Letters

It’s time for some real social equality

Do you ever dream of life on a faraway island and – even better – the discovery of hidden treasure there? In real life rich depositors stash money, usually in large amounts, not in full view, but in often hidden bank accounts on such paradise islands. They’re keen that we, the public, know little of what they’re up to: offshoring (as it’s called) their millions in tax havens – not havens where those deposits are taxed, but havens at a safe and legal distance from tax authorities. If these deposits were fairly taxed our society could become more like the paradise of which we dream: with a fast, responsive, fully staffed NHS; well-resourced education for all ages; urgent and comprehensive action taken to combat climate change; a generous government response to those seeking refuge and support for UK citizens living on the edge with increasing anxiety. The truth is that those who can most afford it are often taxed the least and those who can least afford it are taxed the most in relative terms. Is this fair? Of course not. Can it be changed? Most certainly. Would life for all be happier, healthier, more hopeful? Definitely. Have a look at Liz and Paul’s shop window at Tails from the Woods in West Street, Wimborne. There’ll you’ll find a fantastic scene depicting such an island but, hang on, it’s not clothing suitable for a tropical island hanging on the washing line but money – lots of it. Visit the Dorset Equality Group website: dorset equalitygroup.org.uk; OFF THE WALL...

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

drop me a line or give me a call on 01202 886651 or email:dorsetequalitygroup@ gmail.com. Let’s not dream of hidden treasure but of shared prosperity and campaign to make our dreams come true.

Rob Pearce Dorset Equality Group

Join us at jazz club

Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club has been running for nearly 50 years and is well attended by enthusiastic members. We have just acquired a high-quality projector and will use that to give a fuller experience to our members in due course. It is an evening of varied and exciting recorded jazz presented by keen and knowledgable members, every second Wednesday from 6.30-9pm, downstairs in Kinson Community Centre. It costs £3 per session which includes refreshments and there is free parking with an accessible room. Full details and contacts via our website: www.bournemouthjazzclub.org.

Jackie Leevers Publicity secretary

Singing out for Queen’s Jubilee

Colehill Community Choir will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at a concert open to all on Saturday, July 9, at 7.30pm at St Michael’s Church, Colehill Lane. The concert will be free and a collection will be made to support the Lewis Manning Hospice with a donation also being made to St Michael’s Church, the choir’s home for the last 12 years. Tickets will be issued nearer the time as seats will be limited. To reserve tickets, email colehill communitychoir1@gmail.com. We will also hold a ‘party’ after the concert where you can join the choir and other guests for drinks and nibbles. Colehill community choir only raises funds for local charities and good causes so please come along and help make this evening a great success. This will be the choir’s first public performance since February 2020. If you enjoy singing why not come along for a taster session each Thursday evening at 7.30pm in the church. Singing is not only joyful, it is also really good for your physical and mental health. Give it a go, you’ll love it!

Susan Davies Colehill

Three toilets for use by people with severe disabilities are to be built in the New Forest. A £205,000 government grant will pay for loos at Ringwood, Brockenhurst and Hythe under the Changing Places scheme and help enable severely disabled people to enjoy going out. The new facilities include a moveable ceiling hoist, an adult-sized, height-adjustable changing bench, adjustable height sink, a specialist toilet with space either side, and a room with enough space for wheelchairs and carers. The loos will all be created before the end of 2024, said portfolio holder for people and places, David Russell. “We want people with disabilities and their families and carers to be able to enjoy the New Forest, be that out on a day trip, travelling, or when just nipping to the shops, without having to worry,” he said. And people out and about in the New Forest can now fill their reusable water bottles with mains drinking water for free in Fordingbridge. The town has one of the New Forest’s new water stations, which can also be found in Hythe, Totton, Brockenhurst and Burley. The facility was paid for by the government’s Welcome Back Fund, to encourage people to shop locally. The Fordingbridge water station is outside of the public toilet buildings in the car-park at The Bartons.

Spring show for under-threat society

UNDER THREAT: The Spring Flower Show. Right, Martin Stewart with the Cookery winners and below, Paul Beard and his award-winning merlins

Wimborne Horticultural Society held its first Spring Flower Show for three years and despite entries being down a third on the 2019 event, the quality was top-notch. A good number of people came through the Allendale Centre’s doors and enjoyed the displays of daffodils, tulips and other cut flowers and potted plants, alongside the cookery, photographic and craft sections. There was also a fascinating stand put up by Wilding Wimborne, who are campaigning for more trees in the town. The trophies were handed out by Martin Stewart, MD of Stewart’s Garden Centres and president of the society. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the continuation of the society, the silverware remained and special rosettes were presented. The awards were as follows: WHS Spring Challenge Cup for most points in the members section, Mr Bill Howarth, who also won the Spring Floral Cup and the Heatherwood Cup for Most Points in Daffodil Open classes and Most Points in Section C. Best exhibit in Members classes was awarded to Paul Beard for his eye-catching vase of Daffodil ‘Merlin’ and Tony Beard walked away with the Committee Cup for his Daffodil entry in that class. Ray Hayward was a popular winner taking home the spoils in the prestigious Championship class and hot on his heels was Mark Reed who took Most Outstanding Vase of Daffodils as well as Best Bloom in Show. In other sections, Ruth Howarth was thrilled to take home the award for the most points for a lady exhibitor; Mrs J Simpson was best in the Handicraft section; Miss K Webb entered the winning photograph; and baking was shared by Mrs B Hallett and Miss S Fulgard-Jones. The show was a success but tinged with a little melancholy as membership has fallen dramatically. The future of the society hangs in the balance, which after more than 70 years of existence is a great shame. The fate of the society will be decided at the next meeting at 8pm on Monday, May 9, at the Allendale Centre.

With so many stalls and great music all day, Broadstone Musical Market on Easter Saturday was a great success, writes Tom Scrase. Vikki Slade was the main organiser of the fantastic market on a lovely sunny day, alongside Peter Sidaway and Mark Grimsby. Marion Le Poidevin, Millie Earl and councillors Mike Brooke, Richard Burton and David Brown ran the Easter bunny and a fundraising Ukraine stall. Between all of them they raised a fantastic £350 for

Ukraine charities. Pictures: TOM SCRASE

It’s never too late to start a new hobby

Looking for a hobby? Want to master a new skill? As far as the Ferndown u3a is concerned, you’re never too old to learn, so get along to their annual open day at the Barrington Centre on May 27, from 10.00am where some 90 classes on just about every topic under the sun are on offer. They’ll be happy to tell you about classes and courses kicking-off at the start of the September term and about their programme of outings, talks and short study breaks in the UK and abroad. Jean Stone, Group Coordinator at u3a says: “We look forward to meeting everyone on the day.”

New challenge for ‘human fish’

by Lorraine Gibson

Not content with smashing the record for swimming round the Isle of Wight last August, ‘Human fish’ and clean ocean crusader Oly Rush, right, from Poole is now heading to the Caribbean in a bid to be the first person ever to swim around the island of Grand Cayman. Luckily, Cayman’s four most common species of coastal sharks - Nurse, Lemon sharks, Caribbean Reef and Blacktips - are quite timid. The 37-year-old plasterer, who is often called a ‘turbo swimmer’, is undeterred. Oly, more concerned about their welfare than their bites, says: “Shark numbers are rapidly declining. It’s an enormous challenge but I’ve put in the training and have a very professional team behind me.” He’ll attempt the gruelling, 60-mile, non-stop swim at the end of May and reckons it will take 30 hours to circumnavigate the island. To support Oly, visit gofundme. com/f/bsywxj-charity-swimaround-grand-cayman?qid=3a6b5a7 1df5eaed21f1b1383b3f1ae25.

Platinum Jubilee celebrations across village

Sturminster Marshall will be hosting an event for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Sunday, June 5, from 11am-3pm. The event will take place across the village including Churchill Close Green, Charborough Way Green and Sturminster Marshall Golf Club and will raise money for the community and local charities. There will be a barbecue, refreshments, a crown parade, bouncy castle, live music, crazy golf, classic cars and a dog show plus much, much more!

This Saturday and Sunday May 7 and 8 2.30pm, the Wimborne Community Garden is going to cut its first turf (and hopefully a lot more) as it begins to come to life, writes Jane Benson. Following consultation with the community through Facebook, a wish list was compiled of all the things that were wanted in the town’s newly-developing community garden. The list was translated by a landscape designer into three possible plans for the garden lay-out at the site which is in the centre of Wimborne up School Lane, next to Redcotts Park. Tomorrow we begin putting the winning design into action and for this we need as much man (and woman!) power as possible. At the end, we’ll share a simple barbecue as we admire all our handy work and then those brave enough, will be welcome to come and work all over again the following day! The idea for the Community Garden was born out of the idea of trying to put as much fresh food as possible into the food boxes that are packed for the Wimborne Food Bank; the Community Garden has pledged that 25% of all that is grown will go to the Wimborne Food Bank to be used there. Faithworks Wessex, which is the charity that the Food Bank operates under, is supporting the Community garden too. As the garden is in the grounds of what is to become Beaucroft School’s new annex, the Garden will also be lucky enough to be able to support the students to grow produce for the new café they are going to build. This will be run by the students and provide an excellent facility for those using Redcotts Park as well as the wider community. During the past couple of years, the value of a caring community has been evident and the Garden hopes to continue to uphold this. Everyone will be welcome – it will be a garden for everyone in the community. The Garden will develop as skills within our community become available and these may be of gardening, but also perhaps of artwork or bricklaying or fixing lights... as the skills emerge, so the garden will flourish. If you feel you could help in any way please do come along and join us up School Lane at 2.30. If you want to know any more, contact us on wimbornecommunitygarden @gmail.com.

A blooming fine morning for a coffee!

After an absence of two years, the spring coffee morning in aid of Wimborne in Bloom makes a welcome return on Saturday, May 21 at the home of Anthony and Christine Oliver, Wit’s End Corner, 34 Park Lane, Wimborne from 10.00am to noon. There will be a Bring and Buy Table and a Raffle with all proceeds going towards the 2022 in Bloom Campaign when again we are entering the Regional South and South East in Bloom Competition, with judging day on Wednesday, July 6. The local competition will also be held and will take place during the week commencing Monday, July 4. This year Wimborne in Bloom is celebrating its 30th anniversary. All are warmly invited to attend.

A Dorset care home hatched a plan to celebrate springtime by hosting the birth of some fluffy chicks. After team members at Colten Care’s Avon Reach in Mudeford put a heated incubator with embryo eggs centre stage in the home’s lounge, residents waited eagerly for the new arrivals. They were transfixed as, one by one, the eggs hatched over the course of several days with, eventually, eight chicks welcomed into the world. Companionship team leader Megan Castell said: “It was the most magical time and our residents were totally fascinated. “It was so interactive when the chicks arrived as residents could get up close and hold them.” Among those enjoying the births was June Chandler who grew up on a farm in Wiltshire and loved being surrounded by animals. June said she knew exactly what to expect when the chicks were born, recalling happy girlhood memories of looking after poultry, lambs and piglets. “The chickens were no trouble,” remembered June. “Ours had a little run but they had to be wired in because of the jackdaws. “We also had a little lamb named Larry and when the piglets were born we used to bring them home and warm them up by the fire. “They were little devils really, very wriggly.” All eight chicks born at Avon Reach have now left to go to good homes, either free range farms locally or to people with existing hen flocks.

n June Chandler with a chick and, above,

as a young girl with Larry the lamb

Middle school celebrates ‘Star’ billing

West Moors Middle School has been awarded Dorset Council’s Education ‘STAR’ Award, after achieving a Good judgement in their recent Ofsted inspection. Vik Verma, director of education and learning in Dorset Council, attributed this to the strong senior leadership, the dedication of the staff team and the commitment of children to their personal learning journeys. The Ofsted inspectors commented that leaders have high aspirations and that pupils rise to this challenge, so that all pupils will be ‘the best that they can be’. They were impressed to see children so motivated and inspired to read and acknowledged the ambitious curriculum in place to support children’s development of knowledge. The Ofsted inspectors also praised the careers education within the school and recognised the combined efforts of all members of the school community in ensuring children at West Moors Middle School thrive and feel supported in ‘being themselves’. In March councillors visited the school where they had the opportunity to talk with many of the children. One said: “I was delighted to visit West Moors Middle School once again and see for myself, the improvements being made across the board and also a chance to offer our congratulations to everyone involved in the school’s recent achievement of being graded Good by Ofsted. “The confidence and enthusiasm with which both the students and teachers spoke to us about their work was impressive...” Dr Deborah Craddock, headteacher, said she was incredibly proud of everyone in her school community whose enthusiasm, hard work and commitment have made such a positive difference to their children’s education, growth and development.

Take a walk (and swim) on the wild side

By Faith Eckersall

You’d have to be living on Mars not to notice the leap in popularity of wild or openwater swimming in the past few years. News reports, magazines, and social media have been peppered with images of people striding into lakes, rivers and the sea for a bracing dip, even in the middle of winter. The Outdoor Swimming Society saw a 36 per cent membership leap in 2020. While part of the interest can be put down to the covid pandemic, when indoor pools were closed, the practise of open water swimming has been increasing for years. In Dorset, which is blessed with what is probably the UK’s most beloved coastal feature – Durdle Door – there are plenty of amazing spots and now these, and the walks you can take to visit them, are the subject of a new book in the Wild Swimming Walks series. Written by Sophie Pierce and Matt Newbury, the book reveals 28 coastal, lake and river wild swims in Dorset and East Devon. Written in a conversational style, it helps readers to find the kind of walk and swim which best suits them and their abilities, as well as adding plenty of useful local tips and fascinating facts. There are walks in the Frome Valley, walks which incorporate ancient sites, such as Hod Hill and walks which take you to Corfe Castle and the Green Pool. If you prefer a seaside amble, then check out the Arne Peninsula Circular which, say the authors ‘will make you feel like a castaway’ and the far more taxing trip to Chapman’s Pool and Dancing Ledge, the man-made sea pool which is thought to be the inspiration for the one in Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers. Here are three of the book’s walks:

Walk 21 - Wareham Rivers Double

The two-mile walk starts at Howards Lane car-park in Wareham and along the way you can swim in the River Frome at Abbot’s Quay and the River Piddle at Wareham common. Accompanied by a fine potted history of Wareham’s Roman and Anglo-Saxon heritage, the walk takes you past St Martin on the Walls church, with its stone effigy of TE Lawrence, and along the River Piddle to the Weir at West Mills, the first swimming spot in the book. The walk continues to Abbot’s Quay where the authors describe a ‘quiet set of steps’ to allow for entry to the water. Because of the boats and other watercraft, using a float or a brightly coloured swimming cap to ensure you are visible is advisable, says the book. The walk continues past the Priory church of Lady St Mary and back to the beginning.

Walk 22 - Shapwick and White Mill circular

This walk starts at the car park by St Bartholomew’s church and takes you 4.5 miles through Shapwick, incorporating a potential dip in the River Stour. Travel through Hardyesque fields and past the Book and Bucket cheese company’s farm. Passing White Mill, continue to the swim spot where, the writers say: ‘You have to scramble down the bank to enter the water’. While you’re there you can contemplate the legend of the ‘lost bells’ of Knowlton church, said to have been discarded in the river by thieving Sturminster Marshall villagers, who allegedly stole them for their own church! The walk takes in the Charles Bennett Village Green, named after the village’s illustrious Olympian, and the Anchor Inn.

Walk 18 - Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Circular

This ‘energetic but endlessly rewarding walk’ takes in what is arguably Britain’s most famous geographical feature and the unofficial symbol of Dorset. The 6.5-mile hike can start with a swim at Lulworth Cove whose white stones ‘give a Mediterranean feel’ and continues with a hike over Hanbury Tout. Go through a field, past Scratchy Bottom to join the South West coast Path at West Bottom. The walk takes you up and down steep hills, past Bat’s Head and Swyre Head and eventually to Durdle Door where, says the book, ‘a swim through the arch is a magical thing to do’. The walk ends at the Lulworth car-park. n Open water swimming is a potentially dangerous activity undertaken entirely at your own risk. Cold water can be dangerous to health and you should never jump or dive in before checking the depth of the water and also your exit point. The book warns that the locations are prone to currents, tidal-immersion and sea-state changes. Some landowners do not welcome swimmers. The legality of access and use of open water is discussed here: outdoorswimmingsociety. com/is-it-legal/ Wild Swimming Walks is published by Wild Things Publishing at £14.99.

A SIGN: Jonathan Marshall with Amadeus, the black horse from the Lloyds Bank adverts

New countryside show leaps to success

Dorset’s newest country show got off to a fantastic start with twelve thousand people attending the Spring Countryside Show at the Turnpike Showground near Motcombe. Organised by the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show team, this two-day event showcased rural life and crafts as well as live music, steam engines and classic cars. James Cox, Event Organiser said: “We are over the moon with the responses to the Spring Countryside Show. “We set out on this venture back in the autumn and never expected it to gain the momentum it has. “We were joined by so many craft producers, local traders and skilled rural individuals. “The feedback has been incredible.” A major highlight of the show programme was horseback falconry in the Jonathan Marshall Free Spirits Show. This featured the black horse, famous in the Lloyds Bank adverts and an incredible stunt of a falcon flying in between the horses’ legs which had the crowd mesmerised. The Show is due to return in April 2023.