Issuu

Mid July 2022 Volume 46, Issue 9

Warning Meet the faces behind

fraud Cause of the Year

Swallow checks directions in Moor Crichel © Nicky Wicks

Ringwood businesses

of courier

VIEWPOINT July 2022

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VIEWPOINT

Volume 46 Issue 9 July 2022

Dear readers

VIEWPOINT

The image that went through my mind was the scene in the Italian Job where the bus dangles halfway over a cliff edge as Michael Caine urges people to scramble to the safe side. It wasn’t quite as scary as that but certainly one wheel of the coach was dangerously close to the edge of a steep drop on my recent holiday to the Greek island of Kefalonia. Having travelled along some very dark, narrow and windy roads, our driver made a wrong turn into a cul de sac. The only option was to reverse, but after several attempts we appeared to be stuck. Fortunately, a local man, realising our plight, got into the vehicle offering guidance and after what amounted to around 23 point turns, we eventually arrived at our hotel just after 11pm, a little shaken, but not stirred. Coaches seem to be a theme for me this year as in a previous holiday to Spain, I witnessed one getting stuck in a narrow city road. He drove forward and hit a bollard, and reversed doing the same thing. It was painful to watch and probably wasn’t helped by visitors staring in disbelief and locals vainly trying to offer guidance as dent after dent appeared in the bodywork. I try to use public transport such as buses, coaches and trains where possible for environmental reasons. A recent report revealed that switching just one car journey in 25 to a bus or a coach can remove one billion car journeys from the road and result in a reduction of two million tonnes of CO2. But whatever transport you choose for your holiday this summer, have a happy and safe time.

Ben Pulford managing director ben@dorsetview.co.uk Louis Pulford creative director DD 01202 233441 louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

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Janine Pulford editor janine@dorsetview.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk Karen Wyatt-Epapara deputy editor karen@dorsetview.co.uk

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The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions in order to fit in with the editorial policy and style of the magazine

LOGISTICS Mike Talbot

Picture of the month

Reflections at Eyebridge, Wimborne

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Copy date 27 JULY 2022

VIEWPOINT is independently published and distributed free to homes and businesses in selected areas of Dorset and Hampshire. It is also available by subscription at £40 per year. Views or opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed to be unsuitable for publication. Information about a service does not imply recommendation. All purchases made through this publication are done so entirely at your own risk. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with VIEWPOINT and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The company’s privacy policy can be read at www.dorsetview.co.uk

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No support in Alderholt for plan for 1,700 homes The proposal for a 1,700 homes development at Alderholt Meadows hasn’t gone down well with villagers. Following a presentation at the village hall by the marketing company Messrs DevComms, Action4Alderholt gleaned residents’ views as they left. Whilst they were unable to speak to everyone, some 109 people said they were totally against the project whilst only one person was in favour and only on condition that the access roads to the village were vastly improved. Chris Walker, chairman of Action4Alderholt said: “It was surprising that nobody was present from Dudsbury Homes who are promoting the scheme. Nobody there was able to answer fundamental questions like ‘who will build this scheme, how long will it take and how will you attract the employment you’re promising?’ “We have checked with Dorset Council and this

VIEWPOINT July 2022

scheme is not in any draft local plan and not in line with current planning policies.” Mr Walker said the leaflet delivered to every house in the village contained more ‘hopes’ than facts. He added: “The main concern of the villagers would seem to be the poor quality of the four access roads to Alderholt and their ability to cope with in excess of an estimated 3,500 extra vehicles travelling down roads with narrow pinch points and single lane bridges. As these are mostly the responsibility of Hampshire Roads Authority, any upgrades are an extremely remote possibility.” Mr Walker urged people to support their group by sending their views to the Dorset planners with a copy to action4alderholt@gmail. com.

Car parking charges to rise at seafronts In the future, it is going to cost more to park by the sea in the BCP Council area. However, it will take around 10 weeks to advertise and implement the new tariffs on the council owned seafront car parks and adjacent on-street areas. The recommendation, approved by BCP Council in June, amounts to a 10 per cent increase in the cost of parking. Julian McLaughlin, director for Transport and Engineering, said: “Our seafront car parks are a major income generator for our towns and are used primarily by people travelling from outside the local area coming to visit our popular resort.” The changes are expected to generate an extra £359,000 during the 2022/23 financial year to reinvest in parking services and cover the rising costs of operating parking across the BCP region. Some Viewpoint readers have already had their say via Dorset View’s social media pages:

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Paula S We don’t go into Bournemouth any more. Parking charges are over the top. No wonder all the shops are closing. Sean I Everything seems to be going up inline (there or there abouts) with inflation..... Except wages. Norma J R OK so residents have to pay more, think we should get a discount. Jo D There should be number plate recognition and if your car is bcp registered then you should get it a discount price , when you put your number plate in the pay machine. We are the locals that keep the car parks going in the winter... If you have an opinion about this, or any of our articles, you can write to letters@ dorsetview.co.uk, or visit our social media channels listed at the foot of the page. Editor

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Football project moves forward Ringwood is on track towards achieving its £3million football development project. The town council is to ask the approval of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to apply for a Public Works Loan Board loan for the facilities at the recreation ground off Long Lane. A total of £500,000 is required over the borrowing term of 40 years to part-fund the construction of an artificial turf pitch, replacement pavilion and associated football facilities. The annual loan repayments will come to around £21,903. It is not intended to increase the council tax precept for the loan repayments. Work is set to start this summer on the artificial pitch. In the New Year the old pavilion will be demolished, and work will begin on the new one and the layout of the new car park. It is expected that completion will be by next Easter. The capacity of existing football pitches in the Ringwood area falls far short of needs. This under-provision has prevented Ringwood Town Football Club from expanding the number and diversity of its teams and is set to worsen as additional housing under construction and in planning becomes occupied, expanding the town’s population. Access to funding has been facilitated by AFC Bournemouth Community Trust.

New footpaths, crossings and cycleways in Colehill, Dorset have transformed the life of wheelchair user, Ian Bennett. He said: “…the new footpath and cycleway outside my house…with its generous width and smooth level surface has transformed my local wheelchair usage from being very hard work to an enjoyable and comparatively straightforward activity. It has changed my life…” It’s the first project to be completed as part of Dorset and BCP councils’ Transforming Cities Fund programme, and part of a network of cycling, walking and bus improvements being built across south east Dorset.

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£250

£250 to spend at Ferndown and West Moors businesses

Congratulations to the winner of Pulford Publicity’s £250 shopping vouchers competition in the April issue of Viewpoint The delighted winner, Jocelyn Britton from Ringwood, said: “I love entering competitions, although I haven’t won anything for a while. Years ago I won a trip to Paris by writing a poem. I still don’t remember entering.” Jocelyn decided to share her £250 vouchers between four businesses that supported the Viewpoint competition. She chose to spend £100 at Stone Zone, and £50 amounts at Station Hair, West Moors Vehicle Repair and Golden Hands. The vouchers were presented to Jocelyn by Pulford Publicity’s director, Louis Pulford. Jocelyn, who volunteers for the Dorset Council Countryside Service and enjoys hiking all over Dorset

VIEWPOINT July 2022

with her Jack Russell, was looking forward to using her vouchers. She said: “It was such a lovely surprise to win. “I’ll be spending £100 at Stone Zone – my neighbour wants to build a rockery and, rather than get rockery envy, I thought I’d buy enough stones to get us both started. “I’m so looking forward to a glowup courtesy of Station Hair, and I get to show my little camper van some love too at West Moors Vehicle Repair. I’ve never been to Golden Hands, but always wanted to try crochet, so I’m hoping they can get me started. “It’s a lovely idea to spread the prize over several businesses. I’m really

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Photo caption: L-R: Winner Jocelyn Britton; Pulford Publicity director Louis Pulford and Beckie Hicks, Stone Zone marketing manager

going to enjoy using each voucher. “Also, I moved into the area only 18 months ago, and spending the vouchers will help me get to know the area and local businesses better.” Louis said: “It was great handing over the vouchers to the winner, Jocelyn, at a great local business. Hearing what the winner wanted to do regarding a mini garden-off with a neighbour made it all the more fun too. Giving back to the community and our advertisers is important – we really value the support we get and love giving back too.”

Answers: 1 Barrington Centre, 2 Cozy Stoves, 3 The School Shop, 4 EyeStyle Centre, 5 Webb’s Butchers

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Elderly men targeted in courier fraud A man in his 80s from Poole, who is amongst two local elderly people to have been targeted by fraudsters, has spoken out to warn others from becoming victims. Dorset Police received a report that on Wednesday 25 May the man received a call from someone claiming to be from his bank. They told him he needed to move his money into another account and persuaded him to send £2,500 to an address in the London area. After the fraud was reported, officers were able to intercept the delivery and return the funds to the victim. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing. The man said: “I answered the phone and because they were so clear about my account, I thought this has to be the bank. “For some reason I just carried on and did it. After a while – at around 1am the next morning I just started thinking

this is not right. I called the police and they said they would look into it straight away.” The victim said he would urge anyone who has any doubts about a call to challenge the caller and take steps to validate their identity. He also added that he was pleased he reported the matter to police soon after the incident and that, thanks to the swift response by officers, he was able to get his money back. He said: “What I would say is if you have got a similar call, say to them can you give me a number to call back on and then go into your bank and see if they have any information on it. “I’m really pleased I got in touch with the police. I think anybody else that has the same thing like that, and makes the mistake of answering the call and doing what they say, I would say get in touch with the police straight away.

“I felt so stupid but, at the time it was so convincing, it’s hard to believe they came across so positive and had everything spot on. “I just wonder how they got my details.”

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If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

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Homes for refugees to be provided locally Concerned Dorset residents are spearheading an initiative to house refugees.

The idea came from a member of Wimborne Methodist Church who was moved by the plight of Ukrainians fleeing their homeland. Jennifer Jenkins came up with the plan of paying the rent on a flat for one year to give such a family a start here. Then it was discovered that there is a hotel in Bournemouth full of refugees from Afghanistan – families whose breadwinner had risked all their lives by working for British troops. So the scheme was broadened to pay the rent on two properties – a flat for Ukrainians and a larger property for an Afghan family. Jennifer said: “It has been heart-breaking following the unfolding of Ukraine’s tragedy in the media. “I didn’t feel I could open my home but I really wanted to do something to help so I suggested renting a flat for a year. “Then when I heard about the Afghan families crammed into a Bournemouth hotel, it seemed only right to extend the idea.” International Care Network – a Dorset charity which has been settling refugees in the area for over 20 years – will support both families. The initiative, called Peace Haven, is asking people to pledge £10 (or a multiple thereof) a month for a year. About a third of the money has already been promised. St Michael’s Church in Colehill has taken the venture under its wing, which gives Peace Haven immediate accountability and transparency. If you are interested or require further information please email Sharen Green at sharen_eappi@msn.com.

Inspirational women recognised

Sarah Choudhury – Woman of the Year © CatchBox2022

The BPC Indian Community recently held its Women’s Day Awards. The awards, which are in their second year, were jointly organised with Music Lovers of Bollywood – Anjali Mavi, Poonam Paranpipe, Ramesh Lal, Jitender Mavi and Abhishek Jhawar – and took place at a black tie event at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth. At the ceremony, which was attended by mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Bob Lawton, guests were entertained with dancing, music and a poem recital. Guest of honour was Dr Ram Kalyan Kelly. The award winners were: Malathi Venki – Lifetime Achievement Award Manju Chopra – Lifetime Achievement Award Padmasini Dayananda – BPC Special Award Deemple Patel – Rising Star Sarah Choudhury – Woman of the Year

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Summer in Salisbury Summer has arrived and there are lots of great things going on in Salisbury that you can enjoy with your family and friends. Car Boot Sundays take place on the third Sunday of the month up until October, giving you the chance to have a good clear out of the cupboards or search for a bargain in Salisbury Market Place. Held on a paved surface, the car boot sale is perfect for all weather conditions and open to sellers from 7am. Salisbury Street Sellers is a fantastic day out for all the family, held every second Sunday of the month until October. With a different theme each time, including dinosaurs and Alice in Wonderland, there

are plenty of free activities for the kids to enjoy. There is also a local makers market as part of the event, providing a space to sell unique items from just £10 a stall or find that unique gift for someone special. The popular Fayre on the Square makes an exciting return from 23 July until 29 August in Salisbury Guildhall Square. Enjoy a game of crazy croquet, use the ping pong tables or enjoy a cool beverage at the Salisbury City Garden Bar which will be open every day throughout the week. Local vendors will offer a delicious array of street food. Taste Salisbury is a 10-day celebration of Salisbury’s food and drink and takes

Neil McCarthy

place from 26 August, culminating with Foodie Sunday on Sunday 4 September. Running from 10am-4pm, the event will feature an array of local food producers and suppliers catering for all tastes including vegan and gluten free. Enjoy food demos, tastings, local chefs and live music. Plus, if you are a budding baker, why not enter The Great Salisbury Bake Off and win a fab prize? Salisbury Market Place is easily accessible by train, bus, coach and car. For more information on these events and more, visit www. experiencesalisbury.co.uk

Column by Fordingbridge Museum is sponsored by Adrian Dowding

By Julian Hewitt, Fordingbridge Museum

On a cool but sunny day in February 1985, the streets of Fordingbridge fell silent as a long funeral cortege passed through them. Shoppers and spectators bowed their heads and gentlemen removed their hats. The only sound was made by the hooves of the horses pulling the three carriages in a procession that was more reminiscent of Victorian times than the eighties. The glass-sided hearse was bedecked with flowers and the polished coaching lamps and shiny black paint glinted in the sunlight. The black plumes on the heads of the two horses pulling the hearse matched their sleek black coats. Behind the hearse were two more Victorian-style black coaches containing the immediate family, pulled by identical black horses. Three ladies, resplendent in black dresses and cloaks with shiny black top hats drove the coaches, whilst a tall gentleman in similar attire walked at a stately pace behind the hearse. A long line of mourners walked behind the three carriages as they

made their way down the High Street toward St Mary’s Church. The funeral was for a 52-year-old, internationally famous stage and screen actor, Neil McCarthy. The son of a Lincolnshire dentist, he began working life as a Latin and French teacher. He was also fluent in Greek and was a proficient pianist. His acting career covered a wide range of genres from light comedy such as, Some Mothers do ‘Ave ‘Em and Steptoe and Son, to Jo Orton’s black farce, Loot, to Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. His extensive film career included Zulu, playing the Welsh soldier who leads the singing of Men of Harlech and Where Eagles Dare, where he starred alongside Richard Burton. He had a dramatic appearance and his craggy face and 6ft 1inch height meant that he was often cast as a heavy or a villain. Unfortunately, his appearance was caused by the rare condition called Acromegaly. The body produces too much growth hormone which results in tissue and bones growing more quickly than they should. In contrast to some of the characters he played, he was quiet and easy going in real life. His early death was caused by the distressing and debilitating Motor Neurone Disease. He lived in the thatched house on the Whitsbury Road on the left just before the Parsonage Park turning and is buried in the Stuckton Road Cemetery. Although many people will recognise him from his appearance rather than his name, Neil McCarthy deserves to be remembered as yet another talented and successful Fordingbridge resident.

Picture supplied by Fordingbridge Museum

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Pulford Publicity’s Cause of the Year

Balloons By Roy Beal, CJC

Floating gracefully across a clear sky, whisked along by a summer breeze is an almost romantic notion to be as free as a bird and explore the skies. The first hot air balloon flight, in 1783, by the Montgolfier brothers relied on cotton canvas and paper. Modern hot air balloons are far safer, with nylon being first used in 1960. Humans have loved balloons for centuries. The early Aztecs made them from pigs’ bladders. In our time the party balloon is a popular choice for any celebration. In 1824, Michael Faraday invented the rubber balloon. A year later, Thomas Hancock invented the latex rubber party balloon. People of all ages love these celebratory must-haves, which come in many variations and can contain glitter and things to make them rattle and sparkle. They can be absolutely horrendous when released into the natural world. Metallic-looking discs were found

during a 2020 beach clean on the Jurassic Coast, alongside the remains of the balloon and party paraphernalia. The balloon had burst, spreading discs onto the beach and they were hard to spot. There may still be some around now, possibly in the sea too. The lack of forethought by the manufacturer amounts to negligence – filling a balloon with shiny things was, realistically, only going to end one way. Who knows how many birds or animals ingested some of it. This is just one single example though. Balloon remains are often found in the environment and something needs to be done to stop this happening. As with all plastics, they never completely breakdown and disappear. The strings and ribbons can cause animal and bird entanglement and

small pieces of balloon can be ingested, causing blocked airways. It would be easy to say that we should ban balloons for the sake of the environment, but that isn’t necessarily the answer. Chinese lanterns, balloons released ‘in memory of’, disposable latex gloves and even latex condoms – they all have an effect on nature. Could they be made from a different product – one that does break down naturally without causing harm? Whatever the answer, the first thing we need to do is educate. We have to show why these party accessories are a problem for nature and we have to ensure people take more care and thought about their actions when using them and disposing of them afterwards. - Advertisement feature -

Half century of service By Edward Holmes, Meesons & Spurlings Solicitors Meesons and Spurlings are delighted to celebrate the 50 years of service that Meriel Quain has given to Meesons clients in Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Verwood and the surrounding areas. It all started in July 1972 when Meriel Quain (nee Carpenter) began work at Meeson and Charsley-Thomas as short hand typist. Meriel was encouraged by the partners to train as a legal executive,

Edward Holmes with Meriel Quain

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which then led to her becoming a solicitor in 1983 and eventually senior partner from 2012 until 2015. Edward said: “It is an amazing achievement for Meriel to have given 50 years’ service to the legal profession and in particular one firm.” Over the last 50 years, Meriel has undertaken all aspects of legal work and has seen huge changes in the way in which legal advice is provided to the clients. Gone are the days of visiting other solicitors’ offices to complete on conveyancing transactions or having to attend court to prove a divorce petition. Meriel said: “I have enjoyed the family atmosphere of Meesons which continues to this day with Meesons and Spurlings and have been very pleased to help many clients over the years and will continue to do so in the future, although possibly not for the next 50 years.” @Dorset_View

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verwood news

‘Good’ Ofsted for Emmanuel Emmanuel Middle School, that five years ago was placed in special measures, has now been judged ‘good’ in its recent Ofsted report. Headteacher of the Church of England school, Rob Christopher, said: “Everything is underpinned by our core values, which are ‘excellence’, ‘endeavour’ and ‘enjoyment’. “Obviously we are all extremely happy with the

Ofsted report. The inspectors pointed out a number of things that impressed them. “They included our effective safeguarding, careers programme, extra-curricular activities and pupils’ spiritual development. “We will now work hard to try and get up to the next category of ‘outstanding’ – something which very few schools achieve.”

Verwood Rotary Club round up By Louisa Hiscock, President For Verwood Rotary, June kicked off with running the beer tent at the Jubilee Fayre organised by Verwood Town Council. What a great event with the local community coming out to enjoy the afternoon. We also took part in Rotary’s KidsOut Day, with our club supporting a day trip to Marwell Zoo for children from the Sheiling School. This national day out has been running since 1990 for children living with health issues, special needs or in refuge. June also saw us helping the school at their summer festival. My year as president is almost over and I look forward to handing over to Clive Grove in July. It is a good time to reflect on what we have been able to do in the community as well as

looking ahead to next year. Last month I was delighted to present a cheque for £3,000 to Dementia UK, my chosen charity. Clare Hughes (Dementia UK ambassador) joined us for a club evening in June and gave a very engaging talk on how the charity is able to support those living with dementia and their families. The Rustic Fayre is coming up on August Bank Holiday at Potterne Park. We hope for sunshine and community support for this annual event. All the favourites will be there as well as new attractions – please put the date in your diary.

L- R John Kingston, chairman of trustees; Rob Christopher, Headteacher; Liz West, CEO of Wimborne Academy Trust (WAT); and Brian Boyes, WAT’s director of school improvement lead

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health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Viewpoint is not responsible or liable for damages, which may occur as a result of your use or misuse of the information available on this page.

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Aesthetics treatments in Dorset

Dr Sean Holroyd offers anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers. He explains the process involved: “I’m Dr Sean Holroyd, a Harley Streettrained aesthetician and general practitioner in

Dorset. I have over 10 years’ experience working within medicine. I have worked in multiple different fields but found that I was always

interested in the practical procedures. Since undergoing GP training, I developed a keen interest in dermatology. It was then I realised my passion for aesthetics, which perfectly merges skin health and practical skills. “I specialise in anti-wrinkle treatments and dermal fillers to achieve natural enhancement of facial features. “Every treatment is tailored to you as the individual, with

a free detailed consultation and consent process prior to any procedure, as well as a comprehensive aftercare service. “I have a holistic consultation style and adopt a ‘less is more’ approach to aesthetic medicine.” Visit www. drseanholroydaesthetics. com for more information and find out how to book a free consultation.

Health inequalities in East Dorset to be tackled Health inequalities in East Dorset are to be tackled thanks to a £110,000 grant. University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity has been awarded the funding from NHS Charities Together via Dorset County Hospital Charity in association with Dorset Community Foundation. There will be a 24-month long project through a prevention programme based at the Dorset Health Village in partnership with Active Dorset. Dorset Health Village is a recently created outpatient assessment clinic based on the top floor of Beales Department Store in the

Dolphin Centre, Poole. The funding was awarded as part of a £355,000 grant given to Dorset through NHS Charities Together’s Community Partnership Grants Programme in recognition of the vital work that voluntary and community groups do to support the work of the NHS. The grant will be used to offer support to patients accessing the Dorset Health Village who are experiencing health inequalities including a reduced life span, greater vulnerability to colds and infections and living with certain health conditions.

The importance of personal space

By Bluebird Care We all need our own space. Most of us growing up either had our own rooms or wished we did. That need does not go away as we age. Unfortunately, for residents or customers of services having their own space and privacy is difficult, and that is something aids can help with. Personal space is an approximate area surrounding an individual in which other people should not physically violate in order for them to feel comfortable and secure. It is the zone around individuals which they regard as psychologically theirs. The amount of personal space required differs from

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person to person. Lifestyle or events which have happened in different people’s lives may also affect their personal space. Our personal space protects us from potential aggression, and, ultimately, it helps protect us from stress. For those of us more able, we will remove ourselves from an uncomfortable feeling, but those unable to remove themselves will need support. We also feel safer with those closest to us rather than a stranger. So next time you meet with someone, just be mindful about your and their personal space.

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health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity

People needed to share their lives In order for people with additional needs to live more independently, they need help and this is where Dorset Council’s Shared Lives carers come in. Now in its 15th year, more residents are sought to fill the role. Shared Lives carers provide a vital and unique paid care service by opening their hearts and homes to people aged 16 and over with additional needs such as autism, dementia,

physical or mental health needs. Sometimes the person needing care wants to move on from their family home to live more independently, or the family needs a break from their caring role, or they can’t provide the care needed. Carers share their homes and lives either just during the day or overnight, and for short or long term placements. They help people learn life skills such as menu planning, cooking, budgeting and shopping, as well as enjoying leisure activities together. Some people go on to live independent lives and others stay in placements long term. Crucially, Shared Lives carers can be any adult age, work from home (whether its owned or rented) and don’t need formal qualifications. They do need a big heart, patience and a desire to really make a difference. To find out more or register your interest, visit www. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/sharedlives.

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National accreditation for Wimborne hospital

Wimborne’s Victoria Hospital has met national accreditation standards for its gastrointestinal endoscopy services once again. The Endoscopy team at the Dorset HealthCare-run community hospital successfully passed its annual review, following an assessment by the UK’s Joint Advisory Group.

Hospital lottery University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity has launched a new weekly lottery. For just £1 a week, supporters can enter the prize draw to be in with a 1 in 50 chance of winning prizes up to £25,000, all while raising funds for patients and staff at the Royal Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Hospitals. To enter the lottery, visit www.uhdcharitylottery.co.uk, call 01202 004016 or email support@UHDCharityLottery.co.uk

Homelessness support Talbot Village Trust has donated £19,700 for vital repair work to the Destiny Life Church in West Howe, supporting vulnerable adults who have experienced homelessness.

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health and care

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St Ives House care home was royally ready for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee St Ives House, a Care South country house care home, celebrated The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend with an abundance of fun and reminiscence activities. Residents enjoyed creating a timeline of The Queen’s 70 years and reflecting on key events throughout her reign. Everyone had a fantastic time getting together with fellow residents to celebrate The Queen’s momentous anniversary and it brought lots of their own fond memories back. St Ives House, at Ashley Heath near Ringwood, offers residential, dementia and respite care. It is described as an exquisite country house care home, which accommodates 60 residents in stunning grounds on the edge of the New Forest. Care South is a not-for-profit charity, and a leading provider of residential and home care across Dorset. To find out more, call 01425 481220 or visit www.care-south.co.uk

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Fundraiser team

Isabella swims to award Allenbourn School pupil Isabella Haynes is the latest winner of the John Thornton Young Achiever of the Year award, funded by Wimborne Rotary. The Wimborne teenager hasn’t let the fact that she is a through-the-knee amputee put her off her determination to become swimming champion. Isabella’s ambition is to become a paralympic swimmer. The award comes with a bursary of £500 which, Isabella says, will help to make her dream more achievable. She was first spotted by a British para talent officer when only eight years old, as a disabled youngster of outstanding talent and has gone on to develop her skills through regular coaching and training. Isabella later achieved county, regional, and national level times,

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VIEWPOINT July 2022

culminating in qualifying last December at the age of 13 for her first national competition, the British para swimming meet in Swansea. As a result of her performance, and having achieved three bronze medals there, she has now joined the Swim England para swimming talent programme. President of Wimborne Rotary, Jan Baseley, said: “We are delighted to be able to support such a talented and determined youngster as Isabella, and wish her every success with her future swimming career.” Isabella (pictured) received her bursary cheque from Wimborne Rotarian, Darryl Reach, watched by some of her friends at Allenbourn Middle School and her parents, Martin and Elizabeth Haynes (centre back).

Fundraiser for Dorset’s brain injury service Local people are being invited to sponsor a team who are raising funds to help those with brain injuries. The Dorset Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) team at University Hospitals Dorset has virtually travelled the 1,743km from Land’s End to John O’Groats. All donations will help them to provide their patients with activities and experiences that will further their recovery. The team covered the kilometres by running, cycling, walking, and swimming whilst patients completed their distances in therapy sessions on a static cycling device. They have covered a distance of 1,942.61km in three months. The ABI unit provides specialist rehabilitation for patients from across the region who have suffered a brain injury such as a severe stroke. The money raised will enhance each patient’s stay on the ward through trips out, music therapy and supplies for activity groups such as crafts and ingredients for cooking. You can donate by following this link https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/abi-fundraiser

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ringwood news

Boston Tea Party launch new summer menu in Ringwood Boston Tea Party have introduced new dishes, perfect for a leisurely lunch at the outside dining area of their café at the Furlong in Ringwood. The café known for serving breakfasts, brunches, cakes, and speciality coffees, using ethically sourced ingredients, have added new lunch

dishes to their menu. Customers can choose from new pitta or salad bowls zinging with flavour and a choice of either falafel or garlic and herb chicken. The Big Boston Bagel is sure to be a hit. Choose cream cheese and lamb’s lettuce, or make it your own by adding bacon, smoked salmon,

avocado, halloumi, you choose. Vegans get their very own Vegan Tuna Melt, BTP’s twist on a classic. Made with plant-based tuna, sweetcorn, gooey vegan cheese and served with fries. Their refreshing homemade Iced Earl Grey tea is perfect for cooling you down too.

Tea with Edward Fox A group of Ringwood Ex-Tablers recently had tea with Edward Fox (centre) star of many films including Day of the Jackal, Gandhi and Battle of Britain. They are pictured in St Peter’s Church, Bournemouth. Edward talked about his career and explained that he started work at Marks and Spencer and was encouraged by his manager to leave and take up acting. After failing his first audition he was told he was not going to succeed as an actor. However he realised his talent as an actor was justified when an extra told him: “At the beginning of shooting you were an actor playing the general, by the end of filming you were the general.” please mention VIEWPOINT Magazine when you contact our advertisers

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| 19

BUSINESS | COMMUNITY | UNITY / real people, real news, local advertising.

Meet Meet the the faces faces behind behind the the businesses businesses in in Ringwood Ringwood You may well be familiar with these Ringwood businesses, and may even be a frequent visitor, but how well do you know the people that make them what they are? Here, we introduce you to the faces behind the businesses – the Ringwood people who are ready to welcome you each time you step through their doors.

01425 20 d Holmes & team 4844Edwar

New House, Market Place, Ringwood, Hampshire, 0 48442Holmes & Team 01425 Edward BH24 1ER New House, Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1ER rs.co.uk rs.co.uk gssolicito gssolicito nsspurlin nsspurlin @meeso @meeso enquiries enquiries

Ma lco Mi kelm

Simon on, ,To Toby by, ,Nic Sim Nickk&&Kim Kim 01425 482380

23 High Street, Ringwood BH24

www.w-w.co.uk

www.lambertsofringwood.com

01425 473223

1AB

Pe te Pete 01425 480410

2 Star Lane, Ringwood BH24 1AL

Freedom Leisure DQB

Christine Ramsey & Jean Lubbock

The team team at at Ring Ringwoo woodd Hea Health lth & & Leis Leisure ure The

023 8200 0299 • www.freedom-leisure.co.uk Parsonage Barn Lane, Ringwood BH24 1PX

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VIEWPOINT July 2022

www.foxesmoon.co.uk 01425 474347

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BUSINESS | COMMUNITY | UNITY

Me nah, , Hannah Dina,a,Han lissa,a,Din Meliss Sim lly Shelly on&&She Simon 01425 489393 www.thework-shop.co.uk

e, Darryl, Paul,l, Olli Pau Ollie, Darxryl, & Ale Kean Kean & Alex

Zoe, Trudy, Greg, Zoe , Trudy, Greg, Colin in & & Jan Jan Col

01425 207480

www.hpsmerchant.co.uk

31 High St, Ringwood BH24 1AD

Ben Ben Pet h Ruth and Rut er and Peter 2 Butlers Lane, Ringwood BH24 1UB

01425 653118

01425 476010 86 Parsonage Barn Ln, Ringwood BH24 1PZ

Alex Ward, Gem Ward, Claire Burghart, Zoe Corlett, Alex Roberts, Danny Corle tt and Susie Wilks

Ringwood Fabrics DB77 01425 4756

01425 473290

www.crowfarmshop.co.uk

, Eric l, Dan MeMe ra, ra, KieKie , a, l, Dan ha ha & Sas oe oe & Sas a, Chl EricChl

Angela

15 High Street, Ringwood BH24 1AB

Fiona ntic Nurse and Lead Receptionist) Fiona (Orthodo (Orthodontic Nurse and Lead Receptionist) Libby l and Specialist Orthodontist) Libby (Principa (Principal and Specialist Orthodontist) Cath Catherine erine (Specialist Orthodontic Nurse) (Specialist Orthodontic Nurse)

01425 480209

01425 473784

www.francescogroup.co.uk

social media @ straighttoothco

www.thestraighttoothcompany.co.uk

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| 21

Centre (L-R) local Dorset Council members Cllrs Ray Bryan, Spencer Flower, Simon Gibson and David Shortell, with left: Ray (local mobility scooter user), pupils and staff at The Sheiling School (Ringwood), and right: volunteers and Dorset Council countryside rangers

Castleman Trailway improvements celebrated

Improvements have been made to the Castleman Trailway, which follows much of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line. The Castleman Trailway, which has become increasingly popular over the past couple of years, has been improved substantially. One of Dorset’s gentlest walking, cycling and horseriding routes, it follows much of the old Southampton to Dorchester railway line whilst connecting a string of settlements between Ringwood and Poole. In recent years, the surface quality had deteriorated and became extremely muddy after wet weather, reducing year-round access.Barriers and narrow gates also reduced access for some trail users. Dorset Council Countryside staff, volunteers and contractors began work on the trail in October 2021, aiming to provide a wider, better quality surface, making it more accessible to a wider range of users. This included drainage works, new surfacing and regrading over 5.5km of the trailway from Verwood Road to West Moors. Much of the route has now been widened, replacing two 1.5m wide paths with a single path of 4-5m. Barriers on the route have been replaced with bollards to improve accessibility for mobility vehicles and wheelchair users, as well as for people on bikes and horse riders. Volunteers have also seeded verges with wildflowers, and new signage and benches will be installed shortly. Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “The Castleman Trailway offers a beautiful and practical route for recreation or commuting, and it passes some of the county’s internationally important heathland, rivers, and forestry plantations, with excellent transport links whether you are on foot, wheels, or horseback.”

Bring a picnic, not a BBQ People are being asked to take picnics, not BBQs on their days out to prevent wildfires. In 2021, firefighters across Dorset and Wiltshire attended 494 wildfires and already in 2022, firefighters across the UK have attended more wildfires than last year. Disposable barbecues left behind when still hot are a known cause of heath and forest fires, as are campfires, so both barbecues and fires are banned on heathland, in forests and in many other high risk areas across Dorset. Recent fires, such as the Wareham Forest fire in May 2020, which was believed to have been started by a disposable barbecue, and the Canford Heath fire earlier this year have had a huge impact on the community, by drawing on local resources, as well as destroying wildlife. Assistant chief fire officer Andy Cole said: “Firefighters, control room operators and all staff from across Dorset & Wiltshire who supported the Wareham Forest fire and more recently the Canford Heath fire, worked extremely hard to bring these incidents to a safe conclusion. These incidents

highlight just how devastating, and resource intensive, wildfires are. With the nice weather, it is only natural to want to go outdoors and enjoy it with friends and family, but it is also important to stay fire-aware when out and about.” Wildlife ranger for Forestry England, Mark Warn, said: “Wareham Forest is one of the most important places in the UK for nature and conservation, with much of the wildlife found here having already disappeared from other parts of the country. It is one of the few places where it is still possible to find all six of the UK’s native reptiles, including the endangered smooth snake and sand lizard, and it is home to many rare species of birds and insects. “The wildfire here showed how somewhere as special as this can be so quickly devastated by one careless act. We all have a role in preventing wildfires and one of the simplest ways is to leave the BBQ at home, they are not permitted and not welcome in the forest.” More information on staying safe and enjoying outside areas whilst avoiding starting a wildfire can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/ heath-fires-and-countryside-safety

Say “no” to single-use plastic water bottles on the beach Join the refill revolution. If you visit Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch beaches you’ll be in for a nice surprise. To coincide with Plastic Free July, BCP Council, working with environmental charity City to Sea, has added 150 places to refill water bottles and these will be mapped on the Refill app. There is now free drinking water at 18 seafront kiosks, over 130 beachfront taps and 15 new Hydration Stations. The campaign was launched with the ‘unveiling’ of a piece of artwork

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VIEWPOINT July 2022

on 1 July created by renowned graffiti artist, Rick Walker. The artwork, with eco messaging, is on the Lifeguard Corps building near Durley Chine. ‘Free water for all’ forms part of the council’s Turning the Tides campaign to transform the beachfront with eye-catching signage directing people to Hydration Stations and beach taps, alongside engaging events, artworks and installations. Every Saturday during Plastic Free July there will be performers and Refill Superheroes engaging with the public. /dorsetview.news

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foodie news

Reducing food waste

With millions of tonnes of food thrown away each year, reducing food waste has become a priority for those wanting to save on their food bill, and help look after the environment too. Here are some tips for cutting your food waste: Plan meals and make lists – knowing what you’re going to eat means you can buy only what you need. Stick to your list and you’ll reduce your food bill and eat everything you buy. Use your freezer – freeze leftover portions for a homemade ready meal when you don’t have time to cook, and put food you’re unlikely to eat before it goes off in the freezer too. Frozen fruit can be used in smoothies or puddings, and frozen vegetables are perfect in stews or a chilli. Revive stale bread – stale rolls can be crisped again by dabbing with water and putting them in the oven for a few minutes, while stale sliced bread makes good toast. Or use it to make breadcrumbs, or a dessert such as bread and butter pudding.

Understanding your food dates In general, food law requires pre-packed food to have a date mark. Depending on the food type, this is either a ‘use by’ date or a ‘best before’ date. The use by date is about safety and is the most important date to remember. Food with a use by date goes off quickly even if it is stored correctly and looks and smells fine. You find it on food such as meat products or ready-prepared salads. Food can be eaten up until the use by date but should not be eaten after the date has passed. Most food, including meat and milk, can be frozen up until the use by date too. The food can then be defrosted and eaten at a later date. In these circumstances the use by date will no longer apply, but the food will still be a type of food that goes off quickly so should be eaten quickly once defrosted. For the use by to be a valid guide, you must carefully follow storage instructions. The best before date is about quality and not safety. The food will be safe to eat after this date but the food

may no longer be at its best. Its flavour and texture, for example, might not be as good. The best before date appears on a wide range of frozen, dried, tinned and other foods. The best before date will only be accurate if the food is stored according to the instructions on the label. Shops can sell food once the best before date has passed, however selling

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food past its use by date is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution. If you are aware of a retailer selling food past its use by date, you can contact Dorset Council Trading Standards or the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

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| 23

around & about / what’s happening in your area.

Southbourne shaken and stirred Report and photos by Karen Wyatt-Epapara Vintage clothing, live music, artisan traders, dancing and laughter were the order of the day when Southbourne’s Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival returned to Fisherman’s Walk. The popular seaside festival attracted more than 30,000 people who enjoyed elements of popular culture from the 1920s to the 1970s. Festivalgoers were treated to live music from the likes of Swing Unlimited Big Band, Phil Halley and His Comments, Gene Vincent tribute act Be Bop A Lula, Andy Kennet as Elvis and Crazy Rhythm Jukebox. There were vintage-themed workshops and displays, a vintage fashion show and colouring competition, with face painting and fairground rides for younger visitors. One of the highlights of the weekend – The Show and Shine Car Show – was won by a Ford Skyline Retractable 1963 owned by Lee Caves. Mandy Polkey, managing director of Stir Events CIC, leading the team behind Shake and Stir, said: “It was so fantastic to see such a great turn out this year, so many people really dressed to impress. Bringing the community together in this way was such a joy as a marvellous way to start the summer off. Thank you to all of the volunteers and team, as well as the sponsors who made the day such a success.” - Advertisement feature -

Play and discover golf at Somerley Somerley Park Golf Club are hosting an Open Day on Saturday 20 August. They are inviting golfers to come and try their delightful golf course set in the beautiful and tranquil parkland surroundings of Somerley House, just outside Ringwood. This is an invitation for golfers of all abilities, genders and ages, to visit and play nine holes on this challenging woodland and parkland course. Golf is a game for everyone. It’s fun, keeps you fit, reduces stress and gets you outdoors. It’s perfect for catching up with friends, or making new ones. Somerley Park Golf Club is a very welcoming, members-only club, with affordable membership fees and a friendly and relaxing clubhouse. Come and play social golf, or get more involved, and take part in club competitions and friendly matches with other nearby clubs. If you join on Open Day you will receive a fantastic 25% discount on your first year’s subscription. For further details about this exciting event, visit the website at www.somerleyparkgolfclub.co.uk or contact club secretary Glyn Bosanko on 07710 627541.

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around & about

Events The details of the events below are accurate at the time of going to press. Always check before travelling. Send in details of your events to: newseditor@dorsetview. co.uk

16 July 12noon-2pm

Repair Café at Wimborne Methodist Church.

16-17 July 10am-6pm

Wimborne St Giles Flower Festival. Afternoon teas in the village hall on the Sunday 3-5pm.

22 July 2pm

28 July 8pm

Stepping Out Community Tea Dance, Broadstone War Memorial Hall. All welcome including those living with memory loss and their carers. Please ring 01202 658833 for information and to reserve a place.

Jubilate choir invites new members, especially tenors and basses. A friendly bunch of singers with a wide repertoire from madrigals to jazz. Come to Gussage All Saints Village Hall, BH21 5ET. For more info, phone 01202 885294.

24 July from 1pm

30 July 11am

Garden party Brackenwood, God’s Blessing Lane, Holt BH21 7DD in aid of Dorset Cancer Care and Wimborne Scouts. Bournemouth & District Concert Band, cream teas, classic British bikes, lake. Wheelchair access, dogs welcome on lead. Contact Fay on 01202 885685.

17 July 3-5pm

24 July 10am-4pm

Free ‘Brass on the Grass’ concert by Verwood Concert Brass Band, subject to good weather, at Verwood Recreation Ground by Verwood Memorial Hall.

RNLI Mudeford Fundraising Crew, Blue Light Day on Mudeford Quay Green. All the emergency services will be there plus search and rescue organisations.

20 July 7pm

26-28 July

Ringwood branch of Hampshire Genealogical Society, Ringwood Meeting House. A talk on When London planners had designs on Ringwood in the 1950s by Ken Chatfield. All welcome. www.hgs-familyhistory. com/groups/ringwood

New Forest & Hampshire County Show. Clay Hill, Brockenhurst SO42 7QH. Main ring attractions, police dog display, fly casting, The Sheep Show, Adam’s Axemen, family fun. Food stalls and shopping. www.newforestshow.co.uk

1 August 7pm

The Wessex Friends have a talk/presentation from the Rev Stuart Timbrell entitled ‘Dorset Part 7’ at the Cobham Flight Refuelling Sports & Social Club at Merley. New members are welcome. For details email derekabaker@hotmail.co.uk

Damerham Fair and Horticultural Show. Birds of prey, free children’s games, fun dog show, countryside area, bbq, bar and more. Entry £4, U16s free. Plus evening event ABBA RE-BJORN £12.50. Damerham Sportsfield SP6 3HQ. www.damerhamfair.co.uk

3 August 12noon

30 July from 12noon

5-10 August

Chettle Village Fete – whacky fete with traditional fun including the Alternative Dog Show, Cowpat Bingo, Chettle Derby and art auction. Between Blandford and Salisbury. Enjoy a dose of loopy Chettle humour.

30-31 July

Poole Harbour Festival at Baiter Harbourside One Car Park.

30 July-6 August

Swanage Carnival. A week of entertainment including music, games, competitions and sporting events. Large carnival procession and firework displays.

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Ferndown Probus Club lunch and talk at Dudsbury Golf Club by Kevin Patience. New members welcome – secretary 01202 872692. Website www. ferndownprobusclub.org

East Dorset Brave Art Society (edbas.co.uk) is exhibiting for the first time at The Gather Exhibition Area, Dolphin Centre, Poole. There will be a range of affordable art for sale including prints and original paintings in different styles and media.

6 August

Stompin’ on the Quomps. Jazz event on Christchurch Quay. Local food stalls.

6-10 August 10am-4pm

Margaret Halstead Art Exhibition, Church House, Wimborne.

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| 25

around & about / what’s happening in your area.

Fete to celebrate 60th birthday The Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne will be celebrating its 60th birthday with a traditional summer fete. The fete will take place on Saturday 30 July. There will be a whole host of traditional games and stalls, plants and produce from the museum garden, second-hand

books, jigsaws and oldfashioned sweets. Children can unleash their creativity in the craft tent and create their mini-masterpieces. Entertainment will be from Band on the Strum ukulele band in the morning, and Vivamente Voices choir in the afternoon. Raffle tickets will

be on sale, giving the chance to win some fantastic prizes. Entry to the fete is free, but does not include entry to the museum. For more information, see www.museumofeastdorset. co.uk/project/60thbirthday-summer-fete/

Outdoor theatre programme for garden’s centenary A wide range of outdoor theatre performances are planned at Furzey Gardens in the New Forest this summer to celebrate its centenary year. The gardens, in Minstead, are hosting 29 nights of outdoor theatre across the summer, ranging from quirky interpretations of Shakespeare to humorous family shows. Among the shows on offer are: Lilies on the Land by The Lions Part from 6 to 9 July; Black Box Theatre presents Bouncers from 21 to 23 July; The Three Musketeers by

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VIEWPOINT July 2022

Morgan and West from 28 to 30 July; and The Comedy of Errors by the London Touring Company from 14 August to 4 September. Furzey Gardens is run by local charity Minstead Trust and provides training and work experience for people with learning disabilities. Ticket income will help the charity to continue its important work supporting vulnerable people. Tickets from £14. For details, see www. furzey-gardens.org

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Vegan festival Everyone from longstanding vegans to people wanting inspiration for meat-free meals will be able to take inspiration at the Bournemouth Vegan Festival. The event will take place on Saturday 3 September. Alongside food stalls and caterers, visitors will be able to watch cooking demonstrations, listen to inspirational talks and take part in workshops, yoga and children’s activities. The festival will take place from 10.30am-4pm at Citygate Centre, 138A Holdenhurst Rd, Boscombe. Entry is £4 (under 16s free) or £15 for VIP tickets in advance, which includes a fast track entry and a goody bag full of vegan products, samples, discounts and offers. For more information, visit www.veganeventsuk.co.uk.

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around & about

Tivoli welcomes London Repertory Players for the summer This year audiences can enjoy five popular plays to be staged at the Wimborne theatre by a company of 12 talented actors. Interview and photo by Marilyn Barber newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk Anyone who enjoyed London Repertory Players’ production of Deathtrap at the Tivoli in August in 2021 won’t want to miss the plays to be staged by the theatre company this summer. And this year, there is not one, but five popular plays to choose from – or maybe you will want to see them all! The closure of the Shelley Theatre in Boscombe – which may be temporary – has been the Tivoli’s gain for another year. Sadly there are too few reps these days, but Vernon Thompson, producer and artistic director, has a huge enthusiasm for this much loved genre, as he told me when I met up with him in Wimborne ahead of the shows which will be delighting audiences from Wednesday 27 July to Thursday 25 August. “Just after the Second World War you would find that every town had a rep but they started to close in the early 1960s when TV became more popular,” he said. And when you realise what skills the company of 12 actors – three of whom are based locally – possess you can only be in awe of them. “Mitch Capaldi is in all five of the plays and most of the others are in four of them,” Vernon said. The first play, Taking Steps by Alan Ayckbourn, opens on Wednesday 27 July and the next day the actors start rehearsing for the following week’s production of The Small Hours by Francis Durbridge. “I block the moves on the Thursday and the actors have to know Act 1 by the Friday,” said Vernon. Yes, you did read it correctly. They have to go on stage to perform one play whilst in rehearsal for another. How on earth do the actors not get the plays mixed up?

Vernon, who acted in rep himself said: “It’s as though you open a valve and you tune in to the correct play. However, you do need a good memory.” He added that he has only dried once on stage – but soon managed to get back on track. “Drying on stage is the actor’s nightmare, as it’s so exposing. And of course professional productions don’t have a prompt.” He added that the longest standing rep season in the UK is in Sidmouth in Devon where they do 12 plays in 12 weeks. He came to theatre early in his life and was writing plays for a local puppet theatre at the age of 15. “The actor Peter Egan’s mother lived nearby and she guided me,” he said. Vernon, who is also a voice coach for Channel 4 News, said he enjoyed directing, but producing was ‘more heart stopping’. Vernon was full of praise for the Tivoli Theatre and its excellent technical team. Taking Steps by Alan Ayckbourn runs from Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 July, followed by The Small Hours by Francis Durbridge from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 6 August. Noel Coward’s Fallen Angels will be on stage from Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 August, with I Have Been Here Before by JB Priestley delighting audiences from Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 August. The final play is the classic Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 August. The furniture and stage props are supplied by the British Heart Foundation and so at the end of each production there will be a collection for the charity.

Vernon Thompson enjoys Viewpoint

Tickets from the Tivoli box office on 01202 885566, www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk

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| 27

pets and wildlife / an animal’s eyes speak a powerful language

Stag beetle survey

Don’t feed the locals Renowned for trying to steal your ice cream or your chips, seagulls are not the most popular birds. However, some people try to feed them, which is frowned upon by Litter Free Dorset. The community organisation is bringing back its Don’t Feed the Locals campaign this summer. The Litter Free Dorset team is working with town councils and local takeaway businesses to spread the message to discourage intentional and accidental feeding of seagulls. Litter Free Dorset is calling on locals and visitors to: never leave food unattended, bin any unwanted food and, if the bins are full, to please take all rubbish home. Sophie Colley, Litter Free Dorset’s coordinator, said: “It’s really important we do not feed seagulls as encouraging this bad behaviour can lead to them relying on scraps from humans. This can result in greedy gulls pulling rubbish out of bins, scattering litter everywhere, to find scraps or stealing straight from our hands or laps. No one wants their alfresco dinner ruined by some aggressive gulls. “If the bins are full please hold onto your rubbish to dispose of at home. Seagulls are clever and will pull rubbish out of overflowing bins and tear apart bags of

rubbish placed next to or on top of bins, scattering litter everywhere while on the hunt for tasty treats. Once littered, this rubbish can be easily blown or washed into our watercourses and out to sea.” Litter Free Dorset says this is not an anti-seagull campaign. Feeding seagulls human food is very bad for their health. These foods are low in nutritional value for the gulls and contain a high calorie content, which differs from their natural foods. This can result in malnutrition and long-term health problems for the gulls. Instead, by not feeding seagulls human food, they will be encouraged to hunt for natural food sources for themselves.

Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for people across the UK to record any sightings of endangered stag beetles, as part of the charity’s annual ‘Great Stag Hunt’. The beetles can often still be seen until late July, and reporting sightings can help the charity to understand more about where these creatures are doing well, and not so well. To report a sighting, visit www. stagbeetles.ptes.org.

Mummy told me to fly south Viewpoint’s front cover image was taken by local photographer Nicky Wicks. It shows a swallow on a weather vane at Moor Crichel. Is it working out which way to fly home? Did you know that after rearing their young in the UK, British swallows fly thousands of kilometres to spend the winter in South Africa? Not all of them take the same route. Some fly through western France, across the Pyrenees and down eastern Spain into Morocco and across the Sahara. Others follow the west coast of Africa avoiding the Sahara. These plucky little birds cover 320km (200 miles) a day, mainly in daylight, flying at speeds of up to 35kph/22mph. Their maximum flight speed is

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VIEWPOINT July 2022

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56kph/35mph. Next time you see a swallow, give it some kudos because come September it will be gathering with its mates to go on an exceptional 9,656km (6,000-mile) journey. The following April, it will be on its way back to Britain. Swallows can live up to 16 years, so can notch up over 309,000km (192,000 miles) of flying in their lives, on top of the daily scrum to catch insects when they reach their destinations.

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motoring

Older drivers urged to take advantage of forum Hampshire Constabulary are advising older residents to take advantage of the Older Drivers Forum following a pensioner’s lucky escape. The pensioner accidentally reversed down a boat launch in the New Forest and plunged into the water. Luckily he was rescued by nearby residents. He was later diagnosed with vascular dementia, a gradual and deteriorating condition where he appears fine one moment and experiences confusion the next. He surrendered his driving licence. Sergeant Nick Tucker, said: “We all grow older, and

our eyesight and some of our abilities diminish over the course of time. We do not always know, notice or realise that this is happening to us over the years. If you have an older relative or friend who drives, speak to them about their driving and how they feel about it. Remind and encourage them to have their eyesight routinely checked and if they have any concerns about their health, have them speak to their GP about driving. “With the support of this driver and his family we wanted to highlight this incident to show the real-life

implications of growing older and driving. He surrendered his driving licence with dignity. It is lucky that he did not lose his life that evening. “We work closely with the Older Drivers Forum whose work is all about keeping mature motorists on the road safely for longer. Whether that’s helping by giving practical and informative help and support to continue driving or pointing people in the right direction for an assessment to identify their driving needs – from wing mirror adapters to an elevated driving seat – the forum’s here to help and signpost you to the people to help.” The forum is a not-forprofit organisation made up of experts in road safety – from representatives from the emergency services, to charities, local authorities and businesses

specialising in keeping older people on the road. If you’re an older driver, or concerned for a friend or relative who is still driving, then the Older Drivers Forum may be able to help. Visit www. olderdriversforum.com for more information.

The submerged vehicle

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| 29

motoring / keeping you on the road.

Summer motoring If you’re planning to get away in the UK this summer, you’ll most likely be taking your car. You’ll want to make sure it’s ready for any longer trips so you can focus on arriving safely at your destination and enjoying your time away. Tyres It’s essential to check your tyre pressure before you set off. Extra passengers and luggage mean you may need to adjust your tyre pressure – underinflated tyres are more prone to a ‘blowout’. All cars have at least two recommended tyre pressures – one for when the car has a light load and the other for carrying multiple passengers and their luggage. The correct tyre pressure settings can be found in the owner’s handbook, in the door shut or fuel filler cap, or online via pressure look-ups. Drivers should use an accurate

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VIEWPOINT July 2022

gauge to check all four tyres. As well as the air pressure, TyreSafe also recommends that you check the tyres are in good condition – no cuts, lumps or bulges – and that the tread is not below the UK minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm.

dazzled when the sun is low. Make sure your lights are all functioning properly, so you know you can be seen.

Essential checks Before you set off on your journey, carry out basic maintenance checks. These include making sure you have enough fluids – oil, coolant and windscreen wash. Keeping your windscreen clean will mean you don’t get

Plan your route You may be used to relying on your SatNav, but it’s useful to plan your route in advance, in case you have a technology malfunction. Carrying a paper map will mean you can still find your route, even with traditional methods.

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Stay cool Make sure you have plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated on your journey. Plan breaks on your journey so you don’t get tired and can stay alert – the Highway Code recommends a 15-minute break for every two hours of driving. When parked, try to choose a shady spot – it’ll keep your car cooler for when you get back in, but also reduce fading on your car’s interior.

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in the home / home is where the heart is .

Summer home improvements Summer is the ideal time for many home improvement projects – the weather is warmer, so you can keep doors and windows open, and the days are longer, so you have more opportunity to get stuck into those external jobs that need doing. Outside jobs There are a number of garden jobs that are suited to warmer weather. Pressure washing paths or decking will remove any slippery build up from winter, and keep it looking pristine. Check over your gates and fencing to make sure they’re structurally sound. Making repairs or replacing damaged panels now will mean

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you are less likely to have more severe damage down the line should a storm hit. If you have plans to relandscape, take time to do it now. Plants are more likely to get established when planted in warmer weather, and longer sunshine hours mean you have more time on your hands to get outside. Major inside jobs Perhaps you’d like to remodel your kitchen? Or lay new carpet throughout? Or change the colour palette of a whole room or section of your home? Doing it in summer means you can vacate the rooms you are working on more easily, and air the house out as you go. It’s also a good time to replace doors or windows, as you won’t mind so much

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in the home if you have a breeze coming through the house. Minor inside jobs A change of season is a good time to declutter. You’ll have a good idea of the items you haven’t used for some time, and are not likely to in future, and having a clear out can be highly satisfactory. Once you’ve made space, you can think about how you’d like your home to look instead. A change in soft furnishings such as

curtains, cushions, throws or rugs can brighten up a living room or bedroom. Indoor plants add a depth of colour and pictures, ornaments or mirrors can all change the atmosphere of a room. Prepare for winter As summer draws on, it’s a good idea to check your boiler and heating options. If you have any issues, you’ll have time to sort them out before you need them. Boilers should be serviced every year to keep them working properly, which will also mean they are running efficiently – vital with energy prices continuing to rise. If you have an open fire or log burner, you’ll need to have your chimney swept, preferably just before you anticipate using it again. This will not only remove any build up of soot, but also check for blockages such as birds’ nests, either of which could cause a chimney fire. A professional chimney sweeping service will also check the integrity of your fire and chimney.

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in the home - Advertisement feature -

Poole Lighting

Poole Lighting Ltd is one of the UK’s leading supplier of domestic lighting. Designed with passion in the UK and ethically sourced throughout the world, you will find Poole Lighting’s products for sale through the UK’s high street and internet retailers. Typically, the products are retailed by customers using their own brands but the company also has over 75 years of experience with its own specialist lighting brands of Endon, Interiors 1900 and Saxby. Poole Lighting opened its factory outlet shop in the middle of beautiful Poole in Dorset 25 years ago. The company is proud to bring you end of line products that are no longer available on the high street at incredibly low prices. Their website is www.poolelightingfactoryshop. com. Here you can buy direct with confidence. As well as your statutory rights, all of the products are guaranteed for 12 months. See Poole Lighting’s advertisement on this page for 10 per cent off all garden lighting – perfect for giving your home or garden an upgrade.

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specialist services / who to contact for the service you need. AGGREGATE

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

COMPUTER SERVICES

ELECTRICIAN

FENCING

INTERIORS

FURNITURE RESTORATION

LANDSCAPING

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VIEWPOINT July 2022

DECORATING

FENCING

LANDSCAPING

OLD TOYS

MAINTENANCE

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specialist services ROOFING

PLUMBING

VINTAGE BOOKS

TREE SURGERY

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The doves

CORRESPONDENCE

A satiated sparrow hawk

Lunch! We live on the forest side of Verwood, Noon Hill. Over the last 12 months we have been visited by a flock of doves, mainly white, which are lovely to see, but of course nature being what it is, they attracted other visitors, including a pair of sparrowhawks. As dramatic as it appears, the end result was a two-hawk attack as the doves settled in for communal bath, not nice to witness but never-the-less, nature in the raw. Chris Piercy Verwood

Colehill Evening WI celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee with an evening of Cupcakes and Bubbles. Entertainment was provided by a ukulele band providing a sing along. There was also a right royal quiz with questions about the decades of the Queen’s reign. Our Stitchcraft group had made lots of cheerful red, white and blue decorations to dress the tables. Yvonne Warner Email

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF ALL PAID FOR ADVERTISEMENTS Pulford Publicity Ltd (“the Publisher”) reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertisement without notice or explanation. Whilst the Publisher will endeavour to represent the best interests of the client in undertaking client’s instructions, it is fully understood that it is the agreed responsibility of the client to supply Viewpoint accurate copy details of the advertisement(s) to be placed and any alterations to the copy must be received prior to copy date. Guarantee of insertion cannot be given and the Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement or by the total or partial failure, however caused, of publication or distribution of Viewpoint. In no case shall the total liability of the Publisher for any misprint, error or omission exceed the price charged by the Publisher for that advertisement. The Publisher shall not be liable for any damage or loss save as stated and, in particular, the Publisher shall have no liability to the Advertiser in any circumstances for any claim for damages to, loss of, or costs in respect of any anticipated profits, revenues, business opportunities or for any other indirect or consequential loss. Claims for any error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement must be made within 10 days of publication to the

Administration Department. Advertisers are requested to check their advertisements after the first insertion. The Publisher will not be responsible for any errors on subsequent insertions, which have not been advised to them. Cancellation of an advertisement must be advised in writing 21 days prior to copy date. Unless agreed otherwise in writing by the Publisher the terms of payment for credit accounts are 10 days from date of invoice. Any discount, which the Publisher may have agreed with the advertiser will be forfeited in the event of failure by the advertiser to meet these credit terms. All rates quoted are subject to VAT at the current rate in force at the time the advertisement appears. Copyright of advertisements produced wholly by the Publisher belongs to the Publisher. Advertisers may not reproduce such advertisments without the Publisher’s written consent. Full details of copy dates are obtainable direct from Viewpoint and/or its representatives. The placing of an order for an advertisment shall amount to acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Firearms surrender success – 90 unlicensed firearms have been taken off the streets of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. A national firearms surrender campaign to remove unlicensed weapons from communities resulted in 215 items/weapons including shotguns, BB guns, air weapons, imitation firearms and ammunition being handed into Hampshire police stations in May. The haul included a possible M16, two pump action shotgun, an AK47 replica and a walking stick shotgun. Police inclusivity survey – Dorset Police has launched an equality, diversity and inclusion programme and survey. You can take part in the survey online by visiting www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DPEXTSURVEY Country Park goes green – solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the café, classroom and toilet block at Avon Heath Country Park. They have been installed as part of Dorset Council’s drive to reduce carbon emissions. Wimborne housing plan – Dorset Council has received an application to demolish Crown House at 6, Wimborne Road, Wimborne Minster and to erect five new houses. Netball grant – Ringwood’s policy and finance committee has awarded a grant of £2,000 to Ringwood Netball Centre towards the cost of rewiring the floodlights. Remembrance Day volunteers needed – West Moors Town Council needs a volunteer sound engineer for its Remembrance Day service on Sunday 13 November. If you have experience, and are available on that date, give them a call on 01202 861044. Join Ringwood u3a – Ringwood u3a is open to anyone no longer working full-time or raising a family. Monthly meetings take place at Greyfriars on the third Thursday of the month from 2pm. The club also operates several interest groups including singing, book clubs, pub lunches and walks. Low cost membership. First visit to the monthly meeting is free. Visit www.ringwoodu3a.org.uk or pick up a leaflet from Greyfriars or Ringwood Gateway.

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L-R Rev Terry Roberts, Phil Doughty, Peter Crutcher with deputy mayor Cllr Philip Day

West Moors litter pick

Stalwarts recognised for community service Certificates of Outstanding Community Service were presented to Peter Crutcher, Phil Doughty and Rev Terry Roberts at the recent Annual Town Assembly. Peter Crutcher was a member of Ringwood Town Council for 40 years and chairman twice. He also served on New Forest District Council and as the long-term chairman of Ringwood United Charities. As a businessman, he supported local events by providing public announcement facilities. Phil Doughty served as Standard Bearer at Remembrance and other events for many years and the Rev Terry Roberts was recognised for his exceptional contribution to Remembrance and honouring the fallen of the parish.

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West Moors’ bi-monthly litter pick took place on 11 June. Residents scoured the streets and were pleasantly surprised to find less litter than was expected. Even so, they managed to collect 15 bags of rubbish, which was half that collected in the previous litter pick in April. Volunteers noted that the number of cigarette butts on the ground was still high, and have urged people to bin them or take them home. If you would like to help, but are not available on Saturdays, the council would be happy for you to borrow a litter-picker to carry out your own litter pick – just call in to the office at 4 Park Way and ask.

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Viewpoint July 2022