Dorset View August 2023

Hello Readers!

I couldn’t write this editorial without mentioning the BBC’s top reporter who faced allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

My husband instantly said he thought it was Huw Edwards and I have to confess, I laughed at him and told him not to be silly.

The revelation that it was in fact Huw Edwards came as a shock to my system. Did you feel the same? We’ve all grown up with him, as he’s imparted good and bad news into our lives. How ironic that he’s become a news story himself.

I must emphasise at this point that the original allegations were assessed by the Met Police who determined there was no evidence of a criminal offence. However, the BBC is investigating fresh allegations within the organisation.

As I write, Mr Edwards is in hospital with mental health issues seeking help. He’s not alone in that respect because, let’s face it, no one is exempt from mental health issues because they are so wide ranging.

With billions of us around the world, all needing to turn to someone for assistance or a sympathetic ear at some point, there is a massive demand for this kind of support. It is invaluable and can help save lives, which is one of the reasons our company chose Dorset Mind as our charity of the year.

We are holding a fundraising event on 14 October to raise funds for Dorset Mind and would love you to join us.

Full details are on page 34. It promises to be a great event. Enjoy the magazine, it’s packed with local news and events.

Janine Pulford

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

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8 AUGUST 2023

Double gold for Poole club

Poole Gymnastics and Trampoline Club (PGTC) is celebrating as two of its gymnasts won gold medals at the FIG Trampoline World Cup event in Coimbra on 7 and 8 July.

Bryony Page won the individual women’s trampoline event, earning maximum points towards Olympic qualification, while Kirsty Way won the individual women’s doublemini trampoline (DMT) event. DMT does not currently feature in the Olympic programme.

Both women add these medals to their previous haul. Bryony is a previous Olympic silver and bronze medal winner, and current European champion, while Kirsty has won five world medals, and has been crowned European champion three times.

Club mates Izzy Songhurt and Maddie Tarrant also competed at the event, with Izzy reaching the semi-finals in the individual women’s trampoline event.

Trees planted to honour fallen soldier

Two trees have been planted in a Kinson memorial garden, providing a living legacy for a Dorset soldier who died in action in Afghanistan.

Rifleman, Jonathan Allott, was just 19 when he lost his life while serving for the armed forces in 2010. He was born in Kinson and still has family in the area. The trees were planted by Barratt Homes with the help of veterans’ charity Bournemouth Above and Beyond Trust.

Public consultation launched on new neighbourhood plans

Consultations on two new neighbourhood plans have been launched by BCP Council. Hurn Parish Council and Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum have prepared draft neighbourhood plan proposals for their area, with input from their communities. Consultations into the plans form the initial stage of the examination process for each.

Feedback received during the consultations will be passed to an independent examiner who will assess the plans in the autumn. Paper copies of the Hurn Neighbourhood Plan proposal will be held at Christchurch Library, whilst Canford Cliffs Library will hold copies of the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan proposal.

Kirsty Way and Bryony Page

No criminal offences were committed

Beach deaths investigation concluded

Dorset Police has concluded its investigation into the circumstances of an incident off Bournemouth beach that saw two young people sadly drown.

Joe Abbess, aged 17, and 12-year-old Sunnah Khan tragically died after being recovered from the sea off Bournemouth beach on 31 May.

Following the investigation, officers have reached a position to make the evidence-based decision that no criminal offences were committed. No further action will be taken in respect of a man who was arrested in connection with this incident. He has been fully released from the investigation.

Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan said: “On Wednesday 31 May 2023 at about 3.50pm, several people swimming in the sea got into difficulty resulting in the rescue of eleven people by the RNLI lifeguards. During this incident, Joe and Sunnah tragically drowned.

“During the emergency response that followed, information was given to police, which indicated that the movement of a boat – the Dorset Belle – immediately before the incident occurred could have contributed toward creating dangerous sea conditions.

“Based upon this information, an investigation was initiated.”

law spot by Harold G Walker Solicitors

Police watch office moves

The Ferndown Community Watch Office has relocated back to the Barrington Centre from the library end of the Day Centre.

Prior to lockdown and the refurbishment of the Barrington, the Police Community Office, manned by police support volunteers, served as an interface between the local Neighbourhood Police Team and the public, with around 2,500 visitors annually.

Tax. Should I do it?

By Gaynor Cooke, partner and head of Wills & Probate

As a homeowner you are free to transfer your property to your children at any point, however doing so is far from straightforward, especially if you wish to continue living in the property.

If you give your property to your children as a gift, you will need to survive for seven years from the date of the gift for the value of the property not to form part of your estate. However, should you pass away within those seven years, the property would fall back into your estate for inheritance tax purposes.

Should you continue to live in the property after gifting it to your children, the house would remain part of your estate on your death, even if you live beyond seven years. In order to avoid this, you would have to pay market rent to your children for living in their property.

Other important issues to consider are: you will no longer be the legal owner of the property and you would no longer have any say on what happens with the property, and your children may become bankrupt or go through divorce and, as the property would be held in their name, it would be classed as their asset and would be taken into account by creditors or in a divorce settlement.

Law Spot is for information only and does not constitute legal advice.

The renamed Watch Community Office is now staffed by Neighbourhood Watch volunteers and is available to anyone with local concerns, in need of advice or who would like to purchase personal and domestic security products.

The office is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 12.30pm, in the first room on the left as you enter the centre. Volunteers are also needed – pop into the office if you’d like to help.

Funeral firm wins award

Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors was named Family Business of the Year for Health and Welfare at the recent Family Business United awards in London. It was also runner-up in the overall Family Business of the Year category for the South and South West region.

It has been suggested to me that I give my house to my children to reduce the value of my estate for Inheritance

Award sponsor John Kettner with Nick Douch and Jonathan Stretch

Dedicated to success

By Karen Wyatt-Epapara

Success is no stranger to Hannah

Lewis.

A former national, European and world champion in trampolining, Hannah is now competing in weightlifting. In May, Hannah was crowned European Masters Weightlifting Champion, qualifying for the World Championships in Poland at the end of August.

It was a roundabout route to weightlifting for Hannah. A serious injury brought her trampolining career to a halt so, instead, she focused on developing a career in teaching.

As part of her personal exercise regime, Hannah participated in CrossFit, where coach, Dan Eccleston, recognised her potential. Hannah decided to compete and her recent win was at just her third competitive outing.

Hannah is now fundraising and training for the World Championships – but it’s not easy as she leads a very busy life. She said: “I have to juggle training in my garden alongside working as a primary school teacher in Poole and raising two toddlers, so it has been tricky.”

Fundraising efforts so far have included a cake sale and non-uniform day at Talbot Primary School, where Hannah teaches. She has also secured a sponsor in HIVE & Partners. Anyone wishing to contribute can do so via www.gofundme. com/f/help-me-to-competeat-world-championships.

PULFORD PUBLICITY sponsors WIMBORNE COMMUNITY GARDEN

In Bloom judge visits garden

By Jane Benson

We had a particularly busy and exciting end to the month of June. On 23 June, we were delighted to be visited by Mr John Lockwood, a South & South East In Bloom judge, as he assessed how Wimborne Community Garden was developing (we won’t know his thoughts on that until September). This was followed by us welcoming a great many visitors to the garden as we took part in Wimborne’s Open Gardens. We did enjoy sharing our garden with visitors and, in doing so, felt very pleased to be able to support the excellent work of Wimborne in Bloom at the same time.

One of the areas visitors wanted to know about was our No Dig beds. This is a part of the garden where we stripped the turf, laid cardboard down, covered this with compost and then left it for approximately six months before planting it with salad crops, onions, beans, sunflowers etc. The idea of this is that we don’t disturb the soil structure by digging into it which means the ecosystem is undisturbed; roots are able to access food more readily in the soil and so hopefully produce bigger and better crops. This is a relatively new idea and so we wanted to have a go at it in one area of the garden. So far the results have been pretty good – check out our onion crop!

If you’d like to know more about this, or any aspect of our garden, come along on a Wednesday morning, Friday afternoon or Sunday afternoon or email us at wimbornecommunitygarden@gamil.com. You will always be most welcome whether you come to ask questions, help us with jobs or just come to enjoy the peacefulness of the garden. We’re to be found at the top of School Lane (BH21 1HQ) opposite Beaucroft College. See you there.

Serious failings found in Dorset health care report

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Improved support for carers when their loved one is discharged from hospital and better NHS dental care in Dorset are amongst the topics tackled in the latest Healthwatch Dorset Annual Report.

Support for carers

Sadly, almost half the people contacted said the service they and their cared for person received was poor.

Many of the carers said they didn’t get enough information or support and they weren’t kept informed about what was happening.

Over 60 per cent of people rated their experience of discharge from hospital as being poor. Carers said they felt unsupported and ignored during the discharge process and there was a lack of information.

The report recommended supporting carers by having a named contact for carers, 24/7 support, consistent use of carer passports and/ or ‘This Is Me’ forms and discharge process training for staff using carers’ experiences from this project.

There should be increased awareness for carers and an improvement to carer identification by establishing carer lanyards and carer signs above beds in hospital. In addition, there should be the provision of Carer Champions at senior and ward level and the creation of quiet spaces and time for carer communications/ discussions in hospital.

Better information for carers should be provided to include leaflets and training to help carers to identify themselves and register with GP/council services, a hospital discharge pack and a single link to signpost carers to support.

Dental care

People in Dorset are having difficulty getting the dental care they need. A team of seven Healthwatch Dorset volunteers called all 93 NHS dental practices in Dorset to ask a number of questions.

The lack of access to NHS dentistry has been an issue raised by the Healthwatch network ever since it was formed. Initially, people in certain parts of the country – often areas of deprivation – regularly fed back concerns about the lack of available NHS appointments. This was exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. Currently, there are no dentists taking on new NHS adult patients. Eighteen dental clinics said they are accepting new NHS patients if they are children;

seven practices said they are accepting patients with additional needs.

50 per cent of practices that responded said their waiting list was over 12 months.

People said they could not find an NHS dentist in Dorset for either urgent or routine appointments. People are suffering from ongoing pain and unresolved dental issues because they have not been able to access treatment though the emergency dental hubs or through an NHS dentist.

The Healthwatch report concluded that a more rapid and radical reform is required of how dentistry is commissioned and provided. It recognised that the current arrangements do not meet the needs of many people who cannot access NHS dental care in a timely way, but it acknowledged issues faced by the dental profession.

Healthwatch is now working with NHS Dorset to help inform service plans for improving access to NHS dentistry and improving oral health across Dorset.

In the next couple of months, it will be holding focus group discussions with local dental staff, public health colleagues, schools, health visitors working on oral health programmes, the local voluntary sector, and people who have shared their stories. The findings will be reported.

Viv Aird, chairman of the Healthwatch Dorset Board, said: “We have worked hard this year to ensure that people’s concerns are represented at local, regional, and national level to help make care better. However, health and social care services are under pressure and many people in Dorset tell us they still find it challenging to access services such as dentistry, GP appointments and social care assessments. In response, we have shared people’s feedback with the NHS and our local authorities to help them develop plans to improve access to local services.

“We will continue to highlight the issues that matter most to our local communities to help services find solutions to address people’s needs. In the coming year, our priorities will include further work around NHS dentistry and oral health, urgent and emergency care, and children and young people’s mental health services.”

How do you like those onions?

Reaping the benefits of summer

Whilst, for some, the sunny months can be challenging, it’s easy to forget how lucky we are to be in such a beautiful part of the country. The season of optimism is here and, hayfever aside, safely catching the sun has never been more vital to our mental health.

Practise gratefulness

For those of us lucky enough to have the countryside or seaside on our doorstep, we often take for granted how much joy can be found in an evening stroll on the promenade or a morning dip in the sea. Even taking five minutes out of the day to listen to the breeze flowing through the trees can remind us of how fortunate we are.

Reconnect with nature

Whilst time spent behind your desk is not time wasted, it’s always important to align yourself with the world beyond work. Whether it’s walking to the office or taking breaks in the sun, grounding yourself in nature can ease tension. Next time you venture outside, try to spend an extra moment feeling the sun on your skin, or listen to the birds chatter for a little bit longer than usual. For more ideas, see Dorset Mind’s ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’, available on the website.

Listen to your body

Not everyone acclimatises to the heat seamlessly. If you’re feeling more sluggish than usual, make sure you’re keeping yourself hydrated and safe if you’re in the sun. The summer months are the perfect time to try a new outdoor hobby. If you’ve ever fancied practising yoga in an outside space, now is the time. Make time and space for yourself to breathe and allow yourself to enjoy the sun.

Some research suggests an adverse reaction to heat exposure in those taking certain antidepressants – if in doubt, consult your GP. If you need emotional support now, call Samaritans free on 116 123, 24/7.

Meet the Wimborne Town Clerk

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Louise Harrison has a wealth of life experiences to draw upon in her role as town clerk to Wimborne Minster Town Council.

She took over from Lawrence Hewitt last year but she admitted: “He was here for 29 years, so those are big shoes to fill.”

She served as town clerk in Ferndown, and before that in Hertfordshire, having previously spent 20 years in the Metropolitan Police.

It was when her husband retired – he now organises walks and holidays for ramblers – that Louise looked for a change in profession and initially became a deputy town clerk, which set her on her current path.

Louise and her family – she has three children and a dog named Sky – had grown to

love Wimborne as they had holidayed in the area and they settled in Corfe Mullen.

Louise, who has a foundation degree in Community Governance, explained her role, which is essentially as the council’s chief executive and chief financial officer.

“Wimborne Town Council is a corporate body with 14 elected councillors, and is not political. My job is to advise them, and to prepare agendas and minutes. I also have to ensure that every decision is lawful and I’m responsible for finances and the staff.”

Louise said the office in West Borough – which is open from 9.30am to 1pm – acts as a signpost for local services.

Wimborne Town Council is responsible for Redcotts Recreation Ground and Leigh

Park Community Centre, and manages street furniture. It also manages the cemetery jointly with Colehill, Pamphill and Shapwick parish councils. The authority is taking over the allotments at Parmiter Drive and could in future take over those at Wimborne Chase.

Louise said she is keen to work with community groups that organise events in the town.

“What I love about Wimborne is that there is always so much going on and huge community involvement.”

She added that the civic role of the mayor, the town crier and the Militia are very important to the town and its people.

“The council is applying to have a 20mph speed limit across the town instead

of on just a few roads.

“I am also aware of the lack of pharmacies. Waitrose have said they won’t put one in and we are in discussions with the Co-op. It’s a national issue as costs are so prohibitive.

“We also want to improve accessibility to the town for people in wheelchairs. It is a bit of a problem as there are listed buildings and narrow pavements.”

Louise said she was in talks with Dorset Council as, in the future, some services will be devolved.

“We are also looking to consider if, like other councils, we need to have a Neighbourhood Plan.

“By May of next year when we have local elections I hope the council will have done some great work,” she said.

New integrated health support for Dorset

Local people who need help to understand the care and support process can now contact just one service instead of three different organisations.

South West Advocacy Network (SWAN) operates across Dorset including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Cllr David Brown, BCP Council portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Making sure that people receive the right support at the right time is so important and can make a real difference in people’s lives. Being able to offer a streamlined service across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the whole of Dorset will make accessing this free and confidential advocacy service a much simpler process for our residents who need it the most.”

Individuals, family, friends and professionals can all make referrals to SWAN. SWAN will advise on whether advocacy is the right way forward or signpost to other support that best meets the person’s needs.

SWAN can be contacted online at www.swanadvocacy.org. uk/dorset, by email at dorset@swanadvocacy. org.uk or by phone on 03333 447928.

Your lifestyle, your way at Ferndown Manor and The Potteries

- Advertisement featureCare UK’s Ferndown Manor care home in Ferndown and The Potteries care home in Broadstone will support you to continue living your life the way you choose while delivering award-winning care in a place you can call home. The highly trained teams are experts in providing high-quality care from residential, nursing and dementia care, to short-term care. A lifestyle tailored to you

At Care UK’s ‘good’ CQC rated homes, the teams are passionate about supporting you to enjoy a fulfilling life. They’ll learn all about your interests and preferences so they can create a fully personalised lifestyle plan that you’ll enjoy whether it’s gardening, cheese and wine socials or playing chess. Everything under one roof Ferndown Manor and The Potteries offer luxurious facilities, including a coffee shop, hair salon, cinema and beautifully

landscaped gardens. Their chef-led kitchen teams are passionate about providing high quality food using fresh, local produce, and there’s always a choice of nutritious and delicious dishes at every meal. Hear what relatives have to say Care UK recognises the importance of friends and family staying involved in their loved one’s care and lifestyle plan, and regular relative meetings are popular. Trust them to care

Care UK has been delivering high-quality, person-centred care for over 40 years. They pride themselves on the transparency of their care quality and fee information – ensuring you can trust them to care from that very first step of your journey into care. To find out more about Ferndown Manor and The Potteries, call 0330 173 8872 or visit careuk.com/dorset

Hospital bell boosts morale for patients

Patients at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital are now able to ring a bell when they reach a treatment milestone.

David Le Monnier, who has been undergoing cancer treatment since January, has donated a symbolic bell for his fellow patients to ring.

David, who comes from Jersey, has been a regular patient at RBH. Currently on his fourth round of chemotherapy and waiting for a bone marrow

transplant, he was inspired to donate the bell when seeing other patients on the ward.

David said: “I recently went home for 10 days' rest from treatment. When I came back into the department, I saw another patient being applauded by staff as she left after her final treatment.

“She asked if there was a bell she could ring but the team said unfortunately there wasn’t. This was my light bulb moment.

“This bell is for any and all patients. I want anyone who achieves anything to ring the bell. Although it is for patients in their treatment, I also want staff to ring it if they have had a good day at work. All achievements are important.”

The bell has been named

the ‘Jersey Hope Bell’ and sits alongside a special message to fellow patients and those looking after them. David said: “I had the opportunity to ring the bell as I left for my break in treatment. It is very loud – it probably woke the whole ward up.”

David with the Jersey Hope Bell

Dorset pilots national Autism in Schools project

A pilot project has been launched in Dorset to help people to understand autism.

Autism in Schools is a national project which aims to ensure mainstream schools offer environments in which autistic students can thrive, supporting good mental health and promoting a sense of belonging for this group of young people.

Young people who are autistic will be able to share with their peers what it is like to be autistic in school and what adaptations would make a difference to them. They will have greater opportunities to meet and socialise with others who have similar

Neighbourly visit

Supreme Champion Shire horse Clive, was welcomed by residents at Care South’s Elizabeth House care home in Poole. Standing at 18.2hh, Clive’s sweet and gentle approach touched many residents who were pleased to welcome him into the home for lots of calming strokes and interaction.

interests which will reduce social isolation.

Tamsin, from the Parent Carer Forum, said: “Involving parents and carers of autistic children and young people who go to the schools taking part in the project will be key to its success.”

Each school will receive Autism Education Trust (AET) training.

The project, which is funded by NHS England, is being jointly led by Dorset Parent Carer Council, Dorset Council and NHS Dorset.

The first wave of the project will be rolled out during the next academic year and 16 schools from across the Dorset Council area have so far been invited to take part.

‘Good’ Ofsted for Witchampton school

Witchampton Church of England First School is officially ‘good’, according to its most recent Ofsted report.

Inspectors said the school’s motto of being a ‘small school with a big heart – making a difference’ is played out as, when one of its 59 pupils demonstrates one of its key values of love, courage, inspiration and respect, they are issued with a ‘Witchampton Wow’ badge to wear.

The report also emphasised the importance the school puts on the fundamental subjects of mathematics and English, with storytime built into the daily timetable and noted that there is a culture of ‘inclusivity and acceptance’.

Headteacher Jo Hancock said: “We are delighted with our report and it is very reassuring that our areas of focus were already a focus and underway.”

Pods are music to the ears at middle school

St Michael’s Middle School at Colehill has opened three new music pods which are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. With electric pianos, guitars, and drum kits, the soundproofed pods will help groups of up to 10 pupils come together and rehearse without struggling due to limited space.

Funding of £45,000 towards this was provided by Talbot Village Trust.

Darren Ayling, headmaster of St Michael’s Middle School, said: “I am so grateful to Talbot Village Trust for their very generous donation to achieve this wonderful resource for the school. Music is an important part of education, playing a key role in children’s cognitive and social development. It can also help build pupils’ self-esteem and self-discipline.

“Music is one of the strengths at St Michael’s Middle School and I am so pleased that we have the facilities to enable our pupils, aged nine to 13, to explore and develop their musical abilities as part of their education here.”

Do you need help with school uniform costs?

Buying new school uniform can soon run up a hefty bill. Contact your school to see if they offer second-hand uniform sales for details and grab yourself a bargain.

Schools may also offer uniform support for families in financial difficulty. Finally, don’t forget to check out school community social media groups for free-cycled and second-hand school uniform for sale.

If your child has outgrown their school uniform or no longer has use for it, please consider donating your uniform back to the school for re-use or to Hope for Food who will pass on to a child in need.

AUB an outstanding provider

A recent Ofsted inspection at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) labelled the university’s foundation diploma in Art, Design and Media ‘outstanding.’

The report highlights the excellent teaching that students receive from industry experts, preparing them for further study or employment. AUB’s lecturers are also described as ‘highly ambitious’ in the way they challenge students and help them create high-quality work.

The report emphasises the support AUB students receive, including those with additional educational needs, and also confirms that students enjoy their studies at AUB and take ownership of their learning.

The Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media is a oneyear course that gives students the chance to explore different creative areas before choosing a subject to take a degree in.

L-R: Ed Johnston, head of Music; Ron Jenkinson, former headmaster; and Darren Ayling, current headmaster

Healthy barbecue ideas

Nothing quite says summer like the smell of a barbecue. Traditional barbecue fare doesn’t scream ‘healthy’, but by swapping some of the ingredients, or adding side dishes, you can put on a feast for the whole family to enjoy. These tips from Heart Research UK will help you increase the fibre and reduce the fat content of your usual BBQ spread.

Sizzling skewers

Skewers are great for barbecues, and you can fill them with a rainbow of vegetables to help you hit your five-a-day. Peppers, courgettes, onions and tomatoes work well together. Cut your veggies into similar size chunks and, if you’re using wooden skewers, soak them before grilling so they don’t burn.

Choose fish and chicken

Burgers and sausages are fine to eat in moderation, but there are heart-healthier options to choose. Try grilling salmon wrapped in foil with some lemon for an omega-3 rich lean protein source. If you still fancy sausages, choose lean chicken varieties which contain less saturated fat.

Add a jacket spud

Cook jacket potatoes in advance and then wrap them in foil to pop on the barbecue to warm up. They pair perfectly with veggie skewers and salmon to create a balanced heart-healthy delicious meal.

Orchestra supports community hospital

The Wimborne Orchestra has donated just over £400 to Wimborne’s Victoria Hospital following a collection at its spring concert. This funding went to support the improvements to facilities in the X-ray department at the hospital.

Wimborne Orchestra, which has just over 60 members, is now rehearsing for its next concert, and additional players are welcomed, particularly bassoonists and any string players including double bass and cello. They play a range of music from popular classical to music from films and shows.

The orchestra meets on Monday evenings during term time from 7.30pm to 9pm at St Nicholas Church, Corfe Mullen and there is adequate free parking at the church.

For further information about the Wimborne Orchestra please email johnt5373@gmail.com, telephone 01258 455403, or visit www.thewimborneorchestra.org.uk

New president for Lions Club

Ken Taylor is the new president of the Wimborne and Ferndown Lions Club, taking over from Michael Zeck.

The start of the new Lions year also saw members agree to a new meetings structure to reflect the social side of the club. From now on, business will be discussed at the first meeting of the month – to be held at the British Legion in Ferndown on the first Tuesday of each month. A second meeting, on the third Tuesday of the month, will be social, with only urgent business discussed. These will take place in different venues to allow more people to attend.

Face-to-face meetings for housing service

Wimborne library is amongst six libraries in Dorset which are now accommodating face-to-face meetings with Dorset Council’s Housing Options Team. This is on top of the telephone and email service that already exists.

The sessions will take place at a different location each weekday between 10am and 4pm, with the other libraries being in Dorchester, Wareham, Weymouth, Bridport and at Nordon Lodge in Blandford.

The public will need to book the appointment in advance with housing officers if they need to meet in person.

People can still call on 01305 221000 or email housinghelp@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk if they want to get help if they are faced with homelessness, or need advice and support regarding a housing matter.

The sessions are held at the Customer Access Point at Wimborne library on the first Monday of the month.

Conductor John Turner presents a cheque to Anne Salter, chairman of the Friends of Victoria Hospital

Faces behind Wimborne businesses

The pretty, historic market town of Wimborne Minster is an attractive place to be for residents and visitors alike.

The characterful streets and the impressive 12th century minster form an attractive backdrop to shopping, enjoying a meal or drink or visiting one of the town’s attractions.

Independent shops and cafés feature alongside quality national chains, and the Friday markets at the Allendale Centre and monthly farmers’ market in the Square hark back to Wimborne’s origins as a market town.

You’ll find every legal, financial and property service in the town, alongside all the services residents and visitors alike may need.

Here, the people behind your favourite businesses and preferred service providers introduce you to their teams.

Protecting precious seagrass habitats in Studland Bay

By Daniel Cutler, Marine Management Organisation

The urgent need to protect vulnerable seagrass habitats has received national attention, with BBC’s Springwatch recently putting the spotlight on conservation measures in place within Dorset’s Studland Bay.

The sheltered waters of Studland Bay are home to vitally important seagrass beds. These beds provide a safe place for many endangered and rare species to live, feed, shelter and reproduce. This includes spiny seahorses (also known as long-snouted), pipefish and undulate rays. They also serve as a nursery ground for many commercially important fish species such as bass, sea bream and some flat fish.

Across the UK however, issues such as pollution, disease, climate change and physical disturbances from anchoring and bottom towed fishing gear has led to a significant decline in this type of habitat over the last century. To protect and recover the seagrass within Studland Bay, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has consulted with local partners, the boating community and

bay users, leading to the introduction of a voluntary noanchor zone (VNAZ) in 2021.

The VNAZ is helping to protect the area’s seagrass beds and the species it supports by encouraging boaters, who come from across Dorset and further afield to enjoy Studland’s sandy beaches, to anchor their boats outside areas where seagrass is known to be present, and use moorings.

The seagrass is easily damaged by the dropping and weighing of boat anchors, which drag along the sea floor, expose seagrass roots, and can leave large anchor scars, fragment the habitat and cause long-term damage to the beds. The extent and coverage of the seagrass within the bay does not necessarily reflect the overall vitality of the habitat.

The benefits of safeguarding the seagrass beds are recognised, due to

their vital role in absorbing carbon from surrounding seawater and stabilising the seabed, which can help to reduce coastal erosion and mitigate the impact of climate change.

The MMO’s voluntary approach is supported by the Studland Bay Marine Partnership (SBMP), an organisation made up of local stakeholders, conservation and boating groups, academics, grassroots community groups and local businesses committed to conserving the area’s natural environment.

SBMP has worked tirelessly

to find solutions that meet the needs of local people and recreational boaters, enabling them to continue to enjoy the bay, whilst protecting and restoring the sensitive seagrass habitats. This includes fundraising initiatives to enable the provision of eco-moorings within the bay. These provide a sustainable alternative to traditional anchoring. Recently, SBMP has announced a further win for marine wildlife and boaters alike at Studland Bay by installing additional 21 eco-moorings, bringing the total amount available within the bay to 43. Fundraising is underway to install a further 57 eco-moorings by 2024.

MMO will continue to work closely with the SBMP, and engage local people and boaters on the importance of protecting the seagrass over the coming years. The seagrass beds will continue to be monitored and alongside impacts evidence gathered, this will help inform MMO's future approach to conserving habitats and species around England’s coastline.

To find out more, please visit: www.gov.uk/MMO

A Deep-snouted pipefish in seagrass in Studland Bay © Natural England

Studland Seahorse © The Seahorse Trust, Neil Garrick-Maidment

View over the VNAZ on the water, with eco-mooring and Old Harry Rocks in background © MMO Studland

Campaign for more trees in housing estates

The Woodland Trust presented its new report ‘Trees and Woods at the Heart of Nature Recovery in England’ to the recent Local Government Association (LGA) conference in Bournemouth.

The report sets out a raft of solutions, including adding more trees into housing estates with less than 16 per cent tree cover, 30 per cent canopy cover for new developments, and access to greenspace within 10 minutes of everyone’s doorsteps.

The report, designed to help councils and communities write their Local Nature Recovery Strategies, follows the government’s recent announcement that it has made £14m available to the 48 local authorities tasked with leading on drafting the plans – of which Dorset Council is one.

Since 1970, 35 per cent of species have declined in abundance. This means today’s

children now have a 70 per cent less chance of seeing a hedgehog than their parents did, while dormice populations have fallen 48 per cent since today’s primary school pupils were born. The proportion of urban green space is also declining.

Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: “As well as driving nature’s return, tree numbers correlate to improving people’s health and well-being – something that’s being increasingly recognised by leaders across the globe.”

The Woodland Trust is asking people to contact their local authorities via its campaign website. Visit woodlandtrust. org.uk/campaigns.

Keyhole surgery for your pet comes to Wimborne

By Lynwood Vets

Molly, an 11-month-old Cockerpoo is a picture of cuteness as she sits on Dad’s lap in the waiting room at Lynwood Vets’ Wimborne clinic. She is here for a post-operative check-up after a keyhole spay.

“Everything we read about it was positive. We had a quick chat with Molly and she agreed!”

Neutering (spaying) has long been advised for bitches. Not just to prevent unwanted litters of puppies, spaying also has numerous health benefits. Many dogs die each year from hormone-related diseases including breast cancer and womb infections. Spaying at a younger age can prevent many of these illnesses.

Unlike surgery for fixing a broken leg or stitching a wound, spaying is an elective procedure performed on an otherwise healthy dog. Therefore, on grounds of welfare it is essential we do everything we can to

Cats will have to be microchipped

New legislation means that cat owners will be obliged to microchip their pets or risk receiving a £500 fine.

The microchipping law was put in place on 6 April 2016 for dogs and, by June 2024, will be mandatory for cats as well. Currently, dogs must be fitted with a microchip by the time they are eight weeks old, unless they have health conditions that prevent them from having the procedure. Owners can be fined for not microchipping their dogs, or for not keeping their details up-to-date.

Not only does microchipping help identify

and return pets to their owners, it also helps to decrease the growing number of strays on the streets and alleviates the strain that many animal shelters are under. Not microchipping your pet also means insurance providers can invalidate the policy if your pet goes missing. Cats will need to be chipped by the time they are 20 weeks old, and the fines for unchipped cats will be the same as for unchipped dogs.

The microchipping process is quick and painless and can be done for free in Blue Cross and Battersea rescue centres, or for a small charge of around £20 at a vet or local council.

reduce the pain and stress associated with the surgery.

Lynwood Vets are now offering keyhole spays as an alternative to the traditional surgical approach. With tiny wounds, and a less invasive procedure, pain is reduced, and recovery can be significantly quicker and smoother.

This was the opinion of Molly’s dad: “After the surgery she slept, then the next day she was right as rain, bouncing around all over the place. Now, three days later, you can see she is a livewire. We thoroughly recommend it!”

Please call the Wimborne clinic on (01202) 882101 for more information.

With a just a few games left at the end of the 2022-2023 season, AFC Bournemouth secured their place in the Premier League for the 2023-24 season, and finished a respectable 15th on the table with a few hard games at the tail end.

Now with a new manager and a re-shaped team, AFC Bournemouth is looking forward to continued success. The first team squad flew to Marbella for a 10-day pre-season training camp in preparation for the upcoming season, playing pre-season friendlies against Hibernian (winning 4-0) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (suffering a 0-1 defeat after a goal four minutes from time).

MATCH FIXTURES

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES – SEPTEMBER 2023

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES – OCTOBER 2023

Fixtures subject to change. Dorset View cannot take any responsibility for any changes.

Justin Kluivert, 24, was AFC Bournemouth’s first signing of the summer. He was previously signed to Roma and has two international caps representing the Netherlands. Kluivert is from a footballing family – his father, Patrick Kluivert, played for Barcelona and the Netherlands and his grandfather Kenneth was a Surinamese international player. His brother, Ruben, plays professional football for FC Utrecht.

The Cherries have also signed midfielder Romain Faivre, a former Lyon player on loan to Lorient. Faivre will remain on loan to Lorient for the 2023-24 season.

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES – NOVEMBER 2023

LEAGUE FIXTURES – DECEMBER 2023

Andoni Iraola joined the Cherries as manager at the end of June, having previously led Madrid side Rayo Vallecano de Madrid for two seasons, achieving midtable finishes in the Spanish La Liga.

In his first press conference for AFC Bournemouth, he said that his experience managing Madrid’s third side should stand him in good stead. He said: “When we start the season, there is a sense of being the underdogs. We have to gain respect from the league. It’s very similar to Rayo Vallecano because the stadium perhaps isn’t so big or we don’t perhaps have the history that the other clubs have.

“We have to use that to our advantage and I’m used to this, and it’s good for us.”

TICKETS

Tickets for AFC Bournemouth home matches will be priced in a tiered system, varying by opponent, and prices in each stand will start at £1 less than the 2022-23 match ticket prices. A new ‘ambulant disabled’ ticket type is being introduced this season. Supporters gain points for each home match attended, giving them preferential opportunities to buy further tickets.

TELEVISED MATCHES

If you are unable to get to matches, the following AFC Bournemouth games will be televised:

• 26 August against Tottenham Hotspur, 12.30pm, TNT Sports (formerly BT Sports)

• 17 September against Chelsea, 2pm, Sky Sports

• 5 December against Crystal palace, 8pm, Prime Video

• 26 December against Fulham, 3pm, Prime Video

TEAMS

As well as the men’s first team, AFC Bournemouth has a women’s team which competes in the National League, and won the Hampshire Cup last season. The under-18s team plays in the Merit League One, finishing eight on the table in the 2022-23 season. There is also a development squad and opportunities for younger players to get involved.

WORK IN THE COMMUNITY

AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust is the charitable arm of AFC Bournemouth, and works in the local community across Bournemouth, Poole and surrounding areas in education and health, encouraging participation and inclusion in football.

The team works with schools and organisations, engaging with up to 4,000 people a week of all ages. It has 28 registered teams across the community, which include the girls and women’s programme, disability, college and walking football. The trust has also recently completed a 16-day tour of South Africa for the second successive year, visiting community projects, schools and football clubs.

MATCH FIXTURES

WHAT ARE

- Advertisement featureLaceeze bands are a patented silicon band that prevent laces coming undone for children during sport, especially during football.

Laceeze were not invented to stop kids learning to tie their shoelaces – far from it! The laces need to be tied but the bands keep the laces securely in place throughout match play and training. They also secure the grip of the shoe and many buy them now to prolong the lifespan of laceless boots too (which sometimes loosen after multiple wears). Some children also say it helps them hit the sweet spot of the foot because it creates a smoother surface area for hitting the ball.

Buy your pair today or invest in a team bundle of bands and use “CHERRIES” at the checkout to save 10%. www.laceeze.co.uk

Honour for BSO chief executive

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s (BSO) chief executive, Dougie Scarfe, has been awarded an OBE for services to the Arts.

Scarfe has held senior roles as an administrator, educator and performer in a career spanning over three decades. He has worked extensively to improve outcomes for disabled musicians, from creating the world’s first disabled-led ensemble at the core of a major symphony orchestra, BSO Resound, to commissioning new music for inclusive forces.

Scarfe is also committed to bringing the BSO’s work to isolated and rural communities through livestreamed performances, and has inspired generations of young performers through his dedication to music education.

Free art workshops inspired by Badbury Rings

Families and community groups in the Wimborne area are being invited to free artist-led workshops in August, to make lanterns and flags for Emerald Ant’s Glow Badbury event, organised in partnership with the National Trust, and taking place at Badbury Rings this autumn.

Everyone is welcome to join in, either on a day workshop where you can pre-book a place, or at one of the drop-in workshops, where you can just turn up on the day.

Suitable for children aged seven plus, and adults of all ages, these creative, friendly summer workshops will take place on 8, 25 and 29 August in the villages of Sturminster Marshall, Tarrant Keyneston, and Pamphill, and on 26 and 27 August with two drop-in sessions at the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne and The Reef in Colehill respectively.

To find out more about the Glow Badbury project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, or to book a workshop place, please go to: https://emeraldant.com/glowbadbury/gb-workshops/

New event for Poole

Five Poole Quay businesses have collaborated to create a new free to attend event in September.

The owners of City Cruises, The Customs House, The Poole Arms, Saint Tropez Restaurant and Truly Scrumptious sweet shop are working together to bring this new event to Poole Quay and the Lower High Street.

Seafood & Sounds will take place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September featuring local musicians from 12 noon until 4pm. Participating pubs and restaurants will feature special seafood dishes throughout the weekend and offer their own live music during the evenings.

There are plans for a fish market and stalls within Hennings, and local fishermen and businesses have already expressed interest in taking part.

BCP Council is providing financial support previously earmarked for the cancelled Poole Goes Vintage and Poole BID is also supporting the event.

Businesses interested in being involved in the event should contact Jeanette Walsh on 07951 217268 or email jea@thepinksugarmouse.com.

Dougie Scarfe

Wavelength A Cappella

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Formed by a group of friends in 2016, Wavelength A Cappella is a small women’s choir that sings three- and four-part harmonies without musical accompaniment. Its repertoire includes popular classics and songs from the shows.

Although the choir is always on the lookout for new singers, it will always remain small as, when singing in harmony, it’s lovely to know each other. The choir members pride themselves on creating a warm and inclusive environment, embracing singers of all ages and from all walks of life.

At Wavelength there are no intimidating auditions – the only requirements are that you can hold a tune, have a love of music and wear a smile.

They rehearse and explore the magic of a cappella singing every Tuesday evening at the Kinson Community Centre in Pelhams Park and are always happy for guests to come and have a listen to what they do.

Southbourne shaken and stirred

Vintage festival Shake & Stir returned to Southbourne on 24 and 25 June for its ninth year.

Festival goers were treated to vintage fashion, and vintage-themed workshops, classic car displays, and a retro line-up of entertainment and dancing.

Music from the 1920s to the 1970s was provided by groups such as Susie Kimber Jazz trio, Retro Rita, Andy Kennet as Elvis, Peter Gills as Jerry Lewis and Johnny Earle and the Swing Me Baby Band.

The winner of the Show and Shine Best Vintage car competition was the Austin Burnham 1930, with the 1959 Ford Galaxy as the runner up. Margery Daw Southbourne won the vintage window display competition. Money raised was donated to Helping Homeless Veterans.

Mandy Polkey, managing director of organiser Stir Events CIC, said: “It was great to see the locals and vintage fans coming together. People were dressed to the nines and it’s always the best way to kick the summer off.

“The whole weekend was fabulous; dance classes, fairground stalls, live music, competitions and a display of beautiful classic cars.”

Poole Museum at Lighthouse

Whilst the Poole Museum site in the High Street is being redeveloped, its Museum on the Move project is in full flow. As part of the project, Lighthouse is housing artefacts from the museum’s collections in its Main Gallery until 1 August. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-8pm. Admission is free.

Among the objects on show are photographs of Newfoundland at the height of the Newfoundland trade, a series of ship portraits, a Poole shipwright’s bench and images from the 13th century Mortar Wreck – the oldest protected wreck in English waters – with its cargo that included two Purbeck Marble gravestones.

Poole Museum is scheduled to reopen in late 2024.

Museum garden tours

The National Garden Scheme is to benefit from garden tours at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth through the summer and autumn for groups of six plus people.

The tours will be guided by Phil Broomfield, the head gardener, who is also assistant county organiser – Poole and Bournemouth –for the charity.

Once the home of Sir Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes, people will hear about the early days of the Edwardian Garden; its concept and design and how it has evolved over the decades; the restoration and re-awakening of the garden; and the choice of plants which thrive in what is essentially a dry, naturalistic, sub-tropical clifftop garden on Bournemouth’s East Cliff. Tickets cost £3 per head and all proceeds will go towards the National Garden Scheme. Telephone 07810 646123 or e-mail phil.broomfield@ngs.org.uk to book.

New cartoonist for Dorset View

Award-winning Dorset cartoonist, Lyndon Wall, will be contributing a regular cartoon in Dorset View. His first humorous contribution highlights the upcoming Rustic Fayre at Potterne Park in Verwood on August Bank Holiday Monday. Lyndon has certainly captured the atmosphere of this great family day out. Look out for his fabulous cartoon on the Rustic Fayre programme’s front cover too, which will be available to pick up in local shops shortly.

A book of Lyndon Wall’s work, Upsydown: Cartoons of Dorset Life, is being published this autumn by Amberley Publishing.

Events

Details were correct at the time of going to print. Send information about your events to newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Until 5 August

Swanage Carnival, Swanage Beach, Shore Road.

1 August 10am-1pm

Little Explorers and Wimborne Library Summer Reading Challenge ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ at Museum of East Dorset. £3.50 per child. Museum admission not included. Annual pass holders go free.

3 August 1.30-3.30pm

The Ferndown COPD Support Group meets every first Thursday of each month at the Ferndown Day Centre, BH22 9JP.

5-6 August

New Forest Food Festival at Hinton Admiral Estate, Christchurch. Details www. newforestfoodfestival.co.uk

6, 13, 20 and 27 August

Cream Teas by the river at Damerham Village Hall, SP6 3HN, 2-4.30pm. In aid of St George’s Church, Damerham.

7 August 10am-12noon

Every Monday drop in for a warm welcome and a free cuppa at Blandford Library, The Tabernacle, DT11 7DW. 01258 452075.

7 August 7pm-10pm

The Wessex Friends meet at The Cobham Flight Refuelling Sports & Social Club at Merley with a talk entitled ‘My Time as a Zookeeper’ by Josie Smith. Details: derekabaker@hotmail.co.uk

8, 25 and 29 August

Glow Badbury workshops at Sturminster Marshall, Tarrant Keyneston and Pamphill. To book, go to: https://emeraldant.com/ glow-badbury/gb-workshops/

9 August 6.30pm-9pm

Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club meets downstairs in Kinson Community Centre. Details www.bournemouthjazzclub.org

10-14 August

‘We Out Here Festival’ at Wimborne St Giles. Tickets and information at weoutherefestival.com

10-21 August 10am-4pm

East Dorset BraveArt Society’s 16th exhibition at The Gallery Upstairs, Upton Country Park, Poole, BH17 7BJ.

13 August 12pm-5pm

Regatta Day at Dreamboats, Wimborne. Raft racing, stalls, barbecue. Free entry.

13 August 1pm-3pm

Wimborne Valognes Twinning Association BYO picnic at Pamphill Green. All welcome. Tel 01202 939633.

14-19 August 10am-5pm

Blandford Art Society annual open exhibition at The Blandford School, Milldown Road, Blandford DT11 7SQ. Free parking.

15 August 10am-1pm

Little Explorers Make It Snappy at Museum of East Dorset. Camerathemed crafts. £3.50 per child. Museum admission not included. Annual pass holders go free.

17-20 August

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival at Purbeck Valley Farm off the A351 between Corfe Castle and Harman’s Cross. www. purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk.

18 August 6pm

Choral Evensong with Laudemus at St Bartholomew Church, Shapwick.

18-20 August

VDUB at the Pub, Julian’s Road, Wimborne.

19 August 6pm

Choral Evensong with Laudemus at Wimborne Minster Church.

24-28 August 10am-5pm

Artlink annual art exhibition at Ibsley Village Hall, South Gorley, Ringwood, BH24 3NL. Refreshments available with proceeds going to the Salisbury Hospice.

25 August 7.30pm

Five-piece swing group

Clarinet Marmalade appear at Ringwood Meeting House.

26 August 4pm

Wimborne in Bloom duck race on the River Allen. Ducks to be launched into the river at the bottom of Mill Lane, beside the Riverside Café. Tickets £1, to be sold in town on Saturday 19, Thursday 24, Friday 25 and on race day.

26 and 27 August

Glow Badbury workshops at Museum of East Dorset and The Reef in Colehill. To book, please go to: https://emeraldant.com/ glow-badbury/gb-workshops/

28 August 12noon

Verwood Rotary Rustic Fayre, Potterne Park, Verwood.

29 August 7.30pm

West Parley Gardening Club meets at the MS Centre, Dorset, Church Lane, West Parley BH22 8TS when Gwynne Davies presents ‘History and Development of Daffodils’. Visitors welcome £3. Details from Rod Darch, 01202 896711 or www.westparleygc.co.uk

Road signs lurking in the undergrowth

Authorities and landowners are being urged to keep road signs maintained so they are not hidden by foliage.

Obscured road signs are at best a nuisance for drivers, and at worst can be misleading and dangerous.

The Highways Act 1980 (Section 154) says landowners must protect the safety of road users by ensuring they maintain roadside hedges and trees. Many are left, as during the bird nesting and rearing season, the cutting or trimming of trees is prohibited until after August.

However, any hedgerow or tree overhanging a highway and obstructing the view of drivers is not included within the restriction and should be cut back to improve road safety.

Obscured road signs can be reported to the local authority.

Car sales increase

New and used car sales remain high as supply chain pressures ease in the new car market and demand for second hand cars continues.

In June, the new car market grew by 25.8 per cent, with 177,266 vehicles registered, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

While petrol cars remain the most popular, sales of hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also rose, by 40.1% and 65.5% respectively. The were 31,700 sales of battery electric vehicles, while diesel vehicle registrations were down by 3.5 per cent.

Prices of used cars are increasing, although used electric vehicles are falling in price, meaning second hand car buyers can now pick them up at a similar price to a used fossil fuel equivalent.

Keyless car thefts

The instances of keyless car theft, also known as relay theft, are increasing across the country, and owners of keyless cars are advised to take extra precautions to prevent becoming a victim of this crime.

Using a device from outside a property, thieves are able to connect to a key’s signal to trick a vehicle into unlocking and the ignition starting. No entry into the owner’s home is needed, and it can be done quickly – in up to two minutes – so often the owner has no idea it’s happening until it’s too late.

There are steps you can take to protect your vehicle, and using a combination will deter thieves and protect your vehicle to the greatest extent. These include:

• Keep keys out of sight and away from doors and windows

• Use a signal blocking pouch, known as a Faraday bag, to store your keys

• Turn off your keyless fob’s wireless signal

• Use a tested and approved steering wheel, pedal or gear lock as a deterrent

• Use a tracking device to help track down your vehicle should it be taken

• Check with your manufacturer to make sure your car is as secure as it can be

• Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second hand car

• Park securely or use your garage if you have one

• Use CCTV and lighting

If you are a victim of keyless car theft, call 101 or by report it online.

Sustainable garden hacks

As well as food waste, your kitchen can also be a source of rubbish. Instead of putting your used kitchen and cleaning products in the bin, why not try these ideas for reusing them from Laura Harnett from Seep eco-cleaning products (theseepcompany.com).

Use sponges to retain water

Cut up sponges added to compost where you’re planting up tubs and hanging baskets will help hold moisture in the soil, particularly helpful during a heat wave or when you’re on holiday. Use an eco-sponge so no micro plastics will find their way into the soil and eco system.

Natural pesticides

Hot chillies can be used to make a natural pesticide. Simply fill a reusable spray bottle with water, add the seeds and chilli remains, and leave for 24 hours for it to infuse. Spray on your garden to protect your plants from bugs and flies without using harmful chemicals. Make bird scarers from rubber gloves

Holey rubber gloves can be used to create bird scarers. Take some natural twine and

tie the arm holes onto canes allowing the fingers to flap in the wind at our feathered friends.

Stop slugs with copper scourers

Slugs dislike copper as it gives them a small electric shock when they come into contact with it. Instead of buying expensive copper tape for your garden, unravel your copper pan scourer when it’s no longer useful and place it around your pot plants. Add food waste straight to your garden

Some food waste can be added directly to your garden. Banana skins act as an insecticide and also a natural fertiliser for many types of plants. Nut shells and egg shells help to aerate soil, while coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen so make a great addition to the soil, especially for a veg patch.

Healthy Homes Dorset scheme to continue

Two energy-saving programmes, Healthy Homes Dorset and Low Carbon Dorset, are set to continue as Dorset Council continues its efforts to tackle emissions in the county.

The schemes offer help for residents, communities, and businesses in Dorset to reduce energy use and tackle rising costs, and are a central part of the council’s plan to tackle emissions in the county.

Delivered in partnership with BCP Council, Public Health Dorset and Ridgewater Energy, the Healthy Homes Dorset programme gives free energy advice, and helps homeowners and tenants in Dorset install wall and loft insulation and fit low-energy heating systems. In 2022, over 600 homes in Dorset benefitted from the support.

The Low Carbon Dorset programme is aimed at helping organisations such as community groups, charities, and businesses get free advice and grants to help tackle emissions and rising energy costs.

New funding for the programmes comes from a mixture of government funds including the Shared Prosperity Fund, the replacement for old EU funding, the Home Upgrade Grant, the Rural England Prosperity Fund and Dorset Council.

For information, visit the Healthy Homes Dorset website or freephone 0300 003 7023.

Organisations, including voluntary or community groups and businesses, can apply for support by visiting the Low Carbon Dorset website.

Fire and security solutions

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Friendly fencing essential for hedgehog survival

Homeowners can help the native hedgehog to survive by using garden fencing that allows them to wander at night.

Hedgehogs can travel up to two kilometres in one night, on the prowl for food, shelter or a mate. However, habitat fragmentation, particularly caused by fencing that seals off a garden, is one of the main issues affecting these popular animals which are listed as vulnerable to extinction on the Red List for Britain’s Mammals 2020.

Hedgehog-friendly garden fencing featuring 13cm square gaps known as ‘hedgehog highways’ can help reverse this trend, allowing hedgehogs to roam.

Because of this, charities People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The

British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) are calling for garden fencing with pre-made hedgehog highways to become industry standard so these animals have better access to neighbouring gardens and green spaces, which is vital for the species’ long-term survival.

Some manufacturers are already selling products that are pre-fitted with a hedgehog highway. It is hoped that more manufacturers will follow suit.

Members of the public are being urged to write to local and national fencing companies to request hedgehog-friendly fencing options in their fencing and gravel board product ranges. Companies that carry hedgehog-friendly products will be showcased on the Hedgehog Street website.

Grace Johnson, hedgehog

officer for Hedgehog Street, said: “Hedgehog numbers have plummeted in recent years, with losses of up to 75 per cent in parts of the countryside. Fences prevent hedgehogs from accessing different gardens looking for food, shelter and potential mates, which is essential for their survival. Making a hedgehog highway is an incredibly simple yet effective solution, especially if manufacturers and suppliers offered ready-

made products as standard.” There are plenty of other ways to help hedgehogs. Leave an area of your garden wild and undisturbed; encourage natural insect food with log piles, leaf piles and compost heaps; leave out shallow dishes of water; and check for hedgehogs before strimming or mowing. You could even consider replacing one or more of your fences with a hedge – the ultimate hedgehog friendly garden boundary.

Hedgehog Highway’ © Christopher Morgan

Save money on your household bills this summer

Even though warmer weather is now upon us, household bills are still high. You may not have need of heating, or as many lights on, which can help, but there are still ways you can reduce your utilities usage, even at this time of year.

Gas

Use a smart thermostat, which can adjust temperatures according to when your home is occupied or not occupied. This allows any cooling systems to only be in effect at the time of need, reducing the cost. Check your water temperature. If it is very hot, turning down the temperature by a few degrees will help reduce wasted gas and make the temperature more comfortable and usable.

Insulate your home. Now you may be turning

the heating on less, why not make sure your home is adequately insulated ahead of the winter and thank yourself in the long run.

Water

Don’t overfill your kettle. By filling the kettle with the specific amount of water you need to make your tea or coffee, it will reduce water wastage and save on electricity. Use a dishwasher over sink washes. Contrary to popular belief, dishwashers use less water than sink washes. By filling your dishwasher up to a full load, you will use less water than if you were to spend more time filling up the sink.

Electricity

Using stand-alone devices such as laptops, phones and tablets that can be used without being connected to the

mains will drastically reduce your power consumption.

If you’re going away, unplug all unessential appliances to prevent unnecessary electricity consumption.

Cook efficiently by making more than one meal at a time. Batch cooking can save you

money on gas or electricity used to run your kitchen appliances and on your food bills as buying in bulk can be more cost-effective. Hang washing out to dry rather than use a tumble dryer.

Tips from www.aplan.co.uk.

Dorset Woman of the Year winner

A female assistant site manager from Dorset has picked up the winner’s trophy for Woman of the Year at the Women in Housing Awards 2023.

Victoria Grinnall, 27, who works at Barratt Homes’ Quarter Jack Park development in Wimborne, won the award for her drive and dedication towards equality and diversity in the construction sector.

After serving in the military for six years, and becoming the very first female to drive Titan and Trojan armoured vehicles, Victoria left the forces in 2021. She joined Barratt Homes’ via its Armed Forces Transition Programme – a scheme which gives ex-forces personnel the opportunity to become an assistant site manager.

Now fully qualified, Victoria is making strides within her career in construction and is an advocate for breaking down barriers, encouraging more young women into a career in construction and challenging stigmas that she says are slowly starting to change.

Victoria said: “I am so honoured, but genuinely surprised as I was up against some amazing and inspirational women in the industry and competition was extremely high.

“I love what I do, and I hope picking up this award will inspire other women and ex-service personnel to join the sector and see the fantastic opportunities there are out there.”

Housing project recognised in industry awards

A number of people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who are homeless and require a stepping-stone between hostels and independent living will be accommodated in a new housing scheme later this year.

Led by BCP Council and delivered by Poole-based AJC Group, the development, situated on the site of the former Bourne Valley Community Centre in Herbert Avenue, will provide 24 energy efficient apartments. Earlier this year, it received the Affordable Housing Development of the Year accolade at the Insider South West Property Awards.

Its credentials include a low carbon footprint due to Passivehaus certification, ensuring rigorous energy efficient design standards; and bat and bird boxes have been installed which help to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

The development was also shortlisted in the Sustainable Development of the Year category in the South Coast Property Awards.

This project will help reduce the dependency on temporary Bed and Breakfast accommodation, instead providing a more suitable housing solution through the mix of one-, two- and threebedroom self-contained units.

A CGI of the completed development

COMPUTER SERVICES

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Wartime love letters of former Bournemouth banker published

A box of letters, described as one of the most complete sets of wartime letters written between a husband and wife, have been turned into a book.

The letters weren’t discovered until after the couple who wrote them, Alan and Peggy Horton, had died. Many were written from a prisoner of war camp, hence the book’s name: ‘Behind the Wire: A Prisoner of War in Nazi Germany’.

The couple moved to Poole in the early 1950s when Alan became the manager of Lloyds Bank in Lower Parkstone. They lived above the bank for nine years before Alan was appointed to serve in Lloyds Bank, Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth. Alan and Peggy continued to live in Parkstone until their deaths in 1993 and 2003 respectively.

Alan was treasurer for Action for the Crippled Child for many years; he also served on the committee of the English Speaking Union, Lilliput Sea Scouts and the Poole District Scout Council of which he was chairman for some years.

In the mid 1950s, Alan was seriously ill with tuberculosis, which it was believed stemmed from his days as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany. Part of his recuperation was spent in the old Bournemouth Sanatorium.

Alan and Peggy’s son, John Horton, said: “After my parents’ death we discovered a large box of letters in their home. These have been

described by a member of staff from the Imperial War Museum as one of the most complete sets of wartime letters written between a husband and wife.

“The letters begin in February 1940 and conclude in December 1945. My parents had met in 1939 because of their wartime assignments. Their relationship developed and they were married in November 1940 during the Battle of Britain. On their wedding anniversary they would recall the sound of spent cartridges rattling onto the roof of the church where they were married.

“Within weeks, Alan was on a ship from Glasgow bound, via the Cape of Good Hope, to Egypt. The convoy was attacked on Christmas Day by a U-boat but no harm was done.”

After a spell in Egypt, Alan and his battery (he was in the Royal Artillery) were transferred to Crete where the Allies lost the Battle of Crete. Many were killed on both sides and more were taken as prisoners of war. They were transferred to Greece and eventually loaded on cattle trucks and transported across Europe to Germany. There were 37 to a cattle truck and they would stop briefly twice a day. Nearly all the men had dysentery whilst some also

suffered from jaundice.

Alan spent four years in three different camps and the correspondence vividly describes some of his experiences, and some of Peggy’s wartime service with the VADs and the ATS in this country.

As the prisoners were about to be released from their final camp, Eichstätt, they were attacked by Americans in a ‘friendly fire’ incident and Alan was injured in the leg along with about 45 other men. Some 10 prisoners were killed in the attack.

‘Behind the Wire: A Prisoner of War in Nazi Germany’ contains letters started in early 1940 between Alan and Peggy. Their correspondence continues for four years – he as a prisoner of war in Germany, she in wartime England – telling of their hopes and fears during their years apart.

Behind The Wire: A Prisoner of War in Nazi Germany

By John PegasusHorton,Publishers, paperback ISBN

Throughout their separation, they make determined efforts to support each other, despite erratic postal services and censorship. Their personal achievements and frustrations, and the increasing sharpness of wondering how much longer they will be apart, sit alongside a sequence of events and observations that range from the poignant to the routine. For those who want solely to access and be informed by such an account, the text will be rewarding. For others, the book may unlock untold aspects of the wartime experiences of their own relatives. More generally, the text provides a fresh source from which to learn about aspects of the Home Front, military preparations and the circumstances that confronted officer prisoners of war separated from loved ones at home.

Alan and Peggy