Steam fair cancelled

The steam fair is one of the county’s biggest events PURBECK MOBILITY

CENTRE

CENTRE SALES • HIRE • SERVICING

County’s steam fair cancelled until 2024

THE Great Dorset Steam Fair will not take place in 2023, it has been announced.

Organisers of the event, which traditionally runs across the August Bank Holiday weekend at Tarrant Hinton, confirmed the cancellation in a statement, citing ‘significant and spiralling increases’ in costs.

The shock news comes after the 2022 event was hailed a success by organisers, with thousands attending.

The board of directors for the event said the decision was made with ‘great sadness and disappointment’ after a ‘thorough review’.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision for us to make,” a spokesman added. “While the 2022 event has been a fantastic and resounding success as a spectacle, it has been mired by significant and spiralling increases in contractor and infrastructure costs.

“As a big show we have big costs, which have risen disproportionately this year and, crucially, are very difficult to forecast for next year in the current economic climate.”

The spokesman said event organisers were still feeling the financial effects of the pandemic, as well as the aftermath of Brexit and the war in Ukraine, which had led to “significant increases” in the cost of staff, contractors, fuel, transport, material and equipment hire.

The board added: “The likelihood is event costs will continue to rise in 2023, compounded by the emergence of the cost-of-living crisis.

“With the ongoing economic situation, it is not prudent or sensible to hold the show next year and in order to safeguard and preserve the future of the Great Dorset Steam Fair, we believe this to be the right decision to enable us to continue in 2024 and beyond.”

The event is set to return in 2024, from August 22 to 26, with tickets on sale in autumn next year.

Arrests over theft

THREE people have been arrested in connection with an alleged distraction theft in Wareham last month.

The arrests happened after a woman in her 70s who had withdrawn £1,000 in cash found she had lost it after being approached in North Street by two women with a clipboard who claimed to be charity workers.

Following inquiries a 27-year-old man and a 30-yearold woman from Portsmouth were arrested on suspicion of theft and fraud. A 36-year-old woman from the Portsmouth area was also arrested on suspicion of fraud.

FOR ALL YOUR MOBILITY AIDS, MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT

Come and meet us at St. Johns Hill, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 4NB

Disabled parking directly outside shop

Monday to Friday 9am-5pm,Saturday 9am-1pm. www.purbeckmobility.com shop@purbeckmobility.com

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @Purbeckmobility

01929 552623

The Village Inn

in Ulwell

A pleasant stroll away from Swanage & a place to rest when walking the Purbeck Hills.

OPEN DAILY

from 10am for Coffees/Teas or drinks from the bar, 2pm - 5.30pm afternoon drinks only. SUNDAY ROASTS, booking is advisable.

LUNCHES

12pm - 2pm.

EVENING MEALS

5.30pm - 8.45pm. Car Parking available Arrange a swim in the heated indoor pool!

Ulwell Rd, Swanage, Dorset BH19 3DG 01929 427644 enq@ulwellcottagepark.co.uk

News

Rescuers help turn difficult dog into

A FORMER inmate at a Wareham-based animal rescue charity has won an award for his work with the police.

Crime-fighting Dorset Police Dog Jeff has been recognised for his efforts by the UK’s largest dog welfare charity the Dogs Trust.

The Animal Welfare Scheme Awards, organised by the charity, celebrate the work and success of service dogs working within the UK’s emergency services. Jeff was awarded The Community Superstar Award for his work keeping the public safe across the UK.

What makes Jeff’s success even more incredible is that he started his career in a rehoming centre – the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre in Wareham – after he became too much for his owners to handle as a pet.

Staff at the rehoming centre realised his potential as a police

Police Dog Jeff with his award, certificate and treats

dog and he went on to join the team at Dorset Police. He was selected for an explosives detection course, which he passed with flying colours.

Since joining the team at Dorset Police, he and handler PC Sue Hillier have been deployed across the UK for large events including the Queen’s funeral, the pre-search and seal operation for the G7 summit in Cornwall and the summit itself, where he was responsible for searching the Eden Project prior to the arrival of the Royal family. He also searched President Biden’s hotel, the hanger where they kept Marine One, and also President Biden’s private toilets.

He also completed a deployment to Birmingham where he was searching for explosives ahead of the start of the Commonwealth Games.

The Dogs Trust has rehomed around 70 dogs in the last few years with police forces across the UK where they go on to work as successful service dogs.

This year marks 20 years since the launching of the Animal Welfare Visitors Scheme, designed to ensure that the training, housing and transport of police dogs meets high animal welfare standards.

PD Jeff’s handler PC Sue Hillier said: “Thank you to