Viewpoint April 2019

Established Over 35 Years Mid Apr 2019

Your Independent Local Magazine

VIEWPOINT

Volume 43, Issue 6

VERWOOD RINGWOOD FORDINGBRIDGE WEST MOORS WIMBORNE FERNDOWN ASHLEY HEATH ST IVES, ALDERHOLT

Plastic free champions

take one it’s

Luke and Louise at The Flying Teapot Stuart Fleetham, Xerocad

Three more businesses in Ferndown have become plastic free champions, bringing the total to nine. West Moors is now looking into joining the plastic free campaign. Turn to page 27 to find out more.

ISSN 2397-7183 (print) ISSN 2397-7191 (online)

Free

INSIDE THIS ISSUE : • DORSET COUN CIL GOES LIVE • AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR VERW OOD • EAST DORSET REGALIA HANDED OV ER COMPETITIONS • 2X TICKETS TO LIB ERTY’S, RINGWOO D • 2X TICKETS TO BE AULIEU

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

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VIEWPOINT

Volume 43 • Issue 6 • April 2019

Happy Easter – and don’t forget to vote in May I always think of April as a month of promise. It starts on a humorous note with 1 April spoofs – this year I particularly liked the story of the cat flap being installed in the front door of Number 10. However in 2019 there is a quiver of uncertainty and I don’t mean just Brexit.

I’m talking local elections – parish, town and county which take place on 2 May. There will be a reduction in the number of councillors from 204 to 82 on the new Dorset Council, which means April will be the last hurrah for a number of existing councillors.

Local seats include two for Colehill and Wimborne East, two for Corfe Mullen, one for Cranborne and Alderholt, two for both Ferndown North and South, two for St Leonards and St Ives, three for Verwood, two for West Moors and Three Legged Cross, one for West Parley and two for Wimborne Minster.

Turnout for the last county elections in 2017 averaged between 35 and 40 per cent, which was less than impressive when compared to that of Wimborne Town Council which was 67.45 per cent.

I have always felt very strongly that everyone should vote.

Without getting too political, The People’s Charter in Victorian times called for the right for men over 21 years to be given a vote, and suffragette Emily Davison gave her life to the cause.

So do take the trouble to turn out on 2 May. And in the meantime, we hope all readers and advertisers have a very happy and fun filled Easter.

Marilyn Barber

MAGS4DORSET Ben Pulford managing director design@mags4dorset.co.uk Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@mags4dorset.co.uk

NEWS DESK 01202 870270 Janine Pulford editor editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@mags4dorset.co.uk Sarah Ali Choudhury contributing editor mags@mags4dorset.co.uk

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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

Picture of the month

LOGISTICS Ian Lory Alexandra O’Neill

I may be young, but I’m an expert in my field ©Russell Harness

How to contact us

Enquiries: 01202 870270 Advertising: 01202 816140 Brightbox Designs: 01202 233441 Email: mags@mags4dorset.co.uk Web: www.mags4dorset.co.uk Twitter: @mags4dorset Facebook: mags4dorset.news Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ

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Copy date

26 APRIL 2019

VIEWPOINT is independently published and distributed free to homes and businesses in selected areas of Dorset and Hampshire. It is also available by subscription at £40 per year. Views or opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT 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 VIEWPOINT and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The company’s privacy policy can be read at www.mags4dorset.co.uk

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Over £18,000 awarded to students at FUS

MAGS4DORSET

Charity of the Year John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation

From cameras to sewing machines and Raspberry Pi(s), John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation presented awards totalling £18,250 to students at Ferndown Upper School who are pursuing their dreams.

Over 40 students were applauded in a morning assembly on 26 March as they collected their awards.

Figure skater Antonia Holloway said she couldn’t thank JTYAF enough for helping her pursue Grade 6, 7 and 8 at Gosport (the nearest ice rink) and for her new skating boots. Another student, Holly, was looking forward to making her own clothes on her sewing machine.

At least a dozen students received awards to take part in the World Challenge overseas adventure and some students asked for awards to help others. Danielle was successful in gaining a grant for T-shirts for the club she was involved with, and Holly achieved support for students who needed help with their reading.

The Raspberry Pi awards were given to a group of students to help them learn computer programming.

Since JTYAF was founded in memory of former FUS student John Thornton RM, who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2008,

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

over £160,000 of the charity’s total awards (£660,000) have been given to FUS students.

A number of dignitaries attended the presentations. Headteacher Philip Jones said the school was very lucky to have such close links with JTYAF and he encouraged on-looking younger students to “see what is achievable.”

Pete Thornton encouraged everyone to “climb as high as your dreams, as John did. You can do anything,” he said.

One of the charity’s biggest events of the year is coming up on 6 May. The Charity Football Match at Wimborne Town FC will see AFC Bournemouth Legends (including Eddie Howe, Steve Fletcher and Matt Holland) take on an Armed Forces XI. For tickets and more information visit www. jtyaf.org. Every ticket purchased will directly support young people from the local area

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Civic regalia become museum pieces East Dorset District Council’s civic regalia are now in safekeeping.

Various items including the chain of office, year books dating back to 1941 when the authority was Wimborne and Cranborne Rural District Council, as well as ties and scarves have been handed over to the Priest’s House Museum.

The items will be added to the Wimborne museum’s collection and could feature in future exhibitions.

With local government reorganisation EDDC has now become part of the new Dorset Council.

Toni Coombs, the last chairman of East Dorset District Council handed over the chain of office to David Morgan, chairman of the trustees of the Priest’s House Museum.

Photo by Marilyn Barber

What an ‘ice’ way to learn about science Pupils at Emmanuel CE Middle School in Verwood have unearthed new discoveries in a fun-packed Science Week.

From a dry ice extravaganza to discovering how model boats can be propelled using the force of washing up liquid, the students got to enjoy a wide range of the sciences.

Executive headteacher, Ron Jenkinson, said, “For Science Week our special theme was designed to take students on a journey of different scientific activities that might not be covered in the curriculum.

“It was wonderful to see so many of our students get involved and show such enthusiasm for science.”

Head of science, Angela Etheridge, planned and ran all the events.

Angela Etheridge conducts live experiments with dry ice

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New in brief

As part of this month’s Discover Wimborne event, 9 On the Green are hosting a charity family day in aid of Wimborne Food Bank on13 April featuring lots of games, crafts and entertainment.

West Moors Horticultural Society is holding a plant sale on Saturday 4 May at 10am in the Memorial Hall, West Moors.

There will be a good selection at competitive prices.

Work to refurbish the skate park at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch has begun with a new skate park set to open in the summer.

Fight against roadside litter continues Thanks to local and national campaigns, people have worked hard recently to clear towns and villages of litter. However, roadside litter is still a major problem.

Now Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) are going to address the issue – but they need your help.

This is the time of year they receive the most complaints about litter on verges and at the roadside. As the vegetation is cut back by both public and private landowners, the litter that has accumulated in bushes, shrubs and long grass becomes an eyesore.

While they clean most busy roads regularly throughout the year, the DWP organise litter picking on the worst affected around late winter/early spring, prioritised according to levels of litter. Last year, similar work in February and March took place at a cost to Dorset tax-payers of around £40,000.

Picking on high-speed roads requires a great deal of planning. The DWP must apply for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) around four to six weeks in advance to ensure they can implement the appropriate safety measures to protect staff.

They typically litter pick at the roadside with teams of up to 12 staff between 9.30am and 3.30pm to avoid peak traffic times – just setting up can take hours.

On some roads such as the A31, they are required to use approved contractors to provide traffic management.

They often litter-pick overnight when

traffic is at a minimum and/or they can close the roads entirely. They also need to get permission from Highways England to work on the road overnight, which can be revoked at late notice if affected by accidents and incidents.

Roads they have recently picked or are planning to pick in the coming weeks include: A338 Bournemouth Spur Road, Christchurch bypass, Stapehill Road, Wimborne, Blandford bypass, A354 – Weymouth Relief Road and B3157 – Granby Way (Chaffey’s Roundabout to Chickerell Camp).

However, some roads become covered in litter again just weeks later, often leading to the assumption that litter picking hasn’t been done.

The DWP is supporting Litter Free Dorset’s ‘Don’t be a TOS53R’ campaign, which has been designed to send a hard-hitting message to drivers and their passengers that our roads are not one giant litter bin and that the owner of a vehicle can be fined up to £100 if rubbish is seen being thrown out of a car window.

Roadside litter can be reported to the Dorset Waste Partnership’s Enforcement Team at https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/ litter You can find out more about Litter Free Dorset’s ‘Don’t be a TOS53R’ campaign at http://www.litterfreedorset.co.uk/ current-projects-and-campaigns/dontbe-a-tos53r/

Dorset Council has gone live The new Dorset Council, which replaces the existing district and borough councils (East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland) and Dorset County Council is now in place.

This reorganisation brings together almost 5,000 employees plus colleagues in education, making over 8,000 in total, who will now serve the 375,000 residents in the Dorset Council area.

The re-organisation includes: • a boundary review for Dorset with new ward boundaries in place for elections on 2 May - moving from 206 councillors to 82 for the Dorset Council area • transferring Christchurch-based services to the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, including social care, libraries, community safety, leisure, housing and registration services • moving to a single financial system for the new council, including payments • harmonised fees and charges across the county for planning, building control and regulatory services • a new constitution for Dorset Council, approved by shadow councillors • a new domain for the website: www.dorsetcouncil. gov.uk and emails (@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk) • new social media handles for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@dorsetcounciluk) The council’s first budget – for financial year 2019-20 – ensures all existing council services continue unchanged and provides an increase in funding to a number of priority areas.

Local elections for the two new councils take place on 2 May. Find out more about Dorset Council www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/about.

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

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Wimborne Rugby Club to have a new home Marilyn Barber

The last ever meeting of East Dorset District Council’s planning committee ended on a high note with Wimborne Rugby Club receiving permission to relocate to a new site – a prospect that was first mooted some 30 years ago.

The full planning application for the erection of a community sports facility comprising a stateof-the-art clubhouse and playing pitches, together with an outline application for 174 new homes on land south of Leigh Road, Wimborne was approved by seven votes to one.

The new ‘Community Sports Facility’ – which is in the green belt – will provide two high quality rugby pitches, a football pitch, parking for 250 cars and a state-of-the-art two-storey clubhouse with balconies for viewing for use by local rugby, football and athletics clubs.

An application for the relocation of Wimborne Football Club will be considered at a future date.

Planners made it clear that the development would not impinge on the

Roman Road.

A total of 49 properties – 28 per cent – will be affordable. This breaks down to 34 as affordable rent and 15 affordable home ownership.

Jane Lynch, head of planning at EDDC pointed out that drainage had been a major issue, but this had been considered and approved. The floodlighting will be very directional.

Speaking on behalf of Wimborne Town Council, Pat Hymers said, “The town council is happy with the way planners have put this together.

However, our one concern is there will only be four three bedroom affordable houses to rent and there is such a long waiting list for people needing this type of accommodation.”

Two members of the planning committee

expressed concern that the application only provided for £443,938 towards expansion of primary, middle and upper school provision in East Dorset.

However, they welcomed the fact that no music or public address system would be permitted to be used in connection with any sporting events.

The application included highways improvements at the junction of Wimborne Road West and the Canford Bottom roundabout with the provision of an additional lane.

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law spot Help to Buy ISAs

Accolade for local bookshop

By Natasha Mallett, Solicitor Residential Conveyancing, Harold G Walker Solicitors The Help to Buy ISA is a scheme offered by the government for first time buyers, whereby you put money into a specific ISA savings account. When you are ready to purchase, the government will top up your savings with a non-repayable bonus. This is a great option for first time buyers as it is in essence free money that you don’t have to pay back when you sell, contrary to the Help to Buy Equity Loan.

There are restrictions as to whether the transaction qualifies for the government bonus, these include but are not limited to: • • • •

•

You must be 16 years of age or over You must be a first time buyer (never having owned a home in the UK or abroad) The property must be your main residence The purchase price of your property must be £250,000 or less (or in London £450,000) You must have a minimum of £1,600 in your ISA account before the government will pay the bonus

•

The bonus can only be used towards the final purchase price, not towards your deposit required on exchange of contracts (usually 10% of the purchase price). If you do not have a full 10% deposit without the bonus we can discuss the options available to you, such as offering a smaller deposit on exchange to the sellers.

The maximum bonus you can claim is £3,000. Therefore if two people are purchasing a property this could mean an additional £6,000.

The government are closing the incentive for new savers from 30 November 2019. If you are interested in opening a Help to Buy ISA you need to do so before this date. Any account open before this date will be able to make use of the bonus scheme until 1 December 2030.

If you have a Help to Buy ISA we will talk you through the process and will request the bonus on your behalf ready for completion.

For further information you can visit www.helptobuy.gov.uk/help-tobuy-isa or contact one of Harold G Walker’s four offices.

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

Gullivers Bookshop in Wimborne has been voted as the best independent bookshop in the south west of England.

The High Street shop is the regional winner in this year’s British Book Awards.

It has been part of the fabric of the town for 50 years and is staffed by three generations of Angel family. It grew sales last year, organised the Wimborne Literary Festival and rescued the town’s independent record shop, Square Records.

The regional winners are now vying for the overall Independent Bookshop of the Year accolade, to be handed out at the British Book Awards ceremony on 13 May. The overall winner receives a cheque from sponsor Gardners.

Town to look sew good A good idea was sewn earlier this year. Wimborne Minster is to be adorned with colourful bunting throughout the summer and the town council has reached out to the community to see if volunteers wanted to come forward to make it happen. Wimborne War on Waste who helped the town to achieve ‘plastic free status’ last year, are keen that volunteers do what they can to upcycle and recycle to avoid having to use any single use plastic.

To find out more, visit the Facebook group Wimborne Minster Bunting.

If you have some spare fabric and time and would like to see a string of your own creation hanging from the streets this year – join the Facebook group.

New green space Wimborne is to have a new recreational space.

Work has begun to convert the agricultural fields at Dogdean as a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), which will be opened in conjunction with the new Wimborne Chase development. The site offers panoramic views over the centre of Wimborne. It will be protected by high quality fencing and will contain over two kilometres of paths.

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Brexit reassurance for businesses Businesses across Dorset can still apply for European Union-funded grants up to the end of 2019 regardless of what happens with Brexit.

The countywide support agency Dorset Growth Hub says EU funding programmes are guaranteed until December as long as application lead-in times are met.

The reassurance comes amid busierthan-usual activity for the Hub. Managers believe one factor in this rising demand could be fears and uncertainty over Brexit.

Data comparing the first and second halves of 2018 shows the number of individuals receiving 12 or more hours of Dorset Growth Hub support grew from 104 to 182, a 75 per cent rise.

FIB will not bloom this year The Ferndown in Bloom Committee will not be holding any competitions in 2019.

Instead, they will take time to consider whether the annual event should be continued in 2020 and if so, in what form.

Despite finding new sponsors last year to join the long-term sponsor Haskins, the number of entries was disappointing. Any suggestions or offers of help will be much appreciated. For further information please contact Linda Voisey on 01202 861508 or email ferndowninbloom@ymail.com

Coastal Marina of the Year Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour has been voted the Coastal Marina of the Year in The Yacht Harbour Association (THYA) awards. The coveted accolade recognises the best of over 160 Gold Anchor accredited marinas around the globe, with boaters voting for their favourite marina. A trophy will be presented on 24 April.

For more information on Dorset Growth Hub call 03454 586 480 or join the discussion on Twitter @dorsetgrowthhub #TalkToTony.

New venue for Vinyl Survivalists As the Priest’s House Museum is undergoing a major development, Vinyl Survivalists have had to find a new venue.

They will be meeting in the Community Learning and Resource Centre in King Street, Wimborne. The next session is on 13 April, 7-11pm. Licensed bar and refreshments. Hosted by DJ Dapper Dan & The Maccassaman, entry is £3.

Wimborne Air Cadets have benefitted from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative and at one of their recent parade nights at their headquarters in Leigh Road, Wimborne, the Squadron was presented with £1000 by Tesco representatives. The money will be used for some much needed upgrades to their flight simulator

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More housing in Poole

Sunseeker co-founder dies

Poole has received an outline planning application for a phased development of up to 695 new homes on land north of Bearwood, Magna Road and Knighton Lane. The development would include a community hub with retail uses and a 60-bed care home.

The scheme would involve full permission for the demolition of 94 Magna Road.

The applicant, WH White Limited has said it intends to provide 40 per cent affordable housing within the development.

A number of objections from local people have already been submitted including increasing traffic congestion and building on the green belt.

A Bearwood resident said, “The application has caused some consternation because the proposals deviate from the Local Plan in a number of ways. Firstly, the developers propose a site which extends northwards of the Stour Valley Way on to the SE Dorset Green Belt. Secondly, local residents were never consulted by the council on the demolition of number 94 Magna Road as an access road and the proposed junction both here and at Knighton Lane/Magna Road give cause for concern about highway safety.”

The application will be decided by the planning committee of the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. This authority will adopt the Plans of the three existing councils until such time as it prepares a new Plan to cover the conurbation.

Entrepreneur and pioneer of the leisure marine industry, Robert Braithwaite, passed away on 7 March 2019. He was 75.

One of the founders of Sunseeker International, he grew the Poole-based company from humble beginnings. It now employs around 2,600 people building yachts and super yachts from 38 to 161 feet. It was eventually sold to Dalian Wanda Group in 2013, allowing managing director, Robert, to take a more ambassadorial role.

During his career, he not only held the position of chairman of the British Marine Federation on three occasions, but was made a Freeman of the City of London by the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and was Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset. He was also awarded an MBE and later a CBE

At Verwood Afternoon TG’s annual meeting members were treated to an afternoon tea after the business was completed. Margaret Wright, pictured left, chairman for the past three years, handed over the role to Denise Pugh.

A presentation was made to Margaret Ware on being a member of TG for over 50 years.

Homes on derelict land could transform towns With considerable housing development taking place, or scheduled to take place, in East Dorset and Poole, the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) has published a report which points out that brownfield sites should be used for the provision of new homes in order to regenerate towns.

The CPRE identified 28 sites in East Dorset which could accommodate 887 new properties and 123 sites in Poole which could accommodate 7,041 homes.

The countryside charity has published a new analysis of councils’ Brownfield Land Registers, which identifies run-down areas that could be redeveloped to prevent the unnecessary loss of precious countryside.

Rebecca Pullinger, planning campaigner at the Campaign to Protect Rural England said, “Building on brownfield land presents a fantastic opportunity to simultaneously remove local eyesores and breathe new life into areas crying out for regeneration. It will help to limit the amount of countryside lost to development, and build more homes in areas where people want to live, with infrastructure, amenities and services already in place.”

In order to make best use of suitable brownfield land, CPRE is urging the government to introduce a genuine ‘brownfield first’ policy, which ensures that suitable previously developed or under-used land is prioritised for redevelopment over green spaces and countryside.

Priest’s House update Although the Priest’s House Museum in Wimborne is now closed for refurbishment and won’t open until spring next year, the adjacent Tourist Information Centre and Garden tea room are open as usual. In addition an education outreach programme is now being offered to schools.

A National Lottery grant of £982,200 has been awarded through the Heritage Lottery Fund to fund improvements. This grant forms part of the museum’s £1.6 million Revival Project.

In June, the TIC will move temporarily into the Hilda Coles Open Learning Centre at the rear of the museum, where it will remain for the duration of the refurbishment.

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

in recognition of his contribution to the marine industry and numerous Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for the wider business.

A generous philanthropist, he donated a vital £3.5m da Vinci robot to Poole Hospital to support advanced keyhole surgery for cancer patients.

Robert Braithwaite’s contribution to the marine industry globally was pivotal. A true visionary, he changed the face of boating forever.

Robert Braithwaite

Man sentenced for controlling and coercive behaviour A man has been sentenced at court and handed a restraining order after admitting controlling and coercive behaviour involving a former partner.

Kirk Rotherham, 29, from Poole, was sentenced for the offence at Bournemouth Crown Court on 22 March.

He had pleaded guilty to the charge on 21 December 2018, a month before he had been due to stand trial after initially entering a not guilty plea.

Rotherham was sentenced to a community order for three years with a requirement to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community, as well as a rehabilitation activity requirement and condition to attend the ‘Building Better Relationships’ accredited scheme.

He was also made subject to a restraining order for an indefinite period preventing contact with his victim.

Rotherham and his victim had been involved in a 12-month relationship and during that period she described him as displaying jealously around her working alongside male colleagues.

He would dictate when she was able to work and socialise and she felt forced to cancel approximately 50 shifts.

When she was called to a meeting in relation to this at work she cited Rotherham as being the main factor in her cancelling so many duties.

The controlling behaviour continued with Rotherham demanding to know where she was and who she was with, and the victim said she continued contact

with him in order to keep him calm and for her own safety.

At times he would demand video calls on the hour, every hour, to verify her whereabouts and her company.

On one occasion the defendant turned up at her university, despite her saying she did not want him to visit.

On a further three occasions he turned up unannounced at her place of work and she would often see his car parked outside her home address.

Having provided her initial statement to police on Wednesday 31 January 2018, the victim returned home and saw the defendant in his car leaving the address. He had also called or texted her 56 times within a period of less than five hours.

Controlling and coercive behaviour was introduced as a criminal offence in December 2015 to close the gap in the law around patterns of controlling or coercive behaviour, which amounts to psychological and emotional abuse, but stops short of physical abuse.

Kirk Rotherham

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Column supplied by Wessex Pensions

Daniel Parkin

What kind of retirement do you want to have?

It’s not uncommon to find that you are asset rich and cash poor when you retire. You’ve worked hard all your life and invested heavily in your home, so why should your lifestyle be limited by your pension now? If stretching out your savings to fund the life you want to live doesn’t sound very satisfying, you’re not alone.

Thousands of homeowners in the UK are now choosing Equity Release to have the retirement that they want to have.

Which magazine claims that UK retirees are receiving as much as £8m per day by tapping into the cash value of their property, without having to move or downsize. A staggering £3bn of housing wealth was freed up through Equity Release in 2017 and that figure is still set to rise.

What would you do with more money?

21,490 people took out new Equity Release plans in the first half of 2018. The most common intentions for using the money were home/garden improvements and holidays.

Whether you’re thinking about buying a new car or converting the loft into an extra bedroom for when the family come to stay, Equity Release could make it happen.

Maybe it’s that dream holiday you’ve always talked about having, or a desire to help children or grandchildren get on the property ladder that’s playing on your mind? Equity Release allows people to make life-changing choices like this every day, empowering them to create the kind of retirement they want to have.

It used to be quite common for people to downsize when they retired, to free up some of their property assets and top up their savings. But if you could do that without moving out of your home, wouldn’t it be so much easier?

Choosing Equity Release can leave you better off than downsizing because it eliminates the expense and the upheaval of moving. You can take the money you release as a lump sum, in several smaller amounts or as a combination of both. The money you release is tax free and you can spend it any way you choose.

For more information about pensions, telephone Daniel Parkin on 07801 432182. Wessex Pensions, 17 Headlands Business Park, Salisbury Road, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3PB

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verwood news

Affordable homes for Verwood Marilyn Barber

D

etails of the first phase of a substantial development for Verwood were agreed at the recent East Dorset District Council planning committee meeting.

Outline approval had already been given for

up to 230 properties on land north and south of Edmondsham Road, but up for discussion was reserved matters for 43 properties proposed for land to the north of the road, of which 35 per cent will be affordable.

Secured through a

Section 106 agreement, £584,271 will go towards the maintenance of the Northern SANG (Suitable Alternative Green Space).

Councillor Robin Cook said, “The layout looks spacious.”

The plan was approved by six votes to one.

Lin from Waypoints Verwood ‘shines’ Lin Purandare, head of care at local dementia care home Waypoints Verwood, has been awarded with a Hidden Hero award from Shine Cancer Support in recognition of her voluntary work with the national charity.

Lin was one of two lucky volunteers to have received the award earlier this year from Shine, which supports young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s with any cancer at any stage.

In Lin’s spare time she runs workshops at the charity’s Great Escape at Bournemouth’s Grove Hotel where attendees can access support, information and counselling over a long weekend stay. The Great Escape’s workshops include help with travel insurance, working, dating, relationships, anxiety, depression, sex and more.

In addition to the Great Escapes, Shine runs support networks

across the UK – including one in Dorset – and runs the UK’s only young adult cancer conference, which is held annually in May in London.

Lin Purandare

Generous donation for Isabel The very generous Verwood Pantomime Society audiences donated £1,250 in after show collections to local charity, Hope for Isabel.

Isabel (3) was born at 25 weeks and after suffering many complications is now severely disabled.

She is totally dependent on her family and several carers from Julia’s House.

The money raised will be used to help make the garden more accessible and to create sensory areas for little Isabel.

Appeal for volunteers Age Concern Verwood urgently requires volunteer drivers for their weekly lunch clubs, a minibus home pick up service and annual outings.

Alexander McKibbin, a trustee for Age Concern says, “We need confident drivers with a full driving licence, who can spare us a few hours.” Appropriate training will be provided.

For more details please contact a.lippitt@ntlworld.com or liz_adey@yahoo.com

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

Ferndown to have another care home

Marilyn Barber

At the last ever meeting of East Dorset District Council’s planning committee permission was granted for the erection of a 73-bedroom care home on land at 403 – 413 Wimborne Road East.

Previous applications for a dementia care home on the site have been turned down for various reasons.

Kevin Poulton, Ferndown and Uddens BID manager expressed concerns about the impact the proposal would have on the surrounding industrial development, and a representative from parcel delivering company DPD said the company operated 24 hours a day and they were worried about future noise complaints. Ferndown Town Council was also unhappy with the proposal saying the care home would be harmful to the green belt. The council also said the care home would be a drain on local medical services that were already overstretched.

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Viewpoint 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.

Good news for gynaecology patients

S

ally Taylor, BBC South Today presenter, has officially opened a unit, which has been refurbished to reduce waiting times for gynaecology patients at Poole Hospital.

The Harbourside Ambulatory Gynaecology Centre provides a range of outpatient clinics for patients in east Dorset and is part of a £1 million investment programme at the hospital, financed by national capital funding from NHS Improvement.

Sally Taylor said, “It’s always the staff

who make a place special but when the environment is improved – and that is certainly the case here – it does make a difference.

“The future looks great and I’ll know you’ll be going from strength-to-strength.”

Benita Fillingham, the unit’s sister said, “These latest improvements will provide the women of Dorset with expert gynaecology services in a dedicated, purpose-built unit providing patients with faster access to treatment and an improved experience.”

The committee unanimously voted for its approval.

Sally Taylor with Patricia Reid, director of nursing, Mr Tim Hillard, clinical lead for gynaecology, Benita Fillingham and Debbie Fleming, chief executive

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If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Viewpoint 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.

health and care

Care homes, Trading Standards and your consumer rights Choosing a care home for yourself or another person is a very important and often emotional decision. Moving to a different care home if the first one isn’t right could be a big upheaval, so you need to be confident that you have all the information you need to choose the right home.

You have consumer rights regardless of whether you pay all the costs of your care or whether some or all of the costs are paid for by the local authority or another organisation. Knowing these rights help people make informed decisions when choosing a care home. Your consumer rights can also help ensure you are fairly treated and protected if things go wrong.

The Competition and Markets Authority have recently contacted all care home providers who provide care for

older people with advice to help those providers better understand and meet their obligations under consumer law.

Further detailed information can be found at www.gov.uk/government/ publications/care-homes-short-guide-toconsumer-rights-for-residents Care homes which don’t meet their obligations might be in breach of consumer law and could face enforcement action by local Trading Standards Services or the CMA. If you don’t think you are being treated fairly, or think a care home is breaking consumer law, you can contact the Citizens Advice national consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06. As well as giving you advice, the consumer helpline can pass information about complaints on to Trading Standards to investigate.

Befriending service receives funds A Wimborne group which aims to provide social contact and interaction for isolated older people, has received £399 from Waitrose via their Community Matters funding scheme.

RVS Wimborne Befriending Service volunteers visit people living within the BH21 postcode area on a regular basis to alleviate the loneliness that individuals might be experiencing. If you would like to join the group of volunteers or know somebody that might benefit from a visit email: wimbornebs@royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk or phone 07736 825378

Jane Hawkins, coordinator, and Justine Hawkes, deputy coordinator, from RVS Wimborne Befriending Service receive the cheque

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Tell tale signs of ageing can be reduced

B

ulging hand veins can be unsightly and many women over the age of 40 are affected. No matter how well you look after the skin on your face, the backs of the hands carry the tell tale signs of ageing.

The skin here gets thinner and we lose fat from this area as we age, which means the veins get bigger with time. So, although they don’t usually cause any medical problems, veins on the hands can add years to your appearance, particularly if you are very slim.

The good news is that veins on the back of the hands can be treated safely, leaving you with younger looking hands.

At the VeinCare Centre, they use a combination of treatments they call ‘Hand Rejuvenation,’ a combination of sclerotherapy, collagen stimulation and age spot elimination. Their ‘Gentle Sclerotherapy’ does not close-off the veins completely; after all, we need normal healthy veins.

The VeinCare treatment shrinks them to a more normal size. A collagen stimulator is also injected

under the skin and cryotherapy to eliminate age spots. The result is more youthful looking hands.

The treatments are performed under local anaesthetic on a walk-in, walk-out basis in the VeinCare Centre’s medical clinic

by Dr Haroun Gajraj, a highly experienced vascular surgeon.

For a limited period, you can have a free consultation to see if your hand veins are suitable for treatment. If you decide to go ahead, you can spread the cost, interest-free, with no deposit, over 10 months. Interested? Give the VeinCare Centre a call on 0800 698 3467 to speak to an advisor or request a free information pack on hand veins. www.theveincarecentre.co.uk

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| 15

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

Poole pub raises funds for hospice Corks popped at the Lord fundraising manager at Nelson pub on Poole Quay Forest Holme, said, “We as staff cheered raising are so grateful to landlady £30,853 for Forest Holme Anna and the team at The Hospice Charity, which Lord Nelson for supporting is celebrating its 25th us over the past few years anniversary this year. in Donna’s memory. They Staff and patrons work so hard organising started supporting Forest fundraising events, which Holme in 2015 in memory are always so well attended of much-loved local, Donna by their loyal customers.”

Turner, who was cared for by the hospice.

The pub’s recent annual Anniversary of Rock event, which featured 10 local bands playing all day raised £4,284.

Paul Tucker, Landlady, Anna Doyle, with staff

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Viewpoint 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.

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Take the plunge this spring at Ferndown Leisure Centre Swimming is for everyone regardless of age, weight or physical activity levels.

The benefits include losing weight and improving body shape as well as increasing fitness levels. Water activity offers more benefit than a similar landbased activity and is gentler on your body too.

Did you know that 30 minutes of swimming at a steady pace burns 200 calories?

The swim team at Ferndown Leisure Centre says, “Everyone can swim, and if you are interested in learning how, we can help. All of our lessons are taught by fully qualified, friendly teachers who focus on the fundamentals of swimming in a positive encouraging way.”

Lessons on offer are: • Adult & Baby • Pre-school • School age children • Aquatic Skills eg competitive swimming, rookie lifesaving • Adult • Private • Masters coached swimming and coached swim fitness

Ferndown Leisure Centre also offers: • Aqua Fit – a total body workout using the water as resistance. Work at your own level and get results.

• Aqua Jog – instructor led for those who wish to use the positive benefits of water to gain a highly effective workout that has low or no impact on the joints.

• Aqua Circuits – an exciting mix of exercises resulting in a full body workout in the water.

• Aqua Knockout – combining a mix of boxing, martial arts, combat, and kick-boxing. Building various techniques modified for the water to improve strength and stabilisation and flexibility.

Ferndown Leisure Centre has a swim membership to run alongside the premium and gym membership, aimed at customers who prefer to use the pool.

Swim membership includes: swimming in public sessions, coached swim fitness and coached Masters swimming. For more information call 01202 877468 or visit www. ferndownleisurecentre.co.uk

Ever stop to think what makes you happy?

By Lorraine Maher of Bluebird Care Ferndown Happiness is the emotion we feel when we see someone we care for, we achieve a goal, or feel content or satisfied in our lives. It’s also the thing we want most for the people we love. That’s why it matters so much.

But it isn’t easy to maintain a healthy, positive emotional state. Anger, worry, and hostility increase the risk of developing heart disease, as people react to these feelings they also experience raised blood pressure, which is not good for our health.

Happiness is a positive

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

emotion that has been linked with better health, longer life, and greater wellbeing.

Happy people tend to eat healthier diets, with higher intakes of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Being happy also improves sleeping habits, which is important for concentration, productivity, performance and maintaining a healthy weight.

Feeling happy may help keep your immune system strong, which will help you fight off the common cold and chest infections and also protect

the heart by reducing blood pressure.

There is evidence that happiness is contagious; happier people help others around them to become happier too. Recognise what makes you happy and put time into your routine to ensure you do the things you love.

The main question to ask yourself is: Are you living a happy life?

If not, why not?

There is always a way to ensure a positive outcome even if a little or a lot of support is needed to help achieve it. You deserve a happy life.

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If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Viewpoint 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.

Donate coins not chocolate to hospital Poole Hospital Charity and the hospital’s children’s unit and diabetes service are appealing for local people to donate coins instead of chocolate eggs as part of the fundraising Easter Appeal.

The children’s diabetes team takes its patients to a summer camp every year and a small donation, no more than the price of a chocolate egg, will help more children attend the trip.

The camp is a great way for young patients to share their diabetic journeys with new friends and learn how to better manage their condition.

With your support, children can enjoy a week of summer adventures that can include activities such as canoeing, archery, mountain biking and climbing.

Sharon McCallum, the hospital’s lead paediatric diabetes specialist nurse, who, along with the rest of the diabetes team, took 36 children on the trip last year said, “The biggest benefit, I think, is to meet other children with diabetes. Often children with diabetes feel different from their peers so they love the fact everyone else is just like

health and care To advertise here call 01202 941465

them, having to test their blood glucose and inject insulin throughout the day.

“We encourage the children to push themselves and to see whether they can accomplish physical challenges while managing their condition.

“It’s so important to actively encourage physical activity, particularly if you have type 1 diabetes, because of the risk of cardio-vascular complications.”

The diabetes summer camp is being held at Calshot Activity Centre, Southampton, on 22-25 August for children in school years four-11.

Each place costs £268 and is funded by donations to the Easter Appeal. To donate, and to support children with diabetes in Dorset this Easter, visit https://www. justgiving.com/campaign/easterappeal

You deserve a break If you provide care for a loved one, it can be difficult to take a holiday, even if it’s just to stay at home and enjoy some time relaxing.

A respite stay at a care home offers some of the best care in a home-fromhome environment. At a Care South care home it will give older people a chance to meet new friends and try out some activities. New environments stimulate the senses and recharge the brain. A respite break can also be a gentle introduction to more permanent care.

Residents often find respite breaks do wonders for confidence and self-esteem as residents know trained staff are around in case they need support.

Care South’s St Ives House has recently installed a pioneering piece of equipment called a magic table, or ‘Tovertafel’ as it is known in Dutch. From the Netherlands, it helps those with dementia to be more active and creates moments of happiness.

It contains a series of games designed to encourage instinctive participation.

A respite break provides a holiday for those in need of care

Magic table creates moments of happiness

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| 17

Heywood Sumner part 2

By Julian Hewitt, Fordingbridge Museum My previous article outlined the life of the arts and crafts artist Heywood Sumner up to the building of his house at Cuckoo Hill in Gorley. There he had settled into a routine of painting and designing, recording Hampshire folk songs, receiving a stream of interesting visitors and playing a full part in the local community. He loved exploring the area on his bicycle and began taking an interest in historic remains, such as the mizmaze on Breamore Down.

In 1910, Andover doctor Williams Freeman published a list of Hampshire prehistoric earthworks and Sumner offered to help him to accurately record his finds using his mapping and drawing skills.

General Augustus Pitt Rivers, who owned a large estate on Cranborne Chase, was the founder of modern scientific approach to archaeology.

He had died in 1900 but had published his meticulous records of his excavations on the Chase.

Inspired by these, Sumner set about surveying 49 prehistoric and Romano-British sites on Cranborne Chase, completing detailed drawings and birds-eye views of them. He also studied 38 sites in the New Forest and to the east of his house including Moot Hill at Downton.

He worked with WG Wallace, who was the curator of the Bournemouth Natural Science Society’s museum, to survey the earthworks and barrows south of the Chase. He also liaised with Colonel William Hawley who had excavated Old Sarum and who provided useful advice on archaeological excavation techniques to augment what he had learnt from the Pitt Rivers publications.

Sumner’s first excavation in 1911 was at Grim’s Ditch on Cranborne Chase.

In the same year he had discovered a large enclosure of about 96 acres close to Spring Pond near Rockbourne.

He excavated this site and published his findings in 1914 and this established his reputation as an archaeologist. It was the first Romano British farm site recorded in Britain. Sumner donated all his finds to Salisbury Museum and he became the museum’s Roman expert.

He excavated a Roman villa at East Grimstead, east of Salisbury and published the results in 1924.

Working with Frank Stevens, Sumner provided the illustrations for an accurate archaeological guide to Stonehenge. This was printed in 1917 and remained in print until 1939. He also excavated pottery kilns in the New Forest and became an expert in identifying the pottery produced in them, publishing his findings in 1921.

In this book he put his artistic skills to good use by drawing a map of New Forest potteries embellished with illustrations showing foxes, deer cyclists and horse riders. The distinguished archaeologist, Sir Mortimer Wheeler, thought it was the best archaeological map he had ever seen.

Between 1915 and 1921 he excavated six barrows on Ibsley Common.

Sumner was local secretary for the Fordingbridge branch of the Hampshire Field Club. The Fordingbridge branch covered the whole of the New Forest and Sumner was the first point of contact for all archaeological finds. In 1924, he published a guide to the New Forest that remained in print until the Second World War. In 1937 he suffered a minor stroke and had to use a wheelchair, which made it impossible for him to visit archaeological sites.

His wife Agnes died in 1939 and Heywood, aged 87, died in his sleep at Cuckoo Hill in 1940.

Sumner’s fame today is as a leading archaeologist of his time, but we should also remember him as a consummate artist who loved the countryside around Fordingbridge.

Mother jailed for life for killing Bethan, 3 A woman has been jailed for life for the murder of her three-year-old daughter following the break up of her marriage.

Claire Colebourn, aged 36, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on 18 March and was told she must serve at least 18 years.

Bethan was found lying in bed at her home in Whitsbury Road by her grandmother on 19 October 2017. She had been drowned.

Following the sentencing, Bethan’s father Michael Colebourn said, “There are no words to describe the past 18 months. The one thing in my life that gave me purpose has gone.

“My beautiful daughter has been taken from me in such a cold and callous manner at the very hands of the one other person that should have protected her and kept her safe.”

He said throughout the trial, all those who loved Bethan “have had to endure the heartbreak of listening to her last moments. I have also had to suffer endless unfounded allegations and lies made against me with no opportunity to respond.”

He added, “Bethan was my world and being her daddy made me so proud. I miss her so much.”

Appeal following burglaries Hampshire police are appealing for information after a man was injured during a burglary in Hordle.

It took place in Silver Street between 3.30am and 4am on Saturday 16 March.

The victim, a 31-year-old man, challenged four men who were attempting to break in to a shipping container.

One of the men hit the victim with a large metal object before the offenders ran off.

The victim sustained bruising to his side but did not require hospital treatment.

The burglary is being linked to another at a separate shipping container in Silver Street on the same day.

It took place sometime between 4am and 5.30am. The shipping container was broken into and tools taken from inside and left outside.

They have since been recovered.

Police are also linking these two burglaries to one that took place in Sway Road, Pennington, between 5pm on Saturday 16 March and 8.45am the following day.

An attempt was made to break into a detached garage. Nothing was stolen.

PCSO Stuart Readhead said, “We would like to hear from anyone who thinks they have information about what happened.”

Please call 101, quoting 44190056105.

Rural development permitted East Dorset planners considered that the change of use of agricultural land at Glebe Farm in Parsonage Lane, Wimborne St Giles to an equestrian stud business would be appropriate for a rural diversification enterprise.

A proposal to convert an agricultural building to a stable block, the demolition of an agricultural building in order to erect an indoor area, the conversion of a farm building to office space and staff accommodation and the formation of an outdoor manège, hay barn and manure bunker was approved by the recent East Dorset District Council planning meeting.

Traffic movement were expected to be less than those generated by its existing use.

New Forest Water Sports Park marks 30th anniversary

Archaeological dig on the Cranborne side of Damerham demonstrating the scientific method pioneered by Pitt Rivers and Sumner

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

New Forest Water Park in Fordingbridge, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The park consists of a state-of-the-art 5-pylon cable wakeboarding system, Wibit’s first UK aqua park, plus stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. It also offers fishing and has a licensed clubhouse and overnight camping facilities.

This is a far cry from the park’s humble beginnings, which all started with a Mastercraft ski boat, which was imported from America.

Park MD, Mark Jury said, “My idea in the early days was to create a fun and safe environment for people to enjoy water activities. I am so proud of what my family have achieved over the past 30 years. We have, and always will, strive to be the best and remain at the forefront of safe family fun.”

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ringwood news

Wakeboarder has eyes on 2024 Olympics Max Cuckney, a 16-year-old from Ringwood, has his sights set on Olympic glory after winning the World Championships in Wakeboarding in Argentina.

Cuckney’s career has gone from strength-to-strength since he started taking part in water sports at New Forest Wake Park when he was just 10. He soon discovered a passion for wakeboarding and went on to win a junior British title when he was 11. Last year, at the age of 15, he won the British title once again.

He was selected by the British wakeboard team to represent the UK at the World Championships in Argentina on 16 February, and after three days of gruelling competition, he was presented with the gold medal.

Cable wakeboard has been shortlisted as a new sport in the 2024 Olympics, and Cuckney is hoping to take his talent to Paris 2024 and bring home another gold medal for his country.

Cuckney’s father has spoken about his son’s journey to become top in his field at the tender age of 16, and he credits his success to a couple of things: practice and focus.

“When Max was 10, we read three books together: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell; Talent Code by Daniel Coyle; and Bounce by Matthew Syed,” said Mr Cuckney, Max’s dad. “These books basically explain how it takes ten thousand hours of practice, coaching and feedback to become the best in the world. Max has managed to do this in just five-and-a-half years. He quite literally lives and breathes wakeboarding, and he only wants to get better.

Cuckney is proudly sponsored by dynamic brands including Slingshot Sports, King of Water Sports, RideEngine, and Brocery Store.

He is due to be interviewed by the BBC in May of this year, on behalf of the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation.

Ringwood man jailed for threatening firefighters A Ringwood man who threatened two firefighters with an imitation firearm has been jailed.

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service officers were called to the Winston Way home of Andrew Lambert, aged 40, at around 10pm on 21 July 2018.

As they dealt with a bonfire in his garden, Lambert threatened to shoot the officers from a first floor window.

The imitation firearm was later identified as an ‘Airsoft’ BB rifle with a scope, painted black to make it look like a real firearm.

Lambert pleaded guilty to affray on 3 December at Bournemouth Crown Court and was sentenced on 29 March to 18 months in prison.

He will also serve a further six months after a suspended sentence order was activated.

Detective Constable Chris Orr said, “This was a frightening experience for the firefighters involved and we are delighted that the man responsible has been brought to justice.

“This should send a warning to anyone else tempted to behave in this irresponsible and threatening manner.”

Snakes alive!

A balancing snake, giant wooden tunnel and mini beast hotel are some of the exciting new activities for families to enjoy in a new outdoor play site in the New Forest. You can find them at Stanford Rise Green in Sway.

Different experts for different needs

By Edward Holmes, Forest Edge and Meesons Solicitors This has been a busy month for me on many levels. I am coming to the end of my year as president of Bournemouth and District Law Society; I took my son to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ for his 18th birthday and my daughter has started driving lessons. A very exciting, busy, expensive and scary time for me.

I am hosting the Annual Law Society dinner in which I have to give a speech. Attending these events is a bit like being the best man at a wedding, but I must remind myself that I am not a stand up comic – rather a solicitor – and should focus on what I’m good at. My wife, however, has banned me mentioning her, and I am not allowed to mention either the tennis club saga (you may have read this in an earlier article) or the time her stationary car jumped out and hit my car as I was reversing.

For my son’s 18th birthday, I took him to watch Manchester United play – a rather expensive day out – although he will not be 18 again. However, I have set the bar high for when my daughter

is eighteen.

When my children were young, we went to a small boating lake where they were allowed to drive their own boats. My son drove around in perfect symmetry while my daughter hit virtually every other boat in the lake and made it look like bumper cars. As I am sure you can imagine, I was somewhat nervous about my daughter getting behind the wheel of a car. However, she has been very competent.

It occurred to me what maybe a huge problem for one person will not be for someone else. We are all different and we all view things in different ways and have different needs. Here at Forest Edge and Meesons our experts can help you with all your legal needs. Further, we have a network of professionals we work with and if we don’t immediately know the answer, we know a man or lady who does!

Please visit our website for more information or contact us for an initial free no obligation consultation.

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| 19

ringwood news

Fanfare for Spring

It’s a great day out for the family, and it’s free!

Ringwood town is gearing up for its international festival of street performance art.

When will the Fanfare for Spring take place?

Saturday 18 May

What time?

10.30am until 4.30pm

Where?

Ringwood town

The streets and squares of Ringwood will come alive with an amazing variety of entertainment and fun happenings. There will be a surprise around every corner as the town buzzes with music, song, dance, street theatre, jugglers, buskers, bands, artists and much more.

For more information follow the Fanfare for Spring on Facebook or visit the website: www.fanfareforspring.co.uk/ Organised by the Rotary Club of Ringwood, Ringwood Ex-Tablers Club and Friends, call Roger Bettle, the event coordinator, for more information on 01425 489350, gill@bettles.net

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

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ringwood news - advertisement feature -

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Treatment Having invested time, energy and resources to get you the very best diagnosis possible, Footfocus will help to get you back on your feet and keep you there. The Ringwood clinic has the most advanced, up-to-date and accurate tools to treat your problem. They do not believe there is “nothing that can be done” and work tirelessly to provide the solution with all the support you will need for a successful outcome.

Referral Over the past month Footfocus have received referrals from GPs, physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and fitness coaches/running coaches. They

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Traditional values with a contemporary touch Hamiltons is a friendly, third generation, familyrun jewellers offering traditional values with a contemporary touch. It occupies a prominent position at 53 High Street, Ringwood, where jewellers have been situated for over 25 years.

Recognising the exceptional value offered by high quality previously owned jewellery and watches, this is an area in which Hamiltons specialise.

A stunning variety of fabulous jewellery and quality watches as well as an extensive range of new jewellery is always in stock.

In addition to the usual jeweller’s services of supplying and fitting batteries and straps, replacing missing stones, pearl re-stringing, insurance and probate valuations, Hamiltons offer in-house one day jewellery repairs, full jewellery CAD design and creation, watch servicing of virtually all makes including Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, Breitling and Longines and are fortunate to have their own watchmaker.

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| 21

The true cost of overweight children – their lives are in your hands

By Sarah Ali Choudhury

We’ve all heard about the ongoing publicity of childhood obesity and how it will cost us all a fortune in the long run, but how true is this? Are we really breeding a new over-sized society of fast-food munching children, who eventually become a diabetic statistic?

You may have seen Natasha Beatty from Fresh Kitchen Cookery School recently on BBC South Today. We are delighted to interview her on this topic.

Q. So Natasha, do we really have an obesity problem or is this just media hype?

along. We’ve other NHS Trusts interested in running this scheme all over England.

A. Shockingly, it would appear we have a major issue in England. The stats are in abundance, the figures from the NHS are scary, who will cover the cost of growing disease and future bariatric operations. School uniforms are being ordered in larger sizes by some of our trusted retailers to meet the growing demand for oversized school clothes.

Q. Natasha, what top tips do you give families who would like to make small changes towards a healthier family life?

Q. Why do you think we’ve got into this position?

A. Some claim laziness is at fault, increased home bills with no money left for food. We have a massive reliance on processed and packaged foods with parents forced to work longer hours. The fact of the matter is, our children are getting larger, FACT, we need to deal with it and fast.

Q. You’ve recently appeared on the BBC, tell us about this?

A. I also run adult diabetic cooking classes for those living with diabetes, so the BBC crew spent the day with us and our guests to see how they’ve decided to eat themselves healthy.

Following an amazingly successful pilot before Christmas, the NHS Trust who I developed the classes with, decided to run another two sessions.

They are sold out. With people travelling as far as Buckinghamshire to come

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

Natasha Beatty

A. Talking to your child costs nothing.

Teach them the pros and cons for fruit, veggies, the benefits of water over squash and show them where milk comes from, explain when you take them to the dentist why you go and the importance of brushing teeth and looking after themselves.

Involve your children in preparing the meals at home. Let them chop, grate, slice, spread, touch food, sample it and talk about where veggies and fruit come from.

Turn that TV off, reduce your screen time.

Go for walks. In whatever form your family enjoys, it’s a good way to have a chat with the kids, make them sleep nicely, and work up an appetite for some wonderfully healthy food. Get out in the fresh air, kids love it! If it’s cold, just wrap up, rain is not an excuse.

Natasha’s advice for us all is: “The simple way to look at this is to eat less, eat well and move more. It’s not hard to do or expensive. It’s not what you do for your children, it’s what you teach them to do for themselves which makes them into fully grown independent people, who are our society for the future. So let’s together and make it a healthy one.”

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foodie news Spicy fish bites

Spicy Fish Bites

By Sarah Ali Choudhury This appetising fish dish is light, easy to cook and scrumptiously divine! I have used Tilapia fish but you can use cod or monk fish fillets.

Ingredients 3 Tilapia fish (washed and cut into small chunks) 2 shallots (finely chopped) 2 tsp mustard seeds 10 fresh or dried curry leaves Quarter tsp tumeric powder 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp garlic powder Half tsp paprika 2 tbsp olive oil Half tsp salt Fresh chillies (optional) Coriander for garnish Method • Heat oil in a pan and put in the curry • leaves and mustard seeds and chillies • if you are using them.

• When seeds pop add the shallots. Then • add all the spices and salt.

• Add 2 tbsp water and cook on a slow • heat.

• Add fish and stir well being careful • not to break fish. Stir regularly and add • another 2 tbsp water.

• Once fish is cooked through • (about 7-10 mins) the dish is complete.

• Serve and garnish with chilli and • coriander (optional).

Curry leaves Curry leaves come from a plant called ‘Murraya koenigii’ and are used in cooking in southern India and other places in Asia such as Myanmar, Fiji and Malaysia.

The tree only grows 2 to 5 metres tall and there are about 20 leaves per branch.

They grow closely together. They look like small leaves from a lemon tree. Fresh ones are a shiny dark green, with no yellow on them and should not be wilted. They are sold with the branch and stems attached.

Before using, they need to be removed from the branch and the stems discarded.

Curry leaves have a nutty aroma with a slight and very mild bitter after taste.

In ethnic stores, curry leaves are sold in small plastic bags and kept in the fridge.

You can also freeze curry leaves as these will be superior to dried.

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| 23

Help get Dorset buzzing In response to the well-reported decline of pollinators nationally, Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) has launched its biggest ever campaign.

Get Dorset Buzzing, sponsored by the Gardens Group and Wessex Water, aims to get over 2,000 people in Dorset pledging to do at least one thing in their garden to help create space and food for pollinators to thrive again.

DWT explains that one in three mouthfuls of food we eat is possible because of the pollination process, and bees specifically contribute over £650 million a year to the UK’s economy, yet three bumblebee species have become extinct in recent decades.

BBC Gardeners’ World’s, Kate Bradbury, and DWT’s new president, entomologist and TV presenter, Dr George McGavin, are supporting Get Dorset Buzzing.

Free packs will be sent out to those who pledge to help.

DWT’s community conservation officer, Katie Wilkinson said, “Planting ‘bee friendly’ plants, leaving space ‘wild’, or putting up a bee hotel are just some of the things we can all be doing to provide space for pollinators to take shelter, feed, reproduce and carry out the pollination process.

“There’s also the joy and satisfaction we get from seeing our gardens buzzing with life and colour, which makes spring the perfect time to make a pledge to get your garden buzzing.”

As part of the Get Dorset Buzzing campaign, DWT will be touring with its roadshow. There will also be many other events, open gardens, talks and courses across the county.

To sign up to Get Dorset Buzzing, visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org. uk/gdb-signup

Record your sightings of Britain’s wildlife this spring The wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for volunteers to take part in its annual Living with Mammals survey.

Last year the top five mammals recorded were (in order): grey squirrels, foxes, mice, hedgehogs and bats. From April, PTES is asking members of the public to record sightings of Britain’s ‘big five’, plus any other mammals they see, to aid future conservation efforts.

Volunteers can take part until 30 June, reporting the mammals they see, or their signs, in any local green space – from gardens and allotments to parks or green spaces near to work. The chosen survey site can be in an urban, suburban or rural location, so long as the area is within 200 metres of a building.

David Wembridge, surveys officer at PTES explains, “Green

Adult rabbit and youngster © Dave Bevan

spaces, and the wildlife they support, are important they provide food, clean air and water, and make us healthier and happier.

Counting our wild neighbours, and knowing how their populations are changing, is a health-check on our towns and cities.”

Volunteers can spend anything from ten minutes a week at their chosen site to several hours and can take part either individually or as part of a group.

To take part in the 2019 Living with Mammals survey, register via www. ptes.org/LWM. The survey can also be completed via a printed pack, which can be sent to your door. Contact LwM@ptes.org to find out how. PTES is keen to see your sightings, so if you’re on social media upload your photos using #livingwithmammals.

Brown hare © Jamie Hall

Campaigners demand an end to funding climate change Bumblebee at Kingcombe © Catherine Bolado

Act swiftly Swifts will now be making their epic 6,000 mile journey to the UK from Africa to bring up their chicks.

But for many, the chance to lay their eggs will be thwarted: our buildings are changing and their former homes under the eaves are gone, as are the spaces we used to leave for them. These birds are now vanishing from our summer skies: half have gone in just 20 years says the RSPB. So the national charity is appealing to the public to help provide as many new homes for swifts as possible. Just 1,000 additional new nest boxes could make a difference.

Swifts spend most of their lives on the wing and only landing when it’s time to nest.

After flying its nest for the first time, a young swift may spend two or three years in the air, eating, drinking, sleeping, bathing and even mating.

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

The swifts that nest in the UK arrive here in late April – May and may spend just three months with us. However, because buildings lack the nooks and crannies they need, swifts are struggling to find homes.

There are special swift nest boxes available, and if you’re having a building constructed or renovated, there’s also the option of the ‘swift brick’. This replaces a standard house brick and can easily be installed by a builder.

Find out more at: www.rspb.org. uk/homes-for-swifts

Several swifts © Mark Thomas (rspb-images.com)

Christian Aid members from Wimborne have met managers at HSBC in Poole to deliver a petition and a message to chief executive John Flint.

They pointed out that HSBC – in spite of its own policy to stop investing in fossil fuels – has made an exception and currently funds coal mining in Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

All three countries are low-lying and very vulnerable to rising sea levels. And – ironically – they all have tremendous potential for renewables.

Spokesman Mike Lunt said managers Karen Wyatt and Leanne Reed had welcomed them, listened to what they said and agreed to forward the letter and petition.

“We explained that we were visiting as part of Christian Aid’s The Big Shift Campaign,” he said.

“It aims to get banks to invest in renewable energy in a bid to stop the global temperature rising above a 1.5 degree increase.

“HSBC has already pledged to invest US$100 billion dollars in green finance which we welcome.

“But we remain deeply concerned about the billions of dollars which HSBC continues to provide for the extraction and burning of fossil fossils globally – especially coal which is the dirtiest fuel of all.

“HSBC claims that ‘Together we Thrive’, but HSBC’s continued investment in fossil fuels means that millions of people face a future in which it will be difficult to survive, never mind thrive,” he added.

From left: Peter Verver from St Catherine’s, Mike Lunt from the Minster and Sharen Green from St Michael’s

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Recycle your wrappers at Ferndown Library Shocking volume of unnecessary plastic revealed at Ferndown’s Mass Unwrap A shopping trolley was filled with over 150 unwanted single use plastic wrappers in just two hours in Ferndown during a National Mass Unwrap.

Plastic Free Ferndown (PFF) was inundated with unwanted plastic as shoppers left the tills. When unwrapping items, customers voiced concerns about the quantity of unnecessary plastic in supermarkets in general.

Sainsbury’s Ferndown offered support to the national mass unwrap organised by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), and implemented locally by members of PFF on Sunday 10 March.

Forest FM came along to record an interview.

The overwhelming consensus was that it is time for change. Tim Sansom said, “There is too much plastic on food and we should consider how many years it will take to get rid of it.”

As Ben Cannon unwrapped his broccoli he said, “This is a good cause.”

Ian Sellar couldn’t get the plastic off his celeriac quick enough, “totally unnecessary,” he said. And Amy Shaw didn’t want to go home and have the job of removing all the unwanted single use plastic bags and wrappers on her shopping to put straight into her own bin. Many other customers said the same whilst unwrapping their goods.

Only one out of every 15/20 customers had time to stop and unwrap their items. A conservative estimate of the amount of unnecessary single use plastic that went out of Sainsbury’s that Sunday (10am-4pm) was

more than 5,000 items.

PFF community leader, Janine Pulford, said, “Like many people, I enjoy the convenience of shopping in supermarkets, but the quantity of plastic is off the scale and this event proved it. Customers really don’t want to take all this unnecessary packaging home with them.

“They don’t want their veg and fruit trussed up in plastic.

Supermarkets should be selling loose items and either supplying paper bags, or compostable alternatives where necessary.

It will be much better for the environment. We should not be putting convenience before the planet. Instead, we should be thinking about our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“It is the future generations who are going to have to cope with our waste in the next thousand years, because that’s how long it can take for plastic bags to decompose. Our grotesque plastic footprints already lead into every corner of the Earth. We need to do something now.”

Janine thanked Sainsbury’s Ferndown for their support in permitting the event to be carried out inside the store.

SAS organised the National Mass Unwrap, which took place throughout the country between 3 and 10 March 2019. It took place in 33 locations. Plastic Free Ferndown is part of the nationwide campaign run by Surfers Against Sewage.

As part of the town’s plastic free initiative, Ferndown Library has joined with Ferndown First School to become a recycling point for crisp packets, bread bags, dried up pens and bottle tops. Make a note that you can take any of these items to the library in Penny’s Walk during Saturday opening hours. They will be taken to the first school, which is the main recycling point. All money raised will go to The John Thornton Young Achievers charity.

Three more businesses celebrate awards For all their hard work to become plastic free, three more Ferndown businesses have joined those wanting to create a better environment for the future.

Each one has reduced its use of single use plastic in at least three different ways to achieve the award made by national charity Surfers Against Sewage. Xerocad, Ferndown Swim School (Pool Time Pro) and The Flying Teapot are now displaying their wooden plaques with pride. Their commitment to Plastic Free Ferndown will help the town achieve plastic free status as laid down by Surfers Against Sewage. Just three more businesses are required to meet

the criteria of 12 for a town the size of Ferndown. “As it is the second largest inland town in Dorset, (after Dorchester), this has been quite a task,” said community leader Janine Pulford. If you would like to find out more, please ring her on 01202 870270.

Gemma and Louise @ Ferndown Swim School

West Moors’ youngsters make their plea to full council West Moors Parish Council is considering joining the Surfer’s Against Sewage plastic free campaign.

Plastic Free Ferndown’s community leader Janine Pulford was invited to give a presentation at the parish’s full council meeting on 28 March, when a number of schoolchildren also put a very strong case for making West Moors plastic free.

Youngster, Kamto Ugwu, from Oakhurst Academy said, “If we don’t act now, our future is at risk. We urge you to help West Moors to become plastic free and a place to be proud of.” He had also sent a letter to the parish council as part of Oakhurst’s environment topic. The academy has recently swapped their milk delivery from plastic bottles to glass, and straws for reusable cups in an effort to help the environment.

St Mary’s First School pupil, Lola Smith, had drawn and distributed a poster around West Moors requesting people not to drop litter. She also presented a petition with five pages of signatures on it to the council requesting recycling bins in the park.

Janine Pulford explained to councillors how Ferndown is working through its aims to become a plastic free town and said she hoped West Moors would follow suit.

The council will discuss becoming a plastic free community at the next full council meeting.

Left to right front: Lola, Aimee, Elena, Kamto, Isabelle, Chi Chi

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| 27

around & about / what’s happening in your area.

what’s on

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

16 April 7.30pm

Bournemouth Electronic Organ Society present concert of popular music by Andrew Nix at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Wimborne. £6 payable at door. Info: 01202 895254.

17 April 10am -noon Information event for anyone considering adopting a child.

Learn about becoming and adopter and how Families for Children can support you for life. To book please contact Families for Children on 01305 250204 or email devon@ familiesforchildren.org.uk

18 April 6pm

Maundy Thursday meal and reflective service. St Gabriel’s Church, Keysworth Road, Hamworthy.

19 April 9.45am

Good Friday Walk of Witness from St Gabriel’s Church, Keysworth Road, Hamworthy to St Michael’s Church, Blandford Road, Hamworthy.

20 April 2pm

A unique show featuring the Amazing Bubble Man. For more than 30 years Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide. Now he is coming to Poole Lighthouse. Tickets £12. www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

19-22 April 10am-4.30pm

Easter Egg Hunts, Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, £2.50.

Usual admission prices apply

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

19, 20 and 22 April 2-6pm

Open Garden. Knitson Old Farmhouse, Corfe Castle, Wareham. Admission £4, children go free. Cream teas, home made cakes. Mature cottage garden. Wildlife friendly kitchen garden.

Uneven, sloping paths. Dogs on short leads welcome.

20 April 11am

East Cliff Rotary Club’s Easter Quarter Marathon race Start/ finish at the Urban Reef Restaurant, Boscombe Pier to raise funds for charities.

Further details and online application can be found at www.eastcliffrotary.org or contact Peter Jones on 07746 826872.

20 April 10am

Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Ringwood, Help raise money for two of Ringwood’s great schools (Poulner Infants and Ringwood Infants). 100% of the proceeds will be donated. £2 per entry card and the hunt will be officially opened by the Ringwood Town Mayor. 01425 480600.

21 April 6am

Easter Morning Holy Communion Service, Sandbanks Beach, Poole, led by local churches.

22 April

Open Garden, Edmondsham House, Wimborne. Six acres of mature gardens. Victorian walled garden. Admission £2.50, 50p for children.

Wheelchair access to most of the area. Refreshments in house.

23 April 2.30pm

For those with memory loss, an Easter ‘Forget Me Not Service’ at Broadstone United Reformed Church, Higher Blandford Road. The Easter story told through hymns and readings, followed with tea and cakes.

All welcome, including groups from local nursing homes.

Supported by Broadstone Churches Together and the Tuesday Luncheon Club.

24 April 2pm

Andrew Varney will talk of his experiences as ‘A Christchurch Constable’ at the Red House Museum, Priory House, Quay Road, Christchurch, BH23 1BU. His book will also be for sale. Tickets £2.50/£4.50 Friends/visitors. Call 01202 482860 to book.

26 April-24 May 9am-4pm

Drawn To Paint – a free exhibition of recent drawings and paintings by Wimborne Creatives Group at the Learning & Resource Centre, King Street, BH21 1BE (behind Wimborne Minster church and opposite the Model Town).

26 April 10am-4pm

Ferndown Bowls Club, Peter Grant Way. Come along and try bowls for free. Please wear flat shoes. For more info contact Sue Aplin 01202619349.

27 April 7.30pm

Fordingbridge Choral Society present’s Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and other Italian favourite choral works at a spring concert at St Mary’s Church, Fordingbridge SP6 1BB. Tickets available from Fordingbridge bookshop at £12 www.fordingbridgechoral. ticketsource.co.uk/

27 April 7.30pm

Plants, Gardens & Wildlife: talk and Wildlife Gardeners’ Question Time. The Allendale Centre, Wimborne. Tickets £8 for adults, £5 for children (under 16s), To book visit www. theallendale.org or ring 01202 887247

May 7.30pm

‘Florilege’, Ferndown French Circle at the Barrington Centre.

Members £3. Visitors £5. More info from 01202 526918.4

May 10am

West Moors Horticultural Society plant sale at West Moors Memorial Hall. More details: Sue Hamlett on 01202 871536.

27 April - 9 June

Exhibition of artwork inspired by the bestselling book ‘The Lost Words’. Artwork from artists of all ages will be on display at Moors Valley Country Park. Artwork will be available to purchase, with proceeds going towards the RSPB. www.moors-valley. co.uk. Parking charges apply.

28 April 10am -4pm

Ferndown Bowls Club Youth Day, Peter Grant Way. 5-18 year olds can come along and try bowls for free. Please wear flat shoes. For more info please contact Sue Aplin 01202 619349

28 April 2pm

Town Mayor’s Civic Service at the Allendale Centre’s Minster Hall-guest speakers, musical entertainment and footage from Wimborne Movie Makers.

Tickets are free, but on a first come first served basis, from the town hall.

30 April 7.30pm

West Parley Gardening Club meets at the West Parley Memorial Hall. Visitors welcome £2. Refreshments available. Contact Malcolm Plascott 01202 950521 email plascott@outlook.com

4 May

VenFest-19, the Dorset Food and Venison Festival, Post Green, Lytchett Minster, Poole.

Entry (over 12s) £3.50. www. venfest.org

4 May

Versus Arthritis meet on the first Saturday of every month at the Day Centre, Ferndown. An hour’s entertainment followed by tea and cakes. Further details from Pam Bentley on 01202 872074 or email pam. bentley@uwclub.net

8 May 1.45pm

AGM of the Association of Dorset Watches at Hamworthy Club, Magna Road, Canford Magna BH21 3AP. Guest speakers: Mr James Vaughan, Chief Constable of Dorset Police and Marty Underhill, Dorset PCC.

17 May Twilight Walk for Women at Bournemouth Pier Approach.

Walk either 1km, 5km or 10km to raise money for women’s health treatment at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Everyone welcome. Sign up at BHCharity.org/twilight/, or call 01202 704060.

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around & about

Coldplace Regent Centre, Christchurch 29 March Review by Janine Pulford It took me a while to get my head around a Coldplay tribute act, as the music is so current.

To their credit, Coldplace have been around for 12 years and played over 600 gigs, so it was only a matter of time before they put me in the right headspace and I was swept along by the incredible music.

Having never seen Coldplay live, I can say that Coldplace are a brilliant substitute and the concert was sold out and full of passionate fans who did not hold back. From ‘Yellow’, ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’, ‘The Scientist’, ‘Paradise’, to the three-song encore including ‘Something Just Like This’, the tunes played out non stop, with special effects, videos, lights, streamers and smoke streams. Vocals were as near to Chris Martin’s as could be, but maybe not quite reaching the nasal softness of his vocal high, proving how unique the tone and range is to each singer. But by the end of the concert, I was beginning to think Martin was on stage.

Coldplace has a strong following and with almost the whole audience on their feet singing and dancing, it was the place to be on Friday 29 March. If they play Christchurch again, book early to get your seats.

Coldplace live on stage at the Regent Centre

A summer of bowling (and winter, too!)

Braeside Bowling Club at St Leonards is holding Open Days on Wednesday 17 April and Saturday 20 April from 11am to 3pm. Everyone will be welcomed at the club to enjoy free coffee and biscuits, see the clubhouse facilities (including a fully licensed bar), and then get out on to the carpet for some bowling.

Bowling is a gentle sport – exercise but nothing too excessive – and absolute beginners will be as welcome as those who have played previously.

Members and coaches will be on hand to introduce the basics and being a very friendly club everyone will get a warm welcome.

Unlike grass clubs, Braeside is open all year round and membership (currently around £3 per week) makes the sport both enjoyable and inexpensive. Non-

playing membership is available for those who wish to take part in the club’s social activities of whist, bridge, and a host of different social events.

“We do hope you will take up this invitation (just turn

up!) and look forward to meeting you,” Braeside Bowling Club.

Braeside Bowling Club, Braeside Road, St Leonards, BH24 2PJ (next to the village hall). Tel 01425 479701 www. braesidebc.co.uk

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| 29

around & about / what’s happening in your area.

Sweet Tweet

Britain’s best loved radio DJ, Tony Blackburn, sent a personal Twitter message to the Regent in Christchurch when it became the only venue to be given a second night on the tour.

Having completely sold out a capacity 480 seats for the BBC Radio 2 Sounds of the 60s Show, hosted by Tony Blackburn on Sunday 20 October, the centre has been rewarded with a second night on Sunday 1 December.

Tickets to visit Liberty’s mags4dorset has teamed up with Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre to give away 2 free tickets to this attraction near Ringwood.

Liberty’s is home to a large collection of birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, owls and vultures. There are also reptiles such as snakes, lizards and spiders in the indoor reptile house.

Enjoy a fun, exciting and educational visit. Observe these magnificent birds flying free and reptiles up close.

Experience the thrill of falconry with Liberty’s Flying Experience Days. Liberty’s is a rescue centre for wild birds of prey injured or needing care before release back to the wild. Medical and rehabilitation costs are funded through entry charges and donations.

For your chance to win a pair of tickets to the centre all you need to do is complete the word below: Tony Blackburn

Liberty’s flying experience days offer the thrill of: (Fill in the blanks) FA_CO_R_ Enter at www.mags4dorset.co.uk or send your entry to Liberty’s competition, mags4dorset, Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ. Closing date is 17 May 2019. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd and Liberty’s 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 winners of the competition. The winner will be announced in the magazine and their name will be passed to Liberty’s for the purpose of providing the prize.

Ferndown Drama to stage ‘If I Were You’ Would you like to know what other people think of you?

Would you like to know what it’s like to live someone else’s life?

Imagine if it wasn’t a choice but you got to experience it anyway.

‘If I Were You’ is a 2006 play by Alan Ayckbourn about an unhappy couple who are given the chance to understand each other by discovering, quite literally, what they would do ‘if I were you’.

This play, which contains adult language, will be performed at the Barrington Theatre from 1-4 May. Box office: 01202 894858, or buy at the door.

Have a go in a canoe An open day at which you can hire a rowing boat from Dreamboats or have a go in a canoe is to be held at Riverside Wimborne from 11-4pm on Saturday 4 May. Poole Harbour Canoe Club instructors will give you a taster on the River Stour in either a kayak, a canoe or a stand up paddleboard.

The minimum age is normally eight.

You should be water confident but otherwise no other skills are needed. Wear comfortable clothing.

If you have any queries or cannot make the date but would like to try canoeing, contact Bill on 07594 607981 or email bill.jaggs@phcc.org.uk For information about Dreamboats go to www.dream-boats.org.uk

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

Hop into Poole for Easter Poole’s Business Improvement District is hosting a series of Easter activities from 10- 4pm on Saturday 20 April.

The Parkour Project will be showcasing their skills on the high street and Mad4Animals is hosting its fun educational show from 10-1pm opposite Paddy Power. An Easter egg trail will lead families throughout the town to solve a puzzle and win a prize. Morebus is providing a bus to host Easter activities and Diamond Faces will be offering face painting with a £1 donation.

Best cries in the land!

It could be pretty noisy in Wimborne on 6 May – the May Day Holiday – when town criers from across the region come to town.

Held every two years, The Southern England Town Crier’s Competition guarantees a fine spectacle of dandy costumes, beautiful frocks, healthy lungs and a true display of British eccentricity.

Chris Brown, Wimborne’s town crier and Mellvin Gudger, town crier of Pamphill & Shapwick, will be hosting the event, which starts at 11.30am and finishes at 4pm, with prize-giving for champion cry, best dressed crier, best dressed escort and best dressed couple.

For more information visit the Tourist Information Centre, 29 High Street, Wimborne.

01202 886116.

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around & about

Secret agent training at Beaulieu Train to be a secret agent at Beaulieu this May half term from 25 May to 2 June, completing cunning challenges to follow in the footsteps of the World War II agents of the Special Operations Executive.

Follow your training journal map to try out disguises, test your skills of observation and problem-solving, use codes to decipher secret messages, learn about rationing and graduate as a fully-trained SOE agent.

Make contact with your Commanding Officer in the SOE headquarters at Palace House and inspect household items that hold remarkable secrets, then talk to Lord Montagu’s cook about wartime rationing.

All of the activities are included in the general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which includes entry to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. For tickets and details see www. beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345. mags4dorset has teamed up with Beaulieu to offer two family tickets as prizes, which are valid for two adults and up to three children, or one adult and up to four children. For your chance to win a family ticket to Beaulieu in time for the May half term, all you need to do is answer the following question.

Q. Who at Beaulieu can tell you about wartime rationing?

Enter at www.mags4dorset or send your answer to Beaulieu competition, Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ. Closing date is 9 May 2019. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd and Beaulieu 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 of the competition.

The winner will be announced and in the magazine and their details will be passed to the venue and/or to the promoters should this be required with respect to the ticket allocation.

Football for free Free football sessions for boys and girls aged eight to 19 are available at Verwood’s Potterne Park every Wednesday from 4.30-5.15pm.

Launched by AFC Bournemouth Community Trust (the charitable/community arm of AFC Bournemouth) the aim of the Premier League Kicks Project is to get children active and socialising.

Fully funded by the Premier League, the sessions are open to players of all abilities and experience. There is no commitment required, just come and go as you please. It is not limited to youngsters living in Verwood either.

Glenn Gosden, a trustee said, “We are currently looking to grow the older age group (12-19 years) to try and get more children away from XBoxes and playstations or hanging around on streets.”

For further information email: daryl.hobson@afcb.co.uk or ring 07393 462169

Damian Marley at 02 Academy Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, once known as the ‘The Youngest Veteran’ by his fellow artists, is now an elder in the game who’s not afraid to speak his mind out of respect for the music and culture he loves —and for the divine spirit of humanity in all of us.

The lyrically profound and largely self-produced 12th studio album released in 2018, Stony Hill, maintains the element of hardness from’Jam-Rock’ to ‘Stony’, with mostly light-hearted lyrical content. Stony Hill won the 2018 Grammy for Best Reggae Album.

The youngest son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley garnered his own place in music history when he became the first ever Reggae artist to win a GRAMMY outside of the Reggae category, taking home an award for Best Urban/Alternative performance for his title single, ‘Welcome To Jamrock’.

Damian “Jr Gong” Marley will be playing at O2 Academy Bournemouth on Friday 31 May. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.co.uk

Huge regatta The 2019 RYA Youth National Championships will officially be the biggest ever staged with 389 sailors set to compete in 284 boats.

The event is the highlight of the youth racing calendar, and will see the country’s most promising young racers go head-to-head in a week of action.

The regatta will take place from 12-19 April at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Racing will begin on 15 April for all classes. On 19 April the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre will be making their fleet of youth boats available to junior sailors wanting to get a taste of youth racing.

The regatta will be used as a selection regatta for the Youth World Championships, taking place in Gydnia, Poland, in July.

Visit www.mags4dorset.co.uk for more local news please mention VIEWPOINT Magazine when you contact our advertisers

| 31

in the home / home is where the heart is .

Deceive the eye

By Sarah Ali Choudhury

If you have a small bathroom and want to make it feel bigger, here are five handy top tips to deceive the eye.

1. Use large mirrors to enhance the feel of a small bathroom. A frameless mirror covering one whole wall can be very effective but make sure you fit heated pads behind the mirror to prevent misting up.

2. Wall mounted sanitary ware can cost a little more but where it is off the floor it enlarges the floor space.

3. Opt for white when choosing your bath rather than a dark colour if you are filling a small space.

Neutral colours help to keep the tone of a room clean and calm, which

really helps in small spaces.

4. Clear glass eliminates boundaries so in a small space it is better to go for a clear glass shower door rather than a textured glass or a shower curtain.

5. Opt for spotlight or pendant lighting that guides the eye upwards as much as possible, which will give the sense of height in a small place.

Bathing solutions for the whole family

By Marilyn Barber

For some people the height of luxury is to soak in a bath for up to an hour, with a book to read and aromatic candles adding to the ambience. You could even have a television fitted to the wall.

However, others feel that a bath is just a waste of time, with their preference being a quick shower.

So how do you accommodate the diverse needs of the whole family, not to mention house guests?

There are so many options.

Redesigning your bathroom is the perfect opportunity to completely change its style. Do you want it to be timeless and classic or extravagant and luxurious?

Would you prefer a country or town style?

If your bathroom is not very large then tall cabinets and vanity units are excellent choices.

Lighting is very important. Adjustable recessed spotlights work well with mirror lighting providing the brightness you need for daily grooming.

Hands up those who remember avocado, pink and chocolate brown baths and basins! Didn’t really work did they?

Now, however, you can choose from subtle colour combinations including the timeless grey and black.

Before you start to plan your new bathroom there are a number of practical things to consider.

If inlet pipes for water and waste water already exist, then that will often limit where you can position the washbasin,

bath and shower.

Sloping ceilings can also lead to restrictions, which will significantly impact the design of the bathroom. When renovating your bathroom, you should also make sure that the products you choose will fit through the door.

And don’t forget the adjacent rooms.

Installation of the shower and toilet on the outer wall significantly reduces noise transmission.

It’s quite a drastic step but if everyone in the family prefers showers you could have the bath removed and have a wet room installed.

This would mean you could have a small modern tiled shower room with marble flooring, a wall-mounted sink, a walk-in shower and a wall-mounted toilet.

Or perhaps a little less drastic is a walk-in shower enclosure which offers you a large showering area, whilst retaining a separate washbasin and toilet. This can be a boon for people with physical constraints who have found getting in and out of a bath not only difficult but hazardous.

And whilst on the subject of mobility, a walk-in bath with an entry door that allows you to step in and out of the bath with maximum ease could be just the thing if a member of the household fears slipping or falling.

There are also luxury bathing options for walk-in baths that you may not have considered.

For instance there is spa therapy whereby thousands of tiny bubbles gently massage away your aches and pains. You can even have a heated seat and backrest!

We are lucky in this area to have a number of excellent companies who will do all the work for you, so why not give one of the ones advertising in this magazine a ring. Your dream bathroom could be just a call away.

Historical note: The first records of the use of baths dates back as far as 3,000 BC with the earliest surviving bathtub – in Crete dating back to 1700 BC.

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

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in the home

When you can turn off to save water Following the Environment Agency warning last month that the UK is set to run short of water within 25 years, due to climate change and the rise in population, ways of reducing water usage in our own homes should be something to actively practise.

Sir James Bevan, the chief executive of the Environment Agency in his ‘The Jaws of Death’ speech, said, ““We need water wastage to be as socially unacceptable as blowing smoke in the face of a baby or throwing your plastic bags into the sea.”

Water companies have all identified their biggest operating risk as climate change. This coupled with a population grown in the UK from 67m to 75m in 2050 will put an additional drain on our water supplies and create a water shortage. But there is a solution.

Bevan said, “At present the average person in the UK uses 140 litres a day. Waterwise estimate that it’s possible to get that down to 100 litres a day or less in the next couple of decades.”

How can we achieve this?

There are many simple ways you can save water. Here are a few: Washing hands: don’t leave the tap running when washing your hands. On average people wash their hands nearly nine times a day. If you turn off the tap while you scrub, it’s estimated you could save over 20 litres a day.

Dishes: save water while washing dishes – only run the dishwasher when it is full. If you don’t have one, wash all your dishes at once and never wash them one-by-one under constantly flowing water.

Cooking: save water while cooking – wash fruit and veg in a pan of water. When boiling food use just enough water to cover the food.

Share a bath: a bath takes 80-100 litres of water, an 8 minute shower uses around 62 litres, depending on its efficiency, so either opt for a shower, or share your bathwater with your partner.

Drinking water: save water while filling your glass. Don’t keep running the tap until the water gets cold enough to drink.

Instead fill up a large bottle and keep it in the fridge.

Tooth brushing: don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth. It’s an unnecessary waste. A running tap pours out around six litres of water a minute.

As well as the public doing their bit, Bevan acknowledges that water companies need to “redouble their efforts to fix leakage”.

He goes as far as to say that, “If by 2050 we reduced per capita consumption to 100 litres a day, leakage by 50% and did nothing else, it would provide enough water for an additional 20m people without taking any more from the environment.”

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in the home / home is where the heart is .

Scared by stairs

By Sarah Ali Choudhury

I have never enjoyed walking up the stairs since watching horror movies.

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My house, which is well over 100 years old, constantly reminds me of its age and even though it is my house, and I’ve lived there for over 15 years, I still find it eerie when the stairs creak.

My seven-year-old son asked me, “Why do the stairs ache?”

My response was that we are in an old house and when things get old they make strange sounds. Although that didn’t stop him asking more questions about some of our elderly family members, it did make me think, why do floorboards creak?

Well apparently, it’s only because the timbers are rubbing together. Sometimes, though, creaks will originate from the junction between the tread and riser.

I had no idea what this meant but I was informed that if I identified the exact origins of the creak, possibly better accessible from the underside of the staircase, then I could simply screw the gap back together.

Screw what gap back together? I wondered.

Another solution I didn’t understand was that a thin strip of wood, shaped to taper at one end and glued to fill the gap and hammered into place, would fix the problem – and it’s important not to use the staircase until the glue is set.

Well, good luck to anyone who is reading this article and planning on doing a stair job. If I try this myself I’ll probably end up stairless so instead, I’ll call an expert.

You’ll be appy to know…

By Sarah Ali Choudhury If you are starting a home improvement project, make sure you start by pulling out your smartphone and downloading a few free apps. There are so many apps on the market today that can help you to ensure you have a smooth home improvement project. iHandy Level: for a general purpose level right in your pocket that allows you to level surfaces using only your mobile phone.

Handyman Calculator: for all kinds of construction calculators and conversions.

Homestyler: decorating ideas This app can visualise how furniture or doors look before buying. You can create a great 3D home design with the latest trending ideas inside this app.

Houzz: is a complete app that will help you to design the home that you want.

Magicplan: the Magicplan app will help you to design your home like a professional.

You can create floor plans, view the rooms in 3D and furnish your home.

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in the home

Go with the flow

By Sarah Ali Choudhury

You can take all the preventative measures in the world but, inevitably, time will take a toll on your plumbing.

Unless you are a plumber or passionate about pipes, plumbing isn’t one of the things you actively learn about.

When your plumbing suddenly stops working properly or if you run into a problem, that’s when it becomes apparent that we need to be more educated on the topic.

Here are a few pointers that might help you out, or prevent a messy situation!

• First of all, know where your stopcock is and make sure it has not seized up.

Being able to turn off the water supply in an emergency is vital.

• This may sound obvious, but don’t pour cooking oil down the sink.

Although the build up created by grease and oil won’t be apparent to you initially, eventually it will clog the pipes. Instead, wait for fat to solidify and dispose of it in the waste bin.

• Do not flush hygiene products, cotton balls, medication, wipes or fish (yes, you read that right – fish!) down the toilet. Eventually it will become clogged.

• This tip for the freezing cold winter months: if the air circulating your home is kept at a minimum of 16 degrees it will prevent the pipes from

freezing. When a frozen pipe bursts, it can cause untold damage inside the home. Make sure all pipework that is exposed to low temperatures (such as in the loft) is properly lagged.

• Don’t force taps to close too tightly.

Turn the tap until you feel the natural stopping point otherwise the seal will wear out and you will be left with the sound of your tap dripping.

If all else fails, expert plumbers can provide you with peace of mind knowing that all pipework and drains are in full working order in and around your home.

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No Hassle Carpet Cleaning Zero Dry Time - dry carpet, upholstery and hard floor specialists have four great solutions for your home; dry carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, hard floor cleaning and wooden floor restoration.

Its carpet cleaning – but not as you know it…

The ‘on your hands and knees, scrubbing and carrying dirty water’ process is now a thing of the past.

With the advancement of new technology and products, Zero Dry Time have developed a fully robust cleaning system that can provide you, the home owner, with what you want when having your carpets cleaned.

Dry carpets and upholstery ready for immediate use with no fuss – what’s not to like?

Imagine if you were having your carpets cleaned, would you like to be told: “that they’re fresh, dry, clean and ready to use for immediate use?”

Or “they are wet, please keep your children, pets and furniture out of the room with the heating on and windows open until they are dry.”

Zero Dry Time have developed a unique range of environmentally friendly products that have been tested to industry standards.

• Environmentally friendly • Safe for babies, young children and animals • Sanitises and deodorises • Removes tough stains • Leaves environments fresh and clean Do you have a problem with slippy hard floors in your home?

The “ invisible Antislip System” can be applied to quarry, ceramic and porcelain tiles, bath tubs and shower trays, making your home or workplace a safer environment and helping to prevent slips on all wet floors including, showers, kitchens, toilets, bathrooms, conservatories, hot tubs, jacuzzi’s, plus office and shop-fronted areas.

For a free no obligation quote on all flooring and upholstery cleaning requirements, call John & Debby, locally based in Ringwood, on 0800 180 4052

Visit www.mags4dorset.co.uk for more local news please mention VIEWPOINT Magazine when you contact our advertisers

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in the home / home is where the heart is .

When to invest in new windows Do your double-glazed windows need replacing?

If they are showing any of the following signs, then it’s time to obtain a few quotes to get the work done: •

Water is leaking through the frame. This means that the window’s weather seal may have failed. If it is not the seal, the drainage section might be blocked.

•

You find condensation between the panes – this means you have a major problem.

Condensation indicates that the seal that surrounds the two panes of glass has sprung a leak. In turn, this means that the gas cavity between the window panes is not sealed.

If this has happened, then you should replace your existing double glazing as soon as possible. You can replace the glazing without replacing the entire unit.

•

There are cracks or chips in the glass. If you don’t replace the windows you could end up with condensation, a leak or a draught.

•

Draughts are flowing through the frames. If you have noticed a draught coming through your windows, it indicates that the seal has broken down. If you feel draughts flow between the window frame and the brickwork, this means that the window sealant might have failed.

A new set of windows can liven up the appearance of your house and add value to your property in the long-run.

New windows will also increase your insulation levels, making your home more energy efficient and bringing heating bills down.

There is plenty of choice. For instance – plain, leaded, or Georgian bar glass. Or perhaps a casement, bay, bow or sash window would suit your property.

And you need to decide on a colour. White UPVC is the cheapest option with woodgrain and other wood colours adding to the bill.

Energy efficient ratings for windows range from A to A+++. The more pluses, the more expensive the windows are. But while they are more expensive upfront, in the long-run you can save yourself quite a bit through energy efficient gains. This means lower heating costs. And if the average lifespan of a window is around 25 years, that’s a lot of saving.

It’s important to compare quotes from at least three installers. And make sure the quotes are based on the same number, style, and finish of window you want.

Try to stick with reputable companies. If you don’t feel confident or comfortable then have someone else present during quotations. And never feel pressured to make a decision right away.

If you’re getting a quote directly from a window fitter, the quote should include all costs for your replacement windows. This includes the actual windows, fittings, labour, and extras needed such as skips or warranties.

Replacement windows can be a great addition to a house but with lots of overheads to think about, getting a general calculation before starting is a good idea.

Condensation inside the glazing

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

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in the home

Brighten up your home with a work of art

With the rise in an abundance of art on the Internet, artists on Facebook and Instagram, plus a wealth of local artists displaying in local outlets and galleries, there is no excuse not to have some artwork on your walls at home.

A piece of art not only gives you a focal point, but you can also ‘rest’ your eyes from the TV now and again by admiring that lovely watercolour in your lounge. And if you don’t have a huge budget, charity shops often have some great original pieces. They may take a bit of finding, but an original watercolour for £3 or £4 can be the reward.

If you like to browse exhibitions for inspiration, there is one coming up in Broadstone.

Colourful uplifting landscapes, unusual abstracts and thought provoking conceptual paintings will be on show in Broadstone Library from 30 April-4 May 9am to 5p Monday to Friday, 9am until 2pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

They are the work of Peter Dorey whose subjects range from the local natural landscape to deeper psychological thinking. His new collection of work is a creative cross between abstract and the local landscape.

Peter has self studied painting for over seven years and has explored different areas of art and design for over 25 years. On his way to gaining a landscape architecture degree, he studied at the Arts University in Bournemouth.

For more information about him and his art, please visit www.peterdorey.co.uk . His work will be on view again at Church House, High Street, Wimborne Minster on Saturdays only 1 June, 6 July and 3 August.

For something completely different, artist Louis Pulford, the design director at mags4dorset has range of his digital artwork ready for framing and available at reasonable prices at Viewrassic Park, Christchurch Road in Boscombe (next door to Boscanova).

Mother Nature by Louis Pulford

Beach Hut and Agapanthus by Peter Dorey

652 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth BH1 4BP

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specialist services / who to contact for the service you need.

BLINDS & CURTAINS

BUILDING SERVICES

DECORATING

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

DECORATING

DECORATING

CATERING

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

COMPUTER SERVICES

DECORATING

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specialist services DECORATING

FENCING

GARDENING SERVICES

DECORATING

FENCING

GARDENING SERVICES

GARDENING SERVICES

ELECTRICIAN

FENCING

GARDENING SERVICES

GARDENING SERVICES

HEATING SPECIALISTS

LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING

HEATING SPECIALISTS

LOCKSMITH

LOGS

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specialist services / who to contact for the service you need.

LOGS

ROOFING

VINYL BUY & SELL

PLUMBING

PLASTERING

RUBBISH CLEARANCE

TREE SURGERY

TREE SURGERY

WEB DESIGN

WINDOW REPAIRS

WINDOW REPAIRS

RUBBISH AND WASTE CLEARANCE

TREE SURGERY

WINDOW REPAIRS

NEED TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS? LET US CREATE AN ADVERT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE VIEWS To advertise here call 01202 941465

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

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LETTERS to the

EDITOR

Don’t waste water Did you hear that we, as a nation, are going to run out of water 20 years from now?

It’s not surprising when we have 66.8 million of us stamping around just in the UK. And I hear the cry, “Well my little effort is a drop in the ocean and will not make one jot of difference.” How wrong you are.

Some may think it’s trivia but here are just a few simple things that collectively could make huge differences.

Don’t clean your teeth under a running tap.

Let me be conservative and say probably half the population clean their teeth this way. If a mug was used instead, you would save the difference between the mug (250ml) with the tap, which could easily run away a litre, the saving is at least 0.75 litre per day (depending on how many times you clean your teeth). If one person saved 0.75 litre a day (about 275 litres a year), multiply that by just a quarter of the population (approximately 16 million), and you will realise that well over 44 million litres of water is wasted annually cleaning teeth.

Lawn sprinklers should be severely restricted or banned, or people fined for overwatering and allowing water to run off their ground into the road or pavement, there is an attitude among many that: “As I have paid for it I shall use it” and this applies to car washing, not banning commercial or private but much could be saved this way, the almost ritualistic car cleaning every Sunday morning, and all waste water (excluding sewage) should be diverted from the kitchen or bathroom for garden use, which would teach a few not to pour oils and greases down the sink, which would give added benefits elsewhere in the sewage system.

Naturally no one want’s to make any personal sacrifices or put up with any inconveniences. We’ve had it soft for so long I think we have been drawn into laziness by the so called today’s modern ways.

Ken Horton West Moors

Air gun horror As the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, Cats Protection is always horrified to learn of cases where cats have been injured or killed after being shot with an air gun.

Sadly, we regularly receive reports of horrific cases across England and Wales where cats have suffered agonising injuries – often fatal – as a result of the indiscriminate use of air guns. Cats that survive frequently sustain life-changing injuries from air gun attacks, such as limb amputation or loss of an eye. Furthermore, a 2016 Cats Protection survey of vets found that 46% of reported incidents result in fatalities.

Many of your readers may be shocked to learn that air guns are unlicensed in England and Wales, meaning that they can be legally owned by anyone over the age of 18. This is in contrast with Scotland and Northern Ireland, which both have sensible, modern laws in place to regulate who can own an air gun. It can therefore be no coincidence that over 90% of the air gun attacks on cats reported in the press in the UK are in England and Wales.

Cats Protection is determined to change this, and our petition calling on the Government to introduce the licensing of air guns in England and Wales has gathered over 110,000 signatures. The Government launched a review into air weapons legislation in October 2017, including a consultation which concluded on 6 February 2018, but have still not reported their next steps.

In the meantime, your readers can help by signing our petition at www.cats.org.uk/airgunspetition We’d also ask anyone with any information about shooting incidents to report them to either the police, RSPCA or RSPCA Cymru in Wales.

Jacqui Cuff Head of Advocacy & Government Relations Cats Protection

How to dispose of unwanted household knives With the rise in knife crime, Dorset Police regularly hold knife amnesties allowing members of the public to hand in knives anonymously to prevent them falling into the wrong hands.

The most recent amnesty ran for a week in March and was part of the ongoing national knife crime reduction initiative Operation Sceptre.

In all, there were 209 items which were either knives or had blades, and a handful of other items including three ornamental swords, one set of nunchakus, an axe, a hammer and a pair of carving forks. These items will be destroyed.

As with previous amnesties, a lot of domestic knives were binned.

Outside of amnesty periods, people with unwanted knives can dispose of them in household waste as long as they are packaged securely so as to avoid handling injuries. Otherwise they can be deposited along with other bladed items in the metal recycling skip at local reclamation facilities.

If anyone has any queries over bladed items and how to dispose of them, or is concerned about transporting them, please get in touch with Dorset Police: www.dorset.police.uk/contact-us/visit-us

Tanks inspire next generation of engineers Around 2,000 schoolchildren from across Dorset invaded the Tank Museum for a ‘Big Bang’ science and engineering event.

Organised by Dorset County Council, the day saw the youngsters take part in interactive workshops, theatre shows and speak with businesses which attended.

The Big Bang Fair – hosted by the museum in Bovington – was part of a UK-wide programme of events aimed at interesting children in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – so called STEM subjects.

Two competitions were held during the day, encouraging the children to show off their skills.

Older participants took part in an innovation contest while the younger ones designed responsibly-sourced lunchboxes.

Pupils learn about the historic tanks

Children cook up a real treat Year 5 and 6 pupils from Allenbourn Middle School took part in a special programme dished up by The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA).

They worked in teams to make garlic and coriander naan bread, weighing out their own ingredients as well as kneading and proving dough.

And in the final session the children prepared and presented a healthy pasta salad and salad dressing with head chefs Andy Wright and Lex Bartlett from the Pig Hotel.

Pupils with Sarah Howard from The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Sooty, who celebrated his 70th birthday last year, will be joined by Sweep, Soo and his pal Richard Cadell for Sooty’s Magic Show at the Regent, Christchurch on Saturday 11 May

French winners

at 11am and 2.30pm.

Congratulations to Sonja Taylor from Ferndown; Andy Wright, Ferndown; Patricia Wickenden, Ferndown; D Hayter, Verwood for their correct entries in the French crossword competition in last month’s Viewpoint. All will receive Fantastique French Tuition lessons. There were so many entries, the prize was extended!

circus star Michael

Special guests will be Jordan and the ultraviolet specialties of Fantasie de la Nuit.

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motoring / keeping you on the road.

Care Key

Volvo Cars have revealed the ‘Care Key’ allowing any Volvo buyer to set a speed limit for themselves, their family members or friends. The Care Key will come as standard on all Volvo cars from model year 2021.

The Care Key allows Volvo drivers to set limitations on the car’s top speed, before lending their car to other family members or to younger and inexperienced drivers such as teenagers who have only just received their driver’s licence.

Competition winners

Congratulations to the two winners of the Highway Code competition.

Alan Sharpe from Wimborne and Kay Pidgley from Fordingbridge can look forward to receiving the latest edition of The Highway Code for their winning competition entries.

AFC Bournemouth marks opening of £15m showroom Premier League football Brand director for said, “Our players and players and management Westover Jaguar Land management were from AFC Bournemouth Rover, Andy Grant, said, extremely impressed arrived to officially open “We were delighted to with the state-of-theWestover Group’s £15m welcome some of AFC art showroom. AFC Jaguar Land Rover Bournemouth’s players to Bournemouth has recently showroom in Christchurch. the showroom and thank confirmed a two-year Purpose-built to them for marking this partnership with the group house the two prestigious significant opening with a to become the club’s marques, the new ribbon cutting. official motor partner, showroom accommodates Rob Mitchell, and we were delighted more than 100 approved commercial director to celebrate this opening used cars as well as a at AFC Bournemouth with the group.” complete line up of new vehicles.

Team captain Simon Francis, David Brooks and Ryan Fraser together with manager Eddie Howe, assistant manager Jason Tindall and assistant first team coach and club ambassador Steve Fletcher visited Westover Jaguar Land Rover on Bailey Drive, Christchurch, to cut the ribbon, have a tour and meet some of the Left to right: Andy Grant; Steve Fletcher, Jason Tindall and Eddie 100-strong team at the Howe of AFC Bournemouth; and Louis Elde new showroom.

New campaign launched to promote drivers making better choices The Dorset Road Safety Partnership has launched a major new campaign titled ‘Choices for Humanity’,

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VIEWPOINT April 2019

which encourages road users to make better choices.

The campaign aims

to continue to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Dorset roads, whether they’re in vehicles, or on motorbikes, bicycles, horses or foot.

Drivers and other road users often make decisions that they later regret, whether it is when to pull out of a T-junction, dangerously overtaking the vehicle in front, crossing the road in an unsafe place, overtaking a cyclist or horse rider too close or driving under the influence of drink or drugs. Making the wrong choice can all too often lead to tragedy.

The campaign is based loosely around the popular ‘Cards Against Humanity’ game, with messaging delivered in a thought provoking and innovative way that will resonate with road users. It has been designed to push the boundaries to generate attention to our road safety messages and to get people to stop and think.

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motoring

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ASK THE EXPERT

By Nolan Irving, Irving and Sons Estate Agents

Q. I have just got a new job and as we need to move areas fairly quickly we are considering renting out our property. What advice can you give me and what is the rental market like?

A

Firstly, congratulations on the new job and considering the rental route could be a good idea for several reasons. If you are going to rent a property in your new location then it makes sense to hang on to your existing home here, at least whilst you settle into your new job and a new area.

The rental market in this area always remains very active and I don’t see this changing even if, as some are predicting, we are entering period of uncertainty in the property market and the economy due to Brexit.

The reality is that there are just not enough rental properties available to satisfy the demand. We currently have an abundance of potential tenants trying to secure a rental home and I believe that over the next couple of years tenants are going to find it even harder and more costly due to the current government’s stance and policies which affect the private rental sector.

The reason for this is because we have already seen a fairly substantial reduction in the number of investment buyers purchasing properties to rent out due primarily to the additional 3% stamp duty on second home

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purchases. We have also seen a fairly high number of landlords deciding to sell their investment properties due to other policy changes, which have been introduced fairly recently and now make owning rental properties far less attractive.

When the sales market slows down, as some are predicting it is or will this year, then the lettings market usually does the opposite and with a heightened demand for those properties that become available to rent, landlords will have more choice of tenants and inevitably rents will rise.

As the property is your own home, you will have a very good idea of all those minor jobs that may need doing. If this is the case and in order to reduce complications and problems during your tenancy, I would advise that you get these jobs done straight away and ideally a coat of paint, carpets cleaned if required and keep any receipts if you employ tradesmen to do this for you.

The most important piece of advice that I can give to any landlord but especially in view of the fact that you are going to be renting out your own home with the potential to return to

it, is that you choose an agent that you trust to manage everything on your behalf.

I would then suggest that you market your home for a sufficient enough time to generate plenty of interest so that you can select the tenants that you and your agent feel are best suited to your home. Once you have found the right tenants, then you must ensure that your agent is going to complete detailed referencing on those tenants and a professional inventory is completed to ensure the condition of your home is accurately assessed prior to any tenants moving in.

The best advice I can give to any landlord is that they use a professional and reputable local letting agent to manage their home or investment property. It’s far too important to just use the cheapest agent you can find or to attempt to manage the property yourself, unless you know lettings law. Focus on the detail of the services that the agent provides, meet the entire lettings team and only move forward with an agent if they have won your trust and you have complete confidence in their ability to look after what is probably your most valuable asset.

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