Category: Latest News

New Year’s Day Prout Bridge Project Sea Swim

Our Rev Jo, Dani from The Wobbly Cottage and Jo Robins are doing a New Year’s Day Sea Swim raising funds for the Prout Bridge Project. The time is still tbc but they are swimming at Lyme Regis off the town beach.

They have just launched a GoFundMe page and at the time of publishing, they have just

Jo Robins created the page stating: Dani, Jo R and Rev Jo will be putting on their bobble hats and braving the New Year’s Day sea for a sponsored swim to raise money for the Prout Bridge Project. Please support us in this slightly mad endeavour if you can – every donation will make a real difference to the work of the Prout Bridge Project in Beaminster, West Dorset. Supporting mental health and wellbeing in young people and adults and providing youth clubs, youth work support and activities for children and young people, if you’re not familiar with the charity – please read more below.

Photographic evidence will be provided. If the conditions are dangerous on 1st January, they will do the swim as soon as is safe after that date.

Please support them & donate HERE!

Prout Bridge ProjrctThe Prout Bridge Project. “The charity provides youth work and clubs for children and young people and mental health and wellbeing support and affordable activities for people of all ages in rural West Dorset, operating from the small town of Beaminster.
Our area is beautiful and lots of  people come here for their holidays. But it can be a tough place to live for many households with low wages, high housing costs, limited public transport and rural isolation leading to relatively high levels of poverty and social deprivation and poor mental health. Our team of qualified and highly-experienced staff and volunteers are trusted in our community, having built strong relationships over many years. We have an excellent reputation for the positive impact we have, empowering young people, improving mental health for people of all ages and providing affordable activities and opportunities. In the past year we have worked with over 500 young people and adults and provided support around issues including anxiety and depression, abuse, addiction, bullying, relationship, family breakdown and sexual health.”

Why are they fundraising?
“Like so many organisations Covid-19 has hit us hard and 2020 has been tough. We’ve lost our income from room hire, activities and our cafe. Understandably some of our supporters have had to cancel or reduce donations. And, most challenging, we lost our base in March when the Prout Bridge building in Beaminster was requisitioned by the County Council as part of their emergency coronavirus planning. At the same time the need for our services is greater than ever. The impact of Covid and lockdown measures on  people’s lives and mental health has been devastating. 
We’re determined to keep supporting young people and adults in our community at this challenging time. We’ve been  adapting our services throughout the lockdown. At the moment we offer:

  • Youth worker team outreach in the town on Tuesday and Friday nights talking with young people, listening to their fears and providing information and advice.
  • Targeted one-to-one youth work sessions with young people in need.
  • A free to use counselling service for people of all ages staffed by 4 counsellors.
  • A weekly resilience course for one secure bubble of young people not currently in school run by two youth workers.
  • A youth band for one secure bubble of young people one night a week supported by two youth workers.
  • Support to the food bank and co-working with other services including the police, local schools, Dorset Family Partnership Zone, and specialist local charities like the Space and the Shores.

We know there is a need for so much more. And we can continue to provide these services and more if we can keep raising enough money to cover our running costs.”

Please support them & donate HERE!

THANK YOU!!

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#NewYearsDaySwim,#ProutBridgeProject,#Donate,#Teenagers,#SplishSplash,#Youth,#GoFundMe,#YouMustBeMad,#SocialDistancing,#SwimSafe,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Parish Group Council

The focused faces in the photograph belie the festive feel to Monday night’s Group Parish Council meeting.  Helen, the Town Clerk reported:

“ It was lovely to see everyone looking so festive thanks to those members of the public who joined us. Another busy agenda, we welcomed Lloyd Curtis back to the Council and paid thanks to Susanna Laurie who has recently stepped down as Councillor for Seaborough. Susanna has made such a positive contribution to the Council and has worked hard to represent and support her community.

The next online meeting will take place on 11 January, please do join us!

Wishing all parishioners of the Grouped Parish a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.“

Susanna responded “Thank you for the kind words it was a pleasure to be part of this Parish Council, to meet you all and work in such a positive environment.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.”

Christmas Garland#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Christmas,#Zoom,#Tier2,#StaySafe

Last UK Posting Dates for Christmas

The Post Office Outreach Service will be at the Comrades Hall in Broadwindsor on Friday 18th and on Tuesday 22nd December from 10am – 12,30pm.

It’s now too late for international packages to reach their destination in time for Christmas but here are the recommended deadline dates for within the UK from the Royal Mail:

Friday 18 December –
 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For
Monday 21 December –
 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For
and Royal Mail Tracked 48*
Tuesday 22 December –
 Royal Mail Tracked 24*
Wednesday 23 December –
 Special Delivery Guaranteed

*Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Royal Mail Tracked 48 services are not available to purchase at Post Office® branches.

P.O. - Covid seatingThere is seating arranged in the Comrades Hall so nobody has to queue outside.  Please remember to wear your mask, write your name and postcode in the book coming in (for track and trace purposes) and to use the hand sanitiser provided.

The Royal Mail point out that “Ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery across the globe.”  Be kind to your postman 🙂

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#PostOffice,#Outreach,#Christmas2020,#LastPostingDate,#SocialDistancing,#Covid19,#WearYourMask,#BeKind,#StaySafe

 

Vikki’s Specials at The White Lion

It is hoped that after tomorrow’s Government announcement that the rules about Christmas gatherings will be clearer and the pub and other establishments will then be able to finalise their Christmas opening hours.

As it stands today at the White Lion, you can EAT IN on Friday and Saturday evenings.

All is available to TAKEAWAY on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Vikki’s Specials this week are:

  • Homemade Lasagne with Salad and Garlic Bread
  • Florentine Fishcakes with Chips and Peas
  • Chicken Breast with Mushroom Sauce, New Potatoes and Peas

On Sunday for Lunch, you have a choice of Beef, Turkey or Pork.

Call 01308 867070 to book

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#TheWhiteLion,#SundayRoast,#December2020,#Tier2,#Takeaway,#Homemade,#SocialDistancing,#YumYum,#SupportYourLocal,#StayAtHome,#BeKind,#StaySafe

 

Councillor Simon Christopher’s Report – Dec 2020

Here is our local Councillor Simon Christopher’s interim report submitted to the Parish Council’s meeting this evening.

“I am actually writing exactly seven days before the meeting and as a politician famously said, a week is a long time in politics.

I thought I would set out some thoughts at the last meeting of the year. A difficult year in which we have seen so many people rally around to help vulnerable people.

The council has risen to the task of helping the elderly, the infirm and has acted positively to help with the provision of meals to vulnerable children over holiday times.  There has of course been financial consequences and the council has had to utilise reserves.

Councillors Jill Haynes and Councillor Tony Ferrari as portfolio holders have written to all Town and Parish Council clerks re the Dorset Council area.  The communication is in respect of the Dorset Council Asset review Process, which was presented to Cabinet on 3rd November 2020.
Extracts include ‘There are a number of (property) holdings which we need to consider in order to rationalize the estate and reduce cash’

‘The desire is to

  1. Create economic growth by creating new homes and jobs
  2. Delivering a more integrated customer focused service, through joint provision with partner organisations
  3. Generate efficiencies through capital receipts and running costs’.

Please contact me if you have not seen the aforementioned email or wish to discuss the matter. 

Councillors are currently discussing the budget setting process, primarily:

  • Children’s Directorate
  • Place Directorate- including property’s, highways and Dorset Waste
  • Adults Directorate
  • Corporate Directorate

There is to be a concentrated effort to achieve savings in contract arrangement without a reduction in service.

The Parish Council will be aware of the considerable correspondence involving Highways and the police about continuing damage to the verges etc at Common water Lane.  This is an ongoing matter and many of us are determined  that the above authorities are made aware of the continuing concern of residents.

I will be pleased to receive your thoughts on possible changes to Dorset Council car parking charges. 

You may have noticed that Dorset Council car parks will be free on Saturday’s in December 2020. (In Sherborne I understand this will be on Mondays)

The mailbag of a Dorset Councillor in a rural ward appears to show continued concern about speeding motorists and I pass on these concerns to the relevant highways officers and other agencies.

Thank you to those Parish Councillors who contact me re concerns about footpaths and I have contacted the officer on   your behalf.  I continue to request a pavement be installed from Broadwindsor Village to the cricket ground.

I am in touch with officers to make sure drains in Seaborough are properly cleared,  as a result of residents concerns.

Rachel Baker, senior communications officer Digital and Change Dorset Council has been publicising the Gigabit Voucher Scheme.  An email has come out to John and myself, which has been further circulated and you have comments on this.

On 30th November 2020 the Government has unveiled its Path to Sustainable Farming.

The reason I draw your attention to this is :

  1. The mere fact that even in the heart of your village you are but yards away from a field managed by members of the farming community.
  2. This will impact on the County Farms Estate of some 46 farms and all our local farmers.

The Government states that it plans to deliver a better fairer farming system in England with the objective of changing the way the Government supports farmers.  The roadmap has outlined changes that will come in over a seven year period.

‘The changes will be designed to ensure that by 2028 farmers in England can sustainably produce healthy food profitably without subsidy, whilst taking steps to improve the environment, improve animal health and welfare and reduce carbon emissions.

Next year marks the start of the transition where we will begin to move away from the Basic Payment Scheme(BPS) towards new policies that will be co-designed and tested together with farmers, land managers and experts, to ensure that the new systems work for them.

The ‘Path to Sustainable Farming’ document  sets out more detail on the changes we are going to make, and what they will mean to farmers.

The key changes include:

  • Introducing the Environmental Land Management scheme to incentivise sustainable practices, create habitats for nature recovery and establish new woodland to help tackle climate change.
  • Investing in improving animal health and welfare as part of our sustainable farming approach. This will initially focus on controlling or eradicating endemic diseases amongst cattle, pigs and sheep.
  • Direct payments will be reduced fairly, starting from the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme year, with the money released being used to fund new grants and schemes to boost farmer’s productivity and reward environmental improvements.
  • Launching a Farming Investment Fund, which will support innovation and productivity. This will open for applications next year and will be used to offer grants for equipment, technology and infrastructure for the future.
  • Simplifying and improving existing schemes and their application processes further from January 2021 to reduce the burden on farmers, and we will take a modern approach to regulation, cutting unnecessary red tape for farmers and working together with industry to design a more targeted regulatory system.

In a nutshell, the bulk of future payments will be through the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), but it will not be fully available to farmers for four years.  Meanwhile, cuts to the old scheme will begin in January 2021.  By the time  the ELM Scheme is fully available, farming businesses face losing 50% of the financial support they previously received.  The reliance on BPS for farming businesses of all sizes is it seems, such that farmers may struggle.

The Dorset Local Plan

Many of you will have noticed that there will be consultations in respect of The Dorset Local Plan.  The timetable will approximate to:

1st December 2020 –  Details published on the Dorset Council website for discussion at Dorset Council Cabinet

8th December 2020 – Discussion at Dorset Council Cabinet

Mid January 2021 – Consultation period opens for a period expected to be for 8 weeks.

In the event the Cabinet agenda was published yesterday evening and I will be pleased to discuss initial thoughts with you at the meeting this evening.

To quote the documentation:

‘ Having an up to date local place is critical in order to shape the future of the Dorset Council area, providing for development to meet the areas needs and manage decisions of planning applications.  Public consultation is a vital part of the process and this consultation will enable a wide range of views to be taken into account in moving the plans forward.  The plan includes potential development sites in order to meet the needs for housing, employment and other uses over the period to 2038’

It is proposed that the public consultation takes place for eight weeks starting in mid January 2021. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic means that face to face consultations are unlikely to be possible but in addition to the document and supporting evidence being available online a range of consultation methods are proposed including  online events, social media and copies available to loan in libraries.

After consultation a final draft plan will be published with an opportunity for further feedback and comments before being submitted for examination. At that stage responses will be considered and assessed by the independent inspector who examines the plan.

The intention is to adopt the plan by April 2023 .

Dorset Council has published the Dorset Highways Winter Service Policy and Operational Plan 2020/21.  This document has been made available to all Parish Council clerks.

I wish you all a safe very enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

Best regards

Councillor Simon Christopher
Dorset Councillor for The Marshwood Vale Ward
https://www.simonchristopher.info/

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#DorsetHighways,#DorsetLocalPlan,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#Christmas,#Zoom,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Tier2,#StaySafe

Shelter At Broadwindsor Community Stores

Extending the thanks to the squad who worked in the wind and rain over the weekend so that customers can be better protected from the weather when queuing this winter.

Thank You!

From left to right. Terry Clarke, Phillip Coltart,  Andrew Hookings (Chairman of BADCE), Kevin Madder-Smith (Shop Manager), Chris Edgerley, Ryan Smith, Jamie Dawson and John Heys.

 

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BroadwindsorCommunityStores,#Volunteers,#Community,#MassiveThanks,#SocialDistancing,#StaySafe

Free Winter Coats or Pyjamas Available for Ages 3 to 12yr olds

From today, Dorset Council have lots of quality new and nearly new coats and pyjamas available for ages three to 12, so don’t miss out. Pick-up points will be open across Dorset from Monday 14thto Sunday 20th December

Please just drop-in, there are no checks, forms or pre-booking – simply help where it’s needed.

There are several pick-up points throughout Dorset, the two closest to our parish are:

  1. Bridport Children’s Centre
    Skilling Hill Road, Bridport, DT6 5LA
    Tel: 01308 421714
    Pick up dates/times: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 3-4pm
  2. Age UK Bridport Shop
    West Street, Bridport
    Pick up dates/times: Mon 14th – Sat 19, 10am – 4pm

Vulnerable families in Dorset will receive help with the costs of food and fuel this winter. Dorset Council has been awarded up to £922,153 from the government’s Covid Winter Grant Scheme to support children and families across the county.

Some of this money will be used to make sure families who need it, including those who receive free school meals, receive food vouchers during the Christmas holidays and February half term. Families will receive details of this scheme direct from their school.

Dorset Council is also working with partner agencies to target support to help families facing fuel poverty this winter, more details will be available soon.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#DorsetCouncil,#WinterCoats,#Children,#CovidWinterGrant,#SocialDistancing,#StaySafe

 

Hedge Cutting Complete

Earlier today, the voluntary work party cut back the very overgrown hedge between Comrades Hall and the church yard. On what was a very wet morning the task was completed thanks to the hard work and commitment from the volunteers saving the hall funds many hundreds of pounds.
David Leader, who took part and the photograph expressed a massive thank you to Bob, Stefan, Terry, Chris, Phillip, Andrew and Dave.

Well done all!

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#ComradesHall,#Volunteers,#MassiveThanks,#SocialDistancing,#TidyUp.#StaySafe,#Community

Overnight Parking Restrictions & Road Closures Next Week

**The road closure on Chard Road, Drimpton will be lifted after 3.30 pm today but will be closed again on Monday 14 December between 9.30 and 3.30. The reason for the extra day is due to engineering difficulties with the fibre cable.**

Overnight Parking Restrictions at Hogshill – 14th Dec.

At 9pm on Monday, 14th December the A3066 road, Hogshill Street in Beaminster will be closed until 6am.  This is to allow BT safe access to arrange cabling for a new customer connection.

Although in force for five days, it is anticipated that the work will be completed by the 16th December.

There will be parking restriction imposed overnight as indicated on the map below.  Download the full information HERE.

No Overnight ParkingAny unauthorised Person who uses or permits the use of the road(s) indicated in contravention of the Notice will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

Temporary Closure of Potwell Lane, Littlewindsor – 16th Dec.

At 9am on Wednesday, 16th December, the road will be closed until 15.30hrs. All vehicles will be prohibited from proceeding between the access road to Potwell Farm and its junction with the access road to Potwell Gorse.
This is to allow BT to safely install 6 new telegraph poles.
The alternative route will be signposted – A3066 – A3164 – Mosterton

Although in force for five days, it is anticipated that the work will be completed by the 17th December.

Roadworks_Dec20 at PotwellMore Information:

For more information on any Roadworks or Closures, please contact:
Dorset Highways Traffic Team – 01305 221020 or email: trafficteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
For more information on the Work being undertaken, please contact:
BT – 01234 773833

#Broadwindsor,#WestDorset,#DorsetCouncil,#Roadworks,#BT,#Beaminster,#NoParking,#Potwell,#RoadClosed,#SocialDistancing,#DriveSafe,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council – Online Meeting Monday 14th December 2020

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council are meeting online using the Zoom platform at 7.30pm on Monday 14th December 2020.  You are also invited to join from 7.00 pm with your festive drink and nibbles!
All are welcome to attend.

The full agenda is available to download HERE.

The meeting can be accessed HERE.
The Meeting ID: 925 993 0185
Zoom is Free! – Sign Up and get it HERE.

In the matters arising, there is a Parish Council Vacancy, for the Seaborough Ward.

Residents are invited to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on issues on this Agenda.
a. Report from Councillor Christopher, Dorset Council
b. Report from Dorset Police
c. Co-option to Broadwindsor Group Parish Council, Burstock Ward

An update from Councillors re: Covid-19 and a Union Connectivity Review: Call for Evidence

Once the Finance Report (Balance £39,807.66 as of 30 November 2020) is received and payments approved, there are two Planning Applications to be considered this month:

WD/D/20/002442 – The Old School House, High Street, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QP
WD/D/20/002187 – Ellaway Cottage, Wood Farm, Wood Lane, Kittwhistle, DT8 3LG

With updates from Broadwindsor Cricket Club, the Working Group for Climate Change Emergency and the Allotments, there will also be a website review.

Dog Fouling is included in the items to be addressed in the Highways section:
a. Report from the Footpaths Officer
b. Verge Management in the Grouped Parish Area
c. Maintenance of Signs in the Grouped Parish Area
d. Update on Oak Tree, Crewkerne Road, Drimpton
e. Dog Fouling
f. Common Water Lane Verges Update

The Broadwindsor Group Parish Community Land Trust will deliver a report on Affordable Housing.

The public are then invited to participate, to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on any outstanding issues on this Agenda or raise issues for future consideration.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#PlanningApplication,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#Zoom,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#FMRTrust,#Tier2,#StaySafe