Christmas parade date confirmed

Saving money, cutting waste

A NEW initiative to help save customers’ money and reduce food waste has been welcomed by shoppers at Winfrith Village Stores.

The scheme, which involves selling produce that has gone past its best-before date or best before end (BBE), has been running since the start of October.

Owner of the Winfrith Newburgh store, Yasmeen Moore, said the move had been welcomed by regular customers and visitors, with great feedback on social media.

She added: “It appeals to people looking to cut costs as well as those keen to help reduce food waste.

“We came up with the idea when we were trying to think about what lower-priced products we could offer customers to help them through the winter.

“After talking to our suppliers on how often out of date, but perfectly good stock is thrown away, it seemed like the solution to both issues.”

Displays in the store aim to ensure customers understand what BBE dates mean and how they differ from use-before dates in terms of an assurance that food is still safe to eat.

The village store joins a growing number of retailers, including supermarket giants like Tesco and Asda, which are rethinking best-before dates.

Last month, Waitrose became one of the latest supermarkets to scrap them.

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Date for Xmas parade

WIMBORNE’S Save the Children Christmas Parade is set to take place on Saturday December 10 after making a successful return last year.

It is a poignant time as Margery Ryan, whose idea resulted in the first parade in 1989, died earlier this year.

Her idea has grown from a handful of floats, with children carrying collection buckets, to 40 to 50 entrants together with a mini-funfair and music in the Square.

The parade has become a heart-warming community event with bands, walking groups, floats, scouts, guides, fire engines, schools, local organisations, vintage vehicles and the Militia, and will be joined by the mayor of Wimborne, a snow princess and Father Christmas.

Children will be able to whisper their Christmas wishes to Santa at East Dorset Museum and he will give them a small – free – early Christmas present.

Anyone who would like to take part in the parade or help in any way, including marshalling, should contact Alison Preston on 01202 889303 or Susie Gatrell on 01202 848897.