Allendale Magazine | Apr - Jun 2020 by Dorset View

@ the heart of the community

Wimborne TIC and Museum Memories of Wimborne

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ALLENDALE

The

Apr - Jun 2020, Issue 5

Some new clubs to join Radio Wimborne goes FM

photo © David Hartwell

01202 887247 • info@theallendale.org www.theallendale.org • Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1AS

THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

Contents Features 4 6 Meet Lindsay Lawrence

David Morgan reveals the ‘new’ museum in Wimborne

Malcolm Angel FM comes to Wimborne

In and around Wimborne 14 22

Wimborne Food Bank

Memories of Wimborne

New activities to try

Find out more about BID and Wimborne Council

Volunteers Needed

News from QE

What’s on 28 50 Sporting Fixtures

What’s on in Wimborne

Regulars @ the Allendale

Ronnie & Tanya

ALLENDALE

The

@ the heart of the community Editorial team

Jane Sorrell

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their patience during the second phase of our building works. I’m absolutely sure you will agree our new, modern, accessible reception area looks amazing and we look forward to welcoming you into the Centre from our new customer friendly desk! A big thank you as well to the teams from Stepnell Ltd, Davisons Electrical Ltd and Dorset Council for creating this great new space for the Allendale. There are still a few more phases of work to be completed by Dorset Council, the biggest of which will be a new roof. Hooray we say - no more leaks! As you may be aware, our café is now under new management and we are very excited to see the changes that is bringing. The newly named Café @ the Allendale remains open 9am – 4pm, Monday to Saturday but watch this space as those hours may be extending soon! 2020 is shaping up to be a very busy year at the Centre. We have several new shows and events booked in, with everything from boxing to South Pacific coming up. There will also be a new weekly market opening soon on a Friday morning so keep checking the notice board for more information on that. We obviously cannot avoid the current elephant in the room which is of course the Coronavirus. The situation is changing daily but at the time of writing the Allendale Centre remains open and we will do so until we are told otherwise. We will continue to follow the advice and guidance of the Government and Public Health England and take whatever steps necessary. For the most up to date information on how this is affecting the Allendale Centre, please go to our website, www.theallendale.org. I do hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine - it’s packed full of informative articles. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Allendale team, I thank you all for your continued support of the Centre. Look after yourselves and please support the more vulnerable members of our community.

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Events @ the Allendale

Hello and welcome to the Spring edition of the Allendale magazine

DESIGN, PRODUCTION AND SALES Production Manager Ben Pulford ben@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

Lead Designer Louis Pulford

Tanya Cripps

Gary Cox

Cover image © David Hartwell

louis@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

Media Sales Russell Harness russell@pulfordpublicity.co.uk

01202 893430

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Lindsay Lawrence at the Tourist Information Centre By Jane Sorrell

ack in June 1999 an advertisement was placed in the local paper for a Modern Apprenticeship at Wimborne Tourist Information Centre (TIC); and Lindsay applied and got the job, starting work in August of that year. That was the beginning of a career spanning over 20 years in the TIC, where Lindsay has seen many changes. Although Lindsay was born in Exeter, she moved to Wimborne in 1992 with her parents and two sisters and fell in love with the town. She attended QE and says, “I love my job and I love Wimborne and definitely wouldn’t want to live anywhere else”. When she first started working at the Tourist Information Centre, there was no internet and all local information had to be sourced from reference books and files of leaflets that had been saved throughout the year. It was a very different job at that time and, as a full time Tourism Assistant, Lindsay completed an NVQ in customer service and was promoted to Supervisor in 2008. Then, when the Manager retired in 2010, Lindsay was promoted into her position. During her career with the TIC Lindsay has taken part in many charity events in the town which have varied from fashion shows and quiz nights (she is proud to have been on the winning team) and she has hosted Santa’s Grotto and dressed up in Victorian costume for Christmas events. There have also been a variety of food and drink events in the Centre which she has organised and hosted. On the not so glamorous side, she has also on many occasions had to mop up and clean a flooded shop. All this she knows and loves as being part of an extremely busy and varied role, managing the Tourist Information Centre. In December 2013, the TIC went through a review and East Dorset District Council withdrew funding from the centre. As a result, the Priest’s 4|

House Museum Trust took over management of the TIC with grant funding from EDDC, and Lindsay was asked to run it with a team of volunteers. In October 2017 the TIC became the official entrance to the museum. Forward to 2019 and, following an award of £982,200 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund along with further grants and fundraising, work started in June on a £1.6 million Revival Project to refurbish and preserve the museum and Tourist Information Centre. The TIC was relocated to its temporary home in the Hilda Coles Open Learning Centre next to the museum’s Garden Tea Room. In November, after a staff restructure, Lindsay was successful in securing the position of Business and Visitor Services Manager for the Priest’s House Museum, overseeing the Tourist Information Centre, the museum shop, the tearoom, venue hire and events. Fortunately, she has a team of friendly, willing and enthusiastic volunteers to help her (including her mum). Throughout her time at the TIC, Lindsay has seen her role change and has had to adapt to the way people source information on events and places of local interest. Her role no longer focuses on leaflets and brochures and, although there was a time when people used the TIC to search events online for them, most people now have internet access themselves so the method of imparting information has switched again, this time mostly to social media. The Tourist Information Centre is celebrating 40 years in Wimborne this year and, having started in a redundant bar in the King’s Head Hotel, it has since moved 5 times, finally settling in the newly refurbished High Street location in 1991. In that 40 years the TIC has had only three Managers: Avril Rutland set the centre up in 1980, Rosemary McDonald was in the position from 1981 until 2010,

and Lindsay from 2010 to the present day. Under Lindsay’s management the museum shop, the Information Centre and the tea-room continue to be a source of interesting and locally produced gifts, food and drinks. There are maps and books available to buy, together with an amazing supply of local information. If it’s a day out you want you can research and book tickets for Community Coach Days or you can simply enjoy a hot or cold drink and a home-made cake, soup or quiche in the beautiful museum garden. The Wimborne TIC is at the beginning of an exciting new chapter in its existence with the new shop due to open in April and we’re looking forward to seeing the changes that have been made. We should all be thankful the TIC has such an inspired and resourceful Manager and wish Lindsay all good wishes as she moves into her new surroundings and her new role. To contact the TIC, call 01202 886116, email llawrence@priest-house.co.uk or see www.priest-house.co.uk

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All change at The Priest’s House Museum By David Morgan

Four years ago the Priest’s House Museum and Information Centre decided to embark on a Revival project to ensure that its future would be secure for the next few decades. The project was aimed at telling the story of the house and opening it up to reveal its story. In 2015, therefore, preparation began on an application and two years after that an application was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant. This was successful and a grant awarded of just under a million pounds but fundraising was still required for another £600,000. Plans were drawn up in 2017/18 and in October 2019 artefacts were packed up and stored away. The TIC was moved into the Learning Centre, which has proved to be quite successful, and the learning team have managed to continue outreach work in schools. Consultation with the public before the project revealed that they wanted to see more of the house and to learn more about East Dorset so, in late 2019 Greendale, the contractors, started work on exposing the house. The work has involved creating different galleries, each displaying a theme about East Dorset under the titles of ‘Lie of the Land’, ‘Travel and Communication’, ‘Growing Up’, ‘Working Life’ and ‘Life and Death’. A lift has also been installed to allow disabled visitors to access all galleries with the help of ramps. During the work the contractors found dry rot and 6|

The Minster’s 900th Anniversary damp which have had to be treated and this has put the project six weeks behind time. However, the original Tudor and Georgian foundations have been discovered which will hopefully be glass covered so they can be seen together with some of the Tudor walls with their beams and brickwork which have been exposed. It will certainly be worth a visit. When the contractors have finished, the objects needed for display will have to be unpacked; staff and volunteers have spent these last months researching the material needed for the display panels and designing the interactives for children and adults to use. A huge thank you to all involved in this work. The TIC, which is run by the museum, is now due to open in April with a new interior face and the museum, now called the ‘Museum of East Dorset’, will be opened in early June.

The tearoom will continue to be open and accessed, as now, at the back by the library, so come and enjoy coffee in our beautiful historical garden!

This year the Minster celebrates the 900th anniversary of the start of the building as it is known today – the 1300th anniversary of the original foundation by St. Cuthburga was celebrated in 2005. A number of events will be taking place including the once-in-five-years Flower Festival over the Patronal Festival weekend, Friday 4th to Monday 7th September, so do book this date in your diaries now. The title of the Flower Festival will be ‘Wimborne Trades Past and Present’ and a brochure detailing the different events will be published in April. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Friends of the Minster which was formed in 1945 to raise funds to deal with certain issues such as dry rot and death watch beetle which needed urgent attention. The Minster Green will again host the Minster Green Charities Fair on Saturday 13th June coinciding with the Folk Festival - and a special service will take place on the Minster Green on Sunday 14th June involving the Folk Festival. The Minster Makes Music Appeal was launched in January to ensure the continuation of music in Wimborne Minster. The Minster organ needs a major overhaul and repairs to enable it to continue to support and enhance the Anglican choral and musical traditions of the Minster. A musical foundation is also being established to support the redevelopment of music in the Minster and to communicate its musical heritage to the congregation and the community, and also develop its links with schools. Keep up to date with what’s going on by visiting the Minster website at: www.wimborneminster.org.uk www.theallendale.org

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Radio Wimborne to go FM! By Malcolm Angel

After broadcasting online to the community for the past six years Radio Wimborne has announced that it’s been awarded a licence from OFCOM to expand its listeners by broadcasting on an FM frequency - which will allow anyone at home or in the car to simply tune in on their standard radio. Right now the Community Station operates 24/7 online and has always planned to go FM but, as the chances to apply for a licence are only awarded in tranches with several years in between, they have had to wait a long time before being given the opportunity to prove their worth. After a nail-biting wait, made even longer by a delayed response from Ofcom due to their heavy workload last year, the phone call finally came through. The founding directors were warned before starting the community project in 2014 that community radio stations usually fold after just 6 months. Undeterred by the naysayers and passionate in their belief that local radio benefits the community, they were determined to give it everything. And now, 6 years later, they are rightly proud for everyone at the station to have been awarded an FM licence. The directors put the station’s success down to the tireless teamwork of its volunteer technical crew and its strong base of loyal broadcasters who range from highly professional presenters (unpaid, but who believe in the station and its value to the area) to the ‘newly trained’ and home grown novices. These span age groups from teenage to retired, some of whom have been with the station since its launch. The station is located in the centre of town with live shows every day covering local news, events and local people. As part of its sports coverage it also broadcasts live football matches from Cuthbury and Wimborne Town F.C away games. Radio Wimborne has taken its place in the town’s strong volunteer community and has built a deserved reputation for providing technical 8|

sound support for charitable and community events such as Carols in the Cornmarket and the Wimborne History Festival. They are also proudly responsible for devising, creating and producing the spectacular Christmas Sound and Light Show against the backdrop of the Minster, for the enjoyment of local families and visitors alike. Indeed, when Santa in his sleigh flies across the Minster roof the delighted shouts from the children on the Minster Green and Cook Row almost drowns out the accompanying music! As they head towards the FM launch all at Radio Wimborne are aware that the task begins in earnest now as technicians and management begin their work with Ofcom to prepare for the new frequency. However, until the launch the message as always is to ‘stay tuned’ and you can do this online right now

on your tablet, PC, phone and smart speaker. The Directors are grateful for the support of the local community who have helped the station to thrive including local sponsors and advertisers, the Town Council, the Allendale Centre and Allendale House, who have all helped keep the station on air. Moving forward the station will continue to need support as it costs more to keep an FM station on air. So if you’re interested in sponsoring the station or advertising, they want to hear from you. You can find out more by going to www.radiowimborne.co.uk or email info@radiowimborne.co.uk

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Tai Chi at the Allendale East Dorset Branch of Parkinson’s UK approached us about hiring a room for a Tai Chi class they were about to start. People who have Parkinson’s (a progressive and incurable neurological disorder) experience a wide range of symptoms, the most common being impaired posture & balance problems, tremors (arms legs, face and body), slowed movement, stiffness, falls, rigid muscles and loss of automatic movements, for example arm swing when walking. Currently, it is believed that there are over 50 symptoms, with many non-motor problems, such as memory problems, reduced speech

clarity and sleep & mood disorders, contributing to make this a debilitating condition. “Use it or lose it” is even more pertinent to a person with Parkinson’s, with it being vital they do everything they can to keep their strength, flexibility and range of movements. Originating in China in the 13th century, Tai Chi combines flowing movements with deep breathing and relaxation and is seen across the world as a health-promoting exercise. The low impact movements are designed not to stress the joints or muscles and studies have shown that it improves posture, mobility in the

joints, balance and general mobility. Keen to leverage both the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi, the group and their instructor, Paul Hamerston, meet weekly on a Monday afternoon at the Allendale Centre. Tackling issues experienced in the group as well as the Tai Chi itself, the class is well regarded by those who go, which also includes friends and family of those with Parkinson’s. For more information about how the East Dorset Branch of Parkinson’s UK can help you, please call David Beardow, Chairman – 01202 840603.

Exercise for a functional body Healthy body, healthy mind can be achieved in Claire Matthews’ pilates classes Joseph Pilates developed his exercises because he wanted to be strong and able. He experimented with many exercises until he reached a technique which has proven over time to help people function well in daily life. The Pilates technique is known for strengthening the core muscles of the body and around the spine, creating strength and flexibility. Recommended by physical therapists globally, it can help top sportsmen, sportswomen www.theallendale.org

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and dancers to recover from injury and maintain their bodies, which in turn can help them to perform at a top level. But it’s not about creating rippling muscles and six packs. Pilates helps alleviate aches, pains and postural problems which can develop over many years. It’s a crucial way to help the body function on a daily basis, no matter how old or young. Let’s face it, everyone wants to move around with ease and no pain and Pilates can enable this by

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correcting alignment and posture, while at the same time strengthening core muscles. And there’s a wonderful added bonus to practising Pilates! When a person is focusing on how they are moving, they are subconsciously practising mindfulness which is proven to reduce stress levels. What’s not to love?! Come and join Claire Matthews in her fun and stress-free classes on Friday mornings at the Allendale Centre. | 11

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Chiropractic tips for pain-free gardening

BABY YOGA with OLIVE WELL-BEING

Baby Yoga - an opportunity for babies and a parent or grandparent to spend special and quality time together bonding over touch, movement and song. The new course at the Allendale Centre runs for 6 weeks and can have up to 7 yogis that join the Olive WellBeing tribe. Babies from 6-8 weeks old are welcome, ideally after mum and baby have had their 6 week health check. Over the course of 6 weeks the lessons are varied and personalised with a mix of calmness and fun and, as the weeks go by, different routines and stretches for both the child and the adult are introduced. Gradually a cohesive group is formed who chat, laugh and cry together but all emotions and sounds are welcomed. At the end of the 6 weeks, babies graduate and take home a special certificate with photos to remember their special time. Baby Yoga can be seen as an extension of traditional Indian infant massage which uses a wide range of movements and stretches. Many of the movements have been around for centuries and have their roots in traditional Indian culture. There are many benefits to Baby Yoga; it is said to aid communication and develop mind, awareness and co-ordination. At the same time, it can alleviate trapped wind, soothe colic and regulate and strengthen the baby’s digestive system, whilst stretching both parent and baby. It is even said to improve sleep patterns. As a primary school teacher Emily, who runs the group, has seen the benefits of spending a mindful moment on the wellbeing of communities. Olive Well-Being was started in the hope that it could offer a branch of peace between the body and the mind, providing the tools to help improve selfawareness in a nurturing and caring way and enabling calm to be found in daily life for those of all ages.

Gardens can keep us busy all year round but spring is the time when nature really awakens and the growing season begins. Suddenly, we start to spend long days in the garden, trying to keep up with the emerging seedlings and the weeds. After a dormant winter, there’s a lot to do! It’s also a time when chiropractors see more back pain and injuries as gardening becomes a strain rather than something enjoyable. But injuries are easy to avoid with our SEVEN WONDERS OF PAIN-FREE GARDENING 1 Warm up and warm down: Just like sports, gardening too is a physical activity. Maintain your fitness with regular stretching and strengthening exercises, particularly before starting and also when finishing your day outside. 2 Pace yourself: Plan your work, starting with smaller jobs and gradually move onto bigger projects. Alternate between those more physically demanding and those less so. Vary your activities and don’t stay on one task for too long. 3 Take a break and stay hydrated: Don’t forget to use those garden benches and garden seats! Take regular breaks every 45-60 minutes and drink plenty of fluids (nonalcoholic and low in sugar and caffeine). 4 Use good equipment: Make sure your tools are the right height and light and comfortable to use. There are plenty of ergonomically designed gardening tools on the market. 5. Don’t take shortcuts: Get up and move rather than reaching across the flower bed or across the hedge. Keep your work close and directly in front of you to avoid twisting and over-stretching. If you have to carry heavy items, always ask friends or family to help you. And don’t forget, use your friendly wheelbarrow or sack truck to save your back! 6. Maintain good posture: Keep yourself light and tall. Work at the right height when potting up and sowing seeds. When lifting, keep a straight back and hold the object close to your body, using your thighs, bending your knees and avoid bending or twisting your back. Try using both sides of your body. 7. Regular chiropractic care and massage: These will help treat any aches or pains and prevent developing chronic problems. Just like cars and equipment need repair and maintenance, so too do our bodies! At Alchemy Health Clinic, we can help you continue to enjoy gardening over a long time, reaping the fruits and colours of your labour without the pain. We offer chiropractic and massage therapies at our natural health clinic in Wimborne. Quote Allendale/pain-free gardening to receive 10% discount on chiropractic and massage therapies.

One’s Life Is Valued Everyday www.olivewellbeing.com www.theallendale.org

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Wimborne Food Bank and New Community Fridge An initiative to prevent food waste in the community and an opportunity to share. Wimborne Food Bank opened in November 2012 and is based in the Leigh Park Community Centre, Gordon Road, providing food parcels for individuals and families who, for one reason or another, are unable to afford to buy food. Last year saw

an almost 50% increase in demand so donations and any other support is very much appreciated. Donation boxes can be found at Waitrose, Co-op and the Allendale Centre in Wimborne or donations can be taken directly in to the Food Bank on a Wednesday morning 10am 12pm or a Friday afternoon 2pm - 4pm. For an up to date list of what is needed, please look on the Food Bank website, Facebook or Instagram pages. In addition to food, on-site debt advice is provided and free Community Lunches held in school holidays. There will also be five cooking courses run with the Friendly Food Club this year and, of course, the Food Bank’s latest project is the Wimborne Community Fridge based at the Allendale Centre. A Community Fridge is a refrigerator located in a public space enabling food to be shared within a

community - anyone can put food in and anyone can take food out. The main aim of Community Fridges is to reduce food waste but they also encourage the community to share unwanted fresh food. It is filled daily with surplus food from local supermarkets but it’s also important to encourage everyone in the community to think of the fridge if they have unwanted fresh food, if they have an allotment or garden and they grow surplus produce or if they get a ‘buy one get one free’ offer and they don’t need the free one. Please feel free to come and have a look in the fridge next time you are at the Allendale Centre and ‘like’ our Wimborne Community Fridge Facebook page in order to get more information. Thank you so much for your support. For more information visit wimbornefoodbank.org.uk

The importance of community What does it mean to be part of a community? For Renaissance Retirement, it’s not solely about the people who live in their developments but also about how they as a company can contribute to the communities in which they build. Creating communities is at the heart of what they do and not just those simply contained within their developments. They extend to the wider public and are designed for generations to come. Inspired by the muchloved parks and village greens across the country their architects, designers and planners create places that aren’t just attractive, but also of use to a community. Wimborne is a beautiful, historic town that offers a variety of things to do and see so it’s important to ensure new owners know what they can become involved in. Owning a home with Renaissance Retirement is more than just independent retirement living; it’s about building new friendships and relationships and joining in with everything life has to offer. This is especially important for those who are new to the area and, at the moment, the attraction of Wimborne has seen more new owners come from the 14 |

surrounding areas into the town so it’s vital they don’t feel isolated and instead benefit from a warm and friendly environment. This is just one of the reasons regular coffee mornings are organised together with other events for owners one of which included a recent trip to see Queen Elizabeth School’s fantastic production of Les Misérables. Renaissance Retirement’s work in the Wimborne community is off to a great start and they are looking forward to what can be done next, whether it’s supporting the Tivoli theatre or continuing to support Wimborne Food Bank. They want and like to get involved, so if there is something they can do to help a cause close to your heart, please do get in touch. If you’re interested in touring the newly launched Fleur-De-Lis Wimborne development and seeing what life could be like as an owner, please visit renaissanceretirement.co.uk to find out more or contact 01202 618052. www.theallendale.org

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Jolly Days are here!

n Jolly Good Company are delighted to announce the opening of a new activity group for older people in the centre of Wimborne. Come and join to make new friends of all ages (some may be four legged), feel valued and part of a community, enjoy life and discover new interests, have unique opportunities to appreciate local musicians, artists and craftspeople and savour delicious refreshments. And do remember that everything done is suitable for people with or without memory loss! Jolly Days in Wimborne started in March 2020 and take place on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 10am - 12 noon at the Community Learning and Resource Centre, King St, Wimborne. The nearest parking is in the King Street car park. The cost is £5 per person, £8 for a couple and includes refreshments, entertainment and all materials. Pre-booking is essential.

If you would like to find out how the Jolly Days in Wimborne group could benefit you or someone you care for, or if you are a Health Professional, please drop in to the group or call or email to find out more. Did you know that Jolly Days are also available at ‘Step Outside’ allotments at Kingston Lacy? More spaces are available this spring for those who love the outdoors. No gardening experience is necessary and all tools and refreshments are provided. There is an accessible loo and cosy kitchen on site, parking close by and paths are wheelchair friendly. You can also come and enjoy the beautiful Dorset countryside for a whole day at our Wimborne St Giles Jolly Days, which include delicious home cooked lunches. These are also run in Shaftesbury at the Royal British Legion. With gratitude to Dorset Council Community Impact Fund, Coral Samuel Charitable Trust and Wimborne Dementia Friendly Community - all of whom make our work possible.

For more information on all groups and costs please contact Sarah Rampton 07884 333117 email: injollygoodcompany@gmail.com or visit www.injollygoodcompany.com

Wimborne Horticulural Society Once the first daffodils and tulips open, spring is here and the gardener’s work really begins. April: Flowers As daffodils fade leave the greenery to die back naturally as this feeds the bulbs to ensure flowers the following year. Around this time and in early May it’s time to sow hardy annuals and bi-annuals in open ground. Sweet peas can also be sown and dahlias can be planted deeply. April: Vegetables Plant main crop potatoes and earth as the greenery appears. Most vegetables can be sown at this time – peas, carrots, radish and lettuce. www.theallendale.org

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God rested when his work was done

Sweetcorn needs to be sown in 3” pots in the greenhouse or on the windowsill. Tomatoes sown in January can be picked out. May: Flowers This is the time to harden off bedding plants by standing the trays outside during daylight hours and returning to the greenhouse or shed at night. After a couple of weeks plants can be planted out in flowering positions after fear of frost. Time to plant gladioli too – a few corms every few weeks to ensure a longer flowering period. May: Vegetables Prepare soil and plant out tomatoes. Onions sown in March need regular

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And in his quiet hours He gave the world its loveliness ‘Twas when he made the flowers weeding. Dig a trench, line with compost or newspaper and plant runner beans. June: Flowers Keep deadheading flowers, watering and weeding. Feed roses just before flowering with a rose fertilizer. June: Vegetables Plant leeks and cabbages. Give brassicas protection from butterflies and caterpillars. Summer has arrived and the gardener’s work is neverending! Wimborne Horticultural Society Meetings held in the Minster Hall at the Allendale on the 2nd Monday of the month. 7.30pm All welcome. | 17

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Ikebana – the Japanese art of flower arranging Giving the elderly and those with dementia the opportunity to take part in a valuable, sensory activity Explore the world of Japanese flower arranging - ‘Ikebana’, meaning to ‘make flowers alive’, dates back to the 7th century and has since spread globally. I, Junko, am a Japanese mother of three with an English husband and I have been interested in Ikebana for a while. It’s an activity that gives you a chance to focus in the moment using flowers of every colour and arranging them artistically to create something beautiful and thereby learning the many different ways of fastening and positioning the flowers. It can help to relieve stress enabling you to feel more relaxed and helping you to master the unique, minimalistic art form. A positive, hands-on activity, it is said to ‘feel like a

form of meditation, arranging the beautiful flowers such as peonies and narcissi’. It is especially good for the elderly and those with dementia as it is a sensory activity that gives you the opportunity to smell, touch, feel and look at the amazing flowers provoking an appreciation of the world and people around you. Ikebana arrangements can be seen as similar to sculptures in that they consider colour, line, form and function. One carefully placed flower can be just as powerful as an elaborate arrangement, which is the art of Ikebana. Indulge yourself into this calm, tranquil atmosphere and by doing so you will regain your calmness and vitality to activate your energy today.

Dear Allendale I have to agree with the letter in the last edition of the Allendale Magazine. The Christmas Dickensian display was brilliant and, along with the other events at the Allendale Centre, made Christmas in Wimborne something to be celebrated. It would, therefore, have been nice if the rest of Wimborne’s Christmas festivities had lived up to our expectations. As we no longer have the Stour and Avon magazine to let us know what is going on week by week we have had to rely on magazines such as the Allendale to let us know what is going on in Wimborne. Unfortunately, it can only give us information three months in advance and it is difficult to find out if there are any changes. In 2018 I thoroughly enjoyed the Son et Lumiere at the Minster and was looking forward to the 2019 version. At the last minute I heard a rumour that it had been cancelled because of the ice rink on the Minster Green. I was very disappointed but the information saved me a journey. The Alpine Bar www.theallendale.org

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Coming soon to the Allendale Centre. For more details: Junko Norman 07941 442 747 junkosinga@gmail.com

was also cancelled although it had been well publicised and meant that Wimborne Square looked rather dismal in the evenings instead of welcoming and lively. There are a number of open areas in central Wimborne that could have been used for the ice rink as it wasn’t very big – Willow Walk or even in front of the Allendale Centre. I hope the town council and the BID will in future co-ordinate events to ensure that everyone is aware of what’s going on. In 2018 there were noticeboards in the Square and at Waitrose which

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gave details of all events during December. These were an ideal way of getting information to people and, if necessary, advising of cancellations. Perhaps they can be re-instated in 2020? Please bring back Son et Lumiere as it was greatly missed! I hope that the Allendale Magazine goes from strength to strength in the coming years. We certainly need a magazine for Wimborne. Name withheld

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A room for (almost) every purpose! Looking for a space to hire in Wimborne? Most of the activities and events at the Allendale happen as a result of individuals, groups or businesses hiring one or more of our rooms. We have a huge variety of regular, occasional and one-off events, including exercise and dance classes, craft and trade fairs, talks and presentations, parties, gigs and many, many others. One advantage of the Allendale over some other venues is ‘furniture flexibility’. Need chairs in theatre style for a show? Tables for a sale or fair? Clear for a rehearsal? No problem – all rooms are available furnished or unfurnished, as required. Our largest space is the Minster Hall (also known as the Minster Theatre), available with theatre-style seating, cabaretstyle or herringbone-style tables and chairs, mostly clear for a standing gig, and so on. It also features a proscenium arch stage, with theatre lighting and PA if required, and a private bar. The Quarter Jack suite is the next down in size, with seating capacity of around 100 and adjacent kitchen and private bar, if required. We also offer the Gulliver Room and Julian Room for smaller events and Little Otters soft play, open to the general public, is available to hire for private parties. In addition, the Minster Hall and Quarter Jack suite have high quality projector and screen systems installed and available to hire. Why not host a film night? Whatever event you’re planning, we can (probably) offer a suitable space at affordable rates. To find out more, please visit www. theallendale.org, email us at info@theallendale.org, call 01202 887247 or pop in and see us! www.theallendale.org

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The Café @ The Allendale The former Village Green Café within the Allendale Centre has now been renamed the Café @ The Allendale and is under new management. The new supervising team are a community-based company run by a group of people involved in the Wimborne Minster Folk Festival. The aim is to maintain the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that the Café has always had and to maintain it as a community hub within the Centre itself. The Café has already undergone an initial facelift and space has been created for more customers without compromising comfort. Additionally, it is planned to expand the opening hours both at weekends and to coincide with events being held within the Centre itself, such as the recent Wedding Fare which took place in January. The possibility of serving Sunday breakfast and lunches is also being considered based on feedback received – please watch social media and signs in the Allendale Centre as things progress. Event organisers and societies are encouraged to use the Café as a meeting point – the Wimborne Folk Club already hold a weekly meeting there on Thursday evenings and all are welcome to attend the sessions. A further phase of refurbishment will be taking place over the coming /theallendale

months both in the main Allendale Centre and the Café itself. Within the latter we will be replacing the single door to the patio area with double doors on the other side of the frontage to make the Cafe more accessible. It is intended to minimise disruption both to opening hours and the ambience during these works. Please watch out for door signs indicating dates and times of any intended building activity over the coming weeks. There will regularly be a member of the management team in the café so please feel free to say “Hi” and offer any comments you may have so that they can act positively on feedback from customers. It is hoped that everyone will continue to support the new group in their endeavours to take the Café on to an exciting new chapter in its history as a not for profit organisation supporting local community events while, of course, continuing to act as the beating heart of the Allendale Centre. | 21

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Memories of growing up in Wimborne John Dacombe

I arrived on this earth on the 2nd May 1945 at Nurse Hodders in Gaunts Common, where a lot of local children were born, one week before the end of World War 2 in Europe. My maternal grandfather was Mr F. O. Day who was chairman of the Wimborne Town Council (no mayors in those days!) from 1939-1945. His son, my uncle Vic Day was a very popular local teacher. At five years of age my education commenced at St John’s School where the head teacher was Mrs Mitchell. I then progressed to the council school at Redcotts where Mr Lovell was the Head. I enjoyed both of these schools even though Mr Lovell would keep you waiting outside of his office for about twenty minutes before administering punishment with six of the best across your outstretched hands. We fully realised that if you were naughty you would be punished, that was the strict discipline of those days.

From there (after passing an interview) I went to Wimborne Grammar School which I hated from the moment I got there till the day I left (with one ‘O’ Level in English Literature!). Although not being particularly academic, I enjoyed participating in sport. When I left school I played cricket for Wimborne under the guidance of two well-known Wimborne characters, Jack Douch and Ron (Pickles) Small. We played at Hanhams, where Waitrose now stands. It was a beautiful ground but was a batsman’s paradise - something I can vouch for after toiling away with the ball, mostly unsuccessfully. I played football for Wimborne in the days when the crowd consisted of about 10 men and a dog. In those days we paid to play, about 25p if I remember. That covered the washing of the kit etc. The main

character at the football club was Bill (Biffer) Smith who was the mainstay of the club for many years. When I look back and think of the town centre, the buildings show very little change, it’s just the various shops and people within that have. PS. If you are on facebook there is a very interesting group called ‘Memories of Wimborne past and present’ which is well worth a look. If you have any stories of Wimborne from the past, please feel free to send them in!

The Empress of Ireland – Canada’s Titanic Local author Helen Baggott tells how the tragedy affected a Wimborne family. In May 1914 RMS Empress of Ireland sailed from Quebec on her way to Liverpool. The journey would take six days, two of them spent sailing along the St Lawrence River. During the early hours of 29 May, the ship was engulfed in thick fog – so thick that it lost its position and ultimately collided with a Norwegian collier. It took only fifteen minutes for the Empress to sink – with catastrophic loss of life. Of the 840 passengers who lost their lives, one family had Wimborne connections. Albert Mullins was born in Somerset and his family moved to Wimborne after his birth in 1872 – living in Leigh Road. Samuel ‘Bowley’ Barnes was born in Wimborne and

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his family lived in the High Street. The young men shared an interest in music and formed Barnes & Mullins – selling musical instruments. Their company began trading in Bournemouth. In 1914, Albert was returning to England following a successful business tour of several countries. Accompanying him were his wife Kate and their daughter Eileen. With only fifteen minutes from impact to sinking, it’s perhaps understandable why so many children – 133 – were lost, including Eileen. Albert also drowned. His wife survived with terrible injuries – and was eventually brought back to England by her sister and brother-inlaw, Bowley Barnes. In total, 1,012 lost their lives. The ship’s captain, Henry Kendall, was pulled from the sea and lived until the

1960s. He is better remembered for his role in the apprehension of Dr Crippen in 1910. Barnes & Mullins continued to trade – and continues to do so into this century. The founders never forgot their roots and even named a mandolin The Wimborne Mandolin. A banjo was named The Empress – acting as a form of remembrance for the company’s co-founder and daughter.

Many people in Wimborne have lived here all their lives and can trace their families back over many generations in the town. If you have any memories of Wimborne you would like to share, whether about yourself or a family member, please do email them to Jane Sorrell cro@theallendale.org. We would love to create a ‘Memories of Wimborne’ page in future issues of the magazine. www.theallendale.org

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Archery – a sport for all in the Wimborne District Archery is set to come back to your television screen this summer. The Great Britain Archery Team has a maximum of six qualifiers, three women, three men for this year’s Olympic Tournament in Tokyo. That is six out of 128 worldwide. But then if you want to know if the Brits are good at archery you can always ask the French! The Bracken Company of Archers caters for all ages, genders and skill levels at its regular meetings in Cranborne, in the north of the old Wimborne District. New people are welcomed and nurtured; most start by signing up for a beginner’s course using equipment supplied by the club and progress to becoming

a full member and regular attender with their own bow and arrows, progressing at their own pace whilst enjoying the outdoors, the exercise and the friendly company. Of course, if you are already an Archer and wish to return to the sport you will be equally welcome. Bracken is a safe environment for children with a thriving section of Juniors who shoot alongside the seasoned veterans – nobody is pushed to one side. But for all the fun and kindness, Bracken Archers are no mugs! We recently sent a team to an open competition run by Southampton Archery Club. We had four shooters in the top 10 of the Gentlemen’s

Recurve section including 1st and 3rd, 1st and 3rd in the Gentlemen’s Compound section and 2nd in the Ladies’ Log Bow. So if you really want to progress at Bracken – you will. Unfortunately, it is too late for you to qualify for this year’s Olympics but come along and have a go at archery. If nothing else, when you are sitting on your sofa this summer you will have a far better understanding of what it takes to hit a 12cm diameter 10 point gold from 70 metres away! Find us at www.brackenarchers.club or check out our Facebook Page at The Bracken Company of Archers for more details.

Riverside Wimborne Canoe Open Day and Community Defibrillator Launch Try out canoeing and celebrate successful fundraising by the Scouts, Canoe Club and Dreamboats to provide a public use defibrillator at Riverside. Please come along to our Annual Open Day at Dreamboats, Wimborne Riverside, (Riverside Park Industrial Estate, BH21 1QU) on Saturday, 2 May between 10.30am and 4.00pm. At 10.30am the Riverside Community Defibrillator will be ‘unveiled’ outside the Scout Hall by the Wimborne Town Mayor and Mayoress followed by Resuscitation

and Defibrillator training and demonstrations supported by Scouts and Volunteer First Responders. From 11.00am activities will be available on the riverside including rowing boats available for hire from Dreamboats and taster sessions in either kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard under the guidance of instructors from Poole Harbour Canoe Club. (We are asking for a small donation but if that is a problem do still come along). Bring along friends and family, it will be fun for all! You should be

water confident but no other skills or experience are required! Children under 8 years old may be allowed afloat in the canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, subject to the coach’s discretion. If you wish to have a go on the water, please wear comfortable clothing but be warned you may get wet! Refreshments will be available to purchase. A children’s play area is also available. The club has been running regular sessions from Riverside Wimborne for six years. The sheltered water provides ideal conditions for people of all ages and abilities to try out the sport and is an excellent venue for flatwater canoeing for fun, fitness and competition.

The Club website is www. pooleharbourcanoeclub.uk. If you are unable to attend but would like to have a go at canoeing then just contact Bill on 07594 607981 or email riverside@phcc.org.uk An Activate Coast and Greenspace Outdoor Physical Activities Guide will be available. www.theallendale.org

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Model railway group meet at the Allendale The local Central Southern O Gauge Group of railway modellers meet once a month at the Allendale Centre. The Quarterjack Hall is put to good use as the large test track, which is quickly erected, needs a lot of room! Members bring along their O gauge models to run. These models are bigger than those found in a typical toy shop (twice the size of a ‘Hornby’ train). The models can vary tremendously, from a simple coal wagon made up from a plastic kit, to a sophisticated locomotive hand crafted in metal. All usually boast a high degree of detail and authenticity. Nowadays there is an increasing availability of ready-to-run (RTR)

stock available to purchase from specialist suppliers and we are pleased to see this is stimulating a new interest in the hobby and this particular scale of railway modelling. Early steam locos from the 19th century right up to the end of steam in the mid 1960s can be seen. Diesels too have their place amongst the membership and again models appear of early types to modern classes witnessed on today’s railways.

Visitors of all ages and experience are welcome at our meetings which are held on the second Wednesday evening each month at the Allendale. Why not come along and meet us at our Annual Exhibition on Sunday 18th October? Make a note in your diary now! There will be several layouts, trade support and refreshments available. Further details: www.csg0g.org or email: csg0g@outlook.com

Making music at the Allendale

ince 2017 Wimborne Guitars have been based at the Allendale Centre. In that time membership has grown from a small number of enthusiastic players to more than 90 guitarists today. All who attend have one thing in common and that is a love of guitar music, along with a desire to be able to play their favourite tunes and songs. The Wimborne Guitars coaching groups provide just what’s needed for you to enjoy your guitar playing to the full. If you’ve never played guitar before it’s not a problem as all abilities are catered for, from raw beginner to seasoned expert. The only aim of the group is to have fun playing guitar and to share that fun with others. Wimborne Guitars play at events held by local charities and organisations, which gives any member who fancies playing to an audience a way to do so in the company of other players. So, whatever you want to accomplish with 26 |

a guitar, there is a session which will be just right for you! Sessions are held Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons during term time at the Allendale Centre, which is readily accessible with adjacent parking so there’s room for everyone. You’re

guaranteed a warm welcome - why not come along and meet the group. If you would like more details, contact Mark Banfield on 07393 034365 or visit WimborneGuitars. co.uk .

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Allendale Centre

Events Listing APRIL

Event

Time

Cost / information

Friday 3rd

An Evening of Mediumship with Nikki Kitt

7.30pm

Tickets £10 www.psychicmediumnikkikitt.co.uk

Friday 3rd

Wimborne & Ferndown Lions Quiz

7.30pm

Ron Neave – ronneave@yahoo.co.uk

Saturday 4th

My Kyps presents Bootleg Blondie

7.30pm

Contact reception or www.ticketsource.co.uk

Saturday 11th

Wimborne Horticultural Show

12pm - 4pm

wimbornehorticulturalsociety.btck. co.uk

Monday 13th

Grandma’s Attic & Collectors Fair

9.30am - 4pm

www.grandmasatticfair.co.uk

Saturday 18th

WDCA Open Day

10am - 3pm

Free entry

Sunday 19th

Handmade Wimborne Artisan Fair

10am - 4pm

Free entry

Monday 20th

Arts Societ

2.15pm

www.theartssocietywandb.org.uk

MAY

Event

Time

Cost / information

Saturday 2nd

Dance Away Social Evening

7.30pm 10.30pm

Tickets £5 (£6 on door) from Carol 01202 572094

Sunday 3rd & 24th

Fightstar Pro Wrestling

3pm

fightstartraining@gmail.com

Friday 8th

WDCA VE Day Film ‘Dad’s Army’

2.30pm

Tickets £5 from reception to include refreshments

Sat 9th - Sun 17th

Wimborne Literary Festival

Various

www.wimborneliteraryfestival.co.uk

Wednesday 13th

NHS National Blood Service

12.50pm 7.30pm

Visit blood.co.uk to register and book

Saturday 16th

Good Old Fashioned Jumble Sale

10am - 12pm

Tables £10 from reception

Monday 18th

Arts Society

2.15pm

www.theartssocietywandb.org.uk

Wednesday 20th

Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Productions - postponed

7.30pm

www.ticketsource.co.uk/ bournemouthgasp

Monday 25th

Grandma’s Attic Antique and Collectors Fair

9.30am - 4pm

www.grandmasatticfair.co.uk

Wednesday 27th

WDCA Under 10s disco

10am - 12pm

Tickets £5 from reception

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JUNE

Event

Time

Cost / information

Wednesday 10th

NHS National Blood Service

12.50pm - 7.15pm

Visit blood.co.uk to book and register

Fri 12th - Sun

14th Wimborne Folk Festival

Various

www.wimbornefolk.co.uk

Monday 15th

Arts Society

2.15pm

www.theartssocietywandb.org.uk

Saturday 20th

Handmade Wimborne Artisan Fair

10am - 4pm

Free entry

Saturday 20th

Dance Away social evening

7.30pm

Tickets £5 (£6 on door) from Carol 01202 572094

Wednesday 24th

NHS National Blood Service

12.50pm - 7.15pm

Visit blood.co.uk to register and book

COMING SOON

Watch out for these special events coming soon to the Allendale Centre.

WDCA Open Day Saturday 18th April 10am - 3pm - an opportunity to see exactly what goes on in the Allendale. There will be exhibits from regular hirers and organisations and a chance to join in, join up or just get information and a peek at our new reception area. The Gauge O railway will be set up for model railway enthusiasts and the café will be open for coffee and lunch.

MINSTER MARKET @ THE ALLENDALE

Volunteers Information Day

We are pleased to announce the start in April of a new indoor market at the Allendale Centre selling fresh local produce - cakes, bread, pies, eggs, honey, plants and vegetables and many more goodies. Open Friday mornings from 9am to 12pm. Apply now if you’d like to be involved cro@ theallendale.org

Friday May 22nd – 1pm - 3pm – an opportunity to come along and see what volunteering opportunities are available in the Allendale Centre. Talk to staff and volunteers from the Centre to get an insight into how your talents can be best used to make our Community Centre a place everyone wants to visit. There are lots of ways to make a difference, administrative and practical so please come along.

The Allendale Lunch Club and Film Club The Allendale Lunch Club and Film Club continue to go from strength to strength and in December 102 people enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch, together with fantastic entertainment. The Film Club too is ever popular and the Centre was thrilled to be presented with a cheque last week from Waitrose for £173 as a result of being one of their charities for the month of December, to benefit from the green charity disc scheme. Here’s what’s available for the next three months.

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FILM

CLUB

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17th April – Gammon with pineapple and parsley sauce and cheesecake

30th April - Some Like it Hot

15th May – Beef lasagne and chocolate sponge

28th May - From Here to Eternity

12th June – Fish pie with fresh fruit salad

25th June - How to Steal a Million

Dietary requirements can be catered for www.theallendale.org

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How much do we know about our Town Council?

Discover Wimborne this April Wimborne BID has seen some changes in recent months, with the return of Tammy Sleet as BID Manager and Martin Pate taking the helm as Chairman. Wimborne BID (Business Improvement District) is a business-led and business-funded organisation operating in Wimborne to deliver projects that support the economic environment in the town. BIDs are established by a ballot of businesses, which must be repeated every 5 years in order for the BID to continue. In Wimborne, the next Ballot will be in October 2020 and Chairman, Martin Pate, who runs MJP Law, says it is one of the priorities of the BID this year. “As a business owner in Wimborne, I believe the BID is absolutely essential to the success of the town, giving us a fighting fund to punch above our weight when so many other towns are in decline.” BID Manager, Tammy Sleet, said that over the coming months the BID will be carrying out an extensive consultation with businesses. “The next BID business plan will be developed out of the consultation and that is what the businesses will vote on in October. Over the last 9 years, the BID has helped maintain Wimborne as an aspirational place to live and work.” Discover Wimborne is one of the BID initiatives. Through the month of April, businesses and other organisations provide hundreds of activities, events, competitions and offers across the whole town. Tammy says it’s a great way to highlight everything there is in the town. “Wimborne is an incredible town – there really isn’t a reason to ever leave! Lots of people – even long-time residents - don’t know about all of the great businesses and activities that take place here. With Discover Wimborne, we try to shout about how great the town is!” You can find out more about Discover Wimborne at www.wimborne.info or via Wimborne BID on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 30 |

Many people are not fully aware of what a Town Council does. They see the Mayor at various functions around the Town but don’t necessarily appreciate the scope of the council team behind the scenes. The first Town Council as such dates back to 1895, but the Town Mayor has a symbolic bodyguard, known as the Militia, which had its origins combatting the Monmouth rebellion in 1685. Wimborne Minster is only one of two towns in England to have such a body. The current Town Mayor is Cllr Shane Bartlett and working with him is Town Clerk, Laurence Hewitt and four part-time office staff. The Town Council has 14 councillors, 12 representing the Town ward and two representing the East Ward. One of the town council’s four committees, the Recreation and Leisure Committee plays an important part in the lives of residents of all ages. The Council owns and runs Redcotts Recreation Ground which comprises a play area, skateboard ramp, tennis and bowls clubs and football pitches. The Town Council is committed to making Wimborne Minster one of the stand-out market towns in Dorset, not only for events but also business. Recognising that events also bring in business, the Council works in conjunction with the BID (Business Improvement District) to finance the Christmas lights, the Folk Festival and the Save the Children Parade. As the town expands with the new housing developments, the Town Council is fully aware of the need for recreational facilities to be improved given the new intake of residents. There are plans to link all the new developments with a circular footpath and a new sports village which will house Wimborne Rugby Club. In keeping with its commitment to the environment the Town Council is planning to reduce its carbon footprint. Having already installed a ground source heat pump at the Leigh Park Community Centre and having acquired an electric vehicle used by the Council’s grounds team, it is also looking at installing solar panels for its power supply. The Council has, for a number of years, planted wildflowers in its recreation grounds thus attracting insects. It is also hoping to reduce the use of paper by embracing digital technology. The Town Mayor is very mindful of and appreciates the support from residents to so many events particularly during recent Remembrance and Commemoration services and appeals. He is also thankful for the hundreds of volunteers who contribute to the vitality of Wimborne Minster. www.theallendale.org

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e c i t o n r e h t r u f l i t n u s l i a Postponed t e d r o f e t i s b e w k u . o check our c . b u l c s l w o b e n r o b m i w . w w w

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Your Community centre needs you

‘Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.’ Unknown author ‘Being a volunteer in the Wobble Room has a very social side and I have found the people I’ve met to be friendly and supportive.’ Keith

‘I started doing a Saturday job when I was 15 and when I retired I didn’t just want to sit around the house feeling old! Volunteering in the Wobble Room means I get a bit of exercise, have an opportunity to meet some lovely people and it’s interesting to hear how the vibration machines help our members.’ Peggy

‘I really enjoyed helping out with the Community breakfasts. It was heartwarming to see families sitting together chatting over breakfast in such a relaxed atmosphere.’ Jan

‘Even though I have lived in Wimborne for many years, I have learned so much more about the town since volunteering at the Allendale. Everyone who comes into the centre has a story to tell or news to share and volunteering has been highly entertaining and a lovely way to make new friends.’ Debbie

‘A Volunteer’s View of LIFE at the Allendale Life in all its fascinating features Informative, interesting and inclusive Friendly, functional and full-on Entertaining, energetic and enjoyable @ the Allendale where everyone is welcomed, respected and valued.’ Jean

‘Volunteering is good news in every way! Choosing how you can use any spare time is fun and when you have made your choice it is a new experience, a growing experience and a giving experience, providing insights into people and things going on which I had no idea about. I’ve made friends from all walks of life in the volunteering I’ve done and, because it is volunteering, I’ve seen the best in people and really believe it to be a positive experience. I’ve also seen how many able and talented people there are who are generous in giving their time to benefit so many people in our community.’ Sally

Above are some of the comments made by volunteers in the Allendale Centre. Without their help, the Centre would not be able to function efficiently and the community would lose a valuable resource. The Allendale volunteers are a group of loyal, reliable and supportive people who give their time willingly and happily to help provide a warm, welcoming service in the Centre and, as you can see from the comments, they often get back as much as they give. There are many opportunities to volunteer in the Allendale from the monthly lunch and film clubs, to the Wobble Room and other administrative roles. Come along on 22 May from 1pm to 3pm to learn more about the volunteering opportunities available. www.theallendale.org | 01202 887247

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ITALIAN VEGETABLE SOUP Serves 6 / Prep time 20mins / Cook time 20mins

INGREDIENTS:

• Calorie controlled cooking spray • 1 onion, chopped • 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped

Allen Valley Milk’s Cow of the Quarter

• 1 carrot, diced

Name: Cybil Breed: Holstein Friesian Age: 2 ½ years Average milk yield per day: 31 litres

• 1tsp dried thyme

Cybil is another of our heifers. She is a very friendly cow who likes to see what’s happening on the parlour and is usually at the front of the queue.

Spring…? This winter has been very wet and mild so far. Spring on Hound Hill Farm with its frosty mornings seems far away but also just around the corner with snowdrops and daffodils appearing in the hedgerows. The water meadows are still under water and, as we try to get out onto the drier fields to prepare them for the cows’ return, there is mud everywhere. Sometimes we wonder if we have a mud farm! The cows, of course, seem none the wiser to our quandary and are tucked up warm and cosy in their barns with all the food they can eat and soft warm beds made for them twice a day, seven days a week. Follow the Farm on Facebook and Instagram. Find us at Allen Valley Milk on Facebook and @allenvalleymilk on Instagram. 34 |

• 1 courgette, diced • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1tbsp tomato puree • 1tsp dried oregano • 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 700ml vegetable stock, made with 1½ stock cubes • 50g mushrooms, sliced • 2tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 2tbsp chopped fresh basil

METHOD 1.

Heat a large, lidded, nonstick saucepan and mist with cooking spray. Cook the onion, celery, carrot, courgette and garlic, covered, for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in the tomato puree, oregano and dried thyme and cook for 1 minute.

Add the tinned tomatoes, cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the stock, then add the mushrooms and bring to the boil. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the soup has thickened slightly.

Divide between the bowls and serve garnished with the chopped basil and parsley.

COOK’S TIP: Serve with 45g grated vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese, divided between the bowls.

One of the WW ZeroPoint foods – see WW.com www.theallendale.org

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On Our Way... We are a team of reporters and writers from Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne who are thrilled to be writing for this magazine. Our aim with this new section is to get the voices of the youth of Wimborne heard - an age demographic that isn’t necessarily the first that comes to mind when thinking of Wimborne! In the coming months we will be scouting out the best places for teenagers in Wimborne to visit and giving young people more ideas for days out in the town. You can read about our views on current issues, giving different and new perspectives on stories in the news and we will be reporting on some local talent that may be hidden away and is just

too good not to share! This will be an exciting place for us to share our ideas with you. There is so much to talk about in terms of this town and we are all looking forward to being able to do this with you in the next issue!

Watch this space!

We are very excited that the media students from Queen Elizabeth’s School will be contributing to our magazine in the future, giving the youth of Wimborne a voice by sharing their views, interests, opinions and feelings.

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I apologise on behalf of those who broke your lens, tarnished your view and shattered your trust. But being a teenager does not mean we are rude, moody, ignorant or have no respect You call us ignorant but isn’t that slightly ironic? You are willing to tarnish everyone with the same brush, yet expect change. And what’s sad is that it’s the minority who you’ve allowed to do this to you; the ‘reckless, stupid lowlifes’ who don’t live up to your expectations. So I am sorry but please, get to know us before you categorise us.

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DIGITAL DIFFICULTIES?

Get Online with Wimborne Library! Just one more service from our most valuable resource – the library. In an increasingly online world it can sometimes be daunting navigating this modern, digital landscape. Age may be a contributing factor, though it’s not always, and there are other reasons why someone may struggle with technology. Wimborne Library offers services and events to help everyone ‘get online’! So, whether looking for help with emails, social media or tablet/iPad, your local library may be able to help. Drop-in to the ‘iPad and Tablet Café’ on Thursday afternoons between 2.15pm and 3.15pm when a friendly staff member will be on-hand to aid with one-off iPad and tablet queries. Alternatively, for regular, ongoing support, you might consider booking sessions with a Digital Champion. Digital Champions are knowledgeable volunteers available in Wimborne Library at various times to help solve your computer queries. Best of all, the Digital Champions and the iPad and Tablet Café are completely free!

Other initiatives at the library include the new ‘Shared Reading’ every first Thursday in the month between 10.30am and 12pm. Pop along for a great story, great company and great coffee (reading aloud is not a requirement)!

For more information about these or any other event or service, you can contact the library on 01202 882770, wimbornelibrary@ dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or online at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries

Just Jigsaws

he name says it all – well almost. Are you one of the many closet jigsaw lovers? If so, you’re in good company as famous names such as Hugh Jackman, DJ Fatboy Slim and Bill Gates all admit that jigsaws are part of their relaxation programme. Have you ever ventured up the stairs in Wimborne Library and spotted the shelves there, not lined with books but full of jigsaw puzzles – almost 400 in total? These all belong to a voluntary group called Just Jigsaws. Although not officially part of the Library Service, the jigsaws are stored there and this space is used on a Wednesday afternoon for a social ‘Jigsaw Group’. Between 12 and 20 jigsaw enthusiasts are there, between 2.30 and 4.30pm, 50 weeks of the year. (Entry is round the back as the 38 |

Library is not open for book borrowing on a Wednesday). Puzzles can be worked on individually or in groups while enjoying a chat and a cup of tea and some homemade cake. Puzzles aren’t always completed in an afternoon so they’re stored until the following week. Not everyone can attend every week but puzzles being worked on are kept for as long as necessary. New members are always welcome and age is not a barrier (our most senior member is 98) as the library has a ramp and a lift. Another facet of Just Jigsaws is the lending aspect. All puzzles can be borrowed; the Wednesday group regularly do this and puzzles can be delivered to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to access the library. A small donation is required for this service.

If you would like to be involved with Just Jigsaws in any way, feel free to: * turn up on a Wednesday afternoon * phone Ruth on 01202 880827 * email justjigsawswimborne@gmail.com

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U3A Pastel Art Group Each Friday morning sees a small group of budding amateur artists assemble upstairs at the Wimborne Library. Although the group is entitled ‘U3A Pastel Art Group’ there is no formal structure and members can choose to use whichever artistic medium or subject they fancy. Sketching with pencils is very popular, along with ink and wash. There are many artists trying their hand at water colour painting and of course, some work their magic with pastels. The atmosphere is very relaxed but stimulating

at the same time and the group is led by local artist Michael Sandy, who is particularly gifted at water colours and has been painting for many years. Members usually chat amongst themselves offering each other encouragement and frequently passing on artistic tips or sharing photographs or books they are using for inspiration. The group varies from raw beginners to

accomplished artists and interestingly it’s often the most talented who are self-critical of their work. At the same time, a beginner might turn out a painting or drawing they hadn’t realised they had the talent to produce and proudly take it home to be framed or even displayed at a local exhibition. For further information

about this or any other activity in Wimborne U3A contact 01202 880703 or see www.wimborneu3a. org.uk. Wimborne U3A's Social Bridge Group has always been one of the most popular groups in the organisation. They meet at the Allendale Centre on Thursday afternoons 1:45 - 4:00 pm

Wimborne in Bloom By the time you read this Wimborne in Bloom will have held its first major fundraising event of the year, the Annual Wine and Wisdom Quiz Evening at the Allendale Centre on Friday 6th March, and hopefully it will again have been a successful evening. So, looking forward to the year ahead, the next event is the Annual Spring Coffee Morning which will be held on Saturday 16th May at 34 Park Lane, Wimborne Minster from 10am until 12noon. There will be a raffle and a Bring and Buy Stall and all are welcome. After this, of course, is the ever-popular Open Gardens Day which is on Sunday 28th June from 11am until 5pm. About 20 gardens, large and small, will be open in and around the town and www.theallendale.org

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if anyone would like to open their garden, do please get in touch. It is always good to have some new gardens for people to visit. This year’s Wimborne in Bloom Competition will take place during the week commencing Monday 20th July with entry forms available from June. The Annual Art and Poetry Competition has a title this year of ‘Wimborne Old and New’ and is open to all age groups from adults to those still at school, all with a connection to the town. Full details of this and all other events can be found at www. wimborneinbloom.org.uk or info@wimborneinbloom.org.uk or by contacting the Chairman, Richard Nunn, on 01202 888793. /theallendale

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The Wimborne Bowls Club The Wimborne Bowls Club was founded at its present site in 1913, following a decision by Wimborne District Council to construct a bowling green at the Redcotts Recreation Ground which the Reverend Canon Fletcher had presented to the town. It is quite remarkable to think that the club has been in existence for over 100 years considering there have been two World Wars during that time. There was a brief reference to hostilities in 1942 when club members were reminded about hit and run bombings when playing, but it has not been recorded if the players wore steel helmets or not. These days the club has teams in the Bournemouth and District league, Percy Baker, Saturday triples and Dorset League for both men and

ladies. The Wimborne Bowls Club is looking for new members of all abilities from novice to expert to join the club, and it has a very active social section with many events to enjoy in the club house, including

a bar. Also, the members have the opportunity to enter the many annual club competitions as well as the friendly ‘Friday Nighters’ evenings. The club offers excellent opportunities for

bowlers to play and you can also bowl on the club’s open days (see advert in this issue). For more information e-mail the Membership Secretary: memsec@ wimbornebowls.co.uk

Bridge tips

Support partners overcall to the level of the fit The simple rule when supporting partners overcall is to work out how many cards are held (assuming partner has 5) and bid for that number of tricks immediately. The bidding goes 1 - 1 - 1 - what do you bid in response to partners 1 with these hands :(i)

73 J92 T9872 A75

(ii) Q853 K543 5 7654

(iii) A732 98754 4 874

(iv) KJ73 753 QT QJ93

(i) Your partnership has a presumed 8 card fit, so bid for eight tricks - 2 . Partner will bid to 3 if he has a 6 card suit. (ii) 9 card fit – so bid for 9 tricks - 3 . (iii) 10 hearts, so bid 10 tricks - 4 . This makes it really difficult for your opponents. You should be a little more cautious if vulnerable and more balanced without a singleton – say 3523 shape. Bid 3 - doubled undertricks are costly when vulnerable. (iv) You have a great defensive hand in the black suits – so don’t encourage partner to over compete. Don’t be a slave to bidding rules – use your judgement - Pass. If you have a stronger hand and a fit – you bid the openers suit – an unassuming cue bid. This tells partner you have values as well as cards in his suit. Should you wish to play Bridge at Allendale Bridge Club – details at www.bridgewebs.com/allendale Should you wish to learn Bridge in Dorset – details at www.bridgewebs.com/dorset 42 |

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Dogs offering therapy and education The idea that a dog is man’s best friend was never more true than with this therapy group using dogs to support and help people of all ages in the community. Caring Canines is a dog assisted therapy group, whose wholly volunteer members and their dogs bring happiness to local people living within a 15 mile radius of Bournemouth. They have 140 registered working therapy dogs and visit over 100 venues - including Streets Meadow in Wimborne. The teams of human and canine members visit dedicated venues on a regular basis building up bonds with staff and service users alike. Julie and Sue launched the group in 2006 and once a visiting base was established, they wrote and developed three children's programmes. Firstly there is ‘Be Dogwise’, which is designed to teach children to stay as safe as possible when in a dog's company and which incorporates an under 5s version called Charlie's Storybook. Then there is ‘Be Bookwise’, through which teams support children who struggle with literacy and who may also lack confidence and self-esteem. Finally, ‘Therapywise’ offers support to young people who have educational, psychological and additional physical needs. Caring Canines is the very proud holder of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of an MBE, which was presented to them in 2010, the first year in which they qualified for nomination. This was particularly thrilling as this award represented a thank you to all the members and their dogs. Julie and Sue were similarly amazed and proud to be awarded British Empire Medals in 2014 and respectfully renamed these 'Brilliant Efforts by Members' - again to reflect the dedication every single member contributed towards the honour. Caring Canines programmes are free of charge and Sue and Julie are very happy to offer talks and presentations to anyone who might be interested and who might benefit. Contact Julie or Sue on 01202 574791 or 07812 477349 Caringk9s.webeden.co.uk www.theallendale.org

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Wimborne Literary Festival

Big names line up for the 10th Wimborne Literary Festival an important date in Dorset’s literary calendar and a festival that has played host to an array of journalists, novelists, poets, writers and biographers since 2009. The festival runs between Saturday 9th and Sunday 17th May with talks, poetry, events and workshops and is being held in the Allendale Centre and other venues in the town centre, including the Minster. The festival is organised by Gullivers Bookshop, Wimborne’s independent bookseller which was awarded 2019 Independent Bookshop of the Year status by The British Book Awards, South West Region. “Among the many guests this year we are thrilled to welcome politician, broadcaster and train enthusiast Michael Portillo to the festival. He will be sharing behind the scenes stories from his eventful life and career, with the Wimborne audience. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, we are also looking forward to welcoming Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess, star of the C5 series Our Yorkshire Farm! There will be opportunities to ask questions of the authors at all events during the Q&A period and an opportunity to buy a book, have a copy signed and meet the author in person.” Malcom Angel, WiLF organizer. For more information on the programme of events visit www.wimborneliteraryfestival.co.uk and facebook or call in to Gullivers Bookshop Wimborne. Tickets for events are available online or from Gullivers Bookshop, Wimborne and Westbourne Bookshop, Bournemouth. | 45

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Wimborne – Valognes Twinning Association Having celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2018, it forms one of the longest standing such connections in the UK The formation of the organisation was largely brought about by an interest in the farming methods here and there – in those days farming was an important feature in Wimborne life - but its establishment quickly led to cross-channel friendships and the development of cultural ties through clubs, schools and other groups within each other’s communities. Henry Purchase, one of the founders of the Association was a firm believer that through education, communication and activities a greater understanding of the two towns and countries could be reached and enhance the friendships that have always been there. The French recall that one of the events which inspired their thoughts of a ‘jumelage’

was the 900th celebrations of certain happenings around Hastings! Today the Association remains vibrant and active. There is a very real affection between the towns and friendships have been made that have lasted for many years, whilst new ones are being made every year through annual visits and an interesting calendar of events. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn about and to be part of the French culture and fortunately Normandy offers many things to see and do, namely the beaches, the wonderful Cherbourg, outstanding villages and markets, museums and, of course, the food and wine. Everyone is ensured a warm welcome and in return they are shown how wonderful

the Dorset hospitality is. The Association also reaches out to schools and clubs so that friendships can be made at all levels in the communities, whether this be sport, singing, cycling, language, arts or natural history and it is a great way to expand knowledge whilst, at the same time, enjoying a friendly atmosphere. The Association has 120 members and new members and families are welcome to join in on any travel or social events, particularly members of clubs who wish to establish contacts with similar clubs in Valognes. This year a visit is planned during the Wimborne Minster Folk Festival and hopefully they will bring a group of folk singers to participate. Strengthening these kinds of exchanges are exactly what the association wishes to achieve. If you are at all interested, please contact: David Emes, President at demes@ live.co.uk or mob. 07885 791368 Norman Payne, Secretary at normvel.payne@virgin.net tel. 01202 695179

Wimborne-Ochsenfurt Twinning Association A unique connection was created between the two towns of Wimborne Minster and Ochsenfurt when around 740A.D. nuns from Wimborne’s double monastery were sent as missionaries to Franconia in Germany after St Boniface wrote asking for help in his work of converting pagan tribes to Christianity. They are remembered to this day as Patron Saints of towns and villages as several, including St Thekla, were beatified.The nuns are also credited with taking vines over to grow there. Then in the 1980s a priest from Ochsenfurt came to Wimborne researching the connection and subsequently in 1985 the Bürgermeister of Ochsenfurt visited Wimborne to take part in the Service of Thanksgiving for the 40th Anniversary of the end of WWII. After this visit it was decided to formalise a Twinning Agreement between the two towns and this was signed in November 1989 in Ochsenfurt coinciding with the fall of the Berlin Wall. 46 |

Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the end of the War in Europe

Ochsenfurt is a pretty and historic town on the banks of the River Main which is south-east of the city. This is in an area known as Franken in the State of Bavaria. The area is rural, with Ochsenfurt’s main industry being

sugar refining from the sugar beet which is grown in the fields around the town. For more information visit: www.wimborneochsenfurt.org.uk

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Communitysinging and dreams After losing twins 9 years ago Chrissy Foster got married and to honour her babies, whom she’d wanted to sing to in the womb, decided to have singing lessons, sing at her wedding and live out one of her dreams of becoming a singer. She’d always loved singing and was brought up in a very musically talented family. As an adult tutor she decided to run ‘sing for fun’ courses which were a great success and this then developed into running choirs. Attending several courses on leading choirs which included breathing and singing techniques and taking part in improvisation weekends helped develop her as a leader and brought

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the choirs to a new level. Now, 7 years later, she runs four choirs including a carers’ choir called the ‘Carefree choir’ for full time carers who are very supportive of each other. ‘Breathless Singers’ is for people with chronic lung problems, Bittersweet Harmony are a diverse, welcoming, fun choir and the newest choir, Diversity choir is for young adults from 18-25 with learning difficulties. People really feel they belong to something when singing together and expressing themselves. Following a dream several years ago to run a community choir festival in a big venue, she received funding and Sing from the Heart Community Choir

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Festival now comes together every other year at the Allendale Centre raising money for charity and including singing workshops to help people with confidence, singing and becoming part of the community. The last festival held in February raised money for Marie Curie. All the choirs are fun

and new members are welcomed all the time. People make life-long friends and support each other through whatever difficulties they may experience. For more information on any of the choirs please get in touch on 07840 976584.

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Wimborne neighbourhood policing team Sgt Tim Travers, collar number 760, has been the Neighbourhood Police Team sergeant for Wimborne and Corfe Mullen for the last 10 years. Based at Wimborne police station with 2 Constables and 3 PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers), he also supervises a team covering Ferndown. Having been a police officer in Dorset since 1999, he has had a variety of roles including a front-line patrol officer, riot officer, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear trained volunteer, first aid trainer and, more recently, a hostage and crisis negotiator. Despite the frustrations of the shifts and paperwork, he still believes Policing is the best job in the world and looks forward (almost) every day to going in to work. The job entails the management of a team of dedicated and experienced problem solvers focusing on identifying, analysing and responding to long term, complicated or repeat problems in the community. Repeat offenders are targeted and repeat victims, particularly the most vulnerable in the community, supported. The team works closely with partner agencies such as the local authority, housing associations and the NHS to deliver on local policing priorities and also use this multiagency, problem solving approach to disrupt the Victim-Offender-Location triangle. Common issues include antisocial behaviour, harassment, night-time economy-based violence and disorder, vulnerable adults and children, missing people and ‘County Lines’ drug networks – yes, all this even in Wimborne! Thankfully, Wimborne and the surrounding areas are very safe places to live and work, so the vast majority of residents and visitors live a peaceful life, never coming into contact with any of this. www.theallendale.org

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Tim and his team work very hard to keep it this way. However, rogue traders have been seen in the area over the past few months and some victims have paid over £10,000 for jobs which should have cost them a tenth of that. The victims visited are generally targeted by unannounced visits to their door by people touting for business, although there have been some scams initiated by telephone and followed up by a visit to the victim’s home. The traders use pressure tactics to often force vulnerable people into paying several thousands of pounds for unnecessary

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work, which will then be carried out to a very poor standard, if at all. Please also remember NEVER to engage with anyone who cold calls at your doorstep, even local large firms. The Neighbourhood Police Team working with Trading Standards have been dealing with a number of rogue trader incidents across the area, the majority of which are from cold calling companies. To find a Trader ask friends and family for recommendations or contact Trading Standards ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.buywithconfidence. gov.uk. Also available are ‘No Doorstep Traders’ stickers.

Remember to check the website www.dorsetpolice.uk for ‘AskNed’ if you need further information Dorset Alert – the two-way community messaging system operated by Dorset Police allowing the exchange of information with residents. Sign up for free at www. dorsetalert.co.uk

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Sporting fixtures Wimborne Town Football Club Date

Opponents

13 April

Salisbury

18 April

Hayes & Yeading United

For information about the development and youth teams, see www.wimbornetownfc.co.uk.

Wimborne Cricket Club First XI DORSET FUNERAL PLAN PREMIER DIVISION Date

Opponents

Home or Away

18 April

Hythe & Dibden

Home

25 April

Witchampton

Home

2 May

Bere Regis

Away

9 May

Poole Town

Home

16 May

Shroton

Home

23 May

Broadstone

Away

30 May

Sherborne

Home

6 June

Christchurch

Away

13 June

Cattistock & Symene

Home

20 June

Martinstown

Away

27 June

Dorchester

Home

For fixtures for the second, third and youth teams, see www.wimbornerugbyclub.co.uk.

Wimborne Athletics Club Date

Event

Location

26 April

Wessex YAL

Basingstoke

25 April

SW League

Exeter

31 May

County Championships

Kings Park

14 June

Wessex YAL

Salisbury

28 June

Wessex YAL

Ashdown

For more information contact www.wimborneac.co.uk. If you would like your sporting fixture included in our next magazine which will cover July, August and September please send an email to cro@theallendale.org giving details. In addition, use the same email if you have a story to tell of a sporting achievement or an event or person you are particularly proud of. 50 |

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What’s on Events in and around Wimborne

THE ALLENDALE MAGAZINE

April: 3rd – 19th

Wimborne Art Club exhibition | Walford Mill Crafts | www.walfordmillcrafts.co.uk

4th – 19th

Easter Garden Trail and Craft Activities | Priest’s House Museum Garden | www.priest-house.co.uk

9th & 11th

Bat Walk with Jan Freeborn | Knoll Gardens | www.knollgardens.co.uk

7th – 9th

Easter Activities | Wimborne Model Town | www.wimborne-modeltown.com

18th

Vinyl Survivalists | Community Learning & Resource Centre | www.dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk

22nd

Giselle | Layard Theatre, Canford School | www.canford.com/open-to-the-public/layard-theatre

25th – 26th

Plant Sale/Gardens Weekend | Wimborne Model Town | www.wimborne-modeltown.com

May: 2nd - 3rd

Railway Weekend | Wimborne Model Town | www.wimborne-modeltown.com

8th

Family Picnic + Parade (tbc) | Redcotts Green

8th

Son et Lumiere for VE Day (tbc) | Wimborne Minster | www.radiowimborne.co.uk

9th

Family Picnic | Minster Green

10th

County Service of Thanksgiving | Wimborne Minster

9th – 17th

Literary Festival | www.wimborneliteraryfestival.co.uk

15th May

Garden Bee Walk with Rowena Jecock | Knoll Gardens | www.knollgardens.co.uk

16th

Monteverdi Vespers 1610 | Wimborne Minster

30/31st

Family Fest | Wimborne Showground, Lake Gates | www.wimborneshowground.com

June 12th – 14th

Folk Festival | www.wimbornefolk.co.uk

13th

Wimborne Minster Green Charities Fair | Minster Green

20th

Wimborne Repair Café | Community & Resource Centre | www.facebook.com/wimbornerepaircafe

26th - 28th

Tankfest | Tank Museum | www.tankmuseum.org

28th

Wimborne in Bloom Open Gardens Day | www.wimborneinbloom.org.uk

If you would like your community event listed in our next issue for July, August and September, please do let us know by sending an email to cro@theallendale.org giving the date, name of the event and where it is to be held. www.theallendale.org

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d e g n a r r a e To be r s l i a t e d r o f e t i s b e w r check ou k u . o c . k l o wimbornef