VIEWPOINT
Dear Readers!
In the April edition of this magazine, I wrote about the benefits of walking rather than using the car, but I want to take that one step further.
Whilst it’s undoubtedly good for your health to notch up 10,000 steps a day, there is always the danger that you can fail to notice the wonders of nature in the countryside or the interesting buildings and plaques in the towns.
Sometimes it’s good to dawdle, as I have done on several recent occasions.
Next time you go to Poole, why not try the Cockle Trail. This walk around the Old Town takes approximately 90 minutes. The trail was opened in 1998 to celebrate the 750th anniversary of Poole’s first charter. Walkers can follow the numbered brass plates set into the ground – I bet you’ve never noticed those. The start of the walk is at the Fish Shambles on Poole Quay.
In Christchurch, there is the Millennium Trail around the town centre, taking walkers to sites of historical interest from the Neolothic times to the 20th century.
In Ringwood, there is the Town Trail that loops around the old town centre, compiled by The Ringwood Society.
And in Wimborne, as well as the Town Trail, there is the Tree Trail, which offers a choice of walks and the chance to enjoy trees planted to celebrate the 2022 Jubilee of the Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
While walking, you could think about your holiday plans for the summer. We have a spread of inspirational travel ideas on pages 24 to 28.
There are so many exciting events happening in our circulation area in the coming months – the Wimborne Minster Folk Festival amongst them (see page 34) – so when you visit it’s worth taking the time to have a really close look at the attractions of the towns hosting them. You never know what you might spot.
Marilyn Barber
News 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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Verwood Town Council praised
A local community group in Verwood has presented an award to staff and councillors at the town council to thank them for their support towards delivering a plastic- and litter-free environment.
The environmental group Verwoodians on Waste (VoW) gave the award to the Mayor of Verwood, Revd Julian Macro JP, on Tuesday 29 April.
Earlier in the year, the town council had taken on the responsibility for providing a medicine blister pack recycling bin, to help recycle this difficult waste. The town council also made the initial purchase of high-visibility safety gear for members of VoW to wear when removing litter from Verwood’s main roads.
Anita Rigler, chair of VoW, said: “VoW exists to gently encourage local people to make
affordable and easy plastic-free and lifestyle changes in order to help reduce global warming. But it is teamwork. We need everyone working towards reducing their carbon footprint. Since our inception seven years ago, the town council have excelled at supporting this aim.”
The mayor and Cllr Simon Gibson expressed their gratitude for the award and for recognising their commitment to supporting local community groups to achieve their goals.
Over the past six months, the VoW litter-picking team have collected 280 sacks of kerbside rubbish, estimated to weigh around 1,820kg.
L-R: Cllr Simon Gibson, Anita Rigler, Revd Julian Macro JP, and VoW Vice Chair Peter Timothy
Final call for day centre consultation
Residents across Dorset have until 9 June to respond to Dorset Council’s plans for the county’s day centres.
These centres are not only used by people with disabilities, dementia and special needs, their carers and their families, but also community groups.
The council has proposed closing six day centres, claiming they are too big and not fit for purpose.
In East Dorset, the council proposes keeping Verwood’s day centre open and closing Ferndown Plus on Pennys Walk. Ferndown’s day centre is used by local groups and hosts a food larder run by Ferndown Community Support.
At Ferndown’s annual parishioner meeting in April, Cllr Hannah Hobbs-Chell, who helps to run the larder, urged residents to voice their concerns with Dorset Council by taking part in the consultation.
Another proposed closure is Blandford Community Centre. A local resident, Rob Mariner, started a petition against the closure, which has received over 1,800 signatures. Mariner’s wife, Mary, suffers from dementia. He described the day centre as a “lifeline”.
He said: “I urge you to voice your support for our cause, help us urge Dorset Council to reconsider their proposal. Help us ensure that vital services like adult day care centres remain in operation, to continue providing support to those who count on them day in and day out.”
Dorset Council will hold an online consultation on 4 June at 6pm. To share your thoughts on the proposals, complete the online survey: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/better-days.
Godshill-based lunch group 93 Club hosted members of Avon Valley Shed at their monthly event on Thursday 17 April. During the lunch, the founder of the Shed, Gary Knight, spoke about the history of the Fordingbridgebased social group. Pictured are members of both organisations having a friendly chat in front of a projector. To find out about joining either group, call Derek Ayling on 01425 650770 or email hippotrain@BTInternet.com.
New affordable housing in Fordingbridge
A total of 42 new affordable homes are being built at an estate called Knightwood Chase near Fordingbridge, made up of 28 homes for rent and 14 shared ownership properties, through a mixture of apartments and two- and three-bedroom houses.
The rented homes will be allocated to households on New Forest District Council’s housing register. The homes will become available from summer 2025, in phases until autumn 2028.
Members of New Forest District Council visited the estate on Wednesday 26 March.
Cllr Steve Davies, portfolio holder for Housing and Homelessness, said: “We know how important affordable housing is for local people, and this development is a fantastic example of how we are increasing the supply of high-quality homes.”
Vehicle crime and burglaries on the rise
Although crime in Dorset is on the whole decreasing, vehicle offences and burglaries have risen.
Data released in April by the Office for National Statistics confirmed that Dorset remains in England’s top 10 safest areas.
During the 12 months from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, overall crime in Dorset fell by 1.1 per cent.
Notable reductions include a 22.7 per cent fall in robbery offences compared to a national rise of 0.4 per cent and a 5.1 per cent drop in violence against the person, in line with the national decrease of 4.4 per cent.
Reports of stalking and harassment also fell by 11 per cent, higher than the national decrease of 8.2 per cent.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “We have witnessed a direct impact from our high visibility patrols in hotspot areas and seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour from 13,182 incidents reported in 2023 to 12,512 in 2024, a decrease of 5.22 per cent.”
However, Dorset also experienced a sharp rise in vehicle offences of 20.7 per cent in 2024, when it fell nationally by 6.5 per cent.
Burglary offences also increased in the county in 2024. Residential burglary rose by 1.6 per cent against a national decrease of 7.1 per cent, and business burglary rose by 5.5 per cent against a national fall of 4.5 per cent.
For advice on how to protect your home, visit dorset.police.uk/cp/ crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/ or turn to page 38.
Last chance to see Great Tail Trail
People have until 1 June to see the 45 giant mermaid tails and 43 smaller ‘Tiny Tails’ spread across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as part of Julia House’s Great Tail Trail.
In April, Harry Redknapp, a longstanding patron of the children’s hospice charity, visited one of the sculptures on Branksome Beach. He said: “Please come and visit the tails on The Great Tail Trail and support this wonderful charity.”
Meanwhile in Poole, a series of free guided walks along the Trail has proven popular. Walkers are led by tour guide Hattie Miles on a walk of discovery to find six tails in the town and hear quirky stories related to Poole’s maritime history.
The Poole guided walks run again on Wednesday 21 May and Saturday 31 May at 11am and 2pm. For full details and to book a place, go to discoverpoole.com/greattail.
Harry Redknapp with the sculpture ‘I Carrot Believe It!’ © Baily Moore Photography
Local filmmaker receives industry recognition
Is Todd Greengrass Verwood’s answer to Steven Spielberg? A film by the local resident has so far received two major award nominations.
Greengrass made ‘Collapse’ while studying film production and cinematography in Salisbury at Wiltshire College & University Centre. He graduated with a BA (Hons) last year.
The film tells the story of two brothers who are involved in a rock fall while caving. It was filmed in freezing conditions in Portland, Dorset.
“It was really challenging,” Greengrass recalled. “We were spending days in Portland, freezing on the side of a cliff. The cold and the wind was just so piercing, and on one of the days we had to cut filming short because people were just so cold and we wanted to avoid them getting ill.”
The film earned second place at the Bill Vinten Guild of Television Camera Professionals (GTC) University Awards and was nominated in the Best Drama category at the Royal Television Society Southern Awards held in Southampton at the end of March.
“It’s fantastic to be nominated again, it’s really, really good,” he said. “A lot of work went into the film, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, so to have that recognised is really rewarding and I am so pleased.”
Thanks to the nominations, the budding young filmmaker has secured a work placement at Pinewood Studios, and he hopes to get the film shown at more festivals in the future. Currently, Greengrass is using his camera skills with drones in a property
marketing business but has ambitions to work in film. He said: “The camera is my main thing, and I would love to work as a director of photography in film or as a camera operator, that’s my goal.”
Todd Greengrass with his GTC award
Column by Fordingbridge Museum is sponsored by Adrian Dowding
I’ve got the key to the door
By Julian Hewitt | Fordingbridge Museum
Doors of some sort have been a feature of people’s lives since our prehistoric ancestors used skins to cover the entrance to their dwellings. The earliest depictions of doors are from 4,000 years ago, in paintings in ancient Egyptian tombs which are thought to be showing the entrance to the afterlife. In ancient Greece, China and Rome, double doors that met in the middle were made of elaborately carved wood that was, in high status buildings, sometimes coated in gold or silver.
Significant Roman buildings would sometimes have solid bronze doors. A good example of this are the doors to the Pantheon in Rome. The more elaborate doors would have been only at the main entrance to the building. These would have been a statement piece that set the tone of the building. Interior doors would have been simpler and made of wooden planks. Evidence from frescos and mosaics show that curtains may have been used in interior doorways.
The wealthy in medieval and Tudor times would have heavy wooden doors that were often studded with nails for extra strength. These often survive in Tudor buildings, especially church buildings. These would usually have no wooden door frames, with the doors hanging on fixtures called pintles and gudgeons set directly into the stone of the building. Larger doors may have a smaller wicket door in them, like the ones in the gates into the Close at Salisbury Cathedral.
Some of the most impressive front doors date from Georgian times when neoclassicism was all the rage. These doors would be flanked by Greek-style columns and have beautiful fan lights over them to let extra light into the hallway.
Look out for boot scrapers at the entrance to buildings. In the days before tarmac — despite some towns, like Bath, having paved footways and cobbled roads — people would want a way of removing mud and horse manure from their shoes. By the end of the 18th century, built-in boot scrapers were a common feature of front doors.
Early door security was often provided by simple bolts or wooden beams that fitted into recesses on either side of the door. Locks as we know them could be expensive. Look out for rare examples of Odell night latch keyholes that were patented in 1792. These are T-shaped keyholes where a flat key could be put into the horizontal part of the hole and lifted up so that they fitted the inverse shape inside the lock. After the key had been lifted to clear the ward inside the lock, raising the key would directly lift the inside latch of the door. There was no mechanism inside the keyhole, so they were cheaper than conventional locks. The key was also smaller and lighter than other door keys of the period. There are examples of this unusual type of lock on a door in Nyanza Terrace, Shaftesbury Street in Fordingbridge and in St. Ann Street, Salisbury.
Doors are still a focal point of modern buildings and often replicate Tudor, Georgian or Victorian styles. St. Ann Street and Exeter Street in Salisbury have some remarkably good examples of original Georgian and Victorian doorways if you are inspired to go on a door hunt.
An Odell keyhole and set of keys
Georgian entrances used Greek design elements
Dream comes true for ballet-loving care home resident
A Ferndown care home resident with a lifelong love of dance recently got to attend a performance featuring a mix of styles including tap and ballet.
Claire, who lives at Kings Park Care Home, began ballet dancing as a child and quickly found herself performing on stage. “I wouldn’t do anything else,” she recalled with a smile.
That early passion turned into a remarkable career in teaching. For 30 years, Claire ran her own dance school in Cockfosters, teaching ballet to children and adults alike, with some of her students going on to perform in the prestigious Royal Ballet.
When Claire moved to Dorset, she continued sharing her expertise and love of
Claire, centre, saw ‘Inspirations’ in Bournemouth
dance, teaching ballroom and sequence dancing in locations including Parkstone, Highcliffe, and Bournemouth for another two decades.
Barchester Health Care runs Kings Park Care Home and the team arranged for Claire to see ‘Inspirations’, a local dance performance at Bournemouth Pavilion. She was absolutely mesmerised, especially by the
youngest ballerinas, some just four or five years old. “They were adorable,” she said.
After the performance, the show organisers arranged for Claire to meet two of the young ballerinas, Fifi and Lydia-Rose and have a photograph taken with them.
On the way home, Claire couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ve had such an amazing time,” she said.
Local health data to supercharge cancer research
Four cancer studies, including one tackling aggressive bladder cancer, will be among the first to benefit from access to Wessex NHS patient data thanks to the new Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE), a secure platform for storing and linking NHS patient data led by University Hospital Southampton.
The SDE is a new online platform designed so that researchers can access
patient data, but it remains safeguarded by the NHS. Researchers won’t ever see confidential information, but will get access to better quality data, speeding up projects.
One such project is a bladder cancer study which aims to diagnose the high-risk and aggressive cancer earlier.
Despite being one of the 10 most common cancers in the UK, diagnosis of bladder cancer can often come late, particularly for women. Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of women and more than one in six (16 per cent) of men are only diagnosed following emergency admission. Survival rates are as low as 10 per cent.
The study will use deidentified NHS data from bladder cancer patients from across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from their first visit to the GP through to diagnosis and treatment.
The other studies set to benefit from the SDE include
research into lung cancer, a project to connect cancer patients with cancer vaccine trials, and a project that will link DNA sequencing data from tumours with patient records to better understand the genetic changes that cause the disease.
University Hospital Southampton is issuing a final call for people from across the region to share their views on how NHS data should be used. Public involvement will ensure the Wessex SDE is run in a way that people in the region trust and delivers real benefits for the public and NHS. For example, when asked about the Wessex SDE, the majority (58 per cent) of people from Dorset say it should be used to prevent avoidable diseases and reduce demand on the NHS in the future, rather than developing treatments for people who are already sick.
To have your say on the Wessex SDE, visit https:// wessexsde.nhs.uk.
To mark his 87th birthday in mid-April, the Mayor of Ferndown, Councillor Terry Cordery, completed a 40km charity bike ride in just two hours and 50 minutes. The mayor cycled across the Castleman Trail with his granddaughter and her partner, pictured. He was cycling in aid of the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) and raised over £400 for the local charity © JTYAF.
Benefits of volunteering
A New Forest charity is highlighting how volunteering can have a positive impact on volunteers as well as clients.
Helping Older People (HOPe) New Forest is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of older people in the area. It offers a befriending service to tackle loneliness.
Fiona volunteered with HOPe initially as a befriender to increase her social circle after moving to the area. Fiona was paired with Ellen. Two years later, they have nurtured their friendship through shared life experiences, lots
of laughter, a space to air grievances and enjoyment of each other’s company.
Fiona visits Ellen weekly and says she enjoys sharing her time, learning about things and having the comfort of a friend.
HOPe’s Support Associate Laura Davy said: “The world may grow smaller as age creeps up, but friends of any age, any experience, can bring the outside in.”
For more details of the support available or to get involved, visit hopenewforest.org/ support or call 07842 204 829.
Breast cancer patient to ‘Walk for Wards’
A woman who is being treated for breast cancer will tackle the Stars Appeal’s 10K ‘Walk for Wards’ challenge to raise funds for Salisbury Hospital.
Marie Gower from Winterslow was diagnosed with breast cancer in September last year. She will be walking with her husband Trevor at the sponsored event on Sunday 6 July at Wilton House, to say thank you for the care she has received on the Pembroke Cancer Unit at Salisbury Hospital.
The 44-year-old said: “At my first chemotherapy treatment I was terrified, and my emotions were very much raised. The whole of the Pembroke Suite staff were amazing and kind, but I still couldn’t stop crying.
“It was towards the end of my first treatment that I met the wonderful Stars Appeal aromatherapist. The aromatherapy really made me feel pampered.
“The Stars Appeal really has made the most amazing difference not just to me, but also my husband as we have gone through my cancer treatment.”
The Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospital’s charity, provides support to patients by funding
the latest treatment and diagnostic equipment, as well as comforting extras such as aromatherapy, free hot and cold drinks, and snacks during chemotherapy treatment.
Walk for Wards is a sponsored walk where participants can walk a 3K, 5K, 10K or even 15K route for their chosen ward or department at the hospital.
Gower added: “This is the first time we’ve done Walk for Wards, but it won’t be the last.”
To join the 20th annual Walk for Wards this July, register for free at starsappeal.org/ event/walk-for-wards/.
On 8 April, The Wimborne Fashion Show took place in the Old Library at Merley House. Organised by Wimborne Rotary, the event raised £1,400 for Rotary-supported charities.
Marie Gower with the Stars Appeal aromatherapist. Picture by Spencer Mulholland
Marie and her husband Trevor
Our latest fundraisers are two self-confessed ‘crazy’ grandmothers
By Eve Went, co-founder of Dorset Cancer Care Foundation
Friends Beccy Soulsby and Claire Wing will take part in a 15,000ft skydive on 14 June in Salisbury to raise funds for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) — and they would love your sponsorship.
Claire, 52, from Shaftesbury, said: “Beccy and I are not daredevils by any stretch of the imagination, but we have both had our own experiences of cancer and we wanted to do something really meaningful for a local charity which helps so many families here in Dorset.”
Claire is married to Phil, and between them they have four children and seven grandchildren. She explained that her
skydive will celebrate a significant upturn in her own health: “Up until December 2023, I was struggling to the point that it scared me, so [in] January last year I started Slimming World, which gave me the boost to do more.
“In May, I did the Trek26 for Alzheimer’s Society in Salisbury, and whilst soaking my tired feet after the walk I looked up and saw people skydiving. I turned to my husband Phil and said: ‘That’s what I am doing next!’”
Claire has just retired from a career in care which began at the age of 16, but she is still working part-time as a supervisor cleaner for
Shaftesbury School and as a shop assistant.
She continued: “I wanted to fundraise for a cancer charity after losing my beautiful mum to the disease and I found the perfect one in DCCF.
“When I told Beccy what I wanted to do, she said she would do it too — and now we have two slightly crazy women falling from the sky at 124mph.”
Beccy, a self-employed carer from Sherborne, is married to Lloyd. They have two children and two grandchildren.
She said: “I turned 50 in January and decided I needed to dare myself to do something that scares me – and thanks to Claire, this is it.”
She added: “My family have been hit by cancer several times throughout my life, and an old school friend of mine has terminal stage four cancer having already lost her mother and twin sister to cancer within a year of each other.
“We hope people will help us raise as much money as possible for the DCCF and its great work to support Dorset families struggling financially because of cancer.”
To sponsor the ladies, please visit justgiving.com/ page/claire-wing-2.
You don’t have to skydive to support the DCCF. For more ideas of how you can fundraise, please visit dccf.co.uk.
Cycle for charity this July
Now in its 37th year, the annual Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride, which attracts around 300 cyclists each year, will be held on 6 July to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The bike ride will start at Corfe Mullen Recreation Ground. Participants will set off on three different circular rides of 38, 48, or 58 miles along the River Stour towards Blandford where riders can choose to cycle via the Winterbourne Valley or through some of Dorset’s famous villages.
Refreshments, volunteer marshals and bike mechanics will be available. Not only will the main sponsor, Poolebased Muc-Off, help cover the costs of the event but will also provide a prize for the top fundraiser and goodie bags for the cyclists taking part.
Peter Smith-Nicholls founded the Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride in 1989 and since then has run the event along with a loyal band of volunteers and supporters.
The event raises funds to support people living with cancer. In 2012, the £1 million milestone was reached.
To find out more and enter, visit macmillanbikeride. co.uk. The standard entry fee starts from £20.
Macmillan Cancer Support helps those with a cancer diagnosis. If you’d like support, information or just to chat, call free on 0808 808 0000 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, or visit macmillan.org.uk.
Claire Wing, left, and Beccy Soulsby will skydive for charity on 14 June
The start of Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride in 2024
Dorset MP demands a ban on BBQs
A local MP is campaigning for wildfire prevention and calling for a ban on disposable barbeques following two devastating fires at Upton Heath and Canford Heath.
The wildfires on Wednesday 2 April destroyed over 70 football pitches worth of protected heathland in a single night.
Vikki Slade, the MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, raised the issue in Parliament. She said: “In the last few weeks, Dorset has been ravaged by wildfires. Across Upton Heath and Canford Heath more than 130 acres are gone. As part of the response to these tragedies, I have continually been blown away by the work of the fire crews from Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“There needs to be an urgent review of funding for emergency services to
Quartet convicted for illegal fox hunt
Four men who staged an illegal fox hunt on a farm in Dorset were convicted in April and ordered to pay a total of £1,100 in fines.
Conall McGrath, 23, Andrew Osborne, 60, Freddie Osborne, 34, and George Pierce, 33, were captured on film hunting a fox with a pack of dogs at Pelsham Farm in Gillingham on 4 December 2023.
Footage showed Andrew Osborne flushing out the fox, which was then pursued by hounds with the encouragement of the other three men.
The hounds caught the fox and were allowed to attack it for 45 seconds, without any attempt by the four men to call them off, before Pierce sounded a hunting horn to indicate a kill.
At trial, the men had argued that the chase was unintentional and unplanned.
But through drone footage, witness testimony and expert analysis, the prosecution was able to piece together sufficient evidence to prove to the court that their actions were deliberate.
At Poole Magistrates’ Court on 9 April, the group were found guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs and ordered to pay significant fines.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Adam Cooper said: “The violent death this fox faced is deeply distressing and cruel.
“All involved were experienced hunt personnel, and we were able to demonstrate evidence of the defendants clearly in control of their hounds at other points during the day before intentionally engaging in this illegal fox hunt.”
ensure that they are consistently able to protect us in the face of climate change and to ensure that they are able to carry out their important work to safeguard and protect the public.”
As part of her campaign, the Liberal Democrat politician is calling for a ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, which have been linked to several wildfires in recent years.
Disposable barbecues are already banned in the New Forest, and Dorset Council has a policy prohibiting their use on council land.
Responding to Slade’s campaign to ban disposable barbecues, Dorset & Wiltshire Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole, who met with the MP on Upton Heath to discuss the issue, said: “Bring a picnic, not a BBQ. I want people to enjoy all that Dorset has to
offer, but please don’t have an open fire.”
To sign the MP’s petition, visit middorsetlibdems.org.uk/petitions/ disposable-bbq-ban.
New president for local agricultural society
Ahead of the next Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show on 13 and 14 August, the long-running society behind the event has announced its new president.
The Right Honourable Baroness Minette Batters, a farmer and political campaigner, has become the 86th president of the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Society, which was merged into its current form in 1860 to support farmers in the region.
The baroness manages the 300acre Barford Farm Park in Downton near Wiltshire. She grew up on a tenant farm and always wanted to become a farmer. She was the first female president of the National Farmers Union of England and Wales (NFU) from 2018 to 2024, and in July last year, she was granted a life peerage and became a crossbench member of the House of Lords.
Upon accepting her new role, she said: “I hope I can continue the legacy of those that have been president before. They’ve all done an amazing job.”
The baroness is looking forward to the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show in August. She said: “It’s my local show, so I’m just feeling very privileged to be involved. In this challenging economic climate, our county shows offer great value for money and a wonderful day out for the whole family.”
The August event at Turnpike Showground near Motcombe will feature over 1,300 livestock and
entertainment in two rings. For tickets, visit gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk.
Vikki Slade, centre, with fire officials at Upton Heath
Baroness Minette Batters
Bluebells in bloom
If you’ve been out walking in woodland this spring, you’ve likely seen one of the nation’s favourite wildflowers in full bloom.
Every year from late April to May, bluebells make an appearance. Their delicate bell-shaped blooms and enchanting fragrance have captured the hearts and minds of Britons for generations.
According to Woodlands. co.uk, bluebells are not just a stunning spectacle; they are steeped in history, folklore, and a deep connection to the British countryside. For centuries, bluebells have been woven into the fabric of British culture. They are often associated with ancient woodlands and mystical landscapes, evoking a sense of nostalgia and wonder.
Their vibrant blue colour, which carpets forest floors in a sea of bloom, creates a breathtaking contrast against the rich greens of spring—a sight that feels
almost otherworldly.
Anton Baskerville from Woodlands.co.uk said:
“Bluebells thrive in ancient woodlands, where the soil and shade are just right. They’re more than just a beautiful sight – they’re vital for pollinators like bees, helping to kickstart the food chain in early spring. The bloom typically peaks in midto-late April and lasts around three to four weeks, making it a fleeting but magical time to catch them at their best.”
For those looking to see bluebells in their natural habitat, Baskerville recommends heading to the ancient woodlands across the UK, such as the New Forest in Hampshire.
As you wander through the woods, remember that bluebells are fragile. Their roots are easily disturbed and picking them is illegal in certain places. Staying on designated paths ensures that these flowers remain protected for future generations to enjoy.
Hope for threatened species in the New Forest
Sand lizards, smooth snakes and adders are set to receive a huge boost to their recovery rate in the New Forest.
The threatened reptile species are particularly vulnerable to threats such as climate change, recreational pressures and fires, which can severely damage their habitats.
The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC) is creating and restoring heathlands in the Forest to enable the recovery of these species and improve the resilience of their habitats.
To date, much of the focus
has been on creating a more open heathland by clearing overgrown gorse, creating ideal spaces for reptiles to forage, breed, and bask.
The restoration work is part of the £1.3m Species Survival Fund project, which is funded by the UK government and delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The New Forest National Park is home to all six of the UK’s native reptile species: adder, sand lizard, slow worm, grass snake, common lizard and smooth snake. All six will benefit from the restoration work.
Image © Woodlands.co.uk
So, whether you’re drawn by the bluebell’s beauty, its connection to nature, or its place in British folklore, there’s no denying that this wildflower has earned its
special reputation as a beloved bloom. The bluebell season is a time to reconnect with the natural world and appreciate the fleeting, magical moments that only spring can bring.
Adder in long grass. Photo by Steve Laycock
Plan your dream trip
Welcome to Your Holiday!
With summer just around the corner, now’s the time to plan your dream trip if you haven’t done so already.
You could visit Cape Verde, catch a flight to a Greek island, take a cruise to Norway, or go on an exciting coach holiday; the whole world is waiting for you.
The next few pages are filled with inspirational holiday ideas to help you decide where you want to travel next, whether you’re looking to book a family vacation, a couple’s getaway or a solo adventure.
As well as destination suggestions, we’ve provided some useful travel tips, including the best travel bank cards, the top holiday essentials, and advice from Dorset Police on keeping your home safe while you’re away.
What was your favourite ever holiday? Write in to luke@dorsetview.co.uk with your own travel suggestions.
Top travel essentials
Before your next epic adventure, make sure you don’t leave home without these key items.
Passport
To enter a foreign country, you will need a valid passport. Check the expiry date on your passport; many places require a passport to be valid for at least six months from the date you enter the country.
If you need to renew your passport, visit gov.uk/renew-adultpassport/renew. It will cost £94.50, and you’ll need a digital photo from either a photo booth or shop or take one using your own phone or camera.
Consider taking spare ID, like a driving licence, in case you lose your passport and need to prove your identity.
As soon as you book your holiday, buy travel insurance. If something goes wrong – your trip gets cancelled, something is stolen, or you need to visit a hospital – you’ll be grateful for having it. Use a market comparison website to find the right level of cover
Also, consider getting a document holder, like a plastic wallet, to carry a copy of your insurance, plus your passport, ID and any other tickets or important information.
Unless you’re going to an all-inclusive resort or cruise, you’ll need spending money in local currency. You can exchange travel money at most supermarkets or your local Post Office, or you could get a specialist travel bank card (see page 28).
Medications
If you have a prescription, make sure to bring enough with you to cover your holiday period. Travel experts also recommend packing painkillers, multivitamins, travel sickness pills, antihistamines, hand sanitiser and plasters.
Travel in style to France or Wales
-Advertisement feature-
By Heathside Travel
Heathside Travel pride ourselves on providing you with a highquality holiday experience. We have tour managers on our holidays, who are there to ensure that you are well looked after. Our team of friendly and professional drivers ensure that you have a fantastic experience in our luxurious coaches, which have excellent leg room, USB charging points and are environmentally friendly too. Coming up this summer, we have some lovely holidays planned. For those who prefer short breaks, how about a hop across the channel to the French city of Lille? From your hotel, explore the cobbled streets of Lille old town and the Grand Place. We will also head to the nearby city of Arras and spend a day in the Belgian city of Bruges exploring the canals, cobbled streets, medieval buildings and chocolate shops of this UNESCO World Heritage City. Being B&B means you have time to explore the city, enjoy the cuisine and maybe pop into a local bar for a tipple or two. 20–23 June 2025, £415 per person.
If you prefer spending time beside the sea, then in August we make our way to stunning Llandudno in North Wales, for a stay at the top hotel in the area. The Tynedale Hotel Is located on the iconic promenade, and during your stay you will visit Bodnant Gardens, Beaumaris and Caernarfon, take a cruise through the Menai Strait and a journey through the Snowdonia National Park on the Welsh Highland Railway. 16–21 August 2025, £867 per person.
To book, call 01202 892202 or email info@heathsidetravel.co.uk.
Introducing Away Resorts...
-Advertisement feature-
By Away Resorts
We’re not your average holiday park operator. At Away Resorts, we’re all about creating enriching holidays that feel anything but ordinary. With 25 locations to choose from, from the Scottish countryside to the Cornish coast, we serve up unforgettable staycations
with wow-factor accommodation, top-notch entertainment, and a warm welcome you won’t forget.
With locations as varied as your family WhatsApp group, Away Resorts are here to make multi-gen getaways easy, exciting, and utterly unforgettable.
From luxury lodges with hot tubs for parents who want to switch off, to splash-tastic pools and action-packed activities for the little ones (and big kids too), there really is something for everyone. Nan and Grandad? They’ll love the scenic spots and local attractions, and a cheeky tipple at our on-park bars.
We do things a bit differently here. No cookie-cutter holidays. Just enriching, authentic experiences across the UK – think beach BBQs at The Bay Filey, forest adventures at Sandy Balls, or wild watersports at Retallack.
With dog-friendly digs, any-day arrivals, and a team that feels more like family, Away Resorts is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Because holidays should be about memories, not mayhem.
To book your next getaway, visit awayresorts.co.uk.
Outdoor dining at Retallack in Cornwall
Playtime at Mill Rythe in Hampshire
Try a Greek island idyll
and images by Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk
My late husband had an ambition to visit every single Greek island. Well, that was never going to happen as there are around 6,000 scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas, with 227 being inhabited.
However, we did manage holidays on quite a few including Crete, which is the largest island, and Kefalonia which has some of the most beautiful beaches.
‘Mamma Mia’ was filmed on Skopelos and Skiathos, and I will never forget the excitement of people on a boat trip when they spotted the Church of Agios Ioannis Kastri on the cliff top, where some of the scenes from the movie were filmed.
Our trips took us to many islands including stays in Naxos, Kos, Corfu, Mykonos, Paros, Lefkada, Symi and Patmos, And the beauty of a stay on a Greek island is there are always day cruises where you can visit several smaller islands in one day.
I can remember one boat operator who said: “Most small Greek islands look the same.” And in some ways, he was right as they often have small settlements on one side and vast areas of rock on the other sides. However, those villages are picturesque, peaceful, and rewarding to visit.
For me, two islands in particular were unforgettable.
Spinalonga, which lies north east of Crete, was a leper colony in the early 20th century. It has been uninhabited since 1962, but it is well worth a trip as so many buildings, which hide such sad stories, still stand. It is the sixth most visited place in Greece.
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and famous for the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the world, which stood at Rhodes Harbour.
The medieval city is located within a four-kilometre-long wall, and it contains many hotels with original features that make you feel as if you have stepped back in time.
Many islands have their own food specialities, but holidaymakers always enjoy Greek salads, moussaka and souvlaki.
What sort of weather can you expect? From June to August, the average high is 32 degrees Celsius and low is 21 degrees. September to November, the high can be 23 degrees and low 15 degrees. The rainy season is November to March.
You can fly to Greek islands from most airports in England, including from Bournemouth International Airport to Corfu, Crete, Kefalonia, Kos, and Zante.
Cash or card?
Even if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, you’ll likely need a way to pay for things at your dream holiday destination.
You might not want to carry too much cash in case it gets lost or stolen. But if you use your bank’s regular debit or credit card, you will likely be charged expensive foreign transaction fees.
A better option might be a travel card.
For instance, there are prepaid travel money cards available from Revolut and Wise, where you load pounds onto a card which convert to the local currency when you spend or withdraw from an ATM. Alternatively, you can choose to load the card with a specific currency, ‘locking in’ your exchange rate.
Alternatively, you can get specialist travel bank cards that don’t charge any fees, and offer nearperfect exchange rates.
According to the website Money Saving Expert, the best options are the Barclaycard Rewards credit card, First Direct’s debit card, and NatWest’s Travel Reward credit card.
All three cards offer fee-free spending abroad, and the first two provide fee-free cash machine withdrawals while overseas.
Home safety tips
When planning a holiday, the risk of a burglary happening while you’re away will be the last thing on your mind.
However, Dorset Police have advice for how to keep your home and belongings safe while you’re away. Here are five tips:
If you’re off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts are not public and that they are only seen by your friends. Leave lights and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied.
Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property or join a Neighbourhood or Resident Watch Scheme.
Consider asking your neighbours to close your curtains after dark and to park on your drive.
Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries.
Report
Crete is the largest Greek island
Spinalonga
REVIEW Forde Inn
Whitsbury Road, Fordingbridge SP6 1NQ
By Rebecca Smith. Meal provided courtesy of Forde Inn. Images © Viewpoint Magazine
During a visit from my dad in early May, we spent the morning exploring the New Forest and then went to the Forde Inn in Fordingbridge for lunch. Formerly a farm shop just off the road, the inn revealed itself to be deceptively spacious as we stepped inside and were warmly greeted by a friendly member of staff.
As the sun was shining, we chose to sit outside at one of the wooden tables nestled among the greenery, each shaded by an umbrella. While there’s full table service indoors, outdoor diners place their orders at the bar. It’s worth noting that the pub is dog-friendly too — ideal for those exploring the area with their four-legged companions.
Once seated, it was decision time! The menu offers a range of traditional pub fare, and one of the latest additions to the ever-expanding selection is Thai food as the venue is soon to welcome a dedicated Thai speciality chef.
My dad chose a timehonoured classic: sausage and mash with onion gravy and peas. Rich, satisfying and generous in portion, it was exactly the sort of comforting dish you’d hope for in a country pub.
I couldn’t resist the Pad Thai, and it didn’t disappoint — flavoursome, vibrant, and beautifully presented. We were also tempted by the charcuterie boards being served around us — definitely something to try next time.
For drinks, the Forde Inn
had a fantastic selection of alcoholic and soft drinks at the bar. I opted for a refreshing orange juice and lemonade to suit the warm weather, while my dad enjoyed a cold cider.
After lunch, we took a stroll around and discovered even more in the other buildings. One houses a private function room with its own bar and a snooker table — perfect for parties. Across the way, a children’s play area offers younger visitors the chance to burn off some energy, with plans already in place to expand it further.
After chatting with the owner Simon Ball, it became clear that this is a pub with the local community at its heart. Named after the original name of the town — before the bridge was built — the Forde Inn is a thoughtful nod to the area’s heritage.
Whether you’re after a peaceful corner to enjoy a quiet meal — the indoor dining area includes a designated ‘quiet zone’ — or something livelier like the regular quiz nights and live music events, this pub caters for all tastes.
This is definitely a place I would like to come back to, and the team have all sorts of plans to cater for all seasons.
As we left, my dad remarked: “You don’t just come here for lunch — it’s an experience.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
To make a reservation or see the menu, visit fordeinn. co.uk, email info@fordeinn. co.uk or call 01425 601001.
A pub classic: sausage, mash and gravy
The bar had a fantastic drink selection
Spacious outdoor dining
Pad Thai Cosy indoor seating
COMPETITION • COMPETITION •
Chance to win £60 voucher to spend at Gurkha, Ringwood
Last month, Luke Graham reviewed Gurkha, a popular Asian restaurant in the heart of Ringwood.
The review was so well received that Viewpoint Magazine is giving away a £60 voucher for a meal at Gurkha.
If you enjoyed reading Luke’s review, you will remember that he had the restaurant’s signature dish called the Grandma’s Curry, which was made with moist, succulent chicken in a rich, spicy sauce.
If you would like to try Gurkha’s excellent menu for yourself, why not enter our prize draw?
For your chance to win a £60 voucher towards a meal at Gurkha in Ringwood, simply answer this question:
What is the name of Gurkha’s signature dish?
Enter online at dorsetview.co.uk. The £60 voucher will be valid for three months from the date of issue and must be redeemed towards the cost of food only at Gurkha, 2 Southampton Road, Ringwood, BH24 1HY. No change will be given. Closing date is 30 June 2025. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd or Gurkha are not permitted to enter. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final. Personal details will be stored securely and will only be processed to determine the winner of the competition. The winner will be announced in the magazine and their name and phone number will be passed to Gurkha for the purpose of allocating the prize.
Love food? Head to Ferndown
Located next to Motabitz on Ringwood Road, the family-run restaurant Love All Food has been trading as a breakfast and brunch venue for over four years.
But since April, the restaurant is now a fully functioning licensed bar and restaurant, open on Friday and Saturday evenings and offering roast dinners on Sunday afternoons.
The team are excited to welcome locals to try the new menu developed by the team, including new fine dining chef Tony Doyle.
All dishes are made from scratch with produce and drinks locally sourced wherever possible.
Love All Food held a taster night on Saturday 12 April with some of the restaurant’s regulars, family and supporters, and the new menu was extremely well received.
Owner Sam Lovell said: “We hope that our fresh, locally sourced produce, skilled, friendly team and ambience will be a welcome addition to our lovely town.”
Love All Food has plans to open on additional evenings in the future and is developing a new lunch menu. To book a table, see the menu or enquire about events and private hire, visit loveallfood.co.uk.
Guests at Love All Food’s taster night
Rump
Green-thumbed TV gardener heading to Ringwood
Here’s something for gardening fans. The award-winning British garden designer and presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World, Adam Frost, is leaving his garden and heading out on a tour of the UK, including a visit to The Barn in Ringwood on Friday 17 October 2025.
This is Adam’s most personal show to date. In it, he will discuss the plants that have shaped his life and reflect on what’s brought him to where he is now. He’ll unearth the inspiration he’s found through a life spent in the garden, as well as talk about the people he’s met along the way, the music that’s steered his course
and why he identifies as an ‘old romantic fool’.
Also, Adam will share previously untold stories of how his passion for plants has taken him around the world and challenged him with the unexpected — from curating a garden in Japan during a monsoon to meeting his heroes.
Adam says that gardening is fundamental to his sense of family, wellbeing and recovery. In September 2021, he found himself grappling with the mental scars of the pandemic and facing a momentous house (or more importantly, garden) move. In his show, he’ll talk about navigating that change and
reconnecting with nature. Adam will also explore the creative act of putting a garden together and how he’s had to learn to embrace his artistic side.
Sam Coombes, venue manager at The Barn, said: “When we opened, I was keen to ensure we stage shows that would attract a wide demographic of audiences. We are looking forward to welcoming another well-known TV presenter to share stories that will resonate with so many.”
To hear Adam’s amusing anecdotes and poignant reflections, make sure to book your tickets now by visiting thebarnringwood.co.uk or calling the box office on 01425 201720.
In March’s issue of Viewpoint Magazine, we offered readers the chance to win two tickets to see The Coastal Comedy Club at The Barn in Ringwood, with headline comedian Gary Delaney.
The winner was Nerissa Parker, who correctly answered that Delaney was a regular guest on the BBC show ‘Mock the Week’. Congratulations, Nerissa!
Award-winning comic Gary Delaney
Legendary band to perform at The Barn
Rhythm and Blues band The Manfreds will visit The Barn in Ringwood on Thursday 29 May as part of their ‘Keeping it Live in ‘25’ tour.
The Manfreds features two original Manfred Mann members: lead vocalist Paul Jones and guitarist Tom McGuinness, who are excited to be returning to the stage through 2025.
Formed in the 1960s, Manfred Mann were one of the most respected bands of the era, combing pop, rock, R&B and psychedelic jazz. This unusual combination led to hits including ‘5-4-3-2-1’ and ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ which remains one of the band’s most recognisable songs and biggest crowd pleaser at their concerts.
As well as Manfred Mann tracks, the band will perform a mix of jazz and blues covers, as well as tracks from their individual solo hits.
Front man Paul Jones said: “We love visiting new venues, so we are really excited to be bringing our ‘Keeping it Live in ‘25’ show to The Barn.”
For tickets, visit thebarnringwood.co.uk or call the box office on 01425 201720.
Win £20 gift voucher for Discovery Village
With the school summer holidays only a few months away, here’s your chance to win a gift voucher to go towards entertaining your children or grandchildren.
Located in Christchurch near to Bournemouth Airport, Discovery Village has been entertaining children through theatrical and imaginative play since opening in September last year.
Designed for children aged seven and under, this immersive indoor role play experience offers a fun alternative to soft play centres.
During each two-hour play session, children can explore eight different shops containing themed toys, costumes and props. Sessions are led by a performer who entertains and interacts with the children, leading them in songs, games and stories –giving carers a chance to sit and enjoy a coffee and snack from Discovery Village’s café.
Viewpoint Magazine has teamed up with Discovery Village to offer you the chance to win a £20 gift voucher towards a play session. To enter the prize draw, answer the following question: In what month did Discovery Village open?
Enter online at www.dorsetview.co.uk. Closing date is Monday 30 June 2025. The first correct answer drawn will be the winner. Employees of Pulford Publicity Ltd are not permitted to enter. There is no cash alternative. The editor’s decision is final. Personal details will be stored securely and will only be processed to determine the winner. The winner will be announced in the magazine. The winner’s name and details will be passed on to Discovery Village for the purpose of allocating the prize.
Events
Details were correct at the time of going to print. Send information about your events to newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk.
Until 27 May
‘Poole at Dunkirk 1940’ exhibition at Lighthouse Poole.
17 May 2.30pm–4.30pm
Dorset Hardy Plants Society plant fair at Colehill Village Hall, BH21 2LR.
17–18 May
Cheese and Chilli Festival, Parley Lane, Christchurch.
19 May 9.45am
Wimborne Minster WI meets at the Catholic Church Hall.
19 May 10.30am
Verwood Local Fundraising Committee for Cancer Research coffee morning at the URC Hall, Manor Road, Verwood.
19 May 10.30am–11.30am
Reading Friends group meets at Ferndown Library.
19 May doors open 6.30pm
John Maddocks Jazzmen at the Bluebird Social Club, Ham Lane, Ferndown, BH22 9DP.
20–24 May 7.30pm Saturday matinee 2.15pm
Broadstone Players presents ‘The Devil at Midnight’ at Broadstone War Memorial Hall Theatre. For tickets, email honsec@broadstoneplayers. co.uk or call 01202 678449.
21–24 May 7.30pm
Saturday matinee 2.30pm
Poole and Parkstone Productions presents ‘My Fair Lady’ at Lighthouse Poole. Tickets from lighthousepoole.co.uk.
22–24 May 7.30pm
Castle Players presents a night of music and readings at Lytchett Matravers Village Hall. Tickets from castleplayers.com/tickets.
22–24 May 7.30pm
Saturday matinee 2.30pm
Wimborne Drama Productions presents ‘Calendar Girls’ at the Tivoli, Wimborne. Tickets from box office or tivoliwimborne.co.uk.
24 May 2pm–5pm
North Dorset Beekeepers meets in Shillingstone. Book via northdorsetbeekeepers.org.uk.
24–26 May
Christchurch Food Festival.
27 May 7.30pm
West Parley Gardening Club meets at the MS Centre Dorset, Church Lane, West Parley, BH22 8TS.
29 May 10am–12noon
Coffee Morning raising funds for Green Cottage Riding for the Disabled Association at Verwood Memorial Hall.
31 May 2pm
The Friends of Wimborne Library host talk by Maureen Stiller, secretary of the Jane Austen Society. Book in the library or email wimbornelibrary@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
31 May 10am–3pm
Artisan Makers Market at Wimborne Community Centre, 41–44 King Street, BH21 1EA.
31 May–1 June
Family Fest in Wimborne in field near Julian’s Bridge.
2 June 10am
Reading Friends meets at Wimborne Library
2 June 7.30pm
Wimborne Gardening Club meets at St Catherine’s Church Hall.
4 June
The Fireside Theatre presents an evening of comedy verses, sketches and poems for the end of their 2024/25 season. Hosted by Jenny and Mike Brown, 123 Ringwood Road, Verwood. Call 01202 825178 to RSVP
5 June 7.15pm–9.15pm
Ferndown & District Historical Society meets at The Barrington Centre, Longham Room.
5 June 7.30pm
Verwood and District Horticultural Society meets at Verwood Memorial Hall. Details on www. verwoodhorticulturalsociety.co.uk or call Ollie on 07508 577114.
6–8 June
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival.
7 June 2pm–4pm
Ferndown Arthritis and Friendship Club meets at Ferndown Plus Day Centre. Call 03303 112793.
9 June 2.30pm
West Moors Horticultural Society meets at West Moors Memorial Hall. Contact Sue Hamlett on 01202 871536.
9 June 7pm for 7.30pm
Ferndown & West Moors Philatelic and Postcard Club meets at The Hamworthy Club. BH21 3AP. Call secretary Paul Barry on 07932 581791 or email paulrichardbarry@ hotmail.co.uk for details.
11 June 6.30pm-9pm
Bournemouth Big Band, Swing and Jazz Club meet downstairs in Kinson Community Centre. Full details on bournemouthjazzclub.org.
11 June 7pm for 7.30pm Canford and Merley WI meet at Merley Community Centre, Harrier Drive. Contact Hazel on 07780 705702.
13 June
Junior Chess Club for ages six to 14 years at Ferndown Library. Email graham7morris@ gmail.com for details.
14 June midday to 3pm
Forest Holme Hospice’s Tie a Yellow Ribbon memorial event at Poole Park.
15 June 1pm-5pm Manor Farm, Hampreston open under the National Gardens Scheme.
A special thanks to Codeword
Sudoku
for sponsoring puzzle zone.
Here’s how to solve Codeword. Every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number.
To start you off, we reveal the code for three letters.
To solve Sudoku, you need to fill the grid so that each row, column, and three-by-three box of cells contains the digits 1 through 9, without repetition.
Start by looking for rows, columns, or boxes that are almost complete, and fill in the missing numbers. Then use a process of elimination to look for the only possible cell within a row, column, or box where a number can fit.
Good luck and enjoy. Solutions are on page 44.
Dorset’s recycling success
According to the latest data from DEFRA, Dorset Council has retained its lead as the number one unitary and disposal
authority in the South West for 2023/24 for recycling rates. Dorset Council now recycles 60.5 per cent of all
the waste it collects at the kerbside, against a national average of 44 per cent.
In addition, Dorset Council ranks fifth overall among all councils in England, trailing only four collection authorities. The council also secured third place for the lowest residual waste collected per household, with an average of 363kg per household.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Place Services, said: “I want to thank Dorset’s keen recyclers and our Waste Services team for this result.
Secure home checklist
With burglaries on the rise in Dorset (see page 11), it’s more important than ever to ensure your home and valuable belongings are safe. Here is some advice from Dorset Police on steps to take before you step out the door to protect your home from crime. Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if
This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication of Dorset residents to sustainability and the hard work of our officers.
“Let’s continue to push this recycling rate even higher by putting the right stuff in the right bins and reducing the amount of waste we produce. Together, we can set the benchmark for environmental stewardship and make a positive impact for future generations.”
As a collective, the South West region recycled 49.2 per cent of collected waste, incinerated 45.8 per cent, and sent 3.1 per cent to landfill.
you’re only going out for a few minutes, and double lock any door. Make sure your side gate is locked and your shed or garage is secured.
Make sure that any valuables are out of sight, and keep handbags and keys away from the letterbox or cat flap, as thieves can hook keys or valuables through even a small opening.
Never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways, and in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on.
If you’re out all day, then Dorset Police advise setting a timer device that automatically turns on lights and a radio at night.
If you have a bike, lock it inside a secure shed or
garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor. Finally, if you have been burgled, or a burglary has been committed in your nearby area, it is crucial to upgrade your home’s security. The police say that burglars often return to homes they’ve previously burgled to repeat the offence or try to burgle nearby homes that they spotted while committing a previous break-in.
For more tips, visit dorset. police.uk/cp/crime-prevention.
New trees and benches for Ringwood Rec
Eight new cherry blossom trees and two elm trees have been planted along the footpath connecting the Southampton Road and Carvers Lane entrances at Ringwood’s Carvers Recreation Ground. In addition, two new benches have been installed near the skate park, funded by Ringwood Carnival.
Metal tree guards have been
installed around all the newly planted trees, including the two elm trees planted earlier this year. The new trees were funded by RACE (Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency).
Cllr Rae Frederick, chairman of the Carvers Working Party and mayor of Ringwood, said:
“We’ve started to put in place some of the improvements that residents asked for when
Diamond anniversary for Wimborne Rotary
It was a happy 75th birthday to Wimborne Rotary on 17 April, which was founded by 30 members in 1950.
The anniversary celebration took the form of a special lunch at the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. Current members, together with partners and friends, were joined by past members, members of other local Rotary Clubs and Rotary Wessex District Governor Debbie Dunford.
Wimborne Rotary has supported numerous local organisations and charities by organising fund-raising events including ‘Jazz at the Allendale’, the Craft Fair, and the Great
Santa Stour Fun Run which last year saw nearly 200 runners enter, resulting in £2,000 being raised for Julia’s House.
President Sue Young said:
“As we celebrate 75 years of service to the local and wider community, I am conscious that our membership is ageing, and we do need to attract younger members.
“Membership of Wimborne Rotary is open to all. Whether in work, retired, or simply at a loose end, membership will provide an opportunity to engage with the local community, socialise and make a new circle of friends,” she added.
we consulted on the future of Carvers Recreation Ground. This is just the first phase — with many more to come soon.”
Cllr Mary DeBoos, chairman of RACE, said: “RACE is proud to work in partnership with the town council to support projects that enhance biodiversity and
make our public spaces more pleasant and sustainable.
“It’s great to see trees becoming a bigger part of Carvers, bringing shade, beauty, and long-term environmental benefits. Thank you to Abacus Vehicle Hire for their sponsorship to enable this to happen.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
Funding available
The ninth round of Dorset Council’s Community and Culture Project Fund is open for applications with the deadline being Thursday 5 June. To apply, projects must be based in the Dorset Council area and secure a minimum of 20 per cent towards their total project costs. Dorset Council will fund up to 80 per cent of capital costs, up to a maximum of £15,000. Successful projects must be completed by the end of February 2026.
Council partners with Chamber
Dorset Council has become a Platinum Business Partner of Dorset Chamber. Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive, said: “Dorset Council will be a valuable addition to our dedicated group of business partners who play a key role in helping the chamber drive the local economy and support its vision for a vibrant and prosperous Dorset business community that enhances the quality of life for all.”
Meanwhile, the Merley-based South West Regional Assessment Centre, which works with young adults aged 16 to 30 with special educational needs and disabilities, has also become a Platinum Business Partner with Dorset Chamber.
Ringwood grants
Ringwood Town Council has awarded grants to five local organisations. Youth Riders will receive £500 towards the cost of a gazebo and safety equipment; Greening Ringwood £500 towards the cost of making raised beds at Greyfriars garden; Ringwood District Girl Guides £500 towards the cost of replacement toilet facilities; and Ringwood Round Table £500 towards the cost of refurbishing Santa’s sleigh.
Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown played host to mayors and councillors from across Dorset recently as part of the Ferndown Town Council Mayor’s Civic Day. Hosted by the Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Terry Cordery, the visit included a tour around the centre.
The new trees will provide shade and environmental benefits
Current members of Wimborne Rotary with (front left) Sue Young, president of Wimborne Rotary and (front right) Brian Dryden, vice-president. Photo by Corin Messer
OLD TOYS
Solutions puzzle zone
NEWS IN BRIEF
Country challenge
Diverse Abilities is inviting people to make up a team to take part in a Country Challenge at Purbeck Shooting School near Wareham on Friday 20 June. Sign up at diverseabilities.org.uk/ daevents/country-challenge.
Tie a yellow ribbon
Forest Holme Hospice’s Tie a Yellow Ribbon memorial event returns to Poole Park on Saturday 14 June from midday to 3pm. This free event is open to everyone, regardless of any connection to Forest Holme, and will include choir performances, craft stalls, free children’s activities, and refreshments.
CORRESPONDENCE
To express your opinion or idea about the community send your letters to letters@dorsetview.co.uk
Re: Dorset to double affordable homes supply
I was so happy to see in the April Viewpoint an article stating that Dorset Council is intending to double affordable homes supply:
To supply and lease “100 homes to be used for temporary accommodation for family and single households within 12 months”
To support a pilot scheme to use “council land and buildings to provide homes for people with complex housing needs”
To “set up a pilot partnership and build affordable housing on council-owned land”
To “lease 400 homes a year over three years (1,200 in total) to Dorset residents on the housing register.”
As an optimist, can I encourage them to get cracking with planning permission immediately so they can complete this wonderful plan before the nest general election in case the next government reneges on these promises. Go for it, Dorset! Lesley Eve, 52 Dewlands Park, Verwood, BH31 6PR
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Council hides golden tickets across New Forest
Could you be the lucky winner of a golden ticket? New Forest District Council (NFDC) have hidden five golden tickets in five indoor food waste bins to promote its new waste and recycling collections.
The tickets are in food waste caddies being delivered to households in Brockenhurst, New Milton, Lymington and surrounding areas between 14 April and 6 June 2025.
The tickets entitle the winner to one of five prizes: a year’s free garden waste subscription, a family ticket to the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, a compost bin or water butt, one bulky waste collection, or a £50 donation to the council chairman’s charity.
The first winners were New Milton residents John and Lorraine, and their son Archie, who discovered the golden ticket tucked inside their new indoor food waste caddy, delivered as part of the new service rollout to the area.
They chose a family ticket to the county show as their prize.
The giveaway is part of a campaign to encourage residents to get ready for the council’s new waste and recycling collections, which start in phases from June 2025.
Alongside the new food waste caddies, households are receiving new wheelie bins, a leaflet with details about the changes, and a starter roll of food caddy liners.
The new service aims to increase recycling, reduce waste, and collect food waste for recycling for the first time.
Preview
Wayne
Ingram and Sam Everard from SAMEE
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel www.youtube.com/@YourVoiceDorset
Listen to episode five with Sam Everard and Wayne Ingram, out now
Sam Everard has had an eventful year. The founder and CEO of the Bournemouthbased charity SAMEE (Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship), which helps people with disabilities start their own businesses, was named one of the most influential disabled individuals in the UK in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list in November. Then SAMEE won a prestigious global award, meaning she got to go to Austria for the award ceremony. Then she found out she was being invited to speak in the Austrian Parliament about her work.
We invited Sam onto Your Voice | Dorset Podcast to talk more about these achievements and how the charity has grown since it was founded in 2016.
“We recognised that the support out there for self-employment was very structured, very formal. It could be group work. What disabled people were asking for was more one-to-one,” she
recalls. The charity focuses on how to support the person, taking a more holistic approach, not just their business skills.
“It’s more about the little steps. We celebrate everything,” Sam adds. “We are a community, we are a family, and business development/selfemployment is part of that community.”
Since 2016, SAMEE has helped almost 2,000 disabled people across Dorset and beyond, with around one in four successfully starting their own business.
Sam came onto the podcast with Wayne Ingram, chief impact officer for the charity, whom she has known for 25 years.
“We did a measurement last year, and around 47 per cent were still trading nine years later, so whatever we’re doing, [it] is really great support,” he said.
Sam herself is disabled as she has myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which she talked about on the podcast.
“My mobility is the worst. I went from walking 12 miles down the beach, to using sticks, and now I am an ambulatory wheelchair user,” she said.
In March, Sam travelled to Vienna in Austria to receive a Zero Project award for the charity’s supported internship scheme. SAMEE was chosen from among 522 nominations from 90 countries.
Sam shared a delightful story from the trip, which involved meeting a dog called Dave at the British embassy and dog-shaped biscuits — but you’ll have to listen to the podcast to hear the rest.
If you or someone you know could benefit from SAMEE’s services, visit the website samee.co.uk.
To listen to the full episode, visit our website dorsetview.co.uk/podcast or search Your Voice | Dorset Podcast on your preferred podcast provider. And subscribe to our updated YouTube channel: youtube.com/@YourVoiceDorset.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ringwood crime
At the recent Ringwood Town Council meeting, Sergeant Chris Pell reported a 4.3 per cent reduction in crimes reported over the last 12 months in the town area. However, shoplifting remains a priority. One offender had been charged and sentenced to six months in prison, and it was hoped a Community Behaviour Order would be in place on his release.
Hospital plan
Wimborne’s Victoria Hospital has applied to Dorset Council for permission to have a temporary verge crossing onto Cowgrove Road whilst a new car park is being constructed.
Hut to home
Dorset Council has granted permission for the old Scout hut in Colehill Lane to be turned into a home with extensions.
Industrial estate plan
A proposal to demolish the building at 1 Cobham Road on the Ferndown Industrial Estate and to erect 28 new industrial units and a self-storage
The Easter Saturday coffee morning held in Church House, Wimborne Minster raised £583 towards the cost of flowers to be used at the Minster Flower Festival, which will take place from 26 to 29 September. Pictured L-R: Ann Burden, Liz Allen, Jenny Child and Linda Salter. Photo by Anthony Oliver.
