Letters

We promised to protect Ukraine

I wholeheartedly agree with everything your correspondent Myk Hamilton had to say with one exception: the assertion that he objected to sending lethal aid in his letter, (Let’s show our compassion for the people of Ukraine). It may have escaped his attention, but the Ukrainian people are being subjected to genocide by Putin’s overwhelming strength. The Ukrainians did not start the war but were forced into protecting their families from Russian looters, the cold-blooded murdering of woman and children refugees along with all manner of depraved behaviours that include raping schoolgirls and murdering trapped civilians with the constant bombing. Against such overwhelming odds, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky is asking Nato for aid in the form of weapons, food and medicine. He has entered into every conceivable negotiation with the Russians, but Putin is determined to steal their rich resources (grain, gas and oil) to fund his next war on the rest of none-Nato countries. It’s worth mentioning that Britain, along with Russia, USA and Ukraine entered into an agreement in 1994 that said if the Ukrainians abolished their nuclear weapons, we would collectively protect them from attack. We now know that was Ukraine’s big mistake. Dangerous suggestions cost lives.

Mike Fry Poole

OFF THE WALL...

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

Be aware: Vintage tractors on the road this summer

We’d like to give advanced warning of a slow-moving, vintage agricultural convoy on Saturday, August 16. The East Dorset Trac Pack will be in Wimborne Minster and the Stour and Tarrant Valley areas with vintage tractors from 1940-1980. The only confirmed stationary viewing area is the Witchampton Club from noon2pm, where children and adults alike would be welcome.

John Maiden East Dorset Trac Pack

New members are welcome at our thriving art club

Members of Wimborne Art Club are happy to have been able to donate funds to two very worthy causes. A painting raffled at our Pamphill exhibition in December raised £150 for Wimborne Foodbank and a further £250, raised from an art materials auction, was donated to the Red Cross Ukraine campaign this month. The club prides itself on being friendly and and meets regularly for demonstrations and workshops. We also organises outdoor sketching and portrait groups and are involved in a number of events this year. New members are very welcome. Please visit us at: wimborneartclub.org.uk.

Sandra Redknapp is joining her husband Harry as Patron of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. Sandra joins with a vast knowledge of the local Dorset community and is passionate about helping local lives in the area. She says she is thrilled to be the new patron of the local hospice charity that is making real difference to patients, and their families, living with a life-limiting illness. Sandra said: “I am very pleased to be asked to be part of this fantastic charity. “The hospice has gone through lots of changes over the past 18 months and it’s wonderful to see the extraordinary care, innovation and resilience it has, particularly during the pandemic. “I will, hopefully, try and persuade Barney our bulldog to attend one of the ‘Paws on their Walks’ events.” Chief executive Clare Gallie said: “We are all over the moon that Sandra has agreed to be Patron of LewisManning Hospice Care. “It will be great to work together and she is a fantastic addition to our growing team of patrons.”

PATRONS: Sandra and Harry Redknapp with Clare Gallie

New car park fees in place

New car park charges are now in effect in most Dorset Council car parks. The charges affect eight car parks in Blandford, Penny’s Lodge in Ferndown, Jenner Close, Potters Wheel and the Hub in Verwood and 10 car parks in Wimborne. Dorset Council says prices were changed for consistency, after the amalgamation of district councils, which were issuing 76 diferent permits. People can benefit from cheaper prices via two new permits, said the council. Short Stay Permits provide parking for two hours every day and cost £78 per year. The Flexi-Stay Permit provides unlimited parking in the majority of Dorset Council long stay car parks and free two-hour parking every day in the majority of short stay car parks. It costs £25 a month or £260 per year.

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