are designed to create a moment each year when everyone comes together to honour and remember people affected by dementia.

The patterns are free and available from the museum’s reception desk, as well as free blue and yellow wool.

The Forget-Me-Nots will be displayed in the museum to support the campaign and highlight the many dementiafriendly programmes the

museum offers to the wider community, including an outreach project where museum artefacts and objects are used to help bring memories to life for elderly people and especially those living with dementia.

The museum also provides dementia-friendly crockery for visitors to its garden café, as well as accessory aids including fidget toys to help calm dementia sufferers.

For information of dementiafriendly activities at the museum, visit museumofeastdorset.co.uk.

Air fryer warning

A kitchen gadget cleaning trick from social media led to a fire in Bournemouth, according to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Don’t believe everything you see on TikTok is the message from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to the owners of air fryers after a fire in Bournemouth.

The fire service is issuing the warning to people who want to clean their air fryers following a property fire in Bournemouth on Saturday 15 February. Multiple engines were mobilised after the activation of the fire alarms caused by the popular kitchen appliance catching alight.

On arrival, the crews discovered there had been a fire in a kitchen on the first floor of the building, which fortunately had already been extinguished by the sprinkler system.

Safe & Well manager Sarah Moore said “We understand the cause of the fire was from an air fryer. The occupier had previously cleaned the appliance after seeing a ‘cleaning hack’ on TikTok which resulted in the appliance sparking and catching alight.

“Air fryers are a great way to

cook in an energy-efficient way but, like all appliances, care should be taken to use them safely. The manufacturer’s advice for cleaning and maintenance should always be followed to reduce the risk of a fire.”

Top safety tips when using an air fryer:

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Always unplug your air fryer when it’s not in use. That way, it can’t be switched on accidentally.

• There are internal and external components of the air fryer that get really hot during cooking. Protect yourself by using oven gloves when handling the appliance and protect your worktop by placing hot baskets and lids onto a trivet or heat-safe board or mat.

• Don’t cook in a non-ventilated area or under over-counter cupboards. Pull the air fryer away from the wall and open windows if you don’t have an extraction fan.

• Don’t let the air fryer’s hot air ventilation openings blow into electrical outlets. You need to leave space around the air fryer for the vent to circulate. For more advice of cooking safety, visit dwfire.org.uk/kitchen-safety.

Air fryers can be a great way to cook but be careful when handling hot components © Quiet Mark

Quick bathroom fixes

Bathroom refurbishments are a big investment. Instead, making a few small upgrades can make a massive difference, without the hassle and expense of a full renovation.

Lynette Pym, co-founder of Black By Design, said: “Bathrooms should be a haven, but sometimes, they need a little help to feel that way.”

Bath bridge

Bath bridges provide a simple, practical storage solution for

your bathroom. Placing one across your bathtub lets you keep your essentials within reach, as well as somewhere to place your book or drink while having a relaxing soak.

Pym said: “A bath bridge is such an easy way to maximise storage in the bathroom. It’s really simple, requires no installation and can be repurposed as the perfect resting place for a glass of wine and a candle when you want an indulgent bath.”

Tallboy drawers

If your bathroom lacks storage, a tall, thin chest of drawers or cabinet called a tallboy could be the solution. The Cosmos Tallboy offers two height-adjustable shelves and is topped with a lipped-edge tray for further storage.

Pym said: “This tallboy is a fantastic way to clear cluttered spaces and bring serenity to the bathroom.”

Wall hooks

Consider adding a hook rail to one of the walls or the back of the bathroom door.

Pym added: “Hooks are such a simple addition to the bathroom and offer more than a place to simply hang your towels and dressing gowns. Use them to store toiletry bags and storage baskets.”

When looking for designs, using wooden furniture and accessories will instantly add a relaxing, Scandinavian feel to

the space, according to Pym. However, the humidity inside a bathroom can wreak havoc on anything wooden, so make sure to look for pieces that are designed to be water resistant to ensure they look great for longer.

Natural oak bath bridge from Black By Design, £75

The Cosmos Tallboy from Black By Design, £362.50

Car tax rising

Electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from paying car tax

Vehicle excise duty, or car tax, is getting more expensive in April, especially for drivers of electric vehicles (EVs), lowemission cars and new motors.

From 1 April, EVs will no longer be exempt from

paying car tax. EVs registered between April 2017 and March 2025 previously paid nothing, but after 1 April they will have to pay the same rate of road tax as all other motorists – which is increasing £5 to £195 a year.

First-year car tax rates are increasing across the broad.

Brand-new EVs registered after 1 April will only pay a first-year rate of £10 until 2029, though they previously paid nothing.

Low-emission cars, such as plug-in hybrids, used to pay low rates of car tax in their first year depending on their emissions, but these are rising steeply: cars in the 1–50g/km band will pay £110 (previously £10), while those in the 51–75g/km band will pay £130 (up from £30). Rates for new engines that produce more

than 76g/km of emissions will double in their first year. Electric vans will now have to pay £355 road tax each year – the same rate as petrol and diesel light goods vehicles.

Luxury vehicles

New EVs worth £40,000 or more will also be liable to pay the ‘expensive car supplement’ (sometimes referred to as the luxury car tax) from the second to the sixth year the car is registered on the road. This tax is rising to £425 a year from £410 previously.

Older cars registered before March 2017 are sorted into emissions-based bands for road tax. The biggest change to these tax bands is that cars with CO2 emissions of 0–100g/km will now pay

£20 per year (previously, it was free). The rest of the bands increase by between £5 and £25 or stay the same. Act quickly to save money You can renew your road tax at any time, so it may be worth working out if it is cheaper to renew before 1 April when you will be subject to the new rates. This is most valuable for electric car owners. If you renew the tax on your EV car before that date, you will do so at the old rate of zero pounds for another 12 months, saving you £195.

To do so, go to gov.uk/vehicletax and start the online process using your number plate and 11-digit reference number on your V5C log book.

Drivers of new cars and electric vehicles will see their tax bills rise in April

NEWS IN BRIEF

Booking agent needed

West Moors Memorial Hall are looking for a booking agent for people and organisations who wish to hire the hall. Duties include managing the booking calendar and dealing with enquiries. Ability to use a computer-based booking system is required. For further information, email treasurer@westmoorshall.org or secretary@ westmoorshall.org.

Devolution programme

Hampshire County Council has been accepted to participate in the Devolution Priority Programme. The government has formally invited New Forest District Council to work with other councils in Hampshire and the Solent to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation.

Solutions puzzle zone

Police target shoplifters

The Ringwood Neighbourhood Policing team is targeting shoplifting in the town.

At the recent town council meeting, Sergeant Chris Pell said that the team is working hard to be more efficient and bring offenders to justice, such as by using facial recognition technology.

He presented a new graph which showed a four per cent increase in shoplifting on the same period last year.

He also summarised several successes that had been achieved, including: the team located a stolen vehicle and sent it to be forensically examined; stopped and searched a male known to shoplift after he appeared to evade police; carried out speed watch on Gorley Rd and Hightown Hill after requests were made by local residents; located a high-value electric mountain bike hidden in

woodland that had been reported stolen from a burglary in Dorset; carried out high visibility patrols in The Furlong shopping centre to tackle ongoing antisocial behaviour issues; and issued a community resolution to a young person for shoplifting with a condition to engage with youth services.

In response to questions, Sergeant Pell explained: the procedures for first-time offenders; community protection warnings and notices; and gathering of evidence and information.

He encouraged residents to report any antisocial or threatening behaviour they may be experiencing via 101 or online.

Council members said they were pleased with the increase in police presence of late, both physically and online, and the improved communication.

Pulford Publicity Ltd (“the Publisher”) reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertisement without notice or explanation.

Whilst the Publisher will endeavour to represent the best interests of the client in undertaking client’s instructions, it is fully understood that it is the agreed responsibility of the client to supply Viewpoint accurate copy details of the advertisement(s) to be placed and any alterations to the copy must be received prior to copy date.

Guarantee of insertion cannot be given and the Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement or by the total or partial failure, however caused, of publication or distribution of Viewpoint. In no case shall the total liability of the Publisher for any misprint, error or omission exceed the price charged by the Publisher for that advertisement. The Publisher shall not be liable for any damage or loss save as stated and, in particular, the Publisher shall have no liability to the Advertiser in any circumstances for any claim for damages to, loss of, or costs in respect of any anticipated profits, revenues, business opportunities or for any other indirect or consequential loss.

CORRESPONDENCE

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

Roadworks!

Absolute knowledge, have I none

But my auntie’s sister’s youngest son

Who works in the supermarket, selling meat

Heard a shopper on the street

Who had a letter, just last week

Written in the finest Greek

From a Chinese tourist in Timbuktu

Who said a friend in Cuba knew

Of a businessman in a Texas town

Who heard it straight from a circus clown

That a man in Verwood heard the news

From a churchgoer seated in the pews

About a chap in Borneo

Who’d heard a man who claimed to know

Of a Saudi Arabian high-born sheikh

Whose mother-in-law will undertake

To prove that her seventh husband’s sister’s niece

Has stated, in a printed piece

That she has a son who has a friend

Who knows when the roadworks in Ferndown will end.

Derek Hart Ferndown

Re: Campaign calls for 20mph speed limit across Dorset

I must agree with the previous correspondent regarding 20mph speed limits in Dorset. Surely accident statistics cannot justify such a scheme. At a time when councils are facing bankruptcy, our infrastructure is crumbling due to lack of maintenance, roads and pavements deteriorating and unswept with litter and weeds, road signs neglected and missing, let alone the funds needed for social care, SEND, etc., our councillors should not at this point wish to waste precious council taxes on another needless idea.

I do disagree though with more cycleways. The bicycle became redundant as it is an impractical form of transport. We have wasted a stupendous amount of money on unconnected cycle lanes, and we can all see the evidence of their lack of use. Bike sales have fallen, the shops are closing, and thankfully the heaps of Beryl rental bikes are being removed.

Please voice your opposition to your local councillors, and when there are any elections, please vote for candidates that are prepared to consult and listen to the electorate and will only concentrate on essential public services.

Michael Cable, via email

Claims for any error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement must be made within 10 days of publication to the Administration Department.

Advertisers are requested to check their advertisements after the first insertion. The Publisher will not be responsible for any errors on subsequent insertions, which have not been advised to them.

Cancellation of an advertisement must be advised in writing 21 days prior to copy date.

Unless agreed otherwise in writing by the Publisher the terms of payment for credit accounts are 10 days from date of invoice. Any discount, which the Publisher may have agreed with the advertiser will be forfeited in the event of failure by the advertiser to meet these credit terms. All rates quoted are subject to VAT at the current rate in force at the time the advertisement appears. Copyright of advertisements produced wholly by the Publisher belongs to the Publisher. Advertisers may not reproduce such advertisments without the Publisher’s written consent. Full details of copy dates are obtainable direct from Viewpoint and/or its representatives. The placing of an order for an advertisment shall amount to acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

Win a free book

Have you got your holiday booked? Is there space in your luggage for something to make you chuckle whilst you’re relaxing on the beach?

Well, here’s a prize that will hit the spot.

Bestselling author of romantic comedies, Della Galton, in conjunction with Viewpoint Magazine, is giving away a signed copy of her latest novel ‘Summer Secrets at Duck Pond Cottage’, which was released in February.

Jade and Finn both have trust issues and they’ve promised there’ll be no more secrets. But keeping promises is harder than either of them imagined, especially where Finn’s past is concerned.

Living with Mr Spock the potty-mouthed parrot and Mickey the dog who barks at TV baddies, there’s never a dull moment at Duck Pond Rescue. But will the humans get their ‘happy-ever-after’ too?

Can love conquer all? Find out in ‘Summer Secrets at Duck Pond Cottage’.

For your chance to win a signed copy of this perfect summer read by a local author, answer the following question: What is the name of the potty-mouthed parrot?

Enter online at www.dorsetview.co.uk or via a postcard to the address on page 3. Closing date is Wednesday 30 April 2025. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd are not permitted to enter. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final. Personal details will be stored securely and will only be processed to determine the winner. The winner will be announced in the magazine. The winner’s name and address will be passed on to the book’s publisher for the purpose of delivering the prize.

Chance to win a summer read by bestselling local author Della Galton Godshill author raises £4,200 for charity

An author from Godshill in the New Forest has raised over £4,000 for charity in just a few months after releasing a book – with a copy of the book being requested by Princess Catherine.

In 2018, Ann Blake was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy –a genetic condition that weakens the muscles. To help her live life to the fullest, she acquired an assistance dog called Snoopy.

She created the book, ‘A Legacy of Love’, during lockdown. It is a collection of artistic images and words, with contributions from artists all over the world, including musician Jools Holland and his former bandmate Gilson Lavis.

Blake said: “I had a dream about putting an inspirational book together, with all the proceeds going to two charities. British sculptor Nic Fiddian Green donated the painting for the front cover, plus 54 other artists including Jools Holland, Karen Attenborough and Gilson Lavis [contributed].”

Sales of the book go to support Dog Aid UK, who train assistance dogs for disabled people, and Muscular Dystrophy UK.

To buy a copy and support the charities, visit alegacyoflove.co.uk. Copies cost £25.