MPs’ Round-Up

MPs’ round-up No rationale for the latest Covid regulations

As Parliament rose for the Christmas Recess, it was preoccupied with how to address the challenge of the Omicron variant. The good news is that those infected with the latest strain suffer milder symptoms with an extremely small chance of requiring hospital treatment. But there is disappointment for those who have already been double jabbed. They are now as vulnerable to infection from Omicron as the unvaccinated. This shows that there is no justification for the divisive policy of requiring vaccine passports as a precondition for entry to venues. It also negates the case for requiring double vaccination as a condition of employment. Restrictions upon individual liberty should not be imposed without the strongest evidence in support. It was because of the lack of such evidence that I joined so many colleagues in voting against the latest regulations. The collateral damage already caused by Covid-19 restrictions remains of a particular concern. One in ten hospital beds are now occupied by patients who are ready to be discharged but for whom a care home vacancy cannot be found. The crisis in care homes where there are reported to be up to 60,000 staffing vacancies has been exacerbated by the requirement that everyone working in a care home, even if not in direct contact with a resident, must be double vaccinated. We are now faced with a similar perverse consequence flowing from the requirement that those working in the NHS will need to be double vaccinated as a condition of employment from April. One of my constituents who is a senior clinician locally has reported to me that, while he has recovered from Covid which he caught while unvaccinated and, therefore, has significant antibodies, he will be discriminated against in comparison with another colleague who caught Covid despite having been double vaccinated. What can be the rationale for that? Further collateral damage is being caused to young people by inhibiting the normal social engagement which should be fundamental in their development. Working from home is often neither practical nor desirable, especially for younger employees as it also prevents them from being able to learn on the job. At the time of writing, the World Health Organisation has not reported any deaths from Omicron in the 38 countries where it is in evidence. Let us hope that that situation continues and encourages us all to put Covid-19 into perspective. We must learn to live with it and make such minimal adjustments to our own lives as are warranted by individual circumstance. It should not be the role of Government to terrorise the population by fear of unsubstantiated risks.

n May I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy 2022.

Christchurch & East Dorset: Chris Chope

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Night sky events with Bob Mizon MBE of the Wessex Astronomical Society

In mid-December, the meteors of the annual Geminid stream streak across the night sky. They appear to radiate from a point near the head of Castor, the upper bright star at the left of the constellation; its twin is Pollux. These twins were, in Greek mythology, brothers of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon, commander of the Greeks in the Trojan War. The Moon is at its gibbous phase, a little larger than half-Moon, as the meteors reach maximum; its light may blot out fainter members. Bright Geminids often leave sparkling trails as they burn their way through the upper atmosphere at altitudes between 60 and 100 kilometres, so keep binoculars at hand to see how these gas trails snake around after the meteor has apparently disappeared. The reliable Geminids can include very bright fireballs. These represent bigger chunks of debris, left behind millennia ago by the crumbling asteroid Phaethon. Clear skies!

Adding to Bags of Kindness

Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes and for LewisManning’s Hospice Care patients, it’s bag-shaped. Inspired by a bright idea from one of the charity’s fundraising team to cheer-up patients after the rigours of lockdown, it devised ‘Bags of Kindness’, an initiative to deliver comforting treats in a handy shopper, straight to people’s doors. On hearing the suggestion, Lewis-Manning’s director of clinical services, Ruth Burnhill, was eager for it to go ahead. She said: “We know how difficult Lockdown has been for so many of our patients. It’s been a very isolating experience for them. “Not only are they living with the challenges of a life-limiting illness but many are living alone and have hugely missed the social interaction and care that they usually receive by coming in to Day Care at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. “We wanted to spread some happiness, cheer them up and offer a distraction to their days,” she said. Lewis-Manning arts coordinator, Karen England came up trumps with a selection of poems and tongue-twisters to add to the bags. A copy of the New Stour & Avon magazine will be popped into each bag. Other local businesses have got behind the endeavour with donations from the likes of the Chocolate Boutique Hotel, Dorset Tea, Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, the Dorset Ginger Company, Cherry Tree Preserves, Moores Biscuits and pampering treats from Lush cosmetics. CEO, Clare Gallie, said: “To get involved, please contact 01202 708470 or fundraising team@lewis-manning.org.uk”

Announcements

DEATHS

KELLY Hubert (known as John) Passed peacefully away at home on 3rd December 2021, aged 89 years. Much-loved Fiancé of Anne. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Funeral Service to be held at St Nicholas’ Church, Corfe Mullen on Wednesday, 22nd December 2021, at 1.30pm followed by interment in Corfe Mullen Cemetery. All family and friends welcome. Family flowers only please but donations, if desired, for The Salvation Army. Personal messages, memories and donations may be made online at www.oharafunerals.co.uk Nicholas O’Hara Funeral Directors Tel: 01202 882134

New president for Rotary club

President of Christchurch Rotary, Marianne Abley, has installed the club’s new President-elect, Vince Banks, pictured above. Marianne said: “Vince has been a club member since 2017 and has most recently chaired the membership and PR Committee. “Currently, he is also highly active in the development of the Christchurch Living Advent Calendar, focusing especially on gaining sponsorship commitments. “He brings a wealth of organisational experience to the Club, and I am delighted that he will in due course be succeeding me as president.” The installation took place at the Kings Arms Hotel. Festive fun for ladies

Members of Verwood Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild enjoyed an afternoon of festive entertainment at the recent Christmas meeting, singing and dancing along to the music of Barry Manley on his guitar, writes Linda Pearson. Sherry and nibbles were served and a thoroughly good time was had by all. A raffle was held and four new members were introduced to the Guild. Two visitors from Dorset Federation were welcomed by the group. Tickets were also available for the New Year January coffee morning.

The Museum of East Dorset is inviting people to celebrate Christmas with a visit from Monday to Saturday between now and 1pm on Christmas Eve. Discover how the festive season was celebrated in the past by taking a look at the Victorian Christmas card collection, and discover the fascinating stories of the people that lived and worked here over the centuries. Be sure to make time to stroll through the beautiful and peaceful walled garden and pop into the Tea Room to treat yourself to a warming bowl of soup, or perhaps a hot drink and seasonal mince pie. If you like to shop local there are some wonderful gifts in the Museum Shop and Information Centre. Whether it is stocking fillers, craft workshops or unique pieces made by local artisans, the museum staff say they have something for everyone. For further information, contact the museum on 01202 886116 or visit museumofeastdorset.co.uk. The Museum will be closed from 1pm on December 24 and will re-open on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Upcoming events and workshops include a Silver Clay Jewellery workshop on Thursday, January 13, and a Mosaic workshop on – Saturday, January 29. You can book a workshop place by visiting: museumofeastdorset.co.uk/ events.

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Celebrate Christmas at museum

Chorister thanked for 60 years’ singing

By Lorraine Gibson

newsdesk@stourandavon.net Jonathan Hiscock’s 60 years of singing at Wimborne Minster were recognised at a family Eucharist Service on Remembrance Sunday. Wimborne-born Jonathan, who is also a bell-ringer, was publicly thanked for his dedication over the years and presented with a speciallydesigned certificate recording his six decades of service to the choir by the rector, the Revd Canon Andrew Rowland. Churchwarden, Peter Cook, presented him with an engraved decanter and a card signed by colleagues, past and present. This was followed by a salute by the Gentlemen of the Choir with a touching tribute set to the tune of Three Kings From Persian Lands Afar. When Jonathan first joined the choir, in November 1961, it comprised 20 boys and 10 men. The Choirmaster/ Organist was David Blott and the vicar was the Revd. Stanley Epps. Weekday rehearsals took place after school in Church House followed by a full choir practice inside the Minster on Friday evenings. They sang in three choral services every Sunday with the boys let out before the sermon at Mattins. Jonathan recalls that the main organ was out of use, so a small chamber pipe organ was used in its place. The boys, who were paid according to seniority, attendance and behaviour, had just four Sundays off, in August, singing throughout the rest of the year, including, of course, on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Perks included an annual trip to the Bournemouth panto at the Pavilion and the odd football and cricket match against Sherborne Abbey choristers followed by tea and Choral Evensong. Jonathan has served under two vicars, five rectors, six choirmasters and a similar number of assistants and was head chorister for two or three years before moving into the back row as a bass, then a tenor. He recalls attending the opening recital by Francis Jackson (York Minster) on the new 1965 organ – he has his signature on the programme – and taking part in two live broadcasts, including Christmas Day 1973 and BBC Songs of Praise in 1990. He said that the experience at the Minster has brought him many opportunities elsewhere with other choirs and that his training had helped him develop his love of music, musical ability and a good ear. Jonathan is still passionate about what he does and already has plans for his next experience. Having sung several times at Westminster Abbey and at 17 different cathedrals, including St Paul’s, York Minster and Westminster Cathedral, he hopes to sing at an 18th cathedral next summer. He said: “Singing at the Minster has been an important part of my life over the years which have passed all too quickly. Whilst the physical attributes of the presentation are greatly valued and appreciated, the greatest thing for me was that the anniversary was marked and the time I have given acknowledged. That people wanted to celebrate the occasion gave me a warm glow and made me feel that my small contribution to the life of the Minster throughout that time has been valued. Thank you to all involved.” Married to Di, they have two equally-musical daughters, one a woodwind player, the other a woodwind service and repair technician.

Forget Frosty the snowman... here’s Sunny the sandman!

Who needs snow when you can make a sandman? Jolly Dipper Swimming Club members, Zoe Oreilly and Debbie Stacey, pictured above, made this cool little guy out of Avon Beach’s golden sand, proving you don’t need snow to have fun when it’s cold! Avon the Sandman has shells for eyes, driftwood arms, pebble buttons and wears a jaunty bobble hat and matching scarf in the season’s must-have pastel shades.

Queen’s Award is presented to centre

These are exciting times for the Ancient Technology Centre, star of one of our front-page stories back in June and who regular readers may recall had just been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Groups. Fast forward to last month and the Lord Lieutenant for Dorset, Angus Campbell, joined the volunteers and staff, past and present, at the centre in Cranborne to officially present the prestigious award. The Ancient Technology Centre houses recreated historic buildings from the Stone Age to the Viking period – all built with the support of volunteers over the past 30 years – and is a superb educational facility. As the earthouse open fire glowed to great effect, images taken during the construction of the forge, the earthouse and the longhouse were shown, all of which evoked memories for those involved. Mr Campbell met more than 50 guests, followed by a presentation and lunch in the longhouse. After reading out a citation he presented vice-chairman of the Centre Volunteers Association, Colin Alborough, with the glass award and a copy of the citation from the Queen. A delicious fruit cake made by one of the volunteers and adorned with the ATC logo, was cut by Mr Campbell using his sword and Colin Alborough gave a speech in which he expressed his appreciation to staff for preparing the venue and cooking the food and spoke of how proud the volunteers were to receive such a prestigious award. If you are interested in volunteering at ATC, contact Anita Rigler on 01725 517618.

PRESTIGIOUS: Angus Campbell presents the Queen’s Award to Colin Alborough at the Ancient Technology Centre