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Welcome to the autumn edition of Dorset ... - Dorsetforyou.com

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help maintain this important landmark. Maintenance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> figure involves weeding out thistlesand grasses encroaching on<strong>to</strong> its surface and removing from <strong>the</strong> hillside Portland limes<strong>to</strong>nescalpings spread over <strong>the</strong> figure as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Challenge Anneka TV programme.Team GB would surely be proud <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> back bending, muscle straining effort that <strong>the</strong> BAEvolunteers and Rangers put in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> work. And, as <strong>the</strong> figure is best viewed from WeymouthBay, <strong>the</strong> challenge is now on <strong>to</strong> get <strong>the</strong> figure ship-shape for <strong>the</strong> 2012 Olympics.<strong>Wel<strong>com</strong>e</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> New Apprentice TeamWe have seven Apprentice placements this year, six <strong>of</strong> which we have filled. Our apprenticeplacements are valuable additions <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> teams and support <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rangers on <strong>the</strong>ground. This year’s apprentices are:Charmaine Randall – North <strong>Dorset</strong>Josh Wood – Coast (East)Mark Lee – Coast (West)Annabel Shipley – Durls<strong>to</strong>n Country ParkRussell G<strong>of</strong>f – Conservation Ranger TeamKeeping count on <strong>the</strong> Castleman TrailwayThis <strong>autumn</strong>, sensors will be installed on <strong>the</strong> Castleman Trailway <strong>to</strong> determine both <strong>the</strong> levelsand type <strong>of</strong> visi<strong>to</strong>rs’ use. The Castleman Trailway will be a trial site for a new acousticinduction loop. This device is able <strong>to</strong> distinguish between cycle and pedestrian use and, whenused in <strong>com</strong>bination with o<strong>the</strong>r sensors, will be able <strong>to</strong> indicate <strong>the</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> cyclist, pedestrianand equestrian use on sections <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Trailway. The information from <strong>the</strong>se sensors canestablish <strong>the</strong> current use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> route and any changes in <strong>the</strong> use due <strong>to</strong> improvements <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>Trailway. This will <strong>the</strong>n help support <strong>the</strong> need for additional resources for <strong>the</strong> route. Thesesensors have been funded through <strong>the</strong> South East <strong>Dorset</strong> Heathland Mitigation InterimPlanning Framework. For more information on this route visit <strong>the</strong> website on <strong>the</strong> link below.http://www.dorsetforyou.<strong>com</strong>/index.jsp?articleid=386532The Milldown gains a Green Flag AwardYou may remember from <strong>the</strong> Spring 2008 <strong>edition</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> newsletter that <strong>the</strong> Milldown, inBlandford, applied for a Green Flag Award. Well we are pleased <strong>to</strong> tell you that it wassuccessful! The Green Flag Award is a national standard for parks and green spaces inEngland and Wales. It has <strong>to</strong> be renewed on an annual basis so it keeps us on our <strong>to</strong>es andmakes sure that <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> site is maintained. Congratulations <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> North <strong>Dorset</strong>Team for gaining <strong>the</strong> award! For more information on <strong>the</strong> Milldown visit:http://www.dorsetforyou.<strong>com</strong>/index.jsp?articleid=386481Cside – <strong>the</strong> new GIS for <strong>Dorset</strong> CountrysideLast year, <strong>the</strong> decision was taken <strong>to</strong> develop a new Geographical Information System for<strong>Dorset</strong> Countryside. Rights <strong>of</strong> Way needed <strong>to</strong> replace CAMS (Countryside AccessManagement System) which was not meeting <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> team due <strong>to</strong> its technical faultsand lack <strong>of</strong> support, whilst Rangers did not have a single system <strong>to</strong> manage projects andrecord information. The new system, temporarily named Cside, is being developed by DCC’sin-house GIS team. Cside is browser based, making it accessible <strong>to</strong> all staff with a PC andbroadband connection.The Rights <strong>of</strong> Way team has already started <strong>to</strong> use Cside <strong>to</strong> record reported problems andwork carried out on rights <strong>of</strong> way. The GIS team are working closely with <strong>the</strong> Rights <strong>of</strong> WayGIS Officer <strong>to</strong> resolve any errors found and <strong>to</strong> improve <strong>the</strong> system in response <strong>to</strong> userfeedback and requests.Cside will also be adapted for use by <strong>Dorset</strong> Direct, enabling Cus<strong>to</strong>mer Services Officers <strong>to</strong>input rights <strong>of</strong> way problems reported by members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> public directly on <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> system. Amodified version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> system will also be available <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> public so that problems can bereported online. Cside will be developed fur<strong>the</strong>r after consultation with staff and will <strong>the</strong>n berolled out <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dorset</strong> Countryside. Cside will replace <strong>Dorset</strong> Countryside’sfragmented approach <strong>to</strong> recording geographical data and will improve informationmanagement across <strong>the</strong> service.


If you have any queries about <strong>the</strong> project please contact Carol McKay, Rights <strong>of</strong> Way GISOfficer, tel 01305 221219 or email c.a.mckay@dorsetcc.gov.ukMaking us more accessible – TypetalkCarol McKay recently attended a training session on Typetalk. Typetalk is a service for deafpeople which enables <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> make a telephone call using a text phone <strong>to</strong> a hearing personon a standard phone. <strong>Dorset</strong> Direct staff members have been attending training sessions so<strong>the</strong>y are able <strong>to</strong> receive calls from deaf people. However, <strong>the</strong>y may transfer Typetalk callsthrough <strong>to</strong> us, so we should all know how <strong>to</strong> receive <strong>the</strong>se calls. If you are recruiting new staff,remember that Typetalk can also be used by deaf employees provided <strong>the</strong>y have a textphone. More training sessions can be provided for staff; if you are interested in this trainingplease contact Carol McKay.New StaffNick Tarrier has recently been appointed as <strong>the</strong> Assistant Coastal Ranger for West <strong>Dorset</strong>.Nick has previously worked with us as an apprentice before moving on <strong>to</strong> work for <strong>the</strong>National Trust.<strong>Wel<strong>com</strong>e</strong> <strong>to</strong> Ben Wallbridge who has joined us at Durls<strong>to</strong>n as <strong>the</strong> new Durls<strong>to</strong>n MarineOfficer.Graham Stanley has joined <strong>the</strong> North <strong>Dorset</strong> Team as <strong>the</strong> new Assistant Ranger. Grahampreviously worked for <strong>the</strong> Herpe<strong>to</strong>logical Conservation Trust down in Bournemouth.Think Before You Print!Using email helps reduce <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> paper - if you do print this email out, please try and userecycled paper and when you have finished with it, pass it on<strong>to</strong> someone else or pop it in <strong>the</strong>recycling!Future NewsDon’t forget <strong>to</strong> drop me line with any news you have so that I can put it in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> nextnewsletter. Please use <strong>the</strong> following email addressdorsetcountryside@dorsetcc.gov.ukDistribution ListIf <strong>the</strong>re is anyone in your organisation who you think would be interested in this newsletter,please feel free <strong>to</strong> forward it <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m.If you would like <strong>to</strong> be added <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> distribution list, please email your details and I’ll makesure your name gets added.If you don’t wish <strong>to</strong> receive fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>edition</strong>s, please let me know and I will ensure you aretaken <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> distribution list.

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