Viewpoint Magazine

09/01/2025

Dear Readers!

‘You visit often’ commented the app, which I thought was a bit harsh. I didn’t need my phone to tell me that I had visited this weather website frequently.

In December, Storm Darragh had been raging throughout the country, so I think I could have been forgiven for clicking on weather in Wimborne numerous times during the day.

However, I must admit researching the weather forecast has become a bit of an obsession.

As soon as I wake up, I reach for my phone to check on the forecast so I can plan what I am going to wear.

We’ve always been a nation who talks about the weather with strangers and friends – and anyone else who will listen – and now most of us click on apps to get an hour-by-hour forecast.

Before the internet, we relied on the accuracy of TV forecasts following news bulletins – and a few old wives’ tales.

My mother used to say: “It’s too cold to snow.” I was never sure how that worked.

Before we had meteorologists, ancient civilisations observed clouds, wind and animal behaviour to predict the weather.

The Babylonians used astrology and cloud patterns to predict the weather as early as 650 BC.

Weather patterns can even change history, as we were all reminded in 2024 with the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The Allied invasion was due to take place on 5 June, and it was realised that adverse conditions could break the invasion of the northern French coast.

However, thanks to the work of the chief meteorologist at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, it was postponed to the following day.

So, obsession with the weather is no bad thing!

We wish you all a very happy New Year with blue skies and sunshine.

Marilyn Barber
News editor

06/12/2024

Dear Readers!

Every year, John Lennon’s song ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’ comes over the airwaves with the poignant words: “So this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over, and a new one just begun.”

And so what have we done at Viewpoint Magazine and Dorset View? Quite a lot.

In January, we featured a round-up of photos we’d taken at the end of December and in February covered the Wimborne Minster pancake race, which we also sponsored.

June saw us covering D-Day events, the Folk Festival, Fete on the Field, the Shake & Stir Festival and Hayeswood First School family fun day.

In July, we visited Witchampton Village Fete and Poole Goes Vintage Festival.

August saw us at Stompin’ on the Quomps and at Verwood Rustic Fayre. In September, we featured Wimborne Reading Group and The Creative Happiness Club in Ferndown and had a sneak preview of Bournemouth Hospital’s new BEACH building. We also covered the 25th anniversary of Wimborne Militia, Wimborne Food Festival and visited the Ferndown COPD support group.

In October, we popped along to the Tivoli for a special presentation to thank the volunteers, witnessed a Ferndown man tackling a chicken nugget challenge, and took photos at the launch of Poppy Appeals.

November saw us at the switching on of Christmas lights and this month we will be at Wimborne and Broadstone Christmas parades.

This just leaves us to wish all our readers and advertisers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Marilyn Barber
News Editor

08/11/2024

Dear Readers!

We now live in a world where we are bombarded with information, particularly from social media, so it would be good if I could filter material on a ‘really need to know’ basis instead of filling my head with irrelevant ‘news’.

Obsession with the minutiae of life is harmless enough, provided you are receptive to important information.

English philosopher Francis Bacon said that “knowledge itself is power,” but sadly the information we often find ourselves absorbing only gives us the ability to have vacuous conversations with others of a similar inclination.

I am talking about the rabbit holes I often go down on social media.

For instance – and I don’t want to be too specific here or you could find yourself scrolling to find out details of yet another conspiracy theory – because I like the music of a certain now- deceased singer, I had clicked on a video clip only to be directed to another site which claimed the person faked his death and that many years later he is still performing in exclusive venues!

Mad, isn’t it?

I confess that instead of using reference books, a dictionary or a thesaurus, I Google items, and that is when I go off at a tangent instead of keeping my mind on finding the information required.

And when there are serious issues of the day to research, I’m not sure why I become curious about the goings-on of celebrities who have been getting up to mischief.

This leads me to once again re-iterate how important our magazines are in bringing information that you need, rather than that which just clogs up the grey matter.

In this edition, we have previews for Christmas events in Verwood, Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Christchurch and Wimborne, as well as an interview with Lee Redwood who is producing and starring in this year’s Tivoli panto.

Marilyn Barber
News Editor

25/10/2024

Dorset divers celebrate 70th anniversary

Report by Luke Graham

For the past 70 years, Bournemouth and Poole Diving Club has been available to make scuba diving more accessible and help residents of the county explore the waters of the South Coast.

The governing body of diving in the UK, the BSAC - British Sub-Aqua Club, was formed in 1953 and Bournemouth and Poole was the sixth branch to be formed a few months later, so the club has been celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

This local diving club was originally spun off from a large and very active spear-fishing club, when several members realised that there were underwater alternatives to killing fish in the name of sport: within a few years, diving had almost completely eclipsed spear fishing as an activity.

Read more in Dorset View November 2024 ⤵️

📢 Dorset View November out now 📰

Front cover: Dorset Chamber’s Ian Girling skydived to raise funds for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care

Read 👀 online 👉 https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

Printed copies available from one of over 70 community collection points including CO-OP Wimborne, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, TESCO Ferndown, SAINSBURYS Christchurch and Ferndown.

GPS tracked door-to-door distribution is underway.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
🚒 Fire engines axed across Dorset
🤿 Dorset divers celebrate 70th anniversary
🗓️ Your 2024 Christmas events diary
🥶 Ferndown Town Council opposes winter fuel cut
🧑‍🌾 Gardening tips ahead of winter
💷 Water companies to repay millions
♻️ Wimborne turns green for festival
🏫 Amphitheatre built to benefit pupils
🏥 Rehab equipment installed at Royal Bournemouth Hospital
🪂 Skydivers raise over £23k for hospice care
🏊 Take an icy dip for cancer
🏚️ Charity highlights poverty in East Dorset
🎭 Tivoli Theatre volunteers enjoy a special ‘thank you’
🎄 Christmas wishes at Kingston Lacy NT
🐶 Dog owners warned to leave conkers alone
🥟 Ferndown man tackles chicken nugget challenge
🪦 Remembrance 2024
🚗 Cut your motoring costs
plus much more

10/10/2024

Dear Readers! 👋

Hands up those who have never visited the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne. Really! Perhaps you’ve been to the Red House Museum in Christchurch, the Russell Cotes Museum in Bournemouth, or Poole Museum before it closed for major conservation work?

Strangely, we’re all guilty of travelling miles to see an attraction but very often ignoring those on our doorstep, arguing that ‘we can pop into them anytime’ – but we don’t.

And I can be as guilty as anyone of this. We’re very lucky in this area to be able to take advantage of coach trips with a choice of many local pick-up points. This year I’ve been to Buckingham Palace, Sidmouth and Kingston to name just a few locations, but it was only relatively recently that I took a trip to the Russell Cotes Museum.

In September, I went on a trip organised by Wimborne Civic Society to Stock Gaylard country estate, which is not far from Sturminster Newton. Famous for its Oak Fair, this was a first for me. Afterwards, we visited the Grade II* parish church of St Eustace in the village of Ibberton and Woolland Church in Woolland, both in villages I had never heard of despite living in Dorset for most of my life.

This just brought it home to me that so often we ignore the attractions that are on our doorstep.

However, we are fortunate enough to have local organisations – such as the Wimborne Civic Society, East Dorset Heritage Trust and East Dorset Antiquarian Society – which organise trips and talks so we can learn about and visit local points of interest.

We have some great features in this magazine. Meet the Professionals, a page of Halloween events and our editor got to test drive a new Ford SUV.

26/09/2024

Weather fails to dampen Wimborne Militia’s fighting spirit

Photos and report by Marilyn Barber
[email protected]

The miserable weather on 7–8 September didn’t dampen the gunpowder of Wimborne’s Militia.

The town’s red-coated re-enactment group of 1685 welcomed visitors to a special, free family festival to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Read more in October Dorset View magazine
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

📢 OUT NOW! Dorset View October 📰

Front cover: Two smartly dressed militiamen © Dorset View

Read 👀 online 👉 https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

Printed copies available from one of over 70 community collection points including CO-OP Wimborne, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, TESCO Ferndown, SAINSBURYS Christchurch and Ferndown.

GPS tracked door-to-door distribution is underway.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
🗡️ Weather fails to dampen Wimborne Militia’s fighting spirit
🗣️ EXCLUSIVE: New MP Vikki Slade speaks to Dorset View
🥈 Paralympic success for Jack Eyers
🛩️ Popular air festival grounded for now
🏭 Consultation opened on Canford incinerator
🫡 Lord-Lieutenant retires after 10 years
🕯️ Candles on the Green returns to Wimborne
💷 Golden years? How to look after your money in retirement
🫁 COPD support group marks 15th anniversary
🌱 From seed to success: Neil Lucas celebrates 30 years at Knoll Gardens
🫓 Food Festival draws the crowds
📸 Wildlife photo exhibition opens
📖 A warm welcome at Wimborne’s Reading Friends group
🪫 Warning: don’t bin that battery
🏘️ Debunking mortgage myths
🚗 Hendy Group expands Poole car dealership

05/09/2024

Dear Readers!

Over the years I have wasted a lot of time – but I don’t feel guilty about it.

I am early for everything. If I need to interview someone or cover an event, I allow more than enough time, which often means that I end up sitting in my car waiting until the appointed hour.

However, when I took up the invitation to visit the new BEACH
building at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, I was glad I had allowed
an hour to get from Wimborne to the meeting place at the Castle
Lane site, as during the works the car park is a long way from the
entrance to the building. It also meant that I was in time to don a
hard hat, steel tipped boots, a hi-vis jacket and protective glasses. It wasn’t a good look – think Bob the Builder with the addition of camera and notebook – but BEACH is still a building site. You can read my report on page 31.

Similarly, if I am reviewing a production, I am there at the doors
waiting for them to open. But if I am early, it does give me time to
ferret around in my handbag to find my notebook and pen and to
examine the cast list in the programme.

I always factor in possible journey delays, and let’s face it, with recent works which include those in central Wimborne, Wimborne Road East in Ferndown, and along Ringwood Road towards Poole, there are always diversions.

Although we’re heading towards autumn, there are still plenty
of events taking place, such as the Ringwood Carnival on 21
September – see details on page 27 – so make sure you get there in plenty of time to get the best vantage point for this exciting event.

Marilyn Barber
News Editor

22/08/2024

The butterfly effect 🦋

A charity has warned that the numbers of butterflies in the UK are at a crisis point.

The wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has revealed very low numbers of butterflies have been spotted in its annual Big Butterfly Count. Participants in the scientific survey have seen just over half the number of butterflies they spotted last year.

The Big Butterfly Count is a large-scale science project asking members of the public to record the number and type of butterflies they see, to help scientists understand how the species is faring. This year, the count ran from 12 July to 4 August.

Read more in this month's Dorset View magazine ⬇️

📢 OUT NOW! Dorset View September 📰

Front cover: Golden Girls - Olympic success for Dorset's Bryony Page and Ellie Aldridge

Read 👀 online 👉 https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

Printed copies available from one of over 70 community collection points including CO-OP Wimborne, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, TESCO Ferndown, SAINSBURYS Christchurch and Ferndown.

GPS tracked door-to-door distribution is underway.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
🥇 Dorset jumps for joy for gold medallist Bryony Page
🥇 Poole kitesurfer claims victory
🗳️ BCP Council elects new leader
🧑‍⚖️ Bournemouth killer jailed for life
🏖️ Have your say on Sandbanks’ dunes
😖 Poole faces two years of roadworks
🦋 Where are all the butterflies?
💚 Health & Wellbeing special
🏞️ Garden waste being dumped in River Stour, resident claims
👨‍✈️ Remembering Louis Strange: Dorset’s daredevil airman
🎒 Back to the classroom for Dorset children
🩸 Knowing your blood pressure could save your life
🫀 Bournemouth trials new tech for heart patients
🏃‍♀️ Wimborne woman marks weight loss journey by walking 1.5 marathons
🏆 Dorset brands win 53 Great Taste awards
🎷 A rollicking return for Christchurch festival
🧁 Craft & Food Fayre coming to Ferndown
☕️ Southbourne cafés launch reusable cup scheme
♻️ Planet Wimborne Green Festival to return
plus much more

09/08/2024

Dear Readers!

Of necessity, I am always working ahead to prepare the listings for our magazines, but the downside is that I embrace new seasons ahead of time. For instance, in this issue I have been looking ahead to September, which is the start of the autumn programme for our very many local clubs and societies. They too will have planned their activities and speakers for the following six months at least.

However, it’s not as bad as writing for national magazines when you are producing articles for the summer while shivering in your office in February.

At Viewpoint and Dorset View Magazines, we are working on the January edition before Christmas, so we deal with articles informing people about how to dispose of Christmas trees instead of writing about their decoration!

We have had some wonderful events in our circulation area already this year with the Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, The Shake and Stir Festival, Ferndown Fete on the Field, Westival and the Battle for Wimborne having all attracted huge crowds and provided a wide variety of entertainment for all ages.

And there are more events to come with agricultural and flower shows, the Wimborne Duck Race, Wimborne Militia’s 25th anniversary, Wimborne Food Festival, Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival and Ringwood Carnival to name just a few.

They all take a huge amount of organising and the vagaries of the English climate must always be taken into consideration for outdoor events with contingency plans for inside if it is too wet.

So do enjoy August and hopefully you will be able to take time to sit in the sun reading Viewpoint, your favourite local magazine.

And make sure you send us details of your events in plenty of time. See page 34 for listings.

Marilyn Barber
News Editor

25/07/2024

Skydive for a hero

Dorst View's Louis Pulford meets hospice nurse Angie

I recently decided to take a leap and committed to doing a 10,000ft skydive in support of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, our charity of the year.

The goal of this exciting event is for each jumper to raise £450 in support of a hospice nurse, so I thought it would be a nice idea for our readers to get to know a little about Angie who is the reason behind my skydive.�

I recently met Angie whose working week is a mix between running the Lewis- Manning Day Hospice and visiting patients at home to carry out assessments and asked her some questions:

Q. What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?�

A. Assisting people to live their lives in the best way possible, listening to their wishes, and being beside them to help overcome any obstacles and difficulties. The people I work with and the people I care for and their families and friends inspire me. I love working within a team. The Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Team are fantastic to work with. They care so much about our patients but also, we care about each other too.

Read more in Dorset View August 2024 👇

https://issuu.com/mags4dorset/docs/dv_aug_24_-_issuu/17?fr=sOWFmODc2MjQ0Nzk

📢 OUT NOW! Dorset View August 📰

Front cover: Leap for a hero - Dorset View's Louis to skydive 10,000ft for hospice nurse Angie

Read 👀 online 👉 https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

Printed copies available from one of over 70 community collection points including CO-OP Wimborne, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, TESCO Ferndown, SAINSBURYS Christchurch and Ferndown.

GPS tracked door-to-door distribution is underway.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
🚵‍♂️ Dorset teenager's race to the top
💷 Hayeswood Family Fun Day raises nearly £3k
🍾 Wimborne Militia to celebrate 25 years
⚽️ AFC Bournemouth fixtures
⚠️ Parking meter scam
🐬 Poole Town Football Club proposes new sports venue
🚧 River Allen footbridge to be replaced
🧑‍🎤 Groove on at the Cliff Top Music Festival 2024!
🐒 Charity organises trips to Monkey World
🔥 Wildfire prevention campaign warns against BBQs
🦫 Beavers living on the River Stour
🥙 New food festival for Wimborne
🛝 New immersive role-play centre opening soon
🏹 Roar around Wimborne on the Olympic Games safari
🏎️ Unique 1950 Ferrari to star at Blenheim Palace
🏆 Plasterer wins award
💮 Heroes of the plant world
plus much more

11/07/2024

Dear Readers!

It’s a goodbye from Janine, but a very warm welcome to Luke.

Janine Pulford retired as editor at the end of May after 21 years saying she will miss our readers but ‘fiction writing and the British summer beckon’.

She said: “Our new editor has plenty of experience and has made the changeover seamless. In Luke’s hands Viewpoint Magazine can only get better.”

Luke Graham, who has been a journalist since 2015, working for several publications, has been visiting Dorset since 2010 and moved here with his family permanently in 2020.

I had worked as news editor at my previous magazine for many years, and when it closed at the end of 2018, Janine approached me and offered me the same position which I took up in January 2019.

And what a brilliant five and a half years – and counting – it has been.

Janine and indeed the whole team in our office in Ferndown are so talented and good to work with.

I have written for several publications, most of which were owned by the big newspaper groups, so I really appreciate the benefits of working for a family-owned business, who care for their staff.

The ethos has always been to go out into the community, covering events and ensuring that our readers’ voices are heard.

I will miss Janine, as we shared a similar sense of humour, but I am confident that Viewpoint Magazine and Dorset View will continue to go from strength to strength with Luke as editor.

As Janine said – the changeover has been seamless.

Marilyn Barber
News editor

01/07/2024

British Empire Medal for Wimborne man

Report and photo by Marilyn Barber | [email protected]

A Wimborne man has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list for his voluntary service to Second World War veterans and their families.

Geoffrey Haywood, who has lived in the same house in the town since 1976, is to receive the British Empire Medal (BEM). He is married to Jill, and they have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Known as Geof, he joined the Royal Marines as a Junior Marine in March 1960 and served for 23 years.

He was sent for initial training to the Joint Services Amphibious Warfare Centre, Poole for landing craft training and subsequently served on several amphibious assault ships.

Read more in July Dorset View 👇

https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

📢 OUT NOW! Dorset View July 📰

Front cover: A poppy wreath laid in Ferndown on the 80th anniversary of D-Day

Read 👀 online 👉 https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

Printed copies available from one of over 70 community collection points including CO-OP Wimborne, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, TESCO Ferndown, SAINSBURYS Christchurch and Ferndown.

GPS tracked door-to-door distribution is underway.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
🪖 Dorset marks D-Day
📣 New mayor for Wimborne
🪦 Medieval grave slabs rescued from Studland Bay
🔥 Lewis-Manning Hospice Care fire walk raises over £13,000
🚴‍♂️ Ferndown racer receives £1,000 grant
🪻 Support makes Wimborne Community Garden possible
⚔️ The weekend that Wimborne went into battle
💃 Step into the past at Poole Goes Vintage
🎖️ British Empire Medal for Wimborne man
🐈 Cat owners must act now or face £500 fine
🍲 A tasty day out at Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival
🥁 Huge support for Wimborne Minster Folk Festival
🎫 Bus, train and cruise all on one ticket
🧑‍🎤 Summer fun in Christchurch
🛌 Top tips for sleeping in hot weather
🎶 Summer concert to celebrate local composers
plus much more

06/06/2024

Competition worth over £250! 🥳 in this month's Viewpoint magazine

In conjunction with Condor Ferries, Pulford Publicity is running a competition for a return sailing from Poole to Guernsey for a car...

05/06/2024

Dear Readers!

We’re now into the holiday season and if you’ve booked to go abroad it’s possible that your insurance company has sent you a list of things you need to do before you leave which is so long it almost makes you resolve to stay at home.

However, I hope that if you do decide to leave these shores – and you could win a trip to Guernsey in this edition - you won’t have the strange experience we had when we went to a wedding in Sicily.

The hotel looked good from the outside, but on arrival we were shown to a small room with no wardrobe, a necessity if you have wedding outfits. A chat with the manager was clearly lost in translation as when my husband said we needed a wardrobe, he asked why we wanted water wings!

The manager claimed they were fully booked, but we were eventually given a different room – with a wardrobe and no coat hangers. I now always take coat hangers on holiday with me.

There were just a couple of guests at breakfast the next day, but for the next fortnight we were the only people in the hotel. Or were we - as one afternoon we heard operatic singing from a room above?

If you have decided to stay at home this year, you won’t be short of great things to do as having enjoyed the Battle for Wimborne and the Bear Weekend at the Model Town over the recent Bank Holiday there are so many brilliant events planned for the coming weeks including the British Pedal Care Grand Prix in Ringwood on 7 July.

Marilyn Barber
News editor

23/05/2024

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival to add colour to the town

By Marilyn Barber

Wimborne stages many events to put the town on the map, but arguably one of the most popular is Wimborne Minster Folk Festival which runs this year from 7-9 June.

With music, dancing and so much more, it attracts not just local visitors, but those from across the UK. Dance groups include Anonymous Morris, Dorset Buttons Rapper, Quayside Cloggies and Pamphill First School as well as those from European countries, such as Samodeitsi from Bulgaria, and Moreno Dance Company from Slovakia.

Over 50 bands and singers will be gracing various stages and performing in pubs, such as Matt Black, Charlotte Geary, Polly Morris and Paul Thomas – all of whom have been interviewed by this magazine. Other performers include Gugge 2000, Dorset Phil, Nick Capaldi, Paul Openshaw and Wimborne Guitars.

Read more in Dorset View June 👇

📢 OUT NOW! Dorset View June 📰

Front cover: Lesley Waters to feature at Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival

Read 👀 online 👉 https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

Printed copies available from one of over 70 community collection points including CO-OP Wimborne, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, TESCO Ferndown, SAINSBURYS Christchurch and Ferndown.

GPS tracked door-to-door distribution is underway.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
🤹 Wimborne Minster Folk Festival to add colour to the town
🏘️ Thousands of new homes to be enabled in Dorset
🌌 Dorset’s Aurora Borealis
👨‍🏫 New headteacher for QE School
🌼 Glass flower display celebrates 30th anniversary
🐩 The top seven mistakes pet owners make – which could see them breaking the law
🏗️ Ferndown Industrial Estate – leading the way
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Broadstone family fun day
📅 D-Day events
💷 Hidden attic finds could be worth thousands
🖍️ Upsydown – Cartoons of Dorset Life
🔪 Man who hid knife in Bournemouth sentenced
🎨 11th Dorset Art Prize
⚖️ Looking to lose a few pounds?
🏫 Beaucroft College opens its doors
🇩🇪 Memorable trip to Germany
plus much more

10/05/2024

Dear Readers!

Big retail businesses - and you know who you are - move towards removing cashiers and installing self service tills at your peril.

The winners will be those who recognise that people of all ages prefer human contact.

Many supermarkets have trained their staff on checkouts to give eye contact, to smile and even to ask how your day is going.

This could be vital for youngsters who have been glued to their phones, the person working from home, the mum whose only conversation that day has been with a toddler and the widowed living on their own.

A recent bus trip from Wimborne to Bournemouth – and why wouldn’t you do that with fares at £2 a trip avoiding huge car parking charges in the BCP Council area – proved to me how important social interaction is.

The driver smiled and greeted everyone with so much warmth, treating everyone as special. This ranged from the man in a wheelchair, to a woman with an irate toddler.

I was so impressed that I wrote to the bus company who thanked me and said they would commend the person and would put her forward for their employee of the month scheme.

Fortunately, local people are to have plenty of opportunity for social interaction over the coming months with a packed calendar of events from May onwards, including the Teddy Bear weekend at Wimborne Model Town; the Battle for Wimborne; D-Day commemorations throughout the region, and the Ferndown Fete on the Field. We give details of events we sponsor as well as including a comprehensive listing of other events in the area.

Marilyn Barber
News Editor

29/04/2024

Campaign to bring Ferndown tennis courts up to standard

By Janine Pulford

Two of the six tennis courts adjacent to King George
V Playing Fields have been closed due to health and safety concerns.

With a thriving tennis club, the closure of the courts has impacted on the ability of Ferndown tennis players to enjoy the sport they love.

A petition to get all six courts back to “buzzing activity” has been started by campaigner Lisa Murphy and within a week it gained over 160 signatures.

She said: “The KGV charity was established to look after our recreational community areas, in partnership with Ferndown Council, to provide us with a good sports culture. However, the current condition of one third of our facilities not only limits opportunity for play but also hinders the development and growth of aspiring athletes in our community.

“According to Sports England’s Active Lives Survey (2019/20), regular participation in sports like tennis can contribute significantly to overall physical health and mental wellbeing. Yet, without proper facilities, we are being denied these benefits.”

Read full article and muh more in Dorset View May ⬇️

📢 OUT NOW! Dorset View May 📰

Read 👀 online 👉 https://www.dorsetview.co.uk/dorset-view-magazine/

Printed copies available from one of over 70 community collection points including CO-OP Wimborne, Colehill, Corfe Mullen, TESCO Ferndown, SAINSBURYS Christchurch and Ferndown.

GPS tracked door-to-door distribution is underway.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
🐶 Sell out success for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Muddy Dog Dash!
🌍 Going Green: How can your home help the planet?
🥫 Ferndown Food Bank faces eviction
🏖️ More than 200 volunteers clean Dorset beaches
🏥 Expansion plans for Wimborne’s hospital
🎾 Campaign to bring Ferndown tennis courts up to standard
🦌 What to do if you collide with a deer
🚗 Parkinson’s sufferer drives 18,000 miles
🪲 Stag beetles need you to keep an eye on them
🥘 Flavours unleashed at Food Fest Local
🏷️ Always check the label of vegan food
🛥️ Eric’s Legend memories launched
🍲 Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival
🏞️ Fete on the Field
🧀🌶️ Cheese, chilli and all that zest
💃 Shake & Stir Festival at Fisherman’s Walk
🗓️ Big events planned for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole this year
🙋 Say Aphasia in Bournemouth seeks volunteers
💦 Splashing fun promised for Bournemouth paddling pool
plus much more