The Christchurch Directory
Christchurch, Burton, Mudeford & Friars Christchurch Cliff
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November 2013
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Christchurch
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Introduction
The Christchurch Directory Edition 87
Published by:
Debbie & Stephen Corney at Dorset Publications
Telephone:
01202 894397
Email:
info@thechristchurchdirectory.co.uk
Copy deadline for the December 2013 edition: 22nd November 2013
Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The Christchurch Directory does not officially endorse any advertising material included within the publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted in any form, without prior permission of the publisher.
Dear Christchurch, Bargates, Mudeford, Burton and Friars Cliff! I cannot quite believe it is November already! We didn’t go camping this month, but Nellie did take us for a day out at Avon Heath Country Park. We went with a friend and his two boys on a bright crisp day. You can read all about it on pages 24 and 25. Fun was had by all! So, this is the month to start thinking about Christmas, planning who is going where, who to buy presents for and generally getting even busier than usual. The local trades and service men and women in The Christchurch Directory are here to help you. They can make this time of year a little easier by providing what you need and help make this Christmas a successful one for you. We have a full array of local businesses inside as well as some local news for you. Not only is there the prize wordsearch but there are also two other competitions! Do you know your Christchurch? Eric Montague tests you out on page 28 and you could win a set of 4 DVDs. Then on page 32 you have a chance to win a family set of tickets to see the Pantomime Aladdin at the Bournemouth Pavilion! The lucky winner of the wordsearch last month was Mrs E Stephens. Well done to you and we hope you enjoy Joseph at the Regents Centre! If you have a business in Christchurch and want to be included in the magazine please give me a call. Our rates are excellent and we can give you a free editorial to say more about what you do! Stephen and I hope you have a good November and do manage to plan ahead and save yourself some stress next month! Best wishes,
Debbie & Stephen Corney Useful Numbers
Local Police Southern Electricity Transco Gas Emergency Christchurch. Hospital
101 08457 708090 0800 111999 01202 486361
Train Enquires Christchurch Council Sembcorp Water Christchurch Library
08457 484950 01202 495000 01202 590059 01202 485938
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Community News
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Christchurch Christmas Festival features Santa’s reindeer and later lights switch-on Christchurch will once again be The switch-on will be carried out by welcoming Father Christmas and the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr John his reindeer when they fl y in for the Lofts along with Heart FM presenters. Christchurch Christmas Festival on Characters from this year’s pantomime Saturday 30 November. But this year at the BIC, Aladdin, will also be on the the lights switch-on will take place at balcony. a later time. The Christmas Festival will include As in recent years, Father Christmas the Christmas Street Market which and his reindeer will fly into Peeks will be selling a variety of food, drink Partystore car park in Reid Street at and gifts from 10am to 7pm. Heart FM 4.00pm and they will then process Angels will also be around and about down Bargates to arrive in the High the market to get everyone into the Street at 4.30pm. Christmas spirit. Father Christmas will then take his A craft market will take place in the reindeer down to the Priory Church Priory Church and will be open from where the reindeer can be petted and 10am to 6.30pm. Here local artists and children can give their Christmas wish crafts people will be selling examples letters to Father Christmas. of their work which will make great The Christmas lights switch-on will take Christmas gifts. The Priory’s Advent place in the High Street at the later time Fayre will also be taking place from 12 noon to 6.30pm. of 6pm. Chairman of the Christmas Festival The Regent Centre will be running a Committee, Paul Riley, said: “In recent Treasure Island themed treasure hunt years there have been huge crowds in and children are encouraged to dress the High Street for the lights switch- up in Treasure Island costumes to take on which has made it very difficult for part. Father Christmas and his reindeer to get through. It has also made it difficult for people to see the reindeer. “By changing the timing of the lights switch-on we hope that it will be easier for Father Christmas to get down the High Street. It will also mean that children can queue up at the Priory to see him and then return to the High Street for the switch-on.” Santa with one of his helpers
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Technology matters In 2012, the government set out a vision for the future of the NHS, promising a ‘paperless’ health service by 2018 and a greater choice of digital channels that offer patients increased choice in the way they access healthcare and manage their health records. Locally, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (RBCH) are already taking significant steps towards embracing these challenges and achieving a paperless future. A new digital x-ray viewing system was successfully launched earlier this year across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals, and a new electronic document management system (EDMS) is set to be introduced in 2014. The new EDMS system will cut out the need for paper records to be transferred between local hospitals, meaning improved security of information and, crucially, fewer delays for patients. Dr Rupert Page is a consultant neurologist at Poole Hospital, and explains the difference that improved IT will make: “Our focus is providing high quality, safe clinical care. The key to this is current and complete information wherever that care is being provided. Effective IT support is crucial to meet the increasingly varied ways in which we need to deliver this care and ensure quality. Clinicians are engaged at the heart of the strategy that we are evolving, which we hope will eventually become a beacon for how clinical IT ought to be delivered.” The three hospitals are also making increased use of digital platforms to support patients and staff. New apps have been launched to benefit orthopaedic patients and people with diabetes, and Poole Hospital recently relaunched its website with a new section that allows patients to provide important feedback on their care. Peter Gill, joint director of informatics across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals, explains more: “By developing our IT systems and adopting new technologies, we can significantly improve our patients’ experience. Technology can give patients greater power over their own healthcare and provide staff with the tools they need to provide a more efficient and seamless service.
Christchurch
“We are already working towards achieving paperless patient journeys through the development and implementation of linked clinical computer systems. We are also committed to increasing our use of digital channels to reduce the effort patients and carers have to make when accessing healthcare and give them more control over their own care options.” In fact, IT already plays an integral part in most patients’ care, and the hospitals’ new informatics strategy includes more than 25 projects set to benefit patients and staff over the next five years. Some will take place behind the scenes, such as improvements to computer rooms, server management and networks. Other changes, such as a new service desk system and the roll out of an electronic system used to record patients’ clinical observations, will bring more noticeable benefits. The new observations monitoring system, known as VitalPAC, is operated using a handheld device, similar to an iPhone, allowing nursing staff to record or “track” observations, such as blood pressure or heart rate. If a patient’s condition deteriorates, an appropriate member of staff will automatically be alerted. Sarah Allaway, a senior nurse leading on the clinical implementation of the VitalPAC system at RBCH, says: “We’ve seen how technology has made a huge difference to our patients and the quality of their care. With VitalPAC, changes in patients’ conditions can be monitored much more closely, helping us to respond quickly to those who need it. Patient safety and the quality of their care is the most important part of what we do and it’s fantastic that we’re able to take advantage of modern technology to keep improving the service we provide.”
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Community Events
Christchurch
Priory
Advent Fayre & Craft Fayre In Priory Church
Saturday 30th November 10am to 6:30pm With, stalls, gifts, music, trips up the tower, cakes, competitions, refreshments in Priory Hall and much more...
All Welcome
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Community News
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Christchurch Children’s Centres
Sure Start Children’s Centres aim to deliver the best start in life for every child by offering facilities for an early education, childcare, health and family support.
Christchurch Children’s Centres Services include: • • • • • •
Health Visitor clinics Breastfeeding support and equipment loan scheme Stay & Play and Under One’s groups Support for lone parents TREATS Toy Library Advice and support for young parents
Christchurch West 01202 225760 27 High Street Christchurch BH23 1AJ
Somerford 01202 221338 Somerford Primary School Draper Road BH23 3AS
Little Explorers Day Nursery Linked to Somerford Children’s Centre • • • • •
High quality education and care for children from 3 months - 5 years Individual support and tailored activities for each child Childcare funding advice Fresh snacks and meals available daily Open Monday to Friday 50 weeks a year
01202 221351 | littleexplorers@dorsetcc.gov.uk dorsetforyou.com/littleexplorers
Visit us online at dorsetforyou.com/childrenscentres for more information, centre facilities and opening times
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Law Spot ...providing the answers
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to your legal questions
Every month the solicitors and lawyers at Harold G Walker will be providing answers to your questions about the law. settlement.
What is a Pre-Nuptial Agreement and will it stand up in Court? A Pre-Nuptial Agreement is a contract entered into before marriage which outlines how a couple wish to divide their money and property should the marriage end in divorce. Pre-Nuptial Agreements have historically not been considered legally valid in the UK. This is still generally the case although in 2010 the Supreme Court indicated that such agreements “in the right case” have decisive weight within a divorce
I am about to buy my first house and it appears to be in good condition. Do I need a survey? If you are obtaining a mortgage a valuer will inspect the property on behalf of the lender. This report will give an indication as to whether the property is worth the amount that you have asked to borrow but you will not be able to rely on it if things go wrong.
Such Agreements have also become more popular as people seek to retain control over their RZQ ÀQDQFHV 7KH FRXUWV ZLOO DOZD\V WU\ WR HQVXUH WKH ÀQDQFLDO outcome of a divorce is fair for both parties. 2QH EHQHÀW RI D 3UH 1XSWLDO agreement is that it can save time and money and will help DYRLG ORQJ ÀQDQFLDO FRXUW proceedings. If you have any concerns as to how you think assets and other ÀQDQFLDO PDWWHUV ZRXOG EH divided should you separate or
divorce as a married couple, then you should consider having a Pre-nuptial Jennifer Miles Family Lawyer Agreement. They tend to work for people who are getting married for the second time or more and for people that have older children and want to ensure that something is left to them in a Will after death or any other circumstance.
For an extra fee about its condition you can arrange for you can obtain a full the same valuer to structural survey carry out a more report which is even detailed “Home more detailed. Buyers Report”. If Always remember at a later date you Alan Fairley the golden rule ÀQG D SUREOHP WKDW Conveyancing Solicitor is “let the buyer is not mentioned in beware” so the report you will have some (provided you have not been redress against the valuer. misled) you will be liable for any If the property is quite old or you are particularly concerned
problems that you discover after exchange of contracts.
Send your questions by email to LawSpot@hgwalker.co.uk
Law Spot is brought to you by
Harold G Walker Your Friend-in-Law
Christchurch
There is no guarantee that your question will be used and you will not get a personal response.The answers in this feature are for guidance purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
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KEEPING WELL! ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER? Community News
Sourced from NHS choices and Self-Help Forum by Highcliffe & Mudeford PPG
YOUR MEDICINE CABINET:
Every year millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems, or run to the chemist for medicine. Even a minor illness or ailments-such as colds, headaches or diarrhoea can disrupt your life. BE PREPARED for most common ailments by keeping a well-stocked and up to date medicine cabinet at home. Start by checking dates on bottles and boxes. Set aside outdated products, but don’t throw them in the rubbish or flush them down the toilet. Instead, take them to your local pharmacist for disposal. People with some health conditions should avoid certain drugs ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR GP OR PHARMACIST. It is also important to tell your doctor about over-the-counter medications or preparations you are taking if you need to book an appointment, this is to avoid dangerous drug interactions. Essential medicines that your cabinet should contain. The list is not exhaustive, but it will help you deal with most minor ailments. (ALWAYS KEEP YOUR CABINET IN A COOL DRY PLACE). PAIN RELIEF: Painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are highly effective at relieving most minor aches & pains, such as headaches. These medicines also help with some minor ailments,such as the common cold, by reducing the aches & pains and high temperatures. ANTIHISTAMINES: These are useful for dealing with allergies & insect bites. They are also helpful if you have hayfever. They also help to calm itchiness during chickenpox. ORAL REHYDRATION SALTS: Fever, diarrhoea and vomiting make us lose water and essential minerals, and can lead to dehydration. If you have these symptoms & cannot continue your normal diet, these salts can help restore your body’s natural balance of minerals & fluid, and relieve discomfort & tiredness. They do not fight the underlying cause of your illness, such as a virus or bacteria. They are an aid to recovery. ANTI-DIARRHOEA TABLETS: Diarrhoea is caused by a range of things, such as food poisoning or stomach virus, and can happen without warning. These remedies can quickly control the unpleasant symptoms of diarrhoea, although they don’t deal with the underlying cause. INDIGESTION TREATMENT: If you have stomach ache, heartburn or trapped wind, a simple antacid will reduce stomach acidity and bring relief. FIRST AID: As well as the above items try to keep a well-prepared first aid kit. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR GP OR PHARMACIST ABOUT APPROPRIATE MEDICINES, BUT ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM TO CHILDREN. When you are feeling poorly with a minor everyday illness there’s no place like home. Having some basic information & advice can put you in control, stop you worrying, save you time & money and help you to get better faster. IF you do need to book an appointment with the GP of Nurse you will need to tell them about things you have already done to deal with the problem e.g. taken over-the-counter medicines or other remedies. HELP YOURSELF & YOUR FAMILY TO GET AND STAY WELL, SO YOU AVOID THE HASSLE OF EVERY DAY ILLNESS AND HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. KEEP WELL THIS WINTER AND AFTERWARDS.
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Age UK Bournemouth warns of Home Insurance/Mortgage trap Loyal customers aren’t always offered the best deal on home insurance by their mortgage providers, according to research from Age UK Enterprises. In January 2013 Watermelon Research found that 37% of people who have home insurance with their mortgage provider have never considered changing. Furthermore 36% of them have had their home insurance with their mortgage provider for over 20 years. Commenting on the findings, Peter Kendall Trading Manager of Age UK Bournemouth, said: “People may have taken out their home insurance with their mortgage provider many years ago. Research clearly shows a
number of people are staying with their mortgage provider for a considerable number of years without shopping around for a better deal. “It is vital that people have a home insurance policy which meets their individual needs and budget, rather than just sticking with what they know. We urge everybody to shop around to achieve both good value and suitable cover for their needs.” To find out more you should contact Age UK Bournemouth, by calling 01202 530575, or visit them at 700 Wimborne Rd. Winton, Bournemouth, BH9 2EG between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
Home, Car and Travel insurance for over 50s Come and meet our friendly team in Winton. Visit us at 700 Wimborne Road, Winton or call 01202 530575. Open 9.30am-4.00pm, Monday-Friday
Home, Car and Travel Insurance are provided by Ageas Insurance Limited. Age UK Motor Breakdown is provided by Aria Insurance Services Limited. Age UK Bournemouth is a trading name of Age Concern Bournemouth Trading Limited. Age Concern Bournemouth Trading Limited is an appointed representative of Age UK Enterprises Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance mediation. ACOSW2212V1SEP13
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Christchurch
My Local Map - Christchurch
My Local Maps
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Š OpenStreetMap contributors
Š OpenStreetMap contributors
My Local Map - Mudeford & Friars Cliff
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Christchurch
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Wildlife News
Talking about Wildlife...
The Red Squirrel The iconic red squirrel, instantly recognisable by its copper colour and impressive ear tufts, is the only native squirrel in the UK. Sadly in decline now for several decades, its very existence may be under threat. The biggest threat to the survival of the red squirrel is deemed to be its introduced American cousin, the once exotic grey squirrel. In addition to competition for habitat and food sources, the greys are sometimes carriers and spreaders of the squirrel pox, fatal to reds but to which they themselves are immune. Red squirrels’ favourite habitat is conifer and broadleaved woodland, where they feast mostly on tree seeds, and the diet also includes fruits, berries and fungi, and even insects. In the autumn, in preparation for the meagre winter months, red squirrels fatten up and store food in the ground. They are mostly arboreal creatures, unlike the greys, and spend most of their time in the tree canopy, especially in inclement weather. The red squirrel is mostly solitary and does not have much of a social life with other reds, but occasionally they do share a nest, known as a drey, built a few meters off the ground. The young ones are born in dreys, usually in the early spring. The reds are not prolific breeders, and only produce one or two litters a year, with around 3-4 kittens, not all of which always survive. Despite their tiny size - the adults only weigh about 250 to 350 grams - the reds are lively creatures, and with patience, can be observed jumping from tree to tree. They are also good swimmers. The coat, which can vary from reddish brown
to almost black, moults twice a year, the winter coat being darker and thicker than the summer one. The famous ear tufts only moult once a year, in late autumn. In the UK, Scotland is a stronghold for red squirrels, with an estimated population of 120,000. Here in the south of England red squirrels are virtually extinct, with only a few small pockets remaining, such as the ones on Brownsea Island and The Isle of Wight. However, all is certainly not bleak for the red squirrels’ future, and a lot is being done in order to aid their survival amidst the threats they face. The red squirrel is protected by law, and organisations such as the Red Squirrel Survival Trust are committed to the protection of this national treasure. The Wildlife Trusts are doing their bit as well, and you can help by joining the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Red Squirrel Adoption Scheme. Visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust. org.uk/wildadoptions to find out more about how you can become a much needed and valued Brownsea Island Red Squirrel Sponsor! By Niina Silvennoinen Winter food for the Red Squirrel
Photo: Monique Vanstone
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Christchurch
Adventures of Nellie
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The Adventures of Nellie The Dorset Publications Camper Van So this month we stayed pretty close to home and visited Avon Heath Country Park. I must admit we didn’t stay overnight in Nellie. Fair weather campers you may well call us! There are in fact quite a few caravan parks along this stretch of the road, off the A31 from Ringwood. There is the Oakdene Forest Park where we have not yet stayed, but I have used their leisure facilities which are very good. There is also St Leonards Farm Caravan and Camping Park. Either of these places would be ideal for Nellie in the warmer weather, so next summer here we come! Instead of a full weekend away, we spent the day at Avon Heath. There are various wooden frames to climb on, a spider’s web, rope climb frame, a snake to crawl through and a zip wire. All good fun… and not just for the children as you can see! Stephen and Martin with his children also challenged themselves to the ropes… and the wall. Glory was achieved, as you see in their smiles.
What I do like about having bought Nellie, is that we now force ourselves out where in the past we may have stayed inside and not made the effort. Walking is good for all of us and finding places to go where children will walk willingly and eagerly without giving you a headache by the time you get back home, is forever a challenge. At Avon Heath they cater for children really well and we chose to do “Who is Hiding at Avon Heath” which is about an hour’s walk. You can see Hayden here holding his clipboard, all smiling and at the ready. The idea is to follow the signs
Up, up and away!!
We are ALL kings of the castle!
The Discovery Centre at Avon Heath
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We saw a number of fabulous fungi
Hayden’s artistic footprint drawings and draw the footprints of the animal described. It was fun, easy to do and kept the children entertained. On route we saw very large mushrooms, a huge spider’s web and an ant hill! I have never really seen an ant hill quite this size. It was enormous! Such a feat of nature. Martin, who was ever adventurous from a very early age, from what he tells us, put his hand on the hill and was immediately covered in crawling
There is some stunning scenery in the Park
Christchurch
creatures. Do NOT try this at home. It is absolutely not recommended, but Martin did seem to enjoy it. The children, after a rather perplexed and bedazzled look, quite rightfully, ran away! It was a perfect day weather-wise, sunny, bright and crisp. The views were quite stunning – and all within very easy reach of where we live. Of course I had my customary cup of coffee - and a rest - to end the day, having boiled the water in Nellie’s whistling kettle. Where will Nellie go next… find out in the next edition of The Christchurch Directory! By Debbie Corney
After the walk a cuppa is in order!
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Look up! And get more space at home for just £325 We’d all like more room at home. But not everyone can afford to move or extend. So what if there was a way to get extra space for just a few hundred pounds, ready to use in less than a day? In truth, that space is already there. It’s just not being used to its full potential. For most, the loft is a dark and dingy place visited on rare occasions; a precarious scramble across dusty beams with torch in hand, grabbing what’s needed then clambering back past boxes filled with long-forgotten belongings. But that dark and dingy place is worth thousands. In fact, it takes up a third of the floorspace in an average home. So shouldn’t we be making the most of it? And that’s where More Than Loft Ladders (MTLL) comes in. Founded in Bolton six years ago, MTLL specialises in generating space by making our lofts easily accessible. The latest MTLL franchise to open covers the Bournemouth
area and is run by skilled local, Jon Burt, who says the company’s no-frills approach is what most people are looking for. “We’re not selling £15,000 loft conversions,” says Jon. “This is a low-cost and simple alternative. For just £277 + VAT you can get a ladder that slides easily up and down, as well as a proper light and some boarding to make the space safe and secure. We can also fit a draft-proof loft hatch if required from only £55.”
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Reader Competition
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Know your Christchurch Eric Montague is a local film maker and over the last few months has been writing about some of the places and people in and around Christchurch that have worked with Eric on various film projects. So here is a competition. Netfora is giving away a set of four of the DVDs mentioned in the articles to the first two readers to correctly answer one local knowledge question from each of 7 articles. Hint: back copies can be found on our website at www.dorsetpublications.co.uk under Magazines Online. Month April
Question Which local Museum (currently the subject of a rescue campaign) is housed in a former power station? May Who built Highcliffe Castle from 1831? June How many passengers does the ‘Ferry Dame’ take? July What is the name of the befriending scheme launched by the CCP? August Which current BBC drama series features a student from the Big Little Theatre School? September Which company did Peter visit in Hurn? October From what illness were those in the converted barn suffering?
Answer
Please send your entries giving your name, address and telephone number to: The Christchurch Directory, 1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, BH22 0JR Or by email to: info@thechristchurchdirectory.co.uk
DVDs are available from Bookends, The Christchurch Information Centre, The Priory, The Red House Museum or online at: www.netfora.tv - see for special offer.
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Community News
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Christchurch Needs You! Volunteers needed to help run the re-launched Christchurch Information Centre
On Monday 2 December, Christchurch and East Dorset Council will transfer the day to day running of the Christchurch Information Centre to the Regent Centre, which is conveniently situated just next door in the town’s High Street. In order to ensure a smooth transition from day one, the management of the Regent Centre would like to hear from enthusiastic and committed volunteers who would like to help run the Information Centre on behalf of the community. If you enjoy helping other people and take a pride in promoting the historic town and ancient Borough of Christchurch, then please apply in writing to Mrs Margaret Slade, The Regent Centre, 51 High Street, Christchurch BH23 1AS. Alternatively, you can telephone the Regent on (01202) 499199 or pop in to the Centre to request a volunteer application form. There is also a volunteer application form online at the Regent Centre’s website on www.regentcentre.co.uk The Information Centre will be run alongside the Regent Centre and its aim will be to provide a first class, customer focussed and accessible information service to both residents and visitors. In achieving this, the Information Centre will be able to help contribute to the town’s economy, tourism, heritage, culture and the social attraction of living in Christchurch.
The success of the Christchurch Information Centre will be very dependent on the generosity of the volunteers giving freely of their time to help others. The Regent Centre management are delighted to announce that the current Manager of the Information Centre, Sara Stewart-Haddow, will be remaining in post to oversee the future success of the Centre. The Information Centre will be in the forefront of ensuring that Christchurch maintains its enviable reputation as being the town in Britain “Where time is pleasant”.
The Regent Centre and the Christchurch Information Centre - side by side on the High Street in Christchurch
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W H E A W F E H A F V E E J S
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K F C C G V E R I F N O B E E
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November Prize Wordsearch Name: The Christchurch Directory, Address: 1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, BH22 0JR Telephone:
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Prize Wordsearch
The Christchurch Directory Prize Wordsearch
Reader Competition
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Christchurch
Short Story
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The Angel at Mottisfont Gardens
by Roz Wade
Bank Holiday Monday bathed in burning August sun and not a cloud to be seen. The car park full of families unloading the usual paraphernalia hampers, parasols and potties. ‘Picnic now!’ demands Izzy, the two year old, as we load the push chair and join the queue. It’s ten o’clock… I thought we would be the first visitors. ‘Picnic, picnic,’ she repeats. I close my ears; it’s only an hour since breakfast and ham and cheese sandwiches have no appeal, but we hurry to a shady spot and unpack the basket. Deftly she dips in sticky fingers, extricates the filling, and stuffs the ham into her mouth. Large pieces fall on the rug. Dad puts them back between the slices of bread but the added dried grass does nothing to enhance the flavour and she removes the ham again. I glance towards the café and picture the steaming cappuccino as I close my eyes. ‘Ganny sleep,’ a voice calls. ‘Wake up, Ganny…’ she tugs my arm. ‘Play with me.’ Izzy twiddles her fingers around a stray tendril, her intense blue eyes grow larger as she licks the hair and waits expectantly. The foil-wrapped offering of limp lettuce on the rug is no match for the toddler, who seizes the monster tennis ball. With a rush of energy she dashes across the smooth lawn, throwing and chasing the ball, her sun bleached curls flying behind her. The riverside gardens are spectacular and the Winnie the Pooh Trail proves a great success for Dad, who rushes from notice to notice to solve the clues. He thrusts his hand into the model beehive to squeeze the crackly queen bee, clambers across the logs and hangs from the rope swing. We collect a dwindling supply of twigs and stop on the narrow bridge that spans the stream to play Pooh Sticks, then make for the fishing hut to sit on the abandoned sofa in Pooh’s Thotful Room. An hour passes and we make our way across the meadow for the second picnic. This time I choose a soggy sandwich. ‘Who’s for a drink in the café?’ I ask wistfully, but Izzy has other ideas and wants to collect some dandelions to give to Mummy. We
35 studiously ignore her demands, but finally give in and search in the blazing sun while the toddler selects the weeds according to a criteria we fail to comprehend. Clasping a mangled mass we return to the rug and solemnfaced she offers the yellow flowers. Then clutches them back to her chest. Mummy gives an indulgent smile and hands out the drinks, but Izzy refuses to release her posy. ‘Terrible twos,’ I whisper, but her parents dispute it. I raise my eyes to the solitary white wisp in the sky and fan my face. A shot of caffeine is called for. The vision of cappuccino is replaced by an iced latte, but I know when I’m beaten and down the lukewarm can of lemonade in seconds. A bout of hiccups amuses the little one, who still refuses to release her grip on the wilting weeds. Then Izzy notices a family some distance from us; the children are pointing in her direction and laughing. She flashes a smile, then a grimace, and yells ‘Cow…! Cow…!’ Embarrassed, we turn to see there really is a large brown cow munching her precious posy. Screaming, she drops it and rushes to her father, but the cow is undeterred and continues to chew as we watch its soft blubbery lips devour the dandelions. I reach out and touch its bony back; father and daughter approach, and Izzy, who has quickly recovered from her loss, gives it a tentative stroke. The animal lowers its head to search for more tasty morsels. Mum tries to shoo it away, but it nuzzles the abandoned sandwiches, picks one up, and tramples the others into the rug as it departs. Izzy wails; she does not want the cow to go but we are relieved to see it wander off. I glance at the remains of the picnic and sneak a smile as we gather our belongings, pack up the picnic bag and load the pushchair. ‘Tea, coffee, ice cream’ I say heading for the café and Izzy slips her hand in mine. ‘Yes, pease, Ganny.’ The little angel. Roz Wade is a local writer, a member of the Writers Group. If you are a budding writer and would like to send in a short story, we would love to hear from you!
Christchurch
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Community News
Work starts on Saxon Square refurbishment Work has started on the refurbishment of Saxon Square in Christchurch town centre. Internal work in the former medical centre above the Co-op has started in order to convert it into a Travelodge hotel, with external work on the canopies outside shops in the Centre due to start next week. Most of the work to remove the canopies will take place after the shops have shut every evening. Further work on external paving, planting boxes and other items within the square and mall will take place next year. Bryan Taylor, Centre Manager at Saxon Square Shopping Centre, said: “Now that ownership of the lease for the square and malls has been transferred from Christchurch Borough Council to the owners of Saxon Square Shopping Centre we are able to progress with the exciting £4m plans to refurbish public spaces. “This will help to enhance the overall shopping experience for the local community and visitors alike. Our wide range of stores will continue to operate as usual throughout the refurbishment period.”
Cllr Ray Nottage, Leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said: “Following some very complicated negotiations to transfer the lease of the Square and the old medical centre I am absolutely delighted to see this vacant building brought into use for the benefit of the town centre. “I am sure that the economic effect on the footfall in the town centre due to this work will be considerable and significant.” Cllr Nottage and Bryan Taylor were on hand to help start the refurbishment work.
Cllr Ray Nottage, Leader of Christchurch Borough Council and Bryan Taylor, Centre Manager of Saxon Square Shopping Centre
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“I was recommended Declynd Browne (D Browne Plastering) after I’d had such a poor plastering job carried out by a previous plasterer appointed by my builder. Declynd was excellent. He was very competitive with his price, reliable and efficient. His workmanship and standard of finish was to a very high specification and he left the job after a thorough clean up. I have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone. In fact I did, to my neighbour who was also very complimentary about his workmanship.” Dr J Bradford
Christchurch
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Index of advertisers
Your quick guide to everyone and everything in your Directory... Bathrooms Bubbles Bathrooms Dorset...............................15 Bedrooms Custom World................................................... 5 Flair Interiors....................................................27 Blinds, Curtains & Shutters Ashley Blinds..................................................... 3 Builders & Carpenters RJW Carpentry.................................................. 8 Business Opportunities Diana Devereux................................................33 Utility Warehouse.............................................17 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Cleaning Doctor................................................10 Cars — New & Used Keith Motors..................................................... 1 Chimney Sweeps Cabby Sweeps................................................... 7 Oliver Chimney Sweep......................................12 Community News Adventures of Nellie.........................................24 Christchurch Christmas Festival........................ 6 Christchurch Needs You!...................................34 Christchurch Priory Advent Fayre.....................10 Dorset Wildlife Trust: The Red Squirrel...............22 Keeping Well! Prepared for Winter?.................16 Know Your Christchurch....................................28 LawSpot............................................................13 Panto Time! - Aladdin.......................................32 Saxon Square Redevelopment Starts................36 Short Story: The Angel of Mottisfont................34 SureStart Children’s Centres.............................12 Computer Training Silver Training IT...............................................12 Denture Services Dorset Denture Clinic........................................37 Drainage Services All Drains Cleared.............................................15 Drain & Plumbing Solutions..............................29 Education Ballard School...................................................23 Electricians Dorset Electrical & Fire Alarms.........................17 Fitted Furniture Custom World................................................... 5 Function Room Hire East Christchurch Sports & Social Club.............33 Garage Doors Christchurch Garage Doors............................... 3 Garage Services Keith Motors..................................................... 1 Garden Services Ashley Tree Surgeons........................................14
Health, Beauty & Fitness Timeless Beauty................................................17 Tracey Butchart - Mobile Foot Health...............37 Hearing Aids & Services Kellear Hearing................................................. 8 Hospitals Bournemouth & Poole NHS Trusts.................... 9 Hotels, Restaurants & Takeaways Starlight............................................................39 The Cloud Hotel................................................ 8 Hot Tub Hire Party Tub Hire...................................................14 Insurance Age UK Bournemouth.......................................18 Kitchens Dream Doors.................................................... 2 Flair Interiors....................................................27 Portman Stone..................................................10 Letting Agents Belvoir!............................................................. 3 Lofts Loft Services......................................................33 More Than Loft Ladders...................................26 Party Stores Peeks................................................................11 Plasterers D. Browne Plastering........................................37 Plumbing & Heating Engineers A.N Plumbing & Heating..................................33 Drain & Plumbing Solutions..............................29 First Choice Plumbing.......................................14 Property Maintenance RJW Carpentry.................................................. 8 Puzzles & Competitions Prize Wordsearch..............................................31 Reader Competition - Aladdin..........................32 Reader Competition - Netfora DVDs.................28 Removals Bournemouth Removals................................... 7 Renewable Energy Solutions Nick Good Property Maintenance....................19 Roofing Forest Park Roofing.......................................... 7 Solicitors Harold G Walker...............................................40 Sports & Social Clubs East Christchurch Sports & Social Club.............33 Windows, Doors & Conservatories Allglaze.............................................................29 Dorset Windows...............................................11 Richard Thomas................................................15 Worktops Portman Stone..................................................10
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Christchurch
Your Team of Specialists in Christchurch Mia Prashad
Alan Fairley
Dee Woodcock
Jennifer Miles Broadstone:
01202 692448 Verwood:
01202 823308
Christchurch:
Harold G Walker
01202 482202
hgwalker.co.uk
01202 881454
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Wimborne:
The Christchurch Directory 1 Moorlands Rise, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JR