Issuu

Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the start of the Platinum Jubilee © Camera Press London

Mid May 2022 Volume 46, Issue 7

VIEWPOINT May 2022

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VIEWPOINT

Volume 46 • Issue 7 • May 2022

Dear readers

VIEWPOINT

How we’ve missed community events over the past couple of years! However, in June we will have four days in which we can celebrate HM The Queen’s record-breaking 70 years on the throne, whilst enjoying the company of friends and family. Every town and village in our circulation area has pulled out the stops to organise events that everyone of all ages can enjoy on a weekend that will go down in history. Many of us reflect on what we were doing at the silver, golden and diamond anniversaries – but this will be even more special as no other British monarch has reigned for so long. Queen Victoria was on the throne for a mere 63 years, 216 days. However, a French king has beaten our record with Louis XIV having reigned for 72 years and 110 days. Life has changed drastically since the Queen acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 following the death of her father King George VI. When HM made her first TV broadcast in 1957, she could never have imagined that one day she would be able to speak to individuals in their own homes through video conferencing. As part of our platinum jubilee coverage, on page 6 we have a story re-imaging what life would have been like in Wimborne in 1952, the year of the Queen’s accession and on page 22, a list of events in each area. Organisers have put so much work into their programme of events, that we hope that all our readers will attend at least one celebration. The staff at the magazine will be out and about taking photos, but do feel free to send in yours. Whilst on the subject of festivities, our winner of last month’s £250 competition will be enjoying additional celebrations spending his prize money in Fordingbridge courtesy of Viewpoint. (See page 4 for details).

Marilyn Barber

Ben Pulford managing director ben@dorsetview.co.uk Louis Pulford creative director DD 01202 233441 louispulford@brightboxdesigns.co.uk

Nick Pulford company secretary accounts@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

NEWS DESK 01202 870270

Janine Pulford editor janine@dorsetview.co.uk Marilyn Barber news editor newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk Karen Wyatt-Epapara deputy editor karen@dorsetview.co.uk

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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

LOGISTICS Mike Talbot

Picture of the month Do you know what this is? See page 21

How to contact us 01202 870270 Email: news@dorsetview.co.uk Web: www.dorsetview.co.uk Twitter: @Dorset_View Facebook: dorsetview.news Dana House, Spinneys Lane, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9BZ Follow VIEWPOINT MAGAZINE on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/viewpointmagazinedorset/

Copy date 1 JUNE 2022

VIEWPOINT is independently published and distributed free to homes and businesses in selected areas of Dorset and Hampshire. It is also available by subscription at £40 per year. Views or opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement deemed to be unsuitable for publication. Information about a service does not imply recommendation. All purchases made through this publication are done so entirely at your own risk. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with VIEWPOINT and should not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. The company’s privacy policy can be read at www.dorsetview.co.uk

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£250 winner splashes out in Fordingbridge courtesy of Viewpoint

Merley housing development approved

The winner of the £250 shopping vouchers competition in March Viewpoint was Martin Browning from West Moors. Martin and his wife Lexy were delighted to have £250 to spend courtesy of Viewpoint’s owners, Pulford Publicity. Managing director Ben Pulford was on hand to make the presentation. The couple have two children, Austin, age 9, and Izzy, age 12, who both go to schools in West Moors. Martin said: “I will be treating the family to a meal at The George and afternoon tea at Bridges café.” He is also looking forward to spending £50 at Caxton Interiors and £50 at Acorn Place shop and deli at Sandy Balls. Viewpoint is delivered through Martin’s letterbox and he said: “I don’t enter many competitions but this one came through the door at the right time. I was supervising the children’s homework when the magazine

Despite a long campaign by local people and hundreds of objections, outline permission has been granted for a 550-home development at Merley which will also include a care home. The land, which is adjacent to Canford School, was identified for development in 2018 under the Poole Local Plan. Representatives of Save Land North of Merley, a transport consultant, and the three ward councillors all spoke against the application, detailing its flaws and areas of non-compliancy. Campaigner Frank Ahern said: “Apart from a crass and misinformed comment by the chair of the committee, Cllr David Kelsey, and a bizarre comment about homeless people from another councillor, the most significant thing about the meeting was the absence of the conservation officer or her deputy. She supported Historic England’s suggested compromise solution for protecting a heritage setting asset. This support, if allowed to be given at the meeting, might have tipped the balance in favour of refusal of the application. As it was, the proposal to refuse was defeated by only one vote.” Save Land North of Merley are now considering whether to ask for the application to be called-in by the secretary of state on the grounds of insufficient regard having been taken by the planning officers towards the heritage issue.

VIEWPOINT May 2022

arrived, so I did the competition. I read the magazine every month and am currently finding the trades and services useful because we are having work done on our property.” The family visits Fordingbridge regularly to attend events and enjoy the recreation ground. They are looking forward to their next trip and having a lovely time spending their winnings.

L-R, Ben, Martin and Lexy

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County lines drug gangs targeted Dorset Police has launched Operation Viper, through which a dedicated team of police is working to prevent county lines coming into the area and make it a hostile place for those dealing drugs. Newly created Neighbourhood Enforcement Teams (NET) are working closely with existing Neighbourhood Policing Teams and a dedicated County Lines Task Force to disrupt incoming drug networks. Operation Viper also feeds into the regional intelligence picture to prevent harm and drugs coming into the county from other cities around the country. There has already been significant disruption to these gangs across the county.

The NETs have already seen success with disruption notices issued to people dealing drugs, children identified as being exploited by county lines gangs safeguarded, arrests made and warrants executed. Drugs with a street value of almost £100,00 and two vehicles have been seized. County lines sees drugs being brought into often rural communities by gangs operating from areas such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. Often, young and vulnerable children are used to carry and sell drugs, while the homes of those using drugs locally can be ‘cuckooed’ – effectively taking over their homes to act as temporary bases to sell drugs from.

Sentences for poaching Four men have been sentenced for a poaching offence in North Dorset. John Burton, Tommy Catanach, Levie Lee and William Holmes received fines and were ordered to pay costs at Poole

Magistrates Court on 19 April. The charges related to an incident on 30 July 2021, when it was reported that the men were shooting at the hares from moving vehicles in the Cashmoor area.

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The Wimborne of 1952 re-imagined By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

In the same year HM the Queen acceded to the throne, an attraction opened locally that would forever encapsulate life in 1952. I am, of course, talking about Wimborne Model Town, which offers a true snapshot of the way people lived 70 years ago. And what a different lifestyle it was! There were no supermarkets but a proliferation of butchers, grocers and greengrocers. With a short supply chain and lower shelf life of fruit and vegetables coming from local market gardens there was little concern about the air miles travelled by goods. And there were even four banks – Lloyds, Barclays, National Provincial and Midland.

VIEWPOINT May 2022

Inspired by a model village in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds, garage owner Charles Coffen decided to construct something similar in Wimborne. It was opened in August 1952 on land at West Row, behind the Cornmarket, that was once a market garden and could previously have been the site of an abattoir. When the land was sold for redevelopment, the model town fell into disrepair but thanks to the setting up of a new charity, the structures were rebuilt on a green field site courtesy of the Deans Court Estate in King

Street – and it reopened in 1991. So let’s re-imagine what shoppers would have found in the town in 1952 – and remember all the prices are pre-decimal. For a wide range of groceries, with items like cheese and bacon sliced to order, Dorset County Stores in the High Street would be a good place to visit. J Bollen butchers was offering a leg of pork at 2/10d a pound (14p). And how about a nice bottle of white Bordeaux wine? You would have to

fork out just 5/9d (29p). If young Johnny needed a new winter coat, it would have cost £2/3/11d at Foster Brothers. Pyjamas at 18/11d (95p) were on sale at L A Bartlett – which today is still in

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business at 46 East Street. You could have a man’s suit dry cleaned at B Roberts for just 4/6d (23p). The windows of Currys and Holmans (the latter is still on the same site, but much extended in King Street) were full of record players, radios and very small TVs. And if you were looking for millinery, drapery and corsetry, J A Bowen at 2 and 3 West Street was the place to go. One shop which you would never see in any high street today was a coal and coke merchant, but in 1952 there was J R Wood & Co Ltd at 39 East Street. There were posters stating that everyone over the age of 14 should have a chest X-ray at the civic centre, which was in what is now Allendale House. Today, Father Christmas is an important character in the Christmas parade, and so he was in 1952. He arrived at Wimborne station and was taken to the Square where he was welcomed by the chairman

of Wimborne Urban District Council. The lights would be switched on and Father Christmas would then take up residence in Sheppards in the Square. The nearby Cadena café could sell you a Christmas cake for 10 shillings (50p). A shopper looking for suggestions for presents could pop into Nicol Rowan at 2 and 3 West Street where they could choose from a range of taffeta waist slips and taffeta dresses, or hosiery in silk, rayon, lisle and wool. Or how about a Boots gift box containing bath cubes and soap, at a cost of 2/6d? (13 pence today). And just to give a further flavour of life across the nation in 1952, advertisements in national papers showed full pages for Kensitas cigarettes, Parker 51 pens, a new Vauxhall Victor car for £485, Spangles sweets, Knights Castile soap, Oxydol washing powder and Gor-Ray skirts. The buildings in the town have not changed too much in the last 70 years, but our shopping habits certainly have.

Coronation parade, Wimborne 1953

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The future for the Barrington By Karen Wyatt-Epapara The Barrington Centre in Ferndown recently reopened following closures due to the Covid pandemic and major refurbishment works. The work is nearing completion and Ferndown Town Council, which owns and runs the centre, is keen that it returns to a place at the centre of the community. However, users of the centre are not so convinced. Viewpoint magazine has been contacted by members of the public who have raised personal concerns. These include increases in hire fees which, they say, have pushed out some regular groups, the reception and box office often being closed and the café not being open every week day. I met with Cllr Mike Parkes, who is closely involved in the running of the Barrington, to ask about the centre’s future. Cllr Parkes explained that the recent refurbishment cost £700,000 which was paid for by Dorset Council from historical funds from East Dorset District Council, ring-fenced for projects such as this one. The main focus was to bring the centre up to modern standards, with upgrades to electrics, lighting, toilet facilities and the bar and café among the work carried out. Cllr Parkes said: “We are now

effectively starting again from scratch, with new ways of working. We see the Barrington as a community centre first and foremost. “It was decided that the café side of the Barrington had to run at a minimum of break even, and no council tax funds should be made available to staffing this facility. This means we can focus on developing the community use of the building.” There are a number of rooms, plus the theatre, that can be hired. Cllr Parkes said: “Commercial groups are asked to pay a commercial rate. For theatre shows, this brings in an income, which is used to subsidise smaller, community groups using the centre.” On the subject of hire charges, Cllr Parkes said some had actually been reduced from the amount charged by the previous management, and the new rates had been bench-marked against other venues offering similar services, such as the Allendale Centre in Wimborne. He said: “We want the Barrington to be for the Ferndown community, so offer additional discounts for purely Ferndown-based groups – this is important as Ferndown residents are subsidising the centre through their

council tax so ought to see some benefit too. We hope this will encourage more local groups to meet at the centre. “Since we reopened, we’ve been getting new bookings, and we’re aiming for full occupancy as more and more groups return to face-to-face meetings.” With regard to staffing and opening hours, Cllr Parkes said these will be increased as the centre becomes busier and staff recruitment was taking place. He added: “We’re also looking for volunteers to help run events, such as the bingo, which is entirely volunteer-run. “The Barrington Centre was brought back under council management because we recognised its value as a community asset. This is the best way forward, but we want people to get involved, as this also promotes community ownership of the centre.”

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Keeping affairs in order By Edward Holmes, Meesons & Spurlings Solicitors I was walking in the New Forest recently and ended up at Rufus Stone. I thought of poor old Rufus. He was accidently killed when an arrow fired at a stag hit and killed him instead. I thought: “Did he make a Will or did his family have a claim against Sir Walter Tyrell who shot the arrow?” Whether they would have solved a few wars and inheritance claims, who knows? I would trust we are all safe from flying arrows in the New Forest, but how many of us have actually got round to making and/or updating their Will or have considered Powers of Attorney? We at Meesons and Spurlings are expanding further and are delighted to welcome Theresa

VIEWPOINT May 2022

Mills Solicitor and Lesley Rippingale Associate Legal Executive to the team. Theresa is adding to the Private Client team made up of Tamasine Whitbread, Ruth Lucas and Fiona Clarke, while Lesley will be assisting Edward Holmes director in all Litigation matters including Personal Injury and Inheritance Claims. Please contact us for initial free consultation where we would be happy to assist you.

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Pulford Publicity’s Cause of the Year Working until the sun goes down In just the way that you will be spring-cleaning your homes, campervans, offices and holiday lets, we at Clean Jurassic Coast need to spruce up the beaches in readiness for the expected influx of visitors. With what has seemed like a regular procession of storms charging across the Atlantic flinging ghost-nets, ropes, lost lobster and crab pots at our Heritage Coast, there is always something somewhere that needs to be removed from the environment. Luckily, in April, the annual Great Dorset Beach Clean took place. A total of 16 locations, from Lyme Regis in the west to the picturesque Studland Bay and Bournemouth at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, were targeted by a veritable army of volunteers. On a normal week, Clean Jurassic Coast might answer

a call to remove a rope entanglement at Ringstead or lost lobster pots at Lulworth. But the GDBC is a really good way of blitzing multiple locations all at once. There’s an overused phrase on social media – “teamwork makes the dream work”. But working cooperatively can move ‘litter-al’ mountains, and if you get the chance to join in you should take it. The Clean Jurassic Coast website will always have details of upcoming beach cleans, what you will need to bring with you and what you can expect to find. Go to cleanjurassiccoast. uk and make a difference. From 1 January 2022 until early April, when I wrote this, the CJC team had removed 1,018kg of plastic and other litter from our coastline.

Beach clean at sunset © Oly Rush

Gordon CJC volunteer

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NEWS IN BRIEF School grant Poulner Junior School is to receive a grant of £2,000 from Ringwood Town Council towards the costs of developing an outdoor learning environment for the seven to 11 age group. New homes plan New Forest District Council has received an application to demolish the bungalow at 102, Northfield Road, Ringwood and to replace it with four detached houses. Plan withdrawn Infinite Homes Ltd has withdrawn its application to New Forest District Council to build 240 properties on land north of Station Road, Fordingbridge. Ringwood plan refused A proposal to alter the existing property at Crockets, Linford Road, Hangersley, Ringwood and to construct four new homes was refused permission by New Forest District Council. Theatre group folds KCA Players which have been producing shows for 70 years have disbanded. They blame a reduction in membership and production costs. They staged their productions at Pelhams.

Eco plan for Deans Court Estate Exclusive by Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk Plans are in the pipeline for land at the Deans Court Estate in the centre of Wimborne to not only become a mass of wild flowers, but to offer ecological opportunities for local schoolchildren. Owner Sir William Hanham said: “We want to create a baseline of flora and fauna so we can monitor and

increase diversity so that the land changes back to a more sustainable and wildlife-friendly site.” The land is adjacent to the River Stour on the left as you come over Julian’s Bridge heading towards Lake Gates. The plan is to have 70 acres of wildflowers and this takes three to

Education helpline People who are concerned that their child is not making the progress they should be can contact the Dorset Education Advice Line, which was launched last October. Ring 0800 14 040 41 in term time only Monday to Friday 10am-4pm. New Forest grants Organisers of projects which help secure the future of the New Forest are invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Love the Forest scheme. Further guidance on what types of projects are eligible and how to apply is available at www.lovetheforest.org.uk. New housing estate New Forest District Council has granted permission for the construction of 63 properties and the demolition of existing buildings at Burgate Acres, Burgate, Fordingbridge – subject to legal agreement.

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Sir William Hanham on land backing onto Poole Road Photo by Marilyn Barber

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five years to develop. Yellow rattle will be planted. This germinates between February and April, flowers from May to July and sets seed in July and August, after which it dies. However, new seeds germinate the next year. It is the most important plant needed to establish a wildflower meadow. In medieval times, the land at Deans Court was used to grow grain, but has been pasture since the 18th century and unused for the last couple of years. Spearheading a plan for pupils from schools in the Wimborne Academy Trust to become involved in the project is Wimborne town councillor Francesca Shirley. She said: “The government have just announced that Natural History is to be added as a GCSE which is fab news and the syllabus will include coursework on local wildlife. With the rich diversity of habitats in the Deans Court estate and their regenerative work they are doing with Dorset Wildlife Trust, it is a gateway for students to

learn and discover nature, get curious about wildlife and flora and have a tangible sensory experience to learn about the carbon cycle, ecosystems, sustainability, and life cycles, and different habitats for different species.” She added that the chalk stream was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about their significance. “The UK, I believe, has 80 per cent of the world’s chalk streams and ecologists call them the rainforests of the UK – they are so rich

in biodiversity,” she said. The students will also have the opportunity to learn about no-dig and no-chemical best practice in the walled garden. Francesca said: “Deans Court offers a huge variety of exciting and beautiful examples of how we can use and enjoy land in ways that simultaneously benefit land owners and their surrounding community. And we hope it will be a model for other estate owners with seniors involved in surveys and foraging and primary pupils in bug hunts.”

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It is hoped the pupils will become involved in the project in the summer and autumn terms. Another piece of land on the Deans Court estate backs onto Poole Road and is an area of SNCI (Site of Nature Conservation Interest). “We let it go for ten years, but now we have goats on it and we release sheep from October to April,” said Sir William. He said the river was home to varieties of snipe, a variety of wading birds.

The proposed wildflower meadow area

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health and care

If you are in any doubt about your health you must consult your GP. Viewpoint is not responsible or liable for damages, which may occur as a result of your use or misuse of the information available on this page.

Breathlessness service launched A new breathlessness service has been launched at Wimborne Hospital, hosted by Louise Hopley, a respiratory specialist physiotherapist from Lewis-Manning Hospice Care. The new service reflects the charity’s aim to provide service across the communities of Poole, East Dorset and Purbeck, bringing care closer to

home for its patients. Louise said: “The clinic will be open on alternate Thursdays, with regular appointments available to patients needing help and support with their life-limiting condition. “Breathlessness can be frightening. We help people with respiratory conditions, such as COPD and lung

Support in Fordingbridge

cancer. The clinic is very patient centred – it is about listening to each person’s journey and their individual experience of breathlessness and how it impacts their lives.” For further information, call 01202 708470 and ask to speak to Louise or visit Lewis-Manning’s website www.lewis-manning.org.uk/ better-breathing-clinic/

Ever stop to think what makes you happy? strong, which will help you fight off common cold and chest infections and also protect the heart by reducing blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease. It isn’t always easy to maintain a healthy, positive emotional state. Anger, worry, and hostility increase the risk of developing heart disease; as people react to these feelings they also experience raised blood pressure, which is not good for our health. Recognise what makes you happy. This could be: hanging out with friends, visiting the countryside, getting a good night’s sleep or reading a great book. Whatever it is, push yourself to achieve it and put time into your routine to ensure you get escape from the day-to-day stresses of life

and do the things you love. There is evidence that happiness is contagious – happy people help others around them become happier too. The main question to ask yourself is: Are you living a happy life? If not, why not? What’s stopping you spending time around the people who make you smile, go places you enjoy and do things you like? Imagine the best as you deserve a happy life. There is always a way to ensure a positive outcome even if a little or a lot of support is needed to help achieve it.

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• Employability – motivation and confidence, CV/interviews, job hunting and work experience. • Training – IT skills, training and qualifications • Wellbeing and lifeskills – benefits help, relationships, money management/debt and housing • In-work support – confidence building, performance at work

By Bluebird Care Happiness is the emotion we feel when we see someone we care for, we achieve a goal, feel content or satisfied in our lives. Happiness is also the thing we want most for the people we love the most. Happiness is a positive emotion that has been linked with better health, longer life, and greater wellbeing. Being happy promotes a range of lifestyle habits that are important for overall health. Happy people tend to eat healthier diets, with higher intakes of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Being happy also improves sleeping habits, which is important for concentration, productivity, performance and maintaining a healthy weight. Feeling happy may help keep your immune system

People from Fordingbridge needing a variety of support can access it through Fordingbridge Salvation Army. Support sessions run on Monday afternoons, 1-4pm. Help available includes:

For information, call 07552 863060 or email: cara.upham@ salvationarmy.org.uk

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health and care / caring about people is an act of maturity

NEWS IN BRIEF Help into work

Take a health walk Avon Heath Country Park is holding guided Health Walks for people looking to establish a weekly routine of exercise, who enjoy being out amongst nature. The walks are free, open to all and are led by friendly, trained volunteers, leaving from the Visitor Centre at Avon Heath Country Park every Tuesday at 2pm. They last about 30 minutes and are suitable for people of all abilities. A second option of a longer 60-minute walk is being launched in May. They are part of the Dorset Health Walks scheme and are run in partnership with

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The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks. There is no need to book – just arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the off. People new to the group do need to complete a PARQ registration form which you can get at the Visitor Centre just before you join the walk. Call 01425 478082 for more information. To find out about other health walks, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov. uk/dorset-health-walks. If you would like to be part of the volunteer walk leader team, call 01425 480811 or email dorsethealthwalks@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

People with a disability in Dorset are to stand a better chance of getting work opportunities thanks to a new partnership between the council and national disability employment specialists, Pluss. Pluss builds on people’s strengths and aspirations to develop skills and opportunities of training, voluntary roles and paid employment. It also offers coaching to ensure jobs are sustainable with individuals progressing in their chosen career. The aim is to help 50 people through the partnership. The council has also developed a ‘Pathway to Employment’ initiative offering four apprenticeships with the support of Pluss.

Dementia Action Week 16 – 22 May

This year’s Dementia Action Week will focus on the theme of diagnosis, and people will be encouraging you to ‘act on dementia’. There is a lot of support available for sufferers and their carers. Look out for the Living Well magazine that lists Dementiafriendly activities and support in Wimborne and surrounding areas.

Volunteers needed

Two Bridges Care Group, which helps the elderly and infirm get to medical appointments, is looking for more volunteers. To volunteer to be a driver or administrator of the group, or to find out how to access the service, call Derek Ayling on 01425 650770, or email hippotrain@BTInternet.com.

Training to help people with autism

A bespoke training programme will be offered to Dorset’s health and social care workers to help them address the specific needs of people with autism. It is hoped the training will reduce the stress for people with autism in accessing important health, care, financial or other support that they need. The programme has been commissioned through a partnership with Dorset Council, Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (Dorset CCG) and Autism Unlimited.

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pets and wildlife / an animal’s eyes speak a powerful language

Eco scheme grants Organisers of projects which help secure the future of the New Forest are invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Love the Forest scheme. Initiatives funded recently include providing litter picking kits for National Park ambassadors; enabling hundreds of volunteers to help with conservation tasks; printing the New Forest Code showing how people can help care for the Forest; and supporting the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in removing non-native plants from choking the forest’s rivers and streams. Businesses across the National Park help raise the funds from their customers by adding a small donation to restaurant bills, accommodation, products and services. Grants of £50 to £5,000 are available and projects must meet one or more of the New Forest Trust charitable objectives: • Promoting the conservation, protection and improvement of the New Forest • Promoting the conservation and protection of the commoning livestock, the deer and other flora and fauna of the New Forest • Promoting the education and understanding of the public in the commoning of livestock, of fauna and flora and the environment of the New Forest Further guidance on what types of projects are eligible and how to apply is available at www.lovetheforest.org.uk.

Love your verge Residents of Dorset are once again being asked to ‘Love Your Verge.’ In a campaign led by Dorset Council and Litter Free Dorset, residents and visitors will be encouraged to celebrate Dorset’s roadside verges as havens for biodiversity and wildlife with the ‘Love Your Verge’ campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of Dorset’s thriving verges, and also deter people from littering on roadsides. To encourage the growth of wildflowers and increase biodiversity, mowing techniques and schedules have been adapted. Due to the work already carried out, The Wildlife Trust already recognises a number of verges in Dorset as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI). The council aims to establish even more

SNCI sites this year, as part of its work to address the ecological emergency. To help discourage littering, the campaign will include colourful signage installed around the county. The signs feature a range of animals and insects, drawing attention to the types of wildlife that inhabit the verges and thanking drivers for taking their rubbish home with them.

Wildlife at Cedar Vets By Cedar Vets At Cedar Vets, we treat a whole range of animals. The usual dogs and cats, but also the more unusual pets such as small mammals, birds and reptiles. We also work alongside Wildlife Rescue, a local New Forest charity dedicated to helping our native wildlife. A young female fox was recently brought in with a foot injury. One of her toes had been badly damaged in the wild and was causing her pain. Our vet and nurse team at Cedars performed a general anaesthetic and amputated her toe so that it wouldn’t cause any more discomfort. She was successfully rehabilitated by the Wildlife Rescue team, before being released back to the wild. Many sick and injured British wildlife are brought to vet practices and wildlife centres each year, with different injuries and illnesses. These animals are treated by a vet and rehabilitated by a group of experienced volunteers before being released. The aim is always to return the animal to the wild where they belong. If you find sick or injured wildlife please contact a vet or your local wildlife charity directly to find out the best way to help.

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ringwood news

Council hopes to buy land at Forestside Gardens Ringwood Town Council is to renew its efforts to purchase land at Forestside Gardens. The town clerk told members at the last meeting that the land was once again being offered for sale by public auction. The council was outbid on the last occasion. Cllr Jeremy Heron said that such land would ordinarily have

been allocated as public open space but, at the time the estate was built, was left in private ownership to avoid maintenance costs. He added that this was an opportunity to protect the land for future generations by bringing it into public ownership. Three residents of Forestside Gardens urged the council to buy the land so that it

could be retained as a public amenity in perpetuity. They said that residents had funded the maintenance of the land for more than 10 year, also planting trees which were now protected by a Tree Preservation Order. The meeting resolved to bid at the virtual auction of the land which is to be held on 19 May.

- Advertiser’s announcement -

Sweaty Betty is coming to The Furlong This May, popular women’s activewear brand Sweaty Betty will be opening their doors at The Furlong shopping centre in Ringwood. Positioned in the double-fronted unit next to Waitrose (previously the AGA store), this is the perfect location for them. The brand, which specialises in upmarket women’s activewear, has more than 50 boutiques in the UK, six in the United States and concessions in department stores Harrods and Bloomingdales. Charlie Reed, Furlong marketing manager, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the well-loved women’s activewear brand, Sweaty Betty, to The Furlong shopping centre in Ringwood. To attract a premium retailer like this to a market town is really exciting for us and will only build upon our already successful store mix. We have lots of interactive customer events, including a monthly Wellness Wednesday, and enticing promotions that we will be announcing soon on our social media channels.” For full details of the opening visit www.thefurlong.co.uk

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verwood news

Jubilee celebrations in Verwood A highlight of Verwood’s Jubilee celebrations will be the town’s carnival, which will be graced with its own royal family. For the first time, there will be a prince alongside the carnival queen and princesses. This year’s royal family will be Queen Sophie, Princess Daisy, Princess Tabitha and Prince Ben. You can see the carnival procession on Friday 3 June. It will leave the Fuzzy Bit, off Crane Drive at 10.30am, travel past the Recreation Ground, down Vicarage Road on to Manor Road, past the Monnouth Ash and finally arriving at Potterne Park at about 12 noon, where there will be more entertainment during the afternoon. For details, visit verwoodcarnival. com. As well as the carnival, Verwood

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VIEWPOINT May 2022

residents will have plenty of other opportunities to get involved in the festivities. There will be Vintage Fair on 2 June, street parties around the town on 4 June and a service of thanksgiving, afternoon tea and musical entertainment on 5 June. For full details, see the Jubilee celebrations listings on page 22.

Float entry from a previous carnival

Honorary freeman remembered Honorary freeman of Verwood, Peggy Ganderton, sadly passed away on 3 April, aged 81. Peggy lived in Verwood since 1978 and was a well-known face in the town, having been involved in early years care activities and the Girl Guide movement, most recently as the district commissioner for Verwood. Peggy received a Community Service Award and Silver Plate from East Dorset District Council in 2002 and was made an honorary freeman of Verwood in 2017, in recognition of her tireless community service. Peggy will be remembered at a memorial service in the Verwood Methodist Church at 2pm on 16 May, with all welcome.

Peggy Ganderton

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verwood news

Verwood Rotary round up By Louisa Hiscock, president We recently held our big Swing Band evening at Verwood Memorial Hall. This has been a popular annual event for many years, so it was lovely to host this again after a gap of two years. Live music was provided by Swing Unlimited, with many needing little encouragement to get up and dance to the familiar tunes from different decades. The evening raised over £1,000 for our nominated charity, Dementia UK. At our last club meeting we enjoyed presentations from four local charities and organisations we were able to support with funds raised at our annual Rustic Fayre last year. These were The Country Corner (miniature horse therapy),

Green Cottage RDA, Verwood Pantomime Society and Forest FM. It is lovely to find out more about the amazing work they do in our local community and how funds raised from the Rustic Fayre support this. The planning for our 28th Rustic Fayre on August Bank Holiday Monday is now well underway. We are looking forward to hosting this special day out in Verwood’s calendar again and hope many will come along to support it. All the favourites will be there, with lots of activities for all the family to enjoy. Before this, we look forward to being involved Verwood’s Jubilee Fayre on Thursday 2 June – do come and visit us on Ferrett Green.

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foodie news / most of us are sorry for what we said when we were hungry.

Planning your street party If you’re holding a street party for the Queen’s Jubilee, you’ll no doubt be busily preparing for a celebration worthy of the Queen herself. If your party is a community effort, then splitting the workload is the easiest way to go. Ask everyone who is coming to ‘bring a plate’ – which should be filled with a contribution towards the feast. It’s wise to get an idea of what everyone will be bringing to ensure variety, and encourage a mixture of sweet and savoury contributions to suit all tastes. Guests should label the food they bring, especially if they contain ingredients people could be allergic to. When thinking about what to bring, simple finger food usually works best. You could

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VIEWPOINT May 2022

choose a theme, such as food from the time of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation – in that case, expect Coronation chicken sandwiches, sausage rolls, vol au vents, cheese and pineapple on sticks (don’t forget the silver-foiled, upturned potato to stick them into!) and gateaux. Or you could choose a red, white and blue theme, and ask your guests to get creative. Don’t forget drinks. Depending on the numbers attending your get-together, you may like to pool resources, or bring your own. To create minimum waste,

ask everyone to bring their own plates, cups and cutlery. That way, they can all be removed as the guests head home, and there won’t be rubbish to clear up afterwards. When thinking about decorations, avoid plastic, and choose sustainable options if you can. Items such as hand-made cloth bunting and vintage table cloths, plates and decorations will suit a retro theme and can be used again and again. Once the set-up has been finished, all you have to do is enjoy the celebrations.

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- Advertising Feature -

Column by Fordingbridge Museum is sponsored by Adrian Dowding

The search for the body beautiful By Julian Hewitt, Fordingbridge Museum As someone who has never been to a gym since I left school, I was amused to come across a strange device (See page 3) that wealthy Victorians might have used to keep fit. The contraption was in the form of a low chair but the seat was replaced by a bellows-like fitting containing springs. It was advertised as providing “Horse Exercise at Home” or “Vigor’s Horse Action Saddle.” The user would sit on it and bounce up and down, riding it like a horse. Like many adverts from the time, it came with a testimonial. It also used a celebrity endorsement recording that it had been personally ordered by HRH the Prince of Wales. It even had a review in the medical publication The Lancet that said: “The expense and difficulty of riding a live horse are avoided.” The Sporting Times said: “Ten minutes’ gallop before breakfast will give the rider a Wiltshire Labourer’s appetite.” Well-heeled Victorians were notorious for overeating and the advert claims to remedy some of the effects of this. Using the device would quicken the circulation, aid digestion, cure gout and rheumatism and safely cure obesity. Earlier, in the Middle Ages, most exercise involved fighting skills in preparation for warfare, and all Englishmen of fighting age were required to equip themselves with a bow and arrows and practise using them. In 1415, at the battle of Agincourt, 6,000 of the 8,000 English and Welsh troops were archers equipped with deadly longbows, for which you had to be very fit and muscular. The Industrial Revolution changed the way people worked, resulting in many jobs that were sedentary or involved minimal activity. In the early 1800s, Friedrich Jahn from Germany developed early gymnastics exercises, while the Swede Pehr Henrick Ling, devised a series of workouts inspired by Chinese body exercise involving stretching and breathing. One hundred years later, Charles Atlas used exercises such as sit ups, squats and leg lifts to achieve the body beautiful. This developed into the modern fitness industry, aimed at achieving the perfect physique and good mental health. We are now facing an obesity crisis. Instead of buying trousers with an elasticated waistband, perhaps I should get up out of my chair and join the exercise junkies.

HT on POTLIG SFinancial Planning NOTHING IS CERTAIN BUT DEATH AND TAXES Bodie Dove, Financial Adviser at Lester Brunt Wealth Management Nobody likes talking about death and no one likes talking about money either – so it’s hardly surprising that estate planning is seldom discussed. With property prices continuing to rise and IHT allowances frozen until 2026, more and more people are getting unexpectedly caught out by the 40% Inheritance Tax on their estates. If you’re prepared to start thinking about what will happen to your money when you die, there’s often plenty you can do to reduce the tax bill your loved ones will eventually face. You might also get the opportunity to leave a ‘living inheritance’ to your family and see them benefit from your wealth before you go. It’s not always possible to completely reduce a future IHT bill, but there are steps you can take to help: • A life assurance policy, where the assured sum covers the predicted IHT bill can spare your family the stress of selling assets to pay it. For this to work, the policy must be written in trust. This ensures that the pay-out falls outside your estate for IHT purposes and the money is readily available for your executors to settle your estate. • Using appropriate trust planning can provide the benefits of assets that over time sit outside of your estate for IHT purposes while being able to provide an income now. • Gifting allowances are available to everyone and can be used each year to give some of your money away, providing an easy way to immediately mitigate IHT. Lester Brunt can help by providing a review of your current position and structuring your estate more tax efficiently using a range of solutions. If you would like to find out more, you can schedule a consultation on 07507443388 or email bodie.dove@ sjpp.co.uk The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief generally depends on individual circumstances. Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Lester Brunt Wealth Management is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp. co.uk/products. Lester Brunt Wealth Management is a trading name of Lester Brunt Wealth Management Ltd. Contact details: Bodie Dove 07507 443 388 Bodie.Dove@sjpp.co.uk

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Lester Brunt Wealth Management lesterbrunt@sjpp.co.uk lesterbrunt.co.uk 01202 695801 Dickens House, 15 West Borough, Wimborne BH21 1LT

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around & about / what’s happening in your area.

n io g re e th ss ro ac ts en ev ee il Jub Towns and villages across the Viewpoint circulation area are finalising details of events being planned to mark HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The timings are correct at time of going to press but, in some areas, further details are still to be announced.

Wimborne

West Parley

Poole

Thursday 2 June

Thursday 2 June A beacon will be lit on council-owned land at 275 Christchurch Road at 9.42pm. A photo montage will be screened in the Memorial Hall to reflect the changing 70 years of everyday life in Her Majesty’s long reign.

5 June Big Jubilee lunch at 12noon at St Edward’s School Field. Bring your picnic and enjoy music, food, traditional games, Morris dancing and a community atmosphere.

The town crier will read the Proclamation from The Minster Green at 2 pm. Then in the evening, residents of Wimborne Minster, Colehill and Pamphill and Shapwick are invited to attend the lighting of a beacon at Wimborne Cemetery at 9.45pm. The Mayor of Wimborne Minster will lead a parade up to the cemetery and the Wimborne Militia will fire a cannon salute. Friday 3 June Music and dancing from midday organised by Wimborne Folk Festival. Bumper Blyton – improvised adventures for grown-ups at the Allendale Centre. Saturday 4 June Kids’ fancy dress jubilee party at the Allendale Centre. Events around the town. Sunday 5 June A Big Jubilee Lunch organised by Wimborne Minster Town Council. Picnic benches will be set out in the High Street and residents are encouraged to join in by bringing along their lunch and a stage will host entertainment.

Merley Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June Jubilee Proms in the Park with Poole Symphonic Band at Merley House. Site opens 6.30pm with concert at 8pm. Tickets from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jubileeproms-in-the-park-tickets-296268024637 Sunday 5 June Community party in the field next to the Down in the Woods nursery off Chichester Walk.

Ferndown Thursday 2 June The Barrington Centre will host a free afternoon tea party for Ferndown’s older residents, which will be ticket only. A beacon from St Mary’s Church will be lit at 9.45pm. Friday 3 June The grounds at King George V Playing Fields will host a community picnic from 1-4pm with entertainment and stalls. The celebrations will continue from 7pm with live music, a bar and food stalls, then ending with a firework display at 10pm. The town council is inviting all clubs and societies in the Ferndown area to bring a stall or display on the day free of charge to show off the part they play in the community. Please send applications for spaces by 5pm on 13 May via email: customerservices@ ferndown.gov.uk; telephone: 01202 892249 or in person at the Barrington Centre.

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Verwood Wednesday 1 June Carnival Fun Run at Potterne Park at 5pm. Thursday 2 June Vintage Fair on Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground and Ferrett Green 12noon-5pm. The Verwood Choral Society has written a special anthem for the jubilee which will be performed. Friday 3 June Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground until 10.15am followed by carnival procession, which leaves the Fuzzy Bit off Crane Drive at 10.30am, and then travels past the Recreation Ground, down Vicarage Road onto Manor Road, past the Monmouth Ash, arriving at Potterne Park at about 12 noon. Saturday 4 June Street parties. Sunday 5 June Churches Together, a Service of thanksgiving on Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground and afternoon tea with Verwood Brass Band 3pm and concluding with ‘Pomp & Pimms in the Park’ by 6pm.

West Moors

The town council is providing party packs to the residents of local care homes, so they are able to celebrate between 2 and 5 June, despite not being at home or out with their loved ones.

Colehill Thursday 2 June Jamie Jigsaw and Lindy Hop dance display and participation at Colehill Village Hall Friday 3 June Family friendly quiz night at Colehill Village Hall Saturday 4 June Platinum Jubilee party at Colehill Village Hall Sunday 5 June Street party at Colehill Village Hall

Fordingbridge Thursday 2 June Jubilee picnic at Fordingbridge Recreation Ground 3.30-10pm. Lighting of the beacon at 9.45pm.

Ringwood Thursday 2 June A beacon will be lit from the tower of the Church of St Peter and Paul in the Market Place. At 9.35pm a piper will play Diu Regnare. This will be followed by a bugle call entitled Majesty and the lighting of the beacon at 9.45pm. All members of the community are invited to attend. Sunday 5 June Party in the Park at Carvers Recreation Ground from midday to 6pm. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the live music, family entertainment, food and drink. Local 14-year-old singer/songwriter Lewis Simons, will be playing from 11.30am. From midday, Jitterbug Jive, a Lindy Hop dance troupe who will be performing lively dance routines, followed by acts including Emma Hardy, The Rock Choir, Scarlet Swing and finishing with Swing Unlimited. Chuffley Steam Railway will be offering rides on the ‘Platinum Express’, miniature steam railway. Steamship Circus will be bringing along their mini-big top and offering hands on circus skills classes. Professor JR’s Punch and Judy Show will run at intervals throughout the afternoon as well as a small fair and traditional sideshows. Ringwood Roundtable will be running a bar an there will be a BBQ, hog roast, ice cream van. Carvers Clubhouse will be offering strawberries and cream as well as other sweet treats.

Christchurch Thursday 2 June A choir will be at the Old Town Hall from 1.30pm with the town crier making a declaration at 2pm. The Union Jack will be raised. A beacon lighting event will be held from 5-10pm at Mudeford Quay. Fun fair rides and food all evening, with a children’s candle-lit procession from Avon Beach to the Quay led by the piper at 9pm. Candle-lit boats will be in the harbour and there will be music from the British Legion Band. The Bournemouth Piper will play Diu Regnare at 9.35pm with the beacon lighting by the Mayor at 9.45pm assisted by Christchurch Scouts. Admission free.

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around & about

Jubilee picnic in the park The people of Fordingbridge will come together on Thursday 2 June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a picnic in the park. The Riverside Tea Garden -Advertisement feature -

Delicious food in stunning location The Riverside Tea Garden is a new and exciting venture within the heart of Fordingbridge. The café is located behind Bubbles soft play, at 16 Salisbury Street. Choose from a wide range of food including full English breakfasts, burgers, sandwiches and cakes, all of which can be enjoyed in the relaxing and spacious garden overlooking the picturesque River Avon, one of Fordingbridge’s greatest assets.

The event, organised by Fordingbridge Events Group and Fordingbridge Town Council, will take place at Fordingbridge Recreation Ground from 3.30pm to 10pm. The family event is also being supported by Fordingbridge Rotary Group and local businesses and will be a fantastic opportunity for the local community to enjoy festivities and a day’s worth of amusement to kick off the bank holiday. The entertainment will include several bands, a choir, Crazy Kev and Best Disco. The Rotary Club will also hold its charity duck race. First prize is £500, second prize is £200, and third prize is £100. Tickets for the duck race will be available from the Rotary team who will be selling them

from outside the Co-op in Fordingbridge over the coming weeks. Businesses looking to purchase a corporate ticket can do so for £25 with a case of wine on offer as the prize. All money raised from the duck race will be going to local community projects. A fully licensed bar and hot food will be provided by the sports club, The Crown and Mays, the butcher. You will also be able to pick up prepaid hampers from The George. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own picnic and clear up after themselves. Portable BBQs or open fires are not permitted. The event will see the installation of a new beacon on the Recreation Ground and the council is planting a Hornbeam tree to be a lasting reminder.

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The lighting of the beacon will take place at 9.45pm. The event is free to attend and more details about the timings for performances will be on the council website and at fordingbridgeevents.com

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around & about / what’s happening in your area.

Culinary delights in Highcliffe

The popular Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival will be back this summer, and will take place on 11 and 12 June in Lymington Road and on the Recreation Ground. Not only will there be artisan food and drink but also a huge range of specially curated crafts from The Little Craft Shack, known as ‘Crafts on the Green’. Once again, there will be a cookery theatre which, this year, will feature celebrity chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli and Dorsetbased Lesley Waters. Leading local chefs will also be taking part throughout the weekend in a marquee on the Green. Two music stages placed at either end of the festival will provide a range of entertainment throughout the weekend. For more information, see www.highcliffefoodandartsfestival.co.uk

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REVIEW – Keeping up Appearances, Ferndown Drama, Barrington Theatre, Ferndown By Marilyn Barber

When I was handed a programme and saw that Estelle Hughes was playing Hyacinth Bucket I knew she would nail it. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed. From the moment her strident tones echoed from the back of the audience as she made her way to the stage in a purposeful way, she embodied the character made so famous by actress Patricia Routledge in the hugely successful TV series. Although it too was written by Roy Clarke, the bonus for the audience is that this play is a stage version and not an amalgam of episodes from the TV series. Hyacinth’s neighbour Emmet is rehearsing the annual play, a murder mystery set in the 1930s, assisted by his sister Liz. And yes, you’ve guessed it – Hyacinth feels she just has to have a part – and an important one at that. However, she ended up with two roles – as a titled lady and as a cook, and she was quite simply hilarious in both – with the Hyacinth we know and love bubbling to the surface throughout. Steve Hawker is a master of exasperation, and never was it more called upon than in this role. Always in control, he was in character every single moment in his time on the stage, whether he was speaking or desperately trying to keep his temper. Julie Gower was the perfect foil as his sister, who wants to keep everyone happy. Geoffrey Hughes played the loveable slob Onslow – Hyacinth’s embarrassing brother-in-law – in the TV series, and when Mark Ward appeared on the stage in the role, it was like watching his double – accent, vest and all! Brilliant. Dawn Hollington is a great character actress, and she had the chance to really go to town with her portrayal of Daisy. At first shy but soon to find his inner soul, Mike Tong was a convincing Mr Milson who soon fell under the charms of the flighty Rose, played with a lot of humour by Nikki Wilson. Chris Hughes was suitably imperious as Mrs Debden, the woman Hyacinth wanted to impress, whilst David Pile’s cameo part as Daddy was almost a show stopper – and on the first night got a round of applause as he exited complete with rifle and gas mask. The cast was completed with small roles for Helen Kuster and Roger Barrington. And where was Hyacinth’s husband Richard in all this? He didn’t appear, but she spoke to him on her mobile – frequently – and we were able to imagine him at the back of the audience. Ferndown Drama hadn’t been able to be on stage since the end of 2019. Oh, how we’ve missed them.

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Events The details of the events below are accurate at the time of going to press but will be subject to any government regulations in place at the time of the event. Check before travelling. Send in details of your events to: newseditor@mags4dorset.co.uk

14 May 2.15pm

The Dorset branch of the World Ship Society presents 154 Days aboard four post-war liners with Steve Pink at the Heatherlands Centre, Ferndown. Email info@shipsdorset.org

15 May 9.30am-12.30pm

Indoor car boot sale in the Druitt Hall, Christchurch. Free entry, refreshments available.

15 May 3pm-5pm

Free open air concert (subject to good weather) Brass on the Grass by Verwood Community Band at Verwood Recreation Ground by the Verwood Memorial Hall.

16 May 7.30pm

The Colehill Floral Arrangement Club meets in Colehill Village Hall, Cannon Hill Road, BH21 2LR with a demonstration ‘A Night at the Movies’ by Denise Jones. Refreshments during the evening and there is a chance to win one of the arrangements. Visitors £5. Ring 01202 610902 for further information.

around & about 18 May 10am

West Moors Flower Group present ‘Grandeur and Art of Tuscany’ in the Memorial Hall.

24-29 May 10am-5pm

The Creatives exhibit at Cranborne Garden Centre as part of Dorset Art Weeks. The exhibition will include paintings, wood-turned items, jewellery, stained glass mosaics, ceramics and willow sculpture.

25 May 7.30pm

Ferndown French Circle meets at the Barrington Centre, Ferndown. Rachel Lewington will give a talk in French about Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes illustrated with music and pictures. Information from 07552 074135 or from website: www.ferndownfrenchcircle.org.uk

28 May 9am-2pm

Artisan Makers Market at CLaRC (Community Learning & Resource Centre), King Street Car Park, Wimborne BH21 1EA. Stalls with many makers and crafters items. Café and refreshments available. Free entry.

28 May 10am-4.30pm

Wimborne Art Club outdoor painters will be painting and exhibiting their work in the Museum of East Dorset garden. Free access to enjoy the gardens and tearoom via the entrance by Wimborne Library.

3 June

28-29 May

Cheese and Chilli Festival at Hurn, Christchurch, next to Bournemouth Airport. Tickets from https://cheeseandchillifestival. com/tickets/

28-29 May

Twenty4Art sale and exhibition at Pamphill Parish Hall, Wimborne BH21 4EF. Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am4.30pm. Free admission.

30 May 7.30pm

Fordingbridge & District Horticultural Society meet at Avonway Inn, Fordingbridge when Andrew Hunt will talk about work on the Kitchen Garden Restoration at Kingston Lacy.

1 June 12noon

Verwood Carnival procession leaves the Fuzzy Bit off Crane Drive at 10.30am, and then travels past the Recreation Ground, down Vicarage Road on to Manor Road, past the Monmouth Ash and then finally arriving at Potterne Park at about 12 noon.

7 June 7.30pm

John Craig presents Going to Blazes to Cranborne Local History society at The Cecil War Memorial Hall, Water Street, Cranborne.

11-12 June 10am

Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival along the village high street (Lymington Road) and on the recreation ground.

Ferndown Probus Club lunch and talk on ‘A Brief History of our Monarchy’ at Dudsbury Golf Club. New members welcome – secretary 01202 872692. Website – www.ferndownprobusclub.org

2-5 June

Cursus, a Cider and Music Festival at Canada Farm, Sixpenny Handley. Tickets from www.cursusfestival.com

2-5 June 10am

Christchurch Food Festival at Christchurch Quay. Open until 8pm except Sunday 5 June when 5pm.

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VIEWPOINT May 2022

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specialist services VINTAGE BOOKS

TREE SURGERY

Correction In the last issue of Viewpoint (mid-April, vol 46, issue 6), page 12, we stated that the saplings planted in West Moors had been supplied by Ferndown Town Council. The trees were, in fact, supplied by West Moors Town Council. TREE SURGERY

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

Wimborne Horticultural Society under threat of closure Can we really let the society close down? With a drop in membership and entries at the Wimborne Horticultural Society Spring Show held in the Allendale Centre on Saturday 9 April there is a serious risk of the society having to close down. If you Google the history of the society it states that in one form or another there has been a horticultural society connected to the market town of Wimborne Minster since the mid-1800s. Indeed, it continues that the first mention of the Blandford & Wimborne Horticultural Society in several of the local newspapers refers to a show on Thursday 3 July 1856 held on the lawn of the Allendale House. If the autumn show under the present society is to go ahead on Saturday 10 September, it will be the 73rd show. My wife and I joined the society when we first moved to Dorset 46 years ago and, over the intervening years, we have participated in some very successful spring and summer and, more recently, autumn shows. So help and support is urgently needed to keep the society alive. Further details can be obtained from Tony Beard, show manager on 01202 880116. Anthony Oliver

Proposed parking charges in Verwood

It was pointed out to me a few days ago that parking charges are to be introduced to council-owned parking sites in Verwood. I have since read about the proposal in the Viewpoint magazine. I am incensed. In the 31 years I’ve been living and working in Verwood, I have not been aware of any noticeable parking issues in the town. Introducing charges to an area without a parking issue suggests a money grabbing exercise, nothing short. I am appalled at the decision and disgusted that such an action is even being discussed, let alone implemented. In addition, the audacity to levy charges on a Sunday as well. This stinks! It will clearly affect the town’s trading and, at a time of increasing strain on the cost of living, bite into residents’ spending power. Pensioners and physically infirm residents making short visits to medical centres, pharmacies and dentists will be most affected. I, for one, am totally against such a move. I am also sure that a large portion of local people would be against such a tax on the town of Verwood. N E Spiers Verwood

Jean Ware Legacy Award

Join in the Ringwood Carnival fun

It is with sincere disappointment that the council did not find a recipient for this award (£1,000) for the year 2021 - 2022. Nor did we receive any Apprenticeship Vocational Scheme applications (£250 award). Great effort was made to reach out by sending emails to local schools, groups and churches. Regular Facebook posts were made, and posters have remained on all three noticeboards for the whole year. Sadly, to no avail. The main criteria are that the applicant must be a resident and be of a certain age. Understandably frustrating, when there is an individual that excels in a certain subject but is not the right age or a non-resident. As much as we would love to support this person, the criteria must be met. We very much hope that during the next year the talented candidates from West Moors will hear about this wonderful opportunity and let us help them shape their future. Please visit our website for further details on these awards or contact the office on Park Way.

After a break of two years due to the pandemic, Ringwood Carnival is back for 2022 and promising to entertain the people of Ringwood like never before. The carnival will take place on Saturday 17 September. There will be the usual two processions; the afternoon parade at 2pm, and the illuminated evening procession beginning at 7.15pm. The Carnival Committee are already busy preparing all things to make for a fantastic event. From a mixture of stalls at the Village Green and a wonderful exclusive VIP area in the Marketplace, to street performers and of course sourcing the best rides for their resident Adlam’s Funfair. But most important of all, Ringwood Carnival want to make the 2022 processions bigger than ever before – and that means they need you! Why not enter one of the processions? You’ll have fun making a float (It could even be a walking entry), you’ll help to raise money for our charity by collecting pennies in our pots, and you will have a fantastic day full of fun and laughter. For any help, advice and pointers on taking part, visit www.ringwoodcarnival.org. Let’s make 2022 bigger, better and brighter!

West Moors Town Council

Alix Gardner Ringwood Carnival Committee

Mistaken identity

I have just seen your April 2022 Viewpoint (vol 46, issue 6) and the picture of the month depicts what is described as a terrapin in a public Wimborne pond. This is in fact a turtle, specifically a Yellow Bellied Slider, which is an American species. It is about 12 inches across the shell. I suspect that this is the same turtle that I have seen in a pond near Holt Heath. It should not be there as it is a foreign and invasive species that will be busy eating all the newts, tadpoles and small fish. Whoever released it has committed a crime against the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Terrapins, which are much smaller, should also not be released into the wild. I reported the Holt Heath turtle to Dorset council about a year ago but they never got back to me and I have no idea if they did anything about it. It was difficult to find out who actually owns the land on which the pond is situated. This is an illegal and damaging species and that anyone releasing such a species commits a crime. If this animal is not the Holt Heath turtle, then it is obviously another one that should also be reported to the authorities so that they can seek to remove it. Nick Marsh Fordingbridge

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| 27

Beware of oil thefts As oil prices soar following sanctions imposed on Russia, there is a warning that thieves are targeting oil storage tanks in the South West. William Nicholl, client director at rural insurance broker Lycetts, said: “Storage tanks can contain hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of pounds of oil, so they are an obvious target. He said: “In recent weeks, there have been a number of thefts by organised gangs who have siphoned-off oil. This is no hitech, difficult to organise crime – a 1,000 litre tank can be drained within minutes.” Farmers and those living in more isolated areas tend to store large amounts of oil onsite, making them particularly vulnerable. The following security measures can help protect your oil supply. • Site oil tanks out of view from the road • Install lighting and CCTV cameras, and make sure they are maintained and tested regularly

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VIEWPOINT May 2022

• If installing new tanks, choose a material such as steel which is harder to drill through or carry away • Consider installing and secure cage around your oil tank • Make regular checks of your oil gauge. Consider installing smart technology that will alert you should the oil level unexpectedly drop. You can also install an alarm that monitors oil levels and sounds when they suddenly drop • Ensure your home insurance covers theft or damage to your oil tank

Bring wildlife to your garden If you are looking for ways to bring more wildlife to your garden or outdoor space, a simple way to do it is by planting easy-to-manage flowers. Many only take a short time to bloom, and you’ll start seeing insects, bees and butterflies in your garden in no time. Here are some suggestions: Sunflowers – these beautiful flowers are easy to grow from seed, so perfect for the new gardener, or for the children or grandchildren. Giant sunflowers, especially, grow quickly, so they’ll keep interest. They are ideal for pollinators and are also a source of food for birds once they have set seed. Cornfield annuals – the seeds are easy and cheap to source, and the flowers are easy to maintain. Simply sprinkle them in the desired area and you’ll have a stunning display within weeks.

Lavender – not only is this plant beautifully fragrant, it attracts bees and butterflies. It can be grown in a pot, so is a good option if you have limited space. Mini-meadow – easily achieved by simply letting part or all of your lawn grow for a few months. It won’t be long before you see clovers, daisies and other meadow flowers.

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Three starry spots near you in Dorset By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk Astronomer Bob Mizon who was interviewed for this magazine in 2019 about his campaign for dark skies, points out places where you can see some of the wonders of the universe. Within easy driving distance of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation are the starry skies of the Cranborne Chase AONB International Dark Sky Reserve. If you can find somewhere safe to park in this area on a cloudless night you can look up and enjoy the Milky Way, our home galaxy stretching as a silvery stream from horizon to horizon. Within the reserve’s extensive area of more than 900 square kilometres, there are many quiet and starry places. There, on moonless nights, you can see, even without a telescope, some of the wonders of the nearby universe. Badbury Rings on the B3082 between Wimborne and Blandford is far enough away from the skyglow of the

big town for the Milky Way to be seen when it’s dark – in the first week of May for example, when the moon is setting in the early evening. The Milky Way, a sight now lost to most people because of light pollution, looks like a broad line of faint light in the sky, because our galaxy is a flattened disc of hundreds of billions of stars and we look at it from our vantage point on the inside. Within that starry stream are islands of darkness. These are cosmic dust clouds, the ashes of long-dead stars from which all things, including us, are made. You might travel to Knowlton Church and Earthworks just off the B3078 WimborneCranborne Road where the constellations can be seen in some detail from the area

Bob Mizon with his telescope Photo by Marilyn Barber

around the ruined Norman church and its ancient henge. Will there be flashing meteors? These are pieces of cosmic debris ending their Solar System journey of perhaps billions of years as they fall though the atmosphere and burn up. Don’t expect to see planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) in the evening sky at present, as they are now parading along the south-eastern horizon at dawn for only the hardiest insomniacs to admire. The Witchampton-Tarrant Valley area has good starry skies, as those who attended a recent AONB stargazing event

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in Tarrant Gunville can testify. The trillion-star Andromeda Spiral, the nearest big galaxy to our own, was one of many faint objects admired through visiting astronomers’ telescopes. Its fossil light has travelled for over two million years to reach us. Nights are too short to do much stargazing in June, July and August, but in summer, high-altitude pearly noctilucent clouds may sometimes be seen after dusk in the northern night sky. Go to the websites cranbornechase.org.uk/ our-work/dark-night-skies and wessex-astro.org.uk for more information about local astronomy events.

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motoring / keeping you on the road.

Road maintenance programme underway Road maintenance programmes across Dorset are ramping up as we move through spring, as many road treatments require dry or warm weather to be effective. For this financial year, Dorset Council has been awarded £11.6m from the Department for Transport which is dedicated to carriageway maintenance. In addition, the

council has awarded £6.7m of additional investment into highway maintenance each year for the next five years – with around £4.6m being invested in proactive, planned road repairs. Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “It has been proven that early, preventative maintenance is the most cost-effective way to maintain

roads. This investment will help us keep our network in a good condition and reduce the number of reactive repairs needing to be carried out.” Repairs are identified through routine safety inspections, where images are collected on a mobile device mounted in the windscreen. These images are downloaded and run through artificial intelligence systems that convert them into defect

data and provide an overall condition assessment of the road. Asset management systems then identify schemes for the different treatment options available. This information is used by highways engineers to consider the treatment options and prioritise roads for repair.

Country roads, take it slow Statistics show that 60 per cent of deaths through road accidents take place on country roads. There are ways you can make your country journeys safer, according to GEM Motoring Assist. Their tips include: • Take it slow – reduce risk by never exceeding the speed

limit and adjust your speed to be sure you can always stop safely in the distance available ahead of you • Make sure you use any existing signage to help you – usual signs include a series of white chevron signs on a black background, indicating a sharp bend • The narrowness of country lanes means that passing places are sometimes provided into embankments or verges. Be prepared to reverse into these if necessary • Country lanes can often be in a poor state of repair. At any sign of this, be ready for potholes and other broken surfaces that can seriously damage your vehicle

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VIEWPOINT May 2022

• Be aware that road surfaces also be slippery, with mud from tractor tyres and even deposits from horses and cows • If you come up behind cyclists, pedestrians or horses, keep back until you’re sure it’s safe to pass them. Remember the Highway Code rules, which require you to give plenty of room when passing cyclists (1.5 metres minimum) and horses (2 metres minimum)

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Viewpoint May 2022