Allendale Magazine | July - Sept 2020

@ the heart of the community

Celebrating our Community Message from the Mayor

Magazine

ALLENDALE

The

July - Sept 2020, Issue 6

Supporting local Business Keeping busy during Lockdown

01202 887247 • info@theallendale.org www.theallendale.org • Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1AS

THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Welcome to the Summer edition – where do I start?!

Contents 4

6

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Councils and the Community A message from the Mayor of Wimborne

Sawdust and Stars in the Beehive Yard

The Minster’s 900th Anniversary

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13

14

Providing food for the Community

Another man’s rubbish...

The Lions, the Zoom and the Lockdown

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17

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Minster Market @ the Allendale Opening 17th July 2020

Help support the Allendale centre

Wimborne in Bloom

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Cryptic Clues

Allen Valley Milk

Watching over Wimborne during Covid-19 and beyond

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Present Company is 20!

Snapshots of Wimborne in Lockdown

Joe’s Marathon for Save The Children

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The Strength of Our Business Community

Colehill Sew & Sews

You’re never far from shining stars

Well it’s been an unexpected few month’s to say the least -what can we say that hasn’t already been said 100 times over? We hope that you have all been staying safe and keeping well and maybe had the opportunity to enjoy the lighting up of the Allendale Centre on Thursday evenings during lockdown – a small token in celebration of the key workers that have been at the heart of keeping the country running for so long now. Like us – we are sure that you are now welcoming the reopening of the town and the opportunity to reconnect (in a safe, socially distanced way obviously!) with friends and family.

We now have two of our team back at the Allendale Centre and - by the time you read this we will be open for business once again. We are genuinely so excited to welcome everyone back – it’s been eerily quiet around here with none of the hustle and bustle and community buzz that we have taken for granted for so many years as a constant feature of the building.

You will see some changes around the centre as with everywhere else, and we will for the time being be operating in restricted opening hours of 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

We will be asking everyone to use the hand sanitiser when entering, there will be a one-way system throughout and the toilets will be restricted, although will once again be open to the community. The Little Otters Soft Play facility will unfortunately remain closed for now.

There are lots of things that are returning and a few new and exciting things to discover also. The Allen Valley Milk Machine is back in action once more, the book stall is restocked, and the Café is open with a fantastic new look to a wonderful outside seating area right next to the river – a great place to relax in the midst of it all! We have the new Minster Market launching on 17th July – more details on page 16 – and are hoping to restart our ever-popular lunch and film clubs again soon.

We have taken the opportunity within our magazine this quarter to celebrate the incredible community that we live in, and hopefully you will see that shining through the articles within. So many people have dedicated so much to helping and supporting those that have needed it – and still do in many cases. The magazine is not big enough to record all the stories that have been told or journeys that have been taken, but we should celebrate them all.

And finally, a huge thank you to everyone that has supported the Allendale Centre during the last few months, whether it be donations to our fundraising efforts (see page 17 for more details!) or volunteering time to help with the amazing food provisions that have been provided from the Café @ the Allendale.

The strength of a town is in its community and this year, in particular, we should all be very proud of ours.

ALLENDALE

The

Magazine

Tanya Cripps, Centre Manager

@ the heart of the community Editorial team Jane Sorrell Tanya Cripps

DESIGN, PRODUCTION AND SALES Production Manager Ben Pulford ben@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

Gary Cox

Lead Designer Louis Pulford louis@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

Cover image © David Hartwell

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Councils and the Community A message from the Mayor of Wimborne

As I write this, we are ten weeks into the lockdown period of a truly unprecedented time in our living memory.

On March the 23rd the Government made “that statement” and announced the lockdown that was to change all our lives in so many ways. As a councillor who sits on both Dorset Council and Wimborne Minster Town Council, I was witness to the monumental changes in how local Government was to operate for months to come.

Council Offices were closed, and virtually overnight a couple of thousand Dorset Council officers and staff were tasked with working remotely from home. The same was true for Wimborne Minster Town Council and officers swung into action - having already completed some preparation towards remote working from home. This was no mean feat and involved a massive amount of work, including following guidance from central Government to ensure local Government Administrations could still function and operate legally under the new legislation and policies.

The timing of the lockdown was not great for the Town Council, who were awaiting new laptops as part of a significant digital upgrade. The funding for this upgrade was granted by the former East Dorset District Council during their closure in April 2019 to make way for the new Unitary Authority that is now Dorset Council.

The laptops were ordered during lockdown and I am pleased to say have now arrived, allowing the Council to move towards being paperless, in recognition of climate change and the need to evolve our methods of working.

The officers and the Councillors have had to learn and adapt to a new way of working, including virtual meetings via the Zoom platform something many of us have become familiar with as we have endured the isolation of lockdown. Those informal meetings have been a steep learning 4|

curve, but I am pleased to say that the Town Council is shortly to begin conducting meetings in public online, thus ensuring local democracy is maintained. This has only been made possible by the tremendous efforts of the Town Council officers in getting us ready for these public meetings.

As Chairman of the Town Council, and Mayor of the Town, I took it upon myself to formulate a plan to bring into being a volunteer base that would be able to react to the Coronavirus as it hit our community, and provide support to those residents that were at risk and would be in need of help.

The policies, protocols and

background work was completed by myself and the Town Council staff, who did a huge amount of work ensuring we had a solid plan in place.

The volunteer Covid19 response group that I wanted to create needed to have depth and resilience, so if anyone became ill as a front-line responder, there would be sufficient volunteers to step up and fill the position, ensuring we could continue to provide the services that were needed. With the local churches on board, Wimborne residents also started to volunteer their services.

With a band of volunteers in place, we delivered nearly 4,000 yellow leaflets

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by hand through virtually every letter box in Wimborne and the surrounding areas. These leaflets contained a list of those first responders and their contact details, should residents need to get in touch for help with shopping, collection and delivery of medications and advice.

Within the town, the Folk Festival Committee identified a need for the provision of pre-prepared meals, alongside additional food supplies, into the community for our most vulnerable residents. Having recently taking on the Café @ the Allendale, they were well positioned to achieve this. Along with the incredible support of many other local businesses and groups, as well as the newly created Covid-19 volunteer response group, they have been producing and delivering up to 550 meals a week throughout not only Wimborne but also into the surrounding areas of Dorset.

As the Mayor of the Town I cannot thank you all enough for the huge difference you are making to those vulnerable people’s lives. The Covid19 pandemic has been the cruellest experience for so many of our most vulnerable in our community and we

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are doing all we can to support as many of them in any way we can. I am immensely proud of this unique undertaking in Dorset as Wimborne are just about the only Town doing this on the scale that we are achieving.

Local Government continues to work. Cllr Maria Roe heads up the Covid19 Volunteer Response Group with myself, and other church leaders, Cllrs Janet Dover, Robin Cook and David Morgan, are all busy performing their Councillor duties from home and can be contacted in the usual way if you need them. They have all continued to be hugely supportive for which I am incredibly grateful, despite all having to self-isolate due to age and medical conditions.

The Town Council staff can be contacted via phone or e-mail and continue to administer to the towns needs and its daily operational running. As the Chairman of the Town Council, I am very appreciative for all that they have done, they are all too often the unsung heroes behind the scenes.

The Covid19 Volunteers and the Folk Festival Committee all have my grateful thanks for everything they have achieved to date, and

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continue to, for our residents and our community. You have all been inspiring in the way you have stepped up to the plate to serve those in our community at this unfortunate time, while in the full knowledge that by putting yourselves in the frontline you are putting your own lives at risk.

And finally, my thanks as Mayor to our NHS teams within the town at the hospitals and doctors surgeries, the blue light services - ambulance, paramedics, police, and fire brigade who have performed so well during this crisis and kept us all safe through their best efforts - I thank you.

My fellow residents of Wimborne, I hope that gives you a small insight as to what has been happening in our beautiful Town during this incredibly sad time. Please stay safe and look after yourselves and please do continue to follow the guidance that comes to you, thank you.

From Cllr Shane Bartlett, Wimborne Minster Town Mayor, Chairman for Wimborne Minster Town Council, Ward Member for Wimborne Minster, Dorset Council.

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Sawdust and Stars in the Beehive Yard

By Malcolm Angel

In the balmy summer of 1946, just one year after VE day, Wimborne played host to one of the greatest comedy acts of British stage and screen.

The duo, namely Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, had come to cut their teeth on Wimborne’s audiences.

But strangely they had not arrived to play the local theatre; their place of entertainment was far less grand.

Eric and Ernie were amongst the cast of circus and vaudeville acts travelling with Lord John Sangers “New Production” Circus and Variety Show.

John Maton, sadly no longer with us, was a well respected local farmer and one of the mainstays of Wimborne’s Tivoli Theatre and had fond memories of the occasion.

Although just 19 years old, John was already a great enthusiast for live theatre; evenings and weekends would frequently find him bussing down to Bournemouth to one of the resort’s theatres to take in one of the pre or post London shows. But this week his entertainment, which he had found advertised on posters dotted around his home in Colehill, was for once just a cycle ride down the hill.

The place of performance was in a yard behind a Public House, known as The Beehive. This long, low thatched Inn was situated at the junction of East and West Boroughs, by the ancient Walford Bridge on the road to Cranborne.

Enterprising landlords throughout the years had rented the space in the past to other travelling shows so to the people of Wimborne the arrival of the big tent was an exciting event, but not unheard of.

Lord John Sangers’ immense white big-top had been hauled up, 6|

presumably, as happened in the circus business, by all members lending a hand. It altered the skyline of Walford and towered over the roof of the long low Inn. Around it, filling the rest of the yard, stood lorries, caravans in which the cast and crew lived, and penned off runs for the circus beasts and pets corner.

John recalled to me that on arrival for the start of the evening show, he found that he was able to park his bike safely in the environs of the Beehive yard. This meant that he could dispense with the need to part with 3d in order to secure his machine’s safety at Carter’s bike-shed in West Borough. His ticket, bought for 6d, gave him a good view from one of the tiered wooden benches circumnavigating the big top.

With moths dancing in the light cast from the ‘argon arc’ spotlights, the packed house was treated by a versatile cast to 18 separate sketches, with an interval between the two halves for refreshments.

The show began with a cast ‘line up’ of “We Introduce Ourselves - Sangers Calling You” for the first number. Then, straight on to one of the circus acts with “Peter Pan - The Children’s Pet.” before the two young comedians took their place in the sawdust.

In later life their names were in a different order, but at this stage in their career Ernie’s name came first.

John recalled the two comedians played twice in the first half. Their first appearance was at number four on the bill, with a sketch entitled “Tapping in Tempo; The Pearl Moss Girls; Ernie Wise and Eric Morecambe Select Their Own Jobs.” Then they came back on at number seven with “Ernie Wise, Eric Morecambe and Eddie Ross, Try Their Hand at Multiplication”.

John Maton considered his evening couldn’t really have been improved; 6d for the show, in which performed one of the greatest double acts of the twentieth century (albeit only one of which appeared in the second half) a drink at the bar during the interval, a bike ride through the warm summer evening home and still some change rattling in his pocket from a shilling piece!

In a few days the tent was dropped and folded, animals loaded, caravans hitched and the circus left town.

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

The Minster’s 900th Anniversary This year it was the Minster’s intention to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the start of the building in 1120 that we see today.

The 1300th anniversary of the original foundation by St. Cuthburga in c705 was celebrated in 2005 and whilst the programme of events planned for this year were fewer than on that occasion, nevertheless sufficient were being organised to mark the significant anniversary this year.

There was to be a Commemorative Brochure, which is currently on hold, a number of concerts and musical events, lectures and the once in five years Flower Festival.

Whilst some of the events have been cancelled, the Flower Festival, like so many other events in the area that attract large numbers of visitors, has been postponed. Due to take place over the week-end of Friday 4th to Monday 7th September it seems likely that it will now be held over the weekend of Friday 2nd to Monday 5th September 2022 but watch this space in case things turn out differently when hopefully we are back to some form of normality.

Although the Minster doors are sadly closed for services probably for the first time since the great restoration work of the 1850’s, worship has continued daily by meeting on Zoom Video Conferencing. There is Morning Prayer at 8.30am Monday to Saturday, Evening Prayer at 5.00pm every day, Holy Communion at 9.30am on Sunday and Wednesday, and on the second and fourth Sundays in the month at 11.30am “Praise”. To join in with worship please see the link on the Minsters website: www. wimborneminster.org.uk If you would like to speak to a member of the clergy please contact the Rector on 01202 882340. For all other enquires please e-mail the Parish Office at parishoffice@wimborneminster.org.uk www.theallendale.org

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or call 01202 884753.

The Minster organ is now in need of a major overhaul and repair, and the Minster Makes Music Appeal which was launched earlier this year has been gaining momentum, despite the current lockdown. This appeal was set up to to provide an outstanding organ to support and enhance the Anglican choral and musical traditions of the Minster, to establish a Music Foundation to manage the support and development of music in the Minster, to communicate the musical heritage to the congregation and the community and to develop links with local schools. We are still inviting donations and significant sums of money have been received in recent months. What is affected is our ability to promote and support the appeal to the general public through concerts and events. The pandemic restrictions

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have slowed us down, but we still fully intend to proceed with the work and the appeal that will underpin the costs. The anticipated date of Autumn 2020 for the start of the organ rebuild has most probably slipped.

In addition, the modernisation of the Minster lighting and electrics, with the installation of Audio Visual equipment is proceeding – this is a project costing some £250,000 and is fully funded so there is certainly some good news.

You can keep up to date with all that is happening by visiting the Minster’s website. This also has a link to the Weekly Newsletter and the Parish Magazine which has been produced monthly online since the start of lockdown.

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Wimborne Library Goes Digital!

Wimborne Library is thrilled to announce that it has been asked to launch one of the first official, local library Facebook Groups, simply entitled ‘Wimborne Library.’ Whether you’re a regular library user or you just enjoy reading, this group aims to provide an interactive space within Wimborne’s already thriving community for like-minded residents to connect with their library team and each other. It’s free to join and there are regular exclusive uploads; including quizzes, book discussions, virtual rhyme times and more, alongside updates of free events and services specific to Wimborne Library.

Similarly, if you have any questions or suggestions about your local library service, you can make them here.

Jemma, a library assistant at Wimborne Library comments “As our library users cannot come to us, we are coming to them! We know the library closure is difficult for those who look forward to a regular rhyme time, meeting with their book groups, and those who enjoy coming in to socialise with the team. We hope this new Facebook group can be a

platform on which our users can still come together to enjoy these simple pleasures. The hope is that the library’s digital and online presence can thrive well into the future.”

Libraries across Dorset are working hard planning how they can safely re-open when government guidance permits. Meanwhile, you can use your library card to access free audiobooks, e-magazines, e-books and more online.

Find out more at https://www. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/librarieshistory-culture/libraries/libraries. aspx. No library card? No problem!

You can also currently register free of charge online here. Other countywide virtual library services offered include shared reading, story times, craft tutorials and more. Simply like ‘Dorset Libraries’ on Facebook or follow @DorsetLibraries on Twitter to get involved.

Café @ The Allendale Providing Food for the Community In January of this year, the Cafe @ The Allendale was taken over by the town's Folk Festival with a view to providing a community facility to complement the festival itself. When the coronavirus crisis hit, the lockdown came into place and the community fridge at the Allendale Centre was closed. The directors of the cafe decided to step in and instigate a free food facility to help those whose vulnerable state meant they were unable to get out to provide for themselves and also for anyone suffering undue financial difficulties in the current climate.

Thanks to many generous donations from individuals and organisations within the town, such as the Friendly Food Club, coupled with supermarkets including Waitrose, Cooperative Stores and 10 |

Tesco, a highly successful operation has been put in place. We have also received meals from the Olive Branch, Minster Arms and other volunteers.

As well as a delivery service provided by volunteers, people can come into the cafe for a three-hour window in the middle of the day to select produce. The facility is currently providing in the region of 550 prepared meals a week in addition to fruit and vegetables, soups, bread and cakes.

We are working in tandem with the Wimborne Food Bank and providing food to the Town Council's band of volunteers, who also deliver to the community.

Details of our service and general menu updates can be found on the Wimborne Community and Folk

Festival Facebook pages.

A statement from the Café Directors said, "We are delighted to be able to help those in town who need assistance during these difficult times. We cannot thank enough all our sponsors, suppliers and volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible”.

Since the end of May, the Café is also operating a takeaway service for hot and cold drinks including ciders and beers plus a selection of cakes and ice creams. We look forward to welcoming people to enjoy our hospitality in the area outside the Allendale Centre, hopefully from early July.

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Another man’s rubbish...

The Merley – Kindness & Recycling Community Group, set up by Emma Sullivan, has really come into its own during the pandemic.

Since the beginning of lockdown, many Merley residents have spent their time clearing and sorting through their homes, garages and sheds in a bid to keep themselves occupied. This has resulted in a glut of unwanted items being discovered, from bicycles to books, clothes to cups and much, much more. A lot of families have also started growing their own vegetables, providing wonderful lessons for the children during home schooling but occasionally resulting in more seedlings than required!

Rather than dispose of these items, and with charity shops not open, people can post pictures and descriptions on the group page, allowing other residents to keep an eye out to see what new treasures have become available.

Many times, items are laid outside on lawns or driveways, on blankets or tables, for viewing by either people that have spotted something interesting on the Facebook post or those just passing by during their daily walk. These items are rehomed free of charge, although very occasionally a small donation pot is put out for a charity or maybe, if there are a lot of toys available, just a bit of pocket money!

Alternatively, if a resident is in a need of something, they can put out a request which usually results in a happy rehoming of unused items.

Not only has this stopped items going to landfill but it has been truly heart warming to see the generosity and kindness of so many residents and created a real community spirit. Well done to Emma and the houseclearers of Merley!

Being Vocal over Lockdown

As a self-employed voiceover and audio producer, Stevie Cripps is no stranger to the ebb and flow of work, but he says things have been more of a trickle these days since the arrival of Covid-19. The lockdown has affected the voiceover part of Stevie’s business in several ways with companies closing down, budgets being slashed, launches delayed and advertising cancelled.

Actors who would have ordinarily worked on stage, in television or on film projects are now becoming voiceovers, setting up studios from their homes. This has saturated an already crowded marketplace, at a time when work is at a minimum. Even though Stevie works in a diverse variety of creative sectors for voiceovers, as well as offering full audio production services, the level of work has dropped dramatically across the board. The most significant impact has come from several of his customers terminating long term contracts.

Being a director of his own company, Stevie says there has been no support forthcoming from the Government during the crisis. Small Limited companies such as his are struggling to see a way through this and are feeling let down. While appreciating that there is not a limitless pot of money to help everyone, the feeling is that there is a chunk of businesses that have been overlooked for support at this time.

Another challenge that Stevie - along with millions of others – has faced- is home-schooling! With three schoolage kids, and his wife working from home as well Stevie says “It’s the wobbliest balancing act I ever want to be a part of! From a business perspective, it’s not conducive to finding and focusing on work, and sneaking out to the studio to get some peace and quiet is - according to my wife - cheating (unless of course I am recording!).”

“On a serious note, though I do at times feel the strain.

When I don’t have much work, I find it hard not to think about it outside of working hours. Together with Natalie Cooper, a voiceover colleague, I have looked at alternative ways to fill my time. We have now created a website dedicated to the provision of calming voices, and I am in the process of writing music for relaxation purposes. This is an exciting and positive new venture and brings some confidence that my business can diversify and ride out this storm. While continuing to support long term customers, I look forward to welcoming new ones and seeing where this journey will take me.”

To find out more about what Stevie’s job involves you can visit his website at www.steviecripps.com.

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

The Lions, the Zoom and the Lockdown

Dig for Victory It was the beginning of the Covid-19 Crisis in Britain.

Toilet rolls and hand sanitizer were being cleared from the shelves in supermarkets. A new word “furlough” was being used and Boris was standing at his podium at five o`clock each day, using words such as “we are at war with the virus” and I thought to myself “they will be mentioning becoming land girls next”. That is where the title “Dig for Victory” came from.

Caps Browning Smith saw an opportunity to bring together like-minded folk, and, after enlisting the technical help of some computer savvy friends, launched a new group on Facebook called Dig for Victory – Wimborne.

The purpose of the group was to get children and adults growing vegetables in their own gardens, and to encourage and support each other using the medium of Facebook.

Before long people were sharing tips on growing vegetables, sharing spare seeds (abiding by hygiene rules) and leaving seedlings out in front gardens for collection.

Members were asking for advice on pests and diseases and shared ideas such as upcycling food containers into seed trays. More people were encouraged to join, and the group continued to grow. It now has a great variety of members from those keen to grow some herbs on their windowsill, to professional gardeners, and regularly receives pictures of delighted children showing off their freshly germinated seedlings.

Caps though she might need to be involved more with the group, but now it has picked up momentum, she says it runs on its own. It is another great example that people really are just pleased to help and support each other.

Now the first harvesting pictures are being put up - plump cabbages and bright strawberries are appearing each day as conversations flow about how to make your own food for plants and starting up compost heaps.

Caps says ‘I love seeing each day people being kind to each other through such a positive subject as gardening’.

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Wimborne and Ferndown Lions Club, like many similar groups, have been trying to continue their activities as best they can during the national lockdown. When lockdown was announced back in March, the conclusion was that they would simply have to wait it out. But as it became clear that the lockdown period would be longer than had been hoped, other ideas were sought.

Thanks to the initiative of club member Dan (top left in picture) the Lions were introduced to the Zoom video conferencing app. Dan organised the club meetings to be held virtually, and by mid-May three such meetings had been successfully held. There were a few hiccups initially, with passwords and positioning the home camera (there still are occasionally!) but despite those, it works well.

Since not everyone in the club has the equipment needed, the meetings were informal and enjoyable social occasions.

One of the main fund-raising initiatives of the Wimborne and Ferndown Lions is their very popular Easter egg draw.

Each year, 40 or so local pubs, clubs and other venues raffle off a giant chocolate egg. The lockdown timing did make it tricky to finish these draws and collect the proceeds, but all were successfully delivered to the winners eventually.

One member, Joan, has been keeping very busy during lockdown, making 575 scrubs bags for nurses to enable them to safely send their scrubs straight to the laundry.

These have all been delivered where they were most needed, going to Dorchester and Poole hospitals as well as other locations.

There are hundreds of other Lions Clubs that have remained active during the lockdown. Their efforts vary from collecting for and manning food banks, refurbishing IT equipment to give to poorer families with children off school, to running a virtual Village Fayre.

For more information about Wimborne and Ferndown Lions please visit our web site: wimborneandferndownlions.org.uk or call 01202 870891 Ron Neave www.theallendale.org

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Minster Market @ the Allendale Opening 17th July 2020 The Allendale are very excited to announce the launch of a brand-new market at the community centre on Friday mornings. With a variety of stalls, from old favourites to new delights to be discovered, this market brings to WImborne a wonderful selection of fresh local produce and access to small businesses.

The Minster Market has been set up to adhere to social distancing guidelines, and there is a one-way system implemented throughout the centre to maintain a steady flow of people. Upon entrance to the Allendale Centre, there is a hand sanitising station for everyone to use.

Further sanitising stations will be available on each stall, and hopefully this will allow customers to wander through the Market confidently.

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There have been a few different markets held at the Allendale Centre on Fridays since it opened in 1974, and the Minster Market will continue this tradition. The Minster Market is being organised and managed by the Wimborne and District Community Association (WDCA), who are the charity responsible for the management of the Allendale Centre.

All the money raised from the stall rentals will go straight back into the centre to allow the WDCA to continue improving the facilities and services that they provide.

Whether you are after fresh bread and cakes, homemade pies, eggs, jams or chutneys, flowers, a gift for a friend or a treat for yourself, the Minster Market will soon become the

place to visit on a Friday morning.

And after you have finished shopping, why not pop into the CafĂŠ @ the Allendale for a catch up with friends over a cup of tea and a slice of cake?

If you would be interested in selling your own wares at the Minster Market, we have stalls available from just ÂŁ10. Why not pop in for a chat or call us on 01202 887247 to find out about availability.

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THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

HELP SUPPORT THE ALLENDALE CENTRE IN ITS HOUR OF NEED The Allendale Centre, Wimborne Minster’s community centre for over 45 years, urgently needs your help to ensure it can get back on its feet when restrictions ease – and help the rest of the community get back on theirs.

The Allendale Centre is a vibrant community facility, at the heart of Wimborne. Opened in 1974, it’s maintained and managed by the Wimborne & District Community Association (WDCA), a registered charity. Since being on the brink of closure 6 years ago, the new (and still present) management team and Trustees have worked tirelessly to create a thriving community centre and, following a series of refurbishments, one with modern and functional facilities ready for many years ahead.

But right now, the future’s unclear.

Once the Covid-19 measures were imposed in March, the Allendale was forced to close, immediately losing the vital income streams that allow the charity to keep the Centre open and functioning - and more importantly, would allow us to help members of our local community move forward through these difficult, ever-changing times without feeling they’re alone.

What does the Allendale offer and what can be done to save the Centre?

We provide space for a huge number of community clubs, groups and organisations to meet, as well as for independent businesses to run classes, training sessions and children’s activities etc. The wonderful NHS hold regular blood donation sessions here throughout the year, and Flu Clinics in the winter.

The monthly Lunch and Film Clubs, run by the WDCA, are hugely popular and attended by a wide section of the community, including vulnerable members and residents of local care homes. An afternoon Golden Oldie film is accompanied by tea and cakes - with linen table www.theallendale.org

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cloths and fine bone china cups and saucers, of course – all very traditional! The Centre also includes a much-loved soft play area for under 5s, and a vibration plate exercise room.

As well as being a popular celebration, wedding and party venue, with two licensed bars, the Allendale hosts live music events including choirs and big bands, theatre shows (both professional and community based), business conferences, and craft, antique and wedding fairs. The Centre’s an essential part of many of the festivals held in Wimborne, including the Beer Festival, History Festival, Folk Festival, Literary Festival and Green Festival.

Wimborne’s Community Fridge is located at the Allendale, which also serves as a drop off point for the Wimborne Food Bank. There are recycling facilities, a free water refill station, and the local dairy has a popular fresh milk vending machine located in the foyer. On the front of

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the building there’s a communityfunded – and potentially life-saving - defibrillator.

In addition, Café @ the Allendale is a fantastic, independently managed facility with a beautiful riverside location, buzzing with activity.

Throughout the shutdown the café has been central to efforts among the Wimborne community to ensure that both cooked meals and general food provisions are available to anyone who needs them, whether due to financial circumstance or health reasons. With support from many other local businesses, from pubs and restaurants to supermarkets and independent food traders, the café’s amazing team of volunteers have delivered free meals, drinks, cakes and provisions to over 100 people a day, as well as providing a community larder so people can stock up on provisions that are so desperately needed at this time.

The WDCA Trustees are truly proud of what’s been achieved at the Allendale Centre - a community centre fit for the 21st century, while maintaining good old-fashioned community values.

Right now, the Allendale Centre needs help from its community so it can carry on giving back to the community. The WDCA invites you to become part of this effort by making a donation, of whatever size you can manage, to ensure the Allendale can reopen and still be here to celebrate 50 years in 2024!

Please see our GoGetFunding page to discover how you can help. Thank you so much for your support. https://gogetfunding.com/supportthe-Allendale-Centre/

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Wimborne in Bloom At the time of writing, Wimborne – along with the rest of the country - is still in the modified stages of lockdown. This whole pandemic has had a huge effect on everyone, not least Wimborne in Bloom. The collection of hanging basket orders had begun but obviously could not continue. The Spring Coffee Morning was cancelled and the local Wimborne in Bloom Competition that is normally held in July has been unable to run this year. Also, for the first time in 27 years, since the formation of WImborne in Bloom, Wimborne has not been able to enter the Regional in Bloom Competition.

Another of Wimborne’s much anticipated annual events, the ever-popular Open Gardens Day, which is always enjoyed by several hundred people, should have been held on Sunday 28th June. However, all was not lost and the event went virtual! From the comfort of your own homes and regardless of the weather outside you could join a Virtual Tour of some 28 gardens.

If you visit the Wimborne in Bloom website www.wimborneinbloom.org. uk you can still find the link to follow the Tour. See how many gardens you can recognise! Wimborne in Bloom is indeed grateful to all the garden owners who joined in to show off their gardens. This event normally raises a considerable sum of money for ‘In Bloom Funds’ and as it couldn’t be achieved this year, the organisers ask that you think of them if you have the opportunity!

The last event to be held was the very successful “Wine and Wisdom” Fun Quiz Evening in the Allendale Centre on Friday 6th March. Thirtyone teams pitted their wits against each other with the end results producing several teams tying for the different positions on the leader board including those at the top and bottom. Tie break questions were used to settle those two places. For the team propping up the rest, the tie break was between Percy House and Town Meets Country with the latter losing to be placed 31st. They did however win a tube of Mini Chocolate Eggs each. For the top place the tie break was between Oakdale Oaks and 18 |

the Wimborne Civic Society and here the Oakdale Oaks triumphed to win the top spot and the Eco Composting Shield together with a bottle of red wine for each member of the Team.

The raffle raised a staggering £500 to contribute to the final total for the evening of £1,900 - again boosted by Barclays Bank Matched Fundraising within the Community programme.

The next event scheduled is the Annual Duck Race on Saturday 29th August, followed by a Fashion Show given by M & Co on Friday 2nd October.

A decision about holding these two events will be made in due course.

Although sadly there will be no Wimborne in Bloom hanging baskets this year, the contractor Dutch Touch has filled the main planters around the centre of town to give some colour to cheer us up in these difficult days so a big thank you to them.

Hopefully when some form of normality returns, residents and visitors alike will once again support the ‘In Bloom’ campaign as generously as they have over the very many years of their existence.

Anthony Oliver, Wimborne in Bloom Publicity Officer

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Allen Valley Milk’s Cow of the Quarter Name: 129, A matriarch Breed: British Friesian cross Age: 9 Average milk yield per day: 31 litres Some of our cows have names and some are called by their ID numbers, but this doesn’t make them any less special. 129 is one of the older cows in the herd and can be seen here enjoying a lie down on the grass.

Impacts of Corona Virus on Allen Valley Milk and the wider dairy industry As with many in this country, dairy farmers have been hit hard with the stark realities of the Corona virus epidemic. With a supply chain that is often dysfunctional, farmers have found themselves either receiving very little for their milk or even having to dispose of it. This was happening at a time when supermarket shelves were not stocked. Unfortunately, it is not possible to furlough a cow as she will still eat, sleep, drink and produce milk. There simply is not an off tap.

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our country, the mental and financial impacts of Corona Virus will be felt for a very long time in the dairy industry.

As a local producer, Allen Valley Milk has been supported tremendously throughout the outbreak. We are ever thankful for the support you have shown us and other local suppliers during this time. In buying local not only do you receive superior fresh products but also support your local economy. We have done our very best to keep our vending machines full during some /theallendale

very busy days and I thank our team for all their hard work. Unfortunately, our refill station at The Allendale Centre had to temporarily close but on the 22nd June it reopened and we once again have local, fresh, free range milk available in the heart of Wimborne. Thank you once again for your support not only during Corona Virus but since we started our project - every litre bought makes a huge difference to our dairy farm. I hope everyone is keeping well and staying safe. David | 21

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‘Give me a clue’

Some defiant infants are quite hostile (4 letters) Wild ragweed on the road in London (7 letters) What is the meaning of this? The answer is trying to solve the clues in a Cryptic crossword! On Tuesday afternoons, at 2pm, a small group of Wimborne U3A members arrive at Lynda’s house for a couple of hours of mind-stretching mental exercise and hilarity. They use a selection of crossword puzzle books and a selection of newspapers. Everyone has a photocopy and initially the brain cells can be heard buzzing away as they try to solve as many as they can individually. From time to time there are exclamations of ‘yes!’ as someone gets an answer and occasionally someone will give away the answer accidentally which can earn a mild rebuke.

Eventually a decision is made to share the results and then more

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exclamations of ‘of course, that’s obvious now’ or ‘how did you get that?’ and explanations follow. They discover many new words and make good use of the dictionary to find their meanings and then promptly forget them of course! A tea break and chat follows, then it is time for another round.

The idea to set up the group came after a 6-week introduction on solving cryptic clues was given to U3A members a few years ago. This was extremely useful in understanding what to look for in the clue in order to get the answer. Lynda had been doing crosswords since her teens, starting with the Daily Express where she won a book token for a prize crossword entry! Most of the group had not been previous crossword addicts

and some doubted their ability, but everyone improves with practice and an understanding of how to interpret the clues.

Unbeaten by the lockdown, Lynda has been collating groups of clues and sending them to all U3A members - which has had an enthusiastic response even from many who are not currently part of the crossword group - and everyone is looking forward to getting together again!

Answers: anti (word hidden in the clue), Edgware (anagram of ragweed) Wimborne U3A run over 75 groups, including Social Bridge and Scrabble at The Allendale Centre.

For more information contact www. wimborneu3a.org.uk or 01202 880703.

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Watching over Wimborne during Covid-19 and beyond Greetings to you all in Wimborne, and whoever else is reading this!

Sgt Tim Travers here again from the Wimborne and Ferndown Neighbourhood Policing Team. As I write this we are all now 8 weeks into this unprecedented, national lockdown period. It’s certainly been a time of challenges for all concerned, not least of whom your police and other emergency services. New legislation was enacted that gave the police wide ranging enforcement powers to deal with those failing to comply with Government directions on public gatherings and travel etc. We have now seen those directions evolve in line with scientific advice and we have adapted accordingly.

On a personal level, I have continued to work my normal shifts

throughout, as have most of my colleagues. I have been juggling shift working with home schooling my children, like so many other parents out there! Some of my colleagues have been unwell, a few seriously, but most have thankfully recovered and come back to work to keep trying to provide you, the public, with the service you need and deserve.

We have been seeing a change in our normal pattern of work with overall reported crime falling by around 25%.

You may be thinking, “What are those cops doing with all that spare time!?”

Well, we are continuing to focus on those most vulnerable in society, supporting and protecting victims of crime and those at risk of becoming

so. We are providing a reassuring visible presence in the community with social distance and social media!

We are dealing with a notable increase in reports of anti-social behaviour, many of these relating to breaches of COVID19 regulations. We are approaching this using the ‘EngageExplain-Encourage-Enforce’ model.

Happily, the vast majority of people have been doing the right thing and continue to do so under the most trying of circumstances. Thank you to all those people. There are some that are still not cooperating and to those people I would say: this is about YOUR health and that of YOUR family, YOUR friends and YOUR community so please do everything you can to stop the spread of COVID19 and play your vital part in getting us out of lockdown and forward to better times ahead as soon as possible.

Despite some of the police’s responsibilities in this crisis, we can’t fail to notice some of the tremendous positives that are emerging. I have been humbled by the community cohesion we have seen, the volunteering, the resilience and the kindness between neighbours with people going out of their way to help strangers and finding new friends as a result. Let’s keep that going, hey?

Finally, I’d like to say cheerio to the Wimborne community. I’ve had the privilege to serve you all for the last 10 years as a community police officer and now it’s time for me to move on to a different role within Dorset Police. By the time you read this, I will have moved on and made way for the new Sergeant to take my team on to bigger and better things.

I thank you for your support over the years and wish you all health and happiness.

The community of Wimborne would like to thank Sgt Tim Travers for all his hard work and dedication for the last 10 years and wish him well in his next role.

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Present Company is 20!

Despite the imposed Lockdown for Covid-19, Present Company still managed a very small and socially distanced celebration of trading in Wimborne for 20 glorious years.

The plan was always to be able to celebrate with customers but as this wasn’t possible, Store Manager Angela and some of her team managed to enjoy a slice of homemade rainbow-themed cake and a cup of tea. Whilst on furlough, she has been working with vulnerable local residents and helping to deliver food parcels.

Having opened in May 2000, Angela (who has run the Store for the whole duration) is very well known in town and is always coming up with creative windows and finding ways to work with the community, as she believes that it’s very much a joint venture. “We try our hardest to help all of our wonderful customers and we have been thrilled by their kind

messages whilst we have been unable to open. Without them we have no purpose and we never lose sight of how important it is to fulfil their needs.

We have been working behind the scenes to make sure that there are lots of new and exciting products in the pipeline, and have already found many great new lines for late summer, autumn and even Christmas!”

“We couldn’t celebrate with our customers for our 20th Birthday but that has only motivated us to have a brilliant run through the rest of the year and then we will be coming up with ways to make our 21st Birthday extra special!”

“The shop reopened to customers on 1st June and we are thrilled to be back at the heart of the community.

Whether it’s jigsaws, Jellycat, Garden Games or fantastic designs of hand sanitiser, Present Company intends to keep innovating and we are looking forward to the next 20 years!”

Creating in the time of Covid lockdown Wimborne Community Theatre are well known for creating original site-specific performances, set in unusual outdoor venues or non-theatre buildings. They have created over 20 productions since 1991 and were determined not to let the lockdown dampen their spirits. They found a creative way to continue working together, which has resulted in a wonderful piece of art that not only commemorates this extraordinary time but is available online for everyone to enjoy.

The idea was to write acrostic poems together while remaining apart! Seventeen members created several poems, recording and sharing their feelings and thoughts with the focus of ‘In a time of Covid’.

Each acrostic poem was written by 5 people, with each line beginning with the letters of the word ’COVID’.

Once one person had written a line, it was emailed on to the next person, and so on. Once completed, the poems were then recorded by the person who wrote the first line and made into a soundscape by Adrian Newton. To create the soundscape, Adrian used sound recordings made in his garden during the lockdown, including the dawn chorus and clapping for the NHS on Thursdays. There are seventeen poems created in all- the one that follows was written by Clare Small, Tam Gilbert, Jeff Hart, Barbara Brann? And Viv Miller.

Clear empty skies, garages, greenhouses, veg beds, sheds,cupboards. Fridges!

Tired now.

One has time to sit, reflect, reminisce, comtemplate. Look forward!

Vital to think deeply and rise above the fear.

In time we will emerge blinking into the bright sun, our sight restored.

Decontaminated, revitalised to live in a cleaner, changed world.

All of the poems, along with the soundscape can be found at www.wimbornecommunitytheatre.co.uk/ writing-time-covid.

If you would like to find out more about Wimborne Community Theatre, please visit their website www.wimbornecommunitytheatre.co.uk.

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Snapshots of Wimborne in Lockdown

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In At the Deep End

A brief glimpse into life as a newly qualified paramedic in a worldwide pandemic.

Joe’s Marathon for Save The Children Joe Stephenson, aged 12, decided he would like to do something positive during the ‘lock-down’ period. He had been given a school project to do a task that included the numbers 2 and 6 in it. He was aware that people would not be able to run the London Marathon and raise millions for charities, so he decided to do his own marathon and see if he could raise some money.

On the day of the London Marathon, Joe walked a whole marathon to raise money for Save The Children, clocking up the full 26.26 miles. This was achieved by going on a long walk, walking circles in the garden, running up and down his road and walking around the house - all of which enabled him to clock up the miles.

Needless to say, at the end of his Marathon he was exhausted!

The total he raised was £300 which was a fantastic achievement. Well done Joe! Susie Gatrell Hon Secretary to Wimborne Branch of Save The Children www.theallendale.org

I am a recently qualified paramedic working across Dorset, having graduated from a BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course at Bournemouth University just 7 months ago.

The prospect of becoming an autonomous clinician in pre-hospital care was already a daunting thought. However, I never would have expected that with in such a short space of time I would find myself working on the frontline during a global pandemic.

Fortunately, my 3 years of intense training left me feeling prepared for the challenges ahead.

We were suddenly faced with frequent calls from those who were symptomatic of Covid-19 and the demand was increasing on an already busy ambulance service.

People were instructed to isolate to protect themselves and their loved ones; I felt a great sense of guilt returning to the family home after each shift and increasing

the risk of exposure to my family. With 3 young children, social distancing within the household became near enough impossible but I took all possible measures to protect us.

The UK soon went into lock down, and at times, the crews have been the only point of contact for many patients - including the elderly and vulnerable. I have felt privileged to continue to provide urgent and emergency care to people at their time of need, adapting our practice to work around the virus. I'm very grateful to all the key workers who continue to push us forwards and want to say a huge thank you to the public, the support has been overwhelming and has highlighted how our communities have come together during this crisis. Keep following the guidance to protect yourselves, your friends, family, and the NHS.

Celebrating Local Businesses

The businesses within WImborne and the surrounding areas have shown true resilience and have adapted amazingly throughout lockdown. Here are some comments from members of the public thanking just some of those who have kept Wimborne going through the last months.

A big shout out to Premier Stores in Leigh Road - they have be brilliant the way they kept there shop stocked, still kept offers on, keeping people to their social distance and only letting people in when it safe to do so. They have worked very hard not only looking after us but also doing deliveries’

Sheila Allport

‘Aunt Fanny’s Farm Shop – they have adapted seamlessly from a café to delivering fresh produce, always with a smile!’

Christine Saunders

‘Fluffetts – always well-stocked and friendly staff. Even happy to serve outside the shop in the rain!’

Ems T-Hope

‘The Tack Stop and Farm Shop at Pamphill and Hungry Bird – great service, great food for animals, birds and people - both independent and local!’

Mabs Harvey

‘The Old Malthouse Bakery – very friendly, family run business. Have continued baking through lockdown.’

Carol Greening

‘Furzehill Village Stores – they have been outstanding in delivering fresh produce and essentials for us- my mum is shielding- and they have gone out of their way with little extras, swift responses, great communications etc. No request however small has been too much- they have been fab’

Lisa Perry

‘Lake Gates Petrol Station – always friendly and the only place serving coffee during lockdown!’

Martin Dee

‘Stocks Inn – set up a fantastic delivery service for essential items as well as some of the harder to obtain products such as bread flour and yeast. They have done an incredible job during lockdown so a huge shout out to Drex, Sally and the team there’

Steve Cripps

Thank you to every single business and all your amazing staff that have helped our community through the lockdown. Please continue to support these local businesses and keep shopping local

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The Strength of Our Business Community

By Tammy Sleet, BID Manger

We’ve heard the phrase “unprecedented” so often in the last 12 weeks. If we had been told at the beginning of the year that schools would be closed, businesses shuttered, and summer events cancelled, many of us would not have believed it. If we’d been told that we would not be able to touch or see our loved ones, and that we would be wearing masks in enclosed public areas, we would have baulked that such a thing could happen here, to us.

When I ask businesses what is special about Wimborne, the phrase they use most often is about the strong sense of community. They don’t feel as if they’re coming to work every day – they feel that they are spending time with friends.

This time has been exceptional and unprecedented, but that strength of our communities has held Wimborne together in a way no one could have predicted.

Many businesses have been able to stay open. When the supermarket shelves were empty, essentials could be found with our independent traders. They have always been there for us, from the donations to school raffles over the years, to this moment when we had nowhere else to turn.

With patience, they have arranged to be safer for us, and continued to serve us with a smile despite the anxiety of keeping their own families safe.

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different pubs and suppliers with volunteers to deliver literally thousands of free meals to the most vulnerable in our community.

Shopappy has provided a free digital shop window for Wimborne businesses that have used this opportunity to try e-commerce, allowing them to continue to trade. As a versatile platform, it doesn’t only support businesses that sell products, but also service businesses (make an appointment with your osteopath or solicitor) and you can even make a donation to the Café @ The Allendale. Take a look here: https://shopappy.com/ wimborne/shops/ to see what’s available.

Other businesses have opened their own online shops, altering their business model to offer deliveries or takeaway and continuing to trade. From hairdressers offering online tutorials to click and collect at your local bakery, businesses in Wimborne have risen to the task of trading, even in this difficult time.

Businesses in Wimborne are supported by a Business Improvement District, or BID,

which has supported them in applying for grants, giving information, providing floor graphics for social distancing, and sourcing suppliers of PPE. The BID has also been working with local authorities to form a strategy for our public spaces, ensuring everyone can travel around the town safely.

As we come out of lockdown, please remember the independent and local traders who have always supported the community, and never more so than now. If you buy online, please consider doing so from local companies and supporting our local economy.

If you use social media, you can support Wimborne businesses simply by following them, and liking and commenting on posts.

As businesses in Wimborne begin to open, please respect social distancing measures they have put in place to protect us.

Take a look at our Welcome Back to Wimborne video on social media to see how businesses are working to keep you safe. Together, we will overcome the challenging times ahead and emerge stronger.

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Colehill Sew & Sews This group have been busy making scrubs, hats, scrub bags and masks for NHS and care workers during lockdown.

Colehill Sew and Sews started as a retirement project for Gill Rutherford, who began making clothes for children in developing countries, inspired by the charity ‘Dress a Girl Around the World’. When Covid-19 hit, it seemed the obvious decision to move the focus to making scrubs and other desperately needed items.

Over the last few weeks, the group has grown considerable, and they now have some teams cutting out, overlocking seams and sewing, as well as others making vast quantities of headbands, mask holders, scrub hats, scrub bags and now masks. So far, over 190 pairs of scrubs have been completed and distributed to various locations including Bournemouth, Dorchester and Wimborne Hospitals and

Woodside and Streets Meadow Care Homes.

More than 300 scrub bags and probably the same number of headbands and mask holders to prevent ears getting sore when wearing masks have also been produced and distributed. Scrub hats have been in demand too and two styles are being made by the members. One of the biggest challenges has been sourcing new material in the quantities and colours required for the hospitals, however the residents of Colehill and Wimborne have been extremely generous, donating lots of good quality bedding. The group have been overwhelmed with how much time, money and fabrics people have given but it seems everyone desperately wants to help the NHS and the care homes.

Gill would like to give a special mention to the Repair Cafe and

Wimborne War on Waste who have given haberdashery and organised fabric collections for them as well as Jay Miller’s Circus, based locally and on lockdown, who have had a production team working among the circus crew.

The Colehill Sew and Sews’ team have been outstanding, and Gill says she has met so many new people - albeit from a distance.

This is bizarre but essential in a lock down situation and they are all looking forward to getting together when lockdown is lifted to celebrate all that they have achieved and meet each other properly,

The Pink Ladies

Like many people in the community, Joanna Carey was desperate to help in some way during the current pandemic. Due to health issues she could not go out into the community, and a lack of broadband meant she was unable to co-ordinate anything online. Then Joanna heard of a group that was sewing facemasks for the frontline - the Pink Ladies.

The Pink Ladies are a part of Frontline Facemasks, a Dorset based group supporting frontline workers in need of facemasks with filters. There are several teams within the group, each with a co-ordinator. In the group that Joanna joined, the co-ordinator was Penny, who endlessly runs around delivering supplies of fabric, binding, nose bands and elastic where needed and collecting the finished products. The completed masks are taken to a main hub aka ‘HQ’ where they are processed ready for onward distribution to frontline workers.

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team’s morale booster and has been known to supply flowers, chocolate and even gin where needed! If any of the team have a wobble both Penny and the other members of the Pink Ladies are there to offer support.

The ladies can produce anything from 10 to 60+ masks at a sitting, with special mentions going to Sylvia (and her husband Phil, honorary Pink Lady) and Ann who seem to be superhuman and, more often than not, have used up their delivered supplies before Penny has made it home!

The Pink Ladies would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated fabric and bedding. This

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fabric is sorted and shared between Frontline Facemasks and Wimborne Area – For the Love of Scrubs. There is still a need for donations – as well as fabric they would also be grateful for sewing machine needles, thread, elastic, rotary cutter blades and, of course, more volunteers. They have also set up a fundraising page on Gofundme.com for PPE Frontline Facemasks, so that urgently required supplies can be purchased.

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You’re never far Dorset Youth Marching Band from shining stars A group of young people who have continued to practise and play their instruments, culminating in a video on VE Day of them playing the Last Post from their gardens!

Usually practising weekly at the Allendale Centre, during lockdown the Dorset Youth Marching Band have been using Zoom to do their weekly band practice. The leaders set new tunes for members to learn and provided tutorials on how to do this and the younger members have been able to learn from this. They also managed to have a whole band chat every two weeks to see how everyone was considering the difficult situation.

On VE Day they would usually have been at a VE Day parade but instead this year the buglers played the Last Post from their gardens and homes and Abi Wheeler, who runs the group, compiled this into a video. They also worked on putting together another video of them playing as a whole band, but each player had to video their individual part at home. Not an easy task!

It is important to mention the members, who start from 8 years old up, have all been extremely proactive in practising their instruments from home and getting involved in Zoom chats. One particular young lady played the Last Post on the video having never played this in public and not believing in her ability to do it. Very brave.

On their Facebook group the band have shared recipes, quizzes and challenges and feel that all in all it was a really positive experience.

Long-standing users of the Allendale Centre are the members of the Wessex Astronomical Society (www. wessex-astro.org.uk), more than a hundred in number, whose aim – and it is the first item in their Constitution – is to bring the wonders of the night sky to the public. The scourge of light pollution, which is a completely reversible assault on our environment in several ways, means that many of us see little of the night sky from where we live.

The WAS holds public stargazing evenings in conjunction with two local areas of beautiful terrain and starry skies. They are the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the world’s latest International Dark Sky Reserve and Durlston Country Park on the coast near Swanage. The AONB has many sites from which a pristine, star-strewn night sky can be seen (www. chasingstars.org.uk/explore/top-10-stargazing-locations. html) and at Durlston, the Milky Way reflected in the sea is a sight to behold.

There is no doubt that astronomy and space are becoming more popular. Even when the clouds prevent a single star from being glimpsed, people will still come along in large numbers merely to listen to WAS members’ talks, handle meteorites and look at telescopes rather than through them!

Keep an eye on the following web pages if you would like to stand with the experts beneath the starry heavens or get your dose of astronomy another way on cloudy nights. www.chasingstars.org.uk/get-involved/events-2.html www.wessex-astro.org.uk/programme.php?year=durlston

Contact: Dorset Youth Marching Band Facebook page www.dymb.org email: info@dymb.org

The Milky Way, our galaxy, from a barley field (Louis Pulford)

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