East Dorset News Spring 2019

East Dorset News

dorsetforyou.gov.uk

Spring 2019

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Contents

Leader’s Message

This Edition Edition InInThis

Councillor Spencer Flower

With spring just around the corner we achievement of the District Council can all look forward to longer days and during the past 44 years. hopefully improving weather.

The promise I made in my budget speech back in February 2018, When drafting this message, I found of achieving a golden legacy of myself with mixed emotions as we investment in our capital programme, are about to enter a new era of local government in Dorset. I am full of hope has resulted in a number of schemes and belief that the new Dorset Council being completed, and others with contracts in place, to be completed will offer the communities of Dorset a new approach to the delivery of quality during the remainder of 2019. This is what we promised during the 昀nal year local services, which I feel sure we all of the council and that is exactly what respect and appreciate. we are delivering.

Then I have the other emotion; the We must, of course, now look forward nostalgia associated with East Dorset to the brave new world of unitary local District Council being abolished on the 31 March 2019. To commemorate government. So in this 昀nal edition, I would like to take this opportunity to this, two members were honoured for their service to the community by being record my sincere thanks to o cers and councillors, past and present, for made Honorary Aldermen at a recent all of their hard work and commitment East Dorset Full Council meeting. shown to the communities of East There are articles in this, the last Dorset over the years  edition of the East Dorset News, which look back at the wonderful record of

Editor: Melanie Baldwin, Acting Communications and PR Manager communications@ christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk Assistant Editors: Isabella Gamble and Melissa McCormick, Communications O cers

Keep In Touch You will receive your next magazine from Dorset Council this summer. If you can’t wait until then to 昀nd out what’s going on there are lots of other ways to keep up-to-date.

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Moors Valley People Dorset Council update

A day in the life...

What’s on in East Dorset

Images/Megan Ta yl

Design: Alison Bartlett, Graphic Designer Print: IMS Group Printed on: East Dorset News is environmentally friendly and printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests, using vegetable based inks.

Distribution: IMS Group

The Centre Ferndown reopens

©National Trust

The Team

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Easter at Kingston

Lacy

For news and events follow us on Twitter or 昀nd out more at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/news @cb_edd_councils @dorsetcounciluk

All information within this magazine is correct at the time of going to print (14 February 2019) but is subject to change.

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A look back at Moors Valley

Clare Gronow, Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

O cially opened in July 1988, Moors Valley started life as Kings Farm and was purchased by East Dorset District Council in 1984.

Over 30 years ago, work began at Moors Valley to develop a 9-hole golf course, play area, lake, Visitor Centre and provide a home for the narrow-gauge railway, previously based at Tucktonia in Christchurch.

Before long the park was bursting at the seams with half a million visitors by 1990, so an additional 170 acres were purchased to allow the golf course to expand, a second lake to be built and the Visitor Centre to be extended. At the same time the Tree Top Trail and Play Trail were constructed in the forest.

Over the following ten years the park’s popularity grew further with over 750,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most popular country parks in England. Visitors enjoy activities ranging from lakeside walks and bike rides to innovative forest play structures, a steam railway, Go Ape Tree Top Adventure and 18-hole golf course.

The park welcomes over 3,000 school children each year for Ranger-led activities, contributing to their learning programmes 4

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and engaging many young people with the outdoors for the 昀rst time.

Amazingly, despite its huge popularity, Moors Valley also remains a safe haven for wildlife as the Rangers work hard to balance the needs of their visitors with the needs of the 昀ora and fauna. The park is one of the best sites in the UK for dragon昀ies and the Rangers have undertaken a highly successful water vole reintroduction programme.

The quality of the park and forest has been recognised with various prestigious awards and The Forestry Commission and District Council are continually looking for ways to improve Moors Valley to ensure it remains one of the best countryside recreation facilities in the country.

There are many people who have been instrumental in the success of the park, starting with Cllr Derek Burt who pioneered the idea in the early 1980s. Here are just a few more individuals who have been involved over the years 

Moors Valley Country Park

Park People Clare Gronow Having worked at Moors Valley since its inception, Clare has risen from Assistant Ranger to Countryside Manager and undertaken every job role necessary to keep the park running.

From litter picking, running events and maintenance tasks to setting up the education programme, marketing and health and safety. Her dedication and commitment have been instrumental in developing new activities and improving the visitor experience, raising Moors Valley to one of the most popular country parks in the country.

Jackie O’Connor Working alongside Clare for 29 years, Jackie has developed the park’s recreation and healthy lifestyle programme including cycling tuition and walking for health. Moors Valley’s activity programme is widely recognised as an example of best practice nationally.

Jim Haylock From a young age Jim was interested in railways and it became his ambition to own one of his own. Now Moors Valley Railway is the longest fully signalled narrow-gauge railway in the country and each of the 18 steam engines have been built by hand in the workshop at Kingsmere Station.

Emma Reeks

Keith Powrie One of the longest standing volunteers, Keith has surveyed the park’s butter昀y species since 1992 and dragon昀y species since 2002, providing the Rangers with vital information about the health of their populations. In 2017 Keith successfully predicted the re-appearance of the scarce Lessor Emperor Dragon昀y, taking the number of species found at Moors Valley to 28.

Emma has arguably the most exciting job at the park, leading the environmental education and events programme, helping children and adults get excited about nature. After 20 years at Moors Valley, her enthusiasm has never wavered as she has continued to develop new activities including the interactive Ranger Den.

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For news and events follow us on Twitter or 昀nd out more at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/news

News

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Verwood volunteers commended Bob and Mary McKay, Home Library Service volunteers, have just retired after 16 years of volunteering in Verwood.

Maria Jacobson, Dorset Home Library Service Manager, said: “We will really miss Bob and Mary. They are wonderful volunteers who have visited older people in their own homes for many years, bringing much needed friendship and social contact as well as reading materials.”

Halfway point celebrations at Victory Oak

Despite Bob and Mary’s retirement, the Home Library Service are still able to support more local people in East Dorset. Would you, or do you know someone who would bene昀t from the service? Books are chosen individually for each person, and delivered to their home by the trusted and friendly Royal Voluntary Service volunteers.

For more information about the service please call Maria Jacobson on 01305 236666 or Verwood Library on 01202 822972 

Bob, Maria and Mary

A new playground and commemorative bench have been unveiled at the Victory Oak housing development in St Leonards as part of ‘halfway mark’ celebrations.

The brand new site will ultimately offer 126 open market sale, 59 affordable rent and 25 shared ownership properties. Developed in place of a former American military hospital, it is one of largest developments in the south west for Sovereign Housing, who are working in partnership with Homes England, East Dorset District Council, Natural England and the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

The site also has an award-winning 17-hectare nature reserve and a brand new cricket pavilion.

East Dorset District Councillor and Chairman of St Leonards & St Ives Parish Council Barry Goringe said: “Seeing the second phase of the Victory Oak development completed is a very exciting and signi昀cant stage of the build. The new playground and nature reserve are already being enjoyed by residents currently living on the new development and I look forward to watching the next phase progress and welcoming new residents to Victory Oak in the near future.”  6

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Your Councillors East Dorset District Council is made up of 29 democratically elected members representing 16 wards. Further details can be found at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/councillors 25

The 昀nal Full Council meeting of East Dorset District Council takes place on Monday 25 March 2019 at 6.30pm. This meeting will be held at the Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne.

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News

Ferndown East Dorset District Council is pleased to announce that the project to refurbish The Centre in Ferndown is now fully completed.

The Centre, on Barns Road in Ferndown, has undergone a major transformation. This successful project has seen the creation of three large halls, updated kitchen areas and a whole new 昀rst 昀oor has been added.

Cllr Julie Robinson, Ward Councillor for Ferndown, had the honour of removing the 昀rst brick to symbolise the commencement of works. 

Cllr Julie Robinson, Lorraine Clark, Cllr Toni Coombs and Matt Reeks.

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News

Cllr Cathy Lugg, East Dorset District Council, provided essential ward budget funding to help support the creation of a purpose-built foodbank at The Centre. The offer will be developed over time, but the shelves are well stocked and the service is already supporting local people.



The project is a terri昀c success. The refurbishment is amazing and it’s great news for local residents that The Centre was completed on time and within budget. Everyone will be able to bene昀t from the services The Centre will offer and the community spaces are now available for hire.

Cllr Julie Robinson

The project was jointly managed by Matt Reeks, Community and Open Spaces Manager for East Dorset District Council, and Lorraine Clark who manages The Centre.

The Centre will host a variety of local services including Dorset Healthcare consultations, Children’s Service family neighbourhood zone sessions, as well as providing four rooms that can be hired seven days per week 

The Centre was o cially reopened by the Chairman of East Dorset District Council, Cllr Toni Coombs earlier this year.

Ferndown Do you have a celebration coming up?

Why not consider having your event at The Centre. There is free parking and well equipped kitchen areas. It’s a fantastic space for business events, 昀tness classes, children’s parties or any celebration!

Call 01202 872312 or email o ce@thecentreferndown.co.uk for more information. @cb_edd_councils

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News

Coming soon April 2019

What’s happening?

You may have heard that local government in Dorset is going through some big changes. On 1 April 2019 the county’s nine councils will be replaced by two entirely new organisations: •

Dorset Council, and

•

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

The new Dorset Council will replace the existing district and borough councils (East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland) and Dorset County Council, all of which will cease to exist. From April 2019 Dorset Council will deliver your local services, working in partnership with parish and town councils.

North Dorset East Dorset Christchurch West Dorset Purbeck

Bournemouth Poole

Key

Weymouth & Portland

Dorset Council

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Why is it happening?

There are several reasons why we’re coming together as one Dorset Council 1. to protect important services for residents including bins, housing, road maintenance, schools, and social care 2. to reduce costs and give better value for money by cutting duplication (fewer councillors and council employees) 3. to give Dorset a stronger voice nationally which will help attract business investment and government funding, and support local economic growth

What does it mean for me?

Although it sounds like a big change, you shouldn’t notice any major changes to the council services you get from 1 April. For example, your bin day will stay the same, you’ll be able to park in the same car parks and we’ll continue to maintain roads and public spaces as normal.

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News

Dorset Council elections 2019 On Thursday 2 May local residents will go to the polls to elect the 昀rst members of the new Dorset Council. There will be 82 councillors representing 52 electoral wards across the Dorset Council area. Even more people will be standing for election to local parish and town councils on the same day.

On polling day – 2 May – more than 300 polling stations will be open across the Dorset Council area from 7am until 10pm. Once the polling stations have closed the boxes will be transferred to Redlands Leisure Centre in Weymouth where all the votes will be counted on Friday 3 May.

If you’ve ever thought about standing as a councillor, go to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/become-a-local-councillor and 昀nd out more about the role of a local councillor, the support available, and how to stand for election.

Dorset Council Chief Executive Matt Prosser will be the returning o cer, announcing each new councillor once the votes are counted and veri昀ed. Each result will be published at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk as it is announced.

You’ll be able to see who’s standing for election in your area on 4 April when the complete list of candidates is published at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

The votes cast in the parish and town council elections will be counted on Saturday 4 May.

Polling cards and postal votes will be sent out between 11 and 24 April. Make sure you’re registered to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote by the 12 April deadline.

You’ll be able to see how the votes have been cast, and who’s been elected to Dorset Council, at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and by following us at @dorsetcounciluk on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

How do I contact Dorset Council?

If you need to get in touch with us, it’s best to check our website dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/contactus You’ll be able to contact the council in the same way as you do now – whether online, by phone, email or in person. But we’ll keep the website and other information updated with any changes.

Find out more

Get involved

Follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with all the latest Dorset Council news.

We are setting up a new People’s Panel to help residents have their say on council services and plans.

There will be different ways you can get involved including online surveys and focus groups.

@dorsetcounciluk dorsetcounciluk @dorsetcounciluk

If you would like to join this panel, please provide your details at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/peoplespanel

To receive the latest news by email from Dorset Council, sign up at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/e-newsletter

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News

The Revival Project The Priest’s House Museum is currently having a very special makeover.

The much-loved museum in the heart of Wimborne is now closed whilst the works take place. However, the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and Garden Tea Room remain open and their education outreach programme will continue to be offered to local schools.

In June, the TIC will temporarily move in to the Hilda Coles Open Learning Centre, next to Wimborne Library.

A National Lottery grant of £982,200 has been awarded through the Heritage Lottery Fund to fund improvements.

This grant forms part of our £1.6M Revival Project which will be completed by spring 2020.

This exciting project will see new exhibitions developed and the creation of a brand new visitor reception, information centre and shop. The museum will be enhancing its frontage to improve its visibility and it will also be installing a lift to improve access.

All these practical improvements will help the Museum tell the story of the building, Wimborne and East Dorset.

The Revival Project has been supported

by East Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council; local businesses, charitable trusts and the local community.

DID YOU KNOW? • The Tourist Information Centre opened in 1980 and was originally located in the King’s Head • The Priest’s House Museum opened in Wimborne in 1962 • The Museum, Tea Rooms and Tourist Information Centre is supported by 156 volunteers.

PRIEST’S HOUSE museum & garden

For further details and to learn more about the project please visit priesthouse.co.uk or call 01202 882533 

Recognition of service to the local community East Dorset District Councillor, Derek Burt and former East Dorset District Councillor Pat Hymers have both been made an Honorary Alderman in recognition of their services to East Dorset at a recent Full Council meeting.

Cllr Derek Burt, Ward Councillor for Corfe Mullen, has been serving his local community for over 52 years and was instrumental in the development of Moors Valley Country Park and Forest and East Dorset Heritage Trust.

Pat Hymers served on East Dorset District Council between 1983 and 2015 and was Chairman of Dorset County Council from 1993 to 2001.

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Pat Hymers, Cllr Toni Coombs and Cllr Derek Burt Cllr Toni Coombs, Chairman of East Dorset District Council said: “It is important to recognise and thank those in our communities who have given that bit extra.

The position of Alderman is the way in which the Council can give this recognition to councillors in honour of all they have done for East Dorset.” 

A Day

A day in the life of...

i n

t h e

l i f e

Lillian Broad Trainee Democratic Services O cer

o f . . .

What does your job involve?

My job is really varied as I provide support to both the Democratic Services Department and the Elections Team. It can vary daily; from helping people get registered to vote, to supporting and clerking council committees. I’m currently also providing support to the Dorset Shadow Authority as we prepare for the transition to the new Dorset Council this April.

What is the best thing about your job?

I have a role which means that I get to work with staff from various departments in the council and by attending meetings I have increased my knowledge of local government.

I joined the council in 2017 as an apprentice, so when my apprenticeship came to an end I was thrilled that a future opportunity was made available to me.

What are you looking forward to over the next few months?

I am looking forward to the elections in May. These will be the 昀rst elections under the new Unitary Council, with elections for Town and Parish Councils across Dorset being held at the same time. It will be a really busy time I’m sure, but I’m really looking forward to being involved  Make sure you’re registered to vote by visiting gov.uk/register-to-vote by the 12 April 2019

Contact Us Customer Services

Council Tax

01202 795096 customer-services@ christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk

0345 034 4569 svpp@poole.gov.uk

Automated Payment Line

01305 221040 dorsetforyou.gov.uk/gardenwaste

01202 495252 (until 31 March 2019) 0300 7900 545 (from 1 April 2019)

Building Control 01202 795021 buildingcontrol@ christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk

Garden Waste

Highway Improvements & Maintenance 01305 221020 dorsethighways@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Bus Passes

Housing & Council Tax Bene昀ts

03003 301201 dorsetenquiries@euclid.ltd.uk

03450 344569 svpp@poole.gov.uk

Business Rates

Planning Applications

01202 634233 svpp@poole.gov.uk

01202 795096 planningadmin@ christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk

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Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre 01202 888208 queenelizabeth@ christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk

Recycling/Refuse & Missed Bin 01305 221040 dorsetforyou.gov.uk/missedbin

Street Lighting 0800 068 4145 lightsonindorset@ ssecontracting.com

Trees (on highways) 01305 221020 dorsethighways@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Verwood Hub 01202 828740 verwoodhub@ christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk

Going for Growth

Going for Growth The Christchurch and East Dorset Economic Development team has been working in partnership with local businesses, schools, training providers and investors with the aim of sustaining an active and prosperous local economy in East Dorset.

In line with the Councils’ Growth Strategy, they have supported businesses of all sizes from many different sectors and they have always recognised that the future growth of the local economy is signi昀cantly dependent upon the development of the workforce of tomorrow. Supporting good relationships between East Dorset schools, and universities and training providers, is essential and they have actively contributed to the development of these relationships.

The team would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported and contributed to their events and projects in East Dorset.

The Economic Development staff now look forward to working with many new partners and businesses as part of the new Dorset Council from 1 April 

Rob Palmer, The Grange School; Lisette Bugsel, Bruno Smith and Karen Moss from Curtiss-Wright; Paula Sales and Duncan Newman from Christchurch and East Dorset Councils.

What’s on in East Dorset

March

Saturday 6 – Monday 22

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Kingston Lacy | 10am – 4pm

Friday 15

The Searchers: Farewell Concert Tivoli Theatre | 7.30pm Friday 15

Lee Nelson The Barrington Theatre | 8pm Saturday 16

June Thursday 6 – Sunday 9

Wimborne Folk Festival Wimborne Minster | wimbornefolk.co.uk

Saturday 27

Plants, Gardens and Wildlife: Talk and Wildlife Gardeners’ Question Time

Friday 7 – Sunday 9

Party in the Paddock

Allendale Community Centre | 7.30pm

Deans Court | partyinthepaddock.com

May

Sunday 8 and Sunday 9

Flower Show and Plant Fair

Dorset Sk8 Jam

Grand Summer Gala at Moors Valley Railway

Allendale Community Centre 11.30am – 3pm

Verwood Hub | 8 – 10pm

10.45am – 5pm

Saturday 23

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5

Friday 21 – Sunday 23

Visiting Locomotives Weekend

Vdub at the Pub

Moors Valley Railway | 10.45am - 5pm

Adjacent Julian’s Bridge, Wimborne Minster

The Floyd Effect Tivoli Theatre | 7.30pm

April Tuesday 2

Saba Douglas-Hamilton: A life with Elephants

Friday 3

Saturday 11

The Verwood Mayors Rat Pack Evening

Saturday 29

Verwood Hub | 7.30pm

The Sheiling School and College Ashley Heath | 11.30am – 4pm

Tivoli Theatre | 7.30pm

For news and events follow us on Twitter

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The Sheiling Summer Festival

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