Letters

Legacy of Serles House explained

The Priest’s House Museum, trading as the Museum of East Dorset would like to clarify the current position in relation to Serles House and the legacy of the well-known local Wimborne character, Ian Willis, who passed away in 2020. Ian bequeathed the residue of his estate, including Serles House, to the Priest’s House Museum Collections Trust. The collections trust is a charity operating separately from the main board of the museum. Part of its remit is to add to or rationalise the existing collection, and to ensure that the collection is appropriately managed. The Priest’s House Museum Collections Trust commissioned a feasibility study to examine options regarding the future use of Serles House. The study concluded that it would not be viable for it to become part of the museum offering. So the decision has been made, to dispose of the asset. The proceeds from the sale will be used to ensure the museum’s collection will benefit in the longer term. Chairman of the collections trust, Sue Revill, said: “It was important for us to have the study to determine the most suitable course of action, and to ensure Ian’s legacy contributed positively to the future of the museum and its collections.’ The collections trustees have appointed a film maker to document the story of Ian and his home. This will involve interviews with people who had a connection with Ian and the house and will create a lasting record of this interesting and unusual feature in the, sometimes complicated, fabric of the town of Wimborne. Extracts from the feasibility study will be available to view on the museum’s website at museumofeastdorset.co.uk.

Sue Cook Vice-chairman Priest’s House Museum

OFF THE WALL...

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk

County’s new cycleway is not controversial

Was there really any need to use the word ‘controversial’ in your text under the heading about this route? Just one way to wind up the cycle-hating motorists. We do not need this type of reporting. The councils are doing what the Government has asked them to do. Please read the government document ‘Gear Change’. Please also inform your correspondent that the cycle routes are being funded by the Government and repairs to pavements by Dorset Council.

Judy Windwood East Dorset Coordinator Dorset Cyclists Network

Cycling or walking can avoid need for short car trips

You have an interesting article about carbon confusion where you are bringing to the reader’s attention some of the important issues on these problems - but in another article entitled pump politics you miss out one very important point. A trip of 10 minutes in a car can easily be made using other, much greener, ways which do not damage the planet or the car. I, of course, am referring to walking or cycling. I realise that the article is focused on car use, but I feel that this should have been mentioned too, as without constant reinforcing about the state of the planet lethargy, apathy and ignorance will continue to rule.

Paul Windwood Wimborne

Reason for the shortfall

In MP Christopher Chope’s article ‘NHS needs more private sector resources’, he proposes a system of CoPayment; ie the user has to pay part of the bill. This presumably means that if you cannot pay your share of the bill you will not get the treatment you need so those without the necessary funds will remain untreated while those with the money will be OK. Is this what the Conservatives mean by ‘levelling up’? He is right that the NHS needs more money - could this be the result of massive underfunding by the Government over the last 12 years?

George Adamson Ferndown

by Lorraine Gibson

Readers may recall our story about the devastating impact that Dorset council’s threat to pull funding for Wimborne’s Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre would have on Wimborne Wagtails swimming club for disabled people. Wagtails’ Julian Vernon, whose son is a club member, urged folk to object via a consultation, however, despite their best efforts, the council’s Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee were asked to approve a recommendation that the subsidising public use of the centre should end in two years’ time. The consultation pointedly asked whether the council’s contribution was value for money since there were other leisure facilities within a 20-minute drive. According to David Allen at Wagtails, this question doesn’t fully consider the challenges his club members face. “We have such a range of disabilities and need very specific facilities,” he says. “Having been in a wheelchair for months myself, I’m very aware of the challenges our members face. “We’re worried. Our group is the most vulnerable in our society and it’s not just the physical wellbeing, the socialising’s so important, too and for many of them, driving or travelling any distance, is not an option.” David says the group is ‘plugging away’ and hoping that the centre will be taken over - with a special place reserved for the wonderful Wimborne Wagtails. Visit wimbornewagtails. org.uk.

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Design and Planning

Celebrating 50 Years as an Independent Furniture Retailer

David ventured into the furniture world after leaving school in 1965 joining JJ Allens in their furniture department as a trainee where he gained invaluable experience of the furniture trade.

In 1972 David & Annie established their family business and opened their first shop in Parley Cross Ferndown selling second hand furniture. In 1977 they opened a second showroom in Glenmoor Road, selling beds and bedroom furniture. As the company grew another showroom followed in Ham Lane Longham in 1982 selling lounge and dining room furniture. In 1992 they converted the ‘Welcome Lodge Motel’ on Ringwood Road into one showroom incorporating both furniture and bedroom departments. Since then, the business has grown into one of the most prestigious independent furniture retailers on the South Coast. They could not have envisaged that, now 50 years on, the company would grow to such an extent, still remaining a family business with their daughters Susie & Sarah joining the company in 1997 and 1998.

Throughout the 50 years they managed to maintain traditional values with very high standards of customer service along with an enviable reputation for exceptional quality and choice of stunning furniture ranges throughout the departments. The growth of David Phipp House Furnisher has been achieved by hard work and loyal staff, some of whom have been with the company for over 40 years.

During the year they will have celebratory offers in the showroom starting with Stressless at 50% OFF certain discontinued models throughout March! Keep a lookout on the website and Facebook for further 50th Anniversary Offers through the year!

We would like to thank our customers for their support over our successful 50 years of trading and welcome you to our 50th Year of celebrations!

KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR FURTHER 50TH ANNIVERSARY OFFERS!

David Phipp House Furnisher & Stressless Celebrate 50 Years!

Throughout the year we will have celebratory offers in the showroom starting with Stressless throughout March.

Discontinued models Save 50%

Tel: 01202 897474 / 893377 Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm Ringwood Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9AL sales@davidphipp.co.uk

Offer available from 1st - 31st March 2022. While stocks last.

Wimborne Hospital is at the heart of the community and has always been known as the ‘People’s Hospital’. In 1887 it was chosen by the town to celebrate Queen Victoria’s jubilee. Since then it has grown and thrived and now offers a wide range of facilities. In recent times staff have played a significant part in the care of Covid patients and are now helping to reduce the waiting times for outpatient appointments and surgery. The Friends of the Hospital have supported the governing NHS trusts over many years. The great interest and support provided by the community has enhanced the success of the Friends. Exciting times are ahead as the trustees prepare to assist Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust to provide further and enhanced facilities on our doorstep. Retiring chairman June Tripp said: “It has been a great privilege to be part of a team of trustees with such passion and commitment for the hospital. “We now wish to expand our committee to include members with expertise in: IT skills – including website developments Retail experience Media and Communications skills. New chairman, Anne Salter, would love to hear from anyone interested in becoming a trustee. For further information please email Val.Sweetlove@nhs.net.

£150,000 boost for chemo patients

The aseptic pharmacy unit at Poole Hospital is going to be delivering an improved service to patients with cancer using two new state-of-the-art chemotherapy preparation cabinets. The isolators are used to prepare cytotoxic drug treatments in ultraclean conditions, essential for patients with challenged immune systems. The technology in the new cabinets will also reduce the risk of errors as the dose is

automatically imported into the machine via the hospital’s prescribing system. Internal scales, camera and barcoding device then ensure every step of the drug production is accurate, with the cabinet’s IT system alerted if a part of the preparation is incorrect. Lyn Jackson, lead pharmacist for cancer services, said: “This means MARCH IS NATIONAL BED MONTH less waiting time for our patients which is really important at what can be a very anxious time.” saleBED MONTH SAVE AT LEAST 25% OFF

ALL BEDS & BEDROOM FURNITURE

Special Bed Month offers throughout the department including the arrival of the Tempur® Sleep Cabin & the NEW Jessica Ennis bed from Sleepeezee!

For more information visit the showroom today

Tel: 01202 897474 / 893377 www.davidphipp.co.uk