The coolest news around

Scrappy 36-foot long vehicle in Bournemouth

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The multi-coloured scrappage car, which is the same length as a double decker bus, was unveiled in the Jubilee Gardens in London to mark the end of the Government’s scrappage scheme, and the beginning of Nissan’s ‘British Built Trade-in Scheme’.

The extended scrappage car will be on display outside Westover Nissan on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 April. It is a mammoth 23 feet longer than the average mid-sized car, and 25 feet longer than the Nissan Micra, which clocks in at just over 11 feet. It took a team of four more than 500 hours to create, using over 2,000 parts (including a limousine door and a set of furry dice) salvaged from scrapped cars that have been traded in over the last 12 months.

“Nissan has put itself firmly in the driving seat of the British automotive industry,” comments Mike Boyd, Westover Group Director. “It’s offering a £2,000 guaranteed minimum trade-in price on all part exchange vehicles over seven years old against the purchase of a new British-built Nissan.

“The 36 foot scrapped car is a real sight. It’s being delivered by lorry and will take pride of place outside our showroom for just two days before it makes its way around the UK. We hope that lots of people will come by and check it out on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. It would be brilliant if everyone driving past could give us a toot and a wave to show their support for British industry!”

The car has been designed and constructed under the watchful eye of sculptor, Graham Wardale. With a secret love of scrap heaps, Graham specialises in metal work and has undertaken a wide array of projects, including creating sculptures for the film 102 Dalmatians and a replica Spitfire for Vogue magazine.

Nissan’s British Built Trade-in Scheme beings on 1 April and runs until 30 June 2010. For more information, please visit the dealership on Wallisdown Road in Bournemouth, call 0800 091 4880 or visit the website at www.westovergroup.co.uk and click on the Nissan button.

Public Meeting to discuss Dog Control Orders

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

East Dorset District Council will be holding a special public meeting tonight with its Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee to discuss proposed dog control orders for certain areas of the district.

The committee will hear evidence from residents, local organisations and health experts regarding the orders and the public consultation held on them in late 2009, when over 2,000 representations were made to the council.

The proposed Orders are:
The Fouling of Land by Dogs (East Dorset) Order 2009
Allowing the council to take action against dog owners who do not clear up after their dog on open land. This will apply to the whole district, with the exception of some forestry commission land.

The Dogs on Leads (East Dorset) Order 2009
Which may apply to parts of Corfe Mullen recreation ground, Fryers Field in West Moors and King George V and parts of Ferndown
Schools' playing fields

The Dogs Exclusion (East Dorset) Order 2009
Which may cover all enclosed children's play areas, all marked sport pitches (on land which the Dogs on Leads Order will apply) and parts of Ferndown Schools' playing fields.

Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting but only those who have asked to speak in advance will be able to air their views. Three speakers will represent each of the communities affected. There will also be representations from six experts, including Natural England, Dorset County Council, and the Primary Care Trust along with the chairman of the East Dorset Community Partnership Environment Theme Action Group.

The meeting will be taking place at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne, starting at 7pm.

For further information, please contact Lee Ellis at East Dorset District Council on 01202 886201 or email: lellis@eastdorset.gov.uk

Bournemouth teens honoured

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Four pupils from a Bournemouth School have received certificates from Dorset Police to acknowledge their extensive work in promoting internet safety to parents and young people.

Safe Schools and Communities Officer, Andy presented Year 10 Glenmoor School pupils Jessica Glenard, Ashleigh Etrata, Lucy Joy and Laura Coles, with the Teenage Award Scheme certificates.

The scheme was launched in January 2010 by Dorset Police to acknowledge good deeds that teenagers do across the county – which often go unrecognised.

Jayne Bond, from Glenmoor School who nominated the four pupils, said, “The girls are members of CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) Youth Advisory panel, where they attend meetings in London every three months to discuss the latest internet laws, software and equipment.

“They also work with a team of other girls in schools to promote e-safety. Recently they took school assembly where they talked about safe and appropriate use of Facebook. They demonstrated how easy it is to set up a fake abusive page and how the abuse can affect individuals.”

Anyone between 13 and 19 years of age can be nominated for an award and the nomination process could not be easier.

To nominate a teenager, simply email teenageawardscheme@dorset.pnn.police.uk with the teenager’s name, contact details, age, address and details of the good deed that they are being nominated for – along with the nominator’s contact details.

Cycling issues under the microscope

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Dorset Cyclists' Network will be meeting at Wimborne Town Hall on Friday 9 April at 7pm to discuss local cycling issues.

All who use a bike are welcome. Enquiries 01202 880966 or chair@dcn.org.uk

Thorntons bunny hops to new home

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Debbie Dymond, store manager of Thorntons in Poole, let Reggie rabbit out of his hutch and presented him to Mrs June Peace, the winner of the Town & Village Spot the Bunny competition.

Full story and photograph will be in the May issue of Town & Village.

Crickby for the Rifles

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The annual cricket match is played to celebrate the hand-over of the rugby ground to the town’s cricket side for the summer season. Now dubbed a crickby match, it is a twenty-over game between Verwood’s cricket and rugby players.

In addition to crickby there will be a very special football match organised through the initiative of Verwood Town Football Club and that of Mrs Karen Charman-Allen whose son, Phil, died whilst serving in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province last November.

The footballers will play a team from Phil Allen’s Rifles regiment. The proceeds from all the day’s activities will go towards the Rifles Benevolent Fund which was set up to help injured soldiers and the families of those killed in action and to which Mrs Charman-Allen has set herself the target of raising £10,000.

The day will be very much a family day out and everyone is invited to bring along picnics and enjoy the crickby, which – if it’s anything like last year’s game - will be exciting right through to the final ball. This will be followed by the soccer game on the main football pitch.

So for a great day out join the fun at Potterne Park at noon on Saturday 1 May.

Sweeping the Shore

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

With marine litter on the increase, the bags, bottles and plastics that blight our beaches need constantly to be cleared if our wildlife is to be protected. Dorset Wildlife Trust is inviting volunteers to join in ‘The Great Dorset Beach Clean’ on Sunday 18 April at Kimmeridge Bay in the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve.

Last year more than three tonnes was cleared from the marine reserve’s beaches and only by such regular cleaning can the unsightly and dangerous detritus be kept in check. Litter reaches our coast both from overseas and from our shores. It can come from boats, be left on beaches, dropped in coastal towns or washed down rivers or outflow pipes. It is believed that 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and one million seabirds are killed each year by marine litter around the world.

The beach clean is on Sunday 18 April from 1.30pm to 3pm, with all equipment such as protective gloves and collection bags provided. Children are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Fine Foundation Marine Centre, Kimmeridge Bay.

Turn off your lights for Earth Hour

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The WWF is hoping that over one billion people worldwide will join their global event Earth Hour and switch off their lights from 8.30pm-9.30pm on Saturday, 27 March. This event gives an important message for action against climate change.

Locally, the Spinnaker Tower will show support by switching off its external lighting.

Paul Mahy, Commercial Manager at the Spinnaker Tower commented “We wanted to show our support for saving energy and to show that we care for our planet. We’re proud that by making this gesture we can show that we care. We have supported Earth Hour for some time and it is fantastic to see the campaign getting larger and larger every year.

“It has helped us review how we operate and as a result we are continually looking at ways in which we can become greener. By switching off our lights for the hour we hope we can make a visual statement of our support for such an important cause. We always look to support the WWF’s Earth Hour and as a leading visitor attraction for Hampshire it is good to be able to represent the region in some small way like this.”

Other iconic structures further afield, which will join Earth Hour, include Big Ben, the London Eye, Edinburgh Castle and Canterbury Cathedral.

What a load of Rubbish

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Sixteen boarders and house staff from Moyles Court School took part in the annual New Forest Spring Clean on the 14 March. They cleaned the immediate area around Moyles Court, the ford, sandpit and car park area. This is the second year they have been involved in the Spring Clean and once again the usual plastic bottles, disposable nappies and cartons were collected. In addition some more unusual items were found, including a car radiator and part of a car bumper. Six bags of rubbish were collected in total, slightly less than last year so hopefully the message of keeping the Forest tidy is slowly getting through. The pupils show a keen interest in keeping the beautiful environment around their school clean and tidy, and they intend to continue supporting the annual Spring Clean in future years.

If you wish to be involved in the annual Spring Clean please visit the New Forest District Council website: www.newforest.gov.uk/springclean.

Compost bin bargains for Dorset

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Last year around 900 residents took advantage of the great compost bin offers available. To help more people put their scraps to good use, Dorset councils have teamed up with bin manufacturer Straight Plc to provide a range of compost bins, kitchen caddies and water butts at bargain prices.

The two most popular - 220 and 330 litre – compost bins are priced at £14 and £17 respectively (a saving of £8 and £6 on last years offer), plus £5 home delivery charge. There is also a buy one get one half-price offer on these two bins.

Home composting is an inexpensive, natural process which is much better for the environment than sending uncooked kitchen and garden waste to landfill, where it can generate methane – a greenhouse gas more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Steve Burdis, Dorset County Council’s head of waste management, said:

“Dorset residents are renowned for being excellent recyclers but more and more are also home composting – more than half of households with gardens in the county now do it. The great thing about choosing to compost at home is that it requires relatively little effort, and is suitable for everyone.

“Far from needing specific ingredients, you could be surprised about how much of the contents of your normal household bin can actually be composted. Fruit and vegetable peelings, dead flowers, grass cuttings, egg shells, pet hair, coffee granules, toilet roll innards and teabags are all suitable. Even old shredded bank statements and bills can be added to your compost bin.“

For details of the offer and to place an order with Straight PLC call 0844 5714444. You can also log onto the website www.dorset.getcomposting.com for more information on the offers.

For further information and tips on home composting visit www.dorsetforyou.com/composting.

The offer is available for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole residents until 31 March 2011.

Boosting the property market

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Wednesday’s budget, (24 March) included a measure aimed at helping first time buyers return to the market, with the removal of stamp duty for all properties with a purchase price of £250,000 or less.

James Bawa, chief executive of Wimborne-based Teachers Building Society, said he welcomed the move, though it clearly is not going to turn around the property market overnight.

“This measure will certainly go some way to helping help first-time buyers but ongoing issues, such as the need for a significant deposit and job security, still remain,” James says. “The expected public sector spending cuts and the subsequent impact on jobs and the wider economy continue to be an overriding concern. Restricting the stamp duty exemption for first time buyers only as opposed to all purchasers is also disappointing.”

Teachers Building Society specialises in providing mortgages for people working in the education sector and particularly aims to help teachers take their first step on the property ladder.

James says, “I would like to see more initiatives introduced to help people buy homes and until first time buyers are able to return to the market in force, I don’t think we’ll see any significant movement in the property market.

“Even with this latest announcement, the stamp duty ‘slab’ system remains in need of an overhaul. It seems pretty unfair that a property bought by a first time buyer for £249,999 is now exempt but one bought for £1 more will be subject to a stamp duty tariff of 3%, which is £7,500.”

However, there is another solution for some first time buyers and that is HomeBuy Direct. This government scheme provides an interest-free loan for up to 30% of the purchase price of a property, though only for specific new-build properties.

James explains, “HomeBuy Direct is a helpful new scheme and at Teachers, we’re providing eligible applicants with a mortgage for 70% of the purchase price, so assuming they receive a government-backed loan for the maximum 30%, no deposit is needed.”

To find out more, call 0800 378 or go to www.teachersbs.co.uk

Dorset’s garden excellence

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Haskins Garden Centre at Ferndown has gained two prestigious regional awards announced at the national Garden Centre Association Annual Conference. The annual awards are based on audits conducted by GCA appointed inspectors.

General Manager Terry Head returned from the presentation with the South Thames Garden Centre of Excellence Award and the Area Award.

“We are delighted to receive the highest regional commendation and to be ranked within the top five garden centres in the UK,” said Terry Head. “It is especially important as it reflects the professionalism of the 163 full and part time staff.”

Beavers return to Alderholt

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

In 2004 the group had to make the very difficult decision to close its doors after losing its meeting hall at The Old School. Despite many attempts it had proved impossible to find alternative accommodation.

Since then it has been a driving ambition of Sheenagh Bradford, East Dorset ADC Beaver Scouts and former GSL and Beaver leader at Alderholt, to get the group up and running again. Yesterday (23 March), with the assistance of East Dorset District Commissioner, Mike Hodge, members of the County Development Team and other local leaders, the new Beaver Scouts met for the first time, at St James’ Church Hall to enjoy an evening of fun and games.

It is hoped that this positive first step will soon see other sections available to more young people in the village.

If you would like more information about Alderholt Scout Group, or any other groups in East Dorset, please click on www.eastdorsetscouts.org.uk or call 0845 094 4721.

Verwood Rugby Club to entertain Old Freemen’s on Good Friday

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

For the second consecutive year Verwood RUFC will be entertaining one of the UK’s oldest rugby clubs, Old Freemen’s, on Good Friday 2 April as part of their annual tour to this area.

The match is fast becoming a regular series of dates between the two sides who have established friendly home and away fixtures at both the opening (hosted by Old Freemen’s) and the conclusion respectively of the rugby season. It is truly an “old meets new” meeting between the very much older established club from Ashtead in Surrey and the relative new boys of the English Rugby Union, Verwood, who have only been in existence since 1995.

The match kicks off at Potterne Park at 3.00pm on Friday 2 April and if last year’s very close and exciting game is anything to go by Old Freemen’s ran out winners 15-19 in the final minutes, another great afternoon’s entertainment is in prospect followed by rugby’s traditional bon homi in the clubhouse with bar supplied by Verwood Community Association and after at The Albion Inn in Verwood who provide the food for both clubs.

Loads of toads cross Gorley Road – drive with caution

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

On Saturday night there were even more toads crossing the road as it was raining. The warm weather coupled with the rain were ideal conditions for the amphibians and the patrol managed to pick up over 500. Nonetheless many toads still died a slow painful death due to careless drivers running them over.

Toads will only cross the road from dusk until dark and when it is above 5 degrees Celsius. They move to the lakes to spawn and are currently out en masse.

The toad patrol has issued a plea to all drivers travelling along the Gorley Road -from Poulner school to the Alice Lisle, and the surrounding roads, to slow down and avoid killing toads. Those drivers who don't want to be held up by volunteers clearing the road of toads should avoid the area completely. There will be long delays during this busy toad crossing period. If you must drive along this road, please be patient.

Toads are a valuable part of our local ecosystem and they need protecting as they are in decline.

If you would like to volunteer to join the toad patrol to help save the toads please call 01425 478891.

The Ringwood running chef

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

With the London marathon looming, keen and sweaty competitors are hard at work training for the event and no one is training as hard as Ringwood’s running chef.

Andrew Olden (39 years) a chef at the Frampton’s Mill restaurant in Ringwood is out every morning and evening running at least forty miles a week to get fit enough for the big day on April 25.

Andrew is hoping to raise £2,500 for his charity, Children with Leukemia,

He is also keen to get under his previous time for the London marathon, which was 3.5 hours.

Andrew said,“I am hoping to run it in three and a half hours. I am training on a circuit near my home in Verwood and also run with the Wimborne running club. My keenest fan apart from Mum and Dad is my 7-year-old son Lewis, who is hoping to see his Dad on television, I am doing various events to raise the funds for the charity….”

Andrew has been a chef at Frampton’s Mill for 12 years. He creates some simple but also quite exotic dishes, plus a variety of tapas. However his own favourites are the typical carbo loading dishes of the distance runner.

He said: “…I like to eat potatoes stuffed with roasted vegetables, lots of brown rice, and tasty stir fries…”

To sponsor Andrew call into Frampton’s Mill in the Furlong to sign the sponsor form.

Olympic torch arrives in West Moors

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The torch arrived from QE School in Wimborne on 4 March and was transferred to Oakhurst First School on 8 March. The torch began with the oldest pupil at West Moors Middle School, 14-year-old Luke Fry, and was passed through the years to one of the youngest pupils, 9-year-old Laura Bedford. It was then run to Oakhurst First School by a few eager pupils with Becki Wigley, Head of PE setting the pace.

Heroes’ birthday surprise

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Kind hearted Verwood (Apollo) Cub Scout, Daniel Smith, decided to ask his friends for something different for his 8th birthday. Coming, as it did, just after Christmas, he thought he had enough toys and didn’t need any more. So, after chatting it over with his Mum, he asked all his friends to give him money for Help for Heroes instead of presents so that he could help people who had fought in Afghanistan.

Daniel’s Cub Leader, Tracy Bryson, said, “We are so proud of Daniel for doing this. It was all his own idea and it shows just how much one Young Person can achieve to help others.”

Daniel’s birthday surprise for the fund amounted to £135.

Brother and sister scoop top honours

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Brother and sister Piers (11) and Grace (9) Copeland from Parley scooped the top honours in the Ferndown Rotary Charity Fun Run on 21 March at the Avon Heath Country Park.

They competed in the 2.5km race for children, (7-12 years old). Youngsters Sharon Hutchings (13) from Shaftesbury and Brendan Kirkton (14) from Bournemouth showed their elders a clean pair of heels in taking ‘gold’ for their respective sexes in the 5km event.

Looking like he could do it all again without drawing a breath, Ian Cross from Southampton cruised over the finish line to take first in the premier event, the 10km race, with Sarah Jordan-Whittaker from Blandford finishing with a flourish to take the ladies crown.

Speaking of the event, Geoff Lawrence, President of Ferndown Rotary, said, “Thanks to a break in the weather, we attracted almost two hundred runners and even more spectators - a far better field than we had otherwise hoped for.

“We now look set to achieve our target, to raise at least £1500 to be spent on youth activities in and around Ferndown.’”

Sunshine airline passengers support Air Ambulance

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Bournemouth-based airline, which sells more than 50,000 package holidays a year, is collecting unwanted or surplus coins of any denominations and giving them to the charity.

Palmair has chosen DSAA as one of its two charities of the year and is collecting coins in-flight on its new aircraft - a state-of-the-art Boeing 737-500 named The Spirit of Peter Bath, after the company’s late founder.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance fund-raising co-ordinator Annette Plaistow-Trapaud said: “We need to raise £1.4 million a year to keep our helicopter flying and we could not do it without the support of companies like Palmair.

“It works out at about £3,800 a day, all of which we have to raise ourselves because we do not receive any Government or Lottery funding.

“So we are extremely grateful to Palmair and all the many other people who support us with fund-raising every year.”

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance celebrates its 10th birthday on June 12 with a special event at its airbase in Henstridge.

The Air Ambulance has attended more than 7,000 missions since its launch in March, 2000, many of them life-saving.

More information about the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance can be found by visiting www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk or by emailing info@dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk or calling 01823 669604.

The dangers of careless driving

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A mock crash scene was held in Bailey Bridge Retail Park in Christchurch, Dorset on 25 February 2010 in order to show drivers the dangers of driving in an anti-social manner. A large crowd gathered to witness what happens in a collision and the way in which it is dealt with by the emergency services.

Vehicle crime advice and road safety advice was given out to those that attended and the event provided members of the local community with the chance to speak to representatives from partner agencies, including the police, local councils, fire and housing.

Dorset Fire and Rescue led the event and were supported by Dorset Police and South Western Ambulance Service. They were joined by GRS Garage Services who supplied suitable vehicles, Jones Lang LaSalle who provided the location, and the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership.

Speeding has been raised at many PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meetings by local residents and is currently a priority in a number of Christchurch Safer Neighbourhood areas.

Two local people Joe Gentle and Dave Brierley played the roles of the casualties in the cars and the evening was very well attended by the residents of Christchurch
 PC Glenn Stokes from Portfield & Jumpers Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “There has been an incredible turnout to this event. Thank you to all those people who have been involved in what was an extremely successful extrication exercise.

“Dave was brilliant as our unconscious casualty, who was removed from the vehicle. Joe was breathalysed and played the part of the driver of the blameworthy vehicle, and was subsequently ‘arrested.’”

The event reinforces messages behind the countywide ‘no excuse’ campaign which hopes to make Dorset’s roads and its road users the safest in the region.

Throughout the year, routes with the highest casualty rates in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole will be targeted on a daily basis. Dorset Police, supported by the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, will be conducting additional, sustained, high-visibility policing and covert operations in order to crack down on the main types of driving behaviour that are known to result in fatal and serious injuries. Sometimes known as the ‘fatal four,’ these are:

Inappropriate speed
Drink and drug driving
Not wearing a seatbelt
Distractions, like using a mobile phone or changing a CD

The campaign hopes to make Dorset’s roads and its road users to be the safest in the region.

Rosemary McDonald - This is Your TIC Life

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Rosemary McDonald, Manager of Wimborne Tourist Information Centre, got the surprise of her life last Friday evening at Allenbourn School. Thinking she was going to an Abba revival night, she walked into the hall with over 100 guests. They were there to celebrate her twenty-nine years involvement with Wimborne Tourist Information Centre (TIC): twelve as a volunteer and the last seventeen as the manager. After being escorted into the hall and onto the stage by Chris Brown, Wimborne's town crier, she joined many of her colleagues, past and present. She was guided by Anthony Oliver, well known personality of the town, through many of the events of the last thirty years. This was in the format of a 'This is Your Life' presentation with a slideshow of photographs.

Prickly job for air cadets

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Members and staff of the 2515 Squadron Air Training Corps, Ringwood & Fordingbridge turned out in force, equipped with spades, at the Long Lane allotment site to plant 300 hedging shrubs along the border of the allotment site and Ringwood Town Football Club.

The planting is part of a wider community scheme, entitled Cadet 150, sponsored by the Woodland Trust. The objective is to plant 150,000 trees across the UK under the auspices of the Cadet 150 project in order to promote the cadet in the community programme across the Cadet movement.

The cost of the plants was met by the Woodland Trust, however the cadets organised delivery to Ringwood Town Council and provided their labour for the benefit of the community.

Pedal power for parents

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Getting out and about on a bike has traditionally been one of the first ways in which children begin to assert their independence. But with the roads seemingly getting busier every year, it’s no surprise that parents are increasingly anxious about letting their children cycle around today’s streets. And it’s not just the kids – parents themselves often don’t feel as confident on two wheels as they did when they were younger.

Help is at hand in the shape of special parent and toddler cycling confidence-building sessions at Moors Valley Country Park, near Ringwood. The one-hour sessions are aimed at parents using a child seat, trailer or tagalong and are a mixture of informal instruction and enjoyment. Although the cycling is all off-road, it’s a great way for grown-ups to get back in the saddle and introduce their young ones to the joys of two-wheeled travel.

Each Tots, Trailers and Tagalong session costs just £2 (children are free) – and you don’t even need your own bike as everything you need can be hired for the day. Bike, trailer and tagalong hire are all £2 each while a child seat is only £1. And as a bonus, car parking at Moors Valley is free.

Of course it is not all about youngsters. There are some great cycling opportunities for older children at the Park as well, including Adventure Cycling and bikeability sessions. So if you’re looking for a way to enjoy the forest, build confidence on two wheels and encourage your kids to become safe cyclists, get along to Moors Valley.

The next Tots, Trailers and Tagalong session is on 1 April and on selected dates in May, July and September. You can get more details from Karl Prince, Healthy Lifestyle Range,at Moors Valley on 01425 470721. Please mention you saw this on the mags4dorset website.

Paddy Ashdown talks on Afghanistan

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Paddy Ashdown, former Liberal Democrat leader, visited Lytchett Matravers last week (11 March) and spoke to a 150-strong audience in the packed village hall.

Paddy, together with local Lib Dem MP Annette Brooke, met with the local press beforehand and spoke about a number of issues including Britain’s role in Afghanistan, drawing on his personal experience as a former Royal Marine, diplomat and UN representative in the Afghanistan.

In his speech, Paddy spoke about the four great challenges facing Britain as the country in the future. He identified these are the economic crisis; Britain’s broken political system; the international power shift from the West to the East and climate change.

He expressed serious doubts about the ability of either Labour or the Conservatives to provide solutions to these unprecedented challenges and pointed instead to the Liberal Democrats as having the right approach.

He said, “Vince Cable, for example, was the only politician to warn of the coming recession, and he had campaigned against climate change as leader of the Lib Dems in the 1990s.”

Afterwards Annette Brooke MP chaired a session in which Paddy answered questions from the audience. This covered topics as wide-ranging as Afghanistan and the threat of Islamist extremism in Pakistan, the devolution of power in Northern Ireland, and the possible democratisation of China.

Inspirational Autism Conference

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Wessex Autistic Society held their annual Conference in Bournemouth recently. Attended by academics, lawyers, architects, health professionals and parents of children with autism, the conference had a wide appeal and most attendees felt it delivered on its promise to provide a national overview of inclusive education and autism, individual experience and good practice in adapting the school environment for children with autism in mainstream settings.

Dean Beadle, a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome discussed his first hand experience of the education system and how he developed from a ‘problem-child’ to an A-grade student.

At the age of 2 Dean was seen by an educational psychologist whose diagnosis was, “Mrs Beadle I am sorry to tell you this but I have observed your son and I believe he is a monster.”

When offering advice to parents and professionals at the conference, Dean suggested, “Always let a child have a fresh start – don’t remind them of how ‘naughty’ they were yesterday. Embrace children’s obsessions – they are a great window into the child.”

Professor Rita Jordan (OBE) was keynote speaker at the event and has written about and researched many aspects of autism. Rita has been involved in training events, consultations and conferences all over the world and was able to give great insight to the group on the day. She was Chair of the Children’s Services National Autism Accreditation Service for ten years. She has served on national and international task forces (most recently in Northern Ireland) and working parties to review evidence and offer advice in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Providing practical ideas as well as opportunities throughout the day to network, attendees gave positive feedback. A parent who attended the event commented, “The speakers were very informative and Dean was simply inspirational. I thought the conference was really excellent.”

Throughout the month of April The Wessex Autistic Society will be marking World Autism Awareness, encouraging local businesses to hold a mufti day, wear red and ‘Stand up for Autism’. WAAD falls on 2 April, which is a Bank Holiday this year and so activities to mark the day will take place from week commencing 29 March right the way through to the end of April.

All proceeds will go towards the local voluntary organisation which provides a portfolio of services for people on the autism spectrum throughout the Wessex region. Fundraising posters are available on request to help promote your Stand Up for Autism Mufti day. For further information or assistance call Sarah Bohn on 01202 703597. For further information on The Wessex Autistic Society visit www.twas.org.uk. Alternatively please call 01202 483360.

Pilot employment scheme to help people with autism

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Christchurch based charity The Wessex Autistic Society believes that, whilst not everyone with autism will be able to work, it is vital that those who are able should be given the opportunity and support to do so.

Many people with autism are able to work. And many people with autism want to work. But recent research shows that only 15% of adults with autism are in full-time employment in the UK.

Those with Asperger's Syndrome particularly, often have excellent skills and knowledge useful in the workplace but have difficulty finding and keeping jobs in open employment.

Martin Kaye, Employment Support Adviser based at the charity’s Dorchester resource base comments, “It is an important aim of our Employment Support Service to create paid employment for people with autism. Our new pilot project recently employed several service users to do some painting and decorating work at Portfield School. As a charity we felt it was important that we are not asking local employers to support people with autism in this way before we did so ourselves. The experience was a very positive one for all involved and we hope local businesses will be encouraged to join the initiative.”

Martin continues; “There is considerable scope for the inclusion of people with autism in the workplace and feedback suggests many employees would be supportive of such projects.”

The Wessex Autistic Society recognises appropriate training and support would be needed for employers and employees to ensure that people with autism are welcomed into the workplace and supported day-to-day.

The society would like to involve other industry sectors including computer-based administration services; computer building and repair services; and scale-model construction. If you work in any of these sectors and would like to get involved in the initiative, The Wessex Autistic Society would like to hear from you. If you are a potential employee, the charity’s Employment Support Service offers one-to-one employment advice, guidance and support across the Wessex region and may be able to assist you.

Please contact Martin Kaye 01305 213130 for further information. Alternatively, please visit http://www.twas.org.uk/index.php?pIDref=137-employment_support

That’s the way to do it!

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A wonderful Punch and Judy theatre is to be sold by Lawrences of Crewkerne.

Entered by a client in Somerset, the theatre was used on many local beaches including Weymouth, Swanage and various other resorts.

Used by his father and grandfather, the three generations have supplied entertainment for children over nearly 100 years. The puppets included Punch and Judy, Baby, Crocodile, and many others. Reaching the end of the family line it has been entered for sale in Lawrences Collectors sale.

Lawrences Auctioneer Simon Jones said, "It's rare to see an original Punch and Judy theatre come up for sale, particularly with local connections. The theatre has survived remarkably well, and although the original puppets have worn away and been replaced, it should still attract a lot of attention."

The item will be sold in Lawrences two day Militaria, Collectors, and Sporting sale on April 8 and 9, and is expected to make £200-300 in auction.

For further enquiries about these sales please contact Simon Jones on 01460 73041.

More class for Dorset brass

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

For the first time in the history of Verwood Concert Brass, it entered not one, but two bands in the West Of England Brass Band Championships held in Torquay. (13 March).

The newly formed Verwood B made their debut in the Fourth Section and beat six established bands to come in 14th place.

Verwood B conductor Trevor Naughton said, “I am very proud of the new band’s performance and feel they have made an excellent debut in the contesting world.”

Verwood A competed in the First Section this year, for the first time, and earned a creditable fifth place to the delight of conductor, David Johnson.

Our picture shows band President Pam Reeks receiving an enthusiastic hug from David Johnson just after the results were announced. David declared it, “A fantastic day for both the Verwood Concert Brass bands.”

Bournemouth Concert Brass came second in the First Section.

National award for officer

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Sergeant Lorna Gallimore – who is based at Winton police station – received the Outstanding Family Liaison Officer award at a special ceremony in London on Tuesday 23 February 2010.

Hazel Hayes is the mother of Luke Campbell who was murdered in November 2008 at the age of 20. Sergeant Gallimore was appointed as Hazel’s Family Liaison Officer following Luke’s death and it was Hazel who nominated Sergeant Gallimore for the award.

The award ceremony recognised outstanding service to victims and took place at Congress Hall in London following the MAMAA (Mothers Against Murder and Aggression) annual conference, which addresses victim issues.

After receiving the award, Sergeant Gallimore said: “I felt really humbled to be part of the conference, sitting among people who had lost loved ones at the hands of someone else.

“It was a tremendous honour and a humbling experience to receive the award and I was very proud to receive it.

“I thanked Hazel for nominating me, and I accepted the award not only for myself, but on behalf of all Dorset Family Liaison Officers as I truly believe that the standard of Dorset’s Family Liaison Officers is such that whoever would have been chosen to be Hazel's Family Liaison Officer would also have received this award.”

In nominating Sergeant Gallimore for this award, Hazel Hayes said: “The minute Lorna was appointed as my Family Liaison Office she made herself available to me 24 hours per day.

“That has continued throughout, nothing has been too much trouble. The support and care has been amazing.”

Family Liaison Officers are specially trained to deal with people bereaved in sudden traumatic circumstances.

There are currently approximately 47 trained Family Liaison Officers within Dorset Police.

MAMAA is a national registered charity which has offered victim care and advocacy since 1993 – their website is www.mamaa.org. MAMAA contacted Hazel Hayes soon after the murder investigation began and they have remained a source of comfort to her since.

In November 2009, three men from London were convicted of Luke Campbell’s murder at Winchester Crown Court – with all three men being sentenced to life imprisonment.

Custody visitors sought

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The role involves visiting Custody Units at police stations in the county to check on the welfare of people being detained. The visits are unannounced and can take place on any day of the year and at any time of the day or night.

Two Information Events are being held so that people who are interested in the role can find out more about the custody visiting scheme.

These events will enable those attending to speak to existing custody visitors about the role and how it fits in with their lifestyle. Both events will be held at the Conference Centre, Police Headquarters, Winfrith on the following dates:

Thursday 8 April at 2pm
Monday 12 April at 5pm

Chairman of Dorset’s Custody Visiting Panel, Mrs Kathie Emery, said, “The job of a custody visitor is essential. This is an extremely important role that checks on the welfare of people who are being held in custody.

“The visits provide detainees with the opportunity to raise a concern about their detention. The Custody Visitor will then raise the problem with the custody officers and the problem can be solved.”

The volunteers the Police Authority is seeking must be over 18, of good character and should reside in Dorset. They need to be able to make informed, unbiased observations. Applicants are welcomed from all areas of the community, particularly young people and those from minority ethnic groups.

People who are interested in applying can find out more or request an application pack by phoning 01305 223966 or by e-mailing the Scheme Administrator yvonne.fenwick@dorset.pnn.police.uk. The closing date for applications is Friday 16 April 2010.

Osteoporosis - what you need to know!

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The National Osteoporosis Society will hold a free osteoporosis information evening in Southampton, on Tuesday, 23 March 2010 from 7pm until 9pm.

There will be presentations, a chance to browse and pick up free literature and you can find out more about the work of the National Osteoporosis Society and meet members of the local support group. There are also free refreshments! There's no need to book - just turn up.

The meeting is open to all and includes talks on:
·    What is osteoporosis?
·    How is it diagnosed and treated?
·    How can I look after my bones?
·    What can the National Osteoporosis Society do for me?

Dr Elaine Dennison from Southampton General Hospital will deliver a presentation on osteoporosis and will be available to answer your questions.

"This event is a wonderful opportunity for residents of Southampton to find out more about osteoporosis and the support that is available, both from the national charity as well as the local support group," said Fiona Rochford, National Osteoporosis Society Support Officer for the South West and Thames Valley. "We are delighted that Dr Elaine Dennison has agreed to come and speak at the event and it should be an informative, sociable and enjoyable evening."

The event will be held at the Central Baptist Church, Devonshire Road, Polygon, Southampton, SO15 2GY. Although the venue does not have dedicated parking, there is free on street parking in the area after 6pm. The nearest car parks are Grosvenor Square (multi-storey) and Amoy Street.

To find out more, call Fiona Rochford on 01256 893733.

Locals enter Sahara Rally

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Steve Randall and co-driver Colin Bale are among more than 300 participants in the 4,000 kilometre Tuareg Rally.

More than 200 motorcycles and 50 cars are competing in the event which runs for eight days and includes the highest dunes in Morocco as well as the Atlas Mountains.

It begins in the Port of Almeria on Sunday March 14 and ends in Mojacar, Spain, on Monday March 22.

Steve, who is Managing Director of the Fencing Centre at West Parley, and Colin, of Little Canford Garage, are driving a Toyota Hilux pick-up truck.

“It’s the second time I’ve taken part in the rally which is, by any standards, a challenging but very exciting event,” said Steve, who lives at St Leonards.

Also taking part in the rally is Paul Green, of Verwood-based Environmental Drain Services, and his daughter, Mary, driving a Landrover Defender 90.

Blood drops into Bournemouth AFC

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The players have teamed up with NBS to help tackle the need for more blood donors.

Striker, Lee Bradbury, 34, said "My Dad is a blood donor so I know how important it is to give blood. I think everyone should give if they can."

He went on to say "You never know when you may need it and often it isn't until someone close to you needs it do you then realise how important it is."

Blood is a vital resource all year round and our local hospitals rely on the kindness of donors every day to save and improve the lives of patients.

Fay Simcox, spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant, said:

"We are very grateful to AFC Bournemouth for highlighting the importance of donating blood. Each donation a person gives can potentially help to save up to three lives.”

Currently 7,000 units of blood are needed every day to help save the lives of sick and injured patients across England and North Wales yet only four per cent of the eligible population give blood.

Anyone aged between 17-65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk

Sessions will be held as follows:

Tuesday 16 March - St Marks New Church, Wallisdown Road, Talbot Village, Bournemouth. BH10 4HY. 1.45pm-3.30pm & 4.30pm-7pm.

Friday 19 March - United Reformed Hall, 8 St Stephens Road, Bournemouth. BH2 6JJ 12.30pm-2.30pm & 3.30pm-6pm.

Monday 29 March - Bournemouth Society for the Visually Impaired, 5 Victoria Park Road, Bournemouth. BH9 2RB. 12noon-2.30pm & 3.30pm-6pm.

All hands to the felt

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

More than thirty-five delegates spent the day taking part in practical workshops including felt and puppet making, painting, movement and clay modelling.

The aim of the conference was to give parents and professionals hands-on understanding of the practical activities experienced by children at the school.

At a Waldorf school learning is active - from rhythmic verses and exercises reinforcing math skills to building, gardening, and nature walks - movement is key whatever the subject.

As children grow older, practical arts, science experiments, field trips and other activities keep students moving, designed to engage both their minds and their bodies.

The school regularly hosts talks and conferences with in-house or guest speakers. During the past two years delegates and guests have travelled from across the globe to attend similar events.

Newborn sharks doing well

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Mother’s Day celebrations have started early at the award-winning Oceanarium in Bournemouth, with one of the attraction’s bull huss sharks becoming a mum for the first time.

The bull huss shark, which has been resident at the Oceanarium for two years, has seen three babies hatch from her individual egg capsules over the last week, with the most recent only making an appearance yesterday (Wednesday March 10).

Currently in quarantine with another six eggs still left to hatch, the babies are the first-ever bull huss sharks to be bred in captivity at the seafront attraction.

Oliver Buttling, Group Curator of the Oceanarium, Bournemouth, said: “It has been a delight to see the birth of our bull huss sharks and we are pleased to report that all three newborns are doing well.

“Any new arrival at the Oceanarium is exciting, but the birth of these specific creatures has provoked an increased sense of anticipation amongst staff, all of whom were left on edge, waiting for the new arrivals.”

BH postcode residents keen to see the Oceanarium’s bull huss family, still have to the end of March to visit the aquarium for half price, as part of the attraction’s exclusive locals offer.

TODAY is No Smoking Day

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

No Smoking Day (10 March) is encouraging smokers to break free and kick the habit. In its 27th year, No Smoking Day is encouraging smokers to quit smoking, save thousands of pounds and take the opportunity to find out about help and support available.

Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole is supporting this year’s No Smoking Day campaign.

Thousands of No Smoking Day events are taking place all over the UK. There will be customised Double-Decker Buses, ashtray amnesties, interactive stalls, dance displays and world record attempts. And many sports activities including local football clubs are getting involved. Stop smoking services, fire and rescue services, local councils, supermarkets, and many more are out and about to help and support smokers who are ready to break free!

Annette Brooke said: “No Smoking Day is a fantastic campaign to help and support smokers who want to stop smoking. I’m encouraging smokers in Mid Dorset and North Poole to break free on No Smoking Day and give up cigarettes for good! In this current economic climate, hardworking families are finding it particularly difficult. If you stop smoking today, within a month you are £180 better off.

“Visit your local stop smoking service for help and advice on how to stop smoking and increase your chances of success by up to four times.”

Duncan Bannatyne, No Smoking Day President, entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star said:

“Quitting smoking isn’t always easy. Most of the nine million UK smokers say they’d like to quit, and many have tried to stop several times over the last year.

“If you’ve tried and failed a few times, it’s easy to give up hope. But you’ll find few ex-smokers that quit the habit on their first attempt. So pick yourself up, dust yourself down and believe that this time you really can do it!”

For more information about stopping smoking go to www.nosmokingday.org.uk

“Defence Matters” says Bob

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Bob was invited to visit the total solution contract electronic manufacturer on Ferndown Industrial Estate - by the Defence Industries Council as part of their influential Defence Matters campaign. The campaign aims to encourage people to see the work of the defence industry first hand and better understand the contribution of the companies involved to the UK economy and the vital work of our Armed Forces.

Ken Crook, ETL’s Managing Director, Philip Arnold, Sales Director, and Ministry of Defence Project Manager Philip Scantlebury greeted Bob and took him on a tour of ETL’s manufacturing floor.

ETL has, in recent years, provided flight data recorders for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, cable harnesses for Challenger tanks, ground test kits for Tornado jets and communications systems for our Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan. This small to medium-sized Dorset company counts amongst its client base major international firms such as BAE Systems; QinetiQ;Penny & Giles Aerospace; Marshalls Special Vehicles; and Crane Aerospace.

Although the majority of ETL’s work is for the defence industry, the company also manufactures key electronic parts for the medical sector and marine equipment. The company employs 50 members of staff and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

After his visit Bob said: “As President of the interparliamentary European Security and Defence Assembly, a body of national parliamentarians that scrutinises joint defence missions and defence procurement, it was very interesting today to take an in-depth look at the key role played by one small to medium-sized business in Dorset, both within the UK’s defence industry and internationally.

“With the UK’s defence industry employing more than 300,000 people in high value engineering and manufacturing jobs - and our defence exports contributing around £5billion to the British Economy - I think it only right that national campaigns like Defence Matters highlight the important part played by smaller, local businesses like ETL, who have the skills and flexibility to cut it in a very competitive, high stakes industry.”

North Dorset MP donates pay rise to charities

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

In a statement on 8 March, Robert Walter MP (North Dorset) announced that he will donate the full value of his 1.5% pay rise to two local hospital charities in his constituency. Members of Parliament have been awarded a pay rise by the independent Senior Salaries Review Board starting in April of just under £1,000 per annum.

Bob Walter has said: “When we are asking for pay restraint and freezes for senior public servants it would not be appropriate to take this pay rise at this time. I have always made the case that MPs pay should not be decided by politicians. This pay rise has been determined independently in line with salaries in the public sector, but I believe we should set an example to public servants at a time of pay restraint.

“The SSRB chairman Bill Cockburn wrote to Commons Speaker John Bercow at the end of February to inform him of the rise. The review body calculates MPs' pay based on the median increases given to fifteen other groups of public sector workers. Doctors and dentists, NHS managers, the judiciary and the senior civil service have all been given increases of 1.5 per cent for the next financial year.

“Local National Health Service hospitals are already feeling the effects of public spending cuts and I feel I should make a small but symbolic contribution to our local NHS services. I have the greatest admiration for and have supported, in the past, the ‘friends’ charities in both Blandford and Shaftesbury. I will donate the full value of my pay rise divided equally between Friends of Blandford Community Hospital and Westminster Memorial Hospital League of Friends.”

Develop your skills with Citizens Advice

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Would you like to make a difference to your local community and help other people overcome their problems?

Do you have basic keyboard and internet skills?

East and North Dorset Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABx) are running training programmes for volunteers, and invite anyone interested to attend an information session about the work. After initial training you could be advising people on how to deal with their problems within two months.

Sessions will be held on Friday 19 March and Tuesday 23 March in Wimborne and on Thursday 25 March in Gillingham.

For more details contact the local CAB:
For North Dorset Tel 01747 825286 email projects@northdorsetcab.cabnet.org.uk.
For East Dorset Tel 01202 857100 or email admin@eastdorsetcab.org.uk.

“Training for a advice work gives you the satisfaction of helping others, by working with a friendly team, using and developing your life skills, and helping improve how society works” says Bureau Manager Hilary Forrest. “This is your opportunity to find out more.

Crimestoppers’ campaign backed by water company

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The company has joined forces with Dorset Crimestoppers to publicise the charity’s freephone number - 0800 555111 – for people who may have information about bogus callers.

BWHW has agreed to fix stickers displaying the Crimestoppers’ number on about 100 of its vehicles.

It follows a request by Richard Daubeney, Chairman of Dorset Crimestoppers, who is spearheading a campaign with Dorset Police against criminals who prey on the elderly.

He said: “We want to bring to justice criminals who target the elderly in their homes, stealing their cash and valuables.

“We’re very grateful to Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water for agreeing to publicise the phone number of Crimestoppers on its vans.”

Tony Cooke, BWHW’s Managing Director, said: “Distraction burglary, so often under the premise of calling for the 'water board' is a despicable crime which targets those least able to protect themselves.

“We will do anything to help reduce it and this is just one initiative with that aim."

PJ Mufti for World Book Day

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Pupils at Queen’s Park Junior in Bournemouth celebrated World Book Day with a ‘pj’ mufti. Pupils and staff were also dressed as their favourite book characters and there were lots of pirates, witches and super heroes (of all sizes) seen wandering the classrooms and hallways of the school.

Gallon bottle of money donated to Wimborne Hospital

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Rae cotton, Fund raiser for Wimborne Hospital received a cheque and a gallon bottle of money from licensee Nicky of Drusillas Inn, Horton. The money was donated by the patrons and various fund raising events.

Cross border rural crime prevention

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Under Operation Shogun, which ran overnight on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 February 2010, police officers from each force stop-checked vehicles travelling along the border.

Inspector Caroline Naughton, Bridport Section Commander, said: “The nature of the border, being predominantly rural farm land, means that anyone coming into the area looking to commit crime is more than likely to be travelling in a vehicle.

“Therefore, by carrying out stop checks, we not only provide our rural communities in Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne, as well as those in Devon and Somerset, with a highly-visible police presence we also deter criminals from coming into the area.”

During the operation, officers also spoke to community members to ascertain if they had seen any suspicious vehicles in the area.

Inspector Naughton continued: “The information we gathered from residents will help us, and our neighbouring forces, to detect any crime that occurs along the border even more effectively in the future.

“If a theft from a farm were to occur close to the forces’ border, for example, the idea is that as a result of the information we’ve gathered, we would be more likely to be able to apprehend an offender.”

The forces will continue to work on collaborative operations, like Operation Shogun, in the future.

East Dorset announces lowest council tax rise for a decade

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

East Dorset District Council has announced an increase in its share of the council tax for 2010/11 that equates to just nine pence a week for the average household.

A meeting of the full council voted in favour of the council's lowest rise in a decade. Percentage wise, the increase is 2.5%, which equates to a Band D household paying just £190.93 a year (£3.67 per week) for all of East Dorset District Council's services.

Business showcase in Verwood

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

It will be an evening of informal networking and Easter treats. Stands consist of a six foot table and two chairs. Electricity can be arranged on request.

Members will be displaying their goods and services and non-members are invited to do the same. If you are not a member of the chamber, there is a one-off payment of £25, which will give a year’s free membership to the chamber, opportunity to exhibit up to three times a year for free and also have a speaking/educational slot.

Email Vicky at vicky.williams@gosouthcoast.co.uk to book your slot, or find out more.

Drug crackdown in Boscombe

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A drugs operation in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth, which aims to disrupt the supply of drugs and open drugs misuse, has moved into a third week after thousands of pounds worth of drugs were seized.

Operation Salmon was due to run between 8 February 2010 and 19 February 2010, however, due to a large number of arrests and seizures of drugs, officers chose to extend the operation for another week.

Up to 30 people were arrested, with the majority of them being detained on suspicion of having committed drugs offences, by officers from the East Cliff, Springbourne and Boscombe West Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

The drugs are currently being forensically examined but are believed to be a mixture of heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

The operation included enhanced activity, such as plain-clothed foot and car patrols and using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), to identify vehicles suspected of being linked to drugs.

Sergeant Guy Nicholas said: “This operation has come as a direct result of members of the public telling us that open drug misuse and drug dealing is an issue in the Boscombe Precinct and surrounding area.

“Following the success of Operation Salmon in the autumn of last year, the community told us that it had had an impact and the Safer Neighbourhood Teams could see a reduction in drug crime. Therefore, we knew it would be a good idea to run it again.

“Boscombe is simply not the place to deal or take drugs as we are taking action.”

34-year-old Andrew William Smith, from Bournemouth, has been charged with the alleged possession of a Class A drug and is due before Bournemouth Magistrates court on 5 March 2010.

23-year-old Hussein Mohammed Hussein, from Earlsfield, London, has pleaded not guilty to obstructing a police officer during a drugs search, and the case is set for a trial in July 2010.

24-year-old John Murphy, of no fixed abode, has pleaded guilty to affray and failing to surrender and is due to be sentenced at Bournemouth Magistrates court on 11 March 2010.

Twenty-one others have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Furlong Easter Parade

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

This colourful event will gladden the heart and lift spectators out of the chilly gloom of winter.

Dozens of children are expected at the Furlong clutching their colourful bonnets, or dressed as bunnies. The children will delight onlookers with a parade around the town, driven in vintage cars and on a farm wagon and to add to the spectacle the Furlong donkeys, Cinderella and Pedr will be joining them adorned in their Easter bonnets. The birds of prey from Liberties Raptor and Reptile Centre will also be on exhibition, along with the Count Backwards magic show and the Dolphin Marching Band.

There will be lots of Easter egg prizes to be won, donated by Waitrose, along with family vouchers to see the birds, snakes and lizards at Liberty's Raptor and Reptile Centre.

The Furlong events will include the Ringwood Waldorf School's delightful Easter Fair, offering home made cakes and delicate crafts.

Judging of the bonnets starts at 11am. There will be three categories for the bonnets: 4 years and under, 5 years to 7 years and 8 years to 13 years and just one category for the bunnies. Each will be judged by the Ringwood Mayor, Cllr Christine Ford, who will be assisted by Furlong store managers, Amy Scott from Hobbs, Gemma Parsons from East and Lynette Neal from Jaeger.

All entrants will receive an Easter egg prize and winners will receive family tickets to the Ringwood Raptor and Reptile Centre with an Easter egg from Waitrose.

Event organiser Belinda Charlton said, "This is the 16th year for the Easter bonnet parade. It has always been a popular event at the Furlong in Ringwood and this year promises to be as fun packed as ever. It is always such a joy to see the children come along with their mums and dads dressed in the bonnets and bunny outfits to join in this traditional Easter event."

How far to Baatar?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Awareness of the charity will be brought to them by ‘How Far to Baatar’, a team of three young Bournemouth men taking part in the annual Mongol Rally.

James Beale, James Flynn, and Sebastian Farahnak decided that as well as raising money for Mongolian charities, they also wanted to do something for a good cause closer to home. They have chosen the Air Ambulance and hope to raise money from their 10,000-mile global adventure, which starts on July 24, in London.

James Beale said, “We had all heard of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, but always assumed it was government funded. We never realised it costs £1.4 million a year and relies entirely on the generosity of the public to raise funds to meet those costs.

“The ‘How Far to Baatar’ team hope our efforts will not just raise as much money as possible for the charity but will raise further awareness of the life-saving work they carry out.”

The trio will make their journey in an old ambulance which they will then give to the emergency services in Ulaanbaatar, which are in desperate need of such vehicles.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance fund-raising co-ordinator Annette Plaistow-Trapaud said, “It is brilliant that people in such a remote part of the world as Mongolia will have a chance to hear about the Air Ambulance. Who knows what may come out of it eventually, so we will be watching the progress of ‘How Far to Baatar’ with interest and hoping that they manage to raise their £5,000 fund-raising target.”

For more information about the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance visit www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.org.uk

Anybody who wants to support the ‘How Far to Baatar’ team can log on to www.howfartobaatar.co.uk or email sponsor@howfartobaatar.co.uk for details.

The Barley Mow is ready to go!

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The grand opening of the Barley Mow at Colehill, which took place on Friday 26 February, was a huge success. The full report of the event will be available to read in March’s issue of Viewpoint.

Fishing line problems are tackled

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A scheme to protect wildlife from discarded fishing line has been a great success. The SeaClean scheme began in 2007, with special bins placed at popular angling spots along the coast to collect unwanted fishing line. In 2009, following demand from anglers, seven new bins were installed, extending the scheme to the whole of the Dorset coast from Christchurch to West Bay. Already a large wheelie bin of line has been gathered for recycling.

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Julie Hatcher, who is responsible for starting the project in Dorset, said, "I would like to thank all the anglers who have supported the SeaClean Project by recycling their unwanted line and by sponsoring bins. I am amazed at how much line has been collected already, some of which, I am sure, would otherwise have made its way into the sea."

Seaclean bins, which are monitored and emptied by volunteers, can be found at the following locations in Dorset:

Poole – Hamworthy Lake Pier, Baiter & Sandbanks
Kimmeridge
Swanage – pier and angling club/ slipway
Weymouth – stone pier
Christchurch – Mudeford Quay and Friars Cliff Beach
West Bay – Jurassic Pier
West Bexington car park

Dorset Wildlife Trust is also working with sea anglers to produce a code of practice through the Recycle Fish scheme, which encourages returning fish to the sea in a healthy condition once they have been caught. More information on this can be found at www.recyclefish.com.

10 years of Ferndown Ju-Jitsu

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A former mayor of Ferndown, John Rigler, handed a cheque for £250 to the Ferndown Jitsu Club at the club’s ‘10 years of Ju-Jitsu’ meeting at the Heatherlands Centre on 24 February.

The presentation was in memory of his late wife Joyce Rigler, a great supporter of the club.