Dorset

Christchurch Borough Council is hosting an information session for anyone interested in serving as a Parish Councillor in Christchurch.

The event will take place on Tuesday 26 February between 5 – 7pm at the Civic Offices on Bridge Street in Christchurch. There will be a formal presentation at 6pm.

From April 2019 there will be four parishes in Christchurch. These include the existing Burton and Winkton Parish Council and Hurn Parish Council and two new Parishes, Christchurch Town Council and Highcliffe and Walkford Neighbourhood Council.

The event will provide vital information including; whether you can stand as a candidate, obtaining and completing nomination papers, campaigning and spending, information about polling day and the count and the role of a councillor.

Anyone who would like to learn more about becoming a parish councillor is welcome to attend. Nominations for parish councillors can be accepted from 27 March.

Local elections will take place for the new parish and local councillors on 2 May 2019.

The post Are you interested in becoming a Parish Councillor in Christchurch? appeared first on Dorset news.

A host of tourism specialists will be sharing their wealth of knowledge at an industry event taking place in Dorchester next month.

Visit Dorset’s Meet the Experts event will be held at Kingston Maurward on Thursday 7 March from 1.30pm to 4.15pm for members and potential future members of Visit Dorset from across the county to attend. It aims to help Visit Dorset’s members to raise their online profile and continue to thrive within the county over the coming years.

credit: James Loveridge

The Visit Dorset team will update on their successful Dorset marketing campaigns over the past 12 months, what’s new for 2019 and how businesses can get involved.

Ross Calladine of VisitEngland is set to speak at the event and will be providing an insight into ensuring  tourism businesses are accessible to all ages and abilities. He will also be talking about their Digital Toolkit, which aims to boost a businesses’ online presence, while helping them to build connections with existing and potential clients, through the basics of marketing, advertising and online booking.

Lyn Martin of Dorset House in Lyme Regis will be passing on her top tips on how to run a successful accommodation business, after she picked up the Winner of Winners Award at the 2018 Dorset Tourism Awards. Meanwhile, the Dorset Growth Hub team will be talking about business and financial support available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and Martin Curtis of Jurassic Coast Guides will be talking about his work with Visit Dorset at the event.

Nick Thornley on behalf of the Visit Dorset Partnership said: “We are delighted to be welcoming an array of speakers to our Meet the Experts event at Kingston Maurward. Experts from across the south of England will be joining us to share top tips with our members and those who may be looking to join us in 2019. On the back of our successful digital road shows, it is great to be able to host this special event for our members that work so hard to give the best possible welcome to visitors to the county.”

Gareth Allen from Soundview will be talking about the importance of great imagery to market a business to appeal to customers, as well as giving a virtual reality (VR) video demonstration for the event’s attendees to see. There will also be a host of stands from Dorset businesses who will be offering their expert advice on social media, digital marketing and business mentoring.

For more information about the event, search for Visit Dorset on Eventbrite.co.uk

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Volunteers are needed to help clear some space for woodland plants at Upton Wood on Sunday 24 February.

Dorset Countryside Volunteers will be there to meet you from 10am until 1pm. The time will be spent tidying the wildlife hedge and removing bramble to give the plants space to grow.

• Meet at the Pony Drive entrance, off Poole Road, Upton
• You don’t need to stay for the whole time – just stay for as long as you want
• Please wear old clothes and boots (waterproof if you have them)
• Tools and gloves are provided
• Hot/cold drinks and biscuits provided for break times. Bring lunch if you want to stay longer

For further information contact Rachael Shefford at Purbeck District Council on 01929 557237 or visit www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/uptonwood

The aim of the regular event, organised by Purbeck District Council and Dorset Countryside Volunteers, is to make the wood a better place for people and wildlife. 

Upton Wood is found on the edge of Purbeck near to Upton Country Park. Inside the wood you will find a winding Woodland Trail, trickling streams and open glades with bluebells in the spring. 

There is wheelchair and medium sized mobility scooter access from Poole Road, Pony Drive, Upton Heath Estate or Gorse Lane. The main tracks are suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There are two benches within the wood

 

 

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East Dorset District Council is pleased to announce that the project to refurbish The Centre at Ferndown is now fully completed.

The Centre in Ferndown has undergone a major transformation with the creation of three large halls, updated kitchen areas and the addition of whole new first floor.

Cllr Julie Robinson, Ward Councillor for Ferndown, had the honour of removing the first brick back in June last year and said ‘The project is a terrific success. The refurbishment is amazing and it’s great news for local residents that The Centre was completed on time and within budget. Everyone will be able to benefit from the services The Centre will offer and the community spaces that will be available for hire.”

AKA Building Services Ltd were contracted to complete the refurbishment. Chris Akaidere, Business Development Manager of AKA Building Company, said: “The internal layout of the centre has been completely redesigned and we are so pleased and privileged to have played our role in this refurbishment.

“It isn’t often that a community centre gets such a high specification refurbishment and it is great to see local residents’ reaction to the transformation!”

The newly refurbished Centre was officially reopened by the Chairman of East Dorset District Council, Cllr Toni Coombs earlier this year.

The Centre is home to Hopscotch Nursery and will now host a variety of local services including Dorset Healthcare Consultations, Children’s Service family neighbourhood zone sessions, as well as providing four rooms that can be hired seven days per week.

To find out more about what The Centre now offers, please visit The Centre’s new website www.thecentreferndown.co.uk

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Corallian Energy is drilling more than 1,000m (3,280ft) below the seabed to explore oil reserves.

The RMT said there had been a breakthrough in the row, following strikes over Christmas and New Year.

Louella Fletcher-Michie had become "exhausted" by the effects of the drug 2-CP, a court heard

Police said he became "obsessed and fixated" with the former winner of Miss Dorset.

More than 200 people joined a protest calling for beds to return to Portland Hospital.

A woman in her 60s, travelling in the same car as the man, also has life threatening injuries.

Unions say they had warned about the "disastrous privatisation programme" four years ago.

Homes were evacuated and a bomb disposal team called in after suspicious items were found at a house.

An angler filmed three men landing protected fish at night in Poole Harbour.

Cllr Toni Coombs, Chairman of East Dorset District Council, is set to host a Civic Service of Thanksgiving at Wimborne Minster on Monday 4 March at 1.45pm.

Ahead of the creation of the new unitary council, Dorset Council, on 1 April 2019, the service will be held in celebration of East Dorset. Many community representatives have been invited; however the service is open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The Sermon will be delivered by the Bishop of Sherborne and the Right Reverend Karen Gorman. The service will include a handover of the area for safekeeping to the Shadow Dorset Council Chairman, Cllr Hilary Cox.

Local schools from across East Dorset will take part in the service, with pupils from Ferndown Upper School, Queen Elizabeth, St James’ CE First School, St Mary’s First School, West Moors, Wimborne First School, Cranborne First School and Ferndown First Schools in attendance.

A retiring collection will be taken in support of the Chairman’s charities; Macmillan, Mosaic (who support bereaved children throughout Dorset) and Wimborne Minster.

The service will end with a ceremonial gun salute on the Minster Green, by the Wimborne Militia and refreshments will be available after the service.

Cllr Toni Coombs, Chairman of East of Dorset, said: “This is an historic occasion as after 31 March; East Dorset District Council will no longer exist. Although this is the right decision to protect services for the community, it is still hard to let go of our local history. We should mark this last civic service in a special way, by thanking all of those who have made a difference to our district.”

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Ian Clowes was airlifted to hospital following the blast in Poole which also injured his ex-wife.

New rules about dogs in public places will come into force in North Dorset on 31 March 2019.

The rules were drawn-up after more than 800 people had their say about where and when dogs should be allowed in public places.

North Dorset District Council carefully considered the views’ of dog owners and the concerns of other residents who use public places such as parks.

After considering 859 responses the council attempted to strike a balance and also simplified a raft of regulations. The result is the new North Dorset Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2019, which will replace existing orders.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the district council’s cabinet and then approved by Full Council.  The new rules will come into effect on 31 March 2019.

Councillor Andrew Kerby, Community Safety and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder at North Dorset District Council, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the trouble to share their views on how dogs should be managed in public places in North Dorset. We have looked carefully at the results and have tried to strike a balance to suit the interests of all.

“North Dorset District Council encourages responsible dog ownership. Most owners are very responsible, unfortunately a small minority who do not clear-up after their dogs do cause a problem.”

Here is the new North Dorset Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2019.

 

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Need affordable heating and hot water? Want a warmer and more cosy home? Free mains gas central heating may be available. 

Help may be available, whatever your income, if you live in Melcombe Regis, Littlemoor, Underhill, Westham East, Westham North, Westham West and Weymouth East.

In other areas across Dorset  help may be available if you are on a low income. Gas connections are free as well. You can apply now here.

The HEAT Melcombe Regis project is offering first time full gas central heating systems (if you do not have central heating already). This is usually free. Gas or LPG Boiler Upgrade Grants may also be available if your boiler is broken, old, or inefficient.

Loft Insulation Grants and Cavity Wall Insulation Grants are available wherever you live in Dorset. Find out more here.

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

It is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day on Friday (15/2), so please tell anyone who might benefit that this help is available.

Advice about how to keep your home warm is available here from National Energy Action (NEA), a national charity that aims to end fuel poverty for all households.

 

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Thorncombe Woods, near Dorchester, has a new ‘Lost Words’ trail for visitors to follow, inspired by the book of the same name by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris.

The Lost Words celebrates the once-common ‘nature’ words – including acorn, wren, starling and dandelion – that were dropped from the Oxford Junior Dictionary. It takes these words that have been falling out of use amongst children – such as adder, kingfisher and bramble – and brings them back to life through Macfarlane’s ‘spell poems’ and illustrations by Morris.

An accompanying leaflet also highlights some old Dorset dialect words to stimulate memories for the older generations and inspire interest in younger generations:

This trail is part of a wider crowd-funded Dorset Lost Words project supported by Westbourne Books, in which schools across Dorset are being given a copy of The Lost Words. Together with funding from Dorset AONB a programme of school workshops, an exhibition of children’s work and the development of a website using the hashtag #LostWordsDorset is being delivered across the county.

The concept will also be taken to Memory Cafes for those living with dementia in Dorset.

Thorncombe Wood ranger Claire Platten said: “We hope that people of all ages, and those caring for others, will enjoy this trail. It is a wonderful opportunity to get close to nature and to search for, find and speak about The Lost Words.

“The trail encourages everyone to write, illustrate and share their own poems and ‘lost words’. Have a go – the most outstanding artist and wordsmith will win a copy of The Lost Words.”

The short trail runs alongside Thomas Hardy’s cottage and follows paths that can be used by off-road mobility scooters (which can be hired from Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre) and will be open from February half term until 10 April.

To celebrate the opening of this trail, local storyteller Martin Maudsley will be leading a Lost Words story walk on 20 February. It will feature folktales, myths and legends that celebrate plants and animals found in Dorset. To book your place email: hardysbirthplace@dorsetcc.gov.uk

The Lost Words Trail is funded by Stepping into Nature – a local community lottery funded project which provides activities for Dorset’s older generations, including people with dementia and their carers, to access and enjoy our unique landscape, wildlife and culture.

The post Discover Lost Words in Thorncombe Wood appeared first on Dorset news.

Former captain Jimmy Adams and ex-Somerset bowler Alfonso Thomas join Hampshire as assistant coaches.

A refurbishment project at Weymouth Library is due to get underway in mid-February.
It will bring together a range of services and teams into one shared building, as a ‘library information and learning centre’.

The library building in Great George Street in the town centre will be adapted to offer space for:

o The town’s library
o Skills & Learning – the local Adult Learning provider which offers a variety of high quality courses and learning opportunities to the local community and training opportunities to local employers
o Community Resource Team (mental health) – part of Weymouth & Portland Community Mental Health Team, which facilitates attendance at a range of social, vocational and educational activities to aid recovery
o Citizens Advice – providing free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems

Dorset County Council has been working with representatives from these organisations to bring together the new offer. Together, they have designed how the library building can be reorganised to make the space work for everyone.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for education, learning and skills said:

“There are huge benefits to be gained from this £550,000 project, including improved links between organisations and services. It will provide easier access to services as they are based in one building, at a central location with good public transport links. The refurbished library space will provide a wider range of uses, as well as refurbished public toilets and two additional accessible toilets. The building works will not result in fewer books or public access computers.”

So that we limit disruption to the library service, the building works will take place in phases, starting in mid-February and finishing in July. The library will remain open for most of this period but may close towards the end of the works while new shelving is fitted.

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