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New Blackmore Vale, September 17, 2021
blackmorevale.net
If you went down to the woods, you were sure of a big surprise
A series of events in Angus Wood hosted by members of the Blandford Environmental Trust (BET) included a children’s storytelling session with Treehouse Theatre featuring a dinosaur talent competition, The Jurassic’s Got Talent. The Dorset theatre company also presented another children’s story The Elves and the Shoemaker, by the railway arches on Langton Meadow,
hosted by the Blandford Town Museum. On both occasions the weather was less than kind, but audiences and performers were able to remain undercover of the arches and gazebos provided. The woodland off St Leonard’s Avenue, Blandford, is managed by BET on behalf of its owners The Woodland Trust, and in August there were two
sessions organised for those with disability or dementia and their carers. They were held with the backing of Stepping into Nature to encourage those who might rarely get a chance to enjoy the natural environment to experience the benefits of being in woodland with native trees, an all-weather path accessible to wheelchairs, birds, bats, hedgehogs and other wildlife.
Memory Walk boosts dementia and Alzheimer’s awareness
A fourth annual Memory Walk raising funds and awareness for dementia and the Alzheimer’s Society took place between Blandford and Stourpaine on the North Dorset Trailway. The walkers are pictured approaching the Jubilee Way bridge over the trailway in Blandford. It was organised by Angelina Whitlock, who thanked Ali Sargent and her staff at the White Horse Inn for hosting them on their arrival. The walk has so far raised £330 for the cause through a link to her JustGiving page which can be found on her Facebook page.
Housing appeal for Afghan refugees By Faith Eckersall Could you offer a home to an Afghan citizen fleeing the Taliban? That’s the question being asked by Dorset Council, which has joined the UK government-funded scheme to relocate refugees from Afghanistan. The council says it will not use accommodation such as social housing intended for Dorset families on the housing register or for people who are homeless. Together with BCP Council, it’s seeking offers of additional privately owned, self-contained accommodation to house families.
The council is looking for a range of homes of varying sizes, particularly larger family homes that are available for at least 12 months. These properties need to be self-contained houses or flats. Offers of spare rooms or house-sharing cannot be considered as part of this scheme, said the council. Portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety, Cllr Graham Carr-Jones said: “Everyone will have seen the heart-breaking and distressing events currently unfolding in Afghanistan and Dorset Council is supporting the government’s scheme to resettle eligible families safely in the UK.
“People are asking how they can help and the single thing we need right now is offers of suitable accommodation, but this needs to be balanced with existing high levels of demand for housing in our area. “That’s why we are specifically looking for private landlords or owners of second homes to come forward rather than asking social housing providers.” He said the council was acutely aware of the demand for emergency accommodation for local families on the housing register and in temporary accommodation. “I want to reassure people in this situation that they will not be
disadvantaged by the work we are doing to help the government resettle Afghan families,” he said. Dorset Council says it will work with property owners on all aspects of setting up the tenancy and support the family to settle in when they arrive. There will be central government assistance for initial rent and deposits until the families are settled and arriving families will have a caseworker to help them settle in the home and local area. If you are a private landlord or own a second home and may be able to help with any of Dorset’s housing needs contact afghanfamilieshousing @dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
