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Man sought after sexual incidents in Bournemouth

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Between Sunday 29 June 2008 and Friday 22 August 2008, women have reported eight incidents of a sexual nature, all of which have occurred in the Poole Lane area of West Howe in Bournemouth.

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Steve Sutton of Bournemouth CID, said: “The incidents have mainly taken place between 5pm and 7pm, but with one being as late as midnight – and almost exclusively on weekdays.

“The incidents have varied from inappropriate sexual comments making victims feel most uncomfortable to actual assaults involving inappropriate sexual touching over the victim’s clothing.

“All the female victims have been walking alone at the time of the incidents – and it’s important to note that none of the victims have been physically injured by the man – but all have been left shocked and upset by his actions.

“I suspect that the same man may be responsible for each of these incidents. I’m committed to finding this man and I need the public’s help to do so.”

The man police are looking for is white, five feet four to six feet tall, between 20 and 35 years of age and of thin to medium build, clean shaven with shaved or very short dark hair and prominent dark eyebrows.

He is described as having discoloured teeth and a local accent and being of scruffy appearance, possibly wearing a dark coloured hooded top or tracksuit.

Detective Constable Sutton continued: “The man was riding a bicycle on one occasion, but on each of the other occasions he was on foot.

“I need to identify this man and it may be that a friend or acquaintance of the man responsible is aware of his actions I urge anyone who knows, or suspects that they know this man, to contact the police.

“I’d also like to hear from anyone else who may have been a victim of a similar incident and who may not yet have reported this to the police. It may be that information you have will help me identify this man.”

North Bournemouth Section Commander, Inspector Mike Claxton, said: “Dorset Police is taking these incidents very seriously and such criminal behaviour is unacceptable.

“To have a number of incidents in one area is most unusual and I have ensured that increased visible patrols in the area have been carried out – and will continue to be carried out. The safety of the public is paramount.

“We would always advise women walking alone to take sensible precautions such as being alert, vigilant but not alarmed, and to only walk alone if it’s essential to do so.”

Steam Fayre

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The largest event of its type in the UK, the Great Dorset Steam Fair, is celebrating its 40th anniversary show and it runs until Sunday, 31 August.

The 600 acre site is situated in Tarrant Hinton and attracts nearly a quarter million people from all over the world.

Town & Village visited on the opening day and it was spectacular. Everything from steam engines, military vehicles, vintage vehicles, thrashing machines down to a tiny egg cleaning machine. Events are happening in every direction including traditional ploughing with heavy horses, a great steam up, excavations and traditional crafts in progress. Static displays include motorcyle and bicycles through the ages. Trade stands abound, as do boot sale stalls and the craft tent stretches as far as the eye can see. There is food a-plenty and the fairground has some very exciting rides on sale.

We spent nine hours wandering around and this year’s events include live tribute bands at night. The steam engines and fairground when lit up at night look magical. This is a must do family event and camp sites are available for those who need more than one day to see everything.

Surprise find

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A dead conger eel was found washed up on Ringstead Beach nr. Weymouth on Sunday 17 August by Rachel Janes of Dorset Wildlife Trust and her daughter Milly, aged 3 who can be seen in the picture above.

Verwood’s Pop Idol

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Charlotte Fleming from Verwood has won through the auditions in the under 18s category of Idol UK 2008. Selected from around 10,000 hopefuls in the country, Charley as she likes to be called, will now sing a pop song in the regional finals at Fareham on 26 October.

Charley is studying ‘A’ levels at Ringwood School and told Town & Village, “I am really excited about the competition and looking forward to the regional finals.”

An accomplished flautist and classical singer, Charley is looking upon Idol UK as an enjoyable challenge. Her most recent classical performance was at the Hub, where she took part in the Talented Youth Concert.

Family tributes for A31 motorcycle collision victim

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A family in mourning have paid moving tributes to a 43-year old Wimborne man who tragically lost his life when his motorcycle was in collision with another vehicle on Saturday, 23 August.

Paul Terry was riding his Yamaha motorcycle along the A31 in Corfe Mullen when a collision occurred with a petrol tanker at around 11.30am – sadly Mr Terry was confirmed dead at the scene.

Speaking of her son, his mother Doreen said: “Paul was loved by all. He lived his dream riding his motorcycle with his fellow 'bike buddies.'

“From the huge number of people who have contacted me since the accident we have been amazed at how many lives Paul had touched.

“He was a very loving son, a brother to Roy and a father to Luke and Kris.”

Paul had been employed as an installation engineer by local company Warmer Homes in Ferndown for several years.

He was due to celebrate his engagement to his fiancé Jane Cranham later on in the evening on the day of the accident.

His fiancé Jane said: "Paul was the life and soul of any party and could light up a room with his smile.

“We were very much in love and we are all devastated by tragedy, he was such a wonderful man."

Flagg flies Olympic flag

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr David Flagg was joined by local sportsman, Max Holloway to fly the flag at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre to celebrate London becoming the next Olympic venue.

Max came 5th in the National Laser Class sailing event and is a hopeful for the London Olympics.

Christchurch was one of many places throughout the country raising the flag in celebration for the countdown to the London Olympics in 2012.

The event was of special interest to Christchurch as Highcliffe Sailing Club has been included in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide. This should encourage international sailing teams to come to Christchurch to prepare for the sailing events being held in Weymouth.

Christchurch Sailing, a consortium of local authority, business, community and sailing interests, has been formed to achieve long-lasting legacy benefits from the games.

On raising the flag, the Mayor said: "It is an honour for me to be here to herald the start of London's time as the host city for the next Olympic Games in 2012.

"Christchurch Council looks forward to promoting the ideals of the games over the next four years with a mixture of sports, culture and heritage events."

Going quackers down the river

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The 9th Wimborne in Bloom August Bank Holiday Duck Race raised £1000 towards ‘In Bloom’ funds and in particular the autumn planting.

The town mayor and mayoress, Cllr Robin and Mrs Sue Cook along with members of the Wimborne in Bloom committee launched the ducks into the River Allen on 23 August. After a quacking good swim of just fifteen minutes the first duck crossed the finishing line.

The winning duck, 290, was owned by Lucy Shephard, who bought her ‘duck’ whilst on holiday from Middlesex and won £50. Second home was duck 741 owned by Melvin Gudger, Wimborne Minster’s deputy town crier who won £25. Third was 697 owned by Sheila Cullen of Lychett Matravers who won £10 and fourth was 942 owned by Kenneth Parkinson of Wimborne who won £5. The last duck home, 812, won a ‘Bottle of Bubbly’ kindly donated by The Rising Sun, for its owner Sheila Hole.

All 1000 ducks had been pre-sold at £1 a time thanks to Somerfield allowing members and supporters of Wimborne in Bloom a selling point outside their store prior to the race.

PO closures - have your say by 1 September

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

In July, the Post Office Ltd announced dozens of Dorset post offices could be closed as part of cost cutting plans.
The period of consultation on the proposed closures runs until 1 September and residents can have their say by contacting: The National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team or email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk

The post offices which may be affected in the East Dorset District Council area are Holt Lane, Holt, Wimborne; 130 Ringwood Road, Longham, Ferndown; 197 Wimborne Road West, Stapehill, Wimborne and 550 Wimborne Road, Ferndown.

East Dorset District Council has submitted a response letter to Post Office Ltd advising them that it deplores the closures in the district.

The letter, which has been sent as part of the Post Office’s consultation process, also requests that further consideration be given to retaining a second office in the Ferndown area, and believes that office should be Longham.

The main concern the council has to the planned closures is that three out of four of these post offices fall in Ferndown town. It is the council's belief that Ferndown warrants being served by at least two post offices. The town is the largest settlement in East Dorset and its population characteristics include a very high proportion of older people. East Dorset as a whole has the second highest percentage population of retirement age of any district in the country.

In proposing that the offices in Ferndown are closed, the town has been more affected by the proposed closures than any other in Dorset. If these closures were to go ahead, the council believes the town’s main office in Pennys Walk would not be able to accommodate the increased demand created by displaced customers. This increase is estimated at between 1000 and 1500 customers per week, or a percentage increase of between 50 and 60%.
Added to this, Ferndown is also home to the largest industrial estate in Dorset, with over 400 individual businesses based there. Many use the three offices that are identified for closure and the proposed alternative is not an attractive solution to the business user.

Given the obvious need to retain two offices to serve Ferndown the council has recommended that the office at Longham be reprieved from the closure. It is well positioned to serve the south of the town and has a direct access from the towns’ industrial estate. It has good public access, with the benefit of a large car park and, importantly, the sub postmaster positively wishes to retain the office and has realistic plans to grow the business.

Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of East Dorset District Council said: "The Council has looked closely at the Post Office’s plans to ensure that they have taken into account the needs of residents and communities that will be affected.

"The Council strongly disapproves of the decisions made and there is a real concern for the economic and social implications of closing so many of the Offices in Ferndown.

"I urge residents to have their say on this matter and I expect the Post Office to take the Council’s recommendations into account before they make their final decision."

Readers may like to know that other post offices on the hit list include 108-110 Stour Road, Christchurch; 8 Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole; 1 Bank Chambers, Penn Hill Avenue, Poole; 121 Parkstone Road, Poole; 7 Ashridge Parade, Wimborne Road, Bournemouth; Alldays Store, Charminster Road, Bournemouth

PC scoops prize with 999 ticket

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

PC Julian Humphries from Ferndown won a raffle prize with ticket number 999 at the Ferndown Jitsu Clubs Fun Day at the Heatherlands Centre on Monday 18 August 2008. The day raised around £650 that will go towards taking a team to Spartanburg USA in August 2009.

Revised plans and Waitrose planning decision date set

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The special meeting of East Dorset District Council's Planning Committee to decide the Waitrose planning application will be held on the morning of 29 September at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne. This is a public meeting. For further details contact East Dorset District Council on 01202 886201 and ask for the planning department.

Meanwhile revised plans have been submitted on behalf of Waitrose. The proposals for a supermarket on the site of the cricket pitch in the centre of Wimborne Minster include modifications to the elevations of the store, amendments to the car parking and internal access arrangements and improved information concerning the drainage of the site, along with other environmental considerations.

The scheme remains unaltered in relation to the position of the building and car park on site.

The revised scheme is out for consultation with members of the public, interested groups and statutory consultees. The 1,500 or so members of the public who have previously made representation regarding the planned store and its location, but who do not live close to the site, will have their representations taken into account. Therefore, the council will not be writing to these people individually, but will be contacting those residents and businesses that are close by.

Any further representations should be received by 8 September 2008.

The revised plans and further documentation are available at the council's Furzehill offices during normal opening hours and on the council's website. However, there will be no further public exhibition of the revised plans.

Beware this exotic visitor

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Recent strong winds have blown a live Portuguese man-of-war to the Dorset coast. This exotic visitor was found in Kimmeridge Bay on 11 August and is the third to be reported in Dorset over the last few days. These jellyfish-like floating colonies have a powerful sting on their long tentacles, which hang from a balloon-like float, which keeps them at the surface of the sea. They normally live in warm tropical and subtropical water such as along the Florida Keys and Atlantic coast, the Gulf Stream and the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Dorset Wildlife Trust Marine Warden, Julie Hatcher, said: "We haven’t seen any of these in Dorset for several years and you wouldn’t want to meet one while swimming. They are very rare here, but every few years we see some blown across the ocean. The one we have here is 6 inches long but they can be bigger. There could still be more about, so we would advise people not to touch them, but to let us know."

The Portuguese man-of-war can be seen in the Marine Centre in Kimmeridge Bay. Previous sightings this month were at Burton Bradstock and Durdle Door. Any further sightings should be reported to Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01929 481044. The Wildlife Trusts nationally are appealing for personal memories of the UK's seas and coasts, including: memories from childhood or stories heard from parents/grandparents; recent experiences; observations about how our seas and sea life have changed in their lifetime.

Did you used to see Portuguese man-of-war or other marine wildlife regularly years ago? Let Dorset Wildlife Trust know at www.wildlifetrusts.org.

Longham resident has lucky escape

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The lorry driver, a 64 year old Frenchman from Brittany was unconscious after the collision and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service officers had to cut him free from the wreckage. He was then taken to Poole Hospital for treatment.

Following the accident, the A348 was closed at the scene and road diversions were put in place at the Bear Cross roundabout and at the junction of the A348 with the B3073 Ham Lane. Road closures were lifted at 9.22am after fuel spillages were cleared.

A structural engineer from East Dorset District Council attended the scene to assess the damage before the lorry could be safely pulled from the house and recovered. The lorry was partially loaded with mixed goods on pallets and weighed just over 30 tonnes

Police Constable Shaun Ferguson, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “The lady householder was uninjured and had a very lucky escape. If her bed had been one foot either way the outcome for her would have been far more serious.”

Some witnesses have already come forward, but police would like to hear from anyone else who saw the collision, or who saw the manner of driving of the lorry before the collision. Call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 22 22 22 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

Creative Writing

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Creative writing courses are currently being run at Kinson Community Centre, Bournemouth by local authors Della Galton and Ian J Burton. Ian has three novels on the bookshelves and is celebrating his 20th year as a creative writing tutor. Della, as well as being a novelist and successful short story writer, lectures around the country on creative writing. Her latest book, 'How to write and sell short stories' is due out in October. (Accent Press).

For more details or to enrol on their courses telephone Della: 01258 857334 or Ian: 01202 572826 or contact Della through her website at www.dellagalton.com

Kidnap allegation

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Detectives in Bournemouth are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a woman was put into the back of a van without her consent.

After receiving a report at about 1.30am on Tuesday 29 July, of an 18-year old Bournemouth woman being put into the back of a white Peugeot van in the West Howe area of Bournemouth, before being driven off. Officers quickly found the car in the area and located an uninjured woman and two men, who are believed to know each other.

A 21-year old Poole man and a 21 year old Bournemouth man have been charged with kidnap and they are due to appear before Bournemouth Crown Court on 6 August 2008.

Christchurch Splash Park

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A bid has been submitted to the BIG Lottery for money for a modern splash park to replace the paddling pool, which has been a feature of the Quomps in Christchurch since the 1940s, but is now showing signs of age

Organisers of the bid have set up the email address quomps@hotmail.co.uk and are inviting the public to email their support before the outcome is know in October.

So far the public response to the proposal has been resoundingly positive.

Adrian Dwyer, spokesman for the organising group, said: “The community group got together because we thought it was important for Christchurch to have a free outdoor water play feature, but I’ve been completely taken aback by the strength of feeling. We have received a huge response, some with quite touching stories, all 100 per cent in support of the proposed Christchurch Quay Splash Park project.”

One such message of support came from Les Denmead who said: “Having seen the artist’s impression of the proposed “Splash park”, I can only say that I consider it not only a substitute for the present paddling pool, but a splendid improvement on it. Water features are always therapeutic, especially to us senior citizens who also get a great deal of pleasure out of seeing the “kids” enjoying themselves.”

Adrian added: “Developing the much-loved 1940’s concept in order to meet the requirements and demands of the 21st Century has been a challenge, but we believe we’ve come up with a grant-winning proposal that takes as its inspiration the concept of two rivers coming together to form a pool of water and embraces features that are synonymous with Christchurch, such as the Bailey Bridge and Tuttons Well.

“A key objective is to ensure the widest possible accessibility for the community, for the splash park to be a place where time is pleasant 365 days per year and I’m looking forward to seeing children use the Archimedes screw and waterwheel and learning that energy can be derived from water.”

Exploiting the power of the Internet, the organising team has created the Christchurch Quay Splash Park group on Facebook.com, the social networking website. “In its first days of going live, almost 100 people have signed up as members of the Christchurch Quay Splash Park group,” said Adrian, “and we’re confident we’ll soon have over 500 members.”

Sally Derham Wilkes, chairman of Christchurch Council’s Community Services Committee said: “We are wholeheartedly behind this project, and the Council has agreed to put £100,000 towards the total cost.”

EATING WITH THE ENEMY IS BACK!

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

News update: regarding our published article in August Town and Village on Page 10.

We were advised that due to the BBC coverage of the Olympics; the broadcasting of the BBC2 series, 'Eating with the Enemy' was to be interrupted. We are pleased to announce that the programme, which features our recipe author, Camelia Terry, will be resumed on 25 August, with Camelia appearing on 26 August.

Underwater nest boxes

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Cuttlefish, relatives of squid and octopus, have been declining in recent years, according to fishermen and divers. This is thought to be due to heavy fishing when they come inshore to breed. Following sightings of cuttlefish breeding in Kimmeridge Bay last year, and the successful hatching and release of baby cuttles from eggs washed up on the beach, DWT staff at the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve have made a ‘Cuttlefish Trail’ of desirable nests, including open-ended lobster pots and a willow tent.

The project is part of CSV Action Earth, aimed at getting volunteers to undertake projects of immediate and lasting benefit to the environment, and supported by Morrisons supermarkets.

DWT marine warden, Julie Hatcher, said: “I think of it as like putting a bird box in your garden – we are trying to encourage them to breed here. With divers, they act a bit like a robin in the garden, who follows you about as you dig. The cuttlefish will follow you on a dive, hoping to find a meal as you turn over a rock. They are amazing animals because they can change colour and even their skin texture in an instant for camouflage.”

The Cuttlefish Trail is being monitored by the K Team, the marine reserve’s group of young marine wardens. So far, although pairs of cuttlefish have been spotted in the bay, the only things found on the trail have been a goby and a sea scorpion, taking advantage of the cover.