The Barrington Magazine | Sept - Nov 2017

MAGAZINE

SEPT - NOV 2017

©mags4dorset

Interview with Amie Knight

Ferndown Poppy Launch 2017

Coach Trips 2018

THE BARRINGTON MAGAZINE | ISSUE EIGHT

THE BARRINGTON MAGAZINE AUTUMN EDITION

CONTENTS SEPT 2017 - NOV 2017

04 10 07.

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EDITORIAL Barrington: Andy Bryant

Interview with Amie Knight

Pudsey comes to Ferndown

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Ferndown Poppy Launch 2017

I ALWAYS KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO BE An introduction to PramaLife’s Co-ordinator for Poole, Bridget Barrett

Hello and welcome to the eighth edition of the Barrington Magazine. It hardly seems possible that we launched it in December 2015, but much has changed at the Barrington since then and we have enjoyed reporting on developments.

As we enter the latter part of 2017, reflecting on what has been a damp summer, we are looking forward to making 2018 a very special year for the Centre. We are, for example, planning to improve the fabric of the building with much needed repair works. With the welcome assistance of the Prama Foundation’s Grant Application Specialist, Sara-Jane, we are looking to make some major enhancements and purchase some much needed new theatre equipment.

When you’re around the Centre in Penny’s Walk, we hope you’ll have noticed that we now offer full, free WiFi coverage. This has been made possible by a very generous donation from the Ferndown U3A group. Our WiFi is “open access” for all our users to enjoy.

In this edition of our magazine, you will see news from John Dickson, our coach tour guru, on the various trips planned for 2018; we introduce Bridget the PramaLife Coordinator for Poole, and our very own Stage Manageress and talented singer Jenny Oag talks about our recent fundraising variety performance.

I look forward to meeting you all around the Barrington over the coming months and once again thank you for your continued overwhelming support and community spirit. If you’d like to get involved with any of our plans and activities, please email me at manager@thebarrington.org or telephone the Centre.

There’s lots to do and enjoy!

Best Wishes RAFFLES SPECIAL New life and new name for Raffles Café

Andy Bryant The Barrington Centre Ferndown BH22 9TH 01202 894858

WHAT’S ON STAGE All the upcoming gigs and shows

We look forward to welcoming you!

YOUR BARRINGTON NEEDS YOU! The Barrington Centre is looking for volunteers old and new.

A 01202 894858 www.barringtoncentre.co.uk

m admin@barringtoncentre.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS

Peter Ebers, Liz Judd, Steve Lugg

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THE BARRINGTON MAGAZINE | ISSUE EIGHT

Exclusive

Janine Pulford meets rising country star

Amie Knight

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their entire set. The lead singer suggested I pick a song I liked, and rehearse it with the band, I did, and then sang it at one of their gigs, and from that moment I have never stopped singing. I started learning guitar properly when I was about 18. When I was a lot younger I used to take my Dad’s prized guitars off the wall whilst he was at work, and try to learn chords. He never noticed even though his guitars were covered in fingerprints. I didn’t start learning guitar seriously until later on, and taught myself using the Internet and books.

When did you start singing and playing the guitar?

I was around six years old. My dad used to play the drums in a country band, and I would attend all the rehearsals and without trying learnt

Who are your favourite singers/ groups?

Oh gosh where do I start? I think each artist/band within the genre inspires me in different ways. My absolute favourite male country singer is Chris Young, but I also love Brett Young, Keith Urban and Hunter Hayes. I would say my favourite women in country are Carrie Underwood, Danielle Bradbery, Lauren Alaina and Carly Pearce. Bands I love are the Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum.

them, and the feeling of having to get to know them again. ‘Done’ I would say is the rockiest track on the CD, it is about realising your own worth, and not letting someone walk over you anymore. Finally ‘To Quote You’, this song just sums up a lot of phrases people say dayto-day and how sometimes they contradict themselves.

What’s it like to have had two top 10 singles in the iTunes country chart?

Absolutely incredible! I was refreshing the charts every second and crying with happiness every time it moved up. I never expected to release two singles, and then have them both in the top 10, I exceeded my own expectations and surprised a lot of people. I’m so grateful to everyone that bought

Have you got any upcoming gigs?

I’m going to Nashville for the first time in September and have been asked to play in a few venues (to be announced). I am also playing in my hometown for the first time on 9 September, at the Ringwood Carnival. I’ve been extremely focused on the release of my debut EP, but looking forward to getting back into gigging around the country.

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Have you been trained to sing?

No, I’ve never been trained to sing.

When I was around 12 years old, I had a few singing lessons to help me learn about the voice, and understand my own.

Was country always the music you enjoyed most?

I have always loved country music, and have been brought up with it, especially with family on my Dad’s side. It has always influenced and inspired me as I think the lyrics and melody are so captivating and honest. The first country song that I ever really connected to was ‘When I Get Where I’m Going’ – Brad Paisley, and through this song I found Carrie Underwood, and other artists I now look up to. Country is all I ever sing and listen to.

them, downloaded them and shared them.

What tracks are on your debut EP? There are six: ‘Get Away’, it is about being in a toxic situation you can’t get away from, but you’re not sure if you even want to. ‘Hi-gh’, the title is a play on the words ‘hi’ and ‘high’, once you’ve listened to the song I’m sure it would make sense. My personal favourite is ‘I Can’t Make You Stay’, I cried writing it, and cry every time I hear it. ‘Strangers Tonight’ is a catchy, upbeat number written about meeting someone you know after many years of not seeing

I have always loved country music, and have been brought up with it

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©mags4dorset

s regular readers will know, the Barrington plays host to Live:Ferndown and in 2016 the star of the show was Amie Knight. Since her heady days of winning, she has had two singles in the top 10 in the iTunes country charts and recently launched her debut EP ‘Take It From Here’ also at the Barrington.

The former Ringwood School student loves music and took part in her school’s talent competitions and shows. She left school in 2013 and her one regret was that she didn’t study music to GCSE level.

Having been at Live:Ferndown, and witnessed her genuine surprise and joy when she heard she’d won, I wanted to find out how this achievement had helped with her music career.

“I think Live:Ferndown gave me a major confidence boost musically that I needed,” says Amie. “The Barrington Theatre where the competition was held, is the first place I ever sang my debut single ‘Two Guys’, which gave me faith in my original music. I think I showcased a different side to me that evening that even I didn’t know existed, and I made an impact on a lot of people.”

Like most talented musicians, Amie started young and I carried out a short question and answer session with her.

What advice can you give to those starting out in the music biz?

I used to overthink my performances all the time, and spend hours making a set list, putting songs in order and rehearsing them religiously. Of course you need to rehearse, but I’ve learnt to go with the flow more, and enjoy every gig for what it is.

Have a plan in mind, but don’t stress so much about it to the point where you can’t enjoy it.

I also think it’s important to do your best at the time, and be confident in what you did, at the end of the day you can’t get the exact moment back again, good or bad. I’ve spent many years struggling with anxiety due to illness, but I’ve learnt to accept and find myself which I think is important.

For those starting out, I definitely think getting a small set together with songs you feel confident playing/singing, and finding different places to play them in helps with confidence, whether it be open mics, a half hour slot on a festival stage, take it!

I’ve taken every performance I’ve ever been offered because every audience and venue is different, I think you grow and learn each time.

Amie is definitely breaking ground in the country world, so listen out for her in the future and if you would like to hear her new EP ‘Take It From Here’, head over to iTunes.

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Caring for local people Registered Charity 801967

I always knew what I wanted to do An introduction to PramaLife’s Co-ordinator for Poole, Bridget Barrett

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ello everyone.

I’m Bridget and I’m here to tell you a little bit about me and my role with PramaLife.

I’d always known I wanted to do some sort of work to help people, so joining Prama in 1995 as a Care Support Worker in the Blandford/Wimborne area was a natural decision.

I enjoyed this work immensely, loved meeting people and feeling as if I had a purpose. I gained a senior post a few years later, eventually becoming the area manager for the Western Team having won my Registered Manager’s Award. I had a brilliant team to work with - a real mix of personalities facing the challenge of ensuring we delivered the best care possible.

I have recently changed position within Prama and have become the manager for the PramaLife team in the Poole area. We have a team of about 65 volunteers and a few paid staff who organise our groups and clubs. These include our five Memory Lane groups, soon to be six, as we are opening a new one at the Branksome Centre in September.

Some of PramaLife’s other activities include several “Pop-in” groups,

coffee mornings, book clubs, knit-and-natter groups, an armchair keepfit class and a sporting memories group. Aside

alleviate any feelings of loneliness.

I love what I do with a passion and I think our volunteers are brilliant;

a programme of social events for them to attend.

We had a line dancing evening in June and a cream tea afternoon in July

from “the day job”, I also manage our Saturday Prama Club. Our groups all aim to help our ageing community enjoy life and

they are the backbone of PramaLife and I want to ensure that they feel valued and well supported. One way of doing this is to have

(which despite the weather was a huge success). Our next event will be a BBQ at the Branksome Dene Community Centre, and I’m

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already thinking about our Christmas Party!

Outside of work, I have two daughters. Nicola is 31 and lives and works in Switzerland. Claire, 28, is a local primary school teacher. I have just become a Nanny for the first time….

I love it! I’ve been with my partner, Paul, for 15 years.

When I get the time, I enjoy gardening, (although it looks a bit like a jungle at the moment!). I also enjoy baking (which comes in handy when organising cream teas for our volunteers). I feel so lucky to live near the coast, and often enjoy walking along the beach, especially when the waves are crashing on the shore line. Anyone who knows me well knows I also love a good sunset.

If you would like more information about any of our groups, clubs or activities please give me a call on 01202 207310. And if you have a few spare hours a week and are interested in volunteering I’d love to hear from you.

You might also be interested to know that PramaLife has a minibus which can be hired to groups for outings or even a lunch at a local garden centre. We again rely on a team of volunteer minibus drivers. I would be happy to supply details.

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RAFFLES SPECIAL New life and a new name for Raffles Café

Lots of exciting changes have been taking place at Raffles Café after some all-important ballots from our customers.

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egular visitors will already know that we are very lucky to have our own café as part of the Barrington, providing great home-cooked food and a very warm welcome from our lovely team of dedicated staff.

Raffles has become a very important part of many of our regular customers’ lives – most see it as a place to meet and make friends new and old. We open the doors every morning at 8:30am and stay open throughout the day until 3pm.

The good news is that, as part of our plan to improve the overall Barrington experience, we are going to introduce some very exciting changes to the café.

You may have noticed in recent weeks that there have been ballot boxes next to the café entrance.

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x The boxes were put in place to ask our customers two key questions: 1. Should the name of the café remain as Raffles or should we go back to using the original name of Penny’s?

2. Which colour scheme should we go towards? The vibrant and modern orange mood board or the more tranquil blue and teal?

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Of the 455 votes for question one, 345 voted to change the name back to Penny’s and of the 450 votes for question two, 312 voted for the blue and teal. We are now working on designs for a logo and new signage for the outside of the café to help attract new customers.

We are also introducing a new-look menu and a new range of specials, including a brand new kids’ menu, to help improve and extend the customer experience at Penny’s. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how we are changing?

We look forward to welcoming you very soon to Penny’s Café.

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Pudsey Bear is on his way to Ferndown

n aid of the BBC Children in Need appeal and in the presence of Pudsey Bear, a stage show, crammed with entertainment will be held at the Barrington Theatre.

Organised by Warren Brown, the variety show has a string of acts already confirmed.

These include children singing ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, Paul Michael singing ‘Nessun Dorma’, Del Satterthwaite, Catherine Gray with her rendition of ‘I will Always Love You’, Phoenix Juniors, Sally Ager, Polz Apart, Lily Meads, Prayer

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Choir, Damian Jay, Aimee Irish Dance, Dave Fitzgerald, Phoenix Comedy, Wessex Majorettes and Jenny Oag. All the performers will be in on stage on Friday 24 November in Ferndown raising money for Children in Need.

The last variety show organised

by Warren at the Barrington was a sell out success, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Our pictures are of last year’s show held at the Hub in Verwood and give you a flavour of what to expect.

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Holistic Wellbeing For All Come and enjoy some ‘me’ time at the Barrington Centre on Saturday 9 September.

Sarah Haywood, Spiritual Growth Mentor

The Something For Everyone Fair will feature Tarot readings, numerology, crystallology, jewellery and much more. Guest lecturers will feature throughout the day and for those with a ditzy dog problem, meet the dog psychologist.

Entry is only £2 with free entry for kids under 16.

No need to book. Pay at the door. Open 10am-4pm.

Neshla Avey, Rahanni Celestial Healing Practitioner

www.barringtoncentre.co.uk

For more information please call 07704 872005

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Coach Trips At the Barrington

Pssst!

Look what lies ahead for coach tours...

Freddi Colclough promises everyone an exciting 2018 with Barrington Tours Thank you, John Dickson, for the very informative launch of the 2018 tours. The auditorium was packed and, following the announcement that seats could be reserved for a £5 non-refundable deposit, John and the volunteers were inundated with eager travellers on Monday, the first day of August!!

A quick review of the provisional tours explains the enthusiasm. From the panto Snow White in January, to the perennial favourite Turkey and Tinsel carvery tour in December, the year 2018 will surely have something to please everyone. We’ll be skating in Brighton for the Holiday on Ice and travelling to London to visit the Houses of Parliament.

February 3 has us venturing out to New Alresford for a journey on the Watercress Line and a visit to Concorde. A few days later our coach takes us for a magical Waldorf Hotel evening together with a special London coach tour. Later in February, we have a tour to the Victoria & Albert, Science Museum or the Imperial War Museum.

Alternatively, indulge in some “retail therapy”!

March will provide tasty bites galore at the BBC Food Show, barking at the Crufts Dog Show and your chance to do some code-breaking at Bletchley Park. Join us in April for a 3-day trip

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to Cornwall to visit Looe, Polperro, Fowey, Charlestown and the Eden Project.

May is packed with a further seven exciting tours.

We will enjoy the West Somerset Rail, Minehead and Dunster trip; the Exeter Food Festival; Exbury Gardens (incl. the train and a ploughman’s lunch); Bath; the play War Horse at the Mayflower in Southampton; Cambridge (with a punt tour through the Backs), and a Tiverton canal cruise to Bickleigh Village.

June starts with a 4-day tour to Whitby and the beautiful area of Snowdonia, followed by a day on the Isle of Wight visiting Carisbrooke and Osborne House and ending with the Basingstoke Canal cruise and Watercress Line.

Half-way through the year and we still have 27 tours available! Highlights are four, 4-day tours: Bruges and Ghent on August 6-9, A Parisian Delight on August 17-20, North Wales on September 7-10 and Oktoberfest in Munich on October 2-5. In between, we will squeeze in the Totnes-DartmouthPaignton “rounder”; Stratford-upon-Avon; Windsor Castle & a River Thames cruise: a Kennet & Avon horse-drawn barge cruise; Bristol’s Ashton Court Balloon Festival; Buckingham Palace; Padstow, Rock and Puffin Island; Powderham Castle with an Ex River cruise; Wells and Cheddar Gorge and the

gorgeous New Forest Autumn Golden Leaves tour.

We provide “retail therapy” at Clark’s Village in Street on November 6 and at Portsmouth Victorian Christmas Market & Gunwharfs Quay on November 13. Glastonbury Carnival is on November 8 and we visit Longleat on November 17 where we will enjoy the African Safari, the boat cruise, the beautiful house and the iconic Festival of Lights. Our final November tour is to Bath Christmas Market.

In December, we close out 2018 with visits to Winchester Christmas Market; London

DATES

Christmas Lights & Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and our ever-popular Turkey & Tinsel Christmas carvery.

Barrington Tours looks forward to providing you with a fun-filled year in 2018 so do come and join in! Just pop in to the Centre for further details or to make a booking. You can also telephone us on 01202 894858 to find out more.

All aboard!

INFORMATION

5 September 2017 Bletchley Park 11/13 September 2017 St Malo Ferry Trip 19 September 2017 Cardiff 26 September 2017 Concorde & Brooklands 3 October 2017 Powderham Castle , Ex River Cruise & Train 10 October 2017 New Forest Autumn Leaves Tour & Lunch 16/19 October 2017 Eden Project , St Austell & Charlestown 24 October 2017 Seaton Rail, Beer & Lyme Regis 31 October 2017 TBC 7 November 2017 Longleat 14 November 2017 Clark's Village, Street 21 November 2017 Shepton Mallet Carnival 28 November 2017 Bath Christmas Market 5 December 2017 Winchester Christmas Market 12 December 2017 London Christmas Lights 19 December 2017 Turkey & Tinsel Christmas Carvery

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Whatʼs On Stage

AT THE BARRINGTON September 2017

October 2017

SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER

FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER

Local Market - FREE

Some Enchanted Evening

SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER

Beatles With Wings - £15

Local Market - Free

WEDNESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER

Purbeck Big Band - £8

Live Aid - £18

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER

Something for Everyone Free

Ninebarrow - £13

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

Craft Fair - Free

Richard Digance - £15

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER Ian Lory - £5

SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER Old Pull & Push

THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Oklahoma - £12.50/£15.00

SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER

RMDS

WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER RMDS

THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER RMDS

FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER RMDS

The Sound of Stage & Screen

SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER

FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER Local Market - Free

WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER

Edge of Darkness - £8.50

Ringwood Musical Drama Society (RMDS)

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER

THURSDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Edge of Darkness - £8.50

RMDS

TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

FRIDAY 10 NOVEMBER

Bingo - Free

TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER

Bingo

November 2017

Edge of Darkness - £8.50

Wrestling

TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER

SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

Oklahoma - £12.50/£15.00

RMDS

Travelin Man, The Ricky Nelson Rock & Roll Show - £12

Ringwood & Burley Remembrance Show - £10

Oklahoma - £12.50/£15.00

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER

RMDS

TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER

BBC Children in Need - £10

SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER

Christmas Craft Fair - Free

SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER

Dancing with Jan - £8

SUNDAY 26 NOVEMBER

Tulsa Time (Don Williams) - £10.50/£15.50

TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER Bingo - Free

RMDS

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER

Little Pickles Market - Free

All shows start at 7.30pm unless stated. Doors open half an hour before. For full listings for all our events and to purchase online tickets please visit our website. www.barringtoncentre.co.uk

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REGULAR EVENTS AT THE BARRINGTON CENTRE MONDAY

CONTACT

TEL. NO.

TUESDAY

CONTACT

Soft play 4 Tots - 10:00am-12pm Bits & Bytes Computer Club - 2:30pm (F) Meditation - 4pm, 5:30pm, 7pm Ferndown Speakers - 7:30pm (F) Social Dance - 8:00pm (M)

Barrington Office Neil Barton Martin Handy Shirley Thompson Marna Williams

WEDNESDAY Clarity Hearing - 9:30am Ferndown Art Society - 9:30am Penny's Patchers - 9:30am Alzheimers Society - 1:30pm (F) Strollers - 2:00pm (M) National Trust E D Assoc - 7:30pm (M) Absolutely W.I - 7:30pm (M) Ferndown Drama Group - 7:45pm French Circle - 7:30pm (M) Ferndown Wine Society - 7:30pm (M) Nuline Line Dance - 1:30pm Chess Club

Yoga - 10:00 am - 11:30pm Body Combat, Zumba, PiYo Sequence Dance - 2:30pm Ferndown Drama Group - 7:45pm Free Cinema - 2:15pm Wessex Jitsu Club

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THURSDAY

CONTACT

TEL. NO.

TEL. NO.

FRIDAY

CONTACT

TEL. NO.

01202 894858 01202 861077 07864 029868 01425 480631 01202 871495

Hula & Toner, SalsaCise, Tai chi Soft play 4 Tots - 10:00am-12pm Yoga - 9:30am & 10:45pm Coffee Club - 10:00am Sequence Dance - 2:00pm

Leisure Centre Barrington Office Natalie Smit-Ash John Little Barrington Office

01202 877468 01202 894858 01202 944429 01202 980839 01202 894858

CONTACT

TEL. NO.

SATURDAY

CONTACT

TEL. NO.

Heather Cowell Mrs S Gomm Glenda Harford Jo Malyon Alan Welfare Janet Matthews Linda Barber Chris Allen Marion Lock Paul Fearnley Tina Summerfield Douglas Lock

01202 478881 01202 573050 01202 694847 01202 716393 01202 870644 01202 855001 01202 861750 01202 578048 01202 896984 01202 707128 01258 452643 01202 896984

New Horizons Club - 10:00am U3A (University of the Third Age) (During Term Times)

Rita Stubbs John Mullett

01202 280871 01202 874581

Jane Handscombe Leisure Centre Marna Williams Chris Allen Box Office Fiona Richardson

01425 472146 01202 877468 01202 871495 01202 578048 01202 894858 07923 873400

Ballroom Dance - 2:30pm Adagio - Children’s Dance Classes - 2:00pm Ferndown Art Society - 7:30pm (M) Labour Party (Ferndown) - 7:30pm (M) Ferndown Historical Society - 7:30pm (M) Ferndown Camera Club - 7:30pm (F)

Marna Williams Rebecca Godber Mrs S Gomm Gail Cropper Ken Cook Bill Stevens

01202 871495 01202 831394 01202 573050 01202 893779 01202 890084 01202 820719

F = Fortnightly | M = Monthly

For additional information of regular event please contact the box office.

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Come and join us at your local Neighbourhood Watch!

It goes without saying that we do a valuable job keeping an eye on local happenings, but Neighbourhood Watch desperately needs help! We must have more committee members, contacts & coordinators.

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ver the last few years it has been difficult to maintain our membership with members passing on, moving away, or leaving us simply because age has caught up with them. We have noticed quite a decline. Maybe the public considers that Ferndown is such a safe haven to live in that it doesn’t really need extra hands to the community pump. Although general safety makes it a great community, do not be fooled by appearances - there are many incidents happening within our area and they are quietly sorted out by our police force, sometimes with help from Neighbourhood Watch.

What we are asking for now is a little help from you, as a Ferndown resident, to spare some of your time to keep our Watch moving forward.

We fear that, if more people don’t come forward, in time we will cease to exist.

As a committee member, you would join us and sit in at our meetings to discuss various situations that need addressing. This is not onerous.

There are only four meetings a year and one Annual General Meeting, usually held in May. As a contact, we would ask you to look after a road, or a part of a road.

This would involve delivering our newsletter (which comes out three times a year) and collecting membership money once a year.

A coordinator’s role is to look after a set number of contacts by supplying them with newsletters and any other relevant information.

All of these contributions are really not too onerous - ideal for a retired person with a little time to spare and anyone who would like to get to know more local people.

PLEASE HELP TO SAVE YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH! If you are able to help please contact our Secretary, Jenny Bristow, by telephone 01202 922938 or by e-mail jennifersbristow@gmail.com

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Your Barrington needs you!

Since earlier in 2017, The Barrington Centre has been funded by dedicated charity PramaLife Limited. As with any charity, cash flow generally restricts what we can realistically achieve.

We are, however, delighted to say that our troubles at the start of the year are behind us and we are now in a position, for the first time in the Barrington’s 31-year history, to be looking at a break-even financial position. This is a huge milestone for us and has been brought about through improved systems and internal processes plus sound advice from our new parent charity Prama Foundation.

This (rather gratifying!) achievement means that we can start to consider how best to improve the building and look towards bringing some new exciting aspects into the Barrington.

However, we can’t do this in isolation. One area we really need to boost is encouraging new (and old) volunteers to give a little of their time and skills to help us deliver our projects and plans.

Because of our diverse activities, we would welcome people with all types of skills and abilities and of all ages. The more people we have, the more we can do!

If you are interested in helping or getting involved, please either pop into the Centre or call 01202 894858. I’d love to hear from you.

Andy Bryant General Manager

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P ppy petals launch For the first time last year, Dorset’s Poppy Appeal was launched at the Barrington.

Hundreds of poppy petals were fired from small canons fixed to the roof of the theatre and fluttered symbolically to the ground during a two-minute silence.

The launch, held outside the theatre, followed a parade in Penny’s Walk led by the Bournemouth Youth Marching Band.

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Gerry Nunn, chairman of Christchurch Royal British Legion officially opened the Dorset appeal and veteran Mike Arnold MBE sold the first poppy to the Mayor of Ferndown.

The event was such a huge success, it will be held again this year on Saturday, 28 October.

Everyone is welcome and best-dressed poppies will again be able to wow the judges. Last year’s winner Tilly Green, aged 6 from Ferndown is pictured here.

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The Ballad Of Rum

© Peter Wolveridge

A dog wandered into our garden one day, A friendly old mutt, didn’t look like a stray.

We never discovered whence he had come, But we brushed him and fed him and the kids called him Rum.

But Rum was awake and he’d seen him alright, Delighted with company this time of the night, He flew through the yard, his new friend to greet, And his weight bowled the burglar right off of his feet.

Now as family members, even dogs must work hard, So we put Rum on duty next door in our yard, Bright eyed and watchful by night and by day, But not much of a guard dog, I’m sorry to say.

The intruder got up and ran off with a wail And Rum right behind him still wagging his tail.

He departed the yard he’d come in to burgle Like a champion athlete clearing a hurdle.

He barked at the cats and he’d bark at a toad, He barked at the cattle outside on the road, He barked at the horses - so where did he fail?

You see, Rum liked people, and he just wagged his tail.

But Rum couldn’t jump gates, so sadly instead He picked up the thief’s wallet and went back to bed.

Next morning the evidence everyone viewed, When Rum brought it to us, (just a little bit chewed).

He liked the yard labour, an amiable bunch.

They fed our dog tidbits and scraps from their lunch.

Rum wolfed it all down, but to our dismay He seemed to get fatter with each passing day.

Once given the wallet, the police didn’t fail To capture the burglar and put him in jail.

His confession like wildfire spread through the town, How a big vicious guard dog had knocked the thief down.

Then one night when Rum was laid at his ease, A burglar crept in just as quiet as you please.

He saw no alarms, heard no siren howling, No guard dog for sure, there’d be barking and growling.

We all howled with laughter when we heard the story, And Rum was our hero, he was basking in glory.

There’s been no attempts since to burgle our yard, For everyone knows now that Rum is on guard.

Published: December 2015

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THE BARRINGTON MAGAZINE | ISSUE EIGHT

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THE BARRINGTON MAGAZINE | ISSUE EIGHT

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