Month: November 2020

Friday 13th is World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness which binds us. Kindness is a fundamental part of the human condition which bridges the divides of race, religion, politics, gender and post codes.

It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement and there are now over 28 nations involved in The World Kindness Movement.  Kindness Day UK was launched on 13th November 2010.

You can pledge a good deed and also find a wide range of resources including ideas for random acts of kindness both large and small on the Kindness UK website HERE.

Kindness starts with one. One smile. One compliment. One cup of coffee. One conversation.

#BeKind

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#Community,#Kindness,BeKind,#StaySafe

Wobbly Cottage Say Thank You

The Wobbly Cottage artisan bakery at Redlands Yard celebrated 3 years of business there today and owners Rich & Dani had this to say:

“Bit of a #throwback to our opening day 3 years ago. 3 years of a bricks and mortar bakery and shop, how did that happen?! A huge thank you to everyone that has supported us in every which way, customers old and new and to all of you that continue to support us even in these very odd times we find ourselves in. We are so lucky to have such loyal and supportive people around us. Thank You!“

Congratulations to you both!

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#LocalBusiness,#ThankYou,#ThrowbackToOpeningDay,#ArtisanBakery,#Sourdough,#WobblyCottage,#RedlandsYard#SocialDistancing,#WearYourMask,#BeKind,#StaySafe

The Official UK Coronavirus Dashboard

Updated late this afternoon, the Government’s UK Coronavirus Dashboard with an interactive map.

You can browse cases data for specific areas within the UK. The map displays weekly data, which are updated everyday. This image shown here is our local area.  Use the slider on the online map to select a week-ending date.

Key to interactive online map:

  • Local view: The default zoom level shows Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLA).
    Zoom in for more details, including Lower Tier Local Authorities (LTLA) and Middle layer Super Output Areas (MSOA).
  • Suppressed rates: MSOA level rates are suppressed where there have been fewer than 3 cases in a seven-day period. This is to protect the privacy of individuals and prevent disclosure.
  • More details: Click on an area to see more detailed cases data for the most recent time period available – including seven day case rates and direction of change.
  • When zoomed to very small areas, data for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are not available.

To view the full interactive map and explore other postcodes, Click HERE.

Output areas (OA) were created for Census data, specifically for the output of census estimates. The UK Census is undertaken every 10 years, with the most recent being on 27 March 2011. If you would like to read more on Census Geography, please click HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#SocialDistancing,#Government,#Community,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#ParishCouncil,#InteractiveMap,#Coronavirus,#Covid-19,#Zoom,#Lockdown,#StaySafe

Pre-Order From The Hungry Mule Rib Shop For Friday

Usually serving and delivering in Bridport, the Hungry Mule Rib Shop are delivering ribs and takeaway to Beaminster Square for collection.  This Friday, 13th November they will be in Beaminster Square at 7.30pm!

Pre-order and pre-payment is essential.  All collections at 7.30pm.

Eat ribs, get messy!

By Telephone/Text: 07769 227116
Pre-order by email: hungrymule@hotmail.com
If you get in quick, before midnight tonight (Wednesday 11th Nov.), share their Facebook post and place your order – all before midnight tonight – you will receive a FREE Chocolate Brownie 🙂

 
#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#Food,#Lockdown,#Delivery,#Takeaway,#HungryMuleRibShop,#EatRibsGetMessy,#SocialDistancing,#WearYourMask,#StaySafe

Warning Re: BT’s SuperFast Fibre Broadband

Village resident, Nicholas Morrell doesn’t get a mobile signal at his home.  He has no Social Media accounts.  He was offered SuperFast Fibre Broadband by BT but refused the contract when he realised he could be at home with no means of communication while the country is in Lockdown due to a pandemic.  Knowing it is unlikely he is the only person in the village with these circumstances, he issued this warning earlier today:

“Those planning to replace their existing analogue system with superfast fibre broadband should be warned that, in the event of a power outage lasting longer than about an hour, both the broadband and the telephone (VoiP) will no longer work. If they do not have a mobile phone signal, they would be unable to contact the emergency services until power was restored. Unlike the old “copper wire” analogue system, which draws power from the exchange, fibre cables cannot transmit current and depend entirely on power at the subscriber’s premises. Openreach tells me that the backup batteries provided last for about an hour before requiring a recharge. This problem is not advertised by BT and neither Ofcom nor service providers yet have a solution. A “transition product” whereby both digital and analogue ran side by side appears to be no longer on offer.

At the suggestion of BT I contacted Chris Loder, our MP, who has a special interest in broadband matters. He tells me that, with other Dorset MPs, he is making representations on Superfast, Gigabit and mobile connectivity. We have to hope that, by 2025 when the analogue system is due to be switched off, mobile phone coverage has improved dramatically. In the middle of a pandemic the loss of the telephone would be especially unwelcome.”

If you have a problem with your BT Broadband – Click HERE.

If you need to contact Chris Loder MP – please email: hello@ChrisLoder.co.uk or  chris.loder.mp@parliament.uk.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BT,#Broadband,#Problem.#Mobile.#ChrisLoderMP,#Communication,#Lockdown,#SocialDistancing,WearAMask,#StaySafe

 

 

Dorset Farmers Mental Health Survey

Do you work in farming or know someone that does? Living in our Parish – we all probably do!

Dorset Police Rural Crime Team need YOUR help:
“We are facing a mental health crisis, further impacted by coronavirus – and our local farming communities are particularly vulnerable due to high levels of poor mental health.
In Dorset, a group has come together to help tackle farmer’s mental health. They include: Farming Community Network (FCN), National Farmers Union (NFU), Dorset Council, Dorset Healthcare, Dorset Mind, Dorset Mental Health Forum, Dorset Police and Steps to Wellbeing.
The group aims to increase awareness of Wellbeing within farming and provide a range of targeted support such as signposting, training and events; that are easily accessed when someone needs urgent help.”
They have developed a short anonymous survey to start to identify people’s current understanding of mental health and whether there are any gaps in services.
The survey should only take approx. 5 minutes to complete. Please Click HERE.
For any further information, please email Nick at nickviney@hotmail.com.
#Broadwindsor,#WestDorset,#FCN,#NFU,#RuralMentalHealth,#FarmersMentalHealth,#PCSO6386,#BeKind,#StaySafe

The White Lion’s Lockdown Raffle

During the month of November, have a takeaway from the White Lion and you will automatically be entered into their Lockdown Raffle.  You will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes including a Sunday Lunch for 2 (eat in or takeaway) when they reopen.

The Raffle will be held on their reopening night.

You can view the White Lion’s Takeaway menus HERE.

In addition, this weekend’s Specials, provided by Vikki will be:

  • Homemade Game pie with chips or mash
  • Homemade Chicken and vegetable pie with chips or mash
  • Cod Florentine fishcakes with salad
  • Prawn and Smoked Salmon salad

All @ £8.50

  • Sunday 15th…… a choice of Beef/Turkey/Lamb will be available.

The White Lion, BroadwindsorPLEASE REMEMBER TO ORDER BY 5pm FOR NEXT DAY COLLECTION.

Tel: 01308 867070
Email: info@whitelionbroadwindsor.co.uk or message them through Facebook.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#TheWhiteLion,#LockdownRaffle,#SundayRoast,#Lockdown2,#November2020,#Takeaway,#SocialDistancing,#SupportYourLocal,#StayAtHome,#BeKind,#StaySafe

Dog Fouling Escalating

The escalation of dog fouling in the village has prompted this reminder from the Group Parish Council:

“Once again, reports of people not cleaning up after their dogs have fouled have been received, most notably in Yarn Barton where one particular garden is being plagued with dog mess and on route to Broadwindsor School, outside of the Old George.

This is a criminal offence and is totally unacceptable.

The Dog Warden has been informed. Contact with dog excrement can cause Toxocariasis – a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness or seizures.

Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £100. If the case goes to court this could cost the owner or person in charge of the animal up to £1,000. The law states that being unaware a dog has fouled or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse.”

You can report dog fouling to Dorset Council by completing a short online form HERE.

#Broadwindsor,#WestDorset,#WalkToSchool,#DogFouling,#DorsetCouncil,#BagItBinIt,#BeResponsible,#CriminalOffence,#StaySafe

Councillor Simon Christopher’s Report – Nov 2020

Our local Councillor Simon Christopher has granted permission for his report to be shared to the public via Broadwindsor.

Here is his report:

“I am writing this report after the announcement of the National Lockdown on Thursday 5 November 2020 . I have had a long discussion with the hard working council leader Mr Flower on the impact of lockdown for residents and businesses.

I look forward to the virtual parish council meeting but thought I would share some of my thoughts now.

I have stressed  to Mr Flower the importance of keeping services available to local residents, our transport network and looking forward to the future where we can  for example keep our local leisure centres open. Leisure centres are used often by the young , who have suffered so much by restrictions since March  2020 and by the young at heart and they contribute so much for physical and mental well being.  I have subsequently made all other 81 Dorset Councillors aware of my views.

I appreciate many of us do not use leisure centres for their exercises and I would comment that  I have also spoken with Russell Goff  of Dorset Council re footpaths. Russell  is aware of my concern that all footpaths are open and not blocked.  Russell informs me that there is also a busy programme of stile replacement and footbridge replacement  Should you have any concerns re particular footpaths please contact Russell and myself. Footpaths and walking will be more important than ever this Autumn/Winter for the physical and mental health of many of us.  I would however stress that there is a constant concern from farmers and landowners throughout The Marshwood Vale Ward, about dogs attacking and worrying sheep.  I have noted some landowners imploring dog owners to keep their dogs on a short lead.

We will now have a lockdown that will bring new challenges to both residents and business’s and hope that the restrictions  will not continue past 2nd December . The lockdown will be be different  from previous where there were only a few types of businesses and amenities that could stay open . Now it appears it is a case of what has to be closed by HM Government until 2nd December. Dorset Council  car parks  and recycling centres will stay open. This leads me onto to the question of council car par parking charges that has had much consideration in the local press. I would wish to receive your thoughts but would point out the costs of having  road surfaces in good condition etc is high .  I am continuing to press for the funds to be made available to reopen Norway Lane down to Stoke Abbott.

I repeat  from previous reports any comments /criticism of highways please pass them on to me!

Schools will this time stay open despite the new lockdown and I keep in regular touch with the portfolio holder Andrew Parry. Again ,please let me have any comments re the reopening of the school and also how school buses are working.

I am pleased that Broadwindsor Cricket Club is seemingly making progress on purchasing the ground.  I am lobbying the Highways portfolio holder for safer pedestrian access to it.

One of the things that has been noticeable has been an increase in correspondence from those in Assured Shorthold Tenancy   properties in the private sector and those in social housing questioning whether I can assist in them moving from villages in West Dorset into our local towns .

I would be pleased to receive your further thoughts on what can be done better in respect of local bus provision so I  can once more lobby portfolio holder  Councillor Ray Bryan .

We face huge challenges in terms of employment with the threat not just to Jobs within the aeronautical sector in South Somerset and Dorset but also the threat to jobs at Oscar Meyer across the border in Chard. For farmers the future has rarely looked more uncertain with a  seeming no -deal Brexit looming , uncertainty as to what ultimately replaces the existing subsidy scheme and the future of our West Dorset abattoir being questioned .

With no farmers discussion club evenings ( greatly missed ) ,village halls typically standing empty, social isolation is often very much the order of the day Never has good broadband and mobile coverage been so important. Again please let me have your comments suggestions and concerns for relaying to portfolio holders and our MP.

I continue to receive comments from residents about planning applications in the Broadwindsor  Parish area.

As the weather deteriorates ,please do let me have your comments re any local drains ,road surfaces and hedges and verges etc that are giving concern. There has been perhaps some decrease in e mails complaining about speeding and an increase in complaints about damage caused by off roading groups.  I continue to correspond with officers and the portfolio holder about speeding and road safety.

I have passed on your concerns re the desirability of greater police resources in the Ward to, amongst others , our MP Council members are focusing their attention on the budget for 2021/2022 and also the new Dorset Local Plan . The cabinet of the Council will  consider the property portfolio of the Council . We look to meet the future challenges of an ageing population , ever increasing demand for resources generally and a poor financial position. The council will accordingly look to make the best use of these various asset types. This  will ,for instance, involve assessing commercial returns as a landlord, management of 130 or so car parks and assessing the amount of office space that will need to be retained.

As we approach the eleventh day of the eleventh month I reflect on what my ancestors in the Marshwood Vale and all their friends had to deal with and believe that their experiences may just put everything into perspective !

Councillor Simon Christopher 
Dorset Councillor Marshwood Vale 

Tel: 07798 833 715 

Dorset Councillor for The Marshwood Vale Ward”

https://www.simonchristopher.info/

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#KissingGate,#PlanningApplication,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#Zoom,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#FMRTrust,#Lockdown2,#StaySafe

Stop Press: Online Council Meeting Zoom Details

Due to a technical issue – the new details are:

Go to Meeting HERE.

Login to Zoom and Join the Meeting now.

Meeting ID: 899 1041 4222

Passcode: 131372