4Dorset June 2020

Lulworth Cove sunrise. Photo ©Louis Pulford

June 2020 Volume 17, Issue 11

TOP

Local news

Devastating fire wipes out 220 hectares of Wareham Forest Your Independent Local Magazine ISSN 2397-7248 (online)

Broadstone | Christchurch | Colehill | Ferndown | Merley | West Parley | Wimborne | Ashley Heath | Bournemouth | Canford Heath Kinson | Poole | Ringwood | St Ives | Three Legged Cross | Verwood | West Moors

Picture of the month

Volume 17 • Issue 11 • June 2020

Hello Readers!

How is lockdown going for you? The good weather is a big plus.

Judging from my exercise routine, far more people are out walking these days. West Moors is usually fairly quiet but since lockdown, walkers have been out in force, as have cyclists.

Interestingly, there is less dogs’ mess. Maybe more people are acting responsibly and picking it up – long may that continue.

Sadly, as far as the lighting of disposable barbecues is concerned on heathland and in forests, the recent devastation caused by fire illustrates a different story (see inside this magazine). Please do not take barbecues into these areas – take a picnic instead.

A personal lockdown success for us was the fledging of a brood of blue tits from a nest box in our garden. We got to know the fearless parents well. First they fluttered at our window to pick spiders’ eggs out of the crevices, then they flew right up to the patio door to swing on a thread and take fibres to build their nest.

When feeding their chicks, they tolerated our continual intrusion including covering a hole in the nest box made by a woodpecker, re-siting a bird table away from the box (to stop squirrels getting too close), and constructing a Heath Robinson moveable sun shield on a ladder to protect the babies from overheating. Oh, and watering the box to cool it down.

The parent birds worked relentlessly from 5am until 8pm every day until their job was done and we loved being part of their story.

Our printed magazines should be back next month and you may be pleasantly surprised when the next issue falls through the letter box.

Janine Pulford Editor

MAGS4DORSET Ben Pulford managing director ben@mags4dorset.co.uk Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@mags4dorset.co.uk

NEWS DESK Janine Pulford editor editorial@mags4dorset.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@mags4dorset.co.uk Karen Wyatt-Epapara deputy editor mags@mags4dorset.co.uk

DESIGN Louis Pulford creative director louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

ADVERTISING Mark Beechey account manager mark@mags4dorset.co.uk Russell Harness account manager russell@mags4dorset.co.uk Simon Thornton account manager simon@mags4dorset.co.uk Calls may be recorded for training and quality purposes.

LOGISTICS

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

Mike Talbot Alexandra O’Neill

I’ve got fledgling authors in here – they’ve promised to fly off the shelf

How to contact us

07875 962344 Email: mags@mags4dorset.co.uk Web: www.mags4dorset.co.uk Twitter: @mags4dorset Facebook: mags4dorset.news Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ

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Copy deadline

12 JUNE 2020

4Dorset 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 4Dorset 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 4Dorset and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The company’s privacy policy can be read at www.mags4dorset.co uk

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MAGS4DORSET

Charity of the Year Bournemouth and District MS Community Hub

A Day in the Life at the MS Centre The sun was shining through his bedroom window when suddenly the alarm clock sounded, encouraging him to get up and face the day.

Photograph © KD Browning

Farewell Alan It is with great sorrow that we have to inform you that Alan Lindsay, the author of the columns for our charity of the year, has sadly lost his battle with a long illness. Alan died on 24 May. He was life president of the local branch of the MS Society based at the Osborne Centre in West Parley and we extend our condolences to his family and friends including all those at the Bournemouth & District MS Community Hub. In paying tribute, chairman of the branch, Rod Slip, said, "As well as his grieving family, he will be sadly missed by so many people whose lives he touched "His articles written for your magazine were in support of the local Branch of the MS Society which is in the process of becoming a new local charity – Bournemouth & District MS Community Hub based at the Osborne Centre, West Parley.

"His sense of humour and friendly banter with everyone will now be a cherished memory. Alan always had a smile even when things didn’t quite go as hoped but his dedication and loyalty to The Osborne Centre and all its members, friends and supporters has been outstanding and will be a hard act to follow.

"So many of us who were privileged to know him will have so many stories and anecdotes which he told to make us laugh over the years. He led us to be mindful of each other and was always proud to be a member of the MS Family."

Alan Lindsay's final column was supplied unstintingly on 5 May. He was dedicated to the cause and keen to raise awareness and funds for the Bournemouth & District branch of the MS Society. The column was included in the last issue of Viewpoint and is repeated on this page as a tribute to him. Editor

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Before he knew it, he heard the key turning in the front door and his carer appeared with her usual “morning sweetie”. Life has been like this since his wife had left him and he needed the help of social services to get by.

Showered and dressed by 9.30am, he finished his breakfast before hearing the comforting sounds of the MS transport pulling up outside. How he looked forward to this time of day when he could join his friends on the bus and between them, put the whole world to rights by the time they had reached the MS centre.

Since joining the branch he had got to know a lot of disabled people who, like him, were wheelchair bound and enjoyed the company of similar people.

Once in the centre it was time for coffee and biscuits served by the volunteer friends who also took bookings for the three-course lunch cooked on the premises. Depending upon which day it was, the next thing to do was book one of the many sessions on offer that day.

Physiotherapy, yoga, Pilates, karaoke, were usually offered and it was often difficult to decide which ones to leave out.

He managed to have another coffee before his physio and by 12.30

was looking forward to the day’s lunch, which he ate with relish. He remembered it was his brother’s birthday so he popped into the in-house shop, run by yet more volunteers, and picked up a gift and card.

All too soon the day was over and the volunteer drivers were rounding up their passengers in order to take them home again. There was never enough time to talk to everyone but how he enjoyed that banter.

Suddenly, his alarm clock arose from its snooze mode awakening him for the second time that day. He had been dreaming and, on waking up fully, he realised that because of the coronavirus there was to be no MS centre, so no physiotherapy to keep his disabled joints from seizing up.

Gone were his mates and their friendly banter. All that surrounded him now was a cold, unwelcoming silence.

It was only then that he realised just how much he missed the centre and all that it offered.

He is one of our many members who will be feeling these emotions in this current situation.

Alan Lindsay President

STOP PRESS. A member of the MS Centre in West Parley has set up a ‘Just Giving’ page in order to help our funds. To donate search for Tim Barton on Justgiving.com. The MS Centre in West Parley is a truly important service for people with multiple sclerosis. Please help the centre to survive.

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Man jailed for making indecent images of child

Hampshire appoints new Assistant Chief Constable Hampshire Constabulary has appointed Maggie Blyth as Assistant Chief Constable. She started her policing career with the force and is returning to Hampshire after serving in the same role with Wiltshire Police. She said she was proud to be appointed in Hampshire “where tackling high harm crime and looking after the most vulnerable is important.” She added, “Reducing harm in communities and reducing high risk has been a top priority throughout my career.”

Fail-to-stop injury collision at Hurn

A fourth man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into a reported fail-to-stop collision at Hurn near Christchurch on 15 May. A BMW that failed to stop for police in Parley Lane was shortly afterwards in a collision with a red VW Fox on the roundabout at the junction of the Avon Causeway. A 22-year-old woman driving the VW was taken to Poole Hospital with a serious head injury. She has now left hospital.

Three young Bournemouth men aged in their twenties were arrested that evening. The fourth man was arrested on 18 May. All have been released under investigation. The circumstances of this incident require a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the police involvement. Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the collision or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to contact police on 101.

Jailed for spitting at police officers A man who threatened to infect police officers with COVID-19 and spat in their faces has been jailed.

Tony John Gallichan, aged 41 and of Kerley Road, Bournemouth, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 15 May after admitting two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. He was sentenced to eight months in prison.

The offences occurred on Sunday 12 April when Gallichan was arrested for an unconnected matter. He spat in the faces of two police officers telling them he would give them coronavirus. He later confirmed that he had not tested positive for coronavirus and did not have any symptoms.

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Thomas Powell, aged 24, of Broomy Close, Dibden was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on 19 May to three years imprisonment, put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Powell pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to one count of possession of extreme pornographic images, two counts of possessing a prohibited image of a child and six counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

Officers executed a warrant at Powell’s home on 14 May 2019 after intelligence suggested he had been downloading indecent images of children.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT) seized Powell’s phone, two computers and a tablet, which were analysed by a forensic computer examiner within the force. Between these devices, officers discovered over four million images and videos of abuse involving children had been downloaded and included category A images – the most serious.

PC James Giles said “Behind every indecent image of a child is a vulnerable victim and these crimes are among the most appalling that we investigate.

“Powell is a habitual collector of indecent images that include category A, the most serious kind, for his own sexual gratification.

“Tackling online viewing of indecent images is a priority for police and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

Betting and Gaming Council announce full advertising ban during COVID-19 Expert and former gambling addict questions how it's justifiable to switch them back on once this is all over

Members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) announced on 27 April that they will voluntarily remove all TV and radio product advertising during the COVID-19 lockdown as addiction experts describe this as "an unprecedented step in unprecedented times.”

Betting and gaming advertising slots will be replaced by safer gambling messages, donated to charities or removed completely from scheduled broadcast where possible.

Changes will last until at least 5 June.

Betting and gaming addiction treatment experts at UKAT (www.ukat.co.uk) have mixed feelings about the announcement.

Eytan Alexander, managing director of UKAT and a former gambling addict said it was a welcomed step, but he couldn’t get his head around “how the BGC will be able to justify switching the adverts back on once the country enters its recovery journey from the coronavirus crisis; those most vulnerable and susceptible to betting and gaming adverts right now will still be susceptible to them once this is all over.” He added, “Those vulnerable may turn to betting and gaming as a coping strategy now, and again in 12 months time for something else that is happening in their lives. But, without added encouragement to do so, they might not take that step now, and they might not in 12 months time. Unless the adverts are switched back on again.

"So, if the BGC identify and appreciate the significant benefits this ban will have to protect punters now, why not ban advertising forever?"

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TOP 10 Dorset news items that have hit the headlines in three decades 1. The Wimborne Distributor

Road was opened in July 1991.

2. In January 1992, 3,000

people came to look inside the Tivoli cinema which had been closed for 12 years.

3. Charges were introduced

in car parks in Wimborne, Ferndown, West Moors and Corfe Mullen on 1 September 1992, and it was announced in December that year that income was better than expected.

4. Boots the Chemist moved

into Victoria Road, Ferndown in July 1993, occupying the premises previously occupied

by Munns Furniture store.

5. A green box kerbside

recycling scheme was launched in Corfe Mullen in 1995 as a pilot scheme.

6. In December 2000 the

Government announced proposals for a new bridge in Poole. The Twin Sails Bridge was opened to traffic in April 2012.

7. The foot and mouth crisis

was uppermost in people’s minds in March 2001, with the closure of visitor attractions including Moors Valley Country Park.

8. In December 2001,

Professor David Bellamy officially opened the East Dorset Heritage Trust in the newly renovated Allendale House in Wimborne.

9. In August 2005, a lorry

Twin sails bridge

drove over the centre of the Canford Bottom roundabout and ploughed into All Saints Church, renewing questions about the safety of the roundabout.

10. In July 2009 firefighters Fire devastated Wimborne town centre in 2009.

Photo by Nick Barber

A stunning hoarding was erected to distract from the eyesore

battled a major fire in Wimborne which badly damaged The Albion pub, Thomas Cook Travel Agency, Saville Travel and Martin’s newsagents.

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Ballard School pupils write to isolated elderly people Children from a local school have been lifting the spirits of older people facing loneliness and isolation during the lockdown.

As part of their PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) lessons, pupils across Years six to 10 at Ballard School in New Milton were invited by teacher Mrs Catherine McCleave to take part in Age UK Southampton’s ‘From Me to You’ initiative. This encourages young people to contribute a letter, poem or drawing to be sent to an elderly member of the community.

Dozens of pupils responded with uplifting letters sharing their own lockdown experiences, details of their lives and families and offering their good wishes and positive messages, along with drawings, photos, jokes, favourite books

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and poems.

The letters will be scanned and printed by Age UK Southampton to avoid any contamination risks and attached to food parcels, funded by donations from Hampshire Constabulary and local companies and residents, and will go out to elderly people in the area.

Ballard School has both covered the £100 cost of postage and packing, and contributed another £100 donation to the charity.

Mrs McCleave said, “Life on lockdown can feel tough at times for all of us, but for isolated and vulnerable older people this might be a period of profound

loneliness. That is why we were so keen to get behind this initiative, so thoughtfully suggested to us by the parents of a former Ballard head boy.

“The pupils really embraced the opportunity to spread some smiles and have clearly enjoyed writing their letters.

We hope they can bring some joy to those isolated and alone at this time.”

Mr Andrew McCleave, headmaster, said, “Week after week during the COVID-19 lockdown I have been struck by the compassion and generosity of spirit shown by Ballard pupils reaching out to lift up others around them – and this is another example.”

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The rubbish at Durdle Door which has now been removed from the beaches

Hordes at the Door

By Louis Pulford

A picturesque landmark on the coast of Dorset and a World Heritage Site of sheer beauty was visited by hoards of day trippers on the weekend of 30 and 31 May.

Emergency vehicles in the car

park

Lulworth Estate had opened its Durdle Door car park to the public after a shift in lockdown rules. This appeared to have been interpreted by many as an invitation to day trippers from all over the country to visit the World Heritage Site. The fact that the country is still in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic did not deter the hordes of visitors and, whilst amassing at Durdle Door to enjoy themselves and take in the sights, there was little regard given to social distancing.

What was going on at Durdle Door was brought into sharp focus when three people were seriously injured after jumping off the cliff on 30 May. This incident caused a mass evacuation of the beach to make room for two air ambulances to collect the casualties.

As a result of the widespread media coverage, Dorset Council closed roads in the area the following day and put out a plea for people to think twice before visiting Dorset’s beaches because maintaining social distancing was becoming difficult. Despite this, the beach was as busy the following day and there were further reports of people tombstoning off the 70-foot cliff.

Even though there is a one-way system in place to reduce people crossing on paths when they access the beach, the two

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Rubbish at Man O'War Beach

Litterpickers Lee, Louis, Erin and Roy

metre rule was largely ignored. People walked shoulder-to-shoulder up and down the route and this left me, as an observer from a safe distance, with a sense of anxiety.

Another consequence of the large number of visitors to Durdle Door, which appears to have passed by without comment, is that the visitors left behind a trail of unimaginable waste.

It is a very sad reflection on the human race that a place of such profound beauty should create such an anti social reaction. It’s all the more upsetting to think many of these visitors will not even reside in Dorset but live in neat houses elsewhere in the country and would be the first to kick up a fuss if anyone tossed rubbish in their front garden, yet they feel justified in polluting a beauty spot.

As the chairman of Plastic Free Ferndown and part of a coastal warrior team, I was very distressed by the amount of rubbish left during the weekend at the bottom of the steps of both beaches and it poses the questions: Why do people leave their rubbish? Who is accountable for cleaning it all up? Perhaps the beaches were opened too soon because people are not behaving in a rational manner.

Fortunately, there is a team of weekend warriors who dedicate their time to improving the environment. All are volunteers and they are passionate about the Jurassic Coast.

With litter pickers resembling assault rifles they look ready for war – albeit a peaceful war – one that is carried out on a blistering battlefield strewn with

Erin and Roy

bottles, flip flops, carpets, barbecues, alcohol cans, nappies and whatever else you can think to add to the list. And the list is unacceptable on any part of the World Heritage Site, including Durdle Door, or anywhere else in the world.

Drastic steps are needed now to make changes and bring the public to their senses. Weekend warriors need your support, more publicity is needed, heftier fines for littering, and notices to remind people to take their rubbish home. The Jurassic Coast is not a landfill, but it looked like one on

the morning of 31 May. For more information visit cleanjurrasiccoats.uk or search clean Jurassic Coast on Facebook.

If you are on instagram there is a whole community of beach cleaners with a passion to clean up the coast. If you are passionate about your home, your environment and the future of the heritage site, do follow @cleanjurassiccoast @ jcbeachcleaners @_projectplanet_ cleanjurasiccoast.

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EXCLUSIVE

Wimborne Minster church services still taking place - online

By Marilyn Barber In times of trouble people with faith, or even those without, seek solace in the church.

Sadly, Covid-19 resulted in the closure of all places of worship from 23 March, leaving people who have lost family and friends, and those who are feeling socially isolated, without that special place to visit.

Wimborne Minster Church has always been at the centre of activities in the town, from the folk festival to Remembrance commemorations, and from the Mayor’s civic service to national events, however, the rector, The Rev Canon Andrew Rowland is working incredibly hard to ensure that his congregation are supported at every level.

“As senior rural dean I realised that we were going to have to close all churches, so it wasn’t a shock,” he said. “It made complete sense.”

From early March, the church made modifications to the service including the

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cessation of hand shaking during The Peace, and the option not to take wine during Communion.

Although the church building is closed, the congregation is still able to attend church – in their homes.

Andrew soon realised that the answer was Zoom video communication, which has been hugely successful with around 100 people participating in the 9.30am Sunday service. There are also morning prayers at 8.30am every day except Sunday, evening prayers at 5pm every day and Holy Communion on Wednesdays. On selected Sundays there is informal worship at 11.30am.

Andrew is supported in this by other members of the clergy.

He added that the home groups are also meeting on Zoom, and the Open the Book project is still bringing Bible story telling to schools online.

His work doesn’t stop with the services, as he phones members of the congregation regularly to check on them

and as a member of Wimborne Minster Community Resilience Support he delivers shopping and medication to local people.

How does he view the future?

“The next step will be to open the Minster church for private prayer, hopefully in July. Further into the future, there could be a limited return to public worship.”

This wouldn’t be too much of a challenge as it is such a big church, and people could easily be spaced apart.

“The church is preparing health and safety equipment and we are going to install two large TV screens,” Andrew added.

The Rev Canon Andrew Rowland said he recognised that there was going to be a ‘new normal’ for churches, but feels confident that Wimborne Minster will be up to the challenge to provide regular worship for its loyal congregation.

See www.wimborneminster.org.uk.

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Nine-month-long scheme at Blackwater West Junction now complete Motorists who have to travel along the B3073 will be pleased to hear that the scheme to improve the Blackwater West Junction has now been completed. Funded through Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Deal, the aim was to provide better access into and around Bournemouth Airport, and to stimulate economic growth across the county. The works, delivered by BCP Council and Dorset Council, started in July 2019.

LETTER OF THE MONTH Dear Editor I am writing to you on behalf of a charity that is close to my heart – The Stroke Association.

These are incredibly testing times for all of us and I do hope your readers are staying safe and well. As most of us have a little more time on our hands these days, here is perhaps one way to brighten someone else’s day. Please consider nominating someone you know for a Life After Stroke Award.

I had my own stroke scare a few years ago. I did not know what was happening, it felt like ‘my brain was caught in a zip’ and when my arm began to shake uncontrollably, it was scary. I hadn’t thought much about stroke before and it did give me a fright, even though the doctors say everything is fine now. It’s important that people get to hospital straight away if they’re at all worried.

The awards are a fantastic annual event. They recognise the courageous achievements of people who are living with the effects of stroke. I’m writing to urge your readers to nominate someone they know who has gone on to rebuild their life after stroke.

This might be a stroke survivor, their loved ones who care for them or communities and organisations who help people rebuild their lives after stroke.

Just go to www.stroke.org.uk/LASA With your help we can shine a light on some truly inspirational people.

Yours sincerely Rhod Gilbert

Enjoy a stag weekend with a difference Now we don’t want our male readers to get excited, but there is an opportunity to go on a ‘Stag Weekend’.

Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for people across the UK to take part in a new national effort to help save – and celebrate – threatened stag beetles.

This is a Stag Weekend with a difference, and one that can take place during lockdown too. From Friday 5 to Sunday 7 June, anyone with a garden or an allotment can help the UK’s largest land beetle, by recording any sightings and making their green spaces more stag beetle friendly. Those without a garden can keep their eyes peeled for stag beetles on their daily walk, and there are fun activities for children too. Visit https://ptes.org/campaigns/ stag-beetles-2/ to find out more.

The Stag Weekend (and beyond) is part of PTES’ annual Great Stag Hunt survey, which has been running since 1998 and last year saw over 8,000 sightings. Stag beetles typically emerge from the ground from late May onwards, and are most likely to be spotted when flying around on warm, summer evenings.

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TOP

Top 10 tips to reduce your alcohol consumption If you’re reaching for the beer or wine bottle more regularly than usual, stop and think. Men and women should not exceed 14 units per week, that’s 14 x 25ml measure of spirit OR 6 x 175ml glasses of wine OR 6 x pints of beer/lager/cider. Being furloughed and in lockdown may have caused you to drink more than usual so here are 10 tips to help you cut down:

1. Alternate your drinks with alcohol- 7. Reward yourself. If you save free options.

2. Track your units using an app. You can calculate your calories too and set goals to help you moderate your drinking.

3. Avoid temptation by reducing the amount of alcohol you have in the house.

money on buying alcohol, spend it on something else like a new outfit or put the savings into a ‘holiday’ pot.

8. Have drink-free days during the

week – for example you could limit your drinking to Friday and Saturday nights.

9. Enjoy the benefits. You might

4. Take up a sporting or other activity instead of drinking.

notice you are sleeping better, or have lost some weight so make the most of the improvements to the way you look and feel.

5. Say no when you are offered a

10. Reduce alcohol at your own

drink.

6. Pace yourself by limiting the

number of units you consume in a drinking session.

pace. You could start with alcoholfree days, then try an alcohol-free week, then a month and so on. It’s surprising what you can achieve if you do it in small steps.

If you consider you have an alcohol problem and are drinking heavily, going ‘cold turkey’ or suddenly drinking no alcohol at all can cause serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

According to Dr Dr Sarah Jarvis of Drinkaware’s Medical Advisory Panel, "Psychological symptoms are very common, and not just if you're a really heavy drinker. You can have short-term problems even with relatively low levels of alcohol consumption if you've become used to drinking really regularly.” Psychological symptoms can include irritability, poor concentration, feeling shaky, feeling tired, difficulty sleeping or bad dreams.

Physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms including trembling hands, sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, palpitations and lack of appetite are less common, but are often a sign that the sufferer was drinking at worrying levels.”

Severe physical side effects include convulsions, confusion, fever and even hallucinations. If you experience physical withdrawal symptoms of any kind, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication that can help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and will be able to refer you to a specialist alcohol team for support. They can also offer counselling and psychological support, and can put you in touch with local support groups to help you stay on track.

Visit leading UK alcohol charity Alcohol Change UK at alcoholchange.org.uk for more information and advice.

Visit livewelldorset.co.uk for help on cutting down.

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TOP

Top 10 reasons to visit Hengistbury Head

All photographs are courtesy of @HengistburyHead on Instagram

5. Wildlife

Hengistbury Head is home to a wide range of beautiful wildlife and is the optimum location for bird watching. More than 300 species of bird live and visit Hengistbury Head every year, including cuckoos, skylarks and osprey. You can learn more about which species will be migrating here during the coming months, on the interactive displays in the Visitor’s Centre.

6. Mudeford Spit

Home to 348 beach huts, Mudeford Spit is certainly a favourite spot amongst both visitors and locals, with a pathway leading directly from Hengistbury Head car park to the Spit; it’s the ideal distance for your afternoon walk or cycle.

1.

Spectacular Views Standing at the top of Hengistbury

Head, you’d be hard pressed to find a more spectacular sight, with views overlooking Christchurch and Mudeford Quay, Mudeford Spit, Bournemouth’s Coastline, the Purbecks and the Isle of Wight with its optical illusion white chalk polar bear perched on the cliff end.

2. The Visitors' Centre

Whilst you’re out and about, why not drop into the Visitors' Centre where you can wander around the tranquil wildlife garden.

Whatever the season, there’s always something amazing to see, whether it’s daffodils and snowdrops in spring or Michaelmas daisies in autumn. The interactive displays in the free exhibition centre, provide a fascinating insight into the history of Hengistbury Head.

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3.​ Romantic Spots

The many viewpoints around the area allow for the perfect front-row seat during sunrise and sunset. There’s no better way to enjoy one of Dorset’s breathtaking sunsets, than sitting on the beach or sand dunes, watching the sun go down, with sea views and your loved ones.

4. Hidden Gems

Whilst many people are familiar with the walking paths around Hengistbury Head, there's also a few ‘hidden gems’ which are worth exploring. The scenic Stour Valley Way leads from Hengistbury Head, directly to the serene banks of the Stour River, making it the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic, overlooking Christchurch Quay and The Priory Church.

7.

Opportunities for Watersports Hengistbury Head provides a

fantastic location for any water sport lovers. Whether you enjoy windsurfing, kayaking or sea swimming, there’s an abundance of space for you to get stuck into your favourite water-based activity.

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8. Solent Meads Golf Course

If your hobbies lay on-land, Solent Meads Golf Course is located next to Hengistbury Head allowing for a round of golf with beautiful panoramic views.

The 18-hole par 3 course, is open all year around and is great for all ages and abilities.

9.

The beach With Dorset’s coastline stretching over

142km, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular hotspot amongst tourists. However, visiting Hengistbury Head allows you to avoid the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist spots like Bournemouth Pier, whilst still enjoying the tranquillity of one of Dorset’s golden beaches. The perfect place for your socially distanced walk!

10. Hiker Cafe

After a long day enjoying the many activities on offer, what better way to end it, than a bite to eat at the Hiker Cafe?

Located at the bottom of Hengistbury Head, there are a range of food options available, including a delicious selection of coffee and homemade cakes. Yum! We hope you enjoy your visit to Hengistbury Head!

(Please note, the Hiker Cafe and Visitor Centre is currently closed due to lockdown restrictions, but keep an eye out for re-opening details) Katie Oliver – moderator and curator of @HengistburyHead Instagram page.

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| 21

Elephants return to Boscombe The unveiling of a large-scale mural in May brought back six elephants to Boscombe High Street.

The Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe (BEAF) commissioned artist Tech Moon (Krishna Malla) to create the mural and he took his inspiration from the early 1900s when travelling circuses brought elephants and other wild animals to the Hippodrome (now the O2 Academy). The

majestic animals would be paraded down the high street in Boscombe between shows.

Krishna explains, “I want this mural to celebrate the rich history of Boscombe, and this magnificent creature, yet draw attention to animal welfare. We can marvel and appreciate the

beauty of creatures such as this, immortalised across some 30 metres of wall without having to ride them in foreign countries or watch them dance in circuses.”

His much-celebrated mural last year, a large-scale dachshund still remains in Boscombe.

Birthday celebrations for centenarian Norah Moore Report and photo by Marilyn Barber Sir Captain Tom Moore hasn’t been the only person with the surname of Moore to celebrate their 100th birthday in the last few weeks.

Wimborne Methodist Church had planned a party at their premises to celebrate the 100th birthday of Norah Moore, one of their longest standing members, but this had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, members of the church and neighbours were determined that this very special day for a very special woman would be marked in style with a social distancing street party with bubbles and cake. There were banners outside and her many cards filled the windowsills of her home. She also received bunches of flowers.

And keeping two metres apart, Norah went round to have a good chat with all her guests.

During the Second World War, Norah, who was born in Esher, served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a sergeant mechanic based in Salisbury.

“I remember VE Day very well,” she said. “I stood outside and was

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4DORSET June 2020

absolutely speechless.”

After the war she moved to Bournemouth, working as a florist in Westover Road, and that is where she met her husband Ray, who sadly died in 2016 at the age of 93.

“Ray’s family had a nursery and he delivered chrysanthemums to the shop. He asked me out and subsequently we got married in Wimborne Methodist Church in 1948.”

The church was pivotal to their lives and both Ray and Norah were trustees.

“I started the coffee lounge 52 years ago, and I’ve been lucky enough to be asked to open all the new developments,” said Norah.

Ray’s family business Moore and Son Ltd, which produced tomatoes and cucumbers, was based at Walford Nursery, which once occupied the site of the Allenview Estate.

Clearly Ray and Norah loved the area, as they made their home on the estate, where Norah lives to this day.

“I still enjoy my garden, and I go for walks around the area whenever I can,” said Norah.

Norah Moore, with back row from the left, grand-daughters Elspeth and Fenella, great-grandsons Austin and Toby and daughter Jacqui

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EXCLUSIVE

Tivoli looks with enthusiasm to the future

By Marilyn Barber

When Charlie North Lewis, the general manager of the Tivoli, was interviewed last year, he was full of enthusiasm for the months to come. In fact he said 2020 was going to be a hugely successful year for the theatre.

And although the Wimborne theatre is closed during the lockdown, he is still full of optimism for the future.

“I’m a glass half full sort of person and hope that if we don’t have a second spike In Covid-19 that we will be able to open later in the year,” he said.

“Judging by what we were told by the government initially I thought we’d be closed until the middle of August, and we had planned to re-open with Roy Orbison tribute act Barry Steele.

“However a number of shows have now moved to the spring, although we have bookings from the winter onwards.

It would be good if we are able to stage Showaddywaddy and Talon in November and the panto in December.

The theatre has 483 seats and

Charlie said it was conceivable that they could block some rows and some seats to provide social distancing.

He recognised that entering the theatre through the foyer could be quite a challenge. “The wearing of facemasks could be a must and we wouldn’t rule out temperature checks at the entrance.”

Charlie was asked to name his top ten favourite acts which have appeared at the Tivoli.

Such was his enthusiasm that it ran to 19 and he wanted to stress that it was in no particular order!

Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood (from the Rolling Stones) with the Ben Waters band; The Blues Band; Chris Farlowe; Albert Lee; Joe Brown; Andy Fairweather Low; Counterfeit Stones; Talon; Marty Wilde; Nine Below Zero; Wishborne Ash; Jim Davidson; Al Murray; Go Now; Platinum (ABBA tribute); Barry Steele (Roy Orbison tribute); Elio Pace, Cregan and Co and Roger Chapman.

Charlie North Lewis

Joe Brown

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| 23

Poole Flag registered as a Town Flag – Bournemouth and Christchurch should have flags too A flag, drawing its design element from the Poole Coat of Arms and created by chairman of the Poole Flag Trust, John Cole, has been registered with the Flag Institute as a Town Flag.

Traceable to the 14th century Poole Town Council seal, the design incorporates three scallops depicted in black – the badge of Poole's patron saint, St James, whose shrine is at Compostela in northern Spain. Pilgrims visiting the shrine can obtain shells sculpted from black jet, a local stone. The dolphin, Poole's muchused symbol, is the king of fishes. The seal (pictured) is held in Poole Museum's collection. Eye-catching wavy black and gold lines on the flag represent Poole harbour and the town’s maritime activity.

The College of Arms founded by King Richard III in 1484 was instructed to register all existing coats of arms. To this purpose Clarenceux King of Arms visited Dorset circa 1563 and registered Poole's arms on a certificate (translation is shown). This certificate is unique because municipal coats of arms are usually granted solely to the council, but this certificate also granted it to the inhabitants.

In the 12 months prior to lockdown, the Poole Flag Trust – a registered non-profit

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4DORSET June 2020

making company – had issued 199 flags and other items, depicting the dolphin with the text Poole is the place for me.

John Cole said, ”Our Trust believes that our three towns, amalgamated to form the BCP, each have a unique character which should be maintained and identified for this purpose, each flying its own flag.

Poole already has its flag flying on Poole's Guildhall in memory of Brian Galpin, a respected citizen.”

He added, “Competitions should be initiated for separate flags to be flown in Bournemouth and Christchurch and maybe for a BCP Council flag.

“This could help in efforts to improve public discussion and enhancing the uniqueness of our partnering towns: a diversity which attracts tourists and makes BCP more pleasurable to live in.”

Established in 2011, a few years after the flag was designed, the Poole Flag Trust believes in localism, promoting Poole's image by celebrating its heritage and strengthening Poole's identity principally by encouraging the flying of the Poole flag.

Activities include lobbying, giving lectures and exhibiting at events including Poole Harbour Boat Show and Harry Paye Day. To see the Trust’s registration with the Flag Institute, visit www.flaginstitute. org/wp/flags/poole-flag/

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Photographic competition

Frank having a laugh scoops first place Congratulations to the winner of ‘My favourite pet photograph’ – the second photographic competition held by the mags4dorset Facebook group.

‘Frank having a laugh’ by Camelia Terry was liked the most and took first place. 2nd Tiggs by Vanessa Saxby and 3rd Poppy by Tanya Tucker. Voting was counted on 20 May. Thank you everyone for posting and liking. Editor's pick was Miss Murphy by Freddi Colclough – "The adoring expression in Miss Murphy's eyes just drew me in," said Janine Pulford.

“The next competition is for a Dorset landmark or landscape scene and the winning photo should appear in the printed issue of our first magazine after the interruption created by lockdown, (provided there is no second wave of coronavirus),” added Janine. Deadline is 31 May 2020. Entries welcome in the mags4dorset Facebook group. If you are not a member, just ask to join and post your photo.

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| 25

Bee-friendly In celebration of World Bee Day, which was held on 20 May, here are 5 bee facts and 5 bee-friendly flowers

•

Honeybees are responsible for pollinating a third of the fruit and vegetables we consume.

•

A strong colony of around 60,000 bees will travel the equivalent distance from Earth to the moon every day.

•

In their lifetime, 12 honeybees will produce a teaspoon of yummy honey for us to enjoy.

•

Bees can cover an impressive three miles in one trip foraging for nectar.

•

Honeybees must gather nectar from two million flowers to make 454 grams (one pound) of honey.

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4DORSET June 2020

Leading honey brand Rowse has collated 5 flowers to plant for a bee-friendly garden – from lavender to sunflowers. These plants thrive in summer but are also beautiful additions to any garden. Planting certain seasonal flowers is kind to the bees and you’ll enjoy a ‘bee-autiful’ garden as a result.

Rowse is passionately spearheading positive change for the bees through Hives for Lives, a program of vital initiatives that protects the bees and improves livelihoods through beekeeping.

Borage Borage is an annual plant which grows very quickly from seed. This plant also re-seeds itself, so can easily be grown the next year simply by allowing the seedlings to grow, or they can be transplanted.

Borage is a hotspot for honeybees because its flowers replenish nectar often. Therefore, our buzzing friends can frequently and reliably return to feed.

For this reason, borage attracts other insects like butterflies too.The beautiful blue flowers that bloom on borage are the perfect addition to a summery cocktail or mocktail. Young borage leaves also add texture to fresh salads.

Fleabane Fleabane belongs to the daisy family.

This delicate British wildflower can be planted in grass or flower beds. Fleabane produces a mass of lovely white flowers that may be tinged by lilac or yellow, with a sunny centre that entices honeybees, bumble bees, flies and butterflies. A perennial plant that flourishes from late spring to autumn, fleabane is an oasis for honeybees at cooler times of the year when flowers are sparser. This lowmaintenance plant is ideal for filling bare spots beneath shrubs and trees, or along path edges.

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Lavender The scent of lavender is as lovely as its pretty purple flowers. This plant can live for years, flourishing best when planted in a sunny spot, especially through June and July. With many flowers and a high nectar content, our buzzing friends are bound to make a beeline. This plant is popular with other pollinators too; bumblebees spend 1 - 1.14 seconds per lavender flower, while honeybees delight in its pollen for 3.5 seconds. Lavender can also aid sleep, with its distinct scent believed to help invoke feelings of calm.

Marjoram Marjoram has pretty pinky white flowers which look lovely in the garden. It is great for alluring a whole host of nature’s little visitors, from honeybees to bumblebees, butterflies and hoverflies. It blooms in summer when the bee food supply is most stretched and is also easy to grow.

Marjoram belongs to the same family as oregano, so is delicious on a pizza, with roasted meats or in soups — a little goes a long way as far as flavour’s concerned!

Marjoram tea is also popular, made using dried herbs, hot water and of course, honey.

Sunflowers (Helianthus) Helianthus — otherwise known as sunflowers — bloom for several months throughout the year, starting in August.

This terrific, towering plant makes a real statement in the garden and will certainly catch a honeybee’s attention! Its vibrant yellow petals also attract bumblebees, butterflies and hoverflies to the hundreds of tiny tubular flowers in the middle of the flower. This centre is brimming with nectar, which is the main source of carbohydrates for our buzzing friends, as well as fluffy protein-packed pollen that collects on their bodies. Sunflowers are also considered to be ‘low-infection’ flowers; their pollen has medicinal and protective effects on bees, helping to improve bee colony health.

Planting flowers takes time and patience, so an easy first step is to let your lawn grow a little longer. Plantlife’s Every Flower Counts survey showed that this simple change can generate enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. Even a little patch can increase nectar sources.

Gardening is such a fulfilling activity; but knowing you’ve created a honeybee haven to help keep the world’s biggest workforce happy and healthy, and our fruit and veg pollinated, will make it even sweeter.

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| 27

fourteen facts

You think you know all about Wimborne Model Town?

Model Town development manager Greg Hoar has come up with 14 facts you didn’t know about the attraction, which hopes to re-open on 11 July.

Greg Hoar

1. The Model Town cost £10,000 to build in the 1950s, equivalent to £320,000 today

kdown

The Model Town in loc

The phone box

2.

s Wimborne Model Town wa by site eet Str g Kin the at re-opened June 1991. entertainer Roy Castle in

3.

The Model Town K6 Phone Box was made on a 3D printer, has a replica miniature interior and an authentic digital ringtone.

The re-opening by Roy Castle in 1991. Also pictured is Pat Hymers and the town crier

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4DORSET June 2020

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Quiet East Street

4. Until 2016, all washing up in the Tea Room was done by hand.

5. Small dioramas of The Blue Pool,

Weymouth White Horse, Bath Hill Bournemouth and Badbury Rings were all early additional features of the Model Town.

6. The Model Town has a miniature

Quarter Jack on the Minster Tower who rings on the quarter hour just like his big brother across the road.

7. The number and layout of the Model

Town buildings reflects the space available at the old site between 1951 and 1983.

8. Admission charges in the mid 1950s were 1 shilling (5p) adults, 6d (2 1/2p) children.

9. The Model Town is on the edge of the

An entrance ticket fro

m the 1950s

Leaze, an area of Wimborne abandoned as a settlement in the 13th century after the Black Death left its mark.

12. The landmark Miniature Minster

10. The incomplete Model Town first

13. The Model Town lay derelict at its old

opened to the public in late 1951.

11. From the generosity of visitors,

donations from The Holloway Fountain at the entrance to the Model Town gardens have supported a number of local charities since 1991, most recently Dorset Young Carers.

weighs over 20 tons.

site behind the Cornmarket between 1983 and 1987.

14. All the shop fronts and windows are

removed from the Model Town buildings in early November and spend the winter being repaired, refurbished and painted by the Winter Workshop volunteers.

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| 29

Courtesy of DWFRS

One of the most devastating Dorset heath and forest fires in living memory A catastrophic fire that broke out at Wareham Forest on Monday 18 May, which was started through social activity in Wareham Forest, has led to 220 hectares of forest and heathland being destroyed. That’s more than the size of 230 football pitches.

It is believed to be one of the most devastating forest and heath fires in Dorset in living memory.

Road closures had to be put in place and smoke drifted as far as Poole, Bournemouth, Wimborne and Ferndown.

Firefighters worked in hot and arduous conditions at the scene. They not only came from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), but also many other fire and rescue services:

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4DORSET June 2020

Courtesy of DWFRS

Avon, Devon & Somerset, Hampshire, Royal Berkshire, South Wales and West Sussex.

Specialist advisors from Forestry England, Dorset Police colleagues and many volunteers have also been working tirelessly together to try to bring this major incident to a conclusion.

Managed by Forestry England, Wareham Forest is part of a large area of heathland in Dorset recognised internationally for the rare habitats and wildlife that lives Follow 4DORSET MAGAZINE on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/4Dorsetmagazine

Courtesy of Forestry England

there. This includes birds such as the nightjar and the Dartford warbler and every UK reptile species, including the rare smooth snake and sand lizard.

At the time of this report, eight days after the fire had started, there were still fire crews in attendance.

Forestry England is currently working with other key agencies to assess the damage to the habitat.

Simon Smith, Head of Sustainable Land Management for Forestry England’s local team said, “Thank you to all the fire crews, local partners and our forestry teams for their incredible work. This is a long, tough job in hot and smoky conditions.

“Everyone’s hard work means we can now assess the damage to wildlife and the trees to begin planning the forest’s recovery.

Sadly, I know from experience that it will take years, if not decades, for this habitat to recover. Hopefully, the impacts aren't as bad as they look at first.”

He added: “Forestry England’s local team still have a lot to do. We will carry on dampening down the area to make sure the fire doesn’t re-light and the clean-up operation could take weeks.”

Speaking of the devastation a week after the fire had started, DWFRS Chief Fire Officer, Ben Ansell said: “I am extremely proud of the hard work of firefighters and all staff from across Dorset & Wiltshire that have attended this incident, as well as the control room staff who have worked tirelessly to make sure resources are where they need to be.

All 50 fire stations from across the Service have attended the incident at some point this week. We are extremely grateful to the National Fire Chiefs Council and all the other fire and rescue services and other agencies that have supported us in dealing with this incident.”

He added: “This incident highlights how devastating and resource intensive heath and forest fires are. This has been made even more difficult by the weather conditions we have faced this week and the current social distancing guidelines in place – which are almost impossible to adhere to when dealing with a forest fire.”

FB post - Wimborne Fire Station posted this stark message on 26 May

Smoke all but obliterated the sun in Poole on 18 May © CatchBox 2020

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| 31

TOP

10 famous visits in the 4Dorset area – were you there?

Over the years the editor at mags4dorset has been invited to a great many events involving famous people.

Here are 10 of her most memorable occasions. She took the photographs at these events, unless otherwise stated.

2009 (Summer)

2002 (Summer) Gary Lineker took

HM The Queen visited Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

Photo by Gareth John.

part in the AllissMerlo pro-celebrity golf tournament at Ferndown Golf Club.

2010 (Summer) Stavros Flatley

headlined Ferndown Carnival and attracted thousands of spectators.

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4DORSET June 2020

2012 (Spring) Princess Anne accepted

an unusual hellebore from Cherry Tree Nursery, a Sheltered Work Opportunity Project, where she opened the new volunteers’ tearoom.

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2012 (Summer) Prince Charles met Team GB’s Ben Ainslie

at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy. Ainslie went on to win gold in the London 2012 Olympic Games, bringing his total number of Olympic golds to four. He was knighted in 2013.

2015 (Summer) Sir Tom Jones and comedian Bill Bailey headlined the 25th Larmer Tree Festival.

2017 (Autumn) The cast of The Brittas 2015 (Summer) BBC’s Flog It! held a valuation day

at Highcliffe Castle. Those present included Paul Martin, Adam Partridge, Christina Trevanion and Philip Serrell.

Empire revisited Ringwood Leisure Centre where the BBC TV sitcom was originally filmed in the 90s.

Photos by Tom Scrase.

2018 (Spring) Titan the Robot drew

a large crowd to Verwood Carnival. He did the same in July 2011 at Ferndown Carnival.

2019 (Winter) Snow Patrol ‘Wildness’ tour played at the BIC

with surprise guest James Corden. He sang What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get with Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody. Photo by Bradley Quinn Photography. www.bradleyquinn.com

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| 33

TOP

Tackle 10 things you’ve been putting off We’re all guilty of it - putting off for months or even years, tasks that need doing around the home. Either because we find something else we would rather do, or that the job seems too daunting.

However, with so many of us in lockdown, there really is no excuse.

5. Tidy the cupboard under the sink

So here are 10 jobs you could tick off your list.

Now, more than ever, we have an increasing store of household cleaners, but the space does need to be cleaned out periodically and arranged for easy access.

1. Tidy the shed

6. Check your spending records

Half empty paint pots, garden implements many of which are past their best, and defunct lawn mowers clutter up many sheds. Take everything out, clean any shelves and brush the floor, and only put back in the things you really need.

Discarded items can be taken to the tip.

2. De-scale the kettle.

We live in an area of hard water, and scale builds up so quickly. Just fill the kettle with one part white vinegar and one part water.

Leave the mixture in the kettle for one hour. Then, empty it out, and wipe down the inside of the kettle with a clean rag.

Once all the lime scale is gone, rinse your kettle out with water five times.

With many people being furloughed and therefore only receiving 80 per cent of their income and others struggling to survive with their business closed, now is the time to look carefully into your financial outgoings, cancelling memberships you no longer use, and scrutinising your utility bills.

7. Clean your shoes

8. Check your medicine cupboard

Tablets all have a use by date, so go through your cupboard and discard old items. Tablets and medicines should be returned to the chemist for safe disposal, not put into household waste.

9. Clean the windows

Being in lockdown means that we are looking out of our windows on a regular basis, so now is a good time to clean them.

A few drops of rinse aid in a bowl of water and a wet cloth, followed by a buffing with a dry cloth works really well.

10. Tidy the garage

None of us are good at cleaning our shoes these days, so although you may not be going out more than once a day, why not nourish your leather shoes with a really good clean. And you can put away those winter boots – as summer is nearly here.

This could be a case of ‘saving the worst until last’ as most garages contain rather more things than cars – and some are filled with every item but a vehicle. Sadly you could end up being confronted with the stuff you took out of the shed in your first endeavour!

3. Dust the bookshelves

If you have hundreds of books this could take some time. However, you may come across tomes you’ve been meaning to read, but have forgotten about, as well as others that could in the future find their way to your nearest charity shop. And if you are into Zoom or Skype you want your bookshelf backdrop to look impressive!

4. Sort out old paperwork

Although so much is done online these days, we all accumulate a certain amount of paperwork that we just stuff into filing boxes. It is quite liberating to go through them and shred old utility and household bills.

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4DORSET June 2020

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TOP

A nostalgic Top 10 countdown

by Craig Gray

“To All The Pubs I've Loved And Lost” With the COVID 19 crisis in full swing and the country's bars, pubs, and clubs facing an incredibly uncertain future, I thought it would be fun to revisit 10 of the Bournemouth and Poole area's best watering holes that for whatever reason didn't make it this far. This is an unashamedly nostalgic list, and although the rankings are correct at the time of writing, I reserve the right to change them without notice.

10. Empire Club – Holdenhurst Road

This iconic venue is most fondly remembered by my generation for hosting the legendary Dubnium: a three-floor extravaganza of live reggae, top drum n' bass DJs, and, nestled downstairs in the basement, subs stacked floor-to-ceiling blasting out weird, low frequency noises that turned out to be the emerging dubstep scene of the late 00's. Empire Club's triple-decker layout caused promoters to plan their nights a little differently, and when it worked, it was glorious.

9. iBar – Holdenhurst Road

7. Dusk Till Dawn - Old Christchurch Road

There has never really been anywhere particularly interesting to spend an evening along Old Christchurch Road, but, in between the horrendous chain pubs and poncey nightclubs, there was Dusk Till Dawn, an oasis of pure hedonism in a desert of mundanity. Yes, the place was shut down by police in 2012 for many reasons, including non-existent fire precautions, freely available drugs, and alleged gang involvement, but the vibe was always a good one (funnily enough). Nights such as Big In Japan and Jelly's Last Jam gave the place a real underground feel, and the music they played simply could not be found anywhere else in town.

Criminally ahead of its time way back in 2007, iBar was the brainchild of local games developer Andy Davidson (of Worms fame), and looked as though Steve Jobs himself had done the decorating. Large glass windows, a pure white interior, iMacs fixed to the walls, and Asahi on tap, some felt the place 'pretentious' and 'clinical'. Those people had obviously never turned up on a busy weekend night, where downstairs you could find the loudest, craziest, bands playing to 100 sweaty, sweaty kids. Its four-year run was short but sweet, and its loss was felt across the local live scene until Anvil occupied the same space some years later.

6. On The Rocks – West Cliff

8. The Gander On The Green – Holdenhurst Road

5. Portman Hotel Green Room – Boscombe

A local institution in its own right, The Gander was already on its way out as I came of drinking age in the mid 00s, and I never really got to experience its heyday as a live venue. Fabled home to the more 'alternative' cliques, and with a long history of putting on local bands, by the time my group got a chance to play there the main pub had been turned into trendy-winebar The Metropole, with the Gander and its live music heritage relegated to the upstairs sports bar. Still, we got a year or so more out of the place before Wetherspoons bought it in 2009, renamed it the Christopher Creeke, and have been bringing down the quality of an evening in the Lansdowne ever since.

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4DORSET June 2020

A couple of local punks opened this supremely DIY bar and music venue underneath an old hotel on the clifftop back in 2010, and like the best punk bands, it burned brightly, if only for a short time. It fast became a staple of the local live music scene in spite of being a little out-of-the-way, with a good mix of reasonably priced drinks, decent bands, and a real community spirit creating a wonderful atmosphere. Three years passed, the hotel's owners got planning permission, and just like that, On The Rocks, not to mention the rest of the building, was a mere memory. A personal favourite was local anti-folk band Sh**’s alternative Queen's Jubilee party in 2012.

This small, dingy, dirty, and allegedly green, room off the side of the old Portman Hotel will always hold a special place in my heart.

As 16/17 year olds starting up our first bands it was one of the only REAL venues that let us play and promote our own gigs, and was surely the starting point for many a local group.

It was a proper pub venue, and the thrill of playing on a real stage, with a real sound engineer (thanks Percy), real multicoloured swivelly lights, and a decent crowd of all your mates from school, is something you never, ever forget. They've now turned the pub into some very fancy looking flats, and I walked past one day as they were demolishing the Green Room itself. That was a sad day.

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4. Mr Smith's – Poole Hill

In the mid-00s you could walk up Poole Hill, past the gay bars, way beyond where the adults and their stag and hen do's ventured, and, behind a load of under-age punks, goths, and proto-emos drinking in the bus stop, there was a sign above a narrow staircase. 'Mr Smith's Piano Bar' it proclaimed, and every weekend it was THE place to see local and out-of-town bands, in the most intimate, sweaty, and downright cool venue in town.

The room was small, the stage was high, the bar was run by beautiful girls with coloured hair and facial piercings, and I feel privileged to have played there several times with my band The Whiskey Chasers before it got closed down sometime around 2009. There were rumours that the opening of a fancy cocktail bar opposite killed the place by complaining about the kids drinking on the street, and this could be true. Maybe it was just that a place like Mr Smith's could never last.

3. Mr Kyp's Live Music Venue – Ashley Cross

What can I say about the legendary Mr Kyps? For almost 20 years this 300 capacity venue in the heart of Ashley Cross played host to up-and-coming acts on their way up, the UK's top tribute bands, legendary acts on their way back down again, and some shows that you wouldn't believe took place in a grade two listed ex-schoolhouse in the suburbs of Poole.

The eponymous Mr Kyp and his staff somehow created a place that could punch above its weight, and it was not unusual to see bands such as Buzzcocks, Pete Doherty, Toots And The Maytals, and The Levellers grace that well worn stage. As always with small venues, finances are tight, and in 2018 Mr Kyps closed its doors for the final time as the building was sold off to developers. The name lives on however, and Mr Kyps still puts on shows at a variety of venues across Dorset.

2. Buffalo Bar – Winton

Those who know me may say I'm biased (I was manager of Buffalo Bar for six wonderful years). Those who knew the bar will say this is fair. In its 10-year existence tucked behind Lidl just off Winton high street, Buffalo was the de facto place to go for anyone in the area who wanted to avoid the mainstream.

From its humble beginnings as a trendy Spanish restaurant called Locos Tapas, through its completely organic transformation to the area's alternative hub, the pub became a safe haven for students, drifters, exiled graffiti artists, staff from other bars, and anyone else who wanted cheap drinks, a fantastic jukebox, and a laid-back, anything-goes attitude. An inexplicable 1am licence, the envy of all other bars in Winton, allowed the party to go on all week long, and most weekends would find the tiny bar packed to the rafters, with people literally sitting and standing on top of each other, all concept of personal space abandoned for the duration of the evening.

Lidl finally ended the dream in 2018 when they bought out the owner in order to expand their car park, and even though a new Buffalo Bar opened just up the road soon after, Winton hasn't yet regained that small part of its soul that was lost when the bulldozers came a'calling.

Mountain Feet at The Winchester, Bournemouth, 2014. Credit Luke Griffiths

1. The Winchester – Poole Hill

I think we were still mourning the loss of Mr Smiths when The Winchester popped up on Poole Hill sometime in the late 00s.

However, it soon became apparent that this was the new place to be.

The space, a large ex-bank with a decent stage at one end, a good sized bar at the other, with plenty of room for dancing in-between, not to mention the old bank vault, complete with original foot-thick steel door, serving as room two at the back.

The high ceilings made it the perfect blank canvas for any group of students wanting to put on their own night, and boss Mark was always more than happy to allow whatever craziness people wanted to do in his club. In fact he actively encouraged it.

From the early days of artist Martin Butler's infamous Dollyrocker nights, to Ivan Dela's smooth Latin-themed Toma Sundays, the dirty garage rock nights of Transmission, Delete's minimal techno mash-ups, Secret Walls' live graffiti nights...

The list is endless. The Winchester was the true home of artistic expression in Bournemouth for the duration of its existence.

A bar, pub, club, whatever, is only a building. Only a space, full of potential, but empty, until someone, or a group of people, decide to realise that potential. The Winchester had the people, from the management, to the bar staff, to the promoters, to the customers, all loyal to the end, and that end was to create somewhere special. Somewhere the normal rules didn't apply.

Somewhere everyone could have a good time.

The usual suspects of noise complaints, alleged drug use, licensing issues, and a dilapidated and crumbling building, all contributed to the owner selling the place to a developer with bags of cash and ideas of creating a fancy, high-end restaurant in our space. That restaurant didn't last long, and The Winchester is still sorely missed by a community crying out for somewhere to call home.

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Dogs on beaches restrictions return Dog owners are no longer permitted to walk their dogs on a number of Dorset beaches. The restrictions were relaxed at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic but reintroduced on 22 May.

Keep up to date with planning applications In the past you may not have been able to get to Dorset Council planning committee meetings, but now you can do so in your own home as the authority is using Microsoft Teams to conduct virtual meetings during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said, “It is important that during this pandemic we continue with democracy. It is vital for us to continue to consider planning applications and not delay the process so that we can tackle the need for appropriate housing.”

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said, “As was agreed by all members when adopting the Dorset Council constitution, all applications which activate the trigger points for it to go before an Area Planning Committee, it will still do so. If there is a genuine reason, based on Material Planning Considerations for an application to go before Committee, it will.

“Where there are practical difficulties, we are making best use of technology to help us continue working on applications including, trees and listed buildings but in some cases we will have to delay decisions in line with government guidance; where the complexity of a site or application requires a detailed on site assessment which cannot be carried out at this time. It is imperative that we continue to deliver a planning service in the interests of managing the impact of Covid-19 on the economy.”

To watch the committee on an iPhone/iPad or android phone/tablet, you will need to download the Microsoft Teams app (available in the App Store or from Google Play).

Your device will be taken to the App Store/Google Play where you will be prompted to download the app. Follow the instructions to download and install.

When the app is installed on your device, you will be prompted to open Microsoft Teams. You will then be able to watch the live event anonymously.

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4DORSET June 2020

However, people can still exercise their dogs in a number of designated areas taking account of social distancing. These include Branksome Dene to Alum Chine beach office, Middle Chine to Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk to Southbourne, Hengistbury Head and the west end of Sandbanks beach.

Cllr Tony Alford, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Customer, Community and Regulatory Services, said, “The restrictions have been put in place so that local families can enjoy the beach safely at two metres distance from people who are not part of their household.

“Although beaches are open, we are still suggesting caution as far a swimming is concerned. The RNLI has said that lifeguards will not be on beaches and so is advising people not to swim.”

The council is also reminding people of restrictions for cycling along promenades.

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Got a pet and sneeze a lot?

If you own a pet and suffer from hayfever, you may like to take note of the following 10 tips from Airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg Late spring and early summer are the worst time for most hay fever sufferers. The grass pollen season starts in May and peaks in June and July, and around 95% of us sufferers are allergic to grass,” says Max Wiseberg. “But there are several things pet owners can do to reduce or prevent their hay fever symptoms.”

1. Keep your dog or cat well-groomed

and shampooed, especially if it likes rolling in the grass. When returning home from a walk during spring and summer, your dog’s coat is likely to be covered in pollen grains. And when your cat returns indoors from outside, its coat is likely to be covered in pollen grains. So regular washing and combing will reduce the amount of pollen you breathe in.

5. Before you leave the house apply an

organic allergen barrier balm, such as HayMax, around the nostrils and bones of the eyes (www.haymax.biz). Allergen barrier balms work by trapping pollen before it enters the body. HayMax traps a percentage of pollen grains before they enter the body.

10. A good night’s sleep is important for

hay fever sufferers; an NPARU (National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit) study shows that people who slept at least 7 hours a night suffered significantly milder symptoms than those who slept no more than 5 hours each night.

6. Wear wraparound sunglasses to help prevent pollen getting in your eyes.

2. If your pet has a good shake before you 7. Wear a hat, cap or other head cover, can get rid of the pollen, make sure you vacuum carefully and damp dust surfaces, to prevent pollen being disbursed into the air.

and tie up long hair when outdoors, especially on warm, sunny days. This will prevent pollen lodging in your hair.

Keeping your cat and dog off sofas 3. Avoid taking your dog for a walk early in 8. to avoid pollen being transferred onto the morning as pollen counts are high.

furniture and fabrics.

Keep your cat and dog out of the bedroom 4. Avoid taking your dog for a walk early in 9. completely. If it does get into the bedroom, the evening. Pollen counts are high at this time of day.

keep it off the bed. You will sleep better.

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| 41

Flyaway

Angel

by Janine Pulford

The story so far…

Awaiting an impending court case in Malta, and following an adoption mix up, Katrina and her American lover Brod have their baby son, Joe, back. But nothing goes smoothly for long. With Jon and Tami’s relationship in tatters, and revengeful Ilona Vardakastanis and her maid Nyssa appearing unexpectedly on the scene, could anything else go wrong? Read on to find out more.

This is the second part of a trilogy and follows on from where Pulford’s first book in the series, The Whispering Waters, left off. The plot twists and turns as the themes of love and honesty expose the darker side of the man of Katrina's dreams.

The first two chapters of Flyaway Angel are published online in Viewpoint Mid April issue and you will find Chapter 3 in 4Dorset, and Chapter 4 in Viewpoint Mid May. The story is set in 1980s. If you like the story and want to read more, you can download the e-book from Amazon straight to your computer, or to Kindle.

Flyaway Angel Chapter 5

Nyssa stopped to have a look at the ‘baby’ and she and Katrina came face-to-face, a brief look of recognition passed between them, but instead of giving Katrina away, Nyssa didn’t say a word. She merely picked up a small toy from the pram and pretended to jiggle it in front of the invisible baby. Then to prevent Ilona from seeing inside the pram, she grasped the wheelchair and pushed it hurriedly down the corridor. Katrina was sure she heard her say in Greek, ‘Sweet baby.’

Unable to work out the chain the events, she went back to her room to puzzle it through, but was upset to find Tami with Joe on her knee and Brod sitting beside her on the bed spooning food into Joe’s mouth. They were laughing as he guzzled it down, waiting greedily for the next 42 |

4DORSET June 2020

spoonful. It was a perfect domestic scene. Tami was throwing herself into a motherly role and Brod seemed to be loving it. Already in turmoil Katrina couldn’t stop firing a hostile glare in Tami’s direction.

Jon was looking out of the window and Sylvie and Gordon were unpacking a travel cot.

‘I’ll take Joe,’ said Katrina abruptly, but Tami wasn’t going to lose her spot.

‘No need. He’s having a ball, so am I. Pour yourself a drink Trina, there’s a beer on the side.

Take five, you sure as hell look as though you need it. Brod was telling us about Hagabella and her sidekick, I mean jeez, what are the chances of them booking into the same hotel?’

‘It’s not Annabella,’ growled Katri na, ‘And I’d like my son back.’

‘Yes, Tami, stop hogging him,’ said Jon, stepping away from the window. ‘He’s my nephew. There’s no need for you to even be Follow 4DORSET MAGAZINE on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/4Dorsetmagazine

involved.’ Any rift between them got wider.

‘Gee, sorry.’ She got to her feet and dumped Joe on Brod’s knee. ‘There you go, Pop!’ she briefly caught Brod’s eyes before adding sarcastically, ‘I guess you’re allowed visiting rights.’ Avoiding everyone else and without another word, she exited through the adjoining door.

‘Jon, that was uncalled for,’ scolded Sylvie.

‘You ought to apologise. She’s only trying to help.’

‘You think?’

‘Jon’s right,’ Brod dived in. ‘She needs to learn when to back off.’

‘Some people never learn,’ muttered Katrina.

‘And to make up her mind whether we’re on or off. She’s playing mind games and it’s doing my head in,’ said Jon miserably.

‘I didn’t realise,’ said Sylvie.

‘And Brod and I don’t need help from her, not while she’s mucking Jon about,’ said Katrina adamantly. She felt the girl was playing mind games with her and Brod, too.

‘I wish she’d go back to being like she used to be,’ Jon mumbled. ‘We had such good times.

Why does she want to throw it all away?’ Jon hesitated, ‘Brod, man, you know her better than anyone. Could you have a word with her?’

Brod looked evenly at him, ‘Sorry buddy. I can’t do that. I’m not getting involved. No way.

Plus, I know her well enough to tell you it will be better to let her go.’

‘That sounds like an informed piece of advice,’ said Gordon. ‘Has she done this sort of thing before?’

‘What, break up with someone for no reason when she’s shacked up with them in the same hotel room?’ said Jon. ‘No, apparently I’m the privileged one.’

‘Oh dear,’ said Gordon, finding the conversation awkward. ‘What happened about Annabella?’

‘You mean Ilona,’ snapped Katrina, as she took Joe and settled him on her knee, annoyed by the reference. ‘They have definitely booked in to our hotel.’

‘I’ll see if I can get us a room somewhere else,’ said Brod. ‘But Christmas is a tricky number. We might have to stay here at least until after the New Year.’

‘I can’t really see the necessity for the move,’ said Sylvie. ‘It’s so nice to all be together in one place for Christmas. Why would you want all the upheaval?’

‘Because Ilona is Stefanis’ wife, Mum!’ Katrina was exasperated. ‘I don’t want to be in the same hotel as her.’

‘She can’t be. Gordon and I did a fair bit of research and it was well reported in the newspapers about his wife dying. She’s buried in Greece.’

‘No, Mum. She’s not.’ But Katrina knew she was fighting a losing battle. She’d had this conversation already. Gordon and Sylvie believed the newspapers – not her – just like the authorities.

‘I’ll come with you,’ said Jon. ‘According to Tami, she’s now only sharing a room with me out of convenience to keep the price down, and d’you know what? I’m sick of convenience. I’m going to try and book me a new hotel and have a beer in the town. Do you two want to come? Like old times.’

‘What tonight?’ Katrina couldn’t think of anything worse than taking Joe on a pub crawl.

‘You go Brod. Cheer him up.’

He hesitated. ‘A Bud or two would be cool. You sure you don’t mind?’

‘I’ve got Joe, course I don’t mind.’ She immediately regretted the words. There was no way Jon and Brod would stay sober if they went for a Bud or two.

‘Just don’t stay out too late. Our first night with Joe should be memorable for the right reasons.’

‘No worries,’ Brod said. ‘I’ll make sure Jon doesn’t exceed his beer quota. We’ll be back early.’

‘Ditto,’ added Jon. ‘We’ll draw the line at two beers. Trust me.’

‘That’s what I’m worried about,’ she laughed, because she knew full well Jon would do no such thing, especially with his relationship with Tami in bits. It would be an excuse to get pissed.

‘We could grab a bite to eat as well,’ added Jon, brightly. ‘You up for that, Brod?’

There was no hope of the two-beer promise if they ate first. It was a lost cause and Katrina knew it.

‘I do need cheering up,’ said Jon, giving a sideways glance to Katrina. ‘Just give him a pink ticket will you.’

‘A what?’ said Brod.

‘Pink ticket. Green card or whatever. You know, a night out with no grief at the end of it?’

‘I don’t need a pink ticket. I’ve got restraint,’ Brod crowed. ‘Trina, you have my word. We’ll be back by ten.’

‘Don’t make a promise you can’t keep,’ said

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| 43

Jon worriedly. ‘That’s quite early if we’re eating.

What if the food is delayed?’

‘We’ll have to wolf it down. But, sure. Trina, we’ll get back as soon after ten as we can, is that a deal?’

She let him sweat for a few seconds, then said, ‘Okay, it’s a deal. As long as I can order room service and eat in.’

‘Gordon and I’d better get moving,’ said Sylvie. ‘We have our supper to sort out. When you’ve found a new hotel, let us know so we can book in too. We may as well all stay together.’

‘Absolutely,’ said Gordon, ‘I’ll have to let my girls know I won’t be around for Christmas, but being here will make a real change for me.’

Getting up, he left with Sylvie.

Jon went to the connecting door, ‘I’m gonna get changed,’ he said brightly.

‘What’s wrong with what you’ve got on?’ said Katrina.

‘I want Tami to know I’m not going to roll over and die. She reckons I look irresistible in black, so black it will be. If you don’t see me later, you’ll know she meant it.’

‘Don’t bank on it,’ said Brod.

After twenty minutes, Jon was back. ‘Are we ready to rock the roll?’ he said.

Katrina couldn’t help noticing he’d had a shave and smothered himself in Brut. As Tami rightly said, he looked good in black; definitely dressed to pull, and who could blame him? He was obviously distressed about his relationship.

Brod looked pretty damn good as well. He’d dug out a black pair of trousers and a black t-shirt with Seas the Day written underneath a picture of a colourful sailing boat. He looked so lovely, the last thing she wanted him to do was seize the day whilst she wasn’t with him, but it was important to give him space once in a while or he would lose his free spirit, which was what had attracted her to him in the first place. It didn’t stop a few stern words surfacing though, which she diplomatically addressed to Jon. ‘Don’t you dare get Brod in trouble. See you later and take care.’

‘We will,’ said Brod, ‘I won’t be late.’ The last thing she remembered was Brod’s beaming smile as he and Jon left the room.

As time ticked by, Katrina became more agitated. What did “I won’t be late” mean? It was now past midnight and Joe was sound asleep.

She couldn’t deny she’d had a lovely time with 44 |

4DORSET June 2020

him. He’d been in the door bouncer and on his quilted play mat. She’d sung nursery rhymes and danced around the room with him in her arms. But as the clock reached twelve-thirty, anger got the better of her. This was their first night together since getting Joe back and she’d wanted it to be a happy one. Instead, she was going to bed on her own and though she tried to stay awake, her eyes fluttered shut.

It was two o’clock when she heard a noise.

Someone was trying to get into the room and failing dismally. Her heart thumped as she reached the door. ‘Who’s there?’ she asked.

‘Who do you think?’ It was Jon and she let him in.

‘Where’s Brod?’ she hissed looking up and down the empty corridor.

‘I have to tell you something,’ whispered Jon very loudly. He was trying his best not to wake Joe and in doing so, he woke him up.

Within moments, Joe was crying and Katrina picked him up and jigged him around gently to settle him. He dozed on her shoulder and she turned on Jon, ‘What have you done with Brod?’

‘Don’t worry. Don’t worry your ass, big sis.

He’ll be back soon. We’ve had a brilliant time.

We’ve got a commission and it’s worth a packet.’

‘We?’ she was furious that Brod had agreed to a commission and equally mad that Jon was so drunk he could hardly stand up.

‘Me and Brod,’ he pointed at himself, then jabbed a finger at the door. ‘We.’ ‘He’s not bloody there,’ she said.

‘Oh, he is. Can’t you see him? He’s all around us.’ Jon weaved from side-to-side, his shirt buttons were undone and his hair was sticking up like he’d been pulled through a hedge.

Katrina marched to the counter and put the electric element in a cup of water, and switched it on. ‘You need a black coffee and then you’d better tell me where Brod is or I’ll…’

‘Calm down, you’ll wake everyone up,’ shouted Jon. ‘No, Jon. You’ll wake them up. I’m being quiet. It’s you who’s shouting, but I will shout in a minute if Brod doesn’t get here. He said he’d be back by ten. Why have you two split up?’

‘He’s in the toilet downstairs, trying to sober himself up. Shh, don’t tell him I told you. It’s a secret.’

Katrina sank down on the bed with relief, and tried to lie Joe down, but he cried until she picked him up again.

She couldn’t help a little smile at the thought Follow 4DORSET MAGAZINE on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/4Dorsetmagazine

of Brod splashing water over his face because she was sure that’s what he’d be doing.

‘I’m going to find him,’ she said to wind Jon up.

‘Nooo. You can’t do that. You don’t know he’s there, here. I mean here.’

She really did get angry then. ‘So he’s not here. You said he was in the toilet downstairs.

Jon where is he?’

‘I’m here,’ said Brod, propping himself up in the open door. He looked awful. His head and his shirt were dripping wet and his face was almost as green as when he’d eaten bad fish on Kat-ste. Katrina got the faint whiff of vomit and if she wasn’t mistaken, he had a bruise on his left cheek.

‘This isn’t what I expected,’ she said, unable to remain angry because he looked so helpless.

‘Have you been punched in the face?’

‘Shh, don’t broadcast it,’ said Jon. ‘We think we’ve got away with it.’

‘Honey…’ the smell of sick made her recoil as Brod gusted the endearment into her face.

‘Don’t honey me,’ she backed off. ‘There’s no way I can sleep with you in that state. And Joe’s wide-awake now. You’ll have to sleep in the chair, or on the floor.’

‘Sorry,’ said Brod, tugging his ear. ‘I missed you, but I don’t feel so good.’ And he staggered into the en suite and they heard him being sick again.

‘Joe, that’s your Daddy in there,’ said Katrina.

‘And this here is your badly behaved Uncle Jon, who takes Daddy out and gets him drunk.’

‘He does,’ groaned Brod distantly. ‘But we got some good news,’ he dragged himself back in the room.

‘Tell me in the morning.’ She tried to dodge away from his breath, but he managed to run his fingers lightly across her arm. ‘I missed you,’ he said. ‘Both of you.’

‘It is the morning,’ said Jon unhelpfully. ‘Shall we talk now?’

‘No. And Tami will be livid if you wake her up.’

‘Uh!’ groaned Jon. ‘Can I stop here?’

‘Sure you can,’ said Brod before Katrina had chance to get a word in.

‘You take the chair, buddy. I’ll…’ Brod looked round. ‘I’ll…’ He pulled a sheet off the bed and stumbled back into the en suite. ‘I’ll take the tub.’

Once the guys were asleep, which took all of about five minutes, Katrina couldn’t help chuckling to herself. This wasn’t how she’d

envisaged the first night back with Joe at all, but hell, everyone was together and nobody was hurt.

Well, at least not badly hurt. She puzzled over the bruise on Brod’s face and went to get a better look. It was quite a shiner and she couldn’t help wondering how he got it. Perhaps he’d hit his face on the basin while he was trying to sober himself up. He looked adorable sprawled out in the bath.

She bent and kissed him on the forehead before turning in herself and to keep Joe quiet, she popped him in bed beside her. Soon everyone was asleep.

At six o’clock, she woke with a start. She got up shivering and noticed Jon had gone. Brod was still in the tub and she lightly touched his cheek.

It made him shift position, but he didn’t wake up.

He meant everything to her and with the worry of him going away on a commission, she already felt abandoned and she wasn’t sure how she was going to deal with it. Jon had definitely said ‘we’, he’d spelt it out. It hurt her that Brod had accepted a commission without even asking her if she minded. An alarm bell went through her mind; was history repeating itself? Had she ended up with a man as selfish as Stefanis?

No, she told herself. Nobody could be the same as him. Why am I even thinking like this?

Sneaking back into bed beside Joe, she gazed on his little face – he was a miniature version of Brod. ‘I love you both so much,’ she whispered as her eyes closed and she went back to sleep.

Brod, naked except for a pair of underpants, was watching her. It was nine o’ clock.

‘I’m real sorry about last night,’ he said. ‘Was there a reason I slept in the tub?’

‘You spewed up and stank.’

‘Oh jeez,’ he pushed his fingers into his temples as if he had a headache. ‘I don’t remember that bit.’

‘How did you get that?’ she poked the bruise and he winced.

Before he could answer, there was a rapid succession of knocks at the door. It sounded like gunfire.

‘Dammit,’ Brod clutched his head. ‘I guess it’s Jon.’ He grabbed his jeans and ran them up his legs, but did such a bad job, he tripped over and bashed his forehead on the coffee table.

Katrina went to help him up. Now he was beginning to look like a patchwork quilt. Jon would think she’d been beating him up.

They opened the door together and came faceto-face with Nyssa. She was trembling and Katrina caught her a she fell forwards into the room.

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The view over the hill, Kimmeridge .

Photo ©Louis Pulford

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4DORSET June 2020

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