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Hello everyone, Summer is finally here and with it a plethora of events and happenings all across our region. It seems that everything has finally reawakened after the long lockdown sleep, which is why our family ‘Things to do’ feature on pages 15 -17 and our ‘What’s on’ Listing on page 30 are bursting at the seams – we literally didn’t have enough space this time around to list everything that’s happening in our area over the summer!
We’re so fortunate to live in the beautiful area that we all know as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Many of us think of the long sandy beaches and the New Forest just on our doorstep, but I wonder how many of us are aware of the beauty that might be closer to home than we think? In this edition we visit Stanpit Marsh in Christchurch which, as well as a wealth of wildlife, offers unrivalled views of Hengistbury Head and Christchurch Harbour. Check out our article on page 20.
On May 4th, residents of BCP took to the polls to cast their votes for who we wanted to run the affairs of our local area. The results saw a change of administration and a new, or not so new leader, depending on how one looks at it: Councillor Vikki Slade takes over the helm for a second time having served as Leader of BCP Council previously. In our article on page 14, we bring you up to date with the changes together with details of who is in charge of the different areas of council business.
Continuing on the theme of summer, there’s no better time to get out and about and get some exercise. It’s good for the mind as well as the body, so whatever your fitness levels, there’s something for everyone in our area whether it’s one of the gentle guided walks offered by the council or a full-on ‘Park Run’, and it’s all free! Turn to page 28 for more details.
So whatever you get up to this summer, enjoy the sunshine while it lasts (and remember the sunscreen!).
I’ll see you again for our Autumn edition coming out late September.
Poole-based girl’s school and sixth form, Parkstone Grammar has donated £8,576.45 to YMCA Bournemouth after students and teachers built their own cardboard shelters and set up camp outside the school for one night.
The fundraising event formed part of YMCA Bournemouth’s annual Sleep Easy events, where over £100,000 has been raised to date from schools, businesses, and local groups sleeping rough to help raise awareness of homelessness in Dorset.
Rosie Moore, Pastoral Head of Sixth Form at Parkstone Grammar commented: “It was fantastic to see more than 100 of our students and staff turn out to support our fundraising efforts. We believe we have a responsibility as a local organisation to support others who give so much back to our communities”.
YMCA Bournemouth also hosts a ‘BIG Sleep Easy’ event every year, with its next scheduled for 14th October 2023 to inspire simultaneous efforts among local businesses. Over the past five years, the ‘BIG Sleep Easy’ has seen donations total more than £100,000.
Sheena Dayman, Events Manager at YMCA Bournemouth added: “It’s wonderful to see local schools supporting our Sleep Easy initiative by hosting their own events and engaging their communities by encouraging donations.
“The funding raised from local Sleep Easy events helps us continue supporting those who are homeless by providing a temporary, safe place to live alongside a range of services including counselling, health, and fitness. Our goal is to help them achieve independent living and secure a safe, positive long-term future”.
Local people and visitors wishing to travel across Dorset on some of the nation’s most picturesque bus routes can enjoy an exciting new family of Breezer services this summer.
Morebus is extending its popular Purbeck Breezer routes - with more open-top buses and a fresh new look planned.
“We’re very excited to be revealing our striking new family of Breezers. These new services are the result of a recent review of our offering here”, said Nikki Honer, Morebus head of communications. “We’ve listened to what our customers have told us they would like, in terms of bus services during the summer across Dorset, and we think they will be impressed by these changes.
“We are blessed with truly wonderful coastline and countryside here, and are expecting an exceptional number of visitors to the area for the summer season.”
The new routes include:
30/31 Jurassic Breezer (from 27 May)Swanage, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Weymouth.
60 Harbour Breezer (all year round but summer increase starts 27 May) - Rockley Park, Poole Quay, Poole, Sandbanks.
70 Beach Breezer From 27 May, extended to Rockley Park, Poole, Compton Acres, Alum Chine, Bournemouth, Boscombe Pier, Hengistbury Head
80 Beach Breezer (from 27 May) - Alum Chine, Bournemouth, Boscombe Pier, Hengistbury Head, Christchurch, Mudeford. Existing breezer routes
40 Purbeck Breezer - Poole, Wareham, Corfe Castle, Swanage.
50 Purbeck Breezer - Bournemouth, Sandbanks, Shell Bay, Studland, Swanage.
“Our Jurassic Breezer will be closed-top but will still offer spectacular views,” added Nikki
“And I’m delighted to say the Harbour Breezer and Beach Breezers will all be opentopped. We’re expecting these new-look services to be well-received by locals and visitors alike - with holidaymakers at Rockley Park also enjoying a significant increase in transport connections to all the gems on offer here.
“This is great news for families too, as our Harbour Breezer and Beach Breezer routes are all within zone A - with access to group dayriders.”
The independent family-owned brewer, Hall & Woodhouse (H&W), has launched its 22nd Community Chest Awards with applications now open for charitable organisations across Dorset to seek support from the pledged £50,000 fund.
The Community Chest is accessible to a broad range of charities and community projects, from local village halls and cultural organisations, to charities that assist with poverty, social isolation, and specialist health needs.
Entrants have until Saturday, July 15 to submit their grant applications for £300£3,000 which can be used on a wide variety of initiatives including educational activities, assisting charities with running costs, and increasing the reach of charitable activities.
Mark Woodhouse, Family Director of Hall & Woodhouse, said: “Hall & Woodhouse’s company purpose is to enrich our local communities and I hope that the Community Chest will once again play an important role in supporting the many great voluntary organisations in our trading area across the south. It’s a privilege to support charities and the vital projects that make such a difference to their local communities.
“This year, we look forward to learning about all the amazing work being done
in our trading area to improve living conditions for people in need.”
Since the Community Chest was established in 2002, Hall & Woodhouse has donated over £750,000 to more than 900 good causes across its trade area and works in partnership with Sussex Community Foundations.
One of last year’s successful applicants was Hope Housing, Training & Support which was provided with a £3,000 grant for its services to support homeless, vulnerable adults in Bournemouth and Poole.
The funding provided by Hall & Woodhouse will be specifically put towards
appointing a Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer, who will be able to identify ways of helping people struggling to access advice and guidance.
This year’s successful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in November 2023, with an awards ceremony held in January 2024.
The application form can be downloaded via www.hallwoodhouse.co.uk/communitychest and then emailed before 15 July to communitychest@ hall-woodhouse.co.uk for consideration.
Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden’s voice was heard in South Western Railway (SWR) station announcements throughout June as the investor and environmental campaigner teamed up with the train operator to back the Save Our Wild Isles campaign.
“Supporting the Save Our Wild Isles campaign is so important which is why I am pleased to see that South Western
Railway is leading the way for rail in supporting nature and responding to the biodiversity crisis by pledging to become Biodiversity Net Positive by 2030 and also the first rail operator in the UK to sign the Nature Positive Business Pledge.” said the business leader and entrepreneur. The campaign, launched by the RSPB, WWF and the National Trust this year, calls for an immediate halt to the destruction of UK nature and urgent action for nature recovery, while urging companies to commit to plans to become ‘nature positive’. To be nature positive means halting and reversing nature decline by restoring wildlife and having an
overall positive impact on nature. SWR support the Save Our Wild Isles campaign, it is also the first train operator in the UK to sign up to the Nature Positive Business Pledge.
As one of the country’s largest train operating companies, serving customers across London and the South West, the SWR network is home to a wide range of animal and plant species which it aims to protect and help flourish.
During the last 12 months, SWR has converted the equivalent of three football pitches into biodiversity gardens with the RSPB. It has also planted 15 wildflower meadows and introduced over 40 homes for insects and birds.
The playground at Lilliput Infant School in Poole has been given a new lease of life thanks to a £10,000 donation awarded by Talbot Village Trust, a grant-giving charity that supports worthy causes across southeast Dorset.
Together with funds raised by the school’s PTA, the Trust’s donation has helped to revitalise the crucial outdoor space by replacing irreparable wooden play equipment. Up to 350 school children, aged four to seven, are now enjoying the colourful and dynamic new outdoor equipment which is designed to meet their physical, social and well-being needs.
Christine Chambers, head teacher at Lilliput Infant School, said: “We are grateful to Talbot Village Trust for their assistance with this project. The children absolutely love the new play structures. Importantly to us, the new area is in memory of a Lilliput pupil who continues to inspire us and whose motto in life had been “Be kind, be brave and never give up.” He always enjoyed playtimes.
“Without this generous donation, the children would have seen the deteriorated wooden play equipment dismantled for safety reasons, and we would have been unable to replace it for a good number of years.
The play equipment is not only there for our current children but also for future generations to come.
For more information about The Talbot Village Trust, visit www.talbotvillagetrust.org
Preparatory work for the installation of new walking and cycling bridges across the railway line on Glenferness Avenue in Bournemouth started on 30 May 2023 and will be ongoing until September. Funded through south east Dorset’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF), the work forms part of a planned sustainable travel route linking Bournemouth town centre and Ferndown.
A four-metre-wide bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will be installed over the railway line on the west side of the road bridge. The existing footbridge on the eastern side of the road bridge will be demolished on site and replaced with a new four-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle bridge. The existing road bridge will remain unaltered.
Initial work, which focuses on moving the mains power line cables and building the bridge foundations has already started with two-way temporary traffic lights in place over Glenferness Avenue bridge until 22 June and then from 10 July until 3 September 2023.
Work on the installation of the new pedestrian and cycle bridges, which are being prefabricated off-site, and the cycle route on Glenferness Avenue between Elgin Road and East Avenue will follow later in September.
Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy at BCP Council said:
“We’re delighted to see this exciting project to build safe bridges for walking and cycling over the railway line on Glenferness Avenue come to fruition. The new bridges are an essential improvement and will give walkers, cyclists, and scooter and mobility aids users a separate, traffic free space to travel. It’s been a pinch point on a busy and important route and these significant improvements will make a real difference to safety, giving people the confidence to walk, scoot or cycle to many key destinations across Bournemouth, Winton and Wallisdown.
It’s all part of our commitment to reducing congestion, improving air quality and encouraging healthy, active, safe travel across the area.”
More information about the walking and cycling improvements planned along Glenferness Avenue is available at: https://www. bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/NewsFeatures/Transforming-Travel/ sustainable-travel-network/ Bournemouth-Town-Centre-toFerndown/
BCP Council and Morebus have announced a significant improvement to the route 18 bus service thanks to a government grant to encourage more options for travelling by bus. The Route 18 service runs to and from Broadstone, through Waterloo Estate, Canford Heath, Foxholes Estate, Newtown and Sea View, Upper Parkstone, Westbourne and Bournemouth town centre.
It previously ran every hour but will now run every half an hour in the day-time, Monday to Saturday. Added to this, there will also be a new regular service running every two hours on the same route on Sundays.
As a result of this same funding award, a second enhanced bus route will be launched in September this year, with the route 13 service between Bournemouth and Wimborne increasing its daytime frequency with a bus service every 20 minutes, instead of the current every half an hour.
Councillor Vikki Slade, BCP Council’s leader said: “We are really pleased to have been successful in securing this sizable grant from central government, which means we can offer a tangible improvement to people’s transport choices.
“As part of our Bus Service Improvement Plan and our commitment to transforming local travel, we want to increase the number of people choosing to travel by bus. To do this, we want to ensure that buses are more frequent, more reliable, cheaper, better co-ordinated and that routes and timetables are easier to understand and use. We will continue to apply for funding to support more bus routes so that every community in BCP can access public transport more easily.”
People renting privately across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who find themselves struggling as a result of the cost of living crisis are being offered free support to maintain their tenancies, as part of a major drive to prevent homelessness.
Funded by BCP Council, Let’s Talk Renting has been launched by the Homelessness Partnership BCP with expert advice provided by Citizens Advice BCP and other partners.
Local police are holding several free bike tagging events during June and July. If you’ve not already done so, you can go along and get your bike registered to protect it in case of theft. The first events are on Saturday 17th June at Churchill Gardens, Boscombe and Alexandra Park, Poole. Other events will be shared on local police forces’ Facebook pages and you can find them by searching ‘bike tagging’ in Facebook events..
If you are struggling to keep up with rent payments or you are a landlord who knows of a tenant experiencing difficulties, please visit https:// homelessnesspartnershipbcp. org/dl/ltr
Poole Regatta 2024 will bring the IRC National Championships to Poole for the first time in their history. Top racing sailors from across the country will be competing with the Poole Regatta Committee gearing up for the biggest race weekend since its biannual reincarnation in 2000.
The J80’s will be hosting their 2024 National Championship and the Sonata class their Regional Championship. VPRS class 1 and 2 are also signed up to be back competing at Poole as well.
Planning is already in full swing for The International Paint Poole Regatta 2024 taking place across the late May bank holiday from 25th - 27th May 2024.
Alongside the IRC National Championship, many other keelboat racing classes have already committed to bringing fleets to the Dorset coast, including the highprofile Cape 31 class, Performance 40’s and GP Zero’s.
A full schedule of social events is being planned with new sponsors for 2024 bringing a fresh flavour to the weekend.
Arne, which is near Wareham Forest has recently been under the microscope as BBC Springwatch set up base at the RSPB Arne Nature Reserve. Viewers were treated to closeup views of the Ospreys which have set up home there and last month saw three new arrivals to the nest as the new chicks hatched. Coinciding with all the activity on Arne, across the bay in Ham Common new signage and a sculpture were unveiled at the Ham Common Lookout, near Hamworthy which gives great views of White-tailed Eagles and Ospreys. The lookout was installed in partnership with Birds of Poole Harbour and Haven. BCP Council’s landscaping team undertook the work and are pictured below with councillors and members of Haven.
Rising temperatures and dry spells are leading to an increasing loss of new street trees, but the nation can do its bit urges tree groups.
The Arboricultural Association is joining forces with the Woodland Trust and local authority tree officer associations to rally the UK public to water their new street trees using recycled rainwater or grey water, such as washing up water.
According to the Met Office 2022 was the warmest on record and the UK’s total rainfall persistently below average for the year creating challenging conditions for newly planted and younger trees to thrive.
Catherine Nuttgens, head of the Woodland Trust’s urban tree programme, explained:
“Trees are crucial to our well being by cooling our towns and cities and improving air quality so we need to not only plant more but look after those we already have.
While in rural settings newly planted saplings and woods can take care of themselves and adapt, the challenging conditions presented by living in the built environment means trees in our streets and urban areas need a bit more TLC . It’s a fun job to do with the kids or make it a post tea time routine to water the trees . It can rally community spirit too if estates or streets club together.”
If you were one of the 62,355 people who turned out to vote in the May 4 local elections, you would have been asked, for the first time ever, to provide proof of identity before being handed a ballot paper.
There were fears prior to the elections that many would turn up to vote and be unable to due to the new requirements, leading some, including Labour’s Wes Streeting to publicly question whether requiring ID was good for democracy.
The elections were therefore closely monitored by the Electoral Commission with figures being recorded during the day
for those who turned up to vote without an acceptable form of identification.
On the day, out of the 62,355 voters that turned up at polling stations in BCP, just 223 people didn’t initially provide photo ID, with 148 of those later returning with a form of acceptable photo ID and subsequently issued with a ballot paper.
This left 75 people that did not return to the polling station and so didn’t vote. This amount equals 0.1% of those that attended a polling station - a figure much lower than many anticipated.
The overall turnout across BCP was 30.62%
Active travel schemes in the BCP Council area have recently received a huge boost with the announcement of a £3.78m grant award from the government’s Active Travel Fund.
The money will be invested in the delivery and development of a number of walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure improvements including school streets, cycle tracks and new crossings including phase 3 of Wallisdown Road and Phase 2 of Baiter Park cycling and walking improvements.
To find out more visit: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ news-article.aspx?title=bcp-council-awarded-3.78mgrant-by-active-travel-england-for-investment-inactive-travel-projects
The Youth Fund is a fund for young people managed by young people. A pot of £25,000 is available to local charities, businesses, statutory services and voluntary organisations. Groups can apply to receive funding from this pot for initiatives which will directly impact the lives of young people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, providing them with exciting opportunities and new experiences.
Groups must also meet the following criteria:
• the group is aimed at children or young people aged seven to 25 years
• project must have an impact
• young people must be involved throughout the process
• project must target one of our Members of Youth Parliament campaigns.
Six projects were funded in 2022:
• Bournemouth Cubs, Wheelchair Rugby £3,700
• Go outside, go play, Alderney West Youth Club £800
• My Space, Immanuel Church £1,500
• Powerhouse Youth Project £5,000
• TRANSitioning into adulthood, SPACE Youth Project £7,500
• Young People’s Community radio workshops, AFRO-Disiac £6,500.
The deadline for applications to the fund is Friday 21 July 2023. Find out more and download the application form at: https:// www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Councillorscommittees-and-elections/UK-YouthParliament-UKYP/BCP-Youth-Fund/
Dorset Dogs CIC launched a new Pet Food Bank at Boscombe Feed Our Community project on Tuesday 13 June, supported by Castlepoint Shopping Centre.
The Pet Food Bank is open 10-12pm on weekdays at 18 Haviland Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH7 6HW.
Dorset Dogs Pet Food Banks stretch from Christchurch to Portland feeding over 2,000 pets in Dorset currently. The Pet Food Banks are accessible to anyone struggling to feed their pets, there is no means testing and everyone is welcome.
The Pet Food Banks initiative is entirely reliant on food and financial donations from the public.
A list of food bank locations and donation points is available at https://dorsetdogs.com/food-bank.
Dorset Chamber are set to launch a new three day business event called the Dorset Business Festival this autumn. As well as a one day topic-based business conference on 10 October, the festival will also play host to a free-to-enter Business Expo on the 11 October. The Expo will feature over 40 stands and according to the organisers, will be a place to discuss the hot topics of the day as well as explore new products and services.
The Festival will be topped off with The Dorset Business Awards on the evening of 12 October where a number of local businesses will be competing for the much coveted awards including Best New Business Award, Best Place to Work Award and even a Global Business Award. Entries close at midday 23 June.
BCP Council’s Economic Development Team has recently launched a new funding initiative for local businesses. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
A budget of £2.5 million has been set aside to support local businesses in the following areas:
• start-up and growth
• exporting
• research and development and innovation
• decarbonisation and improving the natural environment
• town and district centres
• development and promotion of the visitor economy.
The business’s sole or main place of business must be an address within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in order to be eligible to apply for support from the UKSPF.
Get started by registering your business for the UKSPF support. You will then be invited to complete a free online diagnostic tool which will provide valuable insights in to perceived strengths and weaknesses.
Depending on the support you require, the Economic Development team may refer you to BCP Council’s UKSPF support partner Evolve to receive additional support and guidance at no cost. The option to apply for a grant will be made available to SMEs on completion of the diagnostic process.
The government has allocated £4.2 million for investment in communities across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole.
Following the diagnostic stage, most businesses (primarily micro and SMEs), are eligible to submit an application for a match-funded grant to deliver a project in one of the following areas:
• start-ups (£500 up to £1,000)
• business growth (£1,000 up to £2,500)
• research and development for innovative product and service development (£1,000 up to £5,000)
• exporting to grow overseas trading (£1,000 up to £5,000).
Applications must be submitted by the dates shown above in order to be assessed by the next board assessment meeting. Businesses will be notified within two weeks of the board assessment.
To apply or find out more visit: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ Business/UK-Shared-ProsperityFund/UK-Shared-ProsperityFund.aspx
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The balance of power in BCP Council has shifted significantly following May’s local elections across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Before the recent elections the Conservative Party held a slim majority enabling them to form an administration for almost two years, but following the recent local elections, local voters reduced the Conservatives to just 12 seats out of a total of 76 seats available.
The big winners on the day were the Liberal Democrats who ended up with 28 seats which was not quite enough to form an outright majority. For a single party to form an administration, over half of the total seats would need to be gained - in the case of BCP Council this would be 39 seats which would leave 37 seats for those representing other parties or who are independent.
Because the Liberal Democrats only won 28 seats, it wasn’t enough to form a solely Liberal Democrat administration and the result left no party in overall control - similar to a Hung Parliament at national level.
Over the 2-3 weeks following the election, officials within BCP Council have been assisting the elected councillors in finding a way forward so that a stable administration could be formed
and the business of steering the Council could be resumed. A new administration has now been formed called the ‘Three Towns Alliance’ which consists of Liberal Democrats and a number of Independents from Poole (Poole People Party), Christchurch (Christchurch Independents) & Bournemouth (Bournemouth Independent Group) totalling 44 seats and giving the Three Towns Alliance a 12 seat majority.
Councillor Vikki Slade was elected for a second time as leader of the Council having previously held the post between May 2019 and October 2020. After her re-election as leader, Councillor Slade said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen to lead this council again. We live in a beautiful place with huge potential, but there is so much that needs to be done so that people and communities realise that potential.
“The council needs to get the basics right and earn the trust and confidence of all our residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole before we can go on to deliver those more exciting projects that we all want to see.”
She added: “We must work to rebuild the reputation of the council. This administration will be based on the solid foundations of openness, transparency, accountability, honesty and integrity.
The council will be welcoming to everyone, with decisions that are explained, questions answered, a place where challenge and scrutiny is embraced and encouraged.
“We cannot shy away from the fact that the council is experiencing huge financial constraints and there will be some difficult decisions ahead. We are looking at ways that we can support residents with the cost-of-living crisis but this affects the council as well so we must take a pragmatic approach to our choices so that we can build stable foundations from where we can focus on future ambitions.
“This means we’ll be prioritising the things that matter to you. Treating the most vulnerable in our society as we would our own family members – offering compassion, care and support.
“Making our town and local centres inviting so that everyone feels welcome, safe and wants to spend time there. And putting sustainability at the heart of what we do so that we can improve your lives now, and in the future.
“Most of all we want you [the residents] to have confidence in us to work with and for you, knowing that we’re on your side. We know that won’t happen overnight and we need to earn your trust. That work starts now.”
‘Hung Council’
Councillor
Cabinet members are elected councillors who are responsible for overseeing key areas of council operations and for creating new policies or adapting/amending existing ones (although any new policies would need to be agreed and voted for at a full council meeting).
The new cabinet consists of nine people including the leader who are responsible for the following areas;
• place-shaping
• strategic planning and the Local Plan
• the Local Transport Plan
• regeneration and infrastructure
• BCP Council policy
• emergency planning and response
• equalities and diversity
• BCP Council Constitution and controls
• relationships with BCP FuturePlaces and the Bournemouth Development Company.
Councillor Vikki Slade is the Leader of the Council, and the portfolio holder for Dynamic Places.
• community involvement, lived experience and engagement
• bereavement and coroner services
• relationships with the voluntary sector
• economic development and high streets
• planning development management.
Councillor Millie Earl is the Deputy Leader of the Council, and the portfolio holder for Connected Communities.
• public health
• adult social care
• commissioning and procurement
• relationships with NHS and ICS.
Councillor David Brown is the portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing
• children’s social care
• education and SEND programme
• liaison with Ofsted and DfE
• liaison with schools, universities and colleges
• liaison with children and young people
• children’s transformation programme.
Councillor Richard Burton is the portfolio holder for Children and Young People
• medium-term Financial Plan • budget setting and management
• financial controls
• commercial operations, including car parking
• financial services • revenue and benefits
• audit and management assurance • estates
Councillor Mike Cox is the portfolio holder for Finance.
• our Climate Action Plan and response
• environmental services
• refuse collection
• street cleansing
• waste disposal
• grounds maintenance
• parks and gardens
• Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management FCERM)
• highways maintenance.
Councillor Andy Hadley is the portfolio holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy.
• our transformation programme
• IT, data and programmes
• people and culture, including HR policies and practices
• law and governance
• elections.
Councillor Jeff Hanna is the portfolio holder for Transformation and Resources.
• customer services and contact
• our websites
• communications, marketing and brand
• cultural services and cultural compact
• museums and libraries.
Councillor Andy Martin is the portfolio holder for Customer, Communications and Culture.
• housing management and landlord services
• housing strategy and standards
• homelessness and housing need
• environmental health • community safety • trading standards
• anti-social behaviour enforcement
• liaison with Dorset Police and fire services
• licensing policy.
Councillor Kieron Wilson is the portfolio holder for Housing and Regulatory Services.
The Chair and Vice Chair of the council were also elected during the meeting, with Cllr Lesley Dedman elected Chair and Cllr Simon Bull elected Vice Chair.
To find out more about BCP Council and how it is run, visit: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/About-thecouncil/How-council-decisions-are-made/
It’s finally here! Time to shake off those shorts and sundresses and venture out into all that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has to offer this summer. Here’s our pick of the hundreds of events happening in our area.
The event creates a unique, exciting atmosphere as bikers and spectators enjoy a relaxed evening on Poole Quay.
Date: 02/05/23-29/08/23 (Tuesday’s)
Location: Poole Quay
Price: Free
More Info: www.pooletourism.com
Car fanatics will not want to miss this event which showcases some of the best cars ever produced. Each week is themed so one week you may be checking out the open top sports cars whilst the next you could be admiring the Best of British.
Date: 24/06/23-26/08/23 (Friday nights)
Time: From 6pm
Location: Poole Quay
Price: Free More Info: www.pooletourism.com
Come and celebrate with fun day of child-led play in the Park. Make a day of it and bring a picnic! Suitable for 0-99 year olds!
Date: 02/07/2023
Location: Upton Country Park, Poole
Price: FREE entry
More Info: www.uptoncountrypark. com/events
Throughout the Summer from May to September, the Art & Makers Market, in Westover Gardens, Bournemouth is open to the public every weekend and bank holiday from 11am to 5pm.
There will be live music from 11am to 12pm and again from 3pm-4pm daily and face painters too - so something to entertain the whole family.
Date: Every weekend from May to September
Time: 11am - 5pm
Location: Westover Gardens, Westover Road
Price: Free More Info: www.visit-dorset. com/event/art-and-makersmarket/331977301/
We’re off to see the Wizard! Come and join Dorothy as a cyclone transports her, her beloved dog Toto, and their house, over the rainbow to discover the magical land of Oz.
Date: 01/07/23
Time: 12.30pm and 17.30
Location: Regent Centre
Price: From £11.00
More Info: event/76168www.theregent.co.uk/
Children aged 4 to 11 are invited to join this years summer challenge with the theme “Ready, set, read’. Includes a programme of free activities throughout the summer too.
Date: starts 8/07/2023
Location: All BCP Libraries
Price: FREE entry
More Info: www. summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/
Merging modern and contemporary styles with extreme stunts and classic clown escapades, audiences will be amazed by the jam-packed Circus Extreme production which features show-stopping performances that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Featuring the Extreme Freestyle Motocross team performing Jawdropping stunts that are sure to thrill.
Date: 21/07/2023 - 30/07/23
Location: Branksome Recreational
Ground
Price: From £9 per ticket (Children)
More Info: www.visit-dorset.com/ event/circus-extreme/330699301/
The Christchurch Music Festival is billed to be the ultimate weekend of live and local music, featuring big bands, DJs and a whole lot of fun for everyone!
Date: 21/07/23-23/07/23
Location: Christchurch Quay
Price: From £10.65 (children free)
More Info: www.christchurchmusicfestival.co.uk
We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So BARMY BRITAIN is back with the hit West End show, full of crazy new characters and rude new rulers from Britain’s barmy past!
Date: 23/07/23
Time: 13.30 and 16.00
Location: Regent Centre
Price: From £15.00
More Info: www.theregent.co.uk/ event/73261
Discover the wildlife on your doorstep at our citizen science Bioblitz Day! We will be taking the day to record as many of the plants and animals in the Country Park as we can.
Date: 26/07/23
Time: 10.00am-4.00pm
Location: Upton Country Park, Poole
More Info: www. uptoncountrypark.com/ events
Join us for the best seats in the house as you sail through Europe’s largest natural harbour past Brownsea Island, Sandbanks Peninsula, Studland Bay and more.
Date: 27/07/23-31/08/23
Time: 8.15pm - 10.15pm
Location: Poole Quay
Price: £9.50 (child) £15.00 adult
More Info: poole/city-cruises/fireworks-cruisewww.cityexperiences.com/
Another fun filled family day planned for 2023! Full of activities and stalls for all the family, young and old including live music and entertainment. Taking place inside the Littledown Centre, and outside within 47 acres of parkland.
Date: 31/07/23
Time: 11am - 4pm
Location: Littledown Centre, Bournemouth BH7
Price: Free
Enjoy an evening under the stars with music ranging from the glorious days of Technicolor© to the recent blockbusters of today!
Date: 04/08/23
Location: Meyrick Park, Bournemouth
Price: Earlybird from £29 for adults, Children £18
More Info: bsolive.com
An afternoon and evening of live jazz music in the idyllic setting of Christchurch Quay. Also features a host of artisan food and drink stalls.
Date: 05/08/23
Location: Christchurch Quay
Price:Free - donations welcome on the day
More Info: www.stompin.org
The two-day, family-friendly gathering features live music and entertainment on two stages with lots of other attractions
Date: 15/07/23-16/07/23
Location: Ashley Cross
Price: From £5 More Info: www.groovesonthegreen.com
A fun weekend for all the family including a series of displays and fun activities on the quay, as well as music, events, a funfair and rounded off with an impressive free fireworks display in the evening.
Date: 12/08/23 & 13/08/23
Location: Christchurch Centre and Christchurch Quay
Price: Free, donations welcome on the day More Info: www.christchurchcarnival. co.uk/
A blockbuster outdoor cinema experience in the Walled Garden with the chance to singalong to all the favourites from The Greatest Showman movie.
Date: 27/08/23
Time: 7.15pm-11.00pm
Location: Upton Country Park
Price: From £15.50 - Bring your own food/picnic rug/chair
More Info: www.uptoncountrypark. com/events
BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The BSO returns for another outdoor spectacular weekend of music and fireworks
In among the hustle and bustle of the area in which we live we have some hidden gems of nature, one of these is in Christchurch. Less than a mile from the town centre and easily assessable by car, bus, walking or bike you come across Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve, a site of special scientific interest (SSI) and home to many species of animals and plants.
Nestled on the edge of Christchurch Harbour where both the Avon and Stour rivers meet, Stanpit Marsh is a 65 Hectare site which became a nature reserve back in 1964 before becoming a SSI in 1986. It is made up of sandy scrub, salt marshes, salt pans, reed beds, freshwater marsh and even an original prototype of a Bailey Bridge dating back from WW2.
The Marsh is home to over 300 species of plant life, 14 of which are endangered and the wildlife includes many butterflies and dragonflies and just over 300 species of birdlife. Some species use the marsh for nesting but many use the marsh as part of their spring and autumn migration. The views from the marsh are outstanding with Hengistbury Head prominent from the rivers edge on the Marsh. The other aspect that catches the eye is the colourful beach huts peppering the landscape across at Mudeford Spit, while along the river the wading birds are joined on the river by many pleasure craft crossing into the wider harbour as they meander along the river with gentle ripples reaching both banks of the shore.
The actual entrance to the Marsh can be found at the far corner of the field adjacent to Stanpit car park (What3words flops.ripe.sounds) which itself is reached from the BCP car park on Stanpit, BH23 3ND (free at time of this article) or by parking in the car park of Two Riversmeet BH23 3LX (pay and display). Morebus also run frequent services passing very close to the Marsh on services 1a, 1b, 1c X1 and X2 (alight at Purewell, Two Riversmeet or Stanpit)
As soon as you pass through the gate you find the Stanpit Marsh Visitors Hut immediately on the right, here you will find an excellent resource of material found on the marsh and also a list of recently viewed visiting birds (PHOTO). The centre is often manned by volunteers who between them can offer you a wealth of their experience and also advise on things to look out for at the time of your visit.
On the day of my visit the visitors hut was closed (closes at 16:00) but a board is left outside by the entrance which is full of useful ‘sightings’ information. On this particular day, sightings had included the Mediterranean Gull, Kestrel, Lapwing and a Cattle Egret to name just a few. But it’s not just creatures of the air that are recorded, other sightings included a Grass Snake and Slow worms. In and around the visitor centre the area is mainly of woodland which again attracts nesting birds to the Marsh.
Leaving the area of the visitor centre, the walk around the Marsh is generally flat ground, the pathway is made of sand and gravel so suitable footwear is advised. During our walk we noticed that one person
was in a motorised wheelchair which was pleasing to see as this shows the Marsh is accessible to all. However please be aware in the winter months the area can get flooded so please be cautious. Well behaved dogs are welcome but they must be on a lead at all times.
Soon after you leave the visitor centre you come across one of the original prototypes of the Bailey Bridge, designed by local resident Sir Donald Bailey. It was designed and used during the war as a means to quickly construct a lightweight bridge across a small expanse of water carried onto site by the troops. Plaques each side tell you more about the structure
On many occasions you will see ponies on the Marsh - these are semi-wild so yes admire them but equally give them some distance. The advice is not to feed them, they are privately owned and looked after on a daily basis. They are friendly and provided you do not scare them or make any sudden movements they will happily walk right past you.
The route continues across the banks of the Stour offering a shallow shingle bank, here you get outstanding views of Hengistbury Head which lies just opposite as well as uninterrupted views of Christchurch Priory.
zFollowing the path, you start to head back to the wooded part of the Marsh, here on my visit we were lucky to see one of the few remaining swans with their cygnets just 10 metres away from us, a lovely sight to see. As we crossed over a few small wooden bridges spanning streams we came across some dragonflies’ boasting beautiful colours of vivid blue with delicate transparent wings.
Every visit I make to the Marsh I stop and look at a rusty shell of a boat, there is no plaque to explain what it is so perhaps nobody knows. Some say it’s just an old fishing vessel, others say it was dumped years ago. I have even heard it’s an old smuggler tender, though I have to admit I think the latter is the least likely.
Shortly after you come to the end of the walk. The walk is only a total of around 2km so very easy going but the immense and various types of nature you see on the walk does make for a very pleasant visit. You exit the walk again in the park you joined but at the opposite end.
When visiting, if you have them, we strongly recommend taking some binoculars. These will help you really get up close to nature
As well as appropriate footwear, it’s also advisable in the heat of the summer to apply sunscreen, as the walk is open to the heat of the day. If late in the day or as we move into autumn some insect repellent may be a good idea to keep the mosquitos at bay
As I made the short journey home, I pondered on how many of us realise what wonders of nature lie just a few minutes from our own doorsteps.
You can learn more about the Marsh by visiting the volunteer’s website which itself is an excellent source of material www. friendsofstanpitmarsh.org.uk
Advances in research and technology can improve certain eye conditions that previously were virtually untreatable.
Many people think that a visit to an optician (or optometrist) is just about checking to see if you need new spectacles or not, but a good optometrist can provide so much more to help keep your eyesight in tip-top condition.
Utilising the latest research and the latest that technology has to offer, your optometrist can
For those of us who are not familiar with the term Myopia, it’s simply a more technical term for ‘short-sightedness’. Recently, advances in the ability to manage the progression of Myopia (short sightedness) in children has enabled eye-care professionals to slow myopic progression and therefore reduce the risk of sight threatening complications of high Myopia, such as retinal detachments or Myopic Macula degeneration.
The progression of short-sightedness occurs as the length of the eye increases in response to increased close work tasks or being indoors. Using a harmless scanning technology, your clinician is able to measure the length of the eyes, and therefore positively identify those children at risk of developing high myopia.
Then, using specialist spectacles or contact lenses, the rate of elongation of the eye and hence the myopia, can be slowed, and therefore the risk of sight threatening complications in later life can be significantly reduced.
really make a difference to conditions that previously people would have just had to ‘put up with’.
Two specific areas of eye-care in particular that have seen recent rapid advances in the understanding of the mechanisms involved and therefore more treatment options are available than ever before. These areas are Myopia management and Dry Eye.
The second area of recent technological advances is in the treatment and management of Dry Eye. This very common and often overlooked condition can cause intermittent discomfort, grittiness, watering, focusing difficulty and tired or achey feeling eyes.
Forward-thinking eye-care professionals will now have a number of in-house treatments available that can help those struggling with the management of Dry Eye and the associated conditions such as Sjogrens Syndrome, Ocular Rosacea, Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Using the latest technology, such as Tear-Lab osmolarity or InflammaDry testing, Infra Red Meibography, anterior OCT scanning and diagnostic dyes to ascertain the root cause of the symptoms, eye-care professionals are able then to create an individual management plan, specifically for your needs. Treatment options include Punctal Plugs, Lacrimal syringing, Blephex Blepharitis lid cleansing but most recently ground-breaking technology such as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser and LLLT (Low Level Light Therapy).
IPL therapy uses specific wavelength laser light to improve the production of ‘good’ tear quality and repair distorted and nonfunctional eyelid glands. Combined with the LLLT mask, which gently warms the blocked tear producing glands, there is a vast improvement to the quality of the natural tears that a patient produces.
This provides a more effective alternative to using lid cleaning products or warm compresses, which can be a little inconvenient to do at home and are quite often neglected because of our increasingly busy lives. The treatment usually involves an initial 4-5 sessions, around a week apart, and then a
top up treatment every six months or so, to maintain the health of the restored tear producing glands.
Some patients find that they can completely do without warm compresses and even reduce the frequency of any lubricating drops that they may have been using.
Traditionally, treating Dry Eye or Blepharitis has been an uphill and ongoing struggle, whereas this new technology reduces the daily burden for sufferers and dramatically improves quality of life.
To summarise, technological advances continue to evolve for the benefit of all of us, and there has never been a better time to visit an optometrist.
A good optician should be able to provide many of the treatments above to help keep your eyes healthy.
“The past few years have been a struggle for me after losing my Dad to Covid, a friend to cancer, being made redundant from work, becoming a father, my family breaking apart, moving to a new area and being unhappy in myself with my weight – it was a lot to take on, but I tried to ignore it like it wasn’t an issue.
What have Fatburn Rovers, Red Star Fridge Raid and Bayern Munchies all got in common? They are all local football teams whose players are changing their lives for the better, with the help of Man v Fat football.
This fairly new footballing craze is sweeping BCP and is proving to be life-changing for many men both young and old. The common bond between all these men is that they love football but they are also wanting to lose a little weight. In fact, there is a requirement for all new joiners to be more on the overweight side.
It’s a football club with a difference: results are based partly on the pitch and partly on the scales. Weight loss equals bonus goals, which means the footballers’ natural competitiveness drives them to better health outcomes.
Steve Couch, who coaches the Bournemouth league said “It’s not about crash diets and rapid weight loss that doesn’t last; it’s about making sustainable changes and seeing longlasting results over time.”
90% of the men who join Man v Fat lose weight. Some join with modest targets, while others make life-changing transformations: one player at Bournemouth lost more than 8 stone in just a couple of years, dropping an incredible 40% of his starting bodyweight.
Lee Allen joined the Poole league earlier this year: ‘When I joined, I couldn’t last five minutes on the pitch. Fast forward a few months and I’m playing 11-a-side matches. I’m feeling good about my weight and good about my mental health. I’m part of a safe place and a great community. ”
Alex Greary who has refereed at Both Bournmouth and Poole commented “ Man v Fat is open to men aged 18 plus, with a BMI of 27.5 or higher (though once in, players can stay when they drop below that: three players in the Bournemouth group now have a healthy BMI of below 25). It’s open to all ages – there’s a 19-year-old and a 68-year-old in the Bournemouth group – and a wide range of footballing abilities. No matter how good or bad you are on the pitch, if you’re losing weight you’re contributing to your team. And you get to have fun playing football.
Man v Fat Bournemouth play on Friday evenings at 2 Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Christchurch or on Mondays at Dorset FA headquarters in Hamworthy.
For more information or to sign up, see manvfatfootball.org
When I moved to Poole, I saw the advert for players wanted at my local MvF, and one day I decided to sign up thinking ‘if I didn’t do it now I never would’.
Joining has been the best decision I have made for a long time.
When I joined I couldn’t last five minutes on pitch. Fast forward a few months I can now play 11-a-side matches. I’m feeling good about the weight loss and where I want to be. I’m feeling good in my mental health because of having people there to talk to. Now the people I compete against are not just on-field colleagues; we’re friends and we stand together.
I have a lot to thank from all the players and people involved, but I have a special thanks to Man v Fat and especially my coach Dan Lloyd, because it has given me structure, discipline, dedication and made me feel I’m part of a safe place and a great community.”
It is often assumed that the workhouses were a product of the Victorian era, a view reinforced through the writings of Dickens and stories such as Oliver Twist. They did in fact exist much earlier and in the case of Christchurch and Bournemouth it was way back in 1764 with the purchase of ‘The Parish Workhouse’ which in modern times we know as The Red House Museum. This is a historical book which takes us back to that darker time in history.
Described as a ‘very amenable paupers place’ the Christchurch and Bournemouth Workhouse was by all accounts a well-appointed workhouse, probably one of the best in the country in its time and where the poor, the destitute, sick, orphans and others in need of help could seek refuge and in return for their labours they were fed and able to rest. A sound idea and in many respects back in that era, it probably was, though in reality it turned out to be a harsh, almost prison like institution where the reader learns that many took their own lives to avoid the workhouse, and others even preferred prison.
The book is extensively well researched and you can tell the author has a real passion for her subject. The book takes the reader from the early beginnings of the workhouse, through its move from the (now) Red House Museum to what was then the old Christchurch Hospital, through the two wars and onto what we now know as the modern NHS.
Two chapters really stood out for me, one being the research of a public enquiry into the death of an ‘inmate’ which the London press reported as ‘simply shameful’, and the other being the chapter on the war years and the descriptions on how the town pulled together to help those wounded in the trenches.
Enid Blyton is a name many readers will recognise if they’ve ever read ‘The Famous Five’ or ‘The Magnificent Seven’ but fewer people are probably aware of Blyton’s ‘Faraway Tree’ series of books aimed at a slightly younger audience. My six year old daughter couldn’t wait to get to bed to hear the next instalment as the book transported her young mind to a world of enchantment, magic and adventure.
The Faraway Tree series centre on the adventures of three young city kids: Jo, Bessie and Frannie (or Fanny in older books), who’ve recently moved to the country, drawing similarities with the much loved ‘The Railway Children’ written by Edith Nesbit.
The Faraway Tree is the second book in the series which follows on from ‘The Enchanted Wood’. It is recommended to read The Enchanted Wood first but the books can be read independently without too much confusion.
In this story, the children are joined by their cousin Rick who as well as having a keen sense of adventure also has a penchant for cakes, sweets and in fact anything edible, sometimes with hilarious consequences.
Author: Sue Newman ISBN: 0 9524856 1 3
Number of pages: 152
Reviewed by Brian Case
I would recommend this as a read for anyone who has an interest in local history both of Christchurch and Bournemouth. It gives a chilling insight into past times of the people, the inmates who suffered, and those who were paid to look after them. Here however it would be only fair to say that at the time they probably thought they were doing good, its only now in our modern times we can see this was not necessarily the case.
One minor issue I had was the way the format of the book has been laid out as its all printed in one column which at times makes for a difficult read, two columns would make for an better flow though I should add this does not take away the enjoyment of the book.
To learn more you can visit the Red House Museum on Quay Road, Christchurch, open most days and free entry (opportunity to donate inside if you wish)
Author: Enid Blyton
ISBN: 978-1-444-96157-7
Number of pages: 224
Reviewed by Jason Harris
The children are friends with a strange set of characters who they met in the previous book and who all live in the tree such as Silky, the rather sweet fairy, Moonface and Saucepan man.
The Faraway Tree is the tallest in the enchanted wood, so tall in fact that it pokes through the whispy white clouds. At the top of the tree, beyond the clouds is a whole new land, which changes regularly. Sometimes the land might be a wonderful one such as the Land of Dreams, where your dreams come true, or the Land of Toys, where you can imagine any toy like and it will appear allowing you to play with it. But on another day, after the previous Land has moved off, it may be replaced with a not so pleasant one such as the Land of Tempers where everybody is in a bad mood and shouts at each other.
The children regularly venture to the top of the tree and explore the new lands, together with their new found friends from the tree. The book is an endearing one, far removed from the modern world that todays children are so often caught up in. These series of books are an example of an author who has no limits to where her imagination can take her, which is why the books connect so well with younger readers. It’s full of impossibilities and improbabilities which only serve to draw the reader (or listener!) further in to the fascinating world of The Faraway Tree.
Monday to Friday: Shift Work between 8am - 7pm, 1 in 4 Saturdays: 9am - 1pm
Vitality do insurance di erently. We reward our members for making good lifestyle choices – and we reward our team, too.
You’ll enjoy fantastic perks like half-price gym membership, discount on fitness devices and free breakfast/lunch.
Our monthly performance bonus could give you an extra £3,000 per year.
You’ll be there to listen to and help customers, from the moment they’re diagnosed, right through to the treatment plan. Compassion is a must, and you will have the ability to treat every customer with maximum care and empathy.
We’re out to make the world a healthier place, and your call could be the start of this change. We’ll give you everything you need to do a brilliant job, including support for your physical and mental wellbeing - think running clubs, fitness activities and wellbeing apps. We have an on-site canteen and Sky TV. We also o er nutrition advice and even help to stop smoking!
Apply using the QR code
“Working
On of the areas best loved community festivals is back for it 22nd year and this year is proudly sponsored for the first time by BCP’s biggest read BH Living Magazine.
With the ‘Grooves’ gearing up for another weekend of family fun, the organisers promise another fun filled weekend of shows for all ages on the entertainment stage as well as music from local bands and musicians. Local ales and ciders will also feature, along with street food from around the world.
The festival is open 11am - 7pm on both Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July on its normal spot at Ashley Cross Green. You can reach the event easily by rail, bus, bike or on foot.
This is the first year BCP’s favourite read, BH Living, has sponsored the event and the editor of the magazine Jason Harris said “Fantastic! This is exactly the type of event both the BH Living team and our readers enjoy, something for everyone
of all ages, we hope to see many of our readers at the festival”
Local live music is the mainstay of the event and this year the organisers are pleased to announce that Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Allan Turner-Ward will be there to introduce this year’s line-up. Bands scheduled to perform include Pronghorn and a rare outing for the medical marvels that are Volatile Agents whose line-up includes doctors, surgeons, theatre medics and a member of the judiciary.
As always ‘Grooves’ will be supporting local charities so if you can spare any spare money on the day then please help support them. Ticket prices start at £8 for adults & £6 for youths 6-17 with children 5 and under going free.
You can find out more about the festival at www.groovesonthegreen.com
Make the most of the summer sun and get active to help improve your mental as well as your physical wellbeing
The lighter, brighter, warmer days of summer are on us and it’s traditionally the time of year when we spend more time outdoors. For many of us, it’s the ideal time to shake ourselves down and get more active. And never more so, after the last few years when we’ve found ourselves living less-than-normal lives through the pandemic and more recently through the cost-of-living crisis. All of which can take their toll on our physical and mental wellbeing.
Experts reckon that exercise is not only good for the body but also for the mind, releasing natural chemicals such as serotonin into our blood. Serotonin has a wide variety of functions in the human body and people sometimes call it the “happy” chemical because it contributes to wellbeing and happiness.
BCP Council operate walks all year round across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. They are a great way to meet new people and to discover and explore our local coastline, parks, natural spaces, beaches and towns.
The walks include some of the most picturesque locations in our area such as:
• Highcliffe Castle
• Kings Park
• Queens Park
• Steamer Point Nature Reserve
• Upton Country Park
Walks for all abilities
The walks are between 30-60 minutes long, free to join, and led by experienced trained volunteer walk leaders. Most walks are short in length, typically between one and two miles on firm level ground. Grades may vary. Many of the walks are also suitable for wheelchair users.
• Grade 1 – typically 30 minutes and suitable for walkers of all abilities on mostly flat surfaces.
• Grade 2 – usually between 30 to 60 minutes and may include some moderate slopes, steps, stiles and uneven surfaces.
• Grade 3 – suitable for people looking for more challenging walks, generally 45 to 90 minutes and may include steeper slopes, steps, stiles and uneven surfaces.
To find out more about the walks and to find a walk that best suits your own capability, visit: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ Leisure-culture-and-local-heritage/ Sports-and-activities/Health-walks
Treatments for depression and other mental illnesses can often target the release of the brain’s natural supply of Seratonin to help improve a person’s mental wellbeing, but simple exercise can do the same thing, so we’ve come up with some great ideas to get you out and about and improving your health, both mentally and physically. Whilst Serotonin may not be the answer to all of life’s problems, it can certainly improve our health and wellbeing which is a good enough excuse to make the most of the fine weather and get active!
If you’re looking for something a little more challenging than walking to boost your serotonin levels, why not find a ‘Fitness Trail’. There are lots of them dotted across the area with many featuring a range of equipment that’s free to use.
The Barrack Road fitness area for instance has:
• pull-up bars
• push hands
• leg stretch
• sit up
• trinity cycle
• air walker
• dip station
• agility trail.
• You can find this fitness trail at: Barrack Road Recreation Ground, Sopley Lane, Christchurch BH23 1PE
Other locations include:
• Baiter Park
• Branksome Recreation Ground
• Hamworthy Park
• Poole Park
• Sherborn Crescent
• Canford Cliffs
• Whitecliff
For full details visit: https://www.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/Leisure-culture-and-local-heritage/ Sports-and-activities/Fitness-trails
Parkruns are free, sociable and inclusive experiences where there’s no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to go along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or just spectate.
Registration is completely free and only needs to be done once. Simply complete the registration form, print your barcode and head down to your local event.
Saturday morning parkruns are 5k and on Sunday mornings there are 2k junior parkruns for children aged 4 to 14.
Adult parkrun events
Locally, there are adult parkruns at:
• Kings Park Athletic Stadium
• Poole Park
• Upton Country Park (adult).
Junior parkrun events
Locally, there are junior parkruns at:
• Slades Park in Bournemouth
• Upton Country Park (junior).
For more information visit: www.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/Leisure-culture-and-local-heritage/ Sports-and-activities/Parkruns-for-adultsand-juniors
To register for a Park Run visit: www.parkrun. org.uk
Fashion, food, entertainment and of Cours Polo all come together; enjoy a day of finedining in the Gold Hospitality marquee, take time out and make the most of the street food village, relax at the pitch-side bar, or party hard with internationally acclaimed entertainment each evening until 1am.
Date: 7 - 8 July
Time: 1pm - midnight
Location: Sandbank Beach
Price: From £30
More Info: www.sandpolo.com
Music festival in the beautiful setting of Sandbanks beach. Headlining this year is chart-topping soul singer Craig David.
Date: 7 - 8 July
Time: Midday - 10pm
Location: Sandbank Beach
Price: From £30
More Info: www.sandfest.co.uk
Showcasing the county’s finest livestock amongst some of the UK’s finest food and drink producers who will showcasing their products. Over 30 acres of showground to entertain the whole family.
Date: 25 - 27 July
Time: 8am - 6.30pm
Location: Brockenhurst, New Forest
Price: £22 when booked online (£4 children)
More Info: www.newforestshow.co.uk
Enjoy food, cocktails and music and enjoy the sunset across Bournemouth bay from the end of Bournemouth Pier
Date: 29 - 26 August
Time: 8pm - 10pm
Location: Key West, Bournemouth Pier
Price: Book a table online (with free pier toll)
More Info: www.keywestbournemouth. co.uk/live-music-summerbournemouth-pier
Theatre: Romeo & Juliet
The world’s most-beloved tale of love at first sight. Set in a sultry Italian summer, hotblooded passion pulses and tempers fray as young lovers hastily tread their dangerous path through the bitter feud of two warring families.
Date: 26 July - 12 August
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Brownsea Island
Price: £30
Dust off your leg warmers and ra-ra skirts and party at this night dedicated to all things 80s.
Date: 14 July
Time: 7.30pm
Location: Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
Price: From £27
More Info: www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk/ event/80smania/
The world’s most popular big band directed by music legend Ray McVay with the fabulous harmonies of the Moonlight Serenaders and the sublime vocals of Catherine Sykes and Mark Porter.
Date: 16 July
Time: 5pm
Location: Pavilion, Bournemouth
Price: From £13.75
More Info: www.bournemouthpavilion. co.uk/events/the-glenn-millerorchestra-2023
More Info: www.bhlivetickets. co.uk/events/brownsea-open-airtheatre-2023
Pete Harrison and a quartet of West End singers join the BSO for another celebration of Swedish megastars, featuring all their famous songs. Why not dress up and enjoy a dancetastic night out in your flares rounded off by fantastic fireworks!
Date: 5 August
Time: From £18
Location: Meyrick Park
Price: £30
More Info: www.bsolive.com/events/ abba-meyrick/
The UK’s biggest Air Festival returns with International Aircraft, Beach demonstrations and thrilling air display teams including the famous Red Arrows.
Date: 31 August - 3 September
Time: From midday
Location: Bournemouth & Boscombe beaches (Park and Rides are operational throughout the 4 days)
Price: Free
More Info: www.bournemouthair. co.uk/whats-on
A celebration of all things Dorset and the countryside. Dedicated to superb family entertainment, showcasing agriculture, great shopping and lots of displays. Weekend camping also available (£48 extra).
Date: 2 - 3 September
Time: 8.30am - 6pm
Location: Dorchester Showgroun
DT2 7SD
Price: £19 if booked ahead online (Under 16’s Free)
More Info: www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
Always striving to bring great music to different audiences and with three sold-out UK Tours, including shows at the Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, Alfie has become a firm household favourite with the British public with four top 10 albums
Date: 22 September
Time: 7pm
Location: Pavilion, Bournemouth
Price: 7pm
More Info: www.bournemouthpavilion. co.uk/events/alfie-boe-2023#dates-andtimes
Set amongst ancient Dorset woodland, our stunning modern crematorium enjoys a peaceful rural environment, with panoramic views of the hills of Purbeck and Poole Harbour.
Funeral packages from £2,795*
A complete funeral service is available directly, without the need for a Funeral Director.
A beautiful, peaceful location for funerals and memorial services
Easily accessible from the A35
At least 90 minutes between funerals
Air-conditioned ceremony halls
Full funeral home facilities available on-site
Ceremony halls suitable for small or large congregations
Catering facilities available on-site for wakes
