Politics

Political round-up Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher Government tackles BCP’s ‘dodgy deal’

It is always gratifying when the Government listens to MPs who raise policy concerns affecting their constituents. It is even better when the Government takes decisive action in response. It was, therefore, with delight that I welcomed the emergency ban brought in by the Government to prevent BCP Council pursuing its intended ‘dodgy deal’ to sell its portfolio of beach huts. The sale would not have been an open market one but a closed sale to a newlyformed, council-controlled company euphemistically described as a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’. I had asked the Government back in June to prevent the sale and was told by the then Local Government Minister, Kemi Badenoch, that local authorities must act ‘within the intent and spirit’ of the freedoms given to them by the Government with a warning that further action would be considered. Kemi Badenoch, a rising star in the Conservative Party, as confirmed by her performance in the leadership campaign, clearly understood the issue. Sadly, BCP Council ignored her clear warning and is now having to face up to the consequences of having a key policy blocked because it would neither have increased efficiency nor delivered future savings as required. The £400 payment to each and every household to help with the additional costs of fuel will be paid in six equal monthly instalments from October. That announcement, however, made no reference to those households living in residential park homes of which there are several thousand in Dorset and more than 100,000 nationwide. As Chairman of the AllParty Parliamentary Group for Park Homes, I have continued to raise this issue with the Government. The Energy Minister told me in May that although customers living in park homes where the supply is delivered through the site owner would not be eligible for the scheme, the Government was exploring options for other ways in which such households might receive the support. Most recently I asked the Secretary of State for Business and Energy Strategy, Kwarsi Kwarteng, whether he can guarantee that each of these households will receive the energy bill rebate. He said, ‘We have had the consultation and we will come up with a response that ensures that Christchurch constituents get a fair deal on this issue’. As the response fell short of the guarantee for which I was asking, I have now written back to the Secretary of State seeking further clarity and assurance. If second home owners are going to be able to receive £400 in respect of each of their homes, it would be grossly unjust if park home residents were to miss out. Watch this space!

Christchurch & East Dorset CHRIS CHOPE MP

Inflation prediction is truly terrifying

A winter of discontent approaches. The Bank of England’s forecast of 13% inflation is truly terrifying. The average energy bill will reach £3,600 in October, before exceeding £4,000 in the new year. I must advise against these ‘don’t pay’ your utility bill campaigns. This is not the poll tax. Not paying will drag down your credit rating, have the bailiffs at your door and worst of all see you disconnected mid-winter. What readers might want to know though is that you will still benefit from the protection of the energy price cap if you cancel your direct debit and chose to pay in arrears instead. Do this with caution though as budgeting will be harder – particularly if you don’t have a smart meter. Heating oil prices also remain stubbornly high, despite crude oil prices declining. And what of government action on the energy crisis? Next month, we will have a new prime minister – most probably Liz Truss. The fourth Tory leader in six years. Having presented herself to the Tory membership as the continuityJohnson candidate, she’ll attempt the deranged pivot of blaming some alien, previous administration - of which she was part - for the structure of the energy market. The one-upmanship of the candidates’ tax relief measures has distracted from some of the toxic elements of the contest. Remember Penny Mordaunt? Once the front runner, until Truss’s semi-hysterical Mail allies launched day after day of bilious personal attacks on her, for – heaven forbid – having expressed an open mind on gender self-identification. Once eliminated, poor Penny then publicly demeaned herself by backing Truss in an attempt no doubt to ensure herself

Dorset Labour GREG WILLIAMS

of a cabinet job. And what of East Dorset’s Christopher Chope? In these very pages, he rails against ‘underperformance’ of civil servants, blaming the ‘current chaos’ of bed blocking on them. He’s right to highlight the problem, but wrong to pile the blame on NHS staff. His party has had 12 years in government to bring forward a plan for integrated health and social care, which would reduce discharge delays. They have failed. The next Tory leader also looks set to scrap the ‘health and social care levy’ which was supposed to provide the funds necessary to help resolve the social care crisis. The natural party of government? More a party that has awkwardly gone on too long. As an alternative, Labour may still have its challenges. Its difficulty in supporting workers who need a pay rise whilst simultaneously being critical of the breakdowns in negotiations that lead to strikes remains. But at least Labour looks increasingly like a government in waiting under Starmer’s leadership. As the conference season approaches, I look forward to seeing the policies that members across the country have been working on make their way to the fore.

Roman discovery is a villa of society

by Faith Eckersall

It’s 80 years since the first official dig commenced at the Roman villa near Fordingbridge. The story of this remarkable find began when Hampshire farmer Tom Porter began digging enthusiastically in a rabbit warren on West Park Farm, at Rockbourne, near Fordingbridge. He was trying to free a ferret but, as he did so, he unearthed something much more interesting – a large quantity of oyster shells and small mosaic tiles. Farmer Porter informed a local estate agent and chartered surveyor, Albert Tennyson Morley Hewitt. A keen historian and antiquarian, Morley Hewitt immediately recognised the potential importance of the finds and quickly purchased the land. The date was summer 1942 and Britain was in the middle of a World War against Germany. But that didn’t stop Morley Hewitt, who managed to gain permission for a trial dig and discovered an exquisite mosaic floor, featuring an eight-pointed star. It’s easy to imagine his excitement at finding an undiscovered fragment of England’s Roman past. Further digs were organised, exposing a bath-house which proved, beyond doubt, that something very special had been existed once at Rockbourne. Over the next 30 years, the indefatigable Morley Hewitt organised a series of digs and, helped by volunteers and archaeologists, revealed more and more of Rockbourne Roman Villa. According to Hampshire Cultural Trust: ‘In the 1960s it attracted so many visitors that the small country roads were blocked by traffic. ‘Thousands of people watched the layout of the villa slowly revealed in front of them and more objects coming out of the ground.’ To house these objects, the magnificent Morley Hewitt stepped in again, funding a private museum on the site. That museum has since passed to the custodianship of Hampshire County Council and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Among the items that can be seen include 493 coins, which were part of a hoard discovered on the site, and an adult skeleton, who was found buried face down. There are also numerous pots, pottery shards and other items patiently recovered by many volunteer archaeologists, including two rare milestones. But who lived at Rockbourne? The farming tools and animal bones discovered indicate it was primarily an agricultural place, but it’s also thought it could have been a country home for Publius Helvuis Pertinax, governor of Britain in AD 185-6, and his family. Rockbourne’s visitor services assistant, Wade Jones, says: “Rockbourne isn’t like Fishbourne near Chichester. It’s in an out-of-the-way place and was not very wealthy or grand, it shows how more ordinary people lived in those times.” However, he believes this is all part of its charm. “It started out as a small cottage in about AD50 but got changed so many times over 400 years,” he says. “They built a new wing, then they built the bath-house and hypocaust, which is the only one discovered with curved roof tiles as part of its design.” Wade adores Rockbourne, which he describes as a unique place. During the Pandemic, when it was closed, he worked in retail but he was delighted to return back into history and has been catching up on lost time. During the summer he manages visits and all matters related to the site. During the winter, he does more

UNIQUE: Ruins and the mosaic at Rockbourne Roman Villa

Pictures: HAMPSHIRE CULTURAL TRUST

research as well as handling the villa’s social media. “I have a huge passion for this place and there are so many reasons that make Rockbourne special,” he says. “Partly it’s because it was a more ordinary Roman residence compared to others you can see. But it’s also because the site is so peaceful – if you pay to come in, you’re entitled to revisit throughout the year and we get a lot of local people who come here just to spend a peaceful hour or so in the countryside.” Another reason to celebrate Rockboune, he says, is because its finds remain on site – rather than being carted off to the British Museum. “I found a letter in the archives which showed that the British Museum had asked to have some of the pieces that had been discovered, but Morley Hewitt said no, they had to stay here.” He is also amused by the account of archaeological writer and illustrator, Stephen R Cosh, who had the onerous task of accurately painting one of Rockbourne’s badly-repaired mosaics. “The mosaic is preserved underground but it appeared to have undergone a repair that just went absolutely wrong, a bit of a Roman bodge job,” he says. “Stephen R Cosh described it as the worst he’d ever had to paint! “It’s little things like that which make the place come alive.” Visit: hampshireculture.org.uk/ rockbourne-roman-villa. West Moors Women’s Institute meetings are usually held on the first Monday of the month at St Catherine’s Church Hall, Lewens Lane, Wimborne. Meetings start at 10-15 am. On September 5, the speaker will address the worrying details of Scams and how to avoid them. New visitors are welcome, so why not head along and enjoy an interesting talk and refreshments. The first three meetings you attend are free of charge. For further information call Jill Haywood on 01202 888194. New time for mass

The time of the monthly Anglican High Mass in the beautiful church at Wimborne St Giles has been changed to 11am on the first Sunday of each month. Sung to the setting of John Merebecke, the organist is John Radford and all visitors are most welcome. Postcode is BH21 5LZ. Call 01202 828797 for more information. Thinking caps ready

Wimborne and Ferndown Lions are holding an autumn quiz on September 30 at the Allendale. it will consist of teams of up to six players, and entry costs £10 per player. For more information, contact ronneave@yahoo.co.uk. Riverside cream teas

Every Sunday in August, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, there will be Cream Teas By The River at Damerham Village Hall, SP6 3HQ, in aid of St Georges Church. These will be held inside if wet. More information from the church warden on 01425 650044.

Polling station review

New Forest District Council says it’s holding a review of polling stations in the district, which could mean changing some ballot locations. It wants people to contact the council with their views, including where they vote and the accessibility requirements and facilities available. You can respond to the review by visiting: newforest.gov.uk/districtsand placesreview2022.

stouravonmagazine.co.uk

Early bird savings still available on best rural day out

Forget about the early bird catching the worm! Buy early bird tickets for the Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show and you can catch cattle, Shetland ponies, heavy horses, dancing sheep, steam engines, vintage cars, live music, a fairground and so much more.

This fantastic rural day out on Wednesday 17 August at the Turnpike Showground,

Motcombe, celebrates the best in our region’s agriculture, farming, countryside pursuits, hobbies, home-crafts and artisan producers.

Early bird tickets are available up until 14 th August with adult tickets £16 each, children (5 –15) just £4 and under 5’s free. Family tickets for two adults and two children are £38. You can also buy tickets on the gate with adult tickets £18, children £4 and under 5’s free. A family ticket on the day is £42.

Show Organiser James Cox says: “Our aim is to keep the entrance price very reasonable and we’re delighted we’ve been able to do this again for 2022 - a full day out for a family for under £45! There’s also free parking, plenty of places to picnic and dogs on leads are welcome too.

This year there’s even more to see at this annual show. Announcing a new star attraction, the show welcomes the world famous motorcycle spectacular - The IMPs Motorcycle Display Team sponsored by Fuel10K. With the youngest performer only five years old, these daredevil stunt riders put on a dynamic display of motorcycle skills including a death-defying fire jump you won’t want to miss!

From two wheels to four legs, agriculture is at the heart of The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show and for the first time in over 15 years, the much loved Grand Parade of Livestock, sponsored by Woolley & Wallis, will be featured in the Gritchie Brewing Company Main Ring. The champion cattle and sheep of the 2022 Show will parade in the expanse of the Ring and there’s a chance to see rare breeds close up.

Horse fans will love the equestrian exhibits this year - the show welcomes back the Heavy Horse Village, even bigger than before. Sponsored by Wincanton Racecourse, there will be heavy horse competitions and demonstrations by these gentle giants of the equestrian world. There’s also Shetland pony racing, showjumping and driving.

Dog-lovers will adore the hilarious antics of Terrier Racing plus there’s dog shows, agility classes and demonstrations.

The Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is also buzzing to announce a brand new Bees & Honey Marquee for the first time. These insects, essential to our life on earth, are being celebrated at the Show, which has teamed up with the North Dorset Beekeepers Association to bring a marquee filled with exciting demonstrators, hands-on activities and a bee hive.

For the first time in three years, the bunnies are back! Beatrix Potter’s most celebrated creatures are hopping over to the show where you can see fabulous floppy-eared to beautiful big-eared rabbits - favourite pets that have been domesticated for over 2000 years.

Photography, painting and cake-baking are just some of the rural hobbies celebrated with stunning exhibitions and competitions. Garden fans should not miss the huge horticultural marquee dedicated to flower displays and prize-winning vegetables.

As well as so much to see, there’s a great selection of local food and drink producers selling their wares, retail therapy courtesy of a countryside shopping village, live music and funfair.

Book tickets now via https://gillinghamandshaftesburyshow. ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/

From aerial action with birds of prey to daredevil stunts - the Gillingham and Shaftesbury show is a great rural day out.

As part of local plans to give families a summer of fun, Wimborne BID has teamed up with High Street Safari to run a free story-trail in Wimborne until Sunday, September 4. This innovative experience lets family choose what happens in the story and enables anyone with a smartphone to take part. Players will not only discover cute characters along the route, but they also get to see them burst to life in augmented reality and

Tell your own tale on town’s new safari trail

take selfies and record videos with them. The idea behind the event is to encourage families to come into Wimborne with a free, exciting event that gets kids out of the house. Shopping parents will love being able to get the kids on board and families looking for a relaxing day out can encourage kids to have a screen-time break, do some walking and get rewarded at the end. The Mystery of the Secret Keys is located at 10 stops around Wimborne to visit, positioned so that families can discover hidden parts of the town. Families will be guided on their trip by The Luminauts, an interstellar team of superheroes, on an adventure as they find special keys that release 10 gemeating beasties in AR. The trail takes about 45 minutes to complete but can be completed in more than one visit. It’s completely free for families and groups to take part in and they win a free, digital fun pack at the end. The trail works without the need for families to download or sign up to anything, and works on any smart device. While it has been designed so that there is no need to go inside the venues, some participating businesses are offering discounts and vouchers to come in while you visit. To find out more about the trail, visit the website: highstreetsafari.com

Little stars shine out

Shining Stars are passionate about youngsters finding their voice through drama and play. We help children gain empathy, emotional intelligence and expand their imagination by providing a safe space to explore the world around them. Our Mini’s classes allow parents to join their little ones on a magical adventure each week. We might be Pirates, travel back in time to find Dinosaurs or even head to outer space! Filled with props, music, and a craft activity each week these sessions are the ideal starting point to make new friends for both adults and children. Throughout school holidays our drama days for ages 5-12 are fun filled and jam packed with a performance at the end of the day. Bookings are now open for the 22nd and 23rd August and October half term. To find out more about what Shining Stars can offer your child then please get in touch 07966026590

www.shiningstarsdrama.co.uk

A place where your little stars will shine!

Shining Stars Mini's Drama Class

Suitable for ages 2-4 years Wednesday's 10-10.45am

at the Allendale Centre Wimborne. New Class starting September 2022

- Friday mornings 11.15am

at The Holy Angels Hall, Lilliput. £6 per class pay as you go or book a block of 4 sessions for £20. Bookings - 07966026590

Email shiningstarsdrama@outlook.com www.shiningstarsdrama.co.uk Instagram: shiningstarsperforming

It’s summer fun all the way at Dorset’s top family theme park!

Adventure Wonderland is the perfect destination for family fun in Bournemouth. There is so much to enjoy during your next visit including all your favourite rides and attractions!

Make a splash on Jungle Falls log flume or ride the waves of the Ghostly Galleon.

Fly High on the Flying Elephants and get in a spin on the Turbo Teacups!

Plus NEW for 2022 is ‘The Buccaneers Bouncer!’ and ‘The Caterpillar’s Sensory Garden’.

Your ticket also includes the huge indoor play centre, Wils Thing!, Alice at the Movies crazy golf, Shetland World animal area, the Alice in Wonderland Maze and take your seats for showtime in The Theatre!

It’s a summer full of event-ure! Adventure Wonderland will also be welcoming some very special guests during the summer holidays. Come and see Peppa Pig on Thursday 4th August, Bluey on Thursday 18th August and Bingo (from Bluey) on Thursday 25th August 2022.

Adventure Wonderland – memories made here... book your visit now, www.adventurewonderland.co.uk

Pop Princess Party

The smash hit show, Once Upon A Princess will be spreading some glitter across the grass this summer with a fairytale festivalstyle show for all the family! Bring a picnic and get ready to celebrate the Princess party in the park at Avon Heath Country Park on Friday 19 August.

Once Upon A Princess is the family-friendly, all-singing, all-dancing musical sensation which has been entertaining audiences up and down the country since 2016.

Now, get ready to wish upon a star and see all your favourite storybook princesses perform some of the most popular movie musical songs and chart-topping hits on a specially installed outdoor stage with sound system and LED video wall.

Tickets for this sing-a-long concert celebration of the popular production include an exclusive Meet & Greet and photo opportunity with the stars of the show after the performance.

OCD Productions UK, the local theatre company behind Once Upon A Princess, are experts at making magical and entertaining theatre for all ages. Founded in Dorset in 2013 by performer and producer Andy Brennan, OCD’s productions are enjoyed by families up and down the land.

“We’re so excited to bring this very special concert production of Once Upon A Princess to Avon Heath Country Park,” says Andy. “The show is perfect for children who may not be able to sit still and watch a traditional theatre-style performance. As we are outdoors, it means children can be free to express themselves and dance along. We love to see everyone joining in!” Tickets are priced at £10 each plus a £1 booking fee and are available online only from www.ticketsource.co.uk/ocd

Get up close with birds of prey and reptiles!

Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre is named after Liberty, our Alaskan Bald Eagle, one of the many birds of prey that we have on display at the Centre, which is located just outside Ringwood near the natural beauty of Hampshire’s New Forest National Park, and close to the splendour of Dorset’s World Heritage ‘Jurassic’ Coast.

At Liberty’s you will find a large collection of Birds of Prey, including Owls, Hawks, Falcons and Vultures, as well as a collection of Reptiles and other creepy crawlies in our Reptile House.

We also offer falconry experience days, photographic experience days and hawking days to people who want to take up the opportunity to enjoy a closer encounter with some of our birds.

Enjoy a visit and observe these magnificent birds flying free and reptiles up close in various various daily demonstrations. Visit www.libertysfalconry.com

A short course could be your next big step!

OEveniNg and weekend cOurses Autumn term – October 2022 Spring term – January 2023 Book now aub.ac.uk/sa-shortcourses shortcourses@aub.ac.uk 01202 363222 Summer term – March 2023 O

Arts University Bournemouth is a leading specialist art and design university that believes in life-long learning. That’s why we’re proud to offer the biggest and most diverse selection of creative short courses locally, that are suitable for all abilities and for anyone aged 18 or over.

At AUB you’ll learn in a safe and encouraging environment where there’s no right or wrong way to be creative – all we ask is that students come with lots of enthusiasm and be ready to learn, experiment, and have fun.

All our tutors are experts in their fields and their passion is infectious, so you’ll be learning from the best.

What’s more, as a specialist institution

Start your creative journey with us.

Whether you’re discovering, developing, or nurturing your creative talent, a short course could be the key to unlocking your true potential. Our courses are suitable for students aged 18+ and we cater to all abilities. With a wide range of subject areas, there's something for everyone! We've 50+ creative short courses in: –Acting, Performance and Dance –Adobe Creative Suite –Art, Design, Drawing and Painting –Business, Marketing and Web Publishing –Creative Writing –Design and Printing –Fashion, Textiles and Accessories –Filmmaking and Production –Interior and Architectural Design –Jewellery –Make-up and SFX Prosthetics –Photography –Visual Communication –3D Design and Modelmaking

you’ll benefit from studying on our award-winning campus in our industry-standard studios that are equipped with the latest equipment and software.

With over 50 part-time classes in a range of creative subjects, there’s a short course for everyone.