News&Views
AXMINSTER Arson attack
Police believe arsonists are behind a fire at a tattoo business in Axminster. Fire services were called out to attend a fire at Chris’s Tat Shack tattoo studio on Lyme Road, Axminster, at around 2am on August 9th. Police believe an accelerant was used to start the fire which damaged the door frame and interior but no damage was reported to the flats above the shop. A window was also smashed in the incident. A police spokesperson said that threatening graffiti was also daubed on the shop’s exterior and that spray paint was used to obscure CCTV at the front of the building. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or via email at 101@dc.police.uk quoting CR/065418/20.
BRIDPORT Melplash Memories
With this year’s popular Melplash Show cancelled, Bridport Museum is working with the Melplash Show team to share Melplash photographs and objects from their collections. And they are asking others to do the same. You can share your favourite memories, anecdotes, memorabilia, photos or videos. Just post on their Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram @bridportmuseum using the hashtag #MelplashMemories. Or email director@bridportmuseum.co.uk and they can post it up for you. The origins of the Melplash Show go back to the day that Melplash church was consecrated in 1846. A ploughing match was held to resolve a dispute between two farmers. During the joint consecration and competition celebrations the assembled farmers and landowners formed the Melplash Agricultural Society and hold a ploughing competition which became an annual show.
LYME REGIS Anti social behavior hot spot Hopes for a local ‘rescue package’ for the Sidholme Hotel in Sidmouth have been dashed after a fundraising effort failed to reach its target. With current trading conditions beyond challenging, the hotel owners, Christian Guild, have placed the hotel on the open market. The Music Room in the hotel had hosted many concerts and following an appeal from a number of community groups the owners agreed to allow an effort by local people to come up with a rescue package. Using the slogan ‘Save Sidmouth’s Hidden Gem’ the group managed to raise over £250,000 towards their goal of £2M to pay for a phased refurbishment and relaunch of the hotel. All of those who pledged toward the appeal are to have their money returned.
24 The Marshwood Vale Magazine August 2 2020 Tel. 01308 423031
BEAMINSTER Appeal for witnesses Detectives investigating a reported burglary near Beaminster are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. It was reported that at around 10pm on Monday 3 August 2020 a caravan was broken into in Stoke Abbott and a Stihl 261 chainsaw and bill hook, which the owner uses for their work as a tree surgeon, were stolen. Following enquiries, a 24-year-old Poole man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and he has been released under investigation. Detective Constable George Graham, of Western CID, said: “We are continuing to investigate this matter and the property that was reported stolen has not yet been recovered. He urged anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area on that night to please contact Dorset Police avia email 101@dorset. pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200114733.
DORSET New tourist attraction Dorset has a new tourist attraction these days but it may just be temporary. The cruise liners, anchored off Weymouth Bay and other bays along the coastline have offered a whole new view for fascinated locals and tourists alike. They have now become a tourist attraction in their own right whilst also providing enterprising boat owners the opportunity to charge tourists for trips around the giant ships. BBC news reported that as holidays on board were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic the ships had nowhere to go so have anchored up to await instructions from their owners. According to the report there are about 100 crew currently on each of the P&O vessels off the south coast including crew, cleaners, electricians, chefs and medics.
