east dorset news - Dorsetforyou.com

SUMMER 2004 9EAST DORSET NEWSSimply the nest . . .visitors get secretpeep at natureVisitors to theMoors Valley VisitorCentre this springwere enthralled tobe able to seeinside the nest-boxof a great tit. Acamera in the boxwas connected to atelevision andvisitors were ableto watch the femalesitting on her eggsfor 12 days andthen franticallyfeeding the fivechicks once theyhad hatched.A STRONG NEW VOICEFOR THE COMMUNITYRare plants tobenefit frommeadow cutsSpring signalled the end ofthe felling season for thewardens of East Dorset’sCountryside ManagementService. Now they areconcentrating oncontinuing the grazingprogramme for themeadows at Moors ValleyCountry Park and othersites around East Dorset.The wet meadows at MoorsValley are particularlyvaluable for the wild flowersand invertebrates foundthere. Since the foot andMore than 100 localpeople have registeredinterest or attendedmeetings of theWimborne & DistrictLocal Action Group,established in July 2003as part of the EastDorset CommunityPartnership process.Themed sub-groups havebeen established to helpprogress action. Theseinclude: Crime & Safety,Transport, Youth and Housing.John Shave, chair of theLocal Action Group, said: “It isonly by working together as acommunity that progress canbe made. The Local ActionGroup can act as a voice forthe community to ensure thatservice providers understandand address our needs andpriorities. It can only do thiseffectively if residents becomeinvolved.”The Group has contributedto key local issues, includingWimborne alcohol-free zone,Leigh Park Post Office and theVictoria Hospital Minor InjuriesUnit.Further consultation isplanned to identify futureissues and priorities. Actionplans can then be formulatedto progress matters with therelevant organisations.Meetings are held everytwo months across Colehill,Furzehill, Holt and WimborneMinster from 7:30-9pm. Formore information contactJackie Morris (01202) 886201.Orienteers at Moors ValleySome 110 competitors entered the Dorset Schools OrienteeringChampionships at Moors Valley Country Park on May 14,organised by Wimborne Orienteers Club.The event was open to pupils between the ages of 10 and 18.Clayesmore Prep beat 19 other schools in thePrimary/Middle/Prep School class. The eight-strong SecondarySchool class went to Bishop Wordsworth School.On May 8 the outgoing Chairman of EDDC, Mrs Ann Warman,officially opened the Permanent Trail Orienteering Course at thepark, the first of its kind in the south-west.Revamped complex isa centre of excellenceThe Wimborne Community Learning and Resource Centrehas an excellent programme of courses offering learningopportunities for the community and voluntary sector.Following its £1m refurbishment, the centre is regardedas one of the best adult learning venues in the county.It is managed by Dorset Community Action (DCA) onbehalf of DCA, the Learning and Skills Council and DorsetCounty Council.For enquiries about courses please ring (01202) 847600.For room hire and general enquiries call (01202) 847602.District Council’s new ChairmanFrom page 1London Borough of Camdenfor ten years and spent sixyears on the Board of BritishTelecom. He also served withthe RAF, where he rose to therank of Wing Commander.During his year as Chairman ofCouncil, his nominated charityis CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemiain Childhood), a nationalcharity committed to providingan all-embracing approach tothe care of children withcancer and leukaemia.Cllr Packer said: “I am lookingforward to generous supportfrom the community.”mouth epidemic, however,they have not been grazedas intensively as wouldhave been preferred formaximum conservationbenefit.Therefore, three of themeadows have been cut, byAlaska Environmentalcontractors, to enable themto be grazed once againthis summer. This willbenefit many plants such asragged robin (pictured), bogmyrtle, sundew and the raremarsh gentian.A gift forrecyclersPeople living in VictoriaClose, Corfe Mullen, havebeen given a giantcomposter by EDDC’sRecycling Officer HarryCromwell.Residents have beenworking to design a gardenand play area for the estate.Steve Parkin, Chairman ofthe Tenants and ResidentsAssociation, taking deliveryof the oversized compostbin, said: “Our vision is agarden that all ages canenjoy.”Councillor QueenieComfort, Lead Member forHealth and Housing atEDDC, said: “There are anumber of flats here withoutgardens so a sharedcomposter is an ideal wayof getting rid of householdwaste while helping theenvironment.”