verwood news
There is a lighter side! At the recent meeting of Verwood Afternoon Townswomen’s Guild, members enjoyed an amusing talk by Ken Exworth on his 36 years in the police force, entitled ‘The Lighter Side of Policing’. The husband of a guild member, he entertained with some very amusing anecdotes from his varied career. A presentation was made to Chris Gibbons marking her 50 years with TG. Following a June strawberry tea, members will be attending a summer celebration of 120 ladies to mark TG’s 90th birthday and also the 50th birthday of the Dorset Federation. For guild info ring 01425 475785.
Help a neighbour – and be helped Helpful Neighbours and Friends in Verwood and Three Legged Cross are looking for volunteers, who can spare an hour a week, or an hour a fortnight, to visit or help someone in the community. For instance, could you help with small one-off tasks such as changing a light bulb, small sewing jobs, re-tuning a TV, taking rubbish to the tip, posting a letter or walking a dog. Or maybe you could just share a cuppa while having a chat. A DBS check would be required for all volunteers. Contact Jackie Stafford, co-ordinator on 07503 734816 between 9-5pm. And if you have a job which you are unable to do yourself, contact 01202 834034. You can ring any time of the day, seven days a week, and your call will be answered by a person. Depending on the job, they hope to find a volunteer within 48 hours.
Praise for Verwood school Verwood CE First School has been judged as a vibrant Christian community. The praise came from a SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspector, Lorraine Pugh, who visited the school in May. She gave the school the top possible rating of ‘excellent’ and said the commitment of the headteacher was strongly supported by Wimborne Academy Trust leaders and skilled governors. Headteacher, Adam Parsons, said, “The hard work and dedication of all our staff and students richly deserves this recognition and praise. “We are supported by equally dedicated Trust leaders and governors and we are pleased that this was also noted by the inspectors.” The SIAMS report also praised Verwood’s highly distinctive Christian vision, which it said ‘permeates all aspects of school life where every person is loved, cared for and valued’. The inspector praised pupils and said they always try their hardest in work and behaviour in calm classrooms and learning spaces. She said the school, which joined Wimborne Academy Trust in January this year, enjoys a culture of open dialogue with WAT leaders who also support Verwood’s on-going development as a successful church school. Religious Education (RE), the inspector added, is well-led and given high priority in the school. CEO of Wimborne Academy Trust, Liz West, said, “This is the first of our five church schools to undergo a SIAMS inspection since the Trust was formed in 2015. “We are thrilled that Verwood has been judged as excellent by an independent inspection – a judgement that is thoroughly deserved. “The school is excellently led by headteacher Adam Parsons who is equally supported by a wonderful community of staff, parents and pupils.”
In front of the school’s prayer tree are: headteacher Adam Parsons, School Academy Committee chairman Jane Mearns, Wimborne Academy Trust CEO Liz West and chairman of trustees John Dickson.
Dine out with others If you are over 50, like eating out, but have no-one to accompany you, why not join the Senior Dining Club. Contact 01202 824383.
Local people targeted in phone scams Officers are appealing for witnesses and urging residents to remain vigilant following three local phone scams. At around 4.30pm on Saturday 1 June an elderly man received a phone call on his landline from a man claiming to be from Lloyds Bank who stated that there had been fraudulent activity on both the victim’s and his wife’s bank accounts. The fraudster arranged for his colleague to attend the victim’s address off Ringwood Road in Verwood to collect the bank cards. At 6pm a man arrived at the address in a white Mercedes but he was challenged by the victim’s son and he made off empty handed. Similar incidents were reported to have occurred on Monday 3 June in both Southbourne and Christchurch. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn. police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190082829. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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VIEWPOINT July 2019
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