Smithers, an overnight and day short breaks service for children and young people aged between two and 19 with profound physical and/or learning disabilities, has received a glowing report and received a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted at a recent inspection. Run by Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, the short break service provides families a safe…
The first West Moors Community Speed Watch revealed some “surprising results” according to Cllr Andy Skeats. Along with Roy Galway, Brian Collins and Ted Warner, Andy went out with a hand held camera on Pinehurst Road on 24 October. “Pinehurst Road was chosen by the public as one of the roads where local people had…
This year’s Flameburst Firework display at Verwood went off with a bang this year – literally. With a ‘Pirates of the Carribean’ theme, the blowing up of the Black Pearl on the mini lake was the climax of the evening. Thousands of children and adults enjoyed both the junior and the large firework display and…
A new leaf drop sweeper was in operation today in Ferndown Town Centre. Former Chair of Ferndown Town Council’s Environment Committee Cllr Steve Lugg celebrated with many of the Central ward’s residents when they saw the town council’s machine in action for the first time. Steve said, “I was pleased to propose this extra support…
Ken Clay, a volunteer guard on the Moors Valley Railway, is probably the oldest railway guard in the country. Ken, who crewed Lancaster bombers in WW2, will celebrate his 90th birthday on 26 October. He lives in Ferndown. The steam railway at Moors Valley is the south’s longest fully signalled narrow-gauge railway, with 17 steam…
Chairman of East Dorset District Council, Cllr Robin Cook was taken on a tour of the Heatherlands Centre in Ferndown on 23 October.
Welcomed by the Centre Manager John Hanrahan, the tour included a visit to Hopscotch Pre-school where Lorraine Clark talked about the new extension that will cater for 75 children.
Robin also met the leader of the Age UK group, Theresa and her helper Miriam and spoke to some of the 27 members. The group provides a much needed meeting place, lunch and activities for all who attend.
A rare inland sighting of an arctic breeding wading bird, the grey phalarope, has been recorded on the largest of six new ponds which have recently been created on Dorset Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) Tadnoll and Winfrith reserve.
Residents of Care South’s The Fearnes residential home in Bournemouth paid a visit to AFC Bournemouth’s Goldsands Stadium last week.
Residents were given a full tour of the stadium, where they had the chance to sit in the terraces, stand in the players’ tunnel and try out the Manager’s and coaches’ seats and the substitutes’ bench.
The tour was finished off with coffee and biscuits in the boardroom.
Robert Walter MP (North Dorset) paid a visit to Blandford Foodbank on 23 October to meet staff and learn more about issues surrounding foodbank provision.
At the invitation of Blandford Foodbank Steering Group Chairman, The Rev Brook MacCallam, Bob met with Rev MacCallam himself, Alistair Doxet-Purser, Chief Executive Officer of Faithworks Wessex, volunteer Jacquie Dakin and Foodbank Manager Gail del Pinto at Blandford Forum Methodist Church to find out more about the operation of this local foodbank and hear staff views on the challenges surrounding foodbank provision.
The Deputy Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Julie Robinson purchased the first poppy in the town following the launch of the Poppy Appeal by the Ferndown branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) on 24 October.
Those who gathered in the Garden of Remembrance for the occasion included D-Day veteran Ted Young aged 91, who served as a Royal Engineer. He heard earlier this week that he has been awarded the Legion d’Honneur by the French government – the country’s highest honour.
