Viewpoint June 2020

A little Robin © Louis Pulford

Mid June 2020 Volume 44, Issue 8

BCP Leader - vote of no confidence defeated

Ringwood Regal

closer to being saved

£50 Competition

How well do you know your local events?

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Rustic Fayre is cancelled

Vikki Slade

Vikki Slade remains leader of BCP Council The vote of no confidence in Cllr Vikki Slade’s leadership of BCP Council, which was put forward at the council meeting on 9 June, failed.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Drew Mellor and seconded by Cllr Philip Broadhead from the opposition Conservative group.

With 37 votes for the motion and 37 against, the casting vote was made by the chairman of BCP Council Cllr David Flagg.

Since the death of Cllr Colin Bungey in April, the ruling Unity Alliance – which is comprised of Liberal Democrats, Christchurch Independents, Poole People, Labour and other independents has been in the minority with 35 councillors. The Conservatives have 36 councillors.

Booking system for tip at Verwood Queues have been building up at the Somerley Household Waste Recycling Centre on Verwood Road, prompting Hampshire County Council to introduce a pre-booking system.

Further information on what visitors need to do will be provided via Hampshire’s website.

Residents will be able to book their visit for two days ahead only. Bookings will be taken later this month.

Access to Somerley will still be free for local Dorset residents, although current restrictions will remain in place regarding opening hours, number of trips allowed, and waste types accepted.

Both Dorset Council and Hampshire County Council will continue to urge residents to make use of kerbside collections and only visit a recycling centre at this time if they cannot safely store waste at home.

Further information is available at: www.hants. gov.uk/wasteandrecycling.

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The Rotary Club of Verwood has cancelled the Rustic Fayre at Potterne Park this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ken Armstrong, secretary of Verwood Rotary said, “Although it was not due to take place until August Bank Holiday Monday 31 August 2020, our primary concern with the event was the health and safety of our helpers, the participants of the show and of course our visitors.

“With the current position of the coronavirus pandemic at a precarious stage, with lockdown measures now starting to ease, albeit tentatively, we feel that a return to large social gatherings is still a very, very long way off into the future.”

He said the Rotary Club was concentrating on planning for the Rustic Fayre 2021.

Face coverings – know what you’re buying On the 11 May the Government advised people to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces when social distancing, on public transport or in some shops.

Face coverings such as handmade masks and scarfs do not replace the need for social distancing or handwashing.

Evidence suggests that wearing a covering does not protect you.

However, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with.

A face covering is not the same as personal protective equipment (PPE) or medical devices such as surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers.

This equipment is heavily regulated, designed and manufactured to be worn for protection against one or more risks to that person's health or safety.

As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic there has been a huge increase in demand for PPE products both commercially and by consumers. Unfortunately, this has led to a rise in the number of illegal PPE being sold. These products can often be dangerous and unsafe, or come from supply chains without traceability back to a manufacturer’s technical file to show it complies with our law.

Trading Standards are responsible for the enforcement of PPE sold to consumers. As a minimum PPE masks should bear: • a name, trademark or other means of identification of the manufacturer or supplier • Product code • a CE mark • four digit Notified Body number • bear the appropriate class (FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3) - please note only FFP3 can provide protection against Covid- 19.

• reference to standard EN 149:2001+A1:2009 • state whether is single use (NR) or re-useable (R) • accompanied by instructions in English If anyone believes PPE or other goods are not safe or not as described report it to Dorset Council Trading Standards by contacting the Citizens Advice Consumer Service at https:// www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer or by calling their new freephone number 0808 223 1133.

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VIEWPOINT

Volume 44 • Issue 8 • June 2020

Dear readers

MAGS4DORSET

Have you achieved all the things on the to-do list that you constructed at the start of lockdown?

Nope? Me neither.

I had big plans for the time when I finish work each day, but they haven’t been fulfilled.

I vowed that this was the year I was going to paint our white wrought iron garden furniture, saying ‘if I don’t do it this year, when I have a little more time on my hands, then I’ll never do it’.

The three chairs and the table are still a delicate shade of rust, as the weather has either been too hot, or I decided to go out for a walk instead.

I was going to dramatically improve my skills on the piano keyboard. Well I still haven’t really moved on much from Ode to Joy, although my repertoire includes When the Saints Go Marching In, Oh Danny Boy and Oranges and Lemons – played on one hand. My one woman concert at the Tivoli or Regent Centre will have to wait.

I have a short story in my head, which has not just a beginning and middle, but an end too, but I haven’t transferred it to my computer. If only I had Janine’s willpower as she is a prolific novelist.

I have tackled the garden but instead of transforming it I’ve concentrated on my favourite task of pruning – so I was in no danger of becoming part of the virtual Wimborne in Bloom open gardens tour.

In fact the only thing I can tick off my list is phoning friends, particularly those who live on their own.

Oh well, there is always tomorrow for the furniture painting.

Marilyn Barber News editor

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

Ben Pulford managing director ben@mags4dorset.co.uk

Picture of the month

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@mags4dorset.co.uk

NEWS DESK Janine Pulford editor editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@mags4dorset.co.uk Karen Wyatt-Epapara deputy editor mags@mags4dorset.co.uk I can’t read, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

DESIGN Louis Pulford creative director louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

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

LOGISTICS

Mike Talbot Alexandra O’Neill

How to contact us 07875 962344 Email: mags@mags4dorset.co.uk Web: www.mags4dorset.co.uk Twitter: @mags4dorset Facebook: mags4dorset.news Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ Follow VIEWPOINT MAGAZINE on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/viewpointmagazinedorset/

Copy date 3 JULY 2020

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

10 facts about robins that may surprise you Featured on our front cover is a photograph of a robin (Erithacus rubecula) by Louis Pulford.

This bold little bird is not always as sweet as it looks when it come bob-bob-bobbing along.

1. Male and female robins both have red breasts. It is the juveniles that are speckled gold and brown all over.

2. On average robins live for two years.

Fortunately numbers of robins are on the increase in the UK. Providing food on bird tables during cold weather can make a big difference to their survival.

3. Robins are territorial and surprisingly aggressive, driving off intruders and sometimes dive-bombing them. They have been known to fight their rivals to the death.

4. The female builds the nest, and may choose a bizarre place to do this, like a tool shed or greenhouse, but will easily desert the nest if she thinks it has been discovered.

5. She usually lays four to six eggs, which are incubated for 13 days and the chicks fledge when 14 days old.

6. Robins have at least two broods a year and both parents look after the nestlings.

7. Once the baby birds leave the nest, the male robin predominantly cares for the fledglings for a further three weeks.

8. Robins have their own territories. Individually in the winter and in pairs in the summer.

9. The song of a robin is beautifully melodic and sometimes they sing throughout the night.

10. Little robin redbreast is symbolic of winter, often being depicted on Christmas cards, yet ironically a severe winter is the robin’s worst enemy.

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Signs of the times

Almost 1,500 signs indicating ‘Keep Left' and 'Keep Your Distance’ are being erected in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area as more shops prepare to reopen on 15 June.

The new signs have not been introduced to control highway traffic, instead they are being installed to remind people visiting town centres, high streets and shopping areas to 'keep left' as well as 'keep your distance' in a bid to control covid-19 and support social distancing.

You will see the signs on lamp columns, stuck to bins, placed on the ground and even wrapped around pedestrian bollards, reminding everyone of the current national advice.

Social distancing measures cannot be enforced by councils or the police, so the signage is designed to encourage people to take personal responsibility.

Installation of signage has already started in those areas expected to be busiest once shops reopen - the main town centres of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with more being rolled out in local shopping areas as well as key leisure locations throughout the coming weeks.

These are in addition to specific measures already announced for key areas where social distancing in shopping locations would be difficult without changes. These are: Ashley Road, Parkstone – traffic cones to create extra space outside of Waitrose Wimborne Road, Winton – suspension of street parking to widen footpath into parking area Southbourne Grove, Southbourne - suspension of street parking to widen footpath ‘Keep Left’ is being advised on all footpaths and pedestrian areas to keep movement flows in same direction. This tried, tested and understandable format will mean people needing to keep to the left hand side of a footpath/pedestrianised area, road crossing point, beach promenade, beach zig-zags, in the direction that they are travelling, so as that people travelling in the opposite direction can pass on the right.

Care home and domiciliary care sector thanked A message of thanks is being made to Dorset’s care homes, domiciliary and supported living teams from the range of organisations who have been working together during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A wide range of partners have been working jointly as part of a pan-Dorset social care group. These have included representatives of care homes, domiciliary care, supported living, the NHS, NHS Dorset CCG, BCP and Dorset councils, Dorset Public Health, Dorset Civil Contingencies Unit and the Care Quality Commission.

The group has been collaborating on coordinating support for care homes and domiciliary care and supported living providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cllr Lesley Dedman, cabinet member for Health & Social Care, BCP Council said, “It is been really impressive to see the ways in which adult social care providers have come together to address challenges and find joint solutions to those challenges in what are unprecedented times.

“Not only have social care leaders and staff provided wonderful and high quality care for our residents but also care sector leaders have worked in close collaboration for the benefit of everyone who uses services and care sector staff. As councils and the NHS we want to express our thanks to everyone working in the care sector at this time.”

Vanessa Read, Director of Nursing and Quality, on behalf of NHS Dorset CCG, said, “We would like to thank everyone who has been working so well together during these challenging times. We would especially like to thank all of the staff working in the care sector for all that they are doing. Thank you.”

Caring for carers As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, those who look after others are going through an especially challenging time, and so during Carers Week (8-14 June) Dorset HealthCare asked local unpaid carers to recognise the value of what they do – and remember to look after themselves.

A carer can be someone of any age, in paid work or not, who supports a friend or family member with an illness, disability, frailty, mental health issue or substance misuse problem. It is estimated Dorset has around 83,000 unpaid carers.

Pat Wilkins, carers’ development lead at the Trust, said, “Many people do not even identify themselves as a carer because it is something they just do. You are all doing a wonderful job taking care of others, but please remember to be kind to yourself, as you are also important.

“We can provide support and advice via video call, while signposting to relevant information.”

To find out how Dorset HealthCare and other local organisation can support you as a carer, visit: www. dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/carers.

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Ringwood Regal closer to being saved from luxury flat redevelopment as share offer goes live In the on going efforts to save the derelict Regal building in the centre of Ringwood from being redeveloped into luxury flats, local resident Jim Stride has teamed up with town councillor, businessman and volunteer at Ringwood Town Football Club, Darren Loose, to form Ringwood Community Investment CIC (community interest company).

The ambitious aim of Ringwood Community Investment CIC is to purchase the former Regal Cinema and turn it into a cinema and live performance venue with a restaurant and community rooms.

They estimate the cost will be around £5-6 million and investment is needed to help reach the target. Shares will soon be available costing £100 each.

Jim Stride said, “Darren and I will not take a single penny out of this community interest company, we are doing this on a voluntary basis for the good of Ringwood and will be investing our own money too.”

The pair have the backing of Donaldson Ross & Co accountants of Ringwood and Forest Edge Solicitors of Ringwood who are providing their services for free.

“We also have many experts offering their expertise and skills free of charge on a community basis,” said Jim. “We are in contact with the building owners U&I Group PLC and we are negotiating a purchase agreement to buy the cinema.

“It's a bit of a two-horse-race: we are up against property developers who want to turn the Regal it into luxury flats.”

Two options have been put forward

by Ringwood Community Investment CIC and these can be found on Jim Stride’s Facebook page. The options are both shown on this page.

Jim adds, “We will be selling shares at £100 each, these will be issued by Donaldson Ross and Co chartered accountants.

“Everything will be done on an open community accounting basis so that shareholders can freely see what we are trying to achieve. Full accounts will be sent to all shareholders on an annual basis.”

Shares will shortly be made available along with the Regal prospectus, business plans and share offers. Should the scheme be unsuccessful after a number of years of trying, there will be the option to refund all of the community shares as laid out in the share offer.

But with such commitment and positivity, the investment scheme is starting off with great enthusiasm. Jim said,“Darren brings to the mix a cool head with much experience in the property world and has valuable business experience. Like myself, he has a strong passion to provide a fantastic community asset for the town of Ringwood and in doing so, provide a new heartbeat to the centre of Ringwood and its Market Place.”

For more details visit the Ringwood Community Investment Scheme on Facebook. Feedback on the two options is required. Visit: https://www. facebook.com/groups/JimStride/?post_ id=3087503771273161 Email contact@ringwoodlocal.net

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Bonfire ban at Ringwood allotments L-R, Anton Scott, Gulshan Ghan, David Glasson and Andrew Kenny

Ringwood company expands workforce by 50 per cent With Covid-19 having had a dramatic effect on our economy, it’s refreshing to hear that one company has expanded its workforce by 50 per cent during lockdown.

Dawsongroup Finance, which has an office in Ringwood, has hired four new members of staff, bucking the trend of many companies across the UK who have opted to furlough staff or make redundancies. These appointments include three business development managers and a new head of sales, which almost

completes Dawsongroup Finance’s planned full sales team. Commercial Director, Kevin Wills, said, “All four roles are crucially important to our strategy for growing Dawsongroup Finance, and Anton Scott, David Glasson, Gulshan Ghan and Andrew Kenny fit perfectly in terms of their skills, experience and individual commitment to providing our customers and Group colleagues with an industry-leading service.”

Dawsongroup PLC employs over 1,000 people.

Bonfires are now prohibited at allotments at Hightown Road and Southampton Road in Ringwood.

Although updated signs asking for extra consideration for neighbours, due to the Covid-19 lockdown and the possibility that some could be suffering respiratory symptoms due to the virus – the council has received a number of complaints from residents on this issue.

Some signs were removed at Hightown Road, and Ringwood Town Council received a further report of a bonfire. A letter was sent to an individual allotment holder, but this was ineffective.

Previously the council was unable to take enforcement action, but the recent meeting of the recreation, leisure and open spaces committee – by Zoom – resolved to amend the rules, prohibiting bonfires from 1 May to 30 September at the Hightown Road and Southampton Road allotment sites. This ban will be permanent.

If these rules are breached the town clerk would have discretion in terms of enforcement and an allotment holder would be at risk of being served with a Notice to Quit the allotment tenancy.

Reduction in income for Ringwood Town Council

Volunteers helping vulnerable people in Ringwood

Ringwood Town Council, like every local authority, has experienced a downturn in its finances due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A significant reduction in income from Carvers Clubhouse, in terms of sales and bookings, is expected, and the possibility of refunds being due from cancelled group bookings.

The grounds team have returned to their normal working hours, but some impact is anticipated in respect of contract work.

The Visitor Information Centre had not opened and was unlikely to, so a small drop in income from sales is expected.

Events, which have previously generated a surplus, are at risk, but no decision has been made in relation to the fireworks and Christmas event.

However, as far as financial savings go, there will be a reduction in the amount of staff overtime claimed and capital projects will be delayed, along with Neighbourhood Planning,

Vulnerable people in Ringwood have been receiving support from Ringwood Coronavirus Assistance (RCA).

A total of 130 volunteers have provided assistance around the town, with 200 shopping trips and 350 prescription deliveries for people who were impacted by Covid-19.

During the last 10 weeks, volunteers manning the telephone between 7am to 10pm have received 500 calls and the website has also been available for people to register their needs or obtain information.

Cllr John Haywood, who established RCA, told the council’s Policy and Finance Committee that RCA will exist as long as Covid-19 is having an impact on the community and there would be a leaflet drop to remind residents that they are there to help.

In the future, it was thought that changing work patterns would impact on volunteers’ availability and that the services may need to be adjusted to help with different issues arising, such as loneliness and mental health. Consideration was also being given as to how to promote the continuity and worthiness of volunteering in the community and how Ringwood, as a whole, could benefit.

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which requires public involvement and consultations.

At the last meeting of the council’s Policy and Finance Committee it was reported that the first instalment of the precept had been received, but, the biggest risk for the Council was the possibility of not receiving the full amount of the second instalment from NFDC. Expenditure on Grant Aid applications was suspended at the previous meeting, as there may be more important areas of genuine need at this exceptional time, which would not have been budgeted for and would warrant the funding being diverted.

The chairman said there would be an impact on the Council’s income due to the pandemic in the short term, but not to the extent that it will impact on Reserves. He concluded that the Council was in a strong position and there was no need to make any changes at this stage.

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The Great Bridge at Fordingbridge

By Julian Hewitt, Fordingbridge Museum It may surprise readers to know that beneath you as you drive or walk over the bridge in Fordingbridge is a structure that dates back to the 14th century.

Originally there would have been a fording place over the river, possibly just downstream from the bridge and it is said that Roman pottery was found when drainage pipes were being laid, which may indicate there was a crossing there in Roman times.

Originally the town was called Forde but in the Domesday survey of 1086 it is referred to as Fordingbridge which indicates the presence of a wellestablished bridge although there is no indication as to whether it was built of stone or timber.

There have been various times when money was given in the form of a grant called pontage to help with the maintenance of the bridge.

In 1252 pontage was granted by the Crown, ”towards its repairs in consideration of the traffic and because the bridge would shortly suffer ruin unless a helping hand provide a remedy.”

The graceful arches, built using ferruginous sand stone, which can still be seen under the existing bridge may have been the ones that were built at this time for they have been dated to the 14th century. In the papal records of 1402 a document promises relaxation of, “penance to penitents who give alms for the repair of the bridge of the town of Fordingbridge in the Diocese of Winchester commonly called the Great Bridge of Fordynbrigg.” Individuals also left money in their wills for the maintenance of the bridge.

The Barry family, who lived in Gorley, were generous benefactors. John Barry leaves, “to the maintaining of the Great Bridge two pence” in 1535 whilst Robert Barry left a penny in 1558, Gawyn Barry left four pence in 1591 and John Barry left six pence towards repairs in 1633.

The bridge marks the boundary between the royal chases of Cranborne and the New Forest and because of that

the Crown demanded that a watch should be kept, “on the bridge until sunrise and to detain all persons who shall be found to have in their possession venison taken from the New Forest, property of His Majesty the King. Herein fail not at your peril.” The Lord of the manor was only required to arrange for this the watch during the “fence” month which was 15 days before and after old Midsummer Day. The watchman was accommodated in a room in The George Inn overlooking the bridge and was armed with a hooked pike with an eight-foot long handle. This could be used as a barrier across the bridge so that carts could be stopped and examined for poached venison.

The bridge could be difficult to negotiate in the days before street lights and it was reported in The Salisbury Journal in 1864 that “A great accommodation has been afforded to those passing over the Great Bridge after dark by Mr Samuel Thompson who has caused a lamp to be placed in front

of his house.”

The bridge was regularly illuminated for the Fordingbridge regatta and in 1901 the Salisbury Journal reported that,” the arches of the bridge were outlined with fairy lamps.”

During WW2 the bridge was part of a line of defence in case of invasion and holes were drilled into the arches to contain explosives so that the bridge could be blown up to delay invading soldiers.

The engineers found the ironstone of the old arches very hard and difficult to drill into. Thankfully this precautionary measure did not have to be used although the bridge did have to suffer the passage of American tanks leaving to take part in the D-Day invasion whilst General Patton waved them off from outside what is now Lloyds chemists.

The graceful seven arched bridge is now Grade 11 listed and has wider arches built on top of the old bridge in the 1840s and a footpath with iron railings that was added in 1901.

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The beginning of a legend: 60 years since Lotus and Sir Stirling Moss changed Formula 1 forever On 29 May 1960, Sir Stirling Moss drove his Lotus for almost three hours of punishing racing, battling through the rain on the streets of Monte Carlo to win the Monaco Grand Prix. It was the first victory in a Formula 1 world championship race for Lotus.

Sixty years after it all began, Lotus is paying tribute to the beginning of its truly remarkable Formula 1 history, which has seen legendary drivers such as Mario Andretti, Jim Clark, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Graham Hill, Ronnie Peterson and Ayrton Senna all claim wins for the Norfolk-based outfit.

After the first victory by Moss, Lotus race cars went on to take the chequered flag a further 80 times, delivering six Drivers’ Championships and seven Constructors’ Championships.

Rain-affected, three-hour epic race saw Moss’s Lotus 18 win by almost a minute – the first of 81 Grand Prix wins for Lotus race cars It was at Monaco in 1960 where Sir Stirling Moss cemented his reputation as a rain master. He drove his new Lotus 18 relentlessly through the wet streets with supreme confidence to take the chequered flag.

After setting new lap records in practice then claiming the first-ever pole position for Lotus in qualifying, it was a near-flawless display. In a real race of attrition, only the top three drivers completed all 100 laps of the course and just five racers were classified. Moss beat his nearest competitor, Bruce McLaren, by 52 seconds.

The Lotus Type 18, which Lotus founder Colin Chapman believed was the marque’s first proper Formula 1 car, was perfectly suited to the tight, twisting

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streets of Monaco. The lightweight aluminium-bodied racer was agile and dynamic, taking the field – including a trio of entrants from Ferrari – by storm.

Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, added: “Today we mark not just a legendary driver and a remarkable achievement, but the start of a defining period in the history of Lotus. Sir Stirling Moss is a name etched into motorsport folklore, and his skill at the Monaco Grand Prix exactly 60 years ago was the catalyst for our successful heritage in Formula 1. That overwhelming drive to defy expectations and explore the limits of what’s possible is still engrained within the Lotus DNA to this day.”

“It was a classic David vs Goliath story,” says Clive Chapman, son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman

Clive Chapman, managing director of Classic Team Lotus and son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, said, “Moss winning the 1960 Monaco GP was a classic David vs Goliath-type story, which was well-received and an important boost to the Lotus marque, still in its relatively early days. Moss was naturally quick, thoughtful and mechanically sympathetic – all characteristics which were of utmost benefit at Monaco, back when the race was three hours long.”

Moss was driving a Lotus Type 18 for the privateer Rob Walker Racing Team and had already proven that talent and reliability were a match for the very best and well-equipped manufacturer outfits.

The team was founded by Rob Walker, the heir to the Johnnie Walker whisky empire, who decided for 1960 he would concentrate solely on Moss and, starting with Monaco, switched to using Lotus cars. It was an inspired move.

Chapman continued, “Rob Walker and my father enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship which realised great success throughout the 1960s. Walker’s enduring relationship with Sir Stirling Moss was even stronger. Evidently Walker, as privateer entrant and sponsor, provided Moss with what he needed in order to realise his prodigious ability.”

It was Moss who began the special relationship between Lotus and Formula 1’s most famous Grand Prix, with a further six wins in the principality after 1960.

Chapman explained: “The 1960 win came just two years after the first Team Lotus GP entry, at the 1958 Monaco GP with Cliff Allison racing his Lotus Type 12 into an extraordinary sixth place.”

Sir Stirling Moss is considered the greatest driver never to have won the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. He died just last month (12 April 2020) aged 90 at his London home.

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Lotus F1 History

by Numbers

New US LOT Sessions podcast celebrating the famous victory available now available

Lotus has recorded a new US LOT Sessions podcast celebrating the 60th anniversary of his victory. It features an interview with motorsport journalist Damien Smith and discusses the significance of the race for Lotus and Moss. Download and listen at iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and ShoutEngine.

Moss won at Monaco in a Lotus 18, and it’s one of many significant Lotus road and race cars which are included in the newly launched Heritage section on media. lotuscars.com. Part of the site’s continuing development, there is also a newly written biography of Colin Chapman and a history of the Lotus HQ in Hethel, Norfolk.

Mastering the Rain – Lotus and Moss in Monaco

The 1960 Monaco Grand Prix weekend got off to a flying start with Moss setting new lap records in practice and qualifying, earning him a spot on the front row of the grid and giving Lotus its first ever pole position. But this was to be no ordinary

‘lights to flag’ victory.

With eight drivers not qualifying, only 16 cars made it to the track. Up the hill from the start Moss was passed by Jo Bonnier in the rear-engined BRM, who led for 17 laps until his brakes began to fade and he surrendered the lead to Moss.

A few laps later the rain began to fall and Jack Brabham overtook Bonnier for second place as the drivers slowed to cope with the worsening conditions.

The wet track became the leveller, forcing supreme concentration as the drivers battled to remain on the tarmac.

Exemplary car control and driver input were critical in such treacherous conditions.

On the 43rd lap, Brabham was hounding Moss for the lead but succumbed to gearbox problems. With the rain gradually easing, Moss began to pull away from the pack until he had to pit on the 60th lap with a loose plug lead, allowing Bonnier to regain the lead.

The race was one of attrition. Pools of water remained across the track surface and Graham Hill collided with the commentators’ box. But it was in this tricky period of the race where Moss used his finesse and car control skills to catch Bonnier and continue to victory, finishing ahead of the duelling Bruce McLaren and Phil Hill. It was the first chapter of an epic story for Lotus.

First Entry: 1958 Monaco Grand Prix Race Wins: 81 Drivers’ Championships: 6 (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1978) Constructors’ Championships: 7 (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1978) Podiums: 157 Pole positions: 107 Fastest Laps: 71

List of Notable Lotus F1 drivers Sir Stirling Moss Jim Clark Graham Hill Jochen Rindt Emerson Fittipaldi Mario Andretti Ronnie Peterson Carlos Reutemann Nigel Mansell Elio de Angelis Ayrton Senna Nelson Piquet Mika Hakkinen Johnny Herbert Jacky Ickx Kimi Raikkonen

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STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHIC ENTRIES We were continually wowed by the high standard of images entered into our third photographic competition.

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The winner was Nicholas Brown with the photograph entitled: The monument at RNLI West Quay Road; 2nd Wendy Woo Slk with an early morning view across beautiful Poole Harbour and 3rd cliffs at West Bay by K D Browning. The editor’s pick was Tamsin Haslam with a very atmospheric image of Lulworth to Durdle Door.

To take part in our photographic competitions, join the mags4dorset Facebook group, read the rules and upload your photograph. You must have taken the image, own the copyright, and be able to provide a suitable file size for publication in our magazines.

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Netley Court Celebrates ‘Outstanding’ CQC Rating Netley Court, a luxury care home in Netley Abbey, Southampton, has been awarded an overall rating of ‘outstanding’ following an inspection by England’s health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This highest rating level is only given to 3.5% of care homes in the country. In addition to the overall rating, awarded on 6 April 2020, ‘outstanding’ ratings were given for being ‘caring’ and ‘well led’.

The CQC report highlights that Netley Court, which is part of the Cinnamon Care Collection, provides residents ‘with outstanding care and support and enabled them to live fulfilling lives.

Residents were constantly at the heart of the service’. Feedback from residents and their families to the inspectors was that staff were ‘exceptionally caring’ and knew the residents well. One staff member summarised the care home’s ethos by telling the inspectors, ‘we all treat the residents as if they are our family’.

The inspectors were impressed by the levels of staff training, the extensive activities programme, the high quality, nutritious food prepared by the awardwinning chefs and the beautiful, clean and well maintained premises. They

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also praised Netley Court’s strong links with local healthcare professionals and the significant role it plays in the local community.

They singled out the Senior General Manager, Mark Shockledge and his management team for being ‘passionate about providing quality care’ and also highlighted ‘the effective governance system which was firmly embedded into practice’.

Carole Hunt, Director, Cinnamon Care Collection commented, “Being rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC is a major achievement – it is a rating only given to 3.5% of care homes across the UK. Congratulations to Mark and his team who continually demonstrate their commitment to providing the highest level of care to our residents, ensuring their safety and individual needs are met at all times.”

Mark Shockledge, Senior General Manager, Netley Court adds, “We are thrilled to have been recognised as ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC. In terms of the CQC report, I was particularly pleased that the inspectors recognised our focus on meeting the individual needs of residents as this is core to our offering at Netley Court. The feedback from residents and

their families was extremely positive – including the ‘happy atmosphere’ and ‘staff going above and beyond’, which is what I see every day. It is fantastic to get such strong external endorsement for the achievements of the whole team.”

Rebecca Bauers, Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care, added, “What really impressed me in reading the inspection report and speaking with those involved in the inspection about this service was the level of personalised support that people received, from staff who had the right skills and who treated people with kindness, compassion and dignity. People told us they liked the staff who supported them, and staff themselves declared it a great place to work.”

Based on Victoria Road in Netley, with commanding views over Southampton Water, Netley Court provides residential care, respite care and specialist dementia care. As a result of COVID-19, Netley Court currently has rigorous processes in place regarding new admissions. For further information, please call Kathryn Duffell, Home Admissions Adviser on 02380 450320 or visit www.cinnamoncc.com

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Flower bordered walks

Beaulieu grounds and gardens reopen The doors to the Beaulieu visitor attraction reopened on Saturday 6 June and visitors can explore the grounds and gardens including, for a limited time only, areas of Lord Montagu’s private gardens surrounding Palace House.

Whilst indoor spaces including the National Motor Museum, Palace House, World of Top Gear and the Abbey exhibition must remain closed in line with government guidance, visitors will be able to explore the formal Victorian flower and vegetable gardens, the Mill Pond walk, the serene cloister of the Beaulieu Abbey and for the first time walk through the ample parkland, normally only used for major events.

A visit to Beaulieu wouldn’t be complete without the opportunity to see some beautiful vehicles from the National Motor Museum, so a handful will be on display near to the Palace House garages for visitors to see.

Two new tree carvings have been completed on the Mill Pond Walk, together with the renovation of a Victorian ice house.

Visitors will be able to download a map with key points of interest highlighted with commentary written by Lord Montagu.

“I expect that many of our visitors will have been to Beaulieu before but probably not just to enjoy the grounds and gardens,” said Lord Montagu. "Whilst our

collections and buildings tell fascinating stories, the grounds and gardens have tales to tell too. In writing the guide to ‘Outdoors Beaulieu’, I have taken the opportunity to share some personal perspectives and memories of the place in which I grew up, and is still very much my home.”

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors, capacity will be limited to 500 each day, assisted with the introduction of a new booking system to allow visitors

Victorian Flower Garden roses

to book their preferred date and arrival time. Beaulieu has also developed a Visitor Safety Promise to reassure visitors of the steps they are taking to help them feel safe during their day out.

A Beaulieu Grounds and Gardens admission ticket will cost only £9.50 for adults, £5.00 for children and £26.00 for a family of 2 adults and up to 3 children.

Tickets can be pre-booked through the Beaulieu website. It is advisable to check the website for any updates.

Palace House private gardens open to the public for a limited period

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Gorse fire at Sway in April, credit Mac Hall

Call for ban on disposable BBQs in the New Forest More than 60 BBQs and campfires extinguished in one weekend Following multiple fires that have had to be put out in recent weeks, the New Forest National Park Authority is calling on retailers across the Forest to remove disposable barbecues from sale and for a continued ban on fires and barbecues in the open countryside of the National Park.

The move follows large numbers of disposable barbecues being used while the New Forest is at extreme risk of fire.

Numerous areas of scorched earth have been left across the protected habitats even though a fire warning is still in place.

“It’s shocking that a small, but dangerous, minority are ignoring the warnings and our staff have reported a steady increase in the number of people using BBQs or lighting campfires. In the New Forest alone, over one weekend, our team of rangers and keepers spoke to hundreds of people and extinguished over 60 BBQs and campfires,” said Bruce Rothnie, New Forest Deputy Surveyor for Forestry England.

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Forestry England, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and the National Trust along with the National Park Authority have been working tirelessly with the emergency services to educate the public about the dangers of disposable barbecues and fires, and to protect the Forest and coast.

Brockenhurst business, Streets Ironmongers, has already voluntarily pulled disposable BBQs from sale and Brockenhurst Business Association has asked other retailers in the village to join them.

Retailers who are backing the ban are asked to show their support on social media by tagging #BBQFreeNewForest and to display a poster.

Brockenhurst Business Association Treasurer Alan Bartlett, owner of Streets Ironmongers, said, ‘We made our decision to withdraw them from sale after seeing how dry the Forest was and the damage the instant BBQs do to the grass and how that can easily turn into a major fire like

FE ranger Richard Daponte, Streets Ironmongers owners Alison and Alan Bartlett and NFNPA chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre call for BBQ ban

we have seen at Wareham. Also living here above the shop and seeing the fire engine go out two or three times a day shows how bad it is.”

The New Forest Marque local produce scheme is also contacting its members asking them to remove any disposable BBQs from sale.

Bruce Rothnie, added, “Forestry England has repeated warnings to the public about the high risk of wildfires and confirmed that fires of any type, including disposable BBQs are not permitted on the land we manage at this time. We’ve also closed all of our BBQ facilities at popular visitor spots in the New Forest.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Station Manager Andy Weeks said, “We urge the public to follow the guidance and refrain from using barbecues and having camp fires in forests, parks or any public area due to the risk of wildfires at this time.”

If you see a fire, get to a place of safety and call 999 immediately.

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Love washes ashore in a bottle

By Janine Pulford

The mystery of a letter declaring eternal love that was washed up on the rocks in Cherbourg over seven years ago has recently been unravelled.

Found by Monsieur Laurent, (around 2012/13), it was sealed in a bottle, but as Laurent could not read English, he took the find home and put it in his collection of letters in a box and forgot about it.

In a recent move at the end of 2019, his partner Didiane, who reads English, found the letter. She decided to see if she could trace the author, Amanda Byrom from Poole, having no idea how long ago the message had been written.

Didiane contacted mags4dorset last week to find out if we could help with some publicity, but we didn’t spot the message immediately and the power of social media caught up with Amanda when she was traced through a Facebook group.

A surprised Amanda explained that she wrote the letter 17 years ago when she was just 16 and she was amazed that it had been found. She said, “I’d always loved the idea of a letter in a bottle when I was younger and how cool it would be if someone found it. Now it’s come true.”

She admits she had completely forgotten about the ‘young love moment’ of the message in a bottle, until she

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was contacted.

Although her story has a happy ending, it didn’t work out quite the way she saw it when she was 16. “Edd and I realised we were not meant to be,” she said. “We split up after seven years together.”

She went on to meet her true love Graham whilst studying dance at Chichester University.

“Graham and I lived in Portsmouth for five years before moving to Hayling Island in 2016,” explained Amanda.

“We got married at Sopley Mill and will

be celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary in August. We have two beautiful children, Ruby-Rose who will be four this month and Woody who is two.

“It’s funny where life takes you, who you meet, where you travel and where your memories can be stored. In this case a letter in a bottle thrown out to sea,” said Amanda.

It may not have been love eternal in Amanda and Edd’s case, but the message was inspired by the power of young love and destiny took its course.

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Visiting Mum for the first time in nearly three months

By Janine Pulford

My mother, Sylvia, is at Brook View Care Home in West Moors and has been in lockdown since 19 March 2020.

When she had a fall last October, I was instantly faced with having to find her somewhere comfortable, close to home, where she could be cared for.

A fall, when you are in your 90s is traumatic and at first, I was worried for her future. It was upsetting to see her confined to a bed with rails, hardly knowing what was going on. As well as suffering from the effects of the fall, the added complications of Parkinson’s disease and mild dementia made the going very tough for Mum. Initially she was being hoisted in and out of bed to sit in a chair. Then a wheelchair became her mode of transport, and to my surprise, she regained confidence and got back to using her rollator. The care team really worked hard to get her on her feet and she became well enough for short outings.

Perspex partition.

From October to March, I visited Mum nearly every day. Then something called lockdown happened and overnight on 19 March there were no more personal visits allowed. Talking to Mum on the phone wasn’t the same and at first she got confused because she didn’t understand what lockdown was.

Next came confirmation that three residents had tested positive for COVID-19. All residents were isolated in their rooms and this was particularly difficult for Mum and a period of intense worry for the family. Skype calls kept us in touch and Mum and I could at least see each other ‘on screen’ on a regular basis.

Those with COVID-19 recovered and now all residents and staff have been tested and there are no cases at Brook View.

To my delight on 13 June, almost three months after the start of lockdown, prebooked visits were permitted and I was able to see Mum in person.

On arrival, I waited to be greeted by a member of staff. My temperature was taken and I had to answer several questions. I was led through the gardens to the Garden Room and there was Mum. My heart lifted. She looked wonderful. Her nails were beautifully manicured, her hair was lovely and she looked like she had put on weight. I could see all this clearly from my seat behind a Perspex screen. I had to clean my hands with a sanitizing spray. We had a cup of coffee and custard creams and a good old chat.

Pretty as a picture. Photograph taken with a zoom lens from a safe distance.

Mum looked out into the garden and commented on the trees and the greenhouse. It was like old times, when we used to put the world to right.

The half-an-hour visit whizzed by. It was nearly lunchtime and I knew there would be a homemade dinner ready for Mum in the dining room, where her friends would be waiting.

Before we parted, she said she was quite settled in her room. Brook View has managed to provide socially distanced activities during lockdown and Mum does not like to miss out, which is quite something because when she was at home, she was almost a hermit and refused to go to clubs or groups.

When Mum first went to Brook View, I was fearful for any sort of recovery.

Today, I am constantly amazed by the improvements in her appearance and quality of life. I must extend a huge thank you to Colten Care and all the team at Brook View who work so hard to look after and keep their residents smiling, but especially throughout the very trying times of lockdown.

Mum and I are already looking forward to the next visit.

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Verwood Carnival round up With events being cancelled d throughout the world, Verwoo and ion ept exc no was l niva Car it did not go ahead at the end of May as usual. Neither did the selection of the carnival queen and princesses. The carnival committee has confirmed it is looking forward to staging the carnival again in 2021. The mags4dorset team thought you the might enjoy a few photos from rs. yea few last

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VIEWPOINT June 2020

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Aeroplanes stacked up at Bournemouth Airport Following lockdown a large number of British Airways aircraft have been stacked up at Hurn Airport and they have been there for many weeks.

If you want to find out more about these aircraft (numbers and liveries) there is a YouTube video you can watch at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=bDwP7e6AVus and the guy who did it can be followed on Insstagram at aviation18_iad

Enjoy.

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VIEWPOINT June 2020

Our photos are © CatchBox

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Dorset Arts Festival to go ahead With so many summer events cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, local people will be pleased to hear that the three-day Dorset Arts Festival is to take place.

Making its debut at Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester, from 3-5 July, the hosts and organisers say they are confident that a strict visitor cap and crowd control, paired with extensive social distancing can guarantee visitor, exhibitor and staff safety. The outdoor venue extends to 26 acres.

Over 40 artists and crafters from across Dorset will be exhibiting with a number of workshops and demonstrations taking place. Artists will be creating artwork on-site in their individual temporary studios for visitors to watch from a safe distance, whilst a number of artists will be painting the picturesque scenes across Sculpture by the Lakes.

Guests can expect to watch paintings being created, pots being thrown, jewellery being made and a whole range of other arts and crafts disciplines.

The event is being organised by Simon Gudgeon and Monique Gudgeon, owners of Sculpture by the Lakes. The park, near Dorchester, features over 30 of Simon’s very own internationally-recognised sculptures, mixed with spectacular gardens maintained by his wife, Monique, and a team of gardeners.

Simon said, “We deliberated over

whether the festival should go ahead, but we’re confident that we can provide a very safe experience. It’s certainly not a mass gathering - we have sensible crowd control in place, acres of space and it will be easy for visitors to adhere to government guidelines around social distancing.”

Entry to the festival must be booked online via the Sculpture by the Lakes.

The Gallery Cafe is operating an outdoor takeaway service and accepting contactless credit card payments only.

Visitors must remain a two-metre distance from other guests, exhibitors and staff.

To find out more, or to book tickets to Dorset Arts Festival, visit: https://www. sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/dorset-artsfestival

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival cancelled Following the coronavirus pandemic, the organisers of Wimborne Minster Folk Festival re-scheduled the event from 12-14 June to 7-9 August this year.

However, following a meeting last night, 10 June, the decision has been made to postpone the festival until 11-13 June 2021.

This will be a rather special event as will be the 40th folk festival to be held in Wimborne.

The Wimborne Folk Festival was founded by Brian Bisp, and when he and his wife Maria retired from running the event in

2012, it was replaced by the Wimborne Minster Folk Festival and is run by a team

of volunteers.

The event attracts 70,000 people to the town.

Advice available for those in debt

Are you or someone you know worried about your finances or increasing debt as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic? If so, the East Dorset CAP Centre is here to help. The service is free and fully confidential. The service has seen 23 clients go debt-free with 10 others currently working towards this goal. Don’t despair, call free now on 0800 328 0006 to transform your life.

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How well do you know your local events?

e iz r p h s a c 0 5 £ – ! e c la p g n o r w It’s in the

Our last competition in Viewpoint was well-received and we had entries from as far away as Beaminster. The winner was Coralie Noakes from Ferndown who won £50 for spotting repeated news on pages 4 and 53 of our online magazine. Thank you to everyone who entered.

This month we thought we would brighten the pages with local events that have sadly had to be cancelled this year, but that we have covered in the past.

For your chance to win £50, just study the groups of photographs for the different events on this four page feature and spot the red herring among them that belongs to a different group.

All the photos are numbered. Jot the red herrings down. At the end you should have ten numbers, each from a different event.

Put each number alongside its correct event and enter at www. mags4dorset.co.uk.

Coronavirus has a lot to answer for in 2020, not least for being the cause of more than 40,000 deaths in the UK. Each a terrible tragedy and it is unfortunate that the loss of life continues, despite all the measures put in place by the government to protect us.

Large gatherings are currently prohibited.

Looking ahead, event organisers are optimistic that their events will all go ahead in 2021.

Featured in this competition are:

WESTIVAL/WEST MOORS MAD

RINGWOOD CARNIVAL

1

2

• Ferndown Fete on the Field • Westival/West Moors MAD • Rotary Rustic Fayre, Verwood • Ringwood Carnival • Christchurch Cheese and Chilli Festival • Verwood Carnival • Christchurch Food Festival • Dorset County Show • Great Dorset Steam Fair • Wimborne Folk Festival Good luck! The winner will be drawn from the correct entries.

The editor’s decision is final. Closing date is Friday 3 July 2020.

Have fun!

5

3 7

6

8

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9

10

VERWOOD CARNIVAL 12

11 13

14

DORSET COUNTY SHOW 15

16 Continued over the page

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Competition continued

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Wimborne Folk Festival 18

17

20

Cheese and Chilli

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25

Fete on the Field 24 |

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22

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29

Rustic Fayre

31 35

33

34

32

36

Christchurch Food Fest

37

38

Great Dorset Steam Fair 40

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

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PLANNING Plan thrown out – New Forest District Council has refused permission for the demolition of outbuildings and the separation of a plot to erect an additional home on land at 86, Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge.

Sandbanks Ferry back in service

The chain ferry between Sandbanks and Studland will come back into service on Wednesday 17 June at 7am for vehicles and foot passengers.

Extensive works have been undertaken by the ferry company, in partnership with BCP Council, to establish a safe queuing system to support social distancing for passengers on the Sandbanks side in North Haven Car Park.

Face coverings are mandatory for foot passengers and cyclists while on board the ferry.

Anyone not supplying their own suitable face

covering will not be able to travel. Motorcyclist are required to keep their helmets on and vehicle passengers are not allowed to leave their vehicles or open windows while on the ferry. Convertible cars must travel with their roofs up.

Details of the timetable can be found at www.sandbanksferry.co.uk.

Local attractions begin to open As lockdown slowly eases, local attractions keen to see visitors are announcing they will be open, albeit with social distancing and other measures in place for a safe visit. So far we have heard from: • Furzey Gardens, Minstead: pre-book a slot at www.furzey-gardens.org • Wimborne Model Town: opens on Saturday 11 July (Wednesday to Sunday initially) • Beaulieu (featured in this magazine) • Country Parks re-opened at the end of May, but some of their facilities remain closed. When visiting you must follow rules on social distancing. Usual parking charges will apply.

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Green light for office building – a proposal for full planning permission to erect a two-storey office building at plot 9, Forest Gate Business Park in Spring Lane, Ringwood, has been given the green light by New Forest District Council.

Tree felling – New Forest District Council has received an application for three ash trees to be cut down at Parsonage House, Green Lane, Fordingbridge.

New housing – a scheme to erect a 20-property development comprised of semi-detached houses, terraces and a block of flats on land at Crow Arch Lane and Crow Lane at Ringwood has been granted by New Forest District Council, subject to a legal agreement.

Property replacement plan – New Forest District Council has received an application for the demolition of the two properties at 1-3 Provost Street, Fordingbridge, and for the erection of six new homes.

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Flyaway

Angel

by Janine Pulford

The story so far…

Awaiting an impending court case in Malta, and following an adoption mix up, Katrina and her American lover Brod have their baby son, Joe, back. But nothing goes smoothly for long. With Jon and Tami’s relationship in tatters, and revengeful Ilona Vardakastanis and her maid Nyssa appearing unexpectedly on the scene, it seems like a good time for a change of scenery. When an unexpected commission lands in Brod’s lap, he wants to take it. Will Katrina agree when she finds out what the commission involves and who is offering the deal? Read on to find out more.

This is the second part of a trilogy and follows on from where Pulford’s first book in the series, The Whispering Waters, left off. The plot twists and turns as the themes of love and honesty expose the darker side of the man of Katrina’s dreams.

The first two chapters of Flyaway Angel are published online in Viewpoint Mid April issue and you will find Chapter 3 in 4Dorset, Chapter 4 in Viewpoint Mid May and Chapter 5 in June 4Dorset. The story is set in 1980s. If you like the story and want to read more, you can download the e-book from Amazon straight to your computer, or to Kindle.

Flyaway Angel Chapter 6

‘What is it, Nyssa?’ Katrina helped her to a chair, where she collapsed. Her olive skin was a sickly hue, and her dark eyes struggled to stay open. It looked like she was ill.

For some reason, Katrina’s smattering of Greek came to the fore and she rattled off, ‘What’s wrong? How did you find us?’

Brod sat down, rubbing his forehead. He didn’t look too well either and wasn’t in a fit state to do much to help.

‘Trina, what the hell is going on?’ he mumbled.

‘I don’t know.’

Nyssa was breathing in short gasps, clutching her left side.

‘Go and get Mum,’ Katrina said swiftly to Brod. ‘Maybe she’ll know what to do.’

‘Yeah. Right. Jeez! Is that blood or what?’

‘Where?’

‘There.’ He indicated her left side. ‘She’s bleeding.’

‘Oh god. Nyssa, are you okay? Endaxi? Brod get Mum, quick.’

He was back in seconds with Sylvie and Gordon who stared, immobile, while Katrina continued to examine a wound below the girl’s rib cage.

‘Let me run this under the tap,’ Gordon pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and snapped into action.

‘It might just be a flesh wound. The poor girl’s in a terrible state. Have you called a doctor?’ He returned from the sink and began dabbing at the blood whilst quizzing Katrina.

‘What’s been going on? Has there been a fight? I couldn’t help noticing the state of Brod’s face.’

‘I hit it my head on the coffee table,’ Brod splayed his hands in a surrendering motion.

‘You’ve a shiner on your cheek too,’ Gordon observed thoughtlessly. ‘And you don’t look so good.’

‘Hey! You wanna know something? I’ve done nothin’, buddy. So don’t point a finger in this direction. I’m gonna leave you to it and get a shower.’

Jon appeared as Brod slammed the en suite door behind him.

‘Whoops. Someone’s in a mood,’ he said. ‘There’s such a bloody racket going on, I can’t sleep. Did someone say something about pointing fingers?’

‘Not me,’ said Gordon guiltily. ‘You have to admit,

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| 29

though, there are a few coincidences going on here.’

‘Yes,’ said Katrina, raising her voice angrily. ‘And you, out of anyone, should know about coincidences. The whole legal system works on coincidences, at least that’s what my father told me. No one should be jumping to conclusions. Least of all you.’ She regretted the words as soon as they were out because Gordon walked off, with Sylvie close behind.

‘Hmm,’ said Jon, scratching his head. ‘I take it you’ve got everything under control.’

‘Shut it, Jon. Do something helpful like grab a towel and dry Nyssa’s skin,’ said Katrina. Nyssa blushed deeply as Jon gently patted her skin dry. The wound didn’t look much after the blood had been wiped away, but Katrina asked Jon to keep pressure on it.

‘So you’re Nyssa,’ he said kindly. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’

‘Can you tell us what happened?’ Katrina asked again, this time in English.

‘I’m scared,’ Nyssa said. ‘I need to stay here. You my friend.’

‘Why, what’s happened?’ said Jon attentively.

‘She stabbed me.’

‘Who?’ Jon looked worried.

‘Ilona!’ said Katrina, ‘Not me. I didn’t stab anyone.’

‘Bella,’ Nyssa corrected. ‘She called Bella.’

Brod walked out of the shower dressed in some fresh jeans and a check shirt. He relaxed when he realised Gordon had gone.

‘Let’s take this a step at a time,’ he said calmly. ‘Nyssa, are you okay?’

She nodded.

‘It’s a flesh wound,’ said Katrina, hoping she had the terminology right. ‘If Jon keeps the pressure on, it might even seal itself.

‘It’s not very big,’ said Jon, lifting the towel to have a peep, but it started to bleed again, so he put it back.

‘Haven’t you got a plaster, Trina?’

‘No, but Mum will have one in her bag. She’s always got plasters.’

‘So we don’t need to call a doc?’ said Brod.

Katrina shook her head.

‘Cool. I’d better fetch a Band Aid and apologise to Gordy.’

‘Leave it,’ said Katrina. ‘He’s pretty steamed up.’

‘Who?’ Tami wandered in yawning. Her nightshirt was so short, it barely covered her backside. She didn’t give a second glance to Nyssa and Jon, but looked straight at Brod.

‘Hey, stranger. I heard you overdid it last night. Had I known you were on the slammers, I’d have joined you.’

Was she deliberately trying to stir things up? Katrina didn’t rise to the bait, nor did Brod, but she glowered at Jon. He avoided eye contact and instead concentrated extra hard on keeping pressure on Nyssa’s wound.

So he’d been plying Brod with tequila, had he? No wonder the pair were out of their heads.

To stop herself saying something she would regret, she put on a bossy voice, ‘Jon, let me do that, you go and fetch Mum and Gordon. We all need to talk about this “situation” with Nyssa.’ She faced Tami, ‘There’s no need for you to be involved. It’s something we can work out between the 30 |

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family.’

Tami looked stung. ‘Oh sure. I get it,’ she said and left abruptly, banging the door behind her.

‘That told her,’ said Brod.

‘Well, really. She marches in here half naked, totally ignores Nyssa, and tries to create bad vibes by playing up to you. When’s she leaving?’

‘As soon as she’s bought her ticket,’ said Jon, getting up. ‘I don’t know what’s got into her. She sure as hell knows how to end a relationship in the worst possible way. I guess she’s had a lot of practise. I’ll go get Mum and Gordy. Nyssa, keep the pressure on.’ He gently took her hand and pressed it against the wound. ‘Just like that.

Brilliant. I’ll be back in a second.’

‘Don’t forget the Band Aid,’ called Brod.

It was a crush in the room when they were all gathered together. Jon sat on the bed with Brod and Katrina, who had Joe on her lap. He was wide-awake and sucking on a rusk. Nyssa was in the armchair, looking much brighter now the wound was dressed, and Sylvie was perched on the coffee table, whilst Gordon had pulled up a wooden chair. He leaned forward and got the first words in.

‘I’ve a couple of things to say before we start. Brod, I owe you an apology. I haven’t been feeling a hundred per cent today. I know it’s not a great excuse, but I wasn’t thinking straight. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions. I over-reacted.’

‘No problemo,’ said Brod, ‘You know somethin’? I would have done the same if I was in your boots. Let’s forget it.’

Gordon’s frown relaxed. ‘Good. Now the second thing is somewhat newsworthy. I have it on good authority that the Bradleys have left Malta. They flew out yesterday.’

‘Wow!’ exclaimed Katrina, rejoicing in the fact that the couple who wanted to take Joe home, hadn’t been able to do so. ‘That’s a huge weight off my mind. Who told you?’

‘I can’t reveal my source, but there is no question of it.

They’ve gone, and I doubt you will hear from them again.’

He settled back in his chair and steepled his hands.

‘That’s amazing,’ said Katrina. ‘Whoever your source is, please say thank you to them for leaking the information.’

Gordon nodded. ‘Already done that. So, what’s the story behind Nyssa here?’ He smiled at Nyssa and she smiled back.

‘The thing is,’ said Katrina, ‘she doesn’t speak much English. From what I can gather, she’s here to see her husband. As you know, he’s out of his coma.’

‘Currently still in hospital,’ added Brod.

‘Nyssa said she had to bring Ilona, or Bella as she calls her, because she’s her carer and couldn’t leave her in Greece. She’s still maintaining the lie that Ilona is Bella. I can only assume a large sum of money is involved somewhere along the line, but that’s me jumping to conclusions. The other thing I’m pretty sure of, is that Ilona has instigated this visit, not Nyssa, which makes me wonder what’s going on in the background that we don’t know about.’

Gordon sat back, he no longer tried to argue with Katrina about Ilona, but it looked like he had something to say, then thought better of it.

‘Anyhow,’ Brod added, ‘There was a disagreement and Nyssa got hurt. She came to us for assistance.’

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‘Basically, she’s afraid and doesn’t want to go back to Ilona. We can’t work out what the disagreement was. She won’t say,’ added Katrina.

‘So who’s looking after Ilona if she’s in a wheelchair?’

Jon’s curiosity got the better of him.

‘She can walk short distances,’ said Katrina. ‘And I doubt she’s short of money because Stefanis would have made sure her bank account was kept full. She was his wife, after all. Nyssa seems to think Ilona will be returning to Greece in the next few days, so I expect she’ll hire someone else to help her.’

Brod continued the story, ‘According to Nyssa, the woman always carries a small knife with her wherever she goes, to peel grapes. It’s sharp, and capable of giving a hell of a nick. She jabbed it at Nyssa’s stomach. Nyssa was in shock. She’s told us she thinks Ilona…’

‘Bella,’ insisted Nyssa, but Brod ignored her, ‘Ilona might hurt her again, or worse. I don’t believe a grape knife is really the kind of weapon that would inflict too much damage,’ he shrugged. ‘But hey, it’s what she thinks and I guess I’m not the one who’s been stabbed. Anyhow, why would Ilona want to land herself in trouble? I think it was a scuffle and Nyssa got the sharp end of the deal.’

‘How does Demas figure in all of this?’ Gordon wanted to know.

Nyssa’s eyes turned to him at the sound of her husband’s name and she seemed to have worked out the gist of the conversation because she piped up, ‘Bella pay good money. Bella make money talk. Demas was good man, but Bella give money to make him bad.’

‘I see,’ said Gordon sympathetically. ‘So this Bella person, whose identity appears to be that of Annabella Panousis,’ he glanced warily at Katrina, but she said nothing, ‘is corrupt. I think we should go to the police...’

The panic in Nyssa’s eyes was overwhelming.

‘No polis. No. No. Polis have, how you say. Demas – murderer.’

The room went silent.

‘Murderer?’ said Gordon. ‘How likely is that?’ he looked at Brod.

‘Dunno,’ said Brod. ‘I think she’s confused. She said Ilona was trying to kill her.’

‘I see,’ then looking back at Nyssa, Gordon said sympathetically, ‘And now you feel in danger?’

She nodded.

He was quick to offer a solution. ‘We’ll get you out of here. I’ll find a motel until you’re ready to return to Greece. Is that good?’

Katrina immediately wondered what his motive was.

Perhaps he was going to pick her brains, he was a barrister after all. She assumed he knew what he was doing because in her eyes, helping Nyssa wasn’t exactly ethical. The she realised guiltily, she’d done exactly the same. It was human nature to help people when they were in trouble without analysing whether it is ethical or not. But Nyssa was her friend, she reasoned. She couldn’t imagine there was any link between Gordon and the Greek girl, yet Gordon was intervening and in a hugely positive way.

Nyssa nodded. ‘It good. Efharisto.’

Joe started fidgeting and Nyssa got up and cradled his little face in her hands affectionately. ‘He very beautiful

boy.’

Katrina glowed, knowing that Nyssa meant what she said. Even so, there was no doubt in her mind that Joe was the most beautiful baby in the world.

‘How’s Lara?’ she asked, realising that Nyssa’s young daughter would be in Athens with relatives for the Christmas period.

‘I miss her. Can I hold babé?’

Katrina passed Joe over. He fidgeted some more and started crying.

‘He’s hungry,’ said Katrina and she went to the counter to make up a bottle of formula milk, humming as she waited for the water to boil. When the milk was at the right temperature, she turned around and was surprised to see everyone except Brod had left the room.

They had all sneaked out while her back was turned.

Brod was facing away from her and Joe’s little eyes were peeping over his shoulder, watching her intently. It was the sort of look that made her heart melt and she couldn’t imagine ever being without her baby son, or Brod. They completed her life so fully.

‘Time for dinner?’ said Katrina, holding out the bottle.

Brod turned around and took it, ‘I’ll do it. He’s my little sailor dude.’ Katrina gazed at them feeling a surge of pride and was unable to stop a tear rolling down her face.

‘Hey, what’s up?’

‘I’m happy,’ she said. ‘Really happy and I don’t want anyone to spoil it. We deserve something good to come along. Why can’t the bad stuff just go away and leave us alone?’

‘It will, you’ll see. And as for the good stuff, what could be better than Joe? He’s ours Trina. We created him out of love and he’s so cool.’

She watched as he sat down to feed Joe. There was nothing she wanted to say to ruin the moment, even though she had a burning desire to quiz him about the job he and Jon had taken. That would have to wait.

‘Yes,’ she said, in awe of how naturally Brod shared the workload. Then she remembered Hope and how his dreams had been shattered when the baby daughter he’d thought was his had been taken away from him. And she realised in that instant, Brod was as paranoid as her about losing Joe.

‘Shall we go for a walk?’ said Brod after Joe had finished his bottle. He’ll fall asleep in the stroller.

‘Yes, good idea. Fresh air and all that.’

Once out of the hotel, Brod was quick to say, ‘Hey, I’m really sorry about last night. I made such an ass of myself.

I’m sorry.’

‘Only an ass?’ she waited a beat, ‘Jon said you’ve accepted a commission, is that true?’

‘You don’t mess about, do you?’ he said, obviously cross that Jon had let the proverbial cat out of the bag.

‘Okay. We need to talk,’ his tone was ominous.

‘Thanks,’ was all she could think of to say.

He slid an arm around her as she pushed the pram.

It felt so good to have him around, she didn’t want their happy bubble to burst.

‘Here’s the thing,’ he said, building up gently. ‘It’s good news. But I’ve accepted nothing.’

His words sounded true, but they didn’t fit with what

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| 31

Jon had told her. ‘Are you sure? Jon was talking as if you had got the job. Maybe you were so drunk you didn’t realise.’

‘No way. You know me better than that. As soon as we left the hotel, we bumped into a buddy of mine, Pépé. We went for a beer together and he offered us a commission.’

‘Just like that?’

‘Yeah. That’s about it.

‘I told Pépé I’d have to talk it over with you first. Jon jumped at it, but Pépé’s insisting we do it together.

We were totally sober and I’ve gotten the unsigned paperwork to prove it. Here, take a peek.’ He pulled crumpled papers from the pocket inside his jacket. ‘The drinking came later. Jon was determined to have a blast and drown his sorrows, and hey, you know me, I went along with it. We had a good meal too, which I wasted.’

Katrina felt guilty for jumping to conclusions. ‘Who’s Pépé?’

‘Pépé Panicci. ’ She came to an abrupt halt.

‘Hey, you okay?’ he removed his arm and turned her chin to face him.

‘I’m fine,’ she said, not feeling fine at all. ‘I know the surname. Rocco Panicci was a close friend of Stefanis.’

‘Okay.’ Brod nodded. ‘Small world. Pépé is Rocco’s son, by his first wife. He has nothing to do with his pop.’

‘I told you about the party didn’t I?’ said Katrina hesitantly, as she began to walk again. They were in the park and she went to the first bench she saw and sat down. It had never occurred to her that the name Panicci would come back into her life and she definitely didn’t want Brod and Jon mixed up with it.

‘What party?’ pressed Brod.

‘The one where Abigail Chase disappeared.’

‘Hmm. You kinda sketched over that on Kat-ste. Didn’t mention names, other than the Chase girl. Was it a Rocco party?’

She nodded.

‘Uh huh. You said you thought the girl was mixed up with Stefanis and his wife, but no one believes you do they? Except me and Jon.’ ‘It was the final insult when the police poopooed Stefanis being a bigamist, I had no fight left. I thought, what the hell. Why do I want this hassle anyway?

He’s dead. Does it matter if nobody knows what an asshole he was? I know, and maybe that’s where it has to end.’

‘Mebbe,’ he twisted a strand of her dark hair around his slender fingers. ‘You look kinda spooked.’

‘Never thought I’d hear the name Panicci again, let alone out of your mouth. What if Pépé has been sent by his father to do a bit of dirty work? The guy must know about us. We’ve been media fodder for months.’

‘I told you, he doesn’t see his pop. And what dirty work do you mean?’

Katrina shrugged. ‘I don’t know. It’s a bad coincidence that the name has cropped up, that’s all.’

‘I don’t disagree, but when you sail around the world, you soon realise how small the darned place is.’ He gave her the contract. ‘I want you to suss this out; see what you think.’

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VIEWPOINT June 2020

She smoothed the creases. ‘There’s a lot of small print. I’m not used to reading contracts. Not knowing which bits to pick out, I could be here for hours. Can’t you tell me what it means?’

‘No. I want you to read it. It’s important you understand what’s going on. If I accept this, it’s for us: you, me and Joe. There’s a lot of money involved and it’s hard to turn down. Jon feels the same. You know it’s in my veins to sail, and I’m happy to take it. Pépé has nothing to do with Rocco. They loathe each other pretty much. You have to take my word on that.

‘Hey! Is that Jon over there?’ he got side-tracked and caught Jon’s attention. ‘I’m gonna leave you to it. You need space to take that contract in,’ and without a further word, he sauntered off.

Katrina studied the paperwork, trying to put the name Panicci out of her head. It didn’t take her long to suss out the payment terms – thirty thousand dollars to take a yacht from the Port of Algiers to the south coast of England. It was one hell of a delivery fee and bells about drugs started ringing. It had to be a drugs run. It couldn’t be anything else. After all, the journey was only a couple of thousand miles. But she couldn’t imagine Brod getting caught up in a drugs deal. He was too experienced to fall for that. The reason given for the journey seemed plausible enough: Pépé’s mother and stepfather had sailed their yacht to North Africa. His stepfather had died in Algiers of a heart attack and his mother wanted the yacht taken back to their home in Poole. It was a big yacht. Seventy-feet long. Even so, the fee was too high.

She turned the page, and then realised with a sinking feeling what the trip was really about. Part of the yacht was being converted into a giant freezer and Pépé’s late stepfather was going to be on board. Brod and Jon would be delivering a dead body.

How legal is that? she wondered, but reading on, she found all sorts of permissions had been obtained. All they would be doing would be complying with a dead man’s last wishes.

‘My god, this is weird,’ she said aloud. ‘This is totally bizarre.’

She studied different parts of the contract in detail until Brod came back. Jon was with him.

‘What do you think?’ Brod said optimistically.

‘Bit of a stiff situation, eh?’ added Jon in his usual cheerful manner.

‘I couldn’t do it,’ said Katrina.

‘That’s great news,’ said Jon, ‘because the invitation doesn’t extend to you.’

‘Not strictly true,’ said Brod quickly. ‘Pépé knows we have a young baby and he’s prepared to involve you as my,’ he coughed, ‘PA.’ ‘Your personal assistant! Oh, tell me more.’

Brod sat down and pulled out a map of Europe. ‘He knows I can’t ditch you here and that you don’t have a home to go to. There’s no way you can go to mine, the place is a mess. So, get this, Jon and I fly to Algiers, while you and Joe head to Cadiz. You could fly to Jerez,’ he hesitated briefly, ‘then get a train the rest of the way, but I know you don’t like flying,’ ‘Not that old chestnut,’ said Jon. ‘Trina, you’re okay with flying aren’t you?’

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‘Yep,’ she said brightly, liking the idea of an adventure.

‘I realised I wasn’t that scared, I just didn’t like flying with Stefanis.’

‘Well who would?’ grinned Jon. ‘Look where it got Demas?’

‘Alternately,’ continued Brod, trying to keep the conversation level, ‘you could take the ferry boat, and do the rest overland.’

‘Guessing you mean alternatively,’ corrected Jon, but Brod took no notice and continued, ‘It’ll take nearly three days, but we’ll be sailing for the duration; we don’t expect to stop until we reach Cadiz. If you left a day after us, you’d get there first and have time to get settled into a hotel before I turn up all hot wanting a shower,’ he gave a lopsided grin.

‘Flying is best,’ she returned the grin. ‘Especially with Joe. I can’t imagine three days overland with a baby.

That could be torture and I’d be worn out by the time you arrive.

‘Isn’t Pépé being a bit too generous,” she added suspiciously.

‘No. Put Rocco right out of your head. He and Pépé are strangers. This is a cool deal. He wants me and he’s prepared to pay for me, and you.’

‘Erm, aren’t you forgetting someone?’ said Jon. ‘Yeh. Okay, man. You too. That kinda goes without saying. Is it settled then, Trina?’

She nodded.

‘Cool. I’ll book your flight for the day after we leave.’

‘You know I can’t pay for anything. I feel like a leech.’

‘Don’t worry,’ piped up Jon. ‘He’ll dock it from your wages.’

‘Good call,’ said Brod, ‘I like your thinking, buddy. But, no. For real. We’re an item, Trina, and Joe’s our kid. I’m loving the responsibility – to hell with the expense.’

She could see he meant it, and was relieved he didn’t have to count the pennies. ‘When do you go? I mean they can’t keep a dead body hanging around forever?’

‘In the New Year. It’s a helluva way to start the year eh?’

‘What do we say to Mum and Gordon?’

‘That Jon and I have an unexpected commission and I can’t run my business without my PA, so we’re all involved.’

She smiled. ‘I’ve never been a PA before. How much are you paying?’

‘What? After deductions? Depends how good you are,’ he guffawed. ‘You know what high standards I’ve got.’

‘I could do it standing on my head,’ she bragged.

‘Can’t wait to see that. Now, back to the journey. Jon and I do another long haul across the Bay of Biscay to meet you in Brest,’ and he stabbed the map with his finger. ‘From there it’s plain sailing across the Channel and over to Dorset, where you’ll be at your Mum’s.’

‘Mum lives in Hampshire,’ corrected Jon. ‘Okay, Hampshire. We make landfall in Dorset. Then we can plan our next move with some extra bucks in our pockets, which will be to Fort Lauderdale, together, as a family.

‘Is that an offer?’ said Jon. ‘Yeah, sure, you can come along for the ride. I’ve got another tub of oil that needs checking out,’ Brod grinned

and Katrina knew he was remembering the time when Jon had fallen into a barrel of oil in his backyard. He’d told her about it more than once and it always made her laugh.

‘Then you can make your own way in life with a fistful of dollars,’ he continued.

‘I could always call in on Tami,’ said Jon who must also have been remembering the tub of oil, but from another perspective – he’d been madly in love with Tami at the time. ‘She’ll have had time to realise what a big mistake she’s made, especially when she finds out I’ve got enough cash to put a deposit on a house. She’s bound to want me back.’

‘Don’t even think about it,’ said Brod with alarm.

‘No,’ agreed Katrina. ‘You can do better than her. Much better.’

‘Is there something I don’t know about?’ said Jon. ‘I’ve had this feeling for a while now, and well, don’t hate me for this, but, did you and Tami ever have a thing together, buddy?’ He blushed as if he realised what an awkward question it was in front of Katrina.

‘No,’ said Brod. ‘Never,’ then turning swiftly to her, he said, ‘So do we have your approval?’

‘I’m excited about my side of the deal,’ she said, glad to get off the Tami subject. ‘Bit daunted about doing it singlehanded with Joe, but I guess I’ll manage.’

‘There’s one small thing I haven’t mentioned,’ Brod pulled another wodge of papers from his pocket. ‘We all have to sign a confidentiality clause to say we won’t tell anyone about the body. Pépé’s family don’t want anything in the media. If it gets leaked, the deal’s off.’

‘Sod that,’ said Jon. ‘Someone else could leak it and then we won’t get paid. That doesn’t sound right.’

‘Mebbe I didn’t make it clear. If the media get wind of it before we set off, the deal’s off. We’ve got to deflect any interest. Pépé knows we’ve got the press after our asses and he doesn’t want a media circus following us. As long as we handle this in the right way, there won’t be any problem. Trina, you have to sign too.’

‘Should we get Gordon to check this over?’

‘No time. Pépé’s waiting on an answer today, otherwise he’s going to ask Sym Hannigan. He’s another contractor who delivers yachts all over the world. He’s available if we turn this down. The contract’s fine, I’m used to signing them and it’s pretty…’

‘Watertight?’ suggested Jon. ‘Yep, that’s the word I was searching for.’

‘Isn’t it two words?’ said Jon. Brod looked at Katrina and she said, ‘Who’s going to witness our signatures?’

‘I’ll take that as a yes, then. Let’s get back to the hotel, someone there will do it. But guys, we have to keep the nature of this deal under wraps. It’s just a straightforward commission, okay? Don’t say anything more than that and don’t mention the bucks, particularly not to Tami. Agreed?’

‘Agreed!’ Jon and Katrina said together.

Their spirits were high. Soon they would be off on an adventure and even though Katrina wouldn’t be sailing, she felt a big part of it. It was just what she needed to blow the cobwebs from her mind. ‘Realistically when do you think you will go?’

‘The sailboat’s being modified as we speak,’ said Brod.

‘I guess in a coupla weeks.’

Sculpture by the Lakes (Dorchester) © Ben Blainey