Dorset View October 2025

Dear Readers!

Back in March, I wrote about my DIY project of putting together a simple bike shed.

When I opened the box and discovered the shed required over 200 screws to put together, I was mysteriously distracted by an urgent matter, and the bike shed parts were moved into the garden shed.

Several months and one house move later; I have finally assembled the bike shed. I nearly had a breakdown after discovering I had lost the instruction booklet during the move. Instead, I had to rely on a terrible twominute YouTube video provided by the manufacturer, squinting at my phone to try and figure out how part 46b inserted into part 82f.

In the end, it only took a couple of evenings and a lot of swearing to assemble, and now our bikes (as well as the kids’ scooters) are safe from the elements and easily accessible.

Does that mean I actually went cycling during the lovely summer, or in the sunnier moments of September? No, of course not. It’s on my to-do list, though.

I hope autumn is treating you well. While the nights are getting darker, there are still plenty of fun things to do in Dorset, from seeing plays and trying new restaurants (read my review of Ferndown’s Love All Food on page 31) to joining community groups. Check out our listings and Around & About pages for a few ideas.

And if you’re planning on making a bigger change, like moving home, check out our Property & Mortgages guide on pages 41–44.

Have a lovely month and enjoy the rest of this issue.

Luke Graham

Editor

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

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Summer of protests in Bournemouth

Over the summer, several antiimmigration protests took place across the country, including in Dorset, with protesters campaigning against the use of hotels to house migrants and asylum seekers.

Dorset View went to report on one such protest outside the Britannia Hotel on Meyrick Road, Bournemouth on Friday 22 August.

A large group of antiimmigration protesters gathered outside the hotel, waving flags including the Union Jack and St George’s Cross and carrying banners. They were opposed by a smaller counterprotest organised by activist group Stand Up to Racism.

Dorset View counted 11 police on the scene keeping the groups separated.

One anti-immigration demonstrator was 76-year-old Sheila Booth. She revealed that this was the first time she had ever attended a protest. She said: “It’s costing an absolute fortune to put these supposed asylum seekers into hotels. We don’t know who they are, or where they’ve come from.

“I should be at home now with my feet up, but

I’m here because I feel so strongly about it.”

Counter-protestor Kevin Jackson said: “It’s just people who want to claim asylum. They don’t want to be there [in the hotel].”

According to figures from the Home Office, there were 2,132 asylum seekers being housed in hotels across the South West region as of 30 June 2025.

Anti-immigration protesters outside the Britannia Hotel © Dorset View

Major works planned for Christchurch Bypass

People who are planning to use the A35 Christchurch Bypass after 6pm at the end of October could be faced with long delays to their journeys.

Essential resurfacing and maintenance works are set to take place on key sections of the Bypass and surrounding roads from 6pm on 27 October for three weeks.

The work includes major resurfacing of the A35 Stony Lane (Purewell Cross) roundabout, a section of the A35 Christchurch Bypass dual carriageway from the Fountain roundabout to the southern end of the B3347 Stony Lane.

The works will be carried out under continuous 24-hour road closures, in two phases.

The first phase of work will take place between 6pm on 27 October and 6am on 10 November, with no eastbound traffic allowed to enter the Bypass from the A35 Fountain Way roundabout. Access to the Waitrose car park and Millhams Street North will be unaffected.

The second phase will take place between 6pm on 10 November and 6am on 17 November. No westbound traffic will be allowed to enter the A35 Christchurch Bypass from the A35 Somerford roundabout.

For Burton and Winkton, a diversion route will also be in place via Ringwood and the A31/A338 Wessex Way.

First fashion show for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care hosted a sustainable fashion show at the Porsche Centre in Ferndown on Thursday 18 September.

The charity partnered with Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) to create a new collection, ‘Trash to Treasure’, specifically for the show.

AUB’s BA (Hons) Fashion

and BA (Hons) Textiles students transformed garments from Lewis-Manning’s Winton charity shop into 15 bespoke, neverbefore-seen looks, which were debuted at the event. The show concluded with a striking finale, featuring ‘Bridgerton’-style dresses designed and created by AUB’s BA (Hons) Costume students earlier this year for

Hurn Court Opera’s recent production of ‘La Cenerentola’.

Alongside the fashion show, attendees were offered the chance to browse and purchase a range of premium high-street and designer goods at discounted prices.

Clare Gallie, CEO of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said: “We were absolutely thrilled that so many people and organisations stepped forward to support our first sustainable fashion show.

“It’s important to us that our fundraising events create new and different opportunities for our community to enjoy.”

The headline sponsor was Marston Holdings, and Luxe Florea and Esra Gunputh helped to co-ordinate the show.

Top marks for girl who missed five years of

A local girl who hasn’t been to school in the last five years due to health issues managed to receive excellent GCSE results this summer.

Emily Metcalfe from Wimborne has suffered from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), or chronic fatigue syndrome, since she was 12 years old. The condition, which often leaves her bedbound and unwell, meant she was unable to learn at Parkstone Grammar School. Now aged 17, she has not attended school in person for over five years.

For the past three years, Dorset Council has funded her education, with Emily learning at home for one hour a day, four days a week.

Mum Rita said: “She would need to go to rest in bed before and after each tutoring session.”

Emily sat her GCSE exams

school

as an external student in Christchurch. According to Rita, none of the local schools would allow Emily to take exams there.

Come results day, and Emily achieved 9s in both of her GCSE subjects, with 120 marks out of 160 on her English Language exam and 157 out of 160 on her Literature exam. She also received a ‘Distinction’ in her English spoken language exam.

Well done to Emily, a true triumph over adversity

Some of the designs featured at the event © AUB

Views sought on play strategy for county

Dorset Council is aiming to produce a Play Strategy and to that end it is asking for the views of families, children, and young people to help shape it.

Research from the national Everything to Play For report shows outdoor play has declined by 50 per cent in a generation, and this decline links to rising childhood obesity and mental health issues.

Cllr Clare Sutton, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Education, and Skills, said: “Play is vital for children’s happiness, health, and development. We want every child in Dorset to have the time, space, and opportunities to play. This strategy will be shaped by the voices of children, young people, and families – so please get involved and tell us what matters to you.”

Share your views by emailing play@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

An ideal gift for all Dorset lovers

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‘Downstream Dorset, River Tales and Local History’ is a colourful journey of exploration and discovery along the many rivers and streams flowing through the beautiful county of Dorset.

Mary van Coller and her husband, Ryan, have visited towns and villages along each river, verifying facts, listening to people’s stories and taking many colour photographs.

‘Downstream Dorset’ reveals the meaning of place names and relates fascinating tales about people and events both past and present.

The book can accompany you when exploring Dorset, or you can sit and enjoy reading the many anecdotes with a cup of coffee.

Plus, 20 per cent of proceeds are donated to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Dorset Local Plan sparks concern from local organisations

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Both Dorset CPRE and Wimborne Civic Society have voiced their concerns about additional housing proposed in the latest draft of the Dorset Local Plan, which looks at development in the county over the next 17 years.

Over 240 sites have been identified across Dorset to deliver around 33,000 new homes, plus larger allocations to new communities of more than 12,000 homes.

CPRE spokesman Mike Allen said: “We all know that our communities need some development to support the economy and community — both market and truly affordable homes. Dorset CPRE supports communities in securing the right housing in the right numbers in the right places with the right infrastructure to meet local needs.

“We want truly affordable new homes that meet local need in Dorset, but not over-development in the form of bland estates built only to fulfil excessive central government targets — with no recognition of Dorset’s beautiful landscapes, fragile ecosystems and precious countryside that have been enjoyed for generations and are not ours to squander.

“Dorset Council has already said that the compulsory annual target of 3,246 houses a year for Dorset is unachievable. The target compares with long-standing delivery of around 1,300 houses a year, and the previous government’s target of 1,793 a year — which the former Dorset Council leader said was at the upper end of what is realistic and deliverable.”

The CPRE said it fears that swathes of green belt land may be sacrificed,

swallowing up villages, swamping towns and closing green gaps.

John Allen, chairman of Wimborne Civic Society, said: “For over 50 years, Wimborne Civic Society has taken a robust and active interest in any planning consultation or proposal that might affect the many communities within its area of benefit. Dorset Council’s draft Local Plan, currently in its consultation phase, will have a significant impact across the county, not just for the next 17 years but for a significant period thereafter. It is vital that we scrutinise and question the many assumptions within these plans and where possible provide constructive feedback if we are to achieve the best possible outcomes for both our existing communities and those that will emerge in the proposed new areas of growth.”

Proposals for Dorset include the construction of 3,098 properties for Colehill, 1,896 for Ferndown, 706 for Corfe Mullen and 201 for Wimborne.

One piece of land identified is Leigh Farm Field, off Birchdale Road in Colehill. Birchdale resident Jill Whitfield said: “The site was taken out of the draft plan in 2021, refused planning for 55 houses in 2024 and now there is a possible 131 houses to possibly be built on this field.

“The field is green belt and is the last piece of green between Wimborne and Colehill.”

The Local Plan also introduces the ‘grey belt’ concept, which proposes building on previously developed land or land not strongly

contributing to green belt purposes.

Cllr Shane Bartlett, Cabinet member for Planning and Emergency Planning, said: “This is a big moment for Dorset. We have tough housing targets to meet that the government has set, but I’m also mindful that we’re planning for real lives, not just numbers on a page.

“The Local Plan is how we decide where homes go, what kind of communities we’re building and how we make sure future generations have what they need.

“At the same time, we need to protect Dorset’s unique environment and character and make sure that the county grows in a way that’s fair, sustainable and based on what our communities actually need.

“So, these are not just technical exercises. With growing pressure on local infrastructure, the decisions made now will shape Dorset for decades to come.

“We are determined to get it right and that means listening to the people who live and work here, so I’d urge everyone to take part.”

Dorset Council has also launched a Local Transport Plan.

Responses to the consultation on both plans must be received by 13 October. People can view the strategy documents, interactive maps and take part by visiting the website: dorsetcouncil. gov.uk/dorset-is-changing.

The Dorset Local Plan will be published in August next year and submitted for examination the following December. There will be a public examination in mid2027, with the adoption in late 2027.

Coastal photo exhibition tours Dorset Lib Dems win BCP by-election

If you love the beautiful coast of Dorset, you won’t want to miss a new photo exhibition which will be touring various venues until November.

Launched at Weymouth Library on 8 September, Coastal Life Stories will finish at Gather at The Dolphin Centre, Poole from 11–14 November.

This free public exhibition showcases the dedication, passion, and impact of coastal champions — from conservationists and community volunteers to educators and local businesses.

Through expressive photography and

storytelling, Coastal Life Stories shines a light on the unsung heroes safeguarding Dorset’s unique coastal environment.

Izzy Kelsall, of Dorset Coast Forum and curator of the exhibition, said: “It has been inspiring listening to all our coastal champions’ stories — those who care deeply about our coast and work tirelessly to ensure its future. We hope it inspires others to get involved and appreciate the incredible work happening all around us.”

For full details on venues and dates, visit dorsetcoast.com/30-yearcelebrations-2025.

A by-election was held for the Talbot and Branksome Woods Ward on Thursday 11 September to elect a new councillor for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.

The vote was triggered after Cllr Philip Broadhead stepped down from the role in July. The election was won by Liberal Democrat candidate Dawn Logan with 910 votes out of 2,808 casts, from a turnout of 28 per cent of eligible voters.

The rest of the results were as follows:

• Charlie Cushway – Labour 170

• Amy Louise Hardy – Green 165

• Martin Houlden – Reform UK 791

• Jo Keeling – Local Conservatives 770

Your voice, your safety, your Dorset

By David Sidwick | Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

Every year, I ask the people of Dorset to share their views on crime, safety, and policing through my Annual Survey. The 2025 survey is now open, and once again it gives you the opportunity to have your say about how Dorset Police serve our county in the months and years ahead.

When I was re-elected as your Police and Crime Commissioner, I reiterated my promise to make policing in Dorset more visible and connected. Delivering on that pledge requires more than strategy or statistics — it requires listening. This survey is one of the most important ways I hear directly from you about what’s working, what isn’t, and where you want to see change.

The questions are simple, but the answers matter and will continue to shape my work and the work of my office. Starting with the topic of how safe you feel, before asking about visibility, ease of contact and funding, your responses will be studied carefully and compared year-on-year so I can track progress and spot areas which need further focus.

Last year’s feedback clearly told me that residents value neighbourhood

policing, want more visible patrols, and remain concerned about issues such as anti-social behaviour, burglary and dangerous driving. That insight shaped the decisions I took throughout 2024, whether through supporting Dorset Police’s dedicated neighbourhood teams, investing in technology to free up officer time, or continuing to robustly lobby for fairer government funding. Your views were also used to inform the police precept decision, and I thank everyone for their time in answering this and supporting the need for additional investment, ensuring frontline services were protected. We also used your feedback to shape our communications this year, ensuring we have talked about the topics you wanted to hear about, from serious violence to illegal drugs and violence against women and girls. This year, your survey responses will again feed into that conversation, making sure the financial decisions we take continue to reflect community priorities. It is worth remembering that Dorset continues to be one of the safest places in the country. Crime has fallen, anti-

social behaviour is at its lowest level since 2007/08, and Dorset’s hotspot policing is proving successful. But I know statistics are not the whole story. If you don’t feel safe, you need more than data. That’s why the Annual Survey focuses not only on crime figures but also on how you experience policing day-to-day.

Public confidence is key; policing by consent is a core principle of modern policing. By filling in the 2025 Annual Survey, you are helping us build that trust, holding policing to account, and ensuring that the service reflects the needs of the people it protects.

I would urge every resident to take a few minutes to complete the survey. It’s your chance to make your voice heard and to play a direct role in shaping policing in Dorset. Together, we can continue to make Dorset not just one of the safest counties in the country, but one where every resident feels safe in their daily lives. Take the survey here: surveymonkey.com/r/PCCPress.

Buzzing community garden promotes the importance of bees

A community-based not-for-profit organic food garden is celebrating three years of hosting beehives on its land and supporting Dorset’s precious honeybees

Nourish Community in West Parley is managed by twin brothers Nick and Rich Stone. The duo started growing produce after seeing how food supply was affected during Covid.

Rich said: “We witnessed first-hand how our food system came under major threat and how it was almost brought to its knees during the uncertain times of 2020.

“With all the fear and conflicting views going on around the world, we were both inspired and motivated to start growing our own food. Not just for us and our families, we also wanted to do what we could to support our friends and those that had come under hard times.”

Nourish Community was set up two summers later to help support the wider community and also to help establish, protect and grow a stronger, more resilient food system.

The brothers’ aim was to build and establish a self-sustaining and ethical business model that supported everyone involved; from the food growers and distributors through to the foodbanks, shops, restaurants, individuals, and families within the community that needed an extra helping hand.

“As time went on, our food growing journey naturally evolved where we discovered and adopted a number of more sustainable food growing practices,” explains Rich. “And this is how we found out about the bees.”

Through their shared local sustainable food network, Rich and Nick met Michael French of Grounded Community in Boscombe. Rich continues: “I’d been thinking about getting bees as soon as I realised how important they were for plants, but I had no idea where to start.

“I was talking to Michael at Grounded about all this and he told me about Amy Foster and this new charity called Bee Mission who wanted to install 500 new hives across Dorset and Hampshire. They’d do all the hard work and we just needed to provide the land, it sounded perfect and he put us in touch.”

Amy Foster, director at Bee Mission 500, said: “Nourish Community were home to Bee Mission’s first foster hives. It was all very new to us then. We installed two here on this little island. It is such a perfect spot with plenty of countryside and the river not too far away with lots of wildflowers for them, which they love.”

Rich said: “That first year they were here, that first summer, the garden was

literally buzzing. Buzzing when you walked around, it was incredible. I absolutely loved it. All I did was take photos of bees buzzing around the flowers.

“The next year wasn’t as good, it was a tough year weather-wise for the bees and we also had some issues with new nearby housing developments using weedkiller. The problem with weedkiller is that it doesn’t just kill the bee that interacts with the poison, but the bee dies before going back to the hive so it can’t tell the rest of the colony. So, the bees keep going out to the pesticide covered areas and dying, it’s heartbreaking.

“Luckily, I managed to get them to stop spraying near us, but there’ll still be plenty sprayed elsewhere. It’s great that farms aren’t allowed to use bee-killing pesticides anymore, but we really need to ensure that councils and housing developers, in fact no one, can use bee-killing anything. If the bees die, so do we. It’s that simple.

“Instead of killing these precious bees, we need to try and encourage people to grow more flowery bushes, trees and flowers, all sorts of flowers, and a range of them so there’s some in bloom from early spring through to lateautumn so the bees don’t go hungry.

“I feel that it’s our job now to explain to people how important the bees are and to help everyone that can, cultivate bee friendly gardens. Not only for honeybees, but for the wild pollinators too.

“We’ve learned so much over the last three years about bees, pollinators, and how human interference and poor weather affects them. What we know above all is that bees and pollinators need all our help to survive. And we’re going to do everything we can to help them help us.”

Bee Mission 500 have now installed 63 hives across the south of England and are always on the lookout for new locations. If you have a big garden, some land, a flat roof, or any area you think might be suitable, please get in touch with Amy – aka Aunty Bee – via auntybee@beemission. co.uk and Amy will organise a visit from one of Bee Mission’s beekeepers. Find out more about Nourish Community as well as upcoming events and workshops via www.nourishcommunity.co.uk.

Amy Foster with Rich Stone

Nourish Community has fostered Bee Mission beehives for the past three years

Quackers race nets £1,900

The 25th Wimborne in Bloom August Bank Holiday Weekend Duck Race raised over £1,900 towards ‘In Bloom’ funds in particular towards the planting up of the planters around town for the autumn.

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Cllr Jeff Hart, accompanied by the Mayoress Mrs Barbara Hart and the town crier Chris Brown, together with members of the Wimborne in Bloom committee and other helpers launched the ducks into the River Allen by the Riverside Mews Café Bridge.

The first duck to cross the line was No 864 owned by Pam Bird, who won £50.

All ducks had been presold at £1 a time thanks to both the Co-Op and Waitrose Supermarkets allowing members of Wimborne in Bloom to sell tickets outside their stores.

Wimborne in Bloom’s next event is the now-annual Charities Fair which will take place in the King Street Community Centre on Saturday 8 November. Full details about all events can be found on the website: wimborneinbloom.org.uk.

Patrick Grant headlines Green Festival

You’ve seen Patrick Grant on TV in ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ and now you can see him in Wimborne when he appears at this year’s Planet Wimborne Green Festival.

Patrick will present ‘When

Less is More’ at the finale event at Queen Elizabeth School on Saturday 18 October.

With 20 years’ experience in the fashion industry, Patrick has a lot to say about clothes: how many we buy, how we

value them, what they’re made from and, importantly, who made them and where.

At ‘When Less is More’, Patrick will be sharing his passion for radical change in the fashion and clothing industry, and encouraging us to buy fewer, better things and be happier in the process.

Doors open at 4.15pm, with Patrick’s talk at 5pm. There will be refreshments, stalls to browse and the opportunity to buy a signed copy of Patrick’s latest book, ‘Less’.

Tickets are available via planetwimborne.org or by cash payment at Wimborne’s Fair

Ground shop in the Corn Market. The Festival week 11-18 October features a whole host of green-themed events and activities for all ages. The official opening is at 10.30am on Saturday 11 October on the Minster Green.

Patrick Grant

And they’re off! © John Allen

Cllr Jeff Hart and Chris Brown © Dorset View Volunteers made sure no duck was left behind © Dorset View

A sanctuary of beauty in the heart of Wimborne

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Rich Norton Salon offers a relaxed and luxurious atmosphere where beauty meets wellbeing. Situated in the heart of Wimborne, the salon is a haven designed to make every visit an experience — one of indulgence and confidence.

The salon is committed to sustainable beauty, providing tailored services that enhance each client’s natural features. From stylish transformations to simple refreshes, Rich Norton Salon embraces all hair types and styles, ensuring every client leaves feeling empowered and elegant.

At the heart of the salon’s ethos is a dedication to high-end styling, using eco-friendly, top-quality products that prioritise both beauty and the environment. Every service is crafted to reflect the latest trends, while maintaining the health and vitality of each client’s hair.

Rich Norton, the owner and founder, brings over 20 years of experience to the salon. Having trained with some of the most renowned names in the industry, Norton has created a space where communication and craftsmanship are key. This debut salon reflects his passion for exceptional styling and client care.

In addition to world-class hair services, the salon offers a unique experience with freshly ground coffee, seasonal speciality cocktails, and delicious pastries. At Rich Norton Salon, every visit is more than just an appointment — it’s an opportunity to enjoy luxury, style, and rejuvenation in a salon made for you, the client. To book an appointment and experience it for yourself, just visit the website richnorton.co.uk, or call the salon directly on 01202 022010.

Rich Norton and his stylist team

The next step taken by Wimborne Community Garden

By Jane Benson

Back in January 2024, we had the idea of trying to develop a small kitchen at Wimborne Community Garden; the vision was to be able to share not only our produce but also different ways we can cook with it. As lovely as the idea was, it must be remembered that at this point the garden had neither a power source nor access to water of its own. We knew a lot of things had to happen to make this idea become a reality.

Well, true to form, a lot of things did happen. We had huge gifts, for example from Nationwide which enabled us to get power and water on

site; we had smaller gifts such as second-hand plates and cutlery donated to us; and the exciting thing was, when all these things were put together, we found that we had indeed created a small but functional kitchen in our garden.

However, there’s no good having a kitchen if you don’t have cooks and the expertise to use it… but we have an amazing team of volunteers at the garden and four stepped forward, took the necessary Food and Hygiene qualifications, and thanks to Kathy Curtler, Charlotte Draper, Christine Harvey and Sally Young, we

are up and running. They have delighted us with a delicious and colourful ratatouille, a scrumptious green bean curry and a heart-warming leek and potato soup. All the dishes have been cooked with produce we have grown.

The satisfaction of working in the garden on a Wednesday

morning and then being rewarded with a delightfully tasty bowl of something homegrown and home-made is one of those priceless things that gardening gives. It is a very exciting next step on the Wimborne Community Garden’s journey, and who knows where it will lead us next.

L-R: Volunteers Sally Young, Kathy Curtler and Christine Harvey are running the new kitchen

A choir drawn from all corners of the country spent four days in Wimborne Minster recently. ‘Laus Deo’ was started over 20 years ago by Hugh Smith and visits different cathedrals and greater churches three times a year to sing the services. If there are any singers in the area who would be interested in joining the choir, details can be obtained from Thomas Allery: thomas.allery@gmail.com. Photo by Anthony Oliver.

Mayor’s Musings

Did you know the Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Cllr Jeff Hart, writes a weekly blog for the town council’s website? You can read them at wimborne.gov.uk. Here are some highlights from his recent blogs: Saturday 23 August was a busy day with two wonderful events: judging the Wimborne Art Society’s 50th Anniversary competition, and later, launching the Duck Race and presenting the prizes. The Duck Race, as always, raised an impressive amount for Wimborne in Bloom and created a fantastic atmosphere in the town. Congratulations to everyone at Wimborne in Bloom for another great success!

On Saturday 2 August at the Minster, I attended the Roma Holocaust service which was dignified, respectful and informative on how this ethnic group were persecuted by the Nazis in the last World War — sensitive readings, diary extracts, video footage and music combined to generate a moving service.

On Monday 14 July, several of us from the town council visited the Houses of Parliament, thanks to an invitation from our local MP. It was a fascinating day — both the Commons and the Lords felt much smaller in person than they appear on TV. Security was understandably tight, and we learned some truly interesting facts about the traditions and workings of modern Parliament.

Brian Dryden, who, together with his wife Pat, ran an electrical and white goods shop for many years in Wimborne Square, has taken over from Sue Young as the president of Wimborne Rotary Club. He thanked Sue for her service during the Rotary year and said: “I hope that the coming year will see Wimborne Rotary continue to be a part of the Wimborne community which not only supports us but, in turn, enables us to support local charities in the area.” Pictured L-R: David Meaden (secretary), Past-President Sue Young, President Brian Dryden, and Derek Radley (president-elect and treasurer).

Wimborne Model Railway exhibition

The Central Southern Gauge O Group (CSGOG) are to return to the Allendale Centre for their annual Model Railway Exhibition on Sunday 26 October, from 10am until 4pm.

On display will be O gauge models (that’s twice the size of the more common Hornby Trains). There will be several operational layouts, including vintage tin plate (always very popular with children); the group’s own test track; model engineering demo; model railway traders; a bring and buy

stall and several railway societies.

A spokesman said: “You will no doubt find the scenery on the layouts fascinating with so much detail lovingly applied, to make it look just like the real thing – but in miniature.”

Apart from the exhibition, the CSGOG normally meet from 7pm on the second Wednesday of each month, at the Allendale Centre. Visit www.csgog.org. Visitors of all ages and modelling abilities are always made welcome at meetings.

Explore layouts and scenery of model railways

Green light for new Aldi, despite local opposition

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

After much debate at the Dorset Council planning committee meeting on 3 September, permission (with conditions) has been granted for the construction of an Aldi supermarket at Canford Bottom.

In a meeting lasting for more than two-and-a-half hours, in which several people spoke against the proposal, members of Dorset Council’s Eastern Area Planning Committee decided to allow the development, with a vote of five in favour and two against – contrary to the recommendation of council officers.

The application detailed a proposal to demolish the existing buildings at 26 Canford Bottom, construct a retail store with parking and landscaping, and remove 87 trees.

The development, part of which is within the South East Dorset Green Belt, would provide full-time employment for 30–35 people and create 120 car parking spaces.

However, there are 32 conditions, and it will be referred to the Secretary of State.

The council received 350 objections to the proposal, with 174 people saying they were in support of the development.

In a detailed presentation, case officer Diana Mezzogori-Curran said that there were several reasons that the application had been recommended for refusal, including the impact on the Green Belt and harm to the character of the area.

She also said that the proposal would have a visual impact on the rural character of the site, would be a permanent loss of openness, and that a new local supermarket would exceed demand.

Comments from residents included: the entrance was too close to the roundabout; there would be an increase in traffic noise; the supermarket would be in the wrong location; it would set a dangerous precedent for the Green Belt; the roundabout was already over stretched; and that 120 car parking spaces wouldn’t be enough.

However, one resident spoke in favour of the development saying there was a desperate need in the area for affordable shopping.

Cllr KD Johnson, speaking on behalf of Colehill Parish Council, said: “Traffic will grind to a halt. It will impact on local convenience stores, one of which is within 200m. These are local shops for local people. Aldi will be a detriment to the village.”

Dorset Council ward councillor for Colehill and Wimborne East Andy Todd said: “The site will look and feel urban and bring the village into an urban sprawl. Residents are very concerned.”

Cllr Alex Brenton, a member of the committee said: “People tell me they need affordable shopping.”

Opposing the plan, Cllr Beryl Ezzard was concerned about the number of objections from residents. She said: “The supermarket might be needed but it’s in the wrong place.”

Cllr Spencer Flower said: “I think it will have wider community benefits. There is growth in the area, and there is more to come.”

After the meeting, residents expressed their disappointment at the decision.

CORRESPONDENCE

To express your opinion or idea about the community send your letters to letters@dorsetview.co.uk

A community group, Aldi Location Deemed Inappropriate @ Canford Bottom, who have campaigned against the development, have shared this response:

As local residents, we are extremely disappointed following the recent decision to approve the proposed Aldi development at Canford Bottom.

The decision was made despite significant local opposition, the recommendation of the Planning Officer to refuse the application and evidence that there are already sufficient food stores in the area to sustain a growing community up to 2040. It raises serious concerns about the long-term impact on the landscape of the area, increased traffic congestion, and the effect on local businesses that have served the community for decades.

This is a deeply frustrating outcome for many of us who have voiced valid and well-founded concerns throughout the consultation process. Whilst we are not against development or progress, this decision feels disconnected from the wishes of the local community. Of over 500 comments received by the council, two thirds were objections, including the Parish Council and the local ward councillor. We fear that the arrival of a large-scale retail store, like Aldi, so close to the Canford Bottom roundabout, will disrupt traffic flow at an already complex junction and undermine independent shops that contribute to the local economy. There was no evidence at the committee meeting that those making the decision had actually visited the location that they were discussing, and one councillor compared the location to that of Aldi at Upton, which is very clearly a completely different road layout without the congestion and traffic queues for which Canford Bottom is well known.

Unfortunately, the committee were swayed by the prospect of ‘cheap food’. We do not believe that this is a valid argument as this site could be sold onto another retailer once planning permission is granted. Given all of the recent house building around Wimborne, it is astonishing that they thought that siting a supermarket on the opposite side of town was a good location.

We had hoped, as local residents who will be most impacted by this development, that our voices would carry more weight in the process. This decision raises real concerns about the safety of our green belt.

An impression of what the new development will look like © Aldi

Aldi’s design for the entrance, which National Highways has criticised © Aldi

They’re half-way there as appeal reaches £750,000

The Royal Bournemouth Hospital BEACH Appeal has raised more than £750,000 with funds enhancing vital services within the BEACH Building, which opened earlier this year.

The state-of-the-art facility now houses cutting-edge Emergency, Critical Care and Maternity Departments designed to deliver exceptional care to thousands of patients, visitors and families from Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, East Dorset and beyond.

Through The BEACH Appeal, the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity is raising money for additional and enhanced items — including a CT scanner in the heart of the Emergency Department, sensory equipment for children, ambient lighting for new mums, and other projects that improve patient experience and support the hospital’s mission to provide exceptional care to the community.

To mark this milestone, eight members of University Hospitals Dorset’s executive board braved a ‘Soak the Execs’ cold water fundraising challenge on Tuesday 26 August at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The charity event brought a huge splash of fun, laughter and team spirit as the executive board raised over £2,600 for The BEACH Appeal.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity’s fundraising manager for The BEACH Appeal, Jessica Tyler, said: “Reaching the halfway point of The BEACH Appeal is a huge moment for us — and what better way to mark it than have our hospitals’ executive leadership team help us cross the halfway point and show their support with this fun challenge.

“The BEACH Appeal is transforming care for our community, but we still need your help to hit our target of £1.5 million. Every donation brings us closer to a brighter future for healthcare in Dorset.”

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity director, Debbie Anderson, said: “Taking part in this challenge was an unforgettable experience, being both freezing and fantastic. I was proud to stand alongside the executive leadership team for a cause that truly matters — raising funds to support our services in the BEACH Building and strengthening care in our community. We’re fundraising to improve lives across our hospitals, and we’d love your support. Let’s keep the energy going. Please support The BEACH Appeal and donate today.”

While the NHS funds the basics, it’s the incredible donations to The BEACH Appeal that make a huge difference.

From turning a balcony into a tranquil space for critically ill patients to funding play areas for children who are in hospital, The BEACH Appeal is already making waves and transforming clinical spaces. With demand on these NHS services growing and a new children’s ward in the BEACH Building set to open in summer 2026, support for The BEACH Appeal has never been more important. Every pound raised and donated today could change a life tomorrow. To learn more and donate to The BEACH Appeal, please visit UHDcharity.org/BEACHappeal.

Dorset Council is urging families to check if their child is eligible for free school meals, particularly if their circumstances have changed. This support not only saves families up to

Free school meals check for Dorset schoolchildren Smokers, get your free Stoptober quit kit

£490 per year per child but ensures children receive a healthy, filling lunch every day.

People whose child received free school meals last year don’t need to reapply. All approved pupils will remain eligible until at least the end of the 2025/26 school year.

Schools also benefit. For every child approved, they receive extra government funding called the Pupil Premium, worth between £1,075 and £1,515 annually. This helps fund additional teaching staff, tuition, and enrichment activities.

In Dorset, children eligible for free school meals can access free holiday clubs during the summer, Christmas and Easter school holidays. They’ll also receive holiday food vouchers until at least March 2026.

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically receive free school meals.

Cllr Clare Sutton, Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Education & Skills, said: “School dinners support children’s physical development, concentration and emotional wellbeing — vital for success in and out of the classroom.”

People can check eligibility at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/free-school-meals.

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Stoptober is a stop smoking challenge that takes place every October across the UK. Research shows that if you can quit smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.

Adult smokers living in Dorset can access free support and quit kits from LiveWell Dorset.

Choose from either a Swap 2 Stop vape and e-liquids plus online coaching videos and a quit app, or a mix-and-match quit kit from a choice of: nicotine replacement patches and gum, a one-day Allen Carr Easyway seminar, and 1-2-1 coaching. Visit livewelldorset.co.uk/stoptober or call free on 0800 840 1628.

Campaign marks 30th anniversary of local charity

Home-Start Wessex has launched a 30 for 30 Campaign to mark the anniversary of its founding in 1995.

The charity is looking for 30 businesses that are keen to make a positive social impact within the community. By pledging to donate £960, each company could support a struggling family and make a positive and significant difference to the course of a child’s life. £960 is the amount it costs the charity to help a family for six months to get back on their feet.

Darren Lewis, community fundraising and events officer at Home-Start Wessex, said: “Businesses can donate £960 or quarterly donations of £240. They can fundraise throughout the year with dress-down days, cake sales, and other fundraising challenges.”

Over the last year, the charity has transformed 1,716 lives, helping a record 526 families. Their reach covers the

Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the whole of the BCP Council area, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, going as far north as Cranborne and Fordingbridge and as far east as New Milton.

To pledge your support for the 30 for 30 campaign, email darren@homestartwessex. org.uk or visit justgiving.com/ campaign/hsw30for30.

The

team Advice and support for carers in Dorset

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Carer Support Dorset’s Carer Money Matters project is here to help unpaid carers across Dorset with all kinds of money worries, so if you are anxious about making ends meet for yourself, or the person(s) that you care for, they are here to help you.

Carer Money Matters exists to support you in getting the financial support you’re entitled to. Carer Support Dorset also offer free advice on energy saving and energy debt, and they can help you get on the Priority Services Register with your supplier.

Their financial wellbeing officers can talk to you about other financial matters too — whether it’s for you or the people you care for. Carer Support Dorset

understand that balancing caring responsibilities and finances isn’t easy, and they can help you to access the support you need to manage money and reduce debt. The Money Matters project offers advice and support with:

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If you would like to contact Carer Support Dorset and the Carer Money Matters team, please email admin@ carersupportdorset.co.uk, or call 0800 368 8349.

Carer Money Matters

Patient power in action as Martha’s Rule rolled out

A patient safety initiative called Martha’s Rule is now available in every acute hospital in England, as new data shows hundreds of patients have benefitted from potentially life-saving changes to their care thanks to the scheme.

Between September

2024 and June 2025, there were 4,906 calls made to Martha’s Rule helplines to escalate concerns about care – leading to 241 potentially life-saving interventions.

The positive results have led the NHS to expand its use to an additional 67 sites – meaning all 210 acute inpatient sites in England now offer the service.

Martha’s Rule is named after Martha Mills, who died in 2021 aged 13 after developing sepsis in hospital, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury from falling off her bike.

Her family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

In May 2024, NHS England announced the

rollout of Martha’s Rule across 143 pilot sites following a campaign by Martha’s parents, Merope and Paul.

The new data published by the NHS shows almost three quarters (71.9 per cent) of calls have been from families seeking help, with 720 calls leading to changes in care. This could include patients receiving new medication such as antibiotics.

Almost 800 calls led to clinical concerns such as medication or investigation delays being addressed. A further 1,030 calls helped to resolve communication and discharge planning issues.

Martha’s Rule encourages hospital patients, families and carers to speak to the care team if they notice changes in someone’s condition. It also provides a way to seek an urgent review if their or their loved one’s condition deteriorates, and this change is not being responded to.

Staff can also ask for a review from a different team if they are concerned that appropriate action is not being taken.

Merope Mills and Paul Laity, Martha’s parents, said that Martha would have now been 18, adding: “Another milestone she has missed as a result of the poor care and hospital errors that led to her unnecessary death.

“We feel her absence every day, but at least Martha’s Rule

is already preventing many families from experiencing something similar.

“The figures prove that lives are saved when patients and families are given power to act on their suspicions when they feel doctors might have got it wrong and their voice isn’t being heard.”

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: “There is no shadow of a doubt that Martha’s Rule is having a transformative impact on the way hospitals are able to work with patients and families to address deterioration or concerns about care.”

“There have now been almost 5,000 calls made to the hotlines, with hundreds of potentially life-saving interventions triggered, which is why we are now expanding Martha’s Rule to all acute hospitals in England.”

Rachel Power, CEO at the Patients Association, said: “The rollout of Martha’s Rule to every acute hospital in England gives patients and their families a voice at critical moments, can lead to lifesaving action, and is a landmark moment for patient safety.

“When people feel confident to speak up, and know their concerns will be acted on, the NHS becomes safer, more compassionate, and more responsive.

“This is patient power in action.”

Retro music festival gets Highcliffe hopping

By Luke Graham. Photos © Dorset View

A huge crowd was treated to a day of glorious sunshine and spectacular music at the Cliff Top Music Festival on Saturday 6 September.

Held on the field next to Wharncliffe Road in Highcliffe overlooking the beach and sea, the retro music festival is a celebration of 1970s culture, with artists performing soul, pop and funk music.

A large audience gathered in front of the main stage for musical performances from 11am to 7pm. Many wisely brought camping chairs and picnic blankets to bask in the sun, while other attendees joined in the spirit of the festival and dressed up in vintage fashion and costumes.

For children, there was plenty of entertainment with funfair rides, a stilt walker, face painting, and a Punch & Judy stand. There was even a chance to meet Harmony the Mermaid, who greeted arrivals at the gate.

With the sun blazing, there were two long queues for the bar. Others kept cool with frozen treats from the ice cream van, or non-alcoholic Pimms served by members of the local Rotary.

Two festival visitors had come all the way from Kent. Tony and Sian said: “We were visiting our son and grandkids. The clifftop setting transformed this festival into something magical — pumping sound stage with staggering coastal views and delicious local food. Very enjoyable!”

Organised by Stir Events, the Cliff Top Music Festival served as a great end to the summer season.

Harmony the Mermaid welcomed festivalgoers

The junior editor enjoyed the trampolines The festival attracted a big crowd

Some of the fabulous costumes worn to the event

A stilt walker drew people onto the dancefloor

Madison Heights Soul Experience sang their hearts out

Macmillan Caring Locally

REVIEW Love All Food 489 Ringwood Road, Ferndown

By Luke Graham.

For the past five years, the family-run restaurant Love All Food in Ferndown has been serving excellent breakfast, brunch and lunch.

Earlier this year, it expanded its offering to become a fully functioning licensed bar and restaurant, open on Friday and Saturday evenings and offering roast dinners on Sunday afternoons.

In August, I was kindly invited to Love All Food to try out their brand-new tapas menu. After managing to arrange a babysitter to get a rare night away from the kids, my wife and I were very excited for a night out!

Love All Food’s bare brick walls and black-and-yellow colour scheme gives the venue a modern yet laid-back vibe. On Saturday nights, the restaurant has live music performed by talented local musicians, but we went on a Friday for a cosier, more intimate meal.

If you’ve never had tapas before, it’s a cornerstone of Spanish dining culture — small, flavour-packed dishes designed to be shared. Instead of ordering a traditional starter and main

course, you order a range of dishes that will come out as soon as they’re prepared. It’s a way of eating that encourages conversation and variety and lets you sample lots of delicious flavours all in one sitting.

As a result, the Love All Food menu offers a wide range of plates, sorted into fish, meat, vegetables, and cheese, as well as tasty appetisers like olives and green chillies. Everything on the menu is made in-house with quality ingredients, and most of the dishes cost around £5 to £7. With so much choice, co-owners Suz and chef Sam were happy to give us recommendations.

We started off with olive tapenade and aioli and warm bread. The tapenade was salty and savoury, and tasted brilliant when mixed with the garlicky aioli and bread.

This was followed by large green salted padron peppers,

which tasted fresh and crunchy, then a fantastic paella with prawns, chorizo and lemon. It was absolutely delicious. We were spoilt for choice on the meat section of the menu, which features chorizo sausage, beef meatballs and boneless chicken thighs, but we opted for the pork bites with chimichurri (a tasty green sauce made from fresh herbs and garlic). The pork bites were perfectly cooked and tasted excellent: slightly charred on the outside and soft in the middle, for a smoky, meaty food sensation. Suz insisted we try the chef’s patatas bravas. This is the signature dish of tapas: small potato cubes cooked like chips, served with a spicy tomato sauce. Get this wrong and it could ruin your

meal. Fortunately, Sam’s patatas bravas was excellent, with lovely, crispy potatoes and a rich, flavourful sauce. My wife was delighted.

We also ordered a plate of Manchego, a tasty, nutty cheese made from sheep’s milk. This is served with a fruity quince jelly. Eaten together, this offered a lovely sweet and savoury experience.

For dessert, we split a slice of vanilla cheesecake. Served with sauce and fresh fruit, the cheesecake topping was delicious, soft and creamy, while the buttery biscuit base was sweet and tasty. An excellent end to an excellent meal out.

Meal provided courtesy of Love All Food. Photos © Dorset View

Soft, creamy cheesecake

Prawns and paella Delicious pork bites

Olive tapenade

Discover the life and times of Dire Straits

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

‘The Walk of Life’, ‘Money for Nothing’, and ‘Sultans of Swing’ are songs that have gone down in musical history and local people can learn all about their origins and the talented musicians behind them when John Illsley visits the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne on 5 November.

John, the bass player, has the distinction of not only being one of the founding members of Dire Straits in 1977, together with the legendary Mark Knopfler, he was one of only two members to be there when the band’s last chord was played. Theatregoers can step inside the extraordinary story of one man’s musical journey with ‘John Illsley: The Life and Times of Dire Straits’ which began a 21-date tour this month.

TThe band’s ground-breaking album ‘Brothers in Arms’ in 1985 was the first album to sell over one million copies on CD and topped the charts in over 20 countries.

Now, John invites audiences on a personal journey through that remarkable era. In an intimate evening of music and conversation, he’ll reflect on the band’s meteoric rise, the madness of worldwide fame, and the enduring power of their music, with exclusive behind-the-scenes stories.

Speaking to Dorset View, John explained how their poetic songs came about.

“Mark would write the lyrics, and then the music would be a collaborative process between band members,” he said.

How would he describe Dire Straits?

“We were not a pop band, but a rock band with good songs, played well,” he said.

Although Dire Straits went on to have huge worldwide success, at the beginning it was a very different story.

“We were a four-piece band who toured on a budget in a brokendown old van. We lived in a council flat that was rented to students.”

In effect living in ‘dire straits’.

John said that one of their most memorable concerts was playing at The Roxy Theatre on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, when both Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan were in the audience.

“Bob asked where we were staying and we went back to his hotel where Mark and Bob played together for two hours,” John recounted.

Dire Straits received multiple Brit and Grammy Awards and an Ivor Novello for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2018.

John’s 2021 memoir ‘My Life in Dire Straits’ (Penguin) became an international bestseller, further affirming the legacy of a band whose music continues to resonate across generations.

He explained why the band broke up.

“We came to a gentle stop. We had played to five million people and we needed a break. Also there were only two of us left. I think we did the right thing.”

However, John said that he loves music and playing, hence his current tour.

So, what can people expect from the concert in Wimborne?

John will be joined in conversation by his long-time friend and former Dire

Straits co-manager Paul Cummins, offering a relaxed Q&A format.

The evening also features live performances of Dire Straits classics and John’s own solo work accompanied by his band featuring musicians Robbie McIntosh, Steve Smith and Hannah Robinson.

John is delighted that audiences to the concerts are from all ages.

“We often get three generations, which is great.

“People will hear the songs they expect to hear,” he added.

John, who lives in Hampshire, has visited the Tivoli a couple of times before and he said he loves the theatre and is delighted to be returning. Tickets are available from the Tivoli box office.

Dire Straits bassist John Illsley is coming to the Tivoli in November

Events

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

Mondays 9am–4pm

Christchurch Market. Approximately 50 stalls in the High Street.

1, 8, 15, 11, 19 October 11am–1.30pm Colehill Community Cafe at St Michael’s & All Angels Church Centre. For more info, call Karen on 01202 841677.

4 October 12.30pm–4pm East Dorset Beekeepers Annual Honey Show at West Moors Memorial Hall, BH22 0HZ. Prize presentation and auction of honey at 4pm.

4 October 2pm–4pm Ferndown Arthritis and Friendship Club meets at Ferndown Plus Day Centre. For details, call 03303 112793.

4 October 7.30pm

Dorset Police Male Voice Choir at Verwood Methodist Church. For tickets, call David Allen on 01202 823541 or email info@ verwoodrotary.org.uk.

6 October 10.30am–11.30am Reading Friends: Reading Your Way at Ferndown Library.

6 October 7.30pm–9.15pm Wimborne Minster’s Aspects of Spirituality with Dr John Leach workshop on ‘Prayer Using Liturgy’. £5 donation.

8 October 7pm for 7.30pm

Canford and Merley WI meets at Merley Community Centre, Harrier Drive. For details, call Hazel on 07780 705702.

9 October 7.30pm

Ringwood Natural History Society meets at Greyfriars Community Centre, BH24 1DW. Contact John Gurney on 01425 471362 or 07395 855 404.

10 October 6pm–11pm

Diverse Abilities Country Roots event at The Treehouse in Hurn. To book, visit diverseabilities.org.uk/events.

11 October 1.45pm–4.15pm

Free cream tea for beginner group to learn American Square Dance at Stapehill Village Hall, BH21 2DY. Call Sheila on 01202 889110 or Andy and Angela on 01202 731012.

11 October 2pm

Fordingbridge Flower Club 50th anniversary celebration with floral demonstration and afternoon tea at St Mary’s Church. Call Helen Tague on 01425 655462 or email thetagues@fordingbridge.com.

11–18 October

Wimborne Green Festival.

Official opening at 10.30am on the Minster Green.

13 October 10.30am–11.30am

Reading Friends group meets at Ferndown Library.

13 October 2.30pm

West Moors Horticultural Society meets at the Memorial Hall. Contact Sue Hamlett on 01202 871536.

13 October 7pm for 7.30pm

Ferndown & West Moors Philatelic and Postcard Club meets at The Hamworthy Club, Magna Road, BH21 3AP.

13 October 7.30pm–9.15pm

Wimborne Minster’s Aspects of Spirituality with Brother John workshop on ‘Contemplative Prayer’. £5 donation.

15 October 6.30pm–9pm

Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club meet downstairs in Kinson Community Centre.

15–18 October 7.30pm

Ferndown Drama presents ‘The Ladykillers’ at The Barrington Centre. Tickets from ticketsource. co.uk/ferndown-drama.

16-18 October 7.30pm

Wimborne Drama Productions presents ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ at Tivoli Theatre. Tickets from tivoliwimborne.co.uk.

17 October to 3 November 10am–4pm Poole & East Dorset Art Society Autumn Exhibition at The Gallery Upstairs, Upton Country Park, BH17 7BJ.

18 October 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm

Wimborne Community Theatre presents ‘Home Sweet Home’ on the Minster Green as part of Wimborne Green Festival. 20 October 7.30pm–9.15pm

Wimborne Minster’s Aspects of Spirituality closes with Marie Calvert on ‘Creative Prayer’. £5 donation.

23 October 7.30pm Poole & Parkstone Productions present ‘Ladies’ Day’ at The Spire, High Street, Poole. Tickets from pandp.org.uk.

25 October from 6pm Verwood Flameburst at The Fuzzy Bit, BH31 6QF. Firework display at 8.45pm and bonfire at 9pm. Fairground, food, street entertainers, and live entertainment. Alcohol free.

25 October–1 November 10am–4pm

2 November 10am–12noon Broadstone Art Society Art Fair at the youth centre on Moor Road.

27 October 7.30pm John Maddocks Jazzmen at the Bluebird Social Club, Ham Lane, Ferndown, BH22 9DP.

28 October 7.30pm West Parley Gardening Club meets at the MS Centre Dorset, Church Lane, West Parley, BH22 8TS.

31 October 9am–12noon

Community PAT Testing at St Michael’s & All Angels Church Centre, Colehill. Contact Karen on stmichaels.booking.colehill@ gmail.com for details.

5 November 8pm

Free Fireworks Night on Poole Quay. The party atmosphere of this popular event starts at 5pm. Parking advisable at the Dolphin Shopping Centre or Harbourside Park.

REVIEW Deathtrap Bournemouth Little Theatre, Winton

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

This was the first time I’d been to a production by this company which has a delightful little theatre in Jameson Road, Winton, but if this play was anything to go by, I will certainly be going again. I might be fighting colleagues for review tickets!

Where to begin with accolades?

Written by Ira Levin in 1976, and produced as a film starring Michael Caine in 1982, the story has multiple twists that you just don’t see coming. I jumped out of my seat on more than one occasion.

Sidney Bruhl is a playwright with a series of box office flops, so stealing the work of another author Clifford Anderson seems like the answer to his writer’s block.

You could be forgiven for thinking that Sam Sheppard (Sidney) was a professional actor, such was the depth of his performance, taking the audience with him at every step. On stage for most of the time, even when he was not delivering lines, he was under the skin of Sidney 100 per cent.

The part of Clifford gave Topher Lynn the chance to transform from one persona to another and this he did with consummate skill. One moment you sympathised with him, the next you had a different take on his character.

Fifi La Roux was treading the boards for the first time as Myra Bruhl and she did a splendid job, with the part demanding that her emotions spanned from bored wife to a panicked one as the story evolved.

This play also provided laughs. Step forward Lauren Marie Killham and take a bow as psychic neighbour Doris Hamilton-King. Her visions of terrible pain coming from the Bruhl home enabled the actress to display her impressive comedic abilities.

William Lent put in a well-rounded performance as the law-abiding solicitor Porter Milton – but was he?

This was the second time that Barry Gray has directed at this theatre, and he deserves a round of applause for this spell-binding production.

Autumn adventures

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Poole performer wins comedy award

“Crackers, Gromit!” A comedian from Poole channelled her inner Wallace to win a comedy competition in London.

Dorset-born Esther Cross stole the spotlight and the Judges’ Fave award at the Dabbers Comedy Caller 2025 final on Wednesday 16 July.

Dressed as the iconic Aardman Animation character, Cross captured the hearts of the judging panel, earning their special recognition with her Wallace and Gromit-inspired performance.

She narrowly missed out on winning the audience-voted title of Comedy Caller Champion by just a handful of votes.

Judge Joy Harvey said: “Her performance is so brilliantly bizarre it defies description.

Dressed as Wallace (yes, from Wallace & Gromit), she turned the stage into a cheese altar — handing out cheese and crackers as communion while belting a full-throttle operetta about ‘Beans on Cheese

devotion’. It was bonkers. It was brave. It was pure cabaret gold.”

Reflecting on the experience, Cross said: “I didn’t expect me and a bald cap to make it to the finals, but it was great to see how much the audience were willing to engage with my bizarre ideas and niche humour. I had a blast.”

Discovery Village, the immersive role play centre in Hurn, celebrated its first year of business on Sunday 7 September with a free birthday party for its most regular customers. Owner Chris Sampson (third from left) said the first year has been a success and added: “We opened with over 4,000 visitors in our first month, and it’s been going from strength to strength. Children seem to love it, and as long as they keep coming, we’ll keep doing it.”

Film fans head to Bournemouth

A new film festival will take place in Bournemouth in October.

Held over two days, the first-ever Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) will showcase and celebrate filmmaking and offer opportunities for attendees to network or learn more about working in the industry.

As well as screenings of short and feature films, documentaries and animation, there will be workshops and Q&A sessions with industry veterans including Chris Chibnall, the creator of ‘Broadchurch’ and former showrunner of ‘Doctor Who’. On the final night, there will be a black-tie awards ceremony and afterparty.

BIFF takes place on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October at the Hilton in Terrace Road. Tickets are available from bournemouthfilmfest.co.uk.

MP and residents celebrate Talbot Village’s local heritage

Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale joined more than 50 local residents in August for the inaugural Talbot Village Heritage Trail and AWE trail.

Organised in partnership with the Talbot Village Trust, the free community heritage walk brought together residents of all ages. Along with the MP, they explored local heritage sites, discovered hidden history, and appreciated the rich biodiversity of the surrounding woodlands through the Augmented Wildlife Experiences trail, developed by Bournemouth University students and academics in collaboration with the Talbot Village Trust.

The event showcased the community spirit that defines Talbot Village. Participants gathered for the circular walk before concluding at Slades Farm Pavilion two-and-a-half hours later, where everyone enjoyed refreshments and continued conversations about their shared local heritage.

Jessica Toale MP, said: “It was fantastic to see so many residents, young and old, come together to celebrate the incredible history and natural beauty that makes Talbot Village so special.

“I was impressed with the enthusiasm and curiosity everyone

showed and learned a lot more about the area from the historical society and people whose families have lived in the village for generations.

“The Talbot sisters’ vision for the area remains inspiring even today. This event was a chance to rekindle our sense of community and enjoy the benefits of the beautiful woodlands in our town.”

Martha Searle, community and engagement lead at Talbot Village Trust, said: “We were delighted to welcome Jessica and so many of our community for a woodland walk last week. It was a fantastic opportunity to reacquaint with old friends and meet lots of new ones and to celebrate the beautiful natural space available on our doorstep. And despite the foreboding forecast, the weather held off for us and we were able to get out and enjoy woods.”

Delve into Poole Old Town’s spooky history

A unique opportunity to explore Poole’s darkest history is being provided by Spectre & Host’s Tours of the Unexplained this Halloween season between 1 October and 2 November.

Mr Spectre promises to take thrill-seekers on a bone-chilling walk. The immersive 90-minute experience is designed to send shivers down your spine as you wander through the narrow streets and cobblestone alleyways of Poole Old Town and along the historic Poole Quay.

Recounting eerie tales of murder, mystery, and the supernatural, Mr Spectre will bring to life the town’s darker side with dramatic storytelling that will keep you on the edge.

“Our goal is to transport guests back in time and share the spooky folklore, paranormal stories and unexplained events that

have shaped Poole’s history,” said Mr Spectre. “This tour is about more than just ghosts; it’s an engaging and theatrical experience that explores the forgotten secrets hidden in the shadows of the Old Town.”

The tour is recommended for ages 12 and up, due to its frightening content and themes of death and crime. Please note the walk covers approximately one mile of uneven terrain and is not recommended for individuals with mobility issues or those with heart conditions or anxiety disorders. Guests are advised to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, as the tour runs after dark, rain or shine.

Starting at 7pm, tickets are £13 per person.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite: https:// spectreandhosttoursoftheunexplained.eventbrite.co.uk

Happy Halloween!

Jekyll and Hyde to be staged in Wimborne

Are we all good or wholly bad? Is it nature or nurture? These questions are in the thoughts of Dr Jekyll as he completes his medical rounds. Meanwhile in London, one Mr Hyde is wreaking havoc: murdering, beating and living in debauchery in Soho. But why does Jekyll’s name keep being linked with his? It will take brave, female, enquiring minds to seek the justice in this mystery — but it is 1886, will anyone listen to them?

Locally written, this dark play gets new life at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne.

Directed by Shelly Barter, this amateur production of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ by arrangement with Nick Hern Books is being performed by Wimborne Drama Productions from 16 to 18 October. To book tickets, call the Tivoli box office on 01202 885566 or visit tivoliwimborne.co.uk.

Jessica Toale MP and residents celebrate the history and natural beauty of Talbot Village

Enter art exhibition

The Gallery Upstairs at Upton Country Park is extending its radius for submissions to up to 30 miles from Poole

Visual artists are invited to submit new and original works for this year’s exhibition which takes place from 5 to 20 December.

Submissions are welcome from artists working in any medium, including painting, drawing, sculpture, handcrafted prints and textile art. Photography and video are excluded. Entry is open in early October. Submissions must be made online by 20 November.

There is a non-returnable entry fee of £10 per piece, or two pieces for £16. Selection will be conducted digitally by independent selector, Paul Newman, creative director for Dorset Visual Arts.

Prize money totalling £600 will be awarded at the selector’s discretion and includes a ‘people’s vote’. To enter or for further information, visit thegalleryupstairs.org.uk or email contact@thegalleryupstairs.org.uk.

REVIEW Plays ‘n’ Chips Broadstone Players Theatre Company

By Luke Graham

This annual performance of one-act plays by the Broadstone Players was a delight in September.

For over 30 years, this popular community tradition has seen audiences enjoy a fish and chip supper alongside an evening of theatre. This year’s show featured two comedies and a mystery by Agatha Christie. With 11 actors playing 12 parts across three plays, it’s impossible to talk about everyone, but special mentions must go to: Patrick D’Ardenne, whose performances as the camp Alec in Agatha Christie’s thriller ‘The Rats’ and frustrated Gordon in the farce ‘Last Tango in Little Grimley’ produced plenty of laughter; Lucy Webster gave a fantastic, natural performance as Sandra in ‘The Rats’; and Stuart Risdale was hilarious as the blunt Bernard in ‘Last Tango’.

Well done to the whole cast, crew and directors for this fun evening. The Broadstone Players’ next production will be ‘Abigail’s Party’ by Mike Leigh on 18–22 November.

PREVIEW The Ladykillers Ferndown Drama, The Barrington Centre

Ferndown Drama’s next production ‘The Ladykillers’ will be at The Barrington Centre from 15 to18 October.

This is a criminally funny comedy with a classic twist.

Welcome to a world of charm, chaos, and criminal capers. In this irresistibly witty stage adaptation of the beloved Ealing comedy, a group of peculiar ‘musicians’ take up residence in the home of a sweet, unsuspecting old lady. But behind the genteel manners and teacups lies a plot that’s anything but innocent.

With fast-paced action, larger-than-life characters, and a deliciously dark sense of humour, ‘The Ladykillers’ is a madcap collision of crime and comedy that promises uproarious entertainment from start to finish.

Prepare for laughs, surprises, and a play that hits all the right notes — just don’t trust appearances.

Tickets available from ticketsource.co.uk/ ferndown-drama or the box office on 0333 666 3366. Also available at The Barrington Centre (booking fee applies) or at the door.

Just one parking app for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Hoping you’ve got the right app when it comes to parking your car just adds to the stress of driving, but Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has addressed this by adopting RingGo as the sole cashless parking provider across all council-operated car parks in the area.

The move follows the end

of existing contracts with JustPark, PayByPhone and RingGo, and a competitive tender process to select a new supplier, which resulted in RingGo being awarded the contract.

Amanda Barrie, director of Commercial Operations, said:

“We understand that changes to parking payment systems can raise questions, and we

want to reassure residents that this move to a single app – RingGo – is intended to make it simpler for residents and visitors to pay for parking quickly and securely.”

New users can register quickly via the RingGo app or website. For a smoother experience, residents and visitors are encouraged to download the app to their

smartphone before travelling.

The council asks the public to be aware that QR codes will not be used for registration or payment. All users should register and pay directly through the RingGo app or at RingGo.co.uk.

Existing RingGo users can continue using their accounts in the BCP area without any changes.

New tech targets cable cutting

After being identified as a hotspot for cable thefts, Christchurch is benefitting from new technology that will tackle the crime and ensure continued reliability for EV drivers.

Ultra-rapid EV charging network InstaVolt is introducing CableGuard™ to its EV charging points in Christchurch.

This innovation, created in collaboration with EV design specialists, Formula Space, was first introduced in April 2025 as part of new measures to protect InstaVolt’s EV infrastructure and is now being rolled out across the country.

Not only is cable theft a crime, it’s a nuisance for EV drivers needing to use chargers to keep them on the road. As

well as this lost time, there can also be huge costs associated with replacing the cables and a public concern over the current infrastructure provision.

CableGuard™ is a sleeve that covers the cable, constructed from a tough, flexible material that adds a critical layer of security without affecting the driver experience.

If tampered with, a forensic liquid is deployed, leaving a mark that glows under UV light and is linked to a specific location via a police-accessible database.

This pioneering system further enhances InstaVolt’s suite of security measures, including GPS and GeoTracking technology which

has been integrated into cable infrastructure to detect when a cable leaves the perimeter of a charging site, allowing for immediate alerts and rapid response. In addition, AI-powered CCTV systems are capable of identifying suspicious activity in real time and monitored around the clock by security teams, including a team of on-site patrols led by ex-military operatives.

“Infrastructure protection is vital to our mission of delivering a reliable and accessible EV charging network – and we are clamping down on hotspot areas like Christchurch,” said Delvin Lane, InstaVolt CEO.

“Cable theft not only affects our operations but

also inconveniences drivers. By implementing stateof-the-art solutions like CableGuard™, alongside intelligent surveillance systems, we’re proactively addressing the problem and reinforcing our commitment to driver safety and service uptime.”

Vern Pollard, director at Formula Space said:

“CableGuard™ is a groundbreaking product aimed at curbing the disruption from the growing trend of EV charging cable theft. We’ve combined thoughtful design with proven forensic technology to protect the UK’s vital EV infrastructure. Our aim is simple; make theft of EV charging cables a losing game.”

Charity of the Year

Wimborne Rotary helps to support families with cancer

By Dorset Cancer Care Foundation

Members of Wimborne Rotary took to the catwalk in April to raise money for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) — and we would love to hear from other groups, organisations and businesses interested in helping our amazing work, in any way possible.

The Wimborne Rotarians held a fashion show at Merley House, raising £400 for the DCCF.

Presenting the cheque to our cofounder and Chair Eve and Chris Thomas, Rotary President Brian Dryden said: “Our member Joy Dennett organised our highly successful fashion show, and as a longtime supporter of the DCCF suggested the charity could be one of the beneficiaries of the event — a suggestion which all our members were very keen to support.

“It was wonderful to welcome Eve and Chris from the DCCF to our meeting to give them our donation and to hear more about the charity’s great work

supporting Dorset families with cancer.”

DCCF Chair Chris Thomas said: “We are extremely grateful for Wimborne Rotary’s support.

“Without supporters and fundraisers, there would simply be no DCCF.

“We would like to hear from other groups and businesses interested in making a meaningful impact on the lives of Dorset families affected by cancer.

“Whether you choose to take the DCCF as your charity of the year, sponsor one of our great events, organise one of your own, or even donate as a oneoff or through regular monthly or annual giving, every one of these gestures raises money which goes directly to a local person who is suffering financial hardship because of a cancer diagnosis.

“Partnering with the DCCF is more than corporate responsibility, it’s about changing lives, offering hope, and ensuring that Dorset people receive

Preview

help when they really do need it most.

“If you are interested, we would love the chance to tell you more.”

To get in touch with us about how you can support the DCCF, please email charitymanager@dccf.co.uk.

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/@dorset_view

In January, a local entrepreneur faced the wrath of the Dragons on the popular BBC business show, ‘Dragons’ Den’. On the latest episode of Your Voice | Dorset Podcast, the owner of the sports accessories brand Laceeze Defiance, Emma Burke, told us all about the experience.

Emma is a mother and business owner from Dorset who now lives in Hampshire. Her company sells silicone bands designed to prevent football shoelaces coming undone during matches, as well as sports clothes, gloves, socks and other items. Since launching in 2017, Burke’s company has sold over 500,000 pairs of bands.

“It was a solution to a problem we noticed on the kids’ football pitches,” recalls Emma when discussing Laceeze. “I’ve got two boys. Myself and my co-founder could see the kids’ laces were constantly coming undone.”

After spotting a boy with an elastic band on his shoes to keep the laces

from untying, Emma set about designing a product that could do the job and that kids would be excited to wear.

On the podcast, she shared some of the trials and tribulations of launching a new product and the challenges she had to overcome, including the pandemic.

“When Covid hit, nobody was out playing football. It was like someone had turned the tap off; the website was [selling] nothing,” she recalls.

She explained one of the key differences between her business and the competition.

“The big brands have their adult range, that’s their core range, and then they just make a smaller version for kids, whereas we are child only.

“People go ‘Oh, can you do bigger gloves for adults?’ No, we are a kids’ sports accessories brand.”

Emma applied to be on ‘Dragons’ Den’ in December 2022, the show where entrepreneurs pitch to a panel of wealthy

investors. She didn’t hear back until March 2024. After a lengthy process including interviews and auditions, she was invited to pitch to the Dragons in Manchester in July. Emma revealed how she felt during her filming.

“The moment before is probably the worst bit. It’s terrifying because you’re waiting for the green light [to start].

“I did feel quite relieved [once my pitch finished], and then the questions started — for just under two hours.”

Emma described the experience as intense and said the Dragons were scary, but did she get an offer? You’ll have to watch the original episode, or listen to the podcast, to find out.

Listen to the full interview by searching for Your Voice | Dorset Podcast on your preferred podcast provider, or watch it on dorsetview. co.uk/podcast and youtube.com/@dorset_ view. Subscribe to the YouTube channel for more great interviews and videos.

Emma Burke, co-founder of Laceeze, appeared on ‘Dragons’ Den’

L-R: DCCF Chair Chris Thomas, fashion show supporter Ingrid Sumner, Wimborne Rotary President Brian Dryden, DCCF co-founder Eve Thomas, and fashion show organiser Joy Dennett

Wimborne Rotary held a fundraising fashion show in April

Your guide to moving and mortgages

Did you know the autumn is one of the best times of year to sell your home?

After the rush of summer, and ahead of the busy winter holidays, now is a good time to look at places to buy or prepare your property for selling.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or thinking about downsizing, the next few pages contain plenty of useful advice to help you navigate the property purchase process.

Finding an estate agent

When selling your property, it can be tricky to decide on which estate agent to appoint. The first step might be to get personal recommendations from friends and family, or look for ‘For Sale’ signs in your neighbourhood which will indicate which agents are actively marketing properties similar to yours.

Once you have a shortlist of three agents, invite them to value your home, and ask them detailed questions about their commission fees, marketing strategies, and experience with properties like yours.

The Home Owners Alliance has a Best Estate Agent Finder tool which compares agents based on their

success rates, speed of sale, and how close they come to achieving the asking price: hoa.org.uk/services/best-estateagent. You’ll get results instantly.

Once you’ve chosen an agent, go through the contract carefully to make sure there aren’t any hidden terms that could cost you dearly, like having to pay fees if you pull out and don’t go through with the sale.

Solicitors and conveyancing

A solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer who provides a wide range of legal services, while a conveyancer is a specialist in property law, handling the legal aspects of buying and selling property. You can use either for conveyancing (the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another). Who will do the job best for you will depend on the complexity of your property purchase. For straightforward transactions, a specialist conveyancer may be more appropriate, while a more complicated purchase might require the expertise of a solicitor. Whether you choose to work

with a conveyancer or solicitor, make sure to obtain a few different quotes and check online reviews. Securing a mortgage

If there is one thing you really need to research well, it is choosing a mortgage that suits your personal and work circumstances.

To get a £200,000 mortgage in the UK, you will typically need an annual income of around £45,000 to £50,000, as lenders usually offer mortgages of up to four and a half times your income. However, the exact salary can vary; some banks will lend up to five or even six times your salary, potentially lowering the required income to £33,000. Factors such as your credit history and financial commitments will also influence the final amount you can borrow. You will need to pay a deposit upfront for a portion of the property — typically, 10 per cent of the property price. It is possible to get a no-deposit loan, known as a 100 per cent mortgage. These are often aimed at first-time buyers, or key workers such as NHS staff.

Continued on page 42

PROPERTY & MORTGAGES

There are different types of mortgages – fixed rate, variable-rate, and trackers which are linked to the Bank of England base rate. You must also choose between repayment mortgages (where you pay off principal and interest over time) or interestonly mortgages (paying only interest, with the principal due at the end). A financial adviser or mortgage broker can help you find the right deal for you.

Selecting a surveyor

If you are buying a house, you will need a surveyor to inspect the property to look for structural issues, potential risks, or significant defects. Based on the surveyor’s reports, you may decide not to buy it, or you can ask the seller to fix any problems or accept a lower purchase price.

To find a reputable surveyor, use comparison websites and check professional registers like the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to find qualified, local professionals who are familiar with the housing market and property types in your area.

Always get quotes from several regulated firms, compare services, and check their reviews. Don’t rely solely on the recommendation of the estate agent or your mortgage lender, as they may have preferred firms.

Removals and storage

You’ve found your dream house, done all the paperwork, and now moving day is approaching. Time to pack up your property. First, go through your home room to room and don’t forget the loft, shed and garage. Decide whether you need all the items or whether you can pare down your possessions.

Consider using a self-storage unit to store packed possessions ready for moving day. Start by packing up things you rarely use and move boxes into storage as soon as they’re sealed and labelled with the contents.

If packing and moving everything yourself is daunting, use a removal company. Some providers offer full or partial packing services, including the supply of packing materials. Look for removal companies with a long history in your local area and verify they offer the specific services you need. Most companies offer free, no-obligation quotes and consultations to discuss your requirements. Ideally, book a removal company four to six weeks before your moving date. Information in this article should not be construed as financial advice.

You’ll need a conveyancing solicitor to help with the legal paperwork

Does our solicitor need to be local?

-Advertisement feature-

By Simon Nethercott, solicitor, senior partner, and head of business & commercial at Harold G Walker

We have just put in an offer on a property and need to find a solicitor. Our agent has recommended a conveyancing firm, but they are not based locally. Does our solicitor need to be in the area in which we are buying?

The short answer is “no”, we can deal with conveyancing transactions throughout England and Wales. There can, however, be benefits to choosing a reputable local firm of solicitors. Local knowledge is often of considerable assistance in getting matters resolved and the transaction moving quickly.

Many large conveyancing businesses can be affiliated to estate agents, but make sure to do your research and consider carefully the level of service you will require before making your choice.

At Harold G Walker, we aim to

offer a friendly, approachable service provided by experienced staff. You will have direct contact with the person acting for you and their team. We aim to offer clear, professional advice in a way that is straightforward and easy to understand. We have been established for more than 75 years and have four branches across the East Dorset area where you can pop in to drop off or pick up documentation as necessary. Much of our business is local through client recommendations and clients returning — we do not pay referral fees to estate agents, thereby reducing the costs to you.

As a firm of solicitors, we are fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and we are proud to be a member of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme. We are also on all major mortgages lenders’ panels.

Retirement living: is it time to downsize?

Deciding that the time has come to move into retirement accommodation is a huge, life-changing decision – but it can provide you with peace of mind, as well as the chance to meet lots of likeminded new friends.

These self-contained homes, often apartments or bungalows, include features like 24-hour emergency alarms, secure entry, and communal areas, with staff available for help and maintenance. Options to buy, rent, or pursue shared ownership are available, and residents maintain independence in managing their own lives.

Renting a retirement flat is a good option if you have children or grandchildren living in different parts of the country, as it would enable you to relocate easily.

You must pay Council Tax, water and energy bills. Water and fuel charges for communal areas may also be part of your service charge, which covers the cleaning, upkeep and maintenance of communal areas. You can get a mortgage on a retirement property.

If you need more advice, you can speak to Age UK, Independent Age, or Retirement Housing Group.

Is it time to replace your double glazing?

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

You have double glazing windows installed — and you think that is it. Nothing else to be done in the future.

Sadly, that isn’t the case. If your double glazing is 20 years old, it’s worth replacing. Think of it as an investment, not an expense. The energy savings, comfort and added value to your property usually makes it a good decision.

Double glazing helps prevent condensation and associated problems like dampness, musty odours and mildew by keeping internal panes at room temperature and away from the cold outside air. By blocking damaging UV rays, double glazing protects furnishings and wood from fading and cracking caused by sunlight. But how do you tell if your

double glazing needs replacing?

The first sign you will want to look for is whether you can see visible condensation between the panes of your doubleglazing windows. Also, are there noticeable draughts, chips or cracks, water leaks, increased noise, or higher energy bills? Do you have difficulty opening and closing the windows?

Research has illustrated that the average value of a home can increase by 10 per cent with a new double glazing installation. People will be more likely to buy a home with newer windows, as they won’t need to replace them themselves.

The choice between aluminium and uPVC windows depends on your priorities and budget. Aluminium windows are stronger, more durable,

and offer a more modern aesthetic, while uPVC windows are typically more affordable and offer better insulation.

Replacing all windows at once offers several advantages. It ensures a uniform and consistent appearance throughout the home, both from the inside and outside. It also allows for better energy efficiency, since all windows will have the same highperformance features.

To prepare for your windows to be replaced, remove blinds, curtains and alarms, clear space around the windows and cover furnishings.

Let’s end on a historical note. Fitting a second pane of glass to improve insulation began in Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland in the 1870s.

Your roofing problems solved

-Advertisement featureWith over 40 years of experience, the specialists at Scott Miles Roofing have been providing roofing solutions throughout the South Coast and surrounding areas for decades

From small repairs to full roof installations, the Wimbornebased company is dedicated to delivering high quality, professional services that prioritise customers’ needs. But don’t just take their word for it. Here’s a recommendation from one of their customers. Andy and Jo Stockley said: “Fantastic service. Professional and proficient in every aspect of the work carried out. Clean, tidy and respectful of both neighbour and our properties. I would highly recommend.” Whether you’re looking for a brand new or replacement roof, Scott Miles Roofing can help you. Call 07973 248319 or visit scottmilesroofing. co.uk to learn more.

Don’t put off your boiler service

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

We can all be guilty of putting off certain jobs, but there is one thing that shouldn’t be put on the back burner – having your boiler serviced by a professional.

This will ensure your boiler is safe and working correctly. The engineer will inspect internal components, check for leaks, and ensure proper ventilation and gas pressure. Servicing prevents breakdowns, keeps your boiler running efficiently to save energy costs, and is often a requirement to keep your warranty valid.

A yearly boiler service is not a legal requirement for homeowners in the UK, but it is for landlords who rent out property. Businesses that use boilers to provide heating or hot water, such as shops, hotels, or restaurants, are also legally required to have their commercial boilers serviced annually.

Typically, a service will take around an hour to complete. If you have a combi boiler, most of the main components are located inside of the boiler, and so the service is usually quicker, around 30 minutes.

Boilers typically last for 10 to 15 years, but this lifespan can vary. Regular annual servicing and proper maintenance, such as bleeding radiators, can extend a boiler’s life and prevent costly repairs.

A boiler service doesn’t include bleeding radiators. However, you could ask your heating engineer to take a look whilst they’re at your home, but this may cost extra.

Once you’ve booked your service, clear the area around the boiler, so the engineer can access it easily. It’s also recommended to switch your boiler off an hour or so before the engineer arrives.

Time for pruning

By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Although there is something hugely satisfying about pruning the greenery in your garden, you do have to know what you’re doing, otherwise you can lose a much-loved tree, shrub or plant. So, it might be wise to call in an expert.

Most trees benefit from pruning in mid to late winter. Pruning during dormancy encourages new growth as soon as the weather begins to warm. The lack of leaves after autumn allows you to easily identify branches and limbs requiring removal. Be aware that some trees can bleed sap when pruned during late winter.

There are guidelines if you choose to prune a tree yourself.

When branches rub or cross each other, remove one; remove suckers or side shoots from the base of the tree using a knife or scissors; prune lower limbs to expose more trunk and lightly prune upper limbs to enhance the natural shape. Without proper pruning, trees can grow in an unbalanced or irregular manner. This can lead to branches growing too close together, which may result in overcrowding, poor air circulation, and weak growth. Weak branches are more likely to break,

especially during adverse weather conditions such as high winds or storms.

Note, it is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to prune trees when birds are nesting.

Autumn is a suitable time for pruning certain shrubs, particularly those that have finished flowering and to address dead or diseased wood. However, it’s important to research specific shrub varieties, as some are better pruned in late winter or early spring. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches to improve plant health and structure.

Prune summer and autumn blooming shrubs after they finish flowering. Avoid pruning spring bloomers in autumn, as this can remove next year’s flower buds.

Shrubs normally pruned hard in the spring such as Buddleja davidii, Cornus alba, and Lavatera, can be cut back by half in October, to prevent wind rock and to neaten their appearance.

October presents the last chance to trim hedges to keep them looking tidy over the winter, and climbing roses should be pruned now if not done in September.

When it comes to flowers, the best

time to prune is after flowering. If the plant needs to be renovated, or severely reduced, this can be done late winter and early spring just before growth begins.

Avoid pruning annuals, perennials, and woody plants after rain or while dew is present in the morning or evening. Wait to prune until the plant foliage is completely dry.

Mastering the correct cutting angle is crucial when pruning. Aim for a 45-degree angle just above a leaf axle with a dormant eye. This angle helps drain water off the cut, preventing disease caused by moisture build up.

Using the correct tools is vital. Pruning shears are the best for branches up to three-quarters of an inch thick; use loppers for medium branches up to two inches thick; choose a hand saw for larger branches up to four inches thick; and select a pole saw for high branches up to 10 feet or more. A chainsaw can be used with care.

CORRESPONDENCE

To express your opinion or idea about the community send your letters to letters@dorsetview.co.uk

Interested in learning about space stuff, stargazing or astronomy?

Weymouth Astronomy Club has members from across Dorset. We meet on the second Friday of every month from 7.30pm–9.30pm at St Aldhelm’s Church Centre, Spa Road, Weymouth, DT3 5EW. We also organise local viewing evenings, events, socials and members have access to a lively and topical WhatsApp group. We host top-class speakers on a variety of topics and interests, and we try and ensure there is something for everyone. Our next speaker is Sheri Karl, originally from Weymouth and a founder of the club. She will be talking about ‘Orbiting Solar Observatories’, and we are so fortunate that she is returning to Weymouth virtually to give her talk via Zoom on Friday 10 October.

As well as the invited speaker, we also have a ‘Sky Notes’ section where we share information about forthcoming celestial events.

We are a small but keen, diverse and friendly club and have members of all abilities and interests; we can offer practical support with equipment, questions, advice and have an

international network of contacts. In-person meetings are £3 for nonmembers (deducted from your membership if you join). Annual membership is currently £22, which will provide you with access to all the meetings, either in-person or via Zoom, the WhatsApp group, an emailed copy of the newsletter, invitations to viewing evenings, and social activities. The Church Centre and facilities are fully accessible, there is a generous car park, and refreshments are on the house. It would be lovely to see you even if you are a little bit curious or interested in astronomy, and you’d be made very welcome. For more information, visit the website: weymouthastronomy.co.uk.

Sara Harpley, Weymouth Astronomy Club Via email

Daft Dorset rhymes By Coralie Noakes

Dorchester delights

A Dorchester teddy, called Eddie Took ages to get himself ready

The teddy museum

Was where he met Liam

An even more vain little teddy!

A team of 20 pulled a Boeing 737 at the annual Dorset Plane Pull to raise money for HomeStart Wessex on Monday 25 August. The team dragged the 35,000kg plane a distance of 50m in just 35.63 seconds, and raised £3,625 in the process ©

NEWS IN BRIEF

20mph proposal for West Moors

A proposal to introduce 20mph speed limits in West Moors is on the table. Some residents have approached the town council about lowering the speed limit along Station Road and other adjoining roads to 20mph. As this would have a major impact on all residents in West Moors, the council would like to know if residents want the opportunity to have their say on the matter. You can put forward your views via the website: westmoors-tc.gov.uk/Contact_ Us_31032.aspx.

Tourism awards finalist

The Bournemouth Writing Festival, which won Gold last year, has been named as a finalist in the Tourism Event/Festival of the Year category at the 2025 Dorset Tourism Awards. The winners of the awards will be announced on 16 October in Weymouth.

New mobile police stations

Dorset Police have launched two mobile police stations to help engage residents in the hearts of their communities. The vehicles will tour the county, visiting specific locations at consistent times each month. The eastern vehicle, based at Ferndown, will visit Sainsbury’s Ferndown on the first Tuesday of the month, Verwood Memorial Hall on the first Thursday, the Allendale in Wimborne on the second Tuesday, Shaftesbury Lidl on the second Thursday, Christchurch retail park on the third Thursday, and finally Highcliffe Cliff Top car park on the third Thursday of the month. The mobile station will be present from 11am to 1pm each day.

Pumpkin decorating in Merley

The theme for the next meeting of the Canford and Merley WI on Wednesday 8 October is pumpkin decorating. A fun, creative and seasonal activity to get you into the autumn spirit. Come along for ideas and inspiration (no carving required). Meeting starts at 7.30pm at the Community Centre, Harrier Drive, Merley. For further details, contact Hazel on 07780 705702.

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Guarantee of insertion cannot be given and the Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement or by the total or partial failure, however caused, of publication or distribution of Dorset View. In no case shall the total liability of the Publisher for any misprint, error or omission exceed the price charged by the Publisher for that advertisement. The Publisher shall not be liable for any damage or loss save as stated and, in particular, the Publisher shall have no liability to the Advertiser in any circumstances for any claim for damages to, loss of, or costs in respect of any anticipated profits, revenues, business opportunities or for any other indirect or consequential loss. Claims for any error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement must be made within 10 days of publication to the

Administration Department.

Advertisers are requested to check their advertisements after the first insertion. The Publisher will not be responsible for any errors on subsequent insertions, which have not been advised to them.

Cancellation of an advertisement must be advised in writing 21 days prior to copy date.

Unless agreed otherwise in writing by the Publisher the terms of payment for credit accounts are 10 days from date of invoice. Any discount, which the Publisher may have agreed with the advertiser will be forfeited in the event of failure by the advertiser to meet these credit terms. All rates quoted are subject

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